The ideal Muslim and his Community ...

Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi offers more than 60 practical tips

An ideal Muslim:

1. He is truthful
2. He does not cheat, deceive or stab in the back
3. He is not envious
4. He is sincere
5. He keeps his promises
6. He has a good attitude towards others and treats them well
7. He is characterized by shyness
8. He is gentle towards people
9. He is compassionate and merciful
10. He is tolerant and forgiving
11. He is easy-going in his business dealings
12. He is of cheerful countenance
13. He has a sense of humour
14. He is patient
15. He avoids cursing and foul language
16. He does not falsely accuse anyone of disbelief
17. He is modest and discreet
18. He dos not interfere in that which does not concern him
19. He refrains from backbiting and slander
20. He avoids giving false statements
21. He avoids suspicion
22. He keeps secrets
23. He does not converse privately with another person when there is a third person present
24. He is not arrogant or proud
25. He is humble and modest
26. He does not make fun of anyone
27. He respects elders and distinguished people
28. He mixes with people of noble character
29. He strives for people’s benefits and seeks to protect hem from harm
30. He strives to reconcile between Muslims
31. He calls people to truth
32. He enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil
33. He is wise and eloquent in his da`wah [invitation to Islam]
34. He is not a hypocrite
35. He does not show off or boast
36. He is straightforward and consistent in his adherence to the truth
37. He visits the sick
38. He attends funerals
39. He repays favours and is grateful for them
40. He mixes with people and puts up with their insults
41. He tries to make people happy
42. He guides others to righteous deeds
43. He is easy on people, not hard
44. He is fair in his judgment of people
45. He does not oppress or mistreat others
46. He loves noble things and always aims high
47. His speech is not exaggerated or affected
48. He does not rejoice in the misfortunes of others
49. He is generous
50. He does not remind the beneficiaries of his charity
51. He is hospitable
52. He prefers others to himself
53. He helps to alleviate the burden of the debtor
54. He is proud and does not beg
55. He is friendly and likeable
56. He checks his customs and habits against Islamic standards
57. He follows Islamic manners in the way he eats and drinks
58. He spreads the greeting of salam
59. He does not enter a house other than his own without permission
60. He sits wherever he finds room in a gathering
61. He avoids yawning in a gathering as much as he can
62. He follows the Islamic etiquette when he sneezes
63. He does not look into other people’s houses
64. He does not imitate women.

Celebrating 54 years of Scouting in the Maldives - 30th May 2010

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH A VERY HAPPY 54TH NATIONAL SCOUT DAY TO ALL THE SCOUTERS OF MALDIVES.

Scouting began in Maldives 19th Shawal 1375 H, 30th May 1956. This date the day Scouting was registered in the Government of Maldives. And the patron of Scouting was then the Prime Minister Sumul Ameer Ibrahim Famuladheri Kilegefaan and the Scout Commissioner was Sahibul Saadha Ibrahim Nasir and the Chief Scout was Wazeerul Maarif (Minister of Education) Hon. Ibrahim Shihab and the Scout Master was Bandhu Mohamed Kalefanu.

28th January 1984 The Maldives Boy Scouts Association was established.

Maldives became a member of the World Scout Movement on 23rd July 1990 at the Paris World Scout Conference.

PS: Today also happens to be the Birth day of my good friend and scouter Mariyam Shuhana Abdulla, wish you a very happy birthday, many happy returns of the day.

Abudefduf Manikfani ...

Abudefduf Manikfani

Ali Manikfan from Minicoy (Maliku, now part of Lakshadweep, India), found this new fish species while working with Dr. Jones, who impressed with Ali Manikfans capacity of observation and his deep and wide knowledge about marine life, gave this fish Manikfans name to perpetuate his memory. Thanks to Ali Manikfan a Divehi family name has made it to the scientific classification of species.

