Arif & Ali's Blog » General

A new home for Sufi Comics – www.SufiComics.com

Mohammed Ali — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:03:23 +0000

Sufi Comics started as an experiment 3 years ago on our blog, and Alhamdulliah a lot has happened during the last 3 years:

* Published a book: 40 Sufi Comics
* Comics are being translated in 4 languages… more languages coming soon
* Is used in Madrasahs around the world (including Canada, Australia, US, Africa, Pakistan, Dubai)
* Participation at Comic-Con Mumbai
* Working on Volume 2 of Sufi Comics
* Very shortly we’re releasing an app for the iPhone & iPad

With all the activity surrounding this project we felt it deserves a new home on the internet. Sufi Comic’s new official website is www.SufiComics.com ! Please subscribe to the RSS feed & Mailing List to receive the latest comics!

Thank you for all for your support and encouragement! :-)Similar Posts:

Please Support Wikipedia

arif — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:43:03 +0000

There are three things that I can’t imagine life without.
- Chocolate
- Coffee Breaks
- and Wikipedia.

Almost everyday I visit wikipedia to learn about some Person, Event, A piece of history, a bit of science…gosh the list goes on. When reading news online they have references to events that I have no idea about. But just with a flick of a wrist, wikipedia is open and I know exactly what they are talking about.

Wikipedia is an amazing project setup by an amazing person. Jimmy Wales is determined to keep it Advertising free. What spirit!

Read an excerpt from his passionate appeal:

Wikipedia is something special. It is like a library or a public park. It is like a temple for the mind. It is a place we can all go to think, to learn, to share our knowledge with others.

When I founded Wikipedia, I could have made it into a for-profit company with advertising banners, but I decided to do something different.

We donate regularly to wikipedia. I appeal you to do so as well. Even if it is just Rs.100. per month. You can make your donation by clicking here.

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Arif and Ali podcast, now available

arif — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:43:29 +0000

As if you haven’t had enough of us already, we’re now also offering the Arif and Ali Podcast. These podcasts are not talks given by us, but these are talks that we ourselves are looking forward to listen.

The Problem:

There so much to learn from the web specially from lectures, seminar etc. but don’t get chance to listen when we first see it. And when we do get the time (say when going back home from work) when don’t have access to those same lectures.

The Solution:

So now, whenever we come across a speech, lecture, conference that catches our fancy, we add it to the Arif and Ali Podcast. That way when we get back into our cars on our way home, we first dab into the Arif and Ali podcast and listen to the next interesting lecture from there. It’s been working really well for us so far. We have been collecting lectures in here for a while now so it has a really good collection of talks.

You can subscribe to the podcast via the RSS Feed here. If you have an ipod but never subscribed to a podcast before, you can learn how by reading this or better yet by watching this.

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Book Launch: 40 Sufi Comics at Comic-Con express Mumbai

Mohammed Ali — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:11:23 +0000

Sufi Comics at Comic Con Express Mumbai

We’re pleased to announce that Sufi Comics will be participating as an exhibitor @ Comic Con Express Mumbai on the 22nd & 23rd of October. We’ll also be doing an On-Stage book launch of “40 Sufi Comics” at 1:30 pm on 22nd October. If you’re in Mumbai during this time, please drop by, we would love to meet you!

What is Comic Con Express?

Comic Con Express is the traveling version of the Indian Comic Con, the annual Comics Convention at Delhi. Comic Con Express was started with the aim of taking Comic Con to cities throughout India to support and boost the comics industry by increasing local interaction and participation. Visit: http://www.comicconindia.com

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Will Miss you Steve.

arif — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:41:59 +0000

I still remember my awe at my first ipod. It changed my life. I was never one for much music. However, the number of lectures, podcasts, speeches I began to listen to thanks to the ipod, multiplied several times over. I was benefitting so much from it, that eventually each and everyone of my family members (my brother, my mom, dad, wife) began to own one (sometimes two or more). That has been the story with each and every Apple product that I have owned. After I got my Macbook, I began blogging, podcasting more than before. With the ipad I have been reading more than before.They have helped me become more me. The “i” before each Apple product is not misplaced. It does indeed help each reach into or express one’s truly self.

What a briliant individual to design tools that work seemlessly well across ages, generations and cultures. Wait a go Steve. Will miss you dearly.

