Alka-Seltzer Experiment Ideas Essay

1.) Put Alka-Seltzer in different liquids and observe the reactions. 2.) Put Alka-Seltzer in different sealed containers (film canisters, sandwich bags, etc. and observe the reactions. 3.) Explore activity using Pop Rocks candy. 4.) Put Alka-Seltzer tablets into four different liquids (milk, orange juice, Coke, water) observe the reactions. 5.) Place Alka-Seltzer on a plate and pour a steady stream of water on it to see if it reacts any differently than dropping it into a cup of water. 6.) Does the temperature of the water make a difference in the amount of time it takes the tablet to dissolve? 7.) Will different liquids affect the time it takes to dissolve? 8.) Take three cups of water filled to the same height. Drop  ½ tablet in one cup, one tablet in another cup, and 2 tablets in the third cup. How long will it take each to completely dissolve? 9.) Compare/contrast what the reactions will be then Alka-Seltzer is dropped in a glass of milk, another carbonated drink, as well as water. 10.) Place a plant in a sealed environment. Somehow extract all air and place an Alka-Seltzer and water into the sealed environment. The CO2 released can be observed to see if it will enhance plant growth. 11.) Place Alka-Seltzer in a small bottle of water. Fit a balloon to the top of the bottle. The balloon will fill with â€Å"air.† 12.) Have children create their own rocket from construction paper. Affix  rocket to a film canister. Place Alka-Seltzer in the film canister with water. Have children put the lid on the film canister, set it down, and observe â€Å"lift-off.† 13.) Place an Alka-Seltzer tablet inside of a water bottle and immediately seal the bottle so that there is no air flow going into or out of the bottle. What will happen? 14.) Compare/contrast the time it takes to dissolve in water and soda pop. 15.) * Balloon * grind up Alka-Seltzer * put in balloon * add water, tie off * watch balloon expand Explore – Why does it expand? What will happen over time to expand the balloon? Explain – Gas if formed and causes balloon to expand. Balloon will shrink over time due to gas expanding.

