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Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin MISSION NIZAMUDDIN

The Twitter-based Micro-Travelogue MISSION about a journey across four Indian states NIZAMUDDIN

The Twitter-based Micro-Travelogue about a journey across four Indian states By Jaihoon

ADAM PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS NEW -110002 () Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin

To Adam Publishers & Distributors (Exporters & Importers) 1542, Pataudi House, Darya Ganj, Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya -110002 Ph. : 23282550, 23284740, Fax.: 23267510 E-mail : [email protected] At a time when the Creed and its symbols are [email protected] hijacked website: www.adambooks.in Mercy and Love they have from it axed…

Edition : 2010 We hold dear the Mystic Sultan of Delhi ISBN : Price : Whose mission liberated millions from the spiritual poverty

Printed & Bound in India Published by : S. Sajid Ali, for, Adam Publishers & Distributors 1542, Pataudi House, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002, India Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin

memory lane once again. Recalls his entire travel duration once more and pens down his feelings which could be FOREWORD “neither right nor wrong”, something which makes one think for a while. A small travelogue by my dear respected friend Jaihoon. It is refreshingly original and pours out his thoughts on Dr Wasim Ahmad some of the mundane issues wherein he has read more Head of Islamic Department than meets the eyes. Preston University – Ajman, UAE Traveling is one of the very enriching experiences and the Divine words, in fact, encourage it. It is a great source  of learning and one does not regret ever for undertaking a journey. He certainly comes back with some worthwhile memories and ideas. Jaihoon is true in his devotion to the earlier luminaries which was the driving force behind his undertaking this journey. His visiting of the bears a testimony to the fact that there is a lot in the legacies of those universalist enlightened people which could guide us in the current perplexities and divisions. His occasional remarks about the cleanliness and hard- coming smiles from the strangers says a lot without saying much, for instance, “Agra greeted us with awful dirt”. Another example, “All done at the airport. Less by 1kg of the limit. The counter lady dealt with us in a smile which made me describe to her the experience of meeting very few who smiled in Delhi.” It will be enriching if Jaihoon goes back down the Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin since school days, was only natural. I dedicate this meager work to Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya whose greatness is evident till date. My sincere gratitude to all those who helped bring this Preface to light. My parents and wife, the silent players in my life In the name of Allah. who have lent me their love, prayers and patience for my creative endeavors. These notes are based my travel across the four Indian states of Delhi, , and during the early months of year 2010. I had posted them live on  the micro-blogging network, Twitter, for the sake of convenience. This book is a liberal compilation from such notes which were earlier composed within the limits of the 140 characters. Right from the inception of the idea of its publication, many well-wishers have sincerely criticized this micro travelogue concept due to their admiration for the length and depth of my earlier travel experience, The Cool Breeze From Hind (2006). But keeping in mind the velocity of the travel and the numerous places and personalities associated with it, I hope my friends would embrace it with open arms. Delhi and the neighboring states have played a key role in the development of the religio-political fabric of the Indian subcontinent. It has produced political strategists, military conquerors, Sufi saints and artists of world class brilliance. My curiosity to visit them, after having read them Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin

Day 11-08/02/2010 ...... 22 CONTENTS Day 12-09/02/2010 ...... 24 Day 0-28/01/2010...... 1 Day 13-10/02/2010 ...... 26 Day 01-29/01/2010...... 3 Day 14-10/02/2010 ...... 28 Day 02-30/01/2010...... 8

