Monday, April 30, 2012

Bodies found after California yacht race 'collision'


Boats at the start of the Newport to Ensenada race, 27 April 2012
At least three sailors have died during a US yacht race, weeks after another fatal accident off California.
US Coast Guard boats are looking for a fourth crew member from the yacht Aegean.
Race organisers the Newport Sailing Association said the wreckage indicated the yacht collided with a ship much larger than the 37-foot vessel.
On Thursday the Coast Guard suspended yacht racing around San Francisco after a fatal accident earlier this month.
Five people died when powerful waves threw their yacht onto a rocky island. Three others survived the accident.
The Coast Guard said the suspension was to see whether changes were needed to improve race safety rules.
Race officials said the Aegean disappeared from their tracking system early on Saturday a few miles off the coast near the border between the US and Mexico, an area close to where the race route crossed shipping lanes.
First deaths in race
Two of the dead have been identified as William Reed Johnson from California and Joseph Lester Stewart from Florida. The identity of the others on board has not been released.
Eric Lamb, one of those involved in the search of the wreckage, said small pieces of debris from the boat were scattered over a wide area.
"We have pulled a lot of boats off the rocks over the years and boats that hit the rocks, they don't look like that. This was almost like it had gone through a blender," he told Associated Press.
Other sailors point out that it is possible for a large ship to hit a yacht without the crew being aware of the smaller craft.
The coastguard said there was good visibility and moderate ocean swells at the time. An official at the sailing club organising the race suggested that in light winds the yacht may not have been able to get out of the way of the larger vessel.
Other participants in the race said they saw a tanker or heard warnings on their radios.
"This has never happened in the entire 65 years of the race that I'm aware of," the commodore of the Newport Sailing Association Chuck Iverson told the Associated Press news agency. "We're all shocked by this whole event."
The 125-mile (202km) race began at Newport on Friday, with boats arriving in Ensenada on Sunday.
In March two sailors were injured off the North California coast in a round-the-world race when a huge wave overwhelmed their boat.

other news to read:

Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to build Titanic II


File picture of Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer, taken on 1 March, 2012
Clive Palmer, one of Australia's richest men, has commissioned a Chinese state-owned company to build a 21st Century version of the Titanic.
The mining billionaire told Australian media that construction will start at the end of next year.
It would be ready to set sail in 2016.
The plan, he added, is for the vessel to be as similar as possible to the original Titanic in design and specifications, but with modern technology.
Mr Palmer told Australian media that he had signed a memorandum of understanding with CSC Jinling Shipyard to construct the ship.
"It will be every bit as luxurious as the original Titanic but of course it will have state-of-the-art 21st Century technology and the latest navigation and safety systems," he said in a statement.
The announcement comes just weeks after the centenary of the sinking of the ill-fated Titanic.
The vessel, the largest luxury ship in its time, struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It went down on 15 April 1912, leaving more than 1,500 people dead.
"Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it,'' Mr Palmer said in response to questions from reporters on whether the Titanic replica would sink.

"It is going to be designed so it won't sink,'' he added. ''But, of course, if you are superstitious like you are, you never know what could happen.''
The new vessel is scheduled to sail from London to New York in late 2016, if all goes as planned.
The cost of the construction is not known, a spokesman for Mr Palmer told Australian media.
The mining magnate from Queensland, who has strong business relations with China, has expanded into tourism. He owns a luxury resort on the Sunshine Coast and has plans to build a fleet of luxury liners.
His plan to build the Titanic replica was announced on the same day that he revealed plans, in a separate news conference, to contest the next federal election in Queensland.
He told reporters that he has expressed interest in standing for Queensland's Liberal National Party (LNP), part of the conservative opposition at federal level, in the Brisbane seat of Lilley - currently held by Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan.
other news to read:

Inviting, refusing invitation, accepting invitation


Look at this conversation!
David     : would you like to go with me to Diana’s birthday party next Sunday?
Terry     : sure. I’d like to.
David     : great.
Terry     : what time is the party?
David     : the party is at 07.00 so i will pick you up at 06.30.
Terry     : okay. Do i need to bring a present with me?
David     : no. I’ll take care of it.
Terry     : okay, then. See you next Sunday.

