Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.linktv.org/onenation/films/view/372

Unfortunately, voting is only open to American residents, but everyone can watch the video, so please pass the word on today.

Voting closes 16th January 2009.

Physicist Jim Al-Khalili travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th centuries.

Its legacy is tangible, with terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali all being Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science – there would be no modern mathematics or physics without algebra, no computers without algorithms and no chemistry without alkalis.

For Baghdad-born Al-Khalili this is also a personal journey and on his travels he uncovers a diverse and outward-looking culture, fascinated by learning and obsessed with science. From the great mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who did much to establish the mathematical tradition we now know as algebra, to Ibn Sina, a pioneer of early medicine whose Canon of Medicine was still in use as recently as the 19th century, he pieces together a remarkable story of the often-overlooked achievements of the early medieval Islamic scientists.

It is true that the ‘golden age’ of Islamic scientific discovery may have ended long ago, along with the demise of the Caliphate. Nevertheless, I would still love to see a documentary on the modern day achievements of Muslim scientists; those who strive to seek knowledge that benefits humanity, for the sake of Allah – no matter where they live, or who they are working for.

Medieval history is interesting, but it becomes more distant with each passing day, and thus less inspirational for the younger generations of Muslims. They need to be presented with living role models that embody the same spirit of Islam-inspired discovery as the scientists of old.

In addition, many people like to use such figures from the past to impress non-Muslims, by showing them how great Islamic civilization used to be. Well, in my opinion, “used to be” is not good enough. The real message should be: wherever and whenever Islam exists, there is progress. That requires sharing present day examples.

A future project in the making, perhaps?

CAMPAIGN TO STOP HAJJ AGENTS RIPPING US OFF

For years many of the ‘agents’ who take us for Hajj and Umrah have been taking advantage of our uncertainty and apprehension. But now it’s time to stop them from profiteering from us. Many people have to save for years if not a lifetime to go on this once in a lifetime journey, and yet the agents just seem to want to squeeze us for more and more.

This year in particular, even though the dates for Hajj fall outside the peak Christmas travel period, most operators are charging over £800 per flight. Yes, that’s over £800 of our hard earned money for flights which they have most certainly blocked off months in advance when the prices were quoted at £450 or similar for the same airline earlier in the summer. The Hajj operators know how many people they will be taking, they know when they will be taking them, and it just seems very strange that they all quote the same fares.

We are not against people making a profit but what we do stand against is profiteering at the expense of poor Muslims who are in a vulnerable position. We are looking for people to support our campaign by providing details of the extortionate airfares they have been quoted together with dates of travel and airline. The information will be collated and examined and then referred for investigation by the appropriate authorities. If you are a member of your own e-group feel free to pass this information amongst your friends. If we do not take a stand now the prices will keep going up higher and higher until many are unable to make the Hajj.

For further information please e-mail: hajjripoff[at]hotmail.co.uk

The Understand Qur’an course has been around for a while… but now level 1 is available in a easily-accessible, browser-based, flash version, masha’Allah.

Summary of objectives:

• Learn 100 Arabic words that are repeated around 40,000 times in the Qur’an.
• The Qur’an consists of approximately 78,000 words.
• Thus you are learning 50% of the Qur’an!

I’ve been meaning to take this FREE course for so long, and now I really have no excuse! I pray that you join me in this learning journey. Maybe we can travel together?

Check it out: MM’s Ramadan Special: Short Story Contest ‘08 (Cash Prizes & More!!)

Finally, I have the immense honour and pleasure to announce the launch of the long-awaited (well, long-ish, kinda awaited) website, that has recently got the blogosphere in a buzz… (more…)

…have you?

{Watch the flash version of the video on YouTube, and the high definition version on blip.tv}

Three days.

Three videos.

And from tomorrow, three ways YOU can get involved.

Curious? Confused? Couldn’t care less?

Whatever the case…

Come back tomorrow to finally discover the truth behind the hype.

—

They all learnt to sign… will you?

…have you?

Come back tomorrow to find out more.

{Watch the flash version of the video on YouTube, and the high definition version on blip.tv}