Sonya Syed

Painting by South African artist Maria Magdalena Oosthuizen Time does not pass quickly it runs with the speed of light. After a million years today I had a conversation with my kindergarten friend, who is also my first friend after I landed in this world- w e call her Azi. We met in our most beloved school New Horizons and studied together from prep 3 to grade 8. I t was her daddy and uncle who founded that school, and to this family I have the most heartfelt respect because they have given me the most precious gift- a gift of knowledge. We  became friends when we didn’t even know what the word ‘friend’ means.  Azi, ماشا الله is a Professor at one of the UAE’s leading University, following the footsteps of her family. There were so many shared memories between us, that this and hundred other posts would be insufficient.  Every weekend I would go to her place to study, to play, to listen our favourit...

ایک سلام ان تمام شہدا کے نام جنہوں نے اپنے ملک کی بقا اور وقار کے لیے جام شہادت  نوش کیا - الفاظ ختم ہو گئے آنکھیں نعم  ہوگیئں      ....وہ غازی جنہوں نے زخم کھاے الله ان کو جلد صحت یاب کرے    الله ہم سب پر اپنا رحم فرماے اور ہمارے ملک کو اس مشکل وقت سے با حفاظت  نکالے- بیشک وہ ہر چیز پے خدرت رکھتا ہے A Salute, a standing Ovation to all the brave men of our Armed forces who became Martyrs and Ghazis. The one who gave their lives for protecting us nothing can replace them, either in their families or in this country. These and many other names die in the line of duty, a duty to protect us. To us they are only names but to their families, they were living beings, their beloved sons, brothers, fathers and husbands. I know this is not pleasant and that is exactly why I have done it. I want all of us to be uncomfortable. I want you and me to take this country very seriously. What is the real wo...

It was the best title I could give to India. Recently I have developed an interesting hobby of watching international news channels whenever I could. Few weeks ago I saw a report on the wonderful tea which comes from India; an ambitious businessman was declaring his vision of selling Indian tea, fresh and straight from the tea farms, to the world via internet. Yesterday I again saw a report on Indian tea but this time it was far from the perfect picture that was shown earlier. Majority of tea in India is grown in Assam, there are enormous tea estates owned by private individuals. These tea estate owners hire many women, men and even children as their labour; these owners are responsible for giving their workers suitable accommodations, proper salary, health, sanitation and education facilities. However, the reality is farther from the truth. The workers who spent their entire lives on these tea estates to produce the best quality tea for many of the high end companies like Lip...

Disorganized, chaotic, confused, hyper, lost and then found, mismanaged,, unsystematic, too lethargic, lack of focus, concentration time limit is less than 5 minutes, multitasking but failing miserably, too much to do within limited time-frame, running from one point to another, always sleepy, tired, fatigued, 2-3 cups coffee, exhausted after every 15 minutes, too many ideas in mind but no idea how to get express them, backache, gaining weight, no exercise, getting nauseas and sleepy after 5 minutes on treadmill.   This is what I was feeling and experiencing God knows best for many months but didn’t know how to express what I felt. For the last few months I have been constantly complaining of lack of energy and lethargic in managing my daily work, and the best respond I received was that I am suffering from depression and all the above were only its side effects.   ‘I am not depressed- I feel great, I just don’t have energy’. I kept telling my everybody but...

An unfortunate incident took place at Mecca yesterday, many of the worshippers lost their lives in the crane incident and many were severely wounded. There are no words to console the loss which their loved ones would feel. Death is the ultimate truth but if it comes at such a blessed and beautiful place when people are immersed in their love for Allah, praying for His Mercy then the reward of eternal peace is the natural outcome.   Many more prayers for speedy recovery and healing of all those who are wounded.   To Allah belongs the heavens and the earth and everything and everyone in between them, and to Him all shall return..   Sonya Syed, (Day 542).

History- a subject few of us appreciate while many of us don’t understand. To me, history means a vast collection of dates representing life altering moments of some great people or countries. This concept never really hit home until today.   Today, I am realizing that we, as the citizens of Islamic Republic of Pakistan are witnessing moments which are going to make history of this country.   Since 2013, Pakistan has been riding political roller coaster ride. Wrong people ruling us; wrongfully elected by us. This country has been through so much- little children bled to death, so many lost lives for simply being innocent. We all have become immune to bloodshed. Yet in the midst of all this darkness and chaos there is a glimpse of miraculous ray of hope trying to make its way through. The greatest development of 26 th August, 2015 is the visit by the renowned    British Pakistani boxing champion Amir Khan to the most victimized and vulnerable area...

It feels odd to write after so much time has elapsed, but one must share how one feels. Until few weeks ago I never actually understood the meaning of growing up or being mature, this was a vague territory for me. Like most of the people who were just riding the waves of their lives, I was also flowing with the flow.   A flow when everything is safe and known and there is absolutely no need to become unnecessarily awakened or vigilant about yourself. A flow where we are blindfolded because we don’t want to see anything beyond our self-imposed restrictions or limitations. We are okay with life. That is great, and there is absolutely nothing wrong to live like that, if that's how you want to be. Nevertheless, what about those sudden moments when we are shaken, jolted to wake up- the moment that suddenly triggers us; suddenly activates our entire life, our body, our mind and our heart. And it is in that moment we realize who we are, what is our rea...