Street art is art, specifically visual art, developed in public spaces — that is, “in the streets” — though the term usually refers to unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, sculpture, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and street installations. Typically, the term street art or the more specific post-graffiti is used to distinguish contemporary public-space artwork from territorial graffiti, vandalism, and corporate art.
Artists have challenged art by situating it in non-art contexts. ‘Street’ artists do not aspire to change the definition of an artwork, but rather to question the existing environment with its own language. They attempt to have their work communicate with everyday people about socially relevant themes in ways that are informed by esthetic values without being imprisoned by them
An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. There are three main types: literal optical illusions that create images that are different from the objects that make them, physiological ones that are the effects on the eyes and brain of excessive stimulation of a specific type (brightness, colour, size, position, tilt, movement), and cognitive illusions, the result of unconscious inferences.
The following are examples of some interesting optical illusions.(to enlarge,click on the pictures)
Please choose picture you think is the funniest and give a reason for your selection!!
Please select the picture that evokes the greatest amount of fear within you!!
(Click to enlarge the image)
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii, Ottoman Turkish and Arabic: مَسجِدُ السلطان أحمد pr. masjedu alsultane Ahmad) is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
This site allows us to learn a lot more about Istanbul than that which meets the eye. There are many reasons why this site was chosen. Some of these are discussed below.
Firstly, the combination of the beautiful structural designs, the symmetrical carvings, and the extraordinary mixture of colors portrays an image of unrivaled beauty, grandeur and majesty. This image of unrivaled beauty and majesty itself is the one characteristic of Istanbul that almost any foreigner would realize. The creation of a soothing atmosphere through the amalgamation of various colors (blue, brown, light green) shows the extraordinary creative and artistic abilities of the people of Istanbul.
Secondly, after seeing the blue mosque one can easily realize the importance of Istanbul not as a sign of the strengthening of Islam, but also as the decline of Islam. There are many sayings of the Prophet Muhummad (Peace be Upon Him) regarding the capture of Istanbul (Constantinople) by the Muslims. However, he also has mentioned about some of the signs of the end of times. There have specifically been descriptions given about the mosques. For example, we have been told through various traditions that there will be mosques with beautiful structures, lavish and extravagant interiors, and comfortable carpets and with people who will recite in beautiful voices like those of the singers. However, these people will be devoid of faith. There is perhaps no other mosque that better captures the fulfillment of this particular prophecy and points to the decay that has crept in the teachings of Islam in general, and in Istanbul in particular. It is worth mentioning that according to the learned people, a particular religion goes to decline when the people start to attach importance to the physical appearance of their places of worship rather than to the spirit of their worship.
Thirdly, the Blue Mosque also appears to show an immense unifying force. This is manifested especially at the times of prayers everyday when people crowd into the mosque and while putting aside their differences, engage in common worship. However, this unity is not only restricted to the mosque. From my own personal observations, the people in Istanbul are perhaps the most active and contributing members of their societies. Whether it is the student protests outside the universities, or the protests around football stadiums, or protests at bus stops, or demonstrations of unity following the death of Turkish soldiers at the hand of PKK combatants, or cross-continent demonstrations by taxi drivers, the Turks do stand united with each other in the true sense of the word.
On the 30th of october,Imran khan showed a splendid show of power by conducting one of the largest rallies in the history of Pakistani politics. Many people view him as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. Many see him as the savior of Pakistan. But i see him as the biggest threat to Pakistan. Why?
Pakistan is currently going through one of the most difficult periods of its history. A new and powerful government might be able to reverse this trend in the next 10-15 years.But the problem is that Pakistan might not be around in the next 10 years.One detailed reading of the Quran majeed will show that Pakistan is heading towards total destruction.
Previous nations had been destroyed due to certain actions. Some were destroyed due to immorality,some were destroyed due to their unfair dealings in business,and so on. However, all these traits can be collectively found in Pakistan. The period we are currently living in is the period of “Muhlat” (respite). Once this period ends,then the divine punishment would be brought on all of a sudden and that will be the end of us.And who knows when might this period of respite come to an end?Thus what we do need is a change from this present system of living which supports sin and disobedience, and create a new system that is based on the sovereignty of Allah taala.
However,Imran khans coming to power will do just the opposite. It is important to realize that the present system of government is based on elements of shirk. The following verses and hadith seeks to explain this point
.اتَّخَذُواْ أَحْبَـرَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـنَهُمْ أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ
“They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their priests to be their lords besides Allah”
(Quran 9:31)
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Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded a Hadith via several chains of narration, from `Adi bin Hatim r.a., who was a Christian during the time of Jahiliyya … The Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah;
اتَّخَذُواْ أَحْبَـرَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـنَهُمْ أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ
(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah). `Adi commented, “I said, `They did not worship them.”’ The Prophet said,
«بَلَى إِنَّهُمْ حَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمُ الْحَلَالَ وَأَحَلُّوا لَهُمُ الْحَرَامَ فَاتَّبَعُوهُمْ فَذَلِكَ عِبَادَتُهُمْ إِيَّاهُم»
Yes they did. They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them (Christians and Jews) and allowed the prohibited, and they obeyed them. This is how they worshipped them.
