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Some critics have called Anniversary a delayed version of Snapchat, but the two seem to have entirely different purposes. How is the user experience of Anniversary different than that of other photo sharing apps like Snapchat?
View Full Interview Answered
What are pros and cons of sharia law?
Answer 1Sharia law is based mainly on God holy book Quran and the prophet Sunnah (sayings and practices). Accordingly, no one can claim that he/she has the authority to claim …that sharia law is subject to debates about pros and cons. The only point is that the application of Sharia law needs good understanding and sound judgement.Answer 2While the divine nature and purpose of Shari'a Law may be beyond debate, the nature of those who claim to govern according to its principles can easily be debated. Shari'a-style governments tend to have certain general features that can be weighted and discussed. Such governments include the current governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia, the temporary governments of Al-Shabaab in Somalia and Ansar ed-Dine in north Mali, the former Taliban government in Afghanistan, and the recently elected government of Egypt.Pros:Islamic Unity: Shari'a Law tends to create the prospect of a new type of unity in states that are fractured by ethnic and tribal divides, a union through Islam. This helps to cement the idea of a united country.Religious Principles Applied to Public Life: Those who support Shari'a government often do so because they believe that Liberal governments have a net result of removing religion from people (whether or not that is true is subject to debate). However, Shari'a governments often require the religious principles to be applied by law, such as the wearing of head-scarves, the banning of alcohol, and other such religious requirements which make it more common for people to be religious.Cons:Non-Muslim Discrimination: Nearly every government that implements Shari'a Law has an uptick in the amount of violence and repression against non-Muslims. Christian Churches in Egypt have been more frequently bombed, Sunni communities in Iran and Shiite communities in Saudi Arabia are actively prevented from praying as they would like. Jews are forbidden from living in Saudi Arabia in any long-term capacity and the Jews of Iran are forbidden from expressing any form of Zionism. Baha'i communities in Iran are actively discriminated against and attacked.Criminalization of Apostasy and Homosexuality: Iran and Saudi Arabia both enforce strong punishments (such as 20 year prison sentences or executions) against those who are believed to be homosexuals and those who openly renounce Islam as their religion. The government in effect is punishing people for how they choose to associate and what they choose to believe. Additionally, many countries that implement some minimal form of Shari'a Law also have blasphemy laws that result in a vast limitation of both freedom and an excuse for people to settle petty grievances.Authoritarianism: No Shari'a based society has fully accepted democracy or popular rule in anything but name. This comes from the idea that Shari'a leaders think that they are beyond reproach, save by God himself. As a result, they do not need to cater to different opinions held by other men.Barbaric Punishments: Al-Shabaab, Ansar ed-Dine, and the Taliban were quite famous for hacking off limbs as punishments for thieving. Saudi Arabia has public stoning for adulterers. (MORE)
Answered
Does Australia follow sharia law?
Sharia law is not followed in Australia, and is viewed as barbaric and highly frowned upon.
Answered
Is Sharia Law used anywhere in the US?
