MABDA Report 2/7/2011

Lailat al Miraj: The Prophet’s Night Journey

Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to the ‘Farthest Mosque’ in Jerusalem where he ascended to heaven, was purified, and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily.

On the Islamic calendar, Lailat al Miraj (also known as Isra and Mi’raj, Al Isra’wal Miraj or Laylat al Miraj) is generally observed on the 27th day of the month of Rajab. Lailat al Miraj 2011 fell on June 29, although the observance begins at sundown on June 28.

http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/2011/06/29/lailat-al-miraj-the-prophets-night-journey/

Interfaith service at Washington National Cathedral promotes religious tolerance

As worshipers entered Washington National Cathedral for Sunday morning’s service, some crossed themselves and some took photographs, some wore ties while others wore shorts and a few even wore yarmulkes.

In the center aisle, in place of the baptismal fountain, candle-lit stands bore three books: a Bible, a Torah and a Koran. When a visitor asked a nearby usher what to do, the usher replied: “This is a totally different service than what we usually do. There’s no wrong answer.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/interfaith-service-at-washington-national-cathedral-promotes-religious-tolerance/2011/06/26/AGryCWmH_story.html

Ban Ki-moon Praises UN Islamic Conference Partnership

Astana, Manama, 29 June 2011 (UN Information Centre)–UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Organization of the Islamic Conference(OIC) and the United Nations share many common goals and maintain a close partnership on a variety of issues, including preventive diplomacy, crisis management and peace-building. The historic changes taking place in many parts of the Arab world make a compelling case for ever closer cooperation.

In his message to the 38th session of the OIC meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, 28 June 2011 delivered by Mr Jan Kubis, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Ban Ki-moon said the non-violent revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia have inspired a movement for greater freedom throughout the region. However, we also see resistance to popular demands for democratic change, and the violent repression in several countries is a source of great concern.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110629140635

Journalists and Writers Foundation bridging Eastern, Western worlds

Nestled behind a grove of trees in Altunizade sits the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), which works to span the Eastern and Western worlds much like the Bosporus Bridge.

“Turkey is in the unique geographical position of being located between the Eastern and the Western worlds,” said GYV President Mustafa Yeşil, adding: “It literally is a bridge between the cultures and religions of the East and the West. We [GYV] have played a major part in building and maintaining that bridge.”

The GYV strives to defeat three global injustices — poverty, ignorance and conflict — through aid, education and dialogue.

SOURCE