From the above quranic verse and the hadith,it is clear that the present day soveiregn government is based on the pillars of shirk. By making the dealings of interest lawful,by allowing the open display of immorality,by allowing the “tolearnce” of sin,by making drinking,dancing, and every illegal thing legal,the state is acting as the “rabbi” mentioned in the verses above.
If Imran khan comes to power,he will only continue to consolidate this system.Nowehere in his manifesto does he talk about the implemeting of sharia,the eradication of interst based banking system ,or the elimination of all the elements that are responsible for spreading immorality in our society. Under Imran khan Pakistan might as well become another european country instead of becoming a true islamic republic. Given these times,the only possible thing that can save Pakistan from the divine punishment is the sharia and the asking of collective forgiveness by the entire nation. The next years are truly going to make or break Pakistan. If congress had not ruled for 2 years the way it did from 1937 to 1939,the muslims would never have had wanted to create a seperate homeland.They would never have had realized the threat of living in an India that was dominated by the congress and was entirely against the Muslims. If it hadn’t been for those 2 years as a blessing in disguise,the Muslims would never have had struggled for a Pakistan. So i say,it doesnt matter if we have to go through a few more years of hardship,perhaps the next few years will bring us closer to the sharia and help save us from the divine punishment and create a Pakistan that will remain forever.
Choose the picture you think best represents the spirit of being a Pakistani,and give a reason for your selection.
A thorough reading of Imam Ghazzali’s (Rehmatullah) book, the mysteries of worship,will make one thing absolutely clear:Most of us do lie in our namaz.
Imam Ghazzali (Rehmatullah) rightfully mentions (page 57) that in our namaz,if we say something from our tongues which is not present in our hearts,we are lying.
He gives the example of the Takbir,Allah Akbar. When we use this particular expression,we are lying if in reality we are more obedient to our own inclinations than to Allah’s command. Carrying the same concept further,one will realize that our entire namaz is a lie since we speak with our tongues that which is not present in our hearts.When we say “All praise is for Allah”,what we dont realize is that day and night we are immersed in our own thoughts on how to get fame,respect, credibility ,popularity, and praise.
When we say “show us the straight path,the path of those whom thou hast favored,not of those who earn thine anger nor of those who go astray”,we are supposed to be asking (as mentioned in the quran) t0 Allah to guide us to the path of the Saadiqeen (the truthful,like Hazrat Abu Bakr Razi Allah Taala Unho), Saliheen (the pious), Shuhada (the martyrs), and Anbiya (the Prophets).Like wise, we are supposed to ask Allah for protection from not being like the Jews and Christians (since they are the ones who earned the anger of Allah and went astray,as mentioned in the Quran). But in our daily life,we seem to pay no atttention to the 4 categories of people whom we are supposed to follow.Instead,we follow the ways of the Jews and christains in almost every sphere of our life.If we go towards the “tashaddud”,we claim that “all the bodily,monetary, and verbal worship is for Allah”.But don’t we lie again? We work day and night to please others than Allah,we give and take interest in our financial dealings, and almost everything we speak or hear goes against the commands of Allah(like music,vain talk).
If one goes through the entire namaz and its wordings,he will definitely recognize the extent to which we lie in our namaz.In other words,we say with our tongues something that is completely absent in our hearts and actions.
So,the solution is to “live” the namaz.Instead of thinking it as a boring exercise, we should value it as a blessing.According to the text,when praying namaz,we should be mindful of the meanings and the words.We should realize the majesty of Allah taala and feel completely insignificant in HIS presence (this will help to generate the humility in our namaz). Many religious Sheikhs mention that in order to remember Allah taala in the namaz,we should remember HIM outside the namaz by doing zikr and following HIS commands. No one can or is being asked to leave the namaz.But we should try and be more cautious and try to “live” the namaz instead of just making it a boring exercise. In the book that i have mentioned,Imam Ghazzali rehmatullah quotes a saying of the Prophet Muhummad (sallalaho alleyhe wasalm) “How many standing up will have as their portion from their worship only fatigue and misfortune”.According to Imama Ghazzali rehmatullah,this hadith refers to none other than the person who is unmindful during the worship. The more we are going to remember Allah taala outside our namaz,make zikr of HIM and obey HIS orders,the more will we able to concentrate and enjoy the namaz.
Initially a person might find it difficult to concentrate in his namaz,but this should not discourage him and he should continue with it.As he proceeds,it will become more easier and joyful.
A comparison of the world a hundred years from now with that of today will undoubtedly reveal an astonishing fact:we seem to be heading towards a single,global culture.
100 years from now people probably wore their own traditional dresses,ate their own traditional foods,spoke their own traditional languages, and had their own creative ideas and mindsets.
But today we have the blue jeans, Mcdonald’s,English, and the typical work hard-get rich mindset prevailing around the world.Only a click on Wikipedia will reveal the obvious fact that within the next one-hundred years,80% of the worlds approximately 6,000 languages will have become extinct.
I personally hold the view that we are stepping into the “ant” age where we will all have “ant” like global communities with people eating,dressing, and living the same way….like “Clones”.
Please share your opinion regarding this issue.Thankyou.
What is the world going to be like in 2050?is it going to be similar to one of those scenes from terminator 3 (total destruction),or is it going to be a scene from the star wars (hi-tech), or is it just going to be the way it is?
OR 
fahadman 