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The Concept of Worship, Prayer, & Rituals In The Islamic Religion

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The Rituals of the Islamic Religion

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The Concept of Worship, Prayer, & Rituals In The Islamic Religion

The religion Muslim is important to understand through a business perspective. A brief summary of the history of Islam will be discussed as well as explaining the important elements for Muslims, which included but is not limited to the Qur’an, The Five Pillars and Ramadan. The different types of branches of Islam include Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi in which all have significant differences and similarities. The importance on the study of Muslim is important due to the world revolving around religion, however news media proves to escalate the problems when in fact Muslims are traditional humans who take their religion serious in both heart and in their beliefs, such as believing in Allah (God) and Muhammad.

When examining the concept of worship and prayer in the Islam, it is noticed that the religion takes the concept of worshipping and praising a higher power very passionately, and this is a very important aspect of an individual’s faith. It has always been the central practice of bringing all faiths together and serving as a common ground for all believers since the beginning of time. No matter what sect of a religion you believe in and practise, worship is something that stays evident and consistent throughout all sects of a religion. The Islamic faith emphasizes both public and private forms of worship. For believers, they each serve a different function, and each has a different meaning and purpose behind it. Private worshipping across these different faiths share many similarities that will be discussed later on, as well as examining public worshipping across these different faiths, while looking at the many similarities as well as differences that they all share together.

Ibada an umbrella term for religious devotion (Worship & Ritual chapter 12, p. 191). Muslim worship is referred to as “ibada,” or service to God, and involves praising and confessing sins to one’s lord. Salat is the Muslim term for prayer, and it is one of Islam’s pillars. Islam requires that certain actions be taken before a Muslim can pray their daily salat. Before a person prays, they must maintain and demonstrate their purity. Purity is extremely important in Islam with a famous hadith quoting “Purity is half the faith” (Worship & Ritual chapter 12, p. 191). Islamic prayer requires that a person attain this “purity” that the religion so reveres. Muslims must perform an action prior to their salat called “wudu”. Water is required when performing wudu, and if water isn’t accessible one must perform an action called “tayammum”. Tayammum substitutes water with elements of the earth such as sand or clay to purify oneself. Showing the multiple ways Muslims can purify themselves before prayer represents how important purity is when it comes to worship in Islam. Now that we have discussed what has to be done before worship, it is time to discuss how Muslims worship privately and publicly.

The history of the Muslim religion started with a vision that Muhammad had when he was in a cave by Allah. Allah is the God to the Muslim Religion. As Muhammad was born in the town Mecca many events lead to the forming of the religion. Mecca had fame due to having black meteorites representing to the people as falling rocks from Heaven. The people in Mecca built a shrine over the black Meteorites known as Kabah. The Kabah is a very sacred area to the Muslim religion as it is Private to the world. In accordance to Molloy, “Islamic religion basically translates to “submission” and “giving in fully” implying total submission to God’s will”, (Ch.10). The Islamic religion is a serious deal especially when talking about Muhammad and Allah. The Qur’an is represented as a bible to the Muslim Religion. The stepping­stones of the religion and history as well as Religion laws are set in the Qur’an. Although Islam prohibits images artist have to record everything in sacred words to be able to describe the writings.

Each and every day, Muslims are obligated to fulfill five prayers in praise of Allah (SWT)., when it comes to private prayer in Islam. These five prayers, which focus on one’s relationship with God, can be done in private throughout the day. These five daily prayers, on the other hand, can be said in public. When it is time to pray, “a chanted call to prayer in Arabic called adhan” (Worship & Ritual chapter 12, p. 192) is performed to alert everyone that it is time to stop and pray. Private worship in Islam is typically performed at home and can include acts of worship such as reading the Quran, praying, and reciting other holy scriptures (Bellah & Rappaport, 1999). Fasting is another form of worship in Islam, and Muslims must fast for one month during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Fasting is another form of private worship that is valued in Islam.

Now that we’ve covered the private aspect of worship, let’s turn our attention to the public aspect of prayer in Islam. As long as the person is praying to the Ka’aba shrine in Mecca, public and private worship can take place anywhere. Private prayers are typically performed alone, whereas public prayers are typically performed in groups. When a group prays publicly together, “this requires a leader in the congregation who stands at the front and sets the tone with his or her voice and body language” (Worship & Ritual chapter 12, p. 193). Furthermore, for the salat to be acceptable in public group prayers, the prayer leader must be a male. Finally, in order for the prayer to be accepted in both private and public worship in Islam, the individual(s) must perform a “niyya, meaning intention” right before the prayer begins (Worship & Ritual chapter 12, p.193). The “mosque” is Islam’s holiest place of worship, and it is where the majority of public worship takes place. Friday prayers are an important part of public worship in Islam, and it is recommended that all Muslims go to the mosque to worship God as a group on Friday. As part of public worship in Islam, sermons and lectures are also held inside the mosque.

The Qur’an is a written symbol that represents Islam’s people’s religion. Praying, fasting, and living according to the Qur’an on a daily basis are among the rituals that take place. According to Molloy, “the Qur’an has 114 chapters, or Suras” (Ch.10). Each Sura or chapter of the Qur’an is given a name, such as the elephant, thunder, Light, and moon. The Suras are arranged in length order, shortest to longest. The final chapters of the Qur’an are brief. Because the order in the Qur’an is reversed, the chapters, like those of other religions, are not always in chronological order. Abu Bakr caliphate, according to Hooker, is where the Qur’an was written down after Muhammad’s death. Bakr was important to Muhammad.

Bakr was recognized as the first Caliph. After Muhammad’s death, the Caliph is in charge. Although the Qur’an is a guide for all Muslims and the people of Islam, the Five Pillars are also important in guiding the religion.

The five Pillars are, according to Molloy, ” Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), Fasting During Ramadan (Sawm), Charity to the Poor (Zakat), Prayer (Salat), and Creed (Shahadah).” (Ch.10). An Islamic creed, or shahadah, is depicted as a whisper into a newborn’s ears. Muslims believe there is only one god, Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. The message is brief, but it contains foundational words. Salat is another piller in which devout Muslims pray five times a day, at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset, and night. Zakat is a religious donation in the form of a fixed monetary amount. The estimated percentage is 2.5 percent of total money generated. Sawm represents religious fasting in order to establish religious discipline and respect. The Hajj is a symbol of people attempting to find Mecca at least once in their lives. Another important Islamic topic is Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting during which no food, drink, or sexual activity is permitted. This long tradition, which lasts 29­30 days, is known all over the world. An opportunity for spiritual reflection and growth, as well as service to others and time spent with loved ones, are all part of a Muslim holiday season. As Muslims, we strive to grow spiritually and become closer to Allah and those we love. Between sunrise and sunset, they abstain from daily luxuries like smoking, drinking, and having sex with others. Additionally, In Ramadan, Muslims devote themselves to spiritual reflection and unity by reciting the Quran, praying, fasting, doing charitable acts, and spending time with loved ones while avoiding lying, gossiping and fighting.

