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Showing posts from August, 2025

Refuge and education

  Subject: Article Submission on Refugee Education Hi Fauzia and Narjice, Thank you for publishing my previous article on inequality in education. I appreciate your support and would like to submit another piece focused specifically on the educational challenges faced by refugees. **Bridging the Gap: Education for Refugees** As the world grapples with the effects of conflict and displacement, education for refugees has emerged as a pressing need. Millions of children and youth are living in limbo, and their right to education is often compromised. Providing them with access to quality education is not just a moral obligation; it is essential for their future and for the stability of societies impacted by displacement. **The Crisis of Displacement** Refugees often flee their homes due to violence, persecution, and war. In many cases, they are forced to leave behind their education, friends, and familiar surroundings. When they arrive in host countries, they face numerous challenges:...

Lack of education

### Inequality Among Refugees in Gaza and Sudan The struggle for education is a critical yet often overlooked crisis among refugees. In conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan, millions of children are denied quality education due to violence, displacement, and poverty. Education is essential not only for individual empowerment but also for rebuilding societies ravaged by war. Systemic barriers prevent refugee children from accessing learning opportunities, risking an entire generation. ### Education as a Denied Human Right Despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declaring education a fundamental right, many refugees remain deprived of this opportunity. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), only 65% of refugee children globally attend primary school. This number drops significantly as children age: only 41% attend secondary school, and just 1–3% reach higher education. The disparities are particularly severe in Gaza and Sudan. ### Gaza: Education Under Siege Palestinians in ...

Educational Inequality Among Refugees in Gaza and Sudan

**Educational Inequality Among Refugees in Gaza and Sudan** Education serves as a cornerstone of development in any civilized society. Yet, millions of refugees globally experience systematic denial of access to quality education due to a myriad of political conflicts and human rights violations. This phenomenon underscores a complex web of educational inequality shaped by factors such as warfare, forced displacement, entrenched poverty, and deep-rooted discrimination. C. Wright Mills’ concept of the “sociological imagination” elucidates that refugee educational inequality in regions like Gaza and Sudan cannot be attributed to a singular cause, like financial limitations. Instead, it requires an analysis of how political turmoil, displacement, socio-economic hardship, gender-based disparities, and structural racism intersect to create these barriers. In Gaza, educational barriers manifest prominently through three interconnected sources. First, the protracted conflict over land between...

The Quran and Its Relevance in Modern Society

 The Qur’an and Its Relevance in Modern Society The Qur’an, revealed over 1,400 years ago, remains highly relevant today because it addresses values and issues that are timeless. Its teachings focus on morality, justice, equality, knowledge, and compassion—principles essential for building a fair and peaceful world. Modern society faces challenges like corruption, discrimination, conflict, and humanitarian crises. The Qur’an provides guidance to confront these problems through honesty, patience, kindness, and forgiveness. A key message of the Qur’an is human equality. It teaches that all people are equal in the sight of God, regardless of race, class, or social status: “The most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (49:13). This idea supports modern efforts against racism, discrimination, and social injustice. It also granted women rights in marriage, inheritance, and education long before many societies recognized them. Peace and compassion are central ...

The Quran and Palestine

**The Situation in Gaza: A Perspective on Challenges and Resilience** Gaza, a small coastal territory, has been at the center of conflict and humanitarian crises for decades. Its challenges are deeply rooted in political, social, and economic factors, making the situation complex and multifaceted. The people of Gaza face significant hardships, including limited access to essential services, high unemployment rates, and ongoing violence. The blockade of Gaza, imposed by Israel in 2007, has severely restricted the movement of people and goods. This has led to a deterioration of living conditions, with many residents lacking access to clean water, adequate healthcare, and electricity. As a result, the people of Gaza often endure a daily struggle to meet their basic needs. The impact of repeated conflicts has been devastating. During escalations of violence, homes are destroyed, lives are lost, and families are displaced. The psychological toll on the population, particularly children, is ...

It's important for us to be mindful of our actions and to avoid any behavior that might be considered disrespectful. We all want to create a positive environment for everyone.actions and to avoid any behavior that might be considered disrespectful. We all want to create a positive environment for everyone.

