The Muslim World and Cinema

Every culture promotes its history, beliefs, heroes, values,norms, and attitude. The African-American director Spike Lee said about his films, “I'm just trying to tell a good story and make thought-provoking, entertaining films. I just try and draw upon the greatculture we have as a people, from music, novels, the streets.” Is there a parallel to African-American, Asian, or Latin cinema, called “Muslim Cinema”? Does it exist, and if so, how can it be understood? Before one can understand the cinema of a people, a little more light needs to be shed on the actual people.The Muslim world, with approximately one fifth of the world population and in turn its politics, economics, and culture, plays a very important role on the world stage. Headline news is the most popular venue promoting what is known about Muslims, so it becomes imperative for Muslims to be seen and heard from other vantage points. One of these vistas is art, and in the present world Cinema,due its mass appeal and significant availability. An introduction to Muslim Cinema allows Muslims to take a critical reflection about their own beliefs and culture, as well as providing a window for those who are of other faiths to see who Muslims are.
Please click to Read more Source: http://1426.blogspot.in
Muslim Cinema: An Introduction and the Top 101 Muslim Theme Films

Audio Translation of The Holy Qur'an In 23 Languages

Mp3 Quran Translation 

Please click here 

MP3 Qur'an Translations » English

 

DEMOCRACY, MONARCHY AND CALIPHATE – PART 1

 by mthago

DEMOCRACY

Democracy, Monarchy and Caliphate are systems which are used by men to select from among themselves, their leaders. Democracy is a system which was developed and used by the ancient Romans to choose their leaders. In order to become a leader in a democratic country, majority of the peoples must votes for him or her to become their leader. It is natural that a person will vote for someone he or she likes to become his or her leader. In democratic system, a person who wants to become a leader must express his or her desires to become a leader by standing for an election. Everyone in a democratic country has the right to vote or not or to stand for an election. In case there is only one person who wants to become a leader and willing to stand for the election, he or she will automatically wins the election and become the leader of the community. When there are two persons who wish to become the leader, the one that wins the majority votes will become the leader. Irrespective whether that person who wins the majority votes is qualified or not to become a leader, is not important in a democratic system. Whoever wins the majority votes even by only one vote will become the leader in a democratic system. In other words, in democracy the truth and the best are decided by the majority and the main principle in democracy is; majority rules. Majority rules are a principle in democracy, which is entirely against Islam and the Quran. In Islam, the truth is the Quran and one can only rules with the laws of the Quran. Majority is the main icon in democracy and to become a leader in democratic countries, a person needs to become popular in the society.

Bride Can't Stop Laughing During Vows!

Her husband accidentally pronounces 'lawfully' as 'wawfully,' and she cracks up so much that they had to take a break in the ceremony.

The Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) + Prophet Muhammad’s Last Days

The Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H. ( 623AD) in the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat in Mecca. It was the occasion of annual rites of Haj. It is also known as the Farewell Pilgrimage.

After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) began with the words:

"O People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and take these words to those who could not be present here today."

"O People! just as you regard this month, this day ,this city as sacred ,so regard the life and property of every Muslim a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds."

"Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep .You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn 'Aal-Muttalib be waived."

"Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibni al-Harithiah."

Forgive Me - Ahmed Bukhatir (English Subtitles).avi

AHMED BUKHATIR FORGIVE ME WHEN I WHINE LYRICS

Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair.
And wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, she smiled.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I `d go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have blessed indeed, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it `d do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
You see," he said, "I `m blind"
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I `d go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have blessed indeed, the world is mine.


I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew. He couldn't hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I `d go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have blessed indeed, the world is mine

Infographic: The Centenarian Lifestyle

Did you know that there are more than 50,000 centenarians (people who are 100 years and older) living in the U.S. and the number is growing? Please take a look at this fascinating group of people and what we can learn from the centenarian lifestyle. Here are some interesting highlights
Via: TermLifeInsurance.org
By mail from Muhammad Saleem

Infographic: How Music Improves Learning

Did you know that listening to music stimulates several parts of the brain, and may both increase productivity and help recall memories? We published this infographic today to highlight how music impacts the brain and improves learning. I hope you will take a look and possibly share with others .

