Permaculture Design Certificate Course February 2015

We are pleased to announce that the details have been finalized for the Permaculture Design Certificate Course in Malaysia in February, 2015. Please read on for more information.

Take a look at our previous PDC

REGISTER HERE

DOWNLOAD POSTER

The Permaculture Design Course is a comprehensive and in-depth training experience that equips Permaculture Designers with the foundation necessary to design systems and sites using the unique Permaculture methodology and to begin implementing Permaculture Design at any scale. The Certificate is a also a prerequisite for a Diploma in Permaculture Design, offered through The Permaculture Institute. Credit for this course is now accepted by a growing number of universities around the world.

Dates: 7th of FEBRUARY until 19th of FEBRUARY 2015

Classes will begin each day at 9:00 am and end at 5:30 pm with appropriate breaks for Prayer,  lunch and refreshments.

REGISTER ONLINE:

Follow this Link

For more information: Contact us via email:

Location:

University of Life, Janda Baik, Malaysia. Within an hour drive of Kuala Lumpur Center.

Teacher:

This  course will be taught by AbdurRahman McCausland, a registered Permaculture trainer, consultant and practitioner, accredited by the PRI, with 7 years experience practicing Permaculture and 5½ years of project establishment and operation experience in Ethiopia.

AbdurRahman is an ecologist by training (BA Hons Merton College, Oxford) and has travelled widely in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Course Fee:

RM 3000 (Aprox. $ 950 USD) 

Full Payment must be made before the first day of class. Payment is accepted in Malaysian Ringgit or U.S. Dollars or British Pounds. For payments in cash, the exchange rate will be calculated at the time of payment.

We also accept Gold Dinars as a form of payment. Please contact for more details regarding this method of payment.

Please inquire about scholarships that may be available.

Accommodations:

On-Site Accommodations are  included in course fee.

 Food:

Food and refreshments are provided for all students and is included in the course fee. The hosts serve halal food. Vegetarian options are also available upon request.

 Additional Information:

Our goal at Murujan Permaculture Design is to create a safe learning space for all that takes into consideration the cultural sensitivities of Muslims. The course is hosted at a venue nearby local communities, many of whom have traditional Muslim values and the hosts therefore provide excellent hospitality but also deserve a respect of their values by guests. The courses is open to anyone and everyone regardless of religion, race or gender, etc., and all are encouraged to join. The atmosphere will be conducive to conservative and traditional Muslim values and etiquette.

The course is therefore especially suited for those who would like to work in areas around the world that are inhabited by Muslims where many new and exciting Permaculture projects are springing up.

 General Guidelines include:

- Open and receptive attitude toward cross cultural communication
– Willingness to ask questions whenever necessary
– Conservative attire is recommended
– Respecting cultural gender relations
– Sobriety at all times during the PDC course
– Respect for elders, religious traditions and practice, and community leaders
-No musical instruments or music played out loud
-No Alcohol is permitted on premises
-No illicit drugs are permitted on premises

For men this would include:

- Wearing long shorts at least to the knee
– Wearing shirts at all times
– Not touching or shaking hands of Muslim women
– Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with wife or partner

For ladies this would include:

- Not touching or shaking hands of Muslim men
– Long skirts or pants
– Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with husband or partner

THE COURSE

Who is this course for?

The Permaculture Design Certificate Course is a comprehensive educational experience that teaches how a superior design methodology applicable to all human systems.

Therefore this course is useful for anyone who cares about the quality of the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink.

Some examples of those who will find the course useful:

Architects who want to learn how to design buildings that are helpful to humanity.
Engineers who want to design technology that causes more good than harm.
City Planners who want to design and re-engineer cities to be more sustainable and healthy environments for people.
Business Owners who want to run their business in a more sustainable, ethical and profitable way.
Students who still don’t know what they want to do in life.
Fathers and Mothers who want to establish a secure and productive home life for their family and want to learn better ways to raise their children in a more healthy and wholesome way.
Activists and Aid workers who want to make a real and lasting difference.
People in the financial industry who want to enable truly free exchange and real productivity through design of systems that eschew fractional reserve, representative money and legalized interest.

The Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course is an internationally-recognized, 72-hour course resulting in a Permaculture Design Certificate. It provides an introduction to Permaculture design as set forth by movement founder Bill Mollison.
To date, thousands of Permaculture designers worldwide have been certified through this course, and now comprise a global network of educators, ecological activists who influence major corporations, individuals creating new business alternatives and groups of committed people working together to change the way we view and design into our landscapes.
The course covers sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of Permaculture principles to food production, home design, construction, energy conservation and generation, and explores alternative economic structures and legal strategies supporting Permaculture solutions.

The Curriculum is Based on all Subjects in: PERMACULTURE: A Designers’’ Manual by Bill Mollison. Students are invited to bring details of their own sites or potential sites to consider during the course.

Topics covered include:

• Theory and principles of Permaculture
• Methods of design
• Understanding patterns in nature
• Water harvesting and management
• Drought-proofing
• Trees & their energy transactions
• Eco-friendly house placement and design
• Energy efficient architecture
• Energy conservation techniques for cold climates
• Earthworks & their use in earth repair
• Soils
• Soil rehabilitation and erosion control
• Organic food production
• Livestock
• Aquaculture
• Ecological pest control
• Humid tropics
• The temperate climates
• Humid cool climates
• Dry lands
• Strategies for urban and rural settings
• Recycling and waste management
• Right livelihood
• Catastrophe preparedness and prevention
• Money and finance
• Ethical investment
• Bio-regional organization
• Legal strategies and trusts
• Effective working groups
• Effective aid

To learn more, we suggest watching the following video clip:

Through the Eyes of Permaculture

The course will be conducted in the internationally accepted manner. The 72 hours of course work required to receive a Permaculture Design Certificate will be covered over a 13-day period. All students are required to be present for the full two weeks if they wish to receive the certificate.

REGISTER NOW!

DOWNLOAD POSTER

For more information: Contact us via email:

Murujan Permaculture Design Certificate Course Malaysia January 2014

We are pleased to announce that the details have been finalized for the Permaculture Design Certificate Course in Malaysia in January, 2014. Please read on for more information.

Take a look at our previous PDC

REGISTER HERE

DOWNLOAD POSTER
The Permaculture Design Course is a comprehensive and in-depth training experience that equips Permaculture Designers with the foundation necessary to design systems and sites using the unique Permaculture methodology and to begin implementing Permaculture Design at any scale. The Certificate is a also a prerequisite for a Diploma in Permaculture Design, offered through The Permaculture Institute. Credit for this course is now accepted by a growing number of universities around the world.

Dates: 18th of January until 30th of January 2014

Classes will begin each day at 9:00 am and end at 5:30 pm with appropriate breaks for Prayer,  lunch and refreshments.

REGISTER ONLINE:

Follow this Link
For more information: Contact us via email:

Location:

Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Within a half hour drive of Kuala Lumpur.

Teacher:

This PDC course will be taught by Rhamis Kent, a consultant with formal training in mechanical engineering (University of Delaware, B.S.M.E. '95) and permaculture-based regenerative whole systems design.

Rhamis Kent's accomplishments include lecturing at Schumacher College  about the application of Permaculture in post-industrial Detroit, consulting with a delegation of Somali expatriates initiating ecological restoration and education work throughout Somalia, as well as teaching numerous Permaculture Design courses around the world.

Course Fee:

RM 2700 (Aprox. $ 850 USD) Non-Refundable Deposit of RM 700 (Aprox. $230 USD) must be made by 17th January 2014 to guarantee a place in the course.
Early Bird Fee of RM 2200 (Aprox. $690 USD) for those who submit the deposit of RM 700 on or before November 15, 2013
Full Payment must be made before the first day of class. Payment is accepted in Malaysian Ringgit or U.S. Dollars or British Pounds. For payments in cash, the exchange rate will be calculated at the time of payment.
We also plan to accept Gold Dinars as a form of payment. Please contact for more details regarding this method of payment.
Please inquire about scholarships that may be available.

