Destination Management - Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Destination Management - Japan - Essay Example Also, international tourism receipts reached a record of US$1.030 trillion, up from US$928 billion in 2010. Tourism growth worldwide will be at a more moderate rate of 3.3% per year as compared to the average of 4.2% witnessed over the last six decades. The presence of emerging economies will add an average of 30 million arrivals per year, compared to 14 million from advanced economies. As a result, there will be a shift in the global market share by 2030. Japan Tourism is relatively a new attraction in Japan. In 2003, the first initiative was established to attract 10 million international visitors to Japan by 2010. This was later updated in 2007 to grasp a better understanding of foreign visitors and to increase satisfaction with the hope of creating repeat visits. As the country continued with efforts to make the shift from being a â€Å"Trade Nation† to â€Å"Tourism Nation,† the central government enacted its first tourism policy, making tourism a priority. As a re sult, the Japan Tourism Agency was created in order to promote the country abroad. The Japanese economy is facing many challenges, most notably a lower birth rate and aging population. Tourism brought US$608 billion (4.9% of GDP), while creating employment for 4.06 million people, and 6.3% of total employment during 2009. Okinawa Tourism has traditionally flourished in Okinawa. Regarded as the â€Å"Hawaii of Japan†, it has been a popular destination for domestic visitors, accounting for 95% of total domestic arrivals. The contribution of tourism to GDP in 2009 was 4.6%, which is quite significant when compared to other â€Å"big destinations† in the world (USA - 3.4%, Australia - 4.3%, France - 3.7%, and Japan - 3.4%. Okinawa is uniquely situated within a 1,500 kilometer radius from most major cities in Southeast Asia; however, the percentage of international tourist arrivals from this area is low. The advantages compared to other beach destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Cebu are accessibility, safety, and cleanliness. For the last few years, the share of the international markets, especially from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Korea, grew steadily with a visa relaxation scheme and additional flights. In order to develop an untapped market, analysis and research on a destination competitive environment is evaluated. Destination Management Tourism is no longer about changing cultures and history; the industry has evolved into a brand. The results of the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index and Country Brand Index are used to evaluate countries’ progress over time in each category. This is necessary to improve a country’s competitiveness, growth, and prosperity. Although Japan has a strong country brand, it scored poorly in its affinity of the country and must strengthen the country’s creative and innovative industries. Okinawa can benefit from Japan’s strong country brand to develop its competitive identity. The second part of the section studies the structure and role of the government in tourism development. The transparency of tourism organizations in Okinawa is questionable. For an industry that is economically significant, tourism is weak politically. The government needs to be inclusive and engage participative decision makers and influencers in destination management. In the event of a crisis, it is the government’s role to provide ample opportunities for the media to gain access full and accurate information in

Coaching ethical behavior Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Coaching ethical behavior - Assignment Example A leader in any organization is regarded as the face of the organization and how the organization members conduct themselves affect the image of the organization (Passmore, 2010). Leaders can coach their members on how to enhance their ethical behavior. Coaching is defined as a process that facilitate maximization one’s potential. The following are ways in which can coach ethical behavior: ï‚ ·Setting guidelines and refreshing team members-As a leader, the team member should know what is expected of them. Even if they know, how they are supposed to conduct themselves, a refresher on ethical conduct is essential. ï‚ ·Through motivation- The leader can encourage the team members that they can enhance their ethical behavior regardless of the situation they are facing at any particular moment. Emphasis on teamwork motivates each one of them. ï‚ ·Monitoring and evaluation- Just like a coach of a given sport he observes the performance of the team member. The leader should monitor how the team members conduct themselves and evaluate on the progress. A deviation will be recognized, and corrective measures be implemented before it goes overboard (Passmore, 2010). ï‚ ·Exploring interactive moment- A leader should allow the team members to discuss among themselves and identify possible problems and solutions with regards to moral behavior. This is in line with the diversity among the universe population and has to be appreciated. ï‚ ·

