What is Ramadan

Ramadan

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];[variations] Persian: رمضان‎ Ramazān; Urdu: رمضان‎ Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting.This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is fard "obligatory" for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.

While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations; in some interpretations they also refrain from swearing. Food and drink is served daily, before sunrise and after sunset. According to Islam, the thawab (rewards) of fasting are many, but in this month they are believed to be multiplied. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran In the Quran

Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran states: The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.[Quran 2:185]

Thus, according to the Quran, Muhammad first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra. Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon marks the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan.However, to many Muslims, this is not in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since the time of Muhammad Practices during Ramadan

Fasting Main article: Sawm of Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims also increase restraint, such as abstaining from sexual relations and generally sinful speech and behavior. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control,[16] sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).[17] It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy and sane, and have no disabilities or illnesses. Many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Exemptions to fasting are travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by the hadith. Professionals should closely monitor individuals who decide to persist with fasting.[18] Those who were unable to fast still must make up the days missed later Suhoor and Iftar

Suhoor and Iftar Each day before dawn, many Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called suhoor. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as iftar. Considering the high diversity of the global Muslim population, it is impossible to describe typical suhoor or iftar meals. Suhoor can be typical breakfast foods, ethnic foods, or leftovers from the previous iftar. In the evening, dates are usually the first food to break the fast; according to tradition, Muhammad broke fast with three dates. Following that, Muslims generally adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served. Social gatherings, many times buffet style, at iftar are frequent, and traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, especially those made only during Ramadan. Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also consumed. Soft drinks and caffeinated beverages are consumed to a lesser extent.

In the Middle East, the iftar meal consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers, one or more entrees, and various kinds of desserts. Usually, the dessert is the most important part during iftar. Typical entrees are lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. A rich dessert such as luqaimat, baklava or kunafeh (a buttery, syrup-sweetened kadaifi noodle pastry filled with cheese) concludes the meal.[23] Over time, iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at masjid or banquet halls for 100 or more diners Charity Main articles: Zakāt and Sadaqah

Men praying during Ramadan Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakāt, often translated as "the poor-rate", is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam; a fixed percentage of the person's savings is required to be given to the poor. Sadaqah is voluntary charity in giving above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakāt. In Islam all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded in Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakāt which they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqah in order to maximize the reward that will await them at the Last Judgment. In many Muslim countries, it is a common sight to see people giving more food to the poor and the homeless, and even to see large public areas for the poor to come and break their fast. It is said that if a person helps a fasting person to break their fast, then they receive a reward for that fast, without diminishing the reward that the fasting person got for their fast Increased prayer and recitation of the Quran In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih. These voluntary prayers are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran (juz', which is 1/30 of the Quran) is recited. Therefore, the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month. Although it is not required to read the whole Quran in the Tarawih prayers, it is common Laylat al-Qadr Main article: Laylat al-Qadr Sometimes referred to as "the night of power" or 'the night of decree", Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year.This is the night in which Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent down to Muhammad stating that this night was "better than one thousand months [of proper worship], as stated in Chapter 97:3 of the Qu'ran. Also, generally, Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, i.e., the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. The Dawoodi Bohra Community believe that 23rd night is laylat al Qadr End of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr Main articles: Eid al-Fitr and Eid prayers The holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر‎, "festivity of breaking the fast") marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month, Shawwal. This first day of the following month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition (fitra) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day Cultural aspects

Fanous Ramadan decorations in Cairo, Egypt Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem In some Muslim countries today lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. Lanterns have become symbolic decorations welcoming the month of Ramadan. In a growing number of countries, they are hung on city streets.The tradition of lanterns as a decoration becoming associated with Ramadan is believed to have originated during the Fatimid Caliphate primarily centered in Egypt, where Caliph al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the capital city of Cairo. Shopping malls, places of business, and people's homes can be seen with stars and crescents, as well as, various lighting effects, as well. Penalties of eating in public during Ramadan daytime In some Muslim countries, failing to fast or the open flouting of such behavior during Ramadan is considered a crime and is prosecuted as such. For instance, in Algeria, in October 2008 the court of Biskra condemned six people to four years in prison and heavy fines. In Kuwait, according to law number 44 of 1968 the penalty is a fine of no more than 100 Kuwaiti dinars, or jail for no more than one month, or both penalties, for those seen eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan daytime. In the U.A.E., eating or drinking during the daytime of Ramadan is considered a minor offence and would be punished by up to 240 hours of community service Origins Origin of the word Ramadan Ramadan, as a name for the month, is of Muslim origin. However, prior to Islam's exclusion of intercalary days from its calendar, the name of this month was Nātiq and, due to the intercalary days added, always occurred in the warm season. It is believed that the first revelation to Muhammad was sent down during the month of Ramadan.Furthermore, God proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to the oneness of God Pre-Islamic observation of fasting During the Jahiliyyah (i.e. pre-Islamic period), the Quraysh tribe and the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura.It marks two important events: the day Noah left the Ark and the day that Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God. Ashura may or may not be referring to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur. Abu Zanad, an Arabic writer from Iraq who lived after the founding of Islam around 747 CE, wrote that at least one Mandaean community located in al-Jazira (modern northern Iraq) observed Ramadan

