Latest news with #ofGod
Saba Yemen
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Capital Secretariat – Cultural Seminar in Al-Safia District commemorating Prophet's Migration
Sana'a - Saba: The General Mobilization Office in Al-Safia District, Capital Secretariat, organized a cultural seminar on Tuesday to commemorate the blessed anniversary of the Prophet's Migration (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), under the slogan "The Word of God is Supreme." The seminar addressed key themes, including the objectives of the divine message, the most significant actions undertaken by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) after the migration, the characteristics of the Ansar community, and the role of Yemenis in supporting the Muhammadan message and confronting the forces of polytheism and misguidance. During the event, the First Undersecretary of the Capital Secretariat, Khaled Al-Madani, emphasized the importance of reviving this occasion to strengthen faith-based identity, follow the path and biography of the Great Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and reflect on its profound meanings. He praised the resilience of the Yemeni people in the face of aggression, urging continued efforts in general mobilization and heightened readiness to confront all challenges, while supporting Gaza, the Palestinian people, and Islamic holy sites. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Sharjah 24
05-06-2025
- Sharjah 24
UAE pilgrims stand on Mount Arafat for the Hajj greatest pillar
UAE pilgrims arrive in Arafat in comfort and good health Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat and Chairman of the UAE Pilgrims Affairs Office, confirmed that all UAE pilgrims arrived safely and comfortably in Arafat. He noted that the pilgrims are in good health and under continuous care from the accompanying medical teams, who are ensuring their wellbeing during this sacred journey. Comprehensive support for UAE pilgrims Dr Al Darei emphasised the UAE Pilgrims Affairs Office's commitment to providing all necessary services and support. From medical care to logistical assistance, the office is working to ensure that every UAE pilgrim has a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience throughout the Hajj journey. Appreciation for Saudi Arabia's hajj management Dr Al Darei also praised the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with all related Saudi institutions, for their exceptional efforts. He highlighted the successful implementation of programs, the use of modern technologies, and the outstanding services provided to pilgrims. These efforts led to a smooth movement of pilgrims between holy sites, including the transitions from Mina to Arafat and from Arafat to Muzdalifah. A seamless experience for millions of pilgrims Thanks to the coordinated efforts and logistical support, the process of grouping and transporting the large crowds of pilgrims was carried out efficiently and with great care. The experience reflects the high level of organization and the deep commitment to serving the Guests of God during this sacred time.
Boston Globe
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The priesthood, or rock 'n' roll? How the Stones inspired me to break my grandmother's heart.
Advertisement Mick wrote the words, and Keith helped make them better. With the other Rolling Stones, they flew to Chicago and recorded the track at Chess Records on the South Side, 25 miles east of my family's house. They'd just performed three pretty good songs on Ed Sullivan, but none were as good as this new one. No song was, really. One mag said Keith used special tuning and something called a fuzzbox to make his guitar sound so aggro and dirty. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Five years before that, our Grandma Grace had moved from the Bronx to our new house in Lisle, Ill. Her husband had died back in 1928, and she loved telling me about my namesake grandfather — mine-laying sailor during the war, stalwart teetotaler, devout and pious Catholic — and how much he respected Jesuits, how thrilled he'd be to look down from heaven and watch me serve on God's altar. I was 9. 'My little lamb,' she called me, as in Lamb of God. Advertisement Next thing I knew, she'd landed a job as the secretary at our parish's rectory and talked Father Fred into letting me start serving mass two years early. I became the youngest altar boy in the history of St. Joan of Arc! But that was just part of her plan. After serving at masses, weddings, and baptisms from fourth through eighth grade, for high school I would attend St. Stanislaus Jesuit Seminary in Florissant, Mo., where I'd 'accept the gift of celibacy.' After four years there and four more at a Jebby university, I'd be ordained as a Jesuit priest. As she drove me to and from the 6:15 a.m. masses I served almost daily, Grandma Grace told me that if a boy became a Jesuit priest, his grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters would all go straight to heaven the moment they died, skipping what could be dozens or even millions of years in purgatory. 