**Pornography: Psychological, Educational, and Critical Perspectives** Pornography transcends mere entertainment; it acts as a significant cultural force that profoundly influences societal understandings of sexuality, gender roles, and intimate connections. Its impact permeates various realms, including psychological development, youth education, and overarching social frameworks, making it an essential subject for sociological and feminist scrutiny. Moreover, as an element of mass media, pornography must be examined within the broader media landscape, which actively shapes social norms and personal identities. ### Psychological Impact From a psychological perspective, the consumption of pornography yields both individual and relational ramifications. Research indicates that persistent exposure to pornography can modify the brain's reward systems, producing compulsive behaviors akin to addiction (Kraus et al., 2016). This neurobiological alteration can lead to escalating consumpti...

The Negative Effects of Media and Television on Teenagers in Society. As implied by John Mil Stuart, “The only way in which human can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject is by hearing what is said by every person of every variety of opinion and by studying all the modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind.” No man ever acquired his wisdom in any way but this.” (David Haugen, pg 7). I believe this theory to be true. People have yielded to the influence of television and media as if their life depends on it. It is funny because as stated by Darry F Zanuck in 1949, “Television won’t be able to hold on to the market. “ People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box” (David Haugen, 88). What Darry F Zanuck said is the exact opposite of the role of television media in society today. Media and television both promote three negative things in teenagers drugs and alcohol use, sex and violence. As a result teenagers imitate what they see on television There is a saying “True beauty is only skin deep,” but if this saying were truly the case then why is it that an individual’s appearance is the first thing that people in our society judge when we first meet them? A person grows slowly. They need family, friends, teachers, and social groups to help gain a perspective or world view. An individual needs to learn about social norms, morals, good and bad behaviors, how to build good character, gain knowledge, a good education, and a large well connected social capital networks of friends. This will help an individual achieve their dreams and goals in life to be a successful productive, member of society who knows how to make a good decision that not only benefits himself or herself, but benefits all of society as well. This is due to the way we are socialized in society. As a result, from the time we learn to crawl, there are a set of guidelines, rules, and expectations, and images on how a person is supposed to look, act, and interact with other people. These factors are based on an individual’s gender, race, and social class, and can be detrimental to the success of women. The media in society today has portrayed the expectations of women with regard to body image and gender roles negatively especially through the interpretation of reality television shows. Media violence has been a problem of society for generations. Whether it is from movies, radio, or internet the reaction of young adolescents to media violence is the same. Media violence creates violence teens. In 1956, there was a study to compare twenty four children behavior watching television, twelve children watched a violence episode of “Woody the Woodpecker.” The other twelve children watched “The Little Red Hen.” The children who watched “Woody the Woodpecker” were more aggressive and began to hit each other and break toys. The other children remained passive playing with their toys.(mediaawarenessnetwork.com). This proves that children react very negatively to violent messages on television. After these children watched violent shows they interacted very aggressively with people and their surrounding environment. Children are imitating actions on television for many reasons. One factor is peer pressure the activities of teenagers are strongly influenced by their friends. Teens have the notion that if they do not participate in the activities, they will be labeled as outcasts of society by their peers. In addition, teens just want to have fun regardless of their morals even if they know the activities they are doing are wrong. Some teenagers do certain activities because they think they could get away with it. Sometimes when teenagers so things they should not they may feel invisible and this believe may lead some of them getting involved with illegal drugs and or other rebellious behavior. In Another study, one hundred children were divided into two groups to see the affect of real world violence versus the affects of cartoon violence on preschool children. The children were divided into four into groups; the first group watched a man shouting insults at a doll while hitting it with a mallet. The second group watched an incident on television. The third group watched a cartoon and the fourth group watched nothing. (www.mediaawarenessnetwork.com The children who were exposed to real violence and cartoon violence in these first three scenarios experienced conflicts with each other. They reacted very aggressively when faced with a problem in the real-world environment. This experiment proves that adolescents are very easily persuaded by media messages in society. The problem is that media messages emphasize the wrong ideals, such as racism, violence, sex, prejudice towards the elderly, and many more negative ideals. As a result, the messages are embedded in the minds of teenagers. The messages negatively influence the morals that have been taught to them by their parents, which may lead them to commit crimes. Research has proven that video games cause aggressive behavior and health problems such as high blood pressure, and increased heart rate. These are some of the short-term effects of media violence on children. In addition, Scientists have found that the long-term effects of violent television on adults can cause more psychological illness than in children. In addition, media violence has a direct coloration with juvenile arrests and the drug use of teenagers. Statics are very astounding according to the Department of Justice in 1997 2.8 million teens were arrested under the age of eighteen. Out of the 2.8 million 2,500 were arrested for murder in addition, 121 thousand teen were arrested for violent crimes such as drug possession especially the use of marijuana. The FBI accounted for nineteen percent of all juvenile arrests, and fourteen percent of all murder arrests. Even ought the number of teenage arrested had slightly decreased from 1996 ¬-1997. In 1997 the number of juvenile arrests for violent crimes was forty nine percent above the number of juvenile arrests in 1988. The most surprising fact is that nine to fifteen percent of teen boys carry a weapon to school including a knife, gun, and a razor. According to the Department of Justice the juvenile arrests will double in 2010. (David Haugen, pg 18-19). Bullying is another result of media violence. Did you know that two out of five kids get bullied every day? There was even a Supreme Court case that questionably blamed the impact of video game violence to be the cause that led a group of boys to supposedly harass and beat a boy until he eventually died. It turns out that the boy hung himself. This shows how misleading video games and media are on the youth of society. Media and television can be a bad influence on adolescents because it robs youth of their innocence. The programs that children and teens watch express inappropriate messages such as sex and teen pregnancies. The media is responsible for a serious problem with adolescent girls. Young girls are very vulnerable to media messages about being attractive and the having a perfect body. Some young girls have unrealistic expectations of having bodies similar to that of a Super Model. Many teenage girls worry about whether they can keep up with the fashion style of their peers. Research has shown that fifteen percent of young women have some eating disorder pattern (http// www Essay forum .com). Teenage pregnancy has become very common in this generation. Teenagers are becoming more sexually active at a younger age due to all the sexually explicit media that surrounds them in their daily life. These images are seen and heard on television, magazines, song lyrics, and the computer. Girls are subjected to sexually activity because they think it will keep them popular with their friends. Teenage pregnancy is taught to be safe because of contraceptives such as birth control bills. Did you know in t United States Teen pregnancy is double that of any other industrialized nation. There was a survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics the team interviewed 1,461 teenage girls between the ages of twelve to seventeen by speaking to them on the phone three times between the years of 2001 to 2004 http://www.time.com/time). These interviews confirm recent studies representing correlation between sexual context on television and teenage pregnancy. Teens that are exposed to high levels of television sexual content ninety percent of the population in America were twice as likely to experience a pregnancy in the subsequent three years. Teenage girls who watch less sexual content on television have no pregnancy before the age of twenty those teenage girls are only 10th percent of the population. Despite this fact it is very unrealistic that media will ever limit the amount of sexual content on television because the only thing famous producer care about is making money. As a result, The Academy of Pediatrics created a media awareness campaign to inform people about the dangers of media on adolescents. Teenage pregnancy has declined dramatically since 1991. However, this rate remains the highest among other industrialized nations. Research has showed that in the United States in the year 2002 out of one thousand pregnancies seventy six of them were teen pregnancies among the age group of fifth teen- nineteen -year-old individuals. Nearly one million young women fifth teen to nineteen years of age, in addition twenty percent of all sexually active women in this age group, become pregnant each year; the majority of these pregnancies are unplanned. (www.pediatrics.aappublications.org). The effects of a teen pregnancy (or pregnancy before age 20) on young mothers fathers, their children, and society as a whole can be profound. Young mothers are more likely than others to drop out of school, to require public assistance, and they are forced live in poverty because teens are inexperienced and cannot support themselves. In fact, teen mothers have earnings that average less than one half of the poverty level. In addition, teen mothers are less likely to have effective parenting skills or adequate social support as average adult parent’s .Teen fathers face similar challenges. For example, teen fathers complete an average of one year less of an education than other boys, who delay fatherhood until they are adults. Teen fathers often enter the labor market sooner than their friends because of their fatherhood and ultimately earn less in their twenties than their peers. Compared with children of older mothers, children born to adolescent mothers are at higher risk of low birth weight, limited fine motor skills, and low math and reading abilities. The children of ` teen mothers are also more likely to drop out of high school themselves. In order to avoid the corruption of adolescents’ parent should have a strong influence on what their children watch on television. Here are some suggestions on how to do so. One way parents can limit television is blocking certain channels, their children watch if the shows are violent or are age inappropriate for children. Children believe that the way actors are perceived to die in movies is the way they die in real life. Parents should talk to their children about the truth behind the death, and explain why they had to block the channels. To avoid peer pressure and embarrassment of your children, parents should try to talk to parents of their children’s friends into the same thing. Parents should try to persuade their children to watch educational programs with them, instead of the violent programs that children love to watch. Finally, the most important thing can do to prevent television and media from promoting three negative things in teenager’s drugs and alcohol, violent, and sex. Children must stop imitating the actions they see on television just because some celebrities encourage products or activities does not mean they are good for body or morally correct. Celebrities just focus on created an image that teenagers hope to obtain by the products. Meanwhile, the only thing celebrities have to do is read “fancy scripts and make millions of dollarsssssss. Many of today’s most popular role models are a bad influence on teenagers such as lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Lindsey Logan Justin Beater, and many more. A nice healthy alternative to watching television and avoiding too much media influence is parents persuading their children to get outside and excising by playing with their friends at the park staying active and healthy life. Instead of being a lazy couch potato watching television or on sitting there on computer on Face book to friends because teenagers are too lazy to hangout for their friends for real. The image above shows how much of a negative influence media has become on the adolescents of society.