Meeting al-Qaeda in Syria

Al-Qaeda's Syrian branch has been cementing control of villages near Turkey's border and aims create an Islamic state.

These men are no longer just on the frontlines in the Syrian war. They are establishing a presence in villages, particularly those that lie along the main routes to the Turkish border. And in these villages they are laying the foundations for a future state. They don't hide what their aim is: creating an Islamic state under Sharia. We came into contact with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, at one of their checkpoints in the village of Dar Ta Izza in Allepo province. They didn't want to let us pass without checking our identities. One of the fighters said that the "regime thugs working in the Free Syrian Army (FSA)" are trying to smuggle "wanted people". After checking our identities, they escorted us to their leadership in the nearby village of Dana where there were deadly clashes between the Islamic State and units linked to the Free Syrian Army. "You are our guests ... Don't worry," was what a young fighter from Tunisia told me when he got into our car. Clashes I told him that we are interested to hear the view of the Islamic State in Iraq on the circumstances behind the violence in Dana. It wasn't the first incident of its kind whereby local Syrian armed groups and Islamists engaged in clashes. They have become more frequent as of late. "Why should we speak to the media? No one believes us anyway," the Tunisian fighter told me. "And the media is so biased against us. But anyway we are taking you to our commanders and they will decide what to do." We arrived in Dana and it was clear ... The village was now under the control of the Islamic State. Scores of armed and masked men were patrolling the streets. Armed opposition groups linked to the Free Syria Army were no longer there. They were forced to leave. There was a gun battle during a demonstration against these foreign fighters. We cannot independently confirm who fired the first shot. But Abu Osama al Tunisi says his men came under attack. He is the Emir of Dana - a title given to commanders in al-Qaeda's organisation. He is also a Tunisian. Arrest warrants Abu Osama showed us arrest warrants issued by the Islamic court in Idlib against those he said were responsible for arming the protesters. "These groups were responsible for bringing the people ... who are government thugs and drug dealers onto the streets," Abu Osama. "They are accused of corruption and refused to appear in court because they didn't recognise its legitimacy. So the court said force can be used to make the arrests. So we destroyed the sleeper cells. "We say to those who want to harm or destroy the Islamic State ... It will become stronger." And to become stronger you need the support of the people. We watched as they reached out to the villagers. "I ordered my men to stay in their barracks to avoid any confrontation with the protesters," Abu Osama told people who gathered around him, and his armed men in the market. "We were in our bases when they killed our bothers. We gave orders to our men not to leave our bases," he said. "Did you see what they did to the Quran in the school when they ransacked it. Are they Muslims? I can give you a list of names who were invoked in the protests. "They see members of sleeper cells who work for the government. Not one good person took part in the demonstration. They are bad. They don't oppose us but Islam. They don't want Islam. They had arms to kill Muslims." A villager responded: "The protesters said they wanted to demonstrate against you Abu Osama. They said you were you were executing orders on behalf of God. They believe God didn't command you to cut people's hands off." The conversation then ended. Foreign fighters At the start of the Syria war, many Syrians welcomed the help of foreign fighters who came from Islamic countries to support the fight against the Syrian regime. It has been clear for some time now that these these fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant hope to achieve one goal: They want to create an Islamic state. But not all in the Syrian opposition share that goal. And this has caused tensions. The group has been criticised by some for its strict interpretations of Islamic law and punishments, including beheadings. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria's rank and file is mainly made up of foreigners. They are cementing their power in opposition-controlled territories. But the Islamic state says it is working to cleanse the area from regime supporters and those who are fighting Islam. And we asked its vali - or governor of Allepo province, Abu Atheer - why some accuse them of trying to weaken Syrian opposition groups by taking control over border villages. He didn't want to be filmed. But he told us: if we wanted to cut the supply lines it is easier for us to take the warehouses of the FSA. Anyhow we are buying weapons from the FSA. we bought 200 anti-aircraft missiles and Koncourse anti tank weapons. We have good relations with our brothers in the FSA. For us, the infidels are those who cooperate with the West to fight Islam. If confirmed, purchasing weapons from the Free Syria Army won't be good news for the West. It is men like these the West doesn't want to arm and it has urged the FSA to retake areas under their control. It could be a recipe for yet another war within a war that will decide the new face of Syria

Top US general details five options for Syria

No-fly zone and curbing chemical arms use are among options for aiding rebels, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff says.

