text:
Your notions dictate the life you lead
In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Dear brothers, I want to tackle a very serious issue. There is always a conception prior to every move, behaviour, stand, or step any human is about to make or take, and if this conception is right, then everything else will be right too.
Man's movement in life:
What is the meaning of movement? I've mentioned before that a table, for example, doesn't need food, mating, or self-esteem and as a result it is still and it stays as it is for years and years, unlike human being who needs food, mating, and self-esteem, and in order to fulfill these needs he has to move.
Human beings, thus, need to move either to make a living in order to eat and drink, or to mate in order to fulfill their desires. They also need to feel self-esteem. Movement is necessary for a human being to obtain sustenance, or get a degree and a job to make a living, and also to prove their capacity to succeed.
Consequently, our life is based on movement and we are mobile creatures. Such being the case, man's movement can be for a good cause or a bad one. It can be a movement towards oppressing others or a movement towards giving others; a movement towards generosity or towards tyranny; and a movement towards chastity or otherwise.
For example, Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him, made his move by saying to the lady who tried to seduce him:
(He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)!)
[Surat Yusuf, ayah 23]
Many others in his place might have moved towards fornication.
There is a conception before every movement:
The delicate point here is that there is a conception before every move we make. We might ask, for example, why does a thief steal? Stealing is a kind of movement, so there must have been a wrong vision before that move, as the thief obviously imagined that he would get a lot of money by making just a small effort. The vision of a severe punishment is missing in his concept. We conclude, therefore, that there is always a conception before every move we make.
If the conception is right, so is the movement, as I said that there is no movement without a prior conception. So, if someone suggests that there is no connection between the conception and the movement, we will say to them: Imagine as you wish, believe what you want, and take what suits you, but remember that there is a real, constant and continuous connection between the conception and the behavior.
Focusing on the conception, we will be focusing on the creed ('aqidah), given that the right understanding should lead to the right 'aqidah, and if that occurs, then the action will be right too. When this happens, man is on the safe side, gaining happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.
Allow me to give the following example: If a student believes (according to his own conception or because someone has told him) that if you gave the teacher a valuable gift, he would give you the examination questions, where do you think this vision will lead to? It will lead the student to giving up studying, and as a result he will spend the whole academic year hanging out in parks and theaters with friends, his behavior being based on the belief that the teacher will give him the questions and all he will have to do will be just to read the answers one night before the exam and pass it.
So before the exam and because of that belief, this student pays his teacher a visit bringing a valuable gift with him in order to obtain the answers, but to his surprise the teacher's response is a slap on his face and slamming the door after having thrown him out.
Clearly, this student is the victim of a wrong understanding of the matter. If it had been right, and had made him act honestly as regards his teacher and his examination paper, he would have studied and would have passed; and this example can be taken as a measure of misconceptions.
One might think that deceiving people can be profitable. What is missed in such reasoning is the fact that Allah is watching over us and at some point He may induce the person to commit a big mistake leading to violating the law. This can result in the confiscation of this person's properties and money. Thus, one wrong move may result in loosing what has been gained by cheating. If this person had taken into consideration the punishment awaiting him in this life, he would have never tend to deceiving.
People's hardship is the result of a misconception:
Believe me, dear brothers, this example is applicable to all people in all the affairs of their lives, and every misconception lacks the vision of punishment because it is impossible that you should oppose Allah and succeed. On the other hand, it is impossible to lose when you obey Him.
I am almost sure that most of people's troubles are the result of misconceptions, weak 'aqidah, fading tawheed (monotheism), and superficiality, because when you believe that this Universe has been created by the Great Creator, Who is watching over us, taking care of us, and holding us accountable for our deeds in this life and in the Hereafter, only then will you follow Allah's Path, ensuring your safety and happiness. Let me repeat once again –every conception you form about any matter will result in a kind of behavior.
Therefore, he who has the right understanding in regard of Allah's Justice and of the punishment for every wrongdoing as well as of the reward for every good deed, will be on the safe side and away from the Punishment of Allah the Almighty.
On the other hand, he who believes that wrongdoing, such as taking other people's wealth, is beneficial, and forgets that he will be punished by Allah, is misled. It is a rule of thumb that the wealth earned in an illicit way will be made to perish together with its owner, whereas that earned in a licit way might be lost but its owner's dignity will be saved. Therefore, misbehavior which is the result of a misconception brings hardship, problems, and calamity.
Problems come from sins which are the outcome of misconception:
Hence, dear brothers, I positively believe that all the hardship one might go through is because of their disobedience to Allah and is the outcome of a misconception which should be rectified in order to correct our deeds and gain happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.
A believer should choose a job with a smaller income but clear money resources, and should reject any job offering hefty income yet involving suspicious money resources.
The prophet PBUH said:
No servant leaves anything for the sake of Allah Most High but will be compensated by Allah with something better than that for his Deen and his worldly life
[Al Jame' Al Sagheer]
Therefore, the conception you have before any act is a serious matter, and "conception" here equals 'aqidah. What is your 'aqidah?
If, for example, you had got married, when you were quite poor, to a rather plain woman that you didn't admire much, yet you accepted her and vise versa, and when you got wealthy, you snubbed her and then divorced, thinking that you would be happier with another woman, you should know that the wife you divorced has a right upon you, and given that you tyrannized her by divorcing her, you will be held accountable for it by Allah.
The more you fear Allah, the more rational you become, the more careful about not crossing the line, and the more religious; and the more you think of Allah in all your everyday acts, the more intelligent and reasonable you get.