In the conversation above, you will find useful expression that is the expression for inviting someone. Below are some common expressions used when making invitations:
Formal invitations:
Informal invitations:
- Would you like to go to the mall Saturday night?
- Will you see a movie with me?
- I was wondering if we can see a concert tonight.
- I would like to invite you for dinner tonight.
- Do you want to go to the zoo?
- How about going to the mall together?
- Let’s have dinner on Sunday.
- Let’s play tennis together.

Create formal and informal invitations for the following purposes. See the example:
Invitation to
Formal
Informal
1.. Birthday Party
Would you like to go to my party?
Do you want to go to my birthday party?
2. Graduation party



3. Baseball game



4. Maher Zain concert



5. School Play



6. Dinner



7. Soccer




If your friend invites you, you may accept or refuse his invitation. Here are some expressions used for accepting and refusing invitation:
Accepting Invitations
Refusing Invitations
- Sure. What time?
- Sounds like a good idea
- Yes, i would
- I’d like to
- I’d love to
- Okay.
- Sounds good. But i can’t.
- No, thanks.
- I’d love to, but i can’t
- I would love to but i can’t
- No, but thanks for inviting me.
- No, i’d better not.
- sounds great but i don’t think i can.
- I’m affraid i can’t accept your invitation.

When you refuse an invitation, it is common to give an excuse. For example:
- I’d love to, but i can’t. I have an exam tomorrow.
- Sounds good, but i don’t think i can. I have to work late.
- No, i’d better not. My parents won’t allow me to go.
- I’m afraid i can’t. I have other plans.

Give your respond to the following invitations!
1.    A : Would you like to see a movie this afternoon?
B: ............................................................................
2.    A: I have two tickets of Maher Zain concert next Sunday. Would you like to go?
B:..............................................................................................................................
3.    A: What a nice day! Do you want to take a walk with me?
B: .........................................................................................
4.    A: Tomorrow night is my graduation party. I was wondering if you can come.
B:........................................................................................................................
5.    How about going to the gym?
B:.........................................................................................................................
6.   A:  I feel like eating a burger. Let’s go to wendy’s.  
B:...........................................................................................................................

Read the conversation below and answer the questions!
Linda     : Anna, are you doing anything tonight?
Anna     : Not really. Why?
Linda     : i’m going to a movie tonight. I wonder if you want to come with me.
Anna     : What kind of movie is it?
Linda     : it’s an action movie.
Anna     : no, thanks. I’m not really into action movie.
Linda        : What about having dinner?. My mother is going to go to Jakarta with my father tonight. I cannot cook.
Anna        : Oh, sure. Where?
Linda        : I heard Roka restaurant is excellent. Do you want to go there?
Anna        : sounds good.
Linda        : Okay. I’ll pick you up at your house at seven.
Anna        : Okay. See you then.
Questions:
1. Where are they going to go?
2. Where are they going to meet?
3. What time are they going to meet?



Sunday, April 29, 2012

Egyptian protests over detained lawyer shut Saudi embassy


Egyptian protesters take part in a demonstration in front of Saudi Arabian embassy in Cairo on April 24, 2012, calling for the release of Ahmed al-Gizawi who arrested on April 17