Dempsey detailed the options in an open letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman [Reuters] The top US military officer, Martin Dempsey, has outlined five options and costs involved in the potential use of military force in Syria. In a letter released Monday, Dempsey detailed the options in an open letter to Carl Levin, senate armed services committee chairman. Here are extracts from the list based on the letter: 1) Train, advise, and assist the opposition Nonlethal forces to train and advise opposition on tasks ranging from weapons employment to tactical planning. This option might include intelligence and logistics. The scale could range from several hundred to several thousand troops with the costs varying accordingly, but estimated at $500m per year initially. Risks include extremists gaining access to additional capabilities, retaliatory crossborder attacks, and insider attacks or inadvertent association with war crimes due to vetting difficulties. 2) Conduct limited stand-off strikes Lethal force to strike targets that enable the regime to conduct military operations, proliferate advanced weapons, and defend itself. Potential targets include regime air defense, air, ground, missile, and naval forces as well as the supporting military facilities and command nodes. Stand-off air and missile systems could be used to strike hundreds of targets at a tempo of our choosing. Force requirements would include hundreds of aircraft, ships, submarines, and other enablers. Depending on duration, the costs would be in the billions. 3) Establish a No-Fly Zone This prevents the regime from using military aircraft to bomb and resupply. It would extend air superiority over Syria by neutralising the regime’s advanced, defense integrated air defense system. It would also shoot down adversary aircraft and strike airfields, aircraft on the ground, and supporting infrastructure. Estimated costs are $500m initially, averaging as much as $1bn per month over the course of a year. Impacts include near total elimination of the regime’s ability to bomb opposition strongholds. Risks include the loss of US aircraft. 4) Establish buffer zones This option protects areas most likely across borders with Turkey or Jordan. The opposition could use these zones to organise and train, and they would serve as safe areas for humanitarian assistance. Lethal force would be required to defend the zones against attacks. This would necessitate the establishment of a limited no-fly zone. Thousands of US ground forces would be needed, even if positioned outside Syria. A limited no-fly zone coupled with US ground forces would push the costs over $1bn per month. 5) Control chemical weapons We do this by destroying portions of Syria’s stockpile. At a minimum, this option calls for a no-fly zone and air and missile strikes involving hundreds of aircraft, ships and submarines. Thousands of forces would be needed. Costs could also average well over $1bn per month. The impact would be the control of some, but not all chemical weapons. It would also help prevent their further proliferation into the hands of extremist groups. Our inability to fully control Syria’s storage and delivery systems could allow extremists to gain better access

Syrian rebels claim control of western Aleppo

Opposition forces say they seized the town of Khan al-Assal, the last bastion of Assad forces in the area.

Syrian rebels claim they have captured the entire western area of Aleppo, a northern province that has seen harsh clashes between the forces of President Bashar al-Assad and opposition fighters for months. “We managed to liberate the western entry point to Aleppo. We achieved this victory against the Assad forces and Iranian Revolutionary Guards, along with some forces from Hezbollah,” rebels said in a video shared on the Internet on Tuesday. “At this point, we can say that Khan al-Assal has been liberated entirely and is in our control, which means that Aleppo’s countryside is in our control.” Rebels say that Aleppo’s countryside is in their control Khan al-Assal was the last regime bastion in the western part of Aleppo province, which lies on the Turkish border, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based NGO monitoring developments in Syria through intelligence from activists in the country. The rebels also seized the villages of Obeida and Hajireh, southeast of Aleppo city on Monday, the group said. The Syrian government and the opposition have accused each other of being behind a chemical missile attack that killed at least 25 people in Khan al-Assal. On Tuesday, Robert Serry, a UN envoy on the Middle East peace process, said that his organisation had been told of 13 alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The allegations came as the head of a UN investigation into the use of chemical arms in Syria, Ake Sellstrom, and the UN disarmament chief, Angela Kane, arrived in Beirut. The two officials were expected to go to Damascus on Wednesday to start talks with Assad's government on securing access to sites in Syria where the arms are said to have been used. Prison deal Meanwhile, 80 members of the Syrian opposition have been released from Aleppo’s central prison under a deal named “Food for freedom” that was brokered by the Syrian Red Crescent. Under the agreement, the Ahrar al-Sham movement which has been laying siege to regime-controlled parts of the city will ease their blockade to enable the forces get in much needed food supplies.. The release of the prisoners and the deal behind it is seen as a rare gesture of goodwill between the regime and its opponents. "To the Syrian opposition, though, it’s a recognition of their might by the Syrian regime," Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow said, reporting from Aleppo. The conflict in Syria, which erupted more than two years ago, has left almost 100,000 people killed, according to UN figures.

