Saturday, February 28, 2009
Maulana Jami's beautiful poem in praise of the Chosen One
May Allah's blessings & peace be upon him.
Friday, February 27, 2009
From the Gaurdian: Toilet rolls causing environmental devastation
The Problem and the Solution
American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers': by Suzanne Goldenberg - US environment correspondent
guardian.co.uk
Extra-soft, quilted and multi-ply toilet roll made from virgin forest causes more damage than gas-guzzlers, fast food or McMansions, say campaigners
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The tenderness of the delicate American buttock is causing more environmental devastation than the country's love of gas-guzzling cars, fast food or McMansions, according to green campaigners. At fault, they say, is the US public's insistence on extra-soft, quilted and multi-ply products when they use the bathroom.
"This is a product that we use for less than three seconds and the ecological consequences of manufacturing it from trees is enormous," said Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defence Council.
"Future generations are going to look at the way we make toilet paper as one of the greatest excesses of our age. Making toilet paper from virgin wood is a lot worse than driving Hummers in terms of global warming pollution." Making toilet paper has a significant impact because of chemicals used in pulp manufacture and cutting down forests.
A campaign by Greenpeace seeks to raise consciousness among Americans about the environmental costs of their toilet habits and counter an aggressive new push by the paper industry giants to market so-called luxury brands.
More than 98% of the toilet roll sold in America comes from virgin forests, said Hershkowitz. In Europe and Latin America, up to 40% of toilet paper comes from recycled products. Greenpeace this week launched a cut-out-and-keep ecological ranking of toilet paper products.
"We have this myth in the US that recycled is just so low quality, it's like cardboard and is impossible to use," said Lindsey Allen, the forestry campaigner of Greenpeace.
The campaigning group says it produced the guide to counter an aggressive marketing push by the big paper product makers in which celebrities talk about the comforts of luxury brands of toilet paper and tissue.
Those brands, which put quilting and pockets of air between several layers of paper, are especially damaging to the environment.
Paper manufacturers such as Kimberly-Clark have identified luxury brands such as three-ply tissues or tissues infused with hand lotion as the fastest-growing market share in a highly competitive industry. Its latest television advertisements show a woman caressing tissue infused with hand lotion.
The New York Times reported a 40% rise in sales of luxury brands of toilet paper in 2008. Paper companies are anxious to keep those percentages up, even as the recession bites. And Reuters reported that Kimberly-Clark spent $25m in its third quarter on advertising to persuade Americans against trusting their bottoms to cheaper brands.
But Kimberly-Clark, which touts its green credentials on its website, rejects the idea that it is pushing destructive products on an unwitting American public.
Dave Dixon, a company spokesman, said toilet paper and tissue from recycled fibre had been on the market for years. If Americans wanted to buy them, they could.
"For bath tissue Americans in particular like the softness and strength that virgin fibres provides," Dixon said. "It's the quality and softness the consumers in America have come to expect."
Longer fibres in virgin wood are easier to lay out and fluff up for a softer tissue. Dixon said the company used products from sustainbly farmed forests in Canada.
Americans already consume vastly more paper than any other country — about three times more per person than the average European, and 100 times more than the average person in China.
Barely a third of the paper products sold in America are from recycled sources — most of it comes from virgin forests.
"I really do think it is overwhelmingly an American phenomenom," said Hershkowitz. "People just don't understand that softness equals ecological destruction."
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Here's hoping the East sticks with the lota
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Rabi ul awwal mubarak to all!
the classic! May Allah bless us all with love of the Prophet PBUH this month!
Mulla Omar orders halt to attacks on Pak troops
Mulla Omar orders halt to attacks on Pak troops
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
By Mazhar Tufail
ISLAMABAD: The militants active in North and South Waziristan agencies have been directed by Mulla Omar to immediately stop their attacks on the Pakistani security forces.
In a letter to the militants, who have forged a new alliance, Mulla Omar admonished them not to fight the Pakistani security forces and kill their Muslim brethren, a reliable source told The News on Monday.
“Mulla Omar first sent an envoy to the local Taliban and then wrote a letter to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) admonishing these leaders and told the TTP that fighting Muslims could not be described as Jihad so they should immediately cease attacks on the Pakistani security forces.
He told them that if they really want to participate in Jihad, they must fight the US and Nato troops inside Afghanistan because their attacks on the Pakistani security forces are undermining the objectives of the war against the invaders and cause of the Taliban movement.
“If anybody really wants to wage Jihad, he must fight the occupation forces inside Afghanistan,” the source quoted Mulla Omar as having told the TTP leaders. “Attacks on the Pakistani security forces and killing of fellow Muslims by the militants in the tribal areas and elsewhere in Pakistan is bringing a bad name to Mujahideen and harming the war against the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.”
