Ulfa Aid

Marriage Course 2nd Of April

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:54:45 +0000

Ulfa Aid was pleased to hold one of it’s first Educational Courses since the Charity started to carry out Community Projects. The idea behind Ulfa Aid is to bring Hearts, Minds and Communities together through different medians. Ulfa Aid wishes to carry out these Community Projects not only to educate Society, but so that the Charity can fundraise through these event’s for it’s Emergency Appeals around the world.

Shaykh Babikir Ahmed Babikir an esteemed Scholar, Friend, Teacher and Leader taught the One Day Intensive Course where many issues were addressed. Participants found the course educational as well as enjoyable.

The importance of Marriage was addressed as in today’s day and age, the Institution of Marriage is taken lightly. Shaykh Babikir brought home what it actually means to get married, the advantages of getting married and how we can with the right partner inshaAllah gain closeness to Allah and His Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him). How to choose a right partner? Are we really looking for the right attributes and characteristics when looking for a partner. Shaykh Babikir used the best examples possible, following Prophetic Tradition.

He then delved into Marriage itself, how to conduct yourself once married, the rights of a husband and a wife and how to cope with trials and tribulations. The Four stages of Love was a particularly interesting part of the Course as he explained the 4 main components which lead a person to Love another human being.

The day went very quickly, where Ulfa Aid made sure two major slots were set aside for Question and Answer sessions, so that participants had the chance to ask anything they needed clarification on or any help, advice they felt would achieve a stronger and healthier relationship.

Every single person loved the course, they felt it was the most beneficial and well organised Course that they had attended, Alhumdulilah. Ulfa Aid feel that a final date would be necessary especially after many people did not have the chance to attend the previous course. Saturday 14th May would be our final date and one NOT to be missed!

Come Dine With Me

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:35:19 +0000

Ulfa Aid is a relief agency founded in 2004 by Shaykh Babikir Ahmed Babikir, the Imam of Yusuf Islam’s Islamia School. Ulfa Aid pioneered a mini relaunch as it branched into community based projects with the event ‘Come dine with me – An evening of faith, friendship and food.’ The idea was as a Muslim you buy a ticket and bring a non-Muslim to engage in interfaith dialogue with inspiring speeches by Sheikh Ahmed Babikir and Timothy J Winter at the Kensington Hilton.

As the guests arrived, they were greeted by the delectable Arab pastry otherwise known as Baklava accompanied with drinks. Approximately 15 minute session of mingling and networking finished as the guests were ushered in the main hall.

The evening began sensationally with the beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran followed by translation in English. Shaykh Babikir introduced the event to the audience with a lovely opening speech as he compared human kind to lights. As always Shaykh Babikir addressed everyone with a warm smile as he explained lights like humans come in different shapes and sizes from street lights to chandeliers. But in the end, we are all filled with spirit just as lights are powered by electricity. He underlines that we all share one common thing: Humanity.

Shaykh Babikir’s introduction was followed by the starters. As the clattering of cutlery ensued, the murmurings of conversation were concurrent.

Timothy J Winter’s eloquent introduction into ‘What composes a Muslim’ and ‘What is Islam’ was riveting. Winter quoted Persian Poet Jalaluddin Rumi:

You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer’s call
and flew beyond space and time.

This message resonated not only with non-Muslims but with Muslims, as Winter reiterated that we live in this world, in a dreary sleep of existence and we must be spiritually awoken by the ‘drummer’s call’ to indeed ‘fly beyond space and time.’ Winter suggested that before we are simply buried in a hole in the earth, as humans we yearn to find our raison-d’etre.

His arousing speech left many people, including myself in awe as it followed a question and answer session. The evening ended with desserts and music from the group Al-Nur, it’s colourful percussionists and singing ended the night perfectly.

Events organized like this by charities like Ulfa Aid are hugely important to give greater understanding to differing communities about what ‘Islam’ is. ‘Come dine with me’ was a tremendously well organized and interesting event which gave everyone – Muslim or non-Muslim something to think about as they left.
By Mohamed-Zain Dada

CHANGE THE WORLD

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:39:57 +0000

Modern day slavery in West Africa, race riots in India and floods in Pakistan. Just some of the recent international headlines coming out of the national media. But looking at those words on this blog, people don’t flinch or even bat an eyelid. The common response would be ‘meh’ before swiftly going on to facebook to look at that friend’s, friend party photo’s at that place, somewhere.

It seems the world’s problems have no impact any more. They have become saturated to such an extent that nothing surprises us anymore, like someone hiding in the same place shouting ‘BOO’ at regular 5 minute intervals before we realise that we must ignore this odd human.
So how do we de-saturate our desensitized minds? Do we have a detox of anything that is detrimental to our brain? Could we ban the use of ‘De’ in front of words, maybe that would solve it? Or do we keep asking rhetorical questions in a quest to find some sort of rhetorical parallel universe where everything is fine and dandy?