Islamic Quotes & Other

Infographic: True Cost of Car Ownership

Via: InsuranceQuotes.org
Anyone looking to buy a car should be well aware that the cost of a car doesn't end at the purchase price. You must consider additional concerns such as: depreciation, fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. To help potential buyers with their purchases, we've put together an infographic outlines the real cost of ownership of various types of cars. I hope you find the information informative and useful enough to be shared with your readers

By mail from Muhammad Saleem

Character and Competency

Just imagine! One of your close relatives has a heart problem that needs surgery and you need to consult a heart specialist; and here are two doctors.

The first one is a good doctor, honest, who cares for his patients etc, but he is not much experienced in surgery. The other one is skilled and experienced. He has a great reputation in the field of surgery; but he is not an honest person. He performs surgery just for money, even if the patient may not need that.

So who is your choice?

The first one – “a good with no skills” or the second “skilled but not honest”

Neither one! Is it not?

What we really need is a doctor who is both skilled and honest!

Similarly – if you are the manager of a company what type of people you will appoint – good with no skills or skills without character?

Character is what you are, the qualities you possess- trustworthy. Loyal, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent.

Competence is what you are good at – your talents, skills and abilities

The foundation stones of character are – Faith, Service and Integrity.

The foundation stones of competency are – Physical health, talents and skills and accomplishments.

Let all of us start to build the foundation of character and competency from today onward!

 by S.A. Mansoor Ali.M.A., B.Ed.,

Source :  http://meemacademy.com/?p=1288

6 reasons why you don’t wake up for fajr

6 reasons why you don’t wake up for fajr:

You wake up only to realise with great horror you have 30 mins left for school/uni/work, and you haven’t even prayed fajr yet! What happened though? It felt like you literally just closed your eyes two minutes ago and now you’re brushing your teeth with Clearasil face wash, walking around in the house in just underwear rushing here and there, that’s how stressed you are!
But let’s break it down, why is it that we tend to miss fajr more and more these days? I mean if we think back a few months ago when we started practising, we used to wake up an hour before fajr and get our Qiyaam al-layl in, yet today here we are washing our mouth with face wash, late for work, and still haven’t prayed fajr, what went wrong?
#6 Late nights

I am sorry but going to sleep at midnight is not considered “an early night”

This is a major problem in today’s world, full of all sorts of on-demand entertainment, where as before in the good old days we would wake up with the sun and go to sleep as soon as the sun went down (there was not much to do other than stare out into the dark and be scared) but today we have the Internet, TV, mobile phones, so many distractions we should be glad we actually DO go to sleep.
The sad truth is that most of us stay up way past midnight, going to sleep at 2am something, and if we manage to sleep at midnight we are proud of ourselves and call it an ‘early’ night. But if you study the life of pious people you will notice that they have a habit of sleeping very early, some go to sleep straight after isha in order to pray Qiyaam later on during the night, and even the hadiths of the Prophet teaches us that he sallallaahu alyhi wasallam would dislike speech after isha. In short if you want to wake up fresh for Fajr, put the iPhone away and have a warm glass of milk.
#5 Forgetting to set the Alarm

Just five more minutes, pleaseeee! zzz

Now some people might argue and say, I don’t need an alarm, I naturally wake up for Fajr by myself, but they fail to realise that sleep is a very seductive mistress and she wont let go of you that easily, she’ll even try to trick you and make it seem like you’re waking up and going to the masjid to pray whilst you’re still clearly in bed, all this to make you stay with her.
This is where the alarm clock comes in, and you have to teach yourself to move on, yes sleep is nice and full of enjoyment, but its just not working out anymore. You have grown apart and don’t see things eye to eye anymore. The alarm clock will help wake you up whether you like it or not (usually you don’t) and the trick here is to set the alarm about ten minutes before the desired time, don’t set it 40 mins before because then you’ll wake up only to convince yourself you have a bit more time left, and thus falling back into the seductive grip of your beloved mistress.
#4 Over eating the night before

I don’t love food, food loves me!

