Messages

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Library of DIU / Little Free Library

« on: August 04, 2014, 04:34:41 PM »

It’s a Mailbox … It’s a Bird House … No, Wait, It’s a Library!

Today I am going to share with you a very innovative idea that strengthens the literacy and reading phenomenon around the world!!!

Five years ago, a small effort started in Wisconsin that's now grown into a global movement. It's called the Little Free Library and it's such a simple concept, that really anyone can get involved.

A Little Free Library is a box with books placed in a publicly accessible area offered for free. People can take a book, replace a book, or add books to the collection. The idea is to take a book, leave a book. There are no due dates, late fees, or library cards required, and the doors are open every day of the week, twenty-four hours a day.

Little Free library is a creative idea first thought up by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009. He built a model of a one-room schoolhouse in honor of his late mother, a school teacher and avid reader. He put it on a post in his front yard, filled it with books and placed a “Free Books” sign on it.  Bol shared his idea with his partner Rick Brooks who found many efficient ways to spread the word, and the idea spread rapidly. The Little Free Library, now a not-for-profit organization which aims to promote literacy, a love of reading, and community. Libraries can be registered with the nonprofit organization to receive official Little Free Library status and appear on the organization’s interactive world map. Little Free Library has turned into a worldwide book sharing and social movement. Today there are Little Free Libraries in all 50 states of the U.S. and 40 countries including Uganda, The Congo, Pakistan, Nepal and India.  As of January, the number of registered Little Free Libraries in the world was conservatively estimated to be nearly 15,000 with thousands more being built. Little Free Libraries don’t just give people access to free books. They foster an intimate sense of community because the people have direct control over book selection, which reflects the interests of neighborhood as a whole. They allow communities to express themselves and grow together while promoting literacy and self-education. I hope any of us will be inspired by this unique idea to contribute to our community by building a Little Free Library. It may establish at apartment premises, community colony, and any social gathering places like shopping mall, club, or even   at academic institutes. You may find more information about the “Little Free Library” movement through the organization’s website http://littlefreelibrary.org/

The very first Little Free Library built by Todd in honor of his mother

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Namaj/Salat / The Story of Adhan (Azaan)

« on: July 24, 2014, 03:08:39 PM »

The Story of Adhan



In Makkah, the number of Muslims was small. They could make Jama’ah without any call. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Muslims of Makkah had made hijrah to Madinah, the number of Muslims started to increase. The blessed Prophet  (SAW) had built the first ever Masjid-  the Masjid al- Nabi to offer Salah regularly. By the second year of Hijrah, the number of Muslims had increased. The people announced in a loud voice, "As-Salat ul-Jami'ah - the Salah for Jama'ah is  ready." Those who heard this call came to join the Salah. Since there was no adhan given, it was quite difficult for the Muslims to know when to stop what they were doing, and go to the Masjid and pray. Muslims felt the need to find a way to inform people to come to prayer.

One day the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)and the Muslims discussed the matter of calling the people for the congregational prayer at the exact time. Some of the believers suggested that the Muslims, like the Jews, should blow a horn to announce the time for the Salah. Others said, the Muslims might ring bells as the Christians do in their churches. A few proposed that the Muslims, like the fire-worshippers, kindle a fire to call people to pray, but ‘Umar (R) suggested sending someone to announce the prayer.

Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) liked the idea of a bell but dropped it later, because of its similarity with the Christians. He also liked the idea of blowing into a horn. But none of these ideas was accepted for one reason or the other. One day, a Sahabi, 'Abdullah ibn Zaid (R) rushed to the Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) to tell him his dream. He had seen quite an unusual dream.  In his dream, he saw a man walking past him carrying a large conch (Sea Shell). In his dream, 'Abdullah ibn Zaid (R) stopped that man and asked him whether he would sell that conch to him. The man in his dream asked ‘Abdullah ibn Zaid (R) about its purpose. He told the man in his dream that he would use the conch to call Muslims for Salah. The man in the dream told ‘Abdullah ibn Zaid (R) that he has a better suggestion and gave him the words and method of Adhan. He also taught the words and method for Iqamah.

The Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) liked it very much. He told 'Abdullah ibn Zaid (R) that his dream was a true vision from Allah. The Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) then asked him to teach the words and method of Adhan to Bilal (R), a former slave; as he had a much louder and more melodious voice. Bilal (R) called the first Adhan. Upon hearing the first Adhan, ‘Umar (R) rushed to the Masjid al- Nabi. He told the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) that he had also seen exactly the same dream.

Rasulullah (SAW) accepted this 'Adhan as the official call to the Salah. Bilal (R) became the first Mu'adhdhin of Islam. Tradition of Adhan that was established that day continues till now. The Adhan, which is called today, has exactly the same words in exactly the same sequence which 'Abdullah ibn Zaid (R), and ‘Umar (R) had seen in their dreams in the year 1 Hijrah, more than 1420 years ago.

Insha-Allah the same Adhan will continue resonating throughout the world forever. (Source: various web resources)

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Library of DIU / Guide to the DIU Library Catalogue

« on: July 13, 2014, 12:30:32 PM »