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LA NEOMUDEJAR LNM Centro de artes de vanguardia y residencia artística internacional. Calle Antonio de Nebrija s/n. Estación de Atocha, Madrid.
La Neomudejar tiene como prioridad favorecer, impulsar y dar visibilidad al creador emergente. La creación por encima de los discursos y las teorías imperantes en los circuitos actuales del arte. El centro de artes de vanguardia entronca con la base de las teorías naturales de contraposición al arte establecido. Esta arquitectura creativa parte de la identificación de las carencias del colectivo artístico y opta por una respuesta basada en la ejecución por encima del discurso academicista imperante. El objetivo es asentar un espacio internacional de referencia, para creadores multidisciplinares con carácter de continuidad para los nuevos códigos y lenguajes que profundicen en la experimentación. Videoarte, instalaciones, performes, street art, parkour, robótica, translación de cuerpos, etc… son algunas de las disciplinas que pretende acompañar. Especial atención se da a formatos tecnológicos de nueva generación así como a los desechados, que merecen una revisión al amparo de un reciclado consciente y creativo en pugna con la inmediatez y caducidad de las sociedades de consumo actual.
Un espacio con vocación de Resistencia Artística Internacional. Para ello se hizo un trabajo de investigación a fin de encontrar el inmueble adecuado a la singularidad de la propia propuesta. Tras más de un año de trabajo y gracias a la colaboración de Adif, que apoya el proyecto de forma continuada dentro de su programa de Responsabilidad Social y Sostenibilidad, se firma un contrato de alquiler en condiciones especiales para el desarrollo y recuperación del espacio como el Centro de Artes de Vanguardia y Residencia Artística Internacional. La recuperación del espacio adquiere una dimensión diferente al tomar la arquitectura y la decadencia del edificio como punto de inflexión para reflexionar sobre los procesos de creación y rehabilitación. Poner en valor estos conceptos es parte y todo del concepto de “La Neomudejar”. El marcado carácter como espacio de trabajo viene derivado de uso original ya que albergó durante décadas los talleres de formación de Renfe. Los lucernarios, la cubierta en diente de sierra, los amplios espacios, las antiguas calderas, la fragua, el mobiliario de carpintería, etc… terminan por reforzar este concepto.
La Neomudejar pertenecía a la antigua estación de Atocha y la vía del tren llegaba a la misma puerta desde donde se surtía directamente desde los vagones de mercancías. Por ello podemos relacionar históricamente al edificio con la vanguardia ya que en el momento de su construcción –Finales del S XIX, comienzos del XX-, las principales estaciones de ferrocarril eran la puerta de las ciudades al mundo por donde entraban todas las innovaciones tecnológicas y por supuesto, artísticas. La situación geográfica dentro de la ciudad de Madrid también es un punto relevante para conceptualizar de nuevo este antiguo edificio ya que se encuentra en las inmediaciones del llamado eje Prado-Recoletos que engloba la principal oferta cultural de la ciudad abarcando el Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Artes Reina Sofía, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Caixa-Forum Madrid y La Casa Encendida.
El estilo arquitectónico del edificio, encuadrable en el neomudejar, del que toma nombre la institución, provee al centro de una señas de identidad propias. Un estilo que se enmarca dentro de las corrientes medievalistas europeas de finales del XIX que reivindican estilos propiamente nacionales, en este caso un estilo puramente español, el mudéjar, que en su reinventado desarrollo decimonónico se ve unido a las construcciones industriales, ferroviarias, religiosas y especialmente a las taurinas, encontrándose cantidad de ejemplos de construcciones neomudéjares en todo el país, y muy singularmente en la ciudad de Madrid.
Art House Madrid es la promotora del Centro de Artes de Vanguardia y Residencia Artística Internacional de Madrid y cuenta con el apoyo y patrocinio de Adif.
www.laneomudejar.com/video-pintura-mural-en-la-neo/
www.adif.es/es_ES/ocio_y_cultura/doc/LaNeomudejarDossier.pdf
www.adif.es/es_ES/ocio_y_cultura/doc/LaNeomudejarFolleto.pdf
www.flickr.com/photos/116919706@N08/
theartboulevard.org/es/lab-esp/informacion-util/post/6314...
The Blue Angels came back to Hawaii and were performing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor & Hickam on 27-28 September. I love watching and photographing these guys and attended both days, sort of. I actually didn't go on base--much too crowded--to the air show, but parked on the top floor of the Honolulu International Airport parking structure. This provided a great view of the aircraft lining up on approach as they sped down the runway towards the crowd at Hickam Airbase. But that's also why the smoke was missing--they use this to accentuate their movements--and wasn't on in a lot of these shots. But I was also shooting with the 200-400mm and the Sigmonster and could pull in some of the far off action, like the "too close fly by." So I got my "Angels" fix for the year, but here's the good news, they're coming back next year for Bayfest at Kaneohe!!! Two years in a row, I don't think they've ever done that before, WooHoo!!!
I think it's very 2008.
"Can" collage for energy drink project for moosylvania marketing
Left that job after the great recession, December 2008. It was great though! Currently working with BOND strategy and influence on social media strategy, brand strategy, account coordination, copywriting...all with serious interactive know-how. Obviously.
PS it's 2012 now and I still think this is way good. I would drink can.
Check out my resume. :)
À L'AIDE !
XIN CỨU !
