Narrated 'Adi bin Hatim: The Prophet said, "Protect yourself from the Fire." He then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it) and said again, "Protect yourself from the Fire," and then turned his face aside (as if he were looking at it), and he said so for the third time till we thought he was looking at it. He then said, "Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if with one half of a date and he who hasn't got even this, (should do so) by (saying) a good, pleasant word.'
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights."
Museum of Islamic Art (Qatar)
This weekend, I took my dad along to the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) located in Doha, Qatar. It opened in December 2008 and has since been a great success. The islamic art collection is exquisite with art from all around the world dating between 7th and19th century. This institution was designed with a visionary of the Emir wanting Qatar to be a capital of culture; the building in deed has further instated his vision.
The design of the building itself was designed by the famous architect, Mr. Pei, after taking his inspiration from visiting various islamic monuments in arab countries. I am always so taken away when entering this building with its glittering ambience and lighting. The building resides on Doha's famous corniche, emersed in water, with beautiful large glass windows that make you feel you standing on water. There are number of outdoor terraces, sitting places and a beautiful gift/memoir shop and ofcourse amazing art collections and exhibitions.
For more information, visit http://www.mia.org.qa/
The design of the building itself was designed by the famous architect, Mr. Pei, after taking his inspiration from visiting various islamic monuments in arab countries. I am always so taken away when entering this building with its glittering ambience and lighting. The building resides on Doha's famous corniche, emersed in water, with beautiful large glass windows that make you feel you standing on water. There are number of outdoor terraces, sitting places and a beautiful gift/memoir shop and ofcourse amazing art collections and exhibitions.
Ethiopian airline crashes
Possibly one of the saddest news this week has been the crash of a 737 jet operated by Ethiopian Airlines. Have a look at the news feed http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Ethiopian-Airliner-Crashes-into-Sea-After-Takeoff-from-Beirut-82569682.html
Best Airports in the world, 2009
Every year, sleepinginairports (http://www.sleepinginairports.net/bestof.htm) does a review of airports to determine the best and worse airports. Here are the chart toppers for 2009:
1. Singapore
2. Seoul Incheon
3 Hong Kong
4. Amstedam Schipol
I am really excited to see Dubai and Kuala Lumpur (KL) on the list. I love both these airports. They are, in my opinion, very beautifully designed and welcoming after a long flight. Dubai specifically has spent alot of money on the interior decor - I just love it.
There are adequate seats and shopping outlets as well as WIFI to keep you busy. In the only criticism for Dubai International, it would be nice to see them work on an internal transport system as the airport stretches out quiet far in length. It can take you anywhere between 15-30 minutes walking to get to the other end. I have seen little buggies riding around but in my opinion, far too few and seems more reserved for the elder generation.:)
There are adequate seats and shopping outlets as well as WIFI to keep you busy. In the only criticism for Dubai International, it would be nice to see them work on an internal transport system as the airport stretches out quiet far in length. It can take you anywhere between 15-30 minutes walking to get to the other end. I have seen little buggies riding around but in my opinion, far too few and seems more reserved for the elder generation.:)
KL on the other hand has an efficient transport relay system between the gates and the airport. All operated by a train system and even an external train system that takes you into the city (as an option, available on exit only ofcourse:)). Only criticism of this airport, is you have to becareful for cheats who try to taxi you or sell you cellphone cards at higher prices (at the airport itself). Other than that, loved it:)
Mental note: Visit Hong Kong and Singapore soon:)
I was rather delighted to see that even though Johannesburg International (OR Tambo) did not make the top 10, it certainly ranked up as No.1 best airport in Africa. Well done OR; it seems all the money going into the improvement of the airport for 2010 has paid off however I have to say OR still has a long way to go. Critically, getting off international carriers that are not South African Airways means you get off further away from passport control/exit and have to walk a marathon (with uphills even) which is a disaster. Airports are meant to be easily accessible - after a long trip you really tired and dont want to have to walk a far distance to get out of the airport. Again, like Dubai's departures, OR needs to look at more efficient transport logistics on its arrivals even though they have tried to accommodate with travelators (flat escalators). Commendably on my last two trips to SA, I noticed Passport control got a face lift and moved up a little closer however the walk between passport control and exit seemed to have grown...I hope by June 2010, we will see a difference. To its advantage however, it has really cool interior decorating...Take a look at these photos
Weekly Hadith
It's rather displeasing, and face reddenning, to read Islamic slander or come across blogs like this one: http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/?s=islam
I am always so attempted to reply but often don't because of this hadith:Narrated 'Aisha: A man asked permission to enter upon Allah's Apostle. The Prophet said, "Admit him. What an evil brother of his people or a son of his people." But when the man entered, the Prophet spoke to him in a very polite manner. (And when that person left) I said, "O Allah's Apostle! You had said what you had said, yet you spoke to him in a very polite manner?" The Prophet said, "O 'Aisha! The worst people are those whom the people desert or leave in order to save themselves from their dirty language or from their transgression." Muslim/Bukhari
I am always so attempted to reply but often don't because of this hadith:Narrated 'Aisha: A man asked permission to enter upon Allah's Apostle. The Prophet said, "Admit him. What an evil brother of his people or a son of his people." But when the man entered, the Prophet spoke to him in a very polite manner. (And when that person left) I said, "O Allah's Apostle! You had said what you had said, yet you spoke to him in a very polite manner?" The Prophet said, "O 'Aisha! The worst people are those whom the people desert or leave in order to save themselves from their dirty language or from their transgression." Muslim/Bukhari
15 foods you shoulds always have in your kitchen
According to Shape magazine, http://www.shapemag.co.za/, the following foods are healthy and filled with optimum nutrition and they wont break your budget
Yogurt
Keep your "good" digestive bacteria at a healthy level with yogurts containing live, active cultures.