The last paragraph littered with questions marks answers my question. Well not really I just thought it would look clever like some sort of tired thriller about old people. The point is the youth are on a different planet. Not connected to how lucky we are in this country, what we can change and how much there is to offer.

Everyone can ‘change the world.’ (I know people will probably snort ‘change the world’ HA! Before logging on to facebook to see that friends, friend after party photo’s entitled ‘OMG WE GOT SO SMASHED, LIKE OMG.’) But yes it is true you can change the world in your own way.
I didn’t realise how much we as young people could change things in our local communities. Until I emailed my local MP Theresa Villier’s about a poetry workshop’s I had in mind. Next thing you know every week I’m helping to run a poetry workshop in a local youth centre with a supremely talented poet by the name of ‘The Leano.’

That’s one example of anything that can be achieved. Its small change and it won’t make headlines but you see the changes yourself in the community. I’d say to anyone young living in Barnet, London or the United Kingdom: take advantage of the many things available in this country. Before your old, and you know middle aged and stuff.

By Mohamed-Zain Dada

I have a (bad) dream that I have to pay off my student loan

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:37:40 +0000

‘Power is just collective energy; to abuse the privilege is to rent with the illusion of owning’ Saul Williams

More money is spent on war then education. This is not only a historical fact but also a statement which applies to the Untied Kingdom. Nick Clegg or the proverbial Brutus in this theatrical joke of a government has turned his back on the voters who put him in to the ConDem coalition. Clegg has set up a dangerous precedent of politicians promising a policy in their manifesto then implementing the exact opposite once they get power.

As students march in obvious anger the media screams ‘Oh the Violence, the terrible violence, think of the children!’ A couple of windows and a police van were trashed but according to the government and the media London was supposedly burnt down. Clearly having to pay for someone else’s mistakes is going to get students slightly annoyed.

Public support is like a game of Jenga. For those not familiar with Jenga: ‘players take turns to remove a block from a tower and balance it on top, creating a taller and increasingly unstable structure as the game progresses.’ Unfortunately the tower will eventually fall when risky politicians go a step too far.

Even more unfortunate for the British public is that Cameron and Clegg are playing Jenga with our lives. Each block ruthlessly removed by Osborne is crucial to society. The student fee’s will be that block which causes the tower to topple.

As Michael ‘the elitist elmo’ Gove puts his hand on the block, something extraordinary happened. Revolt, protest, civil disobedience, occupation (not the Israeli kind) and wide-spread disarray at the policy emerged. Economic apartheid is the mission and a slyer, subdued effort by Cameron to create a disparity between rich and poor. Unlike Thatcher who was the equivalent of a reverse Robin Hood.

A system built on keeping you poor or in debt is not the definition I have of a liberal democracy. I don’t want to sleep each night and dream of paying off my gigantic student loan. The grave miscalculation of making the youth pay for the mistakes of selfish bankers has caused a backlash.

One thing politicians need to learn is not to play ‘Jenga’ with our lives.

By Mohamed-Zain Dada

Team Ulfa Aid at the GPU 2010

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:30:27 +0000

How to begin a blog post summarising an experience that lasted over a month and had literal blood, sweat, tears, all nighters and message ringtone dancing. Yes people the descent of out madness stoops to all new lows. But I tell you that tune was catchy! The GPU (Global peace and unity) is an event in the excel centre exhibiting Islamic culture from the arts, media, textiles, books, Islamic knowledge/information, discussions and tasty treats from all over the world. My involvement came in as a young creative to co-design stalls for two charities, Ulfa Aid and Interpal. Ulfa Aid is a small up and coming charity based in North West London. Founded by Sheikh Ahmed Babikir and managed by Zara Dada, it deals with sectors such as building homes for the homeless. Prefabricated structures, for disaster stricken areas and other housing developments such as orphanages and local community homes. Its other sectors involve feeding the homeless in the U.K (soup kitchen) and abroad, the charity shop, Radio Haqq a local community Internet radio show, emergency appeals and hospital visits. And many other inspiring projects that they have covered over the years such as mountain walks up mount Snowdon and Ben Nevis. The other charity Interpal a popular UK based charity for Palestinians covers sector such as Aid, food supplies, clean water projects & Qurbani and many more. Myself and a team of a few friends conjured up and decided to take on the task, as young creative’s to build the stalls for the GPU. Our team being the lovely Nadia Dada, Zara Dada, Safiya Ahmad and Isa Sulaiman. Our backgrounds being varied in the arts and humanities fields. Covering different scopes, backgrounds and artistic influences. The two charity stalls both had different floor plans to adhere to for the design. Interpals being 5 metres x 5 metres and Ulfa Aids space being 3 metres x 2 metres for the stall. The idea was to utilise the spaces and design something unique and visually appealing then your average stall at another convention, with office style partition walls. Over the next month we met initially over tea and cake and visually mapped out what we envisaged and what each stall would try to represent and portray. Ulfa Aid is a fairly new charity and has only been running for a few years, and being its first time at the GPU, the idea was to demonstrate what Ulfa is all about, its sectors, and how people could get involved and help. Where as with Interpal due to its well-known name identifying its sectors and its focus was not necessary so we went for the more subtle approach. We decided on a dreamier mural, illustrating hope for the Palestinians, due to the blockade and humanitarian crisis on the west strip. Our thought was around the basis of hope for the people, growth, development, flight, perseverance and peace.

