Qur`anic Recitations, For those of you who haven't heard... Options

[Sinewy]

This is something different.

Most of the people on this forum have little exposure to Qur`anic recitations. Some may have been exposed to the the call of prayer, Adhan, from a Mu`adhan (one who recites the call to prayer) in the tops of the minarets. This "call to prayer" is independent of the Qur`an, as it is not extracted from the Qur`an at all.

For those who haven't heard recitations of the Qur`an, this guy, Qari (`Arabic for one who recites the Qur`an) `Abdul Basit `Abdul Samad, was a world renowned recitor during his era. This recitation is supplemented with English translations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylMjH7Sx4kQ

[silkworm]

Devilsadvocate: Pretty honest and reasonable reply, thanks for not disrespecting the religions of Islam, thanks very much

[painter]

Devilsadvocate: Pretty honest and reasonable reply, thanks for not disrespecting the religions of Islam, thanks very much

Welcome to the forum, silkworm.

Religion is a complex and usually very personal matter. I seldom venture into the Religion forum. I try to respect all people and that includes respecting their religions (if any) but it isn't always easy.

What I have a difficult time with are more absolutist (and often "fundamentalist") ideologies that divide the world up into "our team" (which is always "right") and "everyone else" (who are, by not being on "our team," by definition, always "wrong").

I grew up in a "fundamentalist Christian" environment but rejected it long ago. To a limited extent, I've looked into all the great religious traditions. Strangely (perhaps) I find myself most drawn to Hinduism (specifically the non-dualism of Śaivism) and Buddhism. Still, I'm very aware that I'm a Westerner and can not understand these teachings, symbols and traditions the way someone born in the East might. As a result I've had to find my own path toward some connection with the Sacred. The Sufi's say, "God is closer to you than your jugular vein," and my own experience has shown me this is true -- however much I do not live in the state that really knows this Truth most of the time. For me it is a search, an awareness, an opening through which something unexpected may appear, that must be renewed over and over and over again.