Islam Essay Example for Free

Islam Essay1. The word Islam is derived form the Arabic root asalama which literally centre peace, purity and submission. olibanum Islam means surrender to the Almighty and Muslim means one who is in a state of submission. It is understood that this submission is to the Will of God, as is laid down in the record. This tenet is unequivocally trustworthy by all sects of Islam be they Shia, Sunni or Sufis.2. Islam is an unerringly monotheistic religion. It enjoins the existence of one God, his prophet Muhammad who is the Last oracle (khatam-in-nabiyin) in a long lineage of prophets displace throughout time and to every civilization, and the Quran as the Word of God revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibrael. Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and the think of life is to worship him and to adhere to his word, as laid down in the Quran, and in Sunnah (the normative practices of the Prophet), as closely as possible. They believe that Islam is the final, comp leted and universal version of a faith (Deen-e-Ibrahimi) revealed too many prophets before most notably Abraham, Moses and Jesus, yet whose message has now been distorted.3. The practices of Islam are based on the ubiquitous Five Pillars. These are, in order of importance, Shahadah or acceptance of One-ness (Taw hid) of God, Salat or flipper daily Prayers, Saum or Fasting in the month of Ramadan, Zakat or obligatory Alms-giving, Hajj or Pilgrimage to the Kaabah (House of God) at least once in a lifetime, for those able to afford it. These five Pillars of Faith are superjacent upon every Muslim and form the basis for his belief. Some scholars say that the pillars in Shia Islam involve an additional four points in addition to the principal ones. Namely, Nabuwah or Prophet Hood of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses etc., Imamah or Leadership of the Tweleve Imams, Qiyamah or Day of Judgment and Adel or Justice.4. The fundamental goals of Islam are a complete submission to God and adherence to th e teachings of the Quran and the example of Sunnah. When a child is born he is ordained into Islam by reciting the Kalima (the verses outlining Tawhid) into his ear, and on that pointby giving Shahadah i.e. acknowledgement of the One-ness of God. Muslims must perform the ritual of prayer five times a day, fast and give alms in the month of Ramadan, and perform the pilgrimage to the Kaabah if he is of sound mind and body and is able to afford it.The principles of the progression of Virtue (amr bil-maaroof) and Prevention of Vice (nahi an-al-munkar) are long-standing and Muslims are expected to inculcate them in their dealings with others. As Islam enjoins peace and harmony with mankind and with nature there is a great emphasis placed on community. Indeed, the Muslim brethren at large are considered one community (Ummah), irrespective of political, cultural or material barriers. A Muslim is encouraged to perform good deeds for the community (masawaat) and to call people to worship the One God (Dawah).5. Authority in Islam clay with God. His injunctions, as laid down in the Quran, and the practices and teachings of the Prophet, Sunnah are to be followed in establishing a political structure. Traditionally the concept of political leadership was bodied by the big Caliphs (Khulfa-e-Rashiduun), who succeeded Muhammad in leadership of the nascent Islamic Empire. This political set-up personified adherence to the Shariah, duty of the rulers to seek consultation or Shura and of censuring unjust rulers. It is abundantly believed that the Great Four, the four to succeed Muhammad in succession, were the only ones in practice true to the cause of Islam and subsequent rulers fell victim to dynastic politics and greed.With the affect of the Ottoman Empire there was an abolition of the Caliphate, no matter how symbolic, and closure of the traditional Islamic political setup. Shia Islam has a theological concept of the Imamate. This term is a great deal used interchan geably with the Caliphate but has very different connotations. The Shia believes that it is a divine institution succeeding the Last prophet and the Imams divinely chosen. The chosen Imams take up the mantle of religious, political, social etc. leader of all the Ummah. Traditionally Shia followers and scholars have shown political aloofness or activism against what was viewed as an increasingly corrupt caliphate.6. The effectual ideal in Islam resides with God. His injunctions form the basis for Islamic Law or Shariah. Shariah derives from two sources divine revelations set fastnessh in the Quran, and the normative practices of the devoted Prophet, Sunnah, as pertained to everyday matters. Fiqh or Jurisprudence extends on matters not directly touched upon in these primary sources. The foundations for Fiqh come from Ijma or consensus of learned scholars and qiyas, analogy from al-Quran and Sunnah. Shia jurisprudence replaces this with aql or reason. Shariah constabulary is not w idespread, and even in Muslim countries there are often parallel justice systems. In countries where it enjoys official status Shariah is upheld by the qadis. Shariah has widespread implications from matters of politics and economics to diet and personal hygiene. Shia