the Congress
the BJP
or the BSP
I do not have to please
I vote for Progress and Peace
hope this time
when Terror strikes
we will bring the
Terrorists
down to his knees
We the people
the power of the franchise
the bull by the horns
we will seize
the nation
not politicians
we have to appease
corruption
the greatest national disease
a kick up the butt
of the one who disagrees
our enemies are within
not just non state actors
irrefutably Pakistanis
whether 16 or 22
this terrorist
Ajmal Amir Kasab
we should hang
and not release
a scourge
from across the seas
a blog that
poetically
overrides
journalese
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I Vote For Progress and Peace
Live and Let Live Be Positive
live and let live
be positive
give as much as you can give
learn to forget and forgive
memories moist eyes
through drops of tears relive
peace love
to fleur de lys
30 April 2009
The New Order of Love Without Hate
www.glennlosackmd.com/-/glennlosackmd/
"Give a poor child a Helping Hand the Sky is the Limit..."
the colors of gods sky lie in wait
the clouds the winds as they mate
when peacefully we reach his kingdoms gate
the new order of love without hate
caste color or creed no bait
living mutually in synchronized coexistence
part of our worldly fate
carried forward
to our life's next state
brotherhood of peace
where no bombs
will ever detonate
Reaching Out
The safest hand of a Mother -
reaching out
to marziya
her first born
a talent she did spawn
motherhood
from dusk to dawn
memories that remain
though time has gone
when you have love
who needs brawn
with marziya
you just rock on
Swineflu Over The Cuckoos Nest
photo courtesy
www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/travelers_check/swineflu.jpg
over the heads of states it flew
from one country to another
as it grew
born in Mexico
strange but true
a scourge of god
called the swine flu
on its path people slew
how why what
yet no clue
face masks
deathly hue
silenced lips
among the few
people standing
in a queue
the line to the morgue
a motley crew
what you eat
is what you spew
save the Muslim and the Jew
save the vegetarian Hindu
forbidden flesh
a pact renew
give the devil
his deathly due
missing pork
in the stew
he swine flu outbreak (2009) refers to the spread among humans of a new strain of H1N1 swine influenza virus. The outbreak is believed to have begun in March 2009.[45] Local outbreaks of an influenza-like illness were first detected in three areas of Mexico, but the the outbreak was not clinically identified as a new strain until April 24, 2009. Its presence was soon confirmed in various Mexican states and Mexico City. Within days isolated cases (and suspected cases) began to appear elsewhere in Mexico, the U.S., and several other Northern Hemisphere countries. By April 28, the new strain was confirmed to have spread to other regions. Countries with confirmed cases included Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel, and the virus was suspected in many other nations, including South Korea and Austria, with over 3,000 candidate cases, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 4.[46][47] A phase 4 warning means that the WHO considers that there is "sustained human to human transmission"; whereas phases 5 and 6 represent "widespread human infection". Despite the scale of the alert, the WHO stated on April 29 that the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without need of medical attention or antiviral drugs.[48] Until April 29, all cases were said to be people who lived in or had been to Mexico, but on this date Spain confirmed a case of a person who had not traveled to Mexico.[49]
The new strain is an apparent reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which analysis at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified as a strain endemic in humans, a strain endemic in birds, and two strains endemic in American and Eurasian pigs (swine).[50]
In late April both the United Nations WHO and the U.S. CDC expressed serious concern about the situation, as it had the potential to become a flu pandemic due to the novelty of the influenza strain, its transmission from human to human, and the unusually high mortality rate in Mexico.[51] On April 25, 2009, the WHO formally determined the situation to be a "public health emergency of international concern", with knowledge lacking in regard to "the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses".[52] Government health agencies around the world also expressed concerns over the outbreak and are monitoring the situation closely.