The eldest and the most commanding son might usurp his brothers' (inheritance) shares of their late father's wealth, thinking that because he is young and strong and dominant he has the right to have everything, leaving nothing for his brothers, without taking Allah into account as regards his way of acting. Believe me, I was told that in one of those cases the oldest son ended up working for his brothers, and this in spite of having been rich. Since he had no right to the wealth he had seized, it was made to perish, and had he had the slightest knowledge of Islam, he wouldn't have done that. You should know for certain that the consequence of such conduct will be taking to account, persecution, punishment and correction.
The delayed-effect acts are the most dangerous ones
Dear brothers, if we take food as an example, which lacks delayed effects, we can say that it can be expensive, cheap, nasty or delicious, but all that comes to an end when we are full. Not so our acts, as these are sure to have delayed effects, and this is very serious indeed.
For example, if someone oppresses others, this oppression will bring about big trouble for him, and the most serious acts are those whose effects are delayed.
The action of resting in one's bath tub for 15 minutes has no delayed effect. On the other hand, reading something useful is beneficial for the rest of one's life, as is also applying every hadith one has heard of, since such acts lead to one's safety and happiness.
Therefore, there is a great difference between immediate-effect acts (that lack future effects) and delayed-effect acts that can bring about trouble, punishment, poverty, humiliation, and a bad relationship with the family or offspring. Every wrong deed is the outcome of a misconception and will result in future effects. Allah Most High says:
(And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much)
[Surat Al Shura, ayah 30]
Some notions:
1. Notions about forgiveness:
Dear brothers, is the concept of Allah as Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful a right one? The answer to that is both in the affirmative and in the negative. True, He is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful, but when? Allah Most High says:
(Then, verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)
[Surat Al Nahel, ayah 119]
(Declare (O Muhammad) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment)
[Surat Al Hijr, ayaat 49-50]
(And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor))
[Surat Al Baqarah, ayah 186]
(Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)
[Surat Al Zumar, ayah 53]
Dear brothers, when you reed the Qur'an, you should derive the right understanding from its ayaat. For example, Allah Most High says:
(Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds…)
[Surat Al Jathia, ayah 21]
This obviously regards the Hereafter, and what about earthly life?
Allah says:
("…Good deeds in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgment that they make)
[Surat Al Jathia, ayah 21]
Take for example the glorified Name of Allah "the Ever-Forgiving". Our understanding of this Name should be right, namely, Allah Most High forgives sins after you have believed in Him, repented of them and amended their outcome. Allah Most High says:
(Then, verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)
[Surat Al Nahel, ayah 119]
Allah says:
(Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)
[Surat Al Zumar, ayah 53]
(And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.)
[Az-Zumar, 54]
2. Notions about Hajj:
Along the same lines, somebody inspired by the hadith apparently carrying such meaning might have a notion that if they perform hajj, they will be purified of all sins and be like newborn babies. However, if they had attended religious sessions, they would know that there are sins, such as violation of people's rights, that can't be repented by performing hajj, not even by offering a million prayers or fasting for a lifetime, in spite of the fact that the servant's rights are based on exigencies and Allah's rights are based on forgiveness. Your notion is right when you believe that Allah Most High will forgive, by your performing hajj, fasting, and repenting, those sins only which are between you and Him. Therefore, only when you re-establish people's rights, you will be on the right track and you will be forgiven by Allah Most High. However, if you say that you have performed hajj and thus Allah has forgiven you, you will be demonstrating a wrong understanding of the Deen because the violation of people's rights is not forgiven unless those rights are restored.
Hence, dear brothers, the concept of hajj needs to be correct, which is that true repentance at hajj won't be enough to be forgiven for all kinds of sins.
You've got to have the right notion about Hajj, the prophet PBUH said:
Whoever performs hajj (paying) with haram money, saying "O Allah! Here I am!" Allah the Almighty will answer him: "You are not welcomed and your hajj is not accepted
[Shirazee and Abu Mutee'e, narrated by Omar]
3. Notions about Salah:
The same goes for the concept of salah, which is that your salah should make you refrain from committing haram to be accepted. So, you should have the right concept of salah, hajj, zakat, sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), as well as bearing witness that there is no god but Allah.
One of the examples of a wrong notion is the one according to which it is enough to bear witness that there is no god but Allah to be granted Paradise, and this is not true as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Do you know who a bankrupt is?" They said: "A bankrupt among us is one who has neither money nor property". He said, "The real bankrupt of my ummah will be he who will come on the Day of Resurrection with (having offered) salah, sawm and sadaqah, and yet find himself bankrupt on account of his having reviled, disparaged or slandered (other people), having unlawfully devoured other people's wealth, having shed other people's blood and having oppressed them; so that his good deeds will be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand); and if his good deeds fall short of getting even with them, their sins will have been entered into his account and he will be thrown in the Hellfire.
4. Notions about Sawm (fasting)
Here is another hadith that shows the right concept of sawm:
Whoever does not give up lying and wrongdoing, Allah is not in need of his giving up food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fast
[Bukhari 3/127]
5. Notions about Shafa'a (intercession):
For example: Someone might attend a religious talk given by a person whose knowledge and analysis are poor and hear there a wrong idea of the following hadith, whose interpretation is a delicate matter:
My intercession is assured for the sinners of my ummah
[Tirmizi and Ahmad]
What can be the response of this person? He might feel at ease doing kabeer (great sins such as killing, adultery and the like) and instead of going righteous (as the result of attending that session), he will, based on a wrong and naïve interpretation of the above hadith, deviate and backslide. Needless to say, on the Day of Judgment this person will be held accountable for his deeds and the following ayah will be recited to him:
(Is, then, one against whom the Word of punishment justified (equal to the one who avoids evil)? Will you (O Muhammad) rescue him who is in the Fire?)
[Surat Al Zumar, ayah 19]
His understanding in regard to shafa'a was wrong and it led him to wrongdoing, and he will be horrified at the high price he will have to pay for it.
6. Notion about money spending:
Here is an ayah that shows the right concept of sadaqah and spending on the needy. Allah Most High says:
(Say: "Spend willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. Verily, you are ever a people who are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)".)
[Surat Al Tawbah, ayah 53]
Some of the approaches that man takes:
1. Towards money:
Someone may be offered a well-paid job involving suspicious financial dealings, in which one is expected to commit wrongdoing and things haram, and accept it because of the high income which ensures luxurious life, a big cozy house, a superb car and a beautiful wife. Some time later, however, one may find, to his great surprise, that his money is gone, his marriage broken, and his life and job a total failure. The question will remain: Why realize it so late? If this person had only read the Qur'an and had acquired the right understanding, he would never have disobeyed Allah Most High. A believer should choose a job with a smaller income but clear money resources, and should reject any job offering hefty income yet involving suspicious money resources.
Therefore a believer's life is heroic; he has no price, he cannot be bought or sold, and "no" is a daily practice in his life.
Dear brothers, every day I hear of similar cases, and I always say "reject the job if you suspect that the income may be haram and say instead:
No servant leaves anything for the sake of Allah Most High but will be compensated by Allah with something better than that for his Deen and his worldly life
[Al Jameh Al Sagheer]
One of our brothers owns a luxurious vehicle which was rented by a Japanese company for a substantial sum of money, and all he had to do was just take their employees to work and then back home. On their way home they used to stop at a supermarket and do some shopping. One day he noticed that they bought wine and, quite naturally, were thinking of taking it home in his car. Fearing Allah, he apologized and quitted his job there and then. What is more, he rejected a similar offer from another company. So what do you think happened next? What happened is quite incredible. Instead of accepting his apology, the Japanese company insisted on having him (out of respect for his honesty) and asked their employees to stop buying wine while they were being driven in his car. They even entrusted him with the keys to their apartments while they were going on holiday to Japan as well as with their expensive cars in their absence. Glory be to Allah as it is exactly as the hadith says:
No servant leaves anything for the sake of Allah Most High but will be compensated by Allah with something better than that for his Deen and his worldly life
[Al Jameh Al Sagheer]
I swear by Allah that I know of someone who worked in the field where he would have been able to get really rich if he had only wanted to, yet he swore to me that he had spent more than 40 years working in this field and never earned one haram penny, and I can assure you that I checked on his life style and I found out that he lived to be 90, having a decent income, good health, surrounded by his children, each of them having a respectable job and good social position. And as far as I know there was another person in the same field who earned haram money and acquired huge wealth by living off people's backs and out of blackmailing them, and let me tell you that he ended up in a way you wouldn't accept for your enemy, and I said to myself: "If only he had been aware of the Law of Allah The Almighty."
A man I was once talking to said to me: "I am 96 years old and, as usual, I worked full time yesterday," and he continued: "I swear by Allah that I never knew haram either in my earnings or my affairs with the opposite sex."
In one of the Muslim countries another man told me: "I used to work as a porter in the largest vegetable market in my country", and he owns now a fleet of 50 trucks. And he continued: "I swear by Allah that I have never missed a prayer or eaten haram money."
2. Towards women:
Allah said:
(Come on, O you." He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)!)
[Surat Yusuf, ayah 23]
It was Yusuf, peace be upon him, an unmarried young man at the point of being seduced by a beautiful woman and of committing mayor wrongdoing, but at that very moment he said:
(I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him))
[Surat Yusuf, ayah 23]
Dear brothers, the biggest loss is to lose the earthly life and the Hereafter alike.
Hence, whoever prefers their earthly life to their Hereafter will lose them both; and whoever prefers their Hereafter to their earthly life will be granted them both.
You will find another example in the following ayah:
These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not
[Surat Al Baqara, ayah 187]
Adultery is approached by befriending lowly persons, by being alone with a woman, by feasting one's eyes on female beauty, by frequenting streets where one is sure to find women walking around in clothes revealing their bodies, by watching indecent movies and by reading indecent books, and all these are ways of getting near adultery.
Therefore, even if someone believes in Allah's Words but has a wrong understanding, and says, for example, that he is in total control of his desires, and then hovers around what is forbidden, they are sure to be surprised by committing a sin and that simply because they didn't take Allah's Words seriously and their understanding was wrong. That is why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
No man is alone with a (non-mahram) woman but Shaytan is the third one present
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2165; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, 1758]
The right way is to derive our conceptions from the ayaat and ahadith that you read and to apply them to all the affair of your life.
Triumph comes from the right conception about religion:
Dear brothers, our success, happiness, safety and loftiness are achieved by having the right concept of the Deen. On the other hand, the concept of the Deen can be devastating when it comes down to ritual acts of worship such as salah, sawm, hajj, and zakat whereas everything else in our life is entirely un-Islamic –our houses, our parties, our marriage ceremonies as well as our professional life –cheating at work, using haram resources, lying or stockpiling. This is considered to be the most serious problem of Muslims nowadays –that of imagining the Deen as being the mere application of the five pillars, following the hadith:
The building of Islam is based on five (pillars)
[From Ibn Umar]
True, Islam is a structure built upon these five pillars, yet it is, at the same time, a structure of morals, righteousness, chastity, piousness, faithfulness, honesty (when Muslim talks to you), trustfulness (when Muslim deals with you), and chastity (when there is an attempt at seducing a Muslim). The present-day wrong concepts Muslims have is the reason behind being undeveloped in comparison with other nations. Clearly, Muslims lost their righteousness when their Deen got reduced to ritual acts of worship. Some, for example, hang a copy of the Qur'an in the car yet they stare at female beauty, and some others hang in their shops a sign which says "Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory", yet they are in the habit of lying, cheating and cunning.
When you firmly believe that it is impossible to disobey Allah Most High and be successful, as it is impossible to obey Him and lose, you will have the right understanding and will reject a sum of haram money, no matter how substantial it is, and will accept a much smaller sum because it is halal.