Many people don’t know that this might actually effect your sleep and make it more deep. Studies have shown that people with a full stomach usually tend to sleep much better (and also deeper) than those with empty stomachs due to hunger or the lack of it. OK so it’s not really a study, people just told me, OK fine no one told me I just eat a lot at night, leave me alone.
Now I am not saying starve yourselves (please don’t sue me) but I do advise you to be careful not to eat heavily before going to bed, this will help you wake up for Fajr in time and hey, who’s stopping you from eating then?
#3 Waking up for Qiyaam al-Layl early just to go back to sleep and miss Fajr

This is actually a sunnah, but don’t go to sleep again if you cant wake up afterwards

If this is not a plot from Shaytaan I don’t know what is! How clever of him to make sure he makes you busy with an act that is sunnah in order for you to leave off another act that is waajib. And this often happens with the youth who sometimes are over ambitious, those who want to become Aboo Bakr as-Siddeeq over night, but the only thing they end up becoming is a person whom the Shaytaan urinated in his ear and took his nose as a six star hotel (check the hadith yourself).
My advice is, if you do want to pray tahajjud at night, make sure you don’t go back to sleep afterwards, perhaps wake up half an hour before Fajr and stay up, the important thing is STAY UP.
#2 Not truly understanding how big of a sin it is

Funny how we wait at the flight gate 2 hrs in advance yet catch the end of the Salah

We often take matters of salah very easy, ‘I’ll pray later’ or ‘I don’t have time now!’ are some of the common excuses we hear, but the strange thing is that if we have a flight at the airport at 3am in the morning we stay up the whole night just to make sure we don’t miss that flight, you won’t hear anyone saying ‘I’ll catch the flight later!’ or any silliness like that.
So why are we so hypocritical? When it comes to Islaam we make excuses yet when it is about this dunyaa we come up with reasons? This is because, and correct me if I am wrong, we do not truly realise how severe the sin is. Or the reality of it has not sunk in yet. What we need to do is to fix up, and fast. Make sure you boost your Eemaan, by attending lectures, or listening to beneficial talks etc, it is only then you will start working hard for the hereafter.
#1 Committing sins during the day

No wonder the toothpaste tasted funny

Hands down this is the number one reason why we don’t wake up for Fajr. How can we expect to be given tawfeeq (ability) to perform good deeds when all we do is keep sinning? The salah is the second pillar of Islaam and without it a persons Islaam is in question. I do not need to quote all the verses and hadiths for you to understand how serious the matter is, and like any other thing in Islaam we know that a good deed begets another good deed, and similarly a bad deed begets other bad deeds.
If we truly want to get closer to Allaah we need try our very best to stop sinning during the day. Don’t get me wrong, no one is an angel, but if Allaah is telling us that Salah keeps you away from sins, and you are struggling with praying these salahs themselves, what does it say about you? In short let us break up with sleep and embrace salah, that way Allaah will rectify all our affairs and we will not have to brush our teeth with the wrong product.


http://khalduun.com/say-what/6-reasons-why-you-dont-wake-up-for-fajr/

http://feeds.feedburner.com/IslamWayOfLife

 http://sharingknowledgeofislam.blogspot.in/

Are You Lucky

                                                           Are You Lucky

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “How lucky is that man who adopts humbleness without having scarcity, who considers himself inferior without having to beg for anything, who spends his own earned money in the right causes without disobeying Allah, who is kind to those having little means, and
who remains in the company of learned men.” [Tibrani]

In this hadith we are told who an enviable person is:

1.    A person who is humble despite having that which makes people proud.
2.    A person who earns and spends in the path of Allah.
3.    A person who is kind to those less privileged.
4.    A person who benefits from the companionship of the learned.

Having wealth does not make one lucky; but having earned it honestly, by one's own hands and, moreover, having spent it on those things which earn Allah's pleasure, while obedient to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala), are what entitles one to be counted among the lucky. Wealth that is accompanied by arrogance and ignorance (ignorance of what will earn Allah's pleasure), is extremely unlucky.