Wild Salmon
It contains omega-3's, which help maintain heart health. Why go wild? Farm-raised salmon can be more prone to disease and may have been exposed to or treated with antibiotics.
Egg Whites
Even with yolks, eggs have just 293 to 334 kilojoules each—but that yellow center is high in cholesterol. Buy fresh eggs and then take out the yolks for a quick boost of protein in your breakfast.
Leafy Greens
Healthy greens like broccoli, cabbage and kale have optimum nutrition and are loaded with a plant chemical that may help lower your risk of cancer.Other dark, leafy greens, are loaded with iron and vitamin K.
Blueberries
There’s no way to talk about super diet foods without mentioning blueberries, which contain antioxidants and double as an anti-inflammatory. Aim for about half a cup a day.
Almonds
Not only do almonds help reduce bad cholesterol, they may help you lose weight—according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Black Beans
They're high in fiber (a major plus) and offer other optimum nutrition components, such as calcium, iron and folic acid. So toss them in an omelet or make a black bean soup.
Apples
Apples are packed with fiber and may help reduce your risk of heart disease. They also contain the mineral boron, which is good for bones.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lypotene, which may help prevent certain cancers. Studies have also shown that tomatoes can lower cholesterol, as well as reduce blood pressure and maintain healthy cellular growth (which is a fancy way of saying it can help you have healthier hair, nails and skin). Your best bet? Eat plenty of tomato sauce. You’ll be able to pack in more nutrients than by just downing slices alone.
Orange Juice
Orange juice contains heart healthy omega-3's, as well as potassium and—you guessed it—vitamin C.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have five times the "required" amount of beta carotene your body needs. So what does that mean? For one, healthier skin. Beta carotene can help prevent against sun damage. It may also boost your immune system, preventing you from getting sick from colds and other infections this winter.
Wheat Germ
Wheat germ contains magnesium, which helps keep your bones healthy in addition to reducing stress and maintaining healthy insulin levels. It also has iron, fiber, calcium, potassium and even zinc.
Pomegranate
This tangy fruit comes with a punch of antioxidants, including tannins and anthocyanins. It's a must-have addition for any heart healthy diet since it may help blood flow and reduce levels of bad cholesterol.
Hot Peppers
Chilies don't just spice up your favorite recipes—they’re also packed with vitamin C and may help reduce pain levels. They may also help you lose weight.
Oatmeal
Down a healthy dose of fiber for breakfast with a bowl of oatmeal, which may help reduce LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels, as well as provide nutrients, such as vitamin E, iron and magnesium.
Don't you just love Google Chrome
I have to say that I am very pleased with my move to Google chrome as a default web browser. The home page reveals the 8 most frequently used web pages - just a simple click gets you there so there is no need to toggle from "favourites" any longer. You also can customize with some really beautiful themes. Take a look at mines - I think its just awesome. Give it a try, if you haven't already.
Children are just beautiful
Weekly Hadith
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so”, but say: “Allah did that what He had ordained to do” for your "if" opens the (gate) for the Satan.
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet never criticized any food (presented him), but he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise, he would leave it (without expressing his dislike).
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "You will meet Allah barefooted, naked, walking on feet, and uncircumcised."
Bukhari/Muslim
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet never criticized any food (presented him), but he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise, he would leave it (without expressing his dislike).
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "You will meet Allah barefooted, naked, walking on feet, and uncircumcised."