Pro-Morsi rally comes under fire in Cairo

At least one dead as unknown gunmen shoot at crowd in an apparent ambush of supporters of deposed president.

Supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi were shot at by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday morning, witnesses said, in the latest of several violent incidents over the last 24 hours. The attack happened as a large group of pro-Morsi marchers made their way through the Heliopolis area in the north of Cairo, Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reported from the capital. "They say that they came under attack by unknown gunmen who shot at them from an elevated point," Rageh said. "They're reporting injuries among them. This again highlights the growing nature of intolerance towards those rallies of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the deposed president." Footage from a field hospital in the Nasr City area showed at least one dead body. Several men, some covered in blood, were treated on hospital trollies as other men shouted and wept. A group of men gave one unconscious and bloodied protester CPR before doctors used a defibrillation machine to try to revive him. The attack came just 24 hours after the interior ministry said that at least twelve people were killed in clashes, also in Cairo, between supporters and opponents of Morsi. That violence broke out before dawn on Tuesday near a Muslim Brotherhood protest at Cairo University, where Morsi supporters have been camped out since the army removed him from power on July 3 after protests against his rule. There were also running street battles on Monday in which birdshot, gunfire and fire bombs were used. Anger and frustration Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston, also reporting from Cairo, said the protesters were determined to stay in the streets and fight for their demands. "This isn't the first time that the pro-Morsi rally there has seen this kind of violence ... It's difficult to know how long the demonstrations and rally will continue," said Johnston. "We are talking about an angry, frustrated and determined crowd. If the interim government tries to send in forces [to disperse them], there could potentially be more bloodshed," our correspondent said. In a separate development, a bomb exploded at a police station in a province north of Cairo early on Wednesday, wounding 19 police officers, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Reuters news agency said one person had been killed, citing security and medical sources. Rageh said the bomb detonated in an abandoned building near the police station in Mansoura, the capital of Dakhalia province. She said police then had a gun battle with a group of attackers. Adly Mansour, Egypt's interim president, has renewed appeals for reconciliation with Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. "We want to turn a new page in the country’s book with no hatred, no malice, no division," he said in a pre-recorded speech that also highlighted the importance of the army in Egypt's history. About 100 people have died in violence since Morsi's removal.

A Brazilian press group condemned Tuesday the police clubbing of an Agence France-Presse photographer and the arrest of two other journalists who were covering a protest in Rio de Janeiro. AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba, a 42-year-old Japanese national, was injured on Monday when a policeman hit him on the head with a truncheon during a protest against the cost of Pope Francis's visit to Rio. The injury required three stitches and medical tests. The Brazilian Investigative Journalism Association (ABRAJI) said two journalists from NINJA, an independent media group, were detained as they videotaped the demonstration for a website. "ABRAJI condemns this new episode of violent action by the Rio de Janeiro (state) military police against media workers. The state must prevent and investigate intimidations and threats against media workers," it said in a statement. "It is worrisome that the Rio de Janeiro police repeats the practices of authoritarian regimes," the statement said. A photographer for the newspaper O Globo was also injured when he was hit by a head during the demonstration, but it is unclear who threw the stone.

