daragino - ESL Blogs - MyEnglishClub2024-03-28T22:13:28Zhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/feed/tag/daraginoRamadan 1445- 2024https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ramadan-1445-20242024-03-09T11:11:04.000Z2024-03-09T11:11:04.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">One or two days remain, and we will be expecting a favorite guest. Guess who it is? Ramadan, yes, it is Ramadan. It is one of the five pilars of Islam. We do not eat during the day until sunset. Of course, this is good for our digestive system, at least during the day. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:18.6667px;">For eleven months, day and night, it is just working and digesting our food so as we can feed our bodies. This process continues but in Ramadan, it stops completely during the day which gives it a break. It can be a period for our stomach to relax and maintin itself.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18.6667px;">Some doctors advice their patients to fast. We shall talk more about Ramadan later.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18.6667px;">to be continued....</span></p></div>In Pursuit for Perfectionhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/in-pursuit-for-perfection2023-12-17T09:09:59.000Z2023-12-17T09:09:59.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Many people left us in 2023. My niece Mariam. She was the mother of Al-Hilal Sudanese team player, the late Walideen. My father-in-law, Ali Farrat. They were not as famous as Hollywood stars, such as Raquel Welch, Tina Turner, Jim Brown, David MacCallum, Lisa Marley, Mathew Perry, and the lovely, Gina Lollobrigida.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Dimitry Utkin the leader of the Wagner group died in a plane crash, and many others that the space is not enough to mention all of them.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>We do not mention the earthquake that hit Agadir and Taroudant in Morocco. More than fifty or sixty thousand were killed, I am not exactly sure about the total number of those who passed out during 2023.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>It is life. People come and people go out of it. The year twenty-three was very sad. Our country ran into the biggest war of all its previous wars. Many of my people were killed and severely massacred. Some women were raped and tortured.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>I do not want the new year to be like 2023. I hope for the best for all of us. In our rush for perfection, we do strange things sometimes. Why don't we do it the right way, or by the right competition?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>The guns of the present.https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/the-guns-of-the-present2023-10-17T08:08:45.000Z2023-10-17T08:08:45.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>I am starting my blog with a question, and I shall end it with a question too. Is peace far from our reach? For over fifty years we have just suffered and heard daily news of wars everywhere. Some spots are boiling and others are less severe.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Since the beginning of this world, mankind killed each other. They never stopped doing it. Most of the regions of the so-called third world are killing each other.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>look at the middle east, Palestine, and Israel. Open the news and our country, Sudan is always on the headlines of every news: Yemen, Somalia, Syria, the Ukraine. The list of ongoing armed conflicts is long.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Defending ourselves is a legitimate right. On the other hand, overindulgence in things is counterproductive. Extravagance is not good.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Resorting to the voice of reason is a must. Sometimes we do not know what we are fighting for. Could we sit at a table and try to put an end to all our conflicts?</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p></div>Hajj 1444Hhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-1444h2023-07-02T10:29:31.000Z2023-07-02T10:29:31.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The pilgrims ended their Hajj on the third day at Mina. They would start to perform the goodbye Tawaf (surrounding the Kaaba) and go back home. Some of them go to Madina, others go to the different cities in Saudi Arabia. For more details, please visit my page about Hajj. Happy new year to all. Thank you.</strong></span></p></div>An uncompleted joy (1)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/an-uncompleted-joy-12022-05-23T09:14:04.000Z2022-05-23T09:14:04.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Sara and Dina are sisters. Sara is two years older than Dina. Their parents died when they were very young. They left a big house, an elegant car, and a huge amount of money in the bank for them. </strong><strong>They were wise at the beginning and they agreed to live in the house and sell that car and buy two for them. Sara thought that the car was part of their parents hereditary. </strong><strong>They were supposed to keep it but later on she changed her mind for both of them to have a car for each of them.<br /></strong></p><p><strong>Dina's boyfriend came to the scene and the problems began. Adam was a greedy fellow. He wanted to have the house and everything the two sisters had. He started by harassing Dina to sell the house and divide the money. As the matter of fact, he wanted to have the money for himself.</strong></p><p><strong>He began the aggressive pressure on Dina. Sara told her sister that Adam was not true in his love with her, and that he was not loyal to her at all. She told her that many times he tried to approach her but she refused.</strong></p><p><strong> At first, Dina did not pay any attention to her sister's warnings but she noticed some changes on her boyfriend's behavior. Coming late at night, ill tempered, and the smell of wine was all over him.</strong></p></div>Flight #1443Hhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/flight-1443h2022-03-28T10:22:50.000Z2022-03-28T10:22:50.