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Participants during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
Sebastian Huber, Assistant Professor, ETH Zurich, Switzerland during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
From the August 2016 return trip to Siem Reap and the Angkor complex:
I love the Angkor complex, Siem Reap, and the Cambodian people so much that I returned again for about a week to photograph as much of the “non-major” sites as I could. Some of them are slightly far from Angkor Wat (by that, I mean to say more than 10 kilometers away), and usually require a little more money to get to. Also, some of the sites (Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen) are not included in the Angkor ticket price and have an additional admission fee.
I don’t know if there’s a set number of how many sites belong in the Angkor complex, though I’m sure it would vary. (Do you only count the major sites like Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm? Do you add the sites that aren’t included in the standard “Angkor Pass,” but are clearly of the same era? Do you include sites that aren’t even named (as are one of the sites in this series)? All in all, I’ll put a very rough number at…50 sites in the Siem Reap area, and that includes the sites that are about 100 km away. Of those, I would say I’ve been to all but 5-10 now. All are included here with the exception, obviously, of the sites that I didn’t visit. (Off the top of my head, I can say they include Koh Ker & that respective group, which is about 120 km ENE of Siem Reap; Phnom Krom, one of the three “mountains” with temples; Ta Prohm Kel; and Mangalartha.)
In practical terms, I’m afraid that with the volume of shooting (about 1,500 frames in the past 7 days), photos will start to look redundant to those who don’t have the same interest in ancient/historical architecture or Angkor as I do. That being said, there are a few things besides temples here. The Old Market area (now Night Market/Pub Street) is represented – a little – and Phnom Kulen has a pretty nice waterfall which is also in this series. Also, I tried to catch a few people in here, though didn’t get as many as I would’ve liked.
I had my friend Mao (tuktuk driver) take me around for 5 of these 7 days this time around. As I mentioned last time, he may cost a little more than what you can arrange through a hotel/guesthouse, but he’s well worth the money (and, in the grand scheme of things, not too expensive; I paid less than $200 for the five days, two of which were “long” trips). He loves his country and heritage, he knows what he’s showing you, he’s flexible, he gives you enough ice water to keep you hydrated, and he’s just a good guy. (He even bought me a birthday cake for cryin’ out loud…) Anyway, I highly recommend Mao. You can find him here: www.facebook.com/mao.khvan (or on Trip Advisor: www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297390-d10726821-R... )
Now that shameless plugs and other assorted rhetoric are out of the way, it’s time to get on to the temples, ruins, and other miscellany.
The fifth day (and last time I’ll see Mao unless I go back to Siem Reap again) started just the same as my birthday. Chhiengmai brought me a ham & cheese omelette at the hotel, then Mao picked me up and off we went.
Following the same route to Banteay Kdei, we took a right and headed out on the grand loop. The first stop was at Pre Rup, which I’d seen in May, but wanted to photograph again this time around. I love the May shots because it’s in afternoon light, so there are some nice silhouette shots in there. This time, however, was early morning. We didn’t shoot as extensively as we did in May; only staying on the eastern side of the temple and not ascending it. Still, it’s a rather striking temple and worth seeing, even with the restoration that looks as if it hasn’t been touched since May – and didn’t look like it was being touched then, either.
Pre Rup is on the southeast corner of the Grand Loop. From there, continue north. Right before you reach East Mebon is a road going east. (This is the road that would lead you to Banteay Samré if taken straight, or Banteay Srei, Phnom Kulen, and Kbal Spean, if you turn left at the first intersection about 1 kilometer east from here.)
Our second destination, though, was Phnom Bok. To reach here, continue east on the aforementioned road – pass Banteay Samré – taking the first left, then continuing north about 5-10 minutes. All in all, it’s about 20 minutes from the Grand Loop road.
Having seen snow-capped mountains enough in my life, I chuckle to call these mountains instead of hills. However, Angkor is in a large plain, as you can see in these pictures, so any hill looks like a mountain. In the same breath, these aren’t baby hills.
