Monday 20 December 2010
Saturday 18 December 2010
Friday 17 December 2010
What is Ashura?
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With the current spate of student riots in the capital, I was not too surprised to come across a march running through Notting Hill Gate while I was looking for my dad's birthday card. Arabic banners, proximity to the Israeli embassy - it looked at first like just another group of activists chanting their chants.
But this was no protest - it was a celebration. I spoke to Dr. Saleem Hadi of Al-Islam about the meaning behind the drum-and-banner-toting parade.
Ashura is a celebration of Imam El Hussain and his matyrdom for the Islamic faith.
Who was he? - The grandson of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Also successor to the Prophet and a guide to mankind. He was martyed in 681 CE on the plains of Kerbala, near the banks of the historic Euphrates river in Iraq.
Hussein was mercilessly executed along with 72 members of his family, including his 6 month old son, after being denied access to water for three days
The reason?
Hussein refused to pay allegiance to Yazin, the then despotic Muslim ruler of Arabia.
This procession that runs from Marble Arch to Holland Park, is symbolic of the stand taken by Hussein against Yazid's tyranny and an emulation of the parading that the martyrs' family had to undergo by force from Kerbala, Iraq, to Damascus, Syria, via an irregular 1600km route for 3 weeks under inhumane conditions.
The celebration endeavors to manifest the divinely ordained duty of the followers of Islam to raise their voices against all forms of oppression and terrorism.
It expresses solidarity with all the oppressed and for freedom of speech and expression.
The participants recite eulogies on Hussain and beat their chests as a mark of sorrow.
There is moderation in all things. Why I love London is that you can always find it here. Cheesy kicker, I know, but as an outsider what would you have presumed the march was about by just looking at the photos and videos? Comments, as always, welcome.
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Back Online
Considering the prices in the U.S., the changes can seem inconsequential. Of course, they are not, so this will be interesting to follow...
Saturday 28 August 2010
Friday 13 August 2010
Fort Lovrjenac
A major defensive outpost against attacks from the Republic's rivals, most famously the Venetians. Opposite the fort is a waterway under the walls through which a traitor once led enemy soldiers into the city when the main street, Stradun, was still a canal.
In more modern times it is best-known as a performance venue, once showing Hamlet with Lawrence Olivier in the lead role.
Thursday 5 August 2010
Morgan Freeman
Monday 2 August 2010
The Gaffe
Saturday 31 July 2010
Mea Culpa
The Fountain
Saturday 24 July 2010
German Modern Art
Poklisar
Gradska Kavana
Watching the world go by
Friday 23 July 2010
Saint Blaise's Church
JournoList
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072206024.html
Aaaaaah....
Orlando's Statue
Built in 1427, the statue of Roland (alias Orlando, Hruodland and others) stands in front of the Church of St. Blaise. A knight of Charlemagne and a prominent figure throughout Europe and European history since the 9th century, it was erected as a symbol of the freedom of the Ragusan Republic. A freedom that is, due to the events of recent years as well as the past, especially poignant.
Richard the Lionheart's Cathedral
The Cathedral up ahead was built at the bequest of the 12th Century English King, Richard I (or Richard the Lionheart), as a token of thanks to Dubrovnik. When his ship was caught in a storm he sought refuge in the town and the people welcomed him graciously.
The building itself has since been rebuilt, but the original foundations remain.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Karmen
Karmen is one of the oldest parts of the walled city. It is on the side closest to the sea, and has historically been known as the poorer section of the Old Town, though the term hardly applies now.
It is a labyrinthine, casbah-like place. You can find in it the most obvious remnants of the early 1990s war: rubble and stray cats are still quite visible. Thankfully, the Old Town's has been restored zealously over the years.