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Ramadan flight announces the departure of its flight number 1443H. to Rayan door. Passengers on this flight are kindly requested to fasten their piety belts and refrain from anything that is illegal.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The duration of this flight is approximately twenty nine to thirty days. Eating and drinking are forbidden during the day time from sunrise until sunset. At sunset, you can eat and drink.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Praying or any other deed will be rewarded twice and every work for the sake of Allah will be rewarded in great quantities. We wish you a pleasant journey.</span></p></div>Deep Griefhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/deep-grief2021-12-12T14:47:20.000Z2021-12-12T14:47:20.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>I was in love with someone. I went away for a while, when I came back she had been engaged to another man. I went through deep sorrow. Of course, the wheel of life must go and you must get used to that. I do not know how to express myself properly but those lines might reflect something of it. Thanks in advance for your point of view:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Someone help me!</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Life is hard,</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Your words are harder.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>I pretend not to feel,</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Under the daily tears,</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The anguish is clear.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>After you,</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>I remain in grief.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>You are the oppressor,</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The grief's getting deeper</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The echoes, the squeak</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>they are against my will.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>My heart is silent</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>who is the healer? </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Someone help me.</strong></span></p></div>destabilizationhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/destabilization2021-12-09T08:43:20.000Z2021-12-09T08:43:20.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">What are we going to do? Sometimes it seems to me that the amount of food and water is not enough for us. When a group of people has absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. Wars are everywhere. Conflicts are all over the world. take a look at the map of the world, you will find many hot or red spots. </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">The princes of war are giving us no chance at all. They do not want to step down and give us a break as if they breathe the smoke that is coming from the barrels of their guns. </span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The problem of the Nahda dam between our country, Egypt, and Ethiopia. </strong></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The water of the river Nile is enough for the three countries and maybe more than a hundred. Countries are crippled by the destabilization of the economy and politics.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Sadness is seen on the faces of our sons and daughters. I could not imagine how are we going to raise our families and bring them to the beaches of safety! The year twenty-twenty one is about to say goodbye, and a new year is coming after a few weeks' time. <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Every year we hope and expect the better to come. Would the new year, twenty-twenty-two be different? I am not pessimistic, but at the end of each tunnel, we could not see any thread of light. </strong></span></p></div>The price of Democracyhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/the-price-of-democracy2021-11-24T15:58:31.000Z2021-11-24T15:58:31.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>What is democracy? It is a control of an organization or a group by the majority of its members. Indeed it is a system of government by the whole people or the eligible ones of the country. It usually happens in elections. Typically, through elected representatives.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Our people are out in the streets for more than four weeks in a peaceful demonstration demanding democracy. They did not want military rule. They wanted a civilian one. Our people ousted the previous dictator from power and a transitional government was born so that after two years, elections would be held and a civilian government would be elected by the people and see the light.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Two weeks ago, a coup was made and the army wanted the power for itself. Our generals in Sudan want authority for themselves. Many people died and others were wounded. They were wounded in their bodies and in their feelings too. Their mistake was that they wanted to live in a democratic society. <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> Many voices from the world were heard. The African Union, European Union, America, and some other countries called on both military and civilian people to negotiate and reach some sort of a general agreement or consensus.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Prime ministers of both New Zealand and England commented on our peaceful demonstration, even queen Elizabeth admired that performance of the people. Our people are calling for a civilian democratic system, I wonder if they are asking too much.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p></div>The penhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/the-pen2021-09-05T19:47:17.000Z2021-09-05T19:47:17.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9537024058?