My main activity this rainy day was to release four new travel bugs. It will be interesting to see how far they make it and where they go in their travels.
Please visit their websites and join the fun of watching their travels:
Haji
Buzz
Gerry
Froggy
Bon Voyage TB's!
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Hidden Curriculum
Here's an excerpt from a paper I had to write today for grad school on hidden curriculum. I thought this topic was sort of interesting, hence the sharing: Note: the formatting gets lost when I transfer it to my blog, apologies in advance)
In A Sociology of Educating, Meighan (1981) defines hidden curriculum as “taught by the school, not by any teacher… something is coming across to the pupils which may never be spoken…. They are picking up an approach to living and an attitude to learning.” (p. 314) In Themes and Perspectives Haralambos (1991) defines hidden curriculum as consisting “of those things pupils learn through the experience of attending school rather than the stated education objectives of such institutions.” (p. 267) The hidden curriculum includes values such as where formal education takes place, who participates in it, what the relationship between participants are, how success and failure are measured, and the overall purpose of education (Meighan, 1981). These values are translated into norms that condition the behavior of participants in the educational process. Meighan claims that students and teachers in a classroom are “haunted” by ghosts of things like the designers of the school, textbook writers, employer demands, and the creators and maintainers of language and jargon. Is a classroom institutional and sterile or warm and inviting? Are textbooks biased? Are employer expectations in line with what is best for students? Does the language used hold meaning for students? In The Hidden Curriculum of Higher Education, Eric Margolis notes that hidden curricula may be only partially hidden; some of us may be aware of them and may be participants in their hiding. “Curricula can be hidden by a general social agreement not to see.” (p.2) He makes a delightful analogy between the fairy tale “The Emperor Has No Clothes” and hidden curriculum. The emperor and his subjects were all socialized to believe that he had on clothes even though their eyes told them otherwise. None of them wanted to be taken for fools by pointing out that they could not see what everyone else seemed to see. Finally, it was an unsocialized child who pointed out to everyone that the emperor was in fact naked. What is being taught in our schools that we are socialized not to see?
In A Sociology of Educating, Meighan (1981) defines hidden curriculum as “taught by the school, not by any teacher… something is coming across to the pupils which may never be spoken…. They are picking up an approach to living and an attitude to learning.” (p. 314) In Themes and Perspectives Haralambos (1991) defines hidden curriculum as consisting “of those things pupils learn through the experience of attending school rather than the stated education objectives of such institutions.” (p. 267) The hidden curriculum includes values such as where formal education takes place, who participates in it, what the relationship between participants are, how success and failure are measured, and the overall purpose of education (Meighan, 1981). These values are translated into norms that condition the behavior of participants in the educational process. Meighan claims that students and teachers in a classroom are “haunted” by ghosts of things like the designers of the school, textbook writers, employer demands, and the creators and maintainers of language and jargon. Is a classroom institutional and sterile or warm and inviting? Are textbooks biased? Are employer expectations in line with what is best for students? Does the language used hold meaning for students? In The Hidden Curriculum of Higher Education, Eric Margolis notes that hidden curricula may be only partially hidden; some of us may be aware of them and may be participants in their hiding. “Curricula can be hidden by a general social agreement not to see.” (p.2) He makes a delightful analogy between the fairy tale “The Emperor Has No Clothes” and hidden curriculum. The emperor and his subjects were all socialized to believe that he had on clothes even though their eyes told them otherwise. None of them wanted to be taken for fools by pointing out that they could not see what everyone else seemed to see. Finally, it was an unsocialized child who pointed out to everyone that the emperor was in fact naked. What is being taught in our schools that we are socialized not to see?
Triple Filter Test
The Triple Filter Test
In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem.
One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
This is why Socrates was a great philosopher & held in such high esteem. If we are able to protect our friends and those we love in this manner, we cannot be influenced by outsiders in having bad notions about them.
In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem.
One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
This is why Socrates was a great philosopher & held in such high esteem. If we are able to protect our friends and those we love in this manner, we cannot be influenced by outsiders in having bad notions about them.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Friend's Letter
I know this lady and I find her totally above reproach. I just wanted to share her story. Warning: It is a pretty upsetting story. Garage Sale is over, made about $100. Thanks Derek and Heather for all the assistance and the driveway, etc.
Marzieh wrote:
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
Assalamu Alaikum to all of my brothers and sisters,
Insha’Allah everyone is doing well. I am writing this email to inform everyone of an incident which happened to my family and I. I want everyone to know and understand well, the result of this “New World Order” which has taken over in the United States and the rest of the world. Some of you, who I am writing this letter to, know me and some of you do not, so I will take time to explain a few background issues. For those of you, who already know me, please bare with me as I elaborate on a few points.
My name is Marzieh Hashemi and I was born and reared in the United States. I am a Muslim convert who married an Iranian national 23 years ago. I lived in Iran for over 10 years and in August of 2001, my husband was killed in an accident. A year later, my children and I returned to the United States. Upon my return, I started working for a Muslim brother in Denver. I started working with him in October of 2002 until the present. I just wanted you to have a brief idea of the “players” involved in this very bizarre story.
On Thursday, June 10, 2004, at approximately 7:08 a.m., there was a loud banging on my door, and yelling for me to open the door. They said that it was the police and the F.B.I.
I hurriedly grabbed for my scarf and proceeded to go downstairs in my home. What I saw was so unbelievable! My 20 year old son and his 23 year old cousin had their hands up. There were F.B.I. agents streaming into my house with guns drawn. They were yelling for everyone to put up their hands. I kept demanding to know what this was all about. They told me that they would let me know, as soon as they “secured the area”. There were about 15 agents who came into my place, searching every room and at the same time they asked me if we had any drugs or weapons, at which I smirked and told them of course not. The agents then demanded that all of my family sit in one section of the house.
After about 15 minutes of this, they presented a search and seize warrant, stating that this was a case relating to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For those of you not familiar with the United States, this is the federal tax body. I laughed when they told me this, being that my income is quite limited. The IRS agent proceeded to asked me if I had any jewels, safety deposit boxes, boats, as well as land, houses, etc. I told him that I could barely afford the one home that I lived in and that they had more information then even I have about myself, so what was all this really about! This line of questioning went on for about 20 minutes. Let me add, that I did asked them during this time, if I could make a call and they answered that I could not make an outbound call nor could I answer any incoming calls.
After the IRS agent finished, the FBI agent continued. They said that they were working together in a task force. He then began his line of questioning. He started off by asking me what is my religion. Then he asked me if I am Shia or Sunni. I told him that I thought this was supposedly related to the IRS and what difference does it make to the IRS my religious persuasion. He said that the FBI had decided that there was a lot of “misunderstanding” between the agency and Muslims and that they could actually “kill two birds with one stone” and try to clear up some of these misunderstanding. I told him that I thought he was using a very “interesting” forum to attempt to clear up these “misunderstandings”. He continued with his line of questioning for about 45 minutes. He asked me about leadership with the Sunnis and Shias and which was stronger. He asked about Hamas, Hezbollah, suicide bombings, et cetera. He also asked that if the United States went to war with Iran, which side would I be on!
Let me explain that while this questioning was going on, my family was sitting in that one corner of the house and were not allowed to move around. Simultaneously with the questioning, the agents were going through every part of my home. They took any “suspicious” item that they found. This includes my mortgage papers, bills, anything with “non-English” writings on it, such as my Quranic c.d.’s, my children old Farsi notebooks, my daughter’s diary that she wrote in Farsi, and many other items for which I got a very generic inventory list from the agents when they were leaving.
This search and seize started at about 7:15 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m.! During this time, we were told after the initial questioning that we were free to leave. However if we left, we could not return to our home until after they left the premises. We were “allowed” to use the rest room in our own home after getting permission and only one person could leave our “holding area” at a time. By noon, my family was getting hungry and I did not have any quick snacks in the house. I asked them if I could cook something and they told me “no”. They did not want me boiling any water or anything! I asked them what I was suppose to do because my family was hungry and they weren’t allowing me to cook. They told me that I could leave and I reiterated that I would not leave my own house while they were in it. Finally I convinced my 20 year-old son to go and get us lunch, because he was getting less and less tolerant of the intrusion. I thought that it would be a good way of getting him out of the house.
The agent said that my son could leave and buy us lunch. He reiterated that when my son would return, he would not be allowed to come up to the door. He would have to stand at a distance from the front door, and an agent would go out and get the food from him, then my son should leave. This is what he did. Shortly after that, my 17 year-old daughter decided to leave and she did so. The rest of us stayed until the agents left at approximately 3:30 p.m.
I later found out from my youngest son, who is 10 years old that he woke up that Thursday morning with a gun pointing at him and an F.B.I. agent yelling at him to put his hands up and go downstairs. My son told me later that he thought the agent was going to kill him and he thought he had done something wrong.
I’ve told you all this story because I want everyone to be informed. The raid on my house took place simultaneously with two other Muslim families in Denver, Colorado. The two individuals from these two homes are my co-workers. Also the office where I work, was raided at the same time.
My question is that if this is really a tax case, then why all the questions relating to my religious and political perspectives. If this is really a tax case, I’d like to ask the federal government, how many agents with guns drawn, did they send to arrest Enron executives in their multimillion dollars fraud case! If this is really related to taxes, why didn’t they audit me! If this is really related to taxes, why did they wake up my son with a gun pointed at him? Did they have any record of me being a dangerous person that they came to my house with guns drawn! By the way, what ever happened to the First Amendment and Miranda rights? Actually, while we are on the subject, “What happened to the United States of America”?
This can happen to anyone in the USA at anytime. This is the post 9/11 America This is the post Patriot Act America. Is it a safer America! Is it a more patriotic America! All I know is that each and every person in my home will never forget what happened to them. All I know is that a certain innocence was taken away from my 10 year old on 6/10/04 that I don’t think he will ever get back. My son really believes that he can be killed in his own house at any time. He had always seen on television programs about the “bad guys”, the thieves, murderers and the dangerous elements of the society. He had never thought of the possibility that those who are suppose to “protect and serve”, could be more dangerous than any other element in the society! But on June tenth, 2004, he got a crystal clear picture of what it is like being a Muslim in the United States. He’ll never forget this lesson and I am sure none of us will. Welcome to the New World Order!
Marzieh wrote:
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
Assalamu Alaikum to all of my brothers and sisters,
Insha’Allah everyone is doing well. I am writing this email to inform everyone of an incident which happened to my family and I. I want everyone to know and understand well, the result of this “New World Order” which has taken over in the United States and the rest of the world. Some of you, who I am writing this letter to, know me and some of you do not, so I will take time to explain a few background issues. For those of you, who already know me, please bare with me as I elaborate on a few points.
My name is Marzieh Hashemi and I was born and reared in the United States. I am a Muslim convert who married an Iranian national 23 years ago. I lived in Iran for over 10 years and in August of 2001, my husband was killed in an accident. A year later, my children and I returned to the United States. Upon my return, I started working for a Muslim brother in Denver. I started working with him in October of 2002 until the present. I just wanted you to have a brief idea of the “players” involved in this very bizarre story.
On Thursday, June 10, 2004, at approximately 7:08 a.m., there was a loud banging on my door, and yelling for me to open the door. They said that it was the police and the F.B.I.
I hurriedly grabbed for my scarf and proceeded to go downstairs in my home. What I saw was so unbelievable! My 20 year old son and his 23 year old cousin had their hands up. There were F.B.I. agents streaming into my house with guns drawn. They were yelling for everyone to put up their hands. I kept demanding to know what this was all about. They told me that they would let me know, as soon as they “secured the area”. There were about 15 agents who came into my place, searching every room and at the same time they asked me if we had any drugs or weapons, at which I smirked and told them of course not. The agents then demanded that all of my family sit in one section of the house.
After about 15 minutes of this, they presented a search and seize warrant, stating that this was a case relating to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For those of you not familiar with the United States, this is the federal tax body. I laughed when they told me this, being that my income is quite limited. The IRS agent proceeded to asked me if I had any jewels, safety deposit boxes, boats, as well as land, houses, etc. I told him that I could barely afford the one home that I lived in and that they had more information then even I have about myself, so what was all this really about! This line of questioning went on for about 20 minutes. Let me add, that I did asked them during this time, if I could make a call and they answered that I could not make an outbound call nor could I answer any incoming calls.
After the IRS agent finished, the FBI agent continued. They said that they were working together in a task force. He then began his line of questioning. He started off by asking me what is my religion. Then he asked me if I am Shia or Sunni. I told him that I thought this was supposedly related to the IRS and what difference does it make to the IRS my religious persuasion. He said that the FBI had decided that there was a lot of “misunderstanding” between the agency and Muslims and that they could actually “kill two birds with one stone” and try to clear up some of these misunderstanding. I told him that I thought he was using a very “interesting” forum to attempt to clear up these “misunderstandings”. He continued with his line of questioning for about 45 minutes. He asked me about leadership with the Sunnis and Shias and which was stronger. He asked about Hamas, Hezbollah, suicide bombings, et cetera. He also asked that if the United States went to war with Iran, which side would I be on!
Let me explain that while this questioning was going on, my family was sitting in that one corner of the house and were not allowed to move around. Simultaneously with the questioning, the agents were going through every part of my home. They took any “suspicious” item that they found. This includes my mortgage papers, bills, anything with “non-English” writings on it, such as my Quranic c.d.’s, my children old Farsi notebooks, my daughter’s diary that she wrote in Farsi, and many other items for which I got a very generic inventory list from the agents when they were leaving.
This search and seize started at about 7:15 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m.! During this time, we were told after the initial questioning that we were free to leave. However if we left, we could not return to our home until after they left the premises. We were “allowed” to use the rest room in our own home after getting permission and only one person could leave our “holding area” at a time. By noon, my family was getting hungry and I did not have any quick snacks in the house. I asked them if I could cook something and they told me “no”. They did not want me boiling any water or anything! I asked them what I was suppose to do because my family was hungry and they weren’t allowing me to cook. They told me that I could leave and I reiterated that I would not leave my own house while they were in it. Finally I convinced my 20 year-old son to go and get us lunch, because he was getting less and less tolerant of the intrusion. I thought that it would be a good way of getting him out of the house.
The agent said that my son could leave and buy us lunch. He reiterated that when my son would return, he would not be allowed to come up to the door. He would have to stand at a distance from the front door, and an agent would go out and get the food from him, then my son should leave. This is what he did. Shortly after that, my 17 year-old daughter decided to leave and she did so. The rest of us stayed until the agents left at approximately 3:30 p.m.
I later found out from my youngest son, who is 10 years old that he woke up that Thursday morning with a gun pointing at him and an F.B.I. agent yelling at him to put his hands up and go downstairs. My son told me later that he thought the agent was going to kill him and he thought he had done something wrong.
I’ve told you all this story because I want everyone to be informed. The raid on my house took place simultaneously with two other Muslim families in Denver, Colorado. The two individuals from these two homes are my co-workers. Also the office where I work, was raided at the same time.
My question is that if this is really a tax case, then why all the questions relating to my religious and political perspectives. If this is really a tax case, I’d like to ask the federal government, how many agents with guns drawn, did they send to arrest Enron executives in their multimillion dollars fraud case! If this is really related to taxes, why didn’t they audit me! If this is really related to taxes, why did they wake up my son with a gun pointed at him? Did they have any record of me being a dangerous person that they came to my house with guns drawn! By the way, what ever happened to the First Amendment and Miranda rights? Actually, while we are on the subject, “What happened to the United States of America”?