The US Constitution forbids the use of any law based on religion. Sharia is a code of Islamic Law based on the teachings of Mohamed. Just as the Constitution forbids governmen…t to enforce the Cannon Law of the Roman Catholic Church, it also forbids the government to enforce Sharia.Of course, individuals or groups in the US could decide to follow Sharia as a matter of personal conscience. However, if they attempted to enforce those sanctions in Sharia that result in personal injury or death they would be in violation of civil law and subject to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities. (MORE)
In Laws
Understanding Seemingly Outdated Iranian Laws
Iranian laws are a mixture of religion, politics, and history. The current judicial system was spawned following the famous 1979 Iranian Revolution, and sharia (religious) law… has been integrated into civil law ever since that time. Some sharia law is quite ancient, and old Iranian laws have just as much importance as modern laws. Looking at Iranian laws provides interesting insight into a religious-based legal system.Even banks are under sharia law. This includes laws that forbid interest (this is known as riba), and laws that prevent usury, or the practice of excessive loan and interest rates. This has made investment very difficult for Iran, so in recent years the country created areas called free trade zones, where sharia law does not apply, and investors can act without religious constraints."Qesas" is the sharia law that takes into account retaliation and retribution for a personal injury or crime. For instance, if a person has murdered another intentionally, the victim's family can demand retribution under qesas law. Notably, the judge has no sway over qesas. If someone is found guilty of an intentional personal crime, they will be held accountable according to ancient laws. However, in recent years, the Iranian government augmented sharia law to assure that qesas was used only for citizens over 18.Diyyeh is the practice of blood money. If a personal injury is committed, such as manslaughter, a victim's family may choose to accept diyyeh. This means that "blood money" is used to monetarily compensate for the loss of the victim. The rate of diyyeh today is the price of 100 camels. The Prophet Muhammad set this law in ancient days. However, in modern days only cash may be exchanged. Another form of blood money is jirah, which is paid when a man is convicted of rape. Jirah is the amount of the woman's dowry, and is used in exchange for her forgiveness.Hadd crimes are more serious crimes deemed "claims against God." The punishments for these crimes can be found in the Koran. However, in modern culture, these crimes rarely receive the prescribed punishment; a Hadd crime requires an incredibly high standard of proof in order to punish the criminal under the Koran guidelines. For instance, theft would still be punished by amputation, or even death, while blasphemy or even adultery can call for the death sentence.A tazir crime is a deterrent crime. In sharia law it tends to receive only a discretionary sentencing, since the idea is to deter future crimes. Often, these are misdemeanor crimes, although in some cases they may be felonies. For instance, a criminal who avoids the hadd punishment may receive the tazir punishment again, to illustrate the seriousness of the crime without sentencing the criminal to death or other severe punishment.While many old Iranian laws, especially Hadd and Tazir laws, seem weird, they are rooted in thousands of years of historical and religious traditions. The Iranian judicial system is unique. It combines Islamic sharia law with civil law to create a set of punishments and retribution that are unlike any other. It is not uncommon for stonings or amputation of fingers to still happen, along with sophisticated court cases and modern imprisonment. Old Iranian laws show an interesting mix of modern culture and religious history even today.Sharia law was instituted after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which is also called the Islamic Revolution. In the wake of the revolution, Iran became a very religious and strict state under ancient Islamic sharia law. (MORE)
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In Travel
10 Countries Where You Can't Drink Alcohol
Non-Afghan citizens can bring two liters of alcohol into the country with them and are exempt from the country's strict prohibition on alcohol. Some establishments have specia…l licenses to sell liquor to foreigners, but the sale of alcohol to Afghans is strictly forbidden.As a nation, India doesn't prohibit drinking alcohol, but several of its 35 states and territories are completely dry including: Manipur, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, and Gujarat. Alcohol is legal throughout the rest of the country, though there are severe restrictions on drinking ages.Foreign visitors to this populous South Asian country are allowed to bring a very small amount of alcohol in their luggage for personal use, but otherwise the consumption of alcohol is allowed only in a few hotel bars, and again only for foreigners, though reportedly there's a thriving black market where locals are able to obtain almost anything they like.The tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei has some of the world's strictest alcohol laws. Their sultan decreed in 2013 that the nation would be adopting total Sharia law, to include flogging as punishment for drinking alcohol. Foreigners can technically bring a small amount of liquor into the country for personal use.Foreigners may drink in hotel bars, and a small number of other establishments, but that's about it. There is absolutely no drinking allowed for any Muslims in Bahrain. Drinking in public is against the law. Being drunk can land you in prison no matter where