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">In life, we find strange things. Along the way, we meet people. Good ones and bad ones, too. Our thoughts and beliefs are made about them. Our judgment is formed about them, and it is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. Anger and hostility may arise later. The most important thing is, we meet those people face to face and we know them personally. This is natural. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The most difficult thing to understand or rather the most confusing thing is the people you know by the pen. That writing instrument which is consisted of a metal nib or ball fitted into a metal or plastic holder. They are called pen friends or pen pals. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Most of My EC friends are known to me by their pens. I have never seen or met anyone of them except my students who joined this marvelous website a few years ago. What I am trying to get at is that most of the people and the majority of them are very friendly and they treat you well. A few of them are a bit hostile. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I find that my ideas and my suggestions are given a hostile reply. Some of these people do not like to reply or even mention anything concerning me. Of course, the issue is subject to several factors. Personality, age, nationality, and so on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">In real life, it is ok, because you see that person and you know him or her, but for those who are in foreign countries, they are far away from you. The only means of connection is the pen. So, I find it strange to have such a hostile attitude. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p></div>Hackershttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hackers2021-08-29T09:59:42.000Z2021-08-29T09:59:42.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Hackers steal your personal information. Hackers embedded security database server. Hackers may try to steal your data and many other messages like that. We find these things on the internet. The people who do that are programmers or genius people. They might be even philosophers of their time. They do technical things that hinder us from accessing our accounts. they get illegal access to our computers. It becomes complicated, or even difficult to access our accounts. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> Of course, we heard the story about the hackers who invaded the global system, about two or three years ago. Governments complained about this. The hackers wanted a ransom. I am not sure how the matter ended. The good people repaired the illegal access to their computers. Then, it was over at that time. On the news, the story of Russia and the United States' computers invasion is not far. The controversy is still going on. The diplomats between the two countries are still working on it to settle the matter. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Hackers can do good things. They can even help to create things for our future generations, but deep down, I guess it is only to show us that the world is full of good and bad. Why do they use illegal ways, instead of legal ones? What is the benefit they gain from that? Is it money? They can do it the other way. They can earn it, and we will be grateful for them. Some people question the appropriateness of this practice. Nevertheless, It is life and its paradoxes. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p></div>Ashura 1443 Hhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ashura-1443-h2021-08-17T07:56:13.000Z2021-08-17T07:56:13.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Tomorrow is the tenth of Almuharram, the month of the first Islamic calendar. This date marks the day that Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) was chased by Pharaoh. When they reached the sea, the followers of Prophet Musa were desperate and they told him that Pharaoh would eliminate them. God told Musa to hit the sea with his stick and it was divided into two divisions. They were like two great hills. A path was made between them, and the followers of Prophet Musa passed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">When Pharaoh came in trying to reach them the two hills were back and he was drowned with his army. Prophet Musa and his followers were saved. On the same day, there was the battle of Karbalaa. Alhussein Ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was martyred along with his supporters. We fast tomorrow. It is not obligatory. For more information on Ashura, please, look at my previous blog on the topic.</span></p><p> <a href="https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ashuraa">https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ashuraa</a></p></div>Heat of lovehttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/heat-of-love2021-07-29T09:19:36.000Z2021-07-29T09:19:36.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The train is moving fast.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The heat of love increases.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Try to be happy in your love.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">If that love is too much for you, do not surrender</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">your heart to the days' behaviors.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Because the train is moving fast.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Love exists in the world, from eons past.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Stars twinkle at night, and darkness likes light. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">birds love each other, </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">There is a beautiful song in the garden,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> Our nightly encounters were nice.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">gentle and peaceful whispers. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">That train is still moving fast.</span></p></div>Ramadan 1442, 2021https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ramadan-1442-20212021-04-13T09:24:39.000Z2021-04-13T09:24:39.