Day 03-31/01/2010...... 10  Day 04-01/02/2010...... 11

Day 05-02/02/2010 ...... 14

Day 06-03/02/2010 ...... 15

Day 07-04/02/2010 ...... 16

Day 08-05/02/2010 ...... 19

Day 09-06/02/2010 ...... 20

Day 10-07/02/2010...... 21 Mission Nizamuddin 1 Mission Nizamuddin 2 On arrival, everything went smooth, by the grace of Allah. Waiting for the hotel pick-up, consumed machine- Day 0 made tea and croissants, of chocolate actually. 28/01/2010 Without a sweater, I was still feeling warm. My co- travelers removed theirs with a grin. Three hours to board the flight for Mission Nizamuddin. Filed papers for a SIM card with moderate credits. As usual, reached a little late to the airport. To make New number alive and kicking immediately. things more challenging, after getting the boarding pass, The cabby arrived and we were on the move. He realized we didn’t bring mobile chargers. talked and talked, so we didn’t need radio in the car. He Rushed home again to bring the forgotten items, this called himself Kakesh Sharma or something like that. time defying all the permitted limits of speed and time. Brought up in , he advised not to miss At the check-in counter, my friend was stopped due the Kareem Restaurant near Jama Masjid for its authentic to a mistaken ID problem of dual nature. One, his passport and ethnic dishes. photo and his real person mismatched. Two, another illegal He later shifted to politics between the Nation and its name matching his in the emigration system! neighbors. He said it’s all a game of the vested interests. The last call for our flight was announced, and my friend The people are of one heart. was still to be cleared for the fault that wasn’t his. It’s high Arrived in the hotel and the attendants were very time someone made a universal serial number for everyone humble in their reception. But it’s Allah’s job to judge on the planet. hearts, not mine Finally boarded the flight on time. On board, met Dined at an outlet called ‘Shudh’, pure and clean. another old school friend, Vinod, heading to Delhi for a Vegetarian actually. The mushroom soup was more than family function. We exclaimed to each other ‘very long good. time huh’?  The most common baggage of all were the sweaters they wore: an early physical preparation for the psychological feel of cold in Delhi. Mission Nizamuddin 3 Mission Nizamuddin 4 An old lady in pauper bought food and gave to the cats around her to eat. She hugged the cats and fondled Day 01 them. Can’t say further on her state of mind. But her generosity was undoubtedly angelic. 29/01/2010 Face-styling services are rendered live. The barber At early morn, the cold had spread its wings. After shaves in the open air. Economists may call this space- prayers, headed to the café opposite the Markaz Masjid. optimization. Geared up for meetings. The publisher of The Cool Breeze From Hind, my earlier travelogue, was in Enter Jama Masjid. Passed through the metal detectors. Daryaganj area close to Jama Masjid. What a nuisance due to terror-lovers. By His Grace, I heard no alarm. We set our first trip to Jama Masjid in the Auto. Squeezed ourselves and let go the roller-coaster ride. What if the detectors were for the worshippers’ hearts? The intentions I mean… God forbid, only few would make Roads here followed the Darwinian theory of Survival it inside. of the Fittest, literally only. That meant, survival of those fit in size. Easy for small vehicles, bad for buses and the like. People of all religious textbooks sit outside the Masjid. Communal harmony is well preserved here. Laundries here are generally open air. India as a massive powerhouse lives on power optimization; even solar energy In we enter to the prayer area. We had a mild argument is not wasted. Allah bless Delhi for such. with an old admin staff for camera-related fees. But he didn’t warn us as before. School kids are stuffed into cycle rickshaws, not a sweet scene to witness. But they enjoy it, nevertheless. Humans We paid Rs.200/- and later realized he needed more can find joy, even in pain. considering the condition of the Masjid for which it was really built. We arrived at the Gate 1 of Jama Masjid at 1130. Walked around the streets looking for a stationary item. Ancient in terms of architecture, the ghost of Mughal memories still hovered around. I could feel its pain. Crowd is too tiny a word to describe the massive numbers of people around. But everyone moved: cars, We sat in the first hall. In entered the Imam with some people and even animals. bodyguards. Don’t know why he needed them. Was he Mission Nizamuddin 5 Mission Nizamuddin 6 about to lead the prayer or warfare? We reached minutes before Maghrib23, so I The Khutba hardly made sense to heart or ear. Both hurried in fear of the prayer deadline. were unfulfilling. The mic system could be (read as should First came in line the grave of Amir Khusroo, the favorite be) better. disciple of the Hazrat. What an affinity they had! Like Rs.200/- charged was no good, rather not spent well. Tabrez, like Rumi! Maybe they need to have better auditors. Allah