A Shia Muslim Perspective on Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Rights of a Foetus

6 December 2012

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ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE, AND A SHIA ISLAMIC RESPONSE

Ever since researchers in 1998 discovered that stem cells extracted from embryonic tissue could regenerate to become any type of cell, there has been a deep divide on the morality of such research. When stem cells are taken from an embryo, the embryo loses its viability: it cannot become implanted into a womb or develop into a fetus. To knowingly damage an embryo in order to remove stem cells is, for some, equal to destroying human life. For others, who see great promise in what stem cells might do to cure illnesses it is immoral not to move forward with such research. What is Islam’s position on this ethical question? Read how Iran, a Shia Muslim country, has responded to this debate.

Please click Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Rights of a Foetus: A Shia Muslim Perspective from Iran or on the image below.

Diseases and conditions where stem cell treatment is promising or emerging. Please click for article "A Shia Muslim Perspective on Stem Cell Research." Image: Wikipedia.

Diseases and conditions where stem cell treatment is promising or emerging. Please click for article “A Shia Muslim Perspective on Stem Cell Research.” Image: Wikipedia.

Historical Images: Thomas Jefferson’s Copy of the Qur’an @Simergphotos

3 December 2012

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The latest weekly historical illustration at Simergphotos is that of a rare copy of an English translation of the Qur’an which was acquired over two centuries ago by Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s Founding Fathers as well as its 3rd President. This was the 2-volume set on which US Muslim Congressman Keith Allison rested his hand for the oath to the office on January 4, 2007. Please click Historical Images: President Thomas Jefferson’s Copy of the Qur’an or on the following image:

Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to the US Congress, took his oath of office on January 4, 2007 by placing his hand on Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Qur'an. Please click for Historical Illustrations."

Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to the US Congress, took his oath of office on January 4, 2007 by placing his hand on Thomas Jefferson’s copy of  the Qur’an. Please click for “Historical Images.”

America’s Founding Fathers and Islam by James Hutson

2 December 2012

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The US Library of Congress contains the papers of 23 presidents, from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge. Manuscript Division Chief James Hutson draws upon the papers of Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other primary documents to discuss the relationship of Islam to the new nation.

Please click: America’s Founding Fathers and Islam: A Brief Discussion Based on Documents at the Library of Congress

George Washington's 1785 letter wherein he declared that he would welcome "Mohometans" to Mount Vernon if they were "good workmen. Image credit: Library of Congress. Please click for article

George Washington’s 1785 letter wherein he declared that he would welcome “Mohometans” to Mount Vernon if they were “good workmen.” Image credit: Library of Congress. Please click for article

His Highness the Aga Khan’s Executive Jets by Malik Merchant @Simergphotos

29 November 2012

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The Challenger 300, the Global Express and the Global 5000 built by Bombardier are a very important part in the journeys that His Highness the Aga Khan undertakes to meet his Ismaili followers around the world and to perform work related to his role as the head of the Aga Khan Development Network. Many photo hobbyists have captured the 49th Ismaili Imam’s jets through their lenses. To view a selection, please click:

The Executive Jets of His Highness the Aga Khan

Please click on image for “The Executive Jets of His Highness the Aga Khan.” Photo: Dave Henderson. Copyright.

Also, every week simergphotos will publish a historical illustration which underlines an artistic, ethical, moral, religious or scientific theme. For this week’s illustration, please click Historical Images: The American Declaration of Independence Illustrated.

Alamut: A 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by Nadirshah Mackwani

23 November 2012

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Khosrow and Shirin, Madjnun in the desert, the beautiful Mi’raj of the Holy Prophet as well as other works of art from the Persian and Mughal Schools of painting are now available as impressive and decorative 1000 piece puzzles designed for children of all ages.