On April 24, 2009, Mexico's schools, universities, and all public events were closed until May 6, 2009.[53][54] A few schools in the U.S. closed due to confirmed cases in students.[55][56]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak
Marziya Votes For This Hand
The safest hand of a Mother -
henna panned
not yet tanned
symmetrical symphony
a floral band
marziya votes
for this hand
her mothers love
you understand
motherhood
in a children s land
footprints imprinted
on the soul of sand
divine love
that saw her crawl
walk and stand
motherhood
a unique brand
protecting her
from the evil eye
this magic wand
a spiritual shadow
on her little soul expands
mother a soothing serenity
with folded hands
giving in to her child's demands
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thank you Cousin !
image courtesy
farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3166455578_0b4a5864b9.jpg
I was given a gift of friendship, a gift of two extra years added to my Flickr Pro membership by my closest and very dear friend family all put into one , Dr Glenn Losack MD of Manhattan New York.
Thank you Cousin
This means a lot to me..
I am touched by your kindness and love for me..
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
74,649 Blogs / 377,594 views
74,649 blogs / 377,594 views
blogs should be blogs
not part of a news
I tried it at Now Public
wasted time
wasted energy
wasted efforts
a thought to confuse
a blog as a blog
needs no excuse
write poems
on international women s day
no culture editor
to blow up a fuse
thank god
no racist review
no editorial constrains
just words within words
pictures on the loose
a pedestrian thought
street side wisdom produce
no inner meaning
to break ones head
or to further deduce
no naughty one liners
her heart to seduce
photo blogging
a holistic healing
an art a science
says this recluse
what you embed
is what you reproduce
depending upon
your context of use
between media and blog
will there ever be a truce !
The Hand of God
the only safe hand
that guides him on the
path to truth
the hand of God
spare the politician
spoil the rod
turbulent times
a road not broad
cobbled pathway
he has to trod
as he reaches out
to his Lord
Islam a religion
of Peace and Brotherhood
only the coward needs a Sword
The Pain and Passion of a Shia Blogger
truth ingrained in the husk
of reality as pictures
I expose
the pain and passion
of a shia blogger
called Firoze
pedestrian poetry
up close
on this photo stream
as it flows
nothing in life is ugly
nothing in life is as gross
tears hidden as sorrow
in pictorial prose
hijras wanting
to be respected as hijras
a life a gender they chose
rafaees naga sadhus
beggars in life's throes
shiasm my birthright
makes others angry and bellicose
hate comments on my posterior
here at Flickr
to add to my worldly woes
Comment Moderation
the only tool
the Flickr developer
does not know
cutting my head
walking on fire
flagellating my back
shia rituals a cultural inheritance
although
shiasm
1400 year protest against terrorism
through Hope and Hindutva
side by side as I show
united colors of peace
that is India
through the viewfinder of a flickr pro
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Muslim Voter is Confused !
who to vote
whom to choose
priya dutt
mahesh jethmalani
bhaijaan
election time
in the news
a single vote
to confuse
recession
hard times
bad times
no excuse
loan sharks
bill collectors
recovery agents
waiting
for their dues
muscle power
that they abuse
you can only feel
the pinch
when you have no feet
they present you
a new pair of shoes
political hospitality
he wont refuse
the system wins
the candidate wins
the muslim voter
his head in the noose
either this way
or that way
he has to lose
once he has voted
he is of no use
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Man Is An Island of Despair
man is an island of despair
a moments happiness
enviously with others
he wont share
his idyllic privacy
my camera did scare
I had caught him
in a lovers lair
they both
make a beautiful pair
Lost Childhood
no money no food
sleeping on an empty stomach
dreamless sleep no good
pain as putrefying poetry seen through
the window of my cameras soul
mostly misunderstood
karma and dharma
ongoing eternal feud
pictures frozen in time
even god has not yet viewed
to gail
Teach Her A Lesson - Burn Her Face
I shot this picture last year, I dont know the exact day, but the little girl in the center had her face burnt by her parents because she was not bringing in much money.This is the tragedy , when the child born is merely a commodity..
