Australian Feminism

Women’s history has been seen as always been targeted as achieving lesser than man in career fields and legal rights. An image of mother and wife is always haunting her. Perhaps in 20^th century women mostly gained the right to vote and have increased their education and job careers. The most important thing that they fought and have now accomplished a different set of mind in traditions as well.

The liberation of women brought foremost changes for women in an Australian Society. Right through the period of 1970’s till 1990’s. The imbalance of gender stereotyping at areas of work, health, law, education and welfare were greatly reduced and many initiatives were taken to lessen it. Women took the man domination power into their hands and then used in favor of women.  Alike changes were taken in United States, United Kingdom and Europe. International Women’s Year was declared in 1975 by United Nation and it was a step towards international means for women.

Mass waves have been brought in Australian feminism through the different changing roles of women. The vote in State elections and federal by women was the first wave. Manly suffrage was brought in colonies almost halfway through nineteenth century, excluding women. It was in 1902 when Australia agreed that women should vote in federal elections. All women were given a chance to vote in 1902 except for indigenous women which included Asians, Australians or African. Even though women were included but none of them were actually elected awaiting 1921.In 1943 the first parliament of female was elected. Women were still considered only in this universe to be married and then take care of their off springs. And the women who worked also had to burden themselves with household chores and nurture of their children.

In the lead-up to World War II the women protesters and groups were very much popular. And they kept on campaigning about the rights of women in public life as a profession or the right of being treated equal at pay or own their individual property. The main spark created in women after the Vietnam War in which they realized they were treated so wrong all this time and they established their own movements for liberation. The women’s movements to seek liberation were at their fame in a small span of time. Some group emphasized on the unions and parliaments representatives that women should be a part of them. Others did all the ways to express their selves. Women who were a part of liberation movements kept themselves isolated from patriarchal society and brought the consciousness among the society. The main concerns were health, culture, education and of course sexuality. Art and Literature were the ways to express themselves to Patriarchal; Germaine Greer was the main author. The male orientated paths like science and sports were now also for girls. Women who faced violence by man were also mainly highlighted in these movements. And the health and safety needs of women became very important like abortion and contraception. The inequality made the feminists chose a different a path for themselves either same sex relationships or no relationships at all.

Theoretically it has been accepted that issue of racial discrimination between women is present. Some evidence has also been laid that the effort of White Women’s Movement has breakdown the barriers of black and the white sisterhood. Refugees of women are now serving to Aboriginal women more than the Aboriginal Women has even been employed as a refuge worker. Most of the feminist activists were anti-racial in contrast with black women who were far more limited. It was a disappointment to incorporate black women, as for the women’s movement was for ‘White Australian Female Society’.

The biggest mistake by feminism was that they thought they knew what black women wanted. It was like a position of White women as ‘Helper’ and black women as being ‘Helped’. The powerful relationship which existed in the white community and black community also existed in Black Women and White Women. Black Women always being embarrassed of the fact that they were inferior. The White Women’s Movement toward the Black Women is struggles between the two different sexes which use oppress black people. Whenever Black Women use to face any problem they felt comfortable with Black Women solving their problem not with White women.

Hilary Saunders has summed up the feelings of many black women:

“We must not let this awareness as women go too far: We are a race of

People who have suffered many injustices. We are fighting for self-determination.

Women must play a large part in this yet we can only hope

To achieve this as one people not a race of men, nor a race of women but

Of Black United People”.

 

 

A women to look upto

In a society where women have no bodily autonomy, no reproductive rights, and are used as a tool in dispute settlement mechanisms, Asma has been an advocate for gender equality. Historically she has influenced major social and political issues in Pakistan.

            Pakistan had one of the most draconian, barbaric, and absurd set of laws, the Hudood Ordinance (Introduced by the Army only to appease Saudi Arabia so that they participate in Operation Cyclone). Due to this law, hundreds of innocent men and women had been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. Women who dared to report rape were, and still are, often accused of zina and locked up while their offenders were never questioned and as a result walked free. Asma came as a savior for most of these persecuted women some familiar names are Safia Bibi, Mukhtaran Bibi, Jehan Mina, and Shahida Parveen.

