.

Queens Baton Relay at Calicut

2010-08-30T16:19:00.002+05:30

Wake up for Fajr Salaah - The Short Story

2010-01-16T18:21:00.000+05:30

A man woke up early in order to Pray the Fajr Prayer in the masjid. He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty.

He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, He changed His Clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, He fell again and at the Same Spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home. At home he, once again, changed His Clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, He Met a Man Holding a Lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I Saw You Fall Twice on your way to the masjid,
So I Brought a Lamp so I can Light Your Way.' The first man thanked him and the two where on their way to the masjid.

Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same.

The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray. He man replied I am Shetaan(devil/ evil).

The man was shocked at this reply. Shetan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins.

I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid. Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household.

I was AFRAID if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely..'

So do not let Shetan benefit from his actions? Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.

If forwarding this message will bother you, or take too much time from you, then don't do it, but you will not get the reward of it, which is great. Imagine, that when you forward this, you receive good deeds, May Allah (Subhana Ho Wataallah) grant us perfect Muslim Heart and we all do Prayers with our Heart and Soul...

Ameen

Hajj Starts

2009-11-26T12:20:00.002+05:30

Nearly three million pilgrims flocked to the arid valley of Mina early on Wednesday, November 25, for the start of the soul-searching journey of hajj.
"Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" ("Here I am, my Lord, here I am"), chanted the faithful walking or boarding buses to Mina, five kilometers east of the holy city of Makkah.
Pilgrims started hajj rites early Wednesday with the tawaf, the circling seven times of the cubic Kaaba in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The faithful will spend the day, known as "Yawm at-Tarwiya," in prayers and meditation, sleeping the night in fire-proof tents.
At dawn on Thursday, November 26, the sea of white-clad pilgrims will begin moving towards Mount `Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago.
Standing on Mount `Arafat, about 15 km east of Makkah, before sunset marks the climax of hajj and pilgrims who fail to make it on time must repeat their pilgrimage in future.
They will then return to Mina a day later for the animal sacrifice ritual, marking the start of the four-day `Eid Al-Adha.
The pilgrims will also start as of Friday, November 27, the stone-throwing ritual.
Pilgrims hurl seven pebbles from behind a fence or from the overhead Jamarat Bridge every day for three days at each of the three 18-meter-high concrete pillars symbolizing the devil. Satan appeared on the same site to Prophet Abraham, son Isma`il and wife Hagar, who each threw seven stones at him.
Around three million pilgrims from over 160 countries are performing hajj this year.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj once in their lifetime.

Source:Islamonline

HAJJ INFORMATION CENTRE

2009-11-20T10:21:00.002+05:30

Official website of Ministry of Hajj ,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
http://www.hajinformation.com
Contains all important details of Hajj .

Ramadan 2009

2009-08-25T15:17:00.002+05:30

Condolence

2009-08-03T10:10:00.004+05:30

Malappuram (Kerala): Veteram Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal passed away at a private hospital in Kerala’s Malappuram district yesterday August 1.

Panakkad Thangal died following cardiac arrest at a private hospital near Malappuram. He was 73.

Panakkad Thangal had dominated the Kerala politics for over three decades. He is survived by his second wife Ayesha Beevi, two sons and three daughters. Thangal married Ayesha Beevi in 2006 after the passing away of his first wife Shareefa Fatima Beevi.

Thangal always resisted pressures to take up plum postings in Muslim countries that had good relations with India and also preferred to keep away from the corridors of power. For several decades he had been the fulcrum on which the IUML, the second most powerful ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, stood steady.

Thangal, born May 4, 1936, was the eldest son of Panakkad Pookoya Thangal. After his schooling in Calicut, he went for higher studies on Islam in Tirur. In 1958, he went to Egypt for further studies and obtained a higher degree from Al Azhar University in 1961. He continued his studies in Cairo University and pursued a doctorate in Arabic literature in 1966. On the death of his father in 1975, he took over as president of the Kerala state committee of IUML, a post he held till his death. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, Thangal made a passionate plea to all the Muslims in the state to remain calm.

Thousands of mourners from all walks of life today paid homage to the veteran IUML stalwart.

His funeral held at Panakkad Juma Masjid with state honours today on Sunday.

Condolence messages continue to pour in lauding his services, especially his role in preserving communal and social harmony at the most trying times like demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. Thangal passed away last night aged 73.

Welcome Ramadhan 2009

2009-07-25T10:38:00.004+05:30

Small Acts That Merit Great Reward By Marwa Afifi
Ramadan creates a spiritual ambience in the homes and hearts of Muslims all around the world. They physically and spiritually strive towards the pleasure of Allah, subhana wa talla, and there are many rewards awaiting them. A closer look at the ahadith of the Prophet Muhammed, salla Allahu alahi wa sallam, will tell us of the rewards and blessings coming our way.

The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: 'Whoever says at daybreak: "There is no God save Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and the praise and He has power over all things"

That individual will have ... ten good deeds will be written for him, ten misdeeds will be erased, and he will be elevated ten levels. He will be protected from Satan until evening, and if he says it in the evening, he would have the same rewards until morning' (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah - sahih).

The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam also said: 'Whoever says in the morning or in the evening: "O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no God beside You. You created me and I am Your slave and I have taken a covenant to You and promised You what I am able to do. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done, I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me because none forgives sins except You."
If a servant died during the day or night after having said this prayer, he will enter Paradise ' (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Nisa'e, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih; Al Bukhari transmits another version of this hadith).
Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: 'Whoever says at morning or evening: "Glory and praise be Allah the Great" one hundred times
No one will come forward on the Day of Judgement with something better than him; except someone who said the same as him and added to it' (Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Tirmidhi).
'Whoever says: "Glory and praise be to Allah the Great"
A date tree will be planted for him in Paradise ' (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
'Whoever says: "Glory and praise be to Allah" one hundred times in a single day
His sins will be erased even if they are like the waves of the sea' (Bukhari and Muslim).
If someone implements ten verses of the Qur'an
He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment. (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban - sahih).
If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur'an
He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment(Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban - sahih
If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur'an
He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban - sahih).
'Whoever says in the evening: "In the name of Allah with whose name there can be no harm in the earth or in the heavens and He is the Hearer the Knower" three times
He/She will not be afflicted with a sudden calamity before morning. (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
'Whoever says: "I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allah from the evil that He created" three times in the evening
He/She will not be harmed by the bite of a serpent during that night' (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
'Whoever says upon leaving his house: "In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no movement and no power except with Allah"
It will be said to him: "You have been contented and you took precaution", Satan will turn away from him' (Al Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Ibn al Sunni - sahih).
'Whoever says when he hears the caller to prayer: "And I bear witness that there is no God save Allah, He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I am pleased with Allah as Lord, Muhammad as Prophet and Islam as religion"
All his sins will be forgiven' (Muslim and the other five).
'Whoever recites the Surah al Ikhlas ten times
Allah will build for him a house in the Paradise ' (Ahmad - sahih).
'Whoever recites the Surah al Kahf on a Friday,
A light will be created for him/her until the next Friday' (Al Hakim and Al Bayhaqi - sahih).
'Whoever recites the verse of the Throne after every compulsory prayer
Will not be forbidden entrance to Paradise ' (Ibn Hibban and Al Nisa'e - sahih).
'Whoever recites Surah al Ikhlas
It is as if he read one-third of the Qur'an (Ahmad, Al Nisa'e, Al Tirmidhi - sahih).

_

Longest railway bridge in Kochi

2009-07-18T19:49:00.000+05:30

Kochi, Jul 18 (PTI):Come November and people in Kochi can take pride in their city having the longest railway bridge in the country, cutting across an island over the Vembanad lake. The 4.62 km-long Vallarpadam bridge will beat the current record for the longest rail bridge held by the Nehru Setu Bridge near Dehri on river Sone in Bihar by more than a kilometre.

"It will be the longest bridge built in the shortest possible time of 18 months," G Kesava Chandran, Deputy General Manager, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), which is executing the works, told PTI. The basic idea behind building this huge elevated structure, being completely funded by the Centre, was to reduce land acquisition at nearby Vaduthala, which is a very thickly populated area, he said.

The bridge is part of the nearly nine km railway link being built for Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). The total cost of the Rail link for the Vallarpadam project, including the railway station and goods yard at Edappally near here was Rs 245.67 crore, but had shot up to Rs 297.10 crore due to escalation of steel prices, he said.

Chandran said 11,000 tonnes of ordinary steel, 3,000 tonnes of high tensile steel and 36,000 tonnes of cement have so far been consumed to build the 133 span bridge, which will have 133 pillars. These pillars are built on piles sunk to depths ranging between 45 to 55 metres, he said.