The Beatles - Help! www.dailymotion.com/video/x309hk_the-beatles-help_music
Thanks very much for visits, comments and appreciations.
Merci beaucoup pour les visites, commentaires et appréciations.
Cám ơn các bạn đã xem ảnh, phê bình và khuyến khích.
"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. "~Hans Christian Anderson
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I need to see something other then snow today......so here is what I found ...
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Back to posting on my blog after a dry spell
“Any users, found to replicate, reproduce, circulate, distribute, download, manipulate or otherwise use my images without my written consent will be in breach of copyright laws as well as contract laws.”
So please don't **Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. ©...
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Thank You to all that comment and fave and help me grow here on Flickr
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In 1962, the US Navy issued a requirement for an eventual replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk. Of the proposals submitted by various companies, Vought’s design won the competition in February 1964. What became the A-7 Corsair II was based on the already successful F-8 Crusader fighter, a decision which figured heavily in the Navy’s selection of the aircraft. The A-7, however, was smaller and shorter, with a much less sleek fuselage but a larger wing. It was the first operational American aircraft to use a turbofan engine, a HUD, and an internal INS linked to the bombing radar, permitting very accurate bombing in all weathers. After a remarkably trouble-free development, the YA-7A first flew in September 1965 and entered service a year later, with a combat debut in December 1967 over Vietnam. Because the A-4 was more maneuverable, the A-7 only supplemented the Skyhawk in US Navy service until the early 1980s; likewise, it was not chosen by the US Marine Corps for the light attack role, as the Marines preferred upgraded A-4s and later the AV-8A/B Harrier series.
The USAF, however, would acquire the A-7 in large numbers, at first as an interim to bridge the gap between the F-105 Thunderchief and the F-111 Aardvark, and to replace the ancient A-1 Skyraiders then serving as COIN, close air support, and rescue support aircraft. The A-7D made a number of changes, including USAF-style boom/plug refueling port, the more reliable and powerful Allison TF41 engine, and deletion of the A-7A’s twin 20mm cannon for a single M61A1 Vulcan 20mm gatling cannon. The A-7D entered USAF service in September 1968, and its combat service over Vietnam impressed the US Navy enough that the follow-on A-7E Corsair II incorporated both the TF41 engine and the M61A1 gun armament. Aside from the two-seat TA-7C/A-7K conversion trainers and EA-7L electronic warfare trainers, the A-7E was the penultimate Corsair II variant. Vought proposed an advanced, supersonic long-range strike variant, the A-7F, but this only went to the prototype stage.
The A-7 served in every conflict the United States entered into from 1968 to 1991, including Vietnam, operations against Lebanon, Libya, and Iran in the 1980s, and the First Gulf War. The latter was the swansong for the type in US service, with only two US Navy A-7E squadrons seeing service. With the drawdown of the 1990s, the A-7D was rapidly retired from USAF and Air National Guard units in favor of the F-16 Falcon; the A-7E left US Navy service in favor of the F/A-18 Hornet. The aircraft was exported in the 1970s to Greece as the A-7H and Portugal as the A-7P, both of which saw service in the Third World War. Thailand received ex-US Navy A-7Es in the mid-1990s. Greece retired the last operational A-7s in the world in 2014.
(The following is a fictional history of a fictional naval air arm.)
With the adoption of the US Navy-style carrier battlegroup by the FIRN/FIRNAA in the late 1970s, the FIRNAA also adopted the Navy-style carrier air wing of F-14 Tomcats, A-6 Intruders, and A-7 Corsair IIs. The latter were deemed to be of low priority, with the FIRNAA acquiring and upgrading ex-US Navy A-4E Skyhawks, and there was some controversy over the need to buy the A-7 at all. The sale went through because of the A-7’s ability to carry more ordnance further, and the first order for 36 A-7Es and five two-seat TA-7Cs were placed in 1985. As the A-7 production line had closed by that time, these came from ex-US Navy stocks and were refurbished before delivery; the only addition to the aircraft was a Pave Penny laser designator, which allowed the A-7E to drop precision guided weaponry. TA-7Cs were also in short supply, so instead Vought converted five ex-USAF A-7Es to A-7K standard, though these aircraft had a bulged refuelling probe and were designated TA-7K. (The TA-7K retained its boom/plug system, making it a “hermaphrodite.”) The first FIRNAA A-7E entered service in August 1986 with NAS-17, and both it and NAS-18 were fully operational with the Corsair II before the end of the Third World War. The last batch entered service with NAS-19, with the last being delivered in July 1988. These aircraft would provide yeoman service during the First Gulf War.
Though the United States was rapidly retiring the A-7, the FIRNAA decided to keep the aircraft due to its range instead of acquiring more F/A-18 Hornets. Because of its lack of speed and the desire to keep the aircraft in service at least until 2005, the FIRNAA commissioned a study to upgrade its Corsair IIs. Vought had gone out of business by this time (1993), but the A-7F study was resurrected and the contract given to Predator Propulsion. Initially designated A-7P (for Predator Propulsion, but dropped due to confusion with the Portuguese A-7Ps) and then A-7S, this upgrade included completely updating the avionics, with a new HUD system, LANTIRN compatibility, the ability to carry the AGM-84 Harpoon and AGM-84E SLAM, and most importantly, the A-7F’s Pratt and Whitney F100 turbofan. Since the A-7S lacked the lengthened fuselage and modified tail of the A-7F, the engine was derated to 24,000 pounds, though the afterburner was retained. This increased the top speed and range of the A-7E, as the F100 was more fuel efficient. The first A-7S flew in July 1994 and entered service in December 1995; by 1996 the entire fleet had been upgraded.
