Moslem Converts and Born Moslems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Moslem Converts and Born Moslems - Essay Example Islam, like the other monotheistic religions, was born in the Arab Middle East but unlike Christianity or Judaism, is regarded as an alien and obscure faith. The reason for the stated difference lies in that while both Christianity and Judaism were Westernized and, in more instances than not, informed and shaped Western culture, Islam, with some exceptions, remained fixed in the Middle East. Added to that, Islam was surprisingly resistant to trans-cultural transferences. For centuries, Islam, largely represented by Egypt's Al Azhar, maintained that the religion was fixed in language, culture and tradition, with the implication being that people came to Islam and Islam did not go to them. Hence, translations of the Quran were deemed misrepresentative of the faith because much was lost n translation and it was, consequently, expected that people learn Arabic as a prerequisite to their learning the faith itself, let alone embracing it. It was only upon the relaxation of the aforemention ed strictures that understanding Islam became somewhat easier, although not easy. The West, however, has only recently met Islam and the circumstance of the meeting were fiery, to say the least. The September 11th terrorist attacks only confirmed the Western perception of Islam as an incontrovertibly alien faith, a "Green Menace" and an "ancient" belief system (Esposito, 1994). Descriptors which inspire fear and suggest a persistent failure to modernize, to become part of the contemporary world (Esposito and Piscatori, 1993; Esposito, 1994). Indeed, the misunderstanding and stereotypes which surround Islam, largely instigated by the 2001, September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, have enabled the propagation and proliferation of Islamophobia. Paradoxically, however, even as Islamophobia grows, so does the number of converts to Islam, not only in the United States but across Europe. Converts to Islam and the attitudes of these converts to the religion they have embraced, is an interesting topic of exploration, because converts to Islam differ in significant ways from those who were born into this faith. While the belief system, as in the five pillars, rituals and principles have remained the same, Western converts have, largely as an outcome of the manner of induction on the one hand, and the reasons for conversion, on the other, have adopted a paradoxically usouli (traditionalist) and modernizing interpretation and conceptualization of Islam. This argument is supported by both the literature on the topic and the results of a limited survey which I carried out on 5 born Moslems and 5 moslem converts Terrorism Westerners who embrace Islam are largely regarded as having betrayed their cultural heritage, their traditions and their national ethos. Such perceptions are expressive of popular condemnation of converts and the very prominent and real fear that converts have adopted, or have rendered themselves vulnerable to the later adoption of, a militaristic, antagonistic and destructive interpretation of Islam. Objectively speaking, a minority does but the majority does not, with the difference largely determined by the reasons for c

Arturo Islas Migrant Souls: The Lonely Effects of Assimilation Essay

The Lonely Effects of Assimilation The Europeans who claimed what was to become America chose to integrate the land's present inhabitants and future immigrants in order to become the dominating race and, consequently, made other cultures feel inferior to their own. The Angel family, Mexican-Indian immigrants and the subject of Arturo Islas' Migrant Souls, becomes victim to the Americans' forceful demands for conformity. While Sancho, the father, never complains about assimilation, yet never becomes fully "assimilated," his wife, Eduviges, strives to be a part of the American culture. These conflicting reactions and the existing prejudice in the community leave their daughter, Josie, uncertain of her true identity. In the early 1830's, Mexican-Indians, seeking a better life in the "land of opportunity," crossed the border into America only to find themselves and all who followed forced to assimilate to a new culture. The white Americans pushed their food, their beliefs, their clothing style, and the English language upon these immigrants. Some of the seemingly brainwashed Mexican-Indians saw the American actions as signs of kindness and acceptance. Yet, fearful others considered being caught by the strict American border patrol a "fate worse than death" (490). Immigration officers warned "foreign-looking" people to carry citizenship identification at all times, and they "sneaked up on innocent dark-skinned people, and deported them," possibly also "mak[ing them] suffer unspeakable mortifications" (484, 486). Those legally able to reach America became subjected to American ideals and customs. The whites relocated those unwilling to live the "accepted American lifestyle" to specified areas. Aware of this law, Sancho cynically w... ...the use of both the Spanish and English languages and the description of a meal of menudos, gorditas, and Coca-Cola symbolize Josie's two identities--Mexican and American. In the Angel family, as well as in the families of other immigrants, the power of assimilation results in feelings of despair, uncertainty, and inferiority. Eduvige's and Sancho's opposing thoughts on the American culture impact their family's events every day. Constantly in the presence of completely different opinions, young Josie wanders farther from the realization of her identity. And so, forcing families to conform to foreign societies may cause conflicts and destroy the child's sense of self. Works Cited Islas, Arturo. From Migrant Souls. American Mosaic: Multicultural Readings in Context. Eds. Gabriele Rico, Barbara Roche and Sandra Mano. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. 1995. 483-491.

