Factors that influence female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia Essay

Factors that influence female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example The first issue is that it puts further pressure on the male jobseekers; second, it contradicts social customs that prelude women from working in environments where they can openly mix with men. As such, women prefer to work in environments that respect the local customs and traditions, but also allow them to contribute fully to the country’s economic development. The current economic status of Saudi women is unknown, as there are no recent government figures. However, a 2004 study carried out by King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah states that women held nearly 30 percent of the bank accounts in the kingdom, with deposits worth SR62 billion, held 20 percent of corporate shares, own 15 percent of private companies and 10 percent of the real estate sector (Abdul Ghafour, 4 June 2004). The status of the Saudi economy remains untouched by the recent global financial crisis because of high oil revenues. Thus, the lavish lifestyles of Saudis, particularly women, have not changed at all. Despite all of these socioeconomic figures, the beauty salon industry is being squeezed in this economy because businesswomen prefer to invest in safe business opportunities. The Saudi beauty salon industry is huge, yet it is not a trouble-free industry. There are large risk factors in this industry, particularly inherent operational risk. This type of risk can be divided into two subcategories: (1) internal risk, which comes from within the industry and its daily practices; and (2) external risk, which is derived from outside factors such as governmental amendments or social ethics. According to a study carried out by Ghaida Aljerfani, who is a member of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, more than 150 beauty salons are put up for sale every month. This number is quite significant compared to similar industries.

Terrorism Study Essay Example for Free

Terrorism Study Essay What do you think of when you hear the word terrorism? Most people will refer to the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Of course, these were horrific attacks especially considering over 3,000 people lost their lives that day. There was no precedent like that before. Unfortunately, though, that is not the only terrorist attack in history. Terrorism has existed in the world for quite a long time. Terrorism hits home for many people who were or shall I say are in some way involved with the effects of terrorist activity. As you continue to read my paper I will talk about what terrorism is, why terrorism matters to me, and why it affects me. What exactly is terrorism? Well, there are many different definitions out there. However, these definitions have certain things in common. Terrorism involves extraordinary violence. It is intended to create massive fear and involves a planned attack for a purpose, often against something or someone. While terrorism is meant to be an act of violence to bring about change, it is usually not committed by those officially in the government. Usually, terrorist groups have fewer members than you would think. They want to be dramatic and attract attention by carrying out a bloody act. They hope to gain power and influence due to their act. Terrorism has become a huge matter in my life. It has caused sadness not only to me but to hundreds of people around the world, but the number one reason it matters so much to me is due to having my dad serving with the United State Marine Corp. My dad just as other dads and mothers has served three tours since this war began. So many families have been broken up and we have also lost so many men and women at war due to terrorism. After seeing so many of our close friends and families lose a loved one at war has not only allowed me to become more educated with the war by also with different changes that have occurred due to the terrorism that happene d since September 11, 2001. For example we have so many people complain about our security policies that we go through at airports. I can understand how going through and x-ray machine, being padded down at times, and people going through your belongings can be somewhat humiliating to some people. But, lets focus on the big picture here. The better security we have here in the US the less chance we have for terrorism attacks. That in the long run will also bring our loved ones back home and eventually stop us from being at war. Having my dad serve three tours had been a huge concern to me and my family. It has made me look at life differently and has allowed me to realize how important or freedom is and how much I have learned to admire and appreciate all our troops. Finally I will share a few reason on why terrorism has affected me. Due to terrorism my dad has had to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ever since his first tour my dad has not been the same dad I was used to having. Traumatic events experienced while at war has caused him to suffer from PTSD ( Post Dramatic Syndrome Disorder). The absence of the military parent, and other stresses are common for military families, but the deployment of a parent to a combat zone represent a challenge of a different magnitude. Since I am the oldest and a male at that I have had to grow up faster than normal kids my age so that I could help my mom with my brother and sister. I have also been there to help my sister and brother understand where our dad was at why he was there. There hardest part of it all was trying to answer them when they would ask me is dad dead or alive. Me being the oldest I knew that was and answer that was out of my control but always found someway and somehow to assure them that he was ok. Till this day our family deals and struggles with challenges my making sure my dad is getting the proper medical care and the challenge of us learning how to cope with his disorder. Terrorism is a horrible act of violence that causes so many changes and challenges in life. The mental health of the returning service member also affects us children as well as family functioning and relationship satisfaction. Therefore, it is important that the needs of the entire family are considered. Now let’s all join together to fight towards making the US a safe place to be at.

