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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).
I made this card for this week's Unity Stamp Company Challenge.
For the details check out my blog at thecraftycorgi.blogspot.com/p/unity-stamp-co-challenge.html
In 2009, the Rhondda Cynon Taff local authority, in conjunction with the Arts Council of Wales, erected a new piece of public sculpture just outside Pontypridd. Christened Unity, the sculpture stands on land beside the Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, and is intended to bring new visitors into one of South Wales' most exploited and neglected former mining towns. The sculpture represents three aspects of Pontypridd's heritage: the town's famous bridge, the mines that populated the town in the 1800's and 1900's, and the way that the British fleet relied on both coal and locally-manufactured chains.
Unity or Lunacy? You decide.
The sculpture is largely invisible to anyone travelling up the major road from Cardiff until you've passed the turn-off for Pontypridd, which limits its ability to draw passing tourists into the town. In common with both RCT and Cardiff's local authority, there's no memory of the Glamorganshire Canal incorporated into the sculpture - without the canal, the Chainworks would never have come to Pontypridd in 1816. And there's no incorporation either of the Taff Vale Railway, still in operation today and visible from the site of the sculpture.
Time will tell whether this piece of public sculpture will be an asset or a communist-red (as opposed to white) elephant for the town, but it seems unlikely to become as iconic a piece as the Angel Of The North.
Copyright (c) Stuart Herbert. Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Photography: Merthyr Road | Daily Desktop Wallpaper | 25x9 | Twitter.
If you like this photo, please leave a comment or mark it as one of your favourites.
Want to know more about this photo? See this blog entry:
How to install Unity Tweak Tool on Ubuntu desktop
If you would like to use this photo, be sure to place a proper attribution linking to Ask Xmodulo
Unity, By Simon Donovan and Ben Olmstead, Tucson, AZ
"For the Grant Road Improvement Project Phase 2, Simon Donovan & Ben Olmstead were selected to complete artwork for the project. The sculpture they created is called Unity and is comprised of five figures, three female, two male. Each one is approximately 10 feet tall. They stand in a circle facing outward, holding hands and leaning far forward. They would tumble forward if not for the cooperation, trust, and collective effort that is required in forming an unbroken ring. Thus the title "Unity".
"The sculpture is made of hundreds of parallel, vertically aligned stainless steel plates, each held 1 inch apart. The result is a study of figures with a shifting perception of form as one moves around the sculpture. Additionally, it will be illuminated with amber colored LED lights at night."
My latest
Unity chalice:
Earth...clay
Wood...aspen collar
Metal...brass corners and feet
Water...water in glass container in bowl
Fire...lit tea light floating in water
Pyramid base gives it pyramid power and each face represents a season and a direction
Base of pyramid is square, corners and faces are triangles, bowl is round bringing in the cosmic shapes of Triangle Circle and Square.
Base of pyramid is green which represents abundance
Aspen collar adds a colorado home feeling
Tradtional Japanese Raku fired with Western raku twist. .... East meet West and old meets new
Kintsukuroi ....the crack which happened during firing is highlighted with gold as opposed to trying to hide its flaws
Body of pyramid is hollow with a false bottom to store away prayers, wishes, poems, ashes, bones
And other such relics.
This a photo of the fruit salad I made the other morning. I like making detailed and unified food dishes.
The external cladding of the Unity building is arranged in a "dazzle" camouflage pattern based on that applied to ships on the Mersey during the war.
The top of the Unity building features a distinctive box structure containing two penthouses. I don't see how this is as a natural development of the architecture below but it gives the building a strong visual identity on the skyline.
The Unity Building
architects : Allford Hall Monaghan and Morris
completed 2006
COPYRIGHT © Towner Images
UNITY photographed in Tilbury Docks on 26 July 1980.