Despite the expense of the upgrade, the A-7S’ career was to be brief. The decision to acquire the F/A-25 Rafale to replace it was made only two years after the A-7S entered service, and it began to be withdrawn from service in 1999. The outbreak of war in Afghanistan and Iraq only delayed withdrawal for a short time, though the A-7S would fly combat missions in what was the Corsair II’s final combat deployment. Both NAS-17 and NAS-18 would convert to the Rafale, while NAS-19 retained it’s A-7s until the squadron’s disbandment in 2004. The last FIRNAA Corsair IIs made a four-ship flypast of Viper Lake IFAAS in August 2004, marking 18 years of faithful service. Eleven A-7s were lost during the aircraft’s career, six in combat during the Third World War and the First Gulf War, and the remainder in accidents; these were replaced from US Navy stocks, making total procurement 52 aircraft.
(Back in the real world...)
Though I prefer 1/144 scale for my own personal models, there is not yet a 1/144 kit of the A-7; Tamiya, however, makes a 1/100 kit. After finding one in Indiana in 2010, I built it out of the box as a standard A-7E. I used a darker gunship gray over medium gray color scheme (which would probably be unworkable for carrier operations in real life). I used kit decals, but the tailcodes and crocodile tail motif were hand-painted. It is armed with 12 Mk 82 750-pound bombs and two AIM-9B Sidewinders, which were not as difficult to put on as I had originally thought.
Donald John Trump, Sr., aka Donald Trump, is a celebrity business man and star of the NBC reality show The Apprentice. Trump is now a candidate for President in the Republican Party.
This caricature of Donald Trump was adapted from Creative Commons licensed images from Gage Skidmore's flickr photostream. The body was adapted from a Creative Commons licensed photo from Eric Lanning's Flickr photostream. The background was adapted from a Creative Commons licensed photo from elPadawan's Flickr photostream.
Livin on a Prayer....Bon Jovi
Went to Cronulla this morning before work with Ant. Was hoping the waves would have been a bit bigger from our Huge Weather Front which hit NSW over the past few days. Tide was low (ish) but I did cop a few batterings out on the rocks near the pool. This was one of them. Apart from that, was a bit of a fizzer...
Soldiers assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment and the Military District of Washington train in preparation for Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Soldier Badge, and Expert Field Medical Badge testing in Fort A.P. Hill, Va., Mar. 6, 2023.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Josue Patricio)
Junto a mi amiga Yasna y nuestras mochilas, oímos muchas interesantes historias del lugar. Descubrir los rincones de Chile y sus fábulas con buena compañía, enaltece las hazañas.
Divided reverse. Carte Postale. Undated letter.
Prussian Landsturm infantrymen from the 38. Infanterie Brigade guarding a footbridge crossing over a small canal, circa late 1914. Each man is armed with a Gew 88 and a S.71 bayonet.
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Notes:
X Armee-korps (Preußen). Bezirkskommando: Lüneburg
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan (Tajik: Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Cumhuriyi Tocikiston; Russian: Республика Таджикистан, Respublika Tadzhikistan), is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan are separated from Tajikistan by the narrow Wakhan Corridor.
Most of Tajikistan's population belongs to the Persian-speaking Tajik ethnic group, who share language, culture and history with Afghanistan and Iran. Once part of the Samanid Empire, Tajikistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (Tajik SSR). Mountains cover over 90% of this Central Asian republic.
by Beyond Borders Media - www.byb-media.com
Pretty Swimsuit Bikini Model Goddess! :) The
Santa
Monica Pier on a Sunny Day! Tall, thin, fit, athletic surf girl goddess!
New 500px!
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New instagram! instagram.com/45surf
Pretty Swimsuit Bikini Model Goddess! :) The Malibu Pier on a Sunny Day!
Join/like my facebook page! www.facebook.com/45surfHerosJourneyMythology
Follow me on facebook! facebook.com/elliot.mcgucken
Nikon D300 Photos of Beautfiul Sexy Hot Brunette!
She was a beauty--a gold 45 goddess for sure! A Gold 45 Goddess exalts the archetypal form of Athena--the Greek Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, heroic endeavour, handicrafts and reason. A Gold 45 Goddess guards the beauty of dx4/dt=ic and embodies 45SURF's motto "Virtus, Honoris, et Actio Pro Veritas, Amor, et Bellus, (Strength, Honor, and Action for Truth, Love, and Beauty," and she stands ready to inspire and guide you along your epic, heroic journey into art and mythology. It is Athena who descends to call Telemachus to Adventure in the first book of Homer's Odyssey--to man up, find news of his true father Odysseus, and rid his home of the false suitors, and too, it is Athena who descends in the first book of Homer's Iliad, to calm the Rage of Achilles who is about to draw his sword so as to slay his commander who just seized Achilles' prize, thusly robbing Achilles of his Honor--the higher prize Achilles fought for. And now Athena descends once again, assuming the form of a Gold 45 Goddess, to inspire you along your epic journey of heroic endeavour.
Modeling shirts, caps, hats, and beanies with the black 45surf surfboard! Beside Surfrider's Beach in Malibu!
