Punjabi and Pushto

FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES. THE FILM INDUSTRY HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY THE PUNJABI AND PUSHTO FILMS, SO I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEM.

PUNJABI FILMS ARE A GREAT WORK OF ART. IN NEARLY ALL OF THEM, THE SAME STORY REPEATED. EACH FILM USUALLY STARTS WITH INCREADIBLE CAMERA WORK WHERE THE SUN IS SHOWN RISING FROM BEHIND A KALASHINKOV OR A COW, OR A TIGHTLY CLAD "JATTEE" IS SHOWN RUNNING IN THE VILLAGE FIELDS CHASED BY A GROUP OF LANDLORDS. IN THE VERY NEXT SCENE, THE HERO’S MOTHER IS SHOWN CRYING FOR HELP. NOW THIS CALL REACHES SULTAN RAHI, THE HERO OF THE FILM, SITTING SOME HUNDRED MILES AWAY ROMANCING WITH ANJUMAN. THE MOTHER’S CALL WAKES UP THE "GAIRUT" AND HE THROWS AWAY ANJUMAN AND JUMPS UP ON A HORSE AND ARRIVES AT HIS MOTHER’S SIDE WITH THE SPEED OF LIGHT. HE STARTS FIGHTING WITH THE VILLAINS AND KILLS MORE THAN TWENTY PEOPLE IN JUST 10 SECONDS WITH HIS GOLD PLATED "GUNDASSA". NOW A BIT ABOUT HIS HORSE. THIS HORSE COVERS THE DISTANCE FROM LAHORE TO KARACHI IN ONLY 6.5 SECONDS, WHICH SHOWS IT IS EVEN FASTER THAN DR QADEER’S MISSLE.

NOW LETS GO BACK TO THE FILM. AFTER AN ENERGY SAPPING SCENE OF VIOLENCE, THE HERO IS ALL SET TO DO A SONG SEQUENCE WITH ANJUMAN IN THE RAIN (IN LAHORE AGAIN!). SULTAN RAHI IS WEARING A YELLOW "LACHA" WITH ALL SORTS OF FLOWERS PRINTED ON IT. THE HEROINE IS TRYING TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE HERO. THE WHOLE SCENE IS LIKE WATCHING A BABY ELEPHANT DANCING AND JUMPING IN THE FIELDS. SHE IS SINGING MELODIUS SONGS LIKE, "MAINOON NA WIKHA,MAYRA MOOD BANAY", AND ACTION PACKED SONGS LIKE, "MAIN HUSSAN DEE, KALASHANIKOV JINNAY MARZEE KAR LAY FAAYAR".

IN THE END, THERE IS A FINAL FIGHT BETWEEN THE HERO AND THE VILLAIN, WHICH STARTS WITH THUDEROUS THREATS AND ENDS IN A POOL OF BLOOD. IN ALMOST FOUR HUNDRED FILMS THE SAME SCENE IS USED FOR THE LAST FIGHT, WHERE SULTAN RAHI’S MOTHER IS KIDNAPPED AND SULTAN RAHI GOES TO MUSTAFA QURESHI ‘S HOUSE AND SAYS, " MAINOON MAYRI MAAN DA DUPATTA VAAPAS KAR DAY", WITH THE OBVIOUS REPLY, "BARRA BAYGHAIRUT HAI-DUPATTA MUNGDA HAI, MAAN NAHEE".

AFTER THIS THRILLING SCENE, THE VILLAIN DIES AND THE HERO, DESPITE RECEIVING MULTIPLE BULLT INJURIES, MANAGES TO SURVIVE AND IS UNITED WITH HISBELOVED HERIONE TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Hot, Hot,Hot

 

"If you have not seen Lahore you have not been born."

Kamini Sawhney

Monday, April 5, 2004

I have just returned from Lahore, still dazed by the experience. Its people tell me, "We will also visit your country one day and be India's guests."

And suddenly I grow cold. Will India open its heart to Lahore the way its people overwhelmed us? Do we have the same guileless warmth, the same large hearted generosity, where near strangers are willing to fling open their doors to you?