One of the wrong concepts is to long for a beautiful woman regardless of her religious status, marrying her and living the consequences of such option by having a life from hell, all because one didn't believe what the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
Choose a religious woman lest your hand gets stuck to dust (because of destitution)
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Unfortunately Muslims get wrong concepts as regards their Deen by imagining it as a set of ritual acts of worship whereas in fact the Deen is within your clinic (if you are a doctor), in your office (if you are an architect), in your shop, in your factory, in your field (giving little thought to what they are doing, some farmers use cancerous substances on their crops to increase them artificially, hurting thus the consumers, yet they offer salah). The Deen is also in your hospital (in some hospitals there have been cases of sudden deaths among patients due to medicines past their expiry date, which instead of going to the rubbish bin were given to the patients; yet a sign reading "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me" is hanging there on the walls).
When Muslims separate their behavior from their Deen, they end up having the wrong concept of their Deen and come to imagine it as a set of ritual acts of worship not as a pious way of dealing with others.
Dear brothers, life is an entangled affair and in this kind of life some people come up with rules such as: If you lie, you will profit. For example, they might import bad fabric and add to it some quantity of a famous brand, then sell it as a high quality fabric for 10 times its price, thinking that they are very clever by doing so and ignoring that later on they will pay a very high price for their cheating. Where does the problem come from? Its origin lies in the notion that Allah Most High does not know about it and won't call them to account.
Dear brothers, watch out for your conceptions, as the wrong one you may have will lead to wrong behavior on your side.
Stories of companions concerning right understanding:
Dear brothers, as an example of the right understanding I'd like to bring forth a story of Sayyidina Ka'b Ibn Malik, one of the Prophet's companions, which tells us how he lingered behind the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in time of jihad. When the Prophet returned (from the battle of Tabuk), Ka'b realized the tremendous burden he was shouldering and wondered what explanation he should offer.
This companion was an excellent debater, as he described himself, and in the contemporary expression it would be called "powers of persuasion", which is a gift that some people have and which makes them capable of convincing you of any ideas, no matter how wrong they happen to be. So when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was about to arrive in Medina, this companion felt torn between lying to the Prophet, as he was capable of forging a false excuse, and telling the truth.
However, his conceptions were correct, so he said: "I speak fluently and eloquently, and if I avoid his anger by lying, Allah will be angry with me, so I decided firmly to speak the truth."
So his conception made it clear to him that there is Allah, Who is watching over him, no matter how clever he could be and how capable of forging a false statement that would properly convince the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. So when the Prophet came back, those who had failed to join the expedition (to Tabuk), over 80 men, came and started offering (false) excuses and taking oaths before him. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, accepted the excuses they had offered, took their pledge of allegiance, asked for Allah's Forgiveness for them, and left the secrets of their hearts for Allah to judge.
When Ka'b's turn came, he said: "By Allah, I have been endowed with the power of eloquent and fluent speech, but by Allah, I well know that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favour, Allah will surely make you angry with me in the near future; but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for Allah's Forgiveness. By Allah, there was no excuse for me since I have never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind." The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "As for this man, he is telling the truth."
And you know the rest of the story –those who lied were neglected by the Order of Allah and ended up in the dustbin of history.
Allah Most High revealed:
(… Then He turned to them that they might repent)
[Surat Al Tawbah, ayah 118]
A bedouin asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for advice, asking to be given a brief piece of advice, to which the Messenger of Allah recited the following ayaat:
(So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it)
[Surat Al Zalzalah, ayaat 7-8]
The Bedouin said that it was perfectly enough for him.
happiness or misery in life and the hereafter is based on notion:
Dear brothers, you should know that right notions are the outcome of tawheed, as Allah is not neglectful and everything is taken into account.
Hence, success is to have a right conception of Allah Most High being in control of everything, of Him being the Giver, the Preventer, the Exalter, the Abaser, the Bestower of Honor, the Humiliator, the Guide, the Protector, and the Advocate, so you should obey Him, therefore:
(Nay! But worship Allah (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful)
[Surat Al Zumar, ayah 66]
You have one mission, and that is to worship Him, and Allah Most High will take care of the rest. You don't have to worry about the Deen as it is Allah's Deen; you should worry about your position, whether Allah has allowed you to be one of his soldiers or not.
Hence, dear brothers, I positively believe that all the hardship one might go through is because of their disobedience to Allah and is the outcome of a misconception which should be rectified in order to correct our deeds and gain happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds
Prepared by: Noora Al Sharabi
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Voodoo in New Orleans: The Identity of a City and the Reality of Her Religion
Lea Michelle Griffin
When walking down the busiest streets in New Orleans, the word Voodoo can be seen everywhere. Voodoo is in the name of drugstores, bars, and even dishes in restaurants. Voodoo as a religion has been in existence in New Orleans for hundreds of years. However, Voodoo as a commodity of the city has developed more recently. This belief system not only serves many locals, but is also sold to many visitors to the city. Tourism is a reproduction of the concepts of a particular aspect of history or culture based on the perception of a group or groups. As is the case with most reproductions, tourist attractions are not exact replicas but rather interpretations of the events or cultures in question. This study examines how closely related these reproductions are to the original. Through the testimonials of both locals and tourists, the author illustrates the relationship between the visitors and practitioners, in order to illustrate the ambiguous line between imitative and authentic Voodoo. Even those who have practiced for years find it difficult to define the difference between real and inauthentic. Ultimately, Voodoo belongs to the locals. It is a characteristic that helps define the city itself and gives New Orleanians a way to identify with the city in which they live.