knows The case of a Communist would be really boring. With best. no life after, what would be the moral of the entire drama After prayer, noticed the inflow of tourists, of all faces. called life? Whites, browns and all other shades around. Salaam to Amir Khusroo. May Allah raise his status We moved to Daryaganj, Pataudi House area. Janata here and here after. May he find paradise with his Sire. bank was our closest reference to meet the publisher. Moved to the Hazrat. Salaam to him. May Allah accept As we waited outside the bank, anyone could mistake his selfless life. May He forgive him and me. us for bank robbers. Perfect like a Hollywood movie script. How illustrious he lived! Noble and pure. Bondless 3 males, 1 female, masked faces (due to pollution), generosity. Love and care for all. Away from the rich and laptop in hand (as if to break-in to the bank), carrying bag rulers. at the back (for taking the cash). Scary! He couldn’t be held responsible for the cultural and We met with the publisher and agreed the terms for material extravagance held around him. I am sure he my latest work, The Alchemy of Affinity. Bought several disapproved of them. Iqbal and Rumi related books from the firm for sake of Thousand plus shop owners benefit in cash from the economy of time and money. love of his admirers. How was he to be blamed? R. A. Nicholson’s series on were enlightening. Men and women show their pure love in apparently Al Jawzi’1s book on soul was a long-sought after manual. impure ways. That’s the problem. Allah is best to judge Proceeded to Nizamuddin Dargah in bus. The ‘Ticket hearts. King’ was seated on a throne whom we had to seek by As I clicked snaps, a voice came calling ‘hello, are ourselves. Talk abut employee king-ness. you Jaihoon?’ He introduced himself as a student from Mission Nizamuddin 7 Mission Nizamuddin 8 Kerala. He’d met me in an institute in Chemmad, Kerala, where I had given a talk in the year 2005. And he was a regular viewer of the site, JAIHOON.COM. Day 02 He was now a research fellow in JNU for language 30/01/2010 related studies. He seemed fully obsessed with the Went in the metro to the World Book fair. The Hindi performance around. stall was prominent among others. A separate international Moved out to Kareem Restaurant for dinner. Actually hall of all foreign languages was set aside. The Sharjah our first major eat of the day. The outlet had just opened Book Fair too had its own stand. so we had to wait a lot. Met with a library distributor firm manager. Originally The food was delicious, so the cabby was honest in from Kerala, he had been in Delhi for 35 years. In the his review of the place. I saw many people from various course of discussion, he agreed to list Henna and parts of world. Medinized in their website catalogue. The tea was served in ancient style, but since not nice My own publisher Adam Publishers had brought in The to comment on food, let me leave the details there. Cool Breeze from Hind for sale. We returned back to hotel at 9pm: heart and stomach I bought The Google Story which was a best-seller in full. The next day the world book fair would begin. the show. The search giant was on its way to be the king Read Speeches and Statements of Iqbal before sleep. of the IT industry. He said in his Presidential speech: I lead no party, I follow Also bought Iqbal-related books from Pakistan Iqbal no leader. Academy. They had rare collections on the great poet- philosopher. Left for the get together in JNU hostel. My friend, a research fellow in the institution, received us. Met with his  roommates, some of whom taught in the Jamia Millia and Humdard University while working on PhD. Others were authors of historical works, including a book on Sayyid Mission Nizamuddin 9 Mission Nizamuddin 10 Mampuram Alavi Thangal, the great Sufi saint and anti- colonial leader in Kerala. Around 15+ youth had gathered there, as part of their Day 03 group book discussion, to discuss a book by Sayid Hossein Nasr on Islamic reform movements. 31/01/2010 After participating in the discussion, returned to the Shopping at the Sunday Market in Delhi. Customer guest house at 8 pm. Then moved to the streets for having sets the price here. Books, magazines, CDs of all subjects dinner. are available here. A procession of some man-god was on the move. Intellectual property is a right very relative in nature. Drums and screams; dance and songs were widespread What if the classical scholars of old had clung onto this on the streets. In the name of spirituality, the devotees abstract right? Would knowledge spread as it did? Would were polluting the heart and atmosphere, rather than civilization emerge as it did? purifying it. Bought the controversial book Lajja. Also found the Ate paav bhaji and ice-cream at different places. book The Monk Who Gave Up His Ferrari. One instigated by the media and other by a friend. Had the dish falooda from the outlet at the end of the street.  On the way back, reserved the train tickets to Chandigarh in Punjab which would take us to Imam Sirhindi’s tomb.