Accommodations:

On-Site Accommodations are  included in course fee.

 Food:

Food and refreshments are provided for all students and is included in the course fee. The hosts serve halal food. Vegetarian options are also available upon request.

 Additional Information:

Our goal at Murujan Permaculture Design is to create a safe learning space for all that takes into consideration the cultural sensitivities of Muslims. The course is hosted at a venue nearby an intentional community with traditional Muslim values and the hosts therefore provide excellent hospitality but also deserve a respect of their values by guests. The courses is open to anyone and everyone regardless of religion, race or gender, etc., and all are encouraged to join. The atmosphere will be conducive to conservative and traditional Muslim values and etiquette.
The course is therefore especially suited for those who would like to work in areas around the world that are inhabited by Muslims where many new and exciting Permaculture projects are springing up.

 General Guidelines include:

- Open and receptive attitude toward cross cultural communication
- Willingness to ask questions whenever necessary
- Conservative attire is recommended
- Respecting cultural gender relations
- Sobriety at all times during the PDC course
- Respect for elders, religious traditions and practice, and community leaders
-No musical instruments or music played out loud
-No Alcohol is permitted on premises
-No illicit drugs are permitted on premises
For men this would include:
- Wearing long shorts at least to the knee
- Wearing shirts at all times
- Not touching or shaking hands of Muslim women
- Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with wife or partner
For ladies this would include:
- Not touching or shaking hands of Muslim men
- Long skirts or pants
- Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with husband or partner

THE COURSE

Who is this course for?
The Permaculture Design Certificate Course is a comprehensive educational experience that teaches how a superior design methodology applicable to all human systems.
Therefore this course is useful for anyone who cares about the quality of the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink.
Some examples of those who will find the course useful:
Architects who want to learn how to design buildings that are helpful to humanity.
Engineers who want to design technology that causes more good than harm.
City Planners who want to design and re-engineer cities to be more sustainable and healthy environments for people.
Business Owners who want to run their business in a more sustainable, ethical and profitable way.
Students who still don't know what they want to do in life.
Fathers and Mothers who want to establish a secure and productive home life for their family and want to learn better ways to raise their children in a more healthy and wholesome way.
Activists and Aid workers who want to make a real and lasting difference.
People in the financial industry who want to enable truly free exchange and real productivity through design of systems that eschew fractional reserve, representative money and legalized interest.
The Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course is an internationally-recognized, 72-hour course resulting in a Permaculture Design Certificate. It provides an introduction to Permaculture design as set forth by movement founder Bill Mollison.
To date, thousands of Permaculture designers worldwide have been certified through this course, and now comprise a global network of educators, ecological activists who influence major corporations, individuals creating new business alternatives and groups of committed people working together to change the way we view and design into our landscapes.
The course covers sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of Permaculture principles to food production, home design, construction, energy conservation and generation, and explores alternative economic structures and legal strategies supporting Permaculture solutions.
The Curriculum is Based on all Subjects in: PERMACULTURE: A Designers’' Manual by Bill Mollison. Students are invited to bring details of their own sites or potential sites to consider during the course.
Topics covered include:
• Theory and principles of Permaculture
• Methods of design
• Understanding patterns in nature
• Water harvesting and management
• Drought-proofing
• Trees & their energy transactions
• Eco-friendly house placement and design
• Energy efficient architecture
• Energy conservation techniques for cold climates
• Earthworks & their use in earth repair
• Soils
• Soil rehabilitation and erosion control
• Organic food production
• Livestock
• Aquaculture
• Ecological pest control
• Humid tropics
• The temperate climates
• Humid cool climates
• Dry lands
• Strategies for urban and rural settings
• Recycling and waste management
• Right livelihood
• Catastrophe preparedness and prevention
• Money and finance
• Ethical investment
• Bio-regional organization
• Legal strategies and trusts
• Effective working groups
• Effective aid
To learn more, we suggest watching the following video clip:
Through the Eyes of Permaculture
The course will be conducted in the internationally accepted manner. The 72 hours of course work required to receive a Permaculture Design Certificate will be covered over a 13-day period. All students are required to be present for the full two weeks if they wish to receive the certificate.