            According to Robert Fisk, Pakistan has the grotesque reputation of being one of the leading ‘honor killing’ countries. Millions of women in Pakistan live under a constant threat of being shot, burned, or death by stoning for violating traditional norms. Judicial bias and gender discrimination adds to the affliction of women in Pakistan. Governmental response has been mostly indifferent. Thanks to Asma, many cases of injustice towards women have come to light and have resulted in international criticism of women’s status in Pakistan. (Abbas, 2010)

            She has also proposed interactions on the civil society level through social exchange combined with efforts to uplift the status of women and at the same provide financial stability through business and job opportunities to poor Pakistani.

            The human rights violation in Afghanistan had never been a major part of any international discussion until 9/11. But Asma had highlighted the crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban well before. The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) has also been praised her for her efforts towards the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

            An equally vicious law, commonly known as the Blasphemy law, has been responsible for persecuting thousands of minorities; Asma has spoken out against this law and has represented a number of people falsely accused of blasphemy.

            Asma Jahangir has raised concerns all over the world on religious/ethnic discrimination, sectarian conflicts, constitutional violations, and child labor in Pakistan.

            Asma has always resisted military governments and is a vocal critic of military dictatorship and the past military policies in Bangladesh, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, and FATA. She is despised by many for bringing to international attention the factual accounts of abuse reportedly committed by the army in Baluchistan.

            Another major reason behind the military’s hostility towards Asma is due to her opinion on Indo-Pak relations. Asma has publicly supported friendly relations and cultural exchange with India. She has also criticized the mujahedeen training camps and the Islamists-military nexus.

            Despite her achievements, she is often harassed and criticized by the State, the media and intelligentsia. It is ironic that a person who has worked towards promoting human rights and democracy has been maltreated and slandered.

            Asma Jahangir is recipient of several national awards, including Sitara-i-Imtiaz

(Star of Distinction) in 1995. In recognition of her services in the field of human rights,

she was awarded the American Bar Association International Human Rights Award in

1992, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders and the Ramon Magsaysay

Award in 1995. She was also honored with the Bernard Simons Memorial Award of the

International Bar Association in 2000. She has authored two books: Divine Sanction?

The Hudood Ordinance (1988) and Children of a Lesser God: Child Prisoners of

Pakistan (1992). She is a mother of two daughters and a son. Her contributions for the

uplift and emancipation of women are extremely commendable and unmatchable.

I read this article..

After reading the article literally my nerves stretched. As if the brain can fell the air pass by it. Well, Pakistan does really need critical thinkers. It’s like a great emergency which should be imposed by government.

Pakistan is a country with culture diversities. A lot of culture differences have been enhanced in a very short time and people have become very possessive about their own religion or culture. Many religions and cultures exist within us that we hardly know about. A great number of people in Pakistan are extremist in their religion and a few percentages are moderate; they are like the chill crowd in the country.

The chill crowd in the country I am referring is those who are enjoying their life to the fullest, who does not care about anything. They are happy and satisfied with their life. While the extremist ones are those who are; hyper and possessive about their religion. If a person from other community says them something this is against their religion. Rage and anger is created in them. And due to that they can’t hold their emotions or feelings. A lot of misunderstandings and chaos is created just because of one comment. People need to be tolerant and patient. They need to think in a critical manner that comment is not against them, it is just a feedback.

Another issue in Pakistan is that people know how to make fun of each and everyone. They are very limited to their own shells. And all others are clowns to them. They make fun of them and this creates distance among the people who live door to door. Pakistani are very judgmental and nosy, they can’t mind their own business and let a person practice their own religion. They have to pass judgments which don’t even have a reason.

