Recall the enjoyment of sex

Elderly couples are urged to recall the enjoyment of sex.

Terengganu is providing sex education for the elderly, following newlywed sex courses and free honeymoons for couples in crisis, in an effort to curb rising divorce rates.

A recent seminar for elderly couples held in the state hoped to "bring back the joy of sex" and to show long-married couples how to get their partner's libido going again.

"Many elderly couples sleep in separate bedrooms and are not intimate. This is unhealthy as they can still have vibrant intimate relationships, especially with all kinds of therapy and health supplements available," the State's Family Development Foundation head Mohamad Shafaruddin Mustafa explained.

"Because of the lack of intimacy, the couples who are already in their twilight years, get more agitated and tense and this strains their marriage badly to the point of divorce.

"This can be avoided with tips on how to keep things exciting," he added.

Such courses are rare in Muslim-majority Malaysia where open discussions on sexual health are not encouraged.

However, with three out of every 10 marriages end in divorce in the state, state officials are trying to keep couples and families together with courses aimed at retaining and enhancing intimacy especially amongst adults and senior citizens.

Last year, the state's family development board organised a sexual relations course for newly-married couples, encouraging them to bathe together and use exotic fragrances to "arouse sexual desire."

The state government has also asked local cosmetics firms to introduce special perfumes for couples following complaints by some that they were divorcing because of routine sex and their partner's bad body odour.

In October last year, Terengganu offered to host a two-night "second honeymoon" for couples on the brink of divorce, providing a romantic holiday at one of the state's beach or island resorts where they could also undergo marriage counselling.

Shafaruddin could not say if the various schemes have helped reduce divorce rates but said the state would hold another 16 newlywed sex courses next year as the programmes have improved the level of intimacy among many couples.

Eid ul Adha (Feast of The Sacrifice) 2010

Today is the 10th of Zulhijjah in the year 1431 Hijri / the 17th of Nov 2010 AD and all Muslims (ie people of the Islamic faith) in Malaysia and some other countries are today celebrating the Eid-ul-Adha (or the Feast of the Sacrifice) in conjunction with the season of pilgrimage whereby Muslims who could afford will go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj (the obligatory pilgrimage) which is the 5th pillar of Islam.

Elsewhere such as in Saudi Arabia and most Middle East countries, the Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated yesterday Tuesday the 16th of Nov 2010, because Monday the 15th of Nov was declared the day of the "wukuf" at the Arafah plain (or field). The Eid-ul-Adha must rightly fall on the day after the "wukuf".

After the sun rises on the 9th Zulhijjah, pilgrims clad in their Ihram (the one-piece white cloth attire) would converged on the ‘Arafah plain for the Wukuf [Grand Assembly]. The wukuf in ‘Arafah is a major pillar of the Hajj. As such the Prophet Muhammad SAW stressed: "Hajj is [the assembly at] ‘Arafah."

The duration for the wuquf begins from the start of the Zuhur Prayer time on 9th Zulhijjah until the fajar (dawn) of 10th Zulhijjah. It is valid to stay for any portion of time within that period. The Prophet SAW stayed in ‘Arafah until the sunset of 9th Zulhijjah and proceeded to Muzdalifah, after the Fajar (dawn) prayer and then moved to Mina arriving before sunrise on 10th Zulhijjah.

At 'Arafah one may conduct jamak for the Zuhur (noon) and ‘Asar (late noon) prayers, joining them at the time of Zuhur if possible to qasar, that is shortening each of them to two raka'ats.

It is of a great benefit at ‘Arafah, one to be preoccupied with continuous dzikir, tasbih, do’a, and seeking for Allah's forgiveness as the Day of ‘Arafah is a very blessed day. 'A'ishah r.a. (the Prophet's wife) narrated a Hadith that the Prophet SAW said:

“There is no day in which Allah frees a greater number of His servants from the Hellfire than the Day of ‘Arafah. Allah comes close to His servants and boasts about them to the angels then asks (a rhetorical question): "What do these servants seek for?"

