The Backstreet Boys' DNA Tour is going to Japan and Southeast Asia!
2. When does the presale take place?
Fan club pre-sales for Tokyo and Osaka will take place Wednesday, 27 March 12:00pm JST through 29 March 11:59pm JST. For more information and to take part in fan club pre-sales in Japan, please visit bsbfanclub.jp. Public On-Sale: 5/25 at 12pm local/5/24 at 8pm Pacific.
Fan club pre-sales for Singapore will take place Thursday, 28 March beginning at 10:00AM SGT through Friday, 29 March at 11:59PM SGT. Public On-Sale: Monday, 1 April at 10am SGT.
*Please stay tuned to backstreetboys.com for info on pre-sales and on sales for the remaining dates. Information will also be updated here as soon as we know more.
3. How many tickets can I purchase?
There is an eight (8) ticket purchase limit.
4. What is price for the tickets and/or VIP upgrade?
Unfortunately we do not have this information prior to the onsale time. All prices will be made public at the onsale time.


text:
Militant Islam Monitor > Weblog > Jihad through "Con"version : Exploiting good faith, and the Constitution, to recruit converts to Islam
Jihad through "Con"version : Exploiting good faith, and the Constitution, to recruit converts to Islam
Conquest or Conversion : Da'wa as Jihad and Terrorism
In case anyone doubted the militant Islamist ambitions to convert the world to Islam, these words of cleric Yusuf Qaradawi and the Koran should dispel any illusions:
Dawa (recruitment to Islam )is an obligatory duty (Fard) for all Muslims.
Muslims believe that everyone was born Muslim but led astray by their non Islamic upbringing.
They refer to new Muslims as "reverts' not converts.
"You are now the best people brought forth for (the guidance and reform of) mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah." (Quran 3:110)
http://www.dawanet.com/concepts/dawaduty.asp
This from Jihad Watch:
A leading Islamic cleric , al-Qaradawi also promises that eventually Islam will prevail over all other religions and a single Islamic state will rule the world.
Al-Qaradawi says some countries will fall to the armed Islamic jihad, but in others, such as the United States, victory will come through Da'awa - the teaching of Islam to non-Muslims - which will trigger Westerners to convert to Islam "in droves."
"We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America! Not through (the) sword, but through Da'awa," al-Qaradawi told members of the Muslim Arab Youth Association at the group's 1995 convention in Toledo, Ohio. http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/001104.php
"Jihad can be with the pen and the tongue just as it can be with the sword and the spear. Islamic Jihad is not limited to military efforts only; it extends beyond this, including several means that Muslims need to utilize now more than ever."
http://www.soundvision.com/about/WhatYouCanDo.asp
Below MIM is showing the calculated campaign being waged to introduce Islam to Americans via the public schools, libraries and neighborhood organisations .
MIM also wants to know how closely Da'wa is linked to Jihad and terrorism.
Here is a letter which Muslims are urged to bring to their neighbors to tell them about Islam, under the guise of introducing themselves. Note that the letter was originally written by Paul Findley, the ex Republican congressman who runs the Council for the National Interest which is linked to the Islamic Association of Palestine and Hamas.
Here we see Findley speaking at an IAP/Hamas event together with several individuals jailed on terrorism charges :
Sami Al Arian,Ismail Royer, Ali Tamimi and Sheik Ra'ed Salah the head of the Islamic Movement . http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/levitt/levitt102003.htm
To subscribe to IAP-NET, send a message: "subscribe IAP-NET" in
the body of your email to <[email protected]>. To unsubscribe,
send a message: "unsubscribe IAP-NET" to <[email protected]>
IAP FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION (NOV 23-26)
You are invited to the Islamic Association For Palestine (IAP) Fourth
Annual Convention in Chicago. The date of the conference is November
23-26, 2000. Speakers include: Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, Abdul Jawad Saleh,
Tarik Sweidan, Assad Harmoush, Mohammad Hanooty, Jawad Al Hamad, Abdullah
Adhami, Jamal Badawi, Ali Tamimi, Azmi Tamimi, Abdul Sattar Qassem, Anisa
Abdul Fattah, Sami Al-Aryan, Paul Findley, and Ismail Royer.
Please visit our website AT HTTP://WWW.IAP.ORG for more details or call
1 877-NOW IAP3.
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:FVYg-HVb-MMJ:groups.yahoo.com/group/iapinfo/message/655+%22paul+findley%22+%22iap%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Paul Findley is Chairman of the Council for the National Interest
http://www.cnionline.org/
Besides speaking at IAP events, and writing pamphlets for Islamic propagation, Findley has written books which are distributed by CAIR such as "Images of Islam"
All the Hate That's Fit to Print see article by Stephen Schwartz
... Images of Islam,".a wretched book by professional Israel-basher Paul Findley, a former Republican congressman from Illinois. Findley's book came out in the summer of 2001, which did not prove a propitious moment for a work that gushes over Osama bin Laden. Findley writes, "Outsiders do not seem to recognize that bin Laden is one of the pre-eminent heroes of Afghans, occupying a role similar to the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who fought at the side of the Colonials during America's Revolutionary War." http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/001/464ijlvz.asp
Paul Findley wrote glowingly of his encounters with Ahmed Deedat who is funded by Bin Laden and proudly declared that he and his son have met Bin Laden several times.
On the ICPI website the "Welcome to Islam " webpage has an order list for :
"Three books which have changed the Amir of the ICPI's life"
They are :
"Crucifiction or Cruxifiction?"
"I am Muslim"
"Suicide Bomber"
http://www.ahmed-deedat.co.za/frameset.asp
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/126
Paul Findley also visited Ahmed Deedat at the Bin Laden Centre in South Africa which houses the International Center for Propagation of Islam, and participated in this "Great Symposium" Is Israel Set Up for Destruction?"
http://www.jaadilhum.com/mission.htm
Paul Findley's Council for the National Interest should be renamed "The Council to Nuke Israel"
61 Is Israel set up for Destruction?
http://www.simplyislam.com/20083.html
Bin Laden funding for terror and Da'wa :
SA activist's Bin Laden ties
War on America
Buddy Naidu
A SA Islamic activist has forged strong ties with the Bin Laden family, receiving substantial funding from them and, in the process, meeting Osama bin Laden, the man named as prime suspect in this week's terror attacks.
Yousuf Deedat, 45, who triggered a storm when he distributed thousands of anti-Semitic handbills featuring a picture of Adolf Hitler during the World Conference Against Racism in Durban last week, said he first met Bin Laden in 1989.
Deedat and his father, Muslim scholar Ahmed Deedat, met Bin Laden on several other occasions in Saudi Arabia that year and in the 1990s while they were drumming up support for the Islamic Propagation Centre International in Durban.
"He was quiet-spoken, respectful and humble. When he met my father, he did not look him in the eye. That is the greatest honour an Arab can bestow on an elder," said Deedat.
The Deedats have had close links with the Bin Laden family since first meeting Osama's elder brother, Sheikh Bakr bin Laden, in 1986. Since then, many of the 27 Bin Laden brothers have contributed generously to the centre. Sheikh Bakr alone gave the centre $3.1-million over eight years to buy a building, print the Koran in English and Zulu, and print and distribute Islamic literature.
In appreciation, the Deedats named their building in Durban's Victoria Street after the family in 1988.
During his tenure as secretary-general of the propagation centre, the Bin Ladens reportedly paid Yousuf Deedat a monthly salary of R900 000.
Deedat said Bin Laden had invited him on a number of occasions to attend his lectures in Saudi Arabia. "He moved me to tears. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke in public, he had this magnetic effect on all who listened to him." Whether he was guilty or not, Deedat said, the US would always use him as a scapegoat".
www.suntimes.co.za/2001/09/16/news/news03.asp
Unlike his friend Deedat, who met with Bin Laden abroad , Findley's CNI could not bring him as a guest to the U.S.
Of course one assumes that as a good Muslim Deedat is "sharing the wealth" with his friends .
Small wonder that Findley decided to further the cause of Islam and show his appreciation for Deedat's hospitality by helping Muslims win converts in America .
He authored a pamphlet for Muslims to wave as they as they descend on their neighbors entitled:
"A Friendly Note from Your Muslim Neighbor".
According to Da' wa net "the distribution will most likely spark conversation and lead to better relationships in the neighborhood."
MIM suggests revamping these pamphlets in Miramar where the Shukrijumah family resides with an additional message for the Muslim residents in an effort to "spark conversation" before "Mohammed Atta's sucessor "sparks a dirty bomb.
"A Timely Note from Your Infidel Neighbor" :
"Do you know where Adnan Shukrijumah is ?"
Note that the " warm fuzzy" Da'wa mission statement explains that as a result of John Ashcroft's terrorism guidelines infidel residents should be cautioned against reporting any behaviour involving Muslims which is "unfamiliar", "suspicious", and "not normal" claiming that it could lead to "Cold War style discrimination and censorship.
To prevent this from happening Da'wa net advises Muslims to institute their their own neighborhood watch programs !
http://www.dawanet.com/buildbridges/neighbor.asp
Know Your Neighbor Campaign
This simple idea connects Muslims to their neighbors
. It has been tested in several neighborhoods and it works beautifully, breaking the ice and allowing a better understanding and communication in the neighborhood.
Muslims distribute a flyer entitled, "A Friendly Note From Your Muslim Neighbor" to houses in their neighborhoods. Mr. Paul Findley originally wrote this copyright-free flyer.
Since then, many versions have appeared throughout America. Individuals and Masjids can either order preprinted pamphlets from DawaNet or download it from the internet and print it on their own. The distribution will most likely spark conversation and may lead to better relationships in the neighborhood. If an opportunity arises, you can propose a neighborhood watch program if none exist at this time. Download a pdf version of the flyer.
Start a Neighborhood watch program
Very few Muslims probably know that based on the announcement by Attorney General John Ashcroft, the Neighborhood Watch program now extends to include terrorism prevention, a move critics fear could fuel Cold War-style discrimination and censorship.
By asking neighborhood groups to report on people who are 'unfamiliar' or who act in ways that are 'suspicious' or 'not normal,' our government is opening the way to fear-mongering and fueling already rampant ethnic and religious scapegoating
. In view of this, it is recommended that Muslims initiate a neighborhood watch program in their neighborhood if one is not already in place. Your police department should give you a step-by-step guide before you call a meeting of your neighbors to get the program started.
Below are form letters which are to be written to schools and teachers pushing for "religious accommadation' so the teacher and students will be forced to learn about Islam.
The letter is deceptively polite and implies that accommodation is a right and it is the teachers's duty as to make sure that the Muslim student , and Islam are given the deference they deserve vis a vis 'infidels'
Note that the letter states that the students religious needs must be accommodated in public school . The message is meant to imply the parent is trying to "benefit to all those in your class who require religous accomodation".The phony altruism is belied in the sentence 'Your role as Samira's teacher is crucial in ensuring that "her ability to function as a young Muslim is not compromised while learning and growing academically".
http://www.dawanet.com/methods/publicschool.letter1.asp
A Sample Letter to the Teacher of your child for religious accomodation
Dear Mr. Lucas :
I am the father of Samira Khan, a student in your grade four class. As a Muslim, she is one of the millions of children in America (Muslim, Christian, Jewish, etc.) whose religious needs must be accommodated in public school.
Your role as Samira's teacher is crucial in ensuring she develops academically and in a well-adjusted manner. This means that her ability to function as a young Muslim is not compromised while learning and growing academically.
This is why I would like to meet with you to discuss what President Bill Clinton has instructed schools and teachers to do about the religious needs of all students in America, and in particular, Samira's needs as a Muslim student in your class. In the long run, this will be of benefit to all students in your class and at Belleview elementary school who require religious accommodation.
I would also like to seek your advice about the issue of religious accommodation for Samira and her classmates.
If you can kindly contact me so that we may set up a meeting this week or next week, it would be greatly appreciated. You may call me at (123) 456-7890 in the daytime or (123) 012-3456 in the evenings.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and attention. http://www.dawanet.com/methods/publicschool.letter2.asp
Ahmed Khan
Sample Thank You Letter
to teacher on Religious Accomodation
Dear Mr. Lucas:
Thank you for taking the time out to meet with me this week to discuss the issue of religious accommodation in public schools and my daughter Samira's needs in that regard.
In trying to accommodate Samira's need to take a day off from school for the Muslim holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr, I would like to request a second meeting with Mrs. Joan Green, the school principal, to discuss this matter.
I would like to share President Bill Clinton's instructions to schools and teachers about accommodating students' religious needs with Mrs. Green. Your presence at this meeting as Samira's teacher would be a source of strength and support for me, and could contribute positively to the discussion.
This meeting and the information can, hopefully, clarify the issue for all three of us and serve as a guide to further religious accommodation for all students at Belleview elementary school.
