THANKSGIVING!!!SHOULDNT IT BE UNIVERSAL???

Salaams,
Was chatting with my friend Zakera in MD,and she told me that her family was coming over this weekend..and i asked her why ..do u know she replied quite disdainfully..(with all those funny emoticons and smileys..bombarding my screen)... ITS THANKSGIVING!!!!{as if i should have been aware of the same!!!} and then she said that Abraham Lincoln had declared the 3rd thursday of November as Day Of Thanksgiving for the good they have recieved..
and i told her .."arre yeh kya American style adopt kiya hai tum logo ne!!!"...end of chat..
i went back to my normal chores and at night i sat up ..pondering..wasnt it really true.. werent WE as muslims supposed to do so..i mean Thank Allah SWT for all that we recieve AND what we dont recieve???

"La In Shakartum la azeedannakum" Ibrahim :14
"If you are thankful then I will increase my favours upon you.."

Surely we as insaan are forgetful and hasty as Qu'raan has termed us and
when we want our wishes fulfilled we cry out in loneliness ,in despair as the one who is base and deprived and the moment we recieve what we want then our "Attitude" changes..
i want to share a very touching mail i recieved..friends, it is not just about thanking Allah SWT its also important to remember your MOHSIN (the one who did ehsaan upon you)
This is the story of those Brothers and Sisters who were sent away from their homes in East Africa and were left with no worldly belongings.. They stepped on to the soil of the US and how the Lutheran Church helped them in those trying and difficult times..
It reminds us of the time when Prophet Muhammad in 622 C.E, sought refuge in Medina from Mecca to avoid annihilation and persecution. This migration is called Hijrah. The Islamic calendar today does not begin from when Prophet Muhammad was born 570 C.E or when he died, but it begins from when Prophet Muhammad first migrated from Mecca in search of asylum. While American are heir to the legacy of Mayflower, Muslims and Jews have the heritage of migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad to Medina and Moses to Sinai.
So Thanksgiving is just not a CHRISTAIN event.. Or something to be done on a set date.. as Slaves of the Nourisher and Cherisher.. the RABB
isnt this what is expected from us???? The least we can do ???


READ ON!!! I was totally moved...

Thanksgiving is a true American holiday, one that Americans of all races and religions should be proud to observe. It is also unique of all the American holidays. This is the festival to be welcomed, and not dismayed or resented.

Thanksgiving recalls the migration of people for the sake of worshipping God, and the kindness of the indigenous people who helped them through their first winter... .
This history of Indian migration from East Africa. (Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania) goes back to the fall of 1972 exodus .Asian of East Africa mostly originated from the Gujarat, Kutch and Kathiawar regions of western India and worked under British rule to build the railway from Mombassa to lake Victoria in Uganda. Later on many Asians migrants took jobs as civil servants, or became as traders, shopkeepers (Dukawalla) and merchants. Asians were discriminated against in relationship to the British, but were relatively privileged in the relationship to the indigenous/native Africans.

Doesnt it remind you of the "SUPERIOR" clans of the Quraish vis-a vis the followers of the DEEN??
The situation began to change after the independence of Uganda (1962), Kenya (1963) and Tanzania (1964). Many Asians began leaving especially during Zanzibar Revolution (1964) and Arusha Declaration. This period was known as “Asian Exodus” – “Asian Diaspora”. However the biggest exodus came in 1972 when Idi Amin gave the country’s 75,000 Asian (Muhindis) 90 days to leave. Idi Amin’s lunatic actions were certainly built up over many years of hatred, resentment ad mutual distrust..


This history of Indian migration from East Africa to Lehigh Valley goes back to 1972. When three families (refuges) left Uganda, amidst the turmoil and eventually relocated to the United States, where the St John’s Lutheran Church in Allentown sponsored them.
These three families established the tradition of holding services (Majalises) and religious observance in their homes, and at times held certain services such as Eid-ul Fitr and Eid-ul Adha at St John’s Lutheran Church. This continued for several years even as the community grew with immigrants from East Africa, India, Pakistan and Middle East. Although they had limited resources, their faith proved to pave the way to what is now the most vibrant and respected Islamic institution in this country.

With faith in God and persistence they as a community were able to build a new place of worship, which stand out as a symbol of their devotion, thanks and praise to Lord (Allah).
As Muslims of Lehigh Valley they use this and every Thanksgiving as a day to be grateful for all that America has given them. America embraced them and they embraced America in order to make it a better place for all of them. In particular, as they reminisce ,they wish to thank the Lutheran church that gave refuge to the first immigrants to Lehigh Valley.

On this Thanksgiving Day AND on every single day let’s all remember our own shortcomings, and give thanks for the Infinite Rahmah, Maghferah of our Creator.Let us remember those who are the have nots..For those people who are in the midst of war,strife and uncertainity... Let’s pray for peace and justice.
Happy Thanksgiving...

"O my Lord! grant me the gratitude that I may be thankful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me,both my parents,and that I may work towards good deeds,that YOU may approve;And be gracious to my offspring.." Ahqaaf:15

Until tommorrow..Keep Smiling...