Advertisements, by Zainab Salman

Here are the answers by Zainab Salman, to the two questions which were shared in Session 37:

What do advertisements do to make you want what you do not need?

Advertisements have their own strategies to make us buy a lot of stuff that we don’t really need. To capture one type of people, they use things that will attract the attention of that particular kind of people. For example, an ad which shows a doctor telling that one type of soap will be more efficient will attract the attention of those who are health concerned. They further use researches and experiments to prove themselves right.

Many innocent people believe them and start using their products which leads to profit to the particular brand or company.

They have started making ads like long videos or movies that have a whole plot, dialogues and a script! They exploit human feelings and make touchy ads that make one cry.

In short, advertisements do almost everything they can to make us buy what we don’t need.

How do advertisements change the perception of reality?

Advertisers have a strategy for changing  our perception of reality. Like the Pepsi ad we saw in an earlier session, it changes the perception of reality by showing people holding empty Pepsi bottles with some sort of affection. Though in reality, nobody likes empty Pepsi bottles- they are loved only when they are full.

Of course, they cannot change reality, but this is how they change the perception of reality.

Below is an article, already published on Zainab's blog, titled ‘The Problem with Advertising’.

The Problem with Advertising

In our society, advertising plays the key role for excessive buying. The ads that our media presents urge people to buy products of a particular brand. The companies that make the stuff we buy have a strategy: They advertise the things that are not our needs. There is no need to advertise for our needs! We have to get our needs, no matter what. They mainly advertise for our wants our secondary needs in the papers and T.V.

The companies do their best to make their ads flashy. They include people like film stars, cricketers, doctors, scientists, cartoon characters and statements, music and actions, anything that would appeal to their targeted customers.

Advertising is simply a trap. They get us in their cycle only to earn money. Often, we fall in to their trap of the ads and buy the unnecessary stuff. Their job is to get their stuff sold, while our job is to prevent ourselves from buying them.  Though what we really do, is buy their stuff. Whenever we go to the supermarket, we fill our trolleys with all the food, drinks, clothes, shoes and accessories advertised on T.V.

We rarely think about it, but we do have to answer for the excessive buying that we do without thinking.  And for that, we need to be courageous enough to see through the ads, and buy what we need.

Needs and Wants

Below is an article about needs and wants written by Zainab Salman, based on the points discussed in Session 33.

We rarely think about them, but Needs and Wants are an important part of our lives. Lots of things in our lives like shopping and buying things depend upon it. Our needs and wants gradually become part of our thinking.

Needs are very important things that are necessary to have in order for us to survive. Wants can be anything-anything that we want for ourselves. Often, we forget and buy stuff without thinking whether they are our needs or wants.

Needs and Wants are divided into these categories so that they are easier to understand:

Primary Needs:

Basic: Like clothes to wear.

Functional: Things that are necessary for the Need to work-like the clothes to be stitched -so that the need can be functional.

Secondary Needs:

Things that we consider as our needs but are not our basic needs, as we can survive without those. Examples include toothbrushes, furniture, and things that are a part of our home without any apparent reason

Wants: Things that we want- can be anything, wants have no criteria for being a want

There are five basic things that we should be thankful to God for, or more specifically, that we need to be thankful for. These five things are mentioned below:

He has given us our basic needs in abundance

Avoid Wasting and share with others!

He has given us more than our needs

Don’t make them your needs!!! 

He supplied us everything without being asked for them

Don’t consider them as your rights!

We can never thank him enough

Continue to be thankful, feel obliged to him!

He has given us lots of things which we have not worked for/earned

Believe in your lord, he will continue to give!

Lots of things are part of our lives and we sometimes forget to thank God for them. Needs and Wants are such small things that we sometimes forget and learning how to differentiate between them is a great skill.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 31

Date: 5th April, 2014
Session # 31
Report Written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 31^st Session of the Thinker’s Club. Our topic today was: “What is a good life?”

First, everyone wrote their answers to the question. We came up with the following points, and listed them on the board:

• A good life should have an aim and a meaning.
•  A good life is when your parents are pleased and satisfied with you.
• A good life is, when you are self aware and God conscious.
•  A good life is, when you work for a good education.
•  A good life should lead to a better life in the hereafter.
•  A good life should be focused on to achieve its goals.