I have been watching Steve Jobs videos over the past two days. Here are a few of my favourite short ones:

Focussing is about saying NO.
Brilliant Video. Just 3 mins long

If you enjoyed that there’s another 5 minute bit from the same gathering that’s worth watching here.

Steve Jobs Tells us a Secret
That was interesting, never knew that’s the way it happened.

Death is life’s best invention
A one minute excerpt of his famous Stanford Speech

If you have not heard his Speech, drop everything and do it now from here.

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Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes

Mohammed Ali — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:27:29 +0000

Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes

We live in a world where modern man is seen as nothing more than a glorified animal whose purpose is to maximize his sensory & sensual pleasures. It’s a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of sexuality, and lowering the Gaze has become uncool.

Is “seeing” nothing more than processing of photon particles? Is beauty only in the external world of form? The External world is just a tiny reflection of Real beauty. Real beauty lies is in recognition of the formless.

To recognize Real Beauty, one should be careful of what they see ’cause the Eye is a window to the Soul. What we see changes who we are, and who we are reflects what we choose to see.

“There is nothing more gainful than lowering one’s gaze, for the sight is not lowered from things, which Allah has forbidden unless the witnessing of majesty and glory has already come to the heart.” ~ Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as).Similar Posts:

40 Sufi Comics in the Media

Mohammed Ali — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:45:43 +0000

In the last few month, the 40 Sufi Comics book was reviewed in the Media (Newspapers & Blogs). Thank you to all of you who took out the time! If any of you would like to write a review of the book on your Website or Print Media, get in touch with us with your address and we’ll ship you a free copy of the book anywhere in the World.

Television

IBN-TV, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania did a talkshow on Sufi Comics

Print Media

Marathi Newspaper Mumbai

Hindustan Times – Mumbai

DNA – Mumbai

Mid-day – Mumbai

http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2011/oct/181011-Mumbai-guide-Life-in-a-comic-book.htm

The Hindu (Using Comics to explain Islam)

The Indian Express (Breaking the ice through comics)

Islamic Voice (Sufi Wisdom served with great elan)

Deccan Chronicle (Dervish duo’s comic relief)

Hindustan Times (Sufi stories in comic format)

Online Media

“Comics and graphic novels have come a long way. Once seen in India as a clever ploy to make children read history and mythology, it is now viewed as one of the coolest literary forms there is, with a steady following amongst the old and the young. Taking the form a step ahead, Bangalore based brothers Mohammed Ali Vakil and Mohammed Arif Vakil have complied 40 comic strips, titled 40 Sufi Comics, in the form of a book that visually depicts the teachings of Islam.” Sufi Comics trying to help people understand Islam by Shweta Sharma

“Graphic novels have a cult-like following from the very young, to the academically wise. Who knew they could teach you spiritual, or Islamic life lessons?” Muslimness.com: Behind 40 Sufi Comics – India’s Muslim Blogging Brothers by Zaufishan Iqbal

“The art was beautiful, so the teachings. Each story taught a moral value, and had verses from the Qur’an and traditions with special notes from the artist. 40 Sufi Comics is actually a collection of illustrated eternal truths of life.” - Comic Addicts: Sufi Comics by Nishkarsh Chugh

“One of the great beauties of this work is its suitability for all audiences and ages. An 8-year-old child, a 55-year-old adult, or an open-minded non-Muslim – indeed almost anyone – will enjoy and benefit from this material.” - Islamic Insights: Sufi Comics Book Review by Diana Beatty

“The subjects that they have chosen include Love, Knowledge, Ethics, Spirituality, Mother, Prayer, God et al. Alongside, there are translations of relevant verses from the Quran and quotes from the Prophet and other teachers.” - Citizen News: Philosophy can be fun by Pushpa Achanta

“A short comic is a preferable medium these days for many to read and assimilate new subjects. One can go back to it as often as one wants because they are not boring, They convey esoteric philosophy in simple language and cartoons without compromising on content or quality.” - ChummaChumma: 40 Sufi Comics by Gopal S.

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Blogging Live from Freedom Park, Bangalore – Day 3

arif — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:34:32 +0000

9 April 2011, 11:50 AM

OMG! What Euphoria. People were in tears. I was in tears. Was busy helping out so couldn’t manage to take many pics of the celebrations. Thanks to Girish, for coming in the nick of time and helping out with these pics. With this parting shots I am signing out. This is Arif Vakil, having opened my fast, reporting live from Freedom Park, Bangalore India.