But I am glad some things are changing like the new generation is more curious about everything. They ask questions about each and everything. Even if parents try to shut them they won’t just shut easily. They seek answers and conclusions. I have a very good example of my own younger sister, she is extremely sharp and I can proudly say that she is an emerging critical thinker. She has loads of questions for everything and if you want answers from her, she can also give that with proper reasons. It shocks me that even I never thought about that.

Realism

In actual fact Realism concerns with study of peace and war among states and nations. It witnesses world which is inescapably plus eternally separated into nation-states and controlled through governments who are rational enough to keep their interest in shielding their safety. Realists divided themselves on the basis of how they consider nearly all governments obviously endeavor to do; Classical Realists who say that governments effort to boost their power as probable greatly (the government can only control its destiny the more powerful a state is). Whilst Neorealist says that states can boost their safety but without being hungry for power (the government can only control its destiny by securing the state). It might be right that realism in the essence has reduced towards principle of politics ethics. This theory perceives a very long history of being apparent in ‘Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War.’ Then the theory got prolonged on with Machiavelli in ‘The Prince,’ moreover others i.e. Thomas Hobbes, Spinoza, and Rousseau followed. At the end of nineteenth century the theory undergoes an innovative manifestation forming social Darwinism which advocates social and political expansion in conditions of a fight and only the strongest polities can survive. Realism also assumes benefit that is continued by exercising of power and the world is only recognized by competitors.

The book of Hans Morgenthau ‘Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace’ claims a theory of international relations. The theory shouldn’t be judge as per being pragmatic and empirical but it should be judged by concept or principle that is preconceived towards reality. And also by its purpose so that mass phenomena can bring meaning without being disconnected. 

            This theory raises issue on the concerns of political nature. History of Modern Thought surrounds through two schools which differs in fundamentals and concepts in nature of society, man and politics. A person believes in moral and rational political regulation derived universally from which abstract values can be accomplished here and there. The assumption of crucial goodness and unlimited impressionability of human being as well it blames the failure of social array to calculate the rational principles on being short of information and thoughtfulness, outdated social foundations or else the decadence of certain individuals or crowd who are isolated. Education, reorganization and the erratic use of power for remedy of such defects are surely trusted.

            While another school have different belief systems; the world is flawed which is from a rational point of view that results of services innate in human being  World can be improved only when one will work with such forces and not against those forces. Thus being intrinsically a world of contrasting interests plus conflicts between them so ethical values will never be realized to its fullest. However it must at its best be approximated from side to side the provisional harmonizing of interests and yet     precarious completion of disagreement. The following school sees an arrangement of checks and equilibrium of a universal standard for all pluralist humanity. It requests towards tonic model to a certain extent than to theoretical principles and wants at the understanding of slighter immorality relatively of complete good.

Perspective about critical thinking..

Another person's perspective about Critical Thinking is everything based negatively. Questioning our values and customs, going against our religion is definitely not being optimistic. Why cant we just accept something as they are being provided to us? Why do we have to analyze everything? The people who question a lot and analyze everything are critical thinkers?
Who gets to judge that who is a critical thinker or not?

Well there are surely some major barriers in the above opinion. Critical thinking is not being negative but being able to think rationally. A critical thinker knows how to question in every way. He knows whatever he is saying has a reason behind it and can give any form of explanation behind it.

Formal Training. CT skills are simply the exercise of generic thinking power which can be strengthened by intensive training, much as general fitness can be enhanced by running, swimming or weightlifting. This approach recommends working out in some formal ‘mental gym such as chess, mathematics or symbolic logic as the most convenient and effective way to build these mental muscles. 

A few queries regarding critical thinking might be:

Q.1 Critical thinking is essential to effective learning and productive thinking but why?

Q.2 how can we be so sure that critical thinking will be right for us?

Q.3 What If someone does not want to be a critical thinker or doesn't like critical thinking. So then what do we do with it?

Shopping and some more shopping...

Shopping has always been a top favorite of most of the people in the world. Be it male or female, shopping is one activity that has been enjoyed by all. Some take it as a real job as for some a time pass activity. In both ways, it is highly addictive.

