MAKKAH

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMA ARABIC

Mecca , also spelled Makkah Arabic Makka (in full: Makka al-Mukarrama arabic)‎, literally: Honored Mecca) is a city in Saudi Aeabia. Home to the Masjid al-Haram, it is the holiest city Islam and plays important role in the faith. As of 2008 the Haji pilgrimage attracts two to three million pilgrims to the city, and presents both opportunities for the city's economy, and challenges for its infrastructure. Culturally, the city is modern, cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse. Islamic tradition attributes the beginning of Mecca to Ishmael's descendants. In the 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad proclaimed Islam in the city, by then an important trading center, and the city played an important role in the early history of Islam. After 966, Mecca was led by local sharifs, until 1924, when it came under the rule of the Saudis. In its modern period, Mecca has seen a great expansion in size and infrastructure. The modern day city is located in and is the capital of Saudi Arabias Makkah Province, in the historic Hejaz region. With a population of 1.7 million (2008), the city is located 73 km (45 mi) inland from Jeddah, in a narrow valley, and 277 m (910 ft) above sea level.

AGAMA ISLAM

sawm

Sawm (Arabic: is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means "to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse".The observance of sawm during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, but is not confined to that month.

Definition

Muslims are prohibited from eat, drink, smoking, and engag sexual intercourse from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). Fasting is essentially an attempt to seek nearness to Allah and increase one's piety. One of the remote aims of fasting is to sympathize with those less fortunate ones who do not always have food and drink readily available. Also one must try to avoid cursing and thinking evil thoughts. Fasting is also viewed as a means of controlling one's desires (of hunger, thirst, sexuality, anger) and focusing more on devoting oneself to God. Sawm also carries a significant spiritual meaning. It teaches one the principle of love: because when one observes Fasting, it is done out of deep love for God.

Days For Fasting Month of Ramadhan Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligconsidered Fard (itory) Days For Voluntary Fasting Islam also prescribed certain days for non-obligatory, voluntary fasting, such as: each Monday and Thursday of a week the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month six days in the month of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan) the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar) the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram in the Hijri calendar), with one more day of fasting before or after it (For Sunni Muslims only. It is prohibited in Shia Islam) As often as possible in the months of Rajab and Shaban before Ramadhan First ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar

SOLAR ECLIPSE

SOLAR ECLIPSE

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. At least two and up to five solar eclipses can occur each year on Earth, with between zero and two of them being total eclipses.[1] Total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any location because during each eclipse totality exists only along a narrow corridor in the relatively tiny area of the Moon's umbra. A total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon and many people travel to remote locations to observe one. The 1999 total eclipse in Europe helped to increase public awareness of the phenomenon, as illustrated by the number of journeys made specifically to witness the 2005 annular eclipse and the 2006 total eclipse. The most recent solar eclipse occurred on January 26, 2009, and was an annular eclipse. In ancient times, and in some cultures today, solar eclipses have been attributed to supernatural causes. Total solar eclipses can be frightening for people who are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear in the middle of the

day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.