480 grt; 625 dwt
Built: 1952 by Martenshoekster Scheepsbouw NV, Martenshoek, Netherlands. Yard no 77, as OLIVER VAN NOORD
GRT : 460 / DWT: 625
Dimensions : Length : 51.5 metres x Beam : 8.4metres.
Main engine: six-cylinder, four-stroke Appingedammer Brons 6EF of 350 bhp. Speed: 10 knots.
History
1952 : Built for Scheepvaart Kantoor Liberg, Rotterdam, Netherlands as OLIVIER VAN NOORT. Port of Registry Raamsdonksveer
1970 : Sold to Rederij Viking CvoA, Netherlands and renamed CAPRICORN. Port of Registry Willenstad
1972 :Sold to Bulk Cargo Handling Services Ltd and renamed SEAFORTH TRADER. Port of registry Liverpool
1975 : Sold to Benlow Shipping Co Ltd and renamed BENLOW TRADER. Port of registry Liverpool
1975 : Sold to St.Swithins Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ARGUS PROGRESS .Port of registry Liverpool
1978 : Sold to Marine Management Corp and renamed LEK UNITY. Port of Registry Singapore.
1979 : Renamed UNITY by owners Marine Management Corp and Port of Registry changed to Panama.(as shown in photo)
1985 : Sold for breaking up in Israel.
Pontypridd's Unity sculpture looking resplendent following a recent repaint.
The sculpture was designed by Andy Hazell and installed in 2009. It represents three iconic parts of Pontypridd's history. First, the depiction of the old bridge, engineered in 1756 by William Edwards. Second, the railway - once Pontypridd had one of the longest railway platforms in the country and was one of the busiest as coal ("black gold") was transported down to the sea from the many collieries to the north of Pontypridd. Third, the bow of the ship represents both the coal that fuelled the naval fleet and the Brown Lenox chainworks which stood nearby, and supplied chains to Isambard Kingdom Brunel and others.
R470YDT - Scania L94IB with Irizar Intercentury coachwork.
New to Cattermole (Z Cars), Bristol in 1998.
Unity Coaches, Retford.
In Cleethorpes.
OS: Ubuntu 11.04/ gnome - unity
Gtk:Equinox evolucion
Bordes: Faenza-X-Sand
Icon:Faenza
Wallpaper: no se donde lo saque pero si quieren lo subo
Conky
Opps.. I completely forgot to upload this pic from Commercial street. As always he was very much interested in our cameras and work. He is one of those big shop owners there in Commercial street. He talked to us about various things in bangalore. He talked about Hindu-Muslim unity at commercial street. He also told about how many times politicians have tried to break their unity here but those were mere unsuccessful attempts only.
A 130-year-old edition of Unity, the newspaper of the Western Unitarian Conference, which had been included in the 1884 time capsule.
Photographs © 2014 Sonja L. Cohen. From Christopher L. Walton’s article “UUA holds farewell ceremony for 25 Beacon St.” (uuworld.org, 3.3.14)
(Photo is the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association.)
I think this speaks for itself.
Soon to be released as Unity Core, a command line interface distribution 115MB in size using 10MB of total memory. But will it install? We've custom written an installer in bash based on Mandriva's installer so that you can boot to a cli live disk and install it. Available at a Unity Linux website near you soon.
A celebration of UNITY BLUE BALL MARKS ITS 15TH YEAR WITH PARTIES AND FUND-RAISING FOR GAY GROUPS.
By Christine Ma INQUIRER STAFF WRITER (see link at end)
Posted: January 28, 2005
In 1991, a handful of supporters gathered for a single night at the first Blue Ball celebration to raise money for AIDS awareness.
Starting tonight, thousands of partyers from around the country will be dancing the weekend away, as Blue Ball Philadelphia celebrates its 15th year of supporting the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
And as the event's success has grown, so has its appeal.
"It's a welcoming environment," said Matthew Ray, cochairman of marketing, advertising, public relations and media relations at the Sapphire Fund, the parent organization of Blue Ball since 2002. "It's definitely a very high-energy event."