[Hadis narrated by Muslim]

The Prophet SAW also said, that the best supplication is that made on the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said:

"Lailaha Illallahu Wahdahu Lasyari Kalah, Lahul Mulkuwalahul Hamdu Yuhyi Wayumiit, Wahuwa ‘Ala Kulli Syai'in Qadeer."

(There is no God but Allah. He has no associate. To Him belong the Sovereignty and all the Praise. He has the sole power over everything.)

[Hadis narrated by Al-Tirmidzi]

Some pilgrims do not recite the Talbiyah aloud on their way from Mina to ‘Arafah. It was proven that the Prophet SAW continued to recite the Talbiyah until he threw the pebbles of Al-‘Aqabah on the day of 'Eid.

One of the most serious mistakes that some pilgrims normally commit is to stop outside `Arafah and then stay there until the sun sets, after which they leave for Muzdalifah. Those who stay in these places have not performed Hajj. There are big and clear signs showing the boundaries of ‘Arafah.

Some people think that they have to go to the place where the Messenger of Allah SAW stood is holy, so they would converge there and climb it and seek blessings from the stones and soil around it. These are indeed wrong and unacceptable and regarded as bida’ah (innovations in religion).

Some people thought that it is essential to pray Zuhur and ‘Asar prayers with the imam in the mosque, seeking that place from far away. This can cause them a great deal of difficulty and leading many of them to go astray, which makes the Hajj extremely difficult for them, and they crowd one another and upset one another.

After spending some time in ‘Arafah, preferrably from Zuhur till Maghrib (dusk) prayers, pilgrims leave for Mina through Muzdalifah. One may perform Jamak and qasar for Maghrib and 'Isyak (night) prayers.

On the way from ‘Arafah, pilgrims will continue to recite the zikir to Allah SWT to seek His forgiveness.

On reaching Muzdalifah pilgrims would pick up enough pebbles for throwing at the three Jamarats. In Muzdalifah, pilgrims may sleep till dawn. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. However, according to some scholars due to the throng of people at Muzdalifah one can leave after midnight.

Muzdalifah is an open area without any shelter or tents there. Pilgrims must be ready with blankets or sleeping bags; these will prove very useful, especially if the night is cold.

Wukuf on the 'Arafah plain is meant to commemorate the landing of Prophet Adam and his wife, Eve on the Earth from the Heavens after Adam defying the Commands of Allah SWT and they both being duped by the devil (iblis) into doing sinful acts forbidden by Allah SWT.

Prophet Adam and Eve were separated on the Earth and it took them 40 years to meet again. And the place where they both met again was at a place called Jabar Rahmah on the 'Arafah plain. It was here that they both for many years supplicated to Allah SWT for forgiveness, and Allah SWT accepted their invocations/supplications.

It is understood that the Wukuf at 'Arafah means briefly stopping on the wide plain, staying there under humid condition and hot sunshine. Pilgrims are encouraged to make as much as possible zikir, supplementary prayers (solat sunat), reciting the Quran, supplicate and make invocations to Allah SWT, and those not performing the Hajj are also encouraged to do likewise at their own respective places. It is also encouraged to do fasting on the 'Arafah day.

Supplicating/invocating on the 'Arafah plain is said to be greatly enhance the acceptance and granting by Allah SWT (among the places and time where/when supplications is duly fulfilled).

Wukuf at 'Arafah presents an impression of the actual situation on the Day of Reckoning on the Mahsyar plain where all human beings irrespective of race, ranks and/or position will be rounded up/assembled to face Allah SWT and accept his retribution/reckoning based on their "amar makruf nahi mungkar" (encourage good deeds reject the evils) on Earth.

