I have not updated this blog in a long time but I feel myself forced to write today as I think not sharing this experience will be a huge mistake of keeping an experience really great and beautiful hidden from the world.

This happened to me (Abubakar A. Khaliq) directly and it was just the evening before yesterday. Here goes the true incident.

We had worst snow storm in DC metro area (Gaithersburg) on weekend and it continued through Wednesday, till Thursday morning. I went to work on Thursday and while leaving from work my wife called me telling that we don’t have enough milk at home for my 20 months old Kid, Armaghan Ali. I asked my co-worker John to stop at Grocery store before he drops me at my home. When I reached the grocery store, It was almost empty. There was NO MILK OF ANY KIND. I called my wife, telling her that they don’t have milk, and she told me that remaining milk may work for tonight hardly. I could feel in her voice that situation is even worse. But I could not do anything since there was 5 feet snow every where and I had ride to home only, that too because of John. I was HELPLESS, and to a great extent hopeless.

In the way, I thought about an email that my father (M. A. Khaliq) sent me last year. Then I spoke to myself “but that was just an email”. Then I thought, only if that could happen for me today . Yes, I practically had not a fragment of doubt that something will be happening like the one mentioned in that email. So I made up my mind to call Nitin, another fellow and friend, next day and ask him to drop some milk at home around lunch time=.

I came home, I said my wife that let me change then I’ll tell you about my plan for tomorrow’s milk. I was heading to change my dress when door knocked. It was my neighbor, Javed Iqbal, having a gallon of milk and bread at my door telling me that he just thought about bringing those for us because of weather. I was SHOCKED. I couldn’t think or speak of anything and I had tears in my eyes. I thanked him and My heart was thanking Allah, submitting to his powers and greatness.

I don’t know the story of Javed Iqbal that why and how he brought the milk. But really, you should read the below email which was sent to me last year and I considered it just another email.

May Allah keep you all safe.

Here is that email

———————————————————————-

Allah listens to our prayers. A nice story testing FAITH -.

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Class of Quranic Studies.
The Muslim (Scholar) had shared about listening to Allah and obeying
Allah through intuition.
The young man couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Does Allah still speak to
people through intuition?’


After Lessons, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and
they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how
Allah had led them in different ways and that at the end you’ll know it
was Allah
(SWT) Who h as directed you.

It was about ten o’clock when the young man started driving home.
Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, ‘Allah…If you still speak
to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.’

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest
thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.  He shook his head and said
out loud, ‘Allah is that you?’ He didn’t get a reply and started on
toward home.  But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came into
his head. ‘Okay, Allah, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.’ It
didn’t seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the
milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, ‘Turn Down that
street.’ This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next
intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he
said out loud, ‘Okay, Allah, I will.’

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He
pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial
area of town. It wasn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst of
neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses
looked dark like the people were already in bed.


Again, he sensed something, ‘Go and give the milk to the people in the
house across the street.’ The young man looked at the house. It was
dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep.
He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. ‘Allah,
this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are
going to be mad and I will look stupid.’ Again, he felt like he should
go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, ‘Okay Allah (SWT), if this is you, I will
go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look
like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will
count for something, but if they don’t answer right away, I am out of here.’

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise
inside. A man’s voice yelled out, ‘Who is it? What do you want?’ Then
the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he
just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn’t
seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep.
‘What is it?’

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, ‘Here, I brought this to you.’
The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the
hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was
following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears
streaming down his face.  The man began speaking and half crying, ‘We were just praying.
We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn’t
have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking Allah (SWT)
to show me how to get some milk.’

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, ‘I ask him to send an Angel with
some milk.  Are you an Angel?’


The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he
had on him and put in the man’s hand. He turned and walked back toward
his car and the tears were streaming down his face.
He knew that Allah (SWT) still answers prayers.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that Allah (SWT) asks us to do, that
Enable us to understand His words clearer and better than ever.
Please listen, and obey!

———————————————————————-

Yesterday was the Annual Muslim Family Day in USA announced by ISNA/ICNA. All over the US, they reserved “Six Flags America” theme parks solely for muslims and made tickets available to all muslim brothers and sisters through Islamic centers, Islamic schools and Halal grocery and superstores….