Mao’s wife and daughter stayed with the tuktuk while we went clambering up the hill. I was giving Mao a good ribbing about him not being my friend for making me climb a mountain in tropical heat, but it really wasn’t too bad. He said, “there are only 100 stairs to the top!” I laughed and said there’s no way that’s a mountain then. We walked up a hill for about five minutes before getting to the bottom of the staircase on the south side of the mountain that goes to the summit. He still insisted it was only 100 steps. I counted, just for fun. Turns out, there are 626 steps, give or take one, to the top of the hill and, even when you get to the top, you still have to climb up…a little farther.
As I mentioned, though, it wasn’t a bad climb. The first 400 or so steps are forested, so you’re in shade, though it’s hot and humid. After that, the views of the surrounding plains open up which are quite nice. Mostly, you can see to the south or southeast. I couldn’t see any of the main temples which would be southwest from here. (I couldn’t see them from the peak when looking southwest, though, either…)
At the top of Phnom Bok, there’s a little shelter/rest area where you can sit and buy ice cold drinks. There’s a new Hindu temple up there, and also the ruins of an Angkor-era temple. Sadly, there are also remnants of the Khmer Rouge era, too; machine gun mounts and the like, surrounding the temple.
After 30-45 minutes on the mountaintop, we went back down and I was glad to have a rest in the tuktuk while we made our way back to the Grand Loop. It was a good chance to rest up and enjoy the scenery (in addition to waving like a fool at every passerby as I’m wont to do).
Upon returning to the Grand Loop road, we made a quick right heading north for about 200 meters to the East Mebon. In May, we stopped here, but didn’t do anything other than climb the main stairs, take a few shots, and head off to lunch. (We were tired by that point.)
Because of that, I told Mao I wanted to take time to extensively go around the East Mebon. It’s a surprisingly nice temple mount. (I don’t know how the West Mebon compares; unlike this one, there is still water in the west baray, and I didn’t go out there.) All told, Mao and I wandered our separate ways here for about half an hour or so. I got back to the tuktuk right before one of the daily summer downpours. Mao was stuck out in the rain, but had my backpack, P&S, and umbrella, so was fine.
After a 5-10 minute rest, a Coke and a smile later, the four of us went back on our way around the Grand Loop continuing clockwise. We bypassed Ta Seo (which I’d shot well enough in May) and stopped for a very quick shoot at Prasat Krol Ko. This is a very small temple built in the late 12th and early 13th century by Jayavarman VII. It looks like many of the other temples, so most don’t stop here as it’s not terribly interesting. It’s a temple surrounded by two concentric enclosures, in the Bayon style, and rather small. However, it’s near Neak Pean and Preah Khan, so there’s no reason not to stop. This is a Hindu (I believe) temple, as it’s named/dedicated to a cow. I enjoyed it.
The next stop – Neak Pean – was less than two minutes down the road. (Again, no reason not to stop at both. Neak Pean (sometimes spelled “Neak Poan” and pronounced “neek poh-an”) is architecturally different than most of the other sites, as is the setting. Neak Pean is a cruciform arrangement of ponds that centers on a sanctuary tower on a circular island in the middle. Currently, access is limited and you can’t go all the way around it. You approach from the north over a boardwalk – this crosses over the Jayatataka baray, which offers some nice panoramic views of Phnom Bok about 5 kilometers to the east – and finally arrive at the north end of the monument. You can walk around either side to the eastern and western corners, but can go no farther. There are (were) four different sculpted animals on each of the four small ponds around the sanctuary. Eavesdropping a tour guide, he said the four ponds represent earth, air, fire, and water. I had read somewhere what the four animals were, but can’t seem to find that information now. I was very pleased with this stop, too, mainly because it offered a little variety.
