http://islam.about.com/od/history/a/crescent_moon.htm
The crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of the faith of Islam. The symbol is featured on the flags of several Muslim countries, and is even part of the official emblem for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Christians have the cross, the Jews have the star of David, and the Muslims have the crescent moon, right?
What is the history behind the crescent moon symbol? What does it symbolize or mean? How and when did it become associated with the faith of Islam? Is it a valid symbol for the faith?
The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. Information on the origins of the symbol are difficult to ascertain, but most sources agree that these ancient celestial symbols were in use by the peoples of Central Asia and Siberia in their worship of sun, moon, and sky gods. There are also reports that the crescent moon and star were used to represent the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.
The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon as its symbol. According to some reports, they chose it in honor of the goddess Diana. Others indicate that it dates back to a battle in which the Romans defeated the Goths on the first day of a lunar month. In any event, the crescent moon was featured on the city's flag even before the birth of Christ.
The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islamic armies and caravans flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. In later generations, the Muslim leaders continued to use a simple black, white, or green flag with no markings, writing, or symbolism on it.
It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became affiliated with the Muslim world. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol. Legend holds that the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman, had a dream in which the crescent moon stretched from one end of the earth to the other. Taking this as a good omen, he chose to keep the crescent and make it the symbol of his dynasty. There is speculation that the five points on the star represent the five pillars of Islam, but this is pure conjecture. The five points were not standard on the Ottoman flags, and as you will see on the following page, it is still not standard on flags used in the Muslim world today.
For hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire ruled over the Muslim world. After centuries of battle with Christian Europe, it is understandable how the symbols of this empire became linked in people's minds with the faith of Islam as a whole.
Based on this history, many Muslims reject using the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam. The faith of Islam has historically had no symbol, and many refuse to accept what is essentially an ancient pagan icon. It is certainly not in uniform use among Muslims.
This leads to the question of alternatives. What other "symbol" represents the faith? Is it necessary to even have a symbol? Take our poll, then come join us for a discussion in the Forum.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Nasa and Islam
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1080246
Muslim pandering 'not good for the country'
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 7/8/2010 5:00:00 AM
A conservative media watchdog thinks the mainstream media has virtually ignored the NASA administrator's recent outlandish statement that the "foremost" mission of the space agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden made that announcement on the English language version of Al Jazeera, which Jeff Poor of the Media Research Center's Business and Media Institute believes was a questionable move in and of itself.
He questions how Bolden described space travel as an international collaboration in which Muslim nations must be a part.
"My suspicion is it's just one of those PC things that he was directed...from the Obama administration to do, trying to send a new message," Poor presumes. "I just don't think that's good for the country."
He feels that the strongest condemnation of Bolden's comments perhaps came from syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer on the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier.
"This is a new height in fatuousness. NASA was established to get America into space and to keep us there," Krauthammer argued. "This idea to feel good about their past [and] trying to make achievements is the worst combination of group therapy, psychobabble, imperial condescension and adolescent diplomacy."
He further suggested that the NASA administrator should have been fired for deviating from the intended purpose of NASA.
Muslim pandering 'not good for the country'
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 7/8/2010 5:00:00 AM
A conservative media watchdog thinks the mainstream media has virtually ignored the NASA administrator's recent outlandish statement that the "foremost" mission of the space agency is to improve relations with the Muslim world.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden made that announcement on the English language version of Al Jazeera, which Jeff Poor of the Media Research Center's Business and Media Institute believes was a questionable move in and of itself.
He questions how Bolden described space travel as an international collaboration in which Muslim nations must be a part.
"My suspicion is it's just one of those PC things that he was directed...from the Obama administration to do, trying to send a new message," Poor presumes. "I just don't think that's good for the country."
He feels that the strongest condemnation of Bolden's comments perhaps came from syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer on the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier.
"This is a new height in fatuousness. NASA was established to get America into space and to keep us there," Krauthammer argued. "This idea to feel good about their past [and] trying to make achievements is the worst combination of group therapy, psychobabble, imperial condescension and adolescent diplomacy."
He further suggested that the NASA administrator should have been fired for deviating from the intended purpose of NASA.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Good Devotion
Hidden Hands of God
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
Proverbs 3:5
We all have times when our plans don't work out the way we want or our plans are gone to no return. We get delayed, interrupted, and inconvenienced. It's easy to get frustrated and fight against everything that doesn't go our way. But I am learning and I pray that we all as body of Christ would trust the Lord in a way that would bring us to the assurance that not every interruption is bad. Not every closed door means we're doing something wrong. Not every delay means we're not where we're supposed to be. There is something I call divine interruption or the hidden hands of God where God, on purpose, will delay us to protect us from an accident. On purpose, He will close a door because it's not His best. Sometimes, God will allow us to be inconvenienced so we can help someone else in need. We have to be willing to press through difficulty so we can be at the right place at the right time.
His word says in Romans 8:28 “ and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him”.
This verse is not only about God working things for your good but it’s also about giving you the privilege to partnership with Him ministering to others.
The next time you're interrupted, delayed, or inconvenienced, don't start thinking, "This is a pain. This is getting me off schedule." No, get a new perspective. Look for what God wants to do because it could be divine interruption or divine protection. Trust Him today because He is directing your steps.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.
Proverbs 3:5
We all have times when our plans don't work out the way we want or our plans are gone to no return. We get delayed, interrupted, and inconvenienced. It's easy to get frustrated and fight against everything that doesn't go our way. But I am learning and I pray that we all as body of Christ would trust the Lord in a way that would bring us to the assurance that not every interruption is bad. Not every closed door means we're doing something wrong. Not every delay means we're not where we're supposed to be. There is something I call divine interruption or the hidden hands of God where God, on purpose, will delay us to protect us from an accident. On purpose, He will close a door because it's not His best. Sometimes, God will allow us to be inconvenienced so we can help someone else in need. We have to be willing to press through difficulty so we can be at the right place at the right time.
His word says in Romans 8:28 “ and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him”.
This verse is not only about God working things for your good but it’s also about giving you the privilege to partnership with Him ministering to others.
The next time you're interrupted, delayed, or inconvenienced, don't start thinking, "This is a pain. This is getting me off schedule." No, get a new perspective. Look for what God wants to do because it could be divine interruption or divine protection. Trust Him today because He is directing your steps.
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