ALL THE BEST on your Epic Hero's Journey from Johnny Ranger McCoy!
Abbotsford has a pretty good lineup every year; it's a shame the light is so bad, and crowd line is so far from show center.
Small Group Discussion: U.S. Youth Employment Action Network: A New Mentoring Framework
For an increasing number of American youth, entering the workforce is far more challenging than they expected. Over the last several years, the unemployment rate for youth aged 16–19 has hovered around 20 percent, and a variety of sectors report being unable to fill available jobs due to applicants having insufficient skills. This growing misalignment between the demand and supply for skills means that young people will continue to be underemployed over the next decade, with young Americans aged 20–24 losing an estimated $21.4 billion in earnings. Mentoring—the pairing of a young person with a supportive nonparental adult or older peer—can prepare youth for a successful adulthood by allowing them to explore various professions, develop their skills, and stay engaged academically as they prepare for a career.
In this session, participants will:
• Learn about new mentoring models to support youth employability.
• Examine effective tools, curriculum, and methods of measurement for successful mentoring programs.
• Share best practices and lessons learned for how to provide comprehensive and culturally competent mentoring programs.
PARTICIPANTS:
Sandra Louk LaFleur, National Vice President of Program, Summer Search
Torie Weiston-Serdan, Chief Executive Officer, Youth Mentoring Action Network
We both had Christmas parties to attend but didn't want to arrive at the parties hungry, and we wanted to eat a balanced meal TOGETHER as a couple. We went to Cafe 121, our favorite local Chinese restaurant. Afterwards we had some quiet time together in each other's arms on my couch. Leslie Anne went to her TriEss Party, and I partied with the Houston Covergirls until well past 3am. My girl always spends Christmas with her family in Pittsburgh. She lost her father right after Easter, so it is important for her to see her mother and brother. My own parents left this world many years ago. Christmas symbolizes the renewal of life and spirit. I have faith that God will unite us again.
Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!
Joyeux Noel!
Froehliche Weihnachten!
S' Rozhdestvom Kristovym!
from Stephanie and Leslie Anne
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Allah’s peace be upon Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), the glorious Prophet of Islam, and on his Companions and his followers.
TASAWWUF
"There is no doubt that Tasawwuf is an important branch of Islam. The word itself may have been derived form the Arabic word "Soof" (Wool) or from "Safa" (cleanliness), but its foundation lies in one’s personal sincerity in seeking Allah’s nearness and trying to live a life pleasing to Him. Study of the Quran, the Hadith, and the practical life of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his faithful Companions provide unmistakable support to this reality." (Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A)
SUFISM, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ISLAM
Doubts exist not only in the minds of the Muslim faithful but also among the Ulema, notably the exoteric about Tasawwuf and its votaries. Often they lead to misunderstanding, as if Shariah and Tariqah were two separate entries, or that Tasawwuf was some obscure discipline foreign to Islam, or that it was altogether above the established laws and injunctions of our Religion. To help remove these misgivings and to reassure seekers, as well as scholars, our Sheikh Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), Sheikh Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia, wrote Al-Jamal Wal Kamal, Aqaid-O-Kamalaat Ulmai-e-Deoband, Binat-e-Rasool (S.A.W), Daamad-e-Ali (R.A), Dalael-us-Salook, Ejaad-e-Mazhab Shia, Hayat-un-Nabi (S.A.W), Hayat Barzakhia, Ilm-o-Irfan, Niffaz-e-Shariat Aur Fiqah-e-Jaferia, Saif-e-Owaisi, Shikast-e-Ahdai Hussain and Tahkeek Halal Haram books.
BIOGRAPHY
Sheikh Allah Yar Khan was born in Chakrala, a remote village of Mianwali District of Pakistan, in 1904. He completed his religious education in 1934. The very year, he met Shaykh Abdul Rahim, who took him to the shrine of Shaykh Allah Deen Madni. By Divine Will his spiritual connection was right away established with the saint of the 10th century Hijra (sixteenth century) and he started receiving spiritual beneficence. His sublime education in Sufism, signifying progressive spiritual growth and advancement, continued for about twenty-five years. In 1962 he was directed to carry out the propagation of Prophetic blessings - a noble mission that he accomplished with singular enthusiasm and devotion for a period spanning half a century. Anybody who visited him was duly rewarded with a share of spiritual bliss as per his/her sincerity and capacity. Shaykh Allah Yar Khan's mission produced men and women of deep spiritual vision and distinction.
Although Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A) have lived a major portion of his life as a scholar, with the avowed mission of illuminating the truth of Islam and the negation of fallacious sects, and this would appear quite removed from Tasawwuf, yet the only practical difference between the two, namely the use of the former as a media to expound the truth, and the latter to imbue people with positive faith. Nevertheless, people are amazed that a man, who until the other day, was known as a dialectician and a preacher of Islam, is not only talking of Mystic Path, but is also claiming spiritual bonds with the veteran Sufi Masters of the Past. This amazement is obviously out of place in the view of Quranic injunction: This is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills. (62:4)
THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL
The purification of the soul always formed part of the main mission of the Prophets; that is, the dissemination and propagation of the Devine Message. This responsibility later fell directly on the shoulders of the true Ulema in the Ummah of the last Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), who, as his genuine successors, have continued to shed brave light in every Dark Age of materialism and sacrilege. In the present age of ruinous confusion, the importance of this responsibility has increased manifold; of the utter neglect of Islam by Muslims has not only driven them to misery, but also grievously weakened their bonds of faith in Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). The decay in their belief and consequent perversion in their conduct has reached a stage that any attempt to pull them out of the depth of ignominy and the heedless chaos of faithlessness, attracts grave uncertainties and apprehensions rather than a encouraging will to follow the Shariah, to purify the soul and to reform within. The Quranic Verse: Layers upon layers of darkness… (24:40) provides the nearest expression of their present state.