Effectiveness of Primary Realignment on Stricture Urethra

Effectiveness of Primary Realignment on Stricture Urethra THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIMARY REALIGNMENT IN TRAUMATIC POSTERIOR URETHRAL DISTRACTION INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH FRACTURE PELVIS. ABSTRACT Aim: To study the effectiveness of primary realignment on the incidence of stricture urethra and its impact on the incidence of complications. Methods : From 2005 to 2008, a total of 27 patients of posterior Urethral distraction injuries were studied, out of which 15 patients were treated with the aim of reestablishing Urethral continuity immediately or early after injury and 12 patients were treated with SPC alone followed by definitive management after 6 months. Follow up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. Of the 15 patients who were treated with the Urethral Catheteric alignment, 6 patients underwent open procedure as there was an indication for emergency Laparotomy. Rest 9 patients were treated with endoscopic alignment with in 1 2 weeks. Out of 9 Patients, Endoscopic alignment was successful in 8 patients. Rest 12 patientswere managed with SPC alone as these patients were not stable for primary alignment due to associate Orthopaedic, Head or Chest injuries. All these 12 patients required a major Urethroplasty later. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients managed with primary realignment, 7 patients developed stricture at the site of injury of which 3 patients required major Urethroplasty and 4 patients could be managed by endoscopic procedures. All 12 patients in SPC group required a major Urethroplasty later. The incidence of Incontinence and impotence were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: We conclude that careful Urethral Catheteric realignment after acute trauma is safe and useful as it obviates total Urethral closure in majority of cases. KEY WORDS: Traumatic rupture urethra , primary realignment, Urethroplasty , endoscopic realignment, Pelvic Fracture, Suprapubic Catheterization, Retrograde Urethrogram. Introduction Pelvic fracture with posterior Urethra rupture is associated with morbidity such as Urethral Stricture, Erectile dysfunction and incontinence 1. There is still controversy on the immediate management of these injuries. Some Urologists advice initial placement of Suprapubic Cystostomy followed by delayed Urethroplasty 3 to 6 months later 2, while others suggest immediate realignment. The patients managed with Suprapubic Cystostomy results in Stricture formation in 95% of cases requiring a delayed Urethroplasty 3. Thus it carries the morbidity of being on SPC for 3 to 6 months followed by the morbidity of undergoing a major Surgery and its attendant complications. Some Urologists suggest that early Urethral realignment as initial treatment for posterior Urethral disruption associated with Pelvic fracture with or without Surgical repair may adversely influence out come. Where as others attribute the morbidity of Pelvic fracture Urethral avulsion to trauma magnitude rather than to management of the acute disruption of the membranes Urethra 4. The current definition of Primary realignment refers to immediate stenting of Urethral distraction with a Catheter without Pelvic dissection or sutures5. More recently realignment has been performed endoscopically, under fluoroscopic guidance or by using magnetic urethral catheters 6, 7, 8. Primary realignment with above techniques obviates the need for long term Suprapubic drainage, and reapproximates the proximal and distal ends of Urethra before significant malalignment develops and incidence of Stricture formation is found to be much less compared to the patients managed by SPC alone. Virtually 100% of patients managed with SPC alone result in complete obliteration requiring a major Urethroplasty later, while only 50% of patients with primary alignment go on to development strictures most of which can be managed with endoscopic procedures like visual internal urethrotomy or visual dilatations . Materials and Methods We treated 27 men with posterior Urethral injuries from August 2005 to August 2008. Of the men, 12 were managed with Supra pubic Catheter and delayed Urethroplasty and 15 were treated with the aim of establishing Urethral Continuity either immediately or with in two weeks after trauma. Mean patient’s age was 34 years (16-58). 24 patients were involved in motor vehicle accidents and 3 had fall from height. Diagnosis is established by clinical examination and retrograde Urethrogram in all patients. 