Monday, September 29, 2008

Of course we live in a special place! Bye bye dark matter.

One of the theories that I was never to comfortable with is that of Dark Matter.

This article in Science daily has helped me make up my mind and now I am leaning towards being against the theory. Reason: We live in a special place.

Many things in nature demonstrate the words of the Quraan and Hadeeth wherein it is said that we are the best of creation. And everything we see around us is created for us as signs to the existance of Allah, if only we take the time to look.

Scientests have discovered that there are very few planets out there that can possibly support life. The ratio of water, oxygen, climate, etc. are all factors that are just perfect on earth.

There aren't many solar systems with planets circling in an almost circular orbit.

Then there are less obvious signs, like the relative size of and distance to the Sun and the Moon from the earth making both appear as if they're the same size.

Yes ofcourse we live in a very special place, and I therefore would not be surprised if the density of our area of space is just right to create this special environment. In fact, I would expect it to be unique. 

Of course we live in a special place! Bye bye dark matter.

One of the theories that I was never to comfortable with is that of Dark Matter.

This article in Science daily has helped me make up my mind and now I am leaning towards being against the theory. Reason: We live in a special place.

Many things in nature demonstrate the words of the Quraan and Hadeeth wherein it is said that we are the best of creation. And everything we see around us is created for us as signs to the existance of Allah, if only we take the time to look.

Scientests have discovered that there are very few planets out there that can possibly support life. The ratio of water, oxygen, climate, etc. are all factors that are just perfect on earth.

There aren't many solar systems with planets circling in an almost circular orbit.

Then there are less obvious signs, like the relative size of and distance to the Sun and the Moon from the earth making both appear as if they're the same size.

Yes ofcourse we live in a very special place, and I therefore would not be surprised if the density of our area of space is just right to create this special environment. In fact, I would expect it to be unique. 

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The beginning of the Universe

An interesting presentation on time and entropy, these two slides caught my attention:



The words "Our initial conditions were finely tuned, even un-natural, nobody knows why" specifically caught my attention. Many religious people do not like the word evolution because of the links to atheism and atheists. However, I've always had the view that if one defines a process or equation and then perhaps more importantly, sets the right preconditions to the process or equation, then one is responsible for whatever evolves to anything within the process. 

In english, if kneading and baking is my process and the measured ingredients flour, water and yeast are my preconditions, then I am the creator of the bread that the dough eventually evolves into.

So, to the presenter, at least someone does presume to have an idea why.

And it is not all the Big Bangs fault, its the One that sets determined the equations of life and the important preconditions, our Creator, Allah.


The beginning of the Universe

An interesting presentation on time and entropy, these two slides caught my attention:



The words "Our initial conditions were finely tuned, even un-natural, nobody knows why" specifically caught my attention. Many religious people do not like the word evolution because of the links to atheism and atheists. However, I've always had the view that if one defines a process or equation and then perhaps more importantly, sets the right preconditions to the process or equation, then one is responsible for whatever evolves to anything within the process. 

In english, if kneading and baking is my process and the measured ingredients flour, water and yeast are my preconditions, then I am the creator of the bread that the dough eventually evolves into.

So, to the presenter, at least someone does presume to have an idea why.

And it is not all the Big Bangs fault, its the One that sets determined the equations of life and the important preconditions, our Creator, Allah.


The Independent: Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

A friend (yusufk@mailbox.co.za) has sent you an article:

Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

Thursday, 25 September 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-six-years-in-guantanamo-941479.html

Sami al-Haj walks with pain on his steel crutch; almost six years in the nightmare of Guantanamo have taken their toll on the Al Jazeera journalist and, now in the safety of a hotel in the small Norwegian town of Lillehammer, he is a figure of both dignity and shame. The Americans told him they were sorry when they eventually freed him this year ? after the beatings he says he suffered, and the force-feeding, the humiliations and interrogations by British, American and Canadian intelligence officers ? and now he hopes one day he'll be able to walk without his stick.

The Independent: Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

A friend (yusufk@mailbox.co.za) has sent you an article:

Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

Thursday, 25 September 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-six-years-in-guantanamo-941479.html

Sami al-Haj walks with pain on his steel crutch; almost six years in the nightmare of Guantanamo have taken their toll on the Al Jazeera journalist and, now in the safety of a hotel in the small Norwegian town of Lillehammer, he is a figure of both dignity and shame. The Americans told him they were sorry when they eventually freed him this year ? after the beatings he says he suffered, and the force-feeding, the humiliations and interrogations by British, American and Canadian intelligence officers ? and now he hopes one day he'll be able to walk without his stick.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Prophet Yunus (Jonah's) prayer, from inside the whale!

