Kobe Mosque

Kobe Mosque is the first mosque in Japan. This mosque was built in 1928 in Nakayamate Dori, Chuo-ku. Kobe means gate of God or God’s gate. In 1945, Japan engaged the Second World War. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in American ports have made the U.S. government decided to drop the first atomic bomb in a war.

And Japan was defeated. Two of his city, Nagasaki and Hiroshima was bombed by the U.S. Atom. At that time, the city of Kobe did not miss the hefty price. Kobe arguably be razed to the ground.
When the buildings around it almost razed to the ground, Kobe Muslim Mosque still standing upright. This mosque suffered only cracks on exterior walls and all the glass windows broken.
The exterior of the mosque become quite black from the smoke bomb attack. Japanese soldiers who took refuge in the basement of the mosque survived the bomb threat, as well as concealed weapons. This mosque became a place of refuge for victims of war.

The government of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait contributed to fund the renovation in large numbers. Glass broken window replaced with new glass windows imported directly from Germany. A new decorative lights are hung in the middle of the main prayer hall. Room temperature control system is then installed in the mosque.

School destroyed in the war again renovated and some additional buildings were built. Muslims back to enjoy their religious activities in Kobe Muslim Mosque. The financial crisis is often approached the mosque committee cash. High property taxes make the mosque committee had to spend quite a lot of cash costs. Luckily, many donors are ready to give a helping hand to solve the financial problems of development and renovation of this mosque. Donations can even make Kobe Muslim Mosque became increasingly developed.
 
Kobe Mosque robustness was tested again with the most devastating earthquake in 1995. Precisely at 5:46 o’clock Tuesday, January 17, 1995. The quake struck Kobe is not only alone, but also the surrounding areas like South Hyogo, Hyogo-ken Nanbu and others. The experts say that the earthquake was caused by three plates collide, the Philippine plate, Pacific Plate and the Eurasian plate. Although only lasted 20 seconds, but this quake victims take as many as 6433 people, most of which is a resident of the city of Kobe. In addition, the Kobe quake also caused major damage to the city area of 20 km from the epicenter.
 
Earthquake Hanshin-Awaji great is the worst earthquake in Japan since the great Kanto earthquake of 1923 which claimed 140,000 lives. But until now Kobe Mosque still standing strong and erect, though not deterred hordes disasters.

source: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8625808-kobe-mosque-the-resistance-of-the-atomic-bomb-and-earthquake-in-japan
image source :
http://kembarasangsufi.blogspot.com/2011/06/kobe-mosque-history-firts-mosque-in.html 

What Makes Japanese Culture Unique?

Japan has been controlled by an autocratic government for a long period of time. Japan became a democratic state relatively recently with its defeat in the Pacific War in 1945.

The Japanese had to equip themselves to survive in those autocratic times and it still underlies current society and their unique characteristics. 

Factors informing this unique Japanese characteristics are:

1. They adapted to catering to authority and to harmonize with others.

2. They tend to place themselves in their own exclusive and closed communities. Accordingly, they have introverted personalities and they pay serious attention to harmony and cooperativeness in the group. They feel comfortable with familiar people in the communities they belong to. They developed their sense of allegiance in the group consequent to be exclusive. The behavior of competition and appealing themselves is observed only within their own community. On the other hand, they are enthusiastic in absorbing or imitating other cultures.

3. Consequently, they have more interest in human feelings and emotions than scientific or logical concerns. In terms of book read, literary books rate more highly than scientific books, comparied with westerners.

4. Japan has a population of about half of the United States with a land area about 90% of the state of California. Therefore, roads, parks, houses, etc. are designed in miniature size. This environment influences largely their lives. They tend to pay attention to precise details rather than the big picture. They are better at developping transistors than space development projects. Mini-component audio systems are essential in their narrow houses often referred to "rabbit hutches".

5. Japan is a country poor in natural resources but rich in hard-working and diligent people. 

Followings are some examples of their characteristics.

In personal life:

1. Japanese culture is group oriented and people tend to work together rather than exert their individuality.
   Expressing strong personal opinions is not common as in western countries. Modesty is the prevailing attitude. When making purchases, they select reputable merchandise according to community standards rather than personal preferences or even coordination to own style. They prefer conservative merchandise rather than gaudy and appealing one. In the case of high-priced merchandise, they prefer the one to appeal their own status than the performance or design.

2. Japanese people tend to accomodate others' opinions rather than speak up for themselves. They attach much importance to harmony.
   In discussions, Westerners clearly express their own opinions and speak directly in order to avoid confusion. On the other hand, Japanese people do not speak directly on the understanding that it is polite not to be direct. Expressing a contrary opinion would imply disrespect of the other person. This is why it is said that Japanese people don't say "no".
   Japanese usage of "Yes" and "No" is opposite to English. Japanese people often speak English with Japanese grammar. When they answer a negative question such as "Don't you think so?" and they don't think so, the concept of Japanese grammar is such that they answer "Yes, I don't think so".

