Saudi stunt 'drifter' to be beheaded

A Saudi court has sentenced a stunt “drifter” to death by decapitation for inadvertently killing two people, while performing a car stunt near the capital Riyadh.

"The court of Onaiza (a central region north of Riyadh) handed down a sentence to kill the drifter 'Mutannish' by beheading as punishment for his heinous deed and to deter others who tamper with the nation's security," Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting Saudi newspaper Al Watan.

Identified as "Mutannish" or "he who ignores" in Arabic, the middle-aged joyrider fled the scene after reportedly killing the two men while performing the stunt. He, however, was later arrested by the police.

Faced with limited options for entertainment, Saudi men have turned to "drifting," a pastime, in which drivers make their cars spin and skid at high speed.

The kingdom’s unwritten penal code defines drifting-related deaths as criminally-negligent homicides.

In 2005, a Saudi naval officer, convicted of killing three minors in a stunt-driving accident, was handed down death sentence, which was later commuted to 3,000 lashes and 20 years in prison.

Last year, Saudi Arabia executed 82 people, most of them by beheading, according to Amnesty International.

Source:

http://www.emirates247.com/crime/region/saudis-to-behead-stunt-driver-for-hit-and-run-incident-2012-06-26-1.464721

KSA to Allow Women at Olympics

A big thumbs up to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud!!!!

Back in November, 2011, the government of Saudi Arabia began hinting that it might permit female athletes to represent the country in this summer’s Olympics. In March of this year, it announced that it would. April saw it back off a bit, saying that while it would permit them to take part, it would not actually support them in their efforts.

Come June, and it now appears that female athletes will receive support as well. The Wall St. Journal reports:

Saudi Arabia to Let Women Compete in Olympics
ELLEN KNICKMEYER in Riyadh and IMAN DAWOUD in London
Saudi Arabia, the only major nation to ban women athletes from its national Olympics team, apparently reversed course amid international pressure on Sunday, saying that qualifying Saudi female athletes could compete in London under the auspices of the Saudi Olympic Committee.
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking forward to full participation” in the Olympic Games, the Saudi Embassy in London said. “The Saudi Olympic Committee will oversee participation of female competitors who qualify.”
The announcement opens the way for Saudi women athletes to compete for the first time in the history of the adult Olympic Games.
The concession also marks a rare official broadening of the rights granted to women in one of the world’s most conservative nations. Women in Saudi Arabia are forbidden to hold Saudi driver’s licenses. The country’s conservative religious bloc discourages women’s sports and women’s gyms, and the relatively few women’s sports teams in the country typically can’t compete before mixed public crowds of men and women.
But with the London Olympic Games due to start within weeks, only one female Saudi athlete, show-jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas, is generally considered to be trained and ready to compete at the level of the Olympics.
Ms. Malhas in 2010 became the first Saudi woman to compete in the Youth Olympics, where she won a bronze.
…

In its report, the BBC notes the intense discussions held among senior officials and sees this move as yet another, small step by King Abdullah to bring women fully into Saudi society and politics.

Source:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304458604577486893142900090.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Nayef – May He Rest in Peace

It is with sadness that Desert Moon informs readers that His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz passed away on 16 June 2012 whilst abroad for medical treatment in Geneva.Crown Prince Nayef, among his many titles and accomplishments was also next in line for the throne.His funeral ceremony took place in Makkah tul Mukarrama and the mourning ceremony was held in the Grand Mosque led by his elder brother King Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
The SUSRIS News and Information organization provides an excellent special report about the Crown Prince, his history and achievements:

 Official Biography

Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz (1934-2012)

His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz was designated Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and appointed Deputy Prime Minister, by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on October 27, 2011, upon the death of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz. Crown Prince Nayef also serves as Minister of Interior.

Prince Nayef was born in Taif in 1354H (1934), and, along with his brothers, received his early education in religion, modern culture and diplomacy at the royal court. He was appointed Deputy Governor of Riyadh in 1951 and Governor of Riyadh in 1953. In 1970, King Faisal appointed Prince Nayef the Deputy Minister of Interior and in 1975, King Khaled named him Minister of Interior. King Abdullah appointed him Second Deputy Prime Minister in 2009.

Prince Nayef has been instrumental in international counterterrorism efforts. As Minister of Interior, he has safeguarded the Kingdom, effectively leading counterterrorism initiatives to root out Al-Qaeda.

During his early years in government, Prince Nayef contributed greatly to the Kingdom’s development, helping to formulate the Kingdom’s domestic and foreign policy.. In 1992, King Fahd appointed Prince Nayef head of a committee charged with laying down the basic system of government, the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) System and the Provincial System.

Prince Nayef has chaired, or currently chairs, various committees, including the Higher Hajj Committee, the Higher Civil Defense Council, the Council of Governors, the Board of Directors at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, the Higher Industrial Security Commission, the Higher Information Council, supervisor of the Authority of Investigation and Public Prosecution, the Manpower Council, the Board of the Human Resources Development Fund, and Chief of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.