Impacts on the Retail Fuel Price in Malaysia

Impacts on the Retail Fuel Price in Malaysia Background description of retail fuel price in Malaysia According to the local news on 7 March 2013, the retail price of RON 97 will be RM2.90 per litre when it was previously RM2.70. Meanwhile, the retail price of RON95 remains unchanged as it is subsidized by the government. In May, a 20 sen drop incurred for RON 97 per litre. There was no change in price for RON 95 and diesel. On September 2, 2013, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that the price of diesel and RON95 petrol would increase by 20 sen (Bridel Lontoh, 2014) joining neighboring Indonesia to threaten investor confidence besides curbing in subsidies (Chong, 2013). There was a 20 sen price incremental to 2 Ringgit per litre for diesel and the new price for RON 95 is RM 2.10 per litre from RM 1 (Lim, 2013). â€Å"The hike was to prevent financial leakage and misappropriation of the subsidised fuel,† said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohmad, reportsBernama (Phung, 2014). The retail price of RON 97 continued to increase by 15 sen (Lim, 2013). In November, the price of RON 97 had gone down to RM2.75 per litre from the existing RM 2.85 per litre (Lim, 2013). On the first month of 2014, the price of RON 97 went up 5 sen to RM2.80 per litre. Another 5 sen was incurred for the price of RON 97 in the following month. In March, the previous price of RON 97 brought up with a new retail price of RM2.90. The RON 97 price decreased with a 5 sen to RM 2.85 per litre. (Lim, 2013) On 9th September, the price of RON97 dropped by 10 sen to RM2.75 per litre. (Lim, 2013). Royal Malaysian Customs Department senior assistant director Ishak Daud toldSin Chew Dailythat there is an addition of 80 to 85 zero-rated items. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that diesel and LPG will be exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) taking effect in April 2015 (Tan, 2014). The prices for RON 95 petrol and diesel will slightly increase by 20 senon 2 October, announced by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer (Sze, 2014). The Sun reported that Political party PAS urged for an increase in price for both petrol and diesel, to allow petrol station operators compete with each other (Lim, 2014). Theprices of petrol and diesel were indicated to drop until January of next year (Lee, 2014). In short, the graph in 2013 shows there’s an upward trend for Ron95 and diesel where there’s a rise in 20sens on 3 September. However, the fuel price for Ron97 fluctuates between a low of RM2.70 and a peak of RM2.90 before ending at RM2.75 at the end of the year. In 2014, there was a plateau in fuel price for Ron95 and diesel from January to September and then it increase gradually. For Ron97, the fuel price rises since January but then fell gradually after June. Fuel price in Malaysia between 2013 to 2014 (Galvin, 2015) Date Ron 97 (RM) Ron 95 (RM) Diesel (RM) 10 Jan 2013 2.70 (-0.05) 1.90 ( ) 1.80 ( ) 7 Mac2013 2.90 (+0.20) 1.90 ( ) 1.80 ( ) 22 May 2013 2.70 (-0.20) 1.90 ( ) 1.80 ( ) 3 Sep 2013 2.70 ( ) 2.10 (+0.20) 2.00 (+0.20) 5 Sep 2013 2.85 (+0.15) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 14 Nov 2013 2.75 (-0.10) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 8 Jan 2014 2.80 (+0.05) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 7 Feb 2014 2.85 (+0.05) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 7 Mac 2014 2.90 (+0.05) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 6 Jun 2014 2.85 (-0.05) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 9 Sep 2014 2.75 (-0.10) 2.10 ( ) 2.00 ( ) 2 Oct 2014 2.75 ( ) 2.30 (+0.20) 2.20 (+0.20) 19 Nov 2014 2.55 (-0.20) 2.30 ( ) 2.20 ( ) 1 Dec 2014 2.46 (-0.09) 2.26 (-0.04) 2.23 (+0.03) Note: Ron 95 and diesel are subsidies by government, while pricing of Ron 97 is determined according to market forces. Ron 92 remains at RM1.70 since 16 Dec 2008 Determinant for retail fuel price Demand and supply of crude oil   Ã‚   The world’s biggest economies such as the United States, consumes most oil in the world. The other world’s largest oil consumer includes Japan, Canada and South Korea (Gethard, 2008). However, the country that plays the biggest role in oil consumption is China. In 2013, China surpassed the United States becoming the worlds largest importer of crude oil as they took up one-third of growth in the global demand (Eia.gov, 2014). As China is currently a dynamic and fast-growing economy, China’s demand and usage of oil grows rapidly. The development of the country’s economy can be seen in China’s increasing number of factories and growth in number of people driving cars (Wagner, 2008). As China economy starts developing rapidly only these recent years, their oil reserves are not as much compare to other developed economies like the United States who had reserved oil for many years, thus China’s has extensive demand for oil from the global market. T his increased demand has contributed to the rise of global crude oil price which has indirectly raise retail fuel prices in Malaysia. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a body that has great influence over the worldwide price of oil which compriseof 12of the worlds largest oil producing nations (Gethard, 2008). Since there is a shortage of the worldwide oil production, OPEC as the biggest oil supplier reduces the amount of oil contributed to the world market and manipulate the selling price of oil per barrel. Besides, political conflicts in Libya sustains its crude oil production further leading worldwide oil supply to decrease (Batovic, 2014). With uncertainty of supply, countries compete with each other for crude oil supply and this rising demand increases the price of crude oil. The global market now has to pay at a higher price for the same amount of oil. As the cost of purchasing crude oil price increases, the Malaysia government increases the retail fuel price to the citizens. Foreign exchange rate Because the world crude oil price is set in US Dollars, the conversion of world oil price into Malaysia ringgit changes every day in the foreign exchange rate market. Suppose there is a fall in Malaysia’s ringgit against the US dollar on the world currency exchanges, Malaysia has to pay more to purchase the same amount of fuel from the global market. Example the increase from US$1.00 = RM3.50 to US$1.00 = RM3.75 indicates a depreciation in Malaysia dollar. As the cost of purchasing crude oil increases, this implies citizens have to pay more for the same amount of fuel too. The foreign exchange rate is constantly monitored by the Malaysia government before determining the retail price of fuel. Therefore, the retail fuel price often fluctuates. Subsidy The changes in retail price of fuel depend on the provision of subsidies by the government. If the government provides subsidies for fuel such as the Ron95 and diesel, the price is cheaper compare to the price of Ron97 which is not subsidies. In 2013, MYR 24.8 billion (US$7.9 billion) was allocated to fuel subsidies. The government argued that the subsidy reduction would save at least MYR 1.1 billion (US$349 million) by the end of 2013 (Lee, 2013). The cost saved in subsidies would be channeled into the BR1M welfare fund, said Prime Minister Najib Razak (Lam, 2013). By doing so, 20 sen was increased in the price of RON 95 and diesel starting on 3 Sept of 2013. In brief, the absence of subsidy causes retail fuel to rise in Malaysia. Effects Consumer Low oil price results in the savings cascade down into the rest of the economy in form of cheaper prices. Consumers will hence have more disposable income to spend (Parry Kemp, 2012) leading to higher purchasing power. Besides, individual who drives car can save the cost for car petrol monthly. High oil price causes consumers to have less disposable income to spend especially those with a lower income. After barely consuming the necessities such as groceries, there will be not much money left to afford the luxuries, for example, travelling with family and friends. Producer Falling oil price brings negative impact on the mining industry, for instances those extracting oil and natural gas or constructing the pipelines to move those commodities. For producers, cheaper prices mean either less profits or even losses. Thus, oil producer will supply less oil to the market until oil prices rise back. If a person is required to pay more for oil, delivered goods and others, less will be left over for discretionary spending by the consumers (Parry Kemp, 2012). Buying a new home is such type of discretionary expenditure. Hence, the producers of the housing will supply less as the demand from consumers had fall. Besides the housing producers, other sectors are also affected. As fuel is needed for transportation to deliver goods and services, higher oil price will affect the delivery sector as transportation fee is higher. Not to mention, oil producers may use this opportunity to charge a higher price on fuel to gain more profit as well. Government As oil producers are taxed by Malaysia government, when oil prices are lower, government revenues will drop. There is always measure to be taken to diminish the damage. Government can save money by reducing or removing oil subsidy. Through this, government can spend the money on other area like education, welfare of the society or development of infrastructure for the economic growth of Malaysia. Inversely when oil price is higher, the cost to build or maintain infrastructures will be higher as materials, labors, and other costs needed to