We discussed each of the points, briefly, to understand their meaning. Then, we wrote on the topic: “Why is my life a good life and what do I need to make my life good?

We came up with lots of points and shared them with each other. Then we picked the point “Make your parents happy with you” and we all listed ways to make our parents happy.

Here are some of the points:

• Do as they say and follow them.
• Help them in their work and chores.
• Make a card or write a letter for them when they are sad or angry with you.
• Give them water when they ask for it.
•  Help them tidy the house.

We ended the session by discussing the points we had listed. This session was meaningful, as we uncovered our perceptions of a good life.

Emotions: Artwork by Zainab Salman (club member)

Here is an artwork by Zainab Salman, depicting different emotions.

Report: Thinkers’ Club Session 28

Date: 1^st March, 2015

Session #28

Attended by: 10 participants

Report written by: Zainab Salman

In this session of Thinker’s Club, we discussed Anger and Emotions. After everybody had introduced themselves, the session began. First we discussed Anger, whether it’s good or bad, what (or who) makes you angry, and what do you do to avoid it. Some kids said that their younger siblings sometimes make them angry, others said that if they could not do what they wanted to, it made them angry. Some kids said that they drink water to relieve their anger, while others said that they yelled at the person who made them angry.

We also discussed Emotions, what they are, and what’s good and what’s bad about them. Some of the kids also presented short role plays about anger and fighting. The session ended informally by playing guessing games. The home task is to prepare a presentation, writing or artwork about Emotions. This session was interesting.

Presentations on Boredom

This is a presentation about boredom made by Fatima Salman.

This is a presentation about boredom made by Zainab Salman

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 26

Date: 8^th February, 2015

Session # 26

Attended by: 11 participants

Report written by: Zainab Salman

This session was interesting. We started thinking of unanswered questions that had entered our mind and wondering about their answers.

Then we talked about boredom and what it really is. We were asked about how often we felt boredom and what we do when we feel bored. Everyone noted down the following questions:

• What is boredom?
• What do you usually do to avoid boredom?
• What other things can we do to avoid boredom?

We noted the main points and discussed whether boredom is good or bad for us. We have got a home task regarding this topic; we have to reflect upon the questions and answer them according to our opinion, and make either a PowerPoint presentation or write an article containing our answers. Everyone has to email their answers, or if they prefer, to bring them in the next session.

Next we did an activity. We all made lists of our ‘Top Ten Wishes’ and ‘Top Ten Worries’. It took a long time recognizing which wishes were in the ‘Top Ten’, while hardly anyone had much worries. We were not supposed to see anyone else’s wishes or worries, if they didn’t want us to, although some people shared a few of their wishes and worries.

After making the lists, we all played a guessing game in which we were divided into two groups, and each group had to plan and prepare three acts and then perform the acts. The members of the other group had to guess what we were acting. Also, we were not allowed to say anything, we could only make sounds. Turn by turn, both groups did their acts. The acts were interesting, some acting as a minibus while others yelling like Opera Singers! The acts were really good, some funny, some serious. Overall, it was an interesting session, both fun and meaningful.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 21

Date: 28th December, 2014
Session # 21
Attended by: 8 participants
Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 21^st session of Thinkers’ Club. This session was about a game that we were going to play. First, we used building blocks to build lots of small things, which were obstacles that we would use for the game. We arranged them on the carpet. Then, we were divided into four groups, 2 children in each group. The game was explained. A group of boys went first. One of them was blindfolded and had to make his way through the obstacles without touching the He was called the ‘follower’. His partner, the ‘leader’ or ‘guide’, was to direct him and tell him, which way to go. Every child was blindfolded once, and every child was made a leader once, too. Although just one boy managed to make his way through the obstacles without hitting them, trying and being careful was fun. The game was enjoyable, but challenging too.  Some children were worried while others were enthusiastic. But all were enjoying. After we were finished with the game, we settled down on the mat. We discussed how we felt when we were blindfolded, what the challenges were, and what we learnt. We learnt to explain, specifically and precisely, what we wanted to say. The challenges were to remember clearly the right and left, how to explain the way to your blindfolded partner, and to go exactly where your partner wants you to go without touching the blocks.

