Happy Easter

Pasen valt dit jaar op zondag 23 en maandag 24 maart en is een christelijke feestdag. Men viert de opstanding van Jezus uit de dood nadat hij op Goede Vrijdag gestorven is. Pasen is niet elk jaar op de zelfde (zon)dag, maar op de eerste zondag die volgt op de volle maan na het begin van de lente. Pasen is ook een lentefeest. Na de koude winter waarin alle voedsel van het vorige jaar is opgegeten gaat de natuur opnieuw beginnen. Dieren krijgen jongen, bomen en bloemen gaan bloeien, kuikens komen uit hun ei. Het ei is een symbool van nieuw leven. Ook in Dubai kom je in de winkels en supermarkten lentekuikentjes en paaseieren tegen.

De laatste keer dat wij in Nederland waren hebben wij van Debbie diverse paas spullen gekregen en inmiddels lopen er allemaal "kuikentjes" door ons appartement.


Vanuit Dubai wensen wij jullie dan ook prettige paasdagen toe.

Public Holiday

Holiday for Prophet's birthday on Thursday

Abu Dhabi: The public sector will get a one-day holiday on Thursday to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), it was announced on Monday.

Dr Khalifa Bakheet Al Falasi, Minister of State and Chairman of the Civil Services Department, issued a decision that public sector employees will get a holiday for one day to celebrate the Prophet's [PBUH] birthday.

Congratulations

Al Falasi congratulated President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the emirates, on the occasion.

Source: Gulfnews March 17, 2008

Who is the Prophet Muhammad?
Muhammad pbuh was born in Makkah in the year 570. Since his father died before his birth and his mother died shortly thereafter, he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of Quraysh. He was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained so till his death. His people, before his mission as a prophet, were ignorant of science and most of them were illiterate. As he grew up, he became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy, generous, and sincere. He was so trustworthy that they called him the Trustworthy. Muhammad pbuh was very religious, and he had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.

At the age of forty, Muhammad pbuh received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the Quran.

As soon as he began to recite the Quran and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered persecution from unbelievers. The persecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah, some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, Muhammad pbuh and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before Muhammad pbuh died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.

The Prophet Muhammad pbuh was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of God and His reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of God.