build or repair infrastructures are higher. Fuel consumption for the transportation of these materials also leads to higher expenditure of the government. As government spends more money on this area, they will have to cut back expenditure on other areas such as health care and education expenses (Parry Kemp, 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, the demand and supply for crude oil, foreign exchange rate and subsidy provided by the government affects the retail fuel price in Malaysia. When oil price is low, government gain less tax revenue, producer gain less profit and consumer have more spare money to spend, where they might afford luxury goods after purchasing necessities like groceries. When oil price is high, government gain more tax revenue, producer gain more profit and consumer have less spare money to spend. If the producer loses and not gaining profit, employees might get fired, causing them to be jobless and have less money for consumption. Reference list Batovic, A. (2014). Five political risk factors affecting oil markets in 2014 Global Risk Insights. [online] Global Risk Insights. Available at: http://globalriskinsights.com/2014/01/five-political-risk-factors-that-will-affect-oil-markets-in-2014/ [Accessed 21 Jun. 2015]. Bridel, A. and Lontoh, L. (2015). [online] Available at: https://www.iisd.org/gsi/sites/default/files/ffs_malaysia_lessonslearned.pdf [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. calvin, d. (2015). Malaysian Fuel Price History decoding galvin. [online] decoding galvin. Available at: http://blog.galvintan.com/malaysian-fuel-price-history [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Chong, P. (2013). Malaysians Brace for Austerity as Najib Cools Spending: Economy. [online] Bloomberg.com. Available at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-16/malaysians-brace-for-shift-to-austerity-as-najib-cools-spending [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Eia.gov, (2014). U.S. crude oil production growth contributes to global oil price stability in 2013 Today in Energy U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). [online] Available at: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=14531#tabs_SpotPriceSlider-2 [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Gethard, G. (2008). How Does Crude Oil Affect Gas Prices?. [online] Investopedia. Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/crude-and-gas-prices.asp [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Lam, J. (2015). It’s finally here, fuel price up tonight. New taxes next? The Malaysian Insider. [online] Themalaysianinsider.com. Available at: https://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/09/10/fuel-price-increase-divides-malaysia/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Lee, J. (2014). Fuel prices in Malaysia to fall further – Ahmad Maslan. [online] Paul Tans Automotive News. Available at: http://paultan.org/2014/12/09/fuel-prices-malaysia-fall-ahmad-maslan/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Lee, S. (2015). It’s finally here, fuel price up tonight. New taxes next? The Malaysian Insider. [online] Themalaysianinsider.com. Available at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ron95-and-diesel-price-up-20-sen-from-midnight [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Lim, A. (2013). RON 95 and diesel to go up by 20 sen per litre, effective Sept 3. [online] Paul Tans Automotive News. Available at: http://paultan.org/2013/09/02/ron-95-diesel-go-rm2-10/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Lim, A. (2014). PAS calls on govt to impose ceiling price on fuel. [online] Paul Tans Automotive News. Available at: http://paultan.org/2014/12/05/pas-calls-on-govt-to-impose-ceiling-price-on-fuel/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Parry, G. and Kemp, S. (2012). Investigate Macroeconomics. 2nd ed. Western Australia: Tactic Publications Pty Ltd. Phung, A. (2015). Petrol price hike not to burden people, says minister | theSundaily. [online] Thesundaily.my. Available at: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1187644 [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Sze, G. (2014). RON 95, diesel prices up by 20 sen from October 2. [online] Paul Tans Automotive News. Available at: http://paultan.org/2014/10/01/ron-95-diesel-20-sen-october/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Tan, D. (2014). GST will include petrol, not in zero-rated list Kastam. [online] Paul Tans Automotive News. Available at: http://paultan.org/2014/09/12/petrol-not-exempted-gst/ [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015]. Wagner, H. (2008). What Determines Gas Prices?. [online] Investopedia. Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/gas-prices.asp [Accessed 14 Jun. 2015].