**The Negative Effects of Media and Television onl in Society** As John Stuart Mill suggests, “The only way in which humans can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject is by hearing what is said by every person of every variety of opinion and by studying all the modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind.” No one acquires wisdom in any other way (David Haugen, p. 7). I believe this theory holds true. People have become heavily influenced by television and media, as if their lives depend on it. It is ironic that, as stated by Darry F. Zanuck in 1949, “Television won’t be able to hold on to the market. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box” (David Haugen, p. 88). What Zanuck predicted is now the opposite of the role television plays in society today. Media and television promote three negative influences on teenagers: drug and alcohol use, sexual behavior, and violence. Consequently, teenagers often imitate what they see on television. The...

Autocrat’s Mind: A Psychological Study of the Pharaoh Complex in Life/Philosophy by V A Mohamad Ashrof 06/06/2024

**My Opinion** I found Ashrof’s article both thought-provoking and accessible. I appreciate how he connects the Qur’anic story of Pharaoh to modern psychological concepts such as narcissism, authoritarianism, and social dominance orientation. This approach makes the lessons of scripture feel relevant to contemporary politics, especially in an age when authoritarian leaders often use fear, scapegoating, and propaganda to control people. At the same time, I believe the article sometimes stretches psychological theories too far. Pharaoh is a religious and historical figure, not a clinical case, so applying terms like “narcissistic personality disorder” or the “Dunning-Kruger effect” feels more symbolic than scientific. The piece's strength lies less in psychology and more in its moral warning about unchecked power. Overall, I agree with Ashrof’s main point: the “Pharaoh complex” is not just about one ruler from the past, but about a recurring pattern in human societies. His essay serv...

Inner Beauty, True Happiness, and the Freedom to Be Yourself"

 My friend reminded me that true love and happiness come from inner beauty—it is skin deep, beneath the surface, in your heart ❤️. A person’s appearance is never enough to judge them. I am asking society to stop playing games and overusing social media. People are in control of their own happiness, and I know I don’t need anything else. I will find someone who loves me for who I am. I am happy, I have a wonderful life, and I love writing. I don’t need to compare myself to others through social media. No one should have to compare their happiness to others because it prevents true satisfaction with their own lives. Social media creates unrealistic expectations of success and happiness. Many people, especially children, have become addicted to technology, struggling to focus on learning basic skills because of constant screen use. We must remember that most people live in circumstances far more difficult than ours—such as those in Palestine, Syria, and other places where people are h...

Free Palestine stop the genocide

l: Stop the Genocide in Palestine The world must wake up to the genocide happening in Palestine. Israel is not the victim in this conflict—the Palestinian people are suffering daily under occupation, oppression, and relentless attacks. Yet, mainstream media often distorts the truth, portraying Palestinians as terrorists while framing Israel as the oppressed. This reflects a broader problem: the media’s reluctance to show the suffering of non-white populations and its role in reinforcing racist stereotypes. The media rarely gives full coverage to marginalized communities, including Native Americans, Chinese, Italian immigrants, African Americans, people with disabilities, and women—especially Muslim women. Their stories, struggles, and resilience are often ignored, manipulated, or dehumanized. This systemic bias allows injustices, like the ongoing massacre in Palestine, to continue without proper global attention or accountability. Palestinians are fighting for their lives, their homes,...

