African

Phone charging station in a village in Africa

Africa and Eurasia at night

The Ottoman 16th Century Ali Macar Map (Ali Macar Reis'in Dünya Haritası)

The Ali Macar Map is a striking example of 16th-century Ottoman cartography, created by the renowned Ottoman navigator Ali Macar Reis. This world map, dated to 1567, reflects the rich seafaring tradition of the Ottoman Empire and offers a unique perspective on global geography during the height of Ottoman naval power.

The map illustrates:

The Mediterranean Sea, the heart of the Ottoman maritime empire.
Portions of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, showing the regions the Ottoman Empire was directly or indirectly involved with.
An artistic representation of world geography that reflects the knowledge of the time, with some areas detailed and others more speculative, reflecting global exploration.
Ali Macar Reis’ map exemplifies the Ottoman Empire’s sophisticated understanding of navigation and geography, influenced by both Islamic and European cartographic traditions.

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Islamic World

The Islamic world refers to countries and regions where Islam is dominant, influencing various aspects of life, including culture, politics, law, and education. It is not just limited to the Middle East; it spans Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Critical Aspects of the Islamic World:
1. Geographical Spread:
Middle East and North Africa (MENA): The heartland of Islam, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey.
South Asia: Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where Islam plays a central role.
Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Somalia have significant Muslim populations.
Europe: There are significant Muslim communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and growing populations in Western Europe due to migration.
2. Cultural and Religious Practices:
Religious Practices: The Five Pillars of Islam (Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj) are central to Islamic life.
Islamic Law (Sharia): In many Muslim-majority countries, Sharia law influences or directly governs legal systems, covering everything from criminal law to personal status issues like marriage and inheritance.
Language: Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, but other languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu, and Malay, are widely spoken in the Islamic world.
3. Historical Contributions:
The Golden Age of Islam (8th to 14th century) was a period of significant advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, with learning centres in cities like Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba.
Architecture: Islamic architecture is renowned for its mosques, madrasas (schools), and palaces, featuring minarets, domes, and intricate geometric designs.
4. Modern-Day Dynamics:
Political Landscape: The Islamic world includes various governance systems, from monarchies in the Gulf States to republics in Iran and Turkey. Political Islam and movements like the Muslim Brotherhood have had significant influence in some regions.
Economic Power: The Islamic world includes some of the world's largest oil producers, like Saudi Arabia and Iran, which play a critical role in global energy markets.
Social Issues: The Islamic world faces diverse social challenges, from modernisation and globalisation to debates over women's rights, democracy, and the role of religion in the state.
5. Global Influence:
Diaspora: Significant Muslim communities in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world contribute to the global influence of Islam.
Interfaith Relations: Islam is one of the world's major religions, with interfaith dialogue becoming increasingly important in promoting understanding and cooperation between different religious communities.
The Islamic world is diverse and complex, with a rich history and significant impact on global culture, politics, and economics.

The easternmost point of Brazil is closer to Africa than the westernmost point of the country...

Two African American legends, brothers Muhammad Ali and Malik El-Shabazz (aka Malcolm X), with their little ones.

These two men have changed the lives of many worldwide. They also played a significant role in the American civil rights movement.

May Allah subhana wa'taala forgive them and grant them paradise (jannah al firdous), ameen.

Lake Rosa (locally known as Lake Retba) is located north of the Senegalese Cape Verde peninsula, in the northeast of the African country. At a distance of 35 km from Dakar. It has an area of 3 km². The adjective pink comes from the color of its waters, which become especially pinkish during the dry season. This is due to an algae called (Dunaliella salina) that makes a red pigment to absorb sunlight. The high level of salinity allows people to float easily, just like in the Dead Sea.

El punto situado más al este de Brasil está más cerca de Africa que del punto situado más al oeste de Brasil.

Spain will request to participate in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel’s actions in Palestine’s Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the country’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on June 6.

Spain is the second European nation after Ireland to join the case, which has also been joined by Chile and Mexico.

“Our sole goal is to put an end to the war and to advance on the road of applying the two-state solution,” Albares said in a press conference held in Madrid.

South Africa brought the case before the top court last year, alleging that Israel’s Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention — a charge Israel strongly denies.

In a ruling on January 26, the ICJ ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operations in Gaza.

On May 24, the court ordered Israel to “immediately” halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah and keep open the key border crossing there for “unhindered” humanitarian aid.

ICJ rulings are legally binding, but the court has no concrete means to enforce them.