Abudefduf manikfani Jones and Kumaran Abudefduf manikfani Jones and Kumaran, J. Mar. boil. Ass. India, 10, 324, fif.5, 1968. Abudefduf sp., Jones, Bull. Cent, Mar. Fish. Res. Instr., 8, p. 19, 1969 (Cat. No. CMFRI LA-F. 67/518) _______________________________________ Specimens studied: Kavarathi (4), 40 to 46 mm. Minicoy (5) 31 to 53 mm. D. XII. 16-17; A. II, 14; P.ii, 16, V. I. 5 LI, 20-21+8-9; Ltr. 3+1+9. Head 2.9-3.2 in standard length, 3.8-4.2 in total length. Depth of body 1.8-2.0 in standard length. Eye 3.0-3.3 in head, 0.7-0.8 in snout and 1.0-1.1 I interorbital space. A single series of slender, compressed teeth in jaws. Preorbital, suborbital, prepopercle, opercle, subopercle and interoppercle without any serrations. Scales on head reaching to nostrils. Preorbital naked. First spine of dorsal slightly. Shorter than eye diameter, third or fourth dorsal spine longest, slightly shorter than snout and eye together. Second anal spine as long as third dorsal spine. Pectoral fin equal to or slightly shorter than head. Ventral shorter than pectoral. Colour: Chocolate brown, breasts and lower sides of head lighter. Four vertical white bars on sides, the first from nape across hind border of opercle, second from base of 4th to 5th or 6th dorsal spine down to front of vent, third from base of last dorsal spine and first dorsal ray to base of middle of anal and the fourth on caudal peduncle. A broad dark brown ring on caudal peduncle immediately behind the fourth white transverse.

Information:http://www.maldivesroyalfamily.com/minicoy_ali_manikfan.shtml

My Thoughts ... Maldivian Party System; Still no proper laws ...

Tonight while on Twitter I came across a Tweet from Miadhu News (online) a daily News paper in based in Male'. http://www.miadhu.com/2010/05/local-news/pa-membership-drops-less-than-3000/ The News Article was about PA, Peoples Alliance, a registered Political Party in the Maldives.

The site says

Former President’s half-brother, Abdulla Yaameen’s Peoples Alliance membership has dropped less than 3000. According to law each political party would require 3000 signatures before the party can be registered.

It further states that

According to latest statistics by the Elections Commission, PA’s membership total is 2986, 14 members short of legal amount for registration. However, there is no clause in the relevant laws which would disband the party even if they fell short of 3000 members after the party is registered.

What can I say ... We wanted a party system in our country ... today we have a so called Multi-Party democracy. But do we have the necessary laws and regulations for a Multi-party system?? Are we following it right.

General Cosgrove Radio Interview Hoax (Boy Scouts visit to a Military facility)

General Peter John Cosgrove AC, MC (born 28 July 1947) is a retired Australian Army officer. He was the Chief of the Defence Force from 3 July 2002 to 3 July 2005, when he retired from active service. He has been appointed as the next Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University^[1], he will take up his post in November 2010.

For those that don't know him, Major General Peter Cosgrove is an "Australian treasure!"

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio recently. You'll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children. Regardless of how you feel about gun laws you gotta love this! This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE:
I don't see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER:
But you're equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL COSGROVE:
Well, Ma'am, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

*thanks to Mohamed Ibrahim (M.I) for sharing this with me ... lol

NO VEHICLES FROM EVENING 4:00 - 12:00 on WED 2010

On the 24th of May The Transport Authority, Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment had announced that the government had declared NO VEHICLES from evening 4:00 to 12:00 midnight on 5th June to mark the world environment day 2010. locals are expected to walk instead of using vehicles around this time.

A fine of MRF 750/- is charged if anyone is found disrespecting this public notice. However, National security vehicles, Ambulances and vehicles with special permission are exceptional.

Bellow is a the announcement made by the Transport Authority:

WED 2010 - World Environment Day

World Environment Day (WED) 2010 is aimed to be the biggest, most widely celebrated, global day for positive, environmental action.

Commemorated on 5 June since 1972, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.

Through WED, we are able to give a human face to environmental issues and enable people to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development.

WED is also a day for advocating partnerships among all stakeholders or perhaps, even more correctly, among all species living on this one planet and sharing a common future.

WED 2010 is aimed to be the biggest WED celebration ever and we count on you to make this happen! We call for action – organize a neighborhood clean-up, stop using plastic bags and get your community to do the same, plant a tree or better yet organize a collective tree planting effort, walk to work, start a recycling drive . . . the possibilities are endless.

Education system ... a proposed solution ...

This was a comment made Anonymously to my post on the Education System;

"My thoughts ... The education System in Maldives (2) Deciding future aged 13, is this fair?"

http://maeedsblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-thoughts-education-system-in.html

I support the comment that was made.

Anonymous said...

We really need to change the system and allow every child to study at least 10 subjects up to 9th grade. Some of the international schools in Malaysia make it compulsory for students to learn English , Maths and the three sciences - chemistry, physics, biology. But children should choose at least two subjects from the Arts stream and Business stream.

In addition children are encouraged to choose one from IT, Creative Arts, drama or music. If there’s a strong interest in English Literature that opportunity is provided as an optional 11th subject. If it is a Muslim student and who wish to do IGCSE Islam the opportunity is given to do the exam in 9th grade before the exams after completing 10th grade.