Little Prince of Cambridge could tour globe in first year

Gordon Rayner The choice of Australia for the new baby's first official trip abroad would not only make up for the fact that the country has had to wait so long to see the Duchess, but would also have the benefit of shoring up support for the monarchy in a country where republicanism is never far from the political agenda.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby could travel around the world before his first birthday if, as expected, they travel as a family to Australia and New Zealand next year. The young Prince William made the same trip when he accompanied his parents on their six-week tour of Australasia in 1983, staying with his nanny on a ranch in the outback where his parents visited him as often as they could. The Duke and Duchess visited Canada for their first joint foreign tour in 2011, then visited the Far East last year. Because Australia and New Zealand, together with Canada, make up the largest of the Commonwealth realms, the couple seem certain to put them next on their itinerary. The choice of Australia for the new baby's first official trip abroad would not only make up for the fact that the country has had to wait so long to see the Duchess, but would also have the benefit of shoring up support for the monarchy in a country where republicanism is never far from the political agenda. Before then, the Duke and Duchess have a more pressing matter to attend to, that of registering their son's birth. They have 42 days to register the prince's birth at Westminster Register Office, though the registrar will travel to Kensington Palace to complete the formalities before a birth certificate is issued. The next date in the baby's diary will be the christening, which is likely to happen after the Royal family's annual summer break at Balmoral, making a date in September or October likely. The christening is likely to take place in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace, where Prince William and previous generations of the Royal family have been baptised. The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to officiate at the ceremony, and the baby prince will wear a christening robe of Honiton lace lined with satin, which is a replica of a robe made in 1841 for Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, and which was used for more than 30 royal christenings up to and including Prince William. The replica was made in 2008 by the Queen's dressmaker, Angela Kelly, because the original had become too fragile. The Duchess and the Duke, who has two weeks' statutory paternity leave from the RAF, are expected to spend some time at their London residence in Kensington Palace before then, but will probably spend most of their time with the Duchess's parents in Bucklebury, Berks. The Queen leaves for Balmoral on Friday and the Prince of Wales has a busy programme for the rest of July, meaning that the Duke and Duchess will turn to the Middletons for company and support as they learn the ropes of parenthood. The Queen has extended an invitation for the Duchess and the Middletons to stay at Balmoral, and it remains a possibility that they may spend some time there in the coming weeks. The Duke and Duchess will also have to turn their thoughts to their son's schooling. The Duke is likely to favour putting his son's name down for Eton, where he and his brother, Prince Harry, were educated, but the baby's primary school will be dictated by the Duke's next career move. With his tour of duty at RAF Valley in Wales finishing in September, the Duke has already decided what he will do next, though he has not made it public knowledge. He will either stay in the RAF but move to another base, transfer to another branch of the Armed Forces, or end his military career to take up full-time royal duties. The location of the couple's new home when they leave their rented farmhouse on Anglesey, which will depend upon the Duke's next choice of career, will determine which primary school the prince attends. If the Duke opts for a London-based military posting or full-time royal duties, he might want to send his son to his primary school, Wetherby pre-preparatory in Notting Hill, where the fees are 5,490 pounds per term. The Duchess went to St Andrew's prep school in Pangbourne, Berkshire, a few miles from her family home, before boarding at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

Egypt and Ethiopia agree to bridge dam divide

Foreign ministers try to quell tensions over Ethiopia's plans to divert Blue Nile in controversial dam project. Ethiopia and Egypt have agreed to hold further talks on the impact of a huge Ethiopian dam project to quell tensions between the two countries over water-sharing. "We agreed that we will start immediately on consultations at both the technical level... and the political level," Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr told reporters after meeting in Addis Ababa with his Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom on Tuesday. The countries have been embroiled in a heated dispute after Ethiopia began diverting the Blue Nile River last month for the construction of the 6,000 megawatt Grand Renaissance Dam. The Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi had said earlier that "all options are open" over construction of the dam because of concerns about the impact on downstream water levels. But Amr and Tedros said relations between the two countries remained "brotherly" and that they would continue engaging on the impact of the dam. Amr said previous statements had been made "in the heat of the moment". 'Swim together' "Both ministers stressed the need to continue the dialogue and communication with each other," they said in a joint statement. We have two options, either to swim or sink together. I think Ethiopia chooses, and so does Egypt, to swim together. Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopia FM "We have two options, either to swim or sink together. I think Ethiopia chooses, and so does Egypt, to swim together," Tedros said. An international panel has issued a report outlining the dam's impact on water levels. The report has not been made public, but Ethiopia has said the report confirms that the impact on water levels are minimal. Both nations agreed to "ask for further studies to ascertain the effects of the dam, not only the safety of the dam, the environmental effects, but also the effects of the dam on the downstream countries," Amr said, adding that consultations involve Sudan as well as Ethiopia and Egypt. About 86 percent of Nile water flowing to Egypt originates from the Blue Nile out of Ethiopia, and Cairo has said the construction of the dam is a security concern. Ethiopia's parliament ratified a controversial treaty last week ensuring its access to Nile water resources, replacing a colonial-era agreement that granted Egypt and Sudan the majority of water rights. Biggest hydroelectric dam The new deal allows upstream countries to implement irrigation and hydropower projects without first seeking Egypt's approval. Ethiopia is building the $4.2bn Grand Renaissance Dam in order to generate electricity for export to neighbouring countries, including Kenya and Djibouti. The Blue Nile joins the White Nile in the Sudanese capital Khartoum to form the Nile, which then flows through Egypt. Politics over Nile waters are complex, with its basin including 11 countries with the river travelling about 6,695 km from headwaters in Rwanda and Burundi to the Mediterranean, according to the regional Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). Ministers from the 10-nation NBI are due to meet on Thursday in the South Sudanese capital Juba for annual talks "on the status of the Nile cooperation and how to move it forward", according to a statement from the organisation.

