Teaching in Kenya
Good story on sustainable development in Kenya, done by a Muslim aid agency. Pay particular attention the idea of the madrasah, as opposed to the hot-bed of Islamic radicalism. Technorati Tags: AKDN, Kenya
Year: 2006
Reading Iran
Via MoorishGirl (have you bought her book yet?) I found this wonderful list from Azar Nafisi (of Reading Lolita in Tehran fame) on books on Iran. Her list: (asterisks are ones I’ve read) Encyclopedia Iranica (*as much as one reads an encyclopedia) The Blindfold Horse: Memories of a Persian Childhood Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope www.TehranAvenue.com www.fis-iran.org www.abfiran.org My Uncle Napoleon (*I just saw the new edition of the English translation. I’ve read the original Persian, and it’s a hoot.) Persepolis [vol. 1 and vol. 2] (*love it) Strange Times My Dear The Secret of Laughter Rubaiyat…
Mosque in the West Symposium
Technorati Tags: Islam in the West, Islamic Architecture, AKPIA
Unicycle Updates – A Marathon on a Unicycle
Of Joggling 26.2 Miles & Afghanistan — an invitation for support! THIS SUNDAY (April 16): National Public Radio (NPR) All Things Considered — interview slated for 5 pm show. Boston Globe Toronto Star —- The results… a new US and world record* for joggling! I finished in 2:58:23, about 911th place in a field of 20,000, and breaking my previous world record by 8:42. Michal Kapral, national joggling champion of Canada, came in 3:06:45, which broke my Philadelphia marathon record time by 20 seconds. We hung together until the 17 mile mark and then I picked it up for the…
Poem for Milad un-Nabi
The Prophet’s Legacy Listen, O brothers! In the ocean of faith, the Qur’an is the most precious pearl of Muhammad. Just as every king keeps his treasure concealed, the Qur’an is the hidden treasure of Muhammad. Observer well, who do you see as the custodian of this treasure and the trustee of Muhammad? Just as you leave your treasure to your children, there is a legacy for the children of Muhammad. Do you not see that the pearls of faith cannot come from anyone except the children of Muhammad? This treasure was entrusted to one person only, worthy of being…
Watch the kids, but then get out.
I admit that I have not been following the immigration debate as closely as I should have. The issue seems to be a watershed event and raised the spector of a new political force, even though the majority of the people interested in this issue cannot as yet vote. This country was founded by immigrants and has become wealthy on the back of immigrants. I am not sure how much of the debate is centered on economic and social issues and how much is plain xenophobia. Certainly since 9/11 the lens by which view immigration has changed. Is this the…
Unicycle Afghanistan
Several older articles. Good to read. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=510195 http://www.partypics.com/ver2/EventImages.aspx?eventid=130490&bib=2757 http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2005/12.08/17-circus.html Technorati Tags: Afghanistan, Unicycles
Islamic Architecture
Ghost Dog is having problems posting, so I’m posting on his behalf. As an architect who is also a regular at conferences and symposiums, I usually have someone ask me if I do ‘Islamic architecture“. While I understand what they mean, I do not understand the term ”Islamic architecture“. Here are some interesting discussions which took place on ArchNet regarding ”Islamic architecture“ What is Islamic architecture? Why do we say ”Islamic“ architecture? Why Islamic architecture? ”Islamic“ architecture Yesterday while browsing the Internet, as I am apt to do when sleep is elusive, I came across an article that articulates the…