Please let me know what day and time would be most appropriate for you so that I can set up this meeting. Thank you again for your co-operation. You may call me at (123) 456-7890 in the daytime or (123) 012-3456 in tha evenings.
Amed Khan
http://www.dawanet.com/methods/PublicSchoolAccomodations.asp
The Da' wa website provides step by step "strategic' advice on how to get Islam 'accommodated'.
Note the' warfare' terminology and ' good cop bad cop' scenario which suggests using the tactic of "compassionate manners",and advises "leaving the baseball bat at home".
The writer advises being "really nice", "nonconfrontational" and says that he would invite the teachers and principal to his home for "the most delicious dinner my wife can prepare "
This deceptively benign strategy , to be used after step #1 and #2 do not produce desired results, is akin to fattening up the prey before ' moving in for the kill' .
Step #1: Know the laws about religious freedom
Knowing what laws and regulations govern the issue of religious accommodation is crucial before attempting to reach the right authorities. It is also important to understand what is defined as a "reasonable limit" on religious freedom. See this article about what laws govern this right (http://www.soundvision.com/info/Info/education/pubschool/pub.free.asp).
In the U.S. one of the strongest arguments in favor of seeking religious accommodation for your child is former President Bill Clinton's 1995 statement of principles addressing the extent to which religious expression and activity are permitted in public school. This was given to every school district in the United States.
Get the help of other officials if necessary to properly understand these laws. A good place to check with is The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. They have produced a booklet entitled A Parent's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools. You can call them at (615) 727-1600.
Step #2: Get the support of a teacher
"[The first thing I would do is] arm myself with that piece of information and then set up a meeting with the principal of the school along with one of my favorite teachers at the school who will be very supportive, requesting that my son or daughter should be either permitted to [for example] go out to perform Juma prayer at a local Masjid and/or be allowed to perform Juma prayer along with other Muslim students on the school campus," says Mansuri.
Getting the support of a teacher is crucial, and will help the cause. It will also indicate to the principal that the religious accommodation you are seeking, for instance, Juma prayer, will not interfere with your child's academic performance.
Mansuri says that in most cases, these two steps are all that are needed to get religious accommodation from your child's school.
However, if the principal refuses to grant the accommodation, step three will be necessary.
Step #3: Leave a paper trail, but first, be really nice
"If you find the meeting is not going anywhere then leave a paper trail, meaning, write letters. But before I do that, I would try to do it in a very non-confrontational way by simply sitting down with the principal and a teacher," says Mansuri.
"Try to understand this process where I want to make sure this is not us versus them, but simply the notion of my exercising my constitutional rights in the most respected [way] with compassionate manners, leaving my 'baseball bat'," he explains, referring to an approach that is harsh and confrontational.
"I would even set up a meeting at my home with of course the most delicious food that my wife can prepare. The principal and teacher would be very receptive to the idea," he suggests.
Step #4: Writing to the supportive teacher
"My first letter would be to my kid's favorite teacher to ask the person's advice," advises Mansuri. "The letter will be to request to meet with teacher, and it will indicate I want to discuss with you my child's religious needs and I would like to share with you what our president has instructed the teachers and schools to accommodate them." (See a sample letter to the teacher) http://www.soundvision.com/info/Info/education/pubschool/pub.letter1.asp
Following the meeting, a thank you letter to the teacher should be drafted. It will also indicate you would like to set up second meeting with the school's principal, and ask the teacher if s/he would be kind enough to go with you to discuss the matters the two of you talked about. (See a sample thank you letter to the teacher) http://www.soundvision.com/info/Info/education/pubschool/pub.letter2.asp
"This will leave two or three letters," notes Mansuri, but in each, "the tone of my letter should be my bringing the information as politely as I can. [I am trying to] maintain my rights for the schools to accommodate my child's religious needs. So it's a non-threatening letter."
Step #5: Meeting a second time with the principal
Before attending this second meeting with the principal and teacher, "I would also arm myself with the district's education code along with the state educational code as it relates to the topics that I'm going to discuss," says Mansuri.
Step #6: (If it's really necessary) repeat these steps with the school district superintendent
You can repeat the letters and meet with the school district superintendent if the principal still does not accommodate your needs. The superintendent is responsible for all schools in a particular district. Once again, the approach must remain polite and non-confrontational.
Since the president's instructions were issued to districts, it is possible superintendents may be more familiar with them. This should mean your son or daughter will get religious accommodation with virtually no problems.
click here for complete article
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=8844
"The Dawning of Dawa "
By Alyssa Lappin
Dawanet, for example, was founded in 1999 "to establish a network of Muslims …committed to inviting others to Islam." At first glance, the website looks clean. Its guiding principles insist that operations be legal and financially sound. It claims to teach Muslims "appropriate and effective methods of dawa" through mosques, schools and Islamic centers. But like many sites suggesting effective Dawa methods, this one recommends less-than-complete-candor, "appropriate to the target audience." Methods are neither completely straight forward nor above-board. Really, the goal is to make America an Islamic nation.
Not surprisingly, Dawanet links into sites run by Islamist groups like the Institute of Islamic Information and Education, whose Dawah page allies with the Islamist World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Islamic Society of North America and Islamic Circle of North America. Surfing Islamic Networks Group, one will soon land at a Dawa site based in Madinah, not exactly a seat of moderation. Meanwhile, you can learn how Muslims do Dawa under your nose, at school districts, among teachers and school administrators, and at your local grammar, middle and high-schools, often with civic or government funding.
But Islamists are not the only ones proselytizing. Several supposedly moderate groups recommend similar, equally slick techniques. Shaykh Kabbani's Islamic Supreme Council, for example, defines modern jihad as primarily Dawah—"presenting the message of Islam." Indeed, ISCA's leaders contend that "the foundation of Jihad is Islamic propagation (da'wah)." Similarly, the Council on Islamic Education co-published, with the First Amendment Center, a slick Internet brochure called Teacher's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools. It claims to seek public schools that neither "inculcate nor inhibit religion" (emphasis added).
The Public Schools are not the only place Muslims are aggressively engaging in Da'wa.
Political activism is considered to be essential to replacing the Constitution with the Koran .
Note that the MAS symbol consists of the world being encircled and held by a crescent.
MAS-The American Muslim Society, merged with the Islamic Circle of North America in 2002 to from one of the largest Islamist groups in North America.
MAS offer courses in activism through what they mockingly call "The MAS Freedom Foundation"
One example of the strategy they employ involves getting local politicians, city officials and journalists on their side by inviting them to their events and engaging in Islamist PR.
Below is the report of a seminar which took place in Tampa in 2004.
"Activists were instructed to invite the press and community to a picnic which would be used to publicize a Muslim voters registration drive. The budding propagandists were told :
"If a reporter decides to start asking questions that are irrelevant to the picnic, such as "what to you think of suicide bombings?
"Remain cool and remind the reporter that suicide bombings are irrelevant".
MAS Activist Training Seminar a Success
The Muslim American Society (MAS) Activist Seminar held on Sunday, February 22nd was a success, Alhumdulillah. Fifty-five people attended the all-day conference held at Embassy Suites.
The conference featured three workshops on the fundamentals of government and politics, media relations, and outreach and coalition building. Two guest speakers came to host the conference. Br. Mahdi Bray and Br. Raeed Tayeh from the Washington, D.C. MAS office.
Highlighted at the conference was the planning of a MAS Youth Center. The MAS Youth Center will, inshAllah, provide services so that the Muslim youth of Tampa can maintain thier faith while having fun. A dinner on the MAS Youth Center in Tampa will be held on Sunday, March 7th, inshAllah. For more information see Community Dinner to Introduce the Establishment of the MAS Youth Center This Sunday.
The final seminar required the participants to be divided into three groups. Each group was assigned a different scenario. The final goal was to get publicity for the Muslim American Society (MSA) Civic Picnic where there would be a voting registration drive.
Group A:
Hold a Press Conference informing the community what the picnic is about.
Key points: Make sure there are people who can answer the different questions and be prepared. Also, if a reporter decides to start asking questions that irrelevent to the picnic such as "What do you think of suicide bombings?", remain cool and remind the reporter that suicide bombings are irrelevent.
Group B:
Have a meeting with the mayor and attempt to obtain a Special Event Use Permit so that a carnival could be brought in for the picnic.
Key points: Decide in advance if the women will shake hands with the male staff so at least there is consistency. If not, put your hand on your heart politely and tell him you do not shake for religious purposes. If possible, inform the staff in advance that the women do not shake. Be breif, no useless chit-chat, and remain on the topic. He/she has a tight schedule.
Research the official's background so as to find his/her interests. If the official is a huge voting advocate, then emphasize the voting drive. Also, if there are other special interest groups (in this case, the NAACP) supporting the cause, be sure to mention it. Lastly, do not forget the staff (interns, managers, etc) because they are often the ones issuing the permits.
Convince the local president of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) to support you in the picnic and to speak with the mayor so that it would be easier to obtain the Special Event Use Permit. Most importantly, invite him or a representative.
Key points: Remember to be amiable, but brief. Keep in mind the mutual causes (eg, voting) and if he can not make it, make sure a representative comes to the picnic. Also, ask him to speak.
Alhumdulillah, all who attended the conference left more educated and inshAllah with more charisma to help make the Tampa Bay community better.
InshAllah more opportunities like the MAS Activist Seminar will be made available in the Tampa Bay area. Please consider getting involved within our community so that inshAllah you can help to make a difference
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At a MAS conference in April, Dr.Salah Sultan clearly stated the Islamist intention of Islamising the world through conversion, stating that :"
" Da'wah work can never suceed unless Muslims embed themselves within the very marrow of American society."
Date Posted: Friday, April 16, 2004
MAS New York Holds Conference
MAS' Third Annual New York chapter conference drew hundreds of area Muslims together in order to define themselves in the context of living in the U.S.
NEW YORK, April 16 (MASNET) - The Muslim American Society's New York chapter held it's Third Annual MAS Conference in order to shed light on one of the most important issues Muslims confront while living in America, trying to find a place in the intertwining fabric of American society.
Entitled "Muslims in America: Towards a Defined Role," this year's conference attracted over 350 Muslims from different backgrounds and different nationalities who possessed two things in common: being Muslim, and living in America.
Leading dynamic, spiritual, social, and political Muslim figures, including Dr. Jamal Badawi, Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim, Dr. Salah Sultan, Br. Abdul-Malik, Sheikh Shaker Elsayed, Br. Mazen Mokhtar, Sr. Soulafa Amer, Br. Mahdi Bray, Sheikh Reda Shata, Sheikh Maher Aql, and Sheikh Mohammad Mousa, offered lectures and sat on discussion panels.
The conference addressed the deep identity struggle faced by Muslims within the United States, especially after September 11.
Questions posed included: How to preserve personal Islamic doctrines? What are personal responsibilities and duties as a Muslim American? How can Muslims implement Islam in their daily lives? How to deal with non-Muslims? What is the position of Muslim American women in society? What role do Muslim youth play in America?
The soothing recitation of the Qur'an by Sheikh Ramadan Elsabagh kicked off the conference, followed by Sheikh Shaker Elsayed's lecture entitled: "Our Role, Defined," which set the stage for the entire conference, making it easy for attendees to grasp information in the ensuing lectures by placing it in context....
...Mazen Mokhtar spoke to the youth about their role in society and encouraged them to excel, succeed, and take part in spreading the message of Islam. He said the youth are vital to any rising community for their flexibility, understanding of American society, and passionate and sincere dedication to their cause. Coupled with the correct understanding of Islam, Muslim youth can stand up and change the world, with the support of Allah.
"But, will they?" asked Mokhtar.
