A Walk Into The Gardens Of My Mind

Terrorism, war, poverty and the ongoing numerous battles our fellow species are experiencing all over the world are very often motivating factors for us wanting to change the world. You know, you wake up one morning, thinking 'I'd like to make a positive change in the world, I want to reduce the amount of poor people in my country, I'm going to start donating more'. Well, I don't know about you, but I've had this thought plenty of times. But with all the horror that is going on around in the world and being sidetracked by these worldly issues, one can easily forget that if we do not make swift and smooth efforts to save our planet, then we won't even have scope to address these issues and solve them. What is the good in being politically active if were not going to have a planet to survive in soon? Seriously, though. I am now 22 years of age, and  I remember how concerned I was at the age of about 12 in regards to climate change and global warming. Onl...

After receiving much critical backlash for his previous plans to make £12bn welfare cuts, George Osborne has now completely scraped the idea of cuts to tax credits. There are no rates of cuts, in release of his Autumn statement, he was reported by Channel 4 News as saying, "I've listened to the concerns, I hear and understand them and because I've been able to announce an improvement in the public finances, the simplest thing to do, is not to face these changes, but to avoid them altogether" , to which he received an uproar in The House Of Commons.                                                         Picture : from the Daily Mirror As much as Osborne done a good job in surprising the public, without knowing entirely the effect this decision has had, he has uplifted the burden from many hearts. Though some may say London's economy is booming w...

After watching what was a very eye-opening, but more harrowing Channel 4 documentary on British ISIS supporters, I am left stick to my stomach and curious to know more. 'The British Women Supporters Unveiled' has been successful in what seems to me the first breakthrough in educating the masses on how some people, namely women in London can be fast-tracked on the process of radicalization. In the documentary, a Muslim woman called Aisha unravels her one-year journey of keeping up with online ISIS recruiters on Twitter and then eventually meeting up with London recruiters at stalls and study circles. What was particularly disturbing to me was that these ISIS supporters are in the very heart of London, the city I grew up in, the city in which I travel to and back. How ironic is it that Westerners fear such people, but we are probably brushing past these people on a daily, not knowing they are disillusioned radicals with ulterior motives? That is not to say I am promoting su...

This morning on my way to university today, as I waited on the platform in Bank station, tears gushed down from my eyes as I reflected on the injustices within the world we live in. I couldn't help but only imagine what it must have been like for those families who have lost their loved ones due to the terrorist attacks in Paris on the 13th of November. I then started reflecting how all over the world, people are dying due to inequality, people dying because of poverty, war and other grievances . It pained me knowing that the West has become fixated on sympathizing with Paris, but dismissing incidents elsewhere. On a side note, I felt a sense of fear whilst on public transport today, as although I didn't wear any obvious Islamic attire, I was very conscious of the fact that I was Muslim. It was comforting seeing a Muslim man with a big beard, leaning up against the wall in the station looking quite relaxed . I thought if he isn't bothered, why should I be ? But I was bot...

How can an educated woman like yourself not see the beauty of Islam?! Let me start off by saying I am not defending Islam just because I am a Muslim, but because people like Ayan Hirsi Ali are the catalyst to creating 'a clash of civilizations' as described by Samuel Huntington. Her one-sided and delusional perspective on Islam has led people to believe that Islam has deprived the lives of many, when in actual fact it has fulfilled them. I have just finished reading her book 'NOMAD' , which explicitly describes Ali's journey from Islam, to the Netherlands and then to her final destination, America. Tears, suffering and strength are the core themes explored within the personal memoir, in contextualization of Somali clan culture, a mis-interpreted Islam, freedom vs oppression and activism and empowerment. Despite her vicious remarks about Islam, I salute her stoic nature and her willingness to ensure women are emancipated from patriarchy and its branched out inj...

Many times I have complained and moaned to others, and might I add, boasted, about the overwhelming attention I receive on the road from male spectators . Although, compared to most daring westernised girls who have no problem with showing off their legs, cleavage and body shape, I make sure to cover as much skin as possible. With that being said, I wear extra layers underneath tops and jumpers so less can be seen, and  I enjoy wearing long jackets. As a result, I have boasted many times about the 'prettiness' of my face, as a man has nothing more to go on when he spots me and approaches me. Most girls cannot boast about this, neither make the same claim, as I myself, have witnessed men smack their tongues across their lips in lust at a woman's behind, only to follow her and show an apparent disappointed expression on their face, at the woman's face. Laugh as you wish, but when I'm seeing girls forcefully arching their backs whilst walking, I can't help but de...

One of my university lecturers recommended that we watch a BBC documentary called 'Bitter Lake'. I just remembered noting it down, wondering what it has to in relation with the topic of contemporary media practices and colonialism as a sub topic, but making a mental note to go home and find out for myself. 'Bitter Lake' , by Adam Curtis , is far from bitter, but an eye-opening film that made me feel mad at myself for my previous ignorance of the corruption between such influential countries in the world. What was particularly striking for me, is the fact that Britain and Saudi Arabia had agreed and signed off one of the biggest arms deal in the world. As a young Muslim woman who looks up to Saudi Arabia , as being such a beautiful and awe-inspiring country which hosts the annual Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj , this was a fact which was hard to sallow for me. How could such a holy city engage in buying and selling weaponry? How could Britain, a country that boasts peace a...

Shattered , lost and empty is what the death of Kids Company (shortened to 'Kids') has made me feel. My second home no longer exists and I still am in mourning. Three weeks ago, the charity closed its centres across the UK, and abandoned myself and a million other vulnerable young people who have been severely traumatised. I am not glamorising vulnerability, but for a second, just imagine .. all of us (the young people associated with Kids) not having a shoulder to cry on any more, a firm hand pointing us in the right direction or giving us the thumbs up in supporting our goals, or having a decent lunch and our weeks travel sorted .. suddenly being taken to a cliff and threatened to be pushed off. That's what it feels like. Kids has done for me, what I believe no other institution, be it educational or youth-based could match or exceed, for their services had no price attached to it, but soul and pure love. I used to read about Kids in the newspapers and how the ch...

