Blog Archives
Documentary: Battling the dry (Video)
101 East explores the human cost of the severe drought paralysing Australia’s north.
More documentaries…
CRESCENT CHRONICLES | A BRIEF HISTORY OF MOONSIGHTING IN NORTH AMERICA
By: Waleed S. Ahmed
Source: http://muslimmatters.org/
The city of Toronto has many distinctions; the CN Tower, Skydome – the crack smoking escapades of its mayor – just to name few. One distinction, unbeknownst to many, is the city’s unique position in Islamic history. Toronto is one of the few cities, if not the only, which hosts mosques that simultaneously follow all permutations of moonsighting opinions that have ever existed in Islam’s legal history; local sighting, global, Saudi-sighting, astronomical calculations – perhaps there are more. This represents a trend which has become common occurrence across much of the North America; Muslim communities split along lines of lunar dogmatism.
So, how did we get here? In 2006 the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) decided to switch to astronomical calculations, as opposed to moon sighting, as a means of tabulating the Islamic calendar. The unprecedented decision led to a considerable degree of controversy due to its unorthodoxy. However, what is not as well known is the history and the context which lead to this decision. I had the unique opportunity to sit with Shaykh Abdullah Idris Ali, former President of ISNA, who shared with me a brief history of the moonsighting methods employed and what eventually lead to the current climate.
History: How North Korea got this way (Video)
Vox’s Max Fisher explains the historical events that produced the bizarre, tragic North Korea we know today.
Millions Of Miles Of Garbage In An Ocean Near You! Video)
Let’s trash talk. Ocean trash. Specifically the North Pacific Gyre, which is home to a 20-million ton aquatic dump known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A casualty of forgotten environment. It’s full of human waste. It’s threatening marine ecosystems worldwide and means pollutants like PCBs are winding up right back into your sushi.
Snowy Owl (IMAGE/VIDEO)
This yellow-eyed, black-beaked white bird is easily recognizable. It is 52–71 cm (20–28 in) long, with a 125–150 cm (49–59 in) wingspan. Also, these birds can weigh anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb). It is one of the largest species of owl and, in North America, is on average the heaviest owl species. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily feathered taloned feet, and colouration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.
Facts about Tetouan, Morocco
- Tetouan, Morocco was founded in the third century BC.
- Around the year 1305, King Abu Thabit of the Marinids built Titawin. This city was originally built as a base for attacks on Ceuta.
- Around 1400 it was destroyed by the Castilians, because pirates used it for their attacks.
- By the end of the 15th century, refugees from the Reconquista rebuilt the city and filled it with houses.
- Tetouan stands on a very rocky plateau.
- The Mediterranean and mountains are both by this city which makes for a beautiful picture.
- The main attraction in Tetouan is its medina, or old city.
- Eight of this cities original gates are still standing today.
- Tetouan has very good tasting food.
- Many carpet shops can be found in this city.
- Spices are a popular item for tourists in Tetouan.
- Tetouan houses a big mosque with an elaborate entrance.
- Tetouan is 40 kilometers south of The Straight Of Gibraltar.
- Tetouan is nearby to a belt of orchards containing oranges, almonds, pomegranates, and cypress.