Pearls of Wisdom

Other voices

BY CHARLES C. HAYNES | GUEST COLUMNIST

One of the great ironies of American life is that for all our religiosity, we don’t know much about religion.

Just how little is in the media spotlight this month thanks to a new book by Boston University professor Stephen Prothero, “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn’t.”

As Prothero points out, evidence of our religious illiteracy isn’t hard to find. Polls reveal that not only are Americans ignorant of other faiths, they don’t even know much about their own.

So how did a nation steeped in religion at the founding become a place where most people can’t name the first book of the Bible?

It’s a fascinating history that Prothero tells well.

Among the most misunderstood parts of the story is the U.S. Supreme Court’s role in creating what some religious conservatives call the “godless public schools.” Contrary to popular myth, the court wasn’t responsible for banishing religion from the public school curriculum in the 1960s. Religion actually disappeared from the textbooks when sectarian teaching was banned from schools in wake of the bitter Protestant-Catholic Bible wars of the 19th century.

In reality, the Supreme Court has repeatedly encouraged teaching about religion, as distinguished from religious indoctrination, as part of a good public school education. Yes, the establishment clause of the First Amendment requires that school officials be neutral among religions and between religion and non-religion. But neutrality doesn’t mean hostility toward religion or silence about religion.

For many religious Americans, being left out is hardly neutral. If the public school curriculum were genuinely neutral, it would include study about religious ways of seeing the world across the curriculum.

But if this is a problem today, it was far worse 20 years ago when the curriculum was almost entirely silent about religion and most teachers were afraid to touch the subject with the proverbial 10-foot pole.

That was 20 years ago. Today, state standards in social studies include considerable mention of religion; therefore, textbooks include more discussion of religion. Today, most history and literature teachers are aware that they can talk about religion and keep their jobs. Although better than nothing, this is hardly a recipe for religious literacy.

However, going to the next level won’t be easy.

Many educators are content with mentioning religion more often, seeing little need for in-depth treatment of it. Many religious people are happy to see their religion (favorably) discussed but aren’t so sure kids should learn about those others.

Religious literacy matters because religion matters.

No graduate from an American high school or college is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century without some knowledge of the world’s major religions.

Religious literacy also matters because religious freedom matters.

The United States is the most religiously diverse place in the world and, among developed nations, the most religious. How can we negotiate religious differences - and protect everyone’s rights - if we don’t understand one another?

The cure for religious illiteracy, Prothero argues, is for public high schools to require two religion courses: one in Bible and another in world religions. And he would require all college graduates to take at least one course in religious studies.

I have no problem with a college requirement. And I have long proposed a high school world-religions requirement.

Given its place in Western civilization, schools should include substantial study about the Bible in history and literature courses. And, if handled well, a Bible elective can be a valuable option for students.

But a required Bible course comes too close to privileging the Jewish and Christian traditions. Moreover, many school districts are already embroiled in conflicts over Bible electives. Requiring all students to take a Bible course only would up the ante.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/EDIT02/703220317/1090

As salaamu alaikum wa ramatu Allah wa barakatu Sisters and Brothers,

Greetings Beloved Family and Friends,

I’m participating in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure®. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen National Race, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

A minimum of $1 million from the Komen National Race net proceeds remains in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., community - including Virginia and Maryland - to provide funding for breast health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved. Washington, D.C., has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the United States.

Did you know?

• Three basic screening methods are used to detect breast cancer: mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams.

• Men are also at risk for developing breast cancer?

• Having no children, or a first child after age 30, are among some of the risk factors for breast cancer?

As part of the Race, I’ve created my own Personal Pledge Page where you can make a pledge of $25, $50, $100 or any amount. Simply follow the link below or you can visit www.nationalraceforthecure.org. Click “Registration” then “Pledge to a Participant” (left side) and search for my name.

Or click “Registration” and then “Register Now” (left side) and join me for the Race itself, taking place on Saturday, June 2, 2007.

Thanks for all your support!

Raise your voices for healthy choices
I AM THE CURE. ™

Muslims CAIR team:

Please register at : http://www.nrftc.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=225346&lis=1&kntae225346=A98485D019114F119A68D3ACD45ACE3C&team=1868657

Follow This Link https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=225346&lis=1&kntae225346=2945F4896B3A41789A4702F24077C41B&supId=174066525 to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Komen National Race for the Cure

We are a growing school seeking a fulltime Hifzh teacher.