As times changed, shopping also modernized. From little shops they became rows of shops turning into small shopping centers and eventually to beautiful tall buildings we call shopping malls. But that’s not ALL!

After the shopping mall craze faded, people turned on to shopping from home. Those who owned a credit card to buy online via different websites, spent time surfing for the best buys rather than searching around the city.  It saved time, fuel and energy. As for those without credit card or computer access, raided the shopping malls. But online shopping was boy-oh-boy! What a luxury-only-some-could-by it was. UPTIL times CHANGED!! 

Life was no more WAS easy. The option of shopping from home became valid for all when our very own local brands started their business over the internet too. They would post the pictures and charges of the services/ materials they provide on public forums and people could order by emailing or calling them at the given numbers. Once the order is placed, the goods are sent to the purchaser’s house and the payment received on delivery!

Shopping DONE!! The easiness that technology has bought to us has been going on since a few months now and loved by many ; who hardly get time to shop and find it easier to fill up their shopping bag online! 

Transgenderism

     Transgender is an umbrella term which consists of all, transsexuals, cross-dressers, genderqueers, transvestites, drag kings and drag queens. Drag king is a person, usually females, who dress up like men mainly for public performance and drag queen is a male who dresses up like a female mainly for public performance. Transvestites are those people who adopt the dress, manner and sexual role of the opposite sex. Genderqueer are those people whose gender identity is a combination of both the genders male and female. Ellen Friedrichs defines transgender individual as those having “genitals of one sex but their gender identity associated with that of the other sex”. Transgender people can be traced in history in many different cultures, for instance in India Hijras are associated with fertility. Hijras in South Asia, are a member of the “third gender” neither male nor female, they are “physically intersex or male” but some are “physically female”. Also in Native American tribes there are “third gender” individuals who are called two spirited. Back in Shakespeare time in England men were allowed to play female roles. These third gender individuals are famous for negative and positive reasons. They have to face Legal issues like “legally changing one’s sex” and “without a legal sex change a transgender is not allowed to marry a partner of their birth sex”. People transform into transgender in their teenage or in twenties. Teenage transgender face a lot of “discrimination, harassment and violence” from school and family but nowadays they have many support networks. They also face issue regarding “surgery and the use of hormones”. Transgender people have been able to get treated earlier now due to “gender identity disorder”. There are some very famous transgender people like Sylvia Rivera an activist and Christine Jorgenson who was the first American who got sex-reassignment surgery. Transgender people are protected, supported and helped in many ways by various organizations. 

Understanding

When I was small, Peter and Jane were siblings. They ate together, played together, sang together, swam together and drove to places together like brother and sister. But as I grew up, they both became a boy and a girl (Peter and Jane). It was difficult for me to understand at the age of five that the people I read about my entire early days were just mere characters and not JUST siblings. They were two different people in every new chapter I read.

*HOW and WHY * I kept asking my teacher!

 All I failed to understand in my growing age was that life is all about characters and each one is playing their role. The pretense begins the minute you are born when to some you are a brother/ baby/ grandson and to one you are a son or daughter. Each character carrying its own position, own significance. And this is how life works. Living as one body but being many different people from within and its up to you how you play each character and how well you do it…

God asks no man whether he will accept life.  That is not the choice.  You must take it.  The only question is how.  ~Henry Ward Beecher

Gender dhysphoria?

Gender dhysphoria is a term related to the Transgendered individuals who by all biological measures are either male or female, yet they feel themselves as the members of their opposite gender. They feel uncomfortable in their own identity. This is a rather rare condition which can not be explained by factors involving chromosomes, postnatal circulating, exposure, gender of rearing, genital variability, hormone levels, birth order, prenatal hormones or toxin or the presence or absence of same-sex siblings.

The possibility that the brains of transgendered individuals are uniquely different has often been put under question. Some differences between male and female brains have been reported several times in decades that identify the gender-based size variations among accurate “brain nuclei. ” by discoloration of examination specimen. According to one of the researches the nuclei of a transgendered male to female “(MFTS).”  are the size of a “genetic females”. Moreover, males suffering from prostate cancer are being treated via female hormones.