Bhopal Disaster

The night of 3rd December marked an industrial disaster when more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India that instantly led to the death of approximately 3,800 people and causing permanent injuries for thousands more. The company involved shamelessly tried to avoid its legal responsibility. Nonetheless, a sum of $470 million was paid as compensation, a considerably small amount in comparison to the impact from the consequences of this tragedy.The aftermath of the disaster indicated the need for international standards for environmental safety and preventive strategies to sustain from similar accidents. India has experienced rapid industrialization since the disaster. Despite some positive changes to government policies and behavior in several industries, rapid and poorly regulated industrial growth still remains exposing India to a major threat. Degrading of environmental practices with adverse consequences to human health continues to oc cur throughout India. 2. IntroductionThe Bhopal disaster, also known as the Bhopal gas tragedy was an industrial disaster that took place at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in the Indian city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh releasing tons of toxic chemicals and gases. This report is carried out with the objective of obtaining sufficient knowledge of the entire tragedy that took place and providing a detailed substantive summary of the mishap. Firstly, objectives and the management structure of the Union Carbide are discussed in this report to gain an overview of the company involved and its practices.Subsequently, an observation is done with regards to the industrial processes and operations of the plant to understand the on goings of the plant. The critical area of this report summarizes the key risks and contributing factors that ultimately led to the accident which provides an insight of the flaws in the plant. The consequences of the aftermath are then identified to provide an overv iew of the negative impact resulting from the disaster followed by a brief discussion on the improvements that should be done in the management systems to prevent similar accidents from happening in the near future. 3.Objective and Structure of the Management The Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), a chemical factory which formed its establishment in 1969 near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in India and was owned by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and the Indian authorities. Pesticides such as carbaryl was produced in this plant and in 1979, a new addition was made whereby the methyl isocyanate (MIC) plant was introduced to the site. Prior to 1979, the methyl isocyanate was imported from its parent company in the United States and India was one of the three dozen countries whereby the parent company had affiliates and business interest.It was stated that the UCC had done extensive research on the chemical and had sufficient knowledge on handling the chemical. Methyl Isocyanate, one of the m any intermediates used in pesticides is known to be a very hazardous chemical which weighs much lighter than water but twice the weight of air. In the event that the gas escapes to the atmosphere, it will remain close to ground and this highly sensitive chemical can react with many substances which could cause serious damage.UCIL was proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1984 and was making sales of approximately $200 million annually whereby 14 plants were being operated and it was segregated into 5 operating divisions making it a diversified manufacturing concern. The shares were publicly traded on the Stock Exchange 24% of these shares were owned by government run insurance companies whilst 50. 9% of the shares were owned by UCC as part of a corporate global business strategy. http://www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster Due to its centralized location in India which gave it a competitive edge, Bhopal was chosen as the site for the UCIL’s plant.Transporting products were eased by the existence of railway systems that spanned around the country which evidently brought to extensive cost savings. Furthermore, the location of the plant being situated nearby a large lake guaranteed sufficient water supple for the chemical processes. Electricity needs were also available in Bhopal to supply enough electricity to the plant that enabled the plant to operate 24 hours. The origin on the Bhopal plant was to supply pesticide in order to protect the Indian agricultural production.These pesticides were made to cater to the Indian market and to gain the ability to transform its agricultural sector into a modern activity. No doubt the benefits, the plant also had its perks. India is still nonetheless a developing country which at current still lacks the infrastructure necessary to support this chemical plant. Nevertheless, companies invested in the plant failing to realize the flaws in the infrastructure. The impracticality of the plant’s management brought the creation of a low cost plant with minimal safety features. UCIL also had weak policies, procedures and regulations for their workers.The management’s goals and missions were set beyond the plant’s capability and this is said to be one of the main causes of the tragedy. 4. Industrial Processes and Operation Union Carbide is a known plant that produces the pesticide plant in the Indian City of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh for agriculture purposes in India. Using MIC as an intermediate, an alternative trademark brand name for carbaryl is also known as Sevin. Until 1979, MIC was imported from the United States of America. Bayer, another known manufacturer successfully produced carbaryl without using MIC which evidently led to a greater manufacturing cost.Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound that consists of molecules and in 1888, it was discovered as an ester of isocyanic acid. The production of carbate pesticides such as carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl and aldicar b is an intermediate chemical of Methyl isocyanate. These pesticides were also being used in the production of rubber and adhesives. Methyl isocyanate is a very hazardous chemical which can lead to chronic diseases and death. The chemical process or route that was used in Bhopal plant was to form a reaction between the methylamine with phosgene which could bring to the production of methyl isocyanate.Subsequently, this methyl isocyanate was then reacted with 1 – naphthol to form the end product. This route varies from the MIC free route used elsewhere in which the similar raw materials are used but in a different manufacturing order. This process would begin by forming a reaction between the phosgene and naphtol to produce chloroformate ester which would then be reacter with methyl amine. Either one of these processes would require the chemicals to be stored in large tanks. In the operational side, the plant workers were encouraged to use English manuals, even though only a m inority of them had a grasp of the language.Only six of the original twelve operators remained in service with MIC by 1984. There were no personnel to take on the position of a maintenance supervisor to be placed on the night duty and furthermore, instrument readings were only taken every two hours which differs from the normal practice. Through a union, workers made a strike and complained about these difficulties but no attention was given to them. http://www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster The refrigeration system was designed to inhibit the volatilization of MIC whereby based on the manuals, it was advised that the MIC should be kept at 20 degrees.However, since May 1984 this refrigeration system had been shut down in Bhopal. Current practice shows that the methyl isocyanate should be kept below 5C and should be checked on all the time. Steam boilers were also used for the purposes of cleaning the pipes. 