REGISTER NOW!

DOWNLOAD POSTER
For more information: Contact us via email:

DID YOU TAKE THE GREEN RAMADHAN PLEDGE?

GREEN RAMADHAN PLEDGE

"I _______________________ pledge this Ramadhan to MAKE A DIFFERENCE to be environmentally conscious, socially responsible and compassionate to those around me in following the example of Prophet Muhammad – the mercy to the worlds. In order to fulfill this, I pledge to do the following action items (SELECT PLEDGE ITEMS):

WATER

ð 1. Adopt a Sunnah Wudu: It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad would perform the entire wudu from a bowl two-hands full together (approximately 0.5 liter) and he warned against excess in performing ablution (israf).

ð 2. Quick Showers: Reduce shower time by 20%. On average, a ten minute shower results in twenty-five gallons of water down the drain.

WASTE

ð 3. Eliminate Plastic Water Bottles: Plastic should be minimized because of harm related to global warming and health.

ð 4. Eliminate Styrofoam. Styrofoam is unrecyclable and non-biodegradable, which means that it will persist as garbage even a thousand year after its use.

ð 5. Adopt a Reusable water bottle/mug whether you are at the mosque, work, or home. Avoid bringing plastic disposable bottles to the mosque during iftars and for tarawih.

ð 6. Reduce Disposable Party items: Remove or reduce all of disposable items from your parties and save money while doing so.

FOOD

ð 7. Reduce food waste and over consumption by eating moderately, keeping in mind the hadith (fill ⅓ of stomach with food, ⅓ water, and ⅓ empty). Take only what you can comfortably finish.

ð 8. Sunnah Iftars: Eat More Fruits & Vegetables, Less Meat: The Prophet’s diet consisted mostly of grains, dates, water, milk, honey, vegetables and fruits. Meat was not daily part of his diet.

ENERGY

ð 9. Make an effort to carpool.

ð 10. Plant or expand a garden this year (less grass, more trees and plants) at home or the mosque and remember that planting a tree is a charity.

May God help me accomplish this pledge to the best of my ability seeking His pleasure, amen.”

It is not too late, let's take the pledge now!!

(Green Ramadan Initiative - TAG, Think As Green.com)

10 Ways To Green Your Ramadhan

10 Ways to Green Your Ramadhan

by Good Tree Village Cohousing

A Green Ramadhan is an opportunity to remember and respect our planet which, through the grace of Allah, provides us with the sustenance with which we nourish our bodies and community spirit during a month of fasting. Interacting mindfully with our environment is simply a manifestation of faith. As we refrain from food and drink this blessed Ramadhan, let us reaffirm our sense of self-restraint and accountability to the Creator, the Provider of Sustenance.

1. Eat Local & Organic. How much greenhouse gasses were emitted for that huge box of medjool Saudi dates to reach your house? Shop for local, seasonal produce at local farmer’s markets. Local foods are often more fresh, taste better and help us keep in touch with the seasons. When we eat local foods, we support our local economies and our food has a shorter distance to travel, helping to reduce pollution. If you’re having a potluck, challenge your guests to use ingredients from within 100 miles of their home, from the potatoes and tomatoes, to the garlic and onions.

2. Use Re-usables. As many plates, cups, napkins, and utensils as possible should be reusable, and if not reusable, compostable and/or recyclable. If you can’t use proper dishes and utensils, use dishwasher-safe, renewable products from Preserve or Bambu that can be found in your local markets. Donate cloth napkins that you’ve made from old clothing or purchased from eco-sites like ReUseIt.com. Explore the possibility of renting dinnerware from a local restaurant. Consider donating to Green Muslims’ IftaRRR initiative, partnering with area masajid to reduce waste generated during Ramadan iftar celebrations. Use beverages in aluminum cans and glass bottles: they are more easily recycled than plastic. Serve foods that can be easily eaten “sunna-style” with the fingers. Using real cutlery and tableware reduces the trash that goes into our landfills.