Islamic prayer is either an act of supplication or an act of worship. Because supplication is among the most essential aspects. Almighty Allah’s glory is its primary objective. Maintaining contact with one’s religious beliefs is the most critical duty of a Muslim. Every Muslim adult, male or female, is required to pray on a personal level. In order to cultivate the habit of prayer in a child, it is expected that he begin at the age of seven. The punishment will be severe if he refuses to do it by the age of 10. Additional to this, they pray to receive a message from God or Allah in addition to the other requirements

Muslim culture or spirituality places a high value on fasting and prayer ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“DOI”:”10.1007/s13668-018-0233-2″,”ISSN”:”21613311″,”abstract”:”Purpose of review: Since the early development of human societies, religious beliefs, and practices has been integral to their identity, culture, and social structure, traditions are influenced by the area, era, and culture wherein they developed. Some religions offer advice on behavioral and diet modifications as strategies to fortify the body, purify the spirit, and elevate consciousness. This review is an attempt to compare different practices, describe the health benefits and risks of fasting, and reconcile these age-old recommendations with practical modern life. Recent findings: Research to clarify and quantify the impact of these dietary modifications is challenging due to the variability in recommendations among various religions and in day-to-day practices. Summary: Most religions share common goals of well-being, body-mind integration, and spiritual attainment. Historically, the transformational power of fasting periods has been appreciated, but there is still much to discover about the underlying beneficial physiologic mechanisms of fasting in preventing and treating metabolic diseases.”,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Venegas-Borsellino”,”given”:”Carla”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Sonikpreet”,”given”:””,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Martindale”,”given”:”Robert G.”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Current Nutrition Reports”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”3″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2018″,”9″,”1″]]},”page”:”131-138″,”publisher”:”Current Science Inc.”,”title”:”From Religion to Secularism: the Benefits of Fasting”,”type”:”article”,”volume”:”7″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=594bbbd1-e649-3338-981c-f852e8fc82b9″]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Venegas-Borsellino et al., 2018)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Venegas-Borsellino et al., 2018)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(Venegas-Borsellino et al., 2018)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Venegas-Borsellino et al., 2018). Fasting is yet another distinguishing feature of Islam in terms of morality and spirituality. Basically, fasting means abstaining from all food, drink, sex, and tobacco use for an entire day. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, mandates that all of this must be completed between the hours of sunrise and sunset. It is the goal of this pillar to help Muslims better understand what it means to have a positive attitude toward humanity ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“DOI”:”10.1080/1369118X.2017.1340970″,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Johnson”,”given”:”Mark R.”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Information, Communication & Society”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”12″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2017″,”12″,”2″]]},”page”:”1844-1847″,”publisher”:”Informa UK Limited”,”title”:”Gods in and of the machine: morality, divination and meaning in digital religion and games”,”type”:”article-journal”,”volume”:”20″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=5db95eb1-c0f0-3b52-9721-a6dab0cc4359″]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Johnson, 2017)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Johnson, 2017)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(Johnson, 2017)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Johnson, 2017). Salah, the final of Islam’s five pillars of prayer, requires that all Muslims walk in prayer in a regular and orderly fashion every day. Observed and performed at predetermined times five times a day, it is a physical, mental and spiritual expression of worship. During this time, they are required to pray facing Mecca. Muslims must first stand, bow, abject themselves, and then sit on the ground, effectively ending the prayer (2013, April 19). Islamic prayer involves reciting or reading special verses and prayers at various points in the year. For the most part, salah, or prayer, serves as a means of communication with God and a way to keep God in mind. Muslim lives are influenced greatly by this Pillar because it defines their relationship and allegiance to Allah, making it a high priority for Muslims.

It’s an excellent time to focus on one’s religious beliefs and grow closer to Allah, while also developing patience and compassion ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“DOI”:”10.5144/0256-4947.2002.186″,”ISSN”:”02564947″,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Azizi”,”given”:”Fereidoun”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Annals of Saudi Medicine”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”3-4″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2002″]]},”page”:”186-191″,”publisher”:”King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre”,”title”:”Research in Islamic fasting and health”,”type”:”article”,”volume”:”22″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=63c6d10c-7f98-37fd-ba3a-3a9acf5b5ef4″]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Azizi, 2002)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Azizi, 2002)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Azizi, 2002). It’s about taking care of both your mind and body. First and foremost, the qualities adopted during fasting are the qualities we should exhibit as Muslims. The month serves as a constant reminder of how we should behave in general, not just during this month. The month reminds us to strive for purity and discipline ourselves to perform these acts in order to secure it in our daily lives, becoming accustomed to purifying our beliefs as well as our bodies, minds, and souls ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“ISSN”:”2345-2587″,”abstract”:”Introduction: Nearly one billion adult Muslims across the world refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. The duration of Islamic fasting varies depending on the coinciding season and geographical location. The present study aimed to review the health benefits of Islamic fasting. Methods: This review was carried out after searching in several databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Medline, PMC, Google Scholar and also the related articles. Results: Islamic fasting is along with many health benefits such as the reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and cancer. Although, some health problems have mentioned during Islamic fasting like dehydration, headaches. Conclusion: According to the results of this review, religious fasting positively influences the body weight and lipid and glucose levels, while exerting antioxidative effects, increasing longevity, and improving the renal and immune function. The health benefits of fasting could be reinforced through the balanced intake of various nutrients, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, cereals, and grains, as well as beverages such as water and milk, during Ramadan.”,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Massoud”,”given”:”Ramona”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Sharifan”,”given”:”Anoosheh”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Massoud”,”given”:”Armita”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”1″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2020″]]},”page”:”17-22″,”title”:”Religious Fasting; the Purgation of Soul and Body”,”type”:”article-journal”,”volume”:”8″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=e45c9f55-b642-3929-b293-b615ecf0936b”]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Massoud et al., 2020)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Massoud et al., 2020)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(Massoud et al., 2020)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Massoud et al., 2020). Increasing our closeness to Allah SWT and instilling fear of our Lord – it is critical to remember who our Creator is, why we were placed here, and what our goals are in this material world; to remember that this world is merely a stop-gap (albeit a very brief one) on our journey to the Hereafter. We should strive for taqwa and to be as close to Allah as possible.

Connecting with our Lord is critical for remembering why we’re here in the first place; otherwise, we’ll get lost in this realm, which is exactly what we’re here to avoid. In our materialistic world, we frequently fail to recognize how dependent we are on Allah SWT. As a result, the practice of remaining humble at all times; a simple act such as fasting simply demonstrates how dependent we are on our Lord and His creation ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“abstract”:”The main purpose of this paper is to provide an analytical justification about how important the fasting is for the humankind. In fact, it is a theoretical paper which motivates regarding the issues of benefits that we can achieve from fasting. The results of the paper disclose some significant reasons that fasting can be considered as a well being program to acquire patience, strong will, righteousness, sincerity, good manners, discipline, better sense of prestige, better dieting habits, and many other physical and spiritual benefits of human being in order to establish peace, prosperity and sustainable development of the society. However, the limitation of the paper was it could not consider any numerical examples in favour of the main message of the study because of lack of data availability. Nevertheless, the paper shows its originality in substance and makes a unique contribution to the literature on one of the most important pillars of Islam”,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Hossain”,”given”:”Mohammad Zakir”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”3″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2012″]]},”page”:”184-190″,”title”:”Fasting in Islam : Its Excellence, Benefits and Use for Sustainable Development of the Society”,”type”:”article-journal”,”volume”:”3″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=6406567c-9d97-3565-9253-1e5e148fbf20″]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Hossain, 2012)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Hossain, 2012)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(Hossain, 2012)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Hossain, 2012). Ramadan reminds us to be humble and selfless while also having empathy and compassion for others.

Ramadan, like many other Islamic attributes, serves to remind us that we are all equal in this world, regardless of skin color, race, religion, gender, or social status. We’ll all end up in the same place, wearing the same clothes, carrying only our amaal and leaving behind all worldly possessions. That is when we will truly understand how those we helped in this world contribute to what we bring into the next.

