Bring in a new working week with Vanessa's trademark warmth, wit and welcoming words. 
Music Played
17 items-
Four Tops Standing In The Shadows Of Love
Soul (Various Artists), Polygram Tv
-
Olivia Newton-John & The Electric Light Orchestra Xanadu
Light Years - The Very Best Of ELO, Epic
-
Bon Jovi Because We Can
(CD Single), Mercury, 1
-
World Party Message In The Box
(CD Single), Ensign
-
Carrie Underwood Before He Cheats
Blown Away, Sony Music, 1
-
Fairground Attraction Perfect
The No.1 Acoustic Rock Album (Variou, Polygram Tv
-
Robbie Williams Be A Boy
(CD Single), Island, 1
-
Cathy Dennis Too Many Walls
(CD Single), Polydor
-
Pause For Thought
-
Neneh Cherry Woman
Woman (Various Artists), Polygram Tv/Sony Tv
-
-
Tracy Chapman Talkin' Bout A Revolution
Tracy Chapman, Elektra
-
David Bowie The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
(CD Single), ISO Records
-
Elton John Island Girl
Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002, Mercury
-
Oasis The Masterplan
Stop The Clocks E.P., Creation
-
Nancy Sinatra These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
The Greatest Hits Of Nancy Sinatra, Boulevard
-
Michael Bublé It's A Beautiful Day
(CD Single), Reprise, 1
-
Tiffany I Think We're Alone Now
Now 12 (Various Artists), Now
-
Audrey Jones birthday number 1
-
Bing Crosby You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
-
-
Pause For Thought with author Shelina Janmohamed
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the old city of Damascus in Syria on several occasions. The old city has a certain mysterious charm that hides spirituality and history at every turn.
Today's Damascus is home to people who are seeking to take a stand against despotic rule. And a woman I believe to be one of history’s great heroines called Zainab sought to do exactly the same over 1,000 years ago in 680AD.
The capital of the Islamic empire had recently moved to Damascus. And the newest Caliph or head of state, was a tyrant who demanded allegiance from everyone for his corrupt rule.
But the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was Zainab’s brother, refused to give his endorsement. He said his rule was in opposition to the Islamic values of peace, justice and equality that his grandfather established. His principled stand led to the massacre of his family and supporters in today’s modern Iraqi city of Kerbala. Which is where Zainab's story comes to the fore.
Imprisoned by the Caliph, she is brought in chains his court in Damascus and tortured, abused and starved alongside her family and children. The Caliph was probably one of the richest and most powerful men of his day and he looks her up and down, and laughs at her humiliation.
But it's her response that is the most inspiring part of the story. Unconcerned by the court’s pomp and the crowds watching on, she tells the Caliph that it is ‘he’ not she that is humiliated by his actions and at length she describes his despicable oppression. And through her eloquent speech she educates an ignorant nation about the true character of their leader.
I sometimes worry about living in a world that is stacked against women realising their full potential. A world where violence and discrimination, are commonplace.
But Zainab did not worry about any of this - her mission was to say it how it was, and send her message right to the top.
For me, Zainab is a true heroine, a woman unafraid to speak out against those in power, a woman who understands that value and dignity come not from wealth and status, but from integrity, humility and principles. -
CoxyCam #3
The lovely daffs in Radio 2 Travel HQ
-
CoxyCam #4
The buttons that make the magic happen!
Broadcasts
-
BBC Radio 2Tue 5 Mar 2013 05:00 BBC Radio 2