scholars employ a different tack. According to them sources of law (usul-e-fiqh) are Quran, Sunnah, the practices of the Twelve Imams and aql (reason).7. Islamic philosophy and divinity have more or less a harmonious perspective. Theology in Islam centers on cardinal main articles of belief Belief in One God (Tawhid), Belief in the Last Prophet (Nabi) and all the Messengers of God (Rasul), belief in Angels (Malaika), books sent by god (kutub), judgment (qiyamah) and predestination (qadar). Islamic philosophy as produced in an Islamic society is not exclusively concerned with religious matters nor is it totally Islamic in origin rather it has grounds in Hellenistic and Pre-Islamic Indian traditions. The golden age of Islamic philosophy is centered on the eighth to 12th centuries and exemplified Averroes and Avicenna.The first aspect of theology is Kalam which deals with theological questions and the other is Falsafa based on Aristotelianism. Kalam centers on ijtihad or using thought to investigate the doctrines of the Quran, succession Falsafa was mainly concerned with the translation of Greek and Hindu texts and expounding them to the community at large. It is quite possible for a Muslim to hold separate philosophical and theological beliefs believing on the one hand in the Aristotelian principle that the existence of the world is not only a possibility but also a necessity, and also valuing the fact that existence of the world in due only to God. The Shia school of thought differs only in what it considers purely theological matters i.e. Roots of religion (Usul e-Din) and Branches of Faith (Furu-e-Din)8. By the end of the 12th century, the Islamic Empire was a vast entity. Stretching from be yond the shores of the Mediterranean to much of India. Thus Islamic art and architecture shows wide and varied themes, each influenced by the culture and climate of the particular land. The principal Islamic architectural styles are the mosque, tomb, fort and palace and from these an idea of the recurring themes may be gleaned. Soon after Muhammad, a recognizable style of architecture emerged comprising interior vaulted spaces, a circular dome and decorative arabesques.The great mosque of Samarrah in Iraq, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Hagia Sofia in Turkey are prime examples. The conquest of the Persian Empire in the 7th century introduced large arcades and arches. Moorish architecture is perhaps the most familiar example in the western world. The Great Mosque (Mezquita) in Cordova, the Alhambra and the fort of Granada introduced wide breezy interiors and decorative foliage and Arabic inscription motifs. Mughal architecture has built a class of its own.Perhaps the mos t famous is the Taj Mahal, built in washcloth marble entirely in symmetry with large minarets and cupola domes. The Mughals also introduced gardens as a relevant theme in their architecture, most famously the Shalimar Gardens. While theology does not have a very significant impact on Islamic architecture a recurring theme is the absence of human or animal imagery, widely considered to be forbidden by the Prophet. Instead calligraphic inscriptions of the Quran and geometric patterns replace as decorative influences.

International Project Management Association Essay Example for Free

International Project focus Association Essay?International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM) Vision- (iappm. org 2013) To enhance and add value to our orbiculate members and the spue community at large allowing them to manage roams and programs successfully using the right tools, skillsets and methods. Mission- (iappm. org 2013)As a worldwide global project organization IAPPM will create value together with our members, project communities, business partners and corporations by leveraging our content, collaboration and business management insight.The IAPPM focuses on project and program management in the backstage sector, offering their insight to partners, PM communities, and members globally. International Project Management Association (IPMA) Vision- (ipma. ch, 2013) Our Vision IPMA is the leading authority on competent project, programme and portfolio management (PPPM). Through our efforts, PM best practice is widely known and appropriately applied at all levels of public and private sector organizations. IPMA directs attention to the portfolio aspect as well as project management on a global scale.IPMA also includes public sector project management for governments and other public agencies. American Society for the Advancement of Project Management (ASAPM) Vision- (asapm. org, 2013) asapm is the U. S. A. s premier Project and Program Manager performance-based credentialing organization, and a hardworking advocate of effective project management practice throughout all organizations. Appropriate and effective elements of PM Performance are widely demonstrated and acknowledged, non just by PM practitioners, but by all individuals in all organizations.ASAPM acknowledges interest and membership for any individuals for membership. ASAPM also claims to be part of IPMA as an American focused branch. Project Management Institute (PMI) PMI does not have a vision statement. They do however, have list of core values. From these values I infer PMI focuses on certifying and advancement of PM professionals. They also clearly define and explain project management to inquisitive and unaware. References http//www. iappm. org/about. htm http//ipma. ch/about/ http//www. asapm. org/a_home. asp http//www. pmi. org/