12 out of 27 men had associated severe injuries like fracture lower limbs, fracture Spine and Chest and head injuries. All of the above patients were managed by SPC alone followed by a delayed Urethroplasty. Of the remaining 15 patients, 3 patients had Bladder injuries and 3 patients had intra peritoneal Bleeding (1 case of Splenic trauma and 1 case of liver trauma and 1 mesenteric tear) For the above patients emergency Laparotomy was done and Urethral trauma dealt by early Urethral Catheteric realignment and open Suprapubic Cystostomy. In this open procedure a 6-8 Fr. infant feeding tube was gently passed perurethrally and retrieved through retropubic space. Another infant feeding tube passed antegradely through the Bladder neck and retrieved through retropubic space without much disturbing the hematoma in retropubic space. Both are tied together and brought out through the Urethra. A 16 Fr. Foleys Catheter tied to the end of the Infant feeding tube outside the Urethra and gently negotiated into the Bladder. The above procedure did not involve any retropubic dissection, the Pelvic hematoma not disturbed, Pubo prostatic ligaments are not divided and vest sutures or traction not applied. The above procedure was successful in 4 out of 6 cases. In other two cases the Per urethral feeding tube directly entered the bladder and Foleys Catheter negotiated into the bladder. In all cases 16 Fr. Foleys Catheter kept as SPC. In rest of the 9 patients emergency laparotomy was not required; these patients are initially dealt by SPC. Once the patient is stable, patient is taken up for Endoscopic alignment within 7 to 14 days. In our procedure of Endoscopic alignment patient was kept in modified lithotomy position under general anaesthesia and Urethroscopy done with 10 Fr. rigid pediatric scope. Once the injured area is located, guide wire or 4Fr. Ureteric Catheter is gently passed across the injured area. If any resistance is encountered a second guide wire is passed by the side of it. The entry of the guide wire or Ureteric catheter into the Bladder through the Bladder neck is confirmed by antegrade scopy through the SPC tract. Then a 16Fr. Foley’s catheter is then negotiated over a guide wire into the Bladder and confirmed by antegrade Scopy through the Supra pubic tract and the Bulb inflated with 15cc of water. The procedure was successful in 7 out of 9 patients. In one patient where the above pro cedure failed the guide wire was passed antegradely by antergrade Cystoscopy through SPC tract and could be retrieved through retrograde scopy by grasping the guide wire with an alligator. In one patient the guide wire or ureteric catheter could not be negotiated across the injured area either antegradely or retrogradely and hence the patient was left with SPC alone and was managed with Urethroplasty later. Thus the procedure was successful in 8 out of 9 cases. All the patients with catheter realignment are followed up with pericatheter studies after 4 weeks. If there was no extravasation, perurethral catheter removed, SPC blocked and patient is allowed to void. If the patient had extravasation, perurethral catheter is maintained for another 2-4 weeks and if extravasation subsided perurethral catheter is removed. Then the patient is kept on Clean Intermittent Catheterization. RGU repeated after another two months and SPC removed if there is no stricture. Patient is kept on regular follow up every three months for 2 years. Results Table I Methods of management and results. The results of the 27 patients managed differently are shown in table I. In 13 out of 15 patients in Catheteric alignment group, the RGU shows complete rupture of Urethra and in 10 out of 15 patients the Ureteric Catheter or guide wire could be passed across the injured area easily indicating they are partial injuries. The Urethral Catheters were kept for a mean of 6.5 weeks (Range 4 to 9 weeks). Table I also shows the relationship between the method of early management and the development of Urethral Stricture. Of the 15 patients treated with Catheterization 7 (46%) patients developed Urethral Stricture out of which 3 (20%) patients had to undergo a major Urethroplasty and 4(26.6%) patients could be managed with Visual Internal Urethrotomy and visual dilatation. No patients of this group required Pubectomy or abdomino – perineal approach. 11 (91.6%) out of 12 patients managed with SPC alone developed complete obliteration out of which 10 (83%) patients required a major Urethroplasty later. One patient could be managed with core through VIU. 2 out of the 11 patients required transpubic approach for associated fistulous tracts to the perineum and 2 patients required abdomino perineal approach as these patients had a cavity requiring omental packing. Rest 7 patients could be managed with progressive Perineal Urethroplasty. 4 out of 12 patients in SPC group were permanently Impotent after injury and 1 patient has become impotent after Uretrhoplasty (transpubic approach) i.e., totally 5 (41.5%) patients have become permanently impotent in SPC group. In Urethral alignment group, 11 out of 15 patients have regained their potency within 1yr i.e., 4 (26.6%) out of 15 patients were permanently impotent. No patient was incontinent in both the groups. Discussion The management of posterior Urethral injuries associated with fracture Pelvis is still controversial. The main controversy is between Suprapubic drainage with delayed repair 2, 9 and immediate open realignment or Endoscopic alignment. The diagnosis of a Urethral rupture as complete or partial has been made on the basis of acute retrograde Urethrogram 3. Herschorn etal. have questioned the accuracy of RGU after trauma in distinguishing complete partial injuries9 . A Complete rupture is diagnosed when there is contrast