Despite the fact that Islamic ideals are generally peaceful, many Muslims are vehemently opposed to another religion coexisting with Islam and feel compelled to kill the infidel. This suggests that this group is going through a difficult time. Because of this conflict, it may be easier for this group to connect with Muslims by bridging the gap and participating in some of their religious and cultural traditions ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“DOI”:”10.2307/1387619″,”ISSN”:”00218294″,”abstract”:”This book argues that religion can and must be reconciled with science. Combining adaptive and cognitive approaches, it is a comprehensive analysis of religion’s evolutionary significance, and its inextricable interdependence with language. It is also a detailed study of religion’s main component, ritual, which constructs the conceptions that we take to be religious and therefore central in the making of humanity’s adaptation. The text amounts to a manual for effective ritual, illustrated by examples drawn from a range of disciplines.”,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Bellah”,”given”:”Robert N.”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”Rappaport”,”given”:”Roy A.”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”4″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“1999″]]},”page”:”569″,”title”:”Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity”,”type”:”article-journal”,”volume”:”38″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=fd26613c-c1bf-3fa4-8aaa-b92dfc0993ca”]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(Bellah & Rappaport, 1999)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(Bellah & Rappaport, 1999)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(Bellah & Rappaport, 1999)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(Bellah & Rappaport, 1999). Almsgiving is a central tenet of Islam, and I believe that connecting with it would be beneficial for these people ADDIN CSL_CITATION {“citationItems”:[{“id”:”ITEM-1″,”itemData”:{“DOI”:”10.4172/2161-0711.1000178″,”abstract”:”A review of research articles on Ramadan fasting indicates that fasting can serve as an excellent research model for Psycho-social behaviour and health studies. The purpose of fasting for Muslims is to learn self-restraint from indulgence in everyday pleasures, for self-discipline, to develop God-consciousness, to develop self-control, to purify the body, and to empathize with the poor and hungry. Muslims describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. This involves restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing one to serve as a good Muslim and a good person. One of the greatest advantages of fasting is that its true observance inculcates in a person a habit of speaking the truth. Fasting is a powerful therapeutic process that can help people recover from mild to severe health conditions.”,”author”:[{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”S”,”given”:”Ahmad”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”K”,”given”:”Goel”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”KA”,”given”:”Maroof”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””},{“dropping-particle”:””,”family”:”P”,”given”:”Goel”,”non-dropping-particle”:””,”parse-names”:false,”suffix”:””}],”container-title”:”Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education”,”id”:”ITEM-1″,”issue”:”09″,”issued”:{“date-parts”:[[“2012″]]},”title”:”Psycho-Social Behaviour and Health Benefits of Islamic Fasting During the Month of Ramadan”,”type”:”article-journal”,”volume”:”02″},”uris”:[“http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=263b0784-0acd-37de-b1c8-2304b5bd7e1f”]}],”mendeley”:{“formattedCitation”:”(S et al., 2012)”,”plainTextFormattedCitation”:”(S et al., 2012)”,”previouslyFormattedCitation”:”(S et al., 2012)”},”properties”:{“noteIndex”:0},”schema”:”https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json”}(S et al., 2012). For this reason, I believe Christians and Muslims can find a common ground on giving to the poor in the Bible, which will make it easier to develop connections and spread the message.

A Shiite is someone who believes in Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. The Shiite sect was founded by a political movement that supported Ali. A Sunni is a follower of Muhammad’s way of life. Sunnis account for 80 percent of Muslims. Shitte are distinguished by their pure white or pure black headdress. Sunnis shave their mustaches and wear a smaller headband. Sufis and scholars regard a Sufi as Islam’s inner, mystical, or psycho­spiritual dimension. Sufis interpreted various Qur’anic concepts as mystical interpretations. Every type of follower has their own set of beliefs. Despite the fact that all of the movements spawned political movements, being able to identify each individual is critical because they do not get along.

Conclusion

In the Islamic religion, the passage of time is significant. Muslims are born with a strong sense of discipline, despite the fact that traditions are common among Muslims. The Qur’an and the Five Pillars are inextricably linked. The Qur’an is Islam’s fundamental prayer, law, and way of life. Ramadan is significant in business because it is necessary to respect a worker’s or business investor’s religion. It is essential to pray five times a day and to respect others. Sports, like many other aspects of life, teach restraint and discipline. Self-discipline practice allows you to separate from certain desires as well as constrain and detach yourself from your needs, allowing you to achieve true independence. Without the unnecessary burdens and indulgent wants and needs of daily life, such as status, material, money, stress, and possessions, one can achieve true contentment, freedom, and, most importantly, simplicity. Fasting helps to sharpen and direct the mind’s focus, allowing us to remember the reason for our existence and restore balance in our lives.

REFERENCES

ADDIN Mendeley Bibliography CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Azizi, F. (2002). Research in Islamic fasting and health. In Annals of Saudi Medicine (Vol. 22, Issues 3–4, pp. 186–191). King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2002.186

Bellah, R. N., & Rappaport, R. A. (1999). Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 38(4), 569. https://doi.org/10.2307/1387619

Hossain, M. Z. (2012). Fasting in Islam : Its Excellence, Benefits and Use for Sustainable Development of the Society. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 3(3), 184–190. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC132217

Johnson, M. R. (2017). Gods in and of the machine: morality, divination and meaning in digital religion and games. Information, Communication & Society, 20(12), 1844–1847. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2017.1340970

Massoud, R., Sharifan, A., & Massoud, A. (2020). Religious Fasting; the Purgation of Soul and Body. Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health, 8(1), 17–22. http://eprints.mums.ac.ir/18097/

S, A., K, G., KA, M., & P, G. (2012). Psycho-Social Behaviour and Health Benefits of Islamic Fasting During the Month of Ramadan. Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education, 02(09). https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0711.1000178

Venegas-Borsellino, C., Sonikpreet, & Martindale, R. G. (2018). From Religion to Secularism: the Benefits of Fasting. In Current Nutrition Reports (Vol. 7, Issue 3, pp. 131–138). Current Science Inc. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-018-0233-2

Substantive laws are laws of crime that are defined by statutes and prescribe what is to be done and also proscribes what is

Crime and criminal law

Student’s name

Institution affiliation

Substantive laws are laws of crime that are defined by statutes and prescribe what is to be done and also proscribes what is not to be done. Procedural law on the other hand lays out the rules that the state must follow in prosecuting suspects. Criminal laws are enforced by the state, and its violation is regarded as acts against the state and the victim. A crime is an act of violation of criminal law for which a punishment is prescribed. The prosecutors must prove the intent to commit the crime. Crime is a subcategory of all harmful acts. The largest circle consists of all harms, personal, social, criminal, and non-criminal offenses. The lower subcategory consists of social harms that are regulated by the state but not by the criminal justice system. Mala prohibita and mala in se forms the third circle while the core consists of mala in se crimes that cause the most harm to society. mala in se is differentiated from mala prohibita on three concepts namely consensus, seriousness, and harm.

Criminal law emanates from state and federal constitutions, state and federal statutes, and common law. There are several limitations to criminal laws. First, criminal law cannot criminalize any conduct it pleases. Laws that infringe the rights of individuals such as freedom of speech are prohibited. The law must be narrow in conformity to the overbreadth doctrine. The criminal law be void of vagueness, that is, it must state the offense it is prohibiting and punishment it will accord. The people have a right to fair notice. The other limitations include that it must not limit the due process. It should also avoid restricting equal protection. The principles of ex post facto laws and bills of attainder limit criminal law.