Sandra Bullock isn’t interested in floating in outer space anytime soon

The actress stars in director Alfonso Cuarón’s new sci-fi picture Gravity opposite George Clooney. The feature centers on space shuttle crewmembers who are drifting alone in space after debris disables their spacecraft. Sandra is mother to three-year-old son Louis and couldn’t imagine being part of a space mission before her boy becomes of age. “Someone asked me that, and they said, ‘if your son wanted you to go’, and I said, ‘if he asked me to go and he was already an adult, I would go,’” she revealed to Extra at Comic-Con 2013 in San Diego. “If I knew he would be fine if I perished, I would go.” Sandra reveals that it would still take a mighty amount of convincing to get her into space even when Louis is a grown man. The star likes the effect of gravity on earth. “My feet feel really good on the ground,” she laughed. Sandra’s little boy is becoming a huge science fiction fan. Apparently the star’s immediate family have been piquing Louis’ interest in the genre for years. “My sister and brother-in-law are big Comic-Con [fanatics] and Trekkies, I mean all the figurines all over the house, and now he’s got every single one of them, it’s pretty fantastic,” Sandra explained. The actress will turn 49-years-old on July 26. She jokes that her way of celebrating the new age is by ignoring it. “I’m gonna pretend like it’s not happening and then I’m just gonna wake up and do the day as I normally do,” she quipped. “I don’t know yet, I haven’t planned it yet.” Gravity will reach theaters this fall. © Cover Media This entry was posted in News and tagged Alfonso Cuarón, Comic-Con, George Clooney, Gravity, Sandra Bullock by . Bookmark the permalink.

WHAT OBAMA said about the current volatile situation in Egypt?

US President Barack Obama made phone calls to the leaders of Qatar and the UAE to discuss the current volatile situation in Egypt, where democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi was overthrown by the powerful military, triggering a wave of violent protests. In both the calls yesterday, the three leaders expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Egypt and agreed on the need for all Egyptian leaders to discourage violence. President Obama and Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed about recent developments in Egypt, noting the use of force and incitement to violence by any party is unacceptable, the White House said. "The President and Emir Tamim agreed that a political process that includes participation by all parties and groups is critical for Egypt's stability. "They affirmed that the United States and Qatar will remain actively engaged with all sides in Egypt to promote a quick and responsible return to a sustainable, democratically elected civilian government," the White House said. During their talks, President Obama and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shared their concerns about the ongoing violence in Egypt along with increased political polarisation and agreed on the need for all Egyptian leaders to avoid incitement and discourage violence. Both the leaders affirmed that for Egypt to emerge from this crisis, all Egyptians must come together to find an inclusive path forward. "The President made it clear that United States is encouraging all political, military, and religious leaders in Egypt to remain engaged in dialogue and participate in a political process to hasten a return to democratically elected civilian government," the White House said yesterday. The President encouraged the UAE to underscore in its engagements with Egyptians the importance of avoiding violence and taking steps to enable dialogue and reconciliation, it said. Egypt is embroiled in a political crisis after President Mohammed Morsi was toppled by the powerful military last week.

9 Celebs Who Help Africa

Whether they do it to boost their image or truly help others, numerous celebrities have used their image and clout to help make a change for people who need it.

Spotlight On Nollywood: Single and Married

Single and Married, one of Ghana’s biggest movies, hit the screens late last year. This amazing movie, featuring the cream of Nollywood topped the list at the 2012 Ghana Movies Awards with a total of 10 nominations and went on to win four awards. Fans and critics alike praised the movie.

The movie had its online premiere on iROKOtv PLUS but it is now available for free on iROKOtv! In Single and Married three recently married female friends, all with challenges within their marriages embark on a journey to discover what it is that it takes to make a marriage succeed. Starring: Yvonne Nelson, Chris Attoh, Nadia Buari, Eddie Watson, Kofi Adjorlolo, Tana Adelana, Jane Awindor, Kweku Elliot & Tiffany Director: Pascal Amanfo

Spotlight On Nollywood: Richard Mofe-Damijo

July 6th is the birthday of award winning veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, who is popularly known as RMD. He was born on this date in 1961 in Warri, Nigeria. He studied Theatre Arts at University of Benin. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and talented actors in Nigeria. In 2009 RMD took up a political role as a Commissioner for Cultural and Tourism in Delta State and ever since, acting has taken a less active role in his life. He is married to Jumobi Adegbesan and they are blessed with four children. In celebration of RMD’s birthday we present to you 10 classic RMD movies! See more from RMD HERE

Samini: Reggae and Dancehall King

Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall artiste Samini is known for consistency, flair and a uniquely golden singing approach.. He is the West African country’s biggest reggae and dancehall musician at the moment, and his popularity stretches beyond the West African nation's borders into the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. At the maiden edition of the Bass Awards (Reggae and Dancehall awards) held in the Ghanaian Capital, Accra, this month; he won the award for Best Dancehall Artiste of the Year. And even though he is still climbing up the career ladder, he perfectly fits into the band of celebrated Ghanaian artistes in that genre including the US-based Rocky Dawuni.

