Blog Archives
30 Photos Of Children Playing Around The World
Source: http://www.boredpanda.com/happy-children-playing/
No matter their cultural background, no matter their economic situation, kids will always find imaginative ways to have fun. Their wild imaginations and magical childhood moments, when captured on camera by talented photographers, can make for truly wonderful photos. These 33 images we collected will prove that childhood can be wonderful no matter where you go.
Many in the Western world fear that technology is making today’s children lose touch with nature and with their own creativity, and while there are arguments to be made for the intellectual stimulation that apps and programs for children can bring, there’s also something to be said for simply playing with a stick in the mud or chasing dandelion seeds though an open meadow.
For better or worse, the children in these photos seem entirely content making their own fun. For us adults, it’s important not to let our world-weary and jaded experience stifle our childish hopefulness and imagination!
INDONESIA
Image credits: Gede Lila Kantiana, I Gede Lila Kantiana, Ipoenk Graphic
RUSSIA
Image credits: Elena Shumilova, Светлана Квашина
BURKINA FASO
Image credits: Òscar Tardío
MYANMAR
Image credits: Chan Kwok Hung
TAJIKISTAN
Image credits: Damon Lynch
INDIA
Image credits: Mukund Images, Sudharsan Ravikumar, Sandee Pachetan
VIETNAM
Image Credits: HT KëñShï
GHANA
Image credits: Terry White
ESTONIA
Image credits: Elika Hunt
THAILAND
Image credits: Sarawut Intarob
SOUTH AFRICA
Image credits: tinosoriano.com, Muhammed Muheisen
PERU
Image credits: Enrique Castro-Mendivil
ETHIOPIA
Image credits: Csilla Zelko
ITALY
Image credits: Michael Potyomin
USA
Image credits: Jake Olson
INDONESIA #2
Image Credits: Mio Cade, Hendrik Priyanto, James Khoo, Rio Rinaldi Rachmatullah
UGANDA
Image credits: John Van Den Hende
ROMANIA
Image credits: Elena Simona Craciun
RUSSIA #2
Image credits: Elena Shumilova
Yusuf Talia passes away
Source: nanima.co.za
Yusuf Talia, despite his challenges with Muscular Dystrophy was truly an inspiration to all that knew him. He was the President of the MSA Union, vice president of the Wits SRC. He was also very active with the Free Palestine campaign. In his time at university he studied a science degree and a accounting degree. Truly a legend.
Man attempts to hug wild lion (Video)
Kevin Richardson is a South African zookeeper who’s renowned for being so up close and intimate with lions that he has been accepted into several prides. It really is amazing how this man has been accepted by these lions. His passion is overwhelming and the obvious comfort he has spending time with them.
Gift of the Givers from South Africa were finally allowed in this weekend into #Gaza
Subhana’llah: White Lion (IMAGES)
White Lions are not a separate subspecies and they have never been common in the wild. The White Lion is a rare color mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion (Panthera leo krugeri), a rare species of lion only to be found in a 200 square mile area called Timbavati in South Africa.
Palestine Solidarity march in Cape Town, South Africa (VIDEO)
Close to 200,000 Cape Town protesters march in solidarity with Palestine against the attrocities performed by Israel, making it the biggest march in South Africa.
Apartheid Explained (Video)
Nelson Mandela is remembered for his legacy in fighting apartheid and helping South Africa seek healing and forgiveness. But what exactly was apartheid? We break down its roots and what it was like for South Africans living under the discriminatory policies.
Having a Productive Ramadan in Johannesburg, South Africa
By: Fatima Bheekoo-Shah
Source: http://productivemuslim.com/
Johannesburg is the business hub of South Africa. Islam has been in practise here since the 1600s, brought by people from other countries who eventually settled in the region. Today, South Africa is home to a number of Islamic educational institutes and masajid (mosques).
In this post, we hear from Fatima Bheekoo-Shah, a resident of Johannesburg.
Experience of Ramadan in Johannesburg
Ramadan here is always a much-anticipated time and Muslims prepare months in advance for its welcome. Although Muslims only make up about 2% of the South African population, the environment and the amenities made available for them make it hard to guess that they are, after all, such a small minority.