 Mission Nizamuddin 11 Mission Nizamuddin 12 Crossed Ambala juntion, reaching Chandigarh in about half an hour, I was told. Drank another tea made by Pandey, Day 04 the waiter from Nepal. My first good tea since leaving home. 01/02/2010 Reached Chandigarh. Constantly chased by Manpreet, the taxi driver, to hire his service. He stuck to us till we At 7.15am we checked out from the hotel. Reached completed the ticket booking to Jaipur to Ajmer. Around the railways at 7.30, 10 minutes before the schedule. 30 minutes he waited and his patience was rewarded. My co-travelers in the adjacent seat were a young man Heading to Sirhind. A place called Mohali is on the and a lady for business related purpose (as evident from way. Neat roads. Landra is a beautiful place full of greenery. their discussions). Punjab feeds a major part of the 1k millions of The train moved towards Chandigarh. Tea and snacks stomachs. were served. We reached Imam Sirhindi’s tomb at around 12.30pm. I was anxious to reach the Imam Sirhindi’s mausolem. Enviously serene, the tomb was a paradise of silence. His revivalist efforts were matchless in history. May Allah The visitors were requested not to display any wanton bless him. ways of adoration for the great saint. Still in the train, reading Stray Reflections, the personal A Turkish delegation of disciplined visitors could be notes of Sir Mohammed Iqbal. Amazing accuracy of seen in the Masjid tutored by a guide. thought pattern and expression. I was led to the tomb by the great grandson of the Iqbal also respected Imam Sirhindi for his bold stand Imam. The memories of the bold Imam humbled my knees. on the unity of God. The Imam also had supreme dedication to follow the Sunnah4 in everythng he did. The surroundings were extraordinarily friendly. I could focus all my emotional forces on the spirit of the Imam. Crossed the Panipat station. The name reminded of school history lessons in which two powerful men with Nothing to distract, the Imam’s thoughts transformed their armies battled for survival. to more than abstract. On either sides of the train can be seen wastelands of I prayed for the glory of the Imam in both worlds. And cultivation. for myself and family. And all the wellwishers and critics Mission Nizamuddin 13 Mission Nizamuddin 14 of Jaihoon. Bid farewell to the Imam after praying Zuhr5 in the masjid. Day 05 On the way back, dropped for a glance of the 02/02/2010 Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. In Jaipur station for past 2 hours. Scenes here are not Returned back to Chandigarh via the same highway. very romantic. Thinking of having cold coffee with ice The roads are guarded on both sides by fully green fields. cream. Your behaviour is your responsibility, says the notice Chandigarh is an exceedingly beautiful place. Very neat in the café. and organized, human-friendly paved roads and superb Booked the hotel in front of the railway station. Headed places to visit. to Ajmer via train at 10am. Reached Ajmer at 1:00pm. Spent some time boating in a lake. But since we had a Its a matter to think why great sages are buried at places 10-hour trip all night long, quickly ran to the Railways. which are not very developed nor inhabited by rich people. It’s night at the Railways. Chilling cold. Birds are Most are surrounded by the poor and downtrodden. chirping in ecstacy, the glory of the Divine. Railway Finished the ziyarah of Hazrat Moinudddin Chishti and announcemnts can’t beat their sound. Birds remind you of Baba Farid, two spiritual emperors of their times and souls’ flight after death. reigning masters of our times too. In train we had peanut butter spread on salty biscuit. Headed back via bus. A Rajasthani family of 3 Expect to reach by tomorrow morn at Jaipur. generations are accompanying us in the bus back to Jaipur. On sleeper class train level 2. Talked to my The grandpa and mother are the most helpful and sociable grandmothers on phone. I felt good to recite the Sura of all to the rest. I listened to a ghazal. 6 ar-Rahman from the mobile version of the Holy Book. Missing my own family. Man, like the rest in nature, is It was my childhood dream to visit Imam Sirhindi. I created in pairs. No matter how much the contrary he thanked Allah. argues, affinity is his God-given psychology. I laid in the sleeper class thinking of the upcoming life Reached Jaipur at 01am next day morning. under the soil. The space allowed for the body to rest is  almost the same. However the destination would be longer. Mission Nizamuddin 15 Mission Nizamuddin 16

