From the Editor

Hi everyone!

Hope you all are enjoying the last few days of your summer vacation before school starts! We know that it all seems gloomy on the political front, which has affected the economy of the country also, so right now it is not so easy to enjoy. But, folks, we must grab our share of happiness, that is if we have the capability to enjoy little things and simple pleasures.

A pleasure most girls covet is to look good. Stumped on how to get a new look? Worry no more! This week's issue includes some handy information on how to beat the summer heat, all while looking great! Ifra and Nabiha's elaborate, attention-grabbing cover story on fashion updates you on what is in and what is out this summer.

Hey, since we have been accused of catering to the female segment of the society, we make no excuses to go all out for gals! But, aside from the fashion update, we also have Mansoor Rathore with a suspense story that is bound to grab your attention.

For sweet, gentle humour and humaneness read this week's 'Humour' starring Saad Javed - ultimately back from his long sabbatical. Also, in this week's issue, we welcome back Cyberia!

Readers, you keep on asking Us to start a page on Art Corner and Religion. But so far, the only contribution to the art section has been an x-ray of a skull! As far as the religion page is concerned it is already there and is called 'My Faith'. Must we remind you that all our contributions come from you; we simply have one stipulation: a balanced write-up without anything controversial that can hurt anyone's feelings.

Enjoy this week's issue!

Till next week,

Allah Hafiz

Dear Editor

Ed dissed

Assalam-o-Alaikum Ed,

I was really disappointed when I read your reply to Junaid Khalid. He was absolutely right and your reply was very immature. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. We don't want shia teachings or sunni teachings - we want Islamic teachings - based on the principles of Quran. It's written in Quran that the one who divides his religion into sects has nothing to do with Prophet S.A.W and Allah will deal with them directly on the day of judgement... This is written in Chapter 6, Verse 159... Ed, I am not trying to argue; I am just telling you.

Get Lost

AoA Ed, 

This letter is in response to the reply given by the Ed to Junaid Khalid in the issue of July 4. What did you mean to say? Are you trying to say that Islam is divided into so many sects that they can't agree on a common idea? Although our religion is divided, and we may argue on some points, all Muslims believe in the Quran, and a topic can be well supported by Quranic verses. Us is the magazine of the youth and it is its duty to guide the youth to the right path, such as the Islamic teachings - instead of encouraging them to do things which are disliked in Islam, by publishing them in your mag. You have pages for movies and music and only few lines for the Hadith! This displays a lack of knowledge about Islam among youth and more about western trends, which is the only cause of the downfall of Muslims.

L.H.M, A.J.K

Salam Ed,

I was really shocked to see your reply to Junaid Khalid who requested to publish a page in your magazine dedicated to Islamic teachings.

We, the Pakistanis, used to protest over the blasphemous cartoons, the insult of the Quran and the tearing of its pages by non-Muslims. But what are we supposed to do if Muslims like you insult their own religion? Shame on you!

Those who do not want to follow the simple and straight path of Islam use such allegations as excuses. Instead of considering Junaid's request seriously, you simply made a joke out of his request. Your act is condemnable. I agree with Junaid; your mag is flourishing because our youth has totally forgotten Islamic teachings.

Darakhshan Saher, Islamabad

The oft asked question…

Dear Eddy,

Your magazine is doing great and is an all time favourite of young people. Ed, I wanted to ask you if it's necessary to write our full address while sending you our contributions. It will also be nice of you if you'd let me know if we should discuss the topic of the cover story with you before writing it as there are  many topics that have been published before but we haven't read them, or because they do not grab the readers' interest. Please do not get angry at these questions because they have already been asked so many times. I just want to ask because I want to send my contributions in a nicer and interesting way. It will be a great piece of support for me if you answer my questions. Thank You.

Tahreem Rasul, Peshawar

YES, it is very important to send Us your full name, complete postal address along with your contact number with your write ups. And it's definitely better to discuss the topic of the cover story before you start working on it.

A new name for 'Greetings' page?

