Having way too much work to do (and getting the day off of work so that I could get that work done) prevented me from attending any Bush protests. I just followed the events through CBC's website, and it turns out nothing particularly interesting happened. A few threats of gassing the protesters, but nothing serious. I was able to catch sight of several helicopters patrolling the area, and police sirens could be heard every so often. Nothing too interesting, unfortunately.
All in all, I guess politically it was a success for Canada; I think most of the political dignitaries managed to hide their inferiority complex quite well. The prevalence of left-wing political leanings was apparent, and for the most part I think Ottawa did a decent of job of showing the president that he was not particularly welcome by the masses, but we'll tolerate it in the interests of our own country.
In it's worldwide insignificance, Canada will continue to prosper and be safe. Good USA-Canada relations has important implications on the economy, so they should be kept intact, but differences of foreign policy should remain as differences. Let us agree to disagree, and move on with our lives.
November 30, 2004
November 27, 2004
The Iron Ring
"...or in the dealings with my own Soul before my Maker."
A short excerpt from the Obligation taken at the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, written by Rudyard Kipling in 1923. One of the closing comments in the Iron Ring ceremony was to pray hard, and to never lose grip of the spiritual side of ourselves. Four spheres of life were spoken of: one's social and family life, one's recreational life, one's professional life, and one's spiritual life. And the speaker called for balance in all aspects.
The Obligation, and all that went with it were very much in line with Islamic tenets and beliefs. Above all else, it symbolized the accountability those of the Engineering profession have to their world. The decisions we will make will have a heavy impact on society as a whole.
Another interesting point to note. Among the scripted dialogue in the ceremony was an exchange in which the speaker asked the individual speaking on behalf of the candidates "What do you know?" The candidate replies by saying something like "Nothing, except that I know nothing." The speaker then states that that is a solid foundation upon which to build.
This is very similar to an exchange that the Imam conducting the Traditional Halaqah Series cited when speaking of his graduation from the madrasah. To acknowledge that we have barely scraped the surface of knowledge with our education is a solid foundation upon which to further ones lifelong education. There is so much to learn, and arrogance in knowledge is one of the first signs of ignorance.
On another note ... the Fudge Overboard at Red Lobster was so good...especially with that extra strawberry sauce...
A short excerpt from the Obligation taken at the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, written by Rudyard Kipling in 1923. One of the closing comments in the Iron Ring ceremony was to pray hard, and to never lose grip of the spiritual side of ourselves. Four spheres of life were spoken of: one's social and family life, one's recreational life, one's professional life, and one's spiritual life. And the speaker called for balance in all aspects.
The Obligation, and all that went with it were very much in line with Islamic tenets and beliefs. Above all else, it symbolized the accountability those of the Engineering profession have to their world. The decisions we will make will have a heavy impact on society as a whole.
Another interesting point to note. Among the scripted dialogue in the ceremony was an exchange in which the speaker asked the individual speaking on behalf of the candidates "What do you know?" The candidate replies by saying something like "Nothing, except that I know nothing." The speaker then states that that is a solid foundation upon which to build.
This is very similar to an exchange that the Imam conducting the Traditional Halaqah Series cited when speaking of his graduation from the madrasah. To acknowledge that we have barely scraped the surface of knowledge with our education is a solid foundation upon which to further ones lifelong education. There is so much to learn, and arrogance in knowledge is one of the first signs of ignorance.
On another note ... the Fudge Overboard at Red Lobster was so good...especially with that extra strawberry sauce...
November 25, 2004
On second thought ...
I guess I will start early, since tomorrow has some relevance.
Tomorrow is my Iron Ring ceremony, a tradition throughout the country to recognize the responsibilities of being considered an Engineer. I've always found this to be a pretty neat tradition, but it is to my dismay that the event usually ends up becoming just another platform for engineers and engineering students to get drunk.
Ethics matter, and they can seriously take a person much further than his or her grades. Getting out of university successfully means your grades were good enough, not that you necessarily know everything you need to know. And amid all the books and books of formulas and theories and block diagrams, there is a one credit course regarding ethics that most students consider useless.
The Iron Ring should be about the ethics. One course will not teach a person ethics; 10 ethics courses won't either, for that matter. But in whatever way, it still needs to be emphasized.
True Islam will teach a person ethics; not by the study of books, but through awareness of ones accountability. To remain conscious of our accountability for our actions is the first step towards becoming ethical people.
We'll see what happens.
Tomorrow is my Iron Ring ceremony, a tradition throughout the country to recognize the responsibilities of being considered an Engineer. I've always found this to be a pretty neat tradition, but it is to my dismay that the event usually ends up becoming just another platform for engineers and engineering students to get drunk.
Ethics matter, and they can seriously take a person much further than his or her grades. Getting out of university successfully means your grades were good enough, not that you necessarily know everything you need to know. And amid all the books and books of formulas and theories and block diagrams, there is a one credit course regarding ethics that most students consider useless.
The Iron Ring should be about the ethics. One course will not teach a person ethics; 10 ethics courses won't either, for that matter. But in whatever way, it still needs to be emphasized.
True Islam will teach a person ethics; not by the study of books, but through awareness of ones accountability. To remain conscious of our accountability for our actions is the first step towards becoming ethical people.
We'll see what happens.
So, what happens here?
So, I signed up for a blog for the first time ...
The things that get me talking are religion, technology, academics, and to a much lesser degree, politics. But right now, I should be studying, so I'll put off any first takes until another time.
The things that get me talking are religion, technology, academics, and to a much lesser degree, politics. But right now, I should be studying, so I'll put off any first takes until another time.
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