I thought that maybe this is a good time for me and my family to get together with muslims of USA and know them more. So we decided to go

Saturday morning was heavily clouded and as expected, it started pouring around mid-day. That was the time when we are waiting for our last bus on the route. Talking about the route, not having a car is always a pain. This time, it involved a bus, a train, another train and then another bus.

When we reached SFA at Bowie, it was already raining. Rushing towards entrance, trying to get least effected by rain, we couldn’t help noticing the large number of people already there and still coming. I don’t think I saw this number at Eid Prayer, maybe because there are several small centers catering for prayer and this park was to accomodate all Muslims of DC and Maryland.

Things were really nice irrespective of all the rain coming down from heavens above. We could see muslims from every region of the world. As expected, people talking in Punjabi and Urdu were of more interest for my wife and kid on their first gathering among muslims. There were bazars with bangles, jewelry, and dresses from almost all regions. Then there was an area full of stalls serving all kind of Halal Food. You could any kind of food from region specific items to typical fast foods.

Some of the portions of the park were closed due to rain that was getting heavier every moment. All other areas were full of kids and elders alike. Most of the people were interested in rides involving some kind of free fall or all kinds of weird angles of hanging in the air. For us, Due to Armaghan, we enjoyed every ride bu just watching others and hearing them scream

By the way, did I mention that our rides in parks of Pakistan are more frightening then what they have got here? Seriously, couple of new rides in Joyland are too good to handle

Anyways, we could enjoy the train that circles almost all the park and we enjoyed heavy lunch and after all that we were ready to leave. These 9 hours, 6 in travel and 3 in park, were fun even without enjoying the rides in rain as everyone else was doing.

I really like the concept and efforts of ICNA/ISNA to arrange this kind of events to make muslims of US get closer to each other and know each other better. I hope to see more events like this in future but in less rain

For past 2 months, just like the rest of my life, my kind has been influencing my life in all the ways. When I say my kind it definitely means “Humans”. Influencing my life like never before.

Some filling all the empty space in my apartment and my heart with all the happiness of the world. My sister’s wedding and then my wife and my son coming to US with me, those were probably the happiest days of my life.

Then there were some bringing lot of Fun and Joy, just a weekend but full of fun. Naeem and Family travelling 12 hours from Boston to Gaithersburg, just to have fun, that was really great:) Those 3 days are also a memory, a happy one.

And then, there are humans who leave us. Us, who are dearest to them. Never want to leave, never ready to go, Yet they leave us crying. Nothing they can do, and nothing we can. On Tuesday, they talk to us for hours. On Thursday, my brother calls me telling me that he is no more. All of a sudden, My Father-in-law left us crying in most desperate moments of life. Daughter still not able to believe that he is gone. Just after a month when she left home to come to this foreign land. She is broken and I am trying in vain to save her from tears and sadness. We both, knowing that we will not be able to be their ON TIME, were trying to figure out the fastest way of reaching back. I hate the distance between US and Pakistan and it has never been that far far away. I never felt so helpless in my entire life. Oh Allah, why do humans leave? Why the dearest ones? Why so early and why so suddenly? Why when we are so far away?

Among the ones bringing happiness and the ones being the tears in our eyes, there are humans of another kind. The ones who are there and we don’t feel how important they are.
Ones like my CEO Nandan, Who says me to do just as I want to. He knows that his product is going to suffer if I leave suddenly for Pakistan. But he also understands the gravity of the tragedy and the loss of my family.
My friend and colleague Mukta who, without spending a minute, came with me to my home after hearing the news. Who took care of my child when I managed to break this tragic news to my wife. Arranging the travel agent to facilitate us with the same night travel arrangements and then leaving us at airport in evening, she was everywhere supporting us.

And then there is Nitin. My friend, ex apartment mate and colleague. Saving money for his car, moving to his apartment in 2 weeks, and when he knows about tragedy, he offers me his everything. If it was not him, I could not even think about arranging the tickets for that night. Without waiting for a single word, without saying a single word, offering all of his savings, He proved himself to be more human than many around. I might be able to repay his money in few months but can I ever repay rightfully for what he did?

