Sunny Prospects in Egypt

According to The Egyptian Gazette Wed 24th of March, that Egypt is investing in Solar power. In the middle of the Egyptian dessert, over 100,000 mirrors are tracking the sun to capture its energy. Egypt's first solar plant is being built about 100 km outside of Cairo on the road to Beni Seouf. It's an EU funded project, with MED-EMIP and MEDREG, helping to integrate Euro-Mediterranean energy policies, primarily with a view to move towards sustainable energy.
With Solar power starting up and wind power fast developing, Egypt's well on the road to becoming less dependent on gas and oil and becoming increasingly competitive in the energy market.
With Egypt also observing Earth hour this saturday, (major cities will switch off their lights as well as electricity being switched off in historical sites and landmarks) I have high hopes for this country. I just hope the rest of the Arabic world who have not yet put climate change on their agenda to follow suit

Earth Hour 27th March 2010 8:30pm -9:30pm

A new way of looking at the Environment

Mokhtar Maghroui's spritual way of looking at the environment is different and enlightening. There are 7 parts, here's the first. Here's the link if the player I embeded doesn't work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTa1M7YcQ5I

Sanctifying Holy Places

Egypt seems to have a major litter problem. Two weeks ago we went on a tour to the Citadal of Saladin and to some churches in Old Cairo. Cairo is a mixed city with Muslims and Christians living together as well as a small number of Jews. We visited the Church of the Hanging Mary and Ben Ezra Synagogue. I was appaled to see so much litter outside the Synagogue and a couple of crisp packets flying around the church courtyard.
Cleanliness is a major part of Islam, as mentioned in the hadith 'cleanliness is half of faith' and the following ayah:

Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (2:222).

This extends to more than just your body, because if you keep your body clean than you should keep the area around you and wherever you go clean. You wouldn't after making wudu', go and pray in an area that was unclean.

As the Prophet (SAW) " The whole earth has been made a mosque for me". So everywhere you go must be kept clean. Just like we expect when Muslims and Non-muslims visit a Mosque that they respect us, take off their shoes upon entering the prayer area and not to litter, then we too should sanctify thier places of worship. We have a long way to go in areas of pollution and waste. At the very least, we should be teaching our children to respect the earth that we live on and to not litter.