Monsoon days

2009-07-08T17:07:00.002+05:30

Samsung Blue Earth

2009-06-24T19:18:00.004+05:30

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today unveiled the innovative solar powered full-touch screen phone “Blue Earth”, alongside Samsung’s vision for environmental sustainability. Under the slogan: “The Blue Earth Dream: Eco-living with SAMSUNG mobile”, Samsung reinforced its commitment to protect the environment through the design of eco-friendly products and a programme of activities for its customers. It will be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2009 for the first time.

Designed to symbolize a flat and well rounded shiny pebble, Blue Earth is the first solar powered full-touch screen phone. By charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough electronic power to call anytime anywhere.

Blue Earth is made from recycled plastic called PCM, which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the manufacturing process. The device, including charger, is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate.

The latest in a series of eco-friendly products, Blue Earth comes with a unique user interface which is designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. Simple to set screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth to an energy-efficient mode, this new user interface allows the user to be energy-efficient with just one click of ’Eco mode’. Through the ‘eco walk’ function the user can count their steps with an in-built pedometer, calculating how much CO2 emissions have been reduced by walking as opposed to motor transport. This unique function allows user to calculate the value of this footprint through the number of trees that have been saved.

The packaging for Blue Earth is designed to be both small and light, made from recycled paper, and comes with a 5 star energy efficient charger which uses standby power lower than 0.03W. As part of the Voluntary Agreement of European Commission IPP (Integrated Product Policy) pilot program, Samsung has agreed to start using rating on energy consumption on the no-load mode of the mobile device charger.

“Samsung’s ‘The Blue Earth Dream’ demonstrates our small but meaningful commitments for the future and our environment,” said Mr. JK Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile Communication Division of Samsung Electronics. "We are committed to achieving the highest eco-status with our customers and business partners by providing the best eco-products and promoting eco-activities.”

Brightned by the sun

2008-11-27T10:00:00.002+05:30

MODERN SOLAR SYSTEMS

EidMubarak

2008-10-03T15:06:00.003+05:30

Eid Mubarak to all my visitors.

Due to some connectivity problem in my connection site updation is not regular.I deeply apologize for that.

Zakaatul-Fitr

2008-09-16T15:52:00.001+05:30

Zakaatul-Fitr is one of the things that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, mandated upon all Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, made Zakaatul-Fitr, one Saa’ (almost 3kg) of dates or one Saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old. He ordered that it should be given before people go out to the ‘Eid Prayer” [Al-Bukhaari]

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allaah be pleased with him: “During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, we used to pay one Saa' of dried dates or of barley, or of cheese, or of raisins.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him explained the wisdom behind paying Zakaatul-Fitr when he said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, made Zakaatul-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakaah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity” [Abu Daawood]

Other acts of worship during Ramadhaan:

During Ramadhaan, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, would continue performing the same acts of worship he used to perform before its arrival, and would actually increase, like in the case of the optional night prayers. The following are more acts of worship he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, used to perform:

The recitation of Qur’aan and spending in charity: The evidence for this is the narration of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, in which he stated: “The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadhaan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadhaan to teach him the Qur'aan, and when he met him, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, would be more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (i.e. in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]. This narration proves that he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, used to reach the highest level of generosity during Ramadhaan. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, did not only offer charity in the form of money, but rather he offered his time, knowledge, conveyed all that would benefit the people and guided them to the correct path, strove to help people fulfill their needs and sacrificed himself for the sake of spreading the religion of Allaah and making it supreme.

Ibn Al-Muneer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, resembled the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, with the uncontrollable wind, because this type of wind is the one that Allaah sends with rain and it spreads the rain on all the lands, fertile and non fertile and benefits it all. Likewise, the benefit of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, overwhelmed all people”

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam used to review the Qur’aan with Jibreel once every year during the month of Ramadhaan, but on the year he died, he reviewed it twice. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam used to perform I’tikaaf every year in the month of Ramadhaan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaaf for twenty days”. [Al-Bukhaari]

Jihaad: The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam went out during the month of Ramadhaan to fight Jihaad on more than one occasion when the need arose, like in the case of the battle of Badr and the Conquest of Makkah.

When reflecting on the practice of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam in worshipping one notices the following:

· His continual performance of virtuous deeds.

· Increasing his worship during the month of Ramadhaan over the rest of the months of the year.

· The feelings of mercy he harbored towards his nation, as he was always keen to guide and instruct them to that which benefits them the most.

· His practical implementation of the commands of Allaah.

· Not neglecting his duties due to fasting, were he used to pray all night and wake his family to pray. Moreover, he sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam fought two major battles during this month as we mentioned.

We ask Allaah to enable us all to follow into his footsteps and exert our utmost during this blessed month.

Song

2008-04-02T20:28:00.000+05:30

Earth Hour 2008

2008-03-19T19:00:00.001+05:30

Love of God

2008-03-18T12:20:00.000+05:30

What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Prophet museum in Dubai

2008-03-13T09:57:00.000+05:30

DUBAI:The government of the booming emirate of Dubai has decided to build the world's first museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

"In the history of Dubai, this museum will stand as a shining milestone as it will give the world an opportunity to learn about the life and message of Prophet Muhammad," Omer bin Suleiman, the managing director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, told the official WAM news agency.

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, also the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, has asked the Authority, only formed this week, to immediately proceed with the museum plan.

The museum, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, will be dedicated entirely to the life of prophet Muhammad.

Muhammad and the message will chronicle the life of the prophet and introduce the visitors to the main stops including his marriage, the beginning of God's revelation, the demise of his wife Khadijah, the incident of Al Isra'a and Al Mi'raj, migration to Madinah, the conquest of Makkah and the prophet's death. There will be a special section on hajj and the fundamental aspects of Islam.

The aim is to introduce the world to the inspiring life of Prophet Muhammad and how he changed the course of human history.

New role
Sheikh Mayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Authority, said they decided that the prophet's museum should be the first project undertaken by the new body.

"The project also clearly indicates that Dubai is keen on playing its role not only as a bridge between the East and the West, but also between the Islamic world and the rest of the world."

Abu Dhabi, another member of the oil-rich, seven-member UAE federation, is home to what is believed to be the third biggest mosque in the world.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, named after the UAE late founding father, is built on a 9.5-metre high hill so it is visible from far.

It covers an area of 22,000 square meters, has four 107-metre tall minarets, 82 domes of seven different sizes, 96 columns inside and 1,048 outside and can accommodate more than 40,000 faithful.

Two rooms next to the main prayer hall, with a 1,500-capacity each, have been reserved for women, who can follow sermons delivered by prayer leaders on giant television screens.

The mosque is an architectural masterpiece built 100 percent with Italian marble and decorated with thousands of rare and semi-precious stones, some encrusted in marble.

The centerpiece is a 6,000 square meter hand-made Iranian carpet which weighs 45 tones, said to be the biggest in the world, and cost more than 8.5 million dollars.

Another breathtaking piece is a huge crystal chandelier in the main prayer hall, one of seven German-made chandeliers costing more than eight million dollars.

It is 10-metre tall, 10-metre wide and weighs nine tones.

Source:Islam Online

Happy B`Day my son

2008-03-10T10:50:00.004+05:30

May Allah SWT bless my son Shahzad with Happiness ,Success and Long Life.

Funny Accidents

2008-02-29T15:37:00.000+05:30

Air Arabia's Kozhikode service

2008-02-21T19:07:00.001+05:30

Dubai: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, yesterday said that it will launch service to the South Indian city of Kozhikode beginning February 26.

Flights will initially operate three times per week between Kozhikode, the third largest city in Kerala, and Air Arabia's hub in Sharjah. By the end of May the service will be expanded to six per week.

Air Arabia is the first airline in the Middle East to commence operations to Kozhikode.

Air Arabia's tenth destination in India, Kozhikode is also the carrier's third destination in Kerala.

In the state, the carrier currently provides daily service to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

Air Arabia now serves 38 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asia.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of service to our newest destination in India, demonstrating once again Air Arabia's unmatched commitment to the Subcontinent," said A.K. Nizar, head of commercial department for Air Arabia.

"Serving the greatest number of destinations in India of any regional airline, Air Arabia provides timely, efficient and cost-effective travel solutions for passengers travelling to and from the world's second most-populous nation.

"The addition of Kozh-ikode to our growing destination network is particularly significant for the Indian expatriate population in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, which includes an especially large percentage of non-resident Indians who call Kerala home.

"We are confident that the launch of Air Arabia service to Kozhikode will prove highly popular with both residents and the increasing number of visitors who seek to explore this historic city on the Arabian Sea," Nizar said.

Gulf News Report

Mammootty

2008-02-21T10:26:00.003+05:30

Kadalundi New Road Bridge

2008-02-14T10:29:00.001+05:30

Driving Tips

2008-02-13T22:38:00.000+05:30

Harthal in Aluva/ Kalamassery

2008-02-06T11:12:00.000+05:30

Harthal declared in Aluva and Kalamassery area today 06/02/2008 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm

May Allah Bless Her With Jannah Al Firdous

2008-01-20T13:02:00.000+05:30

Mrs.M.C.AYISHA [04/01/2008]

Inna lilahi wa inna ilaihi raji'oon!!

