The threat of an army coup hangs over Turkey in a dispute about a presidential election that has once again exposed the country’s deep divide between secularists and Islamists. Analysts hope the constitutional court will reduce tensions by annulling the vote and prompting fresh parliamentary elections.
Comment is free: Don’t call it discrimination
Arab citizens of Israel have an inferior status and face a separate and unequal reality.
Comment is free: Iraq’s refugee crisis
It’s the largest displacement of people in the Middle East since 1948, but other countries are reluctant to help.
Imam Subki (Allah have mercy on him) quotes the great Sufi master Sahl ibn Abd Allah al-Tustari (Allah have mercy on him) as mentioning that,“From the proper manners of the People of the Sunna (Ahl al-Sunna) are four things that are absolutely necessary….
PC World - Search Engine Shoot-Out
Out
Whether you’re searching for text, video, images, news, or local information, you have lots of options beyond Google. We tried dozens of search engines and found some worthy challengers to the king.
See also:
Issues
Concerning the Qur’an. Especially:
Textual
Integrity of the Qur’an and
The Sources
of the Qur’an.
Rawalpindi: Past and Present at All Things Pakistan
The bustling city of Rawalpindi has a lot more to offer than a traffic mess, broken roads and haze-filled atmosphere. The city’s history spreads over several millennia. Archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau even 3,000 years ago.
Being Smart Doesn’t Make You Rich
Having a high IQ isn’t money in the bank, according to new research that shows smarter doesn’t necessarily mean richer.A nationwide study shows people of below average and average intelligence are just as wealthy as those in similar circumstances with higher IQs.
Panel Urges Junk Food Ban in Schools
Vending machines and snack bars selling sodas, candy, and high-fat foods like potato chips should be banned from public schools, according to standards recommended Wednesday by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
Trust the Turks to pose an ever-pressing problem for Europe - and
for themselves. Just as the French presidentials have thrown up the
possibility of an occupant of the Elysée Palace, Nicolas
Sarkozy, strongly opposed to Turkey’s membership of the European Union,
the Turks have produced a presidential crisis of their own which, on
the face of it, would confirm all Europe’s worst fears of an Islamist
state besieging their secular portals.It’s a row that is peculiarly Turkish - whether an avowedly Islamic
politician can head a fiercely secular state - but also has much wider
implications as to whether Europe is right to regard Muslim movements
as essentially regressive and whether, indeed, we should be hastening
or stopping altogether Turkey’s negotiations to join the EU.
Marifah - Shaykh `Abdul Razzaq al-Halabi - A biography [pdf] - Compiled by Shaykh Shoayb Ahmad
Shaykh `Abdul Razzāq ibn Muhammad Hasan ibn Rashīd ibn Hasan al-Halabī was born in Damascus at his father’s home in the suburb of al-Qaymariyya in 1925 (1343H). The Shaykh grew up in a religious environment as his father regularly attended the lessons of the ‘`Ulemā and his mother was the daughter of the Muftī of Syria, Shaykh Ata`illāh al-Kasm…
Faraz notes:
Shaykh Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi is the leading living Hanafi scholar of Damascus. He has taught the Hashiya of Ibn Abidin (’Radd al-Muhtar) at least a dozen times, cover to cover. This work is in 5 very large volumes in its old (Bulaq) edition, and the new editions range from 12 to 20-plus volumes. This dars would occur between Maghrib and Isha daily, without fail, six days a week–with Fridays off. He is very serious about completing books with his students, and inculcates a seriousness for study and the subject in his students, as well as having stern disapproval for useless questions and foolish behavior.
The idea that, “Knowledge comes first,” is firmly ingrained in his committed students. Two of his close students–recognized scholars and teachers in their own right–were invited to the wedding of a scholar with whom some misunderstandings had occurred. Attending the wedding would have meant missing Shaykh Abd al-Razzaq’s Hashiyat Ibn Abidin lesson. Very nervously–and half-expecting the response–they went into Shaykh Abd al-Razzaq’s room in the right corner of the front of the Ummayyad Mosque. They asked for permision. The Shaykh barely looked up from his glasses, stooped over his large desk, and said, “It isn’t possible. Knowledge comes first.”
May Allah preserve Shaykh Abd al-Razzaq and the scholars of our Community, and spread the light of their teachings and example–for this light is the Prophetic inheritance. It is the gift of God to humanity.
From Boston to Lahore and beyond, Islamic punk rock is spreading | The Guide | Guardian Unlimited
From Boston to Lahore and beyond, the tentacles of taqwacore - aka Islamic punk rock - are spreading. And it’s giving disenfranchised young Muslims a voice, says Riazat Butt
Beyond the beyondness beyondness lies
Beyond tawqa and fatwa taqwacore flies
Marginal Revolution: Levitt responds to Noam Scheiber - Am I ruining economics or not?
Read the whole thing, it is called “Am I ruining economics or not?” Of course Alex and I already have weighed in on the “no” side. I am reminded of Jonathan Swift:
Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent.
The Indian Economy Blog » Don’t Make It Affordable
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), in a recent move, has slashed the fares of the super luxury air-conditioned Volvo buses.
