#Date Palm

[emaadsidiki]

Bellagio Balm & Pineapple Palm 🍍🌴

[hadeth]

 عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ شَجَرَةً لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَإِنَّهَا مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِ، فَحَدِّثُونِي مَا هِيَ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ، فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ قَالُوا حَدِّثْنَا مَا هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ ‏"‏‏.‏ صحيح البخاري ومسلم حديث ٦١ - ٢٨١١

Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, "What is that tree, O Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) ?" He replied, "It is the date-palm tree." Sahih al-Bukhari 61 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 3 // Sahih Muslim 2811 a In-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 52

قال المهلب: معنى طرح المسائل على التلا��يذ لترسخ فى القلوب وتثبت، لأن ما جرى منه فى المذاكرة لا يكاد ينسى. وفيه: ضرب الأمثال بالشجر وغيرها، وشبه (صلى الله عليه وسلم) النخلة بالمسلم، كما شبهها الله فى كتابه، وضرب بها المثل للناس، فقال: (أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِى السَّمَاء (يعني النخلة التى) تُؤْتِى أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ) [إبراهيم: ٢٦] ، وكذلك المسلم يأتى الخير كل حين من الصلاة، والصوم، وذكر الله تعالى، فكأن الخير لا ينقطع منه، فهو دائم كما تدوم أوراق النخلة فيها، ثم الثمر الكائن منها في أوقاته. شرح صحيح البخاري لابن بطال

قال الربيع بن أنس : " كل حين " : أي : كل غدوة وعشية ، لأن ثمر النخل يؤكل أبدا ليلا ونهارا ، صيفا وشتاء ، إما تمرا أو رطبا أو بسرا ، كذلك عمل المؤمن يصعد أول النهار وآخره وبركة إيمانه لا تنقطع أبدا ، بل تصل إليه في كل وقت . والحكمة في تمثيل الإيمان بالشجرة : هي أن الشجرة لا تكون شجرة إلا بثلاثة أشياء : عرق راسخ ، وأصل قائم ، وفرع عال ، كذلك الإيمان لا يتم إلا بثلاثة أشياء : تصديق بالقلب ، وقول باللسان ، وعمل بالأبدان . تفسير البغوي

وَفِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ فَوَائِدُ - مِنْهَا اسْتِحْبَابُ إِلْقَاءِ الْعَالِمِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ عَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ لِيَخْتَبِرَ أَفْهَامَهُمْ وَيُرَغِّبَهُمْ فِي الْفِكْرِ وَالِاعْتِنَاءِ - وَفِيهِ ضَرْبُ الْأَمْثَالِ وَالْأَشْبَاهِ وَفِيهِ تَوْقِيرُ الْكِبَارِ كَمَا فَعَلَ بن عُمَرَ لَكِنْ إِذَا لَمْ يَعْرِفِ الْكِبَارُ الْمَسْأَلَةَ فَيَنْبَغِي لِلصَّغِيرِ الَّذِي يَعْرِفُهَا أَنْ يَقُولَهَا - وَفِيهِ سُرُورُ الْإِنْسَانِ بِنَجَابَةِ وَلَدِهِ وَحُسْنِ فَهْمِهِ وَقَوْلُ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ لَأَنْ تَكُونَ قُلْتَ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