SHARIAH & SUFISM
Any action against the Sunnah (Prophet’s way of life) cannot be called Sufism. Singing and dancing, and the prostration on tombs are not part of Sufism. Nor is predicting the future and predicting the outcome of cases in the courts of law, a part of Sufism. Sufis are not required to abandon their worldly possessions or live in the wilderness far from the practical world. In fact these absurdities are just its opposites. It is an established fact that Tazkiyah (soul purification) stands for that inner purity which inspires a person’s spirit to obey the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). If a false claimant of Sufism teaches tricks and jugglery, ignoring religious obligations, he is an impostor. A true Sheikh will lead a believer to the august spiritual audience of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). If you are fortunate enough to be blessed with the company of an accomplished spiritual guide and Sheikh of Sufism, and if you follow his instructions, you will observe a positive change in yourself, transferring you from vice to virtue.
ISLAM, AS A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE
Islam, as a complete code of life or Deen, was perfected during the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). He was the sole teacher and his mosque was the core institution for the community. Although Islam in its entirety was practiced during that blessed era, the classification and compilation of its knowledge into distinct branches like ‘Tafsir’ (interpretation of the Quran), Hadith (traditions or sayings of the holy Prophet- SAWS), Fiqh (Islamic law), and Sufism (the soul purification) were undertaken subsequently. This Deen of Allah passed from the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to his illustrious Companions in two ways: the outward and the inward. The former comprised the knowledge defined by speech and conduct, i.e., the Quran and Sunnah. The latter comprised the invisible blessings or the Prophetic lights transmitted by his blessed self. These blessings purified the hearts and instilled in them a passionate desire to follow Islam with utmost love, honesty and loyalty.
WHAT’S SUFISM
Sufism is the attempt to attain these Barakah (Blessings). The Companions handed down Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) teachings as well as blessings to the Taba’een. Their strong hearts were capable of infusing these blessings into the hearts of their followers. Both aspects of Islam were similarly passed on by the Taba’een to the Taba Taba’een. The compilation of knowledge and its interpretation led to the establishment of many schools of religious thought; famous four being the Hanafi, the Hanbali, the Maliki, and the Shafa'i, all named after their founders. Similarly, in order to acquire, safeguard and distribute his blessings, an organized effort was initiated by four schools of Sufism: The Naqshbandia, the Qadria, the Chishtia, and the Suharwardia. These schools were also named after their organizers and came to be known as Sufi Orders. All these Orders intend to purify the hearts of sincere Muslims with Prophetic lights. These Sufi Orders also grew into many branches with the passage of time and are known by other names as well. The holy Quran has linked success in this life and the Hereafter with Tazkiyah (soul purification). He, who purified, is successful. (87: 14) Sufi Orders of Islam are the institutions where the basics of Tazkiyah (soul purification) and its practical application are taught. They have graded programs in which every new seeker is instructed in Zikr-e Lisani (oral Zikr) and is finally taught the Zikr-e Qalbi (Remembrance in heart).
ZIKR-E QALBI
However, in the Naqshbandia Order, Zikr-e Qalbi is practiced from the very beginning. Adherence to the Sunnah (Prophet’s way of life) is greatly emphasized in this Order, because the seeker achieves greater and quicker progress through its blessings. The essence of Zikr is that the Qalb should sincerely accept Islamic beliefs and gain the strength to follow the Sunnah with even greater devotion. ‘If the heart is acquainted with Allah and is engaged in His Zikr; then it is filled with Barakaat-e Nabuwwat (Prophetic blessings) which infuse their purity in the mind and body. This not only helps in controlling sensual drives but also removes traces of abhorrence, voracity, envy and insecurity from human soul. The person therefore becomes an embodiment of love, both for the Divine and the corporeal. This is the meaning of a Hadith, “There is a lump of flesh in the human body; if it goes astray the entire body is misguided, and if it is reformed the entire body is reformed. Know that this lump is the Qalb”.’
PAS ANFAS
Recent History Khawajah Naqshband (d. 1389 CE) organized the Naqshbandia Order at Bukhara (Central Asia). This Order has two main branches – the Mujaddidia and the Owaisiah. The former is identified with Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi, known as Mujaddid Alif Sani (literally: reviver of the second Muslim millennium), a successor to Khawajah Baqi Billah, who introduced the Order to the Indo- Pakistan sub-continent. The Owaisiah Order employs a similar method of Zikr but acquires the Prophetic blessings in the manner of Khawajah Owais Qarni, who received this beneficence from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) without a formal physical meeting. The Zikr employed by the Naqshbandia is ‘Zikr-e Khafi Qalbi’ (remembrance of Allah’s Name within the heart) and the method is termed ‘Pas Anfas’, which (in Persian) means guarding every breath. The Chain of Transmission of these Barakah, of course, emanates from the holy Prophet- SAWS.