May Allah SWT forgive her, guide her and protect her soul and grant her Jannah Al firdous!

Ammen

Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

2007-12-27T19:56:00.000+05:30

Benazir Bhutto was killed by a fatal gunshot wound to the head, with secondary wounds to the neck and chest , as she was entering her vehicle to leave a political rally for the Pakistan People's Party in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The assassin then detonated his explosive vest, killing about 20 people and wounding others. The attack occurred just after Ms. Bhutto left the rally, where she was giving a campaign address to party supporters in the run-up to the January 2008 parliamentary elections. She died at 6:16 pm local time while receiving emergency surgery for her wounds at Rawalpindi General Hospital.

Eid Meet at Ernakulam

2007-12-20T22:23:00.000+05:30

Eid prayer at Ernakulam Marine Drive Eid Gah was lead by Jnb T.Arif Ali.Eid Meet was also held at the venue which was attended by Kerala State Ministers and other dignitaries.Imam highlighted the message of sacrifice and said that it is an indication of willingness to give up one’s on dear things in order to achieve the pleasure of God.

The imam stressed that the Muslims should make this day an occasion of love, prayer, solidarity, and respect for parents and help for the needy.

Eid Mubarak

2007-12-19T23:01:00.000+05:30

We Wish all our visitors a very happy Eid Mubarak

The Meaning of Hajj

2007-12-18T12:23:00.001+05:30

1. The Hajj is an inward journey to the Ka'bah of the heart and soul.

2. The Hajj consists of the Hajj of the Body (walking, standing, collecting and throwing), the Hajj of the Mind (performing the rites with understanding) and the Hajj of the Heart (performed in total submission to The Almighty).

3. The Ka'bah is not the destination; it is the starting point of one's commitment to cast away one's bad ways and to begin afresh a new Allah-centred life.

4. In tawaf, the pilgrim is like a drop of water that has become part of the river that is flowing to its origin, the ocean of Eternity. This life is a journey of return to The Merciful.

5. Sa'ee makes one aware that the Allah-centred life must be filled with "effort" (meaning of sa'ee). It is effort anchored in complete submission to Allah The Merciful that will bring the right results, just as it did for a mother who ran several times from one end of the valley to another in search of water in the harsh desert environment.

6. When the pilgrim leaves the Ka'bah in the direction of Arafah to begin his Hajj, he is moving away from The House to meet The Lord of The House. Arafat is outside the boundary of The Holy Land (Haram), signifying that The Lord of The House is everywhere, and is closer to man than he is to his own jugular vein. [The Holy Qur'an, 50:16]

[Excerpts from Hajj of the Heart by Dr Y Mansoor Marican, Ph. D.]

HAJJ

2007-12-18T11:34:00.000+05:30

On the first day of the Hajj, pilgrims sweep out of Makkah towards Mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. Pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet (PBUH) did on his pilgrimage.
During the second day, the 9th of Zul-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the the central rite of the Hajj. As they congregate there, the pilgrims' stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment. Some of them gather at the , where the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have asked God to pardon the sins of pilgrims who "stood" at 'Arafat, and was granted his wish. Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.
Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to, an open plain about halfway between 'Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect a fixed number of chickpea-sized pebbles to use on the following days.
Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to There they cast at white pillars the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan's attempt to persuade Ibrahim (PBUH) to disregard God's command to sacrifice his son.
Following the casting of the pebbles, most pilgrims sacrifice a goat, sheep or some other animal. They give the meat to the poor after, in some cases, keeping a small portion for themselves. As the pilgrims have, at this stage, finished a major part of the Hajj, they are now allowed to shed their ihram and put on everyday clothes. On this day Muslims around the world share the happiness the pilgrims feel and join them by performing identical, individual sacrifices in a worldwide celebration of 'Id al-Adha,
Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. This is done as a symbol of humility. All proscriptions, save the one of conjugal relations, are now lifted.
Still sojourning in Mina, pilgrims visit to perform another essential rite of the Hajj: the the seven-fold circling of the Ka'bah, with a prayer recited during each circuit. Their circumambulation of the Ka'bah, the symbol of God's oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its center. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man.
After completing the tawaf, pilgrims pray, preferably at the , the site where Ibrahim (PBUH) stood while he built the Ka'bah. Then they drink of the water of Zamzam.
Another, and sometimes final, rite is the sa'y, or "the running." This is a reenactment of a memorable episode in the life of Hagar (PBUH), who was taken into what the Qur'an calls the "uncultivable valley" of Makkah, with her infant son Ishmael, to settle there.
The commemorates Hagar's (PBUH) frantic search for water to quench Ishmael's (PBUH) thirst. She ran back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks, al-Safa and al-Marwah, until she found the sacred water known as Zamzam. This water, which sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael's tiny feet, is now enclosed in a marble chamber the Ka'bah.
These rites performed, the pilgrims are completely deconsecrated: They may resume all normal activities. According to the social customs of some countries, pilgrims can henceforth proudly claim the title of al-Hajj or Hajji.
They now return to Mina, where they stay up to the 12th or 13th day of Zul-Hijjah. There they throw their remaining pebbles at each of the pillars in the manner either practiced or approved by the Prophet (PBUH). They then take leave of the friends they have made during the Hajj. Before leaving Makkah, however, pilgrims usually make a final tawaf round the Ka'bah to bid farewell to the Holy City.

Zam Zam Water-A Miracle

2007-12-13T11:47:00.000+05:30

Research by Tariq Hussain, RiyadhBy Mu`in Ad-Din Ahmad

Come the Hajj season, and I am reminded of the wonders of Zamzam water. Let me go back to how it all started. In 1971, an Egyptian doctor wrote a letter to the European Press, saying that Zamzam water was not fit for drinking purposes. I immediately thought that this was just a form of prejudice against the Muslims and that since his statement was based on the assumption that since the Ka`bah was a shallow place (below sea level) and located in the center of the city of Makkah, the wastewater of the city collecting through the drains fell into the well holding the water.

Fortunately, the news came to the ears of King Faisal, who got extremely angry and decided to disprove the Egyptian doctor's provocative statement. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to investigate and send samples of Zamzam water to European laboratories for testing the potability of the water.
The ministry then instructed the Jeddah Power and Desalination Plants to carry out this task. It was here that I was employed as a desalting engineer (chemical engineer to produce drinking water from seawater). I was chosen to carry out this assignment. At this stage, I remember that I had no idea what the well holding the water looked like. I went to Makkah and reported to the authorities at the Ka`bah explaining my purpose of visit.

They deputed a man to give me whatever help was required. When we reached the well, it was hard for me to believe that a pool of water, more like a small pond, about 18 by 14 feet (5.5 by 4.3 meters), was the well that supplied millions of gallons of water every year to Hajis ever since it came into existence at the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) many, many centuries ago.

I started my investigations and took the dimensions of the well. I asked the man to show me the depth of the well. First he took a shower and descended into the water. Then he straightened his body. I saw that the water level came up to just above his shoulders.

His height was around 5 feet, 8 inches (173 centimeters). He then started moving from one corner to the other in the well (standing all the while since he was not allowed to dip his head into the water) in search of any inlet or pipeline inside the well to see from where the water came in. However, the man reported that he could not find any inlet or pipeline inside the well.

I thought of another idea. The water could be withdrawn rapidly with the help of a big transfer pump that was installed at the well for the Zamzam water storage tanks. In this way, the water level would drop, enabling us to locate the point of entry of the water. Surprisingly, nothing was observed during the pumping period, but I knew that this was the only method by which one could find the entrance of the water to the well. So I decided to repeat the process. But this time I instructed the man to stand still at one place and carefully observe any unusual thing happening inside the well. After a while, he suddenly raised his hands and shouted,

"Al-hamdu lillah! I have found it. The sand is dancing beneath my feet as the water oozes out of the bed of the well."

Then he moved around the well during the pumping period and noticed the same phenomenon everywhere in the well.
Actually the flow of water into the well through the bed was equal at every point, thus keeping the level of the water steady. After I finished my observations I took the samples of the water for European laboratories to test. Before I left the Ka`bah, I asked the authorities about the other wells around Makkah. I was told that these wells were mostly dry.
When I reached my office in Jeddah, I reported my findings to my boss, who listened with great interest but made a very irrational comment that the Zamzam well could be internally connected to the Red Sea. How was it possible when Makkah is about 46.6 miles (75 kilometers) away from the sea and the wells located before the city usually remain dry?
The results of the water samples tested by the European laboratories and the one we analyzed in our own laboratory were found to be almost identical. The difference between Zamzam water and other (city water) was in the quantity of calcium and magnesium salts.
The content of these was slightly higher in Zamzam water. This may be why this water refreshes tired Hajis, but more significantly, the water contains fluorides that have an effective germicidal action. Moreover, the remarks of the European laboratories showed that the water was fit for drinking.

