Once Upon A Time During Ramadan

As far back as I can remember, I woke up one day in a home where my grandmother was a staunch Muslim. Yes, I, the writer was Muslim and so were my brothers and mom. My Muslim name was Farooq and I still have relatives who are practicing Islam.

My greatest recollections of childhood, involve me spending time with my Protestant father and Muslim grandmother. I was her favourite grandchild. She called me Festnate. This she did in her labour to call me by the pet name Fortunate which I had been given alongside my other very many names. She could not get her tongue around the name Fortunate, hence the Fesnate. I did not mind.

What I remember, which I have constantly shared with my friends is the fact that, with dad, I was a faithful Anglican. Then, whenever I was with my grandmother, I was the dedicated Muslim, often waking up early to say my prayers with her. This and other things including going for Juma and lessons for Arabic. I have long forgotten these rituals except "As-Salaam-Alaikum," which I can still say to wish peace upon you.

So, "As-Salaam-Alaikum." I hope you have learned or at least heard someone say the reply. If you have not, well, the reply is, “Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatu Allah." Or, "wa `alaykumu s-salāmu wa rahmatu l-lāhi wa barakātuh," meaning "may peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you." I loved the greeting. So if you see me with my “entalabusi” don’t be overly offended. But, I guess I cannot do that lest I stumble some.

About my Ramadan memories, I remember that during this period, all the relatives in our village would gather funds and purchase sacks of rice, just a bit of Posho (Maize flour), Matooke, which would be purchased on an almost daily basis. The breaking of the fast involved, Palau, beef stew, vegetables, and very thick juice.

Being the young Muslim enthusiast I was, I often woke up together with everyone for “Daako.” And daily convinced my grandmother that I would survive during the day without breaking the fast. Oh….but, did I ever manage to stay without food beyond ten o’clock? Before 11 a.m, I often would have cried to grand mom that I was beyond yield point and would drop dead if she did not ask the house help to make me something to eat. Since the law for Ramadan allowed the exempting of children from fasting, she would willingly allow me break my fast early.

When evening came, I with a few of my cousins would of course still be a part of the sumptuous Muslim meal. In fact, in my adulthood, I still believe that the best cooks are Muslim. That food must have had a lasting impression. And if you are my Muslim friend, please do invite me over, I will be grateful.

Oh my goodness, it is getting late. Let me retire. I’m out.

Did God Really Say Don't Drink?

Relax. Don't shoot me down. I also just heard someone ask me whether it is written anywher that don't drink. Meanwhile, I wanted this title to be, "Did God really say don't drink and drive?" I guess that would have been a little too much. But yes, someone actually asked me whether it is written anywhere that we should not drink. they even quoted the famous "drink a little for you health (paraphrased)" direction given by Paul. Before i went on to tell them the many things I did, I told them that this was due to a health issue. Just as it is said in the following commentary by Barnes

"Timothy was yet but a youth; he (Paul) recalled his (Timothy's) feebleness of constitution and his frequent attacks of illness; he recollected the very abstemious habits which he had prescribed for himself, and, in this connection, he urges him to a careful regard for his health, and prescribes the use of a small quantity of wine, mingled with his water, as a suitable medicine in his case. The Greek word here used does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament.

But use a little wine - Mingled with the water - the common method of drinking wine in the East; see Robinson's Bibliotheca Sacra, 1:512, 513.

For thy stomach's sake - It was not for the pleasure to be derived from the use of wine, or because it would produce hilarity or excitement, but solely because it was regarded as necessary for the promotion of health; that is, as a medicine." 

And yes, I continued to share the following scripture. But they are too many for me to share all. So, I will just decided to share with you an article I found useful
http://www.scionofzion.com/drinking.htm

While you were sleeping. (Poem)

While you were sleeping,
The sun was shinning somewhere,
The cock was crowing too.
The stars were shinning,
The moon glowing,
And the night, a blank void.

While you were sleeping,
The earth was speaking,
A language that only creation knows.
While the birds and beasts dozed off
The night flies glowed in the sunless sky
And the night travelers maneuvered on empty streeets.

While you were sleeping, I tell you
You were not the only one sleeping
But you were absent from those that walked
You were present with the dreamers
With those whose minds went on a journey
A journey that ended once your eyes fluttered open

While you were sleeping,
Somewhere In Uganda, Africa,
A writer penned down these words
He who could not lay to rest wrote,
That "while you were sleeping,
The world was moving on."

Wanting to be Mr/Ms Anonymous on the road???

Life is a very active and busy thing. The female human species always spend countless hours in front of their home mirrors or those small square or round shaped ones tacked away in their bags just in case wind does the unthinkable to their new hair style. And of course, it cannot be told of you, as a gentleman, that you have a weak taste in clothing or at least looking good.

Before becoming so aware of the fact that I have a few music videos playing on national television, my life was easier. (Look at me giving you access to my mind.) Anyway, read on. Before all the so-called becoming the recording artiste thing, I loved to take a walk along the busy Kampala streets especially because, I do not like to sit in a taxi for long. And I never cared what anyone would think of how I was dressed.

If you did not already know, let me tell you that, you can no longer walk around claiming to be anonymous. Someone who knew you from the kindergarten or from your game of ‘Maama ne taata’ will find you out. This is the revelation I want to share with you. Are you ready for it? Wait, it is no revelation. It is too obvious. There are some clothes you cannot be caught dead or alive wearing in public. Sorry, I am going off topic.

I am in a vehicle going somewhere with my cousin. I see a friend. I cannot resist the temptation of calling them and telling them, “I have seen you.” So I pick my not so cool phone and dial the number. They answer and we go on talking about how, “It’s been long since I saw you.” And at that instant, I tell them that, I had had a dream that they were wearing yellow jeans, a white top, and red handbag.

“What? Tell me you are kidding me?” To which I reply with hysterical laughter and that I was indeed telling a fib but had seen them on the streets. Almost everyone I get to play this and other jokes on usually ask the question, “How was I dressed? Was that smart?” that is if I called them later.

I see that we all want to know the importance of appearances. Let me say in Luganda, “Yambala Bulungi.” Literal meaning be smartly dressed when you walk out of the door. You may miss your future Mukyala (wife) because of that. But no. She has to love you the way you are. No. It cannot be that the way you are is wearing a crumpled shirt or a poorly matched attire.

Ahhhhhhhhh…..what I’m I saying.

Good day happy people.

Bilowoozo: It Happens In My Mind

It happens that, without my consent, some thoughts come flooding my extremely conservative mind. I just do not get to give them a voice. And I hope after you read these thoughts you won't judge me. My mind wonders along life issues, suspicions, and at times the fear of missing out or simply, not knowing. As I write here, I am also thinking about how I will exactly maintain two blogs at the same time. Time will tell. I hope you guys get to come here more often to find something worth your time.

Now, while I am a Christian, I find that I have questions that must be answered. As a writer here, you may catch me playing the devil's advocate, do not take these too serious. I intend to post on a variety of issues and things happening near and around me.

I find that it will be hard for me to avoid doing something along the entertainment lines. Also, expect to have guest bloggers here.

Thanks for coming here. Come back again.