Blogs

Here is a writeup by M. Khalfan who joined me with friend Sarfaraz in one part of my recent India trip. Enjoy, especially the photos! I first meet Ali Yusufali (YY) in Florida while attending the funeral of a close family friend. As we discuss CAI’s worldwide projects, YY suggests I visit some of them,…

Destination Kargil It has and is my priority to channel CAI funds to the most needy areas of the world; have blogged about these countries extensively, Afghanistan in particular, of course. Recently, I had the good fortune to visit Indian Kargil and Srinagar, where CAI recently built a school for a very poor community in…

Here is a write-up from Abbas who accompanied me to Afghanistan recently. Please read and enjoy the accompanying photos here. I will add that these girls are from extremely poor families. When they first came to SGH, it was Herculean challenge for us to rehabilitate them into a ‘normal civilized family’. The transformation in three…

Alireza is in tears; his wet face a contortion of grief and pain. Men crying always make me uncomfortable; it punctures all offensive mechanisms in me, especially if the person is one close to me. We are seated in Alireza’s parents ancient, second floor tiny apartment in Dongri, a rather dingy community of Mumbai, India.…

Mcheee. Mullah Mchungu makes this nerve grating sound from a warped mouth, twisting his lips inwards revealing aged toothless gums. It is a sound that is unique to Africans, especially East Africans. You will hear the Khojas of East Africa utter it sometimes, like the Mullah now. It is used to express displeasure generally but…

Mullah Mchungu shows up at my door when I am right in the middle of a vigorous seven mile run on my treadmill, from where I am following highlights of a thrilling cricket match between India and Pakistan to keep me company. I don’t like my running routine to be interrupted so I ignore the…

Inna lillahi Wa Inna Ilayi Raajeoon… the profundity of this beautiful Quraanic verse hit me most when I lost someone dear to me, without whom I wouldn’t be here today – my father, Aunali Jetha, my role model. He lost his battle fighting Leukemia last year. Life hasn’t been the same ever since he passed…

I fly to warm, muggy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and immediately set on feasting on mangoes, pineapples, zambarao and plums that are in season; ahhh, what delight, but promptly get a bellyache and the runs. Dar now resembles mini Mumbai in filth, minus the curs; haphazard construction, rowdy, snarled traffic and backed up sewer lines…

Tuesday, November 19 2013 begins benign enough; we wake up for salaat, Mahaa Zainab and her mother return to slumber and I proceed with pushups and other exercises, run-up to a six – seven mile run later on, after giving breakfast and dropping Zainab to school. It is 7AM and I have just completed my…

We are inseparable, India and I, I think. Why, I was here just six weeks ago. I am back, thanks to an incompetent real estate agent who forgot to take a signature in the presence of Land Registry last visit, an absolute must. Well, I am here now, bemused at the ruckus created by skyrocketing…

Sallam This, my 26th trip to Afghanistan was mighty tough, as you will learn from Shaida’s narration below but as usual, very gratifying; the primary aim was ensuring donor and huqooq funds are spent in responsible manner. I am humbled at the projects CAI donors have supported, bringing much relief and hope to the utmost downtrodden of Allah’s creations in the most remote parts of His realm. Abbas Jaffer and…

Mullah Mchungu, my elderly occasional comrade and frequent nemesis is visiting Sanford, Florida once more. I feel his arresting hand grip my shoulder after Thursday program at Sanford Husseini Islamic Center. Kisukaali, says his quivering voice, surely you can say sallam to an old man, where are your manners? Sallam Mullah! I exclaim happily, I…