American boxwood, or common box, is a broadly rounded, multi-branched, evergreen shrub or small tree in the Buxaceae (boxwood) family. It is native to western and southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. The species-specific epithet sempervirens means always green. Boxwood is considered a low-maintenance plant. It is shallow rooted and adapts to a wide range of light and soil conditions. Although it… Read More »
Battle of Badr, (624 CE), in Islamic history, major military victory led by the Prophet Muhammad that marked a turning point for the early Muslim community (ummah) from a defensive stance toward one of stability and expansion. The battle damaged Meccan trade and boosted the morale of the ummah as a viable force in its pursuit of control of the holy city. The prestige of the battle in the… Read More »
Agha Shorish Kashmiri (1917–1975; آغا شورش کاشمیری) was a Pakistani scholar, writer, debater, and a leader of the Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam party. He was a figure of the freedom movement in the British Raj, as well as the chief editor of the weekly Chattan magazine in Pakistan. Kashmiri started his political career in 1935 when he delivered a historical speech at the Shaheed Ganj Mosque conference when Maulana Zafar Ali Khan was… Read More »
Damascus is a beautiful city. Jasmine vines and bright purple bougainvillea flowers grow on balconies all over the city and jacaranda trees sneak up in the small spaces between blocks and buildings. I used to live in a twelve-story cement block building that stood in a row of at least ten other buildings almost exactly like it. At maghrib time,… Read More »
Pakistan is a developing country with a high rate of poverty. This poverty has forced many people to resort to begging to make a living. However, professional beggars have also started to resort to this profession leading to the creation of an economically wasteful class which is feeding off the work of others in society. Begging mafias have… Read More »
Governments levy taxes to fund vital public services and to build and maintain infrastructure. In the U.S., taxes support programs like Social Security and Medicare. For tax years 2023 and 2024, the top marginal tax rate for the highest-earning Americans is 37%. Revenue Sources Income taxes are imposed by governments on earnings by individuals and businesses. The United States tax system is progressive, meaning… Read More »
Back in January, a story flew under the radar that’s well worth discussing: the relationship between the Oct. 7 massacre and five red heifers. Yes. You read that correctly. At the 100-day mark of the war, Abu Obeida, the military spokesman for the Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades, gave a televised speech about the Hamas efforts, as well as a reminder… Read More »
An interview helps to convey the voices of water sector stakeholder – ranging from users over service providers to decision-makers. A phone interview is not very different from a face-to-face interview. In radio broadcasts phone interviews provide all that is needed: the audio. Phone interviews do not require travel and can contribute to raising awareness about concerns of… Read More »
Ablution, commonly known as Wudu, is an integral ritual for Muslims, emphasizing both spiritual purity and physical cleanliness. However, as vital as it is to perform Wudu, understanding what breaks wudu is equally, if not more, crucial. For those embarking on this enlightening journey, let’s explore the seven pivotal actions and events that break your wudu. And for those eager to… Read More »
The Prophet (PBUH) led the Islamic Caravan to its final destination and victory, despite nonstop extreme challenges. Nations’ caravans normally focus on external enemies who openly challenge and try to harm them. But the Quran puts much more emphasis on the internal enemies who join as friends of the caravan and gain its trust and confidence, but then… Read More »