SPIRITUAL BAI’AT (OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
It is necessary in all Sufi Orders that the Sheikh and the seekers must be contemporaries and must physically meet each other for the transfer of these blessings. However, the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order goes beyond this requirement and Sufis of this Order receive these Barakah regardless of physical meeting with their Sheikh or even when the Sheikh is not their contemporary. Yet, it must be underscored that physical meeting with the Sheikh of this Order still holds great importance in dissemination of these Barakah. Sheikh Sirhindi writes about the Owaisiah Order in his book ‘Tazkirah’: ‘It is the most sublime, the most exalted, and the most effective…and the highest station of all others is only its stepping stone.’ By far the greatest singular distinction of the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order is the honor of Spiritual Bai’at (Oath of Allegiance) directly at the blessed hands of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
SHEIKH HAZRAT MOULANA ALLAH YAR KHAN (R.A)
The Reviver Sheikh Allah Yar Khan was born in Chikrala, a remote village of Mianwali District of Pakistan, in 1904. He completed his religious education in 1934. The same year, he met Sheikh ‘Abdul Rahim, who took him to the shrine of Sheikh Allah Deen Madni. By Divine Will his spiritual connection was immediately established with the saint of the 10th century Hijra (sixteenth century CE) and he started receiving spiritual beneficence. His sublime education in Sufism, signifying progressive spiritual growth and advancement, continued for about twenty-five years, after which he was directed to undertake the propagation of Prophetic blessings - a noble mission that he accomplished with singular zeal and dedication for a period spanning half a century. Anybody who visited him was duly rewarded with a share of spiritual bliss commensurate with his/her sincerity and capacity. Sheikh Allah Yar Khan’s mission produced men and women of deep spiritual vision and eminence. He authored eighteen books, the most distinguished being Dalael us-Sulook (Sufism - An Objective Appraisal), Hayat-e Barzakhiah (Life Beyond Life) and Israr ul- Haramain (Secrets of the two holy Mosques). He was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished Sufi saints of the Muslim Ummah and a reviver of the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order. He passed away on 18 February 1984 in Islamabad at the age of eighty.
THE CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION OF NAQSHBANDIA OWAISIAH
1. Hazrat Muhammad ur-Rasool Allah (Sall Allah-o Alaihi wa Sallam), 2. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radhi Allah-o Unho), 3. Hazrat Imam Hassan Basri (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 4. Hazrat Daud Tai (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 5. Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 6. Hazrat Ubaid Ullah Ahrar (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 7. Hazrat Abdur Rahman Jami (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 8. Hazrat Abu Ayub Muhammad Salih (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 9. Hazrat Allah Deen Madni (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 10. Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi).
THE SPIRIT OR RUH
The spirit or Ruh of every person is a created reflection of the Divine Attributes and it originates in Alam-e Amar (Realm of Command). Its food is the Light of Allah or the Divine Refulgence, which it acquires from the Realm of Command through the holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s choicest favors and peace be upon him), whose status in the spiritual world is like that of the sun in the solar system. The Quran refers to him as the ‘bright lamp’. Indeed, he is the divinely selected channel of all Barakah. All Exalted Messengers themselves receive these Barakah from him.
LATAIF
The human Ruh also possesses vital organs like the physical body; through which it acquires its knowledge, food and energy. These are called Lataif (singular Latifah: subtlety). Scholars of various Sufi Orders have associated them with specific areas of the human body. The Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order identifies these Lataif as follows. First - Qalb: This spiritual faculty is located within the physical heart. Its function is Zikr. Its strength increases one’s capacity for Allah’s Zikr. Second – Ruh: The site of this Latifah, which is a distinct faculty of the human Ruh, is on the right side of the chest at the level of Qalb. Its primary function is concentration towards Allah. Third – Sirri: This is located above the Qalb and functions to make possible Kashf. Forth – Khaffi: This is located above the Ruh and functions to perceive the omnipresence of Allah. Fifth – Akhfa: This is located in the middle of chest, at the centre of the first four Lataif and makes it possible for the Ruh to perceive the closeness of Allah, Who is closer to us than our own selves. Sixth – Nafs: This Latifah is located at the forehead and functions to purify the human soul. Seventh – Sultan al-Azkar: This Latifah is located at the top centre of the head and serves to absorb the Barakah of Allah into the entire body, so that every cell resonates with Zikr.
FIVE EXALTED MESSENGERS OF GOD
There are Five Exalted Messengers among the many known and unknown Messengers of Allah. They are Hazrat Muhammad, Hazrat Nuh (Noah), Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham), Hazrat Musa (Moses), and Hazrat Esa (Jesus), peace be upon them all. Hazrat Adam is the first Prophet of Allah and the father of mankind. Each Latifah is associated with a particular Prophet. The Barakah and lights from Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him), descend on the first Latifah Qalb; its lights are reflected from the first heaven and are yellowish. The second Latifah is associated with Hazrat Nuh and Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon them). Its lights descend from the second heaven and appear as golden red. The lights descending upon the third Latifah are from Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) and are white. One the fourth Latifah, the lights of Hazrat Esa (peace be upon him) descend from the fourth heaven and are deep blue. The fifth Latifah receives its Barakah directly from the holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s choicest favors and peace be upon him). The lights associated with this Latifah are green, descend from the fifth heaven, and overwhelm all the first four Lataif. The Lights descending upon the sixth and seventh Lataif are the Divine Lights, whose color and condition cannot be determined. These are like flashes of lightening that defy comprehension. If Allah blesses a seeker with Kashf, he can observe all of this. The vision is slightly diffused in the beginning, but gradually the clarity improves.
