Islamic Art in the Western World | Essay

Islamic Art in the Western World | Essay Is there a place for Islamic Art in the western Domicile? Introduction: What is Islamic Art? Islamic art does not copy nature but conveys what it represents. Islamic art is a mirror of a culture and its world view. Islamic art is a vibrant and distinctive form of Art. Unlike Christian art, Islamic art is not constrained to religious work, but includes artistic traditions in the Muslim culture. Because of the strict ruling against drawings of human or animals which might result in idol worship, Islamic art developed a distinctive character makes use of primary forms, geometric arabesque, floral and calligraphic. Muslim art has reflected this balanced, harmonious world view. Through its brilliant use of colour and balance, Islamic art creates an immediate visual impact. In Islamic art, painting and sculpture are not thought of as the finest forms of art. Crafts and decorative arts are regarded as having full art status. Books, on the other hand are a major art form and Writing has a high status in Islam as writing is considered significant decoration for objects and buildings. Islamic Art seeks to illustrate the meaning and essence of things, rather than just their physical form. It focuses on the spiritual representation of objects and beings and not their physical qualities. How is geometry seen to be spiritual? Because circles have no end they are infinite and so they remind Muslims that Allah is infinite. Complex geometric designs create the feeling of un-ending repetition; this helps the person get an idea of the infinite nature of Allah. Repeating patterns also indicate that in the small you can find the infinite, a single element of the pattern implies the infinite total. The use of patterns is part of the way Islamic art represents nature and objects. Repeated geometric pattern often use plant motifs, there are called Arabesque. Arabic lettering is also common. Art: It is one of the purest and most significant forms of human communication. Where language often fails us, art can cross divide what we sometimes erect due to differences in race, ethnicity, religion and culture. Specifically, Islamic art, perhaps more than any other, presents a beautiful mirror of a culture and its world view. More than being just representative of a singular religion (as is often the case with Christian art), Islamic art deepens understanding about Muslim culture, at large. It is for this reason that Islamic art should not only be tolerated when found in a western domicile, it should be encouraged and celebrated as a mechanism for the west to build a new respectful, productive and healing relationship with the East. On September 11, 2001, the west was devastated by a series of coordinated suicide terrorists attacks organized by an Islamist fundamentalist group called Al- Qaida. After getting over the initial shock, pain and horror of this incalculable loss, the west was left with one profound sentiment absolute confusion. We, in the West, simply had little understanding, not only of the motivation for the terrorist attack, but also of Islamic beliefs systems and principles, in general. And it is not a criticism, but simply an observation to note that the profoundly individualist mindset of the West, particularly America, had left us very isolated and without much understanding of global, philosophical, religious and cultural principles which differed from ours. It is now almost a decade after the horror of September 11, 2001, and although the West is still much insulated and lacks the full understanding of Islam which is so critical to secure a more peaceful global environment, we have made significant strides. The attack was not only a source of great suffering in the West, but also a wake up call to remind us of our insularity and the fact that there is a huge global community out there of which we are only a small part. And, Islamic artists have made huge contributions to furthering the understanding of Islamic culture and religion. Some may view bringing Islamic art into ones home as inviting argument and conflict. Narrow minded people may view Islam as the enemy of the West. However more and more Westerners are coming to the understanding that Islam is not the enemy of the West, but rather a potential partner and friend. Art has been a powerful tool in aiding the West to come to this conclusion. Through art of all varieties, Westerners are able to learn about not only the Islamic which may differ from many of ours, but also about the areas where we have something in common. There are so many contemporary Islamic arts and ways to incorporate it in to a Western home. Of course, the immediate thought one has when the word ‘art is mentioned, is probably visual art. Painters like Ali Omar Ermes, an Islamic artist based in the United Kingdom, introduce Western eyes to the beauty of Arabic lettering. Ermes work is significant in its exploration of the beauty of the written word or symbol. Writing, in the Islamic tradition, is highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty, and often utilized in architecture for its decorative effects, in addition to its simple meaning. Noura Sadaka, a Dubai-based talent, paints, draws and creates unique wooden and metal sculptures through which she tries to communicate the many ambiguities and struggles of being a woman caught between both Western and Islamic identities. Noura is typical of many contemporary Arabic artists in this way. So many Islamic creators have shed new understanding about the ways in which many of the Isl amic community feel great ties, love and respect for their peers in the West. Contrary to initial beliefs about Islam being the Wests enemy, such artists bring to light a much more complex and subtle truth about the relationship between Islamic peoples and their Western counterparts. Visual art is definitely not the only way to bring Islamic creativity into ones abode. We may not normally think of magazines, television and the internet as sources of fine art so often it is full of mindless content that could not be qualified as creative, by any stretch of the imagination. However, television shows like PBSs ART: 21, magazines like Brown Book and a variety of modern websites are exposing the West to Islamic artists whose work not only delights the senses; it also educates and helps expound understanding. Even the HBO series, Def Poetry Jam, did much to change stereotypes of Islam, by showcasing young, Islamic slam poets, especially in the early years which followed the terrorist attacks. It is clear that Islamic art has an essential function in furthering human understanding and connection. It is a bridge to create a dialogue when the traditional means are inadequate to express the subtle complexity of thoughts, emotions and ideas which drive us. By exploring the meaning an essence of things beyond their physical form, Islamic artists communicate sometimes unique, sometimes universal ideas about the spiritual questions with which all human beings grapple, regardless of their particular faith. For these reasons and more, Islamic art can hold a vital place in the context of a Western home expanding dialogue and understanding and, ultimately, promoting more peace and tolerance.