After the nice stroll over the boardwalk back to the tuktuk, we continued heading west. At the turn off for Preah Khan (which I skipped this time since we spent a bit of time here in May), there are also two other nearby, rarely visited temples: Banteay Prei and Prasat Prei. These are immediately north of Preah Khan on the outside of the Loop road. Preah Khan is about 200 meters south on the inside of the loop. Neither of these two temples are listed in either LP Cambodia or my Ancient Angkor guidebook, so I unfortunately can’t tell you a thing about them, but would venture to say they were probably built by Jayavarman VII…but, that’s pure conjecture. They were both rather nice to see, and in a fair state of decomposition, so it lent to nice photography. As they are so close to Preah Khan, again…I don’t see why you wouldn’t visit here. You can see both temples in about 20 minutes without going out of your way to do so.
The next stop on today’s private tour is Krol Romeas. This is a very unassuming structure that is less than five minutes outside the North Gate of Angkor Thom. I’m a little confused about what “romeas” means. At first Mao’s wife told me it meant sheep. Then I believe she said it meant hippopotamus. Either way, this structure was an animal pen for one of those. Given the size and depth, I’ll say hippo enclosure is probably correct. Currently, it’s just a very nice setting in the forest. It’s a round enclosure about 20 meters in diameter, just east of the Grand Loop road.
After Krol Romeas, our next stops were the remaining (for me) gates of Angkor Thom: first, the North Gate for a very quick shoot, then down to Bayon and due west on a relaxing, rarely traveled road to the West Gate. The West Gate is supposed to be the one in the most pristine (unrestored) state, though I thought it looked fine. The setting was good.
By this time, it was getting to be early afternoon, probably around 4:00. The next – and last – stop of the day was south of town, away from the majority of Angkor sites. Going south from the Night Market area of Siem Reap along the river, there are two sites of interest: The main one Is the third of the “major” hills – Phnom Krom. This is supposed to be a nice place to see the sunset. However, from having climbed Phnom Bok earlier in the day, I wasn’t inclined to go here, though it was on my original “wish list” that I gave to Mao. Instead, we just went to the other temple in the area: Wat Athvea (sometimes also written Athwea). This is a very tranquil temple and is great in the late afternoon. It’s attached to a functioning monastery, but isn’t noisy. There is a pagoda built on the site of an ancient temple here. What you see here is a 12th century Hindu temple. There is a cemetery adjacent, but that’s not included in this set.
Upon finishing for the day, Mao dropped me back off at my guesthouse. This would be the last time I saw Mao on this trip, though his wife and daughter insisted on taking me to the airport on Tuesday, so I would see them one more time. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Mao’s a good man (Cambodian Mao, that is…)
As always, I hope you enjoy this set. I appreciate you taking time to look. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message or leave it via comment.
Sebastian Huber, Assistant Professor, ETH Zurich, Switzerland during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
These photos represent my final days living in my flat on the Hudson River.
Working my craft, gathering wild foods, practicing my Wiccan ways, like my
Pagan mothers and fathers did, so long ago.
It is hard to believe that this spring will be a year since my transition to a nomadic life,
living in the woods with my Mother/ Goddess. I feel born-again, free form the bindings of the material life I left behind. The challenges were quite daunting, moving, giving away 95% of all I owned, including my sailboat, 100 of my orchids, working and foraging.
Now that I don’t have to work like a slave for my sack of salt, I can devote more of my time and money to the things that matter most to me. I live and teach the old ways, when people were more connected to our Mother and lived side-by-side with all things, and knew the meaning of life, and how precious it is.
On the precipice of my precociousness endeavors, the child in me prepares for a journey on foot, covering 2,200 miles, teaching and leading by example all the way.
This is the life I choose, embrace my happiness, for you are with me, and in my heart, when I speak, you shall know, and feel,the meaning of my Love…..
Here Mr. Sludden demonstrates the practical process behind the manufacture of a simple thermoplastic clock.
He starts by cuting out the template from stiff card. He then transfers the design onto the back of the acrylic that has had a layer of masking tape applied. A biro or black pencil can be used. It is important that the line is clearly visable.
Next he demonstrates cutting methods using the coping saw and fret or scroll saws. Note his position in relation to the workpiece in these examples.