Saudi Arabia has shut its embassy and consulates in Egypt following protests over an Egyptian lawyer who has been detained in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi ambassador to Egypt had also been recalled, the Saudi state news agency said.
Egyptian protesters have demanded the release of human rights lawyer Ahmed al-Gizawi.
The head of Egypt's ruling military council has expressed surprise over the Saudi move.
Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi contacted the Saudi government on Saturday to try to resolve the issue, the Egyptian Mena news agency reported.
'Sharp escalation'
The Saudi closures affect the embassy in Cairo as well as consulates in the cities of Alexandria and Suez.
The BBC's Jon Leyne says the Saudi action marks a sharp escalation of a row that has been going on for some days.
Mr Gizawi was detained earlier this month on arrival in Saudi Arabia and accused of insulting King Abdullah.
Egyptian activists say he was held after lodging a complaint against Saudi Arabia for its treatment of Egyptians in its prisons.
His family says he had gone to perform a minor pilgrimage - a detail which has angered many Egyptians who feel resentment at the kingdom's treatment of Egyptians.
But Saudi authorities say Mr Gizawi was found by airport officials to be carrying drugs - allegedly more than 20,000 anti-anxiety pills - in his luggage.
They doubt Mr Gizawi was on a pilgrimage, as they say he was not wearing white pilgrims' clothes.
Observers say it is the worst diplomatic falling-out between the two regional powers since Saudi Arabia severed ties after Egypt signed a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
Many Egyptians work in Saudi Arabia and there have often been cases where they say they
have been mistreated under Saudi law.


other news to read:





10 Tips to healthy eating and physical activity for you.


10 Tips to healthy eating and physical activity for you.
  1. Start your day with breakfast.
    Breakfast fills your "empty tank" to get you going after a long night without food. And it can help you do better in school. Easy to prepare breakfasts include cold cereal with fruit and low-fat milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, whole-grain waffles or even last night's pizza!
  2. Get Moving!
    It's easy to fit physical activities into your daily routine. Walk, bike or jog to see friends. Take a 10-minute activity break every hour while you read, do homework or watch TV. Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator or elevator. Try to do these things for a total of 30 minutes every day.
  3. Snack smart.
    Snacks are a great way to refuel. Choose snacks from different food groups - a glass of low-fat milk and a few graham crackers, an apple or celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, or some dry cereal. If you eat smart at other meals, cookies, chips and candy are OK for occasional snacking.
  4. Work up a sweat.
    Vigorous work-outs - when you're breathing hard and sweating - help your heart pump better, give you more energy and help you look and feel best. Start with a warm-up that stretches your muscles. Include 20 minutes of aerobic activity, such as running, jogging, or dancing. Follow-up with activities that help make you stronger such as push-ups or lifting weights. Then cool-down with more stretching and deep breathing.
  5. Balance your food choices - don't eat too much of any one thing.
    You don't have to give up foods like hamburgers, french fries and ice cream to eat healthy. You just have to be smart about how often and how much of them you eat. Your body needs nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fat and many different vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and A, iron and calcium from a variety of foods. Balancing food choices from the Food Guide Pyramid and checking out the Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels will help you get all these nutrients.
  6. Get fit with friends or family.
    Being active is much more fun with friends or family. Encourage others to join you and plan one special physical activity event, like a bike ride or hiking, with a group each week.
  7. Eat more grains, fruits and vegetables.
    These foods give you carbohydrates for energy, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber. Besides, they taste good! Try breads such as whole-wheat, bagels and pita. Spaghetti and oatmeal are also in the grain group.
    Bananas, strawberries and melons are some great tasting fruits. Try vegetables raw, on a sandwich or salad.

  8. Join in physical activities at school.
    Whether you take a physical education class or do other physical activities at school, such as intramural sports, structures activities are a sure way to feel good, look good and stay physically fit.
  9. Foods aren't good or bad.
    A healthy eating style is like a puzzle with many parts. Each part -- or food -- is different. Some foods may have more fat, sugar or salt while others may have more vitamins or fiber. There is a place for all these foods. What makes a diet good or bad is how foods fit together. Balancing your choices is important. Fit in a higher-fat food, like pepperoni pizza, at dinner by choosing lower-fat foods at other meals. And don't forget about moderation. If two pieces of pizza fill you up, you don't need a third.
  10. Make healthy eating and physical activities fun!
    Take advantage of physical activities you and your friends enjoy doing together and eat the foods you like. Be adventurous - try new sports, games and other activities as well as new foods. You'll grow stronger, play longer, and look and feel better! Set realistic goals - don't try changing too much at once.