Above is our initial 3D modeling of the two spaces, prior to designing. With our 3D rendering and dimensions we were able to head down to a local wood supplier, buy our timber and plywood boards to begin construction.

Looking back construction was probably the longest thing due to not working in a full-equipped workshop. But despite all this and a couple more visits to our local wood manufacturers for even more nails we under-estimated, we were ready to paint our hearts out and happy to get to that stage after we fully completed the construction. Painting was a really exciting stage and a pinnacle moment after weeks of heavy lifting, drilling, sawing. The group all found the painting to be very therapeutic and the period that triggered the most excitement. We ran out of time to get to the stage we aspired to achieve with Interpals stall, due to having to rush to the excel centre and actually deliver and install the walls at the Docklands site. After its was tucked away nicely in our North West London base for about 3 weeks. Nevertheless after all the long hours and hard work we actually were really proud of ourselves and what we managed to achieve in such a small amount of time, realising when you put your mind to anything for a good cause you can achieve it, if your intention is right. The aim was to stand out raise awareness for the charities and to be visually aesthetic to people walking by. If it caught people’s eyes, making them turn around, pick up a leaflet and listen to the great works these two charities produce day in and day out. Then it was really worth it for the sake of those who life’s we can never fully comprehend and whom we strive to help through this fantastic experience we were lucky to have received.

Construction and design of boards

Ulfa Aids stall and volunteers during the day.

By Aminah Babikir

The Original Inception

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:28:16 +0000

We’ve all watched the movie and pondered at the ending but the painting below is the original Inception. For all those who did not watch the movie Inception directed by Christopher Nolan, is about the notion of constructing a persons dream, altering someone’s mind and the basic fabric of their dream. Making your design their own thoughts thus changing the future.

But from this beautiful painting portraying styles of Romanticism and naturalism. We see that this concept has been one many have dreamed of and painted. I myself have my own romantic ideals about the movie and the ending and think the concept/cinematography is both visually stunning and exciting. Putting people ‘s architectural imagination, creativity and originality to the test. Altering spaces, places and modifying the standard typography of the ever-changing architectural grid. What utopias would you create in your dream? or what spaces would you construct or deconstruct? Let your imagination wonder, your dreams are just the beginning.

By Aminah Babikir

Going… going… gone!

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:20:10 +0000

My friend Zara D and myself have been presenting a weekly radio show during the month of Ramadan on a local North London based station called Hacc (truth) radio on 96.2fm or alternatively streamed from the internet at www.haccfoundation.co.uk. A weekly Saturday based show aired at 10am-1pm, where we were discussing different subjects aimed at the Muslim youth and young adults, dealing with the pressures of today. Keeping the daily balance between work & spirituality and other issues. We completed our month of discussions, filled with topical debates, entertaining phone calls, weekly quizzes and weekly words of wisdom. Not to mention also importantly addressing pressing issues for the youth based all over the U.K, exam stresses, dealing with anger, career building and networking. I could go on and on about the show’s and the tales we had, but to sum it all up it was a truly fantastic opportunity and we thank everyone who listened/called/texted in and supported us. Last friday the 17th of september we had a big finale with the whole radio station/guests organising a fundraising night, for the devastating floods in Pakistan. With over 400 guests, it was a fun packed evening, with singers, various artists and speakers. My contribution of the night was not talking thankfully. Myself and my friend Safiya a fellow radio presenter and fellow cohort, volunteered our artistic skills to produce a few pieces towards the flood collection. I some how managed to create three oil canvases, two pieces in Arabic calligraphy and another in Persian. Safiya too had a fair amount of stunning photography beautifully framed she had taken on her travels all over the world.

I can gladly tell you all, all our pieces sold at fantastic prices, exceeding our expectations, this was no doubt due to the amazing effort of our highly loveable and charismatic auctioneer Sheikh Ahmed Tijani a famous Chicago based singer, who really had the crowd going. Well done to everyone at Radio Hacc who contributed and the sensational amount that was raised for charity throughout the evening.

By Aminah Babikir