Al-Fatiha (The Opening) - Chapter 1: Verse 1

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful."

This verse is not a simple statement of fact nor does it merely convey information. It is, like surah al-Fatiha, a prayer and a supplication that depicts the state of mind of a sensible, morally alert person as he or she sets out on any worthwhile undertaking. It is the natural yearning of human nature which the revelation has couched in words of incomparable beauty. One cannot think of any other combination of words to match the beauty of Bismillahi-r Rahmani-r Rahim and which so adequately articulates our innate human need and emotions.

Before Saudi Arabia took shape on world map, the major parts of the lands encompassing the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah was known as Hejaz. The yearly Islamic pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makkah is one of the five pillars of Islam and one of the most important and most ancient religious pilgrimages in the world.  For centuries, the Muslim pilgrims crossed the Arabian Desert in long caravans that followed traditional paths and routes to reach the Holy City of Makkah. More often, it was a long, perilous and tiresome journey. Sultan Abdul Hameed II, who was motivated by the spirit of science, technology and progress, built a Rail road that provided vital necessities and comfort including physical protection to Hajis from Istanbul through Damascus up to Madinah. The underlying intention was to protect Hejaz, the Holy places and other Arab provinces from British invasion. This came to be known as Hejaz Railway. The final destination of the rail route was to be Makkah. Unfortunately, the Madinah-Makkah leg could not be completed due to outbreak of World War I. It has to be underscored that the project had witnessed the true meaning of solidity in the formation and foundation of this railway.

In March 1900, Sultan Abdul Hameed II issued a Decree for the construction of the Hejaz Railroad, provided that the project be totally funded by donations from the Muslim World. Although it was a tough and costly project, this decision was received with joy in the Islamic world. The total cost of the railway was estimated as 4 million Ottoman liras (around 570 kg of gold). This amount corresponded to almost 20 percent of the entire Ottoman budget at that time. The Ottoman Sultan, the Ottoman dynasty, prominent businessmen and even the public donated substantial amounts. However, it was clear that donations would not be enough for the construction of the railway.

Hope is a key concept for progress.  Every individual or family, group or organisation, community or nation is motivated by hope.  It is the catalytical element that continuously burns the desire to succeed and expect a better future.  Absence of hope leads to nihilism and stagnation.

Muslim naming conventions differ from country to country.  Yet there are some general rules that have to be followed in conjunction with the Islamic traditions.  A newly born child must be given a name within seven days culminating with the Aqeeqah ceremony – an Islamic rite to thank Allah by sacrificing one or two goats or sheep of which one-third of the meat is distributed to the poor and the rest is consumed among parents, friends and relatives.  Usually, the parents may take suggestions from grandparents and other relatives or consult an Imam while selecting a name that will suit the personality of the child.  The name is drawn from the Islamic history and tradition and must have a positive meaning.  In one of the hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) advises to adopt a good name and avoid any name which conveys bad meaning, because on the Day of Judgement every Muslim will be called by his/her name and his/her father’s name.