Yo Ed,

The 'Poets' Corner' was really good, and thanks a lot, Naeema, for informing us about the poetry competition. I would like to suggest an Islamic mag, 'Deen-o-Danish', for Junaid Khalid, as he is very keen to read about religion. Please Junaid, stop reading Us if you don't like it, but you must first of all learn to behave yourself and not say rude things about Us, especially when it is so good.

I would also like to suggest a new name for the 'Greetings' page that is, 'With love, from...' This is what was written at the end of St. Valentine's letter. So, what do you say guys? The rest of the magazine is great!! Keep up the good work.

Maniha Hashmi, Lahore

Reply's reply

Asalam-o-Alaikum Ed,

You gave a very cunning reply to my letter in the issue of July 4, 2008 by altering some of the words in the letter. But I still have a reply to what you wrote in answer to my letter. Well, basically if you don't know, the teachings of Islam consist of only two things: the Hadith and the Quran. There are only 10 authentic books of Hadith, along with Abu Hanifa's, and from these, four are the shia ones and are considered authentic by all Muslims, whatever caste they are.  The other thing is the Quran, which is as authentic as it can be, and is accepted by Muslims all over the world. The difference lies in the understanding of concepts, and that is the difference among the Muslims. Teachings of Islam are the same all over. Therefore, I think it would be nice of you to come up with at least just one page dedicated to such religious information/teachings.

Junaid Khalid, Lahore

Forgive Us for all our mistakes (such as altering some words of your letter) as well as for our ignorance towards religious issues (we thought there were six authentic books of hadith. We also believe that it is the Quran and the Hadith and not the other way round – the Quran is not the other thing for Us; it is above all else, as it is the WORD).

Confusion, confusion…

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in response to the article 'Mission Not So Impossible' by Hamza Asad. The article was nicely written, but it created a lot of misunderstandings among my friends, as my name is also Hamza Asad. Thank God I don't have a girlfriend or she would've left me after reading that article. I got text messages and emails asking me: "Hamza, when did you fall in love? How was your first crush... you naughty boy!" I was surprised at first, but then when I read Us that morning, I came to know about the article that was written by some Hamza Asad. Such a bad coincidence!

Ed, I have noticed one thing: Us does not give information about the writer. For example "The writer is…and resident of ...."

I request you to please include the information about every poet and writer. Or, at least, give the name of the neighbourhood and city of every writer with his name. I hope you don't ignore my letter! Us rocks!

Hamza Asad, Peshawar

Hamza, that article was written by 'Humza Asad', but the spelling of his name was misprinted - an error we have already regretted.

Biased Us!

Hi Ed,

Us is doing a marvellous job, but let me say that this is a mag for females. From page one to the end the mag is occupied by girls. Even the letters you print are mostly by females. I think the reason is that perhaps the editor of Us is also a female. I am not criticising you for nothing. You can observe this yourself. I don't know whether or not you are doing this consciously or unconsciously. For sure, you receive write-ups from males, too. I also sent my poem to Us but since I was not a FEMALE, you didn't consider it. This is my second letter. Please don't make it my last one.

Azhar Hussain, Lahore

Azhar, the thing is we try to print quality stuff regardless of the gender of the writer. If your poem is up to the mark, you will see it in print soon.

Looks familiar, isn't it? Let's admit it, folks, we all have such pictures that keep reminding us of the beautiful time we spent with our friends. Time that will never come again… And then some day during the tedious process of ransacking our drawers and cupboards, a picture comes out of nowhere – a picture of our school/college days showing a group of friends laughing, sticking out tongue or making silly faces… That picture rekindles memories of that time and makes us smile. So, why not share the sweet memories with all of Us? Friendship Day is approaching fast and we plan to dedicate one of our issues to the bond of friendship. Don't waste a single minute! Start searching for some old pic of yours with your buddies and send it to Us with a caption (of not more than 150 words, latest by July 25, 2008) describing the importance that picture holds for you. Hurry up! We are waiting for your pictures!