Can you count yourself lucky?

Source :  http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com/#

Infographic: Online Behavior of Teens

The Pew Research Center recently conducted a survey about the online behavior of teens. We took the data and illustrated the more interesting findings from the survey. I was hoping you'd take a look at the end result and share any thoughts or questions you have.
Presented by: OnlineCollege.org by mail from Muhammad Saleem

Tie Your Camel

Anas (radi Allahu anhu) reported that a person asked Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), “Should I tie my camel and have Tawakkul (trust in Allah for her protection) or should I leave her untied and have Tawakkul.” Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “Tie her and have Tawakkul.” (Hasan) [Jami At-Tirmidhi]

Tawakkul means to put in one's best efforts to do what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) expects one to do and then leave the results to Allah's will. Tawakkul comes from conviction in qada wa qadar, one of the six pillars of eeman: What Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has written for me must come to pass.

Tawakkul in Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) includes tawakkul in His provision of rizq. 50,000 years before the creation of the universe, what provisions would come to me were written down in Lawh Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet). Our test in this world is of the means we choose to earn these provisions. Do we adopt halal means and work seeking the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala); or do we resort to haraam, not trusting the rizq to come to us through halal means?

To seek one's livelihood is the way of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). Even he did not sit at home waiting for provision to fall out of the sky. But he (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) also said not to kill oneself in trying to earn more and more; since only that which is ordained for us will come to us.
Source : http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com/

Muslim Student Academy

Muslim Student Academy:

Just came across this. It gives grants of £3000 to students going to uni in their first year. Of course there's a criteria attached - and some of it is vague - like "Strong academic results in GCSE and A Levels or equivalent;" but anyway still pretty awesome.
http://muslimstudentacademy.org.uk/scholarship/

What is music and why is it so important to us?

 


Music in Islam by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr.Tahir-ul-Qadri [ Sahih Bukhari & Muslim] * MUST WATCH * 1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/music


-The science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.


-Vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony


2. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/music?s=t


-An art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.


-The tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both.


3. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/music


-The art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre.


-Vocal or instrumental sounds possessing a degree of melody, harmony, or rhythm.

Keep Fit, Strong and Supple For a Healthier Body and Mind

Keep Fit, Strong and Supple For a Healthier Body and Mind
It is a well-proven fact that exercise is good for both your body and mind. Numerous studies over the years have shown that exercise is effective in preventing all kinds of diseases from heart disease to diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. Simply by increasing your level of physical activity to about 15 minutes of jogging, cycling or swimming, or 30 minutes of walking a day - is associated with cutting your risk of premature death by about 20 percent.

A misconception about exercise is that you have to put in a lot of effort to get any noticeable benefit. However, simple activities such as walking have equally as good effects as vigorous exercise. Recent studies have found that in patients with type-2 diabetes, walking daily improved their blood fat levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease. [1] Other research found that more than 10,000 cases of breast and bowel cancer could be prevented each year by increasing physical activity such as going for brisk walks or performing vigorous household chores.

Visit the Internet Islamic Art Database, a QuranClub project

Visit the Internet Islamic Art Database, a QuranClub project:

The Internet Islamic Art Database (IIADB.com) is a website where you can find Islamic posters, photos, illustrations, and other graphics. You can also upload your own and other people's graphics at the Submit Artwork page.
The goal of this project is to make it easier for people to find high quality Islamic art on the internet by providing a central location where Islamic art is presented and categorized, and to provide exposure for the works of Muslim artists, photographers, and illustrators.
 Source : http://www.quranclub.net/

The story of the Earth

The story of the Earth and How Will the Earth Come to an End? It is not easy to explain that but "A picture is worth a thousand words"