5. Risks that Lead to the Accident Bhopal gas disaster was an industrial tra gedy that took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. At midnight on 3rd December 1984, it was reported that the plant had accidently released Methyl isocyanate gas and this mishap was exposed to more than 500,000 people.Official death toll announced by the government of Madhya Pradesh confirmed that a total of 3,787 deaths were the result of this gas tragedy. Factors leading to this tremendous gas leak include the use of hazardous chemicals such as MIC instead of a less dangerous but more expensive chemical. It was also noted that the flare tower and the vent gas scrubber had been dysfunctional for the past 5 months before the disaster took place. This eventually led to the gas scrubber not performing its function to treat the escaping gases with sodium hydroxide that subsequently brought the concentration down to a safe level.Investigations in the aftermath of the disaster pointed out that even if the scrubber was in a good working conditio n, the disaster would not have been prevailed as the maximum pressure it could handle was only one-quarter of that which was present in the mishap. Improper designing of the flare tower itself contributed to the tragedy as the tower could only support one-quarter of the volume of gas that was leaked in 1984. Since the cease of production in the early 1980’s, the maintenance of the plant has continuously deteriorated up to an intolerable limit which resulted in the failure of several safety systems.The steam boiler which existed to clean the pipes was out of service for reasons which are unknown. Furthermore, the omission of the slip blind plates installation has played its role in causing this disaster. This omission had incidentally led to a large amount water from the pipe cleanings to leak into the MIC tanks through faulty valves leading the temperature to rise to a level whereby the tank was not designed to support that subsequently resulted in a large amount of toxic gas es to be released..The MIC tank itself has been malfunctioned for roughly a week which caused other tanks to be used in that week. Instead of taking corrective action and repairing the dysfunctional tank, it was just left to â€Å"stew†. Overall to conclude, the build up in temperature and pressure was strongly believed to be the cause in the magnitude of the toxic gas released. Economic conditions also played its part in contributing to this mishap. It was said that the leaking of the large amount of water into the MIC tank was also due to bad maintenance and leaking valves.The pipes were not repaired as it was believed to be very costly and time consuming. Safety systems including the MIC tank refrigeration systems were also shut down to in order to bring cost savings and it is of the opinion that the MIC refrigeration system alone would have prevented the tragedy from happening. http://www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm Material corroding that took place in the pipelines was also the contributing factor to this disaster. Carbon steel valves that were being used in the factory would corrode when exposed to acid.Based on investigations, a leaking of carbon steel valves was found on the night of the disaster. Overall, several factors led to this industrial disaster namely caused by poor maintenance and regulations. 6. Consequences of the effect of the accident The Bhopal disaster can be said to be one of the world’s worst catastrophe that took place at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, India. On 3rd December 1984, the plant released MIC and other toxic gases exposing more than 500,000 people.The city of Bhopal was surrounded with a mixture of poisonous gases causing great panic as people woke up with burning sensations in their lungs. Based on the government of Madhya Pradesh, the effect of the hazardous gas had caused 3,787 confirmed deaths and leaving many trampled in panic. Other sources estimated that around 8,000 people died within the next 72 hours from gas related diseases and roughly 100,000 – 200,000 people are estimated to have permanent injuries at different degrees. http://www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htmMass funerals and cremations were taking place as well as disposal of bodies in the Namada River. The health care system became tremendously overloaded as approximately 170,000 people required treatments at hospitals and temporary dispensaries. Authorities had marked 36 wards as being â€Å"gas affected†. Acute symptoms from the gases are burning in the respiratory tract, eyes, breathlessness, vomiting and choking which ultimately led to death. Humans were not the only ones affected from this terrible tragedy. Approximately 2,000 buffaloes, goats and other animals’ carcasses were collected and buried.The effect on trees could be seen immediately as the leaves yellowed and fell of within a few days. Food supplies became scarce due to the fear being felt by suppliers. Further shortages were also caused once fishing activities was prohibited. http://www. bhopal. com/pdfs/browning. pdf Overall, this mishap has brought fear and has frightened many people as the Bhopal city was turned into a toxic city. A settlement was finally concluded in 1989, whereby UCC agreed to pay the Indian government a sum of $470 million in full and final settlement of its civil liability. After the lap f 25 years, 390 tons of toxic chemicals were left neglected at the plant which continued to pollute the ground water which affected thousands of residents who relied on it. 7. Improvements to prevent the accident Substantive investigations pointed out that the main reason which escalated this disaster is due to the management’s intention on reducing their expenses. The design of the plant had been modified by the Indian engineers in order to bring cost savings. This practice should be improvised and the plant should be designed thoroughly and prope rly to support the volume of production and the type of chemical produced.A contributing factor to the tragedy was weak management practices that should be made more stringent. A proactive policy should be adopted whereby dysfunctional items and parts of the plant should be fixed immediately instead of prolonging the situation despite it being costly and time consuming. Strict maintenance should be carried out on a routine basis and the MIC tanks should be continuously monitored to ensure that all processes are smooth going. Rules and regulations set for the plant should be adhered and complied to prevent any setbacks. ttp://www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm As the plant’s production involves a hazardous chemical, more experienced workers in dealing with such reactive chemicals should be hired instead on focusing on low labor cost. Trainings should be provided continuously to improve their expertise. Furthermore, extensive research and studies on how to han dle chemicals of this sort should be carried out prior to any processes to ensure that the staff has sufficient knowledge on what to do and what to expect.Despite sufficient trainings and research, mishaps can occur any at given time. Following that, it is always best to have a detailed contingency and back up plans in order to contain any rotten situation. A good practice is always to expect the unexpected in order to be ready for mishaps. This tragedy has affected the lives of many in the Bhopal city. It is recommended that such factories as this plant should not be located in residential areas and best located in the outskirts to prevent residents being exposed to toxic gases.Ultimately, this disaster would have been prevailed with good management practices, abiding to rules and regulations set and also focusing on safety systems instead of cost savings. http://www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htm * 8. Conclusion * The Bhopal gas disaster marked one of the most tragic accidents in the world. The pesticide plant in Bhopal, India was managed by UCIL, a subsidiary of the UCC, had begun the production of a hazardous chemical, methyl isocyanate in 1979. The findings from this research pointed out that UCIL had weak policies and regulations and was prioritizing more on cost savings at the expense of the plant’s safety. The operational side of the plant was suffering from lack of staff namely there was no maintenance supervisor responsible to monitor the MIC tanks. Furthermore, critical parts of the plants were being left unattended when it was dysfunctional due to it being costly and time consuming to repair. Safety systems of the plant were being comprised in order to reduce expenses. * * To conclude, the main improvement to be done is to emphasize on the plants design to support the volume and type of production.Stringent policies and regulations should be set and adhered to in order to prevent similar accidents. Management should divert from a cost savin gs mindset and priorities more on the plant’s safety systems. * Despite being 25 years since the incident, tons of toxic chemicals were still abandoned at the plant and continued to pollute the ground water that affected thousands of residents. Overall, this disaster has brought awareness that international standards for environmental safety should be enforced to prevent similar mishaps. .References 1. Bhopal disaster,online,retrieved 15 November 2009 from http://www. wikipedia. org/bhopaldisaster 2. Bhopal disaster, online, retrieved 15 November 2009 from http://www1. american. edu/ted/bhopal. htm 3. Jackson B. Browning 1993, Health, Safety and Environmental Programs Union Carbide Corporation, online, retrieved 16 November 2009 from http://www. bhopal. com/pdfs/browning. pdf 4. What was the Bhopal disaster, online, retrieved 18 November 2009 from http://www. wisegeek. com/what-was-the-bhopal-disaster. htm

