Do Shari’a councils meet the needs of Muslim women?

In the last 30 years English law has seen a small but steady proliferation of shari’a councils though exact numbers are unknown. They have been set up to meet the religious needs of the British Muslim population focussing on providing a forum for the resolution of marital disputes. Shari’a councils offer mediation and reconciliation services as well as issuing religious divorce certificates. In the academic research to date it is apparent that the primary applicants to shari’a councils are Muslim women. In order to understand why one must investigate Islamic law which differentiates between the way in which men and women may divorce. Muslim men are free to pronounce a unilateral divorce without seeking the approval of any judicial body. Muslim women are arguably not granted any equivalent rights and must either secure their husband’s consent or apply to an authority to provide them with a religious determination. Shari’a councils have emerged to meet that need. My research demonstrates that whilst Muslim women are generally satisfied with the outcome of a shari’a council ruling they are critical of the processes. This becomes even more apparent to them when they compare their experiences of shari’a councils with the civil court system. Nonetheless, civil law alone is insufficient to meet the women’s needs and access to a religious authority remains a vital resource for many Muslim women. There is, however, a dynamic and evolving relationship emerging between Muslim family law practices and English law, which is still only at the embryonic stage

Preparation of serum capped silver nanoparticles for selective killing of microbial cells sparing host cells

Following access into the cell, colloidal silver nanoparticles exhibit generalized cytotoxic properties, thus appear as omnipotent microbicidal, but not suitable for systemic use unless are free of toxic effects on host cells. The AgNP-Serum-18 when prepared from silver nitrate, using dextrose as reducing and group-matched homologous serum as a stabilizing agent, selective endocytosis, and oxidative stress-dependent bio-functional damages to the host are mostly eliminated. For their bio-mimicking outer coat, there is the least possibility of internalization into host cells or liberation of excess oxidants in circulation following interaction with erythrocytes or vascular endothelial cells. The presence of infection-specific antibodies in the serum can make such nano-conjugates more selective. A potent antimicrobial action and a wide margin of safety for mammalian cells in comparison with very similar PVA-capped silver nanoparticles have been demonstrated by the in-vitro challenge of such nanoparticles on different microbes, human liver cell-line, and in-vivo study on mice model. This may open up wide-range therapeutic prospects of colloidal nanoparticles

خدیجہ مستور کے ناول ’’آنگن‘‘اور’’زمین‘‘ میں طبقاتی نظام کی عکاسی

The novel is based on reality and nature. The subject of the novel is man. Many writers have also highlighted the conflict between different class in their novels. In Khadija Mastoor’s famous novel “Angan” and “Zameen”, various aspects of the class system are seen to be interwoven. She has elevated her art by bringing out many hidden facts in her novels. Many writers have shown the reflection of reality from different aspects. “Aangan” and “Zameen” reflects the division of the subcontinent. many hidden facts of the caste system are seen in both the novels of the author

Effect of Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) Root Oil on the Histopathology of Rat Liver and Kidney

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) root oil, used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments, on the histopathology of the liver and kidney of Wistar albino rats. Methods: The oil was extracted from the plant root by dry destructive distillation method and administered orally at doses of 0.5 ml and 2.5 ml per rat. Each animal group was comprised of 30 rats. Treated and untreated group of rats were sacrificed and organs (liver and kidney) were taken out for tissue processing and staining with haematoxylin and eosin according to the method of Bancroft and Stevens. Microscopic examination was then carried out to observe any pathological changes in the animals. Results: The root oil produced atrophic changes and haemolysis in the glomerular region as well as shrinkage and shedding of glomerular epithelium in the kidney tissues. Marked dilation of the central vein and congested blood vessels in the rat liver at both doses tested was also seen. Conclusion: The root oil of C. deodara (Pinaceae), at the doses administered, produced some adverse effects on the tissues tested but these effects were not lethal. Some toxic changes in the tissues of liver and kidney were also found

Language Teachers’ Pedagogical Orientations in Integrating Technology in the Online Classroom: Its Effect on Students’ Motivation and Engagement

The present study assessed the language teachers' pedagogical beliefs and orientations in integrating technology in the online classroom and its effect on students' motivation and engagement. It utilized a cross-sectional correlational research survey. The study respondents were the randomly sampled 205 language teachers (μ= 437, n= 205) and 317 language students (μ= 1800, n= 317) of select higher educational institutions in the Philippines. The study results revealed that respondents hold positive pedagogical beliefs and orientations using technology-based teaching in their language classroom. Test of difference showed that female teachers manifested a firmer belief in student-centered online language teaching than their male counterparts. However, the utilization and attitude towards technology in the language classroom is favorably associated with the male teachers. As to students' level of language learning motivation and engagement, it was found out that male and female students have high level of language learning engagement. Further, the test of relationship showed that the higher the teachers' belief in utilizing student-centered teaching to integrate technology in the language classroom, the higher the students are motivated and engaged in learning. In like manner, it was also revealed that teacher-centered belief is negatively correlated to student’s motivation and engagement in online language learning. In this regard, the pedagogical assumptions that hold EFL teachers positively to integrate technology in the language classroom. This study generally offers implications for enhancing language teacher's digital literacy to promote motivating, fruitful, and engaging language lessons for 21ts century learning