According to the author: “Gender dhysphoria is listed as a psychiatric condition in the psychiatric diagnostic coding manual DSM-IV I believe that the psychiatric manifestations are a reaction to the situation, not the underlying condition..” .A transgendered individual only requires a “psychopharmacologic medication. ”  if he hasn’t received a hormonal treatment  or surgery after his transgendering operation ,however this is not needed once he undergoes this therapy or surgery, this type of “psychotrophic” medication are time and again pointless.

Transgendered individual often recall memories of being trapped in the perimeters of a wrong soul. These patients usually involve the histories of having tried clothes of the opposite gender, having played with dolls in case of a boy or to have interest in cars and tools, incase of a girl, in their early childhood. However, they wholly concede their true gender identity at the age group ranging from mid-childhood to the prime of life. If this consciousness faces a delay, this is usually followed by fright of stigmatization or denunciation from the loved ones or the people at work.

Bulks of the individual who express recurring intention in the opposite gender are not transgendered even though they become homosexuals. Less than 20% of the individual who are persistent about their opposite sex identities often prefer being called by a pronoun or a name steady to their gender identity. Their attire, comrades and activities match up with that distinctiveness. Their utmost apprehension is the puberty as it brings along the irrevocable change i.e. secondary sexual characteristics. These are however undesired and turn the patients body into an adult form “synchronous. ”  in relation to the brain and hence the patient feels nervousness, trauma and despair. Added to this, when incase of females with male gender identity, when menses takes it roll as a reminder of their female sex, a self-offensive behavior leading to as found by the research, the high suicidal rate among transgendered youth. “Adult transgendered.” folks, who perceive to acknowledgement of their gender role in open, often indulge in courtships and parenthood with their identical gender identity.

Being Tolerant

I am one person who believes of tolerance, of the concept is let others live. That human choice should be free and un-influenced. The reason being: that we live in an age where we have unlimited access to every form of data and information available. Either it is religion or political knowledge. Then why is it then do we try to force our own ideologies on other people. Why can’t we simply be tolerant of others feelings. We live in a nation in which every person is involved in every other persons business or personal matters. Hatred grows through these. If people believe that I don’t want people to stop caring for others. I simply want people to be TOLERANT of others and learn to love people.

Tolerance is basically the appreciation of diversity and the ability to live and let others live. It is the ability to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards those whose opinions, practices, religion, nationality and so on differ from one's own.[1] As William Ury notes, "tolerance is not just agreeing with one another or remaining indifferent in the face of injustice, but rather showing respect for the essential humanity in every person."

My sister's keeper

     Directed by Nick Cassavetes, and based on the national best selling novel by acclaimed author, Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper is a heart wrenching movie which portrays the true nature of human emotions, the length to which one can go to protect ones family, the unconditional loyalty and the denial of human nature against the inevitability of death. Starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassiliveva, and Alec Baldwin, Jason patric.

     Taking a deeper look into the story line we are grabbed instantly by the riveting opening lines of eleven year old Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) who tells the story of the struggle of her older sister Kate (Sofia Vassiliveva) against promyelocytic leukemia and her part in giving her sister the unconditional devotion which defines the true bond of sister hood. Conceived by the means of in vitro fertilization anna was brought into the world by a genetic match for her sister to survive the cancer. After eleven years of having her genetically matched parts donated to Kate through countless medical procedures, Anna seeks medical emancipation and the rights to her own body from her mother Sara Fitzgerald (Cameron Diaz) and Brian Alexander (Jason Patric) who after Kate’s renal failure expect Anna to donate her kidney to her sister. This seems like a final straw to Anna after being unable to live the life she wants, in and out of the hospital constantly, she cannot take part in extra- curricular activities or soccer and so she decides to sue her parents and seeks the successful lawyer Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) who agrees to work for her pro bono. The film is filled with strong flashbacks that detail the strong relationship between Anna and Kate and how her illness has affected the lives of her family.