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Assignment - Essay Example Additionally, different from sex, which refer to biological dimension, gender is acquired through socialization. In fact, gender inequality consists in everywhere in the society. From birth, baby boys and baby girls are treated in different ways by their parents. According to MacDonald, parents always take care of their baby girls more carefully and gently. Besides, parents give different toys to different genders often unknowingly reinforcing gender stereotypes. For example, parents prefer to give computer games, vehicles and war toys to boys and dolls, dishes and jewelry boxes to girls. In addition, boys and girls are assigned different tasks when they are old enough to do some housework. Boys are usually asked to do maintenance chores, such as replacing bulbs and fixing roofs. Girls always end up doing domestic chores, such as cleaning rooms, cooking and shopping. Moreover, sociologists consider that the chores assigned to children can go on to effect children’s personal characteristics and future occupation choices. For instance, girls experienced in looking after their siblings may become nurses in future. Boys may learn computer science and in w ork IT areas and they may become engineers when they grow up. Some critics believe that the media should report the reality, while some others think the media can persuade the public into certain ideas. Among all kinds of TV programs, there are more male roles occurs than female ones. Indeed, the characters are significant different between male and female roles. According to Basow, male are always depicted typically aggressive, and heroic. Contrarily, female roles are various. In some video games, online games and electronic media women are objectified and are depicted in a poor light reinforcing negative stereotypes of women. Men are typically portrayed as â€Å"macho†, gun totting and as super heroes. These games encourage children to resort to violence as it desensitizes them against

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 64

Assignment - Essay Example These rights normally depend on the reason for which this debt came about as well as the terms that have been agreed upon between the two parties to the debt (Twomey & Jennings, 2010). Their rights tend to also deal with the rights of creditors against other creditors. These legislations determine which of several creditors have the right to a particular debtor’s property in cases whereby more than one creditor lays a claim on a given debtor’s property. These creditors may be divided those who perfected their own interest by establishing a suitable public record of the said debt and any other property that is claimed as collateral for this debt and also by if the given debt came to be as a purchase money security interest (Twomey & Jennings, 2010). Creditors may request a court of law to set aside a fraudulent conveyance that is designed to put the property owned by the debtors out of the creditors’ reach. In Nebraska, property or money of a limited liability company cannot be seized by creditors in order to pay off the personal liabilities or debts of the owners of the limited liability company (Gless, 2008). If Adam opts to change his company to a limited liability company, Benhur as well as other creditors to the business will have to be aware of these rights and limitations in case the business acquires this legal status. However, there are other means through which creditors may use to go after the company while trying to recover the debts personally owed by the owner of the business (Gless, 2008). The state of Nebraska allows personal creditors of a LLC owner to get a charging order that is drawn against the membership interest of the owner. This is an order that is given by a court of law directing the business manager to authorize payment to the business owner’s personal creditor any profits or income that would otherwise have been distributed to the debtor-member. It should however be remembered that creditors

Project Portfolio Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Project Portfolio Management - Research Paper Example It is the duty of the executives to regularly look after the complete portfolio as well as programs, determine the significance of the project, allotment of the funds, staging the start of the new project and thus continuously monitor its progress (Wisconsin School of Business, 2011). Automotive Industry Apart from housing, the most significant possession for an America is the motor vehicles. One of the biggest automotive industries in the global economy has been recognized as the US automotive industry. None other sectors or industries have been argued to generate the business as much as the US manufacturing industry does and thus it is the US automotive industry that plays a vital role in the GDP structure of the economy. The productivity of the automotive industry in the US has been higher in comparison to other industries and thus there has been significant growth in the level of output with the pace of time (McAlinden, 2003). Company The company chosen for the study is Mercedes which was established by Gottlieb Daimler together with Carl Benz in the year 1886. Presently, the entity is operating under the parent company as Daimler AG which is one of the leading automobile companies in the global market (Daimler, 2011). Mission Statement and Strategies The mission of Mercedes Benz is to demonstrate the purpose of the company in clear stated terms. The company is committed to provide excellent services thus establishing value for its brands, dealers as well as customers. The company’s mission is to assist in the overall success of its parent company Daimler and further to create numerous opportunities for its employees. Notably, Mercedes-Benz has been successful at achieving higher profitability and market position in the year 2010. The company aims at making the future mobility less risky as well as sustainable. The activities performed by them are completely focused upon the needs of the customers. Therefore, they tend to inspire the customers with p remium automobiles featuring proper design, perceived value, reliability as well as comfort. It provides its customers with the commercial cars that are competitive. The company also provides service packages in order to delight its customers (Daimler, 2010). SBU Mission and Strategies It is to be mentioned that the strategic business unit (SBU) is different from other business segments that is engaged with serving an external market whereby the management is capable of conducting planning in relation to products and services. SBUs have their particular strategies as well as objectives related to their sole purposes. It has been observed from the annual report that there are four main classifications of the DaimlerChrysler AG such as DaimlerChrysler Services, Commercial Vehicles Division, Mercedes Car Group and Chrysler Group. There are three different SBUs of Mercedes Benz such as passenger cars, trucks and buses and vans. The mission of each of the SBUs at Mercedes Benz is to beco me the most successful manufacturer of the car in both premium as well as luxury segment. Its portfolios also include cars that make use of hybridization and locally emission-free electric engines (UBS Paris Auto Show Investor Conference, 2010). Organization Structure of Mercedes Benz The CEO