Hence the statement made by the Egyptian doctor was proved false. When this was reported to King Faisal, he was extremely pleased and ordered the contradiction of the report in the European Press. In a way, it was a blessing that this study was undertaken to show the chemical composition of the water. In fact, the more you explore, the more wonders surface and you find yourself believing implicitly in the miracles of this water that Allah bestowed as a gift on the faithful coming from far and wide to the desert land for pilgrimage.
Some of the Features of Zamzam Water

This well has never dried up. On the contrary, it has always fulfilled the demand for water. It has always maintained the same salt composition and taste ever since it came into existence. Its potability has always been universally recognized as pilgrims from all over the world visit the Ka`bah every year for Hajj and `Umrah, but have never complained about it. Instead, they have always enjoyed the water that refreshes them. Water tastes different at different places.

Zamzam water's appeal has always been universal. This water has never been chemically treated or chlorinated as is the case with water pumped into the cities. Biological growth and vegetation usually take place in most wells. This makes the water unpalatable owing to the growth of algae causing taste and odor problems.

But in the case of the Zamzam water well, there wasn't any sign of biological growth. Centuries ago, Hajar searched desperately for water in the hills of Safa and Marwah to give to her infant son Isma`il (peace and blessings be upon him). As she ran from one place to another in search of water, her child rubbed his feet against the sand. A pool of water surfaced, and by the grace of Allah, shaped itself into a well that came to be called Zamzam water.

08-November-2007

2007-11-08T13:38:00.000+05:30

We were not able to update the space for the last few weeks due to some technical snag in our system.

Eid @ Ernakulam

2007-10-13T12:30:00.000+05:30

Ernakulam :Jnb Basheer Muhyudheen led the prayer at Marine Drive Eid Gah which was flooded with people.

Eid Mubarak

2007-10-12T19:32:00.000+05:30

LUKKU.CO.Nr wishes all EID MUBARAK

Sami Yusuf -Asma Allah

2007-10-11T11:55:00.000+05:30

Check out the new Asma Allah from Sami Yusuf

What Muslims do during Eid

2007-10-10T10:12:00.000+05:30

On the day of Eid, there are some Sunnah acts that Muslims should do, including:

>Wake up early and have breakfast before leaving for the Eid prayer ground.

>Dress in the best clothes that a Muslim can afford, that are reasonable and modest.

>Apply perfume (men only).

>Offer Eid prayers in congregation in an open place.

>Engage in takbir prayers after the Faj, or sunrise prayer, until the imam comes out for prayers. Takbir is recommended for males, females, young and old.

>It is also important to make sure to pay Zakat Al Fitr before the prayer. Ideally, it should be given in advance so that the poor can enjoy their Eid.

>Wish every one the joy of Eid.

>It is also a good Islamic practice to visit one another and exchange gifts. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Exchange gifts in order to foster love."
Remember the true spirit of Eid is reflected in extreme generosity to the poor and the needy. So, a Muslim should be charitable as best as he or she can.

>Changing route on returning from the prayer ground
to exchange Eid greetings with as many Muslims.

Forgive me- Ahmed Bukhatir

2007-09-22T12:26:00.000+05:30

Dear my Wife

This is a gift song for my lovely wife NAIMA.

my fav collections

Ramadan Video

2007-09-17T09:37:00.000+05:30

Ramadhan Mubarak

2007-09-12T10:21:00.000+05:30

Millions of Muslims around the world started observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan today, Thursday, September 13.

In the south indian state of Kerala,the moon was sighted at Kappad beach,Calicut. Ramadhan this year in whole part of Kerala starts on the same day.

Ramadhan around the world as reported at Islamonline:-

The authorities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar announced Tuesday, September 11, that Ramadan will start Thursday.

Jordan's Chief Justice Ahmed Helayel announced Tuesday that Thursday would be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.

Egyptian Mufti Ali Gomaa said because the Ramadan moon was not seen Tuesday the fasting will start Thursday.

Shias in both Iraq and Lebanon announced earlier this week that fasting will start on Thursday based on astronomical calculations.

Lebanon's Sunni Mufti Mohammaed Rashed Qabani also announced that Ramadan will start Thursday.

The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq, the highest Sunni religious authority, said ramadan starts Thursday.

Palestinian Mufti Mohammed Hussein also made a similar announcement.

Algeria, Turkey and Syria said Ramadan begins Thursday.

The Indonesian religious affairs minister said Ramadan will start Thursday.

Malaysia announced that Muslims in the Asian country will start fasting on Thursday.

Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said Ramadan falls on Thursday based on astronomical calculations.

The fatwa houses in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan also confirmed Thursday as the start of Ramadan.

Iran begins fasting on Thursday.

The Anjuman Sunnat -ul- Jamaat Association announced that Ramadan will start in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday based on moon sighting.

Muslims in Brunei will begin the month-long Ramadan fasting Thursday, September 13, after religious officials confirmed the new moon was not sighted.

The Islamic society in China said fasting starts Thursday.

Power from Opening & Closing of doors

2007-08-31T19:52:00.000+05:30

HONG KONG: Generating power can be an open-and-shut case: four Hong Kong teenagers have demonstrated this with a prize-winning design for a device that converts mechanical energy from opening and shutting doors into electricity!

The four young men - Ho Wai-tat, Man Chun-wai, Lau Sui-lun and Yiu Kwun-cheun - have invented Electdoor, a handy, gear-driven device that, when affixed to a door, can store the energy channelled from every swing of a door into electricity that can power up home gadgets like doorbells.
"We reckon that, on an average, everyone in Hong Kong opens or closes a door some 20 times a day," Man told DNA. If all that mechanical energy expended by Hong Kong's 7 million population could be tapped by Electdoor, it would save the power equivalent of some 3,65,000 batteries a year, he reckons.
Electdoor can be hooked up to the many doors of any home or office, and can help save power. The teens' invention, which was motivated by a desire to create a new form of renewable energy, won them the first prize at a School Science Exhibition in Hong Kong. "We're now looking to make some modifications to improve it; we will then explore the idea of mass-producing the device for the market," Man added.

Courtesy to DNA WORLD

Onasadya

2007-08-28T13:42:00.000+05:30

Onasadya @ Haya Solutions Pvt Ltd,Cochin

Ramadhan - The blessings are here

2007-08-21T11:33:00.000+05:30

With the advent of another Ramadaan, a mixture of feelings overwhelm the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts are full of hope, based on truthful promises and glad tidings given by Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW), of great bounties and endless bliss. We have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those whose fast is based on belief (Eemaan), sincerity and on truly expecting the rewards from Allah (Ihtisaab). We also have been promised that past sins will be forgiven for those who offer night prayers (Qiyaam) during the entire month, and who do that with the same two conditions of Eemaan (belief) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the rewards from Allah). We have further been told that there is one night in this month which is better (in rewards) than a thousand months of worship, and that all sins will be forgiven for those who spend it offering Qiyaam with both Eeman (belief) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the rewards from Allah). We have been told that the devils will be chained down, that the gates of Hell will all be shut and that the gates of Paradise will all be open throughout this month. We have been told that Allah (SWT) will free (from punishment) some of his `Ibaad (worshippers) on every single night of Ramadaan. We have been told that Allah (SWT) answers the Du`aa (supplications) of the fasting person at the iftaar (fast-breaking). We have been told that Allah (SWT) multiplies the rewards of fasting beyond the limits of imagination. We have been told that the fasting person will be joyous and happy when he meets his Lord (SWT).

We all hope: To be from among those who will offer the fast in the correct way, in order to reap its glorious fruits.
To be granted forgiveness for our previous sins, to be able to do much more good and to overcome all our weaknesses.
To be among those who receive the gifts from the Jannah, whose gates are opened.
To humiliate our enemy (Satan), who is chained down, by rejecting any of his deceitful suggestions.
To be from among those who will receive full atonement for their sins by the end of Ramadaan.
To be among those who will be most happy with their fasts when they meet their Lord (SWT).

We further hope that all of us will be pleasing to Allah (SWT) in order to deserve His mercy and victory. However, although we have hope, we should also have some concerns in our hearts because there are certain conditions for the fast to be acceptable and to give its desired results. These are Eemaan (belief and sincerity) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the reward from Allah (SWT)). So, are we going to perform our fast with true belief and full surrender to Allah (SWT), or is it going to be an exercise for us to lose some weight? Are we going to fast because Allah (SWT) imposed it upon us, or just because we have been used to it from childhood? Are our intentions to please Him or to please our friends and family? And even when we feel that we satisfy the conditions for an acceptable fast we should still be concerned that our deeds may not be accepted from us because of some deficiency that we may have overlooked. This is the way of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and their true followers, some of whom were reported to have said: "I will not feel safe even if I see one of my feet is already in Jannah - not until both of them are in there". We ask Allah (SWT) to make the fasting easy upon us, to help us to perform it in the perfect way that pleases Him, to reward us with all the bounties that He promised to the fasting people, to grant victory and supremacy to the Islamic Ummah (nation), and to make our most pleasant and happy day the Day we shall meet with Him. Aameen

Major fire at Sharjah port

2007-08-18T19:00:00.000+05:30

DUBAI - A major fire broke out in Sharjah's Port Khalid area on Friday night, which is believed to have started in a factory in the industrial area spread to a Emirates Lube Oil Company Emirates Lube Oil Company depot in the port, according to eyewitnesses. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
According to the police, the fire started before midnight Friday and the area has been cordoned off.
The cause of the fire yet to be ascertained. Fire fighters are battling the blaze to bring it under control.