Now this entire lot of beggar kids have moved out of the Turner Road Traffic Signal, they beg at Linking road and Khar Telephone Exchange Signals..
Every time they see me they greet me and in a way I am a custodian of the moments of their robbed childhood that I have shot time and again despite stiff opposition from their parents relatives and guardians.
not bringing in money
her face with a hot iron
they burn
a lesson of life
the hard way to learn
yes no compassion
on the streets
its how your daily wages
you earn
nothing but
ingratitude in return
from one car to another
at the traffic signal
you dodge death and run
bare feet tattered clothes
a child on your waist
under the hot humid sun
if you die
another helpless child
will soon take your place
at the U turn
another cycle of pain
that has hardly begun
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Karmic Chakra of Pain
born on the street
on the heartless street
she will remain
her life revolving
round the karmic
chakra of pain
very soon she
will be a child mother
another childhood
going down the drain
a cipher on the soul of society
a brainless heart a heartless brain
more sorrow more misery ingrain
like a sordid chapter lost in transit
tear drops in vain
flowing
through sunken cheeks
pitter patter of rain
Hopeless Homecoming
on the streets
of despair
elusive hope
they search and grope
slaves of misery
bound by rope
for a new life
there is no scope
the graph of pain
a downward slope
children on failed destiny
on drugs and dope
a failed karma
they have to cope
visited by the sins
of their forefathers
washing the guilt
with a bar of soap
Wake Up Flickr Customer Care?
[Flickr Case 1149406] Re: Other Issues
Hi I had mentioned earlier that though my privacy regarding
who can comment on my pictures is marked for friends and
family, yet there are members who are not even my contacts
enter my photo stream write comments , I dont understand how
Flickr allows them to breach my privacy.
Z from Flickr customer care knows about this I had
explained it to him via email in complete detail.
Firoze Shakir
Flickr Customer Care to Me
Hello Firoze,
Thank you for contacting Flickr Customer Care.
I'm very sorry to hear you keep receiving comments. Please
bear in mind
that if your photo is in a group pool, people can leave
comments and add
notes and tags to it, despite your setting. Have you
verified whether
those photos are within group pools? If they are not in
groups and you
keep getting comments please contact us again.
Thank you again for contacting us. If you have any other
questions,
please feel free to reply to this email.
Regards,
S
Flickr Customer Care
My Reply
Flickr Customer care shocks me , you dont even read mycomplaint, or
see my profile before you read my complaint
I AM NOT IN ANY GROUP I AM
NOT IN A POOL SINCE I JOINED FLICKR
REALLY I GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM Z-
YOU GUYS HAVE BECOME ROBOTS
LIKE THE SYSTEM THAT RUNS FLICKR
YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO HUMAN CONCERN FOR A FLICKR MEMBER WHOSE PRIVACY
IS BEING BREACHED EVERY TIME
I GET COMMENTS FROM FLICKR MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT MY FRIENDS OR
FAMILY..AFTER SETTING MY COMMENT PRIVACY TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THANKS
NOTHING PERSONAL.
BUT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY FOR ONCE.
my pedestrian poem of pain
considering
that you guys are over worked
considering you guys
are automated like the robots
that run your system
a thought
a pain
I have to publically share
my comment privacy
is marked only for friends and family
I swear
yet of late any Flickr member
breaches my privacy wall
to write his shit his venomous hate
who cares?