Next, edge finishing techniques. Start by selecting the appropriate file. Flat, half-round or round are appropriate here. Begin by cross filing then use drew filing to complete this stage. Then choose coarse [180 grit] then fine [400 grit] silicon carbide or wet & dry abrasive papers to smooth the edges further. Complete by applying a metal[!] polish like Brasso or T-Cut to really polish the edge.
Next assembly. We used double sided tape here because the surfaces are not load bearing. In other designs we would recommend Acrylic Cement or sometimes Super Glue. These are fraught with difficulty and need careful masking for best results.
Next drill a 10mm hole to accomodate the clock mechanism. Use a step drill for best results. Clamp the workpiece to the drill table to avoid slippage.
Assemble clock mechanism using the array of components provided.
If necessary create a stand. Mr. Sludden demonstrates the use of the Strip Heater and Plastics Oven towards the end of this sequence. Attach to back of clock using cement. Mask first. Thermoplastic properties evident from photos provided.
Megh Rani Chowdhari tests the siren that will inform families of an oncoming flood. River waters can rise from normal to dangerous levels in just hours. "Getting information before the flood will save our lives. We may not be able to rescue everything but at least my family will be alive," says Megh Rani. The siren is one part of an effective "early warning" system for relaying vital information about river levels. The most essential measure, however, is to build relationships between communities and the authorities who have access to information. In one example, a river monitoring station sent observations to Kathmandu and even Delhi, but not downstream to the villages at risk. Enabling people to prepare in advance of a disaster, to gather their family and belongings and be confident that they will have safe passage to a flood-free area, can change lives.
Photograph: Peter Crawford/Practical Action
Find out more about how DFID is tackling climate change at:
Sebastian Huber, Assistant Professor, ETH Zurich, Switzerland during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
Top Shelf: Dustin mitt, water pitcher, glasses, and tray
Second Shelf Down: Nut and screw matching, double hole punch, origami tray, stereognostic bag, nesting tins, "beadlings" (those little beads you put on a small shape with pegs and iron), box of scissors and cutting work, marbles for picking up with toes (we needed a foot-permissible work)
Third Shelf Down: Soap grating, tonging into icecube tray, egg shell grinding, pompom color/size sorting, Mastermind game (toddler for placing pegs, preschool for matching patterns), water pouring (toddler)
Fourth Shelf Down: Clothes pins to put around bowl edge, rice pouring, spooning, water baster transfer, toothpicks in small hole (toddler), water pouring with funnel, noodle pouring (toddler), zipper and buttoning frame hanging
Bottom Shelf: Safety pin frame behind, geometric demonstration tray and cabinet, shapes in the world for matching cards, dust pan and whisk broom practice tray, Un Elephante song basket
Attractive and practical and on display at Ampthill Antiques Emporium. This sideboard/buffet with barley twist legs and plain stretcher under. Single full lenth shelf inside. Chicken Wired doors and attractive original handles to beaded drawers and both doors. Hand finished in Farrow & Ball 'Slipper Satin' with light distress. (dead flat oil).
Participants during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
Stormtroopers on patrol in the misty woodlands.
Experiment in photography and practical effects...this case making it look like fog.
Practical information on Porto Seguro from my blog: Destination: Porto Seguro
Información práctica sobre Porto Seguro en mi blog: Destinos: Porto Seguro
New design just finished! Original pattern, inspired by a 16th-cent. Italian piece currently in the Hermitage, St Petersburg.
Black on white, over 1 on 18-count.
Malawi Defense Force personnel work on a practical exercise during African Deployment Partnership Training in Senga Bay, Malawi recently. The course focuses on pre-deployment, convoy and train-the-trainer development. U.S. Army Africa’s Capt. Brad Copas was the primary course facilitator for the two-week course. Staff Sgt. Jacinta Bonner and Chief Warrant Officer Two Francis Ash of the 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., worked with U.S. Army Africa as primary instructors for a Phase III ADAPT training. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Capt. Brad Copas)
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil
Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica
Official Vimeo video channel: www.vimeo.com/usarmyafrica
Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica
Practical information on Porto Seguro from my blog: Destination: Porto Seguro
Información práctica sobre Porto Seguro en mi blog: Destinos: Porto Seguro
Participants during the session "Practical Quantum Mechanics" at the World Economic Forum - AMNC 17, Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, People's Republic of China 2017. Copyright by World Economic Forum / Ciaran McCrickard
My ride's here.
