Indiana Josh

Islam is a mirror in which the West projects its own identity crisis.

Olivier Roy in Secularism Confronts Islam, a cogent, dense little read that is highly recommended for its refreshing nuance.

Jan

6 AM.

Arabic, Foucault, and coffee.

ma a3rft an-noum.

Jan

craggie:

modernmuslimah:

The Gas man of Amman, Jordan!! Oh that tune!

Lool!! As if this has nearly 10,000 view’s! :D I bet he doesn’t even know!

I would never have thought i would miss that music. I actually liked it when i was there because when i was woken by it i knew that I was in Amman straight away *bliss*

I have to post something so that Craggie doesn’t descend into just awkward pictures of me! And this is sure to get a like from my mountain climbing/Foucault reading buddy Indiana Josh!

[cas]

More than just a like! Craggie knows the way to my heart, à la the soothing lullaby of the propane trucks in Amman.

قراءة الحمام

Saturdog

pantslessprogressive:

“Of course, it’s not enough for us to increase student aid. We can’t just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down. Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who’ve done just that. Some schools re-design courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it’s possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down.

Higher education can’t be a luxury – it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.” - President Obama

Via stfuconservatives

Jan

harpy:

tjumenkglobus:

Protection Against the Evil Eye? Votive Offerings on Armenian Manuscript Bindings

Sylvie Merian will explore an unusual type of metal decoration found on a number of Armenian manuscript bindings. These bindings were embellished with odd objects haphazardly attached onto the covers, and sometimes even onto the spine and flap. The items may include coins, crosses, crucifixes, seal stones from personal signet rings, metal belts, jewelry, and small metal repousse objects shaped liked hands, eyes, crescent moons, or human faces. Some of these objects were clearly donated by the faithful as memorials to themselves and their families to express their Christian piety. Others surely functioned as ex-votos. However, this does not fully explain their entire purpose. In view of the ubiquitous belief in evil forces, the evil eye, and malevolent spirits in the Near East, Merian will discuss the use of these objects as apotropaic devices to avert evil, thereby protecting not only the donor but also the religious manuscript itself.

I wish there was more information about this gorgeous book. Sweet Jesus, please tell me this item is up for auction.

How can something be so beautiful? Աստված իմմմմ.