Everyone once in a while. For some reason or another, I decide to find out how many people are reading me. A wall has been erected around this blog so it is impossible to reach me or make comments do there is no direct way to know. Never has been, never will be. When I get the urge I sent Computer Guru an email and he quickly and efficiently responds. On Friday the 13th II sent an email.
Me: Hi! I need my statistics please. Particularly by city.
He: Here you go.
Me: Oh my Allah
I am not gifted with math skills, never have and never will be able to comprehend the study of statistics. It is beyond me, meaningless. In order to put my arms around it I sifted through the numbers coming up with this incomprehensible 🤩number. In the last six months 3.86K viewers made 10.3K visits. That is nothing short of astronomical. Or as I say to my WhatsApp folks:
Me: To say I am famous is an understatement.
The responses varied. Perhaps the one most meaningful was from Alina.
She: Alhamdulillah. Awesome.
Me: Alhamdulillah. I am on the Straight Path it seem. Out Umrah experiences will be shared by thousands Inshallah Alhamdulillah.
She: Inshallah Alhamdulillah
Me: I shall now sleep.
She: Good night Alaa
Me: So tired. A fun dinner with Mohan Good night my precious Muslim Sister.
My WhatsApp conversation with Baby took a funny funny turn.
Me: I sent you an email with my statistics. To say I am famous is an understatement.
She: Okay love thanks
Me: I do not think you can comprehend what it means. I barely can. Hahaha
She: U vvv smart woman.
Me: I may be smart but this is something else.
Shamir and my conversation was nothing sort of zany. I love the word zany. Its definition:amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic. Wait until you read some of its synonyms: quirky, outlandish, ludicrous; farcical, madcap, chucklesome, waggish, acky, screwy,, nuts, crackpot ,oddball,, kinky, off the wall, dippy, cuckoo; daft; wacko,. Not at all conventional, sensible, serious.
Shamir and my conversation began this way.
Me: Just sent you an email with my statistics. Unbelievable. To say I a famous is an understatement.
He: Wow. Just saw the email.
Then I sent him a voice message that said I could never have done it without the help of him and his Dad.
He: That is so sweet of u. We are grateful too u too. Takes two hands to clap. But only one to punch.
Me: I am grateful more. Hahaha zi love the two hands to clap saying. It is so beautiful and true. BUT I HATE it when you are more profound that I am. It is humiliating.Fortunately it rarely happens, Hahaha Gotcha.
Then I sent him another GIF
Me: If no response than I gotcha again.
I then send him a GIF which you shall see at the conclusion of the blog, and two more.
Me: In the midst of this a sense of humour. Keeps me humble.
Me: You must be napping.
He: Yes I just woke up. While you slept I got the GIF of the day award. I am laughing at you. I gotta go and get in the pool.
He sent the most hilarious GIF somebody putting a dog in the pool
Then later. I wrote.
Me: I did it! Got in and out.
He: Did y cause a tsunami
Me:No. Not even a tidal wave smart
But enough of this tomfoolery. (Tomfoolery is foolish or silly behavior). Now is the moment to discuss how it felt to see my stunning, spectacular statistics. How I have coped with this awareness of how well-read I am. Some background is necessary and fortunately already written in the About Me section of the blog. I shall copy the salient section. I became a Muslim during Covid. My studies of the faith were solitary, reading the Quran and internet research , which meant that the conversation that led to my reversion to the faith occurred on the telephone. I spoke of this on April 20, 2024, found in About Me.
My solitary studies continued until, at some point, my Muslim taxi driver decided I was ready. He set up a telephone call with the Inman of his Richmond,California Mosque. It was an hour and a half conversation that would change my life forever. We spoke of many things, he was inquisitive, caring and a great listener. We spoke of my religious practices and education, what I had learned about the Islamic Faith, the sources of my information and, at one point, my blog. At the time, it had readers all over the world, scores of views and viewers. His final instruction:
He: Continue reading the Quran. You and Allah will decide when you are ready.
I did, He did. On October 20, 2020 I, in English, spoke those few well known well chosen words. Later, at the Zahyad Center in Abu Dhabi my faith was formalized – the Arabic words in tears and then laughter. Laughter as I kept mispronouncing the Arabic words – it probably took about half an hour. Tears of joy mixed with laughter at my tongue tied Arabic.
Very rarely do I speak of Inman Hamza’s second message. I shall paraphrase his words.
Paraphrase is to express the meaning of (the writer or speaker or something written or spoken) using different words, to achieve greater clarity.
He: I teach young men of the faith, but only can reach ten or fifteen at a time. You can speak to the whole world. You have been Chosen by Allah (SWT).
At that time five people agreed that I had been Chosen. The taxi driver was one, two were princesses from the Royal Family of Qatar. Very unlikely that, but true.
At the time I was told I was chosen it did have an impact, but it has taken some time and some effort to understand what that means – to grow into it, so to speak. It is now time for me to explore this tremendously important aspect of my life and my faith.
Being the chosen one by God means being divinely elected for a specific purpose and assignment. It involves a unique calling to serve God and others, guided by His wisdom and love. This unique relationship brings a sense of fulfillment, spiritual growth, and a responsibility to share God’s message with the world.”
This April 24, 2024 entry went onto discuss the attempts made, up until then, to integrate this awesome responsibility into my everyday existence. My everyday existence continued, with many diversions, shall we say. The statistics were a wake up call. Asked AI the question;
Me: What is the use of the phrase wake up call.
AI: The phrase ‘wake up call” is commonly used in a literal and metaphorical sense.
It was the metaphorical sense I was referring to, so went to metaphorical meaning:
Awakening to reality signifies a moment of realization or awareness that prompts someone to acknowledge a situation that requires attention or change. It often follows a period of negligence or complacency, emphasizing the need to re evaluate one’s circumstances.
A Catalyst for Change.. In this context, a wake-up call can be and event, experience or realization that serves as a wake up signal urging individuals to take action make adjustments or change behaviors that could be detrimental if unaddressed.
Conclusion: Overall a ‘wake up call’ Signifies an important moment of awareness that can lead to positive change or important decisions. “
But the beauty of it all is this. The timing, the realization that I am doing what Allah has chosen me for is occurring at a time when I will be better able to worship and learn, Less than three weeks from now I will leave Penang, First to go to KL, to be with Alina and then on July 12 leave on a three week guided Umrah. As I said to Alina, our Umrah experiences can be shared with thousands.
A strange mixture of stuff will follow the blog. The statistics and some weird GIFS.
