World Population is approximately 8 Billion with 67 Million increase per year.
CHRISTIANITY is the World’s FIRST LARGEST and most widely practiced religion with 2 Billion followers.
ISLAM in the world is around 1.8 BILLION the SECOND LARGEST RELIGION IN THE WORLD.
HINDUISM approximately 1 BILLION in KÜRESEL followers and is the THIRD LARGEST RELIGION in the WORLD.
From the above statistics HALF OF THE WORLD will be in PRAYERS, REMEMBRANCE and CELEBRATIONS. We collectively wish all a Happy, Enjoyable and Memorable week.
CHRISTIANITY: EASTER
Corinthians 15:3-8: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance. Or you at the first: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas.”
Easter is the time when Christians Globally celebrate the RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST. According to the Bible, Christ died on a cross on a day called GOOD FRIDAY, was buried for three days and the Bible says, Jesus was then resurrected and came back to life on EASTER SUNDAY.
Christian tradition holds that the sins of humanity were paid for by the death of Jesus and that his Resurrection represents the anticipation believers can have in their own resurrection.
April 2017, EASTER, Dr. Shamir & Dr. Maryann visited the THE HOLY LANDS. Jerusalem Palestine/Israel, at the following.
- Mount of Olives. 2. Chapel of Ascension. 3. Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 4. Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. 5. Church of the Svstinete Hic Et Vigilate Mecum where Jesus Prayed at His End & Where Judas Iscariot Betrayed HIM. 6. Herod’s Gate. 7. VIVA DOLOROSA 14 stations. 8. Basilique Saints Anne where Virgin Mary was Born. 9. Church of Flagellation where Pontius Pilate Took Jesus and had Jesus Flogged then placed a Wreath in Jesus’s Head. 10. Viva DOLOROSA Stations where Jesus met His Mom, and Station where Jesus placed His Hand on the Wall and Station were Jesus placed His Hand on The Ground. 11. Station where Jesus’s Body was Down and prepared for Burial. 12, Jesus’s Tomb. 13. Dr. Shamir & Dr. Maryann Offered Prayers Many Times During the Day for ALL Families, Friends, Governments Leaders, Government & Private Corporations’ Officials, Parliamentarians, & People of Guyana, Kuwait & Globally. Caring Prayers & Blessings for the Poor, Sick, and Disenfranchised Persons Globally. Prayers & Blessings for PETS & Animals. Most Memorable Moments ALL Day. With Bhagwan, God, Allah, Yah, Jah, Buddha. & Jehovah’s Graces, Will & Blessings.
Photo. Dr. Shamir Andrew Ally at The Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross
Photo. Dr. Shamir Ally and Dr. Maryann Beebe Ally at the Western Wall.
ISLAM: RAMADAN
The FIVE Pillars of Islam are, Shahada: FAITH; Salat: PRAYER; Zakat: CHARITY; Sawm; FASTING; and Hajj: PILGRIMAGE to MECCA, Saudi Arabia.
RAMADAN started on March 11, 2024, to April 9, 2024, depending on the appearance of the crescent moon. It is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic, Hijri calendar. It is also believed to be the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The QURAN actively encourages its followers to live in peace with those of other faiths. Similarly, the HADITH, a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), calls for love and understanding towards other religions. ISLAM IS A WAY OF LIFE. Found from my 4 years Tenure, that they are 3 Keys in Islamic culture, Relationships, Patience (Sabr) and Respect which takes many years to earn, cultivate and bear fruits.
Ramadan Customs, is traditional for Muslims to break their fast for their Suhoor (predawn meal) , Iftar (meal after sunset during Ramadan) and Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) celebrations by eating dates. This is a custom that goes back to the very first observance of Ramadan, as it is said that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ate dates before he broke his fast. Though it is a custom, it is not a requirement, but this is the practice in the 57 OIC and IsDB Countries.
Photo: Dr. Shamir Ally at Masjid al-Haram (including the KAABA), in Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
INDIA: HOLI CELEBRATIONS
Holi is celebrated at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month of Falgun. The date of the şenlik varies depending on the lunar cycle. Typically, it falls in March, and will be celebrated this year on March 25.
In many parts of India, people light large bonfires the night before the şenlik to signify the destruction of evil and victory of good.
On the day of Holi, entire streets and towns are filled with people who throw colored powder in the air. Some throw balloons filled with colored water from rooftops and others use squirt guns. For one day, it is all fair game. Cries of “Holi Hai!” which means “It is Holi!” can be heard on the streets. Holi has also been romanticized and popularized over the decades in BOLLYWOOD films.
The colors seen during the Holi symbolize different things. BLUE represents the color of Lord Krishna’s skin while green symbolizes spring and rebirth. RED symbolizes marriage or fertility while both RED and YELLOW — commonly used in ritual and ceremony — symbolize auspiciousness.
Assuring You of my Highest Consideration
Sincerely
Dr. Shamir Andrew Ally
Former Ambassador to Kuwait, 2016-2020
Former FIRST Alternate Governor, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2017-2020
Former Deputy Chairman, GO-Invest , 2016-2019