3. Serve Products With Less Packaging. Avoid prepared foods that have throw-away plastic spoons, stirrers or bowls. Instead of individual bottles of water, use a pitcher of water. Make sure to recycle what packaging you can, but less packaging means less waste going to landfills.

4. Make Recycling Easy. Make bins to sort trash visible and readily available. Make an announcement, post signs, and have “recycling ambassadors” make sure items go in the proper bin. Have one bin for food waste that can be taken to a compost bin; the second for recyclables such as glass and aluminum cans; and the third for regular trash.

5. Go Vegetarian. Vegetables and fruits are always zabiha. At the least, reduce the amount of meat served. High meat consumption is one of the largest contributors to global warming. If you must have meat, have only one meat dish, use meat sparingly, or only as a garnish. In addition, use meat that is not only halal, but organic. When serving seafood, make sure it is sustainably grown. Having at least one vegetarian iftar a week is better for our health and the planet.

6. Encourage Guests to Travel Green. Give door-prizes or party favors to those who carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk to the iftar. Green gifts like the Green Deen book; a cup of fair-trade, organic coffee from a local coffee shop; freshly baked cookies made from organic flour and rainforest-friendly chocolate; or cloth shopping bags are inexpensive but sustainable ways to make the reward for living gently on the earth more immediate.

7. Clean Up Green. Use biodegradable cleaning products to wash tableware and napkins and for general cleanup of tables and counters, or make your own from common household products like vinegar and baking soda. For whatever trash you do have — hopefully not much — use biodegradable trash bags. When we use environmentally friendly cleaning products our indoor environment is less toxic and fewer hazardous chemicals are released into the air and waste water streams.

8. Make Wudhu Like the Prophet. Make it a habit to be more mindful of water consumption this Ramadan. Instead of running the water on full throttle, set the faucet to a trickle and make a thorough wudhu with as little water as possible. Not only does it save on water, but it makes bathroom clean-up easier.

9. Make the CF Light Bulb Change. Typically during Ramadan we spend a lot more time at our local masajid/mosques or community centers. Donate a compact florescent light bulb to your local masjid or community center so when we burn the midnight oil for those long tarawih prayers or spend those blessed nights in worship, we are using less energy and saving money.

10. Make Dua. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Ask Allah to assist us in healing our planet and — combining faith with action — help us to be agents of change in making our planet a healthier, sustainable, and more beautiful world-community.

Wherever you find yourself having iftar this Ramadhan share with others, through words and actions, how Green Ramadhans are better for our planet. Have a goal of making each iftar a zero-waste event.

“The faithful servants of the Beneficent
are those who walk upon the earth gently…”

(Surah Al Furqan 25:63)

source: gootreevillage

Ramadhan Countdown 1432H

RECHARGE OURSELVES

ساعة الأرض ٢٠١١

Coming to you soon. . . .

Enough Is Enough!!

Soap Making Class by Celebrating Handmade

"Do you know that dishwashing water from your house contributes to ocean pollution?
If everyone of us takes a little more care, we can keep our oceans clean and blue. So lets start by
making your own household soap!

You and your whole family will appreciate the switch to these natural soaps!
You'll be so amazed by how well your handmade products clean and how great they smell that
you'll never use synthetic commercial cleaning products again.

Participants will learn to make their own soap mould and about 800g of soap, which they
can take home to cut afterwards. "

Soap made during class can be used for washing hands,mopping the floor, washing shirts, undergarments ,dishes.

Class Title : Handmade Household Soap

Taught by : Patty

Date : 12 March 2011 (SATURDAY)

Time : 3pm - 6pm

Class Language : English & Mandarin

Class Fee : RM80 per person OR RM150 per pair (inclusive of materials)

Class Deposit : RM30 (this fee is non refundable in the case of absentee)

Maximum Participants Capacity : 4 - 12 person

REGISTRATION DATELINE ON 5 MARCH 2011! CLICK HERE

Bring along 1 empty milk cartons (1000ml size) to store your soap!