Dr. Salah Sultan shed light on the issue of living in Western countries, urging Muslims that they should not live in the U.S. as if they will be going back to their country of origin, but rather come to realize that living in America obliges them to deepen their sense of loyalty and responsibility for improving their society. Sultan reminded attendees that daw'ah work can never succeed unless Muslims embed themselves within the very marrow of American society.
MAS course in propaganda and "activism" which is a code word for "Da'wa"
http://www.masnet.org/training.asp
Activist Training Seminar
The Activist Training Seminar is a daylong series of workshops conducted by experienced MAS Freedom Foundation staff. The seminars are held in cities around the country for Muslims and others who are interested in learning the skills necessary for effective activism.
The goal of the seminar is to produce trained and certified activists who can do political work, talk to the media, and build alliances with other groups. Once trained, these activists are able to deal confidently with issues that arise in their community.
In the Activist Training Seminar, you'll learn:
An overview of the US Constitution, including the Bill of Rights
Your state, county, and local governments
Tips for meetings with public officials
Identification of potential allies
Techniques for interfaith work
How the news media really works
Building relationships with reporters
How to handle media interviews
Then, in breakout sessions and presentations, you'll hone your skills in real time. With entertaining performances and evaluation by your expert trainers and classmates, you'll practice building cooperation among activists, planning for press conferences, and meetings with public officials.To schedule a MAS Freedom Foundation Activist Training Seminar in your community, call 202-496-1288 or e-mail [email protected]
Besides politics , Muslims are encouraged to participate in for the purpose of gaining access to people in a volunteer public service setting.
The purpose is two fold:
Give people the impression that Muslims are altruistic and civic minded .
Counting on people being more receptive to missionizing when it comes from someone whom they perceive to be helping them and the community and claims to have their interests at heart.
.Below MAS's 'PEACE' office brazenly proclaims that the real aim of it's "public, education, and assistance committee" is Da'wa.
http://www.masnet.org/dawa.asp
PEACE Office
PEACE (PUBLIC, EDUCATION, AND, ASSISTANCE, COMMITTEE)
MISSION: Establish comprehensive educational and service oriented programs to inform the public concerning Islam.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
• Avail the knowledge of Islam to every household
• Train people to educate and serve the public
• Create and develop programs
• Provide effecive outreach guidelines
•Provide resources and means for public education and service
•Co-operate with other public education institutions to share experience and programs
METHODS AND MEANS:
PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
• Public education activities
• Interfaith activities
• Usage of public media outlets
• Mobilization and implementation of public service programs
OFFERING TRAINING PROGRAMS:
• Train instructors and public educators
• Holding conferences seminars, forums and workshops on:
o Public speaking skills
o Interpersonal communication skills
SPONSORING, CO-SPONSORING PUBLIC SERVICE ORIENTED ACTIVITIES LIKE:
• Health fairs
• Inner city projects
• Disasterrelief work
• Recreaional programs
Last Year Activities:
• 417 recorded lectures at churches and religious institutions.
• 9 Da'wah and public speaking seminars.
• Opened an office.
• Prepared a list of power point presentations on Islam.
• Prepared a list of recommended books to read and /or to recommend.
MIM : From Police Sargeant to Servant of Allah
This is the unintentional cautionary tale of how an Arizona policewoman met two Muslims from Saudi Arabia and became a convert to Islam .
She was so 'taken' by her new found belief that she started a website called "The Islamic Writers Alliance " a site for budding Muslim writers wishing to write "Islamically correct "fiction . http://islamicwritersalliance.net/Delgado.html
By Linda Delgado
http://islamonline.net/english/journey/2004/03/jour02.shtmlarch
About five years ago, I was fifty-two years old and a Christian. I had not become a member of any Christian church, but all my life I had been searching for the truth. I attended many churches and studied with their teachers. All fell short and I recognized none as being the truth about Allah. Since I was nine years old, I had read the Bible everyday of my life. I cannot tell you, over the many years, how many times I searched it for the truth...
I live in Arizona, USA and at the age of fifty-two had still never talked to a Muslim. I, like many Westerners, had read much in the media about Islam being a fanatical religion of terrorists, so I never researched any books or information about Islam. I knew nothing about the religion.
My Discovery
About four years ago, I retired after twenty-four years as a police officer. My husband also retired as a police officer. The year before my retirement I was still a police sergeant/supervisor. Police officers worldwide have a common bond, which we call a law-enforcement brother-sisterhood. We always help one anther no matter what police department or country.
That year I received a flyer asking for help with a group of Saudi Arabian police officers who had come to the United States to learn English at a local University and attend a police academy in the city that I live in. The Saudi police officers were looking for homes to live in with host families in order to learn about US customs and to practice the English that they would be learning.
My son is raising my granddaughter as a single parent. We helped him to find a house next to ours so that we could help in raising her. I talked to my husband and we decided that it would be good to help these police officers. It would be an opportunity for our granddaughter to learn about people from another country. I was told that the young men were Muslims and I was very curious.
An Arizona State University Saudi interpreter brought a young man named Abdul to meet us. He could speak no English. We showed him a bedroom and bathroom, which would be his when he stayed with us. I liked Abdul immediately. His respectful and kind manner won my heart!
They treated my husband and me with much respect. Each day, they would call to see if I needed them to go to market for me before they went to study with their fellow Saudi officers. I showed them how to use the computer, and I ordered Arab papers online and began to search the Internet to learn more about them, their customs and religion. I did not want to do things that would offend them.
One day, I asked them if they had an extra Qur'an. I wanted to read what it had to say. They sent to their embassy in Washington DC and they got me an English Qur'an, tapes, and other pamphlets. At my request, we began to discuss Islam (they had to speak English and this became the focus of our tutoring sessions). I grew to love these young men, and they told me that I was the first non-Muslim they had ever taught Islam to! After a year, they completed their studies and training at the police academy. I was able to help them with their police studies, as I had been a police instructor during my career as a police officer. I invited many of their brother-officers to the house to help with university projects and to practice English. One brother had his wife come to stay here in the US, and I was invited to their home. They were very gracious and I was able to talk to his wife about Muslim dress, prayer ablutions, and similar things.
A week before "my foster sons" were to return home to Saudi Arabia, I planned a family dinner with all their favorite traditional foods (I bought some because I didn't know how to cook all of them). I purchased a hijab and an abaya (long Islamic gown). I wanted them to go home remembering me dressed appropriately as a Muslim sister. Before we ate, I said the Shahadah (public declaration of faith). The boys cried and laughed and it was so special. I believe in my heart that Allah sent the boys to me in answer to my years of prayers. I believe He chose me to see the truth by the light of Islam. I believe Allah sent Islam to my very home. I praise Him for His mercy, love and kindness to me.
Next I wrote a letter to my non-Muslim family telling them about my reversion and how it would and wouldn't change our family relationships. I explained a few of the basics of Islam. Still my family kept their own counsel, and I continued to work on learning prayer and reading my Qur'an. I got active in sister groups on the Internet and this facilitated my learning about my new beliefs.
I also attended a "Fundamentals of Islam" class at the mosque when I could get away from my work. I was still a state police sergeant and it was difficult – no, impossible to cover. This became a source of real discontent and concern for me. Just eight months and I could retire, so I asked for and was granted the right to telecommute from my home three days a week doing planning and research projects...
I began writing a book series that I called Islamic Rose Books. I created an e-group for sister authors and aspiring writers and this developed into the creation of the Islamic Writers Alliance. The Alliance is an international organization created to provide support for female Muslim authors and aspiring writers. Our main goal is to help each other promote our works to readers and publishers. I also decided to help two Muslim food banks by creating databases that help them to track their inventory, clients, and contacts and to create reports necessary for funding purposes. I decided that I would spend a large portion of my profits from book sales to buy books for Islamic children's libraries. I have discovered that many such libraries have lots of empty shelves where Islamic books belong.
Linda Delgado is a Muslim, lives in Arizona, is married, and has three children and eight grandchildren. Mrs. Delgado is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and is a retired State Police Sergeant. She is also the Director of the Islamic Writers Alliance www.islamicwritersalliance.net and author of Islamic Rose Books. www.widad-lld.com.
On the website "Muslimah's Jihad " which sells Islamic clothes a special page has been set up to 'help' indigent new women converts obtain proper attire . Readers can donate to the "New Shahada Fund" to provide this to the new Muslimah.
The message below rejoices in the upsurge of converts and asks it's customers to:
"Help us in this (sic) strive of Islamising America ".
http://sisternadeerah.tripod.com/shahada/ We are striving to provide Hijab and English translation of the Quran to New Shahada Women in need.
No, this is not a photograph of a new beheading .
(Any infidel who converts is supposed to be spared such a fate)
It is a picture on the Muslimah Jihad website which accompanies a request for donations to send hijabs and niqabs to new converts.
http://sisternadeerah.tripod.com/shahada/
With so many New Shahadah entering the fold of Islam daily, It has become necessary for us as Muslims to take the responsibility of welcoming and teaching the New Shahadas. There are hundreds of Women in America taking their shahada everyday. All praise due to Allah! We at Muslimah's Jihad find that there is a great need for the New Muslimah to have support, Correct information, and proper clothing, easily available to her. In realization of this we at Muslimah's Jihad has developed a "New Shahada Fund" This fund is designed to provide Free Khimar, Quran, Prayer rug, and Booklets to the new muslimahs. Help us in this strive of Islamizing America. Please find it in your heart to help us in this struggle. Give a donation, or purchase a New Shahada package for the New Shahada in your life!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
IMF Staff Country Reports (7)
costs x
Albania x
Albania »
Source: Albania : Fourth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Review Under the Extended Arrangement, and Financing Assurances Review: Staff Report; Staff Statement; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania
Keywords: debt, budget, interest, external debt, domestic credit
The main challenges for this review were to further redress long-running problems in the energy sector and to balance fiscal policy requirements for development spending with macroeconomic stability. The financial...
Source: Albania : Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-National Strategy for Development and Integration
Keywords: local government, budget, article, public administration, revenues
This paper focuses on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-National Strategy for Development and Integration (PRSP-NSDI) for Albania. The paper provides an overview of the key challenges facing the country. It pres...
Source: Albania : Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-Annual Progress Report
Keywords: law, water supply, births, maternal mortality, mother
This Progress Report reviews implementation of Albania's National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development (NSSED) during 2003. The report is primarily orientated toward the vitalization and harmonization of mid-ter...
Source: Albania : Third Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Review Under Extended Arrangement, and Financing Assurances Review: Staff Report; Staff Statement; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania
Albania's Third Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility is analyzed. Albania has reached a pivotal stage in its economic development. Increasing foreign direct invest...
Source: Albania : Recent Economic Developments and Statistical Appendix
Keywords: debt, interest, payments, taxes, external debt
This paper reviews macroeconomic developments in Albania during 1997-99. Backed by a tightening of monetary policy, inflation subsided quickly in the second half of 1997, and the exchange rate recovered from its ea...
Source: Albania : Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Progress Report
Keywords: law, public health, water supply, prevention, social services
This paper examines the Progress Report for Albania's National Strategy for Socio-Economic Development (NSSED). 2002 was the first year of implementing the NSSED. The implementation process has been oriented toward...
Source: Albania : Detailed Assessment Report on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism
Keywords: law, money laundering, law enforcement, criminal offence, terrorist financing
In this study, antimoney laundering and counterterrorist financing measures (AML/CFT) were summarized. The measures taken to strengthen the financing system are analyzed. Albania's level of compliance with financia...