I think this is really unfair
hate comments against my Shia faith
racist comments beyond compare
of which now again I make you aware
your faulty system
going to rust
urgently you must repair
I say this in utter despair
my fragmented poetry
of pain my pathos
is all I have to declare
Flickr
is a home away from home
for most of us
so please dont ignore
my poetic prayer
With Best Wishes From Mumbai
by the road
of the road
for the road
born to beg and die
on the internet
stamped
as a pedestrian poem
as we meet your eye
despair sorrow misery
hidden beneath a cry
from the streets
to your computer
as we winglessly fly
meaninglessly our pain
transcending the treacherous terrain
of a starless sky
with best wishes from Mumbai
silence of a slaughtered lamb
as the blood flows and dries
in a land of vultures
among the lord of flies
Hunger Lives Within Us
a life we lead
without fuss
hunger lives
within us
ashes to ashes
dust to dust
iron in the soul
we rust
wondering
whether
it was the egg
or the child
that came first
inundation
rains cloud burst
yet dying on the streets
of thirst
celluloid dreams of
slum dog millionaire
our future life
accursed
Jesus in Mumbai
as he walks
the streets of mumbai
the pain the passion
of his people within a sigh
14 stations of the cross
a path to peace
no person will ever deny
to save you from
yourself
he had to die
I am the Resurrection and the Life
words in introspection as his only reply
in the land of his birth
death devastation
a motherless child
a wasted cry
Israeli bombs
as gifts to humanity
from the sky
Dedicated to Da Vinca
Revised Poem
Friday, April 24, 2009
Jesus at De Monte Street (Bandra)
on the way
to the bandra station
you will meet
jesus at de monte street
during bandra fair
he will greet
a cross
manacled to his feet
his destiny
his killers
could not cheat
now he is free
ticking
within the chest
of a christian heart beat
resurrected from the soul
of a winding sheet
We The People
its only during election time
with hands folded
to your houses they come
vote for me
vote for me
bursting your ear drums
after the election
they treat you like bums
those from the hutments
those from the slums
are merely treated
as unwanted scums
a national shame
living on crumbs
the end tortured to death
to the open grave or to
burning pyre to succumb
political will
living under a politicians thumb
every constituency
a politicians kingdom
the system sucks
as the collective conscience
of eunuch silence
on the soul of the people
remains mum
patriotism
national songs
on Independence Day
Republic day
We hum
trampled by a boot
like an earthworm
Thursday, April 23, 2009
She Wonders Which Party To Vote?
luckily she
is wisdom's child
she wonders
which party to vote
the poor man
drowning
with the burden of unliving
a single straw
keeps him afloat
his sorrow his pain his despair
as wrinkles on his face
to denote
corruption
more corruption
as they slaughter
the country
like a sacrificial goat
of the people
by the people
for the people
democracy
sailing
in a leaking boat
freedom fighters
in their graves
squirming
was this freedom
for which they valiantly fought
a new government
will be formed
with the rich mans money
with his hand on the remote
the poor man dying on the streets
empty promises broken dreams
trampled destiny unquote
on his forehead misery
more misery
as his kismet
god wrote
dedicated to monsoon lover sudip da
Marziya Learns Persian
Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain, Deen Panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,
Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain
marziya learns persian
a piece of chalk greater than a pen
your virtues your only keys
to open the doors of heaven
a path that god made equal
for children women and men
this poem dedicated to Uncle Benn
Marziya Learns Persian
Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain, Deen Panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,
Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain
marziya learns persian
a piece of chalk greater than a pen
your virtues your only keys
to open the doors of heaven
a path that god made equal
for children women and men
this poem dedicated to Uncle Benn
Jesus is a Noahs Ark
Sometimes Jesus gets bored
but he seems happy seeing marziya
who has him completely floored
gods house at bandra bazar road
that the municipality
has dug up pot holes
mercilessly gored
right where jesus
lives gutter water is stored
but Jesus is a Noahs Ark
he says welcome on board
give generously to the poor
if you can afford
black money do not hoard
epiphany of our lord
a house in heaven
you have scored
your virtues not your sins
your only just award
towards mutual coexistence
Peace Accord
dedicated to Fleur De Lyz
Marziyas Den at Home
where she lives
where she loves to roam
this bald headed
cheerful gnome
all alone
a home
within her home
I have been away from Flickr
I have been away from Flickr
for far too long
on the wings of angels
I am back
to where as a blogger
I belong
wiser in the head
more head strong
the grass is never green
on the other side
sadly a thought
we love to prolong
my experience told me
next time
Judging a book
by its cover
I may no more go wrong
Marziya - Chickens in a Coop
I try to show Marziya what I view through my camera lens.