Marketing communication

The brand that is going to be presented to the public is Armani. The marketing tool to be applied is such PR instrument as special event. Special event as a part of PR strategy is usually employed to enhance brand awareness, as well as to strengthen brand loyalty. Special event is also the best tool to draw attention of mass media and in a very gentle not pushing manner make media mention the event in their news blogs, cover stories or journal articles. The actual event is the presentation of new Armani perfume for women. Considering the fact, that the chosen brand is a luxury one, the event organized should maintain the spirit of luxury, comfort, exquisite taste and sophistication. The name of presentation is â€Å"Armani – you and only!† Since the target audience is women from the upper rank of society, the name should emphasize not just the femininity of each particular woman, but also her status, her so-called â€Å"chosenness†, i.e. the fact that she belongs to the circle of â€Å"chosen† best people. The name is important in PR and marketing communication, as it must reflect the main idea of the event; it should be simple but sound. The objectives of the event are: To create a news precedent; To draw media awareness and interest; To enhance brand awareness; To strengthen customer loyalty. The goals of the event are: To tell about new product entering the market under â€Å"Armani brand† – to show its advantages to target audience; To ensure initial try of the product; To get immediate feedback from target customers; To initiate mentioning the brand in media sources. Target audience of the event: celebrities – mostly women; journalists; market experts; company representatives. Planning process. First of all, it is important to find appropriate premises where the event would be held and appropriately equip and design it. The design must be consistent with the general strategy and creed of the presentation, thus it should emphasize the luxury and style of the brand. The location of the premises must be convenient and easy to find. Otherwise, the guest will not simply be able to present there. Moreover, it is also important to understand that all business and celebrity people are very bust. So, they will not spent their time trying to get to some unknown place. Secondly, it is important to make a list of invited guests. Special attention should be given to media representatives. It is crucial to choose TARGET media, which can be possibly interested in covering the event. Thus, for â€Å"Armani perfume† target media are: lifestyle magazines, journals for women, entertainment TV channels, lifestyle TV channels. It is necessary to take care of invitations and ensure that all the invitations are given to guests. Invitations themselves can present a marketing tool if design appropriately. Thus, it is recommended to use the services of first class design-agencies and polygraphists. No mail or e-mail is admissible to distribute invitations. It is preferable that invitations are handled by specially hired people. It will not only ensure that all our guests get their invitations, but also will emphasize the special status of the event. The third important point is providing for the proper announcement of the event. Both media and marketing support apply. First of all, it is important to launch a small preliminary PR campaign of informational character in order to stipulate the interest for future event. In order to provoke media interest, it is necessary to start acting about two months prior to the event implementing information campaign. This campaign should include: the rumors about future fragrance; short articles in press; commentaries of company’s management that somehow slightly touch the theme of the new perfume; Marketing campaign should be the logical continuation of the PR campaign started. Marketing campaign should be based primarily on advertising. It is preferable to use the following types of advertising: advertising in press – the target media sources that were mentioned above (entertainment; lifestyles; for women); billboards and citilights; Outdoor advertising is not recommended, since we deal with a luxury product, we need to choose adequate advertising carriers. However, it is very important to keep in mind, that it is very easy to cross the line and give too much information during this preliminary campaign. It would be a mistake, since all the essential and important the target audience must get visiting the event. Moreover, using heavy advertising it is possibly to provoke substantial interest of customers so that the latter would inquire about the product (having a desire to purchase it) at the point-of-sales and would be disappointed not be able to buy perfume. Thus, it is crucial to mention at the advertisement something like â€Å"Soon to come† or â€Å"In future in your stores†, just letting target customers know that it is not possible to buy the product right now. Announcing the event Three days prior to the event, it is necessary to write and sent to all target media press-release announcing the event. Press-release is a short description of the upcoming event. The obligatory requisites of press-release are: date of the event, place and time of the event, short description, key participants, the date when the release is written and sent, the contact details for journalists’ accreditation. Press-release not just tells about the upcoming event, but it is also used often by the journalists to prepare their materials afterwards. Moreover, press-releases can be posted in some media and informational agencies, what will ensure additional mentioning of the company or brand in media. Press-release should not be too big. It should short but clear. Press-releases are printed on the company’s brand style paper containing logo of the brand. The actual event At the date of the event it is necessary to make journalists’ accreditation writing: the name, contacts, media represented of the journalists present at the event. Provided with such a list, it is easier to track whether the info about the event was published or not. Another important thing to prepare is special press kit to handle to journalists during the event. The typical press-kit should contain: brief info about the company and the brand presented; agenda of the event; short description of the event (based on press-release); detailed description of the product. Press-kits help journalists to prepare their materials for coverage and increase the chances of the event or the brand to be covered in media. Moreover, press-kits can be also a marketing tool. Special leaflets and small booklets with info about the company and the brand should be in easy distribution, so that all visitors can take out such materials. This will ensure additional soundness of the company and brand. Evaluation The final stage of event organization and media support is preparing and sending-out post-release and monitoring media coverage afterwards. The post-release states in the past tense that the event took place and contains the short description of the event. Post-release are sent to all target media as well. The monitoring phase is quite important, since it enables us to evaluate how effective the organization of the event was. The media monitoring shows: how many articles, comments or other materials appeared in media after the event; what emotional character those materials have –positive, negative, neutral; what type media covered the event – magazines, TV, newspapers etc. In general, the effectiveness of the marketing communication of the special event can be based on: the number of visitors; the comments and materials in press; the width of media coverage; the volume of sales short time after the event. In such a way, special event organization should necessarily be supported by appropriate marketing communication that must contain both PR and advertising support. The essential instruments are press- and post-releases, press-kits and other marketing tools (info leaflets), advertising in press, billboards and citilights. An important post event procedure is media monitoring. References 1.   Applbaum K. (2004) â€Å"The Marketing Era† Routledge, New York 2. Brown S. (2000) â€Å"Imagining Marketing: Art, aesthetics and the avant-garde† Routledge, London 3.Cateora P. (1990)†International Marketing†, 7th ed. Irwin, Homewood, IL 4.Drucker P. (1977) â€Å"People and Performance† Harper College Press, NY 5.Eastman S. (2000) â€Å"Research in Media Promotion† Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ 6. Goleman D.(1997). â€Å"Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ† Reprint edition, Bantam, NY   

