American girl offers 1,000 origami cranes to Japan victims

In addition to the cranes, Vaughn has managed to raise over $2,000 in donations.

An old legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. A young school-girl from Southern California took it upon herself to create 1,000 cranes to be sent to earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan in a gesture of hope.

Taylor Vaughn, 10-year-old, was shocked by the images on television of children suffering after Japan s worst earthquake on record and resulting tsunami. Determined to help raise funds for the relief effort, Taylor joined forces with Project HOPE, an international humanitarian aid and health education organisation, appealing to Americans to make a donation to support her appeal. During her research for fundraising efforts, she came upon the old Japanese legend of origami cranes and decided this was the ideal fundraiser.

Vaughn then organised an origami workshop with a group of her school friends from Pasadena, California. The girls managed to create the 1,000 cranes in just two weeks, getting together after school or during recess in order to meet their own goal.

In addition to the cranes, Vaughn has managed to raise over $2,000 in donations. The money and the cranes will be sent to school-children in the disaster ravaged regions of Japan.

Rio’s Christ statue lit up in blue to raise awareness for autism

Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue received a blue lighting to raise awareness for autism.

The Brazilian city s celebrations for World Autism Day also included a religious service on top of the Corcovado mountain attended by dozens of children who suffer with autism.

According to a Brazilian government survey, autism occurs in 1 in 110 children; a rate which is similar worldwide. Autism is a treatable disorder, but many people are never diagnosed or receive appropriate treatment. Autism can provoke from moderate to severe medical issues including gastrointestinal problems, immune system dysfunction, and metabolic abnormalities.

Mariel Mendes Lopes, head of Rio  s Autism Institute, said the Brazilian government does not provide enough information about the disorder. “This will help raise awareness regarding the rights of people with autism, a syndrome which we don t know much about, but which today is globally recognised. Today we are going through an autism epidemic and few people know about it. The government doesn t give this issue enough attention and we need to raise awareness among the population regarding this syndrome,” Lopes said.

India become cricket world champions for second time

India won the ICC World Cup 2011 and became the world champions for 2nd time after beating Sri Lanka

India is the first team who won a cricket world cup at home ground after defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.  

Chasing a total of 275 runs, responsible innings of Gambhir (97) and skipper Dhoni (91*) took India home. India lost Tendulkar and Sehwag early in the run-chase. But, Kohli and Gambhir built a partnership of more than 80 runs before Kohli fell at 114, scoring 35 runs. Then, Gambhir bowled out by Perera at 97, and a total of 223 runs. But, Dhoni and Yuvraj’s 52 runs partnership guided India to a convincing 6-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in 48.2 overs.

Earlier, Jayawardene’s century took Sri Lanka to 275 against India in the final of the World Cup on Saturday. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat in the crucial match being played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Sri Lanka lost its opener Tharanga early in the innings but Dilshan and skipper Sagakkara provided some momentum before Dilshan fell at 60, scoring 33 runs.

Then, Sangakkara and Jayawadene took their team to cross 100 runs. The skipper bowled out at 122, scoring 48 important runs. Jayawardene shared half-century partnerships with Kumar Sangakarra and Thilan Samaraweera.

Jayawardene’s unbeaten 103 runs along with Kulasekara’s 32 and Perera’s thrilling 22 made it possible to set a defendable target of 275 runs against India. Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj picked 2 wickets each, but Sreesanth, a late addition to the team, was expensive.

Ruling on wearing coloured contact lenses for men

We are deeply saddened by the trends in modern society which are pushing people in general, and the youth in particular, to do things that are of no benefit and encourage them to consume and spend extravagantly, and cause them to ignore sublime matters and becomes preoccupied with trivia. 

In principle, it is sufficient for a man to have a little adornment without going to extremes or being extravagant, for man has been created to strive and work and shoulder responsibilities. That does not mean that he should refrain from some permissible types of adornment occasionally, so as to allow himself to rest and relax, so that he can continue to strive and work hard. 

But the main preoccupation of men and youth should not be adornment and beautification. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade going to extremes in that. Abu Dawood (4160) narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade us to be overly concerned with our outward appearance. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Sunan Abi Dawood. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

The woman is the one who needs to wear gold, silk and the like, because she needs to beautify herself for her husband. The man is the one who has no need of that because of his manliness and because he should care less about his outward appearance and should focus on his religious and worldly concerns. End quote. 

Majmoo‘ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (11/60). 

He also said: 

Firstly: we should ask about wearing contact lenses before anything else. There is nothing wrong with prescribed contact lenses that are used to strengthen the vision, because that is something with which Allah has blessed His slaves and made available for them, and they are easier then regular glasses. This is on condition that they do not cause any harm to the eye, even if that is in the future. 

Secondly: with regard to contact lenses that are worn for adornment, we do not recommend men to wear them, especially young men, unless there is some defect in the pupil of the eye, in which case there is nothing wrong with it, because this is removal of a fault and it is not done to increase beauty. Rather it is a woman who needs beautification as Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “…a creature who is brought up in adornments (wearing silk and gold ornaments), and who in dispute cannot make herself clear?” [al-Zukhruf 43:18], i.e., women. There is nothing wrong with a woman wearing them for the purpose of beautification on condition that they do not look like the eyes of animals, such as the eyes of cats, rabbits and the like, because resembling animals is not mentioned in the Qur’aan or Sunnah except by way of condemnation, as in the verses in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So his parable is the parable of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out”

[al-A ‘raaf 7:176]

“The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Tawraat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them)”

[al-Jumu ‘ah 62:5]. 

And as in the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) concerning the one who takes back his gift: “[he is] like the dog that vomits then goes back to its vomit.” 

So she should not wear anything that looks like animals’ eyes. End quote. 

Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh, 182/15.