This can happen to anyone in the USA at anytime. This is the post 9/11 America This is the post Patriot Act America. Is it a safer America! Is it a more patriotic America! All I know is that each and every person in my home will never forget what happened to them. All I know is that a certain innocence was taken away from my 10 year old on 6/10/04 that I don’t think he will ever get back. My son really believes that he can be killed in his own house at any time. He had always seen on television programs about the “bad guys”, the thieves, murderers and the dangerous elements of the society. He had never thought of the possibility that those who are suppose to “protect and serve”, could be more dangerous than any other element in the society! But on June tenth, 2004, he got a crystal clear picture of what it is like being a Muslim in the United States. He’ll never forget this lesson and I am sure none of us will. Welcome to the New World Order!
Friday, June 25, 2004
Dice
Some things I've been learning this week in my training. No, I'm not training to work at a casino or anything - it's statistics and math.
Crooked Dice
With so much money riding on the roll of a die it's no surprise that crooks try to influence the outcome. Here you can learn all about the methods the cheats use to win your money...
Crooked dice are not a recent development. The Indian Hindu Sanskrit, Mahabbarata, the first documented reference to dice, mentions crooked dice and examples have been found in ancient sites in the Orient, South America and the Middle East.
Dice that are fair are known as straight or square dice, perfects or levels. Terms for crooked dice are numerous and there are a number of methods for gaffing dice. Crooked dice do not behave in the same manner on every throw but they do change the odds and so are known as percentage or P.C. dice.
A dice mechanic will substitute crooked or gaffed dice for the real ones and can quickly switch them back once they have gained their advantage. Slight of hand may be used or the switch will take place when the dice are out of sight. Crooked gambling houses used to employ stickmen for Craps who would switch the dice when signalled. Today the major casinos are honest and have no reason too cheat. An expert switcher will almost be impossible to spot. If you suspect a switch has taken place then you could examine the dice yourself. Remember the dice you are playing with may not be the dice that started the game and cheats will switch the dice back and forth as it suits them. A cheat may even let another player take his crooked dice away, just writing his loss off as part of his scam. This means there could be crooked dice in circulation that no one is aware of.
Craps is where the money is so crooks and cheats target this game the most. Passers are crooked dice that favour passes and not the 7, or craps on the come out throw. Missouts are crooked dice that favour the 7 and not the points.
Loaded dice or weight will be heavier on one side. The extra weight may be lead, gold or platinum so it only takes a small amount to change the odds. The weight is often placed nearer one corner or edge rather than at the centre of one face. Transparent dice do not prevent loading because the actual spots can contain the weight. Check if the spots are deeper on some sides than others, although this is no guarantee because a well made gaffed dice will look straight and even. To test for loaded dice simply repeatedly drop the die in a glass of water. It should sink and if a particular number always faces up the die is loaded. The pivot test is one where you hold the die between your thumb and finger by diagonally opposite corners. If the die is loaded it will tend to turn downward as you lightly hold it.
Floats or floaters don't have extra weight added but weight taken away so they become lighter. They are hollow inside and the gap is placed off centre to bias the dice. They are known as floaters because they will often float, with the hollow side up, when placed in water.
Tapping dice or tappers are dice with a hollow dumb-bell shaped chamber inside. The hollow chamber is filled with mercury. When the mercury is in the end of the chamber near the centre of the die it is fair. But when the cheat wants the die to be biased he will tap the die so the mercury runs to the other end and weight one corner. Some tappers use the same principal but with a weight that slides up and down the chamber on a fine wire. These may have a ratchet mechanism to hold it in place until the die is tapped and may have a rubber bumper to prevent any noise. Obviously these dice must be opaque. Tappers are not used often because of their unreliability. To test for these, tap the die on all it's corners and use the loaded die tests.
Shapes are dice that are not true cubes. Shapes may be convex or concave on some sides or edges or a side may have been shaved down.
Bevels are shapes with one or more convex sides. These dice will be more likely to roll off the convex sides and on to a flat one.
Suction dice have a concave side which can create a slight vacuum when rolled on a hard flat surface. On a rough surface the dice tend to stop on the concave side when a flat side would keep on rolling. These dice favour the opposite side of the concave one.
Trip dice have edge work and flat sides. Dice are manufactured with different types of edge. There are different ways to machine the edge of a die and if all the edges are machined the same way the die is fair. Trip dice will have differing edges. They tend to wear after use and need to be replaced by the cheat quite often.
Cut-edge dice are trip dice that have an edge shaved at an angle of 45 degrees while the others may be at 60 degrees which effects the roll.
Raised-edge dice are trip dice with a lip on some sides. These sides have more surface area and also grip when rolled on cloth.
Dice with razor-edge work have different edges. Dice can be razor edged on some sides and turned or rounded on others so the die will roll off the rounded edges and grip on flat ones.
Split-edge or Saw-tooth edge work is serrating some edges of the dice with tiny cuts. The idea is these edges will grip. The bias is hard to ascertain and these dice are said to be worthless to a cheat.
Bricks or flats are shapes that have one side shaved down so the four adjoining sides are made smaller and have less surface area. The shaved side and its opposite face will be the more likely outcome. Six-ace flats will favour the 1 and 6 sides and work against the shooter in a game of Craps. Flat passers are a pair of dice cut down to favour 3-4 and 6-1 so totals of 4, 5, 9 and 10 occur more often (point numbers in Craps). Barred dice is another term used for these.
Bevels can be held together or pressed on to a flat surface. If they rock back and forth you know the die's face is convex. Try running your finger over the sides of the die feeling for lips or edges. Remember to check all sides of a die to determine if it is a shape. There are devices used by casinos called micrometers that measure the sides of dice extremely accurately. Sometimes shapes and loaded dice are combined, with both defects so minute that spotting them is difficult. Different methods of shaping and gaffing dice can also be combined to produce such things as razor edge convexes, bevelled suction shapes, etc. An obviously mis-shaped or loaded die is said to have very strong work that won't pass in fast company.
Raised spots are supposed to cause the dice to roll off that side. The spots aren't finished properly and these are used by amateur cheats. They can be easily felt and are not as effective as other crooked dice.
Capped dice are shaved down on some sides and then have the material replaced by a layer of material that matches in look but differs in elasticity. The dice tend to bounce off these sides and settle on one not doctored. The join should be invisible all though wear and heat may show it up after time. Use your finger nail or something sharp to feel the resiliency of all sides. Liquid capping is the painting of dice with a solution that dries to get the same effect. This isn't worth doing because the substance becomes sticky in players hands and picks up dirt.
You will often see dice players blowing on the dice for good luck. Another way to cheat is to paint sides of the dice with a clear sticky substance which can be activated by the moisture in the cheats breath causing the dice to have a tendency to stick to the throwing surface.
Slick dice are polished on some sides while the other sides are roughened. This is supposed to make the dice slide to a stop on the smooth side and roll off a rough one. This bias is negligible but is hard to spot because even straight dice can become rough after a lot of use.
Bristles are dice gaffed with a pin. The pin is inserted into the centre spot of the 5 side, only slightly protruding, and will hold if rolled on a cloth or baize surface. They are known as bristles because pig or horse bristles were used. It is an extremely old method of gaffing dice. Outmoded and not used by professional cheats because of the likely hood of being discovered.
Mis-spotted dice with duplicate numbers on opposing faces are called tops and bottoms. Other terms for these dice are tops, mis-spots, horses or tees (T's). A gamblers term for these is busters. These can easily be identified simply by examining all the faces of the die. Remember all opposing sides must add up to 7. These dice are not as instantly recognisable as you may think because only three sides of a die are visible at any one time.
Double number dice have two sides of the same number, double deuces will have two 2 spots and no 5. A pair of dice with duplicate sides of 1, 5, 6 and 3, 4, 5 will never produce a total of 2, 3, 7 or 12, the only numbers that can lose in Craps. High-low splitters are marked twice with 1, 2, 3 on one die and 4, 5, 6 on the other. These produce a lot of 7's and a crooked house would switch them in when some one has made a heavy bet on the field in a Craps game. Door pops are a pair of dice that only ever come up 7 or 11. One die is spotted with 6's and 2's the other is all 5's on every side and only a complete idiot would fall for these. Games that require high numbers to win, like Backgammon or High Dice, can be played with high number dice that have two 4's, 5's and 6's. Low number dice have two 1s, 2s and 3s.
Electric dice are metallic on one side or have metal slugs in the spots on one side. These are used with an electromagnet under the playing surface. Greedy Chuck-A-Luck operators sometimes use them under the counter or chuck cage and special Craps tables were manufactured to incorporate the magnet. Electric dice are not as commonly used as they once were due to the fact that many dice players carried a magnet to test for them. If a die sticks to a magnet then without doubt it is crooked. Gambling venues that use electromagnets are known as juice joints or wire joints. These are not strictly speaking percentage dice because when the magnet is on the outcome is certain.
Crooked dice may be unconventionally spotted so a cheat can differentiate between them and a set of straight dice when switching them back and forth from a game.
If playing dice for money you should play with transparent dice to reduce the chances of using crooked ones. Casinos always use these dice and today's major casinos are respectable, professional operations and have no need to cheat. Don't play with strangers but rather stick to a friendly game with people you know well and trust. Should you ever find that you are in a crooked dice game the best advice is to cut your losses and take no further part. Even if you are positive the game is rigged the situation could rapidly turn ugly if you were to accuse some one.
Casinos don't take any chances when it comes to profit so they don't use just any dice when thousands of dollars are riding on a roll.
Casino dice are called perfect or precision dice because of the way they are made. They are as close to being perfect true cubes as possible, measured to within a fraction of a millimetre, manufactured so each die has an absolutely equal chance of landing on any one of its six faces.
Casino dice are specially hand made to within a tolerance of 0.0005 of an inch. The spots are drilled and filled with material that is equal in weight to the material removed. Usually sides are flush and edges sharp. They are predominantly transparent red but can come in other colours like green, purple or blue. Spots are usually solid but a number of different designs can be found.
It is believed all casino dice should have the same conventional arrangement of faces and spots. They're right handed so that if the 1-spot is face up and the 2-spot is turned to face the left then the 3-spot is to the right of it with all opposing sides adding up to 7. If the 1 spot is face up then the 3-spot runs diagonally up from the left and the 2-spot runs diagonally down from the left. A different orientation of the spots is sometimes used on crooked dice (made to look like casino dice) so a cheat can differentiate them from a set of straight dice.
Since the 1970's, and the move to corporate owned casinos, it has become more and more common for casino dice to have serial numbers printed on them. The number is 3 or 4 numeric digits, possibly with letters and dashes, usually printed on the 6-spot but can be found on any face except the 1-spot. This number denotes the issue and is used to prevent them being switched for crooked dice. Another security check sometimes used is having key letters printed on the underneath of spots which can only be viewed by looking through the transparent die. The casino's name, sometimes location, and/or logo will often be printed on the dice too using a metallic foil. The 1-spot usually bares the casino's name while the 2-spot may have the logo.
The most common size today is 3/4 inch but the size can vary with 5/8 inch and 11/16 inch the next most common sizes.
Casino dice were made of cellulose nitrate, starting around the 1920s, but sometime around the 1950s the manufacturers switched to cellulose acetate which is more durable. Very old casino dice have often started to crystallise and will have turned yellowish around the edges. This crystallisation is caused by age and exposure to moisture and ultra-violet light. A completely crystallised die will disintegrate if pressure is applied.
Casino dice can be readily bought. However many cheap casino dice are in fact rejects that haven't met the manufacturers standards or used dice that have been cancelled by their casino. Both rejects and used dice will have been defaced in some way.
Manufacturers call rejects culls. These are factory marked with a hot pin in the centre of the 4-spot or hot stamped with a number of 'X' or star symbols or just simply stamped with the word "VOID". Some manufacturers stamp a gold "O" onto the four spot.
Used dice may be bought as souvenirs from many casinos although some refuse to let them go. When a die is taken out of play it will be cancelled. It could be that a hole is drilled through it or a crescent or circle is pressed into one side with a vice. Sometimes a gold bar is hot stamped on the six-spot. A sharp pointed metal scribe is often used to press a small shallow mark into a face. Some older dice were scratched or had a date or initials marked on them. By state law Atlantic City casinos must drill all the way through their used dice.
If you want true perfect dice then pay the extra for a stick. A stick is a number of dice that are still in their sealed pack as delivered by the manufacturer.
Crooked Dice
With so much money riding on the roll of a die it's no surprise that crooks try to influence the outcome. Here you can learn all about the methods the cheats use to win your money...
Crooked dice are not a recent development. The Indian Hindu Sanskrit, Mahabbarata, the first documented reference to dice, mentions crooked dice and examples have been found in ancient sites in the Orient, South America and the Middle East.
Dice that are fair are known as straight or square dice, perfects or levels. Terms for crooked dice are numerous and there are a number of methods for gaffing dice. Crooked dice do not behave in the same manner on every throw but they do change the odds and so are known as percentage or P.C. dice.
A dice mechanic will substitute crooked or gaffed dice for the real ones and can quickly switch them back once they have gained their advantage. Slight of hand may be used or the switch will take place when the dice are out of sight. Crooked gambling houses used to employ stickmen for Craps who would switch the dice when signalled. Today the major casinos are honest and have no reason too cheat. An expert switcher will almost be impossible to spot. If you suspect a switch has taken place then you could examine the dice yourself. Remember the dice you are playing with may not be the dice that started the game and cheats will switch the dice back and forth as it suits them. A cheat may even let another player take his crooked dice away, just writing his loss off as part of his scam. This means there could be crooked dice in circulation that no one is aware of.
Craps is where the money is so crooks and cheats target this game the most. Passers are crooked dice that favour passes and not the 7, or craps on the come out throw. Missouts are crooked dice that favour the 7 and not the points.
Loaded dice or weight will be heavier on one side. The extra weight may be lead, gold or platinum so it only takes a small amount to change the odds. The weight is often placed nearer one corner or edge rather than at the centre of one face. Transparent dice do not prevent loading because the actual spots can contain the weight. Check if the spots are deeper on some sides than others, although this is no guarantee because a well made gaffed dice will look straight and even. To test for loaded dice simply repeatedly drop the die in a glass of water. It should sink and if a particular number always faces up the die is loaded. The pivot test is one where you hold the die between your thumb and finger by diagonally opposite corners. If the die is loaded it will tend to turn downward as you lightly hold it.
Floats or floaters don't have extra weight added but weight taken away so they become lighter. They are hollow inside and the gap is placed off centre to bias the dice. They are known as floaters because they will often float, with the hollow side up, when placed in water.
Tapping dice or tappers are dice with a hollow dumb-bell shaped chamber inside. The hollow chamber is filled with mercury. When the mercury is in the end of the chamber near the centre of the die it is fair. But when the cheat wants the die to be biased he will tap the die so the mercury runs to the other end and weight one corner. Some tappers use the same principal but with a weight that slides up and down the chamber on a fine wire. These may have a ratchet mechanism to hold it in place until the die is tapped and may have a rubber bumper to prevent any noise. Obviously these dice must be opaque. Tappers are not used often because of their unreliability. To test for these, tap the die on all it's corners and use the loaded die tests.
Shapes are dice that are not true cubes. Shapes may be convex or concave on some sides or edges or a side may have been shaved down.
Bevels are shapes with one or more convex sides. These dice will be more likely to roll off the convex sides and on to a flat one.
Suction dice have a concave side which can create a slight vacuum when rolled on a hard flat surface. On a rough surface the dice tend to stop on the concave side when a flat side would keep on rolling. These dice favour the opposite side of the concave one.