Boediono terganggu suara Adzan dari Masjid



Jakarta Pidato Wapres Boediono tentang pengeras suara masjid saat membuka Muktamar Dewan Masjid Indonesia Jumat (27/4) lalu menimbulkan pro kontra di kalangan masyarakat. Bagaimana sebetulnya isi lengkap pidato tersebut?

Situs resmi Sekretaris Kabinet, Minggu (29/4/2012) mengeluarkan pidato utuh Boediono. Tujuannya, supaya masyarakat paham konteks yang disampaikan oleh Boediono kala itu.

Berikut pidato lengkapnya:

Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.,

Pertama-tama marilah kita bersama memanjatkan puji dan syukur kita kehadirat Allah SWT atas segala limpahan rahmat dan karunia-Nya hingga kita dapat berkumpul bersama di tempat ini pada acara Muktamar Dewan Masjid Indonesia Ke-6 Tahun 2012. 

Saya juga ingin menyampaikan rasa bahagia dapat hadir di majelis yang Insya Allah dimuliakan oleh Allah SWT, bersama para Pengurus Pimpinan Pusat Dewan Masjid Indonesia, Pimpinan Wilayah, Pimpinan Daerah Wakil Takmir Masjid Raya Provinsi, serta Badan Otonom Dewan Masjid Indonesia.

Sebelum saya melanjutkan sambutan, pada kesempatan pertama ini saya ingin menyampaikan salam hangat dari Bapak Presiden kepada Saudara-saudara. Dikarenakan beliau ada kegiatan lain yang tidak bisa ditinggalkan, saya diminta mewakili beliau untuk menghadiri pembukaan Muktamar Dewan Masjid Indonesia kali ini.

Saudara Pimpinan Dewan Masjid Indonesia, Para Peserta Muktamar dan Hadirin yang Saya Hormati,

Muktamar Ke-6 Dewan Masjid Indonesia ini memiliki arti yang penting sebagai forum permusyawaratan tertinggi di dalam organisasi Dewan Masjid Indonesia. Kesempatan ini pula merupakan momentum yang baik untuk melakukan refleksi, evaluasi sekaligus perencanaan program/kegiatan untuk mewujudkan fungsi masjid sebagai pusat ibadah Mahdoh (ritual) dan pusat ibadah Muamalah (sosial kemasyarakat). 

Dalam kesempatan lain, pernah saya sampaikan bahwa Masjid merupakan satu institusi sentral dalam peradaban Islam dan menjadi bagian yang tidak terpisahkan dari sejarah umat Islam. Dari masjidlah, tumbuh dan berkembang khazanah pemikiran dan keilmuan serta strategi pemberdayaan dan penguatan kapasitas umat Islam. 

Masjid sejatinya selain menjadi basis ideologi dan spiritual umat Islam, juga berperan sebagai wahana untuk memfasilitasi berbagai upaya pemberdayaan dan penguatan kapasitas umat di bidang pendidikan, ekonomi, sosial, budaya serta berbagai bidang lainnya. Untuk itu saya memandang sangat tepat Muktamar kali ini mengangkat tema: “Revitalisasi dan Reaktualisasi Peranan Masjid Sesuai Sunnah Rasul”. 

Saudara-Saudara sekalian,

Bagi seorang Muslim, masjid adalah lembaga terpenting setelah rumah dan tempat kerja. Dia merupakan pusat kegiatan komunitas Muslim, tempat bersosialisasi, dan tempat kembali mensucikan dan mendekatkan diri ke Sang Pencipta.

Menurut para ahli, masjid berasal dari akar kata yang sama dengan sujud, posisi dalam sholat dimana seorang Muslim meletakkan keningnya ke tanah sebagai tanda kepasrahan dan ketaatan total kepada kehendak Ilahi. Bangunan masjid dengan kubah dan menaranya konon menyimbolkan monotheisme Islam dalam bentuk Tauhid serta kesatuan dan persatuan umat Islam.