Day 06 Day 07 03/02/2010 04/02/2010 Waiting for the paratha order to arrive in a Jaipur café. It’s 5am. The warden woke us; he was paid to. We Flies are giving us company. Ancient Bollywood movie is left from the Railways guest room. We didn’t get any on the TV. receipt for what we paid, so can’t say if it reached the Went shopping for ethnic accessories. In the course of public or private treasury. That was not my problem buying, the salesman asked what price range I had in mind anyway. Is it? for my Mother’s shawl. I replied ‘When it comes to Mom, Train has arrived on time. On the move to Agra. Seating sky is the limit’. Finally bought 5 shawls, 3 to parcel for is more comfortable than the flight. Due to shopping for Kerala relatives. family at Jaipur, luggage bags have been plus one more. I have to wait till tomorrow morn for the train. Revised In train met with French tourists who have seen India the manuscript upon publisher request and sent again. Read more than me. Lots of Japanese students also. Iqbal’s reflections at morn today. Just one station away to reach Taj. Finally, Agra greeted One Twitter follower called me yesterday only to say us with awful dirt. salaam. Rarely does an online fire kindle offline emotions. Reached Agra at 11am. The autorickshaw driver is The vice versa is norm. Khurshid Alam, a young talkative fellow.  Sitting in Delhi Darbar Restaurant waiting for Hyderabadi Chicken Biryni, Tandoori and Soup. This is the first diet of the day and probably the last. Food was 60% tasty and 40% spicy. Agra Ka Petha was too sweet for the mouth. We headed to Agra Fort. The sandalwood door which the British claimed was Gazni’s booty was later proved of wooden make. Another Mission Nizamuddin 17 Mission Nizamuddin 18 backfire for British efforts of divide and rule. prayer area is allocated. A man was sitting and singing At the Taj now. Despite billions of Romeos who lived qawwali. I prayed with the music on!!?? in all ages, it took a Muslim contribution to be regarded After a disturbed prayer, I asked the AutoMan what’s worldwide as a monument of love. happening? He said everyone reveres him, even the Hindus, How many modern lovers would dare to dream, at who come here in a state of fast, bathed and in fresh and least, to build something close to the Taj? Mumtaz remains do du‘a here. the envy of every beloved since her time till today. Meanwhile I saw a visitor leaving after prostrating to Taj Mahal, besides being an architectural wonder, is the grave. an eternal resting home to two lovers. May the Most Loving When the Muslims fell from the height of Taj, the fall glorify their love and affection for each other. was too steep - close to primitive man’s level. There are as the patron gets the reward for all the critical issues to fix than passing days with Darga- smiles of joy in the visitors. Mumtaz for inspiring her lover Management in the Ummah. for building it. Farewell to both, from Jaihoon. On the way, I asked the AutoMan why Agra being a city of Taj and the Fort, Urdu was not seen anywhere.  Why was the condition of the Muslims so poor? His reply was honest and historic, which made me realize my own worth. He said you southerners are the real Muslims praying 5 times day. Once his previous customer from Kerala called him to pray, he said I don’t pray 5 times, rather only the Friday congregational prayer. On way back from Taj, droppd in a masjid to pray Asr in a masjid of Baba Darga Phul. Flowers are scattered around the qabr and a small Mission Nizamuddin 19 Mission Nizamuddin 20