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">Ramadan is the ninth month of the Arabian calendar. It is the month of great blessings, and during it, The Holy Quran was revealed to the world through Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). God's mercy and blessings fill the world. Worshipers focus their thoughts and physical energy towards spirituality rather than materialism.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">Muslim people wait eleven months for it to come. Some of them are here and others left this world before it comes. Most of them hope to reach Ramadan before they go to the other world.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">People start fasting from dawn until sunset every day. Ramadan reminds them of the difficulties of millions of people living in poverty experience on a daily basis. Fasting during the month of Ramadan brings a level of social belonging to the community. Opportunities are grabbed in this month and many hope to collect more from Allah, The Almighty.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;">If you give iftar to a fasting person, The Almighty will give you the same reward that is given to him without detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest. I hope with the coming of Ramadan all the conflicts of the world are over.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"> </span></p></div>vanityhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/vanity2021-02-28T09:30:52.000Z2021-02-28T09:30:52.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>The great famous man stepped from his luxury car. The crowd was giving him a high and sincere welcome. Instead of being polite and waving respectable smiles of thanks or gratitude, he was wearing his dark glasses and in a hurry to get to the office. With a frowning surly face. </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>At the office, his boss was angry with him and he told him that he no longer needed his services. The star was surprised. He knew that the public outside loves him and his performance. He could not find an answer to the behavior of his chief. </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Without leaving him to further thoughts, he told him that being humble was important to the company. Arrogance, vanity, and self-conceit are traits that they did not approve of. Therefore, he said, "please, go to the accountant and take all your rights and leave." </strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>The star was astonished and he could not say a word. He was thinking of the people who came to say hello to him, his fans, and the special people who love him. He knew that he should have at least, smiled at them or waved his hand to them. </strong></span><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>His manager had been among those people observing his attitude and his response to them. </strong></span></p></div>A famous Sudanese song (Oh time)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/a-famous-sudanese-song-oh-time2020-12-03T18:07:54.000Z2020-12-03T18:07:54.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oh time, halt for a few moments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Have a little mercy,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Grant me moments of bliss</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oh time, halt for a few moments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oh time have a little mercy</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">After that, take the rest of my lifetime</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Take my youth and my eyes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oh time, be gentle with me,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Be gentle with my lover,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">My perfect soul mate</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With his joy, his peace of mind,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">With my reverie,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">with what occupies my mind</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">with his sentiment and feelings</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">with every thought, that occurs in his imagination</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Oh time, halt for a few moments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Have a little mercy,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p></div>It was lovehttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/it-was-love2020-10-23T21:54:40.000Z2020-10-23T21:54:40.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8067467658?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The birds are still in the trees.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In the spring of love, we used to sing</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> We talked privately and watched the birds</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> flying from one branch to the other,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Suddenly, yesterday was lost from us,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> and there was sorrow in the heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">We flew together in a sky dream.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">We squeezed the intoxication of love</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">But we were still thirty</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">It was love,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Don't ask or blame us</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Paradise was only a step but</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">It was lost and then yesterday</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> was lost from us</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">It was love.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Don't ask or blame us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p></div>Ashuraahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/ashuraa2020-08-27T04:10:13.000Z2020-08-27T04:10:13.