Trip dice have edge work and flat sides. Dice are manufactured with different types of edge. There are different ways to machine the edge of a die and if all the edges are machined the same way the die is fair. Trip dice will have differing edges. They tend to wear after use and need to be replaced by the cheat quite often.
Cut-edge dice are trip dice that have an edge shaved at an angle of 45 degrees while the others may be at 60 degrees which effects the roll.
Raised-edge dice are trip dice with a lip on some sides. These sides have more surface area and also grip when rolled on cloth.
Dice with razor-edge work have different edges. Dice can be razor edged on some sides and turned or rounded on others so the die will roll off the rounded edges and grip on flat ones.
Split-edge or Saw-tooth edge work is serrating some edges of the dice with tiny cuts. The idea is these edges will grip. The bias is hard to ascertain and these dice are said to be worthless to a cheat.
Bricks or flats are shapes that have one side shaved down so the four adjoining sides are made smaller and have less surface area. The shaved side and its opposite face will be the more likely outcome. Six-ace flats will favour the 1 and 6 sides and work against the shooter in a game of Craps. Flat passers are a pair of dice cut down to favour 3-4 and 6-1 so totals of 4, 5, 9 and 10 occur more often (point numbers in Craps). Barred dice is another term used for these.
Bevels can be held together or pressed on to a flat surface. If they rock back and forth you know the die's face is convex. Try running your finger over the sides of the die feeling for lips or edges. Remember to check all sides of a die to determine if it is a shape. There are devices used by casinos called micrometers that measure the sides of dice extremely accurately. Sometimes shapes and loaded dice are combined, with both defects so minute that spotting them is difficult. Different methods of shaping and gaffing dice can also be combined to produce such things as razor edge convexes, bevelled suction shapes, etc. An obviously mis-shaped or loaded die is said to have very strong work that won't pass in fast company.
Raised spots are supposed to cause the dice to roll off that side. The spots aren't finished properly and these are used by amateur cheats. They can be easily felt and are not as effective as other crooked dice.
Capped dice are shaved down on some sides and then have the material replaced by a layer of material that matches in look but differs in elasticity. The dice tend to bounce off these sides and settle on one not doctored. The join should be invisible all though wear and heat may show it up after time. Use your finger nail or something sharp to feel the resiliency of all sides. Liquid capping is the painting of dice with a solution that dries to get the same effect. This isn't worth doing because the substance becomes sticky in players hands and picks up dirt.
You will often see dice players blowing on the dice for good luck. Another way to cheat is to paint sides of the dice with a clear sticky substance which can be activated by the moisture in the cheats breath causing the dice to have a tendency to stick to the throwing surface.
Slick dice are polished on some sides while the other sides are roughened. This is supposed to make the dice slide to a stop on the smooth side and roll off a rough one. This bias is negligible but is hard to spot because even straight dice can become rough after a lot of use.
Bristles are dice gaffed with a pin. The pin is inserted into the centre spot of the 5 side, only slightly protruding, and will hold if rolled on a cloth or baize surface. They are known as bristles because pig or horse bristles were used. It is an extremely old method of gaffing dice. Outmoded and not used by professional cheats because of the likely hood of being discovered.
Mis-spotted dice with duplicate numbers on opposing faces are called tops and bottoms. Other terms for these dice are tops, mis-spots, horses or tees (T's). A gamblers term for these is busters. These can easily be identified simply by examining all the faces of the die. Remember all opposing sides must add up to 7. These dice are not as instantly recognisable as you may think because only three sides of a die are visible at any one time.
Double number dice have two sides of the same number, double deuces will have two 2 spots and no 5. A pair of dice with duplicate sides of 1, 5, 6 and 3, 4, 5 will never produce a total of 2, 3, 7 or 12, the only numbers that can lose in Craps. High-low splitters are marked twice with 1, 2, 3 on one die and 4, 5, 6 on the other. These produce a lot of 7's and a crooked house would switch them in when some one has made a heavy bet on the field in a Craps game. Door pops are a pair of dice that only ever come up 7 or 11. One die is spotted with 6's and 2's the other is all 5's on every side and only a complete idiot would fall for these. Games that require high numbers to win, like Backgammon or High Dice, can be played with high number dice that have two 4's, 5's and 6's. Low number dice have two 1s, 2s and 3s.
Electric dice are metallic on one side or have metal slugs in the spots on one side. These are used with an electromagnet under the playing surface. Greedy Chuck-A-Luck operators sometimes use them under the counter or chuck cage and special Craps tables were manufactured to incorporate the magnet. Electric dice are not as commonly used as they once were due to the fact that many dice players carried a magnet to test for them. If a die sticks to a magnet then without doubt it is crooked. Gambling venues that use electromagnets are known as juice joints or wire joints. These are not strictly speaking percentage dice because when the magnet is on the outcome is certain.
Crooked dice may be unconventionally spotted so a cheat can differentiate between them and a set of straight dice when switching them back and forth from a game.
If playing dice for money you should play with transparent dice to reduce the chances of using crooked ones. Casinos always use these dice and today's major casinos are respectable, professional operations and have no need to cheat. Don't play with strangers but rather stick to a friendly game with people you know well and trust. Should you ever find that you are in a crooked dice game the best advice is to cut your losses and take no further part. Even if you are positive the game is rigged the situation could rapidly turn ugly if you were to accuse some one.
Casinos don't take any chances when it comes to profit so they don't use just any dice when thousands of dollars are riding on a roll.
Casino dice are called perfect or precision dice because of the way they are made. They are as close to being perfect true cubes as possible, measured to within a fraction of a millimetre, manufactured so each die has an absolutely equal chance of landing on any one of its six faces.
Casino dice are specially hand made to within a tolerance of 0.0005 of an inch. The spots are drilled and filled with material that is equal in weight to the material removed. Usually sides are flush and edges sharp. They are predominantly transparent red but can come in other colours like green, purple or blue. Spots are usually solid but a number of different designs can be found.
It is believed all casino dice should have the same conventional arrangement of faces and spots. They're right handed so that if the 1-spot is face up and the 2-spot is turned to face the left then the 3-spot is to the right of it with all opposing sides adding up to 7. If the 1 spot is face up then the 3-spot runs diagonally up from the left and the 2-spot runs diagonally down from the left. A different orientation of the spots is sometimes used on crooked dice (made to look like casino dice) so a cheat can differentiate them from a set of straight dice.
Since the 1970's, and the move to corporate owned casinos, it has become more and more common for casino dice to have serial numbers printed on them. The number is 3 or 4 numeric digits, possibly with letters and dashes, usually printed on the 6-spot but can be found on any face except the 1-spot. This number denotes the issue and is used to prevent them being switched for crooked dice. Another security check sometimes used is having key letters printed on the underneath of spots which can only be viewed by looking through the transparent die. The casino's name, sometimes location, and/or logo will often be printed on the dice too using a metallic foil. The 1-spot usually bares the casino's name while the 2-spot may have the logo.
The most common size today is 3/4 inch but the size can vary with 5/8 inch and 11/16 inch the next most common sizes.
Casino dice were made of cellulose nitrate, starting around the 1920s, but sometime around the 1950s the manufacturers switched to cellulose acetate which is more durable. Very old casino dice have often started to crystallise and will have turned yellowish around the edges. This crystallisation is caused by age and exposure to moisture and ultra-violet light. A completely crystallised die will disintegrate if pressure is applied.
Casino dice can be readily bought. However many cheap casino dice are in fact rejects that haven't met the manufacturers standards or used dice that have been cancelled by their casino. Both rejects and used dice will have been defaced in some way.
Manufacturers call rejects culls. These are factory marked with a hot pin in the centre of the 4-spot or hot stamped with a number of 'X' or star symbols or just simply stamped with the word "VOID". Some manufacturers stamp a gold "O" onto the four spot.
Used dice may be bought as souvenirs from many casinos although some refuse to let them go. When a die is taken out of play it will be cancelled. It could be that a hole is drilled through it or a crescent or circle is pressed into one side with a vice. Sometimes a gold bar is hot stamped on the six-spot. A sharp pointed metal scribe is often used to press a small shallow mark into a face. Some older dice were scratched or had a date or initials marked on them. By state law Atlantic City casinos must drill all the way through their used dice.
If you want true perfect dice then pay the extra for a stick. A stick is a number of dice that are still in their sealed pack as delivered by the manufacturer.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Plannings
Nothing exciting today, really. The nieces and nephew came over again and we did some more caching and they fought about playing computer games on my computer. "It's my turn. Help me! Don't help me! He got to play longer than me! She won't get off and it's my turn now!. I never win. I didn't lose yet so I should get to keep playing." And so on and so on and so on....
Hiker Sam was dropped off at a bug depot because the kids wanted to send him on his way, and he's already been picked up by folks on their way to Idaho and Montana. Yesterday's blog has a link to his webpage if you want to track his travels. I got some travel bug ID's in the mail today so I can make my own travel bugs - four of them. So one day soon, hopefully, I'll get my own travellers ready to hit the road on an adventure.
Derek and Heather and I are planning a garage sale theoretically for next weekend at his house (gets more street traffic than mine). Looking forward to it - I think it could be fun, but it is a bit stressful trying to set something up so it goes well. Then I think another weekend we need to do the Renaissance Festival thing again. :) Mom and I go every year, usually.
Other plannings, trying to work out plans for a vacation for mom and dad that I get to tag along with them on. Probably Four Corners as that has been one of our favorite areas in previous trips, but we'll see. And, my union is gearing up for a trip to a conference in Copper Mountain the last week of July. I enjoy fully-paid conferences via CSEA (the union). Sure, we do lots of work but it is neat to go other places. Last summer, I went to the NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans for the union. What a great trip! New Orleans is a unique city and even though most of the days were busy with meetings, what I was able to see in New Orleans was amazing. I took the late-night Vampire tour in the French Quarter (we stayed on the edge of the French Quarter on Canal and Chartier). Toured a plantation home. Toured the above-ground graveyards, etc. Ate lots of VERY good food. Then, later that summer when I watched Runaway Jury, almost every scene in the movie that took place on a street somewhere, I could say, "I've been there, I saw that!" Even the restaurants, not the one the jury ate at, I think, but the one where the girl meets Gene Hackman and another one that John Cusack runs through quickly - Court of the Seven Sisters - we ate at those restaurants. That was cool, because rarely do I see a movie that I've actually personally seen the places in it.
Hiker Sam was dropped off at a bug depot because the kids wanted to send him on his way, and he's already been picked up by folks on their way to Idaho and Montana. Yesterday's blog has a link to his webpage if you want to track his travels. I got some travel bug ID's in the mail today so I can make my own travel bugs - four of them. So one day soon, hopefully, I'll get my own travellers ready to hit the road on an adventure.
Derek and Heather and I are planning a garage sale theoretically for next weekend at his house (gets more street traffic than mine). Looking forward to it - I think it could be fun, but it is a bit stressful trying to set something up so it goes well. Then I think another weekend we need to do the Renaissance Festival thing again. :) Mom and I go every year, usually.
Other plannings, trying to work out plans for a vacation for mom and dad that I get to tag along with them on. Probably Four Corners as that has been one of our favorite areas in previous trips, but we'll see. And, my union is gearing up for a trip to a conference in Copper Mountain the last week of July. I enjoy fully-paid conferences via CSEA (the union). Sure, we do lots of work but it is neat to go other places. Last summer, I went to the NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans for the union. What a great trip! New Orleans is a unique city and even though most of the days were busy with meetings, what I was able to see in New Orleans was amazing. I took the late-night Vampire tour in the French Quarter (we stayed on the edge of the French Quarter on Canal and Chartier). Toured a plantation home. Toured the above-ground graveyards, etc. Ate lots of VERY good food. Then, later that summer when I watched Runaway Jury, almost every scene in the movie that took place on a street somewhere, I could say, "I've been there, I saw that!" Even the restaurants, not the one the jury ate at, I think, but the one where the girl meets Gene Hackman and another one that John Cusack runs through quickly - Court of the Seven Sisters - we ate at those restaurants. That was cool, because rarely do I see a movie that I've actually personally seen the places in it.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Eight Things to Learn
I saw this on a list somewhere and liked it so I thought I would share it here. Allah = God, FYI.
Eight Things to Learn
One time a scholar asked one of his students, "You have spent a long time with me, what have you learned?
He said I learned eight things:
First, I looked to the creation. Everyone has a loved one. When he goes to the grave, he leaves his loved one. Therefore, I made my loved one my good deeds; that way, they will be with me in the grave.
Second, I looked to the verse, 'But as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lust,' and, therefore, I struggled against my desires so I could stay obeying Allah.
Third, I saw that if anyone has something with him that is worth something, he will protect it. Then I thought about the verse, 'That which you have is wasted away; and that which is with Allah remains,' therefore, everything worth something with me I devoted to Him so it would be with Him for me.
Fourth, I saw the people seeking wealth, honor and positions and it was not worth anything to me. Then I thought about Allah's words, 'Lo, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most aware of Allah,' so I did my best to become aware of Allah in order to nobility in his sight.
Fifth, I saw the people being jealous towards each other and I looked at the verse, 'We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world,' so I left jealousy.
Sixth, I saw the people having enmity and I thought about the verse, 'Lo, the devil is an enemy for you, so take him as an enemy,' so I left enmity and I took the Satan as my only enemy.
Seventh, I saw them debasing themselves in search of sustenance and I thought about the verse, 'And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof depends on Allah,' so I kept myself busy with my responsibilities toward Him and I left my property with Him.
Eighth, I found them relying on their business, buildings and health and I thought about the verse, 'And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him,' therefore, I put my trust only on Allah.
Eight Things to Learn
One time a scholar asked one of his students, "You have spent a long time with me, what have you learned?
He said I learned eight things:
First, I looked to the creation. Everyone has a loved one. When he goes to the grave, he leaves his loved one. Therefore, I made my loved one my good deeds; that way, they will be with me in the grave.
Second, I looked to the verse, 'But as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lust,' and, therefore, I struggled against my desires so I could stay obeying Allah.
Third, I saw that if anyone has something with him that is worth something, he will protect it. Then I thought about the verse, 'That which you have is wasted away; and that which is with Allah remains,' therefore, everything worth something with me I devoted to Him so it would be with Him for me.
Fourth, I saw the people seeking wealth, honor and positions and it was not worth anything to me. Then I thought about Allah's words, 'Lo, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most aware of Allah,' so I did my best to become aware of Allah in order to nobility in his sight.
Fifth, I saw the people being jealous towards each other and I looked at the verse, 'We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world,' so I left jealousy.
Sixth, I saw the people having enmity and I thought about the verse, 'Lo, the devil is an enemy for you, so take him as an enemy,' so I left enmity and I took the Satan as my only enemy.
Seventh, I saw them debasing themselves in search of sustenance and I thought about the verse, 'And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof depends on Allah,' so I kept myself busy with my responsibilities toward Him and I left my property with Him.
Eighth, I found them relying on their business, buildings and health and I thought about the verse, 'And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him,' therefore, I put my trust only on Allah.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
The States I've visited
create your own visited states map
Got the idea from Sister Scorpion. I didn't count a few where I was there very briefly while on the way to somewhere else, like half a day in Washington State (Seattle), and an airport in Chicago, IL. Others where I was there only a day or two but they were the primary destination I went ahead and included.
Sunday, May 23, 2004
X Marks The Spot
Both caches have been found this weekend; that's cool. The Buttered Popcorn one seems to be hard to find; we thought it might be when we hid it. Renee, what is FTF that the guy wrote in the log? The other one has been found at least twice. This is fun.