TO REGISTER, EMAIL CELEBRATING HANDMADE AT lvbeii1604@gmail.com

Eidul Adha Mubarak!

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10^th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic Lunar calendar. It marks the end of Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage of Muslims worldwide to city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate by wishing each other “Eid Mubarak” or “Have a blessed Eid.”

It is as the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The greatest day in the sight of Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, is the Day of Sacrifice…” (Abu Dawud). The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) also said:

“The day of ‘Arafah, the day of Sacrifice, and the days of al-Tashreeq are our festival, us Muslims, and they are days of eating and drinking.” (Tirmidhi).

It is the day when many acts of worship are combined, such as reciting takbeerat exalting Allah, praying as a large community, and offering the udhiya (the sacrificial animal).

History of the Eid ul Adha Festival

Eid ul Adha is an Islamic festival commemorating the obedience and faith of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (A.S), for Allah (S.W.T). Allah tested Ibrahim by commanding him through a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismail. He then set off with his son to a mountain, where he would perform the sacrifice. But while he was about to slaughter his son, Allah The Almighty rewarded him with a sheep instead, to be sacrificed.

Eid al Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah of the Islamic calendar and happens after the Hajj. This celebration is one of the 2 main festivals in Islam; the other is Eid ul Fitr.

And so, with every smile, every helping hand, every lovely word, every helpful reminder, every good deed during these blessed 10 days before ‘Eid al Adha count more than all year long, inshaallah,

so let’s collect Hasanaat and let’s fast the day of Arafa for the sake of Allah alone, inshaallah..

May Allah unite this Ummah and guide us to the right path of peace, we wish everyone a happy blessed and beautiful Eid InshaAllah..

Please read more for some very important reminders :)

Sunnahs pertaining to the day of ‘Eid-ul-Adha:

1. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do ghusl on the day of ‘Eid.

2. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to wear his most beautiful garments to go out to pray. For modesty reasons, the women should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for ‘Eid.

3. With regard to ‘Eid-ul-Adha, the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used not to eat anything until he came back from the place of prayer. He would eat some of the meat of his sacrifice. If a person is not planning to offer a sacrifice, then there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

4. And he (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to go out to the ‘Eid prayer walking and come back walking. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to vary his route on the day of ‘Eid. He would go by one route and come back by another.

5. Another sunnah is to say the takbeerat “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha illAllah, wa Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and to Allah be praise)” when coming out of one’s house to the prayer place and until the imam comes.

6. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to offer the ‘Eid prayers in the prayer-place (musalla).

7. He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) did not offer any prayer in the prayer-place before or after the ‘Eid prayer.

8. The ‘Eid prayer does not consist of an adhaan or an iqaamah.

9. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) would start with the prayer before the khutbah.

10. There are seven takbeerat in the first raka’h and five takbeerat in the second raka’h of ‘Eid prayer (Tirmidhi).

11. The khutbah after the ‘Eid prayer is optional. Abu Dawood narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn al-Saa’ib said: “I attended ‘Eid (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), and when he had finished the prayer he said: ‘We are going to deliver the khutbah, so whoever wants to sit and listen to the khutbah, let him do so, and whoever wants to leave, let him go.’”

12. Exchange du’a, congratulations or good wishes with the people at the end of the khutbah. Examples include: Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you) or “Eid Mubarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

13. The Days of Tashreeq: The days of Tashreeq are the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said concerning the days of Tashreeq: “They are days of eating, drinking and remembering Allah.” It is recommended to remember Allah immediately after the prescribed prayers by reciting the takbeerat. This is prescribed until the end of the days of Tashreeq according to the majority of scholars.

So from all of us here at Muslim Matters, Eid Kareem! Eid Mubarak! A very prosperous and joyous ‘Eid! Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum! Ameen, ya Rabbil ‘alameen.