Pada kesempatan yang saya sebut tadi, saya juga menyampaikan bahwa disamping mengembalikan masjid sebagai tempat membangun kembali peradaban umat, masjid juga ditantang untuk menyebarkan Islam sebagai agama yang damai dan penuh rahmat Ilahi. 

Dari berbagai sumber, diperkirakan jumlah masjid dan mushola di seluruh Indonesia saat ini hampir mencapai 1 juta masjid. Tidak pelak lagi bahwa masjid mempunyai peran dalam membangun karakter bangsa. Karenanya, disamping sebagai tempat ibadah bersama, pemrakarsa masjid juga diharapkan sungguh-sungguh memperhatikan agenda dan kepengurusan masjid. 

Kita semua berkepentingan agar masjid dijaga jangan sampai jatuh ketangan mereka yang menyebarkan gagasan yang tidak Islami seperti radikalisme, fanatisme sektarian, permusuhan terhadap agama dan kepercayaan orang lain, dan anjuran-anjuran provokatif yang bisa berujung kepada tindak kekerasan dan terorisme. Islam adalah agama yang sangat toleran. Islam mengajarkan kepada kita bahwa jalan terbaik adalah jalan tengah.

Saudara-saudara,

Salah satu keunikan agama Islam sebagai agama wahyu terakhir adalah adanya kesatuan arah dalam beribadah. Dari masjid di seluruh dunia, ketika menghadap Rabbul alamin dalam sholat maupun berdoa, kita semua menghadapkan tubuh kita ke arah yang sama yakni Baitullah Ka’bah di Mekkah. Mengikuti peredaran waktu dan matahari, tidak satu detikpun di seantero planet bumi ini lepas dari suara azan karena waktu sholat yang berbeda-beda. 

Allah juga memberi ganjaran berlipat bagi Muslim yang sholat berjamaah dari pada yang sholat sendirian. Kesatuan arah dan kebersamaan ini adalah salah satu inti ajaran Islam dimana umat Islam dituntut bersatu dan bersama dalam menjalankan kebaikan. 

Sebagaimana kita bangsa Indonesia selalu berupaya menjaga kesatuan dan persatuan bangsa yang majemuk ini, pemerintah mengharapkan agar Dewan Masjid Indonesia terus menerus menjaga persatuan dan kebersamaan dalam perbedaan diantara berbagai agama yang ada di Indonesia dan sekaligus menjauhkan umat dari sikap tidak toleran, apalagi sikap sesat yang menyesatkan diantara umat Islam sendiri. Surga Tuhan sangatlah terlalu luas untuk menampung berbagai jalan yang ditempuh hambanya menuju kehidupan abadi di akhirat.

Para Hadirin yang Berbahagia,

Masjid juga merupakan usaha bersama yang harus dikelola secara profesional. Imam masjid tentu adalah orang benar-benar fasih dan memahami seluk beluk aturan agama, dan pengurus masjid adalah pengelola yang berkomitmen dan mampu menjaga dan memelihara bangunan dan seluruh aspek kegiatan masjid. 

Salah satu hal yang ingin saya sampaikan di sini terkait dengan gerakan nasional yang akan dicanangkan Bapak Presiden, yaitu masalah kebersihan. 

Kita semua pernah mendengar atau membaca hadis Rasulullah SAW yang terkenal yang mengatakan bahwa “Kebersihan adalah bagian dari iman”. Setiap mukmin harus menjaga kebersihan dirinya dan lingkungannya. 

Masjid sebagai tempat suci untuk melaksanakan ibadah yang diperintahkan Tuhan harus menjadi contoh sebagai tempat paling bersih di antara tempat-tempat lain. Kebersihan, terutama di tempat kita berwudhu, serta aroma yang sedap di lingkungan masjid akan menambah kekhusyukan kita dalam beribadah. Kebersihan yang dimulai dari masjid akan menularkan kebiasaan bersih di lingkungan lain seperti rumah, sekolah, dan tempat kita bekerja.