text:
Achor Surname Popularity in the United States
In this article we'll look at the surname Achor and how popular it is in the United States. We'll also look at the race and ethnic origin of people in the United States who are named Achor.
Achor, like all of the names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Achor surname is from the 2010 census data.
Where Does Achor Rank in the Most Common U.S. Names?
According to the data, Achor is ranked #51,512 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
The Achor surname appeared 404 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0.14 would have the surname Achor.
We can also compare 2010 data for Achor to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.
51512 48380 6.27%
404 410 -1.47%
Proportion per 100k
0.14 0.15 -6.90%
Race and Ethnic Origin of People with the Last Name Achor
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Achor.
The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups: "White only", "Black only", "American Indian and Alaskan Native only", "Asian and Pacific Islander only", "Two or More Races", and "Hispanic".
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Achor was:
91.58%, or 370 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic White Only".
5.20%, or 21 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic Black Only".
(S), or less than 100 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only".
(S), or less than 100 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native".
1.73%, or 7 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races".
1.24%, or 5 total occurrences, were "Hispanic Origin".
Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.
Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Achor has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
91.58% 93.90% -2.50%
5.20% 2.20% 81.08%
Asian and Pacific Islander
(S) (S) 0.00%
American Indian and Alaskan Native
1.24% 1.71% -31.86%
Data Source(s)
All of the data on this page is sourced from the Decennial Census survey, from the United States Census Bureau.
Achor Surname Popularity in the United States
"Achor Surname Popularity in the United States". NameCensus.com. Accessed on January 19, 2022. http://namecensus.com/last-names/achor-surname-popularity/.
"Achor Surname Popularity in the United States". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/achor-surname-popularity/. Accessed 19 January, 2022
Achor Surname Popularity in the United States. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/achor-surname-popularity/.