This game is actually like your life. You have lots of obstacles in your life. When you can’t see where you are going, you have guides to lead you to your destination.

We also noted down what a guide and follower should take care of:

A guide should…

• Keep calm
• Think before giving instructions
• Make sure that his/her partner is clear about right and left.

A follower should…

• Follow and trust his partner
• Be clear about right and left
• Not give up
• Be confident
• Listen attentively to his guide

From this activity we learnt about leadership, teamwork, guiding clearly, having confidence in yourself, cooperation, coordination, and understanding what it feels like to be blind. The home task was to check the dictionary, read the meanings of the words ‘specific’ and ‘precise’, write them down, along with any examples. Although this session was supposed to be about the questions asked in the last session, but as many kids were not present, the questions will be discussed and answered next time. However, the questions will be posted on the blog soon, so kids can ponder upon them. This session was fun and interactive.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 20

Date: 21^st December, 2014
Session # 20
Attended by: 13 participants
Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 20^th Session of Thinker’s Club. When most of the children had arrived, we gathered up in the library, dragging chairs to form a circle. When all of us were seated, we recalled what we had done in the last two sessions as some children had joined us after a long time.

Then, we were told to make ‘I can’ and ‘I have’ lists, separately, in two minutes each including the best things you have and can do, right now.  (This task had been done before in another session, but most kids hadn’t completed it before so we were doing it again.) When we were done, we observed that our lists consisted of both types of ‘I cans’, the one we can do right now, and the ones we can do but haven’t done yet. We also shared the best things we have, and some things from the list, I can. 

We realized, that we have numerous blessings, and little time and we can’t thank God for all the things we have. 

Then we were asked if we had ever met a blind or a deaf person and spent time with them? Some of us had, and they shared their experience and how they felt after meeting that person. We all thanked God for making us perfect and blessing us with all the senses. Then we were asked the question “Was God unfair to those who he made blind or deaf?” Some discussed the question with each other, while others thought quietly about it.  Here are the answers we came up with:

   1.    Maybe god made some people blind and some deaf because he wanted to save those people from the sins we commit by looking or listening to wrong or inappropriate things.

   2.    Perhaps those people were very close to God, so he decided to test them if they would still thank him if he took something away from them.

   3.    Those people have other senses that are sharper than usual to help them in their life.

   4.    Maybe God wanted to punish them about the wrong deeds they did, so he took away their eyesight/hearing.

   5.    God made everyone equal, but in a different way. Those people have some hidden talent or rare ability that will make up for their disability.

                                                       
 We also talked about the American Writer, businessman, and motivational speaker, W.Mitchell, who had miraculously survived two accidents in which he had burned some of his body. He has said that “Before my accidents, there were ten thousands things I could do. I could spend the rest of my life dwelling on the things that I had lost, but instead I chose to focus on the nine thousand I still had left.”

Then everybody asked lots of questions related to our discussion in today’s session, and the questions were noted. They will be answered by the next session.

We ended the session by watching a Video Clip of a short talk by Nick Vujicic, a man who was born without limbs, also a motivational speaker and author of three books.

Overall this session was meaningful, and it made me think.

Tone and facial expressions, by Zainab Salman, club member

What is the role of tone and facial expressions in our communication?

I believe, tone and facial expression are an important part of our conversation, and things to take care of.

For Example, you’re talking to someone, using polite and friendly words, but with the troubled expression you’re wearing on your face makes the other person perceive the exact opposite of what you mean. The same goes for tone. So remember, if your facial expressions, tone, and words don’t match, the other person will accept the strongest of them three, that is, the facial expressions.

Is it possible for a person to be fully responsible for his/her tone?

I think so. Because tone is something you can choose for what and how you want to say it. Like if you want to be sarcastic, you’ll say polite words, but use a rude tone (or vice versa). So when you choose your tone yourself, according to how you want to sound, you can be fully responsible for your tone.

Can we control our facial expressions?

