JAIHOON.COM

Moments at Musandam

Mountains and seas are married to one another in this tip of the landmass. Khasab is an ancient village with simple people and simple culture. Down to earth as earth itself. In short, the trip was beneficial for body and mind worth sharing for the rest of netizens.
Jaihoon’s journey through Musandam, Oman and beyond.

ഒരുവിധം എന്നതിന്റെ അർത്ഥങ്ങൾ

യാത്രകളെ പ്രണയിക്കുന്ന മനസ്സിന്റെ ആഴങ്ങളെ നിറക്കുന്ന അനുഭവങ്ങളിലേക്കെത്താൻ ഇനിയും ദീർഘകാലങ്ങൾ കാത്തിരിക്കേണ്ടി വരുമെന്നതാണ്‌ ഇവിടെ എത്തുന്നതോടെ അടക്കിയിരുത്തുന്ന അറിവ്‌. ഇതൊരു കൂടാണ്‌. പ്രവാസി അതിലെ വളർത്തു മൃഗവും. അല്ലലില്ല, അലട്ടില്ല, സുഖകരം സമൃദ്ധം എന്നു പുറമേക്കു തോന്നിയാലും അകത്ത്‌ ഓർമ്മയിലുള്ള കാടു കിടന്നിളകും.അതിന്റെ അസ്വസ്ഥതകൾ . അതു കൊണ്ട്‌ പുതിയ തോന്നലുകൾ, ഓർമ്മയുടെ തേർവാഴ്ചകൾ. എഴുത്തു താനേ വരുന്നൂ അതിന്റെ ആളൽ ഉള്ളിലുള്ളവന്‌. തോന്നലുകളാണല്ലോ എഴുത്തിന്റെ വലിയ ഒരു ഊന്നൽ. ഓർമ്മ അതിന്റെ കരടുരൂപവും. പരിചയം ഭാവിച്ചെത്തുന്നവരും പുതുതായി ചരിചയം കുറിക്കുന്നവരുമെല്ലാം എഴുത്തിന്റെ അസ്കിത ഉള്ളവരാണിവിടെ. സ്വന്തത്തെ ആവിഷ്കരിക്കാനുള്ള നൂറു കൂട്ടം ഉപായങ്ങളുണ്ട്‌ നാട്ടിൽ, ഇവിടെയെത്തുന്നതോടെ പറച്ചിലിന്റേയും എഴുത്തിന്റേയും തുള മാത്രം ബാക്കിയാകുന്നു. അതിലൂടെ വേണമയാൾക്കയാളെ വച്ചു പൊറുപ്പിക്കുവാൻ. കത്തെഴുതിയും ബഡായി വിട്ടും ചിലർ, എഴുതിത്തന്നെ വേറെ പലർ… Essay by Rafeeq Thiruvalloor

Violent love-hooks

The more our attachments, the more our pain of separation. A man with wife, son, mother, sister, brothers would suffer more the agony of separation than a brother without these ‘love-hooks’ which violently clings to his soul.

The journey

The journey

Though this journey was intended 2 years back, various engagements delayed it. Alternatively, it. . .

Preface

Neo-Imperialism has appeared not only on the political scene, but also on the cultural domain of human civilization. Never before in history has ‘Might’ been so ‘Right’. The culture and ethics of the Dominant Nation is forced upon the Weaker Ones using all possible means, fair and square. The latter are denied their right to […]

Tasawwuf: Comprehensive, Modern and Scientific

A critical essay by Shihab Thangal on the developments and present misconceptions about Mysticism in

Sait Sahib: Thunderbolt for Minority’s Rights

Sayyed Shihab Thangal’s essay on the demise of Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait. Translated by Jaihoon
Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait had become popular in Indian politics for his purity in social life. A politician who upheld the high morals in life. He was different from rest of the politicians as he stood firm in his convictions. I have had […]

To My dear Headmaster

Sayyed Shihab Thangal’s memoir on the headmaster and founding member of MM High School, PV Mohammed Translated by Jaihoon
Madrasathul Mohammadiyya (MM High School) in those days was popular in Malabar and elsewhere due to the combined education of modern and religious subjects.
As I completed my primary education from the DMRT UP school at Panakkad, […]