Political and Economic Issues Along the U.S. and Mexico Border Essay ex

Introduction and Statement of Purpose According to Jason Riley (2009) there are an estimated ten to twelve million illegal immigrants living within the United States (p. 54). According to Cieslik, Felsen, and Kalaitzidis (2009), over half of these illegal immigrants are from Mexico (p. 185). These population estimates have led the United States to take action along our border. We have built a fence, deployed various surveillance systems, and currently employ thousands of U.S. Border Protection officers. These actions have made the issue of illegal immigration a highly debated topic within the United States and Mexico. This debate will be explained from a political, economic, and an integrated perspective. The Political Perspective on the Issue Politics have severely impacted the issue of immigration along the U.S. and Mexico border. Within the United States, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has been extremely active regarding immigration along this border. Branton and Dunaway (2009) stated, â€Å"Governor Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency in four counties along the U.S.-Mexico border† (p. 289). Governor Richardson was concerned with, â€Å"Ravages of terror and human smuggling, drug smuggling, kidnapping, murder, the destruction of property, and the death of livestock† (Branton & Dunaway, 2009, p. 289). Influenced by Governor Richardson’s concern, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano also declared a state of emergency, â€Å"As a desperate attempt to get the attention of the federal government† (Branton & Dunaway, 2009, p. 289). These are all valid concerns when public safety is a top priority of any elected government official. Another political figure concerned with violence along the U.S.-Mexico border is Pat ... ..., I. (2007). Does border enforcement deter unauthorized immigration? The case of Mexican migration to the United States of America. Regulation & Governance, 1(2), 139-153. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=13 &sid=7c49dcc1-50b3-45c4-8b94-2ede81fd093d%40sessionmgr12 Delacroix, J., Nikiforov, S. (2009). If Mexicans and Americans could cross the border freely. Independent Review, 14(1), 101-133 Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=13 &sid=7c49dcc1-50b3-45c4-8b94-2ede81fd093d%40sessionmgr12 Emmott, R. (2010, September 15). U.S. and Mexico border wall a costly failure film says. Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68E6JG20100915 Riley, J. L. (2009). Let them in: The case for open borders. New York, NY: Gotham Books.

Rhetorical, Textual, or Source Analysis worksheet

Write a short, clear summary of the article: This article tackles the problem of unhealthy self-esteem among women allegedly caused by media-generated concepts of femininity and how best to confront this problem, which is through social activism and social marketing. It is fuelled by the results of numerous studies which suggest a strong link between the portrayal of unrealistic images of women in the media and the increasing tendency towards unhealthy eating and dieting behaviours of women. What is the context of the article? In â€Å"The Media’s Influence on Body Image Disturbance and Eating Disorders: We’ve Reviled Them, Now Can We Rehabilitate Them,† Thomson and Heinberg (1999) illuminate the growing concern among the American women population on the adverse impact of images portrayed in the mass-media on the self-perception and self-esteem of women who are exposed and vulnerable to subscribing to media-generated conceptions of femininity that have been linked to the increasingly unhealthy lifestyles taken up by more and more girls and women. What seems to be the author’s purpose? The authors discuss the mechanism by which the media is able to influence the lifestyle patterns of women in the aim of identifying ways by which girls and women would be able to resist or combat the ill-effects of media images on their behavioural, psychological, and physical health. They present a relevant perspective on how women can counter the psychological manoeuvres of the mass media. In what type of publication did this appear? Describe it. The article appeared in the academic â€Å"Journal of Social Issues,† a quarterly publication which publishes contributions from social scientists and academics that tackle the relationship between society and human beings and issues that arise from this. The journal is published by Blackwell Publishing in behalf of The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Write a brief analysis of the author’s credentials and possible expertise or bias. If no information is available on the author, try to take a guess based upon his or her knowledge and writing ability, which you might derive from the article. Thomson and Heinberg (1999) are obviously academic experts in the field of psychology who have extensively studied the impact of media-mediated concepts on the feminine psyche. In fact, the result of their own research on the effect of media images on the self-esteem