What Do Men Want In A Wife? concern of a female friend...

I am a woman and so of course man issues are one of my issues and one of the topics my friends and I muse over. First of all, I used to think men just wanted a good, loving, dedicated woman. But I grew up and that notion took up many other dimensions. Then I virtually concluded men have no idea what they even want themselves. Another woman once said, men know what they want until they find it and then they change what they want! Amazing huh? But don’t women do the same? This takes me to a chat I recently had with one of my male friends and he had a tall list of exact attributes he wanted in a lifelong partner. I thought I should share because this happens to be a man I respect a lot. Intellectual Bi/tri-lingual Beauty Booty-bust and bum Morals And he insisted her booty must come without a beer belly. Humph! Now I run this list by another male friend and this one agreed to the list but he added establishment, car and more. An establishment he explained as a means of income. And she needs a means of income so he can be sure she isn’t going to be tempted to be unfaithful whenever he cannot meet her needs. Sounds reasonable doesn’t it? I mean I know what I want in a man though my list isn’t exactly long. It is only fair for a man to want an intelligent, enlightened woman but when I told this list to some of my female friends, they went livid! They insist my male friend wants too much in a woman. I found their reasoning a bit hypocritical considering I know they also have very high standards for what they want in a man. And I am thinking, if a man has spent time to make himself into somebody good enough for many women to want, shouldn’t he have the privilege of specifics? He should have a way of sieving all down to relevance…right? The next question is, why do I know so many women who are achievers, have a dream life and yet have no man who wants them? They do not have even a man with a blue collar lifestyle chasing them how much more a man of their dreams. Not that they have not come across such men in their social and official lives, they simply have not met one interested in them in meaningful ways. Back to my very legitimate question…WHAT DO MEN WANT IN A WIFE? What do you think

The shame in me.....

Nobody's ever been proud of me. I'm always pushed aside for the other and overshadowed by them all- Stuck in stagnant hopelessness and perpetual isolation. Who can thrive in this world without hope anymore? All I am able to do is hide in uselessness as to cloak my shame... Because being a recluse is easier than admitting to all of the pent up guilt of being nothing to you... Yet I manifest myself in nothing to cope with the fact. But I unwrap my heart and my hand to escaped this sheltered life... Because words give me meaning instead. I've become one with the world of poetry in hopes that maybe some other place can give me the purpose and the pride you never had for me. And to an extent, it works. In some dimension, I am the master of... Something. And I can pursue my own happiness through the haziness of my clouded eyes still wet with tears. But I'll never have your love and I'll never be your pride and joy... So here I remain in this universe, Just barely able to breathe in my bubble where hope is my morphine and tears and derision are the only things that have never left my side. How am I supposed to have faith in myself when nobody else can...?

Ramadan 2013: Facts, History, Dates, Greeting And Rules Of The Muslim Fast

What are the dates of Ramadan? Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shifts by approximately 11 days each year. In 2011, Ramadan began on August 1st. In 2012 Ramadan began on July 20th. In 2013, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of July 8th with the first full day of fasting on July 9th. The ending of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends. This year Eid ul-Fitr will most probably fall on Wednesday, August 7. What is the history of Ramadan? Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The term Ramadan literally means scorching in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as "the Night of Power. Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185: “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” What are the daily fasting requirements? During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the Suhur or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for Iftar which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do. This ritual fast known as, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse. What are the expectations towards charity? Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate. What scriptural study do Muslims take part in? Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily. Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. Can non-Muslims participate? Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners. Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan. Should Muslims with diabetes fast? Fasting during Ramadan is discouraged for patients with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association. “In keeping with this, a large epidemiological study conducted in 13 Islamic countries on 12,243 individuals with diabetes who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications.” However, the study says this was not conclusive. Many diabetic patients fasted with no complications. Patients with diabetes should work with their doctors to figure out a strategy if they choose to fast. What is the 'goal' of Ramadan? In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed. Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting? Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.

Ramadan In Tamale......