I don’t think so. If you’re angry with someone, and someone else is talking to you, chances are that your facial expressions won’t be too kind. Also, you aren’t standing in front of a mirror when you’re talking, so you don’t know if you made a face at something when you should’ve smiled.  Maybe some people can control their facial expressions, but I can’t, and I know it.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 11

Date: 19th October, 2014

Session # 11

Attended by: 12 participants

Report written by: Zainab Salman

Today was our 11^th session. We started at 10:15, when most of the members had arrived. Manzar Uncle had rewritten the fable, ‘Who will bell the cat?’ to a play in Urdu, in a different style. The roles were given and the scripts were handed out. Everyone practiced saying their dialogues in order. A couple of kids were left out, so Manzar Uncle said he’d edit the play so that everyone gets to participate.

The play was really interesting and made me think. Although it was about mice (and a cat!) but the message it constructed about us humans was very true. We give great ideas but when it comes to applying the ideas in real life, no one’s brave enough to do it.

We were told that this play will be staged in the PACC auditorium with proper costumes, tickets, music, and an audience, Insha Allah in the mid of November. Any members not present in the last two sessions can join in the next session with permission from their parents to participate and perform in the play.

Thank you 


Ibraheem Salman, the youngest member of our club wrote about the session too.

Report of session 11 by Ibraheem salman.

We will do a part of the play. 
Manzar uncle told the roles of the 12 kids. 
Manzar Uncle gave the script too.

From a Cow's\Goat's perspective Writings by club members

This is a writing by Zainab Salman about the feelings of a cow.

Below is a writing by Fatima Salman.

From a Cow’s perspective who will be slaughtered tomorrow.

I am feeling angry, fed up and bored. Tomorrow, I will be slaughtered and cut into pieces. Whenever I see the boy who looks after me, I can’t help thinking that he’ll be eating me tomorrow night. The rope tied around my neck is hardly a meter long and I can’t move around freely at all. When the people take me for a walk, at least twenty more people join us with four or five more cows. They yell around the streets and make us run with them. Sigh. There seems to be no more peace in the little of my life left.

Below is a writing by Rijja Aitesam

I am a Goat. My name is Momo. I was living a green grassy cattle form where I was playing with my friends. I love to play with children who take care of me, they bring green grass for me they enjoy to sit with me and cheering me. I feel very angry when they pull my ear. I feel alone when no one around me I call someone mahhh, mahhh,

I love to play with children we run into the ground. I am very friendly goat. My skin is white with black spots. I have two long ears and sharp horns that I used to protect myself.

Beauty vs Fashion by Zainab Salman (club member)

Fashion is something somebody likes, which gradually becomes ‘Fashion’. For example, nowadays, the ‘Fashion’ is to wear torn Jeans that are torn from one knee. But if someone gives me a ‘fashionable ‘ pair of torn Jeans,  which doesn’t look ‘beautiful’, but it’s quite ‘fashionable’, I may wear it. But if it’s not Beautiful, I’ll patch it up, so it looks much better, and even if it’s not ‘fashionable’ at least it’s ‘beautiful’. This is a simple version of defining and differentiating between what’s ‘Fashion’ and what’s ‘Beauty’ and learning which one is better.  If you go for ‘Fashionable’ and not ‘Beautiful’, you should think once again. For example, if the Fashion is to wear long shirt and I get one stitched, and start wearing it. But soon, as it does, the fashion will change to short shirts, and my long shirt will be left behind, useless. So it’s much better to choose ‘Beauty’, rather than ‘Fashion’,  because your definition of Beauty won’t change soon, and if it does, you’re the one in control of it, and Beauty is always Beauty whether it’s Fashionable or not. 
Can you tell which one is Fashion and which is Beauty?

Qualities of a Good Thinker, by Zainab Salman (club member)

A Good Thinker…..

  1.Should be Curious about how things work.

A good thinker should be curious about how things work-would want to learn and research more about things that interest him/her and those that he/she knows less about.

   2. Should listen to other’s opinions and value them too.

If we believe that we are the most creative and the best thinker of them all,

This would be very wrong and selfish. A good thinker should learn that other’s opinions and other’s knowledge could be more advanced and better than one self.

  3.Should be positive and proactive.
A good thinker should be positive about things and should think about positive and should be proactive. Being negative and reactive aren’t good signs of a Good Thinker.

44.Should think on things worth thinking.

If I start to wonder how to drive a car, this wouldn’t be something worth thinking. Anyhow, if I learn how to do it, the information wouldn’t be worth it, because I can’t drive a car till I am of age. But if I start wondering about how to ride a bicycle, this information would be useful, because I do have a bicycle and I can start riding it.