© Khaleej Times 2007

Hartal total in Ernakulam district on August 4

2007-08-06T13:11:00.000+05:30

Source:HARTHAL
Kochi: The 12-hour hartal called by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in Ernakulam district on Saturday was near total. Apart from a few skirmishes at some pockets, the hartal and accompanying protests by Congress activists were peaceful. The KPCC gave the hartal call in protest against the attack on the District Congress Committee (DCC) office on Friday allegedly by Students Federation of India activists and the police lathicharge against the Congress and Youth Congress activists. Many, including policemen and mediapersons, sustained injuries in the lathi charge. Life was thrown out of gear, especially in the city, as public transport vehicles stayed off the road. Shops and commercial establishments remained shut. Protest march The Congress workers took out a protest march from the DCC office to the City Police Commissioner’s office in the morning.An uneasy calm prevailed in the city till afternoon, when the protests were called off, as a confrontation between the protesting activists and the police loomed large. The protesters blocked the traffic along MG Road during the course of their march and turned away all except two-wheelers. Shops were also forcibly closed. Apart from essential services, wedding parties and funeral functions were also spared, according to reports. Train services remained normal. Except for a few roadside kiosks, hotels remained closed. Educational institutions were mostly unaffected as it was a holiday for most schools and colleges. Private taxies mostly kept off the roads though taxies at the Kochi airport plied after affixing the label “airport.” Some autorickshaws operated in the morning but were forced to withdraw after the protesting activists smashed the glass panes of a vehicle near the South Railway Station

Harthal in Ernakulam District

2007-08-03T19:37:00.000+05:30

Cochin:Harthal declared in Ernakulam District tomorrow.

Largest Carpet

2007-08-01T14:09:00.000+05:30

TEHRAN: Iran on Monday unveiled what it said was the world's largest handwoven carpet, worth 5.8 million dollars and larger than a football pitch, to be laid out in aUnited Arab Emirates mosque.
The carpet, adorned with green and cream colours, was made in 18 months from 38 tonnes of wool and cotton by 1,200 weavers in three villages in northeastern Iran, said the head of Iran's state carpet company, Jalaleddin Bassam.

It is to be spread out in the mosque in UAE capital Abu Dhabi that bears the name of UAE president and founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan.
The carpet, measuring 5,625 square metres (60,546 square feet), was made up of nine pieces which will be stitched together in the UAE to cover the floor of the centralpraying area of the massive mosque.
There are 2.2 billion knots in the carpet, which was made with the best wool from the southern Iranian town of Sirjan and from New Zealand in 25 colours using 20 differentnatural dyes, Bassam said.
The dominantly green and cream carpet bears the classic Persian motifs of scrolling vine networks and five medallions-symmetrical centre pieces-which alone measure sevenmetres (23 feet) to 20 metres (66 feet) wide.
It was rolled out for the first time in Tehran's vast open air prayer ground, the Mosalla, where photographers had to board helicopters for a full view and onlookers appeared as matchsticks on the immensity of the carpet.
Several trucks were needed to take the carpet for the showing in Tehran while it will go to the United Arab Emirates by air in two separate planeloads.

Source:DNA

Mahdhani Acquitted

2007-08-01T13:32:00.000+05:30

COIMBATORE:A sessions court on Wednesday held banned Al Umma founder S.A. Basha guilty of "conspiring and transporting bombs" in the 1998 bombings here in which 58 people were killed even as it acquitted key accused Abul Nasser Mahdhani, the chief of the Kerala-based People's Democratic Party, of all charges.
Judge K. Uthirapathi convicted 13 others, including Al Umma general secretary Mohammed Ansari, guilty in the 19 bomb blasts that rocked the city Feb 14, 1998, during then deputy prime minister L.K. Advani's election tour here. The blasts also injured 250 people and caused loss of property worth Rs.140 million.
The sentences are expected to be pronounced from Monday onwards after hearing arguments by the defence.
Mahdhani, lodged in Coimbatore Jail for the past eight years, had sought bail from Madras High Court on health grounds and was given special facilities when the M. Karunanidhi government came to power in Tamil Nadu in May last year.
The Kerala assembly had passed a unanimous resolution seeking the release of Mahdhani on "humanitarian grounds" in March last year. He was arrested on April 8, 1998, and indicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code - spreading communal hatred, criminal conspiracy, and sedition.
A Special Investigation Team, probing the blasts, said the terror attack was carried out under the name "Operation Alla Ho! Akbar" and was intended to kill Advani.
Police said the blasts were in retaliation for the killing of 17 Muslims in a riot and subsequent police firing after one policeman was killed in the southern Indian city on Nov 29, 1997.
The trial began in March 2002. The Coimbatore sessions court, headed by Uthirapathi, has heard the testimony of 1,300 witnesses and cross-examined them.

Source:DNAINDIA

Farewell to Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam

2007-07-24T18:25:00.000+05:30

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President of India, is due to retire from office on Wednesday.
A notable scientist and engineer, he is often referred to as the 'Missile Man of India' for his work and is considered a leading progressive, mentor, innovator and visionary in India. He was the first scientist and first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Kalam has received honorary doctorates from thirty universities. He is also the recipient of India's three highest civilian honours, the Padma Bhushan in 1981; the Padma Vibhushan in 1990; and the Bharat Ratna in 1997.
As he makes way out of Raisina Hill, this is your one chance to greet the outgoing 'People's President' before he takes a bow.

Courtesy :DNA

Heavy Rain in Kerala

2007-07-20T10:48:00.000+05:30

200 feared dead in Brazil air tragedy

2007-07-18T10:42:00.000+05:30

An airplane with 176 on board has crashed and caught fire after landing at Sao Paulo's airport for domestic flights. The Airbus 320 skidded off a runway and crashed into a gas station and a building, airport authorities, known as Infraero said. Brazilian media reported the plane crashed into a building owned by Tam, and television images showed images of firefighters spraying water onto the building bearing a Tam sign. At least 16 people on the ground are reported to have lost their lives. Tam Linhas Aereas Flight 5018 was en route to Sao Paulo from the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, Mota said. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of national mourning for victims of the crash. This is the latest series of Brazilian plane misfortunes. Ten months ago a Boeing 737 crashed and all its 155 passengers died. Six months prior to that 19 had died in another aviation incident.

Orkut banned in UAE

2007-07-05T13:55:00.000+05:30

Gulf News report
Dubai: Controversial website Orkut.com has been blocked in the UAE .Etisalat banned the site yesterday on the orders of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Orkut had been blocked before in the UAE, and was later unblocked after many users complained. The TRA spokesman said the TRA had never ordered that unblocking.
Orkut users each have their own profile and can choose to become a member of particular online communities. A spokesperson for Google, the site's owner said: "We're disappointed that Orkut is being blocked because it's a great way for people to meet, socialise and share interests. We will be reaching out to the authorities to try to resolve this."

Navy medical teams rush to combat fever

2007-06-11T13:30:00.000+05:30

Kochi: Two medical teams fully equipped with medicines, pesticides and fogging equipment have left the naval base here for Kottayam and Idukki Districts to assist the state medical authorities in containing the spread of chikungunya in the state. The teams from the naval hospital INHS were being co-ordinated by Surgeon Commodore S.K. Mohanty, Command Medical Officer of the Southern Naval Command here.Two teams from the Army are undertaking a similar mission in Thiruvananthapuram and Pattanamthitta Districts.Each team includes two doctors, one of them a specialist, four medical staff, six non-medical staff and two members for handling pesticides. The teams will undertake treatment of patients suffering from other ailments besides chikungunya, spray pesticides and carry out fogging in places as required by the health authorities in these districts.

STS-117 Atlantis Lifts Off

2007-06-09T10:56:00.001+05:30

Mission STS-117 is the Space Shuttle Program's 21st mission to the International Space Station. Rick Sturckow will command the mission and Lee Archambault will serve as Atlantis' pilot. Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, James Reilly, Steven Swanson, John Olivas and Flight Engineer Clayton Anderson round out the crew to deliver the S3/S4 starboard truss segments, batteries and another pair of solar arrays to the space station. Anderson will replace Expedition 15 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams on station and Williams will return to Earth aboard Atlantis.

