Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal quits "un-Islamic" music

Lahore: Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal has announced he is quitting music as he believes it is "un-Islamic".

"I have quit music and have decided to follow the true teaching of my religion," he said at a news conference.

He said he just wanted to be a "good Muslim and a good human" by following the Quran and Hadith.

Uppal is a singer and songwriter who released four albums, including one in India. His songs "Tera Te Mera", "Mann Ja Ve" and "Roya Re" earned him immense popularity in both India and Pakistan.

Explaining his reasons for giving up music, Uppal said: "For the past five to six months, a battle was going on between my heart and mind and finally I have decided to say goodbye to music." 
He said he had completed his masters in business administration and would set up his own business in future.

Uppal is not the first Pakistani musician to quit music on religious grounds. Junaid Jamshad of "Dil Dil Pakistan" fame and Ali Haider too gave up music after turning to religion.

Like these other singers, Uppal reportedly decided to turn to religion after coming into contact with the Tablighi Jamaat.

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Dav Whatmore Appointed As New Pakistan Team Coach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Dav Whatmore will be the national team’s new coach.

Prior to Whatmore’s appointment Mohsin Hasan Khan was serving the coach for the national team.
Whatmore will assume charge during the upcoming Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
According to the PCB, Whatmore has signed a contract to serve as the coach for two years.
Julian Fountain has also been appointed the fielding coach for the side.

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Hollywood Director Sean Stone Converted To Islam, US Media Criticizes

Sean Stone, son of controversial director Oliver Stone, converted to Islam in Iran last week and says he’s already experiencing a Hollywood backlash.

The ceremony was held in Isfahan, where he is researching a documentary. He now goes by the name of Sean Christopher Ali Stone.

He told Page Six: “I’ve already experienced the reverse of anti-Semitism, having people within the film industry express a reluctance to work with me now that I have said a simple prayer, ‘There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his messenger.’ I am sure I have [bleeped] off some powerful people.” Speaking over dinner at Barrio 47, Sean told us, “Having read the Koran and having been around the Islamic culture, especially in Iran, I do believe that Mohammed is a prophet of the same god worshipped by other religions.

“I am of a Jewish bloodline, a baptized Christian who accepts Christ’s teachings, the Jewish Old Testament and the Holy Koran. I believe there is one God, whether called Allah or Jehovah or whatever you wish to name him. He creates all peoples and religions. I consider myself a Jewish Christian Muslim.

“What I am trying to do is open up a dialogue about religion. There is such Islamophobia in the West. Islam is not a religion of violence any more than Judaism or Christianity is.”

He said his dad welcomed the move.

“My dad said, ‘Allah be with you.’ My father understands that I am trying to bridge certain gaps and bring about peace.”

But he has been shocked by the reaction from others. Sean, about to release his horror movie “Graystone,” said, “I didn’t realize I would be so vilified. It is almost like I am a criminal for having accepted Islam. I didn’t realize Islamophobia was that deep. People have speculated that I have done this because I am from a spoiled family or that I am lost and trying to find myself. That is ridiculous.

“I don’t care if I get criticized. If I can open up a debate about religion and create some understanding, then it is worth it.”

Via NyPost

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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 9 runs

Melbourne: Sri Lanka beat Australia by 9 runs to qualify for the CB Series finals against the same opposition, knocking India out, on Friday.

Chasing a target of 239, Australia lost Matthew Wade (9) and David Warner (6) early. India's hopes may have been kept alive by Shane Watson who smashed 65 with five boundaries. Once his partner in Michael Hussey left, the hopes of a win for the hosts and a qualification for India began to fade.

David Hussey anchored himself to deny Sri Lanka but failed to find a partner to manage the other end. Daniel Chirstian (3), James Pattinson (12) and Clint McKay (6) left without any intention of mounting a fight.

Earlier in the day, Daniel Christian became the first Australian to take an ODI hat-trick since Brett Lee nearly a decade ago as Sri Lanka struggled to 238 at the MCG.

Sangakkara and Chandimal put on 123 for the third wicket and Lahiru Thirimanne made a useful 51 but too many of the batsmen fell for single figures and Sri Lanka were dismissed from the last ball of the 50th over.

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Is Mohammad Amir in Love with his Lawyer Sajida Malik ?

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Samarah Sets World Record In Arts In CIE Exams

KARACHI: Art reaches beyond all social, cultural and religious bounds and so its significance is far-reaching and profound. Where people may think that the importance of arts is ebbing away, Samrah Tariq proves it otherwise.

Setting a world record in CIE exams 2011 in Arts, Samarah, from Happy Home School, Karachi, is the only student from Pakistan to have set benchmarks of accomplishments and achieved CIE Outstanding Achievers Awards this year.

In a subject less opted in Pakistan yet drawing enormous traction through out the world, Samarah’s achievement has only manifested the fact that despite lack of rudimentary encouragement and incentives, Pakistan’s got burgeoning talent that wins its way through all hurdles.

“It was the best moment of my life to hear my principal breaking the news of my achievement. The only feelings I had were of awe and happiness. My inspirations are my art teacher and my mother who showed faith in my work and skills.”

Rubeena Shafiq, the proud art teacher said, ‘ Where arts as a subject is somehow underrated in terms of the career opportunities it reaps for the students in Pakistan, it is a widely revered discipline and offers a great paths in terms of career as well. By snubbing the importance of art, we in fact limit and underrate the importance of free expression and creativity-things that have led us to reach the state of disillusionment we are in, at present.’

Last year also, the award was secured by another gem from St. Josephs Convent School, Karachi

While these outstanding achievers make us proud, it is hoped that they stay sure-footed to set benchmarks of excellence in both academics and non-academics and continue to make their country proud.

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