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Ashura is an Arabic term which means ten, and here, we mean the tenth of Muharram; the Arabic month that comes after the month of Hajj in the Arabic lunar calendar. Today is 27/08/2020 which corresponds to 8/1/1442. So, the day after tomorrow is the tenth of Muharam. What is the story behind this day? When prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Medina he found the Jews fasting on this day. He told them what was that day and they explained that they did this to thank God because the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh, the king of Egypt at that time, on that day. The prophet told them that he and his followers had the right to fast on that day, more than the Jews. He ordered the Muslims to fast on Ashura, but they must fast one day ahead of it or one day before.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">In Hadeeth, the fasting of Ashura atones the sins of the previous year. It also commemorates with the martyrdom of Al Hassan bin Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Some Muslims consider it a sad day. We fast to gain the favor of Allah and wipe the sins of the previous year. I am posting it to remind my fellow Muslims about it. But they can fast tomorrow and the day after. </span></p></div>Paris VS Bayern during COVID- 19https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/paris-vs-bayern-during-covid-192020-08-24T06:57:53.000Z2020-08-24T06:57:53.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Last night, I watched the final champions league match of (uefa) between Bayern Munich and Paris saint Germain. It ended one nil for the German team. It is their sixth European title. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">The match began under closed doors and no fans to spur any team. The decision was part of the proactive actions, which seek to stem the spread of COVID-19 The chances were equal. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">At the start of the first half, Neymar with a nice pass from Mbappe tried but the goalkeeper denied him. The German team retaliated with a counter attack but the post helped PSG. Kylian Mbappe lost a golden opportunity towards the end of the first half. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">Neymar was brought down after the start of the second half which led to a brawl in the pitch. At last, the head of Kingsley Coman finished us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I wanted to jump and break our only television in the house. My wife told me to stop that. I was furious and angry. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">I wanted the French team to win. I don't know why? It seems to me that I do not know how to support the good play, or maybe I am just a fanatical admirer of nothing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">It is true that I like football but my concentration is only on individuals like Messi, Neymar, or Mbappe. I discovered that was a mistake, a big one. The team is not just an individual. It is a group of people working together. Congratulations to the winners. </span></p></div>Just a minute (end)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/just-a-minute-end2020-08-20T12:45:35.000Z2020-08-20T12:45:35.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I told her, "it is true and I openly accepted the issuance of this deal and the dollar is permissible for you."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She extended her hand and said, "please, I am now repaying you the debt and returning to you what you paid on my behalf at the box office. Now, thank you very much for everything you have done for me."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She gave me the dollar and I smiled at her. My smile lasted more than a minute when I was aware that she took my head and kissed my forehead saying, "Did you know that I could have waited hours without solving my problem? The others would not have known what was my problem, and I would not have been able to ask a dollar from anyone." </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I asked her, "all right, what would you sell me if I gave you a hundred dollars?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She answered, "I will consider that as a dowry and accept you as my husband."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Our laughter was heard inside the bus, while I was acting as if I was going to stand up and leave my seat escaping. She grabbed my hand saying, "sit down, my husband clings to me and he is no mood to die soon."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I was saying, "just a minute" ……" just a minute" </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> </span></p></div>Just a minute (4)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/just-a-minute-42020-08-20T12:20:42.000Z2020-08-20T12:20:42.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">It is 'just a minute', don't you ever forget this word whenever you intend to make a decision. When you think of anything in life, and when you reach the stage of taking a decision, give yourself just a minute' an extra minute, sixty seconds and nothing more.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Do you know how much information your brain can process during sixty seconds? During this minute which you give to yourself before taking your decision may change many things, but on one condition!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said, "what is that condition?