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Islamic finance refers to financial services which are compliant with the principles of Islamic sharia law. These services are available in Muslim countries, or to Muslim communities living in non-Muslim countries.

Sharia law governs many aspects of religious and civil life in Islam, but in relation to finance this has two clear implications. Sharia law declares all forms of interest as ribaa meaning usury, or unethical and exploitative. As such, financial services such as mortgages and personal loans offered by standard banking services are in contradiction to sharia law and therefore considered to be haraam, or forbidden. Sharia law also forbids Muslims to invest in companies which deal in products considered to be haraam, including pork and alcohol.

Islamic finance is particularly concerned with the notions of risk and uncertainty. In Islamic finance this is known as Gharar, which holds multiple connotations of risk, uncertainty, deceit and hazard. Though not as strictly defined as ribaa, it is understood that Gharar is of equal importance in outlining financial practice in accordance with Islamic law. In practical terms, Gharar means avoiding unnecessary risk in investments, ensuring that a cost benefit analysis is in favour of benefit, and that parties have complete knowledge of the terms of exchange in advance of a deal. Limited levels of Gharar are accepted in the case of forward contracts and instalment payments, if on-the-ground realities demand such transactions, so long as the payment and delivery of the service is secured.

Islamic finance is characterised by a number of contracts designed to comply with sharia law. One such contract is the Mudarabah Contract, in which two parties are involved; one party contributes the capital and another party contributes 'personal effort' such as supplying labour or management skills and expertise. The Contract has been likened to the relationship between a silent partner and a working partner, or a profit-and-loss sharing contract. If the enterprise makes a profit, that profit is shared between the invested parties according to pre-agreed terms. If the enterprise makes a loss, the financial loss is borne by the investor of the capital, but the investor of the 'personal effort' receives no monetary compensation for his labour or time. Mudarabah Contracts are limited by a specific time period and rarely continue indefinitely. The investor of the capital can be either an Islamic bank, or an independent investor who uses the bank as an intermediary to transfer funds.

Musharakah (or Musharaka) Contracts are another form of Islamic finance. Musharakah translates as partnership or sharing, with such contracts seeing the investment of capital from two or more parties. Islamic banks can be one of these parties. Unlike Mudarabah Contracts however, both profit and loss are shared by the invested parties in accordance with the proportion of their initial investment. Musharakah Contracts act as an alternative to traditional banking methods where the investor charges interest, and instead offers the investor a direct proportion of the profits achieved. Unlike traditional lending however, the investor also shares in the losses.

Salam Contracts, otherwise known as Bai Salam allow advance payments for goods and services while remaining in compliance with sharia law. Under this contract the seller is paid in full at the time of the contract, in exchange for agreeing to provide these goods and services at an agreed future date. The quantity and quality of these goods must also be agreed upon in advance, and the buyer reserves the right to refuse the delivery of the products if these standards are not met. It could be argued that Salam Contracts represent a form of debt and are thus in contradiction to sharia law, and so the rules associated with Bai Salam must be strictly adhered to. Among these rules are that the Contract must clearly specify the date and place of delivery, the product must be fungible (mutually interchangeable), and payment must be made in full at the point of sale.

These contracts and Islamic finance as a whole have seen fast-paced growth since their popularisation in the 1970s. According to research conducted by Ernst & Young in 2014, it is estimated that Islamic banking assets grew at an annual rate of 17.6% between 2009 and 2013, and will continue to grow. It is estimated that the global industry holds total assets of around $2 trillion, with countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia accounting for large proportions of these assets.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Martin_Tudge/2196785
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Listen to the arousing heart-pounding beat of the drums, now queue the reverberation of haunting falsetto singers that echo along the shores of the grand river. It's Pow-Wow time on the Six Nations reserve in Ontario. Bordering the towns of Caledonia, Hagersville, and Brant county, the rich cultural heritage tradition of these First Nations people, known as Haudenosaunee, host an annual extraordinary event featuring over 400 lively dancers, singers, scores of traditional crafters, and over 30 unique food vendors.

Although not my home town, I had a distinct yet unique opportunity to live within and among a very deeply engrained culture rich with tradition and folklore. My mentor was my father-in-law, George Beaver - a well respected educator on the Six Nations reserve and author of First Nations books and native pageant plays, he once told me that you cannot see the wind but you can see and hear what it does; like the drumbeat of a heart, rhythm is all around us. The eyes and ears of your heart catch the waves of sound that surround us to comfort or call us into action; dance. From the snows of the Arctic, down across the vast shifting landscape of the East to the Northwest forests, First Nations musical traditions express lessons in life and represent not one entity but various sound-scapes from Region to Region and Nation to Nation.

Ageless Tradition

The Champion of Champions Pow Wow is a great flowering of cultures which encompasses ageless traditions starting with a series of large concentric circles to specifically define areas of respect and etiquette. The core is a centre circle, called the Dance Arbour, where the dancers perform their specialized dances for the judges. Outside the main circle is another large circle where the Master of Ceremonies, drum groups, and sitting area for the dancers and their families. Spectators are welcome to sit in the third circle which encompasses the Dance Arbour.