Bukhari/Muslim
2010 World cup - Safety assurance
As a south african expat one of the common questions I am hearing this year, is, how safe is South Africa going to be during the world cup...Well here is what the South African Government has to say
Safety and Security The Government's Promise (http://www.sa2010.gov.za/safety-and-security)
The Government has assured the millions of fans who will be coming to watch the 2010 World Cup that they will be safe in South Africa. There are a number of prongs to South Africa’s safety and security plan:
• South Africa will be working closely with international agencies to gather intelligence
• there will be a focus on border security at ports of entry – including South Africa’s land, sea and air borders
• route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, will be a priority
• police are to divide the host cities into sections, with teams patrolling sections and focusing on FIFA headquarters, hotels, other accommodation establishments, the stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues
• state-of-the-art information and communication military technology will be used as well as a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters
• a dedicated force of 41 000 officers will be deployed.
Some R665-million will be spent on procuring special equipment, including crowd-control equipment, crime scene trainers, unmanned aircraft, helicopters,
10 water cannons, 100 BMWs for highway patrol and up-to-date body armour. About 300 mobile cameras will also be used. These investments will continue to assist the police in their crime-fighting initiatives long after the World Cup is over.
South Africa will have dedicated 2010 police stations within close proximity to each of the stadiums, as well as dedicated crime-investigation teams and special courts to investigate and deal with all event-related crimes 24/7.
A 24-hour multilingual hotline will assist visitors requiring police or medical services. Border security and sea and air security strategies are in place.
South Africa's track record in managing high-level events speaks for itself. The country has hosted several global gatherings, such as:
• South Africa will be working closely with international agencies to gather intelligence
• there will be a focus on border security at ports of entry – including South Africa’s land, sea and air borders
• route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, will be a priority
• police are to divide the host cities into sections, with teams patrolling sections and focusing on FIFA headquarters, hotels, other accommodation establishments, the stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues
• state-of-the-art information and communication military technology will be used as well as a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters
• a dedicated force of 41 000 officers will be deployed.
Some R665-million will be spent on procuring special equipment, including crowd-control equipment, crime scene trainers, unmanned aircraft, helicopters,
10 water cannons, 100 BMWs for highway patrol and up-to-date body armour. About 300 mobile cameras will also be used. These investments will continue to assist the police in their crime-fighting initiatives long after the World Cup is over.
South Africa will have dedicated 2010 police stations within close proximity to each of the stadiums, as well as dedicated crime-investigation teams and special courts to investigate and deal with all event-related crimes 24/7.
A 24-hour multilingual hotline will assist visitors requiring police or medical services. Border security and sea and air security strategies are in place.
South Africa's track record in managing high-level events speaks for itself. The country has hosted several global gatherings, such as:
- World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002
- Non-Aligned Movement summit in 1998
- Rugby World Cup in 1995
- African Cup of Nations in 1996
- All Africa Games in 1999
- Cricket World Cup in 2003
2 new Iphone apps I love!!!!
(1) Wired Product Reviews (from the App store)
Wired's Product Reviews app for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch delivers daily reviews of the latest consumer electronics, gadgets, cars, gaming gear and more. Each hands-on review includes detailed product information, key specs and Wired's rating -- all with top-quality photos.
Price: Free
Search for Wired product review in the app store and you'll find it.
(2) Wink I from shutterfly (from the App store)
Thanks to Shutterfly’s new Wink service, you can get your photos delivered anywhere in the world without leaving the comfort of your own iPhone. The iPhone app takes pics from your camera roll, your Facebook account or even your Flickr stream, prints them on proper photo paper and posts them to the address of your choice. Best of all is the format, which is a long thin (2 x 6″) strip just like those that plop out of the slot on photo-booths. Best of all you will get one free strip as a tryout.
Price: Free
Search for Wink in the app store and you will find it
Wired's Product Reviews app for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch delivers daily reviews of the latest consumer electronics, gadgets, cars, gaming gear and more. Each hands-on review includes detailed product information, key specs and Wired's rating -- all with top-quality photos.
Price: Free
Search for Wired product review in the app store and you'll find it.
(2) Wink I from shutterfly (from the App store)
Thanks to Shutterfly’s new Wink service, you can get your photos delivered anywhere in the world without leaving the comfort of your own iPhone. The iPhone app takes pics from your camera roll, your Facebook account or even your Flickr stream, prints them on proper photo paper and posts them to the address of your choice. Best of all is the format, which is a long thin (2 x 6″) strip just like those that plop out of the slot on photo-booths. Best of all you will get one free strip as a tryout.
Price: Free
Search for Wink in the app store and you will find it
Hot Iphone apps
Pulse Apps - Amazon shopping app
If you love shopping online especially at Amazon - try this nifty app that has "Amazon Remembers" feature which allows you to take a photo of an item with the Iphone camera, upload it to http://www.amazon.co.uk/ to search for similar products matching your picture. How cool is that.