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED - Essay Example The characters of the story are foot soldiers of Alpha Company which is serving in Vietnam and is commanded by First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. The basic theme of the story is the tangible and intangible items carried by the soldiers in Vietnam War and the effect they have on their personalities during the war. The story revolves around Lieutenant Cross, his feelings for his college crush and the death of fellow soldier Ted Lavender. Interestingly, the narrator of the story, O’Brien, who himself is a soldier of Alpha Company differentiates the other soldiers by the things which they carry. â€Å"They carried the sky. The whole atmosphere, they carried it, the humidity, the monsoons, the stink of fungus and decay, all of it, they carried gravity† (O'Brien 14). All the soldiers carry basic fighting supplies e.g. guns, ammunition and ponchos, which can be wrapped around their bodies if they die. However, more importantly, they carry many other personal items. In Army’s slang, carrying of goods by the soldiers is known as â€Å"humping†. According to O’Brien, all the soldiers hump many different things in order to satisfy their emotional bonds or feelings. One of the soldiers carries an illustrated edition of bible, another wears the stocking of his girlfriend around his neckline, yet another man carries a slingshot, another condoms and another some funny comic books. Alpha Company soldiers carry a host of physical items in Vietnam in order to ward off emotional liabilities. According to O’Brien, one such liability is the requirement of soldiers to deal with the apprehensions of reality and fantasy. The consciousness of this apprehension creates a lot of emotional problems for First Lieutenant Cross during his stay with the company. Cross believes that he was so preoccupied with the memories of his college crush Martha and the dreams of life they might spend after war that he had become negligent. â€Å"†¦.and Martha wor e a tweed skirt, and during the final scene, when he touched her knee†¦.† (O’Brien 4). He therefore, blames himself and his negligent attitude towards his men for the death of Ted Lavender’s, a low ranking soldier of the company. If the readers consider the story as a clash between war and love, then most certainly, the death of Ted Lavender and consequent cynicism of Lieutenant Cross suggest success of war in this clash. The story unfolds the doubts and gloominess that the war brings on the nature of the soldiers. Such gloominess and pessimism can be seen in the character of Cross who blames himself for the death of Ted Lavender. Prior to Ted’s death, Cross was completely engrossed in the memories of Martha and remains gripped by most petty matters e.g whether Martha is a virgin or why does she sign the letter with the word â€Å"Love†. However, after Ted’s death, when he decides that it was due to his preoccupation and distractions cau sed by the thoughts of Martha, he expresses his emotions and anger with the only possible manner; by burning the pictures and letters of Martha, in an endeavor to disassociate himself with the what he sees as the root cause of his negligence and a negative force. By the end of the story, Cross concludes that it is far better to be loved by someone than to lead troops in war, which shows exactly how war and the death of a subordinate had disturbed his mental balance. The emotional liabilities which the soldiers of Alpha Company face are magnified by their inexperience in war and young age. Most of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam were in their early twenties; some even in late teens. Before coming for war, they were

Structural analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Structural analysis - Essay Example This usually depends on wavelength of the radiation. The beams that enter the lens form an image by overlapping on each diffraction pattern. As per the below diagram, Rayleigh found out that distinction between two points would be possible if maximum of the first diffraction pattern matched with the minimum or the beginning of the second diffraction pattern. Therefore the distance d1 indicated is inversely proportional to diameter of the lens opening. In brief the gap r1 is dependent on wavelength ?, refractive index of the medium  µ and the angle formed by the beam ?. r1=d1/2=0.61 ?/ ( µ sin?). Therefore a high resolution or a lower value of r1 can be obtained by a shorter wavelength, a higher refractive index of the traversing medium and a smaller distance to the specimen causing a larger value of ( µsin?). When ordinary light-optical microscopes are used in air with refractive index=1, wavelengths of light being 400-700nm the maximum resolution that can be achieved is up to 200nm. Hence a magnification ratio above 1000 would be difficult to achieve. It is in these areas where a high amount of magnification is required that Electron microscopes prove the most beneficial. The Scanning Electron Microscope De Broglie’s relation describes the basic working principle of an electron microscope. The equation derived is ?= [1.5/ (V+ 10-6 V2)] 1/2 nm. Hence the wavelength can be adjusted by controlling the voltage of the electron beam. Electrons tend to get highly scattered in air and therefore a vacuum atmosphere needs to be maintained. Specimens also need to be made electrically conductive to avoid getting overcharged with electrons during testing. The diagram shows the main components of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). These function in close cohesion in the running of seven prominent systems which are notably 1. Vacuum system- To prevent the scattering of electron beams a vacuum atmosphere is maintained to prevent dispersion. To achieve this two classes of pump are used. A low vacuum pump brings down the air pressure from atmosphere to 10-3 Torr and a high vacuum pump bring it further down from 10-3 Torr to 10-6 Torr. 2. Electron beam Generation system- This system produces the ‘illuminating’ or the primary electron beam for impingement on the sample. An electron gun generates the beam in a SEM. It is composed of a filament made of tungsten wire, Cerium Hexaboride or Lanthanum Hexaboride. A grid cap that directs the flow of electrons and a positively charged anode that accelerates the electrons onto the surface of the specimen. 3. Electron beam manipulation system- a system of lenses and coils control the shape, size and position of the electron beam to be directed on the sample surface. Electrostatic and magnetic fields control electron motion Electrostatic fields are found in the electron gun while magnetic field is present in the rest of the SEM. By passing electric current through a copper wire a magnetic field is made to form an electron microscope lens. A series of these lenses also known as condenser lens removes any kind of spherical aberration or astigmatism in the image. When the beam traverses the final condenser lens two sets of magnetic scanning coils move the beam thereby scanning in the X and Y direction in a raster pattern i.e the specimen is scanned from the upper left hand corner to the right corner after which it drops

The Feminist Critique and the Postmodern Challenge to Anthropology Essay

The Feminist Critique and the Postmodern Challenge to Anthropology - Essay Example Feminism, as an ideal, is the collection of movements, associations, groupings and or establishments that aim at defending, defining and establishing equality in the spheres of social rights, politics and the economy; this pertaining to women. In addition, the ideal promotes the creation and provision of equal opportunities for women in both education and also in employment. Thus, a feminist is a person who’s behavioral and belief systems are based on the ideal of feminism (Fruzzetti 39). From the afore-mentioned feminist movements, associations and groupings emerged the Feminist theory, which aimed at understanding the causes and reasons for the presence of gender inequality. This understanding was based on the examination of women lived experiences and social roles throughout history and into the contemporary 21st Century. From it emerged different theories that touched on a variety of disciplines; this so as to respond and subsequently address issues such as the social cons truct of gender and sex. Some earlier forms of the theory received criticism for their taking into consideration only educated, white middle-class perspectives. As a result, of this criticism, was the creation of multi-culturalist and/ or ethnically-specific forms of the theory (Cott 73). Feminists campaign on the platform of ‘Women’s Rights’ – bodily integrity, reproductive rights (including access to abortion and contraceptives), women’s suffrage, equal pay, right to property and entry into contracts (contract law), and also voting. They seek to protect girls and women from domestic violence, sexual assaults and harassments among other violations. Due to its radical nature, this ideal has attracted its share of both criticism and blessings; this in the form of pro-feminism and anti-feminism ideologies. Feminism and Anthropology As a result of the feminist critique to anthropology, the approach – Feminist anthropology – emerged. It so ught to study cultural anthropology and correct the perceived andro-centric bias within the field. Its origin can be traced to early anthropologists such as E.E. Evans-Pritchard and James Frazer, who both displayed much interest in the notions of marriage and kinship. Women would thus, always appear in their ethnographies. Henrietta Moore, who is a prominent theorist in (the school of thought of) feminist anthropology, though of the opinion that women had been included in anthropological research and theory, was of the view that the problem was not the presence of women in anthropology, but in its representation, interpretation and understanding (Bratton10). According to her, it is how women are included in anthropology that matters. Thus, the challenge, then, was to avail new critical analysis on the existing anthropological literature, including creation of new research that placed the ‘Woman’ in the centre of it. This led to the emergence of self-conscious feminist a nthropology in the 1970s; this as a series of challenges to the male-dominated and biased anthropology. Rayna Rapp, in her work - Toward an Anthropology of Women (1975), was one of the earliest contributors to this emerging school. She argued that women and men experience gender differently; this in reference to the myriad of social markers. The experiences of women were in themselves a legitimate subject for