extravasation and by the absence of contrast medium in the Prostatic Urethra or Bladder. In acute trauma the external Sphincter and Pelvic floor spasm may prevent the entry of contrast medium into the prostatic Urethra or Bladder and hence most of the traumatic posterior Urethral injuries are diagnosed as complete ruptures based on RGUs. Thus in the SPC and delayed repair group 11 out of 12 patients were diagnosed as complete ruptures based on acute RGU, where as in primary realignment group all but one patient were diagnosed as complete rupture on acute RGU and in 10 out of 15 patients the mere passage of a Ureteric Catheter, Guide wire or infant feeding tube retrogradely or antegradely across the rupture site could successfully establish the continuity which indicates all these patients had partial injuries. Other realignment series also show the high incidence of partial ruptures as the diagnosis was made not just on the basis of RGU but additional diagnostic procedures are used such as Catheterization, cystoscopy and operative procedures . The above findings show that most of the cases of complete ruptures on RGU are in fact partial ruptures and if they are left alone by doing SPC, will go for complete obliteration requiring a major procedure later and hence if the patients general condition permits it is better to give an attempt of Catheteric realignment to prevent the partial injuries going for complete obliteration. Miguel. L. Pedesta etal12 have compared primary alignment with delayed Urethroplasty and found urethral alignment not beneficial in avoiding urethral obliteration. In 1972, Morehouse and colleagues 2 reported high impotence and incontinence rates in patients treated with primary realignment. Sender Herschorn etal9 have compared delayed Urethroplasty and primary realignment in the treatment of posterior Urethral rupture and noted a significant advantage with early catheterization. Ellrott and Barrett 5 analysed the long term results of treatment of posterior Urethral rupture with primary realignment in 57 men and showed that primary realignment resulted in low incidence of erectile dysfunction (21%) incontinence (3.7%) and stricture (34%) with no requirement for intervention . Mehdi Salehipour and colleagues 10 reported no incontinence with primary realignment, 76% having no Urethral Stricture on follow up with 24% developing Stricture requiring only dilation and VIU. 84% of patients reported a normal erection, while 16% responded to Sildinafil. The present series shows a Stricture rate of 91.6% for SPC group and 46.6% (7/15 patients) in realignment group. 10 (83%) out 12 patients with Strictures in SPC group required a major Urethroplasty later where as only (20%) 3 patients in realignment group required a major Urethroplasty. Other Stricture in realignment group were easily managed with visual internal Urethrotomy and Visual Dilatation. The incidence of impotence was similar in both the groups and there was no case of Incontinence in primary realignment group. While Suprapubic drainage with delayed repair has been the procedure of choice for long time, several disadvantages of the therapy have been recognized. Stricture developed in nearly all cases managed with delayed repair and these Strictures are dense with considerable length between disrupted ends 7. All patients required at least 1 major operative procedure to remove the Stricture, necessitating urological expertise usually at a tertiary care centre. Even after Urethroplasty Stricture may develop in 20 to 30% of the patients who needs further Surgery. Recent advances in Endourological techniques have led primary realignment methods that are easy to perform and require minimal manipulations 7. These techniques realign the Urethra without disturbing the Pelvic hematoma and produce shorter, more anatomically aligned strictures. The resultant Strictures are short and easily opened with Urethral dilatation or visual internal Urethrotomy 8. After realignment Stricture develops in 45 to 6 0% of patients 7, 9 although the majority requires only 1 endoscopic repair and most Strictures stabilize with in a year. When the results of delayed Urethroplasty are compared to those of primary realignment using recently developed endourological techniques, the complication rates are comparable. Hussman et al reported no significant difference in the rates of impotence and incontinence in patients treated with Endoscopic alignment versus those who underwent delayed Urethroplasty 4. Follis et al noted 80% potency rate in patients treated with primary realignment versus 50% in those treated with delayed Urethroplasty 7. There were no incontinent patients in the primary realignment group versus a 7% incidence in the delayed Urethroplasty group. Webster et al stated that the rates of impotence associated with primary open realignment in the past were probably a result of the severity of Pelvic disruption and not a consequence of the procedure 9. Conclusion We believe that most of the traumatic ruptures of urethra associated with fracture pelvis are in fact partial injuries even though they are diagnosed as complete ruptures on acute RGU and hence an attempt of catheteric