The Eid-ul-Adha, similar to the Eid-ul-Fitri prayers is performed in two rakaats, and is not obligatory upon every person but voluntarily and supplementarily performing it earns "bonus marks" from Allah SWT. After performing the Eid-ul-Adha prayers together (in a congregation) in a mosque or surau (mini mosque) such as is commonly practised in Malaysia, the imam (congregation/prayer leader) will then deliver the khutbah (sermon), reading a standard pre-written text issued by the State Islamic Department/Council.

Later in the day, a couple of hours or so after the Eid-ul-Adha prayers the main commemorative event of this Eid will normally be performed, i.e. the slaughtering of sacrificial animal(s) such as camel, cow, goat, sheep or buffalo, and feasting together at the mosque or surau as well as distributing the slaughtered meat to the poor and the needy by sending it to their respective houses/homes.

The loud calling of or takbir of "Allah hu Akbar" will continue until a few days after 10th Zulhijjah, and may even extend for one whole month, acknowledging the His Greatness, unlike on the Eid-ul-Fitri when the takbir can only be called out loud until the moment just before the Eid-ul-Adha prayers is performed, and forbidden to be shouted out after the prayers.

Allah SWT Commanded: "That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Zulhijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, WAllahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time." (Quran 22:28)

Secrets About Jiu Jitsu

"Discover Secrets About Jiu Jitsu That Most Fighters Will NEVER Know"

Jujutsu (also known as Ju-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, or Jiujitsu), is Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon. (Wikipedia)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈʒitsu], English: /dʒuːˈdʒɪtsuː/) is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especiallyground fighting. The art was derived from the Japanese martial art ofKodokan judo in the early 20th century,^[1][2] which was itself developed from a number of schools (or Ryu) of Japanese jujutsu in the 19th century.

It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique—most notably by applyingjoint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be trained for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition orself defense .^[3] Sparring (commonly referred to as 'rolling') and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition. (Wikipedia)

photo of BJJ (from Wikipedia)

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World's longest tunnel

World's longest tunnel breaks down Swiss Alpine barrier

Saturday, October 16, 2010

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20101016/tts-switzerland-transport-tunnel-rail-en-c1b2fc3.html

SEDRUN, Switzerland (AFP) - – A giant drilling machine punched its way through a final section of Alpine rock on Friday to complete the world's longest tunnel, after 15 years of sometimes lethal construction work.

In a stage-managed breakthrough, attended by some 200 dignitaries, 30 kilometres (20 miles) inside the tunnel and broadcast live on Swiss television, engineers from both sides shook hands after the bore had pummeled through the final 1.5 metres (five feet) of rock.

"Here, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, one of the biggest environmental projects on the continent has become reality," said Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger.

Tunnel workers paid tribute to their colleagues who had died on the construction site with a minute's silence as the names of the eight victims were read out during an emotional ceremony for the breakthrough.

"Workers, thank you, thank you, thank you. We have not only built a tunnel, we have written history," said Luzi Gruber of the construction company Implenia.

The 57-kilometre (35.4-mile) high-speed rail link, which will open in 2017, will form the lynchpin of a new rail network between northern and southeastern Europe and help ease congestion and pollution in the Swiss Alps.

It is the third tunnel to be built through the snowbound St. Gotthard area but it is much the longest and three kilometres longer than a rail link between two Japanese islands, the current record holder at 53.8 kilometres.

"The myth of the Gotthard has been broken for a third time. Our forefathers struggled from the Middle Ages onwards to make this mountain passable," Peter Fueglistaler, director of the Federal Transport office, told journalists gathered for the final breakthrough.

Passengers will ultimately be able to speed from the Italian city of Milan to Zurich in less than three hours and further north into Germany, cutting the journey time by an hour.

Once completed, around 300 trains should be able to speed through the Gotthard's twin tubes every day, at up to 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph) for passenger trains.

The 9.8-billion Swiss franc (7.0-billion euro, 9.8-billion dollar) tunnel, which is 9.5 metres in diameter, is also the fruit of strong popular environmental concern about pollution in the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland nonetheless struggled to convince sceptical European neighbours to support the ambitious and costly transalpine rail plans. But Swiss voters helped force the issue in 1994 by supporting a ban on heavy trucks driving across the Alps -- including the expanding flow of transiting EU goods traffic.