  5.Should speak about things after thinking on them.

If I keep thinking and thinking about some ideas in my mind, the ideas would be of no use because after all, they are only in my mind and only I can benefit from them. By sharing my ideas with others, other people would learn about it, and they might also advise me some important things, and they would also benefit from it. Anyways, speaking a lot could also irritate others.

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 6

Session # 6
Date: 14th September, 2014
Attended by: 16 participants
Report Written by: Anum Adnan

The sixth session of Thinkers' club started with a round of introduction, one new member and Manzar Imam, the writer of some drama called "Eid Train" had joined us. We first had a quick recap of things we did in the earlier sessions and then, we discussed the importance of greeting people with "assalam o alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh". Then Ayan bin Salman shared some information about insects called "Ant-lions".

Ayeza gave a book review of "How Mind Works", which was some how related to the topic of previous session, then Rija gave a descriptive PowerPoint presentation on the functions and facts of brain . After that we discussed further about what makes a good thinker and we also discussed about what brain needs to function properly and we got to know that these three things help to function the brain properly they are:

1. Oxygen
2. Water
3. Minerals

We also got to know that the brain works best when the person is in state of fear. Some questions came up which were answered perfectly.

The participants were given only one home task which was to drink a glass of water every morning as water helps brain to function properly.

Below is another report written by our member, Muneeb Elahi:

It was sixth session at ERDC. Famous play-writer Manzar Imaam Khan had come to visit our club. We pondered and discussed on various topics, especially about 'how we think'.

We got to know about many things, about Ant Lions, how are brain works, and what our brain need to work the best? Also that doing "salaam" is a good deed.

Manzar Imam noticed and judged us. We also took pictures with him. It was quite a lot of fun and I will always remember it.

Here is a summary of our session by club  member, Abiha Salman.

In the third session of The Thinker's  Club Dated 14th September 2014, one  new person  joined us, Tehmoor, so we did introduction of Tehmoor and Manzar Imam Sahab who is a writer.
Ayan brought Antlions .
Aiza brought a book about how do we think . 
Rija's presentation on brain.
Ibrahim's questionis our heart connect of our brain works.
Then we talked about oaygen , water and Minerals [fruits, soil, water ].  

Here is another report by a club member Zainab Salman.

Today was our sixth session of Thinkers’ Club. This time we had a guest, Manzar Imam, a famous playwright of Pakistan who has written several dramas for Pakistan Television.

We started off with an introduction, a new member had joined. After introducing each other, our club member Ayan, shared some information about Ant lions, which is a type of insect that he had found in a flowerpot with dry sand. He had also bought the Ant lions in a covered jar, and we got to see them.

 Then our other club Member, Aiza, shared a book she had read, about How Mind Works. She explained about the book and told us about our nerves, and the Left Brain-Right Brain theory. It was quite informative.

Then, I, Zainab shared my article about Qualities of a Good Thinker.  Then we were asked about how many glasses of water did you drink today? We had different answers, from 0 to 3 glasses. Then we were told that water is very important for our Kidneys, and if they don’t get it, they start to shrink painfully. Also, our brain needs food, the 4 important things that our brain needs as brain food:

   1.   Oxygen- A supply of good, fresh air. 

   2.   Water- A maximum of 12 glasses of water each day.

   3.   Minerals – A daily intake of fruit and a healthy diet.

   4.   Questions- Lots of unanswered questions are good for your brain.

Then we viewed Rijja, one of pour Club Member’s presentation about How our Mind Works, which was very informative and also contained some interesting facts about our brain’s appearance and contents.

Then we viewed our blog and were reminded to comment. The homework was to comment and research some more about the human brain. After this session, our Guest, Manzar Imam, talked with some of our members’ parents.  We also took some photos.

Today’s session was interesting and the presentations were also informative.

      

Below is another report by Ayan bin Salman.     

On Thursday 14th September, session 6 of our thinkers club we at first introduced a new comer Tehmoor and a writer Manzar Imam sahab. Then I told some information about antlions, Aiza brought a book  about how do we think and Rija shared a presentation. Then we discussed that what our brain needs. It needs three things,

Oxygen,Water and minerals(Fruit,Iron,soil,potassium.etc). At the end we also had a photo session with Manzar Imam sahab. 