“Our aim is to liberate Afghanistan from the occupation forces and death and destruction inside neighbouring Pakistan has never been our goal,” he added. The source said according to Mulla Omar, the US was devising a new strategy and adopting new tactics to crush Mujahideen in Afghanistan so the Taliban, too, must forge unity in their ranks, and instead of operating in Pakistan, they must concentrate on actions against the US and Nato forces.
He said the new alliance has been directed by Mulla Omar to devise a new strategy to counter the invaders because the reinforcement of the US forces in Afghanistan is food for thought for all the forces fighting the occupation forces in the war-ravaged country.
“The formation of a new alliance of militants by the name of Shura Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen is aimed at implementing the advice given by Mullah Omar,” the source said. “After this development, the attacks on security forces by the local Taliban will decrease if not end completely,” he said.
This correspondent tried to seek comments from some government officials and leaders of the ruling parties, including the Awami National Party and the Pakistan People’s Party, but they refused to say anything on record.
However, one of the officials contacted by The News feared that if the newly found alliance of the militants stepped up their attacks on the coalition troops inside Afghanistan, it would create many problems for Pakistan and Islamabad would face its consequences.
According to an announcement made on Sunday, the new alliance comprises groups led by central head of the banned TTP, Baitullah Mehsud, and Maulvi Nazir of South Waziristan and Hafiz Gul Bahadar of North Waziristan, two militant commanders who were considered to be pro-government. A 13-member body has also been named to run the affairs of the new alliance.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
By Mazhar Tufail
ISLAMABAD: The militants active in North and South Waziristan agencies have been directed by Mulla Omar to immediately stop their attacks on the Pakistani security forces.
In a letter to the militants, who have forged a new alliance, Mulla Omar admonished them not to fight the Pakistani security forces and kill their Muslim brethren, a reliable source told The News on Monday.
“Mulla Omar first sent an envoy to the local Taliban and then wrote a letter to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) admonishing these leaders and told the TTP that fighting Muslims could not be described as Jihad so they should immediately cease attacks on the Pakistani security forces.
He told them that if they really want to participate in Jihad, they must fight the US and Nato troops inside Afghanistan because their attacks on the Pakistani security forces are undermining the objectives of the war against the invaders and cause of the Taliban movement.
“If anybody really wants to wage Jihad, he must fight the occupation forces inside Afghanistan,” the source quoted Mulla Omar as having told the TTP leaders. “Attacks on the Pakistani security forces and killing of fellow Muslims by the militants in the tribal areas and elsewhere in Pakistan is bringing a bad name to Mujahideen and harming the war against the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.”
“Our aim is to liberate Afghanistan from the occupation forces and death and destruction inside neighbouring Pakistan has never been our goal,” he added. The source said according to Mulla Omar, the US was devising a new strategy and adopting new tactics to crush Mujahideen in Afghanistan so the Taliban, too, must forge unity in their ranks, and instead of operating in Pakistan, they must concentrate on actions against the US and Nato forces.
He said the new alliance has been directed by Mulla Omar to devise a new strategy to counter the invaders because the reinforcement of the US forces in Afghanistan is food for thought for all the forces fighting the occupation forces in the war-ravaged country.
“The formation of a new alliance of militants by the name of Shura Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen is aimed at implementing the advice given by Mullah Omar,” the source said. “After this development, the attacks on security forces by the local Taliban will decrease if not end completely,” he said.
This correspondent tried to seek comments from some government officials and leaders of the ruling parties, including the Awami National Party and the Pakistan People’s Party, but they refused to say anything on record.
However, one of the officials contacted by The News feared that if the newly found alliance of the militants stepped up their attacks on the coalition troops inside Afghanistan, it would create many problems for Pakistan and Islamabad would face its consequences.
According to an announcement made on Sunday, the new alliance comprises groups led by central head of the banned TTP, Baitullah Mehsud, and Maulvi Nazir of South Waziristan and Hafiz Gul Bahadar of North Waziristan, two militant commanders who were considered to be pro-government. A 13-member body has also been named to run the affairs of the new alliance.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
sad news
from God we come and unto Him is our return.
Hazrat Pir Naseer Sahab passed away 13 February 2009. rehmatullah aleh Also read this brief but moving post by our dear Sufi brother chaiwala.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Where to look
The saints advise us to look to the positive, instead of running around trying to refute the arguments of ignorance and negativity.
As the Qur'an tells us, we only have one heart in our breast- turn it to the Light, and as our own lamps are lit, darkness will vanish by itself, inshaAllah.
This wisdom is echoed in other spiritual traditions.
As the Qur'an tells us, we only have one heart in our breast- turn it to the Light, and as our own lamps are lit, darkness will vanish by itself, inshaAllah.
This wisdom is echoed in other spiritual traditions.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Important Muslim thinkers of the century
Ok, so I don't yet have a picture of Hazrat Shah Shahidullah Faridi. Also EF Schumacher wasn't a Muslim- at least not in the conventional sense of the word.
