Just a thought, The Hippy Trail.

Back in the 60's and 70's when most people who read the revival were probably not born. The world was a simpler place, and travel for people was easier then it is now. People in the west started to search for answers to many questions. One source was to seek answers by listening to the Yogic Masters and to travel to Northern India to find enlightenment. Here is my thoughts on one such enlightenment;

I know its been a long time since I came on Revival, and I also know last time I came, I promised I was back for good.. And I have to say i went back on my word. Anyway, having recently attended the Steps to Allah conference, organised by Islamic Network, I was able to witness some live spoken word by Muslim Belal

Hence the small inspiration... (it's not anything wow, but just thought I'd share)

Late last week there was notification telling the good people of Oldham to avoid the Town Centre on Saturday (14 January) because the "North West Infidels" were coming around for a visit.

You can think of it as foreigners coming to cause a ruckus and creating a no go area for many Oldhamers on the busy shopping day of Saturday and probably try to stoke up tensions within the local community of some sort.

They might have been protesting a lack of love in their lives or something, I am not sure as I didn't attend.

Apparently not many turned up to the protest so it was a bit of a dud.

Last Ramadan was the first time I understood the beauty of being a good Muslim and its affects after death. There are people who work to leave a legacy but I think being a good Muslim alone can create that legacy.

A good Muslim will always continue to be remembered and will inspire others with their good character; by their loved ones but even possibly complete strangers. I’ve learnt enough about my grandparents and other deceased members of my family to know the former is true. The latter is what I learnt last Ramadan.

There has recently been footage released that was recorded by Animal Aid at Bowood Yorkshire Lamb, a "halaal" slaughter house which secretly recorded multiple events of animal cruelty and torture.

Animal Aid have also released a separate statement over their practices and how they do not wish to stir up anti Muslim hatred, but witholding the footage would have been a betrayal of their key mission: to expose and combat animal cruelty.

No, I am not talking about adoption and those with a keen eye would notice that both options have not two but three parents.

The UK Members of Parliament have approved research into creating babies with not the traditional two, but three parents. This bill still needs to pass in the House of Lords.

The selling point for this is to allow the changing/removal of genetic code that would normally cause serious genetic illnesses, but it could end up going all Gattaca on us.

There be interesting times ahead.

Last month with the Charlie Hebdo killings, something that got overlooked was the release of a book by French author Michel Houellebecq set in a near future where France is ruled under Shariah Law(TM).

There were many outcries, some defending the book (under free speech), some attacking it for fearmongering and playing into the ideologies of the far right.

But not many seem to have actually asked the question over how accurate it would be and what would a French state under "Shariah Law (TM)" actually be like.

Granted that as it is a work of fiction, it does not need to match any reality out there. The question is less if the book is accurate and more what would a European country with a majority non Muslim population be like under "Shariah Law (TM)".

I came across this surprising article today - Gadhafi of Libya had contacted the US before the coalition bombing campaign which also armed various rebel groups that are still at war.

He offered a peaceful transfer of power where he woudl abdicate and go into exile - he even took "confidence building" measures of moving his armed forces away from the cities.

He recieved no response and eventually after the passing of a UN resolution to "protect civilians" the Western coalition of nations, mainly France and the UK went to war to oust him.

Libya has remained broken and in chaos ever since.

When I went to Umrah a few years ago, I took some pictures, which I have previously uploaded on here.

I had a basic cameraphone, a Samsung p300 - pictures of it can never do it justice as with the case it looked stylish and not the calculator it looks like in screen shots - that didn't take the best pictures, but they did the job.

When looking for images to use for some articles posted on here, I had a look at some of the old images I had posted. The one of the green Dome from the Prophet (saw)'s mosque is good and I used that.

Right next to it was the little nugget you can see above - it's a monkey!

It was taken with cave Hira immediately to my left.

Good memories.

Screw them.