text:
Lawyer, MP to come under sedition probe for comments on Islamic studies, Jakim
Published 4 years ago on 10 January 2015
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar defended the Sedition Act, saying it would help Malaysian police prevent the "problem" that prompted the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, France. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today said civil liberties lawyer Eric Paulsen and Kampar MP Ko Chung Sen will both be investigated for sedition.
In a post on Twitter today, Khalid posted a picture of Paulsen with a text insert that read, "Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday. Govt needs to address that if serious about extremism in Malaysia."
Jakim is the Malay acronym for the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.
The image was branded with the word "Biadap" (rude) in bold, red letters.
This was followed by another image of Ko with a text bubble saying: "Abolish the Islamic civilisation subject. This is our right. I pay taxes".
"It is appropriate that we investigate such statements under the Sedition Act. @PDRMsia will investigate under the Sedition Act," Khalid wrote on his personal Twitter account today.
Earlier today, Khalid also defended the colonial era law that criminalises speech with an undefined "seditious tendency", saying it would help Malaysian police prevent the "problem" that prompted the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, France.
Ko and Paulsen will be the latest to come under a sedition dragnet that was launched last year ahead of the government's reversal on previous pledges to repeal the law that critics contend is being used to stifle dissent.


text:
Bill Reynolds: PC's David Duke fighting for his own identity
Bill Reynolds Journal Sports Columnist breynolds401
PROVIDENCE — We all know who David Duke is, the one described in Wikipedia as "an American white supremacist, white nationalist politician, white separatist, antisemitic, convicted felon, and former Grand Wizard of the Klu Kux Klan.''
This is about the other David Duke, the Providence kid who is a freshman on the Providence College basketball team, a future star in the making.
This is about the kid who grew up on the streets of Providence, who now holds the sports dream close to his heart, the 6-foot-5 kid with the type of athleticism that brings big cheers in big arenas, the kind of body that seems all but designed for the Big East.
So this is about the other David Duke, the one whose basketball dream is just beginning, the local kid playing for the local team in the middle of the local fishbowl.
With a name everyone knows, even if it's for all the wrong reasons.
It's a complicated world.
"I've heard it my whole life,'' he said one day recently in Alumni Hall on the Providence College campus. He was in his white practice gear, his face all but framed by his black Afro. Rest assured he's never going to be confused with the other David Duke.
There's no doubt he takes the ball to the hoop better.
And there's little doubt he picked the right school for himself. The local kid playing for the local coach in Ed Cooley. The kid who already has found himself in the starting lineup as a freshman, no insignificant thing at PC. The local kid who no doubt has a big time future ahead of him.
"It's a great privilege to be playing at home,'' he said. "A great place to start the dream.''
Ah, the dream.
The basketball dream that hovers over every inner-city playground in the country like some sort of whispered prayer. The dream Duke started chasing growing up in the northwest part of the city, the dream that took him to Classical High School, where he became one of the top schoolboy stars in the state before going off to a prep school at Cushing Academy for a year.
"I saw the benefit of that when I was in high school.'' he said.
The basketball world is full of kids who never make it off the neighborhood courts, full of too many kids who never learn that the basketball dreams don't come with guaranteed endings, that they're always a bit of a crapshoot, always the roll of the dice.
Dreams don't come true just by wishing for them. Not in Duke's case anyway. He's played AAU tournaments around the country. He's played in the local tournaments. He's played pickup games against PC players in the summers. In short, he's chased the game wherever it was, and somewhere along the way he's learned the most important lesson of all: It's not just about the game. It's about the journey. It's about growing up. It's about everything.
So here he is as a Friar freshman starting his college career, arguably throwing his name out into the larger basketball world for the first time, a black kid with the same name as a white supremacist everyone's heard of. Talk about a curve ball.
He was in middle school when he first became aware of the ramifications of his name.
"I was shocked,'' he said.
But what to do?
He had people online telling him he had to change his name. His name. The one he was born with. The one everyone knew him by. His name. He felt annoyed. He felt pressure. For here he was a young black kid, whose roots were in Liberia, growing up in Providence with his head full of basketball dreams, in this country where we are taught that dreams can come true if we work hard enough, and has the same name as a well known white supremacist?
In the end he decided to do nothing. Let the other David Duke change his name.
"Some day I want people to look up 'David Duke' and see my [face],'' said David Duke, the PC freshman.
He paused a beat, looked away, as if looking for something only he could see.
"Someday I want this name to mean something else."


text:
Stories from Mahabharat - 18. Indraprastha
Stories from Mahabharat - 18. Indraprastha Aug 17, 2013 23:47:58 GMT 5.5
Post by geetamanika on Aug 17, 2013 23:47:58 GMT 5.5
Stories from Mahabharat.
18. Indraprastha
WHEN news of the incidents that took place during the swayamvara at Panchala reached Hastinapura, Vidura was happy. He immediately went to Dhritarashtra and said: "O King, our family has become stronger because the daughter of Drupada has become our daughter-in-law. Our stars are good."
Dhritarashtra thought in his blind fondness for his son that it was Duryodhana, who had also gone to take part in the swayamvara, that had won Draupadi. Under this mistaken impression he replied: "It is indeed, as you say, a good time for us. Go at once and bring Draupadi. Let us give Panchali a joyous welcome."
Vidura hastened to correct the mistake. He said: "The blessed Pandavas are alive and it is Arjuna who has won the daughter of Drupada. The five Pandavas have married her jointly according to the rites enjoined by the sastras. With their mother Kuntidevi they are happy and well under the care of Drupada."
At these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra felt frustrated but concealed his disappointment. He said to Vidura with apparent joy: "O Vidura, I am delighted at your words. Are the dear Pandavas really alive? We have been mourning them as dead! The news you have now brought is balm to my heart. So the daughter of Drupada has become our daughter-in-law. Well, well, very good."
Duryodhana's jealousy and hatred redoubled when he found that the Pandavas had somehow escaped from the wax palace and after spending a year incognito had now become even more powerful on account of the alliance with the mighty king of Panchala. Duryodhana and his brother Duhsasana went to their uncle Sakuni and said in sorrow: "Uncle, we are undone. We have been let down by relying on Purochana. Our enemies, the Pandavas, are cleverer than ourselves, and fortune also seems to favor them. Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin have become their allies. What can we do?"
Karna and Duryodhana went to the blind Dhritarashtra. Duryodhana said: "You told Vidura that better days were ahead of us. Is it good time for us that our natural enemies, the Pandavas, have so waxed in strength that they will certainly destroy us? We could not carry out our plot against them and the fact that they know about it is an added danger. It has now come to this, either we must destroy them here and now or we shall ourselves perish. Favor us with your counsel in this matter."
Dhritarashtra replied: "Dear son, what you say is true. We should not, however, let Vidura know our mind. That was why I spoke to him in that manner. Let me now hear your suggestions as to what we should do."
Duryodhana said: "I feel so distracted that no plan occurs to me. Perhaps, we may take advantage of the fact that these Pandavas are not born of one and the same mother and create enmity between the sons of Madri and those of Kunti. We can also try to bribe Drupada into joining our side. That he has given away his daughter in marriage to the Pandavas will not stand in the way of our making him an ally. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished by the power of wealth."
Karna smiled and said: "This is but futile talk."
Duryodhana continued: "We should somehow make sure that the Pandavas do not come here and demand of us the kingdom that is now in our possession. We may commission a few brahmanas to spread convenient rumours in Drupada's city and severally tell the Pandavas that they would meet with great danger if they were to go to Hastinapura. Then the Pandavas would fear to come here and we shall be safe, from them."
Karna replied: "This too is idle talk. You cannot frighten them that way."
Duryodhana continued: "Can we not create discord among the Pandavas by means of Draupadi? Her polyandrous marriage is very convenient for us. We shall arouse doubts and jealousies in their minds through the efforts of experts in the science of erotics. We shall certainly succeed. We can get a beautiful woman to beguile some of the sons of Kunti and thus make Draupadi turn against them. If Draupadi begins to suspect any of them, we can invite him to Hastinapura and use him so that our plan prospers."
Karna laughed this also to scorn. He said: "None of your proposals is any good. You cannot conquer the Pandavas by stratagem. When they were here and were like immature birds with undeveloped wings, we found we could not deceive them, and you think we can deceive them now, when they have acquired experience and are moreover under the protection of Drupada. They have seen through your designs. Stratagems will not do hereafter. You cannot sow dissensions among them. You cannot bribe the wise and honorable Drupada. He will not give up the Pandavas on any account. Draupadi also can never be turned against them. Therefore, there is only one way left for us, and that is to attack them before they grow stronger and other friends join them. We should make a surprise attack on the Pandavas and Drupada before Krishna joins them with his Yadava army. We should take the heroic way out of our difficulty, as befits kshatriyas. Trickery will prove useless." Thus spoke Karna.
Dhritarashtra could not make up his mind. The king, therefore, sent for Bhishma and Drona and consulted them. Bhishma was very happy when he heard that the Pandavas were alive and well as guests of King Drupada of Panchala, whose daughter they had married.
Consulted on the steps to be taken, Bhishma, wise with the ripe knowledge of right and wrong, replied:
"The proper course will be to welcome them back and give them half the kingdom. The citizens of the state also desire such a settlement. This is the only way to maintain the dignity of our family. There is much loose talk not credit able to you about the fire incident at the wax house. All blame, even all suspicion, will be set at rest if you invite the Pandavas and hand over half kingdom to them. This is my advice."
Drona also gave the same counsel and suggested sending a proper messenger to bring about an amicable settlement and establish peace. Karna flew into a rage at this suggestion. He was very much devoted to Duryodhana and could not at all bear the idea of giving a portion of the kingdom to the Pandavas. He told Dhritarashtra:
"I am surprised that Drona, who has received wealth and honors at your hands, has made such a suggestion. A king should examine critically the advice of his ministers before accepting or rejecting it."
At these words of Karna, Drona, his old eyes full of anger, said: "O wicked man, you are advising the king to go on the wrong path. If Dhritarashtra does not do what Bhishma and myself have advised, the Kauravas will certainly meet with destruction in the near future."
Then Dhritarashtra sought the advice of Vidura who replied:
"The counsel given by Bhishma, the head of our race, and Drona, the master, is wise and just and should not be disregarded. The Pandavas are also your children like Duryodhana and his brothers. You should realise that those who advise you to injure the Pandavas are really bent upon the destruction of the race. Drupada and his sons as well as Krishna and the Yadavas are staunch allies of the Pandavas. It is impossible to defeat them in battle. Karna's advice is foolish and wrong. It is reported abroad that we tried to kill the Pandavas in the wax house, and we should first of all try to clear ourselves of the blame. The citizens and the whole country are delighted to know that the Pandavas are alive and they desire to see them once again. Do not listen to the words of Duryodhana. Karna and Sakuni are but raw youths, ignorant of statesmanship and incompetent to advise. Follow Bhishma's
advice."
In the end Dhritarashtra determined to establish peace by giving half the kingdom to the sons of Pandu. He sent Vidura to the kingdom of Panchala to fetch the Pandavas and Draupadi.
Vidura went to the city of King Drupada in a speedy vehicle taking along with him many kinds of jewels and other valuable presents.
Vidura rendered due honor to King Drupada and requested him on behalf of Dhritarashtra to send the Pandavas with Panchali to Hastinapura. Drupada mistrusted Dhritarashtra, but he merely said: "The Pandavas may do as they like."
Vidura went to Kuntidevi and prostrated himself before her. She said: "Son of Vichitravirya, you saved my sons. They are, therefore, your children. I trust you. I shall do as you advise." She was also suspicious of Dhritarashtra's intentions. Vidura thus assured her: "Your children will never meet with destruction. They will inherit the kingdom and acquire great renown. Come, let us go." At last Drupada also gave his assent and Vidura returned to Hastinapura with the Pandavas, Kunti, and Draupadi.
In jubilant welcome of the beloved princes who were returning home after long years of exile and travail, the streets of Hastinapura had been sprinkled with water and decorated with flowers. As had been already decided, half the kingdom was made over to the Pandavas and Yudhishthira was duly crowned king.
Dhritarashtra blessed the newly crowned Yudhishthira and bade him farewell with these words: "My brother Pandu made this kingdom prosperous. May you prove a worthy heir to his renown! King Pandu delighted in abiding by my advice. Love me in the same manner. My sons are wicked and proud. I have made this settlement so that there may be no strife or hatred between you. Go to Khandavaprastha and make it your capital. Our ancestors Pururavas, Nahusha, and Yayati ruled the kingdom from there. That was our ancient capital. Re -establish that and be famous."
In this manner Dhritarashtra spoke affectionately to Yudhishthira.
The Pandavas renovated that ruined city, built palaces and forts, and renamed it Indraprastha. It grew in wealth and beauty and became the admiration of the world. The Pandavas ruled there happily for thirty-six years with their mother and Draupadi, never straying from the path of dharma.