subset: commoncrawl


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Karamara Primary Public School is located in the Abenet (Mercato) district of Addis Ababa. The school has 1800 students from 1st through 8th grade. This large school is situated in the heart of one of the most deprived areas of the city. The Mercato is reputed to be the largest open air market in Africa and is teeming with people and activity at all times of day.
On a visit to the school during 2011 to deliver pencil cases and researching other projects to fundraise for, we were visiting during break time after lunch and noticed that the kindergarten students aged 5 and 6 were so exhausted that they were falling asleep at their desks or in their chairs. When we commented on this we were told that the school did not have the funds to purchase the foam mattresses and mats for the kids to be able to properly rest although they did have the space set within a classroom… And the families of these children were unable to contribute in any way either with funds or bedding – in most cases the children would be sleeping with other family members on one single mattress in these homes.
PPC used funds to order and purchase mattresses and mats to help alleviate this problem and had the new bedding delivered to the school. On that same day these children were able to rest much more comfortably and be able to continue afternoon lessons more refreshed and alert than before.


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Although recycled plastic bags are generally used in the bag-making process of waste bags and the usual meaning of the waste plastic is still very big difference.
Film Blowing machine production is suitable for a variety of high-grade film packaging. Because of its good barrier, fresh-keeping, damp-proof, frost-proof, oxygen-isolating, oil-resistant, it can be widely used in heavy packaging. such as a variety of fresh fruit, meat food, pickles, fresh milk, liquid beverages, medical supplies.


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At one time or another, we've all wondered if the average person cares about our personal welfare. But Noah Miranda allegedly took things a step further, conducting a survey on the question.
One person at a time. In the middle of a street. In the dark. While drunk.
According to a Boulder Police Department incident report on view below, an officer was flagged down by the worker behind the wheel of an Xcel Energy truck just shy of 2:30 a.m. last Friday. The truck's driver said a man was walking down the center of Broadway "taunting" cars.
He wasn't the only person offended by having his vehicle teased. Shortly thereafter, a cab driver got the officer's attention and told him much the same story.
Armed with these complaints, the officer headed toward Broadway and soon spotted a man standing on the white dotted lane marker in the center of two northbound lanes of Broadway near a bus stop. In response, the cop hit his overhead lights, then stopped and exited his squad car and walked toward the man, later ID'd as Miranda, age 25. But when the officer beckoned him, Miranda turned and strode in the opposite direction.
The officer responded by grabbing Miranda by the arm, maneuvering him to the nearest curb and forcing him to sit down. Miranda reportedly didn't like that, wanting to know why the cop had placed hands on him and repeating the question, "What did you say?" when the officer said he was trying to move him out of traffic.
Finally, after being cuffed, Miranda described his mission. In his words, he was "conducting a study." Its purpose: to determine if drivers had enough concern for his welfare not to run him over.
Given that Boulder is a university town, this makes perfect sense, right? But for whatever reason, the officer didn't simply accept this explanation. Instead, he wanted to know under whose authority the study being conducted -- and as would any proud academician, Miranda took umbrage.
"What authority? What authority?" he asked, before supplying the answer: "My authority."
Still not satisfied, the officer, who smelled alcohol on Miranda's breath, wanted to know if he'd recently imbibed. Turns out he had -- one shot, two glasses of rum and Coke and a pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea since 10:30 p.m.
All to fuel his research, no doubt.
After being placed in the squad car, Miranda plunged into more scholarly pursuits, asking the officer why he'd gone into law enforcement. But as soon as the officer informed him they were heading toward the nearest jail, Miranda allegedly freaked out, ranting that the cop actually had no idea why he was taking him to the hoosgow -- yet he wouldn't reveal the truth because their conversation was being recorded.
When the cop replied that no recording was taking place, Miranda wasn't happy. The report says he bitched about how ridiculous it was that a high-tech vehicle outfitted with a computer didn't also feature a recording device and suggested the reason for its absence was to keep this abuse of power "off the record."
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Not quite. Read said record below and decide for yourself if Miranda was blinded by science.
Click here to follow and like the Michael Roberts/Westword Facebook page.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "Joseph Conway's bad trip: He allegedly freaks out on LSD, gets pepper-sprayed on highway."


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US Immigration by investment (Eb-5) free seminar
Friday, 8 march 2019 | 5:00 - 7:00pm
@ grand hyatt kuala lumpur
The United States of America has been the main country of destination for international migrants since 1970. Since then, the number has almost quadrupled, from less than 12 million in 1970, to 46.6 million in 2015. The US also has a powerful allure for the rest of the world's wealthy. As many as 9,000 millionaires migrated to the US in 2017 alone, according to New World Wealth. The original 'melting pot' nation, America has a long tradition of welcoming all cultures and backgrounds and is a truly great place to live. With almost 200 different nationalities currently calling the USA home, it is a country that has learnt to accept and celebrate diversity.
Whether you're chasing a job, a different living situation, a better education for you or your children, or simply the American Dream, the USA remains one of the most popular destinations.
We would like to invite you to join our Free Seminar on US Immigration by Investment (EB-5) to find out how you too can gain lawful permanent US Residence (Green Card) for you and your entire family!
At this event, you will be joined by a US immigration attorney, a US immigration by investment sponsor (regional center) and a US tax expert who will share everything you need to know about EB-5.
The EB 5 Program is little known, but popular way for foreigners and their immediate family to gain lawful permanent US residency in exchange for placing a minimum of $500,000 capital in an at-risk job-creating new commercial enterprise.
Don't miss out this opportunity and reserve your seat now!
The event will start at 5:00 pm and ends at 7:00 pm - Dinner will be provided
This event is sponsored by CanAm Enterprises.
CanAm is one of the longest standing and most experienced EB-5 investment firms in the USA, with its first regional center designated in 2002. CanAm Enterprises' EB-5 investment track record is second to none, raising more that $2.7 billions EB-5 loans for more that 55 projects. CanAm has repaid $1 billion of capital to their investors, double the amount repaid by the rest of the industry combined.
Introduction and Program Overview
EB-5 and Immigration Overview: 30 minutes
Immigrant Visa Categories
EB-5 Comprehensive Overview
Regional Center Presentation: 30 minutes
US Tax Matter: 15 minutes
Question and Answer, Interaction with the Professionals: 15 minutes


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This month we bring back our third annual live reading of the Spice World movie. And unlike the ACTUAL Spice Girls, we've got more Poshes than we can handle!
Join Ginger (Caitlin Jackson), Scary (Song Marshall), Sporty (Jean E. Burr), Baby (Carrie Campana) and Posh (Emma Palizza) as they gallivant around England (with a short jaunt to Italy) in advance of their first live concert to be held at London's Royal Albert Hall . Spice World turned 21 this year (in America…it was first released in England 21 years ago December), so we're taking this film out to a bar to celebrate!
Grab a gin and tonic (better make that a double) and join us for this live reading (and singing) that takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, at the Celtic Crown, located at the corner of Western Avenue and Cullom Avenue.
There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its current season, plus an additional donation of any amount for GirlForward, a Chicago-based non-profit with its own brand of Girl Power!