Happy Birthday Leila (tomorrow)! Thanks for inviting me up for the gathering.
I am busy thinking of what I need to do to leave on Wednesday for Canada - packing, taking care of the house and pets, etc. Yesterday I cleaned out some books and traded them downtown for about $250 worth of credit. I like that better than the library; I like to own books, not just borrow them. And then when I don't want them anymore, I can trade them.
Happy Birthday Leila (tomorrow)! Thanks for inviting me up for the gathering.
I am busy thinking of what I need to do to leave on Wednesday for Canada - packing, taking care of the house and pets, etc. Yesterday I cleaned out some books and traded them downtown for about $250 worth of credit. I like that better than the library; I like to own books, not just borrow them. And then when I don't want them anymore, I can trade them.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Spanish
Javier Orobio has finished long ago the translation of my book into spanish and today he let me know that 3000 copies are printed and already being distributed around the Americas, alhumdooleluh.
Try your hand at Islamic Spanish. :)
Today we had a potlatch staff lunch. There was a fair amount of humorous roasting going on, so it was a fun afternoon. They give out awards like "foot in mouth" for the person who says the stupidest thing during the year and the "plastic knuckle" for people with attitude problems, etc. (referring to giving the finger because you have a plastic knuckle and can't bend it.)
Although I really like endings and fresh starts, I don't feel so tired at the end of this year as I often have; I feel I could keep going right now. But I am looking forward to doing summer things.
P.S. does the linky code work?
Try your hand at Islamic Spanish. :)
Today we had a potlatch staff lunch. There was a fair amount of humorous roasting going on, so it was a fun afternoon. They give out awards like "foot in mouth" for the person who says the stupidest thing during the year and the "plastic knuckle" for people with attitude problems, etc. (referring to giving the finger because you have a plastic knuckle and can't bend it.)
Although I really like endings and fresh starts, I don't feel so tired at the end of this year as I often have; I feel I could keep going right now. But I am looking forward to doing summer things.
P.S. does the linky code work?
Sunken Treasure (More about Prospect Lake)
Sunken treasure
By ANDREA BROWN - THE GAZETTE
The draining of Prospect Lake has brought out a lot of treasure seekers with metal detectors, including Orlin “Swede” Knutson.
This week, Knutson hit pay dirt.
The retired electrician found a wedding ring missing in the lake for 39 years.
“It’s a total miracle,” said Carolyn Case-Greening, 59, as she was reunited Wednesday with the gold band worn by her late husband, Jack Case.
He lost the ring while water-skiing in the lake in 1965, before their first wedding anniversary. It became even more of a loss after Case died in a plane crash in 1989.
“He’s up there in heaven, happy it is found,” Case-Greening said Wednesday, rubbing the heavy gold band inscribed with both their initials. “He’s out of hot water.”
Case-Greening decided to call Knutson last week after seeing his picture with a Gazette story about discoveries in the lake, such as a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle with the keys still in the ignition.
A car is a lot easier to find than a ring on the bottom of a 50-acre lake, but she said she was inspired by a higher power to contact Knutson in the hope he or a fellow prospector might come across the ring.
“The Lord told me to call him and put in a description,” she said. “It’s a needle in a haystack after 39 years.”
While her signal came from above, Knutson’s came from below.
Under about 8 inches of wet sand, to be exact.
“You get a good signal and you dig it. You don’t know what it is,” he said.
He didn’t know he had found the missing ring until he got home from his expedition Monday and saw the shiny band among his usual haul of fishing lures and rusty sinkers.
Then it clicked. He remembered the phone message his wife jotted down from Case-Greening a few days earlier describing the ring.
“What are the odds of finding a certain ring?” said Knutson, 67, who has scoured the ground with a metal detector since the late 1960s.
“Then I looked at the sheet of paper with the message.”
It was a match.
Case-Greening said she and Jack were newlyweds struggling to make ends meet when he lost the ring.
“I hadn’t wanted him to go water skiing that day. I had a bad feeling about it, but he went anyway,” she said. “When he came home he was just pale and sick looking. I said, ‘What’s wrong? Who died? What happened?’ He said, ‘I lost my wedding ring.’ He was an auto mechanic and I was in nursing school and we didn’t have much money.”
They bought another ring and started raising a family. Through the years, “We’d laugh about him losing his ring,” she said. “But he felt bad about it all his life.”
His life ended 15 years ago.
“He was killed in the United Flight 232 that crashed in Sioux City, Iowa, the big one that was going from Denver to Chicago, in July of 1989,” she said.
Crash investigators retrieved Case’s second wedding ring for her.
Case-Greening has since remarried. Wednesday, she brought along a framed blackand-white photograph from her first wedding to show Knutson.
“The ring is a wonderful anniversary present,” she told him. “November would have been 40 years of marriage.”
She gave Knutson a metallic “Thank-you” balloon and a gift certificate for a steak dinner.
Finding the cherished ring was reward enough for Knutson.
“The life of a detector isn’t that glamorous. We find a lot of junk,” said Bob DeWitt, president of Pikes Peak Adventure League. “People call us treasure hunters. This is a treasure.”
By ANDREA BROWN - THE GAZETTE
The draining of Prospect Lake has brought out a lot of treasure seekers with metal detectors, including Orlin “Swede” Knutson.
This week, Knutson hit pay dirt.
The retired electrician found a wedding ring missing in the lake for 39 years.
“It’s a total miracle,” said Carolyn Case-Greening, 59, as she was reunited Wednesday with the gold band worn by her late husband, Jack Case.
He lost the ring while water-skiing in the lake in 1965, before their first wedding anniversary. It became even more of a loss after Case died in a plane crash in 1989.
“He’s up there in heaven, happy it is found,” Case-Greening said Wednesday, rubbing the heavy gold band inscribed with both their initials. “He’s out of hot water.”
Case-Greening decided to call Knutson last week after seeing his picture with a Gazette story about discoveries in the lake, such as a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle with the keys still in the ignition.
A car is a lot easier to find than a ring on the bottom of a 50-acre lake, but she said she was inspired by a higher power to contact Knutson in the hope he or a fellow prospector might come across the ring.
“The Lord told me to call him and put in a description,” she said. “It’s a needle in a haystack after 39 years.”
While her signal came from above, Knutson’s came from below.
Under about 8 inches of wet sand, to be exact.
“You get a good signal and you dig it. You don’t know what it is,” he said.
He didn’t know he had found the missing ring until he got home from his expedition Monday and saw the shiny band among his usual haul of fishing lures and rusty sinkers.
Then it clicked. He remembered the phone message his wife jotted down from Case-Greening a few days earlier describing the ring.
“What are the odds of finding a certain ring?” said Knutson, 67, who has scoured the ground with a metal detector since the late 1960s.
“Then I looked at the sheet of paper with the message.”
It was a match.
Case-Greening said she and Jack were newlyweds struggling to make ends meet when he lost the ring.
“I hadn’t wanted him to go water skiing that day. I had a bad feeling about it, but he went anyway,” she said. “When he came home he was just pale and sick looking. I said, ‘What’s wrong? Who died? What happened?’ He said, ‘I lost my wedding ring.’ He was an auto mechanic and I was in nursing school and we didn’t have much money.”
They bought another ring and started raising a family. Through the years, “We’d laugh about him losing his ring,” she said. “But he felt bad about it all his life.”
His life ended 15 years ago.
“He was killed in the United Flight 232 that crashed in Sioux City, Iowa, the big one that was going from Denver to Chicago, in July of 1989,” she said.
Crash investigators retrieved Case’s second wedding ring for her.
Case-Greening has since remarried. Wednesday, she brought along a framed blackand-white photograph from her first wedding to show Knutson.
“The ring is a wonderful anniversary present,” she told him. “November would have been 40 years of marriage.”
She gave Knutson a metallic “Thank-you” balloon and a gift certificate for a steak dinner.
Finding the cherished ring was reward enough for Knutson.
“The life of a detector isn’t that glamorous. We find a lot of junk,” said Bob DeWitt, president of Pikes Peak Adventure League. “People call us treasure hunters. This is a treasure.”
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Answering the Hijab Question
I just wrote this this morning.... I don't think the footnotes show up here, but I did have a few. If you really want them, I can send the word doc.
Answering the Hijab Question
- masooma beatty –
“Why do you wear that thing on your head?” “Thing” referring to hijab, the scarf that covers my hair and that is a practice of my faith, Islam. I think all Muslim ladies wearing hijab in a non-Muslim society have been asked this question repeatedly. It is a fair, usually sincere question. It is called “Thing” because the asker doesn’t know its name. The asker doesn’t know how many times I’ve been asked before, nor does she (or sometimes he) know that occasionally, when asked, the “Thing” is a word spouted out with disgust and the question as a whole is rhetorical, intended as insult. This time, it is simply a genuine question that is new to the questioner, and I don’t mind at all that it is asked – in fact, many times I see people who want to ask but don’t because they’re not sure it is okay, and I want them to know it is okay with me.
I would think that by now I would have a prepared answer ready for each time I am asked, but the reality is that every time I am asked I am somewhat taken aback. Why? For one, because I am so used to it and feel so normal in it that I forget that I might appear strange to someone else – especially when I’m mostly around people who’ve known me awhile. Secondly, because each time I am asked, I am not sure what kind of answer the questioner wants. Is it the short, “I wear it because I’m Muslim and it is part of our religion” answer? Many times, that is all people are really wanting – they don’t want a long philosophic discussion, they just want a simple way to categorize the scarf in their mind “Scarf=Muslim”. “Oh, ok, I know who you are now, I am happy.”
Or are they really asking about women in Islam? Are the thoughts behind the words “Why do you wear that thing on your head,” really something like, “Why does Islam ‘make’ women cover their hair? How are women really treated in Islam and why do you buy into it?” In which case, the answer I need to give will take more time. Or perhaps they’re asking what it really means to me to wear it. They are thinking, “What is your life like wearing that? How do you feel about it? Why do you do it?”
So, when I receive the question, I am tempted to ask, “What do you mean?” But, that doesn’t sound right – it seems to be telling the questioner that she is asking an absurd question. Instead, I pause, evaluating the person and the situation, trying to guess the right one. If the situation seems rushed, I might be tempted to try the first, the “Scarf=Muslim” answer and then if that is unsatisfactory move on to answers two and three. Answer one seems dismissive; too simplistic. But often it works for my students who ask as the bell is ringing to end class after we’ve already spent three months together. They forgot if I said anything about it at the beginning of the school year and now they just finally got up the courage to ask because their friend pushed them to, and they’re really wanting to know that I am Muslim and a little about what that is. Giving them a treatise on women’s rights in Islam as they walk out the door is inappropriate, as is telling them in detail my personal experiences.
Let’s say that I meet someone who is really asking question two, “Why does Islam ‘make’ women cover their hair? How are women really treated in Islam and why do you buy into it?” I want to be careful not to answer apologetically or defensively. Apologetic answers try too hard to win over the questioner and convince entirely about the beauty of Islam and in particular, women in Islam, in a few minutes. But instead of winning over, the effect is that you seem to be asking pardon for being a practicing Muslim woman and trying to minimize anything unique or different about you. Or you seem to be overly positive – which suggests to the listener that you are white-washing. Apologetism does not increase understanding.
And defensive answers are understood for what they are. I have read great poetry written by young Muslimahs who in heartfelt words complain against being viewed as if they have AK-47’s under their long coats (jilbabs) and who pit the Islamic view of women against scantily clad women on billboards. While this is a perfectly valid self-expression, it does not suffice as answer to a sincere questioner. It doesn’t work because it assumes a position of extremes. The average person who wonders about hijab doesn’t think you’re a terrorist and doesn’t think the Western view of women is that she is fodder for advertising campaigns, either. So if that is your primary ammunition, you will miss the target. One of the largest complaints I encounter from non-Muslims or new Muslims about Islamic literature about women is that when it mentions the role of women in the West, it stereotypes it into this media fodder stuff that, while not absent of truth entirely, is not what lies in the hearts of the readers as being true.
I think in this answer, it is appropriate to share the Qur’anic verses related to Islamic modest dress: (Yusuf Ali translation used here)
“And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That
is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands….” (24:30-31)
"Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their outer garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty; but it is best for them to be modest and God is One who sees and knows all things." (24:60)
"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons when abroad that is convenient that they should be known and as such not molested. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (33:59)
In a nutshell, isn’t the Islamic answer to why Muslim women wear hijab here in these verses? The first mention if for modesty in inter-gender relations, mentioned with commandments for both men and women. The second is similar, advising against wanton display of beauty, and the third is about being known as believing women and not harassed. So if someone is asking me the technical reasons rather than my personal reasons, this is what they need to hear. We believe in the Qur’an and this is what the Qur’an tells us.
Sometimes what happens next is that the asker questions the need for such extreme modesty on the part of women. It often seems unfair and oppressive to a non-Muslim. Given the time span allotted for most discussions when this question comes up, it usually comes across as either apologetic or defensive if you attempt to go into how the ‘awra ( or, what part of the bodies are adornment) for men and women are different, and how men and women are stimulated differently, and how hijab is a symbol of honor and an actual means of some protection – even in a society when it can also be an opening to an affront. These answers are all correct, but they are not quickly absorbed. If it is possible to think back to the first time you heard them, weren’t you skeptical and not readily convinced by them? To be convincing, they need to be supported with data – scientific, religious, and incidental evidence. After all, we do not expect someone to accept the existence of God without evidence and logic, why should we expect him to accept the need for Islamic modest dress without similar evidence and logic?
Instead, this is often an acceptable segway to answering question three, “What is your life like wearing that? How do you feel about it? Why do you do it?” There may not be time to adequately introduce all the evidence in favor of hijab in a truly convincing manner, but often, giving your own story of what it has meant for you will suffice for the purposes of this conversation. The tricky thing here is that you have to know the answer yourself, first. I’ve been asked so many times I assume I know the answer and then sometimes find that I don’t know what to say. I have accepted hijab as being right for me but haven’t necessarily taken the time to think through and verbalize the answer to this question. It’s a worthwhile exercise – not just so you can answer someone else, but also to learn about yourself and the role of your religion in your life.
Initially, I wore hijab only because after studying Qur’an and hadith and hearing lots of interpretations of these, I concluded that it was a requirement for a Muslim woman. It took me a year to conclude that much. I didn’t understand why, as I had yet to be convinced by all those ‘awra and protection and other miscellaneous arguments. I had simply been convinced that those verses in Qur’an mentioned earlier did indicate a woman should cover her hair. So I began doing so. This beginning was preceded by a lot of concern. I knew my family would be devastated, hurt and angry, and I worried about how friends, bosses, professors, and strangers I encountered would react. As is often the case, the worrying turned out to be worse than the reality, but there were some genuine difficulties with family. I had never before been in a position in which what I believed was the right thing to do was also something that made my mother cry for a week - because she loved me, was afraid for me, and because she didn’t understand why the way she raised me wasn’t good enough for me anymore. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything so difficult.
And yet, I still wear hijab. A decade or so later, my family has adapted and we are very close. And hijab is precious to me. It is a matter of dignity to me. If someone were to take it away from me, I would feel humiliated and devastated. I hope I am never in a situation like that of some Muslimahs in France, Turkey or Germany, in which I would have to choose for myself or for my daughters between hijab and education or other public activities we take as rights here. While the outside perception of hijab is that it is constraining, wearing it I feel liberated. I have trouble understanding the rare but existent thinking about hijab that it somehow offends or harms those who have to look upon it or that it is somehow less my American privilege to wear it than it is to wear, oh, say, the goth look.