Now spanning three nights and several nightclubs, the all-volunteer event has raised more than $1.25 million for various organizations. With this year's "Unite!" theme, the group hopes to exceed $100,000, the total from last year's event, Ray said.
And for the second straight year, the weekend's showcase event will be held at the National Constitution Center, a venue some say is ideal.
"It makes a statement, as a declaration of our role as citizens of Philadelphia," said Mark Blecher, president of the Sapphire Fund. "It's a great place. We think that it is a very significant space in terms of what it represents."
But Derek Seder, a previous attendee of Blue Ball, found the venue to be in stark contrast with the state of gay rights in the country.
"It's funny how we're here [at the National Constitution Center] and that people are trying to write us out of the Constitution," he said.
Seder, a doctoral student in psychology at Temple University, understands the importance of supporting Blue Ball's cause. He works as a psychotherapist at the Mazzoni Center, which provides medical, mental-health and education services to the city's LGBT community.
While the main event focuses on dancing, "these parties tend to be more for everyone to have a good time," Seder said.
Blue Ball was created by volunteers in Philadelphia to fund the AIDS Library, a database for information, treatments and resources about the disease. The event has since expanded to assist all nonprofit agencies that support the gay community.
Blecher said that when Philadelphia Fight, which had been the Blue Ball's organizer, decided to stop producing the annual fund-raiser, members of the gay community formed the Sapphire Fund. The nonprofit group is now dedicated to keeping the tradition and, more important, philanthropy of the event alive.
"We're here to support the gay community and to stay on top of the changing needs of the community and how Blue Ball needs to change to meet those needs," Blecher said.
About 6,000 people are expected to join the fun this weekend, and about 2,000 are expected at the main event.
"Most people are in a celebratory spirit, but it's also friendly because it draws people from around the country, and it draws people out who normally don't do the club scene," Ray said. "It's a great way to meet new people and to get reacquainted with old friends."
Tonight at 9, Blue Ball will begin with DJ Alyson Calagna at the "ShamBlue" party at the Shampoo nightclub. The main event, "Unite!," will return to the National Constitution Center on Saturday. DJ Tony Moran will work the turntables from 10 p.m. to dawn.
Post-parties will keep the celebration going. Revelers can head to the Cobalt event at the Pure nightclub following "Unite!" to dance to the mixes of DJ Billy Carroll. The festivities will close Sunday with DJ Lydia Prim at the "Release" party at the Trocadero Theatre from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and with international favorite DJ Junior Vasquez at the Metallic Blue party afterwards at Transit Nightclub, which will run until 10 a.m.
In between the celebrations, the William Way Community Center will offer a screening of Gay Pioneers from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten, the documentary tells the story of organized gay-rights demonstrations held from 1965 to 1969, a time when homophobia was widespread. The film includes footage from protests in Philadelphia.
Everyone is welcome at any of the events, and tickets will be sold at the door. A host pass that allows entry into "ShamBlue," "Unite!" and "Release" also is available for $140.
Over the last 15 years, Ray said, the Blue Ball has earned cooperation and support for Philadelphia's LGBT community from individuals and groups around the city and state.
"We hope to move in the direction of a community party and open doors to friends and supporters of the gay and lesbian community, to be a melting pot where everyone can come together."
Contact staff writer Christine Ma
at 215-854-2553 or cma@phillynews.com.
Blue Ball Schedule
Host passes can be purchased for $140 at the welcome center at the Loews Hotel, from 4 to 9 tonight and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Passes include entry to "ShamBlue," "Unite!" and "Release" events, the Gay Pioneers screening, and a special gift bag. Individual tickets to all events are available, and can also be purchased at the events. For more information go to www.blueballphilly.com.
Tonight
ShamBlue
9 p.m. to dawn at Shampoo,
Eighth and Callowhill Streets.