you come from.Ask someone to name a country where you can't drink alcohol and they'll probably think of Saudi Arabia. The conservative Muslim country has the strictest alcohol laws on the planet: no drinking, ever, for anyone, except maybe the royal family. Foreigners have to obey the same laws as everyone else, though foreign compounds can usually get around the bans.The United Arab Emirates has extremely strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, and a complex system of permits and allowances to go along with them. Foreigners can drink and purchase alcohol at select establishments, and local Muslims can apply for special permits allowing them to consume alcoholic beverages.In Iran, you're free to drink as much as you like - as long as you're not a Muslim. Religious minorities in Iran are exempt from the country's strict Islamic laws regarding alcohol. Otherwise, be prepared for a life of sobriety. Repeat alcohol offenders often face execution.The Republic of Maldives is known as one of the most beautiful and popular holiday destinations in the world, but it's definitely not the place to get your drink on. In fact, other than in select bars and resorts catering to foreign visitors, there isn't a drop of alcohol allowed in the strictly Muslim country.Don't even think about trying to get a drink in Libya. At one time, the North African nation was fairly relaxed about alcohol consumption, but after the fall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, hardliners took control of lawmaking in the country. That meant strict Islamic law and a ban on drinking. (MORE)
The Top Boston Area Law Schools
Thanks to a history of academic focus, Boston is now home to some of the nation's finest schools. The various universities that call Boston home are as diverse as the city its…elf, giving students a wide range of choices for continuing their education. When it comes to law schools, the Boston area boasts some of the best campuses in the country.Located in Cambridge, Harvard Law School is the country's leading school of law. Founded in 1817, Harvard Law is the oldest law school in the country. It also houses the world's largest library of academic law books and has educated presidents and world leaders. These points give Harvard Law a special place among law schools across the globe, not just those in Boston.Boston College is a well-respected university offering full academic studies in all disciplines. Its law school is one of six graduate programs located in Newton. BC Law School ranks in the top 15 schools whose graduates have a high hiring rate by American law firms.Second only to Harvard for oldest law school in Massachusetts, Boston University School of Law has a proud history of breaking down barriers. Boston University is known for its ability to look to the future as the first school to admit students regardless of gender or race. Boston University is consistently near the top of U.S. law school rankings.The New England School of Law is a private law school originally founded for women students. It is now home to over 1,000 students of all genders and backgrounds pursuing a Juris Doctor. NESL is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and known as a good school for students hoping to become public defenders.Suffolk Law is located in the heart of downtown Boston. It is a private school fully accredited by the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools. Its 1,600 students make it one of the largest law schools in the Boston area.Boston area law schools are routinely at or near the top of law school rankings. Whether it is the climate or the city's culture of learning that engenders this success is up for debate. However, one thing is certain: there are few cities that offer excellent options like Boston.In addition to the nine traditional law schools in the Boston area, Tufts University offers advanced degrees in its Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, which focuses on international law. (MORE)
In Language
The Laws of Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is remembered as the birthplace of modern democracy. While participation in government existed in societies older than Greece's, the Greeks were the first to fo…rmalize a citizen's right to democratic rule. Greek law was extremely important in this effort, as the law was the code that explained the rights and responsibilities of citizens. There were three men who greatly influenced legal thinking in ancient Greece: Draco, Solon, and Lycurgus.In the modern world, Greece is united as a single nation. However, this was not the case in ancient Greece. Where modern Greece is today, there were many separate city-states. These city-states shared common religious beliefs and their basic way of life, but they differed in many regards. Some were very self-contained while others were expansionists. Some city-states valued culture very highly, while others prized military strength. The two most famous city-states were Athens and Sparta; they were very different and had very different laws.According to Aristotle, the first written laws in Athens were the Draconian code, written by a man named Draco in 621 BCE. At the time, Athenian soldiers known as "hoplites" were an important part of the society, but they had no civil rights. Draco's constitution granted the hoplites the right to vote in elections. However, the Draconian code was extremely harsh. Execution was the punishment for breaking almost any law. It was even rumored that the texts were written in blood. Draco's code was important because it gave rights to the hoplites, but its harshness made it unpopular.Around 594 BCE, a magistrate known as Solon rewrote the legal code. Solon only kept the harsh Draconian laws related to murder; he threw out the rest of Draco's code. Solon's laws tried to make people live their