A Panakkad descendant @ the Cultural Oasis of Arabia

Syed Basheer Ali’s visit to Sharjah
Born in 1971, Syed Basheer Ali Shihab, received his primary education in local school in Panakkad. He was admitted to Farooq college, but later got admission in Aligarh Muslim university for BA commerce stream. After completing his bachelors in commerce, he joined for Law in Trivandrum, the capital city. But […]

Unveiling the Veil

“Neither purdah nor education, be it new or old,
Man alone is the sentinel of female’s womanhood
Of the people who did not understand this living truth
The sun has set very soon.”
- Allama Iqbal
Although Eid has lost its previous glory due to the commercialization, it has not affected the sale of purdah. While there is no check […]

Indian Shalwar, Malaysian Scarf, Arabian Jewellery & a Wedding

Although nikah is the obligatory part and the reception a Sunnah (Prophetic practice, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the amount of time and effort (and money) invested is far from balanced.
The preparations start almost a month before the event. The male members travel to all the four directions for inviting near and far (and farthest) relatives […]

Mother’s care @ MeraWatan

Exclusive interview with Sheikh Muhammad Karakunnu, Director of Islamic Publishing House, Kerala, on May 18th 2002
It was in midst of his busy schedule that Jaihoon was given an opportunity to meet face to face with the renowned writer and thinker whom other writers see as their honorable guru.
So here was a dot-com enthusiast
With questions he […]

Thunjath Ezhuthachan : The Father of Malayalam language

Thunjath Ezhuthachan was born around 450 years ago in Malappuram district. The story of his birth is mixed with myths and truths. His real name was Ramanujan and signs of brilliance were evident in his childhood. He traveled extensively in search of knowledge and returned to Thrikandiyur, his birthplace, after mastering the religious sciences.
The privileged […]

Malik bin Dinar

On arriving at Malabar, the Arab travelers who had travelled with Cheraman Perumal, built mosques. . .

The coming of Portuguese - The scourge of West

The coming
The Portuguese first arrived at Malabar in 1498 AD (940 AH). The time of trade had finished by then. They studied the economic and political climate of the kingdom and returned back to their country after staying a few months. Their man aim was to explore the markets of Pepper. Until then, they’re buying […]

Kerala’s contribution to Arabic Language

Kerala has contributed much into the development of Arabic language and literature. The Arabs had come directly to Kerala for spreading Islam and as such Arabic language is evident here in its real form. Many Arab travelers and scholars have praised the Keralites’ way of pronunciation.
Arabic was given great prominence in the syllabi of the […]

Some facts : The story untold

It has been found that Teak wood has been used in the making of Moon Athur Temple and the palace of Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). In those days, Teak was available in plenty for export only in Kerala.
Jewish religious texts have references to the perfumes of Kerala. The Cinnamon was used in their religious ceremonies.
Elliot’s history […]

The story behind ‘Jai Hind’

Indo-Arab relationship is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to around 3000 years. The peacocks and elephant’s tusk were brought to the King Solomon’s palace from Tharshish, thought to be the port of Kodungallur.
The Christians of Kerala believe that St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, came to Kerala followed by many groups. They had […]

The fall of Ottoman Caliphate and the Indian Khilafat Movement

Introduction
A western critic once wrote that a visitor from Mars who arrived on earth during the sixteenth century would have probably concluded that the world was on the verge of becoming Muslim. No doubt, with the Mughal Empire in the Indian Subcontinent in the East, Safavid Empire in the center and the Ottoman empire in […]

Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community

Contributed to Jaihoon.com by Dr. Hussein Randathani. Posted on December 16 2005
The long-standing Arab contact

Cheraman Perumal

The First Indian to accept Islam
Cheraman Perumal, of Kodungallur, Kerala, was the first Indian to accept Islam. Many historians have recorded this fact in their writings. For example, M. Hamidulla writes in “Muhammad Rasoolullah” quoting some old manuscripts from India Office Library (ref no. Arabic, 2807, 152-173)
“There is a very old tradition in Malabar, South-West […]

CH Mohammed Koya: The Architect of Malabar

Architect of Modern Malabar
C.H. Mohammed Koya was the son of Ahmed Musliyar and Mariyumma. He was born on July 15 1927 at Attoli of Calicut district. His father was a countryside doctor and a specialist in Yunani Medicine. The family had to face many hardships in their life.
At high School was his primary experience of […]

Zamzam Cola and Muslim Barbie!