Waves @ corniche

2007-06-07T15:21:00.000+05:30

->Brinda Toprani took this photo from her house at the Corniche, Muttrah in Oman

Cyclone Gonu hits Omani coast

2007-06-07T12:04:00.000+05:30

Thousands of people flee as the strongest cyclone to threaten the Arabian Peninsula in 60 years blasts Oman's eastern coast with strong winds. Cyclone Gonu, which had been churning northwest through the Indian Ocean, reached the Omani coastal towns of Sur and Ra's al-Hadd early Wednesday and was dropping heavy rains on the capital, Muscat, and other nearby towns, Civil Defense said in a statement. The cyclone was packing winds of up to 260 kph and churning up ocean waves of more than a meter, but it was not known if the storm was causing any immediate damage, the officials said. The cyclone is expected to move north across the Persian Gulf to Iran's southeastern coast. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected.

Cyclone Gonu Hits UAE

2007-06-06T20:03:00.000+05:30

Gulf News Report

Fujairah: Huge tides and increasingly high waves are battering the east coast of UAE even as panic and curiosity spread among the residents.The ports at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan have also been closed because of the heavy weather.Farms and buildings in other parts of the east coast, including Al Sharm, Merbeh and Qidfeh, are reported to have been flooded as authorities struggle to cope with fast developing conditions.
A number of key roads have been closed down by police all along the east coast and hastily created diversions have created traffic congestion and confusion among motorists.

Healthy Diet

2007-05-30T13:27:00.000+05:30

A healthy diet should include a good variety of nutritious foods. These include breads, pastas, fruits and vegetables. Eating breakfast is also an important part of a healthy diet.

Healthy diets contain a variety of foods
In general, we should all eat:
A wide variety of nutritious foods
Plenty of breads and cereals (particularly wholegrain), vegetables, legumes (such as chickpeas) and fruit
Low salt foods, and use salt sparingly
Small amounts of foods which contain added sugars.

Physical activity
A good balance between exercise and food intake is important, as this helps to maintain a healthy body weight. About 30 minutes of physical activity, such as walking, is recommended every day.

Keep fat to a minimum
Adult diets should be low in fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fat, which is the predominant fat in animal products, is more easily deposited as fat tissue than unsaturated fats. Saturated fat can also be converted into cholesterol and cause blood cholesterol levels to rise.

Small amounts of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats may have some health benefits when they are part of a healthy diet. Polyunsaturated fats are generally thought to lower blood cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, are thought to have an anti-clotting effect on blood and may lower blood pressure.

Eat less high kilojoule foods
The total amount of energy-dense (high kilojoule) foods you eat may be as important as the total amount of fat in your diet. To reduce the energy density of your diet, you need to increase the amount of plant foods you eat. This will provide essential nutrients, help to make you feel 'full' and also reduce the amount of fat in your diet.

Eat foods rich in calcium and iron
It is important for all Australians to eat foods which contain iron and calcium. In particular:
· Calcium - is important for infants, women and girls.
· Iron - is important for women, girls, vegetarians and athletes.

Healthy diets for babies and children
Follow these guidelines to help encourage a healthy diet for your infant or child:
Babies - encourage your baby to breastfeed for the first year of life. In most cases, breastfeeding should be the only source of food in the first six months. If you use formula, be careful not to overfeed or underfeed your baby.

Sugar - children should eat only a small amount of foods that contain sugar.
Low fat diets - these are not appropriate for infants and young children under two years of age. A diet low in fat, especially saturated fat, may be considered for older children.
Drinks - infants and children should be encouraged to choose water as their preferred drink.
Don't let children skip breakfast
Children who skip breakfast generally have below average nutrition. Their diets contain less:
1. Calcium
2. Iron
3. Dietary fibre
Vitamins such as riboflavin and niacin.
Skipping breakfast becomes more common as children get older. Some schools have introduced breakfast programs because they were concerned about children who skip breakfast. Children did better in school once the program was introduced.

Tips for easy breakfasts
Here are some easy-to-prepare, healthy breakfast ideas:

Fresh fruit with wholegrain breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk. Toast with a thin spread of margarine (polyunsaturated or mono-unsaturated) .
Toast with cheese and tomato. Hot or cold reduced fat milk.
Rolled oats with sultanas and reduced fat milk. Toast with a thin spread of margarine (polyunsaturated or mono-unsaturated) . Orange juice.
Baked beans on toast. Orange juice.

Things to remember

Calcium and iron are important nutrients in our diets.
Infants and young children should not be placed on low fat diets.
Encourage infants and children to choose water as their preferred drink.
Children will have better nutrition and do better at school if they eat breakfast.

Acknowledgement
This information has been sourced from the Better Health Channel in consultation with Deakin University - School of Exercise and Nutrition Science.

Oh yeah !!!!Monsoon Started

2007-05-28T11:04:00.000+05:30

Cloudy scene at Eloor Ferry.

Welcome Ethihad Airways

2007-05-25T17:43:00.000+05:30

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, is set to expand its services to India with the launch of two new routes from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kochi (Cochin) in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
The new cities will double Etihad’s destinations in India to four, joining highly successful services to the commercial capital Mumbai and national capital New Delhi.

Flights from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram will begin on 31 May, 2007 and to Kochi on 3 June, 2007.

Etihad will also increase the frequency on its Abu Dhabi to New Delhi route from three flights-per-week to a daily service at the beginning of June 2007, which will see the total number of Etihad flights to India each week rise from 10 to 21.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “India has and always will be one of Etihad’s cornerstone markets because of the historical ties with the UAE and both countries’ growing position as world-class business and holiday destinations. India is now the second fastest growing economy in the world and the demand for frequent travel to and from the Middle East will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.”

The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s services to southern India will provide an important link for the many thousands of Keralites living and working in the UAE and across the Middle East, in addition to leisure travellers flying from Europe via Abu Dhabi for holidays in the state of Kerala.

Etihad will operate the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi services three and four times-per-week respectively and both routes are expected to increase to daily flights from October 2007.

Mr Hogan added: “In a short period of time Etihad has developed a strong reputation with our Indian customers, and we will build on this service by flying to more destinations across the country, and very soon, operating daily flights to these four major business and leisure destinations.”

Etihad will operate a three cabin Airbus A340-500 aircraft on the new Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi routes, with the capacity to carry 240 passengers with 12 in first class (diamond zone), 28 in business class (pearl zone) and 200 in economy (coral zone).

Following the launch of services to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, Etihad will fly to nine destinations on the Asian sub-continent to join New Delhi and Mumbai in India as well as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar in Pakistan and the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

Nets @ Fort Cochin

2007-05-24T13:33:00.000+05:30

Quran Reciting Parrot

2007-05-23T12:22:00.000+05:30

Clever Answr

2007-05-08T20:42:00.001+05:30

Clever Answers

2007-05-08T20:40:00.000+05:30

Boeing 737 stranded on Mumbai city street

2007-05-04T16:20:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI - A disused Boeing 737 aircraft has been stranded on a street in India’s commercial capital of Mumbai for five days, turning the area into an amusement centre with scores of people snapping photographs and attempting to clamber onto the jet, media reports said Friday.

The 75-foot aircraft which was being transported on a trailer was abandoned by the driver in the Chembur area Sunday after he lost his way, the NDTV network reported.

Other local news outlets reported that the driver fled after realizing that he had taken a wrong road but was unable to turn the trailer around.

The plane, which had served with India’s private operator Air Sahara, was headed to New Delhi where it was to be used at an aviation academy. Its wings and other parts have already been dismantled but its fuselage is intact.

The plane has attracted hundreds of people awe-struck by the sight of the giant visitor stranded on the road. The plane is surrounded by people taking photographs and trying to get into it - causing major traffic problems, NDTV reported.

This has also resulted in problems for local businessmen and shopkeepers such as Sanjay Rathore who said the number of customers to his store had dwindled since Sunday. An enterprising businessman however said he planned to buy the plane and convert it into an amusement centre.

‘Many people are scared of flying so we thought why not create a fun environment for people to enjoy themselves,’ Manprit Singh Vijan told NDTV. The local police, however, are clearly not amused.’We have asked the transporter to move the trailer from the spot and would also be taking action against the company for not informing the police regarding the plane’s road journey,’ traffic police official Harish Baijal told the PTI news agency

Report By Khaleej Times

Hello! This is virus speaking...

2007-04-30T15:05:00.000+05:30

DUBAI — It's a rumour that has travelled a fair distance to reach the shores of Dubai.

Workers in several parts of the emirate have stopped receiving calls on their mobile phones, 'especially those from unknown sources', as they are worried that a deadly virus could be transmitted through the cellular phones, and could claim their lives.

The rumours had reportedly started doing the rounds a week ago in Pakistan and then crossed over to neighbouring Afghanistan, where a large number of mobile users were reported to be panicking over the 'killer virus' that was supposed to have 'killed some people'.

As the rumours started doing the rounds in Dubai, some residents of labour camps in Sonapur and Al Quoz areas have stopped answering phone calls from the numbers they suspect as ‘unknown.’