The Glacier Express is a train route through the Swiss Alps that is a functional and practical part of the national railway system, yet is at the same time targeted to sight-seers. The passenger cars have very large panoramic windows, and skylights running down either edge of the roof to make it easier to take in all the tall views the Alps have to offer. There are a few recorded bits of travel-guide-type narrative that play at certain key points of the ride, and they try to sell you guidebooks and other souvenirs on route.
I was sorely tempted to buy a guidebook---I always want to know exactly where I am at any point in any trip, including on planes---but I had bought a 1:250,000 Hallwag atlas at the Basel SBB to try to follow along the old-fashioned way.
The full length of the Glacier Express route is 151 miles long, and takes over seven hours. I opted to take only the central four-hour chunk, whose beginning and end points were closer to the places I had to begin and end my day. Even so, I had a couple of hours worth of train rides on either end of my Glacier Express ride, so I was signed up to spend 11 or 12 hours on trains on this, my last day in Europe.
David Hoyle leads painting masterclasses as part of Mother Cares.
Join Timberlina, Barbara Nice, David Hoyle and more for a day of practical sessions and workshops, alongside performances and installations, presented in conjunction with The Albert Kennedy Trust.
All drop-in sessions are FREE but advanced booking is advised for Burn Cabaret, David Hoyle's Art Masterclasses and Out to Dance's Latin Dance Classes.
Part of the Mother's Pride Weekender, presented by Contact, greenroom and The Cake Tin Foundation.
BURN
Curated by Ben Walters
BURN is a platform for moving images by cabaret artists. Dedicated to work made with the camera (rather than video recordings of live performance), BURN's content ranges from feature films and music videos to artists' films and video-interactive live work.
BURN: DAYTIME will be working in conjunction with AKT series of Short Films throughout the day as well as offering the public the chance to make their own performative 3 minute movie.
AKT: SHORT FILMS
The Albert Kennedy Trust is creating a number of short films diarising the stories of young people in the LGBT community. These films will focus on the meaning of Home and its varied interpretation. The LGBT youth of today face a huge challenge, not only with their sexual identity but with living in a safe environment. Through visualisation we can provide information about the AKT and the positive impact it has in the LGBT community.
AKT: A POSTCARD FROM HOME
The Albert Kennedy Trust will create an art installation to be showcased over the Mothers Pride weekend. This interactive and wide-reaching installation will be centred around homelessness and the impact it has on young LGBT people.
AKT: REVERSE TECH PROJECT
With the Postcard installation the AKT will create three-dimensional letters spelling HOME. We will ask people to jot a meaning of Home on a post-it note, the original Tweet and Facebook status taking inspiration from the Postcard Installation.
AKT: SPEED ACCESS
The AKT would like to invite the public to get to know the charity and the work they do. Are you interested in mentoring, caring, fundraising or volunteering? Would you like to speak to current mentors, carers, volunteers, or fundraisers? It’s your chance to ask questions and get involved in the charity’s work. Join the AKT for a relaxed, interactive and informative chat.
OUT TO DANCE
Out to Dance will be leading Latin Dance classes throughout the day followed by a showcase of Salsa Rueda and a Salsa Explosion later in the evening.
QUEER RESISTANCE WORKSHOPS
Siobhan Fahey will be running a workshop recruiting for Queer Resistance, a national group forming to fight the cuts, and talking to interested folk about how easy it is to put on a gig or organise a demo. See you there!
BARBARA NICE & TIMBERLINA
Throughout the day Barbara Nice & Timberlina will be on hand to offer motherly crowd immersion sessions - either one-to-one or in small groups so that you leave feeling wanted and loved.
