MUSLIMS THIS MONTH

It just does'nt stop in Newtown, The buzzing atmosphere and the cultures incorporated in this place. TODAY I have decided to shift the focus from culture,entertainment and art to RELIGION.....

                         

Muslims around the world anticipate the arrival of the holiest month of the year. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection and we see this through South African MUSLIMS.
Just down the road from Newtown, is a place called fordsburg. In Fordsburg most people,mainly indians and coloureds are Muslims and fall under the Religion Islam.

Ramadan Basics

Each year, Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community-wide fast. The annual fast of Ramadan is considered one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Qu'ran.


THE FAST ENDS AND WHAT I CALL STARVATION COMES TO AN END AND MUSLIMS NOW CELEBRATE EID-MUBARACK.

ABOVE: EID POEM SCHOLASTIC.

Muslims worldwide are celebrated the end to Ramadan this weekend, known as the Eid al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of the holy month for Muslims.

Practicing Muslims fast from dawn till dusk during the month of Ramadan which also includes prayers and abstinence from worldly pleasures. In most places around the world, Eid al Fitr is celebrated up to three days. 

"For Muslims, Ramadan has been a time of fasting, prayer and spiritual renewal. These past four weeks have also been a time to serve the less fortunate -- a reminder of the obligations that people of all faiths have to each other. We congratulate Muslims around the world on this joyous day. Eid Mubarak."
A popular phrase used to congratulate each other on holidays, is "Eid Mubarak" which literally means "Blessed Festival."
Eid is a great day of celebration for Muslims. Traditional  celebrations include gathering with friends and family and having a big feast, wearing new clothes, giving eachother gifts and decorating their homes.
Food items for celebrating include everything from vermicelli in saffron sweet cream, curries, kebabs and biriyani.

Read more at http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/2752/20120819/eid-mubarak-muslims-celebrate-the-end-of-ramadan-eid-al-fitr-around-the-globe.htm#OcCIwjeC9Yhd0js3.99

Above:

    Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with a feast(Photo : Reuters
Read more at http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/2752/20120819/eid-mubarak-muslims-celebrate-the-end-of-ramadan-eid-al-fitr-around-the-globe.htm#lmm4pliIUtB7UMMS.99

ENTERTAINMENT VS SYMBOLISM

Through this experience I am taking you through, I'm beginning to realise that entertainment is not the only thing we are offered in Newtown but the symbolism of this geographic place in the city.

ABOVE:  a flyer advertising an event that took
place early this year. the event was organised
by workers who work at a clothing store,'ritual'
in NEWTOWN,JOHANNESBURG.

Ever wondered why are certain places developed in the City,why are certain sites built. Is this just for tourist attrraction or entertainment purposes? Well what most people don't realise is that the city is doing so much for it's people and there's something symbolic about that.

FROM THE BLOGGER, THESE ARE MY QUESTIONS:

1. Is Johannesburg becoming a 24 hour city?
2. Is confidence in the inner city improving? 
3.  Is the inner city property market improving?
4. Are rentals stabilising in the inner city?
5. To what extent has business turnover increased in the inner city?

THIS IS WHAT I FOUND OUT:

Opportunities to rehabilitate, re-use and revamp redundant buildings.

Investment opportunities in cultural tourism and creative industries.

Economic opportunities for informal enterprises.

Support services to creative industries.

Hotels, restaurants and retail opportunities

www.department tourism.co.za

Johannesburg’s policy makers and city planners have adopted much of the rhetoric and language of world city discourse. It is also policies is clearly two-fold; firstly as an attempt to rejuvenate the inner city’s economy through the use of these industries; and secondly on a more symbolic level to create a new African identity. As demonstrated, within world city discourse and in much of the national Department of Arts and Culture’s policy, there is an emphasis on the power of the arts to re-establish and upgrade the country the city’s international image and reputation.

NEWTOWN BEING SYMBOLIC

One of the most symbolic projects undertaken by the city of Johannesburg to this end has

been the latest Newtown development project. This initiative, the most recent in a long history

of such projects, is clearly in line with world city discourse in regards to the creation of a

cultural quarter and the support of the culture industries. Newtown has also become

a flashpoint for opposing policy views; specifically when it comes to issues of urban renewal,

exclusion, and spatial development.

Some of these realities have also impacted on the perceived success or failure of the Newtown project.The Newtown Development project is modeled on the various cultural quarter projects that have taken place in Western cities. At the heart of the project is the understanding that through supporting certain, strategic culture industries within a specific geographic area, the seeds for economic and urban renewal can be planted. This understanding has been specifically stated within national Arts and Culture policy, and in the various white papers commissioned by the Department of Tourism.

www.departmentoftourism.co.za

I AM WOMAN

Above:Different women holding hands showing off the power of women.

I can only imagine how it was on 9 August 1956 when the Federation of South African Woman organized a mass demonstration against the imposition of pass laws on women in South Africa. More than 20,000 women, led by Lilian Ngoyi (a trade unionist and political activist), Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, took part in the multi-racial march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to deliver a petition to the Prime minister JG Strijdom.

I AM  WOMAN......As women we are where are today because of these phenomenal, brave and inspiring women, it does not matter what race you are,how old you are,whether you are a mother,grandmother,daughter,sister,aunt or whether you're a nun,nurse,domestic worker or work in the corporate world, You are a woman and you worth more than you know. However, that  time of the year has come where the nation honours and celebrates these roles in the emancipation of South Africa, yes mother's day was celebrated 2 months ago but it's not enough when it comes to honouring our beautiful and phenomenon women.

HOW OR WHERE TOO  CELEBRATE?

NEWTOWN, NEWTOWN and NEWTOWN!!!!!!
YES YES YES I said it 

After having breakfast in bed and/or lunch at home you and your girls or family can drive down to Newtown, Johannesburg and explore art in all the museums and art galleries,have lunch at the various restuarants and just enjoy a chilled scene on thursday in Newtown. 

                        ENJOY LADIES IT IS OUR DAY AFTER ALL!