Islam in Russia

Thank you to Avari/Nameh for introducing the following to the Blogosphere:

New York Times features a very cool multimedia presentation to go alongside an article about the growth of Islam in Russia. The multimedia presentation is a combination of pictures, Qur'anic recitation and voice-over, focusing largely on the rebirth of Islam in Kazan, capital of Tatarstan, and in small Caucasus republics like Karachevo-Cherkessk.

Let's Trance - William Dalrymple in Fes

William Dalrymple recounts an ecstatic evening in Fes in today's Guardian Travel Supplement.

Youssou N'Dour and Ravi Shankar have played the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. But William Dalrymple found real soul at an all-nighter in the backstreets.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Religion of Love

A religious lesson at the Mosque of Ibn Al-Arabi in Salhieh, Damascus.

Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) is one of the most famous Muslim philosophers. He was born in southern Spain and lived during the golden era of openness and tolerance in Arab-ruled Andalusia. He spent years traveling around the Islamic world before finally settling in Damascus, where he completed his greatest book Al-Futuhat Al-Makkiyyah (Meccan Revelations), which is an encyclopedia of Sufism (Islamic mysticism) and Sufi teachings. He was buried in Damascus; and the Mosque, pictured above, was built in his honor by Ottoman Sultan Selim I in 1516.

Throughout his life, Ibn Arabi preached tolerance among all faiths. In one of his most famous poems, he considers his heart "a center of love":

O Marvel! a garden amidst the flames.
My heart has become capable of every form:
It is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for monks,
and a temple for idols and the pilgrim's Kaa'ba,
and the tables of the Torah and the book of the Quran.
I follow the religion of Love:
Whatever way Love's camels take,
that's my religion and my faith.

The Hall of a Thousand Columns

The much awaited second installment of Tim Mackintosh-Smith's wonderful series following in the footnotes (and literal footsteps) of Ibn Batuttah the great medieval Tangerine traveler is reviewed in The Guardian.

Outside the mosque and burial place of of Abu Al-Darda' in the Citadel of Damascus. Abu Al-Darda' was a companion of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and one of the narrators of Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). After the Muslims conquered Syria, he resided in Damascus and became the city's judge during the reign of Caliph Uthman Ibn 'Affan. He died in 653.

Prayer Area in Heathrow Terminal 4

I just received the following email:

There is now a Prayer Area in Heathrow Terminal 4.

This has just been opened recently (about 3 weeks ago).

Location: After completing security, turn left in the departure lounge towards Gates 1-6. The prayer area is on the left after Dixons.

It would also be a good idea to email BA and thank them for this facility. I understand there has been a lot of effort in getting this space.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a great city. No, there's no point in arguing. It's great. Whilst reading an extract from Orhan Pamuk's 'Istanbul', an autobiographical rather than geographical piece, I was transported back to the Shores of the Golden Horn, Eminonu in particular and had an epiphany of my own:

The sun is setting behind me. I glance back at the mainland. The imperious Ottoman minarets trace a mesmerising skyline. The mosques jostle with each other to catch the eye and beguile the mind. My attention returns to the shore as the restauranteur, for that is perhaps the most apt description for him, hands me a freshly made sardine sandwich. We exchange a glance and some devalued currency. As I garnish this freshest of fast-food with rock salt, the earth finally coaxes the sun from its celestial path and the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer.

Eminonu ©Tauseef Mehrali 2005