Subheesh Kumar, a labourer who lives in Sonapur, said he had stopped answering mobile calls from unknown numbers after he was informed about the ‘killer virus’ by some of his colleagues. He said several workers in Sonapur were scared, like him, to use their mobile phones. Anoop, a resident of Al Quoz, said: 'I have stopped answering calls from unknown numbers. I don't know whether this is true or not, but I just decided to take precaution.' Information Technology (IT) and medical experts have rubbished the claims, saying mobile devices cannot transmit viruses.

Yousuf Khoory, Technical Support Manager of i-mate, the company that produces the ultimate cross platform compatibility device, said it's impossible for biological viruses to spread through mobile phones. 'It is plain rumour,' he said. Another IT specialist in the Dubai Internet City said, 'mobile devices are low power transceivers. The typical maximum output power of a mobile phone is 2 watts and the highest frequency is 2 giga hertz. This can, in no, way harm a human being.'

Dr. Jamaluddin Abu Baker of Metro Medical Centre in Ajman, confirmed: 'Biological viruses cannot be transferred through electronic devices since they are air-borne or water-borne.'

Khaleejtimes Online
By Riyasbabu
30 April 2007

Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin Dies

2007-04-23T20:46:00.000+05:30

Boris Yeltsin, the former president of Russia who once stood atop a tank in Moscow and spoke defiantly against a conservative coup, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 76.

Yeltsin, a former communist who renounced his party membership, consolidated his power on a platform of populist and capitalist reform. He helped engineer the final collapse of the Soviet Union and pushed Russia to embrace democracy and a market economy.

Welcome Back

2007-03-24T20:17:00.000+05:30

Hello Friendzz!! am back after a short vacation .

18 dead in boat mishap

2007-02-21T11:31:00.000+05:30

In one of the worst boat mishaps in Kerala in recent times, 15 school children and three teachers drowned as their boat capsized in a reservoir near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district on Tuesday evening.
The joy ride, during an excursion by students of St Anthony's School in Elavoor near Angamally in the district to Thattakadu bird sanctuary, turned into tragedy as one of the three boats used be the students capsized, killing 15 students and three teachers, police said.
They said 106 students, 10 teachers and two non-teaching staff had set out for the excursion when one of the three boats ferrying them capsized.
The 15 students who met with a watery grave were all below 10 years of age, Ernakulam District Collector A P M Mohammed Hannish said.
Official sources late on Tuesday night confirmed the death of 18 people in the mishap.
The capsized boat was under repairs and none of the three boats had license to operate, the sources said.
It was a heart rending scene at various hospitals in Kothamanagalam and nearby areas as parents, relatives and school authorities rushed on hearing about the mishap.
The navy sent in a team of 12 divers and a medical assistant, naval sources said.
Chief Minister V S Achutanandan ordered an inquiry into the tragedy.
Schools in Ernakulam district will remain closed on Wednesday as a mark of respect for the dead, while Angamally town will observe a hartal.
The students, studying in 5th, 6th and 7th standard of St Antony's School in Elavoor in nearby Angamally had set out for the excursion at 7.30 in the morning in two buses, the school authorities said.
Some of the rescued children said at least 50 students were in the capsized boat.
Kerala Fisheries Minister S Sharma, told reporters that necessary instructions have been given to release the bodies without conducting postmortem.
Achuthanandan is expected to visit Kothamangalam on Wednesday

Mummified body found in home with TV on

2007-02-20T19:29:00.000+05:30

gulfnews20/02/2007

Southampton, New York: Police responding to burst water pipes in a Hampton Bays home found the mummified body of the owner - dead for more than a year - sitting in a chair in front of a television, officials said on Friday.
The television was still on.
Vincenzo Riccardi, 70, appeared to have died of natural causes in his home, said Dr Stuart Dawson, Suffolk County deputy chief medical examiner.
The medical examiner's office considered his body mummified because the lack of humidity in his home preserved his features, morgue assistant Jeff Bacchus said. "You could see his face. He still had hair on his head," Bacchus said. "I've been on the job 35 years, and I've never seen anyone dead that long."
Police and county sources said Riccardi, whose body was found on Thursday, had not been heard from since December 2005. The medical examiners said they were baffled as to why the electricity would be on in the home all that time. "He was in his house, sitting in his chair, as if watching television, and the television was, in fact, still on," Dawson said.
Riccardi lived alone, his wife having died years ago, he said. Mail had piled up, but then the delivery was stopped.

Hello Du

2007-02-20T10:38:00.000+05:30

Gulfnews20/02/2007

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched services of new telecommunications operator du.

Dubai: The birth of a new telecommunications provider in the UAE took place yesterday with one high-profile phone call.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Emirates Integrated Telecommunication, better known through its brand name, du, when he dialled Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Mansour exchanged congratulatory greetings on the occasion of the operational launch of du, the UAE's second telecommunication operator that will soon offer fixed line and Internet in addition to mobile service.
du's mobile network went live on February 11, just a day before its deadline set by the government regulator to mark a year since du received the country's second license.

Supermosque plan to be 'blocked'

2007-02-19T21:13:00.000+05:30

Gulfnews19/02/2007

London: Controversial plans to build a "supermosque" on the doorstep of the London Olympics will be blocked by the government.
Ruth Kelly's Whitehall department is expected to refuse planning permission for the London Markaz, which would be the biggest religious building in Britain with room for 70,000 worshippers.
Backers want the £300 million (Dh2.1 billion) mosque, in east London, to serve as a reception centre for athletes and fans from Islamic countries during the 2012 games.
The group behind the plans is Tablighi Jamaat, whose charitable trust, Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen has owned the 18-acre site since 1996. Tablighi Jamaat was called "an ante-chamber for fundamentalism" by French security services. Two of the July 7 London suicide bombers are believed to have attended one of its mosques.
The organisation denies any link to terrorism, and has never been banned.
A senior security source said he was concerned about the proposed mosque, and expected ministers to use their powers to call in, and turn down, the planning application.

Fears

The move was confirmed by a senior government source, who said there were fears that the giant mosque could damage community relations in the area, and added: "We are going to stop it."
There are clear planning grounds on which the development could be turned down. It is so close to the main Olympic venues that it may interfere with preparations for the Games."
The government source said that the planning application needed to be rejected "to give the Olympics a clear run".
Until now, it was thought that planners would rubber-stamp the proposed mosque, which was agreed in principle in a 2001 deal between Newham Council and Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen.
The London Thames Gateway Unitary Development Corporation, the quango with planning powers over the site, is understood to support the plans. So is the London Development Agency, which reports to Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London.

ISRO to send man into space

2007-02-19T19:22:00.000+05:30

Mumbai, Feb. 19 (PTI): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to send a man into space to orbit around the earth ahead of its more ambitious plans of moon and mars missions in future.
"This is a step in the direction of future plans of ISRO to send man to the planetary targets like moon and mars," a top ISRO scientist said today.
"Currently, there is no plan to send a man to moon by ISRO. But we are preparing ourself to send a man to the space to orbit around earth and bring him back after few days," Mylswamy Annadurai, ISRO's Project Director for Chandrayaan-1, told PTI from Bangalore.
Chandrayaan-1, India's first unmanned moon mission, is expected to be launched early next year.
"The efforts to send man is to acquire the required technologies for a human space mission. Initial phase has started to synergise the required efforts for the same," Annadurai said.
"Once we succeed in our effort, the next incremental step will be to look for the planetary targets like moon, mars."
"If an Indian has to go to the moon, then that depends on what data we gather from Chandrayaan-1 and possibly another unmanned mission to moon, Chandrayaan-2," he said.
If resources (data) substantiate the requirement for human presence on the moon or mars, "then we will be ready for it," the scientist said.

