put a spell on you
My heart is torn between East and West. I live somewhere between the present and the past. I don't know who I am.
Just another human being biding their time on this earth. Passionate about current affairs, history, politics (particularly MENA region), religion, cute animals and food. Posts are mainly in English but I may post in Arabic/French/Turkish.
Disclaimer: All photographs on this blog do not belong to me but to their rightful owners unless otherwise stated. All efforts have been made to link the material back to its original source. Please drop me a message if you see any of your material and would like to have it removed!
- ‘Great British Islam’ - BBC Documentary
With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, this documentary tells the little-known story of three English gentlemen - William Quilliam, and Marmaduke Pickthall - who embraced Islam at a time when to be a Muslim was to be seen to be a traitor to your country. Through personal journeys of still surviving relatives, the programme looks at their achievements and how their legacy lives on today.
Most people think that Islam came to the country during the 1960’s when Muslims immigrated from their homelands. Nothing could be further from the truth. There were a number of English gentlemen who embraced Islam, even when it was dangerous to do so. This programme gives an insight to a side of Islam we have never seen before, and to understand and realise how the real manifestation of Islam occurs in today’s world.
This, without a doubt, has to be one of the most insightful and inspirational documentaries that I’ve ever watched. Just think, the great achievements of these three men and all the hardships that they had to endure have for so long, gone unnoticed and yet it is through examples of their work and all that they have implemented that we can begin to seek solutions for the problems facing Muslims in Britain, and indeed, the Western world today.Disclaimer: All content belongs to the BBC and all associated parties - no copyright infringement intended.
For those living outside the UK and for anyone having difficulty trying to stream the documentary: you can watch it on youtube here. I seriously recommend watching it, let me know what you guys think about it afterwards!
A Great Place to Stargaze from Martin Whipp on Vimeo.
“The village of Kielder, just 1 mile away from the Scottish border, is England’s most remote village.
Twice a year, astronomers from all over the UK descend on this beautiful little place, because the night skies are amongst the best in Britain.
Okay - the weather isn’t guaranteed by any means. As you can see there are a few clouds that scoot over from time to time, and there’s quite a number of aircraft whizzing by too, but for astronomy it’s a thousand times better than you’ll find being anywhere near a city.
This piece was shot during the Spring 2009 and Spring 2010 Kielder Star Camps. I used the usual kit of my trusty Canon EOS 350D (nearly 80,000 on the clock now…) and my old EQ2 telescope mount. You may also notice a shot in there using a new dolly track that I have recently built - it needs improvement, but at least my first shot was usable!
I hope this film brings back good memories for all those astronomers who have ever visited this wonderful place.
All images are Copyright Martin Whipp (2010)
Music by Colin Willsher, 2b media services”
This video has also been featured in the Guardian - Click here to read more about it.
Taken at the ‘Women united for Syria’ rally, Trafalgar Square, London UK
“Women (and some men!) from all over the world (France, Japan, Italy, Spain, Syria, Libya, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia….) came together to show their solidarity with their sisters in Syria, who have been the victims of atrocities committed by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The event had a fantastic turn out, and it raised some much needed awareness about the situation in Syria - one woman, a passer-by even joined us at one point!”
Disobey, Westminster Bridge, London, UK
“ #BlockTheBill #SaveTheNHS - taken at protest to stop the British government from “destroying the NHS forever” as the coalition’s Health and Social Care bill moves to the Lords this week.”
By: @HeardinLondon
Motionless, Central London, England, UK
“A lone woman stands motionless as the last tube of the evening arrives on to the platform in central London. Fortunately she remained still, giving a nice contrast with the flux of the speeding tube.”
By: Paul Hough
Startled, UK
“Starlings leaving a tree”
By: David Biggs
Fox yawning, UK
By: Oliver Wilks
“A split level image of Cwm Idwal and the Devils Kitchen showing habitat and lacustrine algae “
By: Graham Eaton
Snooze, Southwold, Suffolk, UK
‘Having a quiet snooze in Southwold, Suffolk.’
By: David Meredith
Rush, London, England, UK
By: fattysaid
Tinted Reflection, Pen Y Fan, Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK
‘Walking down Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, earlier this year I spotted this beautifully tinted reflection of the sky in a small puddle. My friend Ben suggested I take his picture, too’
By: Simon Brandon
Gossip, Frinton on Sea, Tendring, Essex, UK
‘Two ladies gossip on a bench in Frinton-on-Sea’
By: Benjamin Arthur
Battling through the rain, Curzon Street, Mayfair, London, England
“On Curzon Street in London’s Mayfair last year a heavy rainstorm appeared from nowhere. The streets cleared within seconds; doorways filled with unprepared pedestrians, including me. We all marvelled at and discussed the rain apart from the lady with her umbrella who battled through. Thirty seconds later the weather completely cleared and the streets filled up again as we left our temporary shelters. I quickly took this before the rain obscured my lens”
By: William McCracken
Playing in the fountains, Southbank, London, England
“Playing in the fountains on the Southbank, London.”
By: Chris Mole