Migratory Birds, by Zainab Salman (club member)

What are Migratory Birds?

Migratory birds are types of birds which migrate from one place to the other due to weather changes/lack of food. Some birds migrate to nesting grounds to breed.

Migratory Birds in Pakistan.

Some species of migratory birds migrate to the subcontinent in the winters, from cold places like Siberia and Antarctica. Birds like grebe, pelican, bittern, stork, glossy ibis, spoonbill, white headed duck, swans, geese, ruddy shelducks and a list of others migrate to Pakistan’s beaches and lakes where they spend their winters.

During the Journey….

The birds which migrate are called Migratory Birds. The birds that don’t migrate are called resident birds. Migratory Birds migrate in autumn, before winters. Some also migrate twice a year. The birds go to warmer/colder places where they stay and then fly back to their home place. Before migration,birds eat a lot. They store fat so they have enough energy to fly non-stop for hours before it is time to rest and have something to eat. Birds gather together when it’s time to start off so nobody gets lost. They also travel in large flocks of birds of each specie and they travel together. Similarly, geese fly in a V formation, so they can always see their leader.

Migration is not only done by birds but animals and humans also migrate. The reason of migration for animals is the same as for birds. For Instance, Marine Animals like Grey Whale, green turtles, Monarch butterflies, salmon and trout fish are Migratory Animals.
Even though migratory birds do all this, it doesn’t mean that they can be wiser and cleverer than us, humans. It’s all part of their life, their routine, their script, that Allah (S.W.T) has written for them. Just the way we wear warm clothes and eat warm food in winters, some birds migrate. There is no reason for asking why, because that is part of their life. The process of migration is just around their basic needs, there is no rocket science.

I collected all this information from Science books, and from my own knowledge about migratory birds. This task was fun and I learnt many new things about birds while I was simply researching.

Compiled by Zainab Salman 

Club Member 

Reflections by Club Members on Session 3

In the third session of The Thinkers' Club dated 17th August 2014, some new people joined us, so there are 20 of us now. 

First of all we shared the nests we had made with each other. Some awesome nests turned up.
Then we returned back to our topic "What and How do Animals Think" We discussed how humans think differently from animals. These are the points we got:

Animals  think about:
How to defend themselves.
Where to live.
Where to find some thing to eat
What they should do to reproduce.

Humans' are different because:
They are Selfless.
They have a purpose of life.
They are proactive whereas animals are reactive.
They have a religion.
They have wisdom.
They follow traditions.
They are curious.
They have a lifestyle.
They have hobbies and freedom of choice.
They have the sense of right and wrong and needs and wants.
They can identify problems, analyze and then solve them.
They plan for future longer than animals.
They are creative and they can express with ease.
They have a language unlike animals.

Written by Abiha Salman
Club Member

Last Sunday and and the Sunday before that I attended a workshop called Thinkers Club. I am only able to attend session 2 and session 3, and I thought although these classes were not as I expected, they were certainly educational. These classes we learnt about animals thoughts, wether they think and what they think. We also had to make nests, as a homework to show that birds do have to think to be able to create such a thing, although we learnt that animals have a limited thinking ability. They are able to think about the near future and about the bare necessities of life, such as reproducing and caring for offspring, finding or building shelter, finding or hunting for food, finding drink, and protecting oneself from predators or natural disasters. As an animal lover, I was pleased about the topic and found the debate during session 2 riveting. I noticed one thing though. Most people in favor that animals think seemed to be the sort of people who would be animal lovers. Another thing I noticed was that while discussing if animals think, we were actually thinking ourselves! Although the class was an hour and a half long, it felt like a mere fifteen minutes. These classes were interesting and I regret that I'm unable to attend any more. I advise anyone reading this to attend this class, if they aren't already, and if they wish to use their brains to at least part of its potential.