lives in a moral way. He forgave many outstanding debts. His laws also made it illegal to enslave someone because they couldn't pay their debts. Solon even wrote laws related to married couples, saying they should sleep in the same bed. Solon's laws were an important step toward modern law. He created civil punishments and penalties for breaking laws, rather than leaving the punishment up to the gods.In ancient Greece, the city of Athens was known as a cultural leader that tried to impose its ways and rule over the other city-states. Sparta, on the other hand, was content on its own, but still highly valued military skills. Because of their cultural differences, the Spartans developed very different laws from the Athenians. The Spartan legal code was developed by a philosopher named Lycurgus, who was born around 800 BCE. Lycurgus's laws were written to allow Spartans to focus on building their military abilities. He separated soldiers from the general public so they could focus on their training; he also redistributed all the land in Sparta and standardized the Spartan currency. By getting rid of these major sources of legal disputes, Lycurgus strengthened the Spartans' spirits and allowed more time for military training. It seems his efforts were successful because when Sparta fought the imperial Athenians in the Peloponnesian war, the Spartans prevailed.Ancient Greek law was an important step in the history of democracy. The laws clearly established who could vote and participate in civil society. The laws also varied depending on what city-state they belonged to. It wasn't until the modern era when Greece united into one country that the Greeks agreed to a single law code.Draconian laws were so harsh that they became famous around the world. Today, the word "draconian" still refers to something that is too harsh or too extreme. The word comes from the early Greek laws of the same name. (MORE)
In Europe
Most Populated Countries of Europe
Europe is often defined as the area of land between next to Asia, just West of the Ural Mountains, Ural River, and the Caspian Sea, as well as being bordered by the Black Sea …and the Greater Caucus range. Internationally, there are fifty sovereign states in Europe, 27 that are members of the European Union. All of them, except the Vatican City, are part of the United Nations. Below is a list of the five most populated countries in Europe and some basic facts about each country to help you understand them better.While technically Russia is considered a part of Asia, it has a portion of its country in the European half so it can qualify as part of Europe. Often, it is referred to as Northern Eurasia because it crosses between the two. Russia shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, China, Mongolia, North Korea, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Lithuania and more. It even shares a border with the U.S., although that is across the ocean. It is the largest country in the world and covers more than one-eighth of the Earth's land that is habitable. It is also the ninth most populated country in the world, with over 143 million people in 2012.Germany, or the Federal Republic of Germany, has its capital in Berlin and is the second most populated country in Europe with a population in 2012 of around 81 million. It is made up of sixteen states, and is the most populated member of the European Union. Germany has a complex history, with its role in World War I and World War II, as well as a diverse culture thanks to the former division of the country into West and East Germany. Compared to other countries, Germany has the fifth largest purchasing power in the world, and is the fourth largest economy in the world.The Republic of Turkey has a population around 79 million people, and is another one of Europe's countries that crosses into Asia. Bordered by Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, it has a very diverse cultural climate as well as an often-tense political environment. Turkey has been a part of history since ancient times and is one of the older countries.France, also known as the French Republic, has a population of around 65 million people and is the largest country in Western Europe. France has been a major player in political and economical discussions throughout the world for generations, and has a long and rich history. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, France was believed to have the second-largest colonial empire, and they ruled colonies throughout India, North America, and Central Africa, as well as Northwest Africa, Madagascar, China, and the Caribbean. Today, France has the second largest economy in the world.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a population of around 63 million people and is located on an island off the coast of the rest of Europe. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean as well as the North Sea and the English Channel. Unlike many of the other countries on this list, the UK is ruled by a monarchy system with a parliament. Out of every country in the world, the UK ranks sixth in terms of largest economy.Europe is an extremely diverse location, and the way it overlaps into other continents like Asia and Africa only add to the diversity. With so many different countries under one continent, and such a long and complex history, it is easy to see that with all of these countries, Europe is a complicated place. While it is one of the most visited continents in the world, few people really understand all the different aspects of Europe.The European Union was founded around 1951 and it is made to standardize all of the laws between each of its members. The laws the EU decided on applied in all member states. Today, it has 27 members in Europe and 23 official languages. (MORE)
In Patent
What Should You Know About Patent Laws?