The ideal candidate should have memorized Qur’an with Tajweed. Must be fluent in English. Able to provide leadership/supervision for the Hifzh Program. Must have good communication skills and should have legal permission to work in the United States.

· Competitive salary · Medical & Dental Insurance

· Paid sick/personal days · Paid Islamic Holidays

· Tuition Discounts for family

Please send resume with references to:

Islamic Center of Maryland
19411 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg MD 20879
Fax: 301 987 8915
Email: icmadmin@icomd.org

The hospital I worked in during my stay in Swaziland sits atop the beautiful and very steep Lebombo Mountains. In this part of the world people often have to walk 40 kilometers or more in order to see a doctor.

As you can imagine there are many people in the community who are simply too sick or too poor to get to a hospital. This is where home-based care comes in. The home-based care team consists of several nurses who jump into a small truck/van every morning and travel out to the community to tend to the health needs of the truly destitute.

Before I went out with the team I used to buy potatoes and carrots and apples to give to the people we met - because health care in Africa is often just as much about the provision of food as it is about medicine. I would always make sure I also bought a bag of sweets to give to the beautiful children we would meet out in the community. I have learned that sweets are one of the great unifiers in the human world - we might look different and speak different languages - but most of us - especially the young ones - love sweets!

One day we stopped at one of the 15,000 orphan-led households in Swaziland. Inside the hut we found a beautiful little girl with huge brown eyes. Her name was Tanzile. I gave her a sweet from my bag and she said something back to me in Si-swati, the native language, which the nurse next to me translated:

“She wants another one doctor - to give to her little sister.”

I said “of course” and gave her another. After we had tended to a man with tuberculosis a bit further down the road, we passed by Tanzile’s house to say goodbye. To our surprise she seemed to be holding on to that extra sweet I had given her.

I remember saying to the nurse “this little darling is clever - she has taken two for herself. If I was her I’d probably have asked for the whole bag!” But after the nurse had asked her some more questions this is what we learned:

Tanzile is 7 now. Two years ago when she was five her mum and dad both died of HIV/AIDS like so many have in this country. At the time of her parents tragic death, she was separated from her baby sister who was three at the time. Tanzile has not laid eyes on her since. But ever since that time, whenever Tanzile receives anything from anyone, including food, - she refuses to accept it, unless they give her two. Two carrots, two toys, two sweets - one for her and one for her baby sister (who in all likelihood didn’t survive.)

In fact, in the little mud hut where she lives, we found a pile of old things which she has been collecting to give to her sister one day.

My friends, people sometimes look at faces of African children or kids in the developing world and think that they are somehow different than our kids - that somehow they don’t feel pain or sadness or love. But that is not true. Their pain is deep. And so is their love.

I can still remember the nurse trying to convince her that “if someone gives you food Tanzile, you must accept it - even if it is only one piece and not two - for your own health and safety.” And it was so hard for us to keep the tears from our eyes as she shook her head defiantly. Her hope and her love was all that she had. It mattered more than anything else.

When I returned home that day, I was shocked to find that this was not an isolated story but others in the hospital knew of orphans just like Tanzile - waiting with a little pile of things in their hut, for their sibling or their parent who they haven’t seen in so long.

I think of that old saying - “when we’re hungry, love will keep us alive.” I pray that for Tanzile’s sake and the other beautiful children like her that it will.

Written by Maithri

OUR ORPHANS –….OUR RESPOSIBILITY

“And they feed, for the love of Allah, the poor, the orphan, and the captive…” [Soorah al-Insaan, 8]

Muslims are commanded to behave with courtesy and politeness towards one and all. Kindness to orphans is associated with other segments of society as well,such as parents, relations , needy, neighbours, travellers and others.

Allah Ta’ala says: ” And worship Allah, and do not join aught with Him: and to parents show kindness and also to kinsmen and orphans and the needy and the near neighbour and the distant neighbour and the companion by your side and the wayfarer and those whom your right hand possesses. Surely Allah does not love the vainglorious and boastful.” (Qur’an 4: 36)

Muslims are also urged to treat the orphans with kindness and not harshness.
Allah Ta’ala says: ” Therefore, treat not the orphans with harshness.” (Qur’an 93: 9)

Best Home
Abu Hurairah(R.A.) reported that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: ” The Best home of Muslims is one wherein there is an orphan who is treated well; and the worst home of Muslims is one wherein there is an orphan who is treated badly.” (Ibn Majah)

Cure for Hard Heartedness
Abu Hurairah(R.A.) reported that , a man once came to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, and complained that he feels hardness in his heart. The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, “Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need ? Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat. This will soften your heart.” ( Ahmad)

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an: ” They ask you as to how they will spend. Say whatever you spend of wealth, let it be for parents and kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, surely Allah is the Knower thereof.” ( Qur’an 2: 215)

MAY OUR HEARTS BE SOFTENED.
MAY WE RESPOND TO THE CRY AND NEED OF THE ORPHANS.
Contact ANY one of the relief organizations that are doing SELFLESS work to help ease any suffering of our orphans.
AND SPONSOR AN ORPHAN TODAY!!

Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS
http://members.tripod.com/worldupdates/contentstable/

CSCE is looking for energetic and self-motivated mechanical and electrical project engineers, with experience in the design of mechanical, plumbing, fire protection and electrical systems for commercial buildings, who are looking for an excellent growth opportunity. Candidates should have good communications and leadership skills. Registration as a professional engineer (PE) is preferred.

CSCE is located in Rockville, MD and provides consulting and design engineering services for the building construction industry. Services offered are in the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection disciplines.

Charles J. Szollosy, PE, LEED (r) AP
CS Consulting Engineers, Inc.
1300 Piccard Drive
Suite 104
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 977-7644
(301) 977-7643 (Fax)
cszollosy@csceinc.com
www.csceinc.com

*****

ICOR Partners is looking to fill several system engineering positions within the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (see description below).

Please send resumes to:
Eric Thomas, Director
ethomas@icorpartners.com

Chris Mason, Recruiter
cmason@icorpartners.com.

www.icorpartners.com

———————————————
System Engineering Management Consultant

Introductory Statement:

Serves as an IT Specialist (PLCYPLN) in the Division of the Chief Engineer in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Codifies and documents agency procedures and policies associated with system solution, enterprise architecture, quality, process, configuration and test management. These activities facilitate the development of consistent processes for OCIO operations.

Systems Solution Management:

Documents the procedure to collect, manage, and maintain the physical and logical AGENCY system architectural documentation and information. This includes infrastructure system solutions and application system solutions. Maintains the repository of information using software products and tools as needed. Identifies improvement and rationalization opportunities to OCIO leadership.

Enterprise Architecture Planning and Implementation:

Manages and controls the development of the federal enterprise architecture reference models (performance, technical, data, business, and service). Uses the FEA models as a strategic planning tool for the OCIO in support of its long-term and short-term infrastructure and business system planning. Also uses the FEA models to support OCIO capital planning and investment control activities.

Develops a plan to manage the OCIO enterprise architecture repository. Uses the repository to disseminate information to OCIO stakeholders and perform historical and business process analysis.

Quality Management:

Documents the OCIO risk process and quality management manuals. The manuals should reference industry best practices (PMBOK) and provide a single reference point for project managers on the procedures to document and report risk and quality management issues. Documents the process to integrate the risk and quality management practices into the OCIO lifecycle methodology.

Manages the development of supporting tools, software, and risk registers as required to ensure the adoption by OCIO projects.

Facilitates the ongoing successful deployment of the AGENCY performance based management system (PBMS) and works to ensure the system is based on best practices and standards, namely ANSI 748. Manages the usage of the system, application across projects, and supports information dissemination to multiple stakeholders.

Process Management:

Develops, improves, and maintains the system engineering tools, quality factors, templates, checklists, and associated documentation. These artifacts and templates will form the basis for the system engineering and program management standards for the Agency. Documents and maintains the governance structure associated with projects and programs. This will include defining the roles and responsibilities of the governance bodies.

Supports the OCIO lifecycle methodology by enforcing the standards, delivering training sessions, preparing training materials, and facilitating review sessions as necessary. These steps will help to ensure a consistent project management approach and governance structure.

Performs internal assessments and monitors the effectiveness of the process.

Communicates process management status, recommendations, and lessons learned to OCIO leadership.

Configuration Management:

Defines the configuration management practices and procedures for system configuration planning, identification, tracking, change management and control across the OCIO’s organization and contractors. Identifies, collects, and manages information on all configuration items, attributes, and relationships. This includes products, tools, and procedures as necessary to accomplish the work. Manages and executes the change control and approval process and actively participates in other control boards.

Test Management:

Coordinates test practices and procedures across the CIO organization. Coordinates tools, assets, and activities for the CIO to include testing labs and associated development environments. Provides project oversight, as needed, for the verification of test activities and deliverables.