realignment either by open procedure or by endoscopic procedure with in 2 weeks of injury will help in diagnosing most of these partial injuries. All these successfully stented partial injuries can be prevented from developing complete obliteration requiring a major Urethroplasty later. For patients with complete ruptures the primary realignment helps in stenting the urethra preventing the development of longer, malaligned complicated strictures .For these patients if Urethroplasty is required at a later date , it becomes a much simpler procedure . The incidence of impotence and incontinence are not affected by the method of acute management. References: 1. Mc Annich JW, Santucci RA Genito Urinary trauma, In: Walsch PC, Retik. AB, Vaughen ED Jr. et al.editors. Campbell’s Urology.8th ed. Philadelphia:WB Saunders:2002 P:3707-44 2. Morehouse, D.D., Belitsky, P. and Mackinnon, K; rupture of the posterior Urethra J.Urol.,107;255,1972. 3. Koraitim.MM. Pelvic fracture urethral injuries: the unresolved controversy. J.Urol, 1999:161:1433:41 4. Husmann, D.A.Wilson, T.D.Boore.T.B and Allen, T.D: Prostatomembranous urethral disruptions:management by Suprapubic cystostomy and delayed Urethroplasty, J.Urol.,144:76,1990 5. Elliot DS, Barrett DM. Long term follow up and evaluation of primary realignment of posterior urethral disruption. J.Urol.1997;153:814-6 6. Cohen,J.K., Berg.G.,Carl,G.h.andDiamond,D.D:primary endoscopic realignment following posterior urethral disruption.J.Urol.,146:1548,1991 7. Follis,H.W.,Kock, M.D. and Mc. Dougal, W.S: Immediate management of prostatomembranous urethral disruption. J.Urol.,147;1259,1992 8. James R.Porter, Thomas K.Takayama and Alfred J. Defalco,. Traumatic posterior urethral injury and early realignment using magnetic urethral catheters. J.Urol;158:425,1997 9. Herschorn, S., Thijissen, A. and Radowski, S.B: The value of immediate or early catheterization of the traumatized posterior urethra J.Urol.,148:1428,1992 10. Vladimir B.Moura viev,Michael Coburn and Ricard A. Santucci: The treatment of posterior urethral disruption associated with pelvic fracture.comparative experience of early realignment versus delayed Urethroplasty. J.Urol.,173:876,2005 11. Mehdi Salehipour, Abdolaziz Khezri, Rashid Askar, Parham Masoudi: Primary realignment of posterior urethral rupture.Urology.2005:2:211-215 12. Miguel.L.Pedesta, Ricardo Medel., Roberto Castera and Adolfo Ruarte: Immediate management of posterior urethral disruption due to pelvic fracture. Therapeutic alternatives. J.Urol.157:1444,1997

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Summary :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

CH. 1 Scout, the narrator, remembers the summer that her brother Jem broke his arm, and she looks back over the years to recall the incidents that led to that climactic event. Scout provides a brief introduction to the town of Maycomb, Alabama and its inhabitants, including her widowed father Atticus Finch, attorney and state legislator; Calpurnia, their â€Å"Negro† cook and housekeeper; and various neighbors. The story starts with the first summer that Scout and Jem meet Dill, a little boy from Meridian, Mississippi who spends the summers with his aunt, the Finch’s next-door neighbor Miss Rachel Haverford. From the children’s point of view, their most compelling neighbor is Boo Radley, a recluse whom none of them has ever seen. Dill’s fascination, in particular, leads to all sorts of games and plans to try and get Boo to come outside. Their attempts culminate in a dare to Jem, which he grudgingly takes. Jem runs into the Radley’s yard and touches the outside of the house. CH. 2 - 3 Dill goes back to Mississippi for the school year, and Scout turns her attention to starting first grade—something she’s been waiting for all her life. However, Scout’s first day at school is not at all the glorious experience she’d been expecting from the winters she spent â€Å"looking over at the schoolyard, spying on multitudes of children through a two-power telescope . . . learning their games, . . . secretly sharing their misfortunes and minor victories.† Scout’s teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, is new to teaching, new to Maycomb, and mortified that Scout already knows how to read and write. When Miss Caroline offers to lend Walter Cunningham lunch money, Scout is punished for taking it upon herself to explain Miss Caroline’s faux pas to her. (Walter refuses to take the money because his family is too poor to pay it back.) Scout catches Walter on the playground, and starts to pummel him in retaliation for her embarrassment, but Jem stops her and then further surprises her by inviting Walter to have lunch with them. Scout is then punished by Calpurnia for criticizing Walter’s table manners. Back at school, Miss Caroline has a confrontation with Burris Ewell about his â€Å"cooties† and the fact that he only attends school on the first day of the year. That evening, Scout tells Atticus about her day, hoping that she won’t have to go back to school—after all, Burris Ewell doesn’t. Atticus explains why the Ewells get special consideration and then tells Scout, â€Å"‘You never really understand a person .