to see them
before they die
she stoops
chickens in a coop
waiting for death
hustled in a group
caught in a matrix
of human attraction
towards the boiling cauldron
they troop
as chicken lolipops
chicken tikka
on mans dining table
to regroup
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Muslim Vote Matters
an age old myth
it shatters
muslim vote matters
says the muslim slum dog
in a hurry
a few sons lots of daughters
faded hopes
broken promises
after elections
back to the grass roots
bulldozers broken down
slums and tenements
predoomed
life of squatters
Iraqi Kama Matam Chehlum Mumbai 2009
Habib Nasser a Shia photographer is the founder of this unique form of Iraqi Matam on the streets of Mumbai as part of the Chehlum Juloos that starts at JJ Hospital and moves towards the Rehmatabad Shia cemetery Mazgaon.
Men boys cut their heads in unison to the quintessential chant of Ya Hussain Ya Hussain..
Its here that I cut my head too, the ritual known as Kama Zani or Kama Matam. Habib does not participate in the event here but he does the hardcore sword matam at the Rehmatabad Shia cemetery.The scenes in the interior of the cemetery is akin to a war zone , blades flying in the air and the entire area flooded with blood.
However I will only show you the choreography of pain through the Iraqi Kama Matam..
Chehlum is the 40 day of Moharam or also known as Arbaeen ..of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, this is a peaceful, mammoth juloos or procession, with kids women and elders trailing the procession all the way to the cemetery.
Mumbai Moharam is larger than life and one of its kind..and the Iraqi Kama Matam takes you back to the streets of Karbala where this Matam is performed .
Habib has imported all the daggers, machetes , and the carbonized razor sharp blade is enough to cut the flesh all the way to the bone.
There is no casualty, the bleeding is stopped by rose water or plain water and nothing else.
No septic shots, no ointment no antiseptics or antibiotics.
I dont cut myself severely because than its impossible to shoot pictures with the blood flowing into the viewfinder of the camera.
This is another pictorial journey into the LIfe of the Shia.. a great moment called Ghame Hussain.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Shah Ast Hussain- The Shia Way Of Life
posted at Now Public
my.nowpublic.com/strange/shah-ast-hussain-shia-way-life
Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain, Deen Panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,
Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain
Loosely translated
Ruler is Hussain, Emperor is Hussain,
Faith is Hussain , guardian of faith is Hussain .
Offered his head and not the hand to Yazid.
Truly, the mirror of faith is Hussain
Words of Khwajah Moinuddin Chishty Ajmeri on the Gates of the Bulund Darwaza Ajmer
Bleeding for Hussain , to keep the memory of his supreme sacrifice alive is a way of overcoming pain.. Ghame Hussain.
Moharam celebrated by the Shia Muslims is a statement a protest against aggression of the spiritual and human soul of Man.
Moharam is a 1400 year old protest against all forms of terrorism, simply called Yazidiyat, promoted by Yazid the Caliph of the Ummayad Dynasty.. against Imam Hussain the revered grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam who met a tragic end fighting for the right of Man.
Fighting to keep the Faith of the Maker Alive ..his head was decapitated along with the heads of his male family members , and than placed on spears to be displayed at the Court of Yazid in Damascus.
This is early Arab barbarism..women children no one was spared.
The Shias all over the world mourn the death of Imam Hussain, the 10 th of Moharam is called Ashura and the 40 th day is called Chehlum.
Every Day is Ashura every place is Karbala
I show you through pictures the ritualism of overcoming pain..as seen In India during Moharam..flagellation's, head cutting as performed by the Shias.
Swami Shankaracharya
"It is Hussain's (ﮫﻨﻋﻰﻠﺎﻌﺘﷲﺍﻰﻀﺮ) sacrifice that has kept Islam alive or else in this world there would be no one left to take Islam's name."
