Category: Religion

Religion

East and West

segovius

Hi everyone, this is my first post as a contributor to Islamicate so I’d like to thank Hussein for so kindly inviting me to be a contributor. I think that Islamicate is part of a wider and essential movement which is small but growing and which focuses on the common ground that we all share as opposed to the differences. We all have points of divergence, even within our own communities, even in our personal relationships, it’s the way it is and I have never seen much point in dwelling on these. It is far more useful and harmonious (and…

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Religion Weblogs

Welcoming Segovius

islamoyankee

In my Blog Day entry I mentioned a blog by the name of Anulios. The author of that blog, Segovius, started a weekly series on Mushkil Gusha, a figure I have a particular affinity towards. So, I asked him if he’d be willing to cross-post here and be a contributor. He said yes, so keep an eye out for his pieces. Technorati Tags: Mushkil Gusha, Shi’ism

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Books Inter-faith Intra-faith Religion

Reading the Qur’an – part 1 – Interpretation

islamoyankee

The Qur’an (also Quran, Koran) is the Muslim holy book, believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – through the angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) – over the span of 23 years. The Arabic language of the time was a nascent language of literature, used mostly as a mnemonic guide in its written form; because of the close association of Semitic Languages (including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac) the turn of Arabic into a literary language was not unprecedented. The script did not (and still does not) mark short vowels, punctuation, differentiate amongst different letters, and depending on the scribe,…

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Current Affairs Inter-faith Intra-faith Religion

Out of Context

islamoyankee

One of the things that happens after a terrorist bombing committed by those who claim to be Muslim is that Islamophobes start quoting the Qur’an out of context saying that Islam is a violent religion dedicated to taking over the world and enslaving everyone else (yes, it is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion revisited). I’m waiting for the day when some Islamophobe says the proof that Islam is Judeophobic is that Muslims revere a prophet named Isa who entered a synagogue and flipped over tables and drove people out claiming that they were practicing a false religion. It…

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Current Affairs Religion

Muslim condemnations of London bombing… [updated]

islamoyankee

I had hoped to create a list of Muslim organizations and individuals condemning the London bombing, because every time something like this happens, there are voices that say violence is an intrinsic part of the Islamic tradition, and claim that because no Muslims have denounced the violence, it must be true. However, Muslims are constantly denouncing violence, but we are speaking from soap boxes. The fringe of humanity (these terrorists are the fringe of humanity, not just Islam) will always be louder. While gathering my material, several other sites have compiled these condemnations, including non-English material. I am linking to…

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Current Affairs Religion Science

The world was created by magic

islamoyankee

I was intrigued by this article in CNN on the Kansas Board of Education. It seems that the faulty logic that ID people are trying to put forward actually puts them at a disadvantage in terms of curriculum design. If their wording goes through, it should be fine to suggest that a grand wizard (not the KKK kind, but the Gandalf kind) brought the world into existence. We are, in fact, nothing more than a magic school exercise. Or, how about that life on Earth is not unique, but we were seeded here by aliens to see how we would…

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Inter-faith Intra-faith Religion

Faith [updated]

islamoyankee

Please answer the questions yourself, here, at American Street, or on your own blog. From American Street: Are you a religioius/ spiritual person? Were you born into your faith or did you come to it later? Was there a particular event in your life that changed your religious/ spiritual philososphy? Do you share your faith with others? 1. I am deeply religious. I would like to think that also means I am spiritual, but I know the two are not linked causally. Nor does saying something necessarily make it true. There is deity but God, Muhammad is the messenger of…

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Intra-faith Music Religion

On the AKAA

islamoyankee

The AKAA (Aga Khan Award for Architecture) has received a lot of press that I’m just beginning to compile here. Also checkout the book for this year’s cycle. Celebrating Beauty Visionary Design Award Giver gets his due Houston Chronicle (favorite line: “even Muslims have to pee”) While not properly about the award, here’s some information about the Central Asian Music Initiative also supported by His Highness.

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