These two months made me realized many things in a much better details. I know the value of moments. Value of smiles and burden of tears, I’ve never understood better before. I don’t know how much life I have. But being a human, I don’t want to leave like humans do and I don’t want any one else around me to leave me. But I know I have no control over what’s nature and what’s written. But whatever time is left, I want to live it happily, with my Family, my friends and with humans.

Finally, after almost 4 months in US, I moved into my own apartment. Rented this apartment for its good shape, very good community and its walking distance from office.

Moving in was fun Daily spending hours and hours on craigslist, watching for garage sales, cheap furniture, electronics, etc…. Then emailing all the good offers and then knowing that everything that you want is sold and every time you are the lazy one…, seriously that was fun. I mean you just read a post, you email them and you know that you are few minutes late

Khair, I managed to finalize a dining table some how. Bed I finalized to get from my old place from Office. Crib and beddings for my baby I finalized to buy from my CEO. The worst and the most time consuming was TV. I could not find a single TV which was reasonably cheap and for which i was not late and still it was in a good working condition.

Got keys on Thursday and moved the Baby Furniture and Dining Set on the same day using my CTO’s truck. Actually he was helping me a lot in all the movement. That dining table, damn! it was HEAVY. I had to bring it up from basement alone and uffff, It was a pain. Once it was up, me and Nandan (my CTO and company owner) managed to fit it in the truck with all 6 chairs and a uniquely designed comfort chair. This chair was in for free and I like it too much.

Major part of shifting was due on Saturday. Decided to use a UHaul truck to move the bed and my luggage. My friends were there to help me. I took the electric instruments of Jan from the office to disassemble the bed. Took a toolkit from Hemant to finish it up. Nitin was there to help me disassemble and carry things out. And last, but not the least, was Mukta.

This wonderful girl has a wonderful car. Just like her, her civic is also small(looks so) but has a lot of potential which you don’t imagine in the first look. The way we managed to fit complete bed and two side tables in car, I never expected that before. Mukta advised me not to use the UHaul and try the cars instead. This saved me another 50+ bucks

Last trip included Hemant’s car as well and we could move the luggage with a heavy Futon Mattress.

After just putting it all at apartment, we left for lunch. Then had some other things to do. It was almost 9 PM when we got back. Muks and Nitin looked tired so I let them go and my self had another task in front of me.

I decided to do everything within that night. I assembled the best, then that heavy dining table. Then I had to disassemble the crib to move it in bed room and them assemble it back. After all was done I had dinner and slept (around 2 AM).

Woke up around 6 AM. After prayer, started with unpacking the luggage and arrange all the small things. By 10, I was done with everything. Apartment looked good with some furniture in it. Small, clean, spacious and organized… I like it.

Rest of the day was laundry. Afternoon, the couple with TV and DVD player reached. In 80 bucks, I had 1 mint condition Toshiba 20” FST CRT TV with a mint condition Panasonic DVD Player. Still, no cable.

Now the last thing for now is cable and internet. Comcast guy is coming in Morning

Almost 6 weeks since my last blog. Life was busy and a lot was happening. This week, however, something very big happened. Something that shook me completely on one hand but strengthened my faith on the other hand. I really thank Allah for guiding me and keeping me safe.

Vision systems group was the company that sponsored my visa. I knew that it was a consulting company and they place people on projects and they earn money from other companies and give a portion of that money as salary to their employee. When I joined them, I had few situations that turned me over and within my second week here, I was thinking about leaving them and making my own way. Among all other things that turned me over, the major factor was lie. They wanted me to modify my resume so that they can sell me better. They wanted me to include fake projects and fake durations. As a result, I had a 6.5 yrs of on resume experience comparing to my actual 4.5 years only.

Why would I do that? I am here to make a healthy yet honest living. Should I start it with a lie? I couldn’t handle it and tried a couple of things on my own. By the kindness and grace of Allah, within a week I was able to get my H1 transferred to an actual software company which hired me for whatever I am. It is true that I am getting a very low salary as compared to many of my friends, but I am happy that its an honest living and there are no lies involved.