There are five elements of criminal liability that constitute corpus delecti. First, actus reus which states that there must be an act for criminal liability to attach. Thoughts alone are not valid grounds for criminal liability. There are three forms of actus reus namely possession, omission, and voluntary movements. Secondly, mens rea affirms that there must some sort of guilt mind. The concept introduces discussions on intent and motive which must be proven in a court of law. Intent refers to the desire to do an act while motive refers to the reason why an action was undertaken. Thirdly, concurrence which is an aggregate of criminal act and intent. Fourth, causation is the criminal act that is the cause of harm. It has two forms, legal and factual causations. The fifth element is harm, which can either be physical or mental.

Inchoate crimes are crimes that occur in the preparation of an offense. There are three forms of inchoate crimes. Solicitation is where a person is induced to commit a crime. The other two are conspiracy and attempt. The defense is a reaction by the defendant to the complaint and may either be an alibi or an affirmative defense. In alibi defenses, the person asserts that they are not guilty of the crimes committed. Affirmative defenses are grouped into two justification and excusation. In justification defenses, the defendant argues that they are not liable for the crimes they admit to having committed. The defendant may claim that they committed the crimes in acts of self-defense or in the line of a public duty or in some cases take the form of consent. In excuse defenses, the defendant admits wrongdoing but claims that the situation was entirely to blame for their actions. It may take various forms such as duress, intoxication, age, and insanity, all of which have to be justified in court.

In procedural defenses, the defendant claim that the criminal justice system sullied the standard due process in developing their case. Defendants get acquitted if they can prove the claims. Crimes are grouped based on the type of act. Hence there can be crimes against a person, a society, property, or morality. The crimes against persons include murder, manslaughter, negligible homicide, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. The crimes against property are burglary, theft, and arson. The other form is crimes against public order and morality where the offender is not easily identified.

References

Book review.

There are four primary points of view on deviance, even though there are many different sociological theories about crime S

Criminology

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Criminology

There are four primary points of view on deviance, even though there are many different sociological theories about crime: Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Labeling Theory are some of the approaches that have been proposed. The purpose of criminological theory is to aid in the comprehension of crime trends and the criminal justice system (Janet & Daniel, 2021). Theories address the creation and breaking of laws, deviant or unlawful conduct, and criminal behavior patterns. Individual approaches might be global or micro. Several factors affect the likelihood and perspective of crime by individuals in America. People disobey the law for various reasons, including poverty, poor parenting, low self-esteem, and drinking/substance misuse. Because of their birth circumstances, certain people are more likely to become criminals.

The proposed criminal categorization is based on 11 first-level categories that give the classification a broad framework. The following are some of the crime trend categories: Acts that cause death or are intended to cause death, Acts that cause or seek to cause harm to another person, sexually harmful activities, and acts of violence or threats of violence against a person involving the property. The significance of studying these crime trends is that it enables an individual to unearth the underlying intentions for a given crime and thus help in the development of prevention mechanisms for the future.

References

Janet L. Lauritsen and Daniel L. Cork. (2021). Read “Modernizing Crime Statistics: Report 1: Defining and Classifying Crime” at NAP.edu. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Retrieved from

https://www.nap.edu/read/23492/chapter/7#126

This paper presents a critical analysis of the results of a study conducted by Risnes at al. (2013, p. 420).

Critical Analysis

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Critical Analysis

This paper presents a critical analysis of the results of a study conducted by Risnes at al. (2013, p. 420). The study was carried out to determine the psychiatric effects of a severe cardio-respiratory failure treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The results of the study are presented in a journal article published in psychosomatic journal. Risnes at al. (2013, p. 421) conducted a quantitative research and thus, the results of the study were analyzed using statistical tools. The results were analyzed using SPSS v. 15.0 and were also subjected to test and the Mann–Whitney U-test. The researchers used tables to present the results.

The results of the study presented in the article are reliable. Before commencing, the researchers conducted numerous pilot studies to check the consistency and stability of data collection instruments. The process of checking the reliability of the scales that were applied in data collection took 9 months. The instruments were found to be produce consistent and stable results in different contexts. Thus, the results produced by the instruments can be said to be reliable. The researchers did not report any examination of validity of their research. However, it is clear that the results of the study provide answers to the key question of the study. In other words, the researchers did not deviate from the key objective of the study. Furthermore, the results of the study mainly correspond to the results of previous studies conducted on the same topic.

However, results on the impact of ECMO on neuropsychiatric morbidity produced mixed results. While strong positive link was found between the two variables in some cases, no association was reported in others. This makes it difficult to make a general conclusion from the results of the study. Despite the fact that the researchers acknowledge the issue, they make a general conclusion from the results of the study.

References

Risnes, I. et al. (2013). “Psychiatric Outcome after Severe Cardio-Respiratory Failure Treated

with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case-Series.” Psychosomatics 2013; 54:418–427)

Literature review on Cross-cultural communication

Cross-cultural communication

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Literature review

Effective communication with individuals of dissimilar cultures is a significant challenge. This is because cultures provide individuals with ways of perceiving, interpreting, and thinking about the world. In turn, the same words can connote different things to individuals from different cultures, in spite of the idea that they employ the same language. There are three notable ways from which cultures impact language; cognitive constraints, behavior constraints, and emotional constraints. These elements are associable to each culture thereby affecting communication. Communication is, thus, a cultural element that connects with the ways of a community.

In the analysis about cross-cultural communication, there are confounding elements that involve in the discourse. To begin with, a culture or a subculture may refer to a certain group of people in terms of national contexts. This is what describes, for instance, Swedish culture and French culture. However, a cultural entity does not have to be a national group. Culture applies to whatever is distinguishable over a considerable period of time. In this sense, there is the sense of teenage culture, working-class culture or male culture.

An investigation into cross-cultural communication has always to the question of how individuals understand each other if they do not share a joining cultural experience. In the current world, multicultural communities that exist within a global village face this question in daily setting. This communication recognizes that individuals of different cultural experiences may share the same language. Besides, it recognizes that individuals of different cultural orientations may not share the same language.

Bennett analyzes the primate life into understanding how different groups tolerated each other’s differences (Bennett, 2001). The core argument builds on the idea that individuals have, in history, tackled cultural differences by avoiding the same. In this argument, he constructs the idea of primates gathering around a fire over a day’s catch. If another group of primates appear, there are two reactions that are likely to occur; fight or flight. This is an aspect that has not altered over time as individuals retreat to their backyard when they are confronted with cultural differences. In cases whereby individuals are mandated to tackle cultural differences, there is usually a fight. In history, groups that were unsuccessful in avoiding different people strove at converting them. This is the case of religious missionaries who strove to impose their beliefs on other groups. The idea was that if other people convert to given beliefs or cultural practices, the world becomes a better place.

The case of upper-case and lower case culture highlights the differences that exist in communication. In a traditional setting, an individual is high likely to associate culture with literature, art, dance or music. This is an objective sense of culture that does not comprehensively discuss communication. On the other hand, in the subjective examination of culture, psychological features of a society become valuable in the analysis of given communication patterns.

It is crucial to regard emotions as a significant component of individuals’ lives. This is because they color life by according them meaning and significance to the wellbeing of individuals. Emotions, such as sadness, fear, guilt and disgust, in that they communicate things about the self and define individuals’ relationship with other people. Emotions are also critical since they inspire behaviors. The conflict between cultures and individuals occur because of emotions that we experience. This suggests that the manner in which individuals deal with their negative emotions determine the relationships and nature of communication that occur between different cultural groups. Communication depends on the manner by which different cultural entities resolve their conflicts.