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Multicare team hosts 2017 summer art at National Gallery
Jamaican children had several options to learn fine art, general art and craft over summer this year. From July 10 to 29, Stanford Watson along with graduates of the Edna Manley College volunteering with the Multicare Foundation hosted art classes for summer 2017. The classes were held in an available space at the National Gallery … Continue reading
I had fun at art classes (Summer 2017) by Deseray Dawes
Dear OAaSIS, My mom sent me at the art classes at the waterfront, downtown. The classes are from July 23 – 29, 2017. We colour draw and paint there. We make things there and we have our breaks when we are finished our work. We ate patty, but sometimes we got box food there. We … Continue reading
The (2017) 'Summer Art Programme' by Shanique Dawes
Dear OAaSIS, I went to a program during summer of 2017. It was kept at the waterfront downtown. Mr Stanford Watson, an artist kept it there. He was working for the Multicare Foundation, but he used the space in the National Gallery of Jamaica. We draw and paint and make things there too at the … Continue reading
OAaSIS collabs with Allman Town Primary Grade 6 for 2017 projects
The Grade six students of Allman Town Primary recently created their last artefact – designed tiles – as a gift to the school's canteen. The project was guided mostly by Mrs Nadine Bonner – Williams, grade 6 teacher of Allman Town Primary, and the OAaSIS International Anthea McGibbon . Other teachers assisting were Mr Toyan … Continue reading
Creative club pilot started Sept 15, 2016 at Allman Town Primary
Thursday, September 15th, 2016 was the fist day of the pilot creative club project at the Allman Town primary. Some 60 students crammed into the library to start some fun. More were waiting outside. The club is expected to meet on a weekly basis each Thursday with a schedule of activities. Art projects set to … Continue reading
Artists celebrate at 21-yr Antique fair as Jamaica turns 50
Webmasters Make $$$ Artists to celebrate Antique fair turning 21 in Jamaica's 50th year … dealers to showcase historical treasures of nation's heritage The annual Antiques & Collectibles Fair is slated for November 16,17,18 in Kingston , Jamaica and artists are being invited to showcase their work for patrons. The event is in celebration of … Continue reading
OAaSIS to benefit from Suite Jamaica at Iberostar
A newly installed gallery called Suite Jamaica is now at Iberostar to raise funds for the OAaSIS International Foundation Continue reading
Did you get Swept Away by Jamaica's beauties?
Whether you were swept away or not, several tourists were brought to tears by the recent expo Continue reading
Expo of Jamaica arts, creative power, products in Negril Dec
Hotelier Jane Issa is known for exhibitions at Swept Away, to allow artists to earn from their talent. This time its a fundraiser for the Foundation projects. Continue reading
Arts to Heart tour: Liguanea Club
Artists and artisans will unite to present the "ART TO HEART" tour which previews the 'Swept Away by Jamaica's's beauties' expo, Negril for December 6, 2010. Continue reading


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Pivot Dance is a three year programme for choreographers, producers and audiences which stimulates and enables conversation about the creation of new dance work. It takes place simultaneously in three European dance houses (The Place, Nederlandse Dansdagen and Comune di Bassano del Grappa) and is funded with the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The project makes a clear proposition: in order for early career artists to develop their artistic voice and entrepreneurial instincts they need the support of a producer and an audience from the very start of the creative process.
The project focuses on three key areas:
1. Skills development
The 12 participants will each take part in a series of four labs across the three partner organisations which build the relationships between individual choreographers and producers; it will encourage best practice in their working process and develop their skills in articulating their ideas to partners and cultural diverse audiences. The labs take place at intervals throughout 2016.
2. Creation and Presentation
Each choreographer and producer pairing will be commissioned by their local organisation to create a new work. They will be supported throughout the creative process and the three partner organisations have committed to programming all six new pieces as part of high profile international platforms in 2017:
3. Audience engagement and communications
At the heart of Pivot Dance is a programme of innovative audience development initiatives. Spanning the whole project, each partner will develop an 'Audience Club', a real and virtual community for seeing and talking about dance together. Participants of the clubs are supported to develop a language for discussing creative work and, using these skills, they become a key support network for each choreographer and producer as they develop their new performance work.
Pivot Dance is a project funded with the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union


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Ecclesiastes 6 Darby Translation (DARBY)
6 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it is frequent among men:
2 one to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and a sore evil.
3 If a man beget a hundred [sons], and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, but his soul be not filled with good, and also he have no burial, I say an untimely birth is better than he.
4 For it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness;
5 moreover it hath not seen nor known the sun: this hath rest rather than the other.
6 Yea, though he live twice a thousand years, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8 For what advantage hath the wise above the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
9 Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
10 That which is hath already been named; and what man is, is known, and that he cannot contend with him that is mightier than he.
11 For there are many things that increase vanity: what is man advantaged?
12 For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
Darby Translation (DARBY)
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)
You'll get this book and many others when you join Bible Gateway Plus. Learn more


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Stay in the loop
With OBLO Living app you can always keep an eye on your home. The app will help you to monitor your entire home no matter where you are. By using it, you will get notified every time your doors are open or your lights are on. Or you can just check the temperature level in your room.
Control your home
Controlling your lights from your smart phone or tablet has never been easier. With OBLO Living app, you can change the brightness of your lights and choose from hundreds of colors.
But we offer you more than just lighting control. There is a long list of things in your home that can be controlled with our app.
Add a bit of smartness to your home
There are many features of OBLO Living app, but scenes can make your home really "smart".
Now, in three simple steps, you can create your own scene according to your needs.
1. Define a trigger
2. Set status at which the scene will be active
3. Define actions
OBLO Living Gateway
The central place in OBLO home automation system is reserved for a home automation gateway device, which serves as a brain of the system. It is a central device that integrates the OBLO products into an intelligent system and allows you to monitor and control them from the OBLO Living app. The compact design of OBLO Gateway allows seamless integration into home environment.
OBLO Living Cloud
OBLO cloud plays an important role in OBLO home automation system, since it enables home control outside local network. Built around modern web technologies, it ensures the highest security and robustness with the lowest latency in home automation communication chain.
It also allows monitoring and controlling of the home from any browser-based device.


text: Nothing makes a Sunday more enjoyable than gathering with friends, but a bowl full of Dejan's first rate French Onion Soup makes it all the cozier to gather around a table. It was a delicious way to spend a day! We are so lucky to have such a bounty of beautiful friends.