Prince Nayef is also the General Supervisor for Relief and Humanitarian Committees and Campaigns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Honorary President of the Saudi Charitable Society for the Welfare of Saudi Families Abroad and Chairman of the Board of the Human Resources Development Fund.  Prince Nayef regularly conducts official visits to nations around the world, meeting with heads-of-state and officials. He has been the honorary president of the Arab Interior Ministers since 1983.

Prince Nayef has been awarded many medals and decorations, including the military Order of the Cloud and Banner by Taiwan (1977), the Legion of Honor by France (1977), the Order of the Liberator by Venezuela (1977), the Al-Kawkab Decoration by Jordan (1977), the Order of National Security by Republic of South Korea (1980), and the National Order of the Cedar by Lebanon (2009). He also was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal – First Class. He is a recipient of several honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Cheng Shiu University in Taiwan, an Honorary Doctorate of Law from South Korea, Honorary Doctorate of Political Science from the Lebanese University, Honorary Doctorate of Islamic Politics from Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and an Honorary Doctorate from the National Ribat University in Sudan.

Source:

http://www.susris.com/2012/06/16/crown-prince-nayef-bin-abdulaziz-1934-2012/

Desert Moon conveys her deepest condolences to the family members and people of Saudi Arabia on the loss of Crown Prince Nayef. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the highest stages of jannah (paradise) Insha Allah.....

Back to the land of Camels and Palm trees

Al7amdulilla 3alassalama, I returned to the Middle East safely after a month long vacation. I must compliment Saudi airlines for the excellent service rendered to me during my entire flight.I was given a free upgrade on all my tickets and I also had the opportunity of meeting some really interesting crew members.I love the whole airport experience being able to observe different peoples behaviours and mannerisms. During the flight I met a man who has a standard booking with Saudi airlines during the last week of each month. He performs two Umras during his one week stay..A really humble individual that is so focused on his religion.I enjoyed his company thoroughly. He engaged in a deep and meaningful conversation with me.He was full of wisdom and intellect.Then I witnessed two Saudi brothers from a VIP family treating their paralyzed mother like gold. They carried her and assisted in bringing her into the plane. They had so much of patience and showered their mother with kindness and love. It is actions like these that inspire others to do good.That is why the prophet (saw) emphasized on all of us exhibiting good character...On the flip side of things I witnessed two Saudi women with pride and arrogance. The one woman refused to stand next to two Indian woman in the bus that transported us to the plane.. She had to hold onto the same pole as them in order to prevent her from falling. She was mumbling and grumbling and displayed an attitude of I am superior than them...Whilst in the plane during my domestic flight,a Saudi woman refused to be seated next to a Sudanese Black woman . I couldn't believe that I was witnessing discrimination right in front of my eyes. To avoid conflict and issues,I stood up and swapped seats with her. To add insult to injury, I read a shocking article in the Saudi Gazette whereby a grooms family asked their son to divorce his wife on the wedding day after guests were served a five course meal, simply because they found out that the brides great grand mother was of a dark skin complexion with a more African look.I guess in this part of the world, the Prophet (saw)'s last sermon is taken for granted...I was quite pleased to witness that the porters at Jeddah airport are now being supervised quite efficiently and passengers are told not to pay them more than SR10 for their services. In the past, the airport porters would demand ridiculous amounts of money to assist passengers in transferring luggage despite earning a standard basic salary. I did mention this fiasco to a close friend of mine working at the airport and I am sooo glad that after numerous complaints by many individuals action has finally been taken...That's all for now folks...I'm completely exhausted...jet lagged....Need to jump straight into bed and cuddle up under the covers....Jumu3a Mubarak to all of you. I humbly request all of you to please remember my family and I in your prayers!!!!!

The Graviola Tree and Cancer

I recently read an article on Facebook on the Graviola tree that just totally blew me away…. The article claims that the Graviola Tree can treat cancer very powerfully “10000 times stronger killer of CANCER than Chemo”. Here we go through a... Google search on the trending Graviola tree.

The Soursop (Annona muricata) is a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree native to the Amazon rainforest region. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such. Its flavor has been described as a combination of strawberry and pineapple with sour citrus flavor notes contrasting with an underlying creamy flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana.

Graviola tree and its medicinal properties against cancer:

The most recent study, conducted at Catholic University of South Korea earlier this year revealed:

a. Two chemicals extracted from Graviola seeds showed “selective cytotoxicity comparable with Adriamycin” for breast and colon cancer cells. The chemicals targeted and killed malignant breast and colon cells in a test tube–comparable to the commonly used chemotherapy drug Adriamycin.

b. Another study, published in the Journal of Natural Products, showed that Graviola is not only comparable to Adriamycin–but dramatically outperforms it in laboratory tests. Results showed that one chemical found in Graviola selectively kill red colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of Adriamycin.”

c. Graviola selectively targets cancer cells leaving healthy cells untouched. Chemotherapy indiscriminately seeks and destroys all actively reproducing cells – even normal, healthy ones. Other promising and ongoing research at Purdue University is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. Purdue researchers recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells “among six human-cell lines” and were especially effective against prostate and pancreatic cancer cells.

d. In a separate study, Purdue researchers showed that extracts from the Graviola leaves are extremely effective in isolating and killing lung cancer cells.

