rizwan_musavi's Blogs

The hassle of physically lugging these heavy plastic bags around with them made it clear to the students what their teacher was trying to convey to them about the value of friendship and forgiveness. The students realized what a weight they were carrying spiritually! This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, but it clearly is for ourselves.

Remember what Allah (S. W.T.) teaches us in Surah Al-Araf (7:199-200):

"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (i.e. don’t punish them). If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things)".

In these ayahs Allah (S.W.T.) comforts the Prophet (S.A. W.A) and directs his mind to three Precepts:

1. To forgive injuries, insults, and persecution;
2. To continue to declare faith that was in him, and not only to that was in him, and not only to declare it, but to act up to it in all his dealings with friends and foes.
3. To pay no attention to ignorant fools, who raised doubts or difficulties, hurled taunts or reproaches, or devised plots to defeat the truth: they were to ignored and passed by, not to be engaged in fights and fruitless controversies, or conciliated by compromises.
Of all the things we can give other people in life, forgiveness is one of those that require the most effort. This phrase seems to make the process of forgiving easier for me: "To bear a grudge against someone is like burning down your house to get rid of a rat."
People say or do things often inadvertently and mostly out of personal insecurity or ignorance. You may be just the punching bag for the day. Maybe the other person is envious or afraid of you. Most of the time, these people have their own demons to grapple with.

Don’t let their words and actions wear you down. They can only have a moment’s effect on you. Then, depending on how you deal with the situation, they can continue to haunt you, or vanish like ashes in the wind.

 But only you can make that decision. Discouraging and spiteful words and actions from other people can only have the desired effect if you want them to. Give yourself the pleasure of a free spirit.

Each day yields opportunities for us to let go of or hold on to grudges, although the severity of each situation may vary. Are you better off holding on to them, or letting go?

The ordeal reached its climax when the United States military attempted a rescue operation on April 24, 1980. The failure of Operation Eagle Claw resulted in the deaths of five United States Air Force Airmen and three U.S. Marines. Some political analysts believe the crisis was the primary reason for U.S. President Jimmy Carter's defeat in the U.S. presidential election in November 1980.
The crisis ended with the signing of the Algiers Accords in Algeria on January 19, 1981. The hostages were formally released into United States custody the following day. The release took place just minutes after Ronald Reagan was officially sworn in as Carter's successor.
Rescue attempts
Rejecting Iranian demands, Carter approved an ill-fated secret rescue mission, Operation Eagle Claw. On the night of April 24, 1980, several C-130 transport airplanes met up with eight RH-53 helicopters at an airstrip in the Great Salt Desert of Eastern Iran, near Tabas. Two helicopters broke down in a andstorm, and a third one was damaged on landing. The mission was aborted, but as the aircraft took off again one helicopter clipped a C-130 and crashed, killing eight U.S. servicemen and injuring several more. In Iran, Late Ayatollah Khomeini's prestige skyrocketed as he credited divine intervention on behalf of Islam for the mission's failure.
After the failed mission on April 24th, Carter spoke to the american people on April 25th regarding what had occured the day before during the attempted rescue operation. The failure of the rescue operation further sunk Carter`s political boat and made his chances for reelection in 1980 even more unlikely.
A second rescue attempt used highly modified YMC-130H Hercules aircraft. Outfitted with rocket thrusters  to allow an extremely short landing and takeoff in a soccer stadium, three aircraft were modified under a rushed super-secret program known as Operation Credible Sport. One aircraft crashed during a demonstration at Duke Field at Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Field 3 on October 29, 1980, when its landing braking rockets were fired too soon. The misfire caused a hard touchdown that tore off the starboard wing and started a fire; all on board survived. The impending change in the White House following the November election led to an abandonment of this project. The two surviving airframes were returned to regular duty with the rocket packages removed. One is on display at the Museum of Aviation located next to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"The Iranian nation opted for the second way and that victory of the Islamic Revolution led by late Imam Khomeini dealt a blow to US bullying and its humiliating approach," the Supreme Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Iranian nation has already paid hefty price for its independence and dignity during the eight-year Iraqi-imposed war (1980-1988) and Iranian youth are proponent of dignity and independence for the Islamic nations. So Iran's status and prestige are incomparable to the past, he added.

The Supreme Leader said that US is responsible for lack of security in the Middle East and intervention in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
"The world nations are aware of the US administration's practices and US officials face public protest wherever they visit. It is clear example of their isolation in the international community," the Supreme Leader said.