Dubai 2.0 – Towards an Innovation Economy

by Ahmad Bukhari
July 30th, 2009

Source: DinarStandard.com
By Athar Osama, Expert Contributor
Posted Feb 11, 2009

“The Emirate of Dubai – more than any other individual place in modern Muslim history – has captivated the attention of many for almost a decade now. On the one hand, Dubai is increasingly seen as a booming metropolis – a new land of opportunities of sorts – and on the other hand, many have long predicted the bursting of the bubble in Dubai. While Dubai has had its fair share of critics – and some very vocal ones – it had thus far defied all expectations and projections of gloom and doom. The current global economic recession, however, has exposed some serious vulnerabilities and imbalances in Dubai’s economy that must be addressed by its leadership at the very earliest.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time in …

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The Lofty Virtues of Ibn Taymiyah

by Ahmad Bukhari
July 29th, 2009

The following biography is taken from Imam Hafidh Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin ‘Ali al-Bazzar’s book on Shaykh ibn Taymiyah.

“If I had to swear standing between the corner of the
Ka’bah and the spot of Ibrahim, I would swear that I
have not laid my two eyes on anyone like him, nor
has he seen anyone as knowledgeable as himself.”
Al-Hafidh Adh-Dhahabi

He was born in Harra on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Awwal 661 H,7 and remained in it until he was seven years old. Then, his father (may Allah have Mercy on him) took him to Damascus (may Allah protect it), and he was given the best upbringing possible there, and Allah implanted in him the best of traits. The signs of excellence, dedication, and sharpness were clear in him from an early age.

A trustworthy friend who knew him told me that when the Shaykh (may Allah be Pleased with him) was still …

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When You Look at Me: A Poem on Hijab

by Samira Anvar
July 27th, 2009

What do you see when you look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free
All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can’t see my hair

Others think I am controlled and uneducated
They think that I am limited and un-liberated
They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain ‘free’

Well free isn’t exactly the word I would’ve used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused
They think that I do not have opinions or voice
They think that being hooded isn’t my choice

They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged
All they can do is look at me in fear
And in my eye there is a tear

Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the One up above
On the day of judgment they will be the fools
Because they were too …

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Islamic Scientific Inventions

by Diana Ameen
July 27th, 2009

From the deserts of East a thousand years ago a mighty empire arose, within a hundred years it had become a medieval superpower. Its unifying language was Arabic and its religion, Islam, lay at the heart of its power.

Much of the knowledge and many of the inventions produced by the Islamic world are still with us. This series will take you through some of those inventions.

Enjoy the series and let us know what you think.

Part 1 of 6

Part 2 of 6

Part 3 of 6

Part 4 of 6

Part 5 of 6…

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Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi: The Animated Series

by Diana Ameen
July 25th, 2009

Saladin (Salahuddin) the animated series is a Malaysian Multimedia Development Corporation and Al-Jazeera children TV production.
It is for the first time that I have watched such a great 3D work from a Muslim country. The team has done an amazing job on this series. From what I have found on their website, www.saladin.tv, the first season will be released in February 2010 and the second season will be released in December. The series will be available in Malay, English, and Arabic.

Parts of the first season has been leaked on the Internet. You can find it on You Tube, but I recommend you wait for it.

Check the trailer below, and please share your views and comments….

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Karim Benzema has what it takes to be a new Ronaldo

by Diana Ameen
July 24th, 2009

The Muslim footballer Karim Benzema has what it takes to become a new Ronaldo, the Spanish clubs former striker who is Benzema’s inspiration, said Brazilian left-back Marcelo on Tuesday.

Benzema proved that $50 million is a small price that Real paid to transfer him from Lyon. Real won their opening pre-season friendly 1-0 against Irish champions Shamrock Rovers on Monday, thanks to a goal from Benzema.

“That did not surprise me because Benzema is a great player. He is very young and we can’t yet compare him to Ronaldo but he could become like him,” said Marcelo.

“He helps the team a great deal with his work and his magnificent passes,” he added.

According to Spanish media Benzema stole the show from Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Real signed for a record fee of around 94 million Euros, during the pre-season game against Shamrock Rovers. Christiano Ronaldo was taken off …

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Israel concerned over US ‘umbrella’ on Iran

by Ahmad Bukhari
July 23rd, 2009

JERUSALEM – A series of failed tests of a joint U.S.-Israel anti-missile system raised new questions Thursday about the U.S. goal of providing an “umbrella” to defend its allies against an Iranian nuclear attack.

The technological setbacks also drew renewed attention to Israel’s concerns about a nuclear-armed Iran and the possibility that it might lean further in the direction of a go-it alone strike against the country’s atomic facilities.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s offer this week of a “defense umbrella” over its Gulf Arab allies to prevent Tehran from dominating the region “once they have a nuclear weapon” was widely seen in Israel as an acceptance of a nuclear-armed Iran. She later tried to dispel that view, but her comments sparked criticism by Israeli officials.

Israel considers Iran its most dangerous enemy because of its nuclear program, long-range missile development and repeated …

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Economic Developments in Dubai

by Samira Anvar
July 22nd, 2009

By The Associated Press (AP) – 11 hours ago

“DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai’s government said it is creating a “financial support fund” charged with managing and distributing $20 billion worth of state funds to cash-strapped companies in the emirate.

In a statement announcing the fund, Finance Department Director General Abdulrahman al-Saleh said the payouts will be provided to government-linked companies as loans based on their projects’ “strategic and developmental importance” to the city-state.

Once-booming Dubai and its vast web of state-sponsored companies are deep in debt and struggling because of the global downturn. The government has said it and its related companies owe some $80 billion, although a precise breakdown of the debt pile has not been made public.”

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Paradise Found: A Documentary on Islamic Architecture

by Diana Ameen
July 22nd, 2009

“We imagine many things when we think of this word. However, we do not think about Islamic Architecture, which influenced the art of Europe so profoundly. This documentary tours through the Muslim world, in search of that “atmosphere of Paradise,” hidden away in mosques and palaces.”

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