Did you know that the modern check comes from the Arabic saqq, a written vow to pay for goods when they were delivered, to avoid money having to be transported across dangerous terrain? In the 9th century, a Muslim businessman could cash a check in China drawn on his bank in Baghdad. This innovative idea, and many other everyday modern conveniences originated in the Muslim world. Discover the forgotten history of this and many other inventions at 1001Inventions.com.
Source: article in The Independent about Muslim inventions.
Sharing a few beautiful pictures and some articles on this year’s annual pilgrimage to Makkah, known as “hajj”. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is a rite that is required of all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of it. The rituals of hajj bring together Muslims from around the world in worship of God, who is called “Allah” in Arabic. Through these actions we are also reminded of Abraham (known as “Ibrahim” in Arabic), who built the first house of worship to Allah, which is the Kaaba in Makkah. The Kaaba is a square stone structure covered with a black cloth. It is a direction point for Muslims worldwide when they pray, and to walk around this house of worship is part of the rituals of hajj. The rite of walking around the Kaaba is one of the well-known images of hajj.
Came across the following article on the USA Today Opinion section, sharing with all.
Let stereotype go
By Harris Zafar
Close your eyes and picture this: A jet with 111 passengers and crewmembers is about to land when a religious fanatic stands up and declares that he has a bomb.
Now open your eyes. Was your first thought anger that Muslim terrorists were at it again? Or perhaps you wondered why Muslims do this so often? Or maybe you’re frustrated that we haven’t done enough to stop these Arab terrorists from hijacking jets? Read more…
Muslims worldwide are currently observing Ramadan, a month of fasting. This month is also a time of spiritual reflection and internal growth for Muslims, a time to shed unwanted habits and reinforce positive values. One could describe it as a month-long spiritual retreat.
Here are some photos of Ramadan around the world.
And here is a series of 30 articles about dates, traditionally used to break one’s fast during Ramadan. Each article includes a recipe that incorporates dates. Enjoy!
An interesting site to share:
http://veiledglory.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/christian-modesty-encouraged-by-muslim-women
The author is a Christian lady who dresses modestly, and she was asked by her sister-in-law if she thought the growing numbers of modestly dressed Muslim women in the U.S. are encouraging or influencing Christian women to seek out traditional modesty standards. She posed the question to the readers. Some said yes, others said no. Worth reading. A few quotes are below.
One commenter wrote: “Oh my, yes! We have a large Muslim community in my town/city and they are a real encouragement. Even their young daughters are wearing cover to the schools, the libraries, etc.”
Another wrote: “I always thought it was cool that muslim women covered, but I was raised that way already so I don’t see that I, personally was influenced by muslim women.”
A Muslim woman added: “I love to see Christian women dressed modestly, because it is beneficial to the whole society.”
These helpful videos guide one through making wudu and each of the five daily prayers. Links to each part are below.
Videos produced by iisna.com.
“Hablando Islam con acuerdo del entendimiento de los Salaf…”
Hablamosislam.com es una nueva página del Islam, con información general, articulos del credo islámico, temas contemporáneos, y mucho mas.
This great little Flash video shows step-by-step how to make wudu (ablution). (Animation only, no audio.)
The following editorial is from the Ethics Daily, and is reproduced below in its entirety. The author, Robert Parham, is the Executive Director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, and he recently attended the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) annual convention.
Robert Parham
09-05-08 The annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America was more like an annual convention of Baptists than most Baptists would want to know: leaders wrapped the will of God around appeals for funds; scripture citation was frequent; cell phones rang at inopportune times; participants were more interested in hallway fellowship than platform presentations; displays sold books, CDs, DVDs, religious trinkets and hair loss-prevention products. Some speakers were dynamic; others were pedantic. Some attendees were smartly dressed; others were casually clad.
Unlike Baptist conventions of the South, the ISNA convention had more strollers, more teenagers and a lot more racial and ethnic diversity. Many adults spoke with an accent (although most children were linguistically as American as apple pie). Only one or two women wore the burqa. Most had headscarves. A number lacked any head coverings.
Rank-and-file members and leaders showed more hospitality than I’ve received at any number of Baptist meetings.
Thumbing through the Saturday morning program, I finally decided to attend the 75-minute workshop titled “Thinking Outside the Mosque: How Muslim Institutions Can Change America.”
Little did I know that I would hear one of the most compelling and significant Muslim American leaders—Hamza Yusuf—who converted to Islam as a teenager and co-directs the Zaytuna Institute. Much of what he said would resonate in Baptist churches.
Yusuf said early in his presentation: “The idea today of liberty in the United States has become licentiousness. People are free…to surrender themselves to the worst qualities of their selves.” Read more…
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