Proper communication between individuals of different cultures cannot occur if individuals do not tame their negative emotions. This is a scenario of inadequate critical thinking that deters resolution of conflicts as regards stereotypes and generalizations. Instead of creating new schemas that enhance ways of thinking, this scenario reinforces narrow and ethnocentric ways of perceiving each other.

Communication is a complex and rich process that entails multiple messages, which occur through multiple signal systems. Culture has a prominent impact on the encoding and decoding of nonverbal and verbal signals. Because of this element, misunderstandings and conflict are inevitable in cross-cultural communication. A useful strategy in cross-cultural communication is the involvement of personal growth model that focuses on emotional reactions and critical thinking.

Yang proposes that high and low-context is the primary cultural dimension that defines communication patterns in terms of information processing. In high-context cultures, there tends to be more reliance on internalized comprehension and less verbally explicit communication. Besides, they manifest rational, context-based, and situational knowledge (Yang, 2011). These cultural groups tend to express themselves in non-verbal and indirect style. On the other hand, individuals from low-context cultures, share transferable, codified, and external knowledge. Besides, they employ explicit communication style. Low and high-context communication styles are dependent on the social structures where individuals reside. This suggests that high-context cultures will tend to establish long-term, multifaceted, and close relationships. Within such relationships, greater boundaries among groups are established as individuals assume high-context information. On the other end, individuals from low-context cultures easily interact and communicate across various boundaries. Such individuals develop short-term relationships that thrive on external and explicit information. In a low-context pattern, there is a greater emphasis on independence that creates loosely bound relationships. This is because people share an individualistic social orientation that emphasizes on the self and nuclear family.

Lowell, on her study about the impact of healthcare on the Aboriginal community of Australia, recognizes that social, political, and cultural factors affect communication (Lowell, 2001). Differences in understanding, experiences, expectations, and interpretations are sources of communication failure between the Australian medical staff and the Aborigines. These differences are manifold between standard Australian English and Aboriginal English, And between Aboriginal languages and standard Australian English. Besides, attitudinal and social skills, such as motivation and power relations, and person’s unique intercultural negotiation skills impact on effectiveness of communication.

This was an instrumental study because the health staff would always employ a strategy of learning the given languages in the community they worked. This is usually viewable as a sufficient strategy of achieving effective communication with coworkers and Aboriginal clients. However, communication challenges emerged thereby proving that broad disparities in world view and cultural knowledge cannot be synchronized through shared linguistic knowledge. Once an individual does not comprehend the emotional and attitudinal perspectives that attach to words of a different language, it becomes ineffective to share a language.

Wang utilized brainstorming to uncover the differences and similarities that display in communication between different cultural groups (Wang, 2009). Brainstorming is a process of finding ideas from individuals by discouraging criticism. The assumption exists in the view that individuals are more likely to put forward their ideas if they overhear each other’s creations and share the freedom of presenting unconventional arguments. In the findings, it was discovered that cultural groups increase their talkativeness as depending on contexts of discussions.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis in this study is; emotional associations to cultural groups are vital determinants to nature of communication that transpire between individuals of different cultures.

Research methods

In the research, the main type of data would be from secondary sources. This is because they present various empirical studies that share conclusions about different elements to communications. The research would be descriptive in presenting empirical conclusions out of tested models to interactions.

Findings

To begin with, it was discernible that different cultural groups could increase their talkativeness as depending on contexts if discussions. By examining elements of brainstorming, certain individuals could talk more if they utilized text-media. On the other hand, other individuals could talk more if they employed verbal media. In cases where there was a dominant cultural group, in terms of numbers of people, there would be a tendency for the less dominant group to adopt the communication style of the other group (Matsumoto, 2005).

In terms of Aboriginal clients and workers in Australia, it was discernible that there are additional factors that play in cross-cultural communication (Lowell, 2001). These factors surpass the mere idea of sharing a similar language. Different cultural groups perceive and react to words differently. This is because they possess different attitudes and emotional orientation of connoting and denoting words.

A major discovery on cross-cultural communication involved high and low-context cultures. High and low-context communication synchronizes with the social structures that exist in given societies. In the investigation, it was uncovered that individuals from high-context cultures tend to manifest lower level of sentiment in their communications. On the other hand, individuals from low-context cultures expressed higher levels of sentiment in their communication.

Discussion

It is arguable that the findings supported hypothesis. However, emotions are only part of the components that influence communication between cultures. A critical look at cross-cultural communication involves examining all the elements that involve cultures. In the examination of cultures as variables to communication, emotions, behavior and thinking orientations exist within the frame.

In societies that hold certain elements as objective, individuals will tend to align their communication within conservative limits. This suggests that communication will involve metaphors and strong cultural elements that never separate in individuals’ argument. On the other hand, liberal societies promote free expression and explicit communication that involved loud conversations and discourses.

Each culture involves existing individuals that share similar experiences. These experiences affect how individuals react and denote communication elements. This suggests that individuals how learn foreign languages have to participate in the cultural understanding that involves interpretation of words. Certain cultures may involve quick reactions and openness to situations because experiences informed such a conscience. In cross-cultural communication, an individual must recognize this perspective in one’s expression and response to conversations.

In cross-cultural communication, it is vital to recognize of the idea that individuals exploit their elements of familiarity to judge situations. In addition, their personality embeds in their communication styles. It is, therefore, unreasonable to make stereotypes and generalize cultural influences on communication. In this perspective, individuals of a certain group that live in a foreign society are different from their counterparts who live in original societies. This is the recognition that culture is a rich and complex factor in communication.

References

Lowell, A. (2001). A review of two subprograms of the cooperative research centre for Aboriginal and tropical health’s indigenous health and education research program. Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, 1(1), 1-40.

Yang, J (2011). Collaborating globally: culture and organizational computer-mediated communication. Information systems, 1(9), 1-20.

Matsumoto, D (2005). Emotion and intercultural communication: the role of culture in communication process. Psychology journal, 26(3), 15-29.

Wang, H. (2009). Cultural Difference and Adaptation of Communication Styles in Computer-Mediated Group Brainstorming. Communication department, 36(2), 669-678.

Bennett, Milton, J. (2000). Intercultural communication: a current perspective. Culture and communication journal, 23(2), 1-20.

Research-Paper

CSIA 301

09/21/2014

Research Paper

Stuxnet worm

The Stuxnet worm was first discovered in June 2010 and has since been labeled the most complex weapon in cyber warfare to this dayto date. Norton Symantec stated “It’s like nothing we’ve seen before – both in what it does, and how it came to exist. It is the first computer virus to be able to wreak havoc in the physical world CITATION The11 l 1033 (The Stuxnet Worm, 2011)” The Stuxnet worm is A form of malware, e or malicious software, that has over 1500 lines of code embedded in it, the Stuxnet. This worm can has the ability to infect computer systems that where with running a Microsoft Wwindows operating system,s and llyingay dormant without being undetected while itand replicatinges itself until it finds its true target. After the worm’s target is acquired it then makescauses the targeted equipment to raise its rate of rotation per minute at to a dangerously high speed and ultimatelyconsequently causinge the target to rip itself apart. Meanwhile As this is occurring, another poartion of the worm creates false positive readings to indicate showing the workers that the equipment is still working at the suggestive rate . The wormwhile simultaneously overr ridinges the manual kill switch thereby disabling any preventative or reactionary measuresso workers cannot stop this action from happening if they wanted toomight attempt.

