The Native Americans

2006-01-24T06:32:00.000-08:00

I recently read about Native Americans, both in North and South America; and how impressive some of them were, in particular: the Aztecs and the Incas. I was completely awed by the advancement the Incas had made before the Europeans arrived on their land, both in land usage and socially.

The foreigners only outsmarted them with fire power, and nothing else. Otherwise, the Incas were much more developed in certain areas than the invaders; the Europeans could have used their building technology, and irrigation of hillsides using terracing technique.

I read too, the awesome 'commandments' of the North American natives: of which I reproduce.

Native American Commandments

2006-01-24T02:56:00.000-08:00

Native American Commandments

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.

Remain close to the Great Spirit.

Show great respect for your fellow beings.

Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.

Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

Do what you know to be right.

Look after the well being of mind and body.

Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.

Be truthful and honest at all times.

Take full responsibility for your actions.

Great Spirit, give us hearts to understand; never to take from creation's beauty more than we give; never to destroy wantonly for the furtherance of greed; never to deny to give our hands for the building of earth's beauty; never to take from her what we cannot use.

Give us hearts to understand that to destroy earth's music is to create confusion; that to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty; that to callously pollute her fragrance is to make a house of stench; that as we care for her she will care for us.

We have forgotten who we are.

We have sought only our own security.

We have exploited simply for our own ends.

We have distorted our knowledge.

We have abused our power.

Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst, help us to find the way to refresh your lands.

Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution, help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse, help us to find the way to restore beauty to your handiwork.

Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed, help us to find a way to replenish them.

Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption, help us to find the way to restore our humanity.

----------------------------------

I have always been surprised at how repeatedly it is said that, Islam only spreads by force or by the sword! And yet, even with all the enormous negative reportage and media coverage that Islam has now - Islam at present, is not only the fastest growing religion in Africa and most of the developing world, but in America and Canada too!

Can not those who say such things go back, and study history and learn how very recently - Islam spread in such places like: Indonesia, Malaysia, East Africa, Mozambique, Maldives and many other countries?

Then, there are those who repeatedly say that - others should beware of Islam; that, if Islam has power - it is extremely dangerous as Islam can not be trusted with power! Have they forgotten that, just a few years ago when Europe and most of the world were still living in the dark ages and were very backwards - Islam was the shining light and the only super power? And Islam had this military power and power of knowledge much longer than the present powers have had them?

Have they forgotten the enormous contributions of Islam to the present moving knowledge that we have? The basis of the computer and the Internet - that I am using now - were laid down long ago by Muslims; and Muslims have contributed a lot, in many of the present development of our civilization; be it arts or science.

I ask those critics of Islam to go back in to history and see how the Muslims used their knowledge and power; and compare that, with how knowledge and military power - was used by those who came after the fall of Islam.

Hadhramout

2006-01-23T02:55:00.000-08:00

I love Hadhramout! The people; palms and dates; goats and camels; mountains and valleys; sun and sand; fish and dolphins; the sea and the sky; all part of Hadhramout. Hadhramout is my refuge and home. And here in Hadhramout, I: dream, ponder and contemplate of -
Hadhramout, Life, Being and the world at large.

Here follows, words, in writing, reflecting on my thoughts from moment to moment. I will write whatever comes to mind at that moment. And whenever. For how long I will write or can continue writing I do not know; but I will write for as long as I can. Time.

Moments in Words from Hadhramout

The Native Americans

Native American Commandments

Hadhramout