In theory, Parliament is sovereign in New Zealand. In practice, it is Essay

In theory, Parliament is sovereign in New Zealand. In practice, it is not - Essay Example Sovereignty and Function of New Zealand Parliament The New Zealand Legislature is Sovereign. The arm of government can call parliamentarians to meet. Secondly, it can dissolve parliament and assent to bills passed in the house before they become laws. The major function of the parliament is to make laws. The parliament also provides the government with members to be appointed in various ministerial positions. This enables the government to maintain majority and confidence among parliamentarians. The parliament also serves as a watchdog for the people by controlling and scrutinizing the government. The ministers are answerable to the parliament and are often asked questions in parliament regarding their ministries. The final function of the parliament is to represent the people in parliament. It fulfils this function by airing views and wishes of the electorate in parliament (NZCU South, 2013).   The three Arms of the Government The first arm of the government is the Executive. It i s made up of the crown that is represented by Governor-General, the cabinet ministers and the civil servants. The executive is concerned with initiating, developing and implementing government policy. It also publishes and administers legislations (Salter, 2013). The legislature has a single chamber called the House of Representatives. Its main duty is to make laws by drafting, evaluating and debating bills before they become laws. The people elect the MPs after every three years (Salter, 2013). The last arm of the government is the judiciary. It is made up of the judges and courts. Its main duty is to interpret and apply law as per the constitution. Apart from this, the judiciary punishes offenders and arbitrates any conflict between the legislature and executive (Salter, 2013). Powers of Parliament Various ways can be used to increase the powers of parliament. One of them is giving parliamentarians immunity when debating. According to this provision, parliamentarians will be free to express their views without fear of imprisonment. This would enable them to check the government without fear. The parliament should also be allowed to discuss any matter before the courts or the executive. The court and executive proceedings should not hinder parliamentary proceedings. This would enable the parliament to oversee implementation of government policies that are beneficial to the public. In addition to this, parliament should have the powers to summon any one including the members of the judiciary and the executive to question them on various matters of the state. Lastly, the parliament should be allowed to scrutinize and assent to all executive appointees in order to ensure they serve the public and not the executive (New Zealand Parliament, 2013). The role of Executives The executive is made up of the Prime Minister, Governor General, cabinet ministers, civil servants and government departments. The executive draft government bills and present them in parliament f or debating. It is also charged with developing and implementing various policies that would improve the welfare of the citizens. However, the sole function of the executive is to advise the Governor-General on his duties such as appointment of ministers. The ministers head various ministries such as finance and judiciary. Civil servants are charged with implementation of the

The Tensions of the Old and New During the 1920s Essay Example for Free

The Tensions of the Old and New During the 1920s Essay After witnessing the devastating, yet human-induced tragedies of World War I, the psyche of America was never the same. They abandoned their fundamental beliefs that the Western Civilization was not a model, but flawed society and turned their attention towards internal affairs, signaling the beginning of American isolationism. As William Allen White put it, Americans were â€Å"tired of issues, sick at heart of ideals, and weary of being noble. † The Roaring Twenties reflected this rejection of tradition ideals as consumerism and sexual revolution swept the nation. In the 1920s, the boom in technology, coupled with cultural and social developments led to tensions between the old and new. The manifestation of these conflicting ideals was a focal point of the Election of 1920 and Scopes Monkey Trial. The reform movements and Woodrow Wilson’s staunch moral legislation preceding the 1920s were a source of exhaustion for the American public. The American public was disillusioned with the failed League of Nations, and quickly embraced the Election of 1920 as what the victorious Warren G. Harding put it, â€Å"the return to normalcy. † â€Å"The return to normalcy† was essentially calling for the return to the older and simpler times in America, which also condoned American isolationism. Warren G. Harding and his successor, Calvin Coolidge’s presidencies embodied the return to a laissez faire economy with their pro-business stance. The Fordney-McCumber Tariff of 1922 and Smoot-Hawley Tariff protected American companies to foreign companies. Treasury Secretary, Andrew Mellon was also successful in lowering income taxes for the wealthy. Their disdain for liberalism was apparent with their lackluster reform legislations passed in office, but they left office with high approval ratings as a result of that staunch conservatism. The reemergence of the Ku Klux Klan nativism was another key topic of these administrations with the passing of the American Immigration Act of 1924 and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 which placed severe quotas on the number of immigrants from these countries. Appointing the Nativism and conservative judges like Webster Thayer to the trials of Sacco and Vanzetti demonstrated that their subsequent executions were not the result out of justice, but of the sour public opinion against immigration. The reemergence of Nativism, spearheaded by Ku Klux Klan (Document D) served to reestablish and enforce tradition and morality in society. They used tactics of violence to preserve Protestant principles and decency, as a method to â€Å"return of power into the ands of the everyday†¦. average citizen of the old stock. † Their fight however was not just limited to Southern Hicks, but Northerners, and Midwesterners like Indianans who comprised of half the Klan membership during the decade. Their slogan, â€Å"100% Americanism† echoed through all the regions of the nation, where they targeted Jews, Catholics, and anyone that posed a threat to their middle-class protestant. Their religious conservatism was prominently voiced during the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, TN (Document C) where the clash between fundamentalism and evolution reached a culmination with the whirlwind trial of hot shot Chicago lawyer, Clarence Darrow versus 4 time presidential nominee, William Jennings Bryan. Clarence Darrow‘s loss in the courtroom was viewed as a triumph for liberals. Women, one of the most deprecated groups in society countered against the confinements and expectations of society. With the passage of the nineteenth amendment and the availability of jobs in the city, women were in some aspects, free from the constraints that plagued the previous generations of women. Flappers, embodied by the carefree, smoking, and sexually charged female outraged the previous generations with their overt rejection of the Victorian ideals of a lady. The new women had the highest divorce rates than their predecessors as well (Document H). Margaret Sanger’s invention of birth control and the open discussions of sexuality contributed to the change in women roles. Although most women still clung to their gender norms, the sexual and gender revolution of this time period would serve as the foundation of the feminism movement of the 60s. The boom in consumer technology and inventions spurred mass consumerism and decadence within the American public. Mass production made goods cheap and readily available to the mass market, and almost every household owned a Ford Model T by the end of the decade. The desire to keep up with the Joneses became a measure of one’s social standing and identity. Sinclair Lewis’s Babbitt satirized the conformist and shallow existence of the average American household. Writers of the Lost Generation expressed their contempt for America’s growing consumerism by becoming expatriates and publishing literary masterpieces exposing the folly of conspicuous consumption. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby showcased the tragic ending of the title character due to his infatuation with material gains. The cartoon, â€Å"If Grandpap Could Only Return with some of his discipline,† illustrates the current, undisciplined generation being spanked by the frugal forefathers for their lack of appreciation and materialism for all the new technological advances. It served as a plead for morality as the older generations warned the current generation that excess will get them in moral and economic trouble since the introduction of credit and installment plans. Instead of following Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Compromise and waiting to assimilate and be accepted into White Society, the Garvey Movement completely rejected it and called for the establishment of a black nation, which wasn’t successful, but still had a lasting impact on the black community. Racial tensions were brought to the surface with the influx of arts and literature of the Harlem Renaissance, where writers proclaimed and expressed their frustrations at white society. Langston Hughes and other famous African American authors created a black culture that proudly declared in their own superiority. Langston wrote, â€Å"Why should I want to be white? I am Negro-and beautiful† (Document E). Although White Society did not accept them as they had hoped, the artistic and cultural impact of the movement would serve as the basis of the Civil Rights movement several decades later. The 1920s were a time of great social, technological, and cultural changes. Set against the backdrop of staunch American conservatism, these changes were inevitably bound to clash. The manifestations of old and new tensions were highlighted in two defining legal battles, the Scopes Monkey trial and Sacco and Vanzetti. Although this period of upheaval did not impose significant changes on the minorities and outsiders of American society, it did provide the principle components of the equal rights movements for these largely ignored members of society,

