Let us all fall in love with books and heal our fractured world, Muhammad Abdul Bari

Extract:
"Religion in recent times is being seen as almost irrelevant in many European countries, but the religion of Islam has become a hot topic for various reasons. Religious literacy, particularly of Islam, even in our highly educated country is indeed poor. Lazy journalism, or in some cases cheap populism, may be partially responsible for this.

Knowledge about one’s own background is essential, but knowing others is no less important in our modern globalised world. The truth is the more our children know traditions other than their own, the more they become confident and mature; they grow up with tolerance and respect for others which is vital in a pluralist society..."
Read more: Knowledge of One Another, Not Ignorance, Is the Best Way to Heal Our Fractured World

Interfaith Literacy Resources in the Index Islamicus: A Bibliometric Analysis, Mohamed Taher

Interfaith Literacy Resources in the Index Islamicus: A Bibliometric Analysis

This article was accepted in the 6th World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists 2011 (WCOMLIS 2011), held on the 16-17th November 2011, at the Cultural Activity Centre, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Abstract
Purpose
– Seeks to identify the potential value of an e-tool, viz., Index Islamicus as an interfaith literacy resource. Specifically, it is about the value of such a tool by users, such as, scholars as well as library and information professionals in promoting tolerance in every day life. A conceptual clarity is required as to how far such a tool helps or when there is a need to develop tools that supplement the content of Index Islamicus. Here, interfaith is confined to mean it is all about Islam and its relation with other faiths.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses bibliometric indicators and bibliographic parameters in order to assess the contents, as well in identifying the frequently occurring themes and to know how user-friendly its resource description is. Index Islamicus covers almost 100 years of publications on the world of Islam, in over 300 journals (among many other formats), and has 330,878 records. The author has bibliometrically analysed the 1308 subject headings appearing in 675 articles from 106 journals in Index Islamicus. A detailed description highlights the state of the art of the contents, i.e. Index‘s coverage by geography and subjects.

The present study will focus on English language interfaith resources, published between 1976 and 2006. A quick look at the data reveals that there is a bias towards the Western world in the content. Interestingly, despite this factor, there are 153 articles from Organization of Islamic Countries. Overall, the analysis of the literature aimed to first, test the hypothesis about the interfaith coverage of the Index, and second to visualize how well the Index categorizes its subject content. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are used to test these performances.

Findings
– The study finds that there are as many as 675 articles with a high frequency of terms relating to interfaith literacy in the Index Islamicus. Despite this high frequency of occurrence of the terms relating to interfaith perspectives in the Index, there is no such subject heading or descriptor, per se on the subject of interfaith. Hence, the hypothesis about presence of such a literature stands validated. But, the hypothesis about manifestation of such a vast literature in terms of resource description, as descriptors (or subject headings), fails. Nevertheless, the subject coverage as available in Index Islamicus offers a real opportunity for Librarians and researchers, globally, to not just search but also browse. However, there is a need first, to improve this tool, second, bring uniformity in subject descriptors (headings), and third consistency in use of subject terms. In a way, this tool presents an opportunity for librarians in their day to day mediated searching, first to customize the content and second to develop similar indices using emerging web and technological interfaces. The information professionals are urged to use this or other similar tools and produce an improved product on interfaith literacy. Such a product will increase trust and reliance by the end-user, and thereby get a direct support for library programs and services. The author feels that librarians do have the skills, capabilities and technology to accomplish this, especially if they are supported by their organizations--with respect to interfaith education and resources that promote mutual co-existence among the global citizens. An appendix of this article provides a sample template to design and develop such tools.

Originality/value:
– This article should be of use in the development of interfaith librarianship. The results of the study will help, at least, three distinct communities of practice, viz., end-users will know what is available in the Index, disseminators will know the strength and opportunities of this information-base, and producers of such resources or information industry will know the challenges and weaknesses.

The World’s Most Popular Book Isn’t Harry Potter (Or The Bible), Turns out the Quran is top

The Top Ten list is here:

• The Koran (ed: Quran) – three billion copies sold  - Browse for more at Amazon
• The King James Bible – 2.5bn - Browse for more at Amazon
• Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung, Mao Zedong – 800m - Browse for more at Amazon
• Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes – 500m - Browse for more at Amazon
• Harry Potter series, JK Rowling – 450m - Browse for more at Amazon
• A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens – 200m - Browse for more at Amazon
• The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien – 150m - Browse for more at Amazon
• Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – 140m - Browse for more at Amazon
• Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll – 100m - Browse for more at Amazon
• Dream of the Red Chamber, Cao Xueqin – 100m - Browse for more at Amazon [continue reading:
  Rob Waugh @ Yahoo News]

See the live list here: Lovereading Updates from the world of books » The most popular books of all time:
-- The list is ranked by lovereading.com and takes into account the number of editions, translations and copies sold.

Prayer Beads, Rosary in Religions

Rosary or beads are used by a variety of religions, e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism,etc.

