aBigForehead

I have been reading about Feltham Young Offenders Institute. A little here and there- murder, suicide, racism and mental disorder make for claustrophobic reading. The more I know, the less I know I can keep away so I've been rationing my learning.

Read:

Mr Mubarek died in March 2000 after being beaten with a table leg in his cell amid crisis at Feltham youth jail. Inquiry chairman Mr Justice Keith said politicians must fund jails properly or cut prisoner numbers. In his 700-page report and using a phrase reminiscent of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry, the judge called for the Home Office to consider whether it should recognise a new concept of "institutional religious intolerance".

He said improper attitudes towards ethnic minority prisoners, particularly Muslims, was a contributory factor to the tragedy. However, Mr Justice Keith said Stewart "should have stood out" two years before he attacked Mr Mubarek. The report said clues as to his personality had been scattered around the jail system that were continually missed as prisons or individual officers either failed to recognise their importance or did not take them seriously enough.

in full

I'm sure there are a few of you out there starting the year off with resolutions. I don't think they work on the whole, mostly they centre around the self, no? And we're most obsessed with the self. I propose a New Year's Revolution, a task that benefits others that distracts us out of our rotation around our selves and revolves us around other souls-. It should have a final deadline, a defined result(eg money raised, shelter provided, warring family reunited etc) and should be something shared with others so as to motivate, encourage and keep you on track.

I pick Feltham YOI, the details I will leave to come together with time, acquirement of knowledge and support:

By Feb 15,  I will have an aim(project) inshallah after I've learned as much as possible.

By April 15, I will have raised funds for the aim inshallah.

.....

By June 15th there will be something tangible in existence that makes a profound difference.

Inshallah.

I will also have a daily and weekly plan to work through. The only reason I haven't done anything concrete yet is beacuse I haven't  given myself any deadlines. 

I will take it upon myself to pick somone now, someone who will choose his or her very own revolution and make a difference to whatever community he chooses. This person can turn down the offer and if he does I will pick another and another until I find someone out there who will reap the glorious reward of loving people for the sake of the Almighty. I will be this person's self-proclaimed mentor.  I pick(drum roll please!)

The Big O.

Don't curse me. One day it will all make beautiful sense. :)

To the rest of you, I say go on, start a revolution in your communities and may God guide you and reward you for your self-less efforts. Ameen. It doesn't have to be big but the rewards will be.

Go get.

And a Happy New Revolution to you all!