Misconceptions of a Tenth-Century Muslim Traveler

Historical and cultural accounts are important documents in order for the next generation to mirror the past and learn from the early people. If such accounts are incomplete and biased, the people being described may be underestimated and the readers may be misled. The essay written by Al Mas'udi on the natives of Oman or the Zanj tribe is one example of a cultural account lacking in information and depth.As a merchant, Al Mas'udi gave a commercialist account of what can be found in Oman. In focusing much on what he could benefit from in the country, he failed to give a truthful observation of the people—their culture, beliefs, and traditions. This narrow point of view by a merchant traveler, if given serious consideration, may be dangerous as it may picture the people of Oman differently.In his essay, the author regarded the sail to the sea of Oman as the most dangerous, saying, â€Å"I do not know of one more dangerous than that of the Zanj.† This introduction could l ead the readers to be disappointed from going to the place because of the danger he stated. Also, Mas’udi used the term Zanj to refer to all the people in Oman, but this is not proper because the word has a connotation that may demean his subjects. Such terms are said to be taboo, just like the term â€Å"Negroes† for Black Americans for this remind the Blacks of their painful past.The journal of Mas’udi also contained misconceptions about the natives of Oman as he pictured them to be like savages who â€Å"do not use [elephants] for war or anything but only hurt and kill them.† This statement is too rude as it depicts a tribe that did not pay respect for animal life, but a tribe that was so cruel and uncivilized.On the positive side, though, the author mentioned that the people had a beautiful language and they had a preacher to teach them about God. However, he said that there were no religious laws, which leads us to asking, what do the preachers preac h aside from the law of their god? Truly, this statement gives a confusion on the people’s beliefs.As a traveler, one thing that Mas’udi must have done was to respect the people he observed and carefully write about them, without missing out on details which could lead the audience to misconceptions.This is similar to the term lesbian which was given a misconception from its original meaning of â€Å"people of Lesbos,† an island where the poet Sappho originated. The term was later given negative interpretation due to interpretations of the author’s poems which depicted platonic love between women. Indeed, we can see, â€Å"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!† (Pope 1709)Work Citedâ€Å"Lesbos Lived on an Island.† Pearl’s Rainbow Key West. 3 December 2007.. Misconceptions of a Tenth-Century Muslim Traveler Historical and cultural accounts are important documents in order for the next generation to mirror the past and learn from the early people. If such accounts are incomplete and biased, the people being described may be underestimated and the readers may be misled. The essay written by Al Mas'udi on the natives of Oman or the Zanj tribe is one example of a cultural account lacking in information and depth.As a merchant, Al Mas'udi gave a commercialist account of what can be found in Oman. In focusing much on what he could benefit from in the country, he failed to give a truthful observation of the people—their culture, beliefs, and traditions. This narrow point of view by a merchant traveler, if given serious consideration, may be dangerous as it may picture the people of Oman differently.In his essay, the author regarded the sail to the sea of Oman as the most dangerous, saying, â€Å"I do not know of one more dangerous than that of the Zanj.† This introduction could l ead the readers to be disappointed from going to the place because of the danger he stated. Also, Mas’udi used the term Zanj to refer to all the people in Oman, but this is not proper because the word has a connotation that may demean his subjects. Such terms are said to be taboo, just like the term â€Å"Negroes† for Black Americans for this remind the Blacks of their painful past.The journal of Mas’udi also contained misconceptions about the natives of Oman as he pictured them to be like savages who â€Å"do not use [elephants] for war or anything but only hurt and kill them.† This statement is too rude as it depicts a tribe that did not pay respect for animal life, but a tribe that was so cruel and uncivilized.On the positive side, though, the author mentioned that the people had a beautiful language and they had a preacher to teach them about God. However, he said that there were no religious laws, which leads us to asking, what do the preachers preac h aside from the law of their god? Truly, this statement gives a confusion on the people’s beliefs.As a traveler, one thing that Mas’udi must have done was to respect the people he observed and carefully write about them, without missing out on details which could lead the audience to misconceptions. This is similar to the term lesbian which was given a misconception from its original meaning of â€Å"people of Lesbos,† an island where the poet Sappho originated. The term was later given negative interpretation due to interpretations of the author’s poems which depicted platonic love between women. Indeed, we can see, â€Å"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!† (Pope 1709)Work Citedâ€Å"Lesbos Lived on an Island.† Pearl’s Rainbow Key West. 3 December 2007..