SULOOK
Stages of the Path After all seven Lataif of a seeker have been illuminated with Divine Lights through Tawajjuh of the Sheikh and his Ruh has acquired the ability to fly, the Sheikh initiates its journey on the sublime Path of Divine nearness. The Path is known as Sulook, and its stages are not hypothetical imaginations but real and actually existing stations on the spiritual Path. These are also referred to as Meditations, because a seeker mentally meditates about a station while his/her Ruh actually ascends towards it. The first three stations that form the base of whole Sulook are described as; Ahadiyyat, a station of Absolute Unity of Divinity. It is above and beyond the seven heavens. It is so vast a station that the seven heavens and all that they encompass are lost within Ahadiyyat as a ring is lost in a vast desert. Its lights are white in color. Maiyyat station denotes Divine Company, ‘He is with you, wherever you might be.’ This station is so vast that Ahadiyyat along with the seven heavens beneath are lost within it as a ring is lost in a desert. Its lights are green in color. Aqrabiyyat station denotes Divine Nearness, ‘He is nearer to you than your life- vein.’ Again, Aqrabiyyat is vast as compared to Maiyyat in the same proportion. Its lights are golden red and are reflected from the Divine Throne. It is indeed the greatest favor of Almighty Allah that He blesses a seeker with an accomplished Sheikh, who takes him to these sublime stations. The final station that a seeker attains to during his/her lifetime becomes his/her Iliyyeen (blessed abode) in Barzakh and his/her Ruh stays at this station after death.
ZIKR
Why is Zikr Necessary for Everyone? Allah ordains every soul in the Quran to Perform Zikr. This not only means reciting the Quran and Tasbeeh but also Zikr-e Qalb. It is only through Zikr-e Qalbi that Prophetic Lights reach the depths of human soul and purify it from all vice and evil. Zikr infuses a realization of constant Divine Presence and a seeker feels great improvement in the level of sincerity and love towards Allah and the holy Prophet- SAWS. Such levels of sincerity, love and feelings of Divine Presence can never be obtained without Zikr. It would be a mistake to believe that Zikr may be a requirement only for the very pious and virtuous people. Zikr provides the Prophetic blessings which are in effect the life line of every human soul. It transforms even the most corrupted humans into virtuous souls by bringing out the best in them. The fact is that Zikr is the only way to achieve true contentment and satisfaction in life. The holy Quran has pointed to this eternal fact that it is only through Zikr Allah that hearts can find satisfaction. Such satisfaction and peace are the ultimate requirements of every person, regardless of religion, race and ethnicity. Practicing Zikr regularly removes all traces of anxiety and restlessness, and guides the human soul to eternal bliss and peace.
KHALIFA MAJAZEEN
Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), during his life time in 1974, presented a nomination list to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), during Maraqba, of expected Khalifa Majazeen for Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) approved some names, deleted some of the names, and added down the name of Major Ghulam Muhammad as also Khalifa Majaaz of Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia (which was not previously included in the list)
The approved names at that time included:
1. Mr. Muhammad Akram Awan Sahib,
2. Mr. Sayed Bunyad Hussain Shah Sahib,
3. Mr. Major Ahsan Baig Sahib,
4. Mr. Col. Matloob Hussain Sahib,
5. Mr. Major Ghulam Muhammad Sahib of Wan Bhachran Mianwali,
6. Mr. Molvi Abdul Haq Sahib,
7. Mr. Hafiz Abdul Razzaq Sahib,
8. Mr. Hafiz Ghulam Qadri Sahib,
9. Mr. Khan Muhammad Irani Sahib,
10. Mr. Maolana Abdul Ghafoor Sahib,
11. Mr. Syed Muhammad Hassan Sahib of Zohb.
These Majazeen were authorized to; held Majalis of Zikar (Pas Anfas) in their respective areas, arrange Majalis of Zikar in neighboring areas, train them on the way of Sulook, prepare them for Spiritual Bai’at (Oath of Allegiance), and present them to Sheikh Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan for Spiritual Bai’at at the Hand of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), in the life of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), and were all equal in status as Khalifa Majaaz of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A).
Presently we are following Hazrat Major ® Ghulam Muhammad Sahib, Khalifa Majaaz of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A).
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A fantastic classic '67 Chevelle Super Sport; what a restoration job on this baby! Truly a pleasure to photograph and drive. I love the storm clouds in the background adding a touch of the ominous...
For you guys and gals into the juicy details this an all original steel, frame off nut and bolt restoration, with a Muncie 4-speed tranny with original linkage and 12 bolt rear end with 331 gear ratio.
This baby has been detailed inside and out (check out the engine in the next photo!) Re-chromed and painted to look absolutely stunning, and of course the Craggar SS Wheels in 17x8 in front and 17x9 out back finish off this sweet little package.