Indian starts non-stop flight from Kochi to Delhi

2007-02-19T19:20:00.000+05:30

HinduOnline19/02/2007
NEDMBASSERY: Domestic flight operations from the Cochin International Airport received a boost on Sunday with the public sector Indian launching a non-stop service in the Delhi-Kochi-Delhi sector, currently the only direct service in this sector. The inaugural flight, IC 465, arrived here at 7.40 p.m. with 74 passengers on board. Chairman and managing director of Indian Vishwapati Trivedi also came by the flight.
The passengers were received by the airline authorities, including executive director (Southern Region) S. Chandrasekhar and deputy managing director Manet Paes.
Shriram Bharath, Managing Director of the airport company, handed over the first boarding pass to a passenger bound for Delhi. Flight IC 466 left here at 8.20 p.m. with 70 passengers on board.
The airline will operate the service thrice a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using an A-319 aircraft. Besides, the other attractive fares such as Unchecked Fares and Spot Fares are already available. Two classes, 20-seat executive class and a 94-seat economy class, will be available to the passengers.
The biggest attraction of the service is a one side introductory fare of Rs.3,975 (inclusive of taxes), which according to an airline official is cheaper than the first class AC train fare from Kochi to Delhi. Ashok Sharma, general manager (Public Relations), however, refused to reveal for how long the introductory fare will be on offer.
The flight is scheduled to leave Delhi at 4.30 p.m. and will reach Kochi at 7.40 p.m. In the return direction the flight will depart from Kochi at 8.20 p.m. and will reach Delhi at 11.30 p.m. The airline already operates a daily service from Kochi to Delhi which, however, is routed via Mumbai. The biggest advantage of the newly launched service is that it will cut down the flying time between Kochi and Delhi from five to three hours, Mr. Sharma said.
The Delhi-Kochi-Delhi sector in particular is hotting up as a private airline has also announced a direct service in the sector.
Cargo services
Talking about the other major initiatives of the airline, Mr. Sharma said that the proposed dedicated cargo services would be launched by this year-end. He said that five of the airline's Boeing 737 aircraft would be converted for the purpose. The cargo operations will be launched with Nagpur as the hub and the services would be extended to all major cities, Mr. Sharma said. He did not rule out the possibility of the cargo services being extended to Kochi.
He said that the priorities of the airline include augmentation of legacy services, introduction of a budget carrier, setting up of a Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul (MRO) facility, which is planned as a joint venture for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Snecma Services in November 2006, and enhancing participation in ground handling. He said that all the 43 aircraft, order for which have been placed with the Airbus, are expected to join the fleet by 2010.

Attention!! Credit Card Emails

2007-02-19T19:18:00.000+05:30

HinduOnline19/02/2007
KOCHI: A credit-card holder in Kochi gets an e-mail message flagged `urgent' from the card-issuing bank: "In the past 24 hours, we have foiled seven attempts at misusing your credit card account. We need to take urgent steps to protect your interests. As a first step, we have deactivated your card. To help us fully secure your account, please fill out the attached form and e-mail it to us."
The form, among other things, asks to fill out the space for the card number and the PIN. For a realty check, the cardholder rushes to his bank's ATM, but finds that the card account was not deactivated. Suspicious, he calls up the bank and learns that no such e-mail was sent out by the bank. He realises that he has just been saved from an identity theft. Had he filled out the form and unwittingly revealed his PIN, he would have become yet another victim of cyber crime.
In Kerala, which has one of the largest pools of e-literate people in the country, people are slowly waking up to the reality of cyber crimes. Of course, there are people who still fall for those jackpot offers or invitations to join million-dollar business ventures floated on the net by Nigerians and South Africans.
Fortunately, as the cyber crimes grow, the number of tools to fight them — in the form of software — also grows. Unfortunately, most Internet users are unaware of the tools available to fight cyber crimes.
The State IT Mission will supply one such simple software, `Email Tracer,' free to the Akshaya e-learning centres soon. If you get, say, a threatening mail or an abusive message and you don't know who sent it to you, just paste the header of the message onto the e-mail tracer programme. In a moment, it will detect the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the computer from which the message was sent.
"We also plan to provide the Akshaya centres with software for filtering Internet contents, profiling the Net user and protecting children from accessing materials that are (morally) harmful to them," says Anvar Sadath, manager, e-governance, IT Mission.
He pointed out that since Akshaya centres are widely used, particularly in small towns and villages, they could act as hubs for preventing, fighting and reporting cyber crimes. (Some 3,000 more Akshaya centres are likely to be opened across the State in the coming months.)
All the district police headquarters will be given cyber crime analysis software like `Cybercheck,' which will be a great help in investigating such crimes.
At a later stage, when adequate number of policemen are trained in computer use, the software would be given to select police stations.
The mission, in partnership with the Resource Centre for Cyber Forensics of C-DAC, will launch a cyber crime portal in March to discuss how to fight Internet-related crimes and to provide information on handling and investigating them.
A toll-free cyber crime call centre will start functioning in March. Anyone can call the centre to report crimes or seek information.
All this would mean is, law is just a mouse-click away.

Riyadh seeks Dutch MP's apology for offensive remarks

2007-02-19T16:57:00.001+05:30

Gulf News-19/02/2007
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia wants an apology from a Dutch politician who said Muslims should "tear out half the Quran" if they wanted to live in his country and has asked the Dutch government to intervene, a Saudi newspaper said yesterday.
The Dutch government, which said it did not agree with the remarks made by populist anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders, confirmed that foreign ministry officials held informal talks last week with the Saudi embassy in The Hague.
"It [the embassy] appealed to the appropriate authorities on the need for Wilders' insulting statements to be withdrawn and an apology given to Muslims," the Saudi newspaper Al Watan reported.
"The embassy has demanded that the Dutch side put an end to such statements and actions."
Wilders said in an interview published last week that Muslims should throw away half their holy book if they wanted to stay in the Netherlands and that he would chase Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) out of the country if he were alive today.
Unhappy
"Our minister is not happy with Wilders' remarks," a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said.
"It is not the point of view of the Dutch government. Wilders is a parliamentarian, it is his right to express himself," the spokesman added.
Last year, Saudi Arabia withdrew its ambassador to Copenhagen over Danish cartoons.
Wilders, who has lived under heavy guard since 2004 when a Dutch-Moroccan killed filmmaker and Islam critic Theo van Gogh, has campaigned to ban the veil, wants to freeze immigration and ban new mosques and religious schools.
The Dutch news agency ANP quoted Wilders as saying yesterday he would not retract his remarks. "I would not dream of taking any of it back," Wilders said.
"Have they gone completely mad? It is scandalous that a country which does not have freedom of speech teaches me a lesson. They must learn that when you are a parliamentarian here, you may say what you want."

Lyrics-Rahmanu Raheem by Nazeem Azami

2007-02-13T20:23:00.000+05:30

Ma-nil Muhyi? (Who is the Giver of Life?) - Allah
Ma-nil Mu'mith? (Who is the Giver of Death?) - Allah
Ma-nil Hadi? (Who is the Giver of Guidance?) - Allah

Chorus
Rahmanur-Raheem (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) - Allah
Ya Kareem (Oh Generous One) - Allah
Rahmanur-Raheem (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) - Allah
Ya Haleem (Oh Forbearing One) - Allah

Rahmanur-Raheem (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) - Allah
Ya Azeem (Oh Magnificent One) - Allah
Rahmanur-Raheem (Most Gracious, Most Merciful) - Allah
Ya Azeem (Oh Magnificent One) - Allah

So many colours - bowing before You
Sisters and brothers - all grateful to You
The more we learn to read Your Signs -
That are concealed between the lines
The more we're drawn towards the Light

Open my eyes so I can see -
The Light of hope You send to me -
The rain that brings me back to life

(Chorus)

Finding You - is relief
Now we hope - now we believe
Hear me Lord: strengthen me
Guide me through - my journey

The more we learn to read Your Signs -
That are concealed between the lines
The more we're drawn towards the Light

Open my eyes so I can see -
The Light of hope You send to me -
The rain that brings me back to life

(Chorus) ( x4 )

Sami Yusuf

2007-02-13T19:56:00.001+05:30

Sami Yusuf was born in the month July 1980. He was born into a musical family of Azeri origin and thus music played an integral part in his life. Sami’s initial training came from his father, who is an internationally renowned composer, poet, and a multitalented musician.
Sami learnt to play several instruments at a very young age and gradually began to show a keen interest in singing and composing. At the age of eighteen, he obtained a scholarship to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, one of the world most prestigious music institutions.
Sami has been composing from a very young age and his beautiful voice is supplemented by his extensive knowledge of notes and harmonies. He has also a good understanding of music theory and the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams).
Indeed, it is rare to find a person who has all these talents. Sami is also a devout practicing Muslim who sees songs as a means of promoting the message of Islam and encouraging the youth to be proud of their religion and identity.

Welcome Dubai-Kochi Jazeera Airways

2007-02-13T18:47:00.002+05:30

Dubai: The government of Dubai has granted permission to Kuwaiti budget carrier Jazeera Airways to make the city a hub for international flights.The privately-owned airline will be the second carrier after Emirates to use Dubai International Airport as its base.Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, told reporters the move is in line with the government's open skies policy.Jazeera chairman and chief executive officer Marwan Boodai announced the airline will initially fly to seven destinations from Dubai, offering travellers "year-round low fares."Jazeera becomes the only low-fare airline operating out of Dubai International Airport.Boodai said the airline will "add value" to the city's travel trade by attracting more passengers.The company will consider a second stock exchange listing in Dubai after its shares are listed in Kuwait in the middle of this year, Boodai said. "We are not using Dubai just for our flight operations, we would like to become a part of Dubai's fin-ancial system," he told Gulf News.Jazeera will mark the beginning of its Dubai operations with a flight to Bahrain tomorrow. It will have thrice-weekly direct flights between Dubai and Bahrain. Services to the remaining six routes will begin on March 27.

Welcome

2007-02-13T18:47:00.001+05:30

Welcome