Grand Entry

Considered a sacred event, each Grand Entry is impressive. Rich in tradition, every Pow-wow starts with a Grand Entry song from the host drum with the Eagle Staff leading the way followed by both the Canadian and American flags, important guests, elders, officials, and other dignitaries. Dancers, wearing distinctive ceremonial dress known as 'regalia', enter in specific order where the younger dancers always follow their elders. First to enter are the men's traditional dancers; known for their authentic design distinguished by a single or no bustle, and high kicking step movements. Next enter the Men's Fancy Dancers who have vivid regalia renowned for their two bustles and move with dramatic leaps and spinning which are always the biggest crowd pleasers. Next are the Grass Dancers who have long flowing fringes and designs reminiscent of grass blowing in the wind. Their method of dance movements are more elaborate than traditional dances but less theatrical than the fancy dancers. Now the women enter the sacred circle starting with the Traditional dancers. Beautiful regalia with authentic design signified with eagle feathers in their hair and an eagle fan in their right hand. They are majestic and poised with very precise, highly controlled movements. Next are the Women Fancy dancers with brilliant colours, long fringed shawls who perform rapid swirling spins and elaborate dance steps. Finally, the Jingle Dress Dancers, who move with light footwork and wear dresses with hundreds of small tin cones that make noise as they dance. Originally from the Ojibwa nation, these dancers are considered healers as they heal the people of all nations. All the dancers move to the tempo of the drum with the smallest competitors following behind in this sacred event and after everyone is in the Arbour, there is a flag song and then an ending with a victory song. The Opening prayer is offered by a local in their language before special honours, presentations to Elders and other activities wrap up before the competition begins.

Singers & Their Drums

Since ancient times the First Nations people have held socials and practiced shamanistic rituals marked by the inspiring beat of a drum as the voice for the soul while the dancer is the spirit who moves as a single entity articulating valuable morals and core beliefs but the bond lies within the singers. The unison of singers through what's known as Earth song vocables - no word chants, symbolizing strength and clarity as one voice keep the tempo for the dancers. The combined voices heard at a Pow-wow have been described as singing that resembles the haunting cries of a coyote. Each group of singers have their own flair and their own unique technique. As modern life influenced the Nations, the drum, central in symbol, epitomize a tempo to honor the beat of tradition with respect for the land and spirit. It is still apart of community socials, and tourist events today. No two drums are the same. Each embrace the culture in which it was made, has its own distinctive structure in which both its spirit and life are profoundly influenced by the hands of its maker.

Outside Looking In

Thousands of guests experience this cultural dance exhibition every year and the atmosphere is truly alive with great energy. At various points during the competitions, spectators are invited to come join dancers in the arena for a song or two called and intertribal dance. Open to all ages and abilities. A great chance to stretch your legs after being mesmerized by the range and grandeur of each dance competition. Artisans are accessible daily with a variety of unique offering Native crafts like stone and bone carvings, dream catchers, medicine wheels, traditional clothing, original paintings, unique jewellery, and more. Embracing the culture fully will also mean experiencing a few gastronomic anomalies like buffalo or moose burgers and Indian Taco from one of the many food vendors. As with all things in life, everything has an end. The end of the competition at a Pow Wow means awards are handed out and closing ceremonies begin with the retiring of the flags as competitors dance out the flag in a parade approach.

Pow Wow Etiquette

If you plan to attend a Pow Wow, leave your pets at home; service animals exempt. Bring your camera but keep in mind this is a sacred event for Natives and you should not video tape or photograph during the Grand Entry, closing ceremonies or anyone in their regalia unless you get explicit permission. Bring extra cash for souvenirs and meals, have water with you at all times to avoid dehydration in the hot weather, and most importantly, no alcohol is allowed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Patricia_H_Kuhnen-Beaver/2070437
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Back pain is one of the worst pains a person can experience. Their lifestyle is changed and hampered, sometimes even put on hold because the pain is so severe. Their general doctors have tried everything possible to their knowledge and training and have nothing else to try, so they will refer their patient to a pain management center for help.

In that facility, the patient will have the help of a full staff that has specialized training in pain relief. They have focused their education and additional training to focus on where a pain is coming from and the best ways to treat a patient. This includes using implants and injections to ease and relieve that pain.

There are 2 types of devices that are implantable for treating back pain. The ones where the spinal cord receives electrical stimulation and the type that delivers medication to the spine.

The following are four of the possible methods they may consider:

• Sacroiliac Joint Block. This method involves injecting the sacroiliac joint with an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication where it connects the sacrum to the pelvis. These blocks can be used to relieve the low back pain that is caused by damage within the sacroiliac joint or by inflammation.

• Selective Nerve Root Block. There can be pain caused in your back or leg when a nerve root is compressed or has become inflamed. This type of block is given by injection with a numbing agent or a steroid in the nerve area where it exits from the spinal column in between the vertebrae. The pain relief will be felt after a few days or as long as a week and will continue for a few months.