The only known attack of the Stuxnet virus is the attack against the Iranian nuclear facilities. Although no country or group has come forward and confirmed that they initiated the cyber-attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities, due to the complexity of the worm and the amount of founding it must have taken to create it tthis cyber super weapon it is rumored that thehas led theorists to believe that the attack was carried out by the U.S. and Israeli governments for political reasons.gain. Kushner (2013) supportsSupports this belief and states that “Analysts then realized that financial gain had not been the objective. It was a politically motivated attack. Kushner (2013). CITATION Dav13 l 1033 (Kushner, 2013)” Whether staged for financial or political gain, tThe Stuxnet attack on the Iranian nuclear faculties was devastating to the whole of their nuclear program. The creator of the StuxnetWhen launched against the Iranian nuclear system, the Stuxnet worm exploited 4 different zero day vulnerabilities on Microsoft’s website. This was the first worm to exploit so many zero-days. This is howBy exploiting these vulnerabilities, the worm was able to infect it infected other computers that used the Microsoft operating system by. The worm was able to creatinge a false yet seemingly n authentic digital certificate that stated shows the update wasat it is coming from a trusted company. As a result of this seemingly authentic digital certificate, the patch was downloaded many times and traces of this worm have been tracked to personal computer systems in countries around the world. By far the most traces were found in computers in Iran and surrounding countries such as Indonesia and India. Though the impact has not been as severe or widespread, traces of the virus have even been found on some computers in the United States. When it wasThe download was just the beginning of the attack, however, and it was not until after the virus was downloaded into the systems, that the worm then replicatesbegan replicating itself and started searching fors to look for its target which is now known to be a specific Siemen software and hardware combination that runs on Microsoft operation systems. Specifically, The “Stuxnet is designed to attack the Siemens Simatic WinCC SCADA system. These SCADA systems are installed in big facilities to manage operations. CITATION Jan10 l 1033 (McEntegart, 2010) ” (McEntegart, 2010). To operate in such a way, But in order for the worm to find itself from the PC’s to the target the worm replicated itself and had to traveled on the drivers of removable USB drives. After the worm infected the drivers on the USB, it is said that an employee at the nuclear facility brought one of the infected USB’s to the nuclear facility and plugged it into a computer at theon site. Traces of this worm have been tracked to have infected personal computer systems in countries around the world. By far the most traces where found in computers in Iran and surrounding countries such as Indonesia, India and even some computers in the United states where infected by the Stuxnet virus. After the worm infected the drivers on the USB it is said that an employee at the nuclear facility brought one of the infected USB’s to the nuclear facility and plugged it into a computer at the site. After t Once the worm searched the new computer system and realized that the computerand realized it was on the same network that tas the target was ontarget, it went to work. The worm then travelbegan traveling though out the network, and found the particular targeted Siemens Simatic WinCC SCADA system, and as well as the software associated with the system, . The worm thenand raised the level of rotations per minute on the hardware on the Siemens Simatic WinCC SCADA system. The worm continues to raise the speed of rotations on the hardware,Then causing the rotors to spin extremely fast and causing eventually forcing the system to spiral out of control. As this was occurring, the worm began to complete the job it was designed to do by causing While the system was spinning out of control the worm also made the software checks to look as if the hardware was working properly . During this time the worm had alsoand takingen over the controls for the system kill switch. The workers at the facility had no way to ever prepare for a meltdown of this magnitude and. this silentThis was an attack twas one for whichhat no one was prepared. had any idea that anyone or group was capable of doing the attackers had all the angles covered besides destroy all the evidence. This attack was so deviously designed that it could have gone completely unnoticed had the designers taken the time to design a method by which all evidence would be destroyed after the attack, but they did not do so and their neglect in doing so raises questions of future motives. By not neglecting to destroying all the evidence, from the designers actually increase and enhance the effects and impact of Stuxnet. Kelley (2013) puts it this way,the attack greatly increased the effects and impact of the Stuxnet attack. “ThTat’s because the initial attack provided a useful blueprint to future attackers by highlighting the royal road to infiltration of hard targets, humans working as contractors. CITATION Mic13 l 1033 (Kelley, 2013)” The fact idea that the target now could be humansa human damages the confidentiality. In addition, Now the code that was used to create the Stuxnet worm is now openly available out on the World Wide Web and. tEven though the code is very extremely complicated, many hackers are tryingstill attempt to duplicate what it can do and while possible working on targeting other systems that will be able to cripple society as we know, such as it like electrical grids and water dams. This Stuxnet attack made the use of the nuclear facility power unavailable. If another attack was to happen to something like an electrical grid and shut down a cities electricity lives will be lost. Being that the virus was walked into the nuclear plant hurt the integrity of the system. Also the fact that the worm was able to make the software project false positives stating that the hardware was working correctly also messed up the integrity of the facility.Ways to protect computers from a Stuxnet attack. Due to the complexity of the Stuxnet worm, the most conventional ways of defending protecting computers systems are were not as affectiveineffective. This attack was totally unexpected. But since the attack patches and updates for Microsoft, have come out to fix the zero day vulnerabilities. Siemens has also put out a tool that will detect and remove the stuxnet worms from any infected system. Most anti-virus software have made changes to their software to look for the Stuxnet worm also. Now companies are coming up with ways to check a systems integrity. There is now a program called Hypercheck and “HyperCheck uses an out-of-band network card utilizing the CPU’s System Managed Mode (SMM) to check the integrity of core libraries on the target system, including hypervisor code and the host operating system kernel. CITATION Def10 l 1033 (Defending Against Stuxnet Type Threats, 2010)” If you uses While some basic core methods of protecting computers systems will improve detection of a possible Stuxnet invasion, they might may not aid in completely dhelp defending or protecting your computer or network against the Stuxnet virus.

The most important way to protect against any computer or network attack is to engage in cyber security educationbe educated and educate your employees. Everyone Every employee should have a basic understanding of computer security and . Everyone should have basic knowledge of what to look for as it pertains to computer security. Each All companiesy should have a cyber security personnel in charge aand nd also policies and procedures in place just in case there is an attack. The company should review its policies and procedures should be reviewed and modified annually and then the companies should hold mandatory annual training should be conducted for all employees and as well as introductory information security training for all new employees should be a part of the company’s practices.

The nuclear facility should put in place better physical security to check employees for things like USB drives, removable hard drives, CD and any type of equipment that data can be transferred from. Also the facility should have done more physical check of the systems and had manual ways to shut down the system before in destroyed itself. The Stuxnet worm was the first of its kind. It was malicious software that can do physical damage. It changed the way cyber war is fought it has truly raised the bar when it comes to malware or any cyber-attack. With a few copycat virus now showing up such as Duqu and Flame. The need for companies and governments to secure all systems and educate all personal are at an all-time high. Works Cited BIBLIOGRAPHY Defending Against Stuxnet Type Threats. (2010, OCT. 1). Retrieved from http://www.invincea.com: http://www.invincea.com/2010/10/defending-against-stuxnet-type-threats/

Kelley, M. B. (2013, Nov. 20). The Stuxnet Attack On Iran’s Nuclear Plant Was ‘Far More Dangerous’ Than Previously Thought. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com: http://www.businessinsider.com/stuxnet-was-far-more-dangerous-than-previous-thought-2013-11

Kushner, D. (2013, Feb 26). The Real Story of the Stuxnet . Retrieved from http://spectrum.ieee.org: http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/security/the-real-story-of-stuxnet

McEntegart, J. (2010, September 27). Stuxnet is World’s First Cyber Super Weapon. Retrieved from http://www.tomsguide.com: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/stuxnet-cyber-weapon-worm-trojan,news-8122.html

The Stuxnet Worm. (2011, Nov. 21). Retrieved from http://us.norton.com/: http://us.norton.com/stuxnet

To protect against the Stuxnet virus companies

Understanding Cultural Competence

Cultural CompetenceCultural competence is the act of understanding one’s own world view as well as those of others. Different people come from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds. It’s important to avoid stereotyping individual and this can be done through cultural awareness. This can only be possible if we understand each other and accept our cultural diversities and the unique characteristics that each of us possess. In addition, we need to be flexible in our beliefs and practices in order to understand other people’s culture (Siegel, et. al 2014).