MANAMA, May 21, 2002 (IslamOnline & News Agencies)
Iran’s version of Coke has hit the shelves of Bahrain’s supermarkets as residents of the Gulf kingdom increasingly express their frustration at U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by boycotting American products.
“There is growing demand for substitutes to American soft drinks, which is what prompted us to import […]

Give Respect to Earn Respect

[Dr. Hamoud Dhawi Al-Qathami/ Al-Madinah, 6 August 2002 ]
It was with obvious sense of pride that I answered in the affirmative to a question from an ordinary Indonesian at a hotel lounge in Jakarta. His question: “Is it not your country which is home to the holiest shrine to which Muslims the world over turn […]

The philosophy of Movement in Architecture

Excerpts from Khalid Alqasimi’s introduction to his collection of photographs.
Architecture has intrigued me throughout my life. Initially I was attracted to its aesthetic quality but since becoming a student of architecture I have begun to look at my surroundings from an academic point of view; focusing on the intellectual and social issues that are intrinsic […]

A torture nightmare beyond imagination

Text of the address by Maher Arar. Related news @ http://www.theglobeandmail.com
I am here today to tell the people of Canada what has happened to me.
There have been many allegations made about me in the media, all of them by people who refuse to be named or come forward. So before I tell you who […]

Umra to unite break-away couples

200 UAE couples headed for Umrah to save their marriages, khaleejtimes.com, 1 March 2004
ABU DHABI - Instead of heading for the court to split, many married couples in UAE pray to the Almighty Allah to solve their marital problems, media reports say.
Thousands of faithful recently travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in a bid […]

A civilization driven by inventions

There was once a Civilization that was The Greatest in The World
By CARLY FIORINA, ex-CEO of Hewlett-Packard. This is an excerpt from a speech titled: “TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS AND OUR WAY OF LIFE: WHAT’S NEXT” Delivered at MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 26, 2001
It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, […]

Modern University - An Arabian Concept, says Cambridge Vice Chancellor

One day AUS was the dream of one person. Today you have made that dream a reality. It is the victory of one man’s vision. He (Dr. Sheikh Sultan) freely gave us his vision. And today his victory is our own.

The Arab world is on a threshold of information explosion, like the rest of the […]

Mild Venture vs. Wild Adventure

Imagine rising up at 5 in the morning and getting ready for a semi-picnic trip with all the sincerity of exploring a region never-seen but often-heard before?
Dawn at Kerala (like any other place on earth) is an exciting ’series of moments’ with the day slowly rising from the womb of night and night slowly hiding […]

Mampuram Sayeds

The Syed Leadership at Mampuram
Just like the Makhdum Family, the Syeds at Mampuram also held the reign of the spiritual leadership of the Muslims of Malabar.
Syed Sheikh Jifri, a great scholar and writer, arrived at Calicut in 1159 accompanied by his scholarly father. They traveled across Malabar in order to spread Islam. The Samudiri king […]

All About MeraWatan

MeraWatan is an e-documentary on the historical and cultural impact of the Indo-Arab relations. It primarily focuses on the Arab-Kerala relationship with a flavor of Iqbalian philosophy.
The whole concept of MeraWatan stems from a single verse of Iqbal,
“Meer-E-Arab Ko Aaayi Tandi Hawan Jahan Se
Mera Watan Wahi Hai, Mera Watan Wahi Hai! “
From where the Arabian […]

A day in the life of Ali Mian

Known as Ali Mian among his family members and friends, the Maulana is scholar, thinker. . .

O Prophet! We belong to you

Oh you, solace for us, the downtrodden,
Deliver the community from fear of death.
You destroyed Lat and Manat of old,
And revived the timeworn world.
Meditation and remembrance of man and jinn,
You are the morning, prayer of Azan.
Burning and ecstasy is from la-llah.
We made no god from quadruped,
Nor bowed low before the hermit,
Nor bend the knee before ancient […]

One Madina’s Lover enough to Charm Houris 70 or more

One Madina’s Lover enough to Charm Houris 70 or more
Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam

Last night when. . .

