Thursday 29 November 2007

China : Islamic Calligraphy

Calligraphy literally means writing beautifully and ornamentally; Sini is a Chinese Islamic calligraphic form for the Arabic script.

Invocation drawn in a single stroke, by Ma Jinhua, Cangzhou, Hebei, 2002. "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." From the collection of the Cangzhou West Mosque:



The Chinese and Arabic calligraphic traditions have often been compared as the two of the world's finest manifestations of the written word, but never likened; indeed, they are at once opposites and complements. When combined the result is an artistic piece that is a work of incredibly unique beauty, and a testimony to man's synthesizing genius.

Noor Deen's extraordinary mastery and genius along with his unique ability to spectacularly deliver his craft to an audience has brought him lecture and workshop invitations from some of the most renowned and prestigious institutions around the world, including: Harvard University, Cambridge University, University of California-Berkley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Bukhari Institute and many others. He currently lectures Arabic calligraphy at the Islamic College in Zhen Zhou, China and the Zaytuna Institute in California.

Doesnt this and the Great Mosque in Xian, demonstrates once again the historical ability of Muslims to survive in varied religious and political climates:

Monday 12 November 2007

For our French Friends

Money promised by a bank in Baghdad could be cashed in Spain, Yes the cheque system of today!

Engineers, scholars and traders of the Islamic world contributed enormously to the arts, agriculture, economics, industry, literature, navigation, philosophy, sciences, and technology, both by preserving and building upon earlier traditions and by adding many inventions and innovations of their own.[3] Muslim philosophers and poets, artists and scientists, and princes and laborers, created a unique culture that has influenced societies on every continent ...

Islam: Empire of Faith is a documentary series, made in 2000, that details the history of Islam , from the birth of Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the Ottoman Empire. It is narrated by Ben Kingsley and is available as three DVDs or two video volumes in NTSC format.

The first episode deals with the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him) , the second with the Arab Empire, Crusades, and Mongol invasion, and the third with the Ottoman Empire and Safavid dynasty.



Islam: Empire of Faith Click on to get part1,2 and 3 Original version (English)

or click on here


Then Mongols converted ...

Tuesday 6 November 2007

Southeast Asia : Brunei

Why was it hard for me to imagine what i discovered in this small country?

Along the riverfront in Bandar Seri Begawan is the largest water village in Asia, Kampong Ayer. About 30,000 people live here the way they have for at least 1,500 years...Leaving the river would be leaving their traditional culture behind, and it is a cost they don't wish to pay.



Islam spread through northwest Borneo in the 15th century. The first Muslim ruler of Brunei was Awang Alakber Tabar, who took the name Muhammad when he accepted Islam. He married a Muslim princess from Johor. Throughout the 15th century, Brunei was overshadowed by the powerful state of Malacca. When the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511, many Malaccan Muslims migrated to Brunei, raising Brunei’s importance.

By the 19th century, much of this empire had been whittled away by war, piracy, and the colonial expansion of European nations.

The small sultanate has amazing mosques :