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School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children's education. Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school.
Governors' Annual Report to Parents
It is a statutory obligation for governors to provide an annual report for parents. A copy of the Full Governors' Annual Report is available from school and a Summary of the Full Governors' Report is provided for all parents.


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A curated source for everything entrepreneurial in your community.
Startup Week: Celebrating entrepreneurs is communities across the globe.
Start building your future in just 54 hours. Learn, Network, Startup.
Learn More
- Overview
- Schedule
- Speakers
- Judges
- Sponsors
- Organizing Team
Startup Weekend Reno
Friday, November 18 - 20, 2016
Event Alerts and Updates
Get the latest on Techstars Startup Weekend, Reno, and other local events through Techstars Startup Digest.
Startup Weekend Reno
Friday, November 18 - 20, 2016
Friday, November 18 - 20, 2016
Buy Tickets
Event starts at 6:30 pm
Greater Nevada Field - 250 Lounge
250 Evans Ave.
The hardest part of starting up is starting out. At Startup Weekend, you'll be immersed in the ideal environment for startup magic to happen
Friday November 18th
Saturday November 19th
Sunday November 20th
Event Judges
Lauren Stowell
CEO @ American Duchess and Royal Vintage Shoes
My interest and experience includes product design and development, particularly footwear, and marketing. My primary role within American Duchess Company is development of all our shoe and accessories styles. I also handle all of the marketing, social media, and branding through blogging and several social media platforms, as well as creation of hard copy marketing materials, and photo shoot conceptualization and management.
Miya MacKenzie
Chief Professional Officer @ Adams Hub for Innovation
Event Sponsors, and Partners
The Startup Weekend Reno team is grateful for the support of local community partners without whom this event would not be possible.
Learn how to become a sponsor here.
Organizing Team
Techstars Startup Weekend Reno is 100% led by volunteer community leaders.
Learn how to get involved here
Michael Norton
Entrepreneur In Residence
Event Blog
See Full Blog
We haven't written any posts yet. Stay tuned!


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|Personalised hand-drawn map © Peter Gander
Monday, December 01, 2014
Hand-drawn maps - Personalised Provence Map
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Digital portrait - Richard Ayoade
Monday, July 21, 2014
'Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight 2014' map, colour art #KGHB
|The printed map #KGHB www.kentgreenhopbeer.com
|The complete map, just one side of the folded A2 leaflet (420mm H x 594mm W) available Aug/Sept 2014
|Even the logos have been hand-crafted, just like the participating breweries' beers!
|Where to find out more...
|The original black linework has been digitally coloured
|One of Chaucer's characters cantering from London. (The name of the city of Canterbury was derived from the fact that Canterbury was a feasible days' canter from London).
|Speaking of name origins, 'Gravesend' is supposedly thus named because this is where the final graves resulting from London's Great Plague came to an end.
|Breweries participating in the Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight are shown against a white background, over 20 in all this year.
|London, shown with tongue clearly in cheek, as a polluted contrast to the green fields of Kent
|A hand-drawn map would not be complete without a kraken or two...
|This style of signpost was known as a 'bichop's finger' after which Faversham brewery Shepherd Neame names its strong ale. The style was peculiar to Kent.
|I went on this tour starting from Eddie Gadds' Ramsgate brewery last year finishing at The Foundry in Canterbury, a great trip was had by all.
|Navigation UK map inset
|Again, with tongue firmly in cheek, The Isle of Sheppey is shown featuring one of its better-known establishments, a prison
|Again, the Fortnight is supported by The British Hop Association and Simply Hops
|West Kent Green Hop Brewers
|Paraphrasing the usual 'Garden of England' line
|Well the Eurostar train does dive straight into the sea doesn't it?
|South-west Kent KGHBF participating breweries
|Do visit, it's in Dane John Gardens and has a lovely atmosphere
|A map of Dover without a spitfire would be unthinkable, of course.
|The Sussex border, ('part of...' appeared in many old maps when the full county was not shown).
|Kraken/sea monster, ship and, of course, a nymph-like girl water skiing on a scallop pulled by a fish
'Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight' hand-drawn map - inking
|Inking out the north Kent coastline in 'scratch pen'
|The tide's in
|Before adding a (water)colour, I have to wait for exactly the right time for the clear water 'base' to become a sheen, (not a sopping wet puddle).
|When the water base is ready, the new colour pigment flows into it seamlessly.
|Drying in the summer warmth outside my cabin
|The main colour work is complete
|Detail showing a mixture of pthalo blue and sienna and the pitted texture of the Bockingford paper
|A cephalopod raises a glass with one of his many arms
|A Kentish icon - the oast house, where hops were dried
|The scratch, or 'dip' pen provides a lovely 'fat and thin' elegant line
Posted by Peter Gander at Monday, July 21, 2014 No comments:
Labels: art, beer, Gadds' brewery, green hops, hand drawn map, hand-drawn Kent beer map, hand-drawn map, Kent breweries, Kent Green Hop Beer Fortnight 2014, peter gander, ramsgate brewery, www.petergander.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
'Lure Fish Kitchen' wall art/signwriting
Posted by Peter Gander at Wednesday, July 16, 2014 2 comments:
Labels: art.fish mural, fish, fish restaurant, hand-drawn, hand-drawn type, hand-painted, Lure Fish Kitchen, mural, petergander, sign, signwriting, type, www.peterganderblogspot.com
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Our Blog
Sponsormob keeps you up-to-date with the latest news from our company as well as trends in the online and mobile industry. Please subscribe to our RSS Feed to follow us.
Going mobile is beginning to sound like the new version of the buzz words going green. Lately we are hearing more and more about the mobile web. For those who are still wondering what all the fuss is about and whether they should consider expanding to the mobile internet, here is some information to consider.
A 2009 study published by Morgan Stanley shows that mobile internet usage is a trend that is not likely to diminish any time soon. Mary Meeker, managing director of Morgan Stanley and head of their global internet research team, claims that over the next five years, "more users will connect to the Internet via mobile devices than PCs" (gigaOM).
Meeker isn't the only one predicting a mobile-led future. A recent study by Opera Software found that since 2008, the number of women surfing the mobile web has grown by more than 575% (Mobile Marketer). The implication is that these numbers should convince marketers that the mobile web is a solid platform for advertising. In plain English, the mobile web is no longer strictly the world of the über-nerdy or gaming freaks and should be taken seriously.
So what does this have to do with advertising? Well, if internet users are turning away from their desktops and laptops towards their mobile devices, then it stands to reason that advertisers should head that way as well. Anyone who stays strictly within the realm of traditional online advertising will lose out on a pretty hefty market share.