Pictured:
1. Hazrat Wahid Bakhsh Rabbani
2. Dr. Muzaffar Iqbal
3. Babajan Ubaidullah Durrani
4. EF "Fritz" Schumacher
5. Prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr
6. Dr. Martin Lings
Friday, February 6, 2009
Beware of wikipedia
Beware of wikipedia, esp. on subjects related to Faith: it usually contains the uniformed ramblings of biased people, mostly the faithless. The information on Sufism is self-contradictory and of no use to anyone, written by people with only determination and an ability to cross-reference. Which has no relation to insight or profundity of thought.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Chittick on Scientism
William Chittick. [a useful talk here with Shaykh Kabir Helminski]
excerpted from God, Life and the Cosmos, a most excellent book co- edited by Ted Peters, Dr. Muzaffar Iqbal & Prof. Dr. S. Noman ul Haq.
This is a ground-breaking book, I shall be quoting more excerpts from it in the future, inshaAllah.
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"...contemporary scientism- by which I mean the belief that science has the same sort of unique reliability that was once reserved for revealed truth. Scientism gives absolute importance to scientific theories and relativizes all other approaches to knowledge if it considers them legitimate...
Given that scientism- belief in the unique reliability of scientific, empirical knowledge-infuses modern culture, it is difficult for moderns to remember that the whole scientific edifice is built on transmitted learning. Despite all the talk of "empirical verification" of scientific findings, this verification depends on assumptions about the nature of reality that cannot be verified by empirical methods." [my emphasis]
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[cyclewala adds: Occam's razor is one such assumption. Most people with faith in science do not realize this truth:- that such fundamental assumptions are merely preferences of thought. We cannot show any "proof" for them, at best one can say that Occam's razor etc. "seem reasonable" or else is "common sense."
However, students of philosophy know well what this means. Yet it seems the world's philosophers, save Feyerabend, Nasr and a few brave souls, are collectively holding their breath, afraid to lose their tenures if they do criticize the weakness in the scientific method, and expose it's "objectivity."
Perhaps because the entire edifice of modern civilization is built on the notions of science as the Messiah leading us out of the Dark Ages of Faith. There is too much emotional investment in this myth, and the practical results in terms of power and technology are also most useful, so it is perpetuated.
To admit otherwise, the Great Struggle since Galileo, will be exposed as a dead-send myth. Not just built on a method falsely claiming objectivity, but also in terms of results of this method: for the 500 years science took to find the "answer" to the mystery of life -carbon, hydrogen, oxygen- is after all of no use to the world either.
Our planet stands near destroyed, and what do we have to show for it? The moon-walk and the A-bomb.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Other Uses of Date Palms
Date palm-leaf basket from Pakistan, photo by W P Armstrong
Zikr/Dhikr beads/tasbeeh/misbaha/rosary photo by Amjad Tarsin
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From Wikipedia:
"Date seeds are soaked and ground up for animal feed. Their oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics. They can also be processed chemically as a source of oxalic acid. The seeds are also burned to make charcoal for silversmiths, and can be strung in necklaces. Date seeds are also ground and used in the manner of coffee beans, or as an additive to coffee.
Stripped fruit clusters are used as brooms. In Pakistan, a viscous, thick syrup made from the ripe fruits is used as a coating for leather bags and pipes to prevent leaking.
Date palm sap is used to make palm syrup and numerous edible products derived from the syrup.
Date palm leaves are used for Palm Sunday in Christian religion. In North Africa, they are commonly used for making huts. Mature leaves are also made into mats, screens, baskets and fans. Processed leaves can be used for insulating board. Dried leaf petioles are a source of cellulose pulp, used for walking sticks, brooms, fishing floats and fuel. Leaf sheaths are prized for their scent, and fibre from them is also used for rope, coarse cloth, and large hats. The leaves are also used as a lulav in the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Date palm wood is used for posts and rafters for huts; it is lighter than coconut and not very durable. It is also used for construction such as bridges and aqueducts, and parts of dhows. Leftover wood is burnt for fuel.
Where craft traditions still thrive, such as in Oman, the palm tree is the most versatile of all indigeneous plants, and virtually every part of the tree is utilized to make functional items ranging from rope and baskets to beehives, fishing boats, and traditional dwellings.[citation needed]
Traditional medicinal uses
Dates have a high tannin content and are used medicinally as a detersive (having cleansing power) and astringent in intestinal troubles. As an infusion, decoction, syrup, or paste, dates may be administered for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh, and taken to relieve fever and number of other complaints. One traditional belief is that it can counteract alcohol intoxication. The seed powder is also used in some traditional medicines.
A gum that exudes from the wounded trunk is employed in India for treating diarrhea and genito-urinary ailments. The roots are used against toothache. The pollen yields an estrogenic principle, estrone, and has a gonadotropic effect on young rats."
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Cyclewala adds: actually the most common medicinal use in Pakistan is as a tonic, esp. for women close to delivery and postpartum.
Growing Date palms
very useful, inshaAllah. Said the Prophet, peace be upon him: the house that grows a date palm does not go hungry.
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