Mein Lal is liye pehna hon, kyon kay meri Shaadi hai.

Mein nay Desh say Shaadi ki hai

Hum Honge Kamyaaab…

Well said Girls. Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Balle…Balle..Jai HO!

Bharat Mata ki….

Jai!

That’s me after almost 48 hours of fasting. I have never felt more energised!

9 April 2011, 6:44 AM

Wow! What a marathon. We did it. Late last night, we heard the news that all demands have been accepted and that Annaji shall break his fast next morning. As of now, we’ve all woken up groggy with a hangover from last night’s late-discussion and celebration. Some pics from last night and today morning.

*Yawn* Do I have to get up.

Ashutosh, Indra and Sumit, three who have entered their Fifth Day of Fasting.

“We’re going to open our fast only after Anna Hazare Does.”

News X gets an early interivew, before the official announcement.

Smashing Headlines.

And again and again and again…

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Blogging Live from Freedom Park, Bangalore-Day 2

arif — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:12:27 +0000

8 April 2011, 8:12 PM

We just had the most amazing Candle light Vigil. Never have so many diverse people been taken to the streets in Bangalore for a common cause. If you ask me, I think we’ve got 5,000 people. The energy, the spirit, it’s…it’s… I don’t know I’m speechless.

A Protestor displaying his placard

Overwhelming crowd! The little lights you see till the end are
candle lights. Yes they do continue all the way to horizon.

India Against Corruptions, youngest supporter

Close up!

Gali Gali mein Shor Hai. Mera Neta Chor Hai!

Yes, But Unity will Kill Corruption!

8 April 2011, 3:18 PM

The crowd has marginally thinned, but the spirit is just as strong. Here are pics of the last few hours

Here are pics of volunteers who are making the show go on 24/7.

We were just loudly and actively joined by the bar association

8 April 2011, 12:24 PM

The very politicians that we are standing up against, have come with their entourage, banners and musclemen. We couldn’t stop them and so they’re having their time in the limelight.

8 April 2011, 11:39 AM

The Crowd has just exploded here. Sitting on the stage, it seems the crowd reaches horizon. Kanada Superstar Upendra just came here.

8 April 2011, 10:14 AM

As of now there are porbably 200 people here now. The car parking lot has been cleared as we expect a large number today. We are sure to touch 10,000 today, it may even reach 50,000. TV reporters have started coming and are now a common sight here at Freedom Park. Some pictures from now

Several have joined the Hunger-strike

A movement supported by all ages and all classes

——————————————————————————————

8 April 2011, 12:05 AM

Yesterday the crowds starting leaving 10 Pm. However volunteers stayed well till 2 AM planning and strategising activities and events for the next day. Today our target is to have 10,000 individuals gathered at Freedom Park. Here are some pics from behind the scenes, after the crowds left.

Volunteers working overtime to design Badges for Supporters to wear

Those on Hunger Strike calling it a night.

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Blogging Live from Freedom Park, Bangalore-Day 1

arif — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:53:53 +0000

Starting today I have joined the hunger-fast at Freedom Park, Bangalore. I’m doing all that I can to stop corruption in my country. Please join the movement. It’s our movement. Those who’ll benefit will be us and our children. If we don’t, then we have no right to complain. One has to pay a bribe here to get one’s birth certificate, property registered, even to file an FIR with the Police Station. Here’s your chance to do something about it. If you are in Bangalore, just come to Freedom Park today to show your support. If you are in any other city in India, join the support movement there. Jai Hind.

**************************************************

“Inqilaab Zindabad!”

“Pass karo, pass karo, Bill Humara Pass Karo”

“Down Down Corruption!”

‘Bharat Mata ki … Jai”

“Vande Mataram”

The atmosphere is just electric. Slogans of “Inqilaab Zindabaad!”, “Down, Down, Corruption” and my favourite, “Pass, Karo. Pass Karo. Bill Humara, Pass Karo” is echoing through Freedom Park. The movement that Anna Hazare has certainly started crossed it’s tipping point. There is no turning back. The bill will certainly be passed now.

Here is a glimpse of Freedom Park today:

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