     Sara who is not ready to give up her daughter Kate so easily decides to go to court to force Anna to donate. However before the result of the case is known its is found that Kate had asked Anna to file for medical emancipation because she knew her mother would not let go so easily believing she would not survive the surgery, Kate wants to die. She can see the internal fight that is raging within her mother and that there would be no other way for her to make her mother see that she has accepted her fate and that the life that she has lived however short it may be has been blessed with moments that have given her life meaning, the sacrifices that have been made by her family members, the love and the loyalty of her brother and sister and the irrevocable bond that ties a family together is portrayed in such a profound and honest way that you cannot help but shed a few tears at the poignant way in which the roles have been played drawing the audience into an emotional state.

     Anna wins the case and due to her sister’s wishes, does not donate her kidney. Kate passes away in the hospital and the family moves on with there lives being changed irrevocably by the Kate’s death. But every year on Kate’s birthday they go to Montana, which was her favorite place in the world.

     The performances of the actors are no doubt commendable, Oscar nominated Abigail Breslin offers a deeply impressive and effortless performance. This twelve year old actress grasps the audience in her tirade of emotional conflicts, making you truly feel for her. Also Cameron Diaz has presented her role in such a way that one feels the conviction of her character, the depth of a mother’s pain is shown with such vitality and sacrifices that have to be made with motherhood, although Diaz is known to do her bit in over-acting she has shown some surprisingly honest moments in the film.

    While the novel and the film end differently the ending of the film seems appropriate to gain public recognition, however all those who have read the book will feel the movie is a great let down as many parts and the true grasp of the depth has not been portrayed but this has to be kept in mind that it is after all a two hour movie and not all can be shown. All in all it is well worth the money spent on the DVD or on the ticket in a cinema hall however for those who’ve read the book, the movie will definitely fall short of your expectations.

Importance of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

The dispute that always catches fire among the scholars all over the world; ‘Is verbal communication more important or non-verbal in effective cross-cultural communication?’ various studies and hypothesis has been conductive to discover their comparative importance. Terms are used to communicate whatever individual wants to speak but they can have dissimilar implications and suggestions across different languages, cultures and countries so therefore it can be confusing. While hand body actions, gestures and expressions have normally the same implications across cultures but can also have contrasting importance.

                Verbal communication is usage of spoken words to express a message while non-verbal communication is the movement and usage of body parts to convey a message.

                Commonly verbal communication leads to confusion and misapprehension. Typically each culture has an unusual language, vernacular, pronunciation and terminology. For that reason cultures conflicting in language will be likely to make diverse sounds whilst talking and sequencing of terminology will also contrast (Reisinger, 2009). For instance, Australians articulate the word ‘chips’ as chĭp i.e. accurately how it is spelt from an Australian perspective, though in contrast , natives of New Zealand articulate chips as heard by an Australian as ‘chaps’.  The term ‘chaps’ has an unusual meaning to an Australian compared to a New Zealander and therefore will lead to unfortunate communication. Moreover one idea or creation may be illustrated by different words across different cultures. For instance what Britishers call chips; the Americans would call French fries.

                A study says that only seven percent of communicated meaning is through verbal communication and the rest is through non verbal communication. Following factor signifies the importance of using non-verbal signals in flourishing communication. Gestures and facial expressions such as rage, panic, contentment etc. are universal. Consequently numerous people believe that non-verbal signals are outstanding source of communicating globally. The facial expressions must be similar but the grounds of these expressions may differ from one culture to another. Other gestures and body movements have different meanings across diverse cultures. For instance firm handshakes in France are considered to be rude whereas in Brazil handshakes are usually firm and cheerful. To give more emphasis, Israelis and Italians use hand gestures a lot while Chinese do not use gestures at all.

                Both Verbal and non verbal both have their pros and cons. The positive of one can translate into the negative of the other. Consequently, brilliance in both verbal and non verbal communication is necessary for effective cross cultural communication. In this period of globalization, no business can give up on unsuitable communication. Even if one general language is used all through cultures then even language and accents would contrast which will lead to misunderstanding. 