The need for continuous reinvention is a given in today's company setting. And also while an invention item or idea can catapult a company ahead of its rivals, in these fast-paced times, that advantage is commonly short-term, for invention ideas go here: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/thoughtster/the-greatest-invention-ideas-that-shaped-the-world/.
While major product and services inventions make headlines, it's the stable step-by-step inventions made by staff members on a daily basis that give a company the continual invention it needs.
Continual InventHelp comes from developing a collective feeling of purpose; from unleashing the creativity of people throughout your company and from educating them just how to recognize unique opportunities.
As ingenious ideas surface area, a clear sense of goal encourages front-line staff members to act upon originalities that further your business's function.
Leaders create the emotional environment that fosters sustained innovation whatsoever levels. The challenge is that as an organization grows, management structures and also bureaucracies, created to direct invention, tend to create barriers to small enhancements.
While there are exceptions, in larger companies employees often tend to feel removed from the feature of invention and are much less most likely to take independent action or deal cutting edge concepts.
The commitment to establishing the best mental problems for invention requires to start on top. This indicates that, as a leader, you need to consider your own assumptions about invention and their function in creating as well as changing your company's society.
You require to appreciate the worth of step-by-step along with significant modern inventions, recognize the psychology of innovation and also take the lead in promoting an ingenious culture. Or else, it's just not going to take place.
While your company's cutting-edge ability relies on numerous elements, there are several steps you can require to produce the mental conditions that favor inventive reasoning, regardless of your market or the dimension of your company.
Altering cultures involves changing minds, which takes time. However just like any campaign, a clear sense of the target aids to speed up the trip.
Your company's objective helps to organize as well as route the creative thinking of its people. What is the objective of regular innovation in your venture? Is it to add consumer worth to existing product or services ... to speed distribution ... to boost on-time arrivals?
Having actually a clearly articulated message enables every person to concentrate on invention where it can provide the best worth. Innovation, as Peter Drucker has actually specified it, indicates developing a brand-new dimension of efficiency. A sense of mission clears up the direction of performance as well as helps determine which new ideas to focus on.
Open up interaction between monitoring as well as employees establishes the stage for an ambience of depend on. However if you wish to develop a new, more trusting culture, you can not anticipate employees to take the initial step.
Company leadership launches the process of open interaction by sharing info with workers often. This includes excellent news as well as poor.
Southwest Airlines policy of sharing details allowed the business to weather the abrupt rise in fuel expenses during the 1990-91 Gulf Battle. The company maintained every person informed as fuel rates skyrocketed. Southwest's Chief Executive Officer Natural herb Kelleher sent out a memorandum to pilots asking for their assistance. Through innovative reasoning, the pilots located ways to swiftly drop gas intake without endangering safety or service.
Leaders of companies that sustain invention offer several chances for communication.
While not every company can use an open-door policy for its senior execs, or even an opportunity for routine face-to-face get in touch with, every organization can institute programs that enable front-line workers to really feel listened to. From CEO lunches with cross-sections of employees, to regular monthly division conferences between employees and the basic supervisor, to open intranet online forums for idea sharing and also feedback, leaders can interact their visibility to listening to innovative concepts from those that are closest to the consumer.


text:
Olivia Ladd
Olivia Ladd is a freelance writer in Nashville who can be found podcasting, hanging at live shows or searching for the perfect cup of coffee.
Flatt & Scruggs: An Essential Part of the Grand Ole Opry's Legacy
From the Opry stage to an early morning show on WSM to syndicated television, Flatt, Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys were an integral part of the country music entity.
Garth Brooks at Neyland Stadium: 5 Ways He Earned His CMA Entertainer of the Year Title
From "Friends in Low Places" to "Rocky Top" ...
Interview: Lady Antebellum Return to Old Sounds, With a Fresh Spin, on 'Ocean'
Lady A talk details of their new album!
Carrie Underwood Is Ready to Host a 'Heartfelt' 2019 CMA Awards
"A lot of fringe ... a lot of rhinestones ..."
Yup, Garth Brooks + Trisha Yearwood Are Big Ashley McBryde Fans
"When you talk about what a true songwriter is, you have her standing right here ..."
Interview: Vince Gill Sticks Up for the Underdog on New Album 'Okie'
Vince Gill may just be the most tenderhearted patriarch in country music.
Hardy on Rising Hit Single 'Rednecker': 'It Works on Every Level'
"I've had people say it's the funniest song they've ever heard. I've had people ask if it's this sort of backhanded slam on people. I've had people quiz me on how small my town is ..."
Filmmaker Ken Burns: Country Music 'Is Not Just One Thing, and It Never Was'
"You can't proclaim an orthodox or say it is only one thing. I think that's a good story..."
Maddie & Tae Talk 2019 Cry Pretty Tour: 'We've Learned So Much'
Wedding, tour, new music? Here's all the news from the world of Maddie & Tae!
Russell Dickerson Wrote Some of His New Music With Lady Antebellum
"Is this for real?"
Ken Burns' 'Country Music' Documentary: What We Know So Far
'Country Music', the new PBS documentary produced by Ken Burns, premieres on Sept. 15.
Story Behind the Song: Randy Rogers Band, 'Drinking Money'
Rogers held onto this song for years, until the time was right.


text:
Into the Storm (1997) is Tom Clancy's first book in his study of command series. Clancy traces the organizational success story of the U.S. Army's rise since the Vietnam War.

It is also a partial biography of General Frederick M. Franks, Jr., who is considered to be a military visionary and a distinguished combat commander, famous for having led the Gulf War coalition VII Corps in the highly successful "Left Hook" maneuver against fourteen Iraqi divisions of the Iraqi Republican Guard, forcing a retreat with fewer than 100 American casualties lost to enemy action — a feat unmatched in modern warfare.

The book also describes the transformation of the U.S. Army, traumatized by the Vietnam War, and Franks' devastating loss of a leg in that war. Franks became the first amputee active-duty general since the American Civil War.

The book is mostly written by Tom Clancy with sections where he uses General Franks' own words.

External links
Booknotes interview with Clancy and Franks on Into the Storm, July 13, 1997, C-SPAN

Books by Tom Clancy
1997 non-fiction books
G. P. Putnam's Sons books
Non-fiction books about the United States Army

