The Lone Star Crescent

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For 2011 Bilquis Edhi Foundation strives -- consider to give families a gift from Allah these ten resolutions By SHAHEEN SALAM

by Dr. Zubair Fattani

December and Muharram are right up to par with each other this year. The solar and lunar calendars are almost matching up quite uniquely. This means you have no excuse or reason not to make a new year’s resolution. Welcoming the new year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make the U.S. top ten list? Lets see:

Welcoming the new year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes

Our family has been blessed by a gift from Allah(SWT). This precious gift is in the form of an angelic baby girl called Aaliya. At this time, last year, I had no clue that Aaliya would become part of our lives and that I would be going to Pakistan in quest of her. It all began with a phone call. Our daughter, Dr. Ambareen Salam, had a sudden inspiration and desire to adopt a baby girl. No amount of dissuading on our part would change her mind. She started researching the various avenues of adoption and her research led her to Bilquis Edhi Foundation. That was it. She called me, while I was vacationing in Bellingham, WA, in March of 2010 and told me that she wanted to adopt a baby girl from Pakistan and only from Bilquis Edhi Foundation. Her voice sounded as if she was on the brink of tears. I gave her the option of finding one here in the United States or Russia as most people do. “No,” she said, she wanted the child to come from Bilquis Edhi Foundation in Pakistan.

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends -- Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Google, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a restaurant or take the family to a movie. Work shouldn’t always come first!

Our daughter is a physician in Dallas with her own practice and her husband, Shawn, has a full time job in computers and web design. I knew immediately that it would be me who would be going to Pakistan to find a baby daughter for our daughter.

2. Fit in Fitness -- The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape by joining a health club or take walks

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RESOLUTIONS continues on page 14 >>

I am a full-time teacher too, but EDHI continues on page 4 >>

After spending 10 days in Karachi, Aaliya (above) was able to enter into our lives. I bonded to her immediately and was overjoyed when I met her. However, an unexpected connection that occured this summer was between me and Mrs. Bilquis Edhi (below). She has become a lifelong friend, and I admire all that her and her husband do for the children of Karachi.

` Tulsa, OK, is the perfect place for a family vacation. Explore the Oklahoma Aquarium, where you’ll find jellyfish and sharks, and enjoy excellent cuisine and people.

` Attorney Noaman Azhar discusses immigration status for children older than 21 ............................................................... ` Briefs ............................................................... ` Building strong relationships leads to an organization’s success ................................................................ ` Music and math, why can’t both be taught effectively ................................................................ ` Take some time to evaluate your New Year’s resolutions ................................................................ ` Health column - the importance of diabetes and blood pressure screening


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