The main goal of patent laws is to promote innovation by giving inventors full control over their original ideas. These laws allow inventors to prevent third parties from ille…gally copying, distributing, selling, or manipulating your idea within a given period. During this period, you can make money from your invention without outside interference. When the time allocated for protection expires, your work will be free for other people to use.The first patent law is thought to have started in Italy. It was there that a system was put in place to make sure that those who developed new inventions disclosed them without fearing that someone else will benefit from their hard work. It became widespread because many people were losing their ideas easily. The system spread across the world and now every country has laws that protect new discoveries. Today, patent laws are not the same in every region, but basic principles are common.The laws that govern patents set boundaries that define whether a given idea should be awarded a patent or not. There are several steps that you have to go through to have your idea verified. Apart from the fact that it has to be original, it also has to be useful, and the design cannot be ?obvious? given the prior designs and inventions related to the new one. There are three types of patents you can register for: design, plant, and utility. If you come up with an article that relates to ornamental or aesthetic design, then you can opt for a design patent. Plant patents grant you monopoly over a new plant that you have developed using asexual production. A utility patent will protect an invention that involves industrial processes, machines, and compositions of matter. These patents offer protection for different durations of time.The laws allow only the inventor of the given item to apply for the patent. This applies even in situations where the invention happened while the inventor was under the employment of someone else. It is only after the patent has been approved that it can be transferred to someone else. It is upon you to decide what you transfer to the interested party. You can decide to transfer just a fraction of the rights entitled to you or all of them.Patent law allows you to take legal action in case someone infringes the rights you have over the item. The legal process gives you the chance to demand compensation that arises from infringement. You may be compensated for any losses that arise due to the conduct of the infringer or obtain the compensation in the form of royalty. The infringement may happen before you have launched the product to the market or after. Even so, you are still able to file a suit against the infringer.Patent laws allow inventions to thrive. These laws regulate the creation and dissemination of inventions. If someone uses your inventive idea without your permission, the law will protect your work as an inventor. Using the legal system, you can obtain protection for your invention and stop others from using it.Always consult a lawyer to guide you through a patent infringement suit. He or she will explain the various clauses of the law. Patent law can be complicated, so it is essential to have an experienced attorney. (MORE)
Answered
Which countries practice Sharia law?
While there is no country that "perfectly" implements Shari'a Law, since Muslims usually claim that perfect implementation would lead to a utopia and no Islamic country ha…s that, Iran and Saudi Arabia attempt to do so with varying degrees of success. Of course, neither country is a utopia by any stretch of the imagination. (MORE)
Answered
What is the sharia law based on?
Sharia law is based on: Quran, Muslims holy book revealed by God to prophet Muhammad (PBUH),Sunnah, prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teachings (sayings and practices),Qias, comparing w…ith similar cases in Quran or Sunnah. For example, drugs are forbidden although not mentioned in Quran and Sunnah but because drug effects are the same when compared with alcohol (that is forbidden in Quran and sunnah explicitly), andIjmaa, issues where all Islam religion leaders agree upon.Shari'ah is muslim/islamic law. (MORE)
Answered
What countries do not follow sharia law strictly?
The problem with this question is that there is not one unified consensus among Muslims as to what the proper or strict application of Sharia law is. That being said, ther…e are some Muslim-majority countries that enforce far fewer of the religious requirements on their populaces than other Muslim-majority countries such as: Turkey, Tunisia, Indonesia, and Morocco. (MORE)