Latest news with #MohamedFarag
Leaders
01-05-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Round vs. Flat: Defying Misconceptions on the Earth's Shape
By: Dr. Mohamed Farag Recently, a controversial question has gone viral across social media platforms: Is the Earth round or flat? Despite the overwhelming evidence and numerous devices proving the Earth is a sphere, including space missions and satellites, some groups claim that the Earth is flat and encircled by an ice wall. Those groups call themselves 'The Flat Earth Society.' Round or Flat? More than 2,200 years ago, Eratosthenes, a Greek astronomer, geographer, mathematician, and poet, proved the Earth's spherical nature. So did Al-Biruni, a Muslim astronomer, mathematician, historian, and geographer. Using the tools available at the time, both scholars calculated the circumference of the Earth with remarkable precision. A depiction of flat Earth Another compelling piece of evidence lies in the shape of other celestial bodies. If you looked through a telescope on a clear night, you would see Jupiter and Saturn appearing as spheres. The Earth is no different. The Age of Earth Scientifically speaking, the age of Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years. Scientists calculated it through geological studies and radiometric dating (the analysis of radioactive elements found in old rocks and minerals). Atoms in radioactive elements decay into lighter elements with lower atomic mass. Each radioactive element needs a certain amount of time for half of its atoms to decay. This is called 'half-life.' By measuring the ratio of the decay products to the ratio of the original element, we can determine how long that sample has been in this location. This method is used to calculate the age of the remains of living organisms and other substances. How the Earth Formed Initially, the universe was void, then it pulsed with matter and energy in what is known as the 'Big Bang.' Matter dispersed across the cosmos, eventually forming hydrogen atoms after a certain period. Following this, hydrogen accumulated in nebulae. Hydrogen nuclei began to fuse in stars, creating radiant stars pulsing with energy. After the consumption of hydrogen in some of those stars, they evolved into red giants or supergiants, depending on their mass. Some of those stars explode, scattering atoms heavier than hydrogen into space. Atoms heavier than iron are formed in neutron stars. Earth Dust particles accumulate in a specific location, forming either a planet or a moon that orbits a planet. Given that gravity operates in all directions, these planets or celestial bodies take a spherical shape. These theories form the basis for the study of the observable universe. They are substantiated by mathematical models and observations. Since the Earth is no different from these planets and stars, it is consequently spherical. Real-world Evidence When you lie down on a beach by the sea or ocean, you will notice ships disappear hull down over the horizon, with the upper parts vanishing last. This is because the Earth's curvature blocks the line of sight to the lower part of the ship. Furthermore, there are plenty of phenomena that confirm that the Earth is a sphere, such as lunar and solar eclipses during which we can simply observe the Earth's shadow on the Moon, as well as the Moon blocking sunlight. Moreover, the change of star positions with the change of geographical location provides another compelling piece of evidence. Similarly, the star constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere are different from those seen in the Southern Hemisphere. About the author: Dr. Mohamed Farag is an associate professor of physics at Al-Azhar University. Short link : Post Views: 1
Jordan News
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan News
Expired: An Egyptian Drama Addressing Digital Gambling - Jordan News
In the Ramadan season of 2025, actor Mohamed Farag takes on his first lead role in television drama through the series "Expired," set to air on MBC Egypt starting from the 15th of Ramadan. اضافة اعلان The series unfolds in a compelling social context, focusing on the hidden world of digital gambling and its devastating effects on the lives of young people. Farag plays "Saleh," a successful employee who is wronged and finds his life turned upside down. He is then caught in a whirlwind of critical decisions, between losing everything and getting swept into the dangerous world of gambling. Cast of the Series In addition to Mohamed Farag, the series stars Yasmine Rais, Heba Magdy, Khaled Serhan, Mahmoud Al-Lethi, Dunia Maher, Tamer Nabil, Sami Maghouri, and Hassan Malik. The series is written by Mohamed Hesham Abiya and directed by Tamer Nadi. Negative Impact of Gambling Farag commented in a press release, saying, "The idea of the series came from the director and the writer. When it was presented to me, I really liked it, and I believe it's the first time that a drama addresses the issue of online gambling and its negative impact on the minds of young people." He revealed the details of his character, explaining that he plays "Saleh Al-Fayez," a young man who lived an unstable family life but possesses great intelligence and skill. However, a series of events lead to dramatic changes, turning his life upside down. Regarding how viewers might be affected by the character, which may present unhealthy behavior, Farag stated, "Drama is created from stories and tales inspired by real life. Viewers may not accept direct advice, so it's better to present it in an indirect way for real conviction of what's being presented." He also discussed his first collaboration with director Tamer Nadi through "Expired," saying, "Once we started working together, our ideas aligned significantly. I always enjoy working with writers and directors who have different ideas and visions because it gives the artist great energy to renew and present unconventional ideas." The Issues Addressed in the Series Actor Mahmoud Al-Lethi, who plays the character "Fathi," a teacher with many negative traits who seeks to make money by any means, said he was surprised by the widespread nature of digital gambling among certain segments of the population. He emphasized that the series would resonate with many viewers, and the goal is for the educational message to be conveyed in an indirect but impactful way. Actress Dunia Maher, who plays "Safaa," a lawyer and mother, stated that the series addresses a new and unexplored issue in drama, and she believes it will spark significant debate. Filming and Real-Life Inspirations Writer Mohamed Hesham Abiya explained that the title "Expired" refers to many things that lose their validity over time, such as human relationships or behaviors that fade or change. He further clarified that ideas also have an expiration date, and he believes the series addresses various ideas on different levels, aiming to reach all social classes. Abiya also mentioned that some events in the series are inspired by real-life incidents, highlighting drama's role in shedding light on sensitive societal issues and discussing them openly. According to him, addressing such issues and bringing them to the public eye is a healthy phenomenon. Many of the series' events were filmed in open locations, a decision reached after extensive discussions with director Tamer Nadi. This approach was chosen to ensure the series addresses an issue that impacts different segments of society, so it was natural for the filming to take place in locations that match the nature of the events. Conclusion "Expired" is a significant Egyptian drama that deals with the issue of digital gambling and its destructive impact on the youth, following characters' lives as they deal with the consequences of their involvement in this dangerous world. The series is expected to provoke significant discussions and raise awareness about an important issue, making it one of the most anticipated dramas for Ramadan 2025.