The minimum fare, which had been raised to Rs. 12, has now been moved
back to Rs. 10. It has been mentioned that the reduction in fares is in
order to make high quality transport more accessible to the common man.My argument here is that the Volvo fares should be kept high, and
out of reach of the “common man”. While this sounds
extremely elitist and snobbish, I believe that high fares are essential
for the Volvos to serve their purpose.Let us start by looking at the Pushpak, the BMTC’s previous
attempt at premium transportation. Semi-luxury Pushpak services were
introduced more than a decade ago, with fares being double the
“ordinary” fares. However, what followed was a number of
attempts to make it more “affordable”, and currently they
are only marginally more expensive. And they are as crowded, if not
more, than ordinary buses.Next, let us look at the Mumbai local trains. There are a couple of
first class compartments in each train, and it is not tough to notice
that they are almost always as crowded as the general class. A closer
look reveals it’s a mostly middle class crowd, who can’t
really afford to travel by cab. First class is quite
“affordable” (around Rs. 1000 a month). Accessible to the
common man? Yes. Taking cars off the road? Sorry.The main aim for the Volvos, I believe, must be to take cars off the
road, and thus free up valuable space on congested peak hour roads. In
other words, they should target people who otherwise travel to work by
car, and offer good enough service for them to make the switch. And for
this to happen, I believe there are a few things that need to be
ensured – frequency, efficiency, cleanliness, comfort, speed and
– most importantly – exclusivity.I know this sounds politically incorrect, but the bare fact is that
the upper middle class doesn’t want to rub shoulders (both
figuratively and literally) with the great Indian unwashed. She
doesn’t mind public transport as long as she is traveling with
people similar to her; and she is willing to pay a premium for it. She
may not mind standing in a crowded bus full of people like her.
However, sitting next to a laborer is not done. In other words, she is
willing to pay more to keep out the common man. What the BMTC needs to
do is to charge enough to enable this.Making comfortable travel accessible to public is a noble intention.
However, the Volvos should be kept out of that business. Have a premium
ordinary class by all means, maybe by fitting some Pushpaks with ACs.
Price it low enough to make it accessible. However, please have a
“first class” that is exclusive. Else the roads will remain
congested.
It now appears inevitable that Pakistan will construct the Basha Diamer Dam, imperilling a cultural legacy that goes back to the end of the Ice Age. With time running out, German archeologist Harald Hauptmann is racing to document the area’s thousands of cliff carvings before they are lost.
Xplorer2 file manager (Windows) - Lifehacker
Faraz notes: I’ve been using it for a couple of years, and it is very useful…
The Xplorer2 lite file manager is a superior alternative to Windows’ built-in file Explorer.
Xplorer2 sports a tabbed, 3-paned interface. The first displays the
file and folder hierarchy for easy navigation. The other 2 panes are
specific folders, which make it really easy to move files between two
places or work with two sets of files at once. You can save favorite
locations or even bookmark sets of folders associated with particular
tasks and projects.
After just a few minutes of playing with Xplorer2 it’s easy to see
all the places where Windows Explorer really does fall short. Got a
favorite alternate file manager? Tell us about it in the comments.
Xplorer2 Lite is a free download for personal use, and it’s Windows
only. Thanks, Ludwig!
Psychology Today: The Hug Drug
It just may be that no drug is more effective than a good, meaningful chat. A British study has demonstrated the healing power of friendship.
Top 10 ChangeThis Downloads for March 2007
The ChangeThis site has some useful material. [Please note: We assume the definition of the human being as a ‘thinking animal’ and not as merely “sheep on two legs.” Not everything posted here is an endorsement of its contents… but it may make you think, and may benefit you…]
Here are the top 10 downloads in the month of March.
100 Ways to Kill a Concept by Michael Iva
The Upside of A**holes by Bob Sutton
How To Be Creative by Hugh MacLeod
The Bootstrapper’s Bible by Seth Godin
Lonely Planet by Elizabeth Johnson
25 Ways to Distinguish Yourself by Raj Setty
The Silent Revolution by Elizabeth Edelsheim
Talking Strategy by Chip and Dan Heath
How Toyota Can Save Your Life by Mark Graban
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
Frontline Leadership by George Reavis
Pakistan: sliding into anarchy Irfan Husain - openDemocracy
The combative Islamist leadership of the Lal Masjid compound in Islamabad have provoked a dispute that highlights the major faultlines of Pakistani politics. These are desperate times for Pervez Musharraf, says Irfan Husain.
How to tackle dreaded tasks - Lifehacker
The Happiness Project blog offers six tips for powering through procrastination to accomplish dreaded tasks. A sampling:
- Do it first thing in the morning. If you’re dreading doing
something, you’re going to be able to think of more creative excuses as
the day goes along. One of my Twelve Commandments is “Do it now.” No
delay is the best way.- Have someone keep you company. Studies show that we enjoy
practically every activity more when we’re with other people. Having a
friend along can be a distraction, a source of reassurance, or just
moral support.We’ve looked at plenty of procrastination-killers in the past, like the 10-minute rule and 50 ways to get your stuff done. What’s your favorite way to face down a terrible task? Don’t procrastinate–put it in the comments, now!
Counsels For Friday « seeker of sacred ilm
Here are some counsels on Friday from
Shaykh Ahmad izz-Din Al-Bayanuni work Sabil wa Huda wa Amal (The
Way of Guidance and Action ) taught by Faraz Rabbani a few
years back on SunniPath-Go to Friday prayer early and beware lest you delay after the adhan is given such that you fall into sin
-Perform the ritual bath (ghusl) for the Friday prayer consistently, whether in summer months or winter months
-Cut your nails every week and clean yourself for Islam is a religion of spiritual purity
-Use perfume on Friday and wear the best of your clothes
-Beware of walking over others’ shoulders
-Do not speak when the Imam is giving the khutbah
-Be consistent in reciting Surah al-Kahf on Friday
-Send a lot of blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) on Friday both its night and its day
This is an excerpt from a conversation with Shaykh al-Bouti on knowledge, learning, and da`wa. We began by asking about advice on how to convey the message of Islam to others.….