Changing the Mentality about Mental Illness
SHAFAQNA- The word depression is thrown around a lot and usually not taken seriously, when in fact, it is a serious matter. Depression falls on a continuum: it can be severe, or mild. Whatever the degree, action must be taken. The recent story of our dear sister Narges, who is fighting severe mental...
The Secret of Imam Ali’s Force of Attraction
SHAFAQNA- What is the reason for the friendship and love for Ali in people’s hearts? Nobody has yet discovered the secret of this love. That is, no one has been ableto formulate it, and say that if it were like this then that would follow, or ifit were like that then this would happen. However it do...
Women, Water and Peace
SHAFAQNA – More than 50 opinion makers and policy makers from the Middle East came together to discuss linkages between women, water and peace in a conference hosted by Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) and MEF University in co-operation with Sida on 18th and 19th March 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. Parti...
Brussels airport becomes Terror target
SHAFAQNA – Fourteen people have been killed and dozens others injured after two blasts rocked Brussels’ Zaventem Airport. The terrorist link has been confirmed by the Belgian royal prosecutor. He has a ounced that the airport blast was a suicide attack, confirming the preliminary death toll of 14, a...
How to achieve the spiritual elevation?
SHAFAQNA – It is narrated that Seyyed Mir Damaad paid great attention to ways of attaining spiritual elevation. He was truly a pious scholar and deeply interested in the holy Quran. He used to recite the Quran a lot and it is reported that he used to recite half of the Quran every night. It is repor...
‘Muslim refugees can’t pray in church’: Italian bishop
SHAFAQNA- The bishop of Pistoia, Tuscany, has slammed two priests for allowing Muslim refugees to pray inside the parish church of Vicofaro. Fathers Massimo Biancalani and Alessandro Carmignani a ounced the initiative late last week, after the parish welcomed 18 refugees. Biancalani told La Repubbli...
Samara Sisters Showcase Hijab Fashion in Wisconsin
SHAFAQNA- Some might think that dressing modestly in a hijab or abaya, might preclude being fashionable. But don’t tell that to the Samara sisters. Aateka and Marwa Samara are fashion-bloggers from Franklin, Wisconsin. Their Instagram blog is aptly named “The Samaras” and since it’s launch last Augu...
Thanks (شُكر) and Praise (حمد) for the Ne’mat
SHAFAQNA- The remembrance (dhikr) of Allah’s bounties and its acknowledgement is the first step towards expression of thanks (shokr) and praise for His bounties to us. Ameer Al-Mu’mineen (AS) starts Sermon 114 of Nahjul Balagha with these most profound words which sheds light on the correlation of p...
Imam ‘Ali Describes the Holy Qur’an
SHAFAQNA- In another place, the Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib describes the Holy Qur’an as follows: “Then God revealed to him (the Prophet [S]) the Book. uf09fIt is a light whose radiance shall not be extinguished;uf09fA lamp whose flame shall not die;uf09fAn ocean whose depth shall n...
Water is the Most Vital Nutrient for the Body
SHAFAQNA- Water is a basic nutrient that is critical for the human body. It supports the digestion of food, absorption, transportation and use of nutrients, and elimination of toxins and wastes from the body. Not only is it our most important nutrient but it is also by far the most abundant in our b...