Yes, sometimes I feel hot, but not as much as people who’ve never worn it might suppose. And yes, initially hijab was somewhat physically awkward, but now I feel like I move freely and can wear it all day without dying to take it off as soon as I get in the door so I can finally be comfortable. And I don’t feel like an outsider or that I’m being stared at all the time. I just feel like me.
When I was little, I had a pair of dark sunglasses that I loved to wear because of the privacy I felt – no one could tell which way I was looking. Now I enjoy a sense of privacy in hijab – a sense of control over how much of myself I share with others and how much I keep to myself. It gives me power in social interactions because I am the one setting the limits where I want them to be. I appreciate the opportunity given to me by wearing hijab to dispel some of the stereotypical notions people have about Islam and Muslims. They recognize me by my hijab and upon coming to know me, they have a more accurate picture of Islam and Muslims.
I’m easy to pick out in a crowd. At the beginning of every school year, there is a district-wide staff meeting - a few thousand of us in one of the high school gyms. Inevitably, months later someone will come up to me and say, “Don’t I know you? I saw you at the district meeting. You were in the bleachers on the opposite wall way down on the south side.” I enjoy the humor in that, but then I feel guilty for not knowing all the people who “know” me.
My co-workers, my students – they like my hijab, too. They know it as part of my identity and would view it as a loss if it were gone. They would even fight for my hijab if it were threatened. Yes, there have been some job interviews in which I knew they just didn’t know how to take me or how I might fit in with them, but there has also always been a place that’s been happy to have me just as I am.
I’ve received far more positive reactions from strangers than negative ones. Positive ones tend toward smiles, opening doors and the like. And more importantly, on the positive side, people interact with me on higher intellectual level than they did before, and I like that. Negative reactions are mostly just “the look”, and I don’t notice it much. I do try to dress for my environment, and that may make some difference. I don’t go fishing up in the hills in a black chador; it just seems impractical to me, and unnecessary. I say that only because I know some sisters who have had more trouble than I have and for some of them, it seems to be related to their adoption of a particular Islamic “uniform” no matter the weather, location, or circumstance. As for the occasional negative reactions, I feel I have learned from them. I have learned to understand what causes them, and I have learned to empathize with people who face them – particularly when it isn’t over something they chose, like a scarf, but is instead over something they didn’t – like where they were born or the color of their skin. I think I’ve also learned to be more tolerant of differences myself after experiencing being “different”.
It doesn’t bother me if some people never really understand why I wear hijab, and I admire their tolerance of something they don’t get or don’t agree with. And, I don’t think people who don’t wear it are all “bad”. I think my mom is one of the greatest people in the world, and she doesn’t wear hijab. My journey in life led me to Islam and as part of that, to hijab. I am grateful for the freedom to make my own journey and I honor that freedom for others, too, even if it leads in different directions.
So, that is my answer to question three. Maybe I won’t tell all of it to everyone every time, it is adaptable to suit the occasion. I think most Muslim women have a similar story to tell. If you haven’t thought about what your story is, maybe now is a good time.
Answering the Hijab Question
- masooma beatty –
“Why do you wear that thing on your head?” “Thing” referring to hijab, the scarf that covers my hair and that is a practice of my faith, Islam. I think all Muslim ladies wearing hijab in a non-Muslim society have been asked this question repeatedly. It is a fair, usually sincere question. It is called “Thing” because the asker doesn’t know its name. The asker doesn’t know how many times I’ve been asked before, nor does she (or sometimes he) know that occasionally, when asked, the “Thing” is a word spouted out with disgust and the question as a whole is rhetorical, intended as insult. This time, it is simply a genuine question that is new to the questioner, and I don’t mind at all that it is asked – in fact, many times I see people who want to ask but don’t because they’re not sure it is okay, and I want them to know it is okay with me.
I would think that by now I would have a prepared answer ready for each time I am asked, but the reality is that every time I am asked I am somewhat taken aback. Why? For one, because I am so used to it and feel so normal in it that I forget that I might appear strange to someone else – especially when I’m mostly around people who’ve known me awhile. Secondly, because each time I am asked, I am not sure what kind of answer the questioner wants. Is it the short, “I wear it because I’m Muslim and it is part of our religion” answer? Many times, that is all people are really wanting – they don’t want a long philosophic discussion, they just want a simple way to categorize the scarf in their mind “Scarf=Muslim”. “Oh, ok, I know who you are now, I am happy.”
Or are they really asking about women in Islam? Are the thoughts behind the words “Why do you wear that thing on your head,” really something like, “Why does Islam ‘make’ women cover their hair? How are women really treated in Islam and why do you buy into it?” In which case, the answer I need to give will take more time. Or perhaps they’re asking what it really means to me to wear it. They are thinking, “What is your life like wearing that? How do you feel about it? Why do you do it?”
So, when I receive the question, I am tempted to ask, “What do you mean?” But, that doesn’t sound right – it seems to be telling the questioner that she is asking an absurd question. Instead, I pause, evaluating the person and the situation, trying to guess the right one. If the situation seems rushed, I might be tempted to try the first, the “Scarf=Muslim” answer and then if that is unsatisfactory move on to answers two and three. Answer one seems dismissive; too simplistic. But often it works for my students who ask as the bell is ringing to end class after we’ve already spent three months together. They forgot if I said anything about it at the beginning of the school year and now they just finally got up the courage to ask because their friend pushed them to, and they’re really wanting to know that I am Muslim and a little about what that is. Giving them a treatise on women’s rights in Islam as they walk out the door is inappropriate, as is telling them in detail my personal experiences.
Let’s say that I meet someone who is really asking question two, “Why does Islam ‘make’ women cover their hair? How are women really treated in Islam and why do you buy into it?” I want to be careful not to answer apologetically or defensively. Apologetic answers try too hard to win over the questioner and convince entirely about the beauty of Islam and in particular, women in Islam, in a few minutes. But instead of winning over, the effect is that you seem to be asking pardon for being a practicing Muslim woman and trying to minimize anything unique or different about you. Or you seem to be overly positive – which suggests to the listener that you are white-washing. Apologetism does not increase understanding.
And defensive answers are understood for what they are. I have read great poetry written by young Muslimahs who in heartfelt words complain against being viewed as if they have AK-47’s under their long coats (jilbabs) and who pit the Islamic view of women against scantily clad women on billboards. While this is a perfectly valid self-expression, it does not suffice as answer to a sincere questioner. It doesn’t work because it assumes a position of extremes. The average person who wonders about hijab doesn’t think you’re a terrorist and doesn’t think the Western view of women is that she is fodder for advertising campaigns, either. So if that is your primary ammunition, you will miss the target. One of the largest complaints I encounter from non-Muslims or new Muslims about Islamic literature about women is that when it mentions the role of women in the West, it stereotypes it into this media fodder stuff that, while not absent of truth entirely, is not what lies in the hearts of the readers as being true.
I think in this answer, it is appropriate to share the Qur’anic verses related to Islamic modest dress: (Yusuf Ali translation used here)
“And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That
is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands….” (24:30-31)
"Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their outer garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty; but it is best for them to be modest and God is One who sees and knows all things." (24:60)
"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons when abroad that is convenient that they should be known and as such not molested. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (33:59)
In a nutshell, isn’t the Islamic answer to why Muslim women wear hijab here in these verses? The first mention if for modesty in inter-gender relations, mentioned with commandments for both men and women. The second is similar, advising against wanton display of beauty, and the third is about being known as believing women and not harassed. So if someone is asking me the technical reasons rather than my personal reasons, this is what they need to hear. We believe in the Qur’an and this is what the Qur’an tells us.
Sometimes what happens next is that the asker questions the need for such extreme modesty on the part of women. It often seems unfair and oppressive to a non-Muslim. Given the time span allotted for most discussions when this question comes up, it usually comes across as either apologetic or defensive if you attempt to go into how the ‘awra ( or, what part of the bodies are adornment) for men and women are different, and how men and women are stimulated differently, and how hijab is a symbol of honor and an actual means of some protection – even in a society when it can also be an opening to an affront. These answers are all correct, but they are not quickly absorbed. If it is possible to think back to the first time you heard them, weren’t you skeptical and not readily convinced by them? To be convincing, they need to be supported with data – scientific, religious, and incidental evidence. After all, we do not expect someone to accept the existence of God without evidence and logic, why should we expect him to accept the need for Islamic modest dress without similar evidence and logic?
Instead, this is often an acceptable segway to answering question three, “What is your life like wearing that? How do you feel about it? Why do you do it?” There may not be time to adequately introduce all the evidence in favor of hijab in a truly convincing manner, but often, giving your own story of what it has meant for you will suffice for the purposes of this conversation. The tricky thing here is that you have to know the answer yourself, first. I’ve been asked so many times I assume I know the answer and then sometimes find that I don’t know what to say. I have accepted hijab as being right for me but haven’t necessarily taken the time to think through and verbalize the answer to this question. It’s a worthwhile exercise – not just so you can answer someone else, but also to learn about yourself and the role of your religion in your life.
Initially, I wore hijab only because after studying Qur’an and hadith and hearing lots of interpretations of these, I concluded that it was a requirement for a Muslim woman. It took me a year to conclude that much. I didn’t understand why, as I had yet to be convinced by all those ‘awra and protection and other miscellaneous arguments. I had simply been convinced that those verses in Qur’an mentioned earlier did indicate a woman should cover her hair. So I began doing so. This beginning was preceded by a lot of concern. I knew my family would be devastated, hurt and angry, and I worried about how friends, bosses, professors, and strangers I encountered would react. As is often the case, the worrying turned out to be worse than the reality, but there were some genuine difficulties with family. I had never before been in a position in which what I believed was the right thing to do was also something that made my mother cry for a week - because she loved me, was afraid for me, and because she didn’t understand why the way she raised me wasn’t good enough for me anymore. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything so difficult.
And yet, I still wear hijab. A decade or so later, my family has adapted and we are very close. And hijab is precious to me. It is a matter of dignity to me. If someone were to take it away from me, I would feel humiliated and devastated. I hope I am never in a situation like that of some Muslimahs in France, Turkey or Germany, in which I would have to choose for myself or for my daughters between hijab and education or other public activities we take as rights here. While the outside perception of hijab is that it is constraining, wearing it I feel liberated. I have trouble understanding the rare but existent thinking about hijab that it somehow offends or harms those who have to look upon it or that it is somehow less my American privilege to wear it than it is to wear, oh, say, the goth look.
Yes, sometimes I feel hot, but not as much as people who’ve never worn it might suppose. And yes, initially hijab was somewhat physically awkward, but now I feel like I move freely and can wear it all day without dying to take it off as soon as I get in the door so I can finally be comfortable. And I don’t feel like an outsider or that I’m being stared at all the time. I just feel like me.
When I was little, I had a pair of dark sunglasses that I loved to wear because of the privacy I felt – no one could tell which way I was looking. Now I enjoy a sense of privacy in hijab – a sense of control over how much of myself I share with others and how much I keep to myself. It gives me power in social interactions because I am the one setting the limits where I want them to be. I appreciate the opportunity given to me by wearing hijab to dispel some of the stereotypical notions people have about Islam and Muslims. They recognize me by my hijab and upon coming to know me, they have a more accurate picture of Islam and Muslims.
I’m easy to pick out in a crowd. At the beginning of every school year, there is a district-wide staff meeting - a few thousand of us in one of the high school gyms. Inevitably, months later someone will come up to me and say, “Don’t I know you? I saw you at the district meeting. You were in the bleachers on the opposite wall way down on the south side.” I enjoy the humor in that, but then I feel guilty for not knowing all the people who “know” me.
My co-workers, my students – they like my hijab, too. They know it as part of my identity and would view it as a loss if it were gone. They would even fight for my hijab if it were threatened. Yes, there have been some job interviews in which I knew they just didn’t know how to take me or how I might fit in with them, but there has also always been a place that’s been happy to have me just as I am.
I’ve received far more positive reactions from strangers than negative ones. Positive ones tend toward smiles, opening doors and the like. And more importantly, on the positive side, people interact with me on higher intellectual level than they did before, and I like that. Negative reactions are mostly just “the look”, and I don’t notice it much. I do try to dress for my environment, and that may make some difference. I don’t go fishing up in the hills in a black chador; it just seems impractical to me, and unnecessary. I say that only because I know some sisters who have had more trouble than I have and for some of them, it seems to be related to their adoption of a particular Islamic “uniform” no matter the weather, location, or circumstance. As for the occasional negative reactions, I feel I have learned from them. I have learned to understand what causes them, and I have learned to empathize with people who face them – particularly when it isn’t over something they chose, like a scarf, but is instead over something they didn’t – like where they were born or the color of their skin. I think I’ve also learned to be more tolerant of differences myself after experiencing being “different”.
It doesn’t bother me if some people never really understand why I wear hijab, and I admire their tolerance of something they don’t get or don’t agree with. And, I don’t think people who don’t wear it are all “bad”. I think my mom is one of the greatest people in the world, and she doesn’t wear hijab. My journey in life led me to Islam and as part of that, to hijab. I am grateful for the freedom to make my own journey and I honor that freedom for others, too, even if it leads in different directions.
So, that is my answer to question three. Maybe I won’t tell all of it to everyone every time, it is adaptable to suit the occasion. I think most Muslim women have a similar story to tell. If you haven’t thought about what your story is, maybe now is a good time.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
We
I learned something today that I didn't know before.
I had always heard the "We" in Qur'an when God is talking explained as the royal We in Arabic grammar - like when the Queen says "We are ready to go," meaning only herself. But Shaykh Hijazi at the seminar today at DU in Denver explained that when God says "We did this", it means that He brings it about through a chain of cause and effect, such as "We bring rain" - it happens through a set of causes and effects of the weather and so on. When God says "I did this" - it happens directly without a chain of cause and effect. Now I want to go back and look and see what things are said each way - like when God created Adam, is it a We created or an I created? A lot of information about what happened can be contained in just that one word. Very interesting!
I had always heard the "We" in Qur'an when God is talking explained as the royal We in Arabic grammar - like when the Queen says "We are ready to go," meaning only herself. But Shaykh Hijazi at the seminar today at DU in Denver explained that when God says "We did this", it means that He brings it about through a chain of cause and effect, such as "We bring rain" - it happens through a set of causes and effects of the weather and so on. When God says "I did this" - it happens directly without a chain of cause and effect. Now I want to go back and look and see what things are said each way - like when God created Adam, is it a We created or an I created? A lot of information about what happened can be contained in just that one word. Very interesting!
Friday, May 07, 2004
Drain a lake and what do you find?
There is a long-time used man-made lake here in town called Prospect Lake. For generations people have used it for swimming, boating, fishing and just hanging around. They are draining it because it has leaks that need to be repaired.
Prospect Lake revealing its secrets
By ED SEALOVER - THE GAZETTE
As the hulking metal skeleton of a Volkswagen bug peered out of receding Prospect Lake on Thursday, Frank Kazee found his 14th gun nearby.
As the lake is becoming sand, it is revealing a prospector’s paradise of guns, knives, class rings — even small German cars.
City officials and amateur sleuths are scratching their heads, wondering how so much trash got to the bottom of a 50-acre lake last drained in 1953.
They expected to find some stuff. But it’s been stunning what has emerged during the past three weeks the city has been pumping water out of the lake.
“There’s shotguns and rifles and everything come up at that lake,” said Kazee, a Colorado Springs resident who’s been prospecting the sand with his Bounty Hunter metal detector since 1969. “You name it, we’ve found it.”
