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ANMag Issue 27 Global Awareness
Mystic People from Our Past: The Mamluks
By Ghassan Teffaha, Staff Writer
Beirut, Lebanon – The Mamluks, which in Arabic means “Slave” or “Owned”, were captured natives from the regions of the Black Sea. They converted to Islam and were turned into a slave army that served with the Muslim armies of the Caliphs throughout the ninth and tenth century. Over time they grew in numbers and force and seized control form their ex-masters, establishing a dynasty that ruled parts of the Middle East for almost 750 years.
The rise to power of the Mamluks starts with the Ayyubid Dynasty which the Great leader, Salah Al din al Ayyubi founded in 1174. After Saladin's death, his sons fought each other over the rule of the Empire and each one of them attempted to surround himself with more and more Mamluk soldiers. The infighting between Salah Al din’s sons weakened the Ayyubid dynasty tremendously and allowed the Crusaders to regain parts of the Middle East. The last of these sultans, as-Salih, had over a decade bought large quantities of Mamluks from foreign lands in order to protect his own position. Upon his death, the Mamluks had his heir murdered, and transferred power to their own ranks through the Ayyubid sultan's last wife, Shajarat ad-Durr. Political pressure for a male leader quelled Shajarat Ad-Durr to marry the Mamluk commander Aybak who was later killed in his bath and in the following power struggle Vice-Regent Qutuz took over. He formally founded the first Mamluk Sultanate. [More]
Embryology
By Ali Sadeeq, Staff Writer
Kano, Nigeria – As everyone knows, whether literate or illiterate, reproduction (i.e. giving birth) is the foundation of species proliferation on this planet. Without it, life as we know it would have long ceased to exist. The whole process from conception to eventual birth is one of the greatest physical manifestations of the power of God. Every second, millions of individuals are born, and this prevalence coupled with ignorance of how the process actually happens, has made mankind fail to appreciate the wonder and artistry of this unique channel of God in sustaining creation on this planet.
Prior to the emergence of modern science, in fact until about 1750 AD everything about embryology was speculation. People assumed that a complete animal with all its organs in miniature existed in the womb, even though the Quran has explained in detail the whole process, but as science (the signature of God) was not developed, the verses were not fully understood. [More]
Avocado
By Salwa Zahabi, Staff Writer
Beirut, Lebanon – Avocado trees are tall evergreen trees that can grow up to 65 feet in height. Such trees are known to have poor water uptake. Although avocado trees produce an abundance of flowers, usually less than 0.1% of the flowers set fruit.
The occurrence of frost during the winter, low mean temperatures during flowering and fruit set, and the onset of extremely high temperatures, during fruit setting, are the major climatic factors that affect flowering & fruit setting in avocadoes. [More]
Pollution Worse, Stock Market Up Fabulously
By Danellandia Foundation
Danellandia Foundation – A picture in Newsweek of people walking in smoggy streets and keeping their hands on their mouths was accompanied by the words "pollution has grown worse, but the stock market has grown fabulously".
This summarizes what has happened not only to the streets of our cities, but to our very planet as well. Enormous wealth has been created at the expense of Nature and at the expense of many people too. [More]
Food Production
By Chin Gen-tsin, Chairman of Earth-Humankind Society
Trinidad, West Indies − Part II − Nations that are wholly – or almost wholly – dependent on others for their food, whether they have enough money to import it or they get it from charitable agencies and organizations, can apply the system described in this article full, that is, 100%; nations that have to import half of their food can scale this back by 50%; nations that overproduce food and have lots more reserved in their silos and warehouses can continue as they have been doing. [More]
No Eggs - No Chicken - No Anything
By Danellandia Foundation
Danellandia Foundation – A university study in Belgium recently revealed that eggs from free-range chickens which people raise in their gardens contain up to three times more dioxins than the norm allowed. It is advised that these eggs be no longer consumed.
The reason for the high dioxin content is the pollution of the soil the chickens pick in. The pollution largely comes from air contaminated with dioxins and even heavy metals. [More]
Restoration and Conservation of Sensitive Forest Areas in Lebanon Project
Speech of Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, General Director of AFDC
Beirut, Lebanon – " We are gathered here today for the closure of the project titled “Restoration and Conservation of Sensitive Forest Areas in Lebanon” and the launching of the first national report on forests in Lebanon. We will also introduce our new project for titled “Management and Sustainable Development of Forest Areas in Andket Akkar in North Lebanon”. [More]
Restoration and Conservation of Sensitive Forest Areas in Lebanon Project
Speech of Ennio Merlini, WWF
Beirut, Lebanon – "Forests are among the major issues in nature conservation and human well being in the Mediterranean region. It is broadly accepted that serious steps towards a sustainable use of them, proper management and suitable protection policies should be done by all the countries in the Mediterranean area. Although relevant differences exist from country to country in climate, water availability, land use and forest coverage and enforcement of laws; a common concern about the state of the forests is actually existing and partnerships among countries are already implemented to share the best practices and to develop a common strategy. [More]
Project Elbrus
Stakes Raised To Help Orphans
Beirut, Lebanon – August 02, 2008 – To raise much needed money to help rehabilitate orphanages in Lebanon, Mt Elbrus – the highest peak in Russia and Continental Europe will be climbed on 2 August 2008.
Kheiry Sammakieh and Nicholas Akle are two of the climbers that will join the expedition to climb one of the highly respected ‘7 summits’ of the world. [More]
Restoration and Conservation of Sensitive Forest Areas in Lebanon Project
Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC)
and WWF
Beirut, Lebanon – April 04, 2008 – Under the title “Every Tree Has A Story to Tell”, the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC) held a closing ceremony to highlight the main accomplishments of the “Restoration and Conservation of Sensitive Forest Areas in South Lebanon” project which it implemented in collaboration with WWF Italy and with the financial support of the ROSS Emergency Program of the Italian Cooperation. The ceremony was held on Friday, April 4 at Le Meridien Hotel, Hamra, Beirut. [More]