From as long as I can remember, feminism has been taught to me and brought into conversation in a way to say it is the most illuminating movement going, and to not be a feminist as a woman is absurd. I am now 21 and as much as I on the whole, know most women don't like me (they are jealous of me, trust me I am neither exaggerating or generalising), and I do not particularly like my gender, this is not the reason why I do not brand myself a feminist. After some hurtful of how other females have mistreated and generally speaking been nothing short of a bitch towards me, men have become my best friends in this world. Now if I was you, I wouldn't blow this statement out of proportion or pull it out of context. All humans need and desire some sort of companionship and friendship. Why? Because we don't just want, but need love as human beings for confidence, inner warmth and to be able to progress in life. Since I had bad experiences with females, I had a lot of male frie...

As cliche as it may sound, young people are the future. They are the future leaders and decision-makers in society, we need to invest time, energy, money and love into them, if we are to progress as a society, but more importantly as part of a civilization. The current younger generation will be the new teachers, new cashiers at your local supermarket, the new nurses, scientists and a vast amount of other job roles we need being played, for smooth operation and consensus.Young people What has been concerning me however, is the lack of life skills in the national curriculum in schools and colleges all over the UK. Its all good knowing the Pythagoras Theorum and how many wives King Henry Viii had, but it is rarely applied in everyday circumstances. Knowing how to cook a well-balanced but tasty meal, knowing how to pay tax and how to give a good presentation are however knowledge that one can strategically apply in everyday encounters. I am a 21 year old woman, who yet does not unde...

Two days after the 7/7 bombing anniversary, I sat reading an English interpretation of the Holy Qur'an on the train, I could feel numerous sets of eyes preying on me. A few people were staring at the cover of the Qur'an, others looked awkward that I had caught them looking. Welcome to my world as a twenty one year old Muslim. My religion has been important to me since I have been a teenager, I recall my friends were always going to get their eyebrows done, which is regarded as a major sin in Islam as one is interfering with the way Allah has created them. I have been tempted to get my eyebrows shaped but I said no! Also my friends had boyfriends and encouraged me to do the same, but I stayed strong and didn't give in. Pre marital relationships are forbidden in Islam, and so I strived my hardest to follow this rule. With my parents being very strict as well, I was hardly allowed out, so that I wouldn't go to meet any boys and get up to mischief. During my former y...

Self respect goes a long way, it is the basis on which people draw their conclusions about you and is the epitome of what you experience as an individual. As a Muslim woman, it is instilled in us by our religion to have self respect by being modest in our clothing and actions. Although I do not wear the Hijab or any other specific Islamic garments, I am very keen on appearing as a woman rather than *insert a body part that is often looked at, because I am to shy to state it* . I want to be seen for me as a person with dignity, not be admired for my body, but for my mind and character. For as long as I can remember, myself and the opposite gender whom have been close friends, associates and colleagues'have commended me for the self respect I display and my humble nature as ironic as it may sound. (You're probably chuckling to yourself or holding in a giggle at this precise moment, and if you're not, you've just wasted your time reading this added comment) . Personally,...

Jaja Soze : "That's What I Think Every Kid Needs, Plant That Seed, Water It And It Will Grow." Former South-London notorious gang member Jaja Soze is a role model to young people who come from deprived backgrounds. He is a prime example of making something out of nothing, and although far from the usual rags to riches story, Soze has become a successful creative entrepreneur that is on a mission to change the world he lives in. Suffering a traumatic past, having been caught up in drugs, guns and crime, to serving long jail sentences, you'd have to own a pretty cold heart not to commend this man for his efforts, in bettering not only himself, but the community around him. I walked into the PDC studio, completeley in awe and admiration of the innovative and slick design of this entity that Jaja had created. I sat down on a sofa, filled with graffiti scribbles and writing,which really captured the creative and edgy feel of the art and culture of the area .'Wh...

Rachel Kelly : "A privileged life does not mean a privileged health." Rachel Kelly was a woman most would want to be - she had an excellent career on the go, a loving family and she was hosting the best parties. However, things got on top and depression dropped onto her like a bomb, and it was through the power of poetry and prayers, that she healed herself. As I anxiously awaited Rachel Kelly's arrival in a French cafe called Le Pain Quotidien in Notting Hill, I skimmed my notes on her, burning to ask her the questions I'm sure no one else has asked before. Kelly was a former Times journalist, who had everything going for her - but after facing depression, she hit rock bottom. Not for too long however, as this inspiring woman has utilised her pain and grief to produce positive endeavours as she embarks the journey on being living proof that you can fight depression and become better. She arrives,ambling up the spiral staircase, her warm smile lighting up t...

American Civil Rights Activist Rachel Dolezal, 37,who is the daughter of two White parents, has caused much controversy and debate after claiming that she is 'Black.' Picture from The Independent From what little word history I can recall on, during times of segregation and injustice in parts of the world like America, many people went through what would be described as 'racial passing' . This usually entailed people of mixed heritage posing as being White, in order to avoid racism or undue punishment of some sort. Fast forward into the 20th century, we now have a White woman posing to be Black, and her reason for doing so is far from trying to avoid racism. Although I disbelieve that Dolezal has a brain chemistry imbalance which has affected her mental health, associate professor of counselling psychology, Anita Thomas , from Loyola University came up with a plausible conclusion. The Guardian reports her saying, "For White [American] youth, who are disc...