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Menstrual Cycle

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Menstrual Cycle valuation of aerophilic stress and antioxidant status duringnormal catamenial cycleAbstr bear Background Objectives Oxidative stress has been investigated to explain various physiological as wholesome as pathological basis of many medical conditions. But very few data concerning the aerobic stress during normal menstrual cycle of eumenorrheic women ar available. Thus, the purpose of study was to examine the physiological role of aerophilous stress during normal menstrual cycle.Methods 120 young healthy female subjects of reproductive grow group (17-27 yrs), having regular menstrual cycle, were examined. serum malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress bio home run and serum ascorbic unpleasant (vitamin-C), an antioxidant vitamin were assessed in the follicular cast (on 7th day) and in the luteal course (on 21st day) of normal menstrual cycle.Results In the present study, authoritative higher (p0.05) levels of ascor bic acid were find in the luteal cast when compared to the follicular phase. Non-significant negative cor apprisalal statisticss were withal observed betwixt MDA and ascorbic acid in both the phases of normal menstrual cycle. Significant increase in serum MDA level coincided with the increased progesterone and oestrogen levels during the luteal phase. High levels of estrogen whitethorn be the initiator of lipid peroxidation process which eventually ends up with cellular disfigurement during the luteal phase.Interpretation refinement Oxidative stress has an important role to play in physiological phenomenon of the menstruation.Keywords Antioxidants, ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), menstrual cycle, oxidative stress.Abbreviations MDA, malondialdehyde.IntroductionMenstrual cycle is the result of complex interacting processes involving fundamental interaction of the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, uterus, prostaglandins and neuroendocrine factors1.The normal menstrual cyc le is a twenty eight day period which is divided into two phases i.e. follicular phase and luteal phase. The follicular phase is characterised by a low level of estrogen and progesterone which is followed by rise in estradiol, lutenizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone at the time of ovulation, part the luteal phase is associated with increased levels of progesterone and estrogen. These phases are associated with various changes in blood parameters along with variations in the sex hormones.Several powerful fightive atomic number 8 species or clean-handed musical themes or oxidants are produced during the course of metabolism in blood cells and most separate cells of the body. These oxidants are very reactive molecules that can react with proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and other molecules which changes physicochemical status of the cell to alter their structure and cause tissue damage. Lipid peroxidation is a well established mechanism of cellular injury in human an d is utilize as an indicator of oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of the important byproduct of lipid peroxidation process which is widely used as an indicator of lipid peroxidation2.These free radicals are the target for the enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging systems3, which includes the antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamin-A, vitamin-C, vitamin-E etc. that scavenge the free radicals and protect the tissues from oxidative stress.Oxidative stress has been implicated in various physiological as well as pathological bases of many medical conditions including reproductive system. Evidences have shown the doubled effects of oxygen radicals in the physiological reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation, ovulation, menstruation, luteolysis, luteal maintenance in pregnancy, implantation and blastocyst development4,5,6, as well as in the pathological conditions like spontaneous abortions and infertility in females7.The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants resulting from either an overproduction of free radicals or a shortage in antioxidant protection leads to oxidative stress8.Although, reports regarding variations of oxidative stress across the normal menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women have been published, specially in reference to MDA (a marker of oxidative stress and an important byproduct of lipid peroxidation), but these are sparse and have conflicting trend.Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of oxidative stress during the different phases of normal menstrual cycle by measuring the MDA which is served as an oxidative stress biomarker and ascorbic acid (vitamin-C), served as an antioxidant.Materials and MethodsThe present study was carried by on 120 normal healthy and regular menstruating female subjects aged between 17 and 27 years (mean age 20.53 + 2.9 years) selected from thexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Study was carried out in the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPermission was in like manner obtained from institutional ethical committee for carrying out the research work. After seeking an informed written consent and recording the detailed menstrual account (i.e. age at menarche, date of last menstruation, cycle length and days of bleeding), the subjects were then subjected to sample collection. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum ascorbic acid (vitamin-C) levels were assayed during their monthly menstrual cycle. exclusively subjects were neither obese nor on any medication of any known pathologies.5 ml of fasting blood samples were drawn from antecubital vein from severally subject during the follicular phase (on 7th day of the cycle) and luteal phase (on 21st day of the cycle) after taking full antiseptic precautions.The MDA levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid assay method9. The principle of the method was based on the spectrophotometric measurement of the colour developed during the reaction of thiobarbituric acid with MDA. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was metric by the absorbance coefficient of malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid complex.Serum ascorbic acid was estimated spectrophotometrically, by employ 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine10. The underlying principle was based on the oxidation of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid followed by union with 2,4- dinitrophenyl hydrazine under controlled conditions, in the presence of Thiourea as a mild reducing agent which gives red coloured osazones.The data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using the PRIMER OF BIOSTATISTICS software. The comparison of variables was done using the Student paired t test and correlation between variables was estimated by using Karl Pearsons correlation coefficient. The consequence level was considered at pResultsThe mean serum MDA and serum ascorbic acid levels during the follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle are presented as in postp one 1. In the present study, the mean serum MDA (nmol/ml) level was greater during the luteal phase (4.294+1.60 nmol/ml) as compared to follicular phase (2.119+0.83 nmol/ml). The difference between MDA levels in the luteal phase was highly significant (pLower values of serum ascorbic acid were found in luteal phase when compared to follicular phase. The mean values observed were 0.9399+0.40 mg/dl 0.8963+0.37 mg/dl in follicular phase and luteal phase, respectively. But, the changes were not significant statistically (p0.05).In this study, a negative correlation was also observed between serum ascorbic acid (mg/dl) and serum MDA (nmol/ml) levels in both follicular and luteal phases but the correlation was found to be non-significant in both follicular phase (r value=-0.026, p0.05) as well as in luteal phase (r value=-0.010, p0.05).Table 1 Mean+SD levels of serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum Ascorbic acid during follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle.Data expressed as mea n and SD, * Highly significant, ** Non-significant.DiscussionPresent study has revealed the role of oxidative stress in the physiology of menstruation. We observed a significant higher levels of MDA while a non-significant lower levels of ascorbic acid in the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.Previous studies also have correlated increased serum MDA levels during the luteal phase with the physiological phenomenon of menstruation in the healthy normal menstruating females which delay our study results6,11. While, no significant differences in MDA levels throughout the normal menstrual cycle also have been reported12,13,14.Unlike our study results, a progressive significant rise in plasma ascorbic acid levels has been reported from menstrual to ovulation15. Similarly, a sharp increase in the fasting level of plasma Vitamin C also has been showed in some women during the middle of the menstrual cycle16. Whereas, some other researchers found no evidences of unusual variability of plasma ascorbic acid values throughout the menstrual cycle, which champions our study17.The significant rise of MDA and depletion of ascorbic acid levels during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle coincides with the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which is a characteristic feature of this phase18. Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the proliferation of uterus while the initiation of sloughing of the endometrium is mainly due to the rise in the estrogen levels18,19,20.Thus, the high estrogen level from developing follicles may be the initiator of lipid peroxidation process21, which eventually causes the cellular injury followed by release of cytokines especially tumour necrosis factor-alpha, which generates reactive oxygen species from the tissues which in fold causes lipid peroxidation22. The generated free radicals may play an important role in spasm of the highly vascularised vessels leading to vascular necrosi s and menstrual flow, when hormonal support for the endometrium is diminished.High levels of oxidative stress have been coincided with high levels of female sex hormone such as estradiol in previous studies also6,21,23. While, in other studies a significant negative correlation between these parameters in regularly menstruating females also have been established24. Whereas, some evidences show no significant correlation between ovarian hormones and oxidative stress during the follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle25.Present study perhaps therefore suggests that the high MDA level in the luteal phase may play an important role in the initiation of menstruation which is a well established cellular injury based phenomenon.ConclusionIn conclusion, these results suggest that increase of serum MDA levels may play an important role in the physiological phenomenon of menstruation.References1. Joseph L. Mayo. A healthy menstrual cycle. Clinical Nutrition Insights 1997 5(9) 1-8.2. Ra harjo S, Sofos JN and Schmitt GR. Solid-phase acid extraction improves thiobarbituric acid methods to determine lipid oxidation. J Food Sci 1993 58 921-932.3. Grunert RR and Phillips PH. A modification of nitroprusside method of analysis for glutathione. Arch Biochem 1951 30(2) 217-225.4. Sawada M and Carlson J. Superoxide radical production in plasma membrane samples from regressing corpora lutea. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1989 67(5) 465-471.5. Harvey AJ, Kind KL and Thompson JG. REDOX regulation of early embryo development. Reproduction 2002 123 479-486.6. Akande AA and Akinyinka AO. Serum malondialdehyde levels during menstrual cycle. Afr J Biotechnol 2005 4(11) 1297-1299.7. Agarwal A, Aponte-Mellado A, Premkumar BJ, Shaman A, Gupta S. The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2012 10 49.8. Terada LS. Specificity in reactive oxidant signaling Think globally, act locally. J Cell Biol 2006 174 615-623.9. Satoh K. Serum lipid peroxide in cerebrovascular disorders determined by a new colorimetric method. Clin Chim Acta 1978 90(1) 37-43.10. Natelson S. Determination of ascorbic acid by using 2,4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine. Techniques of Clinical Chemistry. 3rd ed. Springfield, USA Charles C. Thomas. 1971 165-166.11. Karowicz-Bilinska A, Plodzidym M, Krol J, Lewinska A, Bartosz G. Changes of markers of oxidative stress during menstrual cycle.Redox Rep 2008 13(5) 237-240.12. Serviddio G, Loverro G, Vicino M, et al. Modulation of endometrial redox balance during the menstrual cycle relation with sex hormones. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002 87(6) 2843-2848.13. Elhadd TA, Neary R, Abdu TA, et al. Influence of the hormonal changes during the normal menstrual cycle in healthy young women on soluble adhesion molecules, plasma homocysteine, free radical markers and lipoprotein fractions. Int Angiol 2003 22(3) 222-228.14. Browne RW, Bloom MS, Schisterman EF, et al. Analytical and biological variation of biomarkers of oxidative stre ss during the menstrual cycle. Biomarkers 2008 11 160-183.15. Michos C, Kiortsis DN, Evangelou A, Karkabounas S. Antioxidant protection during the menstrual cycle The effects of estradiol on ascorbic dehydroascorbic acid plasma levels and total antioxidant plasma status in eumenorrhoic women during the menstrual cycle. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2006 85(8) 960-965.16. Mickelson O, Dippel AL and Todd RL. plasm Vitamin C levels in women during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1943 3(11) 600-602.17. Hauck HM. Plasma levels and urinary excretion of ascorbic acid in women during the menstrual cycle. J Nutr 1947 33(5) 511-514.18. Ganong. William F. Gonads Development and function of the reproductive system. In Review of Medical Physiology. 13th ed. USA Prentice-Hall Int. Inc. 1987 364-369.19. Llewellyn-Jones D. Everywomen A gynaecological guide for life. 4th ed. The Chancer press. Great Britain 1986 p-48.20. Whitley RJ, Wayne M and Nelson BW. Endocrinology. In Teitz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Carl Burtis and Edward Ashwood (editors). Philadephia Saundera company. 1992 p-1879.21. Schisterman EF, Gaskins AJ, Mumford SL, et al. Influence of Endogenous Reproductive Hormones on F2-Isoprostane Levels in Premenopausal Women. Am J Epidemiol 2010 172(4) 430-439.22. Romero FJ, Bosch-Morell F, Romero MJ, Jareno EJ, Romero B, Roma MN. Lipid peroxidation products and antioxidants in human diseases. Environ Health Perspect 1998 106 1229-1234.23. Sowers M, McConnell D, Jannausch ML, et al. Oestrogen metabolites in relation to isoprostanes as a measure of oxidative stress. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008 68(5) 806-813.24. BednarekTupikowska G, BohdanowiczPawlak A, Bidzinska B, Milewicz A, AntonowiczJuchniewicz J, Andrzejak R. Serum lipid peroxide and superoxide dismutase activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol 2001 15(4) 298-303.25. Lutoslawska G, Tkaczyk J, panczenco- kresowska B, Hubner Wozniak E, Skierska E, Gajewski AK. Plasma TBARS , blood GSH concentrations, and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in regularly menstruating women with ovulatory and anovulatory menstrual cycles. Clin Chim Acta 2003 331(1-2) 159-163.