Earthquake hits UK & Felt in Burngreave
The Earthquake that hit the local region on Wednesday 27th February with the epicenter over 50 miles away at Market Raisen, Lincolnshire was strongly felt in Barnsley and within Burngreave we all have stories of being woken up at around 1am. My wife woke up and screamed and I then realized that the bed was shaking and felt the last 5 seconds of the tremor.
Events Repeating Themselves
According to many commentators and scientists this was a most significant Earthquake to hit Britain since 1984. This immediately reminded of my writings: “The history making 1980s” or “My life has (once again) turned a full-circle or history repeating itself or is it legacy?” In a sense, this confirms the unclaimed hypothesis and all the skeptics will probably disagree with this. Anyway, I think that historical events, patterns and cycles tend to repeat themselves and Earthquakes are no exception to this phenomenon.
The Earthquake in the UK on 27th February 2008, has hit home the issue of climate change and global warming. Locally, we were in fact not that far away from the epicenter and people 120 miles in London felt it as well and this coupled with the “Great Sheffield Floods of 25th June, 2007” – directly affected Burngreave. People from all walks of life and from varying religious or spiritual perspectives are examining their own spirituality and their concept of God or the ‘supreme being’.
“Wrath Of God” versus Astronomical Science
Listening to the Friday Sermon by our Imam (Priest) at the (Jumma) Prayer at my local Mosque it was clear that this was a sign from God (Allah) and it was ‘God’s wrath’ on the increased ‘evil’ and lack of righteousness in the world. From a scientist’s point of view and many vulcanologists talk about the apparent friction of the many tectonic plates that hold together the many of the world’s continents. However, most of these are internal factors (forces) of the earth that earth’s crust and it molten core are linked to pressure and counter-pressure. Some volcanologists have examined the external factors (forces) that impact on our planet earth – the moon and the magnetic field and the gravitational pull has affected the earth’s ocean and the ebbs and flows of sea tides.
Earthquake predictions by Scientists using Moon's lunar cycle & Eclipses
James Berkland, famous Geologist from America researched the phenomena of the Moons lunar eclipse linkage with natural disasters like the 2004 Tsunami and the Pakistan/Kashmir Earthquake in 2005 (which he predicted). In a television documentary programme he revealed many fascinating facts on the “mysteries of the moon investigated”. He termed the New Moon as “Perigee” – which is the nearest point to earth and old Moon as “Apogee” farthest point during its elliptical orbit around our earth. The programme revealed that the moon’s existence and its gravitational pull also stabilised the axial tilt of the Earth. The planet we call home then won’t wobble wildly on its axis. Similarly, Volcanologists: Donna & Steve Omera (Volcano Watch International), research on volcanoes from 1996 and especially in Costa Rica, revealed that in 80% of cases with the new moon overhead and lunar eclipse meant an imminent earthquake as the tribal people & cultures had witnessed – regularly.
In fact, according to some scientists, that in a million years from now – the moon will lose its magnetic (gravitational pull of the earth) and that if the speed at which the earth revolves speeds up – then the days would be 8 hours and not 24 hours.
James Berkland's research and prediction of the San Francisco Earthquake in October 1989, and his ability to predict Earthquakes at those volatile tectonic plate areas, with such accuracy that he was suspended from his job at Santa Clara for causing mass panic and having radical and controversial ideas. This sounds very familiar! Did you know that on Thursday February 21st 2008, there was very (rare) Full Lunar eclipse witnessed in the Americas. Partial eclipses of the Moon are common occurrences. Most historical cultures including our prehistoric ancestors and folk-lore around the world – view the full lunar eclipse as ‘portent of evil’ or a bad omen.
Astrological & Spiritual Viewpoints
According to many Astrologists, Muslim spiritualists and as an interested individual, I can confirm that the view of the moon as a glowing ball in the night sky is too simplistic. As most of us, are aware that the moon affects us on earth, from human behavior to natural disasters. Some scientists have started to take the these views seriously and have investigated the mysterious of the moon and specifically the eclipse of the moon scientifically whereas Astrologists and spiritualists have suggested that the eclipse of the moon is major turning point with an eclipse (both solar and lunar) what occurs on the day is likely to appear insignificant. It is only when you look back at it then the significance becomes clearer. This is what I think happened after the full (rare) lunar eclipse on 21st February 2008 – six days prior to the UK Earthquake that occurred on 27th February 2008.