"Is your hotel comfortable, otherwise please stay with us. Do you have a car, otherwise you can borrow ours."

Its streets so amazingly crowded and yet so safe. Gwaal Mandi, the street where Nawaz Sharief's ancestral home is, is now like the sidewalk cafes in Paris. But it's so much more alive like a street only in India or Pakistan can be.

Full of noise, smells, people and food, unbelievably good food. Kebabs that one has never heard of - the chappli kebab from Multan, beaten into the most tender concoction and spiced with anardana and roasted dhaniya.

Jungli kebab - no I won't tell you what that is - let your imagination run riot.

Streets that remain open all night until 6 in the morning, filled with  men and women - women in burkhas, in salwar kameezes with children running around, all tucking into their kebabs with the same level of enjoyment.

There is an atmosphere of camaraderie that leaves me silent. People at the next table want to know - are we enjoying our stay, do we like Lahore? What is Delhi like? Everywhere there are smiles and good wishes.

Further down the street is the man who makes the most heavenly phirni. And the food street is clearly the place for adda.

The poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's daughter is savouring a kulfi and chats with us about how wonderful it is for people to be able to meet and interact, to discover how much they have in common.

Everywhere it is the same complaint - the politicians have ruined it all.

Even in the majestic Lahore fort I see glimpses of our own Red Fort, not surprising. All the Mughal rulers had a hand in it. Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and then Aurangazeb.

Children from a nearby school are doing their bit for restoration, helping to remove the layers of dust from the walls so that the archaeologist can get to work on the more complicated stuff.

The exquisite Sheesh Mahal is being restored piece by piece. It was meant for Mumtaz Mahal but she never made it to her palace in Lahore.

The Shahidi mosque just across the gateway of the fort is Jama Masjid all over again and I feel I am back in Chandni Chowk.

A little boy from Peshawar is sightseeing just like us. He peeps out from behind one of the pillars and I ask him to stand with me for a photograph. He screams loudly and returns to the safety of his mother's arms.

In a while our little champ soon returns. Obviously, after a dressing down from his mother on how he must welcome guests to his country.

And yes, shopkeepers do make you pay. It's time for Pakistan's business community to make some money and it's time to pay - five times the normal price for your hotel room and your hired car.

The city's shoe shops are in clover. The upmarket Liberty shopping arcade is open everyday till midnight so avid shoppers make it even after the match.

There are plenty of Imelda Marcos's here. One enthusiast has 20 pairs of jhootis of every size and colour clutched in her arms. She looks at me slightly embarrassed. "I'm taking for my friends!!!!"

I must confess, my bag had nine.

I meet 80-year-old Tahira Mazhar Ali, who puts us all to shame with her vivacity and her zest for life. She looks at our sardar friend. "Now that you people have come, Lahore is once again the Lahore of old."

This was once the capital of Ranjit Singh, the lion of Punjab, where Sikhs were part of the skyline. Now the only ones left are the few looking after the gurudwaras scattered all over Pakistan.

Tahira is the daughter of the chief minister of Punjab after partition. Just 17 then, she was heartbroken at the thought that her best friends would be on the other side of the line, and the Congress party that she identified with was now a political party in another country. So she cycled over to Jinnah's home to declare her
displeasure.

She describes that meeting.

"I handed over a letter to him from my father. He didn't bother much about the letter.... Instead he looked at me and said sharply.....so I hear you are not with us. I said yes, I am with the Congress. They fought for freedom and they fought for all of us. They did not divide my country into bits and pieces. Now the people and places I love seem
unreachable. I want to be able to just drive to Amritsar for chaat like we did on so many evenings.

He looked at me and said, "But of course, you will still be able to do all of those things, you will visit your friends in India and they will visit you in Lahore and I myself will visit Bombay every year."

Did Jinnah actually believe it would be like that, or did he know he was dying anyway and was just humoring a young girl?

Has it taken a cricket match to recreate in a small way what this city must have once been like, its streets filled with Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians - all making Lahore what it was.

Its mall road with stately homes and government buildings and its amazing universities. Its culture of learning, of history and of course gracious hospitality.

There is an old Punjabi saying, "If you have not seen Lahore you have not been born." I am beginning to understand a little what that means.