What Islam Bestows To Humanity Religion Essay

What Islam Bestows To Humanity Religion Essay ABSTRACT Humanity needs Islam for its spiritual transformation. It needs Islam to live happily and successfully in this life. It needs Islam to find salvation in the life to come. Islam is the religion of truth and it guides to all that is good. WHAT ISLAM BESTOWS TO HUMANITY? Almost all moral or religious reform revival movements prior to Islam emerged as reactions against existing orders. This explains as to why they were one-sided failed to address all aspect of human life. For example, Taoism-a Chinese version of mysticism- taught a corrupt and vice-ridden China to neglect material pleasures. Confucianism-a middle of the road approach- was opposed to these principles and called upon those who had retreated to monasteries to seek spiritual purification and individual piety in and through the thicks of life to establish a virtuous state and live a social life among the people. Indias vast fertile land was invaded several times, which caused its religions to become very mystical. In addition, asceticism grew as a reaction against the previously prevalent luxury and debauchery.  [1]  Likewise Judaism was heavily this worldly in its approach. Christianity, on the other hand, particularly in the beginning, developed too much as an otherworldly religio n. It was a revelation, as Jesus Christ himself emphasized, for a particular nation at a particular time and in particular circumstances, and so was not the final and complete Divine message.  [2]  Only Muhammad (PBUH) emerged a the last Prophet of God to reveal His truth. Before this, polytheism and other variants of disbelief were prevalent: Most of humanity did not believe in God, but associated other gods with Him.  [3]  As people measured not God with His true measure  [4]  , some believed that He had a son while others erroneously considered the angels to be His daughters.  [5]   The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) revealed the truth about God and uncompromisingly emphasized His oneness Unity. With him, God perfected His religion and declared that the true religion with Him is Islam  [6]  and: therefore, whoso desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him and in the next world he shall be among the losers  [7]  . God revealed that the message , the prophet of islam, brought was universal,  [8]  that he spoke only what was revealed to him, and that he did not speak on his own authority. We appointed for you a Messenger from among you so that he will recite to you Our signs, purify you, and teach you the Book, wisdom, and what you do not know.  [9]  Such facts were foretold by Jesus  [10]  and mentioned in the Quran  [11]  . Only purified souls can use science and technology to benefit humanity. If this fact is ignored, such knowledge can lead to death distruction as we witnessed in the twentieth century. Only purified s ouls fully conversant with science and technology can lead humanity toward true happiness here and salvation in the here after.  [12]   Any religion or system that lacks the principles of spiritual purity or the conditions of a virtuous social life cannot provide true happiness. As will be explained, Islam provides a complete guidance for our lives here and in the hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as the blessing for all the worlds, and so there is no need to renew the Divine message through another Prophet-so long as we hold the eternal and uncorrupted Quran,  [13]  Ã‚   Sunnah of the prophet (PBUH). Islam presents for mankind an equitable, fair and complete system of life, for while it exalts the human spirit and prescribes ideal ethical and spiritual principles for man, it does not deny the importance of the material aspect of his life either.  [14]  It is rather a comprehensive way of life, spiritually and materially, in the conscience of the individual as well as in the behaviour of the society, and includes the principles of social rights and obligations in all dealings, whether they pertain to economics, politics or to international relations.  [15]  Some people contend that Islam, now 1,400 years old, is obsolete and outmoded and, that new guidance is required. Such an assertion is totally unfounded, for Islam was revealed by God as an eternal final message of God to human kind. Further, the Quran assures us that not only the Quran was revealed by God Almighty but it would also be presented by Him. Those who think that Islam has had its sway once, and now it is fu tile to attempt its rebirth, are labouring under grave misconception. The effervescence of its wave-is still curling the waters as the consequences of the Islamic revolution are by no means exhausted. Islam is destined to prevail over all other religions. And this assertion expectation of Quran is yet to be materialized in full. It will be realized nonetheless-with us o without us is a separate question. Moreover, Islam is addressed to essential human nature, so long as his nature remains the same the guidance remain operative effective. It is a modern illusion that everything is subject to change. Human nature show a beautiful balance between elements of permanence and change: Outward forms change, while fundamental principles, basic values, and essential human nature and needs do not.  [16]  Islam is the only religion that embraces all dimensions of life and possesses an established method that allows for the perennial evolution of human society in accordance with lifes fundamental principles and permanent values.  [17]  It is an outlook which manifests itself in all shades of human behaviour. Thus the Islamic concept of social, political and moral order is more concrete and tangible than of any other religion.  [18]   HUMANITY The Islamic concept of religion as a complete code of life has in fact spiritualized all aspects of human existence. It was hitherto thought that the spirit and matter are entities essentially opposed to each other. Religion is concerned only with the soul and has nothing to do with mundane activities of human body which gravitate him towards evil. The depravity of human nature, especially the supposed essential evil of the body, led to the absolute suppression of the whole sensual side of man. The idea of a religious man was that of an extremely detached , unsocial being. To flee from the social order, and take up the solitary life is the presupposition of salvation. It is in absolute loneliness, isolated from all other human beings that the religious and pious man stands face to face with himself and with Allah. Each person is composed of three parts-spirit, mind and body. Each of these needs to be satisfied. They are so interrelated, and their needs are so different, that neglecting one results in our failing to attain perfection.  [19]   As we read in the Quran: Fair in the eyes of men is the love of what they covet: women, children, stored-up heaps of gold and silver, horses of mark, cattle and tillage.  [20]  Our physical make-up and individual characteristics produce certain inclinations, and we can neither avoid satisfying these lusts implanted in us by the Creator nor be able to get rid of them. This does not mean that people attempting to satisfy their lusts are free to do as they please or cannot overcome their inclinations. On the contrary, this means that we can change our inclinations by exercising our free will, and can control our lust, anger, and other emotions and then use them to propel ourselves along the path of perfection and wisdom.  [21]   Islamic attitude towards the physical needs of a man can be well judged from the following Hadith. It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. Amr b. alAs that he was once asked by the holy Prophet (PBUH) whether it was correct that he observed fasts during the days and spend nights standing in prayer. Abdullah affirmed that. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) observed: Dont do that. Keep fast at times and break at times, offer prayer and go to bed also. Your body has a right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you, and your guests have also a right upon you.  [22]  Just as our physical body has its own pleasures and pains, our spirit has its own joys and ailments as well. Sickness hurts the body, while the physical well-being, health, and whatever is in harmony with its nature gives it pleasure. As for the spirit, its pleasures and diseases depend on whether or not the carnal soul has been purified.  [23]   All of us want to reach happiness. The most consummate happiness is to embody and manifest the Divine Attributes and characteristics. The soul of a truly happy person develops by knowing and loving God.  [24]  True happiness cannot be reached or retained unless all of the souls faculties and powers are purified and reformed.  [25]  Partial or temporary Reform or purification will not result in true happiness. Just as a body can be considered healthy only when all of its limbs and organs are healthy, people can attain perfect happiness only when freed from all evil-commanding animal passions preventing their ascension to higher realms.  [26]  Islam does not subscribe to soul-body dualism. Physical urges are an integral part of mans nature: not the result of the original sin, and therefore the demand of their burial is unnatural fraught with unnatural problems. Islam stands for their transformation, education training in order to redirect them to better ends and ideals. Re ason left to itself could be barren impotent. It requires the concurrence of passions to be operative effective. The order that Islam recommends is that our passions should be sub-ordinated to reason; while reason should be guided by revelation. We should never allow the passions to run wild. Piety in Islam does not consist in suppressing the demands of the body; it aims at coordinating them with the demands of the spirit in such a way that life might become full and righteous. The Muslims have been asked not to forbid themselves the use of the bounties of Allah.  [27]  Say: who has forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah, which He has brought forth for His servants? And the things, clean and pure, which He has provided for sustenance. My Lord forbids only indecencies such of them as are apparent and such as are concealed and sin and highhandedness without justice, and that ye associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority and that you say of Allah what you know not.  [28]   Self Purification does not mean eliminating desires and anger or destroying our reproductive instincts and capacity for self-defense, for such abilities are essential for our survival continued existence. For example, we are endowed with intellect to see the distinction between the devil the Devine. And we are endowed with freedom so that we could choose either of the two. Islam does not condemn outright the appetites of man; it justifies them to the extent where a man can put restraint upon them and control them according to the moral consciousness and thus use them for spiritual development.  [29]  O you apostles! Eat of things that are good and do what is right; of your good things I am cognizant.  [30]   We must express our powers and faculties in a balanced and moderate way so that they can perform their functions properly. Purifying and training the intellect brings knowledge and wisdom, purifying anger engenders courage and forbearance, and purifying passions and desires develop chastity. The moral virtues acquired by those moving toward perfection and the realization of true happiness are wisdom, courage, and chastity.  [31]   Our earthly life covers social, political, and economic aspects as well as spiritual ones. Our worldly nature presses us to be obedient to our desires. History testifies that when the power seekers finally do attain power, they turn to tyranny oppression and enslave the poor and the weak. On the other hand, God is All-Just and never approves of injustice and oppression. Thus the religion He revealed must-demands that our rulers must be conscious of the Day of Judgment. They must be fair just avoid cruelty oppression.  [32]   Muslims believe that the Quran is the word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It serves as the source of the Muslim worldview together with the Hadith and Sunnah and contains all the guidance that we require to lead a good life, both as individuals as members of an Islamic state.  [33]   WHAT ISLAM OFFERS TO HUMANITY? Humanity needs Islam for its spiritual transformation. It needs Islam to live happily and successfully in this life. It needs Islam to find salvation in the life to come. Islam is the religion of truth and it guides to all that is good. The Quran has mentioned in three places: It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it). (al-Tawbah 9:33 see also al-Fath 48:28; al-Saff 61:9). The truth is also called Al-Ilm or knowledge which is the opposite of Al-Zann (the conjecture) Allah says that most people follow conjectures (al-zann) or wild speculations. Were you to follow the common run of those on earth, they will lead you away from the Way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but surmise.  [34]  These are nothing but names which you have devised  µ you and your fathers for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire! And indeed there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord.  [35]  But they have no knowledge about it. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.  [36]   When people do not follow Allahs guidance (al-Huda) they end up in error and go astray (al-dhalal). They wander. Today the humanity is in error (al-dhalal). There is corruption every where. There are those who do not know what is wrong and there are those who know what is wrong but they do wrong things. There are those who know what is right and they do not do right things. The whole world is sick with godlessness, immorality, racism, violence, injustice and oppression. The humanity needs Gods guidance. We human beings have mind, soul and body. We live as individuals and in families and communities. We are confronted with life and death. We need a religion that satisfies all our needs and answers all our questions and queries. Islam, if put to practice, satisfies our minds and souls and takes care of our physical needs. Islam, if translated into actions, brings balance between our individual needs and our social and collective concerns. Islam, if our profession is put to practice, provides success, felicity and happiness in this life and salvation in the eternal life. Islam is the religion that is based on the true natural disposition or Fitrah of human beings. Islam culminates in the most authentic form the same religion that Allah gave to all His Prophets and Messengers. In brief Islam offers to humanity: A clear, simple, sound and profound belief system and Guidance. A balanced action plan, with clear principles that are suitable for all times and places. A universal outlook with a worldwide community of believers and brotherhood of the faithful. A clear and practical vision for success and happiness in here and salvation in the Hereafter. Let us elaborate these points a little further. A clear, simple, sound and profound belief system and Guidance a- Oneness of Allah: This is the most logical, rational and spiritual belief. It is simple, yet ultimate truth and desire of all human beings. Islam teaches that Allah is One, the Lord, Master, Creator with Most Beautiful Names and Attributes. b- The Message of Islam is presented in a Book, the Quran. This book is most authentic. Nothing in this Book is falsified with the advancement of science technology or our knowledge in general. Its message is clear and always fresh and contemporary. c- With the message and the Book there is a human personality who is not mythological but historical. He was the ideal human being who lived the message and presented it to the people in the most beautiful and loving way. Islam is Allahs guidance; it is He who has guided us to this way. Guidance is one of the most important themes of the Quran. The Quran tells us that Allah created everything and He has guided everything: Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form, and further, He gave (it) guidance.  [37]  Glorify the name of your Lord, Most High, Who created, then shaped in proper proportion; and he determined the way, then He granted guidance. (al-Ala 87:1-3)  [38]   Allah has guided every thing by fixing its nature and ability. To human beings he also granted moral and spiritual guidance through His Prophets and Messengers. Islamic guidance is for all humanity. Allahs guidance is for all people, in all places and at all times. Islam is the way to which Allah guided all human beings. This religion did not begin with Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him. Islamic guidance is the same that came with the first couple of humanity when they arrived on this earth. When Allah sent Adam and Eve to this earth He told them: We said: Get down you all from here: and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.'  [39]   Messengers and Prophets of Allah at different times and in different parts of the world received this guidance. This same guidance came to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses and to Jesus and then finally it came to Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him and upon all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. Allah says: That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for your Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the Righteous: And Ismail and Elisha, and Jonah, and Lot: and to all We gave favor above the nations: (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and We guided them to a straight Way. This is the Guidance of Allah: He gives that guidance to whom He pleases of His servants. If they were to join other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them. These were those whom We gave the Book, and Authority, and Prophethood: if these (their descendants) reject them, behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new People who reject them not. Those were the (prophets) who received Allahs guidance: follow the guidance they received; say: No reward for this do I ask of you: this is not but a reminder for the worlds.  [40]   Allah has given us many sources for guidance. Five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch all these guide us in our life and help us a great deal. It may be observed that the Quran has emphasized the eyes, the ears, the hand heart as the main sources of knowledge. Eyes stand for observational empirical knowledge. Our ears stand for collective heritage of human kind. Our head is the source while our knowledge matures we draw inferences for the future. Heart is the recipient of wisdom values. It is the core of our being. Reason: It is a gift of Allah. He gave human beings reason (Aql) and made the Aql as a condition for all responsibilities. Reason and intellect help us in finding the right direction. Intuition: Sometime we know things and are guided by our instincts feelings without using senses or reason. Revelation: This is the supreme and perfect source of guidance. It is a special gift of Allah that He gave to humanity through His chosen beings people who were the Prophets of Allah. In Islam all these sources are recognized and respected. We thank Allah for our senses and consider them Allahs gifts. Islam is not against reason. Reason and revelation are not mutually contradictory but are mutually complimentary in Islam. Science and religion are also not incompatible in Islam. Islam does not say that we should suspend reason or dismiss science in order to become good believers. However, Islam does emphasize that our senses, our reason, and our intuitions or instincts though necessary are not sufficient sources to guide us. We need divine revelation Prophetic guidance. Reason by itself, without the guidance of revelation, is prone to commit errors. Reason, senses or intuitions cannot guide us in metaphysical eschatological matters, which provide us the true anchorage to our moral spiritual life. We need divine guidance. Allahs guidance is the real guidance: Say: The Guidance of Allah, that is the (true) Guidance. Were you to follow their desires- after the knowledge which has reached you,- then you would find neither Protector nor Helper against Allah.  [41]   Balanced Action Plan: This action plan takes care of the individual, family and society. Its guidance is comprehensive, practical and balanced. It guides: a- In the matters of worship to establish deep and loving relationship with Allah. b- In ethics and morality it teaches discipline, moderation, virtue and goodness. c- Laws and rules it gives rules that are practical, dynamic and progressive. The rules are not rigid. They are practical and their purpose is not to burden us but to guard guide us. Islamic law gives us the knowledge, of our fundamental rights and obligations and of what is good and bad for humanity on the individual and collective levels. Thus the Islamic view of life consists of a set of rights and obligations by which Muslims are expected to follow. Broadly speaking, Islamic law deals with our life in terms of our relationship with our Creator, ourselves (our rights upon ourselves), other people, and our natural environment (the rights of the resources that God has given to us for our benefit).  [42]   Muslims are urged to perform their daily prayers in congregation, and must do the same for the Friday noon congregational prayer. This creates a bond of love and mutual understanding, arouses a sense of collective unity, fosters a collective purpose, and inculcates a deep feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood. Prayers are a symbol of equality, for poor and rich, low and high, rulers and ruled, educated and uneducated, black and white all stand in rows and prostrate before their Lord. Furthermore, this gives a strong sense of collective discipline and obedience to the communitys leader. Prayers train Muslims in those virtues that engender the development of a rich individual and collective life.  [43]   Islam regards human beings as Gods vicegerents and cannot tolerate the degradation brought on by their submission to humiliation or oppression, for Islam is the real way to freedom and liberation. It invites people to struggle against oppression and tyranny for their freedom and dignity. By prostrating before God, Muslims declare that they bow to no other power. Islam forbids serfdom; promises universal freedom, independence in thought, action, property, and religion; and safeguards a persons integrity, honor, and dignity.  [44]   Islam frees people from their lusts so that sensual pleasure does not tempt and corrupt them. Consuming intoxicants and engaging in gambling, nightclubs, mixed social activities, overspending, conspicuous consumption, arrogance, greed, and so on are all humiliating factors that destroy a persons honor and dignity. Colonialists and imperialists used such practices to enslave Muslims and many other peoples. Only the daily prayer and other forms of worship, such as alms-giving (zakat), inculcate the will to struggle against self-degradation.  [45]   Universal Outlook: Islam is not racist or ethnocentric. It teaches that all human beings are equal. It removes the barriers of nationalism, color, caste or language. It is against all discriminations and prejudices. It teaches justice for all people. It teaches peace and tolerance, freedom of opinion and expression. Islam establishes a worldwide community of faith and brotherhood. Islam is a word derived from the root words Silm and Salamah. It means surrendering, guiding to peace and contentment, and establishing security and accord. Islam is a religion of security, safety, and peace. These principles permeate the lives of Muslims. When Muslims stand to pray, they cut their connection with this world, turning to their Lord in faith and obedience, and standing at attention in His presence. Completing the prayer, as if they were returning back to life, they greet those on their right and left by wishing peace: Remain safe and in peace. With a wish for safety and security, peace and contentment, they return to the ordinary world once again. Greeting and wishing safety and security for others is considered one of the most beneficial acts in Islam. When asked which act in Islam is the most beneficial, the Prophet (PBUH) replied, Feeding others and greeting those you know and those you do not know. How unfortunate it is that Islam, which is based on this understanding and spirit, is shown by some circles to be synonymous with terrorism. This is a grave historical mistake; wrapping a system based on safety and trust in a veil of terrorism just shows that the spirit of Islam remains unknown. If one were to seek the true face of Islam in its own sources, history, and true representatives, then one would discover that it contains no harshness, cruelty, or fanaticism. It is a religion of forgiveness, pardon, and tolerance, as such saints and princes of love and tolerance as Rumi, Yunus Emre, Ahmed Yesevi, Bedià ¼zzaman  [46]  and many others have so beautifully expressed. They spent their lives preaching tolerance, and each became a legend in his own time as an embodiment of love and tolerance. Jihad can be a matter of self-defense or of removing obstacles between God and human free choice. Our history is full of examples that show how this principle has been implemented in life. Of course there are and should be occasions where war is unavoidable. However, the Quranic verses on jihad that were revealed for particular conditions have been generalized by some short-sighted individuals. Whereas in actual fact war is a matter of secondary importance, it has been given priority as an essential iss