'Most indulgences remove only some of the penance,' she said, 'but a plenary indulgence, like when you get ordained, removes all of it.' I promised her many times I would do it. I didn't think that lifelong celibacy was a deal-breaker, if I thought about it at all. Plus I was proud to be able to spare my whole family the stinging, cleansing fires — cooler than hell's, but still pretty hot — so our souls could all zoom up to heaven the second we passed away. Advertisement Our plan stayed on track until I was 12 or 13, when what celibacy forbids started sinking in. What the hell had I been thinking? For months and months, I seesawed back and forth about breaking my promise, though I forgot about the whole thing for long stretches during football or baseball season. As the summer between eighth grade and the seminary rolled around, 'Satisfaction' was on the radio all the time, most predictably when WLS counted down to the No. 1 song every night at 10 o'clock. My parents would be watching TV downstairs, and I'd turn it up as loud as I dared. I dug when Mick sang, 'He can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me,' because my friends and I were smoking them too, especially when we played poker. Keith, Mick, Charlie, and Brian all smoked, sometimes while playing onstage. The biggest difference was, they never had to get haircuts; we couldn't avoid them because our parents were so strict. Mick is 'tryin' to make some girl,' though he's obviously made a few others. But the coolest thing was that even Mick couldn't 'get no satisfaction' that summer, since we couldn't get any ourselves. In late July, the paperwork for St. Stanislaus had to be signed, and I somehow found the courage to tell Grandma and my parents that instead of the seminary, I wanted to go to St. Procopius, the all-boys prep school right there in Lisle. Thank God, whom I no longer completely believed in, that my dad supported the switch, because he secretly hoped I'd become a good Catholic businessman and usher, like him. If he hadn't, I'd be Stanislaus-bound. Advertisement Grandma was stunned, which killed me and her son. She couldn't have known that in 1999 I'd name my fourth child after her. All she knew was that in five years I'd gone from being probably her favorite kid (there were six of us now, and counting) to an undevout promise-breaker. She said she no longer recognized me, and not because I was taller than she was and had whiskers. 'In here,' she said, touching her heart. When she asked why I changed my mind, I wasn't sure what to say, but I didn't want to lie. 'Maybe I'll change it back while I'm at Proco,' I said. Proco was Benedictine but Catholic, I reminded her, and half the teachers were priests. Their motto was U.I.O.G.D., 'Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Deus' — That in all things God may be glorified. Grandma just sniffed, shook her head, looking down and away, like she did when she really wanted you to know how disappointed she was. If I'd been totally honest, I would've told her girls, sports, poker, and 'Satisfaction.' That whatever's the opposite of becoming a priest is what the words and Keith's riff are about.
Sharjah 24
30-05-2025
- Sharjah 24
UAE Pilgrims Office ensures hajj camp safety
Enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals with comfort and peace His Excellency Ahmed Rashid Al Neyadi emphasized that preparations to receive pilgrims—referred to as the Guests of God—are ongoing across all holy sites. The office is committed to providing everything needed to ensure pilgrims can perform their rituals in comfort and ease. Facilities fully ready for pilgrims Al Neyadi reiterated the office's dedication to maintaining the highest health and safety standards at all camp facilities. He noted that the trial operations confirmed the full operational readiness of the services. Infrastructure boost: Third power station and more Al Neyadi highlighted significant infrastructure enhancements made this year. These include the addition of a third power station inside the camp, established in cooperation with Saudi authorities. A new prayer hall with a capacity of around 400 worshippers was also built at Mount Arafat. Further upgrades include full shading of the camp area to protect against sunstroke, planting of 200 new trees to help reduce heat, and the installation of ventilation fans in Arafat's corridors—all aimed at improving the comfort and well-being of pilgrims during Hajj.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Mataf area ready for Hajj 1446 with capacity of 107,000 pilgrims per hour
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has confirmed the full readiness of the Mataf area to receive pilgrims for Hajj 1446, as part of comprehensive organizational plans to ensure safety, comfort, and high-quality services for worshippers at the Grand Mosque. The authority announced that the tawaf capacity of the Mataf has reached 107,000 pilgrims per hour, spread across the ground level, first and mezzanine levels, and upper floors, including the rooftop. In total, the Mataf can accommodate up to 203,000 worshippers across all levels during peak hours. Officials said that the entire Mataf area has been made accessible exclusively for pilgrims performing tawaf. Dedicated entrances and main and side gates have been allocated to streamline access to the Mataf, with specific gates designated for services and emergency use to optimize safety and crowd move comes under the directives of Saudi leadership to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for the Guests of God, and to facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals with ease and tranquility.