• Tibetan Buddhist Water Wave Stripe Tiger Tooth Motif Pure Agate Dzi Bead Bracelet Rosary Amulet Tibet Antique Ancient Zig Zag Mala Prayer Beads Worry Milky Oval Old Necklace Pendant
  tibetanbead
• Sterling Silver Rosary Sterling Silver, 7MM Bead 2 1⁄8" Crucifix
  US Gifts
• Sterling Silver Rosary
  US Gifts

•  Ahimsa 'Do No Harm' Sanskrit Necklace in Bronze on 1mm Gold Fill Bead Chain, #6704 (18 Inches)
  Zoe and Piper Necklaces
• Black Crystal Pave Round Beads Cross Rosary Men Bold Chain Necklace 37"
  iJewelry2 Clear Glass Beads Rosary, 6mm Beads, Great for Women, Men or Children
  CB
• Holy Land Olive Wood Rosary Beads with Holy Water From the Jordan River Madonna and Child Wooden Hand Carved Jewelry Box
  Holy Land Mall

•  Beads and Bead Makers: Gender, Material Culture and Meaning (Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women)
  Lidia D. Sciama
• Paper Beads: Turn Simple Strips of Paper into Beautiful Beaded Jewelry (Klutz)
  Anne Akers Johnson
• The Bead Maker: Unique Recipes for Stunning Hand-crafted Beads
  Mary Maguire
• Gifts of Faith Milagros Catholic Marble 8mm Bead Rosary Paola Carola Collection Amethyst Purple Color
  Paola Carola Collection
• Islamic Tasbih 99 Wood Beads Muslim Prayer Beads w/ Docorate Tessels - Brown
  AMNmart
• Muslim Prayer Beads Tasbih 99 Beads Biji Khurma Ajwa Date Palm Seed and Camel Bone Muslim Handmade
  AMNmart
• Tasbih Made From Natural Hematite - 8mm Round Beads - Prayer Beads - zikr Beads Muslim Rosary
  Exotic Beads
• erdia 108 Wood Beads with a Pendant Japa Mala Bracelet or Necklace (Chinese Knot (Green))
  Merdia
•   Handmade Tibetan Elastic String 7mm Lotus Seed 108 Prayer Beads Wrap Bracelet Mala (Om Symbol)
  Hinky Imports
•   108 Tibetan Wooden Yoga Meditation Prayer Beads Mala Necklace Wrap Bracelet (Bodhi Tree Leaf)
  Mandala Crafts
• Tibetan Turquoise-Colored Yak Bone Wrist Mala, Prayer Beads
  Hinky Imports
• Rosary Catholic Auto Metalic Car Decal Christian Virgin Mary Religious 4 3/4"
  Needzo Religious Gifts
• Jesus Christ Crucifix Cross Unisex Pendant Necklace Fashion Jewelry 18" (Gold)
  Rigant
• Pray the Rosary Bead by Bead - Formatted to Mimic Rosary Beads
  Mike Hart
•   Keepsake, Jewish, Girl, Star of David Box Bead Bracelet (B133_Medium)
  Crystaldreams
• Keepsake, Jewish, Girl, Star of David Box Bead Bracelet (B133_Medium)
  Crystaldreams
• Jewish Star Dog Tag Dimensions 1.3X2.2X0.1 inches ,Comes with 30" inches beads chain
  Nahbi
•   Linking Your Beads: The Rosary's History, Mysteries, and Prayers
  Patricia Ann Kasten
• Kirtan Sohila - English Translation & Transliteration : Sikh Night Time Prayer: Sikh Prayers
  God Almighty
• The Tasbih Of Fatima Zahra
  Talee
• Sandalwood Prayer beads - 8mm-bead Sandal wood Tasbih Prayer Beads Misbaha Subha
  Exotic Beads
• Muslim Prayer Beads 663-N Haji Tasbih Beads Zaitun (Olive) Wood Hand Made - 99 Beads 10 mm.
  Kayu Zaitun
• Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry: Photographs of Beautiful Contemporary Beadwork (500 Series)
  Ray Hemachandra
• Rosary Reflections
  Fr. Chester Wrzaszczak

What to Expect When You Visit Places of Worship: Select list of Books, Videos, etc.,

 A. About Worship Space (Design, infrastructure):

Bahai:

• Good read: Mirror of the Divine: Art in the Baha'i World Community  by Ludwig Tuman

Buddhism: 

• Good read: Jokhang: Tibet's Most Sacred Buddhist Temple  by Gyurme Dorje

Christianity:

• Good read: Design: Identifying God's Plan for His Church by Brian McMillan

• Video: Places of Worship - Mosque, Church and Synagogue

 Hinduism:

• Good read: Hindu Temples of North America  by Mahalingum Kolapen
• Vide: Meenakshi Temple Madurai India, Ancient Hindu Architecture

Islam:

