The Pilars of Islam

1) FAITH

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Llah - 'there is no god except God'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Llah: 'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'Llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

2) PRAYER

Shalat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language. Because shalat is transliterated from arabic word, so it has multiple english spellings such as salat, salah, sholat, sholah or shalah.Some peoples also called shalat as namaz

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

A translation of the Call to Prayer is:

God is most great. God is most great.
God is most great. God is most great.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that there is no god except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success (in this life and the Hereafter)!
Come to success!
God is most great. God is most great.
There is no god except God.

3) THE 'ZAKAT'

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

4) THE FAST

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment.

In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities.

The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.

Uhaw na Uhaw Ako

Creamsicle Crush Snow Cones

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

2 cups orange juice
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups shaved ice

Heat a small saucepan on medium heat. Add orange juice and reduce in half, stirring occasionally, to 1 cup. In a second saucepan, heat to medium and add half-and-half. Reduce to 1/2 cup. Cool each slightly. Next, combine orange juice, half-and-half and vanilla in a small pitcher. Mix well. (Mixture should be somewhat cooled, but not completely as the cream will separate.) Pack about 1 cup shaved ice into a paper snow cone or cup. Drizzle with creamsicle mixture until ice is well-covered. Repeat process for each snow cone.

Makes 4 servings.

Margarita Snow Cone

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

3 ounces tequila
1 ounce triple sec
3 ounces sour mix
Dash of lemon or lime juice
Salt or sugar to rim the glass, if desired
2 cups shaved ice
4 lime wedges for garnish

Chill 2 margarita or wineglasses in the refrigerator. Pour tequila, triple sec, sour mix and lemon or lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Dip the rim of a margarita glass into salt or sugar, if desired. Pack about 1 cup shaved ice into the margarita glass or wineglass. Drizzle each cone equally with margarita mixture. Garnish with lime.

Makes 2 servings.

Grown-up Cherry Snow Cone

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
Adapted from recipezarr.com

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup cherry vodka, chilled
6 to 8 maraschino cherries
2 cups shaved ice

Place lemon juice, sugar, vodka and 4 cherries in a blender. Blend well. Add 1 cup shaved ice each to 2 martini or wineglasses. Drizzle equally with cherry juice. Garnish each with 1 to 2 cherries.

Makes 2 servings.

Kool-Aid Snow Cones

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
recipegoldmine.com

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid, any flavor
4 cups shaved ice

Place the sugar and water in a medium pan and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in the Kool-Aid. Cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator until chilled. When ready to serve, place 1 cup shaved ice each into paper snow cones or paper cups. Drizzle 1/2 cup syrup over each snow cone.

Makes 4 servings.

Coffee Jolt Snow Cone

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

4 cups shaved ice
4 cups cream coffee liquor

Place 1 cup shaved ice each into glass coffee cups or paper snow-cone cups. Pour 1 cup of cream coffee liquor over each cup.

Makes 4 servings.

Maple Snow Cones

Aug. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
grouprecipes.com

1 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup salted butter
4 cups shaved ice
Baby dill pickles for garnish, if desired

Add syrup and butter to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until about 220 to 234 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and cool for about 2 minutes. Place 1 cup shaved ice each into paper cups, ice-cream cones or paper snow cones. Drizzle maple mixture over the ice. Garnish with pickles.

Makes 4 servings.

Scientists: New species of worms release 'bombs'

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer Randolph E. Schmid, Ap Science Writer – Thu Aug 20, 7:03 pm ET


WASHINGTON – Thousands of feet beneath the sea live worms that can cast off green glowing body parts, a move scientists think may be a defensive effort to confuse attackers. Researchers have dubbed the newly discovered critters "green bombers."
The seven new species of worms were found by a team led by Karen Osborn of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. They report on the worms in Friday's edition of the journal Science.
"We found a whole new group of fairly large, extraordinary animals that we never knew anything about before," Osborn said in a statement. "These are not rare animals. Often when we see them they number in the hundreds. What's unique is that their habitat is really hard to sample."
Ranging in size from three-fourths of an inch to nearly four inches, the worms live at depths of 5,900 feet to more than 12,000 feet and were discovered by remotely operated submarines in both the northeast and western Pacific Ocean.
"They have a very strange way of using bioluminescence," Osborn explained in a briefing.
They have appendages, some round, others oval or long, which they release when they are disturbed, she said. Once release the appendage, it glows bright green.
"They drop one or two at a time and if you keep harassing them they will keep dropping them," she said, adding that the worms are able to regenerate the body parts.
It's the first time this has been seen in swimming worms, she said, although some brittle stars and some squids will let an arm drop off if attacked.
"We're not sure who their predators are," added Osborn, but she noted that fish prey on other types of swimming worms.
The closest relative to the newly found creatures are worms that burrow in the sea floor, Osborn said, "at some point they moved up into the water."
The first of the new species has been given the scientific name Swima bombiviridis.
The discovery emphasizes how little is known about life in the deep oceans, the researchers wrote.
The research was funded by the Scripps Institution, University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellowship, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the National Geographic Society.

10 Ways to Be Liked in Your Job Interview

by Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon

No matter your resume and talents, if you mess up a job interview you won't get that position. In today's tough economy you need every possible edge. As authors of the new book, "I Hate People! Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What you Want Out of Your Job," we see it as a simple equation: You want to be liked -- not hated.

Here are 10 simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.

