Human Rights in the Islamic Faith

Islamic Pro-Human Rights protesters
Kaitlin Dominski

Islamic beliefs are very strong when it comes to the issue of human rights. The rules applied in the Quran are not just set to Islamic territory, but everywhere. Here, the Quran states the basic structure of human rights, "...Whoso slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul slain, nor for corruption done in the land, should be as if he had slain mankind altogether." (5:32). This means that if a person were to kill another human, then it would be as if he had killed every single human on this Earth. It was made to respect each other and state how wrong and unforgivable the act of murder truly is.

Everyone is made equal. Woman are to be respected, not pushed around and abused, like in many other cultures. Children and old people must be treated alike. The homeless should be sheltered, the sick medicated, whether or not they were Islamic or not. Everyone, even if they were among your enemies, deserved respect and the right to live. Human rights have been granted by Allah, the holy one, not some faulty human government. No one has the right to take another person's rights away when they are given to them by Allah.

The first of the rights given is the right to "security of life and property". It was said that if you took another being's prooperty of life that you would never live in Paradise.

Another right is about honor. You may not argue or snap at each other and call each other names, nor may you put someone down.

Everyone has the right to a private and personal life along with personal freedom. You may not break and enter into another's house, nor may you have one arrested on suspicion charges; there must be solid evidence the one has done wrong in order to send them to prison.

Everyone has the right to express themselves as long as it is in the name of what is true and virtuous and not evil.

There must be tolerance every religion no matter what it is.

So basically, in Islamic culture, everyone is equal no matter who they are, and no offense is really excusable.



Source: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/humanrights/

A Diary of a Buddhist

My Dear Reader,

It is often said that Buddhism is a hassle in the followers' everyday life. I do not believe this is true. Buddhists are often depicted as meditating all the time and living in a different world than the rest of the people on earth. I will show you that this is not true.

In the morning, before thinking about what I am going to eat for breakfast and what is going on today, I change my form of thought. I tell myself that today will be a good day and I will harm nobody if it is possible. I do not fill my mind of things that I should do, I fill my mind with things that I will do. We often do this to remind ourselves of the disadvantages of being self-centered. My goal is to have a kind heart that will guide me towards enlightenment.

I then meditate after I wash and eat breakfast. Meditation is a very important thing in my life, because it allows me to strengthen myself spiritually, and helps me truly be at peace with myself. Meditation is usually done through mantras, letting me subside my worries and focus on emanating a positive energy that will be with me for the rest of the day. It is very nice to be content with life, and I find meditation as an escape from my busy life.

I am always trying to apply dharma wherever I go. In order to do this, I always tell myself that I shall have a kind heart, working towards my goal. For example, when my mother requires me to something that is not really on my list of priorities, I must put aside my agitation and tell myself "I will not harm anyone, for my heart is good," and I continue on with the task. I try not to live on "automatic", reacting on my emotions, and I try to cultivate my thoughtfulness. In my religion, we are very thoughtful of the environment because we know that things such as pollution affect those who come after us as well. Another example of mindfulness is offering someone our food before we eat it. We then visualize ourselves offering our food to Buddha. As we eat, we focus and appreciate all of the effort that goes into the growing, transporting, and preparation of the food.

At the end of the day, I reflect on how I worked towards my goal and enlightenment. I then remember what I can do better and tell myself that I will do it next time. As I said, our lives our not full of what we should do, but of what we will do.

As you think about this, you may think that it is very time consuming and that I only focus on my spiritual being, but I still live a normal life. I go to work as business woman, and I go out with my friends. My view on life is just much more peaceful than other people's because I strive towards my goal. I do not want to linger in the world for another life, so I strive for Nirvana. In all reality, practicing my beliefs doesn't take up as much time as thought. I just keep it in the back of mind, always.

As Always,

Buddha's Follower

A Day In The Life

My Dearest Reader,

My life as an Egyptian slave is often troubling. Serving the Pharoah is tough work, though we all know it must be done. Luckily, King Ramses II is a very agreeable person, and we owe him a lot of appreciation and respect.
Today, I was sent to the best tomb engraver in Egypt so that His tomb would be planned for when He died. I can only hope to have a lavish tomb to sleep in until the afterlife. If I can scrape enough money, maybe I can get some of my body embalmed. I hope I can, for I would love to be prepared the same way that the people of high society are.
A scribe wrote what was to be written on the thin papyrus paper made of the reeds that us slaves have to collect on occasion. The scribes write books and documents, since most of us are not as educated in the written language.
On any note, I know King Ramses will be a great god when he departs from this life to the next, The other gods will smile kindly upon him and welcome him with open arms, for a greater ruler has never been seen. Ramses is very special and he has created peace with our enemies in this time of war.
I hope one day, I will be freed and allowed to be a farmer in the village. Perhaps I will grow grain. We grow a few things here such as wheat, barley, vegetables, figs, melons, pomegranates, and grapes for wine. I would like to be a bit higher in society.
I would also learn the arts of mathematics, medicine, and literature. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to have that type of education as a slave. I would like to have help with the irrigation system we created, because I wish to be that smart.
I must go now, for one of the young sons of the King requires my assistance in finding his golden collar.

As Always and Forever Yours,
Aloli

Hammurabi's Code

Interesting Codes:

2. If any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.

7. If any one buy from the son or the slave of another man, without witnesses or a contract, silver or gold, a male or female slave, an ox or a sheep, an ass or anything, or if he take it in charge, he is considered a thief and shall be put to death.

15. If any one take a male or female slave of the court, or a male or female slave of a freed man, outside the city gates, he shall be put to death.

53. If any one be too lazy to keep his dam in proper condition, and does not so keep it; if then the dam break and all the fields be flooded, then shall he in whose dam the break occurred be sold for money, and the money shall replace the corn which he has caused to be ruined.

110. If a "sister of a god" open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink, then shall this woman be burned to death.

129. If a man's wife be surprised (in flagrante delicto) with another man, both shall be tied and thrown into the water, but the husband may pardon his wife and the king his slaves.

130. If a man violate the wife (betrothed or child-wife) of another man, who has never known a man, and still lives in her father's house, and sleep with her and be surprised, this man shall be put to death, but the wife is blameless.

fritz!

Random word of the day: fritz



Definiton: a condition in which something does not work properly

In Plain Sight

Hola! So my name is Kaitlin, and I am writing this blog for World History. Yeah, I thought that was pretty interesting, too. Considering the only way I could be allowed to write a blog is having it as an assignment, it's pretty cool.

• I am 15 years old
• I was born on February 14th
• I am an avid reader. I read like crazy.
• I love my friends
• I love my life
• I'm on JV volleyball for my school's team =]
• I listen to a lot of music.
• I love to write. It doesn't matter if it is poetry or a story.
• I like to randomly speak spanish.
• I am crazy, just ask my friends. People give me weird looks.
• Apparently I always look upset or sad...when I am anything but.
• I like to take a lot of pictures with my friends.
• I'm shy when I am alone in a room of strangers, but I'm obnoxious with my friends.
• I love relaxing and just talking to people. On the phone, computer, in person, it really doesn't matter.

Okay so those are the basics about me. I'll post random stuff when needed. I love blogging =]

Random word of the day: Canoodling