Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religious. Show all posts

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Ramadan 2011 Images From Around The World

Yeah, I know that Ramadhan is over for almost 4 months. But this post is too good to be left in my draft section. I drafted this post at the end of Ramadhan 2011 and then got forgotten by day-to-day activities. Nevermind, better late than never...

Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began earlier this month with the sighting of the new moon. Throughout this ninth month on the Islamic calendar, devout Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sex from dawn until sunset.

The fast, one of the five pillars of Islam, is seen as a time for spiritual reflection, prayers, and charity. After sunset, Muslims traditionally break the fast by eating three dates, performing the Maghrib prayer, and sitting down to Iftar, the main evening meal, where communities and families gather together. 

Collected below are images of Muslims around the world observing Ramadan 2011.

Palestinian women stand in front of a window decoration of Islam's crescent moon and star on the eve of Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan in the West Bank city of Jenin, on July 31, 2011. (Saif Dahlah/AFP/Getty Images) 

In Miami, Florida, Muslims pray together on the evening of the first day of Ramadan at the Islamic Center of Greater Miami, on August 1, 2011. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)  

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The Largest Al Quran In The World

The Qolşärif Mosque (Kul-Sharif Mosque) located in Kazan Kremlin, was reputed to be, at the time of its construction, the largest mosque in Russia, and in Europe outside of Istanbul. Now they exhibit the largest Quran in the world there. 

The Quran al-Karim is largest Quran in the world made in Italy by the company ‘Reverra Ltd’ (2011). The weight of 800 kg, measurements 2 m x 1.5 m x 25 cm. It consists of 632 pages which have a weight of 250 g per page.

The cover is in-crusted with gold leaf, silver, malachite, jasper, turquoise, topaz, gold stone, etc. In May, they plan to transfer the Quran to the ancient city of Bolgar, Tatarstan, the place where Volga Bulgaria officially accepted Islam as a state religion 922.

I not really understand the need to create the largest Al Quran. What Muslim around the world need is to understand the meaning inside the Quran and practice it. Built the biggest Quran for just displaying purpose is not correct in my perspective.

Take a look! 



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Monday, December 5, 2011

Day Of Ashura - The 10th Day Of Muharram

Ashura, meaning tenth in Arabic. Ashura is a religious observance marked every year by Muslims, on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Ashura is an ancient observance that is now recognized for different reasons and in different ways among Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims. Below is a little explanation on Sunni and Shi'a.

Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims are referred to in Arabic as ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah wa āl-Ǧamāʿah (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة‎, "people of the tradition [of Muhammad] and the community") or ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah (Arabic: أهل السنة‎) for short; in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis or Sunnites. 
Shia Islam (Arabic: شيعة‎, Shīʿah) is the second largest denomination of Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites or Shias. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī (شيعة علي), meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "party of Ali".

Ashura Day Celebration For Sunni Islam

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, local Jews observed a day of fasting at this time, their Day of Atonement. The Prophet Muhammad learned of this tradition, and stated that the Muslims should also fast. He himself fasted for 2 days, and recommended that others do so as well. This fast is not required, simply recommended.

Ashura Day Celebration For Shi'a Islam

In the year 680 A.D., an event happened that was a turning point for what was to become the Shi'a Muslim 
community. Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was brutally murdered during a battle against the ruling Caliph, on the 10th day of Muharram (Ashura). This took place in Karbala (modern-day Iraq), which is now an important pilgrimage site for Shi'a Muslims.

Shi'a Muslims observe the day in mourning for Hussein and in remembrance of his martyrdom. Reenactments and plays are performed, attempting to relive the tragedy and keep the lessons of this event alive. Some Shi'a Muslims beat and flog themselves in parades on this day, to express their grief and to reenact the pain that Hussein suffered.

Collection of images of very devout Shi'a cut and whip themselves into a bloody froth in observance. Here are photos of Ashura from Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.

I might not really understand the important of why these people self cutting and whipping their body into bloody bath but, I really cannot find any different with Thaipusam where people also piecing themself in the sense of devotion. I'll do more research...

WARNING: GRAPHIC DISTURBING IMAGE

(Reuters / Babu)

(AP / K.M. Chaudary)

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