American Culture Class: The Clock Tower in Mecca

 

               The Clock Tower in Mecca is one of Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower. It is a building complex in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and it is considered a part of the King AbdulAziz Endowment Project. The aim of this project is to modernize the holy city of Mecca and make it more enjoyable to the pilgrims. This amazing structure recorded as the tallest clock tower in the world and has the largest clock face. The complex's hotel tower became the second tallest building in the world for 2012, surpassing Tiwan's Taipei 101 and surpassed only by Dubai's Burj Khalifa. The building is infront of the largest and the most important mosque for Muslims, where they preform some mainly apprecaited kind of worshiping to God which are known as Hajj and Umra. The developer and contractor of the complex is the Saudi Binladin Group, the Kingdom's largest construction company. While Muslims are staying in these towers, they can enjoy the seen from above and take some beautiful pictures. Although, only Muslims are allowed in  holy cities, non Muslims can still see live seens of this tower on the T.V. or the internet.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraj_Al_Bait

American Culture Class: Fashion

     

                Fashion has changed over time and also the opinions towards it. Throughout history, wearing clothes was more sort of modesty and differs according to standards of living and events. Nowadays, people have inclined to this new concept which came when women cared more about their look and showing their beauty. In some cultures, they consider showing beautiful parts of your body a sign for modernization, liberty and elegance. However, in some conservative cultures which are more religious they care about the modest kind of fashion which help them preserve their beauty, honor and dignity. In my opinion, the real beauty depends on how modest you wear and how moral you act. Furthermore, our God and prophet peace be upon him have taught us that women should preserve their beauty for their own sake and protection. 

           In our culture, women must not show their bodies' beauty to anyone except for the partner of her life; the one who will be the father of her children. Moreover, she can show her apparent beauty such as, hair and hands to her relatives. For example, her parents, brother, sisters, uncles, aunts, father in law etc... However, she is also required to wear modestly even in front of her sisters or mother; because we are taught that devil may always find a way to manipulate people. For instance, we can note the high rate of rape cases, homosexual and also crimes like relatives' fornication in our world today. This imbalance is caused by the lake of modesty, morals, religion and awareness. It's totally wrong to limit beauty under the name of fashion, or say you are never beautiful until you follow the globalization and wear like everyone else! I believe the real beauty is the hidden beauty not only in the mere body, it's about your heart, mind and soul. What about them? Why are they often neglected when it comes to what our eyes can see?! 

             Many people accuse Islam and say it loads too much pressure on women especially, but I say that we are really oppressed when we are away from the exact rules of this world. We are really oppressed when we only allow our ideas to flow in one direction. For example, some people think we are never liberal, modern, educated and respected until we follow fashion to every extent or do whatever we want without any limitation! What if we are proud to believe what we believe and convinced in our choices? What if I told you that I believe strongly I will never find my comfort, freedom, and prosper without following these rules? Isn't it also a part of the freedom of choice?!

            It's been said before that, not because many people follow one way, then simply it's the correct path! On the other hand, I confess that many Muslims are taken away by the glamour of modernization and they imitate without thinking. The question that we have to ask ourselves honestly is: what's the purpose of wearing clothes? Will following every kind of fashion be in my own good or for how well people may view me? Modern Science has shown studies stating that how men look at women's body is different from how women look to men's body. In fact, they differ in the way they think about each other and love one another. It supports when Islam ordered women to wear more modestly and not show their beauty to strangers. It happened for our own sake and protection!

            In a word, beauty and fashion are concepts that differ from one culture to another and beauty is not only based on how you look or how you wear. It's actually based on how you behave and how good is your heart.

American Culture Class: Space Explore

             Nowadays, technology and science have taken us far away. Some people have gone into space and reached the moon. Furthermore, they have discovered life on Mars and put the possibility for other creatures who might be living there. If my country launched a space station to travel in space and explore other planets, I would agree to be selected to go, because I would like to try new things, discover new aspects of life and increase my belief in God.

               The first reason that I agree to be selected to explore space is because I would like to try new things and experience things that might be beneficial to me. For example, traveling on a space trip is a kind of experience that needs a lot of braveness and patience, so I can learn them through this kind of adventure. 

           The second reason for my agreement to go on such a mission is because that will help me discover new aspects of life. For example, we might discover new creatures or new life on another planet. However, I don't believe it's possible for us just to leave earth and live on Mars! Actually, I believe that this universe has a lot of unknown things to discover; what if there are aliens living on other planets? Discovering  this will always help science and might help us in some ways we may never imagine.

             The third reason to agree to travel to space is that it will increase my belief in God's ability in creation. For instance, what a grand great God could have built this whole universe in such a perfectness in only a few days without getting tired or taking a rest! He is not a normal God who could possibly be compared to any human. He is as what we believe unique and unimaginable! In fact, God has led us to discover those things as signs of His greatness and existence. Moreover, when we see other planets, the lake of necessity of life there and the spacious lands without plants or sense of beauty; this will help us to meditate and thank God for his grace.

        Ultimately, trying new things like exploring space is something good which will help us learn to be brave, discover new things which help science, and rise our faith in our great Lord who has created this perfect universe.