Al-Ansari:

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him."

– Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 64, Number 263

Letters

Criticising the right way

Esteemed Editor,

The greatest experience for a writer is receiving appreciation for his/her work and the worst is receiving harsh, un-encouraging criticism. Therefore, I'd like to advise the readers of Us to feel free to comment on people's work, and to definitely offer constructive criticism or advice on how to improve a piece, but to kindly refrain from unkind judgements such as 'soppy' 'stupid' 'dull' etc. Additionally, mon ami (in the words of Poirot!), why don't you start a retro-cinema page through which people can contribute items on classic films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Vertigo, and all the rest? Please do consider the idea!

Farah Tiwana, Lahore

Hey Ed!

The issue of February 26 was awesome. I was very disappointed upon not finding 'Trust Us' in the issue, but I was glad to see 'In Your Aangan' back. The 'Graffiti' was great and I liked the poem 'Beauty' by Warda Farhat. Well Ed, I am waiting for the 'Greetings' section to resume. Us simply rocks!

Imama Ibrar, Muzaffarabad (AK)

Us, an old buddy

Dear Editor,

I have been a reader of Us since long. I still remember my childhood when we used to live in a small town near Gujrat. My dad had to go to the city every Friday to get the copy of the mag. And after that the newspaper hawker used to come out of the way, on my dad's request, to deliver the newspaper on Fridays only. I really cherish those times.

So Us has been my childhood companion as well as that of youth too :) I must say that you people are doing a great job, as maintaining the standard of a weekly magazine like that requires a lot of hard work. So well done, and keep it up!

Well, I've been writing stuff for quite some time but never got anything printed as yet. I just thought of sending you a piece that I just wrote a few days back. If you consider it worth publishing then it's fine; otherwise, it is fine the other way round too ;). Wish Us great luck! 

Asma Javaid 

Of complaints, requests and

suggestions

Hey, Ed-sama!

First of all, Ayla Nisar Khan's letter freaked me out! I am also a major manga and anime geek!!! The only thing upon which I frowned (slightly), however, was that she addressed you as 'Eddy-san'. In Japanese, you only use the suffixes 'san' and 'chan' for girls ('kun' for boys) of your own age-group, like with your friends. Ayla, it would have been better if you had called Lubna baji 'Eddy-sama' (like I did :p), because she is much older than you, more senior, and a very respectable person. Calling her 'san' could be a bit disrespectful, but I'm sure you didn't mean it like that, so no offence and the chapter is closed.

Coming to this week's issue, Ed, it was boring. 'Four leg pieces' was a good attempt, but it didn't touch my heart that much. It certainly didn't leave me 'gasping for air', according to your editorial. The cover story was a little so-so, but I loved reading about the sword of Gryffindor (I am a major Harry Potter fan) and Lion-O's sword. Part V of the lyricist story was just plain dull.

Eddy-sama, I am very mad at you for not printing my last letter. I want you, please, to print this one, because I have my own Sword of Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi too, you know (I stole it from Orochimaru :P. Speaking of which, Awais didn't mention that Orochimaru, from the manga and anime 'Naruto', also possesses this sword, and when he can talk about that totally ridiculous 'Thundercats', he can also write a few lines about Oro, who is way more popular than Lion-O. (Boy, am I really laying on the anime-talk thick, or what?)

I also have a few requests. Please print a poster of Cascada, as I love her songs. Also, please stop editing our letters!! You guys cut the toes and fingers off, and it looks kind of weird. My letter that was printed two weeks ago had such an abrupt ending because you edited it too much! (And you forgot to print my name at the end too, by the way). And once again, please print this one.

Hoping to see better stuff next week, along with my letter to illuminate the letters section (*wink wink*).

Maieda Nadeem Janjua, Rawalpindi 

Ed,

This is my first letter to you. I just want to say that Us rocks :). I was unaware of this magazine but once I saw some booklet type of thing in the Friday's newspaper and read it. Since then I have become a regular reader of Us. Ed, please increase the number of pages.

P.S:Pleeeeeeeease don't throw my letter away into the junk yard...

Sharjeel Mumtaz

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you for the first time as I frequently read Us magazine every Friday, and I must say that you people are doing a great job. It's a very nice magazine and I like it very much. I want to wish you best of luck for the upcoming issues.

Sarib Ijaz, Rawalpindi

Hello Ed!

I have been a silent reader of your mag; it's really impressive. Well, it is my first letter to your mag. I just want to say that your team is doing a great job. Keep rocking!