Day 08 Day 09 05/02/2010 06/02/2010 Visited Hazrat after Fajr. Prayed to Allah for unity and Reached Delhi at 1130pm last night. Staying close to integrity of Indian Muslims and giving proper leadership Nizamuddin Dargah. to lead them beyond Management. Prayed Juma in Markaz masjid, next to Hazrat Visited the tomb of Mirza and prayed for him. Nizamuddin. The effect of a spiritual ambience is amazing. Entered Ghalib Academy and saw the museum and library There is is no president nor secretary here. People are of the poet’s life and works. here for no fun. Found the book Shamaa’il Tirmidhi which I was I am in the same masjid again for ‘Asr. There is a talk hunting for long time. It contains fascinating details of by an Imam. All are minding their own work. Participants Rasool’s (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) life. in the gathering are preparing the food or cleaning the vessels. Had a tea with rusk seated opposite the Masjid. The masjid fraternity needs two fixes: To increase  greetings of salaam and smile at fellow believers. And ready to accept and respect others who may be different in attire and facial looks.

 Mission Nizamuddin 21 Mission Nizamuddin 22

Day 10 Day 11 07/02/2010 08/02/2010 Visited Dayal Singh College of and Feel a little feverish from the morning. Visited a books met with Nawaz, the blind Assistant Professor. showroom at morn in , a calm residential While some are blessed with normalcy in senses, others area. are blessed in bonus with the courage to move ahead in Met with Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, an author and life albeit handicapped of some senses. scholar I have been reading since school. His objectivity Returned to the guest house by sunset. is well-known in the presentation of religious ideas. It is total festive mood at the Dargah. Mom and child The eighty plus scholar replied to one of our questions play with marbles. Chorus singing by Qawwali bands and that there are only two options in life, not a third one. flower sellers competing for their profit. I have more Either live an intellectual life giving up on comforts and reasons not to be poetic. job etc. “I live as a pauper: my dress, glasses are all donated by others”. Or live as a commoner and coward. But then no talk of intellectual issues. That would make you hypocrite.  The Maulana had started to write after the age of forty, when he had read enough and, and as he said, ‘the water flowed over the brim’. That may be true when one is presenting normative religious ideas. What about personal emotions which are unique to each individual, which are neither true nor false? Our meeting didn’t last for more than 15 minutes or so. The old man was limited by age-related problem in Mission Nizamuddin 23 Mission Nizamuddin 24 health. But his intellect was razor-sharp and spoke in measured words. It was my secret odd desire to experience rain in Delhi Day 12 before I would leave. Allah didn’t leave me empty-hearted at that. 09/02/2010 Prayed Maghrib at the Dargah Masjid. And opened Under the shade of . Everyone is looking up the fast alongside. The rain was timely. To see the drops at the monument. All around the pole are Indian and of His Mercy descending over the tomb of one of His Turkish flags tied together. Probably the Tukish head of favorites. Subhanallah. state is in town. A guard is standing with a gun. Completed the ziyaarah of Shah Waliullah by the mercy of Allah. The great scholar’s efforts to find common grounds among the differences had attracted me since  childhood. I have more than religious and academic reasons to visit this great soul. The maqbarah here is as calm as Imam Sirhindi’s . No crowd or other comical actions from the visitors. Left for Daryaganj. Collected copies of my work The Alchemy of Affinity from the publisher. The book was releasd at JNU campus, al hamdu lillah. After the function, reached my room and went to buy dinner. On the way back, I saw a small girl on the footpath vomiting and her mother comforting her. I had put on sweater, cap and shoes to beat the ruthless cold. She was sleeping on the frozen tiles of the footpath. She had no sweater, shawl, cap, socks or shoes to fight Mission Nizamuddin 25 Mission Nizamuddin 26 the cold. Her food was days old may be disposed from a hotel. I stopped in disbelief. Shocked at her condition. All Day 13 my joy of the book function evaporated. She was no 10/02/2010 scholar, but more real than all scholars. It was cruel. Cruel than any work of art. Has this nation progressed? It’s post Fajr minutes in Dargah Masjid now. Recited Or is it only on the shares index? Everyone including me Surah Yasin. Dhikr is sounded in the speaker. were to be blamed for her condition. She too was human. Met with ‘Aqil Ahmed, secretary of