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.

American Culture Class: Cars

Wahaj first Saudi invention by seraj group from the university of betrol

       

            The world has become like a small village were all people use the same facilities for living in each city all over the world. Nowadays, cars are used in the majority of countries around the globe. It makes life easier for people to transport from one place to another in their cities and even around the city. However, cars can tell you something about the person who owns it. For example, if you see a young man drive a car like a Ferrari, you might feel he is a teenager and just wants to show off or that he likes to drive at a fast speed and do dangerous things. Moreover, a moderate looking, strong and little fuel consumption kind of car will tell you that the person is maybe practical and also wise in choosing things that suits the environment where he lives. I think that the best kind of cars are those which consume little fuel and at the same time are nice looking and comfortable. On the other hand, I believe we must start to reduce the bad effects of cars on the environment like pollution, by starting to make public transportation for citizens and for every individual to start to use them instead of owning many cars. Also, we can lessen the amount of cars every home owns by sharing one or two cars for every family. Ultimately,  I believe nothing is going to last forever so we have to search for alternative sources of energy, so  that we can be ready for all possibilities may happen in the future. For instance, using solar energy and running cars by the energy of the sun will be very helpful.

American Culture Class: Peace Movements

Here Malcom X is preforming the Islamic prayer Salat.

          There are many peace movements that happened through out history. For example the one here in the USA by black people such as Martin Luther King Jr.. Also there is Malcom X, who were calling for peace and justice between black and white people in the USA by violence. Malcom X at then end of his life learned about Islam and learned about Islam's belief in equality between mankind and that it came to free people from slavery. He embraced it and started to write about it. I read his book translated to Arabic Malcom X Journey to Mecca. It was an amazing book. In my opinion, freedom and justice are related in some ways. The meaning of freedom varies between people's opinions and beliefs. For example, in my religion Islam freedom has a unique meaning in life. As you are a Muslim you are free to do and say what is allowed and prescribed upon you. Actually, if someone took a deep look at Islam; one will notice that only few things are not allowed. For instance, you are not allowed to drink or to eat pork. However, you can eat and drink every thing else. Not to mention, that what is not allowed is discovered to be not good for you anyway! I think every one can find freedom, peace and justice by following the Islamic rules, which provide us all those things along with comfort and satisfaction for every human. Muslims now have awaken to the fact that they must return to their religion and follow it's original rules from Quran and Sunna. Thus we shall be successful like in our golden ages.

Semester Reflection, American Culture

           In American Culture class this semester, we learned about several aspects of American society. One of the things that I really enjoyed is the American music. I really like the American music especially classic and soft rock. Also listening to music with its lyrics and practicing to pronounce it is very helpful in learning English. Moreover, I liked that we learned a lot about the Presidential Election. We learned about different political parties and the religious sects involved with it. I also participated in a debate and I was on Romney's side. I had to defend Romney's positions while I disagree with him more than Obama! Furthermore, we learned about American different kinds of Art; and the most thing I liked is photography. It's a very beautiful art when you take shots of amazing nature. I liked the work of Ansel Adams, but one thing that I didn't like in his work that he took pictures of naked bodies and I don't think is related to art!

              In American Culture class we did different activities. Such as, debate, discussion, writing on blog, listening to lectures or music, watching documentaries and interviews. I think all of them were interesting and helpful in learning the English language. However, the most interesting part to me was the debate competition we did on Romney and Obama. Although, that I was on Romney's group, but Obama group won and surprisingly that was like how the elections results ended! At last, I thank miss Louise for all her efforts and for this great class.

American Culture Class: My Three Heroes

          There should be people in everyone's life who they look up to or consider heroes. I believe there are three persons who I consider to be heroes: Our Prophet, peace be upon him, prophet Jesus peace be upon him, and my mother. 

        Our Prophet, peace be upon him, is the first one I look up to because of his great qualities and noble mission. In my opinion, prophet Mohammed sacrificed and dedicated much for his religion and for mankind; to show them the true path and guide through darkness to the light. In addition, his great attributes such as kindness, honesty and loyalty. Therefor, every Muslim wants to take him as an example for a perfect true believer.

      Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, is the second person I believe is a hero. He sacrificed a lot for his religion and devoted to show them the truth. Moreover, he came with miracles and supernatural powers such as healing sick people and reviving the dead by the will of God.

       My mother is the third person I consider as a hero; because she sacrificed a lot for her children to raise us up and push us to success. Also she is a caring and loving person; she cares and worries about us much to be happy and successful. I thank God for giving me a great mother!

       Ultimately, we should have someone in our life that we look up to and follow as a guide or an example for us to reach our goals and success. Prophet Mohammed, Jesus and My Mother are perfect examples of heroes who have done many things that served others.