• Video: Places of Worship - Virtual tour of a Mosque
• Good read: Design Criteria for Mosques and Islamic Centers by Akel Kahera

Jainism:

• Good read: Jainism and the temples of Mount Abu and Ranakpur by Lothar Clermont

Judaism:

• Good read: This House We Build: Lessons for Healthy Synagogues and the People Who Dwell There by Terry Bookman
• What To Expect At A Synagogue
• Video: Places of Worship - Mosque, Church and Synagogue

Native Spirituality:

·         Good read: 24 Patterns of Wisdom: Navigating the Challenges and Awakenings of the Human Journey by Anthony Lawlor

Shinto :

• Good read: Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion  by Joseph Cali

Sikhism:

• Good read: Sikh Gurdwara (Places of Worship) by Kanwaljit Kaur-Singh
• Video: Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) - A Brief Tour

Wiccan/Pagan (Religions/Spirituality:):

• Good read: The Outer Temple of Witchcraft: Circles, Spells and Rituals (Penczak Temple Series)  by Christopher Penczak

Zoroastrianism:

• Good read: THE MAKING OF A ZOROASTRIAN FIRE TEMPLE: A Brief History of Dadysett Atash Behram by MARZBAN GIARA

 

B. About Worship Service/prayer, Religious Practices:

Bahai:

• Good read: Bahá'í Faith: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Robert Stockman 

Buddhism :

• Good read: Buddhism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Jacob Kinnard

Christianity:

• Good read: Christianity: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Michael McClymond

Hinduism:

• Good read: Hinduism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Vasudha Narayanan

Islam:

• Good read: Islam: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by John Esposito

Jainism:

• Good read: Jainism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices  by Sherry Fohr 

Judaism:

• Good read: Judaism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices  by Paul Mendes-Flohr

Native Spirituality:

•  Good read: Wisdom of the Elders: Sacred Native Stories of Nature by David Suzuki

Shinto :

• Good read: Shinto: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Gary Ebersole

Sikhism:

• Good read: Sikhism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Pashaura Singh

Wiccan/Pagan (Religions/Spirituality):

• Good read: African Traditional Religions: An entry from Gale'sWorldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by Jacob Olupona 

Zoroastrianism:

• Good read: Zoroastrianism: An entry from Gale's Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices by William Darrow

 

The First Church of Cannabis

Tune in, toke up, smile big: Introducing The First Church of Cannabis

A Positive Story About Muslims and an Example for All of Us

In 1937 the Muslim Free Hospital was established in Rangon, Burma. It was created by a group of Muslim leaders to care for the poor of Rangoon that had no other access to medical care. The initial investment came entirely from Muslims. 

...  The Muslim Free Hospital still exists and is still funded by the donations of Muslims of Myanmar. Burma received a name change in 1988 and is now called Myanmar. Rangoon received a name change and is now called Yangon. However, the mission of the Muslim Free Hospital has not changed. Read more, by Stephen Wallace, M.D., J.D.  huffingtonpost.com

SEE ALSO:

• Free Muslim Hospital Offers Hope in Burma

IslamOnline 18/09/2013 YANGON – In a country reeling from recent religious violence, a Muslim free hospital is offering a rare oasis of communal harmony, offering medical service to hundreds of Muslims, Buddhists and former political prisoners.

“I am a surgeon so my responsibility is to cure suffering patients,” Tin Myo Win, the only Buddhist department head at Yangon’s Muslim Free Hospital, told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Monday, September 16.Free Muslim Hospital Offers Hope in Burma

•  Muslim Free Hospital | Online references | cyclopaedia.net

Fifty Shades of Grey : Faithwise Media Monitoring

Fifty Shades Trilogy (Fifty Shades of Grey / Fifty Shades Darker / Fifty Shades Freed)  E L James

 

Fifty Shades of Grey: Parody - Fifty Shades of Plaid (fifty shades of grey, parody, satire Book 1)  Parody Brothers Kindle Store: See all 1,016 items

Would Jesus Christ Go See 50 Shades of Grey This Weekend?

Truth about ‘Fifty Shades of Grey': Movie glamorizes sexual violence, domestic abuse

5 Things ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Teaches About Sex

5 groups that won't be going to see 'Fifty Shades'

Fifty Shades of Grey is an ‘assault on marriage’, say bishops

No sex, only Fifty Shades of Sanskaar for India -- See: Trailer approved by Govt of India

Kosher Shades of Grey

Like ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’? You’ll love Judaism

Reality about fifty shades of grey: : WHAT MUSLIM TEENS NEED TO KNOW

'Fifty Shades of Grey:' Religious Organization Asks Theaters to Reject Movie

3 Bold Reasons Why This Religious Group Hates Fifty Shades Of Grey

Intimacy guide for women counteracts 'Fifty Shades' Christian Examiner

'Fifty Shades of Grey:' High Ticket Sales in Bible Belt; Christian Leaders Warn of Damaging Effects