Even the most hard-core scientist will not be able to tell when exactly the new moon appears as it changes in different parts of the world – this is particularly important for us Muslims wanting to know when Ramadhan starts. As some Burngreave Messenger readers may remember that I wrote an article in 2001 on Ramadhan & Eid by explaining the differences between lunar and solar calendars.
Lunar calendar/cycles used by Muslims For Ramadhan
For Muslim in UK, the last time majority celebrated the start and end (Eid) of Ramadhan on the same day across the whole of Britain was back in the year 2002! Since then, the sighting of the new moon has been fraught with problems over whether the first sighting is accurate or not. The Qu'raan says: begin fasting when you see the new crescent moon – end fasting when you see it again’. The new moon only becomes visible when it is the correct distance from the sun to reflect enough light.
The Moon sighting debate has been subject of annual controversy and has in some cases divided family members of same household to start fasting and celebrate Eid. As I understand it, in scientific terms that the moon appears differently around the world. If, for example you are in Saudi Arabia and which is in the South east direction of the tropics and between 3-6 hours ahead of UK, then logically they will see the new crescent earlier than elsewhere. The very faint new moon is very difficult to spot in the UK and the northern hemisphere because of the weather conditions and light pollution in cities. This was confirmed to me, when I went on a visit to Kashmir between January to February 1997, I witnessed the faint new moon – clearly and everyone in Kashmir/Pakistan celebrated the end of Ramadhan and Eid the following morning. In Britain (UK) – it is usually rare to see the faint crescent of the moon and easier to spot it on the second day.
The question arises: does this matter? For many, no – they follow Mecca’s decision in Saudi Arabia. For many others it does. Muslim Doctor, Khalil Roberts, from the Islamic Astronomical Society, has pointed that some British Muslims have stopped following Saudi Arabia’s decision or other from the East. He (Dr. Khalil Roberts) asserts that:
“Islamic teachings encourage the use of technology to help establish Islamic dates; hence British Muslims feel it is important to reconcile the two views and not to feel pressured into following inaccurate decisions made in other parts of the world.
I was initially in disagreement with this argument of basing decisions on an accurate sighting of the moon. However, from a scientific and logistical point of view, I have to agree with this viewpoint and it may sound theological to some people, but it can have financial implications. Ramadhan, like Christmas for Christians, is a time of holiday. Like any major festival(s) across the world, it affects the economy.
Science & religion: Islam and Christianity
As a Muslim with an interest in science and the mention of scientific theory in the Qu'raan – this was revealed by God (Allah) – SWT to our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the Archangel: Gabriel over 1,400 years ago. In the Holy Qu’raan (with non-sectarian modern and simple translation) including precise transliteration & authentic explanations base – Kanzul Imaan by: Dr. A. Majeed A. Auolakh with Urdu translation of Imaam-e-ahl-e-suunnat Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Raza Khan – Brelvi-Qadri: At Part 27, Chapter 55: Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Affectionate) and the significance of verses 1 to 6:
“The Most Affectionate taught the Qu’raan. He created man and inculcated Him the speech. Sun (Shams) and Moon (Qamar) are on the best computed course and herbs and trees bow down to him.”
If you read these lines, you will automatically think science and say: ‘if the earth wasn’t at the exact angle it is in relation to the Sun, if for example (what modern day scientists say: upright like Mercury), there would probably be no seasons and there would be extreme variation in temperature. This would probably result in most of the earth being incapable of supporting life.
Christian writer: John Jewell quotes the Bible:
“…Because what may be known to God is manifest in them, for god has shown it to them. For since creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by things that are made…”
Unfortunately, the basic issue is that many otherwise highly intelligent people suffer from is that they go along with the unprovable theory of evolution. Many supporters of the evolution theory use it to explain their living environment within planet Earth without accepting God.
MATLOUB HUSAYN ALI KHAN
(Free-lance Journalist)
3rd March, 2008
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