Congratulations

Sohni Dharti congratulate newly wed couple SHEENA and SHAHID , and wish them all the best in coming years, Friends and relatives gather in Mt Albert hall to bless the couple, entertainment with Urdu, Punjabi music was good, performance of Amir Khan was mesmerizing , food was superb, all arrangements were done by PWCS , on behalf of Arshad Fayyaz, Sohni Dharti thanks to all families and friends who gathered there to bless the couple

 

AGM of Pakistan Association of New Zealand

This is to inform all the community members that AGM of Pakistan Association of New Zealand that was scheduled to be held on 6 November and was postponed because of Ramadan will now be held on 5 December 2004. The AGENDA includes progress report, and accounts presentation by PANZ General Committee.

 

Those who have not renewed their membership last year are hereby advised to do so by 1 December 2004.The membership forms are available to fill from the following outlets

 

 1-Khyber Foods Stoddard Road Mt. Roskill

 2-Apna Bazar Stoddard Road Mt. Roskill

 3-Shaan Foods Station Road Otahuhu

 

Membership for both the individuals and the family remain $10.Please return the filled forms back at the outlets counters along with membership fee. The membership forms can also be requested through email and fax either by contacting us at

panz_inc@hotmail.com

or our phone numbers given at the bottom.

 

Then filled forms along with membership fee can be posted at

P.O.Box 27472

Mt. Roskill

Auckland.

 

Any query about the above can be made at the following

 

Haroon Ahmed

General Secreatary

Mob: 021 2953323

Ph: 8260149

Mob: 027 2737903

Eid Night

Federation of Islamic Association of NZ in association of with Apna FM is holding a Eid Night on this Sunday, 21^st November 2004. The Event will take place in Malaeola Community Center, 16 Waikaouri Place(Off Tidal Road) Mangere, Auckland.Starting time is 5pm.

 

All Pakistan Community has been invited to participate in the programme to celebrate Eid with other Muslim Communities.

Let us come forward and join hands together. There is no Entry Fee and Food will be served.

Eid on the Beach

 

Yesterday , despite harsh weather condition about 80 to 100 people gathered on Long Bay Beach 2 o’clock to 4 olock weather became very gusty with rain, but shelter arrange was good and more then big enough to accommodate all of us with BBQ , over all it was good day out full of fun with true essences of Eid which gave us opportunity to meet and greet under one roof

All thanks goes to Sahid AZAD and his team to organised such a gathering though there term in office is over , Sohni Dharti believe this should be sprit

To see Picture click here

Eid ON The Beach

If Eid falls on......

The EID SALAT Schedule in different areas of Auckland are given below to facilitate you finding and reaching to the closest venue in time.

 

NORTH-SHORE

If Eid falls on

Sunday 14 November 2004

8am

North Harbour Indoor Sports

12-14 Kaimahi Rd (Opp new mosque)

Glenfield.

 

If Eid falls on

Monday 15 November 2004

8am

North Shore Event Center

Silverfield----Off Porana Road

Glenfield.

Please Note:

• Arrangment both for men & women
• Provision of Breakfast after Eid Salat
• Amusement for kids until 12pm
• Plenty of  Parking at both the places

EID SALAT UNDER NZMA

 

If Eid falls on

Sunday 14 November 2004

7:15 am

Avondale College Grounds

Avondale

The Grounds can be reached from three places--Rosebank Rd, Victor Street and Holly Street(Intermediate School Entrance)

Please Note:

• Parking is limited in College Compound
• Please park in adjacent streets

If Eid falls on

Monday 15 November 2004

7:15 am

Recreation Center

20 Alderman Drive

Henderson.