Perhaps the most significant result of the study cited above from the Catholic University of South Korea, and of each of the others we’ve found, is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the enemy–leaving all healthy, normal cells untouched. By comparison, chemotherapy indiscriminately seeks and destroys all actively reproducing cells–even normal hair and stomach cells. This is what causes such often-devastating side effects as hair loss and severe nausea. In this respect, Graviola looks to be a promising alternative or supplement to mainstream treatments.

The future now looks more promising. Lets preserve and cultivate these Graviola trees and have a healthy life!!

Interesting Information

One of America ‘s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.
But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.....

Source:

http://www.amazonbioenergetics.com/reports-graviola-hsi.htm

The Mother City - Cape Town

 

Article written by Simon Richmond
South Africa’s Mother City, with its cloud-draped Table Mountain, golden beaches and bountiful vineyards, captures people’s hearts.
Few cities contain a wonderful national park at their heart or provide the broad range of adventurous activities that take full advantage of it. Accentuating this natural majesty is Capetonians’ creative flair with design and colour. From the brightly painted facades to the contemporary Afro-chic décor of its guesthouses, restaurants and bars, this is one handsome metropolis.
For the 2010 World Cup, the city made a bold architectural statement in the new Green Point Stadium, complemented by improved infrastructure to host the hundreds of thousands of participants.
Its star attraction is Table Mountain National Park. To Nelson Mandela and his fellow prisoners on Robben Island it was a beacon of hope. To the millions of people who have climbed or been transported in the cableway to its 1088m peak, it is the ultimate viewpoint over the city.
If you want to get active, Cape Town‘s wind-whipped waves and Table Mountain is a nirvana for the adventure sport enthusiast, with operators lining up to ensure you don’t go home without having experienced adrenaline rushes like surfing and rock climbing.
For more extreme adventures, such as shark-cage diving or paragliding, you’ll need to travel out of the city or wait for the ideal weather conditions. But it is not all about thrill-seeking. The Mother City is also a fabulous location for a leisurely game of golf, practicing your yoga moves or a spot of pampering at the spa. Capetonians are also avid supporters of sport – enthusiastically attending football, rugby or cricket games.
Don’t forget to leave some space in your suitcase because you will probably be leaving Cape Town laden with booty. An irresistible range of products – from modern African beadwork to the finest arts and crafts – is guaranteed to turn even the most consumer-averse visitor into a shopaholic.
Local design and fashion are sizzling hot, so if you want to give your wardrobe or home that contemporary African look, Cape Town is the place to break out the credit card. The city also acts as a clearing house for antiques and curios from all over Africa and you’ll find some amazing pieces here – as well as plenty of fakes!
This is also a delicious city to dine in. The best of Cape Town’s restaurants and cafés are on a par with those of larger and more cosmopolitan cities, and its top chefs can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Charlie Trotter or Jamie Oliver, lending the city the nickname, ‘Tavern of the Seven Seas’.
After dinner, head out on a Friday or Saturday night to Long St, De Waterkant or Camps Bay for an experience of how the locals like to party. During the long, warm summer nights you will find some convivial place to while away the evening. There is certainly no shortage of cafes with stunning views of either beach or mountain and, if getting a workout on the dance floor is more your thing, then there’s bound to be a club to suit.
It’s not all about drinking and dancing. Cape Town’s nightlife also embraces cabaret and comedy venues, and live music gigs with jazz, rock and pop are all popular. Cape Town has a vibrant and creative arts scene. There’s a healthy range of theatrical offerings and for music lovers, the exciting news is the development of Old Town Hall into a dedicated music and cultural venue.
Cape Town is the natural hub for touring the Western Cape’s Winelands. This is where South Africa’s wine industry – now the ninth-largest in the world – began, three centuries ago.

Above all, Cape Town is a multicultural city, where respect for different ways of living is ingrained. Given South Africa’s troubled history, such wisdom has been hard won: practically everyone has a fascinating, sometimes heartbreaking story to tell. When the time comes to leave, you may find your heart breaking, too.

Source:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/cape-town/travel-tips-and-articles/70208

http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/media-news-detail?oid=556177&sn=Detail&pid=276571&Capetonians-market-the-Mother-City

As a side note for those of you planning a wedding, Cape Town is just the perfect place for you with breathtaking views and sceneries forming the backdrop of your special day. I had the opportunity of visiting the Val de Vie Polo Club Estate that has a beautiful wedding venue. Guests at the wedding will be enthralled to watch a polo game prior to the wedding ceremony.

My Niece Juhaina Turns One!!!!