Rabindranath Tagore
"In order to keep alive justice and truth, instead of an army or weapons, success can be achieved by sacrificing lives, exactly what Imam Hussain (ﮫﻨﻋﻰﻠﺎﻌﺘﷲﺍﻰﻀﺮ) did."
Edward Gibbon
"In a distant age and climate the tragic scene of the death of Hussain (ﮫﻨﻋﻰﻠﺎﻌﺘﷲﺍﻰﻀﺮ) will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader."
[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, London, 1911, volume 5, pp391-2]
Mahatma Gandhi
"My faith is that the progress of Islam does not depend on the use of sword by its believers, but the result of the supreme sacrifice of Hussain (ﮫﻨﻋﻰﻠﺎﻌﺘﷲﺍﻰﻀﺮ), the great saint."
Katle Hussain Asal Margae Yezid Tha;
Islam Zinda Hota Hai har Karbale Ke Baad.
(The Martyrdom of Hussain was indeed the Death of Yezid;
Islam is rejuvenated after each and every Karbala).
Muhammad Iqbal (from Lahore, Pakistan) said:
"Imam Husain uprooted despotism forever till the day of Judgment. He
watered the dry garden of freedom with surging wave of his blood, and
indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husain had
aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled he
did. Husain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily
he, therefore, became bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; There
is no God but Allah."
Charles Dickens had said the following about Imam Husain (AS):
"If Husain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not
understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It
stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam."
Thomas Carlyle has relayed this about the Tragedy of Karbala:
"The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that
Husain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They
illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to
truth and falsehood. The victory of Husain despite his minority
marvels me!"
The famous, Dr. K. Sheldrake on Imam Husain (AS) said this:
"Husain marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or
wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant
band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not
only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children,
they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no
one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without
flinching."
World famous Arab historian al-Fakhri has said this about Imam Husain's
sacrifice:
"This is a catastrophe whereof I care not to speak at length, deeming
it alike too grievous and too horrible. For verily, it was a
catastrophe than that which naught more shameful has happened in
Islam...There happened therein such a foul slaughter as to cause man's
flesh to creep with horror. And again I have dispersed with my long
description because of it's notoriety, for it is the most lamented of
catastrophes."
Friday, April 17, 2009
"I Love Challenges "says Abbas Kazmi
Advocate Abbas Kazmi my dear friend has created a whirlpool on Times of India dated 17April 2009 ..by saying" I m not sure if Kasab is from Pakistan"
Yes Abbas Kami is the new defense lawyer for the gunner Ajmal Amir Kasab who is in the dock for the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai city.
In the Times of India article written by Kartikeya titled "Kasabs New Lawyer Set For Battle dated "17 April 2009.
The choice of the Judiciary in selecting Advocate Abbas Kazmi is laudable , it shows that we in India uphold the laws that pertain to human rights irrespective of caste color or creed.
And this is going to be a really larger than life court battle in the offing..
We congratulate Advocate Abbas Kazmi and wish him the very best in upholding the laws of our land to the best of his abilities.
Also posted at Now Public
my.nowpublic.com/world/advocate-abbas-kazmi-new-defense-l...
A Tribute to His Holiness on Flickr
Akbar Bhai started Cheap Jack, and now it is Something Special.
Akbar Bhai is my finest Bohra friend who has helped me grow in my creativity over the years.. Akbar Bhai sells embroidery stuff and other crafts item..a shop that is visited by all the school children.
Akbar Bhai had invited me for His Holiness's birthday celebrations at the Khar Bohra Mosque this week , but to my bad luck and a prior work commitment I could not make it.
This was an event as a photographer I would have not missed ,as I had taken my American photographer friend Dr Glenn Losack MD to shoot His Holiness in his car at Null Bazar last year.. a moment he will never forget he told me of women and mean paying homage to the greatest holy figure and a Messenger of Peace in our contemporary world ..