Tickets: Free with host pass; $20 at door.
Phone: 215-922-7500.
Saturday
"Gay Pioneers" screening,
3 to 4 p.m. at William Way Community Center,
1315 Spruce St.
Tickets: Limited seating. Free with host pass; $10 at door.
Phone: 215-732-2220.
Unite!
10 p.m. to dawn at the National Constitution Center,
Sixth and Arch Streets.
Tickets: Free with host pass; $85 at door.
Phone: 215-409-6600.
Cobalt
After "Unite!" at Pure,
13th and St. James Streets.
Tickets: $30.
Phone: 215-735-5772.
Sunday
Release
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Trocadero Theatre,
1003 Arch St.
Tickets: Free with host pass; $50 at door.
Phone: 215-922-5483.
Metallic Blue
After "Release" at Transit,
Sixth and Spring Garden Streets. Tickets: $25.
Phone: 215-925-8878.
Proceeds from the Blue Ball will go to the William Way Community Center, which offers programs for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, which provides legal services and advocacy for gays and lesbians; and St. Mary's Family Respite Center, which provides child-care services to children and families living with HIV/AIDS.
articles.philly.com/2005-01-28/entertainment/25435771_1_g...
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Unity, Valiant. These were the first Valiant books I ever bought back when they came out. Fortunately now the pre-unity books are much cheaper than they were back in the 90s.
May 12, 2019 - Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple located at 875 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois. "Commissioned by the congregation of Oak Park Unity Church in 1905, Wright’s Unity Temple is the greatest public building of the architect’s Chicago years. Wright’s family on his mother’s side were Welsh Unitarians, and his uncle Jenkin Lloyd Jones was a distinguished Unitarian preacher with a parish on Chicago’s south side where Wright and his wife Catherine were married. Wright identified with the rational humanism of Unitarianism, particularly as influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendentalism, uniting all beings as one with the divine presence.
Wright’s father had been a Universalist preacher. With their emphasis on a loving God, Universalists were early advocates of abolitionism and were the first church to ordain women. In 1886 Universalist Augusta Chapin became minister of the Oak Park Unity Church, attracting new members to the congregation including Frank Lloyd Wright’s mother Anna. Unitarian Universalist minister Rodney Johonnot succeeded Chapin when she joined the Parliament of World Religions in 1893. A lawyer and graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Johonnot was known for his liberal views, even more extreme than those of Jenkin Lloyd Jones with whom he sometimes took issue.
When Unity Church burned to the ground in June 1905, Wright was awarded the commission, and in 1906 Johonnot published a booklet titled, A New Edifice for Unity Church. He wanted a modern building that would embody the principles of “unity, truth, beauty, simplicity, freedom and reason.”
Wright was a perfect match to these requirements. The design he submitted to the congregation broke with almost every existing convention for traditional Western ecclesiastic architecture. On the novel choice of construction material Wright states, “There was only one material to choose—as church funds were $45,000. Concrete was cheap.” Wright’s bold concept for the building enabled a series of concrete forms to be repeated multiple times.
In harmony with Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, the concrete was left uncovered by plaster, brick, or stone. Wright’s sensitive handling of materials was a defining feature of his architecture from early in his career. “Bring out the nature of the materials,” Wright insisted in his seminal essay In the Cause of Architecture, “let their nature intimately into your scheme. Reveal the nature of wood, plaster, brick, or stone in your designs, they are all by nature friendly and beautiful. No treatment can be really a matter of fine art when those natural characteristics are, or their nature is, outraged or neglected.”
Unity Temple was a significant commission in Wright’s Oak Park Studio. Charles E. White, who worked as a draftsman for Wright from 1903 to 1906, details the collaborative effort of the Studio to secure the commission, “the chief thing at Wright’s is of course Unity Church, the sketches of which are at last accepted. We have all pleaded and argued with the committee, until we are well nigh worn out. All hands are working on the drawings."