If you dig muscle cars you gotta check out the video and extra photo galleries of this supa-fly 1967 Chevelle SS 396
This Hubble image features a massive cluster of brightly glowing galaxies, first identified as Abell 3192. Like all galaxy clusters, this one is suffused with hot gas that emits powerful X-rays, and it is enveloped in a halo of invisible dark matter. All this unseen material – not to mention the many galaxies visible in this image – comprises such a huge amount of mass that the galaxy cluster noticeably curves spacetime around it, making it into a gravitational lens. Smaller galaxies behind the cluster appear distorted into long, warped arcs around the cluster’s edges.
The galaxy cluster is in the constellation Eridanus, but the question of its distance from Earth is a more complicated one. Abell 3192 was originally documented in the 1989 update of the Abell catalog of galaxy clusters that was first published in 1958. At that time, Abell 3192 was thought to comprise a single cluster of galaxies, concentrated at a single distance. However, further research revealed something surprising: the cluster’s mass seemed to be densest at two distinct points rather than one.
It was subsequently shown that the original Abell cluster is actually comprised of two independent galaxy clusters – a foreground group around 2.3 billion light-years from Earth, and another group at the greater distance of about 5.4 billion light-years from our planet. The more distant galaxy cluster, included in the Massive Cluster Survey as MCS J0358.8-2955, is central in this image. The two galaxy groups are thought to have masses equivalent to around 30 trillion and 120 trillion times the mass of the Sun, respectively. Both of the two largest galaxies at the center of this image are part of MCS J0358.8-2955; the smaller galaxies you see here, however, are a mixture of the two groups within Abell 3192.
Text credit: European Space Agency
Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, G. Smith, H. Ebeling, D. Coe
For more information: science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/hubble-views-a-double-cl...
The translucent red and yellow sculpture is on the"Fourth Plinth". The Fourth Plinth is in the north-west of Trafalgar Square, in central London. Built in 1841, it was originally intended for an equestrian statue but was empty for many years. It is now the location for specially commissioned art works. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the next two commissions to be placed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, to follow Thomas Schütte's 'Model for a Hotel 2007'. The winning artists are:
* Antony Gormley
* Yinka Shonibare MBE
Antony Gormley’s proposal 'One and Other' will be looking for 2,400 members of the public to occupy the Fourth Plinth 24 hours a day at a later date. The registration process will be announced in due course, so you are advised to continue to check this website for further details on how to take part.
Here are some quotes from the current Wikipedia article on Trafalgar Square:
"Trafalgar Square is a square in central London, England. With its position in the heart of London, it is a tourist attraction; its trademark is Nelson's Column which stands in the centre and the four lion statues that guard the column. Statues and sculptures are on display in the square, including a fourth plinth displaying changing pieces of contemporary art, and it is a site of political demonstrations. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars. The original name was to have been "King William the Fourth's Square", but George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name "Trafalgar Square".
The northern area of the square had been the site of the King's Mews since the time of Edward I, while the southern end was the original Charing Cross, where the Strand from the City met Whitehall, coming north from Westminster. As the midpoint between these twin cities, Charing Cross is to this day considered the heart of London, from which all distances are measured. In the 1820s the Prince Regent engaged the landscape architect John Nash to redevelop the area. Nash cleared the square as part of his Charing Cross Improvement Scheme. The present architecture of the square is due to Sir Charles Barry and was completed in 1845.
The square consists of a large central area surrounded by roadways on three sides, and stairs leading to the National Gallery on the other. The roads which cross the square form part of the A4 road, and prior to 2003, the square was surrounded by a one-way traffic system. Underpasses attached to Charing Cross tube station allow pedestrians to avoid traffic. Recent works have reduced the width of the roads and closed the northern side of the square to traffic. Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square, surrounded by fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939 (replacing two earlier fountains of Peterhead granite, now at the Wascana Centre and Confederation Park in Canada) and four huge bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer; the metal used is said to have been recycled from the cannon of the French fleet. The column is topped by a statue of Horatio, Viscount Nelson, the admiral who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar.
On the north side of the square is the National Gallery and to its east the St Martin's-in-the-Fields church. The square adjoins The Mall via Admiralty Arch to the southwest. To the south is Whitehall, to the east Strand and South Africa House, to the north Charing Cross Road and on the west side Canada House. At the corners of the square are four plinths; the two northern ones were intended for equestrian statues, and thus are wider than the two southern. Three of them hold statues: George IV (northeast, 1840s), Henry Havelock (southeast, 1861, by William Behnes), and Sir Charles James Napier (southwest, 1855). Mayor of London Ken Livingstone controversially expressed a desire to see the two generals replaced with statues "ordinary Londoners would know".[1]
On the lawn in front of the National Gallery are two statues, James II to the west of the entrance portico and George Washington to the east. The latter statue, a gift from the state of Virginia, stands on soil imported from the United States. This was done in order to honour Washington's declaration he would never again set foot on British soil. In 1888 the statue of General Charles George Gordon was erected. In 1943 the statue was removed and, in 1953, re-sited on the Victoria Embankment. A bust of the Second World War First Sea Lord Admiral Cunningham by Franta Belsky was unveiled in Trafalgar Square on 2 April 1967 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.[3]
The Square has become a social and political location for visitors and Londoners alike, developing over its history from "an esplanade peopled with figures of national heroes, into the country’s foremost place politique," as historian Rodney Mace has written. Its symbolic importance was demonstrated in 1940 when the Nazi SS developed secret plans to transfer Nelson's Column to Berlin following an expected German invasion, as related by Norman Longmate in If Britain Had Fallen (1972)."