Please Note:

• Arrangment both for men & women on both days
• Large Car Park at the Recreation Center as well as two additional car parks in Alderman Drive, next to Fall Hotel

 

 

EID SALAT IN MOUNT ROSKILL

1-Masjade Umar

Stoddard Road

Mt. Roskill

Whether Eid falls on

Sunday 14 November or Monday 15 November

8:15 am

Please Note:

• Parking is limited in Mosque Compound
• Please park in adjacent streets

2-Griffen Park

Griffen Park Road

Lynnfield

Griffen Park Rd is off from White Swan Road

If Eid falls on

Sunday 14 November 2004

8:30 am

If Eid falls  on

Monday 15 November 2004

8 am

쨌        Please Note: Parking is inside Griffin Park as well as on adjacent road

 

EID SALAT IN OTAHUHU

Al-Mustafa Mosque

Mangere Road

Otahuhu

If Eid falls on

Sunday 14 November 2004

9 am

If Eid falls on

Monday 15 November 2004

8 am

CHAND RAAT

 

Need A Mortgage

 

MOHAMMED THE LAST PROPHET"

MOHAMMED THE LAST PROPHET" OPENING IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE

The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation is contacting MAS chapters
and Muslim organizations nationwide to ensure success in the presentation of
the feature-length animation movie "Mohammad, The Last Prophet".

From the creators of "The King and I," "The Fox and the Hound," and "The
Swan Princess," comes the first animated feature-length film from Badr
International.

This groundbreaking film is set around 1,400 years ago during the early
years of Islam. The film relates the events that unfolded leading to the
rise of a renewed religion in the Arabian Desert - eventually spanning seven
continents and numbering 1.6 billion adherents around the world.

The movie's objective is to introduce the story of Islam and its Prophet to
contemporary audiences in an appealing and accessible animation medium.

Though the Prophet is not personified, sound and cinematography are employed
in the telling of the story

The film is capped off with a stunning soundtrack by composer William Kidd.

A definite must-see!

For more information, contact (202) 421-3623

Eid Milen Party

Accepting the request from Sohni Dharti for Eid Milen party President of PANZ , said that although time is very short but he will put this matter in front of his cabinet, if passed then we can have open air one dish Eid Milon party on beech, Mr President told that actually as per agreement between PANZ and Pakistan welfare society, it was PWCS responsibility to the Eid Millon function and neither PWCS is not doing it nor they told anyone that they are not doing it, we don’t know about these behind the close door agreements, but we do know that nobody is doing Eid Millon, Mr president has promised to look in this and soon community will receive Email of Eid Milon function

'Eid a Day of forgiveness

'

Eid a Day of forgiveness

Each '

Eid is a Day of forgiveness.

When a Muslim assemble in the congregation of the Day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength in faith. And

Allah has assured those who approach Him with sincerity of His mercy and forgiveness. In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself before Allah to hold any enmity or ill feelings toward his brethren.

A true Muslim would be deeply impressed by this brotherly and spiritual assembly, and would overcome hid feting if he has been exposed to any. Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the Day to purify his heart and soul.

In any case, he would forgive those who might have wronged him; because he himself would be praying for

Allah's forgiveness, and would do his best to acquire it.

The spirit of this highly devotional assembly would teach him that if he forgives he will be forgiven.

And when he forgives,

the virtue of forgiveness will be mercifully exercised by Allah, and widely exchanged between the Muslims. And that marks the Day as a Day of Forgiveness.

 

 

AIK SABAK

 

Platelets?

 

 

Welcom Zeb Khan

This is to inform that the Executive Committee Pakistan Association of New Zealand has appointed Mr. Zeb Khan (Khyber Foods) as its new and required third member with immediate effect.This may also be noted that costitutionally Executive Committee PANZ consists of three members but after the resignation of Mr, Raja Rafaqat from the post,the third seat had remained vacant  for few months and needed to be filled.The induction of Zeb Khan in Executive Committee would help in executing the responsibilities of the Executive Committee in best of manner and mode.

 

General Committee Pakistan Association of New Zealand has welcomed the decision and hoped the new inclusion will help Executive Committee in holding the forthcoming election of PANZ scheduled after Eid. PANZ President Shahid Azad along with other members of the cabinet Kashif Chaudhry, Haroon Ahmed, and Shahzad Sadiq appreciated the services of Zeb Khan in recently held Independence Day programme and wished best for him in performing his new role. The cabinet also thanked the other two members of Executive Committee Mateen Siddiqui and Sabir Cheema who remained a helping hand throughout their tenure.