Archive for May 23, 2009

Erkin | May 23, 2009
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Facts and figures about urban water

During the 20th century, the world’s urban population increased more than tenfold, while rural population increased but twofold.

Today, half of the world’s population lives in urban centres, compared to less than 15% in 1900.

Human population growth and the expansion of economic activities are collectively placing huge demands on coastal and freshwater ecosystems. Water withdrawals, for instance, have increased sixfold since the 1900s, which is twice the rate of population growth.

urban_waters

In 1900, ‘million cities’ (cities with more than one million inhabitants) were unusual and cities with over 10 million unknown; by 2000, there were 387 million cities and 18 with more than 10 million inhabitants.

In most urban areas in low- and middle-income countries, between 25% and 50% of the population lacks provision for water and sanitation of a quality that greatly reduces the risk of human contamination with faecal-oral pathogens.
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Category: Facts and figures |
Erkin | May 23, 2009
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Facts and figures on water as a human right

The right to water is already recognized in several legal or political instruments. It guarantees access to water, without discrimination, in a permanent and sustainable manner – and at a socially and economically acceptable cost. It also addresses the issues of subsidiarity, solidarity, and cooperation.

human_rights

Increasing recognition is accorded to the right to water, in terms of a human right to a supply of safe water, the role of water rights in helping to deal with local competition for water and in dealing with social, economic and environmental problems.
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Category: Facts and figures |
Erkin | May 22, 2009
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Surahs and ayahs of the holy quran concerning water as the gift of god for all

It is considered that surahs (chapters) of the Quran (114 surahs) were conveyed to Prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel or directly by Allah during 23 years – since 610 until 632 (the year of Muhammad’s death). Each surah consists of three or more ayahs (verses).

sura

The longest surah is known as “Al-Baqarah: The Cow” and consists of 286 ayahs. There are 10,640 ayahs in the Quran (however, some ayahs are marked by two or even three serial numbers). According to chronology, all surahs are distributed between two periods: the Meccan Period (90 surahs) and the Medinan Period (24 surahs). The Medina Period has started in 622, just in that year Muhammad together with his followers emigrated to Medina, where he established the caliphate. His emigration became known as the Hegira (Arabic hijrah) and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. When Muhammad was alive, he did not agree to write down surahs and ayahs and to compile them in a single book. He himself and his companions have recited surahs and ayahs, and he required the same from others.
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Category: Article |
Erkin | May 19, 2009
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Islam about the waters and an attitude to the water

Before direct reviewing of sources – holy books of Muslims (the Quran and Hadiths), let us present some opinions of famous scientists about Islam as the religion and doctrine.

ggryunebaum1

One of outstanding orientalists in the 20th century, E. von Grunebaum said: “Even an atheist considers that if this is not a miracle then, at least, the extraordinary fact that on the basis of such a small foundation as the population and civilization of pagan Central and Northern Arabia, such a majestic and splendidly-built structure could arise. This structure has gained the vitality and force for transforming from a religion clan having the merely national nature into the cultural community that was both religious and international one, and at the same time, has kept the entitlement for existence and the status of State.”*
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Category: Article |
Erkin | May 19, 2009
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Life on the earth originated and exists thanks to the water

As known, the first concepts of people, our distant ancestors, concerning the water and its properties were formed on the base of religion considerations and instructions. However, according to authors presenting the materialistic ideology, vise versa, the first concepts of people regarding the environment have facilitated originating various kinds of religions…

mirovie_relig

Beginnings of the world religions – Buddhism, Zoroastrianism (fireworship), Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – had the tremendous importance for human society, since religions were not limited by some statements and rules of certain religious dogmas mandatory for their believers, but established a holistic doctrine based on its own philosophy, legislation, and ethics. All this promoted forming a peculiar type of the intellection and behavior of their believers.
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Category: Essay |