One of the prayers that have helped me along my way:

Three layers of darkness enveloped him, one above the other; the darkness of the whale's stomach, the darkness of the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Yunus imaged himself to be dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart was moved by remembering Allah. His tongue released soon after saying: 
La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You (above all that evil they associate with You), Truly, I have been of the wrong doers." (21:87 Quran)

Prophet Yunus (Jonah's) prayer, from inside the whale!

One of the prayers that have helped me along my way:

Three layers of darkness enveloped him, one above the other; the darkness of the whale's stomach, the darkness of the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Yunus imaged himself to be dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart was moved by remembering Allah. His tongue released soon after saying: 
La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You (above all that evil they associate with You), Truly, I have been of the wrong doers." (21:87 Quran)

Monday, September 08, 2008

Zapiro does it again...



Interview with Zapiro:
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/audio/2008/09/zapiro-wont-apologise

Zapiro does it again...



Interview with Zapiro:
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/audio/2008/09/zapiro-wont-apologise

Friday, September 05, 2008

Recipe: Julie (mums) Chicken Pie

METHOD:
Cook meat in lemon , salt ,pepper and mustard. Break into small shreds. Make mash of 1 big potato.

Mix meat & mash , add about 1 tblspn chow chow or picallilly.

Layer both bottom of squared tin with half of dough. Spread with tomatoe sauce &mustard sauce. Than add meat filling and sliced boiled egg (egg optional). Lastly add grated cheese. Put second half of rolled out dough over. Make holes with fork, smear beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 30- 45 min @ 180……….( dough from Indian delights- Mince in scones)"

Recipe: Julie (mums) Macaroni Salad

MACARONI SALAD:

1 pkt noodles (elbow, straight, or screws) , boil & cool ( salt)
¾ pkt mixed frozen veggies
¼ kg white meat cooked in salt, lemon pepper and mustard powder. shred into small pieces .

When cool mix all together in large dish.

Sauce:
1 bottle mayonnaise
1 heaped spoon crushed garlic
½ green pepper cubed
Salt to taste +/- 1 tspn
Dash of pepper
Dash fresh ground pepper
1 tblspn sugar
spring onions
parsely
mustard
½ cup oil

mix sauce thoroughly than add to other ingredients. Refrigerate.

Recipe: Julie (mums) custard slice

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2cups b/p
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
¼ cup sugar
2 oz butter (60g)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence


Method:
Cream butter-sugar method.
Than roll 5-6 flat round cakes.
Bake in oven.

Custard:
1L milk 4 tblspn (level) custard sugar + condensed milk.

Recipe: Julie (mums) Chicken Pie

METHOD:
Cook meat in lemon , salt ,pepper and mustard. Break into small shreds. Make mash of 1 big potato.

Mix meat & mash , add about 1 tblspn chow chow or picallilly.

Layer both bottom of squared tin with half of dough. Spread with tomatoe sauce &mustard sauce. Than add meat filling and sliced boiled egg (egg optional). Lastly add grated cheese. Put second half of rolled out dough over. Make holes with fork, smear beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 30- 45 min @ 180……….( dough from Indian delights- Mince in scones)"

Recipe: Julie (mums) Macaroni Salad

MACARONI SALAD:

1 pkt noodles (elbow, straight, or screws) , boil & cool ( salt)
¾ pkt mixed frozen veggies
¼ kg white meat cooked in salt, lemon pepper and mustard powder. shred into small pieces .

When cool mix all together in large dish.

Sauce:
1 bottle mayonnaise
1 heaped spoon crushed garlic
½ green pepper cubed
Salt to taste +/- 1 tspn
Dash of pepper
Dash fresh ground pepper
1 tblspn sugar
spring onions
parsely
mustard
½ cup oil

mix sauce thoroughly than add to other ingredients. Refrigerate.

Recipe: Julie (mums) custard slice

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2cups b/p
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
¼ cup sugar
2 oz butter (60g)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence


Method:
Cream butter-sugar method.
Than roll 5-6 flat round cakes.
Bake in oven.

Custard:
1L milk 4 tblspn (level) custard sugar + condensed milk.