If we don’t acknowledge culture then we limit our ability to interact. Domestic violence can be experienced by anyone regardless of their background. The individuals may experience the violence in culturally different ways (Siegel, et. al 2014). In order to understand victims of domestic violence one needs to understand the social norms of the victims involved, how the said community view violence, is it a community or personal matter. Another practice is to understand where the members of the community go to seek help when faced with issues such as domestic violence, if they seek the help from the authority, elders or counsellors. Another cultural competence practice is to get to understand the victim’s language and to be able to reflect on their culture and view their world as they do. Another question in mind is how does the topic of domestic violence resonate with the members of that culture? This will allow one to understand and view the victim’s situation in their perspective.

Cultural competence starts with self awareness of our own cultural beliefs. Self-awareness means looking critically into our values, biases, lifestyle and assumptions (Morris, et al 2010). For example our views about domestic violence are contributed by our cultural beliefs and attitudes. Being aware is the first step towards cultural competence. Learning other people’s culture is another way to achieve cultural competence. Individual appreciate personal interest in their culture. One can learn about other people’s culture through reading journals, interacting with those people, reading memoirs and book (Morris, et al 2010). s. Another way to learn the other culture is to learn the language; it will make interaction and understanding easy. Lastly interacting with diverse groups in the community, interacting with people from other cultures makes one to appreciate the details of the culture. One will get to interact with them at the cultural events, religious functions, and social functions (Morris, et al 2010); hence one is able to achieve cultural competence through these interventions.

One of the barriers is poor communication between individuals of different culture and background, communication is important for interaction. Without communication individuals will not be able to learn other people’s culture. Another barrier is lack of diversity in the workforce and leadership; hence there is little recognition of other cultures, which goes unnoticeable.

References

Morris, J. A., Day, S., & Schoenwald, S. K. (2010). Turning knowledge into practice: A manual for human service administrators and practitioners about understanding and implementing evidenced‐based practices (2nd ed.)

Siegel, C., Haugland, G., Reid-Rose, L., & Hopper, K. (2014). Components of cultural competence in three mental health programs.

Value of Road Wrecks Reduction

Daniel Perez

Eng 1301-04

Ms. Lara

11/26/18

Major Essay 3

Value of Road Wrecks Reduction

Destruction from roads have a lack of care from cities, states, and the government itself, needing to push laws to have safer roads. We as society need to come together and demand action for the deaths of car/truck collisions. Due to unsafe roads that lack the care they need into keeping our lives at risk. Accidents have been increasing all around the world in America according to John Adams Author of Deaths of Roads, 80% have been because the roads are un safe to be driven on and are considered dangerous at all hours especially at night. The roads lack pavement refills, improper built, and heavy trucks passing by constantly needing the cities repair work. The article includes how Austin residents have begun to riot against the outside city limit roads heading up north because of the huge increase in deaths of unsafe roads. In the past 10 years Austin’s highway going north towards Dallas Texas has had increase from 1,400 to 54,000 of fatal crashes due to the horrible road builds. So, the residents of Austin are fighting to put a word out and make an impact for the city of Austin into building safer and impact able roads that can withstand heavy weight. This impact of a movement has motivated other towns into demanding better quality of roads.

City residents of States in America, pushing reckless roads has impacted other countries into starting a similar movement into preventing crashes and reckless roads causing deaths. The article “The Value of mortality risk reductions in Delhi, India”, has interviewed commuters in India to help estimate the pay amount to size the risk, income, and exposure to road traffic. Commuters in this article are attempting to reduce deaths of car crashes by willing to offer the money needed to remodel roads, safer for persons to travel through. Over the research being accurate, the author Maureen L. Cropper is presenting his positive side towards having a impact in India by constructing safer roads. Part of his assumptions are facts of over 1 million people dying in road crashes and over 75% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where road users constitute major of fatalities. Proving his point being accurate of needing to fix roads and having a safer project within roads. Based on the author presenting, I can say he’s attempting to make a change within his country and make a right doing that can benefit everyone in India. The speaker is hoping to open ears and eyes for the reader to help make a change not just within themselves but as a society’s safety

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Frances well designed streets, their reckless crashing rates is dramatically low, because of the safety hazards added to roads and the outstanding pavement designed they have created. France also has a crash rate of 5,000 per year and every year it goes down because of the time they put into creating great roads services and safety cautions to stop deaths. In the Article “The Secret of France Good Roads”, it implies how France had a scientist very time invested in finding a strong pavement design, named “Jarales D’ Howd”. Jarales created France a strong change within the country, creating safer roads for everyone and was influenced because the loss of his father and mother during a crash because the lack of poor pavement design. Jarales was able to be able influence because the death of his parents. He created and began to influence other countries such as America, China, and Germany into building more safety roads and improve as a country. All it took was a loss of someone important into creating a strong impact in the world.

Preventing reckless crashes, by fixing roads, adding more patrols to the highway, adding hazard lights to warn people. All these assumptions towards the solution will not have any affect within stopping reckless crashes increasingly as if building a stronger type of material for loads with heavy weight to carry around. The pavement needs to be able to tolerate massive amounts of weight, tires, and give good grip against cars so they don’t slip off and crash. According to the Article “Making Roads Safer” what it will take is stronger material with pavement. It doesn’t matter what else you try, cracks will continue to happen, people will continue to crash, and deaths shall keep happening. Unless we create a type of pavement such as “Sikor” this material is used in France which has benefited France into a very well-known place for its design off safety streets. The reason why America doesn’t bother listen with this intention is because the expense it cost to transport and produce the material would cost a huge amount. “, A life has no price for it, if what it takes is money to have our lives in a safer environment then what expense matters.” includes Author “Nord Dawn”. This process will continue to be pushed by the people into towns, cities, states and finally the president, deciding that it’s time to create safer roads and prevent our loved ones from passing away because the lack of road structures.

Families traveling on the road, business men, anyone out that travels in any vehicle, will have an important pause before getting on the road and think twice. Religion being a second priority within families will impact praying before getting onto the road, that the road is safe, and their life isn’t taken away while on it. Faith that the city in charge makes sure that these roads are safe and have a strong built. Leaving an influence in these certain persons, if the road they’re traveling in is safe and secured. These simple knowledgeable thoughts keep a person from expecting standards which push off those who fight for the right of stopping life’s from being taken away. Just the fact of city politicians come to mind with these thoughts of families and religious beliefs from people into finally being lifted into creating a stronger development of pavement and structure to the roads, preventing the increase of deaths. These movements are what the people push into the high rankings in charge and capable of making the change into a better society, getting the help needed.

Work Cited

Adams, John, et al. “Death on the Roads.

” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 333, no. 7560, 2006, pp. 199–200. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40698790.

Bhattacharya, Soma, et al.

“The Value of Mortality Risk Reductions in Delhi, India.” Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, vol. 34, no. 1, 2007, pp. 21–47. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41761251

Miller, Perry K. “The Secret of Universally Good Roads in France.” The Military Engineer, vol. 13, no. 69, 1921, pp. 221–222. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/44605058.