Kazee has discovered his 14 shotguns, handguns and rifles at the Memorial Park swimming hole since the water started receding in 2002. The city is draining Prospect Lake and wants to patch its leaks and refill it by next year.
The serial numbers have been filed off some of the guns, likely used to commit crimes, and most are too old to work. Still, Kazee and other members of the Pikes Peak Adventure Club for prospectors let police know when they dig up anything suspicious.
He’s found rings and jewelry, too.
Most items sprawled across the lake Thursday were trash and junk that hasn’t seen the light in decades: an ice cube tray; a 45 rpm record with its label missing; empty pull-tab cans of Colt 45, Coors and Hamms.
The most curious item is the Volkswagen, with its rusted top and broken front window protruding from the water near the east side of the lake.
As birds perched on its top Thursday, 8-year-old Angelica Zins strolled by and wondered aloud: “Are there people in there?”
“There could be,” replied her father, Greg Zins.
City parks and recreation director Paul Butcher said his staffers haven’t noticed any slimy skeletons but have pinpointed the bug as a model built in the late 1960s. When the water drops low enough to pull it out, they will examine it for a vehicle identification number or license plate and try to determine its history.
Butcher’s theory is somebody drove the car onto the lake when it was frozen, causing it to fall through the ice and sink.
The city has pumped about 15 million gallons out of the lake and into Monument Creek. Butcher expects the area will be dry by early June.
CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0184 or
sealover@gazette.com
Prospect Lake revealing its secrets
By ED SEALOVER - THE GAZETTE
As the hulking metal skeleton of a Volkswagen bug peered out of receding Prospect Lake on Thursday, Frank Kazee found his 14th gun nearby.
As the lake is becoming sand, it is revealing a prospector’s paradise of guns, knives, class rings — even small German cars.
City officials and amateur sleuths are scratching their heads, wondering how so much trash got to the bottom of a 50-acre lake last drained in 1953.
They expected to find some stuff. But it’s been stunning what has emerged during the past three weeks the city has been pumping water out of the lake.
“There’s shotguns and rifles and everything come up at that lake,” said Kazee, a Colorado Springs resident who’s been prospecting the sand with his Bounty Hunter metal detector since 1969. “You name it, we’ve found it.”
Kazee has discovered his 14 shotguns, handguns and rifles at the Memorial Park swimming hole since the water started receding in 2002. The city is draining Prospect Lake and wants to patch its leaks and refill it by next year.
The serial numbers have been filed off some of the guns, likely used to commit crimes, and most are too old to work. Still, Kazee and other members of the Pikes Peak Adventure Club for prospectors let police know when they dig up anything suspicious.
He’s found rings and jewelry, too.
Most items sprawled across the lake Thursday were trash and junk that hasn’t seen the light in decades: an ice cube tray; a 45 rpm record with its label missing; empty pull-tab cans of Colt 45, Coors and Hamms.
The most curious item is the Volkswagen, with its rusted top and broken front window protruding from the water near the east side of the lake.
As birds perched on its top Thursday, 8-year-old Angelica Zins strolled by and wondered aloud: “Are there people in there?”
“There could be,” replied her father, Greg Zins.
City parks and recreation director Paul Butcher said his staffers haven’t noticed any slimy skeletons but have pinpointed the bug as a model built in the late 1960s. When the water drops low enough to pull it out, they will examine it for a vehicle identification number or license plate and try to determine its history.
Butcher’s theory is somebody drove the car onto the lake when it was frozen, causing it to fall through the ice and sink.
The city has pumped about 15 million gallons out of the lake and into Monument Creek. Butcher expects the area will be dry by early June.
CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0184 or
sealover@gazette.com
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Mom's message from beyond
I called mom to tell her about one of my birds opening the cage and going for a poop on my computer and hanging out all day. Then she told me about her message from beyond.
She had a message on her computer this morning that was a failed send. According to the e-mail, my mom had tried to send an e-mail from her work computer to my recently deceased aunt Mariam at the hospital where Mariam used to work at 2:30a.m. titled "Thanks:)" This morning and it came back undeliverable. Well, I thought surely it was just one of those virus things going around. But then my mom said she never even knew Aunt Mariam had e-mail, and they had never communicated that way, so there is no way my mom had her e-mail address in her computer somewhere or vice versa.
I tried to get her to look at the headers and see if she could find the source and what the original message might have been, but she had already deleted everything.
So my mom thinks Aunt Mariam sent her a message from the Hereafter. What do you think?
She had a message on her computer this morning that was a failed send. According to the e-mail, my mom had tried to send an e-mail from her work computer to my recently deceased aunt Mariam at the hospital where Mariam used to work at 2:30a.m. titled "Thanks:)" This morning and it came back undeliverable. Well, I thought surely it was just one of those virus things going around. But then my mom said she never even knew Aunt Mariam had e-mail, and they had never communicated that way, so there is no way my mom had her e-mail address in her computer somewhere or vice versa.
I tried to get her to look at the headers and see if she could find the source and what the original message might have been, but she had already deleted everything.
So my mom thinks Aunt Mariam sent her a message from the Hereafter. What do you think?
Friday, April 16, 2004
Math Humor
One evening Rene Descartes went to relax at a local tavern. The tender approached and said, "Ah, good evening Monsieur Descartes! Shall I serve you the usual drink?". Descartes replied, "I think not.", and promptly vanished.
---
"The problems for the exam will be similar to the ones discussed in the class. Of course, the numbers will be different. But not all of them. Pi will still be 3.14159... "
---
Salary Theorem
The less you know, the more you make.
Proof:
Postulate 1: Knowledge is Power.
Postulate 2: Time is Money.
As every engineer knows: Power = Work / Time
And since Knowledge = Power and Time = Money
It is therefore true that Knowledge = Work / Money .
Solving for Money, we get:
Money = Work / Knowledge
Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, Money approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of Work done.
---
Pi goes on and on and on ...
And e is just as cursed.
I wonder: Which is larger
When their digits are reversed?
---
Abbott and Costello made arithmetic shenanigans the basis
of a number of their comic dialogs.
Here is a dialog from their movie titled Buck Privates:
Abbott: You're 40 years old, and you're in love with a little girl,
say 10 years old. You're four times as old as that girl.
You couldn't marry that girl, could you?
Costello: No. ?
Abbott: So you wait 5 years. Now the little girl is 15, and you're 45.
You're only three times as old as that girl.
So you wait 15 years more.
Now the little girl is 30, and you're 60.
You're only twice as old as that little girl. ?
Costello: She's catching up. ?
Abbott: Here's the question. How long do you have to wait before you
and that little girl are the same age?
Costello: What kind of question is that? That's ridiculous.
If I keep waiting for that girl, she'll pass me up.
She'll wind up older than I am.
Then she'll have to wait for me!
Here's another encounter from Buck Privates, one echoed in
several later movies.
Abbott: Do me a favor. Loan me $50.
Costello: I can't lend you $50. All I've got is $40.
Abbott: That's okay. Give me the $40, and you'll owe me $10.
Costello: How come I owe you $10?
Abbott: What did I ask you for?
Costello: $50.
Abbott: What did you give me?
Costello; $40.
Abbott: So you owe me $10.
Costello: That's right. But you owe me $40. Give me my $40 back.
Abbott: There's your $40. Now give me the $10 you owe me.
That's the last time I'll ever ask you for the loan of $50.
Costello: How can I loan you $50 now? All I have is $30.
Abbott: Give me the $30, and you’ll owe me $20.
Costello: This is getting worse all the time.
First I owe you $10, and now I owe you $20!
Abbott: So you owe me $20. Twenty and 30 is 50.
Costello; Nope! Twenty-five and 25 is 50.
Abbott: Here's your $30. Give me back my $20.
Costello: All I've got now is $10!
Abbott then entices Costello into a silly, double-or-nothing
number game.
Abbott: Take a number, any number at all from 1 to 10, and don't tell me.
Costello: I got it.
Abbott: Is the number odd or even?
Costello: Even.
Abbott: Is the number between 1 and 3?
Costello: No.
Abbott: Between 3 and 5?
Costello: No. I think I got him.
Abbott: Between 5 and 7?
Costello: Yes.
Abbott: Number six?
Costello: Right. . . . How did he do that?
Toward the end of the movie, during a boxing match, Costello is
knocked to the canvas, and the biased referee gives a quick
count: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
Costello: What's this? 2, 4, 6, 8, 10? What happened
to 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9?
Ref: I don't like them numbers. They're odd.
X equals just about everything I learned of math in school
By DAVE BARRY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President Bush says our schools need to do a better job of teaching mathematics, and I agree with him 150 percent. Many high-school students today can't even calculate a square root! Granted, I can't calculate a square root, either, but I USED to be able to, for a period of approximately 15 minutes back in 1962. At least I think that was a square root. It might have been a ``logarithm.''
But whatever it was, if I had to learn how to do it, these kids today should have to learn it, too. As President Bush so eloquently put it in his address to Congress: ``Mathematics are one of the fundamentaries of educationalizing our youths.''
I could not have said it better with a 10-foot pole. We all need mathematics in order to solve problems that come up constantly in the ``real world.'' For example, suppose four co-workers go to a restaurant, and at the end of the meal, the waiter brings a bill totaling $34.57. How much, including tip, does each person owe? If the co-workers do not know mathematics, they will just guess at the answer and put in random amounts of money ranging from $9 to $11, unless one of them is a guy I used to work with named Art, in which case he will make a big show of studying the bill, then put in exactly $4.25.
But if the co-workers know their mathematics, they can easily come up with EXACTLY the correct answer. They can do this using ``algebra,'' which was invented by the ancient Persians. (They also invented the SATs, although they got very low scores because in those days there were no pencils.) The way algebra works is, if you don't know exactly what a number is, you just call it ``X.''
The Persians found that this was a BIG mathematical help in solving problems:
PERSIAN WIFE (suspiciously): How much have you had to drink?
PERSIAN HUSBAND: I had ``X'' beers.
PERSIAN WIFE: Well, how much is THAT?
PERSIAN HUSBAND: It's a (burp) variable.
PERSIAN WIFE (not wanting to look stupid): Well, OK then.
Historical Footnote: Several years later, when the ancient Romans invented Roman numerals, and it turned out that ``X'' was actually equal to 10, there was BIG TROUBLE in Persia.
But getting back to the four co-workers at the restaurant: To figure out how much each person owes, they would simply use the algebraic equation AEPO=1/4$34.57+T(((-SA?)@
(+NSOB!)(-SITE)(H), where ``AEPO'' is the amount each person owes, ``T'' is the tip, ``SA'' is whether the waiter has a snotty attitude, ``NSOB'' is whether the waiter has a nice set of buns, ``SITE'' is a variable used if you think somebody in the kitchen is spitting in the entrees, and H is hydrogen. Using this equation, our four co-workers can easily calculate that each one owes exactly, let's see... carry the 7... OK, it would probably be somewhere between $9 and $11.
So we see that algebra is a vital tool for our young people to learn. The traditional method for teaching it, of course, is to require students to solve problems developed in 1928 by the American Association of Mathematics Teachers Obsessed With Fruit. For example:
``If Billy has twice as many apples as Bobby, and Sally has seven more apples than Chester, who has one apple in each hand plus one concealed in his knickers, then how many apples does Ned have, assuming that his train leaves Chicago at noon?''
The problem is that these traditional algebra problems are out of date. Today's young people are dealing with issues such as violence, drugs, sex, eating disorders, stress, low self-esteem, acne, global warming and the demise of Napster. They don't have time to figure out how many apples Ned has. If they need to know, they will simply ASK Ned, and if he doesn't want to tell them, they will hold him upside down over the toilet until he does. And then Ned will sue them, plus the school, plus his parents for naming him ``Ned'' in the first place. Ultimately the ACLU will get the Supreme Court to declare that the number of apples a student has is protected by his constitutional right to privacy.
So what is the solution? How do we balance our children's need to learn math against the many other demands placed on them by modern life? I believe there IS a solution, one that is both simple and practical. I call it: ``X.''
---
"The problems for the exam will be similar to the ones discussed in the class. Of course, the numbers will be different. But not all of them. Pi will still be 3.14159... "
---
Salary Theorem
The less you know, the more you make.
Proof:
Postulate 1: Knowledge is Power.
Postulate 2: Time is Money.
As every engineer knows: Power = Work / Time
And since Knowledge = Power and Time = Money
It is therefore true that Knowledge = Work / Money .
Solving for Money, we get:
Money = Work / Knowledge
Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, Money approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of Work done.
---
Pi goes on and on and on ...
And e is just as cursed.
I wonder: Which is larger
When their digits are reversed?
---
Abbott and Costello made arithmetic shenanigans the basis
of a number of their comic dialogs.
Here is a dialog from their movie titled Buck Privates:
Abbott: You're 40 years old, and you're in love with a little girl,
say 10 years old. You're four times as old as that girl.
You couldn't marry that girl, could you?
Costello: No. ?
Abbott: So you wait 5 years. Now the little girl is 15, and you're 45.
You're only three times as old as that girl.
So you wait 15 years more.
Now the little girl is 30, and you're 60.
You're only twice as old as that little girl. ?
Costello: She's catching up. ?
Abbott: Here's the question. How long do you have to wait before you
and that little girl are the same age?
Costello: What kind of question is that? That's ridiculous.
If I keep waiting for that girl, she'll pass me up.
She'll wind up older than I am.
Then she'll have to wait for me!
Here's another encounter from Buck Privates, one echoed in
several later movies.
Abbott: Do me a favor. Loan me $50.
Costello: I can't lend you $50. All I've got is $40.
Abbott: That's okay. Give me the $40, and you'll owe me $10.
Costello: How come I owe you $10?
Abbott: What did I ask you for?
Costello: $50.
Abbott: What did you give me?
Costello; $40.
Abbott: So you owe me $10.
Costello: That's right. But you owe me $40. Give me my $40 back.
Abbott: There's your $40. Now give me the $10 you owe me.
That's the last time I'll ever ask you for the loan of $50.
Costello: How can I loan you $50 now? All I have is $30.
Abbott: Give me the $30, and you’ll owe me $20.
Costello: This is getting worse all the time.
First I owe you $10, and now I owe you $20!
Abbott: So you owe me $20. Twenty and 30 is 50.
Costello; Nope! Twenty-five and 25 is 50.
Abbott: Here's your $30. Give me back my $20.
Costello: All I've got now is $10!
Abbott then entices Costello into a silly, double-or-nothing
number game.
Abbott: Take a number, any number at all from 1 to 10, and don't tell me.
Costello: I got it.
Abbott: Is the number odd or even?
Costello: Even.
Abbott: Is the number between 1 and 3?
Costello: No.
Abbott: Between 3 and 5?
Costello: No. I think I got him.
Abbott: Between 5 and 7?
Costello: Yes.
Abbott: Number six?
Costello: Right. . . . How did he do that?
Toward the end of the movie, during a boxing match, Costello is
knocked to the canvas, and the biased referee gives a quick
count: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
Costello: What's this? 2, 4, 6, 8, 10? What happened
to 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9?
Ref: I don't like them numbers. They're odd.
X equals just about everything I learned of math in school
By DAVE BARRY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President Bush says our schools need to do a better job of teaching mathematics, and I agree with him 150 percent. Many high-school students today can't even calculate a square root! Granted, I can't calculate a square root, either, but I USED to be able to, for a period of approximately 15 minutes back in 1962. At least I think that was a square root. It might have been a ``logarithm.''