DAVID HOYLE
David Hoyle will be holding a creative salon/safe space where you can paint, make, and discuss your feelings with one of Manchester's most beloved queer performers, who will be facilitating, portrait paintings and existential murals.
FREE (booking required for some workshops)
Booking: 0161 274 0600 / www.contactmcr.com/whats-on/900-mothers-cares-david-hoyle...
Cornel Feruta, IAEA Acting Director General and H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General, sign a Practical Arrangements document between the IAEA and ASEAN in the Area of Nuclear Installation Safety held at the Agency headquarters in Vienna, Austria on 16 September 2019
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
ASEANTOM representatives
Mr Tutiaty Abdul Wahab, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, Brunei Darussalam
Mr Chhuon Sambathratanak, Director of Ministry of Mine and Energy, Cambodia
Datuk Hamrah Bin Mohd Ali, Director-General of Atomic Energy Licensing Board, Malaysia
HE Mr. San Lwin, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Myanmar
Mr Syed Noureddin Bin Syed Hassim, Singapore’s Deputy Resident Representative to the IAEA, Singapore
Dr Carlo A. Arcilla, Director of Philippines Nuclear Research Institute, Philippines
Ms Suchin Udomsomporn, Director, Division of Strategy and Planning, Office of Atoms for Peace, Thailand
Prof Dr Nguyen Tuan Khai, Director General of Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Vietnam
ASEAN Vienna Committee representatives
HE Ms Masurai Masri, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Brunei Darussalam
HE Dato’ Ganeson Sivagurunathan, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Malaysia
HE Ms Maria Cleofe Rayos Natividad, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Philippines
HE Ms Morakot Sriswasdi, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Thailand
HE Mr Le Dung, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Viet Nam
Front Row L to R: national technical committee member Jessica Massengill; High School Silver medalist-Mathew Koegler, South Tech Ed Center (Fla.); Gold medalist-James Swingle, Mid-East Career & Technology Center-Zanesville (Ohio); and Bronze medalist-Sabrina Mayer, Career Enrichment Center (NM). Back Row L to R: College/postsecondary Silver medalist- Akemi Hiwada, Downey Adult School (Calif.); Gold medalist- Rachel Haueter, Tennessee College of Applied Tech-Knoxville (Tenn.); and Bronze medalist- Christina McGowan-Herma, Diman RVTHS (Mass.).
Cornel Feruta, IAEA Acting Director General and H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General, sign a Practical Arrangements document between the IAEA and ASEAN in the Area of Nuclear Installation Safety held at the Agency headquarters in Vienna, Austria on 16 September 2019
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
ASEANTOM representatives
Mr Tutiaty Abdul Wahab, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, Brunei Darussalam
Mr Chhuon Sambathratanak, Director of Ministry of Mine and Energy, Cambodia
Datuk Hamrah Bin Mohd Ali, Director-General of Atomic Energy Licensing Board, Malaysia
HE Mr. San Lwin, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Myanmar
Mr Syed Noureddin Bin Syed Hassim, Singapore’s Deputy Resident Representative to the IAEA, Singapore
Dr Carlo A. Arcilla, Director of Philippines Nuclear Research Institute, Philippines
Ms Suchin Udomsomporn, Director, Division of Strategy and Planning, Office of Atoms for Peace, Thailand
Prof Dr Nguyen Tuan Khai, Director General of Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Vietnam
ASEAN Vienna Committee representatives
HE Ms Masurai Masri, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Brunei Darussalam
HE Dato’ Ganeson Sivagurunathan, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Malaysia
HE Ms Maria Cleofe Rayos Natividad, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Philippines
HE Ms Morakot Sriswasdi, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Thailand
HE Mr Le Dung, Resident Representative to the IAEA, Viet Nam
THE PRACTICAL MAN
In the Encyclopaedia of the Seerah a scholar Afzalur Rahman states that the Prophet (S) of Islam led a comprehensive and a perfect life. He was a married man, had children and in this sphere of life he left unique principles of human relations between husbands and wives and between parents and children. He further states that the Prophet (S) was a trader and in business transactions and the economic field he gave unparalleled ideas for the establishment of a balanced and exemplary economic system for the benefit of humankind.
