From the Editor

Dear readers,

MEOW! What in the blazes was that? A black cat slithering across the street in front of your car! God, that is a bad omen. Now the job interview would be a flop. Or perhaps the exam, or…. Had it been a white cat, would it have brought luck? Point to ponder. It happened just because you forgot to have a couple of spoonfuls of dahi before you left home, right?

So much for some of the stupid superstitions people believe in! But, guys, do you know what's so strange? Although we don't believe in these superstitions (or so we say), we do an about turn-forward-march act if a black cat crosses our path. We don't believe anything evil would befall us, but prevention is cure, or so we have been told by our elders.

No prize for correct guesses, as it is more than crystal clear that this week we are going to lead you down the Superstitions Lane. Kanza Tariq found an ancient human claw on her way to Med School, and to avoid the evil spell of the spirits hovering over that claw, she had to do an in-depth study on superstitions. As she has been such a good contributor, we don't want that claw to… to do what? Whatever such claws are supposed to do! So here is to Kanza for writing a very interesting cover story on superstitions.

Meena Ahmed is so concerned about you people that she has devised ways for you to have a chilled out summer vacation! Salman Ahmed interviews Pakistan No. 1 in tennis, Aqeel Khan. Mansoor A. Rathore analyzes the psychological effects of load shedding. That's about it, folks.

Till next week,

Allah Hafiz

Dear Editor

Let's transform into air-fresheners!

Dear Ed,

Luavut Zahid's article on Global warming, 'Stop that!' was really inspiring. The writer is absolutely right in saying that our cities are indeed stinking. With the current political scenario, environmental issues have taken a back seat. So, we, the youngsters of Pakistan, could start small changes in our own daily routine. My advice: unleash the sweet smelling perfumes in you! But be careful, aerosols cause global warming, too!

Ayesha Nasir, Karachi

My general review

AoA Ed,

I want to answer the question posted in Us issue of June 20, 2008. Yes, when we start voting, we will get a sincere government. Hats off to Faiza and Isra on taking notice of Aizaz Akhtar's letter about 'Aangan'. We must realize that child abuse does exist in our society and we should create awareness about it, lest the next victim be someone close to us.

Edi was wrongly informed about Islooites. They, too, face the troubles of 3-5 hours of load shedding, not just the half hour mentioned.

'Internship' by Hafsah Sarfraz was enlightening, but I wouldn't do one unless it was absolutely necessary. Folks, you have to work your whole life, so better enjoy this time to its fullest. Have parties, go for trips, explore your country so that you can fully charge yourself for the next study year.

One more thing: Are we supposed to stick to the write-ups of Us in our letters or can we writesomething not related to the magazine as well?

Labeeb Ur Rehman, Islamabad

Our readers often highlight issues they feel are important to the country and young people in this section.

I disagree

Hello Ed,

I can say only one word about your mag: FANTASTIC. I was disappointed after reading the letters in the issue of June 20, 2008. Most of the people said that the issue of June 6, 2008 was terrible - I disagree. If some people think the story 'And She Saved Them' was bad, I want to say they are wrong; everything in that issue was real. I also wanted to request posters of Hillary Duff and Chad Micheal Murray. Thank you.

Amna Muzamil, Hyderabad

Word count!

Hey Ed!

I noticed there wasn't a 'Greetings' page in the June 20th issue...have you guys removed or was it missing from my copy? I agree with Aishah Abu Bakr, a page where people send in their cartoons sounds much better than an Art Gallery.

What's the word count if anyone wants to send stories and/or poems to you? Keep up the good work! Your mag is fanta-stic!

Aspiring Writer, Karachi

Word count for poems???

All praise

Hello Ed,

I don't have any complaints, you people completely rock. I just wanted to tell those who don't like the mag that if they have a problem then they should just stop reading the magazine; I think it's perfect for the youth. The last issue's story about the dating scenario was too good. 

Aroma Qamar, Lahore

Thanks, but we prescribe tolerance for the views of others!

Choosing subjects

AoA Ed,

The issue of June 20, 2008 is much appreciated. I really liked the way Farhan Qadeer, in his letter, tried to convince teenagers to go with their own decision, as well as their parents', on choosing subjects their future depends on. In my opinion, they should take the advice of experienced people as well.

Vishal Raza's poem and Luavut Zahid's 'Stop That' were pretty good. The Us team is doing an excellent job. Hats off to you guys!