But whatever it was, if I had to learn how to do it, these kids today should have to learn it, too. As President Bush so eloquently put it in his address to Congress: ``Mathematics are one of the fundamentaries of educationalizing our youths.''
I could not have said it better with a 10-foot pole. We all need mathematics in order to solve problems that come up constantly in the ``real world.'' For example, suppose four co-workers go to a restaurant, and at the end of the meal, the waiter brings a bill totaling $34.57. How much, including tip, does each person owe? If the co-workers do not know mathematics, they will just guess at the answer and put in random amounts of money ranging from $9 to $11, unless one of them is a guy I used to work with named Art, in which case he will make a big show of studying the bill, then put in exactly $4.25.
But if the co-workers know their mathematics, they can easily come up with EXACTLY the correct answer. They can do this using ``algebra,'' which was invented by the ancient Persians. (They also invented the SATs, although they got very low scores because in those days there were no pencils.) The way algebra works is, if you don't know exactly what a number is, you just call it ``X.''
The Persians found that this was a BIG mathematical help in solving problems:
PERSIAN WIFE (suspiciously): How much have you had to drink?
PERSIAN HUSBAND: I had ``X'' beers.
PERSIAN WIFE: Well, how much is THAT?
PERSIAN HUSBAND: It's a (burp) variable.
PERSIAN WIFE (not wanting to look stupid): Well, OK then.
Historical Footnote: Several years later, when the ancient Romans invented Roman numerals, and it turned out that ``X'' was actually equal to 10, there was BIG TROUBLE in Persia.
But getting back to the four co-workers at the restaurant: To figure out how much each person owes, they would simply use the algebraic equation AEPO=1/4$34.57+T(((-SA?)@
(+NSOB!)(-SITE)(H), where ``AEPO'' is the amount each person owes, ``T'' is the tip, ``SA'' is whether the waiter has a snotty attitude, ``NSOB'' is whether the waiter has a nice set of buns, ``SITE'' is a variable used if you think somebody in the kitchen is spitting in the entrees, and H is hydrogen. Using this equation, our four co-workers can easily calculate that each one owes exactly, let's see... carry the 7... OK, it would probably be somewhere between $9 and $11.
So we see that algebra is a vital tool for our young people to learn. The traditional method for teaching it, of course, is to require students to solve problems developed in 1928 by the American Association of Mathematics Teachers Obsessed With Fruit. For example:
``If Billy has twice as many apples as Bobby, and Sally has seven more apples than Chester, who has one apple in each hand plus one concealed in his knickers, then how many apples does Ned have, assuming that his train leaves Chicago at noon?''
The problem is that these traditional algebra problems are out of date. Today's young people are dealing with issues such as violence, drugs, sex, eating disorders, stress, low self-esteem, acne, global warming and the demise of Napster. They don't have time to figure out how many apples Ned has. If they need to know, they will simply ASK Ned, and if he doesn't want to tell them, they will hold him upside down over the toilet until he does. And then Ned will sue them, plus the school, plus his parents for naming him ``Ned'' in the first place. Ultimately the ACLU will get the Supreme Court to declare that the number of apples a student has is protected by his constitutional right to privacy.
So what is the solution? How do we balance our children's need to learn math against the many other demands placed on them by modern life? I believe there IS a solution, one that is both simple and practical. I call it: ``X.''
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
AP Stats
Had a sub yesterday; I was at a meeting for planning the AP Statistics curriculum for next year. We've met a few times this year and I always find the meetings useful and productive. I am looking forward to teaching the class. But having a sub is always a bit stressful because you have to do more work to prepare for it and cleaning up afterward then if you had just been there yourself. Hopefully things went well and I won't have any extra chaos when I get back. I am really looking forward to teaching AP Stats next year.
We got lots of useful goodies at the meeting today; we finally found out there is a teacher's guide, for example. It doesn't have much in it, but we also got a test booklet we can draw from for tests and quizzes to give our kids next year. We also got some software and material to go with it, called Fathom. It is statistics software, but primarily we'll be using the statistics calculators like the TI -83 and TI-84. The 84's come out next month and I am hoping to buy one. Not cheap, they're like $120.
We got lots of useful goodies at the meeting today; we finally found out there is a teacher's guide, for example. It doesn't have much in it, but we also got a test booklet we can draw from for tests and quizzes to give our kids next year. We also got some software and material to go with it, called Fathom. It is statistics software, but primarily we'll be using the statistics calculators like the TI -83 and TI-84. The 84's come out next month and I am hoping to buy one. Not cheap, they're like $120.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
From The History of the Ka'ba and its People
Ka’aba The House Of Allah
In the province of Hejaz in the western part of Arabia, not far from the Red Sea, there lies the town of Makka. In the centre of this town there is a small square building made of stones, about 60 feet long, 60 feet wide and 60 feet high. Since time immemorial this town and this stone built house has been known to world travellers.
Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by Allah to be built in the shape of the House in Heaven called Baitul Ma’amoor. Allah in his infinite Mercy ordained a similar place on earth and Prophet Adam was the first to build this place. The Bible, in the Chapter of Genesis describes its building when God ordained Abraham to erect a Shrine for worship when Abraham was ordered to go to the Southern desert with his wife Hagera and infant son Ismael. The Old Testament describes this building as the Shrine of God at several places, but the one built at Ma’amoor is very much similar to the one at Makka. There is no doubt that it was referring to the stone built house at Makka.
Qora’an brought this story into the full light of history. In Sura 3 Verse 90 Qora’an says “Allah has spoken the Truth, therefore follow the creed of Ibrahim, a man of pure faith and no idolater”. The first house established for the people was at Makka, a Holy place and a guidance to all beings. Qora’an firmly establishes the fact that Ibrahim was the real founder of the Holy Shrine.
When Prophet Ibrahim built the Holy Shrine in Makka, his prayers were that this place should remain a centre of worship for all good and pious people; that Allah should keep his family the custodians of the Holy place. Ever since, Ismael the son of Ibrahim who helped his father to build this place and his descendants remained the custodians of the Holy Shrine. History tells us that centuries passed and the guardianship of the Kaaba remained in the family of Ismael until the name of Abde Manaf came into the limelight. He inherited this service and made it much more prominent. His son Hashim took this leadership and extended it to many other towns of Hejaz so much so that many pilgrims flocked annually to this place and enjoyed Hashims’s hospitality. A feast was given in honour of the pilgrims, food and water was served to all guests by the family of Hashim. This prominence created jealousies and his brother Abdushams’ adopted son Ummayya tried to create trouble. There was a dispute in which Umayya failed and left Makka to settle down in the Northern provinces of Suria(Sham) currently known as Syria. After Hashim his brother Muttalib and after him Hashim’s son Shyba who became known as Abdul Muttalib assumed the leadership of the family. He organised feasts and supplies of water to the pilgrims during the annual festival of Pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine.
Prophet Ibrahim built this House for devout worship to one God. But within his lifetime people disobeyed his orders and began to put idols inside the Kaaba. Ibrahim had to clean the House of these idols and of Idle worshippers. He told the people that this was a symbolic house of God. God does not live there for He is everywhere. People did not understand this logic and no sooner had Ibrahim died the people, out of reverence, filled the place with idols again. They thronged to this place annually and worshipped their personal gods, It was over Four Thousand years later that the last of the line of prophet (SA), Muhammad Ibne Abdullah entered Makka triumphantly, went inside the Ka’aba and, with the help of his cousin and son in law Ali Ibne Abi Talib, (AS) destroyed all the idols of Ka’aba with their own hands. At one stage of this destruction of idols, the tallest of the idol Hubbol was brought down after Ali had to stand on the shoulders of the Prophet to carry out God’s orders. The Prophet of Islam was reciting the Verse from the Qur’an
“Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished.”
This was done in the 8th year of Hijra, January 630 AD after the bloodless victory at Makka by the Prophet of Islam.
Historically when Ibrahim was ordered by Allah to build the Shrine for worship over a small he uncovered the original foundations of the Kaaba built by Adam. Ibrahim with the help of his son Ismael erected the new shrine on the same foundations. Originally it contained only four walls without a roof . Centuries later during the timeof Kusayi who was the leader of the Tribe of Quraish in Makka a taller building was completed with a roof and a quadrangle wall around it to give it the shape of a sanctuary and doors all around the sanctuary walls. People entered through these doors to come to the Ka’aba for worship. It is now about 60 feet high, 60 feet wide from east to west and 60 feet from north to south. A door is fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing North East. A Black stone (Hajar al Aswad) was fixed into its eastern corner. In front of the building was Maqame Ibrahim, the arch shape gate known as that of Banu Shayba and the Zamzam Well. Just outside are the Hills called Safa and Merwa and the distance between the hills is about 500 yards. These days both of the hills are enclosed into the sanctuary walls with a roof over it.
The whole building is built of the layers of grey blue stone from the hills surrounding Makka. The four corners roughly face the four points of the compass. At the East is the Black stone (Rukn el Aswad), at the North is el Ruken el Iraqi, at the west al Rukne el Shami and at the south al Rukne el Yamani. The four walls are covered with a curtain (Kiswa). The kiswa is usually of black brocade with the Shahada outlined in the weave of the fabric. About 2/3rd’s of the way up runs a gold embroidered band covered with Qur'anic text.
In the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground the Hajar el Aswad (the blackstone) is fixed into the wall. Its real nature is difficult to determine, its visible shape is worn smooth by hand touching and kissing. Its diameter is around 12 inches. Opposite the North west wall but not connected with it, is a semi circular wall of white marble. It is 3 feet high and about 5 feet thick. This semi circular space enjoys an especial consideration and pilgrims wait in queue to find a place to pray there. The graves of Ismael and his mother Hajera are within this semi circular wall. Between the archway and the facade (N.E.) is a little building with a small dome, the Maqame Ibrahim. Inside it is kept a stone bearing the prints of two human feet. Prophet Ibrahim is said to have stood on this stone when building the Ka’aba and marks of his feet are miraculously preserved.
On the outskirts of the building to the North East is the ‘Zamzam Well’ (this is now put under ground).
History of the building of the Ka’aba.
Qur’an in Sura Baqra Verses 121 to 127 described it clearly that Allah had ordained his servant Ibrahim to build the Shrine there for worship of One God. During Kusayi’s time it was rebuilt and fortified. During the early years of Prophet Muhammad (SA) before he announced his ministry, the Ka’aba was damaged by floods and it was rebuilt again. When the Black stone was to be put in its place the Makkans quarrelled among themselves as to who should have the honour to place it there. They had just decided that the first comer to the quadrangle should be given the task of deciding as to who should have the honour. Muhammad (SA) came in and was assigned this task. He advised them to place the stone in a cloak and ordered the heads of each Tribe each to take an end and bring the cloak nearer the corner on the eastern side. He himself then took out the stone and placed it in its position. It has been fixed there ever since.
After the martyrdom of the family of the Prophet at Kerbala in 61 Hijri (681 AD), the Ummayad Caliph Yazid Ibne Moawiya did not stop there in the pursuit of his destruction. He sent a large contingent under the command of Haseen Ibne Namir to Madina which destroyed the Mosque of the Prophet. They did not stop there but proceeded to Makka and demolished the four walls of the Ka’aba and killed thousands of muslims who protested. Yazid died and Ibne Namir returned to Damascus, Ka’aba was rebuilt by Abdullah Ibne Zubayr and his associates. Umawi forces came back to Makka and killed Abdullah Ibne Zubayr, hung his body on the gates of the Ka’aba for three months for all to see the Umawi power. But eventually this arrogance of power brought its own consequences and Mukhtar became the ruler in Iraq. Under his guidance the Ka’aba was refurbished and pilgrims began to arrive in safety to perform Hajj.
The Ka’aba successfully withstood the Karamatian invasion of 317/929, only the Blackstone was carried away which was returned some twenty years later. In the year 1981 the Wahabis brought tanks inside the Ka’aba to crush the kahtani revolution against the Saudi regime and almost demolished the South Eastern Wall. This was later restored with the help of the Makkan people.
Every man living in Makka in the 6th and 7th century must out of necessity have had some relationship with the Ka’aba. On the Muhammad (SA), the Prophet of Islam, the Qur’an is silent during the Makkans period in this respect. All that is known is that the muslim community of the period turned towards Jerusalem in prayers. Subsequently about a year and a half after the Hijra the Muslims were ordered during prayers which were lead by the Prophet of Islam himself to turn towards Makka. The particular mosque in Madina where this happened is called Masjide Qiblatain, meaning the mosque with two Qiblas.The Qur’an tells the muslims, “ turn then thy face towards the sacred mosque and wherever ye be turn your faces towards that part ”Qur’an II,139/144.
At this same period the Qur’an began to lay stress on the religion of Ibrahim, presenting Islam as a return to the purity of the religion of Ibrahim which, obscured by Judaism and Christianity, shone forth in its original brightness in the Qur’an. The pilgrimage’s to the Ka’aba and ritual progressions around the building were continued, but were now for the glorification of One God. The Abrahimic vision of the Ka’aba created a means of discerning an orthodox origin buried in the midst of pagan malpractices to which the first muslims pointed the way.
Every year after the Hajj ceremony the place is closed for one month and on the Day of Ashura the Ka’aba is washed from inside by the Water from the well of Zamzam and a new Kiswa is brought to cover the Ka’aba for the next year.
This is the story of the Ka’aba and the persons who protected it and remained its custodians and protectors from the satanic and evil forces throughout history. Muhammad (SA) and the people of his household (Ahlulbayt) were the protectors of the Ka’aba, and currently the 12th Imam from the direct descent of the Prophet of Islam is the real protector, its custodian and guardian and shall remain as such while in concealment.
In the province of Hejaz in the western part of Arabia, not far from the Red Sea, there lies the town of Makka. In the centre of this town there is a small square building made of stones, about 60 feet long, 60 feet wide and 60 feet high. Since time immemorial this town and this stone built house has been known to world travellers.
Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by Allah to be built in the shape of the House in Heaven called Baitul Ma’amoor. Allah in his infinite Mercy ordained a similar place on earth and Prophet Adam was the first to build this place. The Bible, in the Chapter of Genesis describes its building when God ordained Abraham to erect a Shrine for worship when Abraham was ordered to go to the Southern desert with his wife Hagera and infant son Ismael. The Old Testament describes this building as the Shrine of God at several places, but the one built at Ma’amoor is very much similar to the one at Makka. There is no doubt that it was referring to the stone built house at Makka.
Qora’an brought this story into the full light of history. In Sura 3 Verse 90 Qora’an says “Allah has spoken the Truth, therefore follow the creed of Ibrahim, a man of pure faith and no idolater”. The first house established for the people was at Makka, a Holy place and a guidance to all beings. Qora’an firmly establishes the fact that Ibrahim was the real founder of the Holy Shrine.
When Prophet Ibrahim built the Holy Shrine in Makka, his prayers were that this place should remain a centre of worship for all good and pious people; that Allah should keep his family the custodians of the Holy place. Ever since, Ismael the son of Ibrahim who helped his father to build this place and his descendants remained the custodians of the Holy Shrine. History tells us that centuries passed and the guardianship of the Kaaba remained in the family of Ismael until the name of Abde Manaf came into the limelight. He inherited this service and made it much more prominent. His son Hashim took this leadership and extended it to many other towns of Hejaz so much so that many pilgrims flocked annually to this place and enjoyed Hashims’s hospitality. A feast was given in honour of the pilgrims, food and water was served to all guests by the family of Hashim. This prominence created jealousies and his brother Abdushams’ adopted son Ummayya tried to create trouble. There was a dispute in which Umayya failed and left Makka to settle down in the Northern provinces of Suria(Sham) currently known as Syria. After Hashim his brother Muttalib and after him Hashim’s son Shyba who became known as Abdul Muttalib assumed the leadership of the family. He organised feasts and supplies of water to the pilgrims during the annual festival of Pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine.