Robbins, Anthony. “Editorial: Distracted Driving – It Is Time for Public Health to Step In.” Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 34, no. 2, 2013, pp. 193–196. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/43287956.

“Making Roads Safer.” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 298, no. 6671, 1989, pp. 408–408. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/29702291.Vakil, C. N. “Railways and Roads in India.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 233, 1944, pp. 187–192. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1025839.

LeBowitz, Jonathan H. “A Breach in the Blood-Brain Barrier.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 102, no. 41, 2005, pp. 14485–14486. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4143343.

Recommendation for Keeping the Fitness Center Open

Date: 20th: Feb: 2012

To: Zachary Evans, Vice President, Operations

From: Joe Mirola; claims manager.

Subject: Recommendation for Keeping the Fitness Center Open

With references to our conversations about the closure of the Rocky Mountains mutual fitness centre, these are my analyses and recommendations.

Benefits of the fitness centre to the company

The fitness centre is part of the company’s culture and principles when it comes to leveraging our benefits to new talents in the field. Most of our competitors have the same benefits and compensation packages that Rocky Mountains Mutual has. However, the only competitive advantage that Rocky Mountains Mutual has which it can use to leverage positively its skill acquisition is the fitness centre. Most of the talents that the company acquires are young and upwardly mobile and would prefer going to the fitness centre. In addition, the productivity of the claims department is improving, and the company can only attribute this to enthusiasm and the health of the employees.

User acceptance

While it is agreeable that the number of users of the fitness centre does not justify such expenses, it is advisable to assess the rate of acceptance of the fitness centre. No company can gain that the acceptance rate whether it is about technology or fitness, but the company has registered 36% of its employees in three years, this translates to 72% give or take employees in 6 years time. This means that, if the health and fitness centre is eliminated, the company will lose its critical mass.

Cost cutting

The company has had relatively less number of medical cases since it established the fitness centre. This can be attributed partly to the company’s welfare program and fitness centre. However, the general argument is that with the nature of our work and location of the company’s offices, the fitness centre is the only rescue from monotony, boredom and burnout. The company can realize an increase save on the medical expenses. From the initial calculation, we realized that there is a large disparity in the cost benefits analysis of the fitness centre. Moreover, that the fitness centre is not breaking eve. It is also imperative to consider the fact that the company is just three years into its operations at the new offices. Despite of this, company has registered an enormous reduction I the medial expenses by $81000, [per annum ], this is also most 8.1% of the cost of the cost centre, meaning the fitness centre will have paid back in 8n years time.

Long-term consideration

The fitness centre may not be used by many employees of the rocky mountain mutual’s, but considering the rate of user acceptance and the newly implemented well program, it is likely that the management will have to either look for an alternative fitness centre for the current members who frequent the fitness centre or phase resistance from the fitness group. Seeking an alternative fitness centre might cont then companies a lot of money. I would like to request you to work out the make or buy cost analysis and make a fair decision.

Bottom line

While it is not my call to make judgment, I would like you to make both qualitative and qualitative analysis of the benefits of the fitness centre to the company. You will realize that eliminating one cost driver within the company, may results into loss of enthusiasm, which is already established. I hope my humble request shall meet your kindest consideration.

ReadyMades Essay

Cathlyn Baptiste

Professor LavittArt Appreciation 6-34253

2 April 2022

ReadyMades Essay

Readymade is described as an everyday object selected and designated as art, which came from French artist Marcel Duchamp. Duchamp, who was born in 1887 and died in 1968, started his career as a painter. Throughout his career, he created many pieces of art: paintings and sculptures. He always remained true to himself and only created what he wanted to create. The first piece of readymade art was made in 1913, the Bicycle Wheel, a wheel mounted on a stool. This piece was in protest against the vast importance of the works of art. The piece was deemed a “readymade assisted” because Duchamp combined two separate objects instead of one element. Duchamp went on to make “pure readymades” by creating art consisting of single elements; Bottle Rack, made in 1914 and the most popular known readymade, the porcelain urinal, Fountain, made in 1917 (Gaiger, 76).

Artist Duchamp and his readymade art were welcomed by the artists who created the Dada movement from 1916 to the 1920s. Dada is described as the nihilistic and anti-aesthetic movements in art that became popular in primarily Zurich, Switzerland, New York City, Belin, Germany, and Paris in the early 20th century (Gaiger, 76). Dada did not have an actual artistic style. It promoted group collaborations, spontaneous work and just an overall chance—many Dadaists created collages and object construction pieces rather than paintings and sculptures. Dada became very popular in New York City, mainly because the anti-art movement gave those who could not get work when the economy was terrible a way to express themselves.

Readymades play a significant part in art today because it has opened the door to a new outlook on creations. Almost anything can be deemed and looked at as art in today’s world. Putting objects and different elements together to make something large or small has added another genre to art. In my own personal opinion, if I was ever to be an artist, I think it would be easier for me to create readymade art instead of painting or making sculptures. I can’t paint or draw to save my life. Each readymade plays a significant value in art because it adds a different way to look at something put together.

When I see readymades, I understand the idea behind it. You can literally see a chair, a table or even a trash can and think of a different way to use it. Then after you reconstruct it or modify it, you get a completely different outlook on something. When someone looks at an object that has been altered like that, they get to see something from another perspective literally. This was one reason why Duchamp would have been one of the best readymade artists of all time; he had an idea for everything. Duchamp created sculptures from an old bicycle wheel, cutlery and even coat racks (Gaiger, 76). He transformed those into sculptures that he would call readymades.

There are many different practices and ways to make a readymade, but the most common is putting together things found around the house like an old chair, a table or even junk found in the dumpster. Duchamp created his theory on what made a “readymade”. He stated that everything has already been made except for us, so we can take an object and create something out of it. He would find objects and make them into art pieces or sculptures that he would call readymades because they were made by hand or their creator. After he first came up with this theory, the world was opened to many more ways to create art.

Duchamp found the everyday objects around him and created a new way for us to look at them. He chose ordinary things that we might see on a daily basis. For example, in 1917, he took a baby bottle and simply turned it upside down so that it would be no longer seen as what it was originally made for but now seen as an art piece. Duchamp would use everyday items to create pieces of art. He did not make anything that was extremely difficult and artistic, but the simple act of turning an ordinary object upside down made it into something extraordinary.

When Duchamp first found out about this new theory, he was shocked because he thought it was ridiculous, but after a while, he began to accept that anyone could make art from ordinary stuff around them. This led him to start taking art classes at the School of Fine Arts and attracted the attention of Marcel Duchamp’s friends Pablo Picasso and Jean Dubuffet (Gaiger, 76). After Duchamp began to exhibit his art, people wondered how he could create such strange pieces of art. In the end, he decided that it was not important how it was done but rather the product; the readymade.

In conclusion, before Duchamp made readymades, only things like paintings and sculptures could be considered fine art. The creation of readymades opened up a whole new world for artists to explore many different kinds of art and to broaden their horizons in creating new things. With the creation of this new type of art, artists began to wonder what else they could do with objects already created by someone else besides making them into something else.

Works Cited

“The $150,000 Banana” YouTube, uploaded by The Art Assignment, 3 January 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so8sB25IL4o“The Case for Conceptual Art” YouTube, uploaded by The Art Assignment, 26 July 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHLs76HLon4

Gaiger, Jason. “Interpreting the readymade: Marcel Duchamp’s Bottlerack.” Frameworks for Modern Art (2003): 57-104.