Africa And The Facebook Craze

Facebook has become an integral part of the lives of millions across the globe. Pretty much everyone with access to a computer or smartphone has a profile on the social network and, somewhat sadly, tend to play out their daily lives through it. In the latest Facebook statistics gathered by Social Bakers, it was found that just over 50 million Africans are users of the site. When put into perspective, that means 5% of the continent's total population of roughly 1 billion is registered and active on Facebook.

Egypt's interim PM seeks to form cabinet

Hazem al-Beblawi says a government, which may include Muslim Brotherhood figures, will be formed by Sunday.

Egypt's new leadership is facing increased difficulties in forming an interim government after it issued an arrest warrant for the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood movement backing ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Egypt’s interim prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi has said a new government will be formed by Sunday, a week after the popular military coup toppling Morsi. Beblawi said on Thursday he would not rule out posts for Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood in the new cabinet.

But the Brotherhood rejected the offer, demanding Morsi's reinstatement and calling for fresh rallies on Friday against what it called "a bloody military coup". The Brotherhood, for its part, accused the army of "massacring" its supporters. Morsi's overthrow after nationwide protests demanding his resignation has plunged Beblawi, who was appointed by the military on Tuesday, said: "So far I haven't approached anyone,” adding that he wanted to decide on the best candidates before asking them to join the government. Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh, reporting from Cairo, said the new leadership was moving quickly on announcing a new cabinet because it was under pressure to transfer power from military to civilian rule. But the country remained deeply divided, as the military-backed government continued to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood, ordering on Wednesday the arrest of its leader Mohamed Badie and other senior figures in the movement.

the arrest of its leader Mohamed Badie They are wanted on suspicion of inciting clashes near an army building on Monday which killed at least 51 people, mostly Morsi supporters,

judicial sources said. The army said soldiers came under attack by "terrorists" and armed protesters. Egypt into violent turmoil. US arms deal

The latest development came as US officials said Washington will go ahead with plans to deliver four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt in the coming weeks.

The US has neither welcomed the toppling of Morsi nor denounced it as a "coup". A US decision to brand his overthrow a coup would, by US law, require Washington to halt aid to the Egyptian military. The jets, which will likely be delivered in August, are part of the annual aid package, a US defence official told Reuters news agency on Wednesday. Another eight F-16s, built by Lockheed Martin Corp, are due to be delivered in December, the official said on condition of anonymity. "There is no current change in the plan to deliver F-16s to the Egyptian military," a second US official said.

The Egyptian army receives $1.3bn in annual US assistance. The country has been one of the world's largest recipients of US aid since it signed a 1979 peace treaty with Israel. It was the first Arab country to buy F-16s, widely viewed as a symbol of political and security ties with Washington. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has spoken by phone with the head of Egypt's armed forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, eight times since July 2.

Sisi was the country’s defence minister until he led the coup against Morsi.

WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD? Do You Know? Question: How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer: It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam. 1. Islam means peace. Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt). 2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice. 3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary. The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8): “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.” 4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years. Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers. 5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians. Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian. 6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India. The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword. 7. Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?” 8. East Coast of Africa. Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?” 9. Thomas Carlyle. The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book “Heroes and Hero worship”, refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: “The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.” 10. No compulsion in religion. With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error” [Al-Qur’an 2:256] 11. Sword of the Intellect. It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125: “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” [Al-Qur’an 16:125] 12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984. An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam? 13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe. Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers? 14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, “People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born”.

Egypt Q and A: What does this mean for Arab Democratisation?