Price: Free
Home Apps - Remote (App name: "Remote")
Turning your iPhone into your very own iTunes remote you deftly navigate through the music on your computer or flick through the channels on your Apple TV. Swish.
Price: Free
Reference: http://www.t3.com/
If you love shopping online especially at Amazon - try this nifty app that has "Amazon Remembers" feature which allows you to take a photo of an item with the Iphone camera, upload it to http://www.amazon.co.uk/ to search for similar products matching your picture. How cool is that.
Price: Free
Home Apps - Remote (App name: "Remote")
Turning your iPhone into your very own iTunes remote you deftly navigate through the music on your computer or flick through the channels on your Apple TV. Swish.
Price: Free
Reference: http://www.t3.com/
Iphone Wallpapers
Here is a link to some really cool Iphone wallpapers
http://www.alliphonewallpapers.com/
Quick tip: After you save the wallpaper to your desktop, edit in paint and add texts of your fancy. Store it into the IPhone photo folder. Once it is updated on your photo library, you can select for use as wallpaper. Take a look at mines...cool hey!
http://www.alliphonewallpapers.com/
Quick tip: After you save the wallpaper to your desktop, edit in paint and add texts of your fancy. Store it into the IPhone photo folder. Once it is updated on your photo library, you can select for use as wallpaper. Take a look at mines...cool hey!
Message me if you having any questions on setting wallpapers.
A brave muslim indeed.
Reported by http://www.gulf-times.com/
Murder bid charge for cartoonist attacker
Danish police yesterday charged a Somali man with the attempted murder of a cartoonist whose caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sparked protests around the world.The axe-wielding 28-year-old broke into Kurt Westergaard’s home late Friday, screaming for “revenge” and “blood.” The cartoonist hid in a panic room with a five-year-old granddaughter and called the police.Police said he threw the axe at one officer who arrived on the scene, just missing him, then attacked with a knife before they shot him in the arm and thigh.He was stretchered into court at Aarhus, northwest Denmark, yesterday wearing a hospital gown and covered with blankets, the Ritzau agency reported.He had one arm bandaged, a leg in a splint and a towel over his face to avoid identification, media reports said, while describing him as bearded with a shaved head.Charged with double attempted murder, he was remanded in custody for four weeks, the first two of them in solitary confinement, said a court spokesman.Although the accused has not been named, Danish intelligence officers say he lived near the capital Copenhagen and had been linked both to Somalia’s radical Shebab Islamic movement and the leaders of Al Qaeda in east Africa.“He is also suspected of being implicated in terrorist activities when he was in east Africa,” the statement added.“The individual arrested has also been a member of a terrorist network implanted in Denmark that has been under surveillance by PET for a long time.”Somalia’s radical Islamic Shebab group hailed the attack.“We appreciate the incident in which a Muslim Somali boy attacked the devil who abused our Prophet Muhammad and we call upon all Muslims around the world to target people like (him),” spokesman Sheikh Ali Muhamud Rage said. AFP
http://bibelen.blogspot.com/2005/12/drawings-of-mohammed.html
Murder bid charge for cartoonist attacker
Danish police yesterday charged a Somali man with the attempted murder of a cartoonist whose caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sparked protests around the world.The axe-wielding 28-year-old broke into Kurt Westergaard’s home late Friday, screaming for “revenge” and “blood.” The cartoonist hid in a panic room with a five-year-old granddaughter and called the police.Police said he threw the axe at one officer who arrived on the scene, just missing him, then attacked with a knife before they shot him in the arm and thigh.He was stretchered into court at Aarhus, northwest Denmark, yesterday wearing a hospital gown and covered with blankets, the Ritzau agency reported.He had one arm bandaged, a leg in a splint and a towel over his face to avoid identification, media reports said, while describing him as bearded with a shaved head.Charged with double attempted murder, he was remanded in custody for four weeks, the first two of them in solitary confinement, said a court spokesman.Although the accused has not been named, Danish intelligence officers say he lived near the capital Copenhagen and had been linked both to Somalia’s radical Shebab Islamic movement and the leaders of Al Qaeda in east Africa.“He is also suspected of being implicated in terrorist activities when he was in east Africa,” the statement added.“The individual arrested has also been a member of a terrorist network implanted in Denmark that has been under surveillance by PET for a long time.”Somalia’s radical Islamic Shebab group hailed the attack.“We appreciate the incident in which a Muslim Somali boy attacked the devil who abused our Prophet Muhammad and we call upon all Muslims around the world to target people like (him),” spokesman Sheikh Ali Muhamud Rage said. AFP
http://bibelen.blogspot.com/2005/12/drawings-of-mohammed.html
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