3. Japanese people tend to have a group, rather than individual mentality. For example, when making travel plans they tend to select from the travel packages offered by travel agencies. When shopping, they attach great importance to the opinions of salesmen, colleagues or friends rather than deciding by themselves. Therefore, it is very important for sales people to be recognized as friendly and reliable advisors. 

4. When selecting purchases, the Japanese tend to attach more importance to the reputation of the item among the community they belong to, such as colleagues, friends, neighbors than to the performance of the goods or how well they suit their lifestyle. Thus, penetration of all communities is important for successful marketing in Japan.

5. Japanese people tend to attach more importance to the law and regulations than to their own judgment. For example, when a mother warns her child not to walk on a lawn, Western mothers would say "Do not walk on a lawn because you will damage the lawn". On the other hand, Japanese mothers tend to say "Do not walk on the lawn because it is prohibited." or "because you'll be scolded. We often hear Japanese politicians saying "According to the law.........".
   The Japanese trial system is not a jury system. A judge makes the decision according to the law.
   
   People were not allowed to criticize authority during feudal warrior times. This consciousness still underlies the characteristics of the Japanese people and they tend to instinctively obey authority.
   
   As Japanese people have lived under dictatorship for such a long period of time, their culture is called "the culture of sadness". Most old Japanese folk songs and current "Enka" music as well, have lyrics of sadness, with the melody written in minor scales.

6. Japanese people tend to attach more importance to the precise finish of a product rather than to overall performance of the goods. This is applicable to many products, such as clothes, automobiles, electronic products, houses, etc.

On business:

1. Japanese people tend to accomodate others' opinions rather than speak up for themselves. They attach much importance to harmony. Corporate policies are preaching the the importance of harmony.

2. Many corporate systems are structured for cooperative employee performance. An employee submits an application for approval, for such things as a new plan, business trip or purchase (called "Ringisho") to the chief who passes it along to a higher level where it is again passed up the chain of command. If the application is approved, it is sent to accounting section, and then to purchasing section where the order is placed. In this way, responsibility is shared by many people. This system seems very inefficient, however, once the decision is made, the subject is performed in whole organization scale as a company mission.

3. Japanese manufacturers cut their production costs by using sub-contractor grouping system. In the 1880s, Japanese automobile manufacturers reduced their costs by adopting a procurement method called "Kanban Hoshiki (Price and delivery control system by grouping sub-contractors)" and swept over the U.S. market. In 1990s, the U.S. automobile manufacturers developed the Information Technology to fight back. This is an example of the differences of attitudes between Japan and the United States that Japanese people attach importance to forming a group while Westerners attach importance to a technology (science).

4. Companies also form nationwide group. This is called "Goso Sendan Houshiki (Armed Convoy System). The flagship is the Japanese Government. Companies are transport ships and ministries are the warships to protect and support the transport ships which carry the economy. Private companies are therefore highly regulated by the government.
   For example, recently the mayor of Osaka prefecture required the federal government's support to reduce the landing fee at Osaka International Airport which is under non-government management.

5. In feudal times, a lord who owned his castle governed his territory by his own law, with warriors working under him. Members of the general public was at the lowest status. This concept still underlies current Japanese society. A company is the castle, administrative employees are the warriors and clerks are the general public. Employees have strong feelings that they are owned by their company and should to pledge their loyalty to the company. Changing jobs is regarded as disloyalty and is a disadvantage for the next employment opportunity. As more importance is attached to a group than to an individual, a company has more financial confidence than an individual. There are many cases of companies or organizations accepting business accounts only for companies. The U.S. domain name, com. is available for both companies and individuals, but the Japanese domain name, .co.jp is available for companies only.

6. Lifetime employment:
   The Japanese employment system has traditionally been operated as lifetime employment. Changing jobs is regarded as a lack of allegiance to the company and is dis-advantageously evaluated by next employer.

Education:

School education from primary school to undergraduate university is comprised of teachers lecturing from a platform and students taking notes. Students are evaluated solely by exam results, which test memorization of the lecture materials. There is no debate system simulating actual social interaction as observed in Western countries.
Students from primary school to senior high school wear uniforms.
Schools are hard to enter and easy to graduate from.

This system has been unchanged since the Meiji era (1867).
The purpose and the effect of this education system is to make the students adapt well in organizational structure such as companies, institutions, and governmental offices as a part of the organization, and does not to aim to develop creative intelligence.
It can be compared to manufacturing a computer with a large data memory space but poor signal processor performance.

This system was adopted when Japan was governed by a despotic government and it was deemed necessary for the people to faithfully obey the government's orders.
The fact that this system still remains shows how slowly Japanese people change their characteristics although it is gradually changing.