Kerala Trip (july 07) DAY I

Pre - DAY I
July 22, 2007
Since an unexpected trip, excessive shopping was out of question. Nevertheless I did drop by Duty Free and bought some sweets and juice drinks. Majority of the customers had heavy baskets with heavy alcoholic drinks. My fellow Malayalaee travelers truly displayed their drunkard nature. They were nevertheless ‘advised’ by the […]

Journal Cont…

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Sep 11 : Journal contd…
Sep 11 : Journal contd…
The morning started with Holy Quran. I and my two cousins rushed to Calicut to meet with the publisher to discuss some last minute changes on the book. We boarded the bus, and the trip was jumpy and jammed. The road soaked in rain […]

October 2006

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Sep 9 2006 : Journal of Vacation Trip 2006
Sep 9 2006

The Air Arabia flight arrived around Maghrib time at the Nedumbassery International flight. The flight had begun with the announcement of the “subhanalladhi sakhar lana” dua which is recited in the beginning of the travel. This was the first time I had […]

Transforming solar energy to neural electric impulse on our taste-buds

Jaihoon’s essay on sustenance provided by God for Man.
We live in a calculated world. Our

Jaihoon’s Poetic Bowl

- Jaihoon
O reader!
Take it from this little soul
A drop from Jaihoon’s poetic bowl
A slave once

Wanted: A Sheikh @ the Bedroom

Jaihoon’s essay on the religious education of Muslim women.
It was during a business chat that

The impact of Iqra Revolution on the development of Information Technology

The Holy Qur’an as a religious text pioneered the concept of education technology by mentioning ‘Pen’ as the first non-living object in the Revelation. This demonstrates the importance of ‘Technology’ in furthering education (Information) for the benefit of humanity.
It is worth mentioning here that the Creator did not mention about stars or cars, earth or heavens among the first objects. Instead He opted for a very simple thing, i.e. the Pen. A more deeper analysis of the above verses reveal that the use of Pen is cited as among the bounties of Almighty. It is out of His generosity that teaching is made possible via the pen.

A Corner in Paradise

One night in solitude I sat in prayer
I sent a gift of praise for Him

Now what about will you write?

They challenged,
“Until now, the field of life was your own
You solely chose which seeds to

What does a dream cost you

“Every night before sleep to Him I pray
Ah! With much hope my desire I say
‘If

I call YOU with so sweet a name

Ya Samee’!
Do You not hear the sound
Of the tears dropping on the ground?
Ya Baseer!
Do You not see the scene
Of my cheeks swollen with pain?
Ya Mujeeb ad-Dawaat!
Did you not in the Quran utter
‘Call Me, and you I shall answer?
Ya Jameel!
What are those beautiful names
By which my call to You answerable seems?
Ya Qareeb!
You are closer to me […]

Working capital at the Cultural capital

It was the first ‘off-the-office’ assignment for the writer. But much more than an official task, it was an interesting adventure. So far I had been a passive guest to many exhibitions, not a participant. But this time I had a chance to stand in the stand and explain my organization’s stand.
The exhibition had members […]

The subliminal influence in Popular Culture

Don’t let them spoon feed you!
Friends, I like to thank you all for attending this seminar and hope you can bear with me for the next one hour (went up to 2 hours). Firstly let me wish you all a Happy Diwali, the festival of light.
My topic today is the subliminal influence in popular culture. […]

A Catwalk by little ones

Visit to a fancy dress competition
Firstly, I decided to make the visit to this ‘catwalk’ because all around was the talk about the war. The net and Idiot Box were ‘over-reporting’ it in a bid to capture more and more eyeballs. The photos of the latest Afghan victims were on all major newspapers.
Uncle Sam was […]

Iqbal: The Interpreter of Truth

No one knew that after the late Ghalib, some one would rise in India who would again inspire Urdu poetry with a new spirit and through whom the matchless imagination and the rare imagery of Ghalib would be created anew and would lead to the glorification of the Urdu literature. However, Urdu was fortunate in getting a poet of Iqbal’s caliber, the superiority of whose literary elegance has impressed the Urdu knowing people of the whole of India and whose reputation has spread to Iran, Asia Minor and even to Europe.