The Ismaili founder and partner of Sindbad Puzzle, Nadirshah Mackwani, has also created a jigsaw puzzle featuring the famous Rock of Alamut, the 10th-11th century Ismaili stronghold in Iran. Read more about Nadirshah’s unique initiative by clicking on Piecing the Alamut Puzzle Together or the image below:

Please click for “Piecing the Alamut Puzzle Together”

Remarkable Tales of Ismaili Women of Shimshal: Hussn Bibi and Her Journey to New Zealand

18 November 2012

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“When I was 15 there were 21 people living in the house and my friend Hasiet and I had to do all the weekly washing for the whole family, even in winter. It took all day and I got frost bite in my feet several times. My toes would turn black. We’d go down to the river and make a fire to heat the water. We used to burn our socks, trying to warm our toes by the fire” — Hussn Bibi

Tales of Ismaili Women of Shimshal: Hussn Bibi and Her Journey to New Zealand to Study English

Please click for Ismaili Women of Shimshal

“….The university recommended the Campbell Institute. When I went to see the Campbell directors they were intrigued by the notion of this woman [Hussn], this mountain farmer from Pakistan, coming to their school which mostly enrolled Korean and Chinese youths. The fees seemed astronomical to me, but my mother’s estate provided collateral, the Campbell Institute awarded a generous scholarship to Hussn, and Lynette, my companion on the first trip to Shimshal, sent one thousand pounds….” — Pam Henson, author of Women of Shimshal

Endearing Photos from the White House: A Tribute to President Barack Obama

17 November 2012

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A Tribute to President Barack Obama on His Re-election: Endearing Photos from the White House

President Barack Obama looks at the Nobel Peace Prize medal for the first time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway. December 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

For a summary of photo stories, please visit Simerg’s photo blog home page at www.simergphotos.com or click on the following for the most recent photo posts:

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Historical American Newspapers on His Highness the Aga Khan’s ‘Incognito’ Visit to the USA in 1906-1907

11 November 2012

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FROM HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

“….This is my first visit to America, and as I have read much of the wonderful progress and commercial power of the nation, I look forward to an interesting trip….” — His Highness the Aga Khan III

A portrait of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III, dated 1911, a few years after his historic USA visit. Copyright: National Portrait Gallery. Please click for article.

“….[The Aga Khan] is one of the three or four chiefs of a religion by inheritance who are and have been for centuries voluntarily recognized as such by followers in all parts of the world, separated from each other by physical and political conditions and united only in their allegiance. He is without exception the most interesting Oriental who has ever visited the United States.” — Washington Herald and New York Tribune, Sunday, January 27, 1907……Please Read More

Naser-e Khosraw’s Risky and Dangerous Homeward Journey, from Michael Wolfe’s “One Thousand Roads to Mecca”

8 November 2012

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In our concluding part of the series on  Naser-e Khosraw’s travels, the Ismaili poet, philosopher and traveller provides a grim look at the merciless deserts of Arabia and the predatory ways of the Arab Bedouin. He encounters camel riding pirates, and the price of safe-passage costs him and his party their money and their clothes. But he also finds great consolation during a nine-month stay in the city of Lhasa. Read his fascinating account by clicking Naser-e Khosraw’s Dangerous Homeward Journey: From “One Thousand Roads to Mecca” by Michael Wolfe or on the following image:

A portrait of Naser-e Khosraw on a large rock in Badakhshan. Please click on image to read the concluding part of his journey. Photo: Ali M. Rajput., UK.

A portrait of Naser-e Khosraw on a large rock in Badakhshan. Please click on image to read the concluding part of his journey. Photo: Ali M. Rajput., UK.

Photos of His Highness the Aga Khan at the Rooftop Islamic Garden of the London Ismaili Centre

7 November 2012

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In 1989, Shamas Nanjijuma was called upon to serve lunch to His Highness the Aga Khan and Ismaili leaders at the rooftop Islamic Garden  at London’s Ismaili Centre. This website’s companion photo blog, www.simergphotos.com, is pleased to publish a small, yet rare collection of photos from Nanjijuma’s personal collection. Please click His Highness the Aga Khan with Ismaili Leaders and Volunteers at the London Ismaili Centre’s Rooftop Garden or on the image below.

Please click for photo piece