and self-concept of women was among the evidence they presented in the article. Who seems to be the target audience? Be specific. Judging from the language and tone of the article, the authors’ target audience are policymakers, development workers, and academic researchers. Here, Thomson and Heinberg (1999) clearly advocate for the creation and implementation of education-based programs that would benefit women by arming them with the knowledge to decipher the subliminal messages they are often bombarded with through advertisements and other forms of media. In short outline form, show the author’s stance. Then, explain and evaluate the presentation of the author’s stance. In other words, what’s the thesis? What reasons are given for this stance? Are the reasons supported well? The authors contend that social activism will encourage women to be active in challenging the social structures that profit from and reinforce the prevailing social biases and gender stereotypes of women, while social marketing will teach women not only to pursue the demystification of the â€Å"feminine ideal† but more importantly, in the generation of positive and realistic concepts of being women. The article therefore summarizes the results of recent research which support the contention that the mass media is one of the biggest source of poor self-concept and self-confidence for women, and proposes the combination of two-strategies, social activism and social marketing,   that would enable women to counter the concept of the â€Å"feminine ideal† portrayed in the media—that of the thin, airbrushed, and computer-generated model—by empowering them to see through this images and helping them develop a multi-dimensional concept of being a woman. Analyze the writer’s language. What is the writer’s tone? Why might he or she have chosen this tone? Is it effective? What words are defined or left undefined? Give examples. The writer’s language is formal and academic, which might have been chosen because its target audience are those from the academe such as social scientists and intellectuals. It effectively conveys the weight of the problem at hand and lends seriousness to the discussion of the solutions presented. Based upon your analysis, is this a credible piece of writing? Explain. Yes, because it presents extensive evidence to its claim gained from years of academic research by social scientists interested in the issue. While the authors have recognized that a direct link between the images propagated by the media vis-à  -vis women’s self-esteem has yet to be proven, the article manages to support its contention in an ample manner by showing how media images, even indirectly, shapes the way women think, consume, and behave. In turn, its argument of using the media itself to turn things around becomes more convincing and relevant especially for women and other sectors involved. Finally, and in detail (really think about this—refer to specifics) how do the stance and language choices relate to the author’s purpose and target audience? Explain. This article is written in a persuasive manner, and shows the authors’ capability to use relevant information to support their thesis. It is also written in a way that could be understood best by development practitioners and students of the social sciences, which is suited with its intention of convincing those who might be involved in advocacy or policy-making to seriously address the rise in the number of weight-related issues affecting women that is attributed to the pervasive influence of the media. Work Cited: Thomson, J. Kevin, and Heinberg, Leslie J. â€Å"The Media’s Influence on Body Image Disturbance and Eating Disorders: We’ve Reviled Them, Now Can We Rehabilitate Them?† Journal of Social Issues, 55.2(1999):339-353.

Beyond the arabin poetry Essay

Beyond the Arabian Poetry In the light of Arabic literature in Muslim Spain, It was one of the greatest lands at that time. Most of people were educated in too many studies, due to the Abd al-Rahman III one of the Umayyad Rulers. Abd al-Rahman III was interested greatly in books and education, which made him to collect a lot of books around the world. Arabic literature’ books were also interested by Abd al-Rahman III, which made a lot of Muslim Spain’s people interested on in and study it as well. Muslims and Jews were inherited in the Arabic literature which made them write stories and poetry. All that had a deep effect on literature scholars and especially Jewish scholars. When they were studying Islamic, Arabic literature they were also studying Islamic literature and the influence of the relationship of Arabic language and Islam. In that vein, many of the Jews converted to Islam by their own, But not all about Jews. And this raises the mind a question that what are the sources and the power of the Arabic literature which make these Jews converting to Islam by their own? And it appears that the larger spiritual vision of Islamic religious traditions and the Ideology of Islamic Arabic poems are involved with that. Therefore the Islamic traditions and the Islamic, Arabic poetry are the source of converting some of the Jews to Islam by their own in Muslim Spain. According to the book the Jews of Islam says â€Å"Islam had its sway over Jewish cultural life too. In literature, and the arts, the Muslim influence on the Jews is enormous.