Thursday, September 12, 2013

Fashion Icon: Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned (Qatar)

Quran Verse of the Day

from An Nisa 4:13-18

Whoso obeyeth Allah and His messenger, He will make him enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow, where such will dwell for ever. That will be the great success. (13) And whoso disobeyeth Allah and His messenger and transgresseth His limits, He will make him enter Fire, where he will dwell for ever; his will be a shameful doom. (14) As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until death take them or (until) Allah appoint for them a way (through new legislation). (15) And as for the two of you who are guilty thereof, punish them both. And if they repent and improve, then let them be. Lo! Allah is ever relenting, Merciful. (16) Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah towards those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise. (17) The forgiveness is not for those who do ill-deeds until, when death attendeth upon one of them, he saith: Lo! I repent now; nor yet for those who die while they are disbelievers. For such We have prepared a painful doom. (18)

Albinos in Africa

Albinism is a disorder that causes a lack of pigment in skin, eyes, and hair.  It is inherited and albinos are affected with vision problems and are more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers.  Imagine how difficult it must be for African albinos since Africa is typically characterized by high temperatures and deserts.  People of African origin typically also do not wear sunscreen or believe that they will not experience sunburn.  I am guessing that this belief also extends to the African continent and other places where people have dark skin which means that albinos do not always have access to much needed sun protection.  There is an exception to this, of course.  Women who are concerned with preserving the youth of their skin or who want to stay fair have caught on to the benefits of wearing sunscreen, especially on the face.  Beautification and sunscreen aside, people of all ethnicities are affected by Albinism but, the disorder is most prevalent in Sub Saharan Africans.  In general people of Sub Saharan descent are known to have dark skin, eyes, and hair hence the terms "black" and "Negro."  One can imagination the feeling of being different or ostracized when you look entirely different from most of the people in your society.  For instance think how a black person may feel if they were in a homogenous Asian society.  Unfortunately, this is not the only problem that albinos in Africa face.  In some East African countries there are witchcraft related killings of albinos who are believed by some to have magical powers.  The body parts of many albinos, including children are sold for thousands of dollars in some instances.  Some sick men even believe that sex with an albino woman can cure HIV or AIDS.  Horrific crimes are taking place and innocent people are losing their lives because of ignorance.  Countries need to put in place laws to help protect their citizens and criminals should be given harsher punishments.  These people have no way of really blending into society.  Some may dye their hair dark but they can not get a spray tan or color contacts to completely change their look.  Think of how women in some societies long to look as white skinned and blonde as possible.  Would they trade places with an albino woman?

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Quran Verse of the Day

 
from An Nisa  4:3-5

...marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice. (3) And give unto the women (whom ye marry) free gift of their marriage portions; but if they of their own accord remit unto you a part thereof, then ye are welcome to absorb it (in your wealth). (4) Give not unto the foolish (what is in) your (keeping of their) wealth, which Allah hath given you to maintain; but feed and clothe them from it, and speak kindly unto them. (5)