Category: Muslim
A Common Word
Muslim religious leaders and scholars have sent an open letter to the Pope and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding of the commonalities between the two faiths. The letter, titled “ A Common Word Between Us and You,” marks the Eid al-Fitr al-Mubarak, the festival that is the end of Ramadan, and the one [...] Read More »
Culture News March 25 ’07
Is it OK to Drink in India?
Not according to BongoP'o'ndit, who describe the lack of a social drinking culture in India.
Germans Fire Judge Who Ruled that Moroccan Culture Includes Domestic Violence
A German judge has been removed from office after refusing a German-born Muslim woman’s request for a rapid divorce based on domestic violence. The [...] Read More »
Culture News March 21 ’07
Veils banned in English schools
English schools win the right to ban Muslim veils
Hispanic digital culture
US Hispanic youths embrace the web, increasing the digital generation gap within the Hispanic immigrant community
Chinese culture explained: sneezes and the color red
Jordan’s Chinese colleague explains the meaning of sneezes in Chinese culture to an Indian colleague and Renmenbi [...] Read More »
Culture News March 20 ’07
A Random Collection of News and Notes on World Cultures
Expatriate blogger Ben Ross tries to explain American satire to his Chinese readers.
Somali Muslim cashiers at Target stores in Minneapolis are given the option of wearing gloves or being assigned to other duties after they refuse to touch pork products and some customers complained. Eating [...] Read More »
Karbala and the Arbeen Celebrations
Karbala, also spelled Kerbala, Kerbela or Karbila, is a city in Iraq, located about 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Baghdad. It is one of the holiest cities for Shi’a Muslims because it holds the shrine of the martyred Imam Husayn ibn Ali. Husayn’s death in the Battle of Karbala in 680, and [...] Read More »
Ashura
Ashura, which falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar, is a recommended day of fasting for Sunni Muslims, and a day of mourning for Shi’ites. The word “ashura” means “tenth” in Arabic. The holiday marks several historical events, including the day that Moses fasted to thank [...] Read More »
The Muslim New Year
The Muslim New Year falls on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic Calendar. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Muharram migrates throughout the seasons. In 2007, it is on January 20th.
Although there is no religious significance attached [...] Read More »
Eid Celebrations: Shopping for Sacrificial Animals
For Eid-Ul-Adha, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, families purchase a sacrificial goat or other animal, if they can afford to do so, and then share the feast with their family and friends, and with those who are less fortunate. This photo is part of a post from an Islamabad blogger, who describes her trip [...] Read More »
Eid-Ul-Adha, The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid-Ul-Adha is a three-day Muslim holiday and celebration. It begins on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and falls at the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Eid-Ul-Adha celebrations start with attendance at the Eid Prayer and sermon in the morning. [...] Read More »
A Meeting of World Cultures: Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque
Few places can rival Istanbul as the cross-roads of multiple cultures and traditions. Geographically, the city literally spans Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorous Bridge and numerous ferries connecting the Asian and European sides. Its architecture, history, craftsmen and artists, churches and museums weave an intricate mosaic of ancient and modern cultures.
Aya Sofya, also [...] Read More »