And after 3 months, what happens? That company is under investigations for frauds and scams revolving around H1B visas and employments. More details are here: http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0902/090212desmoines.htm 

It is true that I am safe. It is true that this company might be getting what it actually deserves. But is that all? What about 1000s of consultants who work for that company? Are they still on payroll? What about 20s of consultants on bench (without pay)? Are they going to get a project? What about the people working on corp-to-corp contracts? If VSG goes down, are contracts valid? What about people who have their green cards in final stages? what about people who just got an apartment and were planning to bring family? what about people whose families just got their visa approved and were ready to join in?

Who is responsible for all these sufferings? ICE, who never took an action in all those years? VSG, who was doing this for so many years without any fear? Or my friends who were not lucky enough to get out of the bloody traps of the bastard parasites?

I hate these body shoppers and I really pray for all the people who are trapped by them. I disliked VSG when it was about me. Now I hate VSG when I see my friends upset just because of they are kind of trapped in to this situation that still has no clear ending.

~*~Carry Forward~*~
phir saal ki akhri sham hui
phir waqt ki dor mein girha lagi

lo waqt hua phir gin-ne ka
gaye saal ki khushyon k lamhey
aur gayee ruton k sab aansoo
aur waqt ki kaali aandhi mein
hamen raah dikhatey sab jugnu

aur bhooley kaun sitaron ko
un naye puraney yaaron ko
jo her mushkil mein saath rahey
jo sab rahon per sath chaley

Aur iss ginti mein shamil hein
jo jaag k kaatin raaten sab
jo sajni se kin baaten sab
jo maan ney sunaayee woh lori
aur saari duaen behna ki
aur apney des se doori bhi
jo hijr bani, majboori bhi

ger tumko lagey k yeh sab kuchh
gaye saal k saath na reh jaye
to yeh sab kuchh
tum gin-na apni ungliyon pe
phir muthi ko bund ker lena
aur pehli subha naye saal ki ho
to khol k apni muthi ko
in sab ko bhi sath hi le chalna

After Eid, It was same for couple of days. Days were busy in work but, when everybody goes home, I used to miss Pakistan and my home. And this was not only me. Every body, even ppl who are here for 10/20 years, cannot escape the memories of Pakistan and home on eid.

Khair, every spell is to break and every time is to end. It took a couple of days but finally I was back to normal.

Coming to what else has been happening around me, The most enjoyable one was my trip to Philadelphia on last weekend. I wanted to blog about that right away but thanx to DELL, I could not Will tell this DELL story later.

Trip to Philly

A very good person and my old friend, old only because of age , invited me to visit him at his home. He is a very nice and very well educated person, definitely no match for an ignorant like me

So, Professor Joseph M. Scandura, who was inviting me to visit him since my first day in US,  finally made me agree on a weekend with him. This was the first time we were meeting so we were both very excited. I left from Gaithersburg at 0630 in morning. Reached chinatown of Philly around 1030. called him and he was there to pick me up in 15 minutes.

Philly is really an historical place but I did not have enough time to visit the places. He took the special route towards home to show me park and museum and whatever possible during that time. When we reached to his home, It was really good. That location and such a good house on top of a hill. It felt really good.

Alice, Joe’s wife, was there to welcome us. She looks much younger than Professor and is a pretty women. She was so like a typical mom worrying about what to cook for me and how was my travel and all that. She must be a very good mom, I can imagine that.

Having a butter cake with blue berries was nice. But the slice was too big to finish. And yes, It was heavy I enjoyed how much was possible for me. Alice told me that she’ll be cooking some veggie special Italian food just for me. I am not very good at trying new cuisines but could not say no to her.

When she left for some shopping at super store, Me an Joe had lot of chit chat. Including his research, world economy and situation of Pakistan, we discussed so many things. I also helped him setting up his scanner.

Then we decided to go out and walk around the streets. When we went out, Professor showed me his bike and I could not help myself from trying it. I was on a  bike after 10/11 years and it felt so good. So we both decided to take a hike on bike. He is very healthy for his age. There were places where I could not climb on bike but it was too easy for him.

It was almost freezing and surroundings were clean and beautiful. I enjoyed that bike ride tooo much. If I didn’t have to come back, I could spend a lot more time biking. It was mostly a hill station kind place in suburbs of Philly so perhaps you can imagine the enjoyment.