Perkenankan saya menyampaikan satu hal lagi yang berkaitan dengan pengelolaan masjid.Dalam rangka mensyiarkan Islam dan memberikan citra positif bagi umat Islam, kita di Indonesia sebagai negara berpenduduk Muslim terbesar di dunia dapat memberikan contoh-contoh yang baik bagi dunia Islam. 

Dewan Masjid Indonesia kiranya juga dapat mulai membahas, umpamanya, tentang pengaturan penggunaan pengeras suara di masjid-masjid. Kita semua sangat memahami bahwa adzan adalah panggilan suci bagi umat Islam untuk melaksanakan kewajiban sholatnya. Namun demikian,apa yang saya rasakan barangkali juga dirasakan oleh orang lain, yaitu bahwa suara adzan yang terdengar sayup-sayup dari jauh terasa lebih merasuk ke sanubari kita dibanding suara yang terlalu keras, menyentak, dan terlalu dekat ke telinga kita. 

Al-Qur’an pun mengajarkan kepada kita untuk merendahkan suara kita sambil merendahkan hati ketika berdoa memohon bimbingan dan petunjukNya. 

Saudara-saudara Sekalian,

Dalam usianya menjelang matang, yaitu mencapai 40 tahun, sejak didirikannya pada tanggal 22 Juni 1972, masih banyak ruang bagi Dewan Masjid Indonesia untuk berbuat bagi kemajuan dan peningkatan kualitas pengelola Masjid. 

Dalam kesempatan ini ada beberapa harapan yang saya ingin sampaikan kepada Majelis yang mulia ini. 

Pertama, saya berharap Dewan Masjid Indonesia senantiasa memberdayakan masjid untuk melakukan upaya edukasi kepada umat muslim melalui dakwah dalam rangka peningkatan karakter dan moral umat muslim dalam berbangsa, bernegara dan bermasyarakat utamanya kepada generasi muda. 

Kedua, Dewan Masjid Indonesia saya harapkan mampu mendorong Masjid agar dimanfaatkan tidak hanya sebagai sarana ibadah, namun juga dapat dijadikan sarana pendidikan, baik pendidikan Tahfidzul Qur’an (hapalan Qur’an) dan Tahsinul Qur’an (memperbaiki kualitas bacaan Quran) maupun pendidikan dasar formal seperti TK, SD, dan SMP.

Ketiga,kita mengharapkan Dewan Masjid Indonesia mampu memberdayakan Masjid sebagai sarana untuk menumbuhkembangkan minat, bakat, dan keterampilan generasi muda melalui pelatihan kepemimpinan, manajemen dan ketrampilan bagi Pemuda Remaja Masjid.

Keempat, Dewan Masjid Indonesia diharapkan mampu mendorong Masjid dalam penciptaan kemakmuran umat muslim melalui optimalisasi zakat, infaq, shadaqah bekerjasama dengan BAZNAS serta melalui pengembangan usaha yang berbasis syariah (seperti Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil/BMT) di kalangan Majelis Taklim sehingga dapat lebih optimal membantu maupun memberdayakan kaum dhuafa utamanya anak-anak terlantar. 

Saudara-saudara para peserta Muktamar yang berbahagia,

Demikianlah, sambutan saya. Semoga dapat menjadi masukan bagi Saudara-saudara dalam bermusyawarah selama 3 (tiga) hari ini. 

Akhirul kalam, dengan memohon ridho dan petunjuk Allah SWT dan mengucap Bismillahirrahmanirrahim Muktamar Ke-6 Dewan Masjid Indonesia, secara resmi dibuka. Selamat melaksanakan Muktamar. 

Terima kasih

Wassalamualaikum Wr. Wb.

Wakil Presiden Republik Indonesia

Boediono


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