Ghalib Academy, My little son says he would ask Allah for the sports New Delhi. He said Urdu has become almost unused car, ice-creams and more in Paradise. What would she literally in Delhi, although recently some positive trends ask for? A piece of roti, fresh, to eat. A small hut. A warm have developed. sweater. He said, unlike Rumi and Iqbal, Ghalib can not be taught Leadership. Would that solve everything? May be no. to kids due to certain aspects of his lifestyle which the little The people should desire a change on their own. Only ones might get exposed to. Better hide him from the then Allah would offer a helping hand. But they should be children. taught to desire for better. He also said Urdu is more popularly used in , Karrnataka, than in Delhi. Urdu is also down due to poor economc scope of the language.  I donated a copy of Alchemy to the Academy library which was received with pleasure. He said where Muslms are more, it’s unclean in Delhi. For example the area in and around the Dargah. Enjoyed Hyderabadi at the house of a friend in JNU who is an expert in Urdu studies. He recently submittd his thesis and obtaind the PhD. Just visited the . Struck twice by lightning Mission Nizamuddin 27 Mission Nizamuddin 28 during its construction, this is considerd by the world heritage community as a building of great value. sounds like an old Muslim city. The Imam said we have hardly any resident worshippers to the Day 14 Masjid, only travelers make it. Reasons may be many. 10/02/2010 Had last dinner at Kareem, insha Allah. Bid farewell to Hazrat and his dear desciple. May a part of their love, faith, courage, selflessness and poetry flow  into Jaihoon. May the residents around have senses too. Standing next to Gandhiji’s remains at Raj Ghat. The great leader is paid full respect by all people of all places. Prayed Zuhr and ‘Asr in Jama Masjid. The bookseller outside the gate has almsot all books in Hindi. Urdu is almost used nil as literature, even around the Masjid. Stuck in the traffic jam beside the . Since it requires a day to see around, skipped. Headed to airport direct. Received a call from Sayyid Munwwar Ali Shihab Thangal, the young son of late Sayyid Muhammad Ali Shihab Thangal, the legendary leader of Muslim Kerala, whose du‘as were constant support in my journey. Great people live with their deeds, good or bad. Lesson one at Indira Gandhi memorial. Dynasties may be bad for democracy, but that’s just in books. Any arrangement which weighs in the votebank is a workable truth in power politics. All done at the airport. Less by 1kg of the limit. The Mission Nizamuddin 29 Mission Nizamuddin 30 counter lady dealt with us in a smile which made me describe to her the experience of meeting very few who smiled in Delhi. About Author Prayed Maghrib-Isha vey comfortably in the airport. May Allah blesss this nation and save it from all troubles Born in 1978, Mujeeb Rahman (pen-named and mess of the bad guys. Jaihoon) hails from Edappal, a township in Looking back, meeting with the aged Maulana proved Malappuram district of Kerala. As Chief Editor to be the single most influential interaction. Imam Sirhindi’s of JAIHOON.COM, a non-profitable initiative tomb gave the most awe. JNU students as a group who delivering innovative and thought-provoking fired my mind. perspectives, he writes frequently on mystic I have a collection of 2000+ photos to share online on themes and contemporary issues. His works JAIHOON.COM. are widely acclaimed and has appeared many Whereto is the next destination? Only He knows who times on different satellite TV channels and is free of any direction. radio shows. In 2008, he founded Meantime I will obey my Mom’s love-filled plea, “bid JAIHOON.TV, an online TV channel focused farewel to Delhi, come home”. My son is excited to share on lifestyle and spirituality related content. He his new madrasah experinces with me. is also closely involved with many educational My well wishers were convinced that this journey would give me more poetic inspirations. I should confess institutions and is often invited to deliver it was rather prose which developed in my mind. motivational talks in schools and colleges. His This journey is my first to be updated via Twitter. Or works have been translated into other languages else the norm is to note it on a smartphone or paper and like Arabic and Malayalam. He lives with his post them online much later. wife and son, along with his parents in Sharjah, the cultural capital of Arab World. His earlier  published titles include Egoptics (2002), Henna Mission Nizamuddin Mission Nizamuddin for the Heart (2003), The Cool Breeze From Hind (2006), Medinized (2008) and The Alchemy of Affinity (2010).

Write : [email protected] Collaborate : http://twitter.com/MujeebJaihoon