When we came back, It was almost 1600. Alice had the lunch kum dinnner ready for us And then the moment came. Toughest for me, trying a new cuisine, I finally choked. I could not eat that, It was too different to handle for me. I felt really embarrassed when I had to say it. She put a lot of effort in it and I kinda wasted it. I am really a bad kid

But then I had tuna fish Fried tuna fish, out of a cane, with black pepper sprinkled on top was tasty for me. So, I managed to kill some of my appetite.

They insisted a lot to make me stay over night but I had some promises with some friends for next day so I had to come back. He dropped me near bus at 1700 and rest of the trip was usual till I reached DC.

Some moments from my weekend at Philadelphia:

Thank you professor for such a good time.

On my way back to Gaithersburg, when I was to wait for RedLine metro at Gallery Place Station at china town DC, I visited the AT&T store there. I had some doubts in mind due to my short stay in US and not enough credit history, but still I asked them if I could get an IPhone 3G. To my surprise, they agreed to give me one

So, finally, I have an IPhone 3G and my own number now. Will think about writing some details about this gadget later.

First SMS I got was from my brother, about 9/10 hours before the actual 4th December here in US. He was quick enough to wish me according to Pakistan time. And, he was the first one. Thank you Umar

10 minutes before 0000, I was chatting to my family and getting birthday wishes and prayers. This was a very good start of the day. Thank you Ammi, Apa, Asmara and Armaghan Love u all.

All night, I was almost awake. Talking to family on phone or net in intervals. Morning was, as usual, cold but still was feeling good. I got order of the day from family to use all their gifts today. So, I unpacked my new dress, shoes, cologne and wallet. When I was ready for Office, And was chatting with my family for the last time before leaving for office, that’s when I missed them the most. Not only them but I missed being in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, my birthdays used to be a lot of fun. Not only family but celebration with friends and treats and small surprises and lot of fun, that was the all that I was missing. I was thinking about how this day will be in US.

Entering the office, I shook all that off my head and decided to make the maximum out of the day using whatever is available. So, first thing I did was testing the timer function of my new Nikon P50 and taking my own pictures.

At that moment I did not know that there is more to this day waiting for me. Every one at office knew about my birthday, from office record maybe, and wished me. This wishing and thanks stuff was going for the initial part of day. Also, got a lot of wishes from friends all around the world on Orkut, Facebook and email. Thanks to all:)

Rest was a normal working day at office. Till 1600 at least

At 1600 in evening, Nitin asked to have a look on the bug. I was going to his room but he kept going further. I thought, maybe I have to look at some other dev machine. But when he passed the last dev room, I could smell that something else was cooking.

And there they were. Everybody from office with smiling faces, waiting for me, with a cake and candles on it. So this was surprise of the day and this was really a good one. Nothing that I was expecting at all. So then there was this formal candle blow, cake cutting and all that cheering and wishing. Not to forget the birthday card signed by every one.

Cake was really good. Normally I don’t eat cake but this was an exception. I tried a small piece and it was too good. Everybody enjoyed it. Time for some more photos

And finally, thanks to Christina’s tripod, there was this group photo.

Thank you all for making this day a memory

My New Camera

OK, as it is shipped now, I can tell you about my thanksgiving shopping. I bought a $179 camera in $99 from CircuitCity including a free photo printer. Its a Nikon Coolpix P50. Prooof of purchase… Here it is:

After leaving my D50 at home and having this old, small camera with me, I was not very much into photography anymore. Now I have this till I get my D50 back from home. I hope this improves some things.

So, After getting it out of box, I did what I was supposed to do. Took a couple of photos in Office. Uploaded photos on Flickr, Couple of shots here:

Our Kitchen Sink

We came back from office and it was not easy to stay in kitchen. All that water in sink and that smell…. Nitin tried very hard to make it go away and guess what I did. I took a photo

 Silver Spoon

And then we decide to have our favourite aaloo paratha once more. Destination was usual, The Silver Spoon. I like this place. Its almost a month since I started eating there almost regularly. This time, having camera with me, I could take some shots on the inside. Couple of shots are below, rest on Flickr.