Counseling Helping Clients Find Solutions Essay - 1345 Words

Counseling can be viewed as relationship between two individuals, a counselor and a client, with the aim of helping the client overcome a problem or reduce adversary/suffering .In this relationship, the assumption is that the client is in a problem and needs assistance, while the counselor is experienced and possesses unconditional positive regard to the client (Colin J. S Graham U. 1994).Therefore, counseling may also be regarded as a helping profession because it aims at helping the clients deal with the problems they face. The counselor is the person who offers services of counseling and is a professional who has undergone training to acquire the skills and competency to do the job. The client or counselee is the person faced with a†¦show more content†¦The stressors to the adolescents may be physical, emotional sexual, financial or sociological. The counselor should pay attention to all these aspects because they are interrelated and therefore need to be considered in the process of solving the problem. Ignoring one aspect may lead to a poor understanding of the problem or use of the wrong strategy by the counselor which eventually does not solve the problem. Style: The school counselors could apply an holistic leadership style in there operation by designing programs which ensure a good environment for learning e.g. clubs for various groups and a variety of leisure activities for the students while in and out of school. They can also work with the school administration to provide financial s upport to students with financial problems. They could also champion for the respect of students and parents as well as social justice for the students within the school environment (Dollarhide, C.T, 2003) Philosophy: The philosophy guiding the school a counselor is that individuals at this stage have a unique personality which may be highly influenced by the process of human growth and development, and therefore, pose as a threat to a smooth life on the part of the individuals.(Akos,P.2005), thus the need to be multifaceted in the approach. Theory to counseling: In counseling, theory is used as a frame of reference by the counselor in his/her operation. It gives insight to the counselor andShow MoreRelatedExpository Essay : Career And Psychology865 Words   |  4 PagesSupporting Point#1 – (subtopic 1): Career /psychology, counseling– Study.com Counseling 101 chpt.1 lesson.03 a. 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