In harmony with Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, the concrete was left uncovered by plaster, brick, or stone. Wright’s sensitive handling of materials was a defining feature of his architecture from early in his career. “Bring out the nature of the materials,” Wright insisted in his seminal essay In the Cause of Architecture, “let their nature intimately into your scheme. Reveal the nature of wood, plaster, brick, or stone in your designs, they are all by nature friendly and beautiful. No treatment can be really a matter of fine art when those natural characteristics are, or their nature is, outraged or neglected.”
Unity Temple was a significant commission in Wright’s Oak Park Studio. Charles E. White, who worked as a draftsman for Wright from 1903 to 1906, details the collaborative effort of the Studio to secure the commission, “the chief thing at Wright’s is of course Unity Church, the sketches of which are at last accepted. We have all pleaded and argued with the committee, until we are well nigh worn out. All hands are working on the drawings.”
Approached from Lake Street, Unity Temple is a massive and monolithic cube of concrete, sheltered beneath an expansive flat roof. The introspective nature of the building is in part a response to its corner site situated along a busy thoroughfare. No entrance is apparent and the building appears impenetrable, save for a band of high clerestory windows recessed behind decorative piers and shadowed by overhanging eaves.
Entry to the building is via a low hall that connects Unity Temple and Unity House. Above the bank of doors leading into the hall, an inscription in bronze declares, “For the worship of God and the service of man.” The low, dimly lit hall that unites the buildings is a transitional space. To the south it opens directly onto Unity House. Designed for “the service of man,” this secular space includes a central meeting hall, flanking balconies for use as open classrooms, and other special purpose rooms for daily operation. Like Wright’s residential architecture, this congregational parish house is centered on a fireplace hearth.
Situated across the hall from Unity House is the temple. In contrast to the open entrance into Unity House, access to the sanctuary is complex. Wright masterfully manipulates the sequence of entrance; guiding the visitor through low dark passages he termed “cloisters,” before they ascend into the open, brightly lit sanctuary.
The sanctuary is the heart and anchor of the building. At once grand yet intimate, the sanctuary is a masterful composition in light and space. Its elegant articulation and warm colors stand in bold contrast to the grey concrete exterior. Devoid of overt religious iconography, its precise geometric proportions declare a harmonious whole.
The uppermost portion of the sanctuary appears light and transparent. A continuous band of clerestory windows of Wright’s signature leaded glass encircle the flat, coffered ceiling. Set in a concrete grid are twenty-five square skylights of amber tinted leaded glass The effect, Wright states, was intended “to get a sense of a happy cloudless day into the room… daylight sifting through between the intersecting concrete beams, filtering through amber glass ceiling lights. Thus managed, the light would, rain or shine, have the warmth of sunlight.”
While Wright’s innovative use of concrete was chosen for its economy, the completed building ultimately cost nearly twice the contracted price due to complications encountered during construction. In September of 1909, the new building was dedicated. Because its unique design bore little resemblance to the other churches along Lake Street, it was decided to rename it Unity Temple.
The congregation’s board of trustees issued a statement thanking Wright. “We extend to the architect, Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright, our most hearty congratulations upon the wonderful achievement embodied in the new edifice and further extend to him our most sincere thanks for the great service which, through the building, he has rendered to the parish and to the community. We believe the building will long endure as a monument to his artistic genius and that, so long as it endures, it will stand forth as a masterpiece of art and architecture.” Their words were prophetic."
Previous text from the following website: flwright.org/researchexplore/unitytemple
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA - Employees from the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs gathered for Unity Day, an annual celebration of diversity, Aug. 27, 2015. Remarks on diversity and inclusion were presented by Jose Molina, executive director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. A variety of cultural displays, music and ethnic foods were the highlights of the event. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Nichols/Released)
Candle that was lit during the ceremony.
Photo may be used for blogs, Squidoo lenses, etc. with a link back.
Thanks!