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A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both people.
A forced marriage is one in which one or both parties do not (or cannot, for example, because they are minors) fully consent to the marriage.
Forced marriage victims may be subjected to physical and emotional abuse, isolation, and threats of violence in order to force them into the marriage. Financial abuse (taking away wages or allowances) can also be a factor. In some cases, people may be taken overseas without knowing that they are to be married. When they arrive in the country their passport(s) may be taken by their family to try to stop them from returning home. Victims of forced marriage may be subjected to further criminal behaviour within the marriage, such as rape and physical violence.
On March 8, 2013 new laws that strengthen Australia's response to slavery, slavery-like practices and human trafficking came into effect, including new offences that criminalise forced marriage. In certain circumstances, these laws will have extraterritorial application, meaning they apply to actions carried out overseas.
According to the new legislation, a forced marriage is one where, because of coercion, threat or deception, a person enters into a marriage without freely and fully consenting.
There are two separate offences:
It is very important to note that the offence of being a party to a forced marriage does not apply to a person who is a victim.
For the purposes of the offences, the term 'marriage' includes any marriage which is considered to be a marriage by the parties and their community. This includes a very broad range of marriages - for example, polygamous marriages; or religious marriages that may not otherwise meet the requirements of a valid marriage under Australian law.
In certain circumstances, the offences will apply where the forced marriage occurs overseas - including where part of the crime happens in Australia, or where it is committed by an Australian citizen or resident. This ensures Australian citizens who travel overseas to engage in such activities are still subject to tough penalties.
The new criminal offences carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. The maximum penalty for forced marriage is four years' imprisonment, or seven years' imprisonment where there are aggravating factors (such as where the victim is under 18 years old, or is subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment). The perpetrators may also be charged with human trafficking in cases where they send a child overseas or bring someone to Australia for the purpose of forced marriage. The maximum penalty in these cases is up to 25 years' imprisonment.
The laws protect Australian citizens, residents and international visitors to Australia regardless of visa status.
Forced marriages differ from arranged marriages. In an arranged marriage, the families take a leading role in choosing the marriage partner, but the choice of whether to enter the marriage is left to both people.
Therefore, the new offences do not criminalise arranged marriages because in such marriages the parties have the right to accept or refuse the marriage. The offences also do not apply where a person marries consensually but then is subjected to exploitation, abused, raped, or otherwise victimised - although this conduct may constitute a different offence.
Summer holidays are the peak time for young people to be taken overseas. In some cases they are taken on what they have been told is a holiday to visit family overseas, but in fact a marriage has been planned. Once overseas, victims are often even more isolated than they might have been in Australia and getting help is more difficult.
Jasmine, a 16-year old Australian citizen went to visit her grandparents in a country with no Australian mission (Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate), not knowing that her parents had arranged for her to marry a 35-year old cousin. Despite her repeated refusals to marry, the family was determined to go ahead with the marriage especially since a large dowry was at stake.
Jasmine was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, the family took her passport and she had no return ticket to Australia. However, she was able to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Consular Emergency Centre to seek assistance. The Australian Government was able to get in touch with Jasmine's close friends and trusted family members (not involved in planning the marriage) in Australia and with their assistance managed to bring Jasmine home, where she received further assistance and support.
Jasmine was lucky; however, no two cases will be alike and what the Australian Government can do to help will depend on the circumstances of each case.
If so, you should call the AFP at 131 AFP (131 237). Calls can be made anonymously. The AFP has a dedicated team to help prevent the occurrence of forced marriage under their human trafficking program.
The more information you provide the better. For example, if you have a photograph, a passport number or contact details of where someone you know may be staying, an email address or phone number, that can be of real help in finding the person.
You may also use AFP's online form to report a forced marriage. All information is treated in great confidence.
Whether an attempted or actual forced marriage occurred in Australia or overseas, once in Australia anyone who is a suspected victim of a forced marriage may be eligible to access the Government's Support for Trafficked People Program. Under the program, victims have access to accommodation, counselling, medical treatment, legal and migration advice, interpreter services and other benefits.
Possible victims may be identified through a number of avenues, including immigration officials, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, hospitals, medical practitioners, consulates and government departments. Possible victims are referred to the AFP for assessment and, where appropriate, entry to the Support Program.
FaHCSIA administers the Support Program, which is delivered by a contracted case management service provider, currently the Australian Red Cross. Red Cross provides a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year national response within all States and Territories in Australia.
A list of organisations that provide help for victims of trafficking and forced marriage is located in the AFP's Anti-Human Trafficking Community Resource.
Please note that some of the links below are provided for information only and do not necessarily reflect Australian government's domestic framework.
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