Written by Dania Khan
Club Member

Today we discussed ‘What animals think’ in the topic ‘Do animals think’. 3 children had made the nests (previous homework).  Each one was uniquely creative and different. After all the children had gathered, we discussed about what animals think. We finally found 4 basic points as mentioned below:

1.       Protection from danger

2.       What to eat

3.       How and where to live

4.       Produce offspring/Give birth.

We discussed whether humans can think like animals and we answered “yes”. There can be any such human. But as Allah (S.W.T) has created us the best of all creations ,there are several things that make us different from animals. We got different answers and we jotted them down on the board and in our notebooks:

1.       Selflessness/thinking of others

2.       Purpose of life/goals.

3.       Proactive instead of reactive (emotional control)

4.       Follows instructions and orders of Allah (religion)

5.       Curiosity/urge to gain knowledge.

6.       Culture/manners/routine

7.       Freedom of choice: interests and hobbies.

8.       Sense of right and wrong.

9.       Problem solving and analysis.

10.   Planning for long term future

11.   Beautiful forms of expressing creativity.

12.   Highly developed languages.

We ended with an introduction of the new boys from L2L academy and added their names to the member’s list.

The homework was to prepare a report about Migratory birds which we will send to the Thinkers' club email address. This session was interesting and fun.

Written by Zainab Salman

Club Member

The session 3 of thinker's club dated 17 August 2014, was very informative. A few more children joined the Thinker's Club today making it more intriguing. I was thoroughly immersed throughout the session. I go to know a few interesting things, like how humans and animals think. It was a wonderful session and I am sure I'll attend all sessions in the future.

Written by Azka Javeria

Club Member

A Story on an Animal: Stray Cat

This is a story about a stray cat from it's perspective, written by Zainab Salman in Session 2.

I am a stray cat. I am sitting on the top of the garden fence, smelling about for some food. Suddenly, I smell some milk and I follow the smell. I see a saucer full of milk and I bow my head to lap it up, But all of a sudden, A girl pops out of a corner and yells BOO!!!

I feel so scared and I run away, out on the street. I stop by a kind old lady who’s on a wheelchair. She sits out in her garden every evening and sometimes throws me some meat or cat biscuits. She also owns this awful Persian cat who hates me very much.  (I usually keep a distance with her in case of any attacks!) The old lady throws out some over boiled meat and I start nibbling it up even though I really hate boiled meat. I prefer raw fish, but she doesn't know that and I don’t care because I am way too hungry. I lick my paws and purr. Then I walk away and settle down at a corner for a sleep. I wake up to see some boys throwing me some popcorn. I chew some up, and walk away to a corner of soft grass because it is a purrrfect place for a purrfect nap. Meeoow!!!

Report: Thinkers' Club Session 2

Session # 2 
Date: 10^th August, 2014

Attended by: 15 participants
Report Written by: Zainab Salman

Today was the 2^nd session of the Thinker’s Club. We all gathered and introduced ourselves to the 4 new kids who hadn’t come last time. Actually, we didn’t introduce ourselves, we introduced others. We were paired up with somebody whom we didn’t know and were asked to introduce them. After that, we started our discussion. We debated over Do animals think? Everybody had different answers and then we decided that because animals feel and have emotions, they probably do think. But they just think around their basic needs; around their instincts. We also talked about whether animals have brains or not and decided that animals have brains because some kids had eaten cow and goat brains before. We were also asked that Is there any animal who’s brain is larger than it's body? After some time somebody answered the question and we learned that the ant is one such animal.

Then we wrote on the topic, A Day in the life of an Animal. From lizards to elephants and dogs, everybody had chosen a different animal to write about. We shared part of our writings with the rest of the class. All the writings were interesting.

We talked about Animals mentioned in the Quran. The responses were ants, honey bees, elephants, cows, spiders, etc. We discussed on diverse topics and answered several questions. We learned interesting facts and pondered upon different questions. We talked about birds and their nests. As the class ended, we were given a challenge to make a nest. You've to use no nails, glue or any artificial things. Most kids agreed to make a nest and seemed eager. This session was more interesting than the last one and everyone enjoyed.

Zainab's Writings: Review: The first session of Thinker's Club.

Zainab Salman, a member of our Thinkers' Club has published a review of the club's inaugural session on her blog. Please visit her blog and comment.

Zainab's Writings: Review: The first session of Thinker's Club.: We have started a Thinker's Club or 'Halqa e Ghor o fikr' in Urdu. Over there we think about several issues and discuss what we ...