Field Notes are the posts that have my running notes on what I am gleaning, unfiltered to an extent, from the project. It serves as the first order of learning from this project for me. As such, I hope you view these particular blog posts as “Cliff’s Notes” to the project and can draw from them your ownContinue reading “Field Notes for the Millennial Quran Study Project”
Category Archives: Affad Shaikh
Controlled Failure
I had an ambitious goal for 2015: To read a 105 books during the year. But I failed at it. I didn’t give up. I just realized that while it was an ambitious and “good” goal, it was worth allowing myself to fail, rather then make a mockery of the the intention behind setting theContinue reading “Controlled Failure”
30 Years an [North] American
Its a bit disconcerting to be in Karachi celebrating 30 years of immigrating to the United States. Yes, you read that right. I was a little under three years old when my mom and I migrated to the United States. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Thirty years later, here I am celebrating my cousinsContinue reading “30 Years an [North] American”
Learning How To Say Allah In Chinese
When you ask people what language they speak in China, the majority of folks say its Chinese. In the US we seem to think that in categorizing nations the simple rule to follow is that everything is derived from its name. So in China the Chinese speak Chinese. People do that with me as well.Continue reading “Learning How To Say Allah In Chinese”
Lets Meet In Quetzaltenango
“Where’d you go in Guatemala?” asked the lady behind me in the check out line at the local Superior grocery store. She had started the conversation just moments before, observing that the heat was unbearable because it was dry. “I just spent ten days in a humid heat,” I told her initially. “I was inContinue reading “Lets Meet In Quetzaltenango”
Tecun Uman – Every Guatemalan’s Hero
The irony of the town Tecun Uman is just beginning to settle in with me. We crossed the Guatemalan and Mexican border earlier today and I sit in the small town of Salvador Urbina in the Mexican state of Chiapas reflecting on some of the images I have been wrestling with from my time inContinue reading “Tecun Uman – Every Guatemalan’s Hero”
QYP: Is Revelation Order Important?
Preparing for the Quran Year Project (QYP) involved thinking through how I wanted to read the Quran. I concluded that I wanted to read the Quran in the order it was revealed to the Prophet. I think one of the issues I ran up against when I was researching and preparing for this project wasContinue reading “QYP: Is Revelation Order Important?”
Introducing the Quran Year Project
Thanks for stumbling onto this blogpost. The purpose of this Quran Year Project is laid out here, however, if you are looking for more, try the content guide which you can check out here. “To truly understand the Quran you have to learn Arabic,” said a well meaning friend. “It is in the Arabic, notContinue reading “Introducing the Quran Year Project”
Hacking the GoToob for the Gym
Being the aging Millennial that I am, I search out shortcuts that guarantee time for other things. It works; I won’t waste time re-figuring out what I need; therefore, I like to stick to what works and experiment with other things, like electronics. So I got pretty tired of not finding the travel sizes for myContinue reading “Hacking the GoToob for the Gym”
Asking Questions in Guatemala
Asking questions in Guatemala about a tourists experience could be a dangerous tryst with the truth. Especially if it happens to be a tourist like me. I don’t smile and speak pleasant. I note, observe, and find ways to express myself especially in the face of injustice and inequality. Thats why I was happy toContinue reading “Asking Questions in Guatemala”
Corner Office Shaikh 