This set at Flicker on the Bohras is my tribute to the followers of his Holiness the dynamic peace loving Bohras of Mumbai...The Bohras lead the way and are a important part of the secular fabric of Amchi Mumbai.
And my tribute to Akbar Bhai of Something Special my finest Bohra friend.
My oldest Bohra friend is Akbar Bhai Chamdawala of Roma at Byculla Bridge.
Bohri Mohalla is the food eaters delight and comes to life during Ramzan.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Mad Man Of Kalina on Good Friday
jesus forgive them
for they do not know
what they do
on gologotha
on a weeping cross
they will crucify you
mocking laughing
at the king of the jews
your honor your humility
they will abuse
such is the nature of man
without any excuse
says the mad man of kalina
a new thought to enthuse
good or evil
its up to you
what you choose
behind he shadow of man
death on the loose
a single path to salvation
people dont be confused
14 stations of the cross
kalina vakola
good friday blues
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Lenten Path of Peace on Flickr
I just spoke to Joe Dias a few minutes back, wishing him a very Happy Easter..I told him that when I walked the Lenten path it was not Jesus Christ but my strength came from the little children , that walked with the parents , without cribbing, and mind you this is a walk that begins at 9.30 am and ends at 4.30 pm.. so you can imagine the 45 degree heat , the humidity.. but all forgotten in the name of Faith..There were people who offered cold drinks , water to the processionists.. and these were from other communities.
This is Mumbai ..a fabric made of various threads the fabric of our mutual existence
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Jesus Contemplates
a cross
on his shoulder
jesus contemplates
wandering through
earthly gates
where man
a gods house
detonates
its man
that man
really hates
apocalypse now
he waits
the devils hand maiden
he mates
unborn
dead children
in womb like crates
a holocaust of human emotions
a god like man
a man like god berates
I LOVE GAZA
I love gaza
we all do
bombing
the soul of humanity
an Israeli bomber flew ..
Pain pathos as it grew
the unborn child
as it slew
a hate machine
so very true
hate and more hate
it loves to spew
a tear drop in a socket
of an eyeless hope
as it withdrew
more and more
land from the landless
it wants to chew
imperialistic hegemony
a heady brew
with Uncle Sam
in it too
Title courtesy Da Vinca
Friday, April 10, 2009
14 Stations Of The Cross Mumbai 2009
This morning I was late so I missed the events at Sacred Heart Church Khar W from where the Good Friday or the 14 Stations of the Cross begin,.
"The 21 st Annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage set off through Golibar subway, into Santa Cruz East,across the highway , past St Anthonys Church upto KalinA and back to St Charles Convent in Vakola 3.30pm.
The pilgrims stopped at different spots along the way, near street crosses or chapels and a troupe enacted the different Stations of the Cross.
These are Biblical scenes with characters enacting the happenings of over 2000 years., when Christ was crucified .
Various scenes from the passion play, crucifixion,and even the resurrection of Jesus Christ were dramatized , thousands of of the faithful prated devoutly and mourned Jesus death."
This procession was started 20 years back by the founder president of CROSS Org , by Joe Dias.
Today was the hottest day and I was in real bad shape , because of my diabetic condition, I collapsed several times on the road, but managed to complete the entire length of the event ..a feat that I had photographed last year too.
Walking with the Christians the Walk of Christ means a lot to me, I owe my education to them they showed me path and never was I made to feel that Christianity is better than Islam..
Actually the Padres who taught me at Holy Name High School Colaba , made my Faith in my own religiosity much more stronger..I pay my tribute here to two priests who were responsible for this late Fr Stephen Nazareth and Late Fr Leslie Ratus.
Even the late Cardinal Gracias who walked the quadrangle of my school would pat my head ..yes Christianity has given me much and made me what I am today.
My late parents Mohamed and Shamim Shakir taught me to respect all religiosity and this was the source of my beliefs and my conviction..