Prophet Ibrahim built this House for devout worship to one God. But within his lifetime people disobeyed his orders and began to put idols inside the Kaaba. Ibrahim had to clean the House of these idols and of Idle worshippers. He told the people that this was a symbolic house of God. God does not live there for He is everywhere. People did not understand this logic and no sooner had Ibrahim died the people, out of reverence, filled the place with idols again. They thronged to this place annually and worshipped their personal gods, It was over Four Thousand years later that the last of the line of prophet (SA), Muhammad Ibne Abdullah entered Makka triumphantly, went inside the Ka’aba and, with the help of his cousin and son in law Ali Ibne Abi Talib, (AS) destroyed all the idols of Ka’aba with their own hands. At one stage of this destruction of idols, the tallest of the idol Hubbol was brought down after Ali had to stand on the shoulders of the Prophet to carry out God’s orders. The Prophet of Islam was reciting the Verse from the Qur’an
“Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished.”
This was done in the 8th year of Hijra, January 630 AD after the bloodless victory at Makka by the Prophet of Islam.
Historically when Ibrahim was ordered by Allah to build the Shrine for worship over a small he uncovered the original foundations of the Kaaba built by Adam. Ibrahim with the help of his son Ismael erected the new shrine on the same foundations. Originally it contained only four walls without a roof . Centuries later during the timeof Kusayi who was the leader of the Tribe of Quraish in Makka a taller building was completed with a roof and a quadrangle wall around it to give it the shape of a sanctuary and doors all around the sanctuary walls. People entered through these doors to come to the Ka’aba for worship. It is now about 60 feet high, 60 feet wide from east to west and 60 feet from north to south. A door is fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing North East. A Black stone (Hajar al Aswad) was fixed into its eastern corner. In front of the building was Maqame Ibrahim, the arch shape gate known as that of Banu Shayba and the Zamzam Well. Just outside are the Hills called Safa and Merwa and the distance between the hills is about 500 yards. These days both of the hills are enclosed into the sanctuary walls with a roof over it.
The whole building is built of the layers of grey blue stone from the hills surrounding Makka. The four corners roughly face the four points of the compass. At the East is the Black stone (Rukn el Aswad), at the North is el Ruken el Iraqi, at the west al Rukne el Shami and at the south al Rukne el Yamani. The four walls are covered with a curtain (Kiswa). The kiswa is usually of black brocade with the Shahada outlined in the weave of the fabric. About 2/3rd’s of the way up runs a gold embroidered band covered with Qur'anic text.
In the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground the Hajar el Aswad (the blackstone) is fixed into the wall. Its real nature is difficult to determine, its visible shape is worn smooth by hand touching and kissing. Its diameter is around 12 inches. Opposite the North west wall but not connected with it, is a semi circular wall of white marble. It is 3 feet high and about 5 feet thick. This semi circular space enjoys an especial consideration and pilgrims wait in queue to find a place to pray there. The graves of Ismael and his mother Hajera are within this semi circular wall. Between the archway and the facade (N.E.) is a little building with a small dome, the Maqame Ibrahim. Inside it is kept a stone bearing the prints of two human feet. Prophet Ibrahim is said to have stood on this stone when building the Ka’aba and marks of his feet are miraculously preserved.
On the outskirts of the building to the North East is the ‘Zamzam Well’ (this is now put under ground).
History of the building of the Ka’aba.
Qur’an in Sura Baqra Verses 121 to 127 described it clearly that Allah had ordained his servant Ibrahim to build the Shrine there for worship of One God. During Kusayi’s time it was rebuilt and fortified. During the early years of Prophet Muhammad (SA) before he announced his ministry, the Ka’aba was damaged by floods and it was rebuilt again. When the Black stone was to be put in its place the Makkans quarrelled among themselves as to who should have the honour to place it there. They had just decided that the first comer to the quadrangle should be given the task of deciding as to who should have the honour. Muhammad (SA) came in and was assigned this task. He advised them to place the stone in a cloak and ordered the heads of each Tribe each to take an end and bring the cloak nearer the corner on the eastern side. He himself then took out the stone and placed it in its position. It has been fixed there ever since.
After the martyrdom of the family of the Prophet at Kerbala in 61 Hijri (681 AD), the Ummayad Caliph Yazid Ibne Moawiya did not stop there in the pursuit of his destruction. He sent a large contingent under the command of Haseen Ibne Namir to Madina which destroyed the Mosque of the Prophet. They did not stop there but proceeded to Makka and demolished the four walls of the Ka’aba and killed thousands of muslims who protested. Yazid died and Ibne Namir returned to Damascus, Ka’aba was rebuilt by Abdullah Ibne Zubayr and his associates. Umawi forces came back to Makka and killed Abdullah Ibne Zubayr, hung his body on the gates of the Ka’aba for three months for all to see the Umawi power. But eventually this arrogance of power brought its own consequences and Mukhtar became the ruler in Iraq. Under his guidance the Ka’aba was refurbished and pilgrims began to arrive in safety to perform Hajj.
The Ka’aba successfully withstood the Karamatian invasion of 317/929, only the Blackstone was carried away which was returned some twenty years later. In the year 1981 the Wahabis brought tanks inside the Ka’aba to crush the kahtani revolution against the Saudi regime and almost demolished the South Eastern Wall. This was later restored with the help of the Makkan people.
Every man living in Makka in the 6th and 7th century must out of necessity have had some relationship with the Ka’aba. On the Muhammad (SA), the Prophet of Islam, the Qur’an is silent during the Makkans period in this respect. All that is known is that the muslim community of the period turned towards Jerusalem in prayers. Subsequently about a year and a half after the Hijra the Muslims were ordered during prayers which were lead by the Prophet of Islam himself to turn towards Makka. The particular mosque in Madina where this happened is called Masjide Qiblatain, meaning the mosque with two Qiblas.The Qur’an tells the muslims, “ turn then thy face towards the sacred mosque and wherever ye be turn your faces towards that part ”Qur’an II,139/144.
At this same period the Qur’an began to lay stress on the religion of Ibrahim, presenting Islam as a return to the purity of the religion of Ibrahim which, obscured by Judaism and Christianity, shone forth in its original brightness in the Qur’an. The pilgrimage’s to the Ka’aba and ritual progressions around the building were continued, but were now for the glorification of One God. The Abrahimic vision of the Ka’aba created a means of discerning an orthodox origin buried in the midst of pagan malpractices to which the first muslims pointed the way.
Every year after the Hajj ceremony the place is closed for one month and on the Day of Ashura the Ka’aba is washed from inside by the Water from the well of Zamzam and a new Kiswa is brought to cover the Ka’aba for the next year.
This is the story of the Ka’aba and the persons who protected it and remained its custodians and protectors from the satanic and evil forces throughout history. Muhammad (SA) and the people of his household (Ahlulbayt) were the protectors of the Ka’aba, and currently the 12th Imam from the direct descent of the Prophet of Islam is the real protector, its custodian and guardian and shall remain as such while in concealment.
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Teacher's Etiquette
Here is a nice, brief article I came across on teacher's etiquette. It is specifically designed at Islamic teaching, like madressah, etc., but even though I teach math to non-Muslim students much of it still applies. I have also added at the end something from Imam Ja'far Sadiq (as) I found on the same subject.
Shahîd ath-thânî, Shaykh Zaynud-dîn b. `Ali b. Ahmad al-‘Âmilî (d. 965 AH) has complied a book on the significance and etiquettes of learning and teaching in Islam. The work Muniyatul Murîd is higly beneficial for teachers and students of an Islamic school. Shahîd ath-thânî has listed thirty etiquettes that a teacher needs to follow while s/he is in a classroom with students.
Following are some of points for we need to consider implementing. We pray to the Almighty Allah ifor success and acceptance. 1. The teacher should be dressed neatly and respectfully with complete awe and reverance. White dress is recommended for it is the best dress.
2. When going to the class read the du`â taught by the Holy Prophet . I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family. O Allah, I take refuge with You from misleading or getting misled, making mistakes or being made to make mistakes, doing wrong or being made to act wrongly, and (from) acting ignorantly or being made to act with ignorance. [O Allah] Mighty is Your protection, Holy are Your names, Sublime are Your praises, and there is no god besides You. In the name of Allah, sufficient for me is Allah. I rely O Allah, and there is no power and strength except with Allah. O Allah, strengthen my heart and let truth appear on my tongue. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family.
3. At the beginning of the class or whilst heading to the class have the intention (niyyah) of teaching and spreading the knowledge in order to disseminate Islamic sharî‘ah, conveying the rules of religion and increasing of knowledge through remembrance.
4. Greet, i.e. say salâmun ‘alaykum to all those present.
5. Begin the class with a brief recitation from the Holy Qur’ân. Then pray for those present, for all Muslims and for your self. Also, say a short khutbah (sermon) that includes taking refuge from Shaytân, praising Allah, salawât on the Prophet and his family, and praying for scholars.
6. When teaching, sit with tranquility, dignity, humility and modesty. Facing the Qiblah is recommended. The Prophet fhas said: the best gatherings are those in which people sit facing Qiblah.
7. Avoid excessive jokes and laughing for that reduces ones self-respect.
--
Imam Sadiq (as) said,
"Your teacher has the right over you that you should honor him and pay him respect in different assemblies. You should be very attentive to his words. you should not raise your voice above his. if anybody asks him a question, you should not give its reply. You should not converse with others in his presence and you should allow the people to benefit from his knowledge. You should not speak ill of anyone before him. If anybody speaks ill of him in your presence, you should defend him. You should conceal his shortcomings and bring his virtues to light. You should not associate with his enemies and should not dispute with his friends. If you act on these lines the angels of Allah will testify that you have paid attention to him and have acquired knowledge for the sake of Allah and not to attract the attention of the people.
And the right of your pupils on you is that you should realize that in granting you knowledge and opening its path to you, Allah has appointed you to be their guardian. In case, therefore, you teach them properly and do not frighten them and are not furious with them, Allah will, through His kindness, increase your knowledge. But if you drive the people away from knowledge and, as and when they approach you for it, you frighten them and get annoyed with them, it will only be appropriate that the Almighty Allah may take away the light of knowledge from you and may degrade you in the eyes of the people."
Shahîd ath-thânî, Shaykh Zaynud-dîn b. `Ali b. Ahmad al-‘Âmilî (d. 965 AH) has complied a book on the significance and etiquettes of learning and teaching in Islam. The work Muniyatul Murîd is higly beneficial for teachers and students of an Islamic school. Shahîd ath-thânî has listed thirty etiquettes that a teacher needs to follow while s/he is in a classroom with students.
Following are some of points for we need to consider implementing. We pray to the Almighty Allah ifor success and acceptance. 1. The teacher should be dressed neatly and respectfully with complete awe and reverance. White dress is recommended for it is the best dress.
2. When going to the class read the du`â taught by the Holy Prophet . I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family. O Allah, I take refuge with You from misleading or getting misled, making mistakes or being made to make mistakes, doing wrong or being made to act wrongly, and (from) acting ignorantly or being made to act with ignorance. [O Allah] Mighty is Your protection, Holy are Your names, Sublime are Your praises, and there is no god besides You. In the name of Allah, sufficient for me is Allah. I rely O Allah, and there is no power and strength except with Allah. O Allah, strengthen my heart and let truth appear on my tongue. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family.
3. At the beginning of the class or whilst heading to the class have the intention (niyyah) of teaching and spreading the knowledge in order to disseminate Islamic sharî‘ah, conveying the rules of religion and increasing of knowledge through remembrance.
4. Greet, i.e. say salâmun ‘alaykum to all those present.
5. Begin the class with a brief recitation from the Holy Qur’ân. Then pray for those present, for all Muslims and for your self. Also, say a short khutbah (sermon) that includes taking refuge from Shaytân, praising Allah, salawât on the Prophet and his family, and praying for scholars.
6. When teaching, sit with tranquility, dignity, humility and modesty. Facing the Qiblah is recommended. The Prophet fhas said: the best gatherings are those in which people sit facing Qiblah.
7. Avoid excessive jokes and laughing for that reduces ones self-respect.
--
Imam Sadiq (as) said,
"Your teacher has the right over you that you should honor him and pay him respect in different assemblies. You should be very attentive to his words. you should not raise your voice above his. if anybody asks him a question, you should not give its reply. You should not converse with others in his presence and you should allow the people to benefit from his knowledge. You should not speak ill of anyone before him. If anybody speaks ill of him in your presence, you should defend him. You should conceal his shortcomings and bring his virtues to light. You should not associate with his enemies and should not dispute with his friends. If you act on these lines the angels of Allah will testify that you have paid attention to him and have acquired knowledge for the sake of Allah and not to attract the attention of the people.
And the right of your pupils on you is that you should realize that in granting you knowledge and opening its path to you, Allah has appointed you to be their guardian. In case, therefore, you teach them properly and do not frighten them and are not furious with them, Allah will, through His kindness, increase your knowledge. But if you drive the people away from knowledge and, as and when they approach you for it, you frighten them and get annoyed with them, it will only be appropriate that the Almighty Allah may take away the light of knowledge from you and may degrade you in the eyes of the people."
Friday, April 02, 2004
A Moment in the Sun
Wow today is turning out to be a busy blog day, but I didn't want to pass this up.
This evening I had a really nice, guilty pleasure. My mom and I go to the movies on Friday and tonight we didn't go to our usual theater. At this different theater, we ran into one of the board members of the charter school I used to teach at.
They sort of didn't renew my contract for the third year because they didn't like that I was looking elsewhere. There were some nice things about teaching at a small school like that, but the politics were just unbearable - incredible - a major eye-opener for me.
Anyway, this board member tells me that I was really missed at that school. Then she says, "We didn't know how very much we'd miss you - and I mean that as a compliment." She asked where I was teaching and we chatted a little and when I told her I would be teaching AP Statistics next year (insha'allah) she got big impressed eyes and said she was happy for me.
So I enjoyed my little moment of having one of them tell me essentially that they realized they made a mistake about me and didn't realize what they had until I was gone. :) I have heard so much about the troubles they've had with teachers since I've left and I have been so happy to be elsewhere. Okay, I need to get un-full of myself, but it made me feel vindicated and respected, it was nice of her to say it.
This evening I had a really nice, guilty pleasure. My mom and I go to the movies on Friday and tonight we didn't go to our usual theater. At this different theater, we ran into one of the board members of the charter school I used to teach at.
They sort of didn't renew my contract for the third year because they didn't like that I was looking elsewhere. There were some nice things about teaching at a small school like that, but the politics were just unbearable - incredible - a major eye-opener for me.
Anyway, this board member tells me that I was really missed at that school. Then she says, "We didn't know how very much we'd miss you - and I mean that as a compliment." She asked where I was teaching and we chatted a little and when I told her I would be teaching AP Statistics next year (insha'allah) she got big impressed eyes and said she was happy for me.
So I enjoyed my little moment of having one of them tell me essentially that they realized they made a mistake about me and didn't realize what they had until I was gone. :) I have heard so much about the troubles they've had with teachers since I've left and I have been so happy to be elsewhere. Okay, I need to get un-full of myself, but it made me feel vindicated and respected, it was nice of her to say it.
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