• Spinal Cord Stimulation. This method is thought to decrease the patient's perception of pain as it activates the nerves in the lower back and block the signals of pain that are in that area. This replaces the pain with a tingling sensation by the delivery of electrodes which are inserted in between the vertebrae and into the epidural space. Then surgically, a pulse generator receiver is placed under the abdomen's skin or in the patient's upper buttocks where it activates the electrodes.

• Trigger Point Injections. This procedure involves small amounts of a local anesthetic with steroid meds being injected in the trigger point areas, and specifically on the muscles that are experiencing pain. These areas are determined by the pain management center doctor examines the patient by pressing on the area of the back.

As a Freelance Writer the past 8 years, Audrey has written on several different topics in a variety of industries. Her 30+ years in Customer Service and Sales has given her an insight into many areas, which has been helpful in her writing.

She invites her readers that are looking for pain management help to visit this website: http://www.universalpaincenter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Audrey_Thompson/2209166
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9353409

According to many reflexologists and Chinese medicine practitioners, spots and pimples on your face map out internal health problems. Understanding what causes spots and breakouts, is the key to finding the most effective solution.

The human body is a fascinating and complex wonder. Every single cell or atom the body consists of, has a specific function with a calculated purpose. When something is not functioning correctly, your body tells you exactly what is wrong, you just need to know how to understand the language.

When a virus enters your system, you feel sick. When you've been in the sun for too long, freckles appear on your nose. Therefore, why would spots and pimples be any different and just appear at random? It's your body's way of telling you something is wrong.

To treat your problem skin, you need to fix the internal problems first. Not all pimples are because of health issues, sometimes they can form due to clogged pores caused by makeup or other factors, therefore you also need a good facial cleanser to clean the skin of those impurities.

The following solutions are guidelines to treat internal problems, based on the location of spots and pimples;

Forehead:
Eat less sugary foods
Go to bed early and get enough sleep
Drink at least 2 litres of water per day
Exercise at least 20 minutes every day
Find a relaxation method like meditation, to ease your tension

Temples:
Eat less fatty foods and junk food
Include more cucumber in your diet

Between eye brows:
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Eat less butter and cheese
Stop snacking late at night
Do less strenuous exercises

Nose:
Eat less spicy foods, meat and salt
Go outside for 10 minutes and do some stretches
Include more Vitamin B in your diet

Left cheek:
Get into a daily routine
Change your mood through a positive mindset
Eat more green beans
Don't overeat
Avoid working late at night, rather wake up earlier

Right Cheek:
Avoid junk food, mango, wine and seafood
Eat less sugary foods
Be sure to get enough fresh air
Do more cardio while exercising

Around the mouth:
Include more fibre and fresh fruit in your diet
Eat less oily or spicy food

Chin and Jaw Area:
Avoid late night snacking
Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
Get at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep at night
Take omega 3 supplements to help regulate your hormones

The best advice for better skin, is to focus more on your lifestyle. When you live a happy, healthy lifestyle with enough exercise to relieve the extra stress, you will find that you have better overall health and healthier looking skin!

http://www.liferetreat.co.za

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Samantha_Taylor/2247992
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Here is what experts in woodwork tell us about the best wood routers in the market. If you are a novice, a new entrant in the field, or woodwork enthusiast, the following advice is for you. Read on what is in store for you.

Fixed base or Plunge router

Certain features of wood routers are most essential. You must know which router is best suited for your work and purpose. The first question you should answer is whether you need fixed base router or plunge base router. It is also possible to have both the routers combined in one. Even many professional woodworkers are opting for combo offer that combines both the routers.

It is very easy to change the clamps and convert the fixed base router into a plunge router. It will not take much time as the clamp system is very easy to detach. So, if you are looking for a versatile router, better opt for the one that combines the features of both.

Router bits

In addition, there are different types of bits that offer lots of choice for cutting the wood or hollowing the wood. You can use different bits as per your requirement. If you would like to know more about the bits and how each is different from one another, you can read the next article which is exclusively dedicated to the router bits.

Get a router bits set that has all the different bits that serve multiple purposes. It takes a only a few hours training to know how to use each bit perfectly.

Soft Start

Especially for a novice, it is advisable to have a router that has the exclusive feature called soft start. What is meant by soft start? It just means that the router starts softly and gains speed gradually. It does not jumpstart all of a sudden. This particular feature enables you to cut the wood precisely and you can easily avoid awkward cuts and wastage of wood. Moreover, you can reduce lots of torque.

Product reviews go a long way in helping the customer to come to a conclusion about a particular product or a service. It is not only important but also essential to go through several product reviews before you embark on buying one.

Constant Response Circuitry

This feature is very useful for the beginners in woodwork. You need not panic over the holes you are making are perfect or not. If you are using the routers for the first time and worried about the speed of the router, it is better opting for the router that has constant response circuitry. It keeps the router's speed at constant levels, thanks to the electronic system.

Rugged Design

Don't be worried about the appearance of the router. What you require is the tool that stands heavy duty. At times, you would be using the router for longer periods of time. So a router with rugged design is preferable to the other elegant looking routers. A tough tool that stands heavy work is the best one for the beginners. It does not develop any problem immediately even if you use it in a rough way.

See more at http://woodroutercenter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Muhammad_M_Javed/1446856
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9353295