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "to depart from your impulses and, to place human values and moral ideals in your brain and in the core of your heart at once and treat them objectively without prejudice. " </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She continued to say, "if you have decided that you are the owner of the right, and the other party had oppressed you, then during this minute, and when you detach from your impulses, you may discover that the other party has a right too, or part of this right. At that point, you might change your decision towards him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">If you intended to punish someone, you might find an excuse for him during this minute so that you can reduce the punishment from him, or you refrain from punishing him and forgive him for good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">One minute may make you more attached to your humanity, and more distant from your whims and egos. One minute may change the course of your life and the lives of others, and if you are one of those responsible, it may change the course of the life of an entire group of people.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Did you know that everything I explained to you about one minute did not take more than one minute?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">to be continued, .....</span></p></div>Just a minute (3)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/just-a-minute-32020-08-18T18:31:50.000Z2020-08-18T18:31:50.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I took one dollar from my pocket and put it on her hand looking at the topography of her face. Her eyes still sparkled like those of a young woman. Her delicate nose with her eyes is telling the intelligence of a fox. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">Her appearance indicates that she is an educated woman, but I will not ask her. I am sure, she would tell me about herself. Our journey is still at the beginning. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She closed her fingers over that coin. She was very happy with it as a child when he is given some money. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, " I am a retired philosophy teacher. I came from my city to accompany my friend to the airport. I spent all of my money and left enough to get me home, but the taxi driver embarrassed me and took an extra dollar from me and I thought to myself that I would wait for the bus outside the station. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">I did not know that waiting outside the station for the bus was forbidden. I wanted to thank you in a special way after I had seen your magnanimity and nobility. You paid for me without me saying so."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She continued, "The topic is not material, you would say that the amount is little. I would say that you did something good in a hasty manner without thinking."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"I guess you are going to tell me about the story of your life. Where is the merchandise which I bought from you? Where is the wisdom?" I interrupted her smilingly. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "just a minute."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said, "I would wait a minute."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "no, no, no, don't wait. 'just a minute', that is the wisdom."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said, "I didn't get it."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She answered, "you may think that you had some sort of scam."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said, "could be!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"Okay, I shall explain the wisdom to you."</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">to be continued, ..... </span></p></div>Just a minute (2)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/just-a-minute-22020-08-16T18:07:40.000Z2020-08-16T18:07:40.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Without thinking, I carried her bag and we went together toward the direction of the bus. Inside the bus, her seat was beside mine. Naturally, I was behind her at the line of the box office. I tried to sit near the window to enjoy the scenes, but the lady forbid me and she went and sat near the window herself. I did not say anything.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I started to look in front of me and did not pay attention to her. Then, she started to stare at me for a long time. I did not look at her but I was annoyed and could feel her eyes mesmerized on me. At last, I turned to look at her. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">She smiled saying, " I have been examining how far were your patience and your tolerance.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"Patience on what?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"on my lack of taste, I knew exactly what you have been thinking?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said to her, "I don't think you know what I have been thinking, and it's not important to know."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "Ok, I will tell you something later, but right now, my mind is busy with how to repay your debt."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">I said to her, "it doesn't matter, don't worry about it."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "I have something to sell now, and repay your dollar, would you buy it or shall I show it to someone else?" </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"do you want me to buy it before I see it, what is it?" I said sarcastically.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">She said, "it is wisdom, give me one dollar, and I give you the wisdom." Then I said, "would you give me back my dollar if I did not like the wisdom?" </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">"no, when you hear the speech, I cannot restore it, besides, I need the dollar to pay my debt to you."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">to be continued... </span></p><p> </p></div>Just a minute (1)https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/just-a-second2020-08-14T19:28:51.000Z2020-08-14T19:28:51.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">During my stay in Europe in 2003, I used to travel a lot between cities. Once, I was standing in front of a ticket window waiting for my turn to get a ticket to travel by bus to another city which was about two hundred kilometers. Between me and the window, a lady in her sixties was arguing for a long time with the employee. At last, the woman behind the window raised her voice, "Please, people are waiting, would you step aside?