There is a TV documentary called “December 21, 2012, End of Days.” You can easily find it on you-tube. The documentary deals with the many coincidences in the Ancient Oracles that prophesy the end of the world. The prophecies are identical in many ways in the Mayan, Athenian, Chinese and Biblical versions. They all mention rising sea waves, violent volcanic eruptions, devastating earthquakes, human terrorism and plagues. And frighteningly enough, they all predict that the end will come on Dec. 21, 2012.
Whether we believe such prophecies or not, we are all witnessing the devastating effect on the environment. The nonstop pollution spewed out by factories around the world is but one example. A water crisis with many experts predicting that new wars will be fought over water rather than oil. The increased birth rate as opposed to the death rate. The melting of the polar ice caps and new and incurable diseases. Whether it happens in 2012 or not, we have to reconsider our practices and values. We all die after a short life. Life is fragile. We do not need oracles to tell us that.
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Dear Nadia. First of all I would like to thank you for providing good information and answering people’s questions. I am working in Saudi Arabia as a software engineer with an multi-national corporation. A Saudi girl and I have feelings for each other and I would like to marry her. Can you tell me what procedures and formalities are required in order for us to marry? I am an Indian.
— Ikram
Dear Ikram, in the Shariah, there is no racism or law that says a Muslim cannot marry another Muslim just because they hold different passports. On the contrary, Islam is supposed to have come to stop such racist behavior which was common among the tribes. But we are talking of an ideal world and in reality, people have their own laws and understandings. It is advised in your case that you go directly to the girl’s father to ask for her hand. There are of course no guarantees that he will accept you and you cannot convince him by reciting verses from the Qur’an. No judge will marry the two of you without her father’s consent. Best of luck.
