"Muslims in Orbit"

[greyl]

Next year, we’re told, Malaysia will be sending a Muslim astronaut into space via the Russian space program. This poses several tricky problems for the Malaysian government's efforts to promote what it calls “Islam Hadhari,” or civilized Islam. This variation encourages Muslims to embrace education, science and technology. About equality for women and such other basics, we’re not told…

http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-04/042806boots.html

[msongs]

1. space is islam, islam is space: infidels be warned nt

[Silent3]

2. This will add an interesting complication...

...to the problem of figuring out how to face Mecca during prayer.

[expatriot]

5. it gives it an added dimension, to say the least. nt.

[greyl]

6. As the article says...

Even before facing those difficulties, facing Mecca – essential for prayer – will be pretty tough in zero-gravity, and may lead to catastrophic spinning of the devotee as he tries to keep pointing toward a rapidly-moving target below.

[Oversea Visitor]

3. Shhhh

damn so much Malaysia articles here :rofl:
Only very small country 24 million people :rofl:

And you rape a woman here you in for BIG FUCK TROUBLE>

We allow sex change
And we allow them to marry
IT IS LEGAL :rofl:

And wishing people MERRY CHRISTMAS does not offend anyone
Wish a muslim MERRY CHRISTMAS and he/she wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS right back.

But we do still have long way to go :)

HARD WORK yeah we know it is HARDWORK

[Oversea Visitor]

4. Series111 we moran 1111

But got only like 5 satellites in space.
We dont need nuclear
Got plenty of water
We going hydro....( better they make sure budget for repair)
Our BAKUN project very big :( so much problems, but other choice is nuclear :(

[greyl]

7. Item Revisited - update from Randi

A fine example of provisional attitudes and beliefs*:

I received some dozen or so posts chiding me for the “Muslims in Orbit” item of last week. Here is the answer I sent to one who wrote me that I was thereby ridiculing Muslims:

Sir, I ridicule Muslims far less than I ridicule Christians – and all other religious beliefs. We are held back in our progress by incredible mythological notions that cripple us and invade our daily lives, and they affect our laws and educational standards, as well.

If you were offended by my words, I apologize, but my comments remain.

Sometimes a community, when criticized, reforms itself. That can be a healthy action. I am still waiting for fundamentalist Christians to release their grip on the American population, but that disadvantage remains, and threatens to drag our society back into the Dark Ages. Similarly, and just as strongly, Islam has a firm hold on the futures, the treatment, and the limitations forced on Muslims. It is a daily battle for all of us, trying to stay ahead of the darkness that is encroaching on us, and if I can help just by commenting on how ridiculously we behave, I will continue to do so.

Again, if my observations were offensive to you, I regret that fact.

*I must add that reader Vasmi Abidi informed me – in my ignorance – about the means that could be taken to get around the religious rules I mentioned. I should have known that there would be a certain degree of practicality in such an extensive theology. He wrote: ...continued

[htuttle]

8. I'd add one thing to that

The fellow wearing a turban in the graphic that accompanies the article looks more like a Sikh to me, judging by how the turban is wrapped.

Just saying.

[greyl]

9. Just one thing?! nt :)