The Prophet (S) as an ideal man and in the light of his speech (Hadith) and action (Sunnah) provided a perfect example for humankind in every area of human endeavor. His teachings have been documented in detail and serves as a moral quality which has been adopted as a way of life which must be put into practice as a salvation for humankind. The next few paragraphs tell us about his practical wisdom and action that are appreciated by all who study and emulate the Prophet’s (S) life and example.
When we study the Seerah of the Prophet (S) and in particular when the Prophet (S) signed a treaty or truce and made a pledge, despite the fact that it was difficult on Muslims, such as the Truce of Hudaibiya (628 C.E./6AH), he honoured every word of it. The extraordinary patience and insight he showed in negotiating the truce with the envoys from Makkah, notwithstanding their procrastination and being pedantic, showed how very dear peace was to his heart.
The Truce showed the Prophets (S) foresight and diplomatic insight as it seemed to have been a defeatist and a demoralising exercise. It was due to this Truce that the Prophet (S) captured the hearts of the Meccan people during the relative period of peace that enable communications and discussions to take place with those who appreciated the Islamic message and became Muslims.
HIS ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN
The Rasul (S) was very kind towards women and they were treated very badly in those days. As a young man, the Prophet (S) was greatly distressed when he heard about the burial of newly born daughters. He objected and pleaded to the clans and chieftains of the Arabs to outlaw this evil practice. When a person entered Islam, he made it an exposition of an assurance for his followers to never practice any form of infanticide. The Prophet (S) said that, “If a man has daughters and he takes good care of their upbringing, the fire of hell will not touch him”.
He did not distinguish between men and women and treated them both alike in all matters of life. He paid as much attention to the education of women as to that of men and even developed a close relationship with many women. He gave them dignity, equal to men in the community. In his sight, women and men were equal members of the society, each contributing to its growth, prosperity and development in their own sphere and in their own way, being neither superior nor inferior to the other. The Prophet (S) established a standard for women’s rights that was unequaled anywhere.
LOVE OF CHILDREN
In the Madina Mosque, the Prophet enjoyed meeting children - boys and girls - in groups. He told them about the Lord of the Universe and His angels, how Allah (S) responds to one's prayers and His command that the children should respect and obey their parents. His followers some times brought him fruits from their orchards and the Prophet (S) shared them with the children in the Mosque. He loved his grandsons, Hassan (R) and Hussein (R), and his granddaughter, Imamah (R). He taught them Qur’anic verses and was pleased with their recitation. If he heard a child weeping, he made it a point to find out from its parents the reason for this and gave it affection and sympathy. He always loved children and treated them with immense gentleness and kindness.
TOWARDS ALLAH’S (S) CREATION
The Prophet (S) was also against cruelty to animals and birds. "They are Allah’s (S) creation", he told his followers. He saw a camel, weak, bent and hungry. He urged its owner to take proper care of it. He praised the man who drew water from a well and gave it to a thirsty dog. During a journey, the Prophet saw one of his Companions pick up a little bird from its nest in a tree. When its mother started moaning and crying, he ordered the bird's return to its nest. The Prophets (S) concern for animals goes beyond the prevention of physical cruelty, but enjoins on the human species to take over the responsibility of all creatures to be their active protectors.
A noble example of chivalry was displayed when the Prophet (S) entered Makkah after the conquest of the city. In his hour of triumph, he did not claim credit for the victory and attributed it to Allah (S) completely. During the 23 years of his Prophethood, he experienced inexplicable behaviour and violence from the leaders of the city towards him and his followers. The Prophet (S) showed tremendous leadership, wisdom and courage by granting a general amnesty and forgave all the outrages against him and Islam. This action stands out in the annals of history and it is a wonderful example of respect for people and property during adverse conditions and war. His orders to his commanders and companions (R) to respect the sanctity of the city and its people thus laid a foundation for the establishment peace and the rise of Islam.