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The lady moved one step away to make a room for me. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">I asked the employee at the ticket window what was the problem with the old lady. She told me that she paid for the bus ticket but she did not pay for the entry of the hall." The employee went to say, "It is forbidden to wait outside the hall for the bus."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">It was about a dollar. I took one dollar from my pocket and gave it to her saying, "here is a dollar for the lady." Then I stepped aside for the lady to come back once again after the employee had hailed for her. The old lady took her ticket and stepped aside waiting for me. I was expecting that she wanted to thank me but she did not do that.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> Instead, she wanted to make sure that I bought my ticket and I was going to the station to take the bus. Then she said in an imperative tone, "carry this." She pointed to her bag. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">It was very strange to me, those people treat others tactfully and carefully. How could that lady do that to me?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">to be continued</span></p></div>Eiduladhahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/eiduladha2020-07-31T09:35:30.000Z2020-07-31T09:35:30.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Today is the tenth of Thulhijjah, the first day of Eiduladha. Pilgrims after completing their stand at Arafa mountain, they go to Muzdaliffah where they spend the night of the ninth of Thulhijjah and collect (jamarat) stones from there. This time, the authorities has prepared stones for the pilgrims fearing the infection of coronavirus. On the following day, they move to Mina. As we mentioned before, those places, Arafat, Muzdaliffah, and Mina are the rites of Hajj. On this day, they arrive in Mina and start throwing the first stone, slaughtering their sacrifices, and shortening or cutting their hair. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Hajjy (pilgrim) is allowed to change to his normal clothes and to do anything after this but not to hunt or to have sexual intercourse. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Some of the pilgrims go to Mecca to perform (Ifadah Tawaf). It is the last rite of Hajj and without it Hajj is void. circumambulation around Kaaba, The Ancient House, seven rounds, and praying two (rakaat) prayers and making (Saee). (please, for more information, see my previous blogs on Eiduladha)</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">After this, the pilgrim is back to his place in Mina and he or she is able to hunt or sleep with his or her spouse. Today is the first day of the sunrise in Mina. It is a great day for pilgrims. They eat, drink, and thank Allah for this great reward. Here, we are also slaughtering our sacrifices for Allah The Almighty. Eiduladha is another major Islamic opportunity for Muslims to celebrate and thank God. Happy Eiduladha to all of you. </span></p></div>Hajj and the hard time, Arafa Dayhttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-and-the-hard-time-arafa-day2020-07-30T08:43:20.000Z2020-07-30T08:43:20.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">We are on the ninth of Thulhijjah. This is called Arafa Day. It is the great day of Hajj. According to Hadeeth by Prophet Muhammad, "peace and blessings of Allah be upon him" (Hajj is Arafa). </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Early in the morning of this day, crowds of pilgrims move to the mount of mercy. They gather there to make their ritual supplication. This year, Arafa day is different. The Saudi authorities have enforced strict social distancing rules and employed contact tracing technology.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> It is including all the travel, meals, housing, healthcare expenses of the admitted pilgrims for this season of COVID-19. Of course, all the pilgrims are from inside the kingdom. the rate of the residents is 70% and the rate of the citizens is 30%. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Let's go back to Arafa Day, Pilgrims make their duaa (supplication) to Allah to forgive them and save them from the fire of hell. Allah comes down every night to forgive and reward but on Arafa Day, He comes during the day time of Arafa.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> He said to his angels, ((what do these people want?)) they answer Him that they came to seek His forgiveness Then He would let them testify that He has forgiven them. and their necks are freed from fire. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">For us here at home, we fast this day to repent the sins of the previous year and the next. Meaning to say, fasting on Arafa day, repents the sins of two years.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">I am fasting now, may Allah accept our worship (ibadah). For more details on Arafat Day, see my previous blogs on Arafa Day.</span></p></div>Hajj and the hard timehttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-and-the-hard-time2020-07-29T15:00:53.000Z2020-07-29T15:00:53.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Today, the eighth of the month of Thulhijjah is the first day of Hajj. Our house is not far from Mecca. We have to have Hajj permit to perform Hajj. Some of the pilgrims came here a week ago. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;">Some of them arrived yesterday. All and all, most of them are here today to perform (tawaf algudoom) arrival circumambulation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">After finishing tawaf and Saee, they move to Mina. Since their (ihram) from various places, they say (talbiyah) which means they intend to perform Hajj only for the glory of Allah. At Mina ritual, the guests of God stay the night there. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;"> Tomorrow, we continue the sacred journey of Hajj</span></p></div>Hajj and the hard time of coronahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-and-the-hard-time-of-corona2020-07-28T10:54:58.000Z2020-07-28T10:54:58.