Source : http://nidurseasons.blogspot.in/2010/09/blog-post_19.html

TAFSIR OF SURAH AL-‘ASR

by mthago

Surah Al-‘Asr is a very small surah of the Quran, translated into english as The Time. Although it is a very small surah of the Quran, yet it is among the most important surah in the Quran. Imam Syafie, a very renowned imam used to say with the approximate meaning; in case this surah is the only surah revealed by Allah to men and men practice what is told in this surah, it will be sufficient for men to attain success in this world and the hereafter. Such a great iman, who dare to speak such words to the entire mankind, must have such a profound knowledge and understanding of the Quran. Allah must have given him the knowledge of the understanding of the Quran which is not given to others during his time. Many Muslims particularly in Malaysia follows mazhab of imam Syafie, a great scholar of Islam. Imam Syafie was the only imam with the opinion that ‘doa qunut’ must be read daily in fajar prayers, because he believes that the Muslims ummah is constantly in calamities after the Prophet Muhammad saw passed away. Muslims of other mazhab will read doa qunut in fajar prayers only at times of calamities. What is the meaning of this surah? Allah says in the approximate meaning; I swear by time all men are at lost, except those who believe and do good actions, who frequently reminding each other about the truth and reminding each other with patient. Many Muslims scholars understand this surah as all men will be at lost except those who have the four main qualities mention in the surah. According to many Muslims scholars, the four main qualities mention in the surah are; iman, good actions (amal soleh), reminding each others about the truth and reminding each others with patient. According to many Muslims scholars all the four qualities mention in the surah must be acquired by all men if they want to become successful in this world and the hereafter. However, most scholars failed to explain to Muslims in their lectures on how to obtain the four qualities, because they themselves do not possess those four qualities. So, how to acquire those four qualities?

Is there a Mom?

Is there a Mom?:
Similar Posts:

• Creativity is doing more, with less.
• Ramadhan is ending…
• “Branding is what others say about us” :-)
• A little bit of Fear is a Good thing
• Sufi Comics: How and Where is God?

Source : http://www.vakil.org/2012/02/26/is-there-a-mom/

US Army’s ‘fatwa' on Islam and challenges before the Muslim world

US Army’s ‘fatwa' on Islam and challenges before the Muslim world:

US Army’s ‘fatwa' on Islam and challenges before the Muslim world

By Fatima Tanveer,

The US Army’s fatwa that "America’s enemy is Islam in general, not just terrorists’’, is really very dangerous and highly provocative. It is really very shocking that the mid-level and junior US Army officers were being taught this theme till some of the student-officers themselves objected to it and the course was withdrawn.

The revelation that has now been published by media all over the globe is really very dangerous also in the sense that junior officers would be running the US Army, the most powerful army of the world, in future.

And the opinion of US military officers engaged in teaching that the best way to deal with this `enemy’ is to bombard the Islamic cities of Makkah and Madinah like that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II or Dresden in Germany without caring for civilian casualties, indicates the worst form of hatred against Muslims and Islam in their minds. This is in direct contradiction with American official stand that US is against terrorism, not against Islam as a religion and the war it is fighting in Afghanistan and other countries is against terror, nor against Islam.

Though the course has been withdrawn from the Army curriculum and Lt Col Matthew Dooley, who was engaged in teaching the material, has been removed from his teaching assignment at Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, it is really alarming that Dooley has already polluted the minds of young Army officers. But what is more worrying is that no senior person in the US Army stopped Dooley from teaching such hate-materials to the young army officers.

His war plan that Saudi Arabia be reduced to starvation suggests deep rooted anti-Islamism in his mind. Dooley seems to have learnt from the British forces fighting against Turkey during World War I. The British Army had forced starvation on Saudis to make them revolt against Turkish Khilafat. At the same time, they also tried to rouse Arab nationalism and propagated hate against Turks to weaken the Turkish rule.

As Britain and its Allied Forces dominated the sea, British warships arrested sailors, confiscated foodstuffs from all merchant ships carrying food grains to Jeddah port.

Since the survival of the inhabitants depended on imported food grains, people panicked once foodstuffs stopped reaching there. Due to non-availability of food, thousands of people were starved to death. As the residents of Madinah remained loyal to the Turks till the last moment, all supplies to the city were also blocked by the Sharif Hussain of Makkah with the result that hundreds of attendants at the Holy Mosque of the Prophet died of hunger.