While it is a month of fasting, it is ironic that we have many Muslim women who start preparing savouries months in advance. They do this either for their own use or for sale. While much could be said about the merits of this savoury-frenzy, it certainly helps in the build-up to this auspicious month. Qur’an competitions and recitals are also held in Rajab and Sha’ban (months prior to Ramadan) to prepare huffād [plural of hāfid, are Muslims who have completely memorised the Qur’an] for taraweeh.
During Ramadan there is definitely a community spirit in the air. In Cape Town little plates of edibles and sweets are sent to one’s Muslim neighbours. In Johannesburg, it is customary for women to prepare large amounts of soup and savouries, sending them to their local masajid to be distributed among devotees that gather there. Closer to Eid, various charitable organizations call on the community to help package and distribute food and clothes-parcels as part of their charitable campaigns for the less fortunate.
Boosting productivity during Ramadan
Because we are not a ‘Muslim country’ there are no such things as reduced working hours. It is pretty much a normal day with Muslims fasting. This year though, the month of fasting falls during our annual winter holidays. So most schools will remain closed during this period, making things easier for our children. Also, most employees take permission to leave work early.
Spiritually, the masajid run various programs for the community to attend. Most masajid in South Africa, with the exception of a few, perform the full 20 raka’ats of taraweeh. The objective is to complete a full recitation of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. It is also usually completed during the last ten nights of the month. Some even strive to complete two such full recitations.
It has become somewhat of a tradition for Mufti Menk to spend Ramadan in South Africa, having a tafsir (exegesis) lecture after taraweeh every evening. Even with taraweeh ending late and Muslims having had a normal workday, the masjid can be seen overflowing with devotees eagerly soaking up wisdom from the Mufti. It is also a very social time for Muslims and having iftar dinners is high on the agenda. Many of these do end before taraweeh prayers, though.
Through Jumu’ah Khutbas (sermons) imams encourage the community to attend prayers at the masjid a few months before Ramadan begins. Charitable organizations also run programs on weekends, where people in poorer communities are treated for iftar.
Productivity challenges
Because we are not a ‘Muslim country’ we do not face challenges such as Ramadan TV series. Living in a non-Muslim environment makes us yearn to hang on even more to the traditions, culture and practices of Ramadan.
The biggest challenge for those who work is trying to balance work, benefiting from the immense reward of reciting the Qur’an and offering optional prayers. This Jumu’ah, the khateeb (the one delivering a sermon) reminded the people that fasting will actually fall during the World Cup and this should not distract nor prevent us from attending prayers at the masjid.
Overcoming obstacles and making the most out of Ramadan
I have learned to overcome this by planning, planning and more planning.
I wake up an hour before suhoor and recite as much Qur’an as I can. After suhoor I don’t retire to bed; I prepare my meals instead so that there is no rush to do it for iftar in the evening.
At work while performing my salah I use some of my break to read more Qur’an. This helps me complete at least one khatma in the holy month. Once I get home I take a power nap before iftar so that I have ample energy for taraweeh.
Over the last few years, my family and I have cut out oily and all unhealthy food so we do not become lazy and sluggish. This went a long way in helping us enjoy a productive Ramadan and keeping our energy levels constant.
Most group iftar parties are held just before taraweeh so that family and friends can attend the taraweeh in congregation. After taraweeh I go to bed. We also switch off the TV during this month so that our minds are not occupied by it and we don’t waste time during this precious month. Even children get used to this and find healthy alternatives to keep themselves occupied.
Some of the Islamic radio stations broadcast lectures and Qur’an recitation to inspire Muslims throughout Ramadan.
Most importantly, we make a firm intention from the beginning of the month that we will try our best during the coming month. We have goals written down and try to complete them as quickly as we can and motivate ourselves to do more.
The key thing is to be consciously aware that Ramadan is not a month for feasting nor should it be taken easy. Rather, it’s a month to be more productive despite the challenges we face. Renewing our intentions periodically throughout the month and carefully structuring our day will lead to greater productivity on a daily basis, In sha Allah.
I remind myself that the Battle of Badr took place in Ramadan. That in itself is a big motivating factor.
That was a quick and brief look into life and productivity during Ramadan in Johannesburg. What productivity challenges do you face in your locality? What unique ways do you adopt to overcome these challenges? Please share your life experiences in the comments below.
PASS THE KNOWLEDGE (LIGHT & LIFE) 