† (Lewis 81) It appears from that Islam affected on Jews through literature and the arts which means by traditions and poetry. In the same note of converting the Jews to Islam, the Islamic literature was very strong, because it was getting through the soul and shapes it. And writing famous poems on the walls of Madden T Al-Zahra, helped Jewish to read poems in the in that time, so one line of any Islamic poem has that huge effect for the reader. But that script was in Arabic, how did the spoken Hebrew, Jewish did read that? What kind of influence that the script has if it has translated to Hebrew? Would it be strong as it is in Arabic?  There were people in Muslim Spain who were in interested in reading Arabic poem translated to Hebrew. And according to book The Dream of the Poem for Peter Cole that it says there is a scholar who was translating poems to Hebrew by comparing meters to their Arabic models. (Cole 333). So this shows that yes by an effort of scholars the influence of Arabic poetry kept as itself, therefore spoken Hebrew Jews got a chance to read the Arabic poems with its influence which helped to make some of them convert to Islam. According to book of Daily life of Jews in the Middle Ages for Norman Roth he says â€Å"While some Jews, indeed, converted to Islam of their own free will in the early medieval period.†(Roth 202) and also Roth said that there are some of Jewish scholars in Muslim Spain Wrote in Arabic poems for them and one of them converted to Islam as Ibrahim Ibn Sahl, as he believe(Roth 165). By reading this book or some quotes of it we will see how the poetry affected these Jews to convert, even if it is not the big motive of converting, but Poetry was the media of the motive of converting these Jews to Islam. In that time Art was greatly considered as poems, due to the Islamic religion and the many of poets in that time, the poems were spread a lot in Muslim Spain, so it was easy for all to read them, and this shows that how the poems were the media of converting the Jews to Islam by their own. Furthermore the Jews were very interested with the Arabic poetry, and most of the Arabic poetry is describing Islam and how it is good for life. According to book of Arabic and Hebrew Love Poems in Al-Andalusia By Shari Lowin which says â€Å"Brann similarly maintains that Jews had primary knowledge of the sacred texts of Islam† (Lowin 40) and this shows that Jews were affected very deeply from the poems to know about Islam which made them to go and read holy texts from the Islamic religion. Moreover the connection of the poetry with science by proving that holy Quran proved a lot of science statements, and that was really convincing to the Jewish to convert to Islam, because the Jewish people believe in the concrete and the logic (Gwynne 160), and when they found that Islam is logical with the earth and it’s science so they will be more attracted to convert to Islam. All that is just from a link from Arabic poetry that talks about science and how Islam in the holy Quran proved it. In the line with that, it proves that  Jews converted to Islam by their own, because they read these sacred texts by their own and without any force from anyone, and this shows how strong was the Islamic literature, it affected the mind and the soul of Jews in Muslim Spain thus makes them convert to Islam. So the source of that is the literature of Islamic poetry and traditions. The poetry in Islam was very nice, great and wonderful and Muslim’s prophet Muhammad said to have enjoyed the poetry (Scheindlin 7), which made Muslims do great efforts to add in the Islamic poetry, which makes a lot of kind of attractive ways to Islam, which made the Jews be Muslims and be satisfied of converting, and this proves that the converting Jews in Muslim Spain to Islam by their own by the poetry. Even though the Jews reacted to most creative way of the brilliant Arab culture as I will show here â€Å"according to Bargebuhr, Hispanic Jews reacted in a most creative way to the influences of the brilliant Arab culture (though without converting to Islam, as the Persians did). (Jayyusi and Marin 515) † So it appears that Jews did not convert to Islam by reading that smart Arabic poems. But in the beginning I said some of Jews converted to Islam. And the same book said that some of Jews did not use the Hebrew language as well in reading the Islamic poems. Moreover they have reacted the Arabic poems not the Islamic one, but when it appears that the Hispanic Jews reacted to the smart Arabic poems it appears not the all Jews converted to Islam, but Some of them, who reacted to the Islamic Arabic Poems. The holy Quran is in Arabic and it has its language, and most of the Arabic in Muslim Spain were influenced in the holy Quran, and how it has the secret way to attract non-Muslim people to it, that are the Holy