I believe it's a method we can have in the Maldives and it would broaden up our children's minds and an opportunity to learn and understand what they like most and to realise their strengths and weaknesses. In the 10th grade they can drop their weakest subjects or the one’s they don’t have much interest and focus on their stronger and most interested subjects and complete their IGCSE or O’levels.

To have such a system we need to change the way we think. The parents cannot be making excuses and saying it would be too hard and harsh on their children to do so many subjects. It's about setting priorities, willing to work hard and be balancing it all. The policy makers need to rethink and restructure our education system to make it possible.

Ixora Sp (Keeranmaa)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/em-squared/4351587311/

Kingdom:Plantae Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Ixora The Ixora is a heavy blooming compact plant that has four-petaled, star shaped flowers. It is commonly called "Keeranmaa" in Maldives and is commonly found in some gardens in Male' including the Sultan's Park and in the Hukuru Miskih. Other common names include Flame of the woods, Jungle Flame and Jungle Geranium.

"Islam and Dhivehi; made optional subjects" - Ministry of Education, Maldives

Back when I was a student in the Center for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Islam and Dhivehi were compulsory subjects ... both the subjects were taught twice a week unlike the other subjects which had at least four class per week ... some subjects were there everyday ... I still remember one topic that was taught in Islam in 12th standard "Nidhumuge Aadha thah" Sleeping manners ... I still can't believe that I had to study it in the 12th grade ... LOL ...

Tonight people had gathered around Education Minister Musthafa Luthufee's residence, calling him to reconsider the decision of the Ministry on making Islam and Dhivehi optional subjects for Higher secondary Schools. Both the subjects were formally compulsory for Higher Secondary Schools.

Well ... As a Maldivian and as someone who cares about the education system in Maldives, I think this is a mistake that the Education ministry is doing. Maldives being a 100% Muslim country (as per my knowledge so far) I really think that Islamic Studies should be a must for all students till they complete their High School or Higher Secondary Schooling.

My Flickr !!!

Hey all ..

Been updating my flickr ... hope to get your comments and feedbacks !!!

check it out now:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/em-squared/

cheers

Rose ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/em-squared/4606818874/

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: Rosa

A ROSE is a perennial flower shrub or vine of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae, that contains over 100 species and comes in a variety of colours. The species form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Most are native to Asia, with smaller numbers of species native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa.

It is also the National Flower of the Republic of Maldives is "Finifenmaa", the commonly known Pink Rose, which is botanically identified as Rosa polyantha. "Finifenmaa"(Rose) has a high regard among the Maldivians and the Pink Rose is one member of the Rose family which could be easily grown in Maldivian soil.

Finifenmaa was declared as the National Flower on 25th July 1985 (07th Dh'ul Q'aidha 1405 AH).

Please note that the photograph above in this post is not ROSA POLYANTHA.

'Wavin' Flag' by K'naan AWESOME SONG!!!

"Wavin' Flag" is a song by K'naan from his album Troubadour, reaching #2 on the Canadian Hot 100. A remake by a supergroup of Canadian artists, credited as Young Artists for Haiti, became a charity single, with this new version going straight to #1 on the Canadian charts.

The song was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, to be held in South Africa.

Hibiscus (Shoe-Flower)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/em-squared/4597854577/

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Genus: Hibiscus

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), a tropical flower, belongs to the family Malvaceae. It gets its name from the Greek words Hibiscus meaning "mallow" and rosa-sinensis meaning "rose of China".

This flower is locally called as "Sai maa" in the Maldives.

My thoughts ... SAM training team 2010

In my opinion The Scout Association of Maldives need to work hard in producing QUALITY scout leaders in Maldives, not just the Quantity....

Though some members in the training team had regarded the training programs such as Wood badge courses in some countries like Srilanka and India NOT VERY GOOD!!! HOWEVER I must say that the leaders quality in those country are far much better than in the Maldives. Its not just criticizing there methods and schemes that the training team members of Maldives should do but to learn from them!!!

I took part in the Basic Unit leaders Training Course that was held in 2009, However I was really disappointed that the course DID NOT COVER the Progressive Schemes for scouts or Cubs ... Leaders that came trained out of the course are not able to provide scouts with guidance to complete their scout progressive schemes...

There is a ROVER SECTION in Maldives but are there any trained ROVER ADVISORS in Maldives???

SCOUTS IN SPACE

Amongst the treasured items that Crew Commander, Neil Armstrong, carried with him to the Moon and back was a World Scout Badge!