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Hajj will start tomorrow, 29<sup>th</sup> of July 2020 which corresponds<strong> to the 8<sup>th</sup> of </strong>Thulhijah 1441 Hijrah. On this day, pilgrims arrive in Mecca to perform (tawaf algudoom) or arrival circumambulation. It is also called irrigation or perfusion day. In the past, pilgrims used to give water to their animals and take some with them for the journey of Hajj. Now, no need for that. Big tanks, faucets, and water supplies are available everywhere. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Hajj literally or linguistically means intention. Religiously, Hajj means intending to visit something greatened, honorable, or glorified. The terminology in Islam implies going to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to visit (kaaba) the grand mosque. Hajj or pilgrimage is done annually to Mecca. Pilgrims perform Hajj to retrace the steps of the prophets and recount their dedication to God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In Quraan, Allah said, ((And announce on people pilgrimage, they will come to you on foot and on every skinny camel, they will come from every deep and distant highway to perform Hajj)), Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. According to Hadeeth narrated by Caliph Omar ibn Alkhatab, may Allah be pleased with him, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, (Islam was built on five, to testify that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Do your prayers. Pay Zakah (chastity). Fasting in Ramadan and perform Hajj if You could do it). </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Exceptional circumstances for Hajj of this season. The ministry of Islamic affairs and Hajj with the coordination of other ministries like the ministry of health, interior, information are doing huge work. For the first time of Hajj this year, the woman was appointed as a policewoman working by the side of the policeman. That will add extra help for policemen in dealing with female pilgrims during the rituals of Hajj.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">More than six thousand cameras are installed in the different rituals of Mecca, Mina, and Muzdalifah. For more details on Hajj, please see my article which was posted four years ago. paragraphs two and three were taken from this article. <a href="https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-1">https://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-1</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Next time, we will continue talking about the rest of the journey of Hajj during the time of coronavirus.</span></p></div>Hajj season during corona virushttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/hajj-season-during-corona-virus2020-07-25T09:26:17.000Z2020-07-25T09:26:17.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">A week ahead and we will start Hajj for this year twenty-twenty which is correspondent to fourteen hundred forty-one, of Alhijrah. Alhijrah means emigration. It is an important historic event for Muslims. Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mekkah to Madinah. This event was taken as the start of the Hijri calendar or the Arabic calendar.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The term (Alhijrah) has many meanings. Here, space is not enough for it now. During the past seasons, the number of pilgrims exceeded two million Hjjis. Pilgrims (hajjis) used to come from different parts of the world to perform Hajj. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">This year, only the residents and the citizens of Saudi Arabia can perform Hajj and that is due to the circumstances of COVID 19. You might say that it is a fair assessment of the situation. We could be hopelessly inaccurate about it but coronavirus dictated its conditions on Hajj this year 2020. There are dire Hajj conditions. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">There are many unprecedented measures to be taken before performing Hajj. the authorities want to emphasize the implementation of those necessary measures to ensure the safety of those pilgrims including providing protective face masks, and sterilization equipment and also conducting preliminary thermal checks. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">We will talk in detail about the rituals of Hajj in the hard time of the pandemic. </span></p></div>nothingnesshttps://www.myenglishclub.com/blogs/nothingness2020-06-09T20:41:26.000Z2020-06-09T20:41:26.000Zsalah gammaahttps://www.myenglishclub.com/members/daragino<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;">You are a nature valley </span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">Night's breeze crossed your face</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">flowers slept on your cheeks</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">the bird chirped on your hand</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">people did not cross your border</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">your enemy was not known</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">your repulsion was written for me</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">Oh, you are my hope and my life, </span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">that had been gone</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">I am running after a mirage</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">Look at the valley morning beauty</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">Look at its greenness and its sands</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">Look at the night's breeze,</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">why was it awake?</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">It was a warning of nothingness</span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">From deep inside, I reckoned, </span><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;">you were not destined for me</span></p></div>