Just finished a most outstanding book, and I believe a must read for all Muslims, and any non-Muslims concerned about the world. Professor El Fadl lays down a very convincing argument for the reality of the split in world Muslim population between what he terms "purists" and "moderates". As a moderate Muslim who thought he, at best, didn't agree with the purists, I think I am now convinced that the "purists" are truly a cancer in the body of Islam and must be removed in any way possible. The first step? Clearly identify this cancerous growth, which is exactly what the esteemed professor has done. Next up? Fight the cancer with the best weapons we have, which apparently is intellect, scholarly pursuits, and the dissemination of proper Islamic teachings to expose these twisted "puritan" beliefs for what they are, and steal back our faith.
Imam Zaid Shakir of the Zaytuna Institute, and proud American and Air Force Veteran, would prefer you know a few facts that clearly refute and denounce the recent plague of propaganda you may have found in your local newspaper:
Carrying the Word: Recently, 28 million copies of the anti-Islamic propaganda documentary, Obsession, were distributed free of charge in what are being considered the “swing” states in the current election campaign. This effort is clearly designed to leverage the idea in the minds of many Americans that Senator Barack Obama is a Muslim (he is not), and therefore, he is to be identified with the images and statements of some Muslims, which give the impression that Islam is a fanatical, bloodthirsty religion, whose adherents are hell-bent on destroying America. In essence, it is a diabolical attempt by dark forces to sway an American election.
Still no answer on why the DVD is named after a Calvin Klein fragrance...
Colbert — And His Wife — Rock The New Yorker Fest: How he met Jon Stewart: Actually, he was hired but had yet to meet Jon, who had just been hired as host. There was a press conference with the head of Comedy Central to announce it, and Colbert, newly-minted correspondent, said, "Shouldn't we be covering this?" So off he went, and asked a question, announcing himself as "Stephen Colbert, Daily Show" and asked something like, "It was my understanding that I was in the running to host the Daily Show, how does your appointment affect my chances?" Jon looked over at the head of Comedy Central and said, "I thought you said he wasn't funny." Pretty auspicious beginning, I'd say.
This has to be my #1 complaint with my iPod Touch. Even the Sidekick added copy/cut/paste in a minor update to the original OS
I had this idea like 8-10 years ago. Clearly if I wait long enough, someone will build it for me:
Android Developer Challenge Gallery - Android: SynchroSpot’s mission is to provide users with a whole new class of location-based mobile software. Location-based reminders allow users to input reminders into their phone and the phone will asynchronously alert them whenever they are near the given location with their reminder (e.g. Pick up milk the next time you’re at the supermarket).
Observing Ramadan - The Big Picture - Boston.com: Muslim faithful throughout the world are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims participate in fasting (sawm), one of the five pillars of their faith, this entire Lunar month (this year it extends from September 1st to the 30th). Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity is prohibited from dawn until sunset, when the fast is broken with the evening meal called Iftar. Local customs define varying traditions, including differing types of food used to break the daily fast. The fasting is meant to teach a person patience, humility and sacrifice, to set aside time to ask forgiveness, practice self-restraint, and pray for guidance in the future.
Props to Doug.
Then a Miracle Occurs - Public Beta - Blog - Stack Overflow: stackoverflow.com is now live and open to the public, as a public beta.
I am very encouraged, what they've put together appears very well thought out and I hope will crush the "experts exchange" issue where you google a problem only to find out your answer may (or may not) be behind their curtain. Let's all make SO the new first source for those hard to answer questions. (And it wouldn't hurt, if you have an expertise, to subscribe to questions in your field of excellence and answer a few).
Driving Tour: Northwest Washington @ nationalgeographic.com: National Geographic Society (17th and M Sts. N.W. +1 202 857 7588). Brainchild of respected Washington lawyer and financier Gardiner Greene Hubbard, the Society was founded in 1888. Its 33 original members included prominent explorers and scientists, many affiliated with Washington’s distinguished Cosmos Club. In the 1890s Alexander Graham Bell, Hubbard’s son-in-law, took the helm of the organization and opened membership to anyone interested in “a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” Bell, too, passed the reins to his son-in-law, Gilbert Grosvenor, under whose editorship National Geographic magazine became a unique part of the American journalistic landscape.
Odd that I've belonged multiple times, and enjoyed their magazines, documentaries, TV channel, and more and had no idea that Alexander Graham Bell was involved, even though I had read a thorough biography of his when I was younger.
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