Ultimately, Madinah also succumbed to the designs of the British. The British plan ultimately succeeded resulting into the dismemberment of countries under Turkish Khilafat and allowing Jews to settle in Palestine.

Almost the same tactics are being employed by US after almost 100 years of the World War I to destroy Muslim lands now, with the Arab rulers fully cooperating to implement the evil conspiracies of US and the Christian West.

It was first Iraq that was used to attack Islamic Republic of Iran. Then US and the European Christendom attacked Iraq as also Afghanistan subsequently, with all their military might, bringing death and destruction for the Iraqi people. Their war is still on against poor Afghans. All this was done on the pretext of fighting terror.

The US and the Christian Europe also reportedly used Qatar to finance the revolt and war against Muammar Qaddafi in Libya. Now the Libyan people are passing through the worst of times and they are subjected to daily bombardment by NATO forces despite Qaddafi and his family having been removed long ago. Post Qaddafi, loot, rape and murder has become a daily affair in that African country.

As British provoked feeling of Arab nationalism against Turks during War War I, the US is now sowing seeds of division to weaken Muslims by promoting animosity between Sunnis and Shias as is evident in Iraq as also through its agents in Pakistan. The same weapon is being used to weaken the government in Syria. The plans are also being made to mount a military attack on Iran which has achieved some level of military muscle to challenge Israel, the US extension in the Arab land.

The recent developments in Europe indicate the fast growth of anti-Muslim, anti-Islamic sentiments among the common populace there. The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party of Greece, that was using hate-Muslim campaign as a political agenda, won seats for the first time in its Parliament. Anti-Islam rhetoric was also used by various political parties in the recently concluded presidential elections in France, particularly by pro-Christian National Front led by Marine Le Pen. It is a different thing that her party failed to win the polls. France’s outgoing president Nicholas Sarkozy had banned the wearing of scarves in government offices, indicating intolerance towards Muslim culture and its identity. Sarkozy also tried to rally the Christian world against Turkey by raising the issue of Turkish Army indulging into mass killing of Armenians, who are basically Christians, during the World War I. He tried to bring a law punishing those who denied the Armenian massacre, thus targeting a large number of Turkish people settled in France. In Netherland, ultra-Christian Party for Freedom is also based on its hatred towards Islam and Muslim immigrants in the country.

The media reports from several countries in Christian Europe indicate that anti-Islamism is becoming a popular tool of various Christian fundamentalist political parties to win political space for them. And such outfits are also gaining popularity and expanding their base, indicating that anti-Islamism in the Christian world is fast becoming a centrifugal force to attract supporters. According to the reports, supporters of political parties targeting Islam and Muslims are mostly the young in their twenties and early thirties as well as educated middle class, including businessmen and government employees.

In many European countries like Belgium and Netherlands, vigilante groups have been set up by anti-Muslim political parties to keep watch on fresh Muslim immigrants from Arab and African Muslim countries because of recent political and social upheavals in these countries. This indicates Christian world’s growing intolerance towards multi-culturalism, particularly, Islam and Muslims.

This is one of the biggest challenges to the contemporary Muslim world. But this challenge can be met only by introducing democracy, transparency in the governance and bringing immediate unity among all Muslim countries as also closing the gap between Shias and Sunnis by forming some sort of union among the Muslim nations. But who will take the lead in this effort?

Arabs are not ready to accept the leadership of Turks because of ego problems and Iranians don’t want change of regime in Syria because of the fear of Sunnis taking over the reins in their neighbourhood and Sunni Turkey helping Sunnis in Shia-majority Iraq and destabilize Alawite Shia-ruled Syria to prevent Shia Iran’s access through Shia-ruled neighbours to Mediterranean. The Shia-led governments in Iraq and Syria are also hounding out the Sunnis. Can we then face those trying to obliterate and exterminate us and expect a fate for us better than what it is today?

source: http://twocircles.net/2012may20/us_army%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%98fatwa_islam_and_challenges_muslim_world.html

A chat with Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore

A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees. The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
Ans:
1. Diet        - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week;

                     avoid lifts and

                                          avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control BP - Blood pressure and Sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person
gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?
Ans: Yes