Quran ways, But the Arabs poets as I said they influenced of that and they started to work with it to attract people to Islam. And how about some of Jews Scholars had been influenced and attracted to the Quran language, and converted to Islam, they will have the power of attracting their previous people the Jews. Therefore the possibilities of converting Jews to Islam were so high because of the many of the Converted Jews scholars to Islam, and the knowing of the Hebrew language, they will be able to know how to attract people to Islam by making good Hebrew poets, that has the attraction ways of Holy Quran. Adding knowledge to the pomes in the Muslim Spain was so great, some of the Poets added a lot of knowledge in his poems, and by clever way the poets were adding attracting language to make the Jews convert to Islam when they were reading knowledge. All that made the Jews convert to Islam by reading the Arabic poetry in Muslim Spain. But did these converted Jews really converted to Islam just by reading the poems? Why if they were converting to Islam just not to pay the (Jyzia) which is a tax that Muslims take it from non-Muslims people? It could be, and this would happen, but not all of Jews who converted to Islam just because of the Jyzia, because the one who converted should not be so poor to not pay a small amount of money as a tax. Moreover a lot of poor Jews in Muslim Spain were able to pay the Jyzia, unless if that Jew is cheap or greedy, he would do that. But another question is in the mind now, which is what kind of poems affected the Jews that range to convert to Islam? We said before that the poets were Arabs from Muslim Spain and Jews scholars too who wrote poems in both languages as well, Moreover the Holy Quran’s Influence which attracted all those to convert to Islam. But the kind of poems are the one which were describing Islam and how it is, and the one which described other religions, and making Islam the best of them. Moreover the poems which describes the Islamic architecture, and the science as well especially the one which discovered by Muslims scientists. However these poems are showing in its form, it talks about architecture or science, how would that help or motive or being a media to convert the Jews to Islam? The questions here is logic and it appears that it has no answer. But the answer is simple, the poets really care to make the readers being pleased reading the poems they wrote, that would not happen they appeared they are trying to let non-Muslims readers to get bored fast, or to leave the poems by thinking it is trying to make them Muslims, so the poets used a hidden way to let the readers not feeling that they added the thing that make them convert, so they added in a hidden way, for example when they want to describe the architecture, they will describe the Mosque in purpose to let the readers to be attracted to the Mosque (Ruggles 171-8) , and also if they want to write about science they write about the Muslims scientists or how Islam explained science in perfect way, all that just by great poems that did not seemed to be like that. As Ibrahim Ibn Sahl did after he converted (Roth 165-9). In the end of this it was a clever idea to make the Islamic poetry strong to be capable to convert people by their own, and also the traditions of Muslims i n Muslim Spain were much educated to make a lot of ways to add the Islamic  sense at the poetry to make the Jews to convert. Moreover the secret way of attracting Non-Muslims to Islam was really strong because it was within the language which is the most playable media to attract people to Islam. Especially the Jews, but how about the Christians did they also converted to Islam by poems in Muslim Spain? If they did so, what was attracting them, to be converted? But are not they were jealous of Muslims who were able to convert Jews by their own, so they did the inquisition and forced people to convert to their religion by force. Or they were scare to be attracted by Muslims and then convert to Islam. And this raises the concept of Muslims verses Christian’s tactics of conversion. And the Muslim’s cultural influence verses Christian’s state violence. Work Cited Cole, Peter. The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. Print. D, F R. â€Å"Arabic Poetry and Architectural Memory in Al-Andalus.† Ars Orientalis. 23 (1993): 171-178. Print. Gwynne, Rosalind W. Logic, Rhetoric and Legal Reasoning in the Qur’an: God’s Arguments. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2014. Internet resource. Lewis, Bernard. The Jews of Islam. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 1984. Print. Lowin, Shari L. Arabic and Hebrew Love Poems in Al-Andalus. New York: Routledge, 2014. Print. Roth, Norman. Daily Life of Jews in the Middle Ages. New York: Routledge, 2005. Print. Scheindlin, Raymond P. The Gazelle: Medieval Hebrew Poems on God, Israel, and the Soul. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1991. Print. Jayyusi, Salma K, and Manuela MariÃŒ n. The Legacy of Muslim Spain. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1992. Print.