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Took a short trip over to New Jersey for a quick visit. Didn’t have much time to shoot but here’s a few.

CHA-EO THAI, South Philly

Boy and His Shadow, Old City

Horse, Old City

View of Camden, Ben Franklin Bridge

Building, Camden

Enjoy.

You may want to take a look at the small segment on NPR’s Web site that talks about the formation of an all-women’s Muslim sorority. The chapter, Gamma Gamma Chi, will open up on several campuses including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rutgers in New Jersey. Here’s another supplemental article. Thoughts and comments welcome.

I’m gonna post my comments from this conversation below to push it to the fore front of the blog a little. Please read the 2nd post and the original one as well. And of course, we’d love to hear your take on it. Read more this entry »

I have to say, the post that I made about the Salafis back in July, 2005, has caused a tremendous response. Most of it has been in personal emails but if you take a look at the comments, you’ll get the gist of what most of it has been about. Stimulating couch potatoes since 1993, this is Marqas from the Manrilla news desk signing off.

I went to the Villanova mosque today with my new friend, Tomo. He’s also a student at Temple and is doing a photojournalism piece on Muslims in America. I helped him out a bit and also got to practice my tranlating skills [Arabic - Japanese, Japanese - Arabic! Don’t try that one at home, kids]. I took some pics on the way to and from.

Tile Detail, Subway Station

Snyder Stop, Subway Station

Tunnel, Villanova

Tree and Sky - Islamic Center, Villanova

Bricks and Window - Islamic Center, Villanova

Tunnel Entrance, Villanova

Drain Pipe, Villanova Train Station

Bricks and Steel Plate, Snyder & 15^th

Enjoy.

Rabiy’ Thaaniy is the 4^th month in the Islamic calendar. As you can see in the first shot, the new crescent was present. الله اكبر Titus and Maureen as well as Ian and Pam were just in town. Took some shots.

Building and New Crescent, 12^th & Market

Lobby of Loew’s Hotel, 12^th & Market

Titus - Aoi Japanese Restaurant, Center City

Gate, Center City

Doves at Philly’s Taj Mahal, City Hall

SEPTA Station, City Hall

Homeless Cot, City Hall

Stairs to Subway, City Hall

Trash Can, City Hall Subway Stop

City Hall, Subway Stop

Enjoy.

Philadelphia’s famous for its Italian Market. It’s the scene where Rocky began his run through the city. We took a trip down there for a quick bite and some fresh groceries. As always, my point & shoot is at my side.

Potatoes, Italian Market

Taxi, Italian Market

Street Vendor, Italian Market

Tomatoes, Italian Market

Garlic & Ginger, Italian Market

Waiting For Cheese, Italian Market

Melons & Pineapple, Italian Market

Oranges, Italian Market

Melons, Italian Market

Peppers, Italian Market

Meters, Italian Market

Caged Man - Men’s Restroom, Italian Market

Enjoy.

So I have this philosophy course this term. Great fun. Good teacher. The guy’s british by education and somewhat by background. He’s also a huge Monty Python fan. But, the other day he tossed out this funny little paradox that seemed to really impress many folks in the class. He proposed the following:

God cannot be both All-Knowing and All-Powerful
The parable he sets forth is this: imagine a box, which the contents are unknown and unknowable.
Could God created such a box? If so, how could He be All-Knowing?
If not, how could He be All-Powerful?

I’d be interested to get your feedback on this one. Really made me chuckle.