The teachings of Islam

The self-image presentations laid by U.S media made us believe the people in Middle East are primarily to be the identity of Muslims who are fanatic to Islam. Perhaps this is misleading the global population because Middle East is majorly composed of multi cultural society and religions. Somewhere due to media the identities of Middle East have been lost. An Arabic word “Islam” means ‘Submission to God’ so a Muslim is someone who has submitted himself to God. The God is “Allah”. So why aren’t Muslims like Jews and Christians? Why are they different from them?

                Quran is the Holy Book for Muslim which was brought down to them by Holy Prophet Muhammad. Quran says a lot about Prophets from which Muhammad claimed himself one. But some men have special missions they are given Scared Books and also the founder of sacred communities. Such as, Moses who also brought a Book called ‘Torah’ and then became the founder of Jews. Even Jesus who brought the book called ‘Gospel’ and then founded the community of Christians. Each of these community was sent by Allah but failed for humanity but then Allah had his Last messenger with the His last book with the community of Muslims; Islam. It isn’t that the successors are Muslims and the failed communities are Christians and Jews. The main point here is that Islam is the more refined from of Judaism and Christianity. Many changes have been made in the Bible and Torah but Quran is same since its creation it is the only original book for Muslims to follow their lives and act according to it. Christians and Jews culture and practices are very much different from a Muslim. As they books are different so there is lot religious belief diversity. The self-image presentations laid by U.S media made us believe the people in Middle East are primarily to be the identity of Muslims who are fanatic to Islam. Perhaps this is misleading the global population because Middle East is majorly composed of multi cultural society and religions. Somewhere due to media the identities of Middle East have been lost. An Arabic word “Islam” means ‘Submission to God’ so a Muslim is someone who has submitted himself to God. The God is “Allah”. So why aren’t Muslims like Jews and Christians? Why are they different from them?

                Quran is the Holy Book for Muslim which was brought down to them by Holy Prophet Muhammad. Quran says a lot about Prophets from which Muhammad claimed himself one. But some men have special missions they are given Scared Books and also the founder of sacred communities. Such as, Moses who also brought a Book called ‘Torah’ and then became the founder of Jews. Even Jesus who brought the book called ‘Gospel’ and then founded the community of Christians. Each of these community was sent by Allah but failed for humanity but then Allah had his Last messenger with the His last book with the community of Muslims; Islam. It isn’t that the successors are Muslims and the failed communities are Christians and Jews. The main point here is that Islam is the more refined from of Judaism and Christianity. Many changes have been made in the Bible and Torah but Quran is same since its creation it is the only original book for Muslims to follow their lives and act according to it. Christians and Jews culture and practices are very much different from a Muslim. As they books are different so there is lot religious belief diversity.

The Muslim American Communities are at their crucial point because they are scared for the future of Muslims. But this fear can’t stop the growing range of Islam spreading everywhere. Islam is the fastest growing religion ever. Muslims in America are always discriminated and oppressed. After the catastrophic events like September 11, 2001 has further exaggerated and jeopardized the potential of being a Muslim in America.

In Britain the Muslims are surprisingly well incorporated with one other. As there are many Muslims from different country and community living together pleasantly in London than any other city around the world. The fundamental element of that incorporation among Muslims is the capability to project a distinctive Muslim religious identity over or above any other culture or ethnic.  For wider community is the problem of unlike fashion, food, literature and art is in undividable. It is not like that Muslims do not have a lot to confer with Christians, Humanists and Jews. Muslims now have a major area in any religious debate in Britain. But consistently a person defines integration as to which extent the culture has been mutual and wrapped up; from a popular entertainment it is to add tastes in narcotics. In Britain Islam has now become a more shareable culture in a narrow sense that most people in Britain now say something about it and that adaptation to Islam is not abnormal but it is not likely a cultural source from which people can take in as they gratify.

