The fast of Ramadan has begun in many parts of the world. It is considered the holiest month for Muslims. The fasting month comes after Eid al-Fitr.

The duration of the daily fast varies depending on the place and season. In the Nordic countries, the longest fasting period is around 16 hours at the end of the fasting month. On the other hand, in many countries the fasting period is around 12 hours. How long exactly do Muslims fast in different countries? Here is a summary.

Ramadan in London is a vibrant and spiritual time for the city's Muslim community. Mosques like the East London Mosque and Regents Park Mosque hold special prayers (Taraweeh) and community iftars. Many restaurants and cafes offer late-night meals to accommodate fasting hours. The city also hosts charity events and food drives to support those in need. With London’s diverse population, Ramadan is marked by a mix of traditions from different cultures, making it a unique and inclusive experience.

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.

French footballer Kylian Mbappe was presented to a stadium full of spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old forward joins the current UEFA Champions League holders, where he will play alongside superstars like Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler and Luka Modric.

Mbappe will wear the iconic number 9 shirt, previously worn at Real Madrid by Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump rushed off rally stage after apparent assassination attempt.

Over 21,000 are “missing” in Gaza, says new report from Save the Children.

It is nearly impossible to collect and verify information under the current conditions, but at least 17,000 children are believed to be unaccompanied and separated and approximately 4,000 children are likely missing under the rubble.

#muslim #islam

The different languages ​​in the Ottoman Empire in 1587.
N. The less spoken languages ​​do not appear on the map.

Palestinians are marking the 57th anniversary of the Naksa, or the day of the setback — an annual observance of the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and Arab armies.

Also known as the June War, it ended with Israel defeating the Arab armies and occupying the Palestine’s West Bank and Gaza, plus Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Syria’s Golan Heights.

The war ended with another massive displacement of Palestinians from their homeland following the Nakba, meaning “the Catastrophe,” in 1948, with an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 forcibly displaced.

Many UN resolutions demanding Israel’s withdrawal from the territories have failed as Israel maintains the occupation of all territories, except the Sinai Peninsula which it withdrew from in 1982 following a peace treaty with Egypt.

Israel’s current war on Gaza extends its decades-long objective of uprooting and exterminating Palestinians from their land. At least 36,550 Palestinians have been killed in the besieged enclave over nearly eight months and nearly all of the 2.2 million population has been displaced.

The government of The Maldives will ban Israelis from the Indian Ocean archipelago, known for its luxury resorts, as public anger in the predominantly Muslim nation rises over Tel Aviv’s war on Gaza.

The president’s office said on June 2 that the Cabinet decided to change laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process.

It said President Mohamed Muizzu will appoint a special envoy to assess the needs of the Palestinians, and to launch a fundraising campaign called “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in response that the Foreign Ministry recommends Israelis avoid any travel to The Maldives, including those with foreign passports, and for those currently there to consider leaving.

Nearly 11,000 Israelis visited The Maldives last year, which was 0.6% of the total tourist arrivals.

The Bayraktar Kızılelma (Red Apple) is a single-engine, low-observable, carrier-capable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle, currently in development by Turkish defense company Baykar. The aircraft is being developed as part of Project MIUS. The initial Bayraktar Kızılelma (Kızılelma-A) is subsonic. Planned variants (Kızılelma-B and Kızılelma-C) are intended to be supersonic, the latter having a twin-engined configuration. It is one of the two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAVs along with the TAI Anka-3.

Baykar CTO Selçuk Bayraktar had initially announced that the Kızılelma was expected to make its maiden flight in 2023, adding that a jet-powered UCAV was a "12-year-long dream". The Kızılelma was able to complete its first flight ahead of the expected date, in December 2022.

Specifications:
Type: High-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
Length: 22 meters (72 feet)
Wingspan: 45 meters (148 feet)
Engine: Unknown (reportedly a Ukrainian-made turbofan engine)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs)
Payload: Up to 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs)
Endurance: Over 40 hours
Armament: Internal weapons bay capable of carrying various air-to-surface munitions, including guided missiles and bombs
Stealth Features: Reportedly incorporates stealth design elements to reduce radar signature