The former member of Boy Scouts of America presented this unique momento of his now legendary mission to World Scouting. The signed citation reads, “I certify that this World Scout Badge was carried to the moon on man’s first lunar landing, Apollo XI, July 20, 1969.”

The Scout emblem which features in the badge was created by Baden-Powell. The fleur-de-lys, which indicated ‘north’ on old maps, is a reminder that Scouts must be as reliable as a compass; they must respect Scouting’s ideals and help show others the way. A singularly appropriate symbol then to be carried by the first man to set foot on the Moon!

This historically important badge is kept on permanent display at the World Scout Bureau’s central office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Of the 294 men and women selected to be astronauts since 1959 to 2005, more than 180 have been Scouts. Baden-Powell wrote in the first volume of his autobiography about those “clear frosty nights under the dark, overhead vault with its stars big and brilliant, twinkling humorously and watching you”. He could not have imagined that just 35 years later we would be up amongst them, exploring outer space.

Astonishingly, 11 of the 12 men to have walked on the moon were Scouts. Even more remarkably perhaps, two thirds of all the astronauts ever to have gone into space were involved in Scouting. When NASA began its astronaut selection process, they were looking for people who were not only fit and technically proficient, but who had an even temperament and above all, a thirst for adventure. It was no coincidence that the majority of those who were handed “tickets to the moon” were former Scouts.

Despite the huge resources ploughed into the first manned space flights, the astronauts were still taking enormous risks. It was vital that those who spent days in the cramped conditions could keep calm under pressure and cope with being thousands of miles from Earth. Of course, many were former test pilots, but the confidence and initiative of the young men who had come from Scouting also impressed NASA.

One Giant Leap

Surely the most famous of all the “Space Scouts” was Neil Armstrong. Born in Ohio in the US on 5 August 1930, his interest in flight began early, when as a Scout he built and flew model planes. By the age of 16, he had earned his student’s pilot licence.

When Armstrong become the commander of the Apollo XI mission to the moon in 1969, he was to lead “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins in one of the most daring exploits of the 20^th century. On 20 July 1969, from the surface of the moon, Armstrong famously proclaimed: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

In 1971, Armstrong resigned from NASA and moved back to Ohio. As well as being honoured by his country, he also received the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honour: the Silver Buffalo Award. What’s more, Armstrong had carried the World Scout Badge with him on his historic mission.

There is a curious addition to Armstrong’s Scouting story. When 17 year old American Scout, Ken Dayton, was working towards his Space Exploration Badge, he was disappointed to learn that there were no certified adjudicators available to sign it off. Jokingly, his leader suggested he should ask an astronaut. Dayton drove 150 miles directly to Armstrong’s farm in Ohio and gave his presentation on the driveway. Armstrong’s testimony read: “I am not a certified instructor, however in my opinion; Ken has completed all requirements satisfactorily!”

As a side note, popular British sci-fi comedy of the 90’s Red Dwarf had a character that was a hologram called Arnold J Rimmer who was in the Space Scouts along with his brothers, Frank, John and Howard!

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2005 edition of the UK magazine called Scouting and is written by Chris James. It is copyright 2006 The UK Scout Association and is used by permission.

Scouts Australia is currently investigating whether Australian astronaut Andrew Thomas, originally from Adelaide, is a former Scout.

article:http://www.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iStoryID=9836332

Top photo: M.I (Mohamed Ibrahim's collected scouting materials)

My thoughts ... The Education system in Maldives (2) - Deciding future aged 13, is this fair?

Deciding future aged 13, is this fair?

19th November 2002, Day I completed my Primary School at Jamaluddin School, in Male'. I was handed a form to be filled and submitted to my PROMOTED school where I was to complete my O'Levels. It was that same day when I went back home, my Dad tells me "Now you need to decide what STREAM you are going to take in O'levels, either Arts, Business or Science ... and what ever you take choose it wise cause that will be your foundations for what ever you want to be in future"

There I was, a regular normal 13 year boy just as any other in the Maldives, who had to choose his STREAM ... the ticket for his education ... the warranty for his career ... the gateway into his future ... (Hope I made it very dramatic) 

Can a 13 year old decide all this ?? should their PARENTS decide whats best for him?? Are 13year olds 'mature' enough to decide their future?? Can they understand whats best for them at this age?? Will they be aware of the different disciplines of education, and the job scopes?? Is it fair for there parents to choose something for them that they may not like when they grow up??

The education system in Maldives asks students at age of 13 just after they complete their 7th standard to decide a stream for studies at O'levels, which then becomes the foundation stone of their future careers and occupations, is this in anyway fair??