As the situation unfolds in Egypt, attention turns to the wider implications of military intervention. Jacob Powell speaks to Dr. Larbi Sadiki, a leading scholar in the field of Arab democratisation and a regular contributor to these pages. He has authored two critically acclaimed books on the issue: Arab Democratization: Elections without Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2009) and The Search for Arab Democracy: Discourses and Counter-Discourses (Columbia University Press, 2004). Jacob Powell: Do you think Egypt is ready for democracy? Larbi Sadiki: I think the question is not really answerable. The question should be: “where is the infrastructure in place to facilitate democracy?” Democracy is an open-ended game that gets developed over a long time. What we have seen since 2011, - the Egyptian people have the building blocks of democracy enacted through mostly peaceful people’s power displays. We should not engage the question through ‘exceptionalism’, relegating Egypt or Arabs to the realm of ‘non-democracy’, whatever that might be. For example, Chile had its setbacks and Pinochet toppled a democratically elected government in the mid 1970s – mostly with Western backing especially from the US. Several Latin American countries had similar experiences of democratic breakdown with the generals intervening to scupper democratic processes and purge democratic opposition. We cannot forget the Chavista and anti-Chavista In Venezuela. During 2002, Chavez was temporarily ousted by the army, and there were people protesting for and against him. Closer to home, we cannot forget Algeria 1991-92 and the Palestinian elections of 2006. The common thread is that Islamists choosing the ballot box keep being toppled. The route to democracy is not linear. It is long, complex and fraught with obstacles, embracing both highs and lows. The journey to democracy, past and present, affirms this. I don’t really think Egyptians have something in their character that lends itself to inhospitality to democracy and democratisation. Definitely, what has happened in Egypt has stunted a fledgling democratisation process. I’m pretty sure that the Egyptian people have the means to reclaim their power and restore the democratisation process. However, we cannot massage words about what has happened: a coup is a coup is a coup – be it one which, for now, has been triggered by massive public backing. It is naïve to think Arab uprisings have been solely popular affairs – armies are very much part of the machinations driving ousters of unwanted regimes and presidents, especially in Egypt.

Egypt army opens fire on pro-Morsi protesters

At least three supporters of deposed President Morsi killed, as crowd marches on barracks where ousted leader is held. At least three supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi were killed by gunfire as a crowd of several hundred tried to march towards the military barracks in Cairo where he is believed to be held.

Al Jazeera's correspondent, reporting from near the military barracks, said several dozen people were also injured by shotgun pellets fired by the army. "One protester broke away from the rally to stick a pro-Morsi poster on the barbed-wire around the barracks. He was shot in the head with birdshot," he said. Security forces were cordoning the Republican Guard barracks but it was not immediately clear who had opened fire. An army spokesman denied that troops opened fire on supporters, saying that soldiers were using only blank rounds and teargas. It was unclear whether security forces other than the army were present. The interior ministry also denied that people were killed in the clashes outside the Republican Guards club. In Nasr City in the Egyptian capital, thousands of supporters of Morsi gathered to protest against his ouster as the country's president in a military coup.

Senior Muslim Brotherhood member Mohamed ElBeltagy told the protestors: "Your brothers are now at the Republican Guards trying to help president Morsi get out. Your brothers are being fired at with live bullets. "I call on the military is to remove the defence minister and to bring president Morsi back to power. We are going to the republican guards as martyrs in million. Today, president Morsi should come back to power," ElBeltagy said. The crowds are expected to swell further after Friday afternoon prayers in response to the call by a coalition of Islamist groups led by the Muslim Brotherhood for demonstrations against the coup. The coalition on Thursday urged people to take part in a "Friday of Rejection" protest following weekly prayers. The call is being seen as a test of whether Morsi still has a support base in the country, and how the army will deal with it.

Morsi, who was Egypt's first democratically elected president, belongs to the Muslim Brotherhood movement . While the military coup came in the wake of mass protests seeking Morsi's dismissal, the ex-president's supporters are angry and have denounced the army's intervention. They have vowed to continue with their sit-in protest and march towards the defence ministry. Dozens of people were wounded in clashes in Morsi's home city Zagazig on Thursday, raising fears of more violence. Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Nasr City in Cairo, said:"People here say this is no longer only a pro-Morsi rally, it is about resisting the military coup as much as it is about reinstating te first and only ever democratically elected civilian president." Military appeal Earlier, the military had appealed for conciliation and warned against unrest, as police rounded up senior Islamists ahead of the planned Brotherhood protests.

The authorities have also closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for the day. Army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi , released a statement later on Thursday on its Facebook page, saying that everyone had a right to peaceful protest, but that right should not be abused. Excessive protests, the army warned, could lead to civil unrest, while reiterating that it was not targeting any political group. "Wisdom, true nationalism and constructive human values that all religions have called for, require us now to avoid taking any exceptional or arbitrary measures against any faction or political current," the statement said.

Even the newly sworn-in interim leader Adly Mansour, who replaced Morsi as the president, used his inauguration on Thursday to heal the relationship with the Brotherhood. "The Muslim Brotherhood are part of this people and are invited to participate in building the nation as nobody will be excluded, and if they respond to the invitation, they will be welcomed," he said.