Azeem Kayum’s Book Launch JAN 15. 06

Dear Azeem, 

Your book reading organized by the FOTH at the York library last week,  got me thinking. And surely many others there would have also been motivated to reflect on your valiant efforts. What they saw and felt is for them to fathom. I would, however, like to record some observations and thoughts on your life and its episodes, and the ideas that they provoked.

I am sure you must have received a lot of commendations, much appreciation of your valiant efforts, and of course an ample amount of pity and sympathy about your situation in life so far. My thoughts are of a different sort. They lead me to think about the Entity or the Phenomena that brought you into being, Its purpose for doing so and then to put you in the state you find yourself to be in. What, if any is the meaning of life, and then such a unique life, so different from the ordinary? Or, in other words why are you, and others with special conditions, differently made, and then sent amongst the multitude of common, or, as we call them, normal human beings?  

I feel every thing, from a gnat to a giant, is unique in its own way and has a specific purpose to fulfill on the canvass of this world. Observed closely, really close, each and every thing is one of its own kind; for, even two leaves are not identical. And, no two things can exist in the same space at the same moment in time. Each occupies a unique position in the ‘ space – time’ continuum. This, in itself, is one evidence of the existence of a Creator Who is unique, and makes every thing in His/Her image – unique i.e. only one per place at a given moment.  

However strong a person may be s/he has yet to struggle in order to survive. Most people go about life without even giving this a second thought and take small things for granted. It is only when they see some one like you that they begin to appreciate the easy existence most have. You are one of the few who compel others to think and then perhaps act for the uplift of mankind. Your unique position in the ‘Natural scheme’ of things is to awaken in others the desire to seek and find the very reason for one’s existence. Had it not been for you and your prodigious effort, to struggle against the hindrances trying to cow you down, that many would not be influenced to act in the complacency of  an easy life. 

Reviewing the concept of purpose I feel that, as said earlier, each and every one of us fulfills a unique role in life. We may do so either consciously, or by just acting in an instinctive manner. Even those that act unconsciously are none the less following a scheme designed by Nature, and knowingly or unknowingly are accomplishing Nature’s plan. Conscious effort however, is to accept and appreciate the ‘Natural design’, and contribute one’s little bit with full agreement with it and its inevitable laws. It is this which leads to self-uplift and also further the ‘Scheme of Nature’ itself. Nature works in mysterious ways of its own, yet each single act of a person teaches him/her something new, provided one is willing to learn and act with full consciousness every time. The awareness of things in life and the consequence knowledge gained leads to progress. Positive thoughts leads to progressive acts, and these positive thoughts emanate from faith and belief;  Faith in oneself and faith in the fact that life, however difficult and trying, has a definite meaning and purpose to it, and that each one of us is a player and contributor in the show . Negative thoughts, on the other hand, lead to determent and degradation, because they originate from doubt and deceit. 

In my opinion your greatest achievement is the spreading of faith, which you are doing in your own way, whether it is consciously or unconsciously I do not know. Yet I feel it is deep faith in yourself and your own purpose in life, and through it that you are destined to promote the progressive force of honest and sincere effort, which is the key in the fulfillment  of the ‘Natural scheme of things’, whatever that is, is for some other time and occasion. If you wish to delve further on the subject,  I request you browse through the essays on my web site.  

I would like to end with many thanks for motivating me and reminding me of the virtues of belief and action, and waking me to my self imposed task of pushing forth some thought provoking ideas. 

Kind regards. 

Ziauddin Ahmed

tidylink@yahoo.com

          www.tidylink.net