The Japanese characteristics are deeply related to the history of Japan. It is gradually changing but still underlies in daily life. It is useful to refer to Japanese history for an overall understanding of the Japanese characteristics.

Clicking on Historical analysis on the Japanese characteristics by Tsunetoshi Terada, the founder of Intelligence Bridges, provides a basic analysis of Japanese history related to the development of this unique characteristics.

Source: http://www.intelbridges.com/japanesedispositionuk.html

image source:

http://www.diplomatic-corporate-services.si/services/embassies-consulates/embassies/japan-embassy.php 

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Health Benefits of the Hijab

There are many scientific facts that describe the health benefits of the hijab:

U V Radiation of the Sun and Skin Cancer

Medical experts have always warned us against the damaging effects of the suns’ harmful rays, particularly the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The UV rays from sunlight penetrate the atmosphere and are responsible for causing many health conditions such as premature skin aging, eye damage (including cataracts), and skin cancers. They also suppress the immune system, thus, reducing the ability to fight off diseases and other maladies.

A leading medical magazine has brought to attention and increasing problem of “melanoma”, a deadliest form of skin cancer that arises due to long term exposure to direct sunlight. It is highly prevalent amongst women, mainly because the dress sense that they usually adopted means that large parts of their bodies are uncovered and thus, exposed to the harmful effects of UV radiation.  The legs are the most common part of the body that is largely afflicted by this disease, mainly because of the short length skirts that women commonly wear.

As UV rays can penetrate through clouds, fabric and glass, wearing transparent clothing will not provide sufficient protection from this type of cancer. Medical experts recommend people to cover up with loose-fitting clothing, especially those made with tightly woven fabrics as they provide a greater barrier between the skin and the sun. Bright or dark-coloured clothing tend to reflect more UV radiation than pastel coloured clothing and bleached cottons.

Effects of Hot Weather

Spending long hours in hot weather without sufficient protection can be damaging to health, particularly, the brain. Long term exposure to heat can deplete many essential elements present in the body, namely phosphorous. Phosphorous provides strength to bones and teeth and is potent in performing essential activities for different body parts like the brain, kidneys and heart.

A leading health specialist discovered that phosphorus depletes at temperatures of 108 °F.  A human body can easily reach such temperatures when exposed to the hot sun for any length of time without sufficient protection. Frequent and long term exposure to such temperatures can result in overheating of the head that increases the risk of irreversible brain damage and memory loss.

For this reason, health advisors recommend people to wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses to help shield sensitive skin on the head, neck, and around the eyes as these are the areas that usually sustain a lot of sun damage.

Effects of Cold Weather.

Exposure to cold weather conditions upsets the equilibrium of the human body that results in ill-health. Frequent exposure to cold and windy conditions without sufficient protection increases the risk of suffering from colds and flu with aches, pains and shivers.

Medical tests revealed that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head and people are advised to protect their heads in such wintery conditions.  It is proven that wearing a hat during the winter months provides 50% more protection from heat loss than being without a head covering. It is also advised to wrap up warm to stay away from drafts. 

Hygiene

In some professions, workers are required to wear some sort of head covering for hygiene purposes such as, nurses, fast food workers, health care providers and many more. The head-covering ensures cleanliness and purity and prevents cross contamination and spread of infections and diseases.

Summary of Protective Measures

Health specialists advise people to protect themselves from UV radiation, both indoors and out. It is advised to:

- Remain in the shade between 10 am to 4 pm.

- Cover up with loose-fitting clothing, especially those made with tightly woven fabrics

- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses

- Apply suitable sunscreens especially on babies over the age of six months.

- Examine the skin from head-to-toe every month.

- and see the doctor every year for a professional skin exam.

In wintery conditions, health officials advise people to:

- Wrap up and keep warm

- Cover the head

- and keep away from cold drafts

Islamic Dress Code

Over all, health officials have perfectly described the ‘Islamic dress code’ by recommending that the best form of clothing to wear should be good quality, loose fitting clothing that cover the maximum amount of skin.

The versatility of this type of clothing is that it can be cool and comfortable to wear during the summer months and yet warm and insulating in the winter months. The headscarf or any form of head covering provides protection from both extremes of temperatures and guards the vital organs from sustaining damage from each of the extremes.

The Islamic dress maintains a state of balance within the human body that helps keep it healthy through out its lifetime. This proves that there are always valid reasons behind any divine rulings and regulations given to mankind and it is clear that the wisdom of Allah in prescribing such rulings related to hijab and the Islamic dress code provides protection not only from sociological and psychological issues but from a health perspective too.

source : 
http://www.stunninghijab.com/health-benefits-of-the-hijab/
image source:
http://kacangayubarokah.wordpress.com