And I know as tears drop from my eyes they must be happy that I shot pictures of a walk that is a state of life towards Peace,and walking with a community I hold in the highest regard.
I dedicate this series to my very dear friend Fleur De Lys. ..of Flickr.
This entire series posted at Flickr only.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
73000 Blogs in 23 Months at Flickr
With your love , blessings encouragement I cross over 73000 blogs in 23 months at Flickr.
361,813 views
I could not have done this without all of you.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Queer Azadi March Gay Parade Mumbai 2008
posted at Now Public
my.nowpublic.com/strange/queer-azadi-march-gay-parade-mum...
On 16 August 2008 a day after our Independence day celebrations , the members of the gay community, the lesbians, hijras transgenders , cross dressers along with their supporters , well wishers ,friends and relatives took out a Peace March from August Kraanti Marg to Girgaum Chowpatty Mumbai..
This was a march to show their solidarity against the draconian anti human , sodomy law Article 377..the biggest curse left behind by the British Raj on the soul of the secular spirit of our nation... India.
Section 377. Unnatural offences
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation. -Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.
1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec.117. and sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
www.vakilno1.com/bareacts/IndianPenalCode/S377.htm
I decided to shoot this event as my Hijra Curu Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and a cross dresser friend Edwin a make up artist were participating too..
There were some big names here at the march, Anand Grover , Nitin Karani, Dolly Thakore, Rachel Reubens , James Ferriera....there were many whom I did not know ..
I also did the Sufi Kaif a trance dance on the streets with the transgenders
This is a 631 picture set at my Flickr photo stream..
www.flickr.com/photos/firozeshakir/sets/72157606759637094/
I bring it to Now Public and share its essence with all of you.. with a prayet in my heart that IPC Section 377 will one day be scrapped completely , and stringent laws protecting children from sodomy rape and pedophiles be bought in urgently.
Laws against child prostitution , women trafficking ..the need of the hour
Indian Judiciary is the heart beat of the conscience of our country..
Thank you Fred and Paschen for recommending this story..a mans sexuality should not be an instrument of his punishment by a biased and blinkered sanctimonious society..period.
Man has a right to be what he wants to be provided it is for his good and the good of humanity..becoming a terrorist is nothing but becoming a soldier of Satan.. against God and man ,and this peaceful planet that takes all the blows in sheer pain and humility.
Being a homosexual, eunuch or gay should not be a criteria for ethnic cleansing, racial profiling.
.
My recent pimping for votes for my Hijda eunuch blogs , got my votes deleted as the person concerned said this is not a popularity contest but an award for photography , made me throw up...photography is for healing and and adding succor to a failed being on this planet, the eunuchs tansgender hijdas in India are the most neglected lot, gang raped by a sucked system that wants only Aryan racial revival. this attitude is akin to the Nazis, sending them to the gas chambers of mans Hate..
I am an heterosexual male doe snot stop me from supporting their cause..I would support any cause that is a cause for mutual coexistence in society..
I know hijra friends that were raped by rogue cops, I know hijra friends that have been raped as under trials IN crowded prisons, I know hijra friends that were kidnapped from homes and sold to the eunuchs..My reason for enlisting my blogs to the awards was to get them recognition on a larger scale..Who cares for name and fame..money..
A fistful of sky is what man needs to reach greater heights of humilty..
Har Koie Chahta Hai Ek Mutthi Bar Asman
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Allah Ho Akbar Allah Be Praised
allah ho akbar
allah be praised
a gift of his bounty
the shakirs
have raised
her home coming
to our lives
our problems erased
her heart
into our souls
Allah has placed
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Shah-e-Mardan Sher-e-Yazdan Quwat-e-Parwardigar Lafata Ila Ali La Saif Ila Zulfiqar , originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1 ....
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Dargah of Hazrat Syed Ali Mira Datar Unava Gujrat , a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr. HAZRAT SYED ALI MIRA DATAR'S G...