1. Don't be a "smiley face."

Excessive smiling in a job interview is seen for what it is -- nervousness and a lack of confidence. A smiley-face person exudes phoniness, which will quickly be picked up by the interviewer. Instead be thoughtful and pleasant. Smile when there's something to smile about. Do a practice run in front of a mirror or friend.

2. Don't be a small-talker.

Your job is to be knowledgeable about the company for which you're interviewing. Random facts about last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" or your favorite blog will not get you the job. Never feel you have to fill an interview with small talk. Find ways to talk about serious subjects related to the industry or company. Pockets of silence are better than padding an interview with random babble.

3. Don't sweat.

You can lose a job by wearing an undershirt or simply a little too much clothing. Sweaty palms or beads on your forehead will not impress. You are not applying to be a personal trainer. Sweat will be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness. Do a practice run with your job interview outfit in front of friends. The job interview is one place you definitely don't want to be hot.

4. Don't be a road block.

Interviewers are seeking candidates eager to take on challenging projects and jobs. Hesitance and a nay-saying mentality will be as visible as a red tie -- and seen as a negative. Practice saying "yes" to questions about your interest in tasks and work that might normally give you pause.

5. Don't be petty.

Asking the location of the lunchroom or meeting room will clue the interviewer into your lack of preparation and initiative. Prepare. Don't ask questions about routine elements or functions of a company: where stuff is, the size of your cube, and company policy on coffee breaks.

6. Don't be a liar.

Studies show that employees lie frequently in the workplace. Lying won't get you a job. In a job interview even a slight exaggeration is lying. Don't. Never stretch your resume or embellish accomplishments. There's a difference between speaking with a measured confidence and engaging in BS. One lie can ruin your entire interview, and the skilled interviewer will spot the lie and show you the door.

7. Don't be a bad comedian.

Humor tends to be very subjective, and while it may be tempting to lead your interview with a joke you've got to be careful about your material. You probably will know nothing about the sensibilities of your interviewer, let alone what makes them laugh. On the other hand, nothing disarms the tension of a job interview like a little laughter, so you can probably score at least a courtesy chuckle mentioning that it's "perfect weather for a job interview!"

8. Don't be high-maintenance.

If you start talking about the ideal office temperature, the perfect chair for your tricky back, and how the water cooler needs to be filled with imported mineral water, chances are you'll be shown a polite smile and the door, regardless of your qualifications. Nobody hiring today is going to be looking for someone who's going to be finicky about their workspace.

9. Don't be a time-waster.

At every job interview, the prospective hire is given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point, and watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you've asked enough. Ask too many questions about off-target matters and you'll be thought of as someone destined to waste the company's resources with insignificant and time-wasting matters.

10. Don't be a switchblade.

Normally the switchblade is thought of a backstabber, often taking credit for someone else's work. In an interview setting, the switchblade can't help but "trash talk" his former employer. If you make it seem like your former workplace was hell on Earth, the person interviewing you might be tempted to call them to find out who was the real devil.

HIV AIDS Awareness Programs

Cuban activists launch a campaign against AIDS with posters urging the use of condoms in Havana. Cuban health authorities have warned of a dramatic rise in AIDS cases among the young on the island, where there over 1,300 new HIV infections in 2008 and another 1,400 are estimated for this year.

(AFP/File/Adalberto Roque)

The Asia Pacific region is on target to treat a million HIV-positive people with antiretroviral drugs within the next two years, Prasanda Rao, UN AIDS regional director has said.

(AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka)

FILE - In this file photo taken Tuesday April 28, 2009, Miss Universe 2009 Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza arrives at the Zacamil hospital in San Salvador. Mendoza is in El Salvador to support a campaign to prevent the HIV/AIDS in Central America.

(AP Photo/Luis Romero,File)

College students display HIV/AIDS awareness messages on their faces during a face painting competition in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh January 17, 2009.

REUTERS/Ajay Verma

Boxes of ashes with names wait to be claimed by their relatives at a shrine at the AIDS hospice just outside Bangkok in Thailand. The Asia Pacific region is on target to treat a million HIV-positive people with antiretroviral drugs within the next two years, a UN body has said.

(AFP/Nicolas Asfouri)

Children take part in a march to mark World Aids Day in the northern Philippines city of Olongapo in 2008. Experts from 65 nations gathered in Indonesia to assess progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, amid concern that only a quarter of those in need in the region were getting treatment.

(AFP/File/Jes Aznar)

A clinic where patients receive medical treatment for HIV/AIDS in Jakarta. Experts from 65 nations gathered in Indonesia to assess progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, amid concern that only a quarter of those in need in the region were getting treatment.

(AFP/File/Adek Berry)

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, right, shares a joke with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, before addressing journalist after their meeting in Durban, South Africa, Saturday Aug 8, 2009. Clinton met with Zuma in a bid to improve strained ties with the country. The pair were holding talks on Saturday in the port city of Durban, a day after Clinton and South Africa's foreign minister pledged to start a new era of cooperation in fighting HIV/AIDS and climate change and begin a strategic dialogue.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Pakistani activists light candles around an AIDS symbol during a memorial in Lahore, in 2007. India, Indonesia and Pakistan have become key fronts in Asia's fight against HIV/AIDS, health experts said ahead of the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific next week.

(AFP/File/Arif Ali)

Indian nursing students hold a vigil to mark World AIDS Day in Amritsar in 2008. India, Indonesia and Pakistan have become key fronts in Asia's fight against HIV/AIDS, health experts said ahead of the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific next week.

(AFP/File/Narinder Nanu)