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
GFriend Wallpapers
3840x2160 A South Korean girl group formed by Source Music in 2015, The extended play Season of Glass debut
3840x2160 Sowon, K-pop, The Best New Female Artist at Melon Music Awards
3840x2160 Umji, Kim Ye-won, A South Korean singer and dancer, A current member of the trio Viviz
3840x2160 Yerin, Jung Ye-rin, A South Korean singer, actress, and entertainer, Sublime Artist Agency
2160x3840 Kim Ye-won, Umji, BPM Entertainment, Eve love non-album single, Music
2160x3840 Hwang Eun-bi, SinB, A South Korean singer, dancer and actress, K-pop
2160x3840 Choi Yu-na, Yuju, The first Korean female idol to be declared as the winner on Fantastic Duo 2
2160x3840 A member of the k-pop music group that consisted of 6 female members, Yerin
2160x3840 Kim Ye-won, Umji, An idol from South Korea who graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul
2160x3840 Choi Yu-na, Yuju, A singer who participated in various singing competitions and signed with Source Music in 2014
2160x3840 Umji and Yuju, K-pop idols, The first-ever girl group to be interviewed for the Grammy Mini Masterclass
2160x3840 Choi Yu-na, Yuju, MC for KBS Korean Children's Song Contest
2160x3840 2019 Shopee Indonesia Global K-Market Ambassador, The Best Brand Category of the 2019 Top Brand Buzz Awards
2160x3840 Jung Ye-rin, A Korean pop star who signed with Sublime Artist Agency as a solo artist and actress
2160x3840 SinB and Yuju, The Best Dance award and Digital Bonsang award at the 2016 Melon Music Awards
3560x2000 Jung Eun-bi, Eunha, The vocalist of the girl group Viviz, K-pop artist
3560x2000 Jung Eun-bi, Eunha, Korean popular music singer, The extended play Beam of Prism
3560x2000 Sowon, Kim So Jeong, A South Korean singer-songwriter and actress under IOK Company
2000x3010 K-pop artist, Popular musician, A singer from South Korea
2000x3010 Jung Ye-rin, A former member of a popular K-pop music group, Yerin
2000x3010 Kim So Jeong, Formerly Sowon, The vocalist during the release of the group's first mini album Season of Glass
2000x3010 Jung Eun-bi, Eunha during the first solo release with the song "Don't Come to Farewell"
3000x2000 Kim So Jeong, Sowon during the group performance at the 2nd Asia Tour - Go Go GFriend
1830x2430 Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji - the six members of a popular Korean band
1670x2500 Sowon, South Korean idol, songwriter and an artist
2560x1440 Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, Umji, Hwang Eun-bi, Jung Ye-rin, Jung Eun-bi, Choi Yu-na, Kim Ye-won
1500x2250 Members of a popular band, Korean popular music idols, Girls' band, Umji and Yuju
2050x1540 Yerin, Jung Ye-rin, A South Korean singer and actress who attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul
2050x1480 Korean popular music band, Sowon, Yerin, SinB, Girls' band, K-pop
1500x2000 SinB and Yuju - vocalists of a popular music group, Season of Glass, Flower Bud
1500x2000 Snowflake album presentation, 2016 Korean Music Show, Yerin and Eunha
2050x1370 Sowon, Kim So-jeong, A former member of the band, an actress and a singer
1250x2210 Hwang Eun-bi, SinB, The former frontwoman of the popular Korean pop band
1130x2440 The vocalists of a K-pop band, Girls' band, Sowon, Eunha, Yuju, Umji
1130x2440 Presentation of the fourth EP, The Awakening with the leading single "Fingertip"
1130x2440 Eunha, Jung Eun-bi, A current member of the trio Viviz, Pop singer, Vocalist
2000x1300 A South Korean girl group formed by Source Music in 2015 and consisted of six members
2050x1160 SinB, Yuju, Eunha, Sowon, Yerin - the former members of a popular K-pop band
1160x2050 Sowon, Kim So-jeong, A popular singer who was born in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2040x1150 The cover of the third studio album Walpurgis Night with the leading single Mago
1920x1200 Korean idols - Umji, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, Yerin, and Sowon, Pop music artists
1200x1920 A popular girls' band in South Korea, Time For Us studio album, Girlfriend
1200x1920 The first-ever girl group to be interviewed for the Grammy Mini Masterclass
1920x1080 SinB, Sowon, Eunha, Yerin, Yuju, Umji, Vocalists and dancers, Female artists
1920x1080 SinB - the former leader of the group with her groupmates, K-pop
1920x1080 The second studio album cover, Time for Us, "Sunrise" leading single, Popular music
1920x1080 Song of the Sirens, Apple and Tarot cards singles presentation, Korean music band
1920x1080 Flower Bud, The second extended play by the South Korean girl group, KT Music
1920x1080 Season of Glass, The debut extended play, Pop music and hip hop
1920x1080 Eunha, A singer who had a role in the 2007 television drama The Clinic for Married Couples: Love and War
1920x1080 Glass Bead, The debut single that was released by Source Music on January 15, 2015
1920x1080 Sowon and Yerin, Kim So-jeong and Jung Ye-rin, The modern idols in South Korea
1920x1080 Snowflake, The third extended play by one of the most popular South Korean girl groups
1920x1080 The group's first studio album - LOL with the lead single "Navillera", K-pop
1920x1080 Glass Bead, The title track for the group's debut extended play, Season of Glass (2015)
1920x1080 Glass Bead, The debut single by a popular Korean girls' band, Eunha, SinB
1080x1920 Eunha, The author of the song "Love-ing", The soundtrack of the television drama Temperature of Love
1080x1920 Sunny Summer, A special extended play, K-pop, Synthpop, Soul
1080x1920 20th Anniversary – Most Loved Song winners, Rough, Bung Music Awards
1080x1920 Labyrinth, The eighth extended play and 5th anniversary debut commemorate album
1080x1920 2019 Performer of the Year (Instrumentals) winners for the song "Time for the Moon Night"
1080x1920 KBS World Global Fan Awards nominees, Japan Gold Disc Award winners
1080x1920 Crossroads, A song recorded by South Korean girl group for their eighth extended play Labyrinth
1080x1920 SinB, Hwang Eun-bi, A Korean artist who was born in Cheongju and graduated from the School of Performing Arts
1080x1920 Sunrise, The group's third Japanese single that was later included in their debut Japanese studio album Fallin' Light
1920x1080 LOL, The group's first studio album which stands for both "Laughing Out Loud" and "Lots of Love"
1920x1080 Members of a popular disbanded Korean girls' band, Sowon, Eunha, SinB, Yerin
1920x1080 Jung Eun-bi, Eunha, A former vocalist for the Girlfriend project, A current member of the Viviz band
1920x1080 Sowon, Kim So-jeong, A popular singer who was accepted to Sungshin Women's University
1920x1080 SinB, Eunha, Sowon, Yerin - the former members of a K-pop band
1080x1920 Choi Yu-na, Yuju, The host and protagonist of "Yuju is Halli Queen", Artist and dancer
1080x1920 Jung Ye-rin, A solo artist and an actress at the Sublime Artist Agency
1080x1920 SinB, The former leader of the group and the frontwoman of the Viviz band
1080x1920 Yerin during the Spring Tour 2019: Bloom, Concert in Zepp Osaka Bayside
1920x1080 Umji, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, Yerin, and Sowon - the former members of the Korean popular music band
1920x1080 Flower Bud, The second extended play, The bubblegum pop, Number 8 on the Gaon Digital Chart
1920x1080 Yuju, Choi Yu-na, The first and only Kpop Female Idol to win on SBS' Fantastic Duo TV show
1080x1920 2016 K-pop Grand Prize Singer Award champions, Korean Culture Entertainment Awards
1920x1080 Yerin, SinB, Sowon, Yuju, Eunha, Umji, K-pop idols, Female artists and musicians
1920x1080 Snowflake, The third extended play by South Korean girl group, LOEN Entertainment
1080x1920 2017 Best Korean Act winners, MTV Europe Music Awards, K-pop, Hip hop
1920x1080 Kim Ye-won, Umji, A current member of the Viviz trio with Eunha and SinB
Grace VanderWaal
Fortepiano
Gibson Guitar
One Direction (Band)


M'lis Body Contour Wrap are provided by a trained spa professional. This holistic and relaxing treatment works to detoxify the body and promote inch loss. The M'Lis Inch Loss Body Wrap reduces the appearance of cellulite, tightens and tones skin, and detoxifies the lymphatic system. A series of 3 to 6 wraps every 5-10 days is typically advised for maximum benefit. Also, performing the wrap in conjunction with weight loss helps to promote skin firmness and tightness as loss is occurring. Please drink at least an 8 oz glass of water prior to the beginning your session, and plan on drinking at least 8 oz of water after your session is completed. You may considering doing an internal detoxification program to enhance cellulite and inch loss. Ask about our detox and weight loss programs prior to having your first wrap.
If your goal is to detoxify, shed a few lbs. (typical 2-10 lbs. for 7 day detox) and boost your immune system, then this is the level for you. The detox is the core and beginning of all the other weight loss levels. Excellent as a quarterly maintenance detox. You will need to purchase Lemons, pure maple syrup and distilled water (3-5 jugs recommended) for all programs.
this level includes, 1 cellulite home care kit (herbal supplement, maintain cream, body buff exfoliant) You will need to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
A weight loss (30 day plan) includes 2 consults with certified Mlis consultant and weight loss journal.


Ebay Console Table Luxury Design Console Table Design eBay Red Sofa Tables. EBay Console Tables For Sale. eBay Antique Console Tables.
Published in Console Table Design by Orton Pablo at Thursday, November 30th 2017 14:57:01 PM.


text:
KYBIO
Securidad & EdgeBots
Media & Broadcast
Smart Industries
Global Partner Alliance
New faces join CONNECT In Support Of Rapid International Expansion
CONNECT, a software technology company that develops and commercializes a unified, enterprise Monitoring and Control platform for modern broadcasters and media powerhouses in TV, radio, satellite and telco, is happy to announce the arrival of two new hires who are consolidating its worldwide presence.
Patrick Woolcocks, Sales Manager Europe, who joined the company mid-July, brings to the company his 25+ years of experience in sales & business development for broadcast companies such as Sematron UK Ltd, GrayMeta Inc, Marquis Broadcast, and IPC. An industry expert based in London, Patrick is a member of the IBC Exhibition Committee and the Royal Television Society (RTS).
Patrick's appointment enriches the Company's sales team, strengthening customer relationships as well as expanding its global coverage across a very strategic region for the company.
"I am delighted to join CONNECT at this juncture to grow business across Europe utilizing my extensive contacts across the territory," says Patrick.
Steeve Ratna, Project & Support Engineer, joined the company in June 2019. His expertise as a business analyst and project manager is acquired across his highly diverse experience working for companies such as Canon, Carrefour (a French consumer goods giant), Banque Populaire, and the Paris Police. Fresh back from 1 year in Thailand, Steeve will be located at CONNECT's new office in San Francisco, USA where the company enjoys a growing customer base. His mission is to manage the technical deployment of the KYBIO Media software across the United States and to offer local customer support in the Bay Area.
"It's a huge opportunity to work and develop the company from and for the US. I am eager to increase brand awareness and introduce media companies here in the US to our company's powerful Monitoring & Control platform," says Steeve Ratna when asked how he feels about joining the team.
With these new arrivals, the company continues to consolidate its international presence and efforts to meet the local needs of its customers worldwide.
Mathieu Yerle, Director of Sales & Product Strategy, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome two new members as part of our growing international team. Patrick brings a wealth of experience and market expertise that will help us accelerate our mission across Europe. Steeve will be instrumental in delivering new complex projects recently signed in the United States."
A continuacion encontrará enlaces de su interés. ¡Disfrute la visita!
NewsNoticiasEventosSponsor