Taming the guns, a time to unite. Only like yesterday we have another opportunity to welcome a distinguished and cherished guest. An exalted guest in who abounds endless blessings. It is my prayer that all of us see the arrival and departure of this blessed guest. And for those who have left, may Allah make their hereafter better than the Duniya. I usually like to see the arrival and departure of this guest while at my home base of Tamale. Tamale usually provides the needed environment to sustain this guest. The city comes alive with the springing up of all manner of koko and kooshie joints, the abundance of dates and other fruit merchants, the chorus call for prayer and the subsequent response by Faithfull’s who line up in total submission to their creator and maker, Allah . The almost rhythmic fufu pounding at dawn in homes which hardly had fufu as a stable becomes common place. An outstanding activity that swells my little Muslim chest with ‘pride’ is the gathering of people of all walks of life before their Imams to listen to Tafsir, the interpretation of the holy Quran and its broadcast over the radio. This activity is intended to help believers better understand the Quran, strengthen their faith and improve on their practice of Islam. One cannot help but admire the unanimity of activities, the show of love and the readiness to share whatever is available. Ordinarily, one expects Muslims as individuals and Islam as a religion to have the highest form of visibility and attractiveness and also serve as a period for a unity of purpose. This is hardly the case. What seems to be happening rather is the apprehension and fear of the veiled and sometimes naked ideological attacks by the very people who are supposed to be leading us and cheered on by the discordant voices of the yet to be salvaged ummah. It saddens my heart that instead of the regional minister and his security chiefs going to sleep because we are in the holy month of Ramadan, it is the period they instead go on third degree alert because the Muslims will be at it again. This has been going on for many years and there seem to be no end in sight. The race to claim tuff and prove whose ideology is wrong seems to be the preoccupation of many an Imam rather than bringing the people closer to their maker and helping them increase in faith. We have in the past missed the opportunity to showcase the beautiful and perfected religion that we have been bestowed with and have potently armed the enemy with lethal ammunitions to destroy us. The events of 2012 and the near fatal disaster are still fresh on our minds. But for the various roles played by the security, some media houses, chiefs and some imams who exercised self restraint we would still have been counting our losses. I pray that this year things will change for the better. There are basic practices of the religion which many practicing Muslims including myself are still struggling to understand and appreciate and I entreat all Imams to make this their concentration instead of the ideological differences. If there is the need at all to raise these issues they must be done with tact, diplomacy and consideration of the other sect so as not to invoke counter attacks. It is also important for the followers not to unnecessarily try to court the favour of their leaders by misrepresenting facts and deliberately lying. If an Imam’s attention is drawn to anything of the sort they should be thoroughly investigated. They could even ask for the recording and if found to be true the Imams could talk at their own level for retraction to be done in the same medium as it was first carried. The role of the radio station and host of such programmes is also very important. Radio station managers, host and their production crew should be present at each recording of Imams who use their stations for such purposes to satisfy themselves that no one is attacking the other and if on any particular day something untoward is being said they could engage the Imam on editing those portions before airing. Some Imams and sheiks deserve commendation for how they have conducted themselves over the years without getting into the fray of counterproductive sermons. Many examples abound. It is important that only “qualified” Imams carry out these interpretations instead of the new craze for leadership which has led many into saying and doing acts which are alien to the religion. Tamale is the town to be during Ramadan and we should do everything possible to make it remain the destination. Some Imams have either decided to pull out of the town or not stage Tafsir this year because of the events of 2012. Should they carry out their intentions we will ultimately be the losers because we will miss the opportunity to learn from them and also the deprive our mothers and sisters who usually sell around such facilities of the needed income. Welcome Ramadan. Jumma Mubarak. BY: Iddrisu Abdul Rashid {Manager Diamond FM)

List of Radio Stations in Tamale with the most ‘liked’ facebook page

Almost all the radio stations in Tamale, now have a website and facebook pages which allow people to join their pages for updates. However, only a few of the stations update their websites and facebook pages. The list below shows the number of ‘likes’ or members of Tamale Radio Stations facebook fun pages. 1. Radio Savana : Leading membership on facebook is Radio Savana with 1,199 ‘likes’ 2. Radio Justice : Radio Justice came second with 605 ‘likes’ 3. Zaa Radio : Zaa Radio Third with 471 ‘likes’ The rest are as follows….. 4. Diamond fm – 470 likes 5. Kesmi fm – 322 likes 6. Might fm – 169 likes 7. Northe star – 91 likes 8. Fiila fm – 88 likes 9. Bishara Radio – 13 likes If the above analyses were to be used to determine the best Radio Station in Tamale you can image which radio station will fall in which position.

WizKid to visit Tamale this year…..

Tamale has witnessed a number of staggering concerts this year which I believe has contented the desire of concert lovers in Tamale; however is as if Tamale is yet to witness one of the greatest concerts in history. Unconfirmed information has it that negotiations is ongoing between undisclosed event house in the north and management of Wizkid to stage a concert in Tamale. A member of the event house told Xpress Multimedia “This is the first time we are organizing a concert in Tamale and we intend to make it big and unprecedented. Negotiations is ongoing as I speak to you but I am very positive that at the end of the day we will seal the contract, you will be the first know if the deal is sealed.” Trying to find out how much they might charge for such a huge concert he answered “GH 20”. If you are a concert lover or a fan of Wizkid this is the time to start preparing for another big concert that is set to hit your city.