Stop the genocide in Gaza

Humanitarian toll: Gaza’s health ministry reports ~61,000+ Palestinians killed since Oct 7, 2023, with acute malnutrition and famine-level indicators documented b: Title: The Palestinian Crisis: A Case for Genocide Recognition Introduction: The ongoing conflict in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, has resulted in catastrophic human suffering. While terms like “war” and “occupation” have been widely used, many scholars, human rights organizations, and legal experts argue that the actions against Palestinians meet the international definition of genocide. Understanding this requires examining historical patterns of oppression, current humanitarian crises, and international legal frameworks. Historical Context: The roots of the Palestinian struggle date back over a century, but the most recent escalation began in the 20th century with displacement during the creation of Israel in 1948. Subsequent wars, occupation policies, blockades, and settlements have contributed to systemic marginaliza...

Syrian Refugees and the Rest of the World

 The Shining Star Syrian Refugees and the Rest of the World By Sarah Elgohary —August 15 The Syrian refugee crisis remains one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Yet, it is often ignored until a celebrity makes a statement or the media briefly shines a spotlight. In the West, political rhetoric—especially among some U.S. leaders—has replaced compassion with fear. Many politicians, particularly Republicans, have used Islamophobia to justify biased policies, painting all Muslims as radical extremists and pushing to block Syrian refugees altogether. This dangerous stereotype ignores the reality that most Syrian refugees are innocent people fleeing war, not perpetrators of violence. Even leaders who present themselves as more supportive often fall short. For example, Hillary Clinton proposed increasing the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the U.S. by 55%, yet offered no concrete plan to support those already here. In both cases, political motives—whether fear or...

My voice is reaching the world

My experience with cerebral palsy has taught me that the best advocate for an individual is often the individual. While parents, friends, and support systems can advocate with the best intentions, the most powerful way to demonstrate your feelings on an issue is to speak up for yourself. This realization has fueled my passion for teaching self-advocacy skills to others, ensuring that they can express themselves confidently. As a counselor, I aim to empower my clients to stand up for their beliefs and fight for justice. The individual voice is a powerful tool. Regardless of the resources available to them, everyone possesses a voice, and it is their most valuable resource because no one can take it away. In my role as a social worker, I will encourage my clients to harness and utilize their voices effectively. At Hunter's Silberman School of Social Work, I aspire to become a counselor and make a difference in the world. By using my own experiences with cerebral palsy, I hope to help...

Refuge in Gaza

  Subject: Urgent Situation of Refugees in Gaza I hope this message finds you well. I would like to express my enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with you once again. Inspired by recent news coverage, I have composed a piece that I believe is powerful  The situation in Gaza is dire, as thousands of refugees confront daily challenges in their struggle for survival under a relentless blockade and ongoing conflict. Many families are experiencing severe food shortages, leading them to the brink of starvation, with numerous children going to bed hungry and increasing rates of malnutrition. Educational institutions are either destroyed or operating under extreme scarcity, preventing countless young individuals from accessing a safe and stable education. This crisis creates a dual loss for these children, depriving them not only of the essential nourishment required for healthy development but also of the knowledge and opportunities necessary to forge a promising future. A...

We have to help Gaza and all refugee

  Subject: Introduction and Writing Submission Dear Icna Team, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sarah Elgohary, and I am a recent member of the Icna Sister organization. I am acquainted with Ms. Resema Ail and am reaching out to express my enthusiasm for publishing my writing with ICCNA.  As a dedicated writer, my work primarily focuses on refugee issues, drawing from my lived experience with cerebral palsy. This unique perspective fuels my passion for advocacy, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on behalf of others. I am particularly interested in contributing to Noor magazine with my writings on the refugee experience. I would like to share a piece of my work for your consideration: **Marxist Analysis: Education and the Refugee Crisis** To understand the roots of educational inequality, it is essential to examine the structural forces that shape global access to education. According to Karl Marx, society is divided by class struggle, wherein the ruling cla...