Greed †Good or Bad? Essay

â€Å"Greed captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.† (Michael Douglas, Wall Street). The very idea of greed carries a negative connotation, however, does it drive the economy to bigger and better things? I think so, because without greed, people wouldn’t have a lust to create bigger, better, more efficient products. Greed causes competition of companies, every company wants to be rated #1 by consumers, and it’s that greed that leads to more productivity and innovation. Nearly everyone wants to get at least one thing that they don’t have, and to want that new car, new house, new computer, new bike, or whatever it is, the majority of people are willing to do almost whatever it takes to get it, that itself is greed. And greed feeds the American economy and keeps it going, greed leads to expansion in foreign trade and creates business opportunities. It causes an expansion of trade because people are willing to trade with other countries for goods that we our self can’t produce, or that can be produced cheaper. Greed is one of the most powerful tools in America; however, some would argue that greed is a bad thing because it leads to scandals and crime. This can be true, however, greed is used productively more often than not. Greed isn’t only good for business owners or producers; it’s good for everyone because it motivates everyone to strive for better things. Greed is the driving force of the economic world, and if everyone had the same financial, social, and political status, no one would care to strive for a better life. Rich people are not greedy in fact; they donate more to the â€Å"unfortunate† ones than any other class of people in America. Greed is especially a driving force in the American economy because everybody in America wants to get rich. Some people say greed is a necessary evil, I say it makes America the powerful country it is today, and gives everyone the dreams of making it big.