Sarosh Ahsan, Lahore

Islooites strike back

Hey Eddie, 

This is unfair! How could you say that Islooites face just a half an hour of load shedding? Announced or unannounced, we Islooites get our share of five to six hours everyday; you touched a sensitive cord there. Plus, a thousand thumbs up to Bee and Rabia Saddal for reacting the way they did to Aizaz's comments about Aangan. You really need to be more sensitive than that to be called a human being, Mr. Aizaz Akhtar.

Ayesha Saeed Khan, Isloo

Do something about it

Hi Ed,

I have been a reader of Us for three years. I appreciate the Editor for the great job she's doing. I like the 'Greetings' and 'Trust Us' page, and the writer Saad Javed, the most. However, 'Roving Eye' and 'The Music Page' are losing their charm. Do something about it.

Ayesha Khan

Flaws in Us magazine!

Dear Ed,

This is in response to the articles written by Noor Ejaz and M. Umair Tariq. First of all, I thought we were living in the 21st Century, not the first! There's no need to sneak out and dine in expensive restaurants; you can just go watch a movie together or something. And what's the reason for bringing a friend along? I think you're supposed to be alone on a date. What you said about 'not being able to talk due to the excessive use of lip-gloss' was downright unrealistic. Also, you guys should understand the simple fact that girls aren't immature children; they don't want stuffed toys. Moreover, why would anyone's brother even care where their sisters go? Siblings are supposed to hate each other nowadays. And girls don't carry gifts from their boyfriends like trophies held up high. Here's something for you, Editor, I'm sure you're not going to print this because you're scared to print stuff that reports flaws in your magazine.

Hot Chics

We print it! And it proves that we are not scared of criticism. Scared are people who, instead of writing their name, give fictitious names. Now, how's that :p

Print posters of…

Salam Ed!

I've been reading your magazine with interest over the past few years and I've been noticing that it has improved a lot. I love the articles by Iqra Asad and Waqas, especially his 'The Commando and Chick' one.

Thanks for printing the poster of Cristiano Ronaldo. Please stop printing posters of people who aren't famous, and please print my mail and the posters of Brett Lee, Jal, Cristiano Ronaldo (Again!), Kaka and Roxen and anything about Goher Mumtaz. Thank you!

Rabia Mazhar, Karachi

More requests for posters

Hello Ed,

I just wanted to appreciate your work because you people are doing a great job. Hats off to you people! I also wanted to ask you to print posters of Hillary Duff, Oliver James, Johnny Lewis, J.D Pardo, Adam Lamberg, Yani Gellman, Chad Michael Murray, Lucas Grabeel and Ben Feldman. Keep rocking!

Awad, Karachi

Suggestions galore

Hello Eddy,

I completely agree with Shabina Gul's letter. Readers, please unanimously decide on a new name for the 'Greetings' page! Also, a debatable topic should be given every week! Please omit the 'Comic Relief' and add the page to the 'Graffiti' section instead.

Unsa Athar, if you really want your paintings to be published, send them to another magazine. It's for your own good because your paintings and drawings will be ruined if they are published on such poor paper quality. 

Maniha Hashmi, Lahore

Greetings page shouldn't be stopped

Hey,

The mag is doing great! It stands out from the rest of the Pakistani magazines. I enjoy the 'Graffiti' page but sometimes the jokes are quite old. The cover story 'Movies to watch out for in summer' by Kanza Tariq was good but could've been better. The 'Music Page' is not good anymore; hope you are going to improve it. Please don't end the 'Greetings' page; it's a great section.

Omer Ahmed Tabarik,

Rawalpindi

Shame on you!

Assalam-o-alaikum Ed,

Your mag has been doing quite well  and I don't know why! Maybe it's because our youth has forgotten the fundaments of Islam and they enjoy reading the stuff you publish. I read the dating scenario stories by Umair and Noor and I have to say, 'shame on you!' The concept of boyfriend and girlfriend is completely haraam in Islam. Only people who want to break their parents' trust adopt cheap methods like sneaking out and dating.  Even the Editor starts off with a 'hi' and ends with a 'tata' in her opening address, right beneath the translation of a Quranic quotation. Please, for the sake of the misguided youth, don't publish such things; try to include a page in your magazine dedicated to the teachings of Islam. I would be very thankful on behalf of our generation.

Junaid Khalid, Lahore

Would you likethe teachings of Islam by a Shia scholar or a Sunni one? By a Deobandi or Ahl-e-Sunnat or Ahl-e-Hadeeth or Wahabi or Humbli or Shafa'i…?