For those interested,
below is a link to an interactive website to know what life is like for some young people in the middle east.
http://www.amideast.org/flash/main.html
I thought it was cool. And yes I have a lot of free time now, but I start school September 7th and then I will be crazy busy again:)
oh and I managed to play soccer yesterday!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
http://cairo.usembassy.gov/pa/tr081809.htm
Above is a link to a brief description and picture of recent Egyptian graduates of sign language. I hope the partnership of the NGO's and the US embassy can help improve the status of disabled people in Egypt. I also just went to the KFC where the employees are all deaf...and they still remember who I am!:)
Above is a link to a brief description and picture of recent Egyptian graduates of sign language. I hope the partnership of the NGO's and the US embassy can help improve the status of disabled people in Egypt. I also just went to the KFC where the employees are all deaf...and they still remember who I am!:)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Below is a link to an article from the Boston Globe and it contains pictures of people celebrating Ramadan around the world. Some of the pictures are absolutely amazing and it is worth a look because it helps to give an inside glimpse as to how they celebrate Ramadan....by praying on mosques, reading the Quran, breaking the fast with meals, and eating lots of sweets (like every holiday around the world:) ). The pictures are also from several different countries. However, I was disappointed in how they portrayed Egypt. There are several better situations than that one (pic #27)...even ones where there aren't standing next to Chinese made crafts. But I am also biased towards Egypt. I was also annoyed that they didn't included America,(I'm also biased towards America but not too much) because there are actually a lot of Muslims in America. I know it is harder to fast during Ramadan in American because all the restaurants are open and only a small minority of people fast versus a large majority in a Muslim country. It would have been interesting to compare the Ramadan pictures in America to other places in the world. They did include a picture from Germany, but it didn't really show people celebrating (in my option).
Nevertheless, the pictures are beautiful and worth seeing. And if you see a Muslims try to be respectful because this is a Holy month for them. There are a lot of different greetings...but an easy one to remember would be "Ramadan Kareem"
Nevertheless, the pictures are beautiful and worth seeing. And if you see a Muslims try to be respectful because this is a Holy month for them. There are a lot of different greetings...but an easy one to remember would be "Ramadan Kareem"
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Article
Someone emailed me this article and thought it was interesting. But lately I feel like the same speeches are being spoken over and over again. Unfortunately there will always be religious fanaticism and terrorism in the world. But then again, you can't say they aren't trying to make things more peaceful. Check out the article at this link. This website is actually decent and many expats and study abroad students in Cairo contribute articles...
http://bikyamasr.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/bm-news-muslims-declare-jihad-on-terror/
Also, today is the first day of Ramadan. The first day is usually the big family time and then later on in the month people celebrate with friends....or that seems to be the trend at least. I've already gotten several invites ...so this year should be much better!
http://bikyamasr.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/bm-news-muslims-declare-jihad-on-terror/
Also, today is the first day of Ramadan. The first day is usually the big family time and then later on in the month people celebrate with friends....or that seems to be the trend at least. I've already gotten several invites ...so this year should be much better!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ramadan 2009
Ramadan is starting soon (most likely Saturday August 22), it just depends on the moon. Ramadan is a holy month that all Muslims observe, and it is based on the 9th month of the lunar calendar. This way it isn't always during the same time period, unlike other holidays.
During Ramadan Muslims must fast during the day, meaning between sunrise and sunset they must abstain from drinking, eating, smoking, and sex. Once the sun sets, they break the fast with a date (because that's how their prophet broke his fast) and eat a large meal called iftar (breakfast). The night is then filled with more food and celebration, and the gathering of friends and family.
Ramadan is important because it was during this month that the words of the Quran were revealed to Islam's prophet Muhammad. The fasting and celebration will last for about a month.
I hope that I have a better experience this year with Ramadan. I know I wont get the spiritual experience because I'm not a Muslim, but last time I was here it was a frustrating time. I didnt really know anyone so I just associated it with things closing early and a different and annoying schedule. But this time I know a lot of Egyptians and I wont have school in the beginning. Hopefully I will be able to eat at someone's house and have a different experience:)
During Ramadan Muslims must fast during the day, meaning between sunrise and sunset they must abstain from drinking, eating, smoking, and sex. Once the sun sets, they break the fast with a date (because that's how their prophet broke his fast) and eat a large meal called iftar (breakfast). The night is then filled with more food and celebration, and the gathering of friends and family.
Ramadan is important because it was during this month that the words of the Quran were revealed to Islam's prophet Muhammad. The fasting and celebration will last for about a month.
I hope that I have a better experience this year with Ramadan. I know I wont get the spiritual experience because I'm not a Muslim, but last time I was here it was a frustrating time. I didnt really know anyone so I just associated it with things closing early and a different and annoying schedule. But this time I know a lot of Egyptians and I wont have school in the beginning. Hopefully I will be able to eat at someone's house and have a different experience:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