Mongolia is a leading producer of coking coal, copper, iron ore and crude oil, but exports nine minerals in total. Extractive industries accounted for 20% of GDP, 18.6% of government revenue and 86.2% of total exports in 2016 according to the 2016 EITI Report. The Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine is the single largest mining project, which should account for a third of GDP from 2020. Tavan Tolgoi is the world's largest undeveloped coal mine. Public debates have centred on the environmental impact of mining, areas reserved for conservation and the government's role in developing large-scale "strategic" deposits. Provinces and districts that host extractive industries have set up subnational EITI councils to improve transparency and public participation in resources management at local levels.
Find a video about the EITI in Mongolia here (in Mongolian).
The main taxes levied on the mining sector include royalties, corporate income tax, customs duties and licence fees, while the major oil and gas levies are state petroleum receipts from production-sharing agreements, corporate income tax and customs duties. The Mongolian Taxation Authority is the main body responsible for collecting taxes paid to central government, while the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority (MRPAM) collects sector levies for mining and oil and gas respectively. Provincial and district governments are responsible for collecting subnational revenues.
Some contracts are disclosed, including one mining investment agreement and 141 company agreements with local authorities. Mongolia launched a dedicated portal for extractives contracts in early 2017.
Mining licences are awarded on a 'first come first served' basis, while oil and gas production-sharing agreements (PSAs) are awarded through public tender. The 2010 moratorium on new mining exploration licence awards was lifted in 2014. Mongolia had 25 oil and gas PSAs and 4800 active mining licences in 2018.
Learn more from the MRPAM website.
Mongolia decided to include a section on beneficial ownership in its 2013 EITI Report. Using a simple questionnaire, the MSG asked for beneficial ownership information from any entity holding 5% or more of a mining or petroleum license. While the survey was voluntary, 215 of the 250 companies that participated in the 2013 EITI Report provided information on their equity-holders. Although some equity holders were natural persons, the report did not confirm whether they were legal or beneficial owners. The results were converted into an interactive infographic on the EITI Mongolia website. The 2014 EITI Report was less successful in providing beneficial ownership data, with only 30 of the 236 companies responding to the request. The 2015 EITI Report was more successful, with 51 of the 202 companies reporting, of which 26 disclosed their beneficial ownership. In the 2016 EITI Report, 47 of the 213 companies reported details of their beneficial ownership.
Mongolia is a leading producer of mineral commodities such as coal (the world's 18th largest producer in 2016) and copper, but produces and exports a total of 15 mineral and petroleum commodities including gold, iron ore, zinc, molybdenum, fluorspar, tungsten, silver, tin, gypsum, zeolite, lead and clinker. Mongolia was primarily a copper exporter until 2006, although surging coal exports to China dominated output from 2007 to 2012. Oyu Tolgoi's ramping up of production since 2013 has led to growing exports of copper concentrate, which offset a slump in coal output. Exploration activity is focused on the North, South and East of the country, with long distances requiring complex associated infrastructure to develop new mines.
Mongolia has rich deposits of copper, coal, gold, silver, iron ore, zinc, fluorspar, molybdenum, uranium, tin, tungsten, natural gas and petroleum. Abundant mineral reserves are found throughout the country, although only around 30% of Mongolia's territory has been explored.
Oil 2.4 Billion barrels While under-explored, Mongolia's proven reserves are in the east with frontier exploration in the west. Significant reserves of unconventional petroleum (shale gas and shale oil) are also estimated.
Gold 591,244 Metric tons Alluvial gold - off limits to miners - accounts for over half of reserves, but several larger deposits are in development. Gold is also associated with large copper deposits like Oyu Tolgoi.
Silver 3,493 Metric tons Despite only one producing mine in the north, there are several other silver deposits spread across the country.
Copper 53.6 Million metric tons Mongolia has the world's 12th largest copper reserves. Oyu Tolgoi will become the world's second largest operating copper mine once the underground phase II expansion is completed in 2020.
Coal 26.57 Billion metric tons Mongolia has the world's fourth largest coal reserves, thermal and coking coals combined. Tavan Tolgoi is the world's largest undeveloped coal mine.
Iron 348.11 Million metric tons Proven reserves of iron ore are fragmented and spread out nationwide, leading to smaller average deposit sizes and lower operating lives for mines.
Sources: "Section 5.1.3.2: Mongolia's mineral resources" in 2016 EITI Report, USGS Mongolia Minerals Yearbook 2014.
The latest EITI disclosures (2016) show that Mongolia received USD 548.6 million from extractive industry taxation. Roughly a quarter of these revenues comes from oil and gas, with the rest from mining, where copper, coal and iron ore as the major commodities. Revenues were mainly collected through royalties (23.7%), corporate income tax (21%) and state petroleum receipts as per PSAs (12.4%). The Mining Law was revised in July 2014, with new royalty structures.
Provincial and district governments receive 25% of VAT (aside from imports), 5% of mining royalties and 30% of oil and gas royalties through the General Local Development Fund. Provincial governments also play a key role in extractive industries oversight, approving new licence applications for instance. The new Law on Glass Accounts requires full disclosure of expenditures by all levels of government.
Mongolia's EITI Reports are very comprehensive, with roughly 1000 companies reporting.
By 2016, all 21 provinces and 14 districts had established tripartite subnational EITI councils.
Reporting entities disclose EITI information through an online reporting system.
An online query tool allows users to visualise legal ownership information on some companies.
The 2014-2016 EITI Reports include information on mining companies' environmental provisions, information on the government's extractives loans and a detailed overview of the licensing process. It also includes sections on governance of state-owned companies and artisanal and small scale mining.
Mongolia was found to have achieved satisfactory progress in implementing the EITI Standard. View more information under the Validation section of this page or go to the Board's decision in full.
Mongolia published its 2018 work plan and 2017 annual progress report in January 2018. The key objectives of Mongolia's EITI implementation include establishing the EITI Report and eReporting system as the most reliable source of information on the extractive industries, with EITI data contributing to public debate, enhance stakeholders' capacity and mutual trust as well as ensuring the sustainability of the EITI process.
The Government of Mongolia committed to implement EITI in December 2005 and was admitted as EITI Candidate on 27 September 2007. A Memorandum of Understanding sets out the commitment to EITI implementation by the government, extractive companies and civil society. Resolution no. 80 (2007) establishes the responsibility of government bodies in EITI. A National Council coordinates and monitors implementation of the EITI in Mongolia, chaired by HE Mr Chimedyn Saikhanbileg, Prime Minister of Mongolia, and has 30 members. A Multi-Stakeholder Working Group (MSWG) is in charge of implementing EITI activities, counts 33 members and is chaired by Mrs Banzragchyn Delgermaa, senior advisor to the Prime Mininster. Details on the composition of these groups are available on the Mongolia EITI website. Resolution no. 19 (14 July 2010) commits the government to finance the cost of EITI Reports from fiscal year 2011 onwards through the budget of the Prime Minister's Department, and directs regional and local governments to disclose all revenues paid by the holders of exploration and exploitation licenses as part of the EITI process. The current Minerals Law of Mongolia (§48.10) requires mining holders to publicly disclose product sales, and taxes and payments paid to the State and local budgets annually. Development of a draft EITI law is in progress.
Mongolia was found to have made satisfactory progress in meeting the EITI Standard on 13 February 2018. The country was previously found to have made meaningful progress on 11 January 2017 during the First Validation. Mongolia took corrective actions on a number of requirements and achieved satisfactory progress during the second Validation.
Mongolia's progress by requirement can be found in the scorecards below.
This EITI Report covers Mongolia extractive sector in 2017. It was published in December 2018.
This is Mongolia EITI's 2018 Work plan.
(1) routine disclosure of the data required by the EITI Standard in requisite detail, and(2) whether the financial data is subject to credible, independent audit, applying international standards.
This Validation has been completed.Mongolia was found to have made satisfactory progress.
Validation commenced on 11 January 2018.
Secretariat initial assessment was completed on 23 January 2018.
Comments from the MSG on the draft Validation report were received on 9 February 2018.
Recommendation from VC to Board on 30 January 2018 via Board Paper 39-5-E.
Board decision was made on 13 February 2018.
This is Mongolia's 2016 EITI Report, published in December 2017.
This is Mongolia EITI 2017 Annual Progress Report and 2017 work plan implementation report.
Mongolia's Validation commenced on 1 July 2016. On January 11 2017, the EITI Board found that Mongolia has made meaningful progress in implementing the 2016 EITI Standard.
This is Mongolia's 2017 EITI workplan.


As Co-Founder and CEO, Mike sits at the head of the table for all working branches of iXsystems.
There is a good chance you've never heard of open source software and an even greater one that you're using it every day without even realizing it. Open source software is computer software that is available under a variety of licenses that all encourage the sharing of the software and its underlying source code. Open source has powered the internet from day one and today powers the cloud and just about everything connected to it from your mobile phone to virtually every internet of things device.
FreeNAS is one of two open source operating systems that my company, iXsystems, develops and distributes free of charge and is at the heart of our line of TrueNAS enterprise storage products. While some of our competitors sell storage software similar to FreeNAS, we not only give it away but also do so with truly no strings attached -- competitors can and do take FreeNAS and build products based on it with zero obligation to share their changes. The freedom to do so is the fundamental tenet of permissively licensed open source software, and while it sounds self-defeating to be this generous, we've proven that leadership, not licensing, is the true secret to a successful open source business model.
We each have our own personal definition of what is fair when it comes to open source. At iXsystems, we made a conscious decision to base FreeNAS and TrueOS on the FreeBSD operating system developed by the FreeBSD project. We stand on the shoulders of giants by using FreeBSD and we consider it quite reasonable to give back on the same generous terms that the FreeBSD project offers us. We could be selective in what we provide free of charge, but we believe that doing so would be short-sighted. In the long game we're playing, the leadership we provide over the open source projects we produce is infinitely more important than any restrictions provided by the licenses of those and other open source projects. In the face of this "legal piracy," our secret to staying several steps ahead of the competition is to continuously innovate our "free" software and be the go-to source of information about it and the hardware to run it on. Our software runs on just about any personal computer, but the right hardware is critical to delivering quality, reliable data storage.
Twenty years in, we have no reason to change our free-software-on-great-hardware business model and giving away the software has brought an unexpected side-benefit: the largest Q/A department in the world, staffed by our passionate users who volunteer to let us know every thought they have about our software. We wouldn't change a thing, and I encourage you to find exactly what win-win goodwill you and your company can provide to your constituents to make them not just a customer base but a community.
It took a leap of faith for us to give away the heart of our products in exchange for a passionate community, but doing so changes your customer's relationship with your brand from priced to priceless. This kind of relationship leverages a social contract instead of a legal one. Taking this approach empowers your users in ways they will not experience with other companies and it is your responsibility to lead, rather than control them with a project like FreeNAS. Taking this approach requires mutual trust, but that trust is invaluable once earned. You will invariably slip up from time to time but if you handle it correctly, the trust only grows stronger.
Responsiveness to the needs of your constituents is what distinguishes project leadership from project dictatorship. Be sure to balance your vision for your products and projects with the "real world" needs of your users. While our competition can use the software we develop, they will at best wow users with specific features rather than project-wide ones. Never underestimate how grateful a user will be when you make their job easier.
Patents are considered the ultimate control mechanism in the technology industry, but they only provide a business model if you have a monopoly and monopolies are illegal. Resist getting hung up on the control you can establish over your customers and spend your time acquiring and empowering them. The moment you both realize that your success is mutual, you have a relationship that will last longer than any single sale. You'll be pleasantly surprised how the relationships you build will transcend the specific companies that friends you make work for.
Every company has various levels of management, but leadership is the magic that creates markets where they did not exist and aligns paying customers with value that you can deliver in a profitable manner. Leadership and vision are ultimately the most proprietary aspects of a technology business, over every patentable piece of hardware or licensable piece of software. Whether you create a new market or bring efficiency to an existing one, your leadership is your secret weapon -- not your level of control.