An exchange of text messages ...

Some camp organiser addressed me as “Uncle Irfan”. Disgraceful! I felt impelled to text this fact to 2 friends (Shaf & Taz) who are old campsters. Here's Taz's responses.

Hey Mama, I’m sure there’s a fatwa against that (or in support – can’t remember) :)

I don't know what's worse - uncle or mama!! As for Shaf ...

Bro that is borderline defamatory!! Blady Muslin youthh as Uncle Kazim used to say.

Who is Shaf? Who is Uncle Kazim? Here's a shameless plug - buy a copy of the book and find out!! Only $15 for YMA camp participants. Normally $27.95 in the shops.

What more can I say? Here is an irrelevant illustration.

Consider this ...

As we sit and learn and pray and enjoy the company of friends and loved ones, we should remember our countrymen and women who are suffering. This from Crikey published Thursday 13 January ...

12:15 pm A heartbreaking tale following the death of 13-year-old Jordan Rice and his mum Donna in Toowoomba earlier this week. Jordan was trapped with his mum and younger brother Blake after their car stopped when crossing flood waters, forcing them on to the roof of their car. A truck driver tied a rope around his waist to jump in and rescue them, yet when the driver reached Jordan, Jordan told him "save me brother". Jordan Rice died along with his mother Donna, while his 10-year-old brother was able to be pulled to shore.

It reminds me of one of the stories I read from the classical Indian work of virtues, Fadhail-i-Amaal.

Hadhrat Abu-Jahm-bin-Huzaifah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"During the battle of Yarmuk, I went out in search of my cousin, who was in the forefront of the fight. I also took some water with me for him. I found him in the very thick of battle in the last throes of death. I advanced to help him with the little water I had. But, soon, another sorely wounded soldier beside him gave a groan, and my cousin averted his face, and beckoned me to take the water to that person first.I went to this other person with the water. He turned out to be Hishaam bin Abil Aas (Radhiyallaho anho). But I had hardly reached him, when there was heard the groan of yet another person lying not very far off. Hisham (Radhiyallaho anho) too motioned me in his direction. Alas, before I could approach him, he had breathed his last. I made all haste back to Hishaam and found him dead as well. Thereupon, I hurried as fast as I could to my cousin, and, lo! in the meantime he had also joined the other two."

Here are the relevant photos. I'm too stuffed to write anything tonight.

YMA Office at Coburg mosque

Some damned dam we visited on the way to the campsite.

What we should have learned on the first day.

My first friend at the camp.

Another friend who did not attend the camp. She is seen here checking to see if there is any matter between my ears. Geez, I am such an old uncle!!