We are the sparks which shine so bright

Orphaned Land @ Hellfest 2011, © Nidhal Marzouk

As some people may already know, my blog's name is taken from the lyrics of an Israeli band: Orphaned Land. Today, I read that somebody launched a petition, so that these musicians could reserve the next Nobel Prize for Peace. Maybe I will write another article someday, where I could share my deepest thoughts about them, but this isn't the point here (and, by the way, sometimes, feelings just couldn't be shared or explained by words, so wait and see). Read the following statement, take a few minutes to watch the video, and if the spirit moves you, take a minute more to sign the petition.

"This is my personal request to all my friends from the Middle East, Turkey, and in general from all my Muslim friends here on my page:

We know for a long time now that we are above politic, we know that if it was in our hands, peace would have prevailed right away.

Please enter this link and sign if you find us worthy, please also spread the word and share it on your pages?

I send my endless love to all of you and all my love and best greetings for the coming holyday in a few days.

Salam/Shalom/Peace.
Kobi"

 Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's singer

 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/nominate-orphaned-land-for-the-2013-nobel-peace-prize.html

Anti-Islam film and running blood

It has been a few days now since we heard about the scandal among the muslim countries and communities caused by an Americain movie, named "The Violence Of Muslims". To talk about it in a few words, for those who -who knows?- don't know it yet, this film openly criticizes Islam and the Prophet Mahomet. As if for the director, the name of so-called Sam Bacile (Jew? Not Jew? Doubts keep hanging over) is often mentionned, but it seems that this could simply be a pen name. Another name comes back regularly: the Christian Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. This producer is actually suspected to be the director himself. At the present time, Nakoula is told to have asked an official protection, as he fears for his life.
So much ideas, but no certitudes! So much violence for an idiocy!

It has been a few days now since we heard about the first reactions. And now, the avalanches continues. Embassies under siege, flags burnt, more and more dramas, and especially harmed, and even killed people!

• http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/09/the-innocence-of-muslims-viral-video-gone-wrong.html

• http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/13/protests-ramp-up-at-embassies-in-tehran-switzerland-cairo-yemen/

• http://internationalpoliticalforum.com/the-innocence-of-muslims-is-a-trap-we-must-overcome/
• http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/14/today-is-your-last-day-ambassador-embassies-brace-for-violence-as-anti-islam-film-protests-spread/

Talking about the trailer on youtube is useless: I've watch a few seconds only, before being amazed by the ridiculous scenes, the poor actors, the nonexistent set. To me, it only looks like a big and bad joke! But unfortunately, this bad joke turned into ugly events. We already know how an allusion to the Prophet Mahomet can cause problems: remember, for instance, the Danish caricatures, in 2005.

Look, I will never, never, never reproach somebody for his beliefs, never! As my friends already know, I'm a culture lover: I love meeting people with a different culture, language, different tastes and so on. Doesn't it make our world richer? And as an agnostic, I see religion, every single religion existing, as a philosophy, a way to find oneself, a magnificent message about love and peace. But I can't understand how such a beautiful thing turns into a devilish weapon of war. And I can't accept innocents to be killed because of convictions' defense. This is against liberty, against humanity, against respect between brothers and sisters!

Maybe this movie (but is it really a movie, or was the trailer only a provocation?) hurt some believers, who didn't see over black humor, or completely fathomed straight off, but nobody will ever be able to justify the horrible murders and hatred, nobody!

May the victims be in peace, wherever they are.

http://internationalpoliticalforum.com/the-innocence-of-muslims-is-a-trap-we-must-overcome/

Some common misconceptions about Hinduism

Vishnu

I came across a very interesting article on Aumnipresence's tumblr about some prejudgments that people can have about hinduism, a religion not so well-known actually. Here it is, enjoy the day's general knowledge moment ;-)

-Hinduism is a religion of many Gods. Hinduism is actually a monotheistic religion. There is one God, (BRAHMAN) who is manifested in many infinite forms and symbols, depending on time, characterization, and where needed. God is everywhere and therefore is everything, but still one. 
-Only Indians are Hindu. There are countless non-Indian Hindus in many countries throughout the globe. Calling all Indians Hindus or all Hindus Indians would be like saying all Christians are Arab (hence the birthplace of Christianity), or calling all Buddhists East Asian (Even though the birthplace of Buddhism is India).
-Hindus worship pictures and statues instead of God. This is completely wrong. We Hindus believe that hence God is in everything, an image of God can bare God’s spirit. This can be seen throughout many religions. The Christians bow to the cross, a symbol or image of their savior Jesus. Muslims gather and pray towards the Ka’ba, a stone structure in Makkah. Nearly everything in a Hindu’s life and prayer is symbolic, much as the teachings of life are. To us Hindus, everything is made of God, hence everything is sacred… so treat it with respect! 
-Hindus worship cows. Yes and no. We do not worship cows, but we revere them with upmost respect. Cows are our earthly mothers. They give us milk and cheese, cultivate the land, and remain calm in nearly all situations. Cows are a gift and a nurturing soul, so we respect them and abstain from killing them or hurting them. This is why cows are referred to as “Gau Mata”, mother cow. There are countless references to Gau Mata in the Vedas and sacred texts. Sri Krisna is a cowherd (Krisna Gopala), Mahadev Shiva’s cow, Nandi, is worshiped as a protecting and loving force, etc.