                It is a fact that Islam first came to Southeast Asia most likely from India and further more spread in many places by Sufis which had much to do with spiritual quality of the faith and its acceptance for coexistence with past Hindu, Buddhist and animist’s rituals. Such as they had in India and Middle East the Sufis who spread Islam in Southeast Asia had diverse widely in
behavior and approach. Most believed by those who follow them to have supernatural powers and virtually all Sufis recognized school and mosque center from which they travel in neighboring places to advocate the belief.

The Veil

Veil is an essential identity or a part of Muslim women in Islam. It is an element in a Muslim women’s life without it she can never be complete. And in West, Non Muslims recognize Muslim women because of her veil but the gist and use of veil varies in Muslim Societies.
                                Quran mentions and directs men and women both to dress in a way which is modest. The definite understanding and execution of this firm guide line varies. From historical point of view this veil has always been connected to social issue but not to religion. Veil was first formerly adopted in Byzantine and Persian pre-Islamic customs. Nevertheless the elite women never adopted such custom but the poor and inferior class adopted it.
                                Islamic Culture differs head covering that is ‘Hijab.’ Ranging toward movable scarves and then to veils plus covered in full-length called ‘Burqa’ was from Afghani Women. A new dress also came in known as ‘Islamic Dress,’ consisted of a coat which was quite loose and a scarf to cover the hair. Today covering the face isn’t that common but it was before very popular. In fact, head covering is just not in Islam but in many other religions but they do it in special ways. The rules of veil are different in every country. While in this period, countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran emphasizes this religious course towards particular government so that women’s dress should remain within strict laws. While Turkey and Tunisia reject such laws and religious orientation. They prohibit women to wear veil publically such as in offices or schools or universities because a state like Turkey is more of a secular identity. Even the citizens are again such trends.

                                Mostly women do veil on personal grounds now not by enforcement or some law that is mostly in many cases which is happening today.

                A lot of States still think that Islam oppresses and suppresses women for their rights, they are forced to wear veil and prohibits receiving education. It is also quite true that many women have been fighting for fair treatment and for education and independent but it is not coming because of Islam; it is due to some tradition or culture of few regions as they have made their false Islamic beliefs.

Motivating Students to Study Science

Researchers have been studying the attitudes of students towards science for the past 30-40 years. The interesting fact is that its importance is growing year by year the number of students enrolling in science subjects is decreasing. Many universities in UK have shortage of science students and are undersubscribed and thus whole departments are threatened with closure. Sean O’ Leary from Physics Department at a well known UK University is of the opinion that it is a disgrace that every year few and few science students are enrolling. This choice of not taking science will affect the whole country in the long run when there will be lack of skills which will result in less number of inventions, scientists etc.

                All teachers have heard the question “Is this going to come in the paper?” This indicates the main problem that many students work hard to get a good grade rather than understanding. According to Scottish Parliament Education Committee’s Interim Report on Pupil Motivation (2006), 27 percent of children in Scotland did not want to be in school and they felt bored during school hours. 31 percent were of the opinion that they didn’t even get interesting homework. According to House of Lord Report pupils in England find science difficult and other subjects such as psychology and photography more ‘funky’ and fun

                In this age of technology and innovation, it is imperative that the teachers motivate students to study science. Some students are naturally very excited and enthusiastic to learn but most of the students need their teachers to inspire and motivate them. It is the instructor’s job to develop interest in students.  Instructor’s attitude and approach can play a major role in influencing the students. Teacher’s alertness, awareness and sensibility can be like a role model for students. Supportive and healthy environment is the basis for stirring motivation. The instructor should be friendly with students. It is imperative that teachers acts as lead managers rather than boss managers. This is the same theory applied in management sciences. Teachers should empower their students and practice reinforcing rather than punishing.

                It might not seem important to motivate students in the short run but it has very serious implications in the long run. Low number of science students can seriously hamper the nation’s progress towards innovation and technology. It’s time that teachers take steps to motivate their students and make them interested towards science.