Religion. My Trip to the Mosque Essay

1. Did the exterior of the worship facility add to the overall religious feeling of the visit? Describe your first impression as you pulled up to the building. Did the architecture lend itself to worship? Add specific details to support your answer. I always said I would visit a mosque one day. I live in a high Muslim community and have always been invited to go with one of my peers. The exterior of the building was designed right out of what I would describe as old time desert days. The building had domes that came to a peak sort of like an ice cream on top of a cone. My first impression was that this was surely a design that was distinctive from the other buildings of worship like Christian, Baptist, and Catholic churches, or even halls for Jehovah Witnesses. As I came closer to the doors I felt overwhelmed by the actual size of the building but inside looked much like home. Inside it was simple, there were restrooms, and places for women to tend children, many windows, Qurans, and a large drape right down the middle separating carpeted space one side for men and one side for women. 2. Describe the nature of the worship facility service you saw. This will probably be the longest section of the report, so be as thorough as possible. For example, what was the overall religious program? What was the theme of the message for that day? Were there any rituals that struck you as different from your own? Elaborate Once service started I wasn’t sure what to expect. Before we were able to sit in the service we first had to wash our feet and hands. There were no programs but there were men who help sort of like the â€Å"mc† over the crowd. Service started with a prayer in which nearly everyone except me knew. Although I tried my hardest to keep my eyes close during the prayer for the sake of this paper and my curiosity I open my eyes to see all except a few small boys not speaking aloud the prayer. During this prayer everyone is in the position on his or her hands in knee as to sort of like submit while during the prayer. Once the prayer was over we resumed position on our  knees. Next was the message, I could not help but notice that there was no women in our section, instead through I barely visible colorful sheet the women were in their own service and prayer. The message today wasn’t really a message at all but instead a teaching of the Quran. Before the reading of the text spare Qurans were passed around to members who wanted one. I opted to take one only to find out the entire book was written in another language. During the reading the text was read as is in the language was written in, and later after the reading translated for others. The text he spoke about interesting enough was about Jesus and his actual role Muslims believe he played. Although Christian believe Jesus played a huge role, Muslims believe that not only is he not the Child of God but just another of God prophets. I also learned that they believe that Jesus did not do many of the healing described in the Bible. Accompanied with scriptures I cannot read nor remember Muslims also believe their text to be older and more accurate than that of the Bible. The only ritual that I think struck me is the fact that women were not able to congregate with us instead they were behind the curtain. I would later find out the reason. The washing of hand in feet were different for me and me being conscience of my feet I felt a little uneasy about the situation. 3. What was your overall reaction to the service? Was it positive or negative? Did any members of the congregation talk to you, and if they did, what was the nature of the conversation? My overall reaction was interested I would say. I had a positive experience and a lot of people approached me after the service about my inquiry of Islam. I was told I came during a good sermon and they hoped I learned from the experience, if I was coming back and also what I thought about the whole thing. I told them I like the experience and I was honestly doing this for a class and that my interest peaked most when I actually walked inside the building. I asked about the curtain and was kind of token back with the answer. I was told that the curtain is used to hide the women during the service. Because women are appealing to the eye it is sometimes hard to concentrate on worship and this simply isn’t tolerated. I could see the point of view about a â€Å"time and place for everything† but I think if a  person will is that of a higher being one would not engage in deeds. I also notice that after, women mingled amongst each other, but younger women and kids mingled amongst each other. I also asked a guy why made him follow this religion, and he told me culturally where his parents are from this is like tradition. Similar to religion and myself being passed down he had experience the same thing. He also mentioned that although he was sort of given this religion he believe in it whole-heartedly. He said that many of the other religions text had been altered many times and the Quran the last standing oldest religious text was untampered.