Wednesday, March 14, 2012

HBAP's Snowy Sights

SNOW
Early in the month of February HBAP (6yrs) had the opportunity to visit the snowy hill station of Burbhan. Abbi had a conference to attend and HBAP accompanied him. She was excited to be able to travel in an aeroplane with only Abbi by her side  and the prospect of  seeing SNOW! None of her siblings have had a chance to do so yet. There was also the promise of a bonfire dinner to attend, so all bundled up in Latvian warm clothes (borrowed from a friend) off she went. Abbi was impressed by how HBAP moved around independently, taking care of her needs while Abbi conducted a workshop, Masha'Allah. The following are her impressions of her winter holiday:

SNOW OUTSIDE THE HOTEL

"There was snow outside the hotel on the ground and on the cars, and on the trees.In our balcony there was snow, Abbi's friend came and said that you can't go into the balcony because there is so much snow.He picked up some snow and kept it in my hand.It felt cold. I saw a bonfire and I sat in front of the fire, I was feeling cold, the fire made me warm, but my back was still cold. I was wearing gloves. I saw rabbit, Abbi saw a fox. I went in a park and walked on snow. I saw a swimming pool in the park, it had water in it (it wasn't frozen.) I watched Abbi give his talk (Abbi was conducting a workshop).I had lots of soft mints. "


















Monday, March 5, 2012

BAP Update

As-salaam alaikum Wa-Rahmaullahi WaBaarakatuhu

A lot has been going on with the Pirani boys over the last few weeks and here's a brief update:

Tae Kwondo Belt Test:


The elder four BAPs had their first Tae Kwondo Belt test at RMI. The judges were Tae Kwondo masters of 8dan caliber. The children were surprised long beards and heavy builds but were in awe of them when they demonstrated their skills ( kicking up high and powerfully at various targets).

The children themselves were asked to demonstrate various manovers based on which they were awarded points which would determine their promotion to the next tae Kwondo level (from white belt to either Yellow Belt jr, of Yellow Belt Senior).

Subhan 'Allah, all four BAPs (ages 14, 12, 10 and 8) were awarded Green Belts (Junior)! This is the level after the Yellow Belt.

Hifz Examination @ RMI
The following week ABAP (14yrs)  and  QBAP (12yrs) had an internal Hifz Examination conducted by the Hifz class Haed Qari Sahib. Alhumdulilah ABAP attained 2nd position in his group and QBAP attained 3rd position in his group. ABAP has completed 13 juz and QBAP has completed 2 juz Alhumdulillah.







2nd International Conference on Islamic Business 2012
This conference was held in Islamabad, where Abbi was a delegate, and accompanying him was MBAP. This opportunity gave MBAP a chance to observe grown ups at work, he listened to them talk, played with his toys when he was bored and Masha'Allah kept himself busy though he had no one to attend to him (he was the only child present too). He had the opportunity to watch people behind the camera as they taped interviews with some of the delegates, Masha'Allah as he moved around or sat at a back seat, none of the grown ups seemed to mind, but they did take note of him, one of the delegates announced that there was a child amongst the audience whose manners had impressed him and MBAP was called up on stage and given a delegate pack which all the adults had received earlier.
MBAP was also present at a gathering of parents who wanted info about homeschooling where Abbi had been invited to give a talk. He said he found it interesting but he didn't learn anything (new) !


Public Speaking Session
RMI conducts a bi-weekly Public Speaking session in the evenings. The topic of the forth coming session is announced at the end of each session. Students of the Hifz program are also chosen to participate. ABAP was chosen to participate in the last session. The topic given was "Adl aur Insaaf" (Justice and Fairness). Alhumdulillah ABAP prepared for the speech by firat looking up the meaning of the term Adl from an English copy of Maroof ul Quran, then went to one of the class Qaris for the relavant Ahadith and spent some time with one of the admin men at RMI for further consultation, then sat down to write his speech in URDU! (not an easy task for any of the BAPs).

ABAP admits that he was nervous when he was called upon to give the speech,  the judges lauded his efforts saying that though it seemed he was flailing at first he grew in confidence as he continued and ended well Masha'Allah.

Masha'Allah its been a busy month for the BAPs and they have had a lot of interesting experiences to share too.