Effects Of Borderline Personality Disorders ( Bpd ) Essay

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the different challenges in treatments for consumers with borderline personality disorders (BPD) and how they are slightly different from treating other disorders. Rates of co-occurring mental health disorders are very high among individuals with BPD, which present challenges for treatments in those individuals. This paper will explore the complications in diagnosing consumers due to the fact that borderline personality disorder rarely stands alone and is often co-occurring with other disorders. Gender differences among individuals with BPD will be discussed as well as the prevalence of this disorder. In addition, we will describe and present the different challenges for clinicians, the families of individuals with BPD, and the individuals themselves that are suffering from BPD. The paper will also include an implications section for behavioral healthcare. Introduction Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and complex mental disorder involving maladaptive behaviors and multiple symptoms. This disorder often occurs in the context of relationships and can have a chaotic effect not only on the individual with BPD but also on their loved ones. According to the NIMH, â€Å"borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationship†.9 A primary character of BPD is behavioral and emotional dysregulation. These behaviors are difficultShow MoreRelatedBorderline Personality Disorder: A Literature Review Essay1589 Words   |  7 Pages The history of BPD can be traced back to 1938 when Adolph Stern first described the symptoms of the disorder as neither being psychotic nor psychoneurotic; hence, the term ‘borderline’ was introduced (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2009, p. 15). Then in 1960, Otto Kernberg coined the term ‘borderline personality organization’ to describe persistent patterns of behavior and functioning consisting of instability, and distressed psychological self-organization (National CollaboratingRead MoreA Brief Note On Borderline Personality Disorder ( Adhd )1671 Words   |  7 Pages Assessing Borderline Personality Disorder Amanda Kissling Millersville University â€Æ' Introduction Treating individuals with Borderline Personality Disorders presents unique challenges for Clinicians and other service workers. Borderline personality disorder is described in the DSM-V as a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, (as well as) marked impulsivity (2013). Symptoms typically begin to present themselves in late adolescents and earlyRead MoreEtiology of Borederline Personality Disorder1755 Words   |  7 PagesEtiology of Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline personality disorder is defined as a mental illness that involves unstable moods, behavior and relationships. There are many other symptoms of borderline personality disorder, some of which include intense irritability, elevated levels of fear, and anger. The etiology of BPD is unknown, but through a number of different studies it is believed that it can be caused by genetics, environmental factors, and/or brain abnormalities. ScientistsRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder And Mental Disorders844 Words   |  4 PagesAs stated previously, Borderline Personality Disorder is misdiagnosed for possible several reasons. One reason co-occurrence, individuals may come into the therapist office complaining about depression, and not bring up the signs that are associated with Borderline Personality Disorder. Therapists are unaware and only treats the signs of other mental disorders. The common misdiagnosis symptoms are seen in bipolar, antisocial and substance abuse. According to SAMSHA, early detections and interventionsRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder And Mental Health Disorder1475 Words   |  6 PagesBorderline Personality Disorder There are many disorders in our world that affect us every day. Some of these disorders can be manageable by simple changes in daily activates and others need extensive treatments and yet will never be â€Å"cured†. Borderline personality disorder is one that affects a person so radically that the person may consider suicide or even commit it. Extensive therapy and even sometimes drugs are needed to lead a healthy life. BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER (BPD) isRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder ( Bpd )932 Words   |  4 PagesBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is an emotional disorder that causes emotional instability, leading to stress and other problems. With borderline personality disorder your image of yourself is distorted, making you feel worthless and fundamentally flawed. Your anger, impulsivity and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you desire loving relationships. It is an often misunderstood, serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationshipsRead MorePersonality Disorders : Paranoid Pd1486 Words   |  6 PagesHave you ever wondered why some people have a change in personality at some point in their life. Most of the time this is because they have a personality disorder (PD). There are ten types of personality disorders: Paranoid PD, Schizoid PD, Schizotypal PD, Antisocial PD, Borderline PD, Histrionic PD, Narcissistic PD, Avoidant PD, Dependent PD and Obsessive-Compulsive PD. This biggest debate in psychology today is whether these personality disorders have something to do with our chemical makeup or ifRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder And Mental Condition1087 Words   |  5 PagesThis is what people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) suffer and cope with on a daily basis. Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental condition that is often associated with unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. BPD originated from the 1930’s. The psychoanalyst, Adolf Stern, noted that there was a group of emotionally troubled people that did not fall into the categories of â€Å"neurotic† and â€Å"psychotic†. This dubbed the term of â€Å"borderline†. Although the causes areRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder ( Bpd )1484 Words   |  6 PagesBorderline Personality Disorder is one of the many serious mental conditions that is challenge to the individual suffering as well as family, friends or co-workers. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is known by impulsive behavior and instability, self-image and personal relationship issues. Individuals suffering from BPD may experience many of these symptoms listed in the DSM-V, â€Å"inappropriate, uncontrollable or vehement anger, chronic boredom or feelings of emptiness, extreme efforts to avoidRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder Essay993 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is Borderline Personality Disorder? Is heredity the cause or is it a person’s surrounding environment? What are its effects? Are there any treatments available for it? Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD is a serious illness that causes a person to experience instability in moods, exhibit impulsive, quite often aggressive, behavior and creates severe self-worth issues. BPD is usually not a â€Å"stand alone† illness and typically is accompanied by other disorders such as Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder

2019-20 ACT Score Release Dates

ACT scores are typically available within two weeks of the exam date. Scores on the optional ACT writing exam take longer than the multiple-choice scores, often an additional two weeks. Also, requests for score reports to be sent to colleges are typically processed within one week. ACT Score Release Dates Information Once youve taken the ACT, chances are youre eager to get your scores. The good news is that ACT gets scores to students faster than the SAT, and most applicants will receive scores for the multiple-choice section of the exam about ten days after the test date. The great majority of test-takers will receive scores online at the beginning of the date range listed in the table below.   2019-20 ACT Score Release Dates ACT Test Date Multiple Choice ACT Scores Posted Online September 14, 2019 September 24, 2019– November 8, 2019 October 26, 2019 November 12, 2019– December 30, 2019 December 14, 2019 December 26, 2019– February 7, 2020 February 8, 2020 February 25, 2020 – April 3, 2020 April 4, 2020 April 14, 2020 – May 29,2020 June 13, 2020 June 23, 2020– August 7, 2020 July 18, 2020 July 28, 2020– August 31, 2020 September2020 TBA October2020 TBA December2020 TBA If your score report isnt available when expected, dont panic. Some scores can take longer to be reported if, for instance, the personal information you provided on your answer sheets, like your name or birthday, did not match up with your admission ticket. You can also be delayed in receiving your score reports if you have outstanding registration fees or if there was a delay receiving answer sheets from your testing center. Also, on the rare occasion, an irregularity at a testing center (such as potential cheating) can delay score reporting until after the issue is sorted out. The ACT recommends that you check the website to see if your scores are available via your ACT Web Account  on the first score release date for your ACT administration date. The dates are listed below for your convenience. If you do not see your scores listed when you log in to your account, simply wait a week and check the website again. Since the ACT group processes scores on Wednesdays and Fridays, there will be differences in times when your scores are posted. But, if you havent received your scores eight weeks after your examination date, youll need to report it to ACT.org to ensure there hasnt been a mistake.   ACT Plus Writing Score Release Dates If you took the  ACT Plus Writing  test,  your Writing score will come about two weeks after your multiple-choice scores are posted. The ACT does not publish precise dates for the posting of writing scores since the evaluation of the essays is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. If you took the ACT Plus Writing, youll still get your multiple-choice scores on the dates listed in the table above. However, your scores will not be officially posted until your writing score is reported, and you wont be able to send the score report to colleges until both the multiple-choice and writing sections have been scored.   Reporting Scores to Colleges Once you have your scores, you need to get them to the colleges that require them. When you take the ACT, you have the option of identifying four colleges that will automatically receive the scores. These score reports are included in your exam fee, and the reports will go out very shortly after your complete score report is posted. If you need to send additional reports,  they cost $13 each and are typically sent out within a week of your request. Note that you cant request the reports until your complete score report is available. Especially if youre applying to a college through an Early Action or Early Decision program, youll want to take this time delay into account when planning your test dates. If you take the ACT Plus Writing Test, it is likely to be  four to five weeks after the test date before a college would receive your scores.  For $16.50 you can order a priority score report. With this option, your report will be processed within two days of your request rather than one week, but youll still be looking at a delay of over three weeks between the date of your exam and the date when your scores will be sent out to colleges. Learn More About the ACT Once youve received your scores, its important to understand the numbers. The definition of a good ACT score will vary depending on the college. (Just remember that there are many colleges and universities that have a test-optional policy and dont require you to provide them with your ACT scores at all.) However, if your college is strongly set on ACT scores and your results arent what you had hoped for, try not to worry too much. There are many strategies for getting into a good college with low ACT scores. Edited and expanded by Allen Grove