A nationwide poll published on Wednesday suggested that sentiment is undimmed, with two thirds supporting a ban on truck traffic through the Gotthard road tunnel and moving it on to rail.

But a senior Swiss official warned the full benefit of the rail tunnel can only be realised if Germany and Italy complete complementary infrastructure.

"For a noticeable amount of freight to be shifted from road to rail, our neighbouring countries Germany and Italy will have to fulfill their contractual obligation to extend access routes," said Peter Fueglistaler, director of the government's Federal Transport Office.

In recent years, Austria, France and Italy have set in motion two similar rail tunnel projects through the eastern and western Alps, which are both planned to exceed 50 kilometres in length in the 2020s.

Apart from the economic and environmental implications, the spotlight was on more than 2,000 tunnel workers, especially following the rescue of Chile's trapped miners.

The builders, who have blasted and bored through 13 million cubic metres (460 million cubic feet) of rock, were feted at a celebration just above the breakthrough point in the mist-bound village of Sedrun.

As the two tunnels became one, tunnelers unfurled a Swiss flag to a thunder of applause.

One of the first to make it through, Hubert Baer, told the crowd: "It's a wonderful feeling, it's an honour to have participated in the construction of the longest rail tunnel in the world."

TenTenTen Was His Birthday

You celebrated your 16th birthday on Sunday 10/10/10 (10th of October 2010)

Malaysia delays controversial GST introduction

The Malaysian government on Wednesday said it would again delay the implementation of a controversial goods and services tax due next year in the face of strong public opposition.

"The government would like to announce the postponement of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST)," the finance ministry said in a statement.

The announcement, the latest in a series of delays in the scheme originally mooted in 2007, came ahead of the annual budget announcement Friday by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also finance minister.

Veteran opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang said the government's decision to delay the GST could mean it is preparing for elections next year.

"The opposition has organised a national campaign against GST. There is no justification for GST at a time when there is abuse and corruption," he told AFP.

"The government knows that if it goes ahead with the GST, public displeasure will boomerang through the air and whip the people who introduce it."

The GST would have helped Malaysia broaden its tax base away from the oil revenues which it currently depends on.

The finance ministry said the GST would ensure "a strong and sustainable fiscal position to support the long term economic growth," but assured that it will hear out the people's concerns prior to its implementation.

"The government will take into account the interest and welfare of the society to ensure the implementation of GST is well received," it said.

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4394765

Herbal remedies for anxiety found

Two herbal remedies used for centuries to alleviate anxiety have won the backing of scientists.

Researchers found "strong evidence" that passion flower extract and kava both combat anxiety disorders.

Pooled results from an analysis of 24 studies involving more than 2,000 participants also indicated that combinations of the amino acids L-lysine and L-arginine may be useful anxiety remedies.

But the herbal medicine St John's Wort, which is commonly taken to relieve depression, and magnesium supplements were not found to be effective.

Study leader Shaheen Lakhan, from the Global Neuroscience Initiative foundation, a non-profit charitable research organisation based in Los Angeles, said: "Our review and summary of the literature on herbal remedies and dietary supplements for anxiety should aid mental health practitioners in advising their patients and provide insight for future research in this field.





"We found mixed results - while passion flower or kava and L-lysine and L-arginine appeared to be effective, St John's Wort and magnesium supplements were not."

The findings were published in the Nutrition Journal.

Passion flower has a long history of treating anxiety in folklore all over the world.

It is widely recommended as a treatment for restlessness and nervousness. However, it is unclear which of the thousands of chemicals in the plant are responsible for its effects.

Kava is a drink prepared from the plant Piper methysticum. It has been consumed in many cultures for centuries and is said to relieve anxiety, restlessness and insomnia.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20101006/thl-herbal-remedies-for-anxiety-found-d831572.html