Footnote: Information on the sunnahs of ‘Eid-ul-Adha was taken from www.islamqa.com

Learn the 4 "R's"

There are so many great ways to have a greener school yearly. This is a top ten list of SIMPLE ideas you can implement in your school, in no time, and with no cost! All the while, encouraging GREEN habits, pro-active solutions and teaching the 4 “r’s”.

1. Reusable Containers

Encourage everyone to use reusable containers to hold their snacks, drinks and lunches - so that no plastic or paper has to be thrown away. This is a great way to REDUCE!

2. Scrap Paper Box

Keep a scrap paper box in a convenient location. Encourage everyone to use both sides of the paper. This is a great way to Renew!

3. Ecology Craft Box

So many of the items normally bound for the garbage actually make wonderful craft materials. Boxes, tissue paper, string, and plastic bottles are some of the items kids can use to make great projects. This is a great way to recycle!

4. School supply SWAP

Organize a school supply swap or have a swap box in the classroom for unused school supplies and books. This is a great way to REDUCE!

5. Book Swap:

Encourage additional reading! Organize a one-day book swap or have a “free book” bookcase in the classroom.This is a great way to REUSE!

6. Organize a “Walking School Bus” or Car Pool:

If kids live close to school, we love this idea. Kids can learn to save energy and gas by using alternative means of transportation such as bicycle, walk or ride sharing. This is a great way to REDUCE!

7. Get Your Whole School to Recycle. Start a Go Green PATROL

Go Green Patrol is a great way to encourage kids In school. This is a great project for your class. if your school does not already have a recycling program in place. If your school already recycles, see if your class can improve the current system. This is a great way to RECYCLE!

8. Recycle Fundraisers:

Good for the school good for the environment. Recycle phones and ink cartridges. Earn points and money for your classroom. Encourage companies to sponsor your by donating their points. A recycle fundraiser gets everyone involved. This is a great way to RECYCLE!

9. School Beautification:

Teach kids to love their surroundings and earn a green thumb. Start seedlings and later plant flowers around the schoolyard. Encourage them to maintain the garden. This is a great way to RENEW!

10. ORGANIZE a “Going Green Day”.

Ramadhan el Mubarak!

We praise Allah for having blessed us with Ramadhan – the Month of the Qur’an, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the one for whom Ramadhan was an institution, the syllabus the Qur’an and the teacher Gibraeel. May the Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow his way till the day of Judgement. Ameen

Ramadhan has a beloved – a beloved that is closely connected and attached to its heart. If you wish to befriend Ramadhan, then you must befriend her beloved.
That beloved and loved one is the Qur’an;

Ramadhan loves the Qur’an and the Qur’an loves Ramadhan.

Allah says: “The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, aguidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion… [i]

I pray that those of us who are not clear in terms of our lives receive some guidance and that those who are fasting for the first time have a beautiful time!

Thank Allah we have lived to see another Ramadhan and pray for the forgiveness of those who have not. Taqaballahu minna wa minkum!

May Allah accept it from us and you

Friday's Nasihah

Seven Ways to Peace and Happiness

Al-Mulk [3] He Who created the seven heavens one above another: no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?

Rule 1:

Let's fill our minds with thoughts of peace, courage, health, and hope, for "our life is what our thoughts make it."

Rule 2: Let's never try to get even with our enemies, because if we do we will hurt ourselves far more than we hurt them. Let's never waste a minute thinking about people we don't like.

Rule 3:

A. Instead of worrying about ingratitude, let's expect it.

B. Let's remember that the only way to find happiness is not to expect gratitude - but to give for the joy of giving.

C. Let's remember that gratitude is a "cultivated" trait; so if we want our children to be grateful, we must train them to be grateful.

Rule 4: Count your blessings - not your troubles!

Rule 5: Let's not imitate others. Let's find ourselves and be ourselves, for "envy is ignorance" and "imitation is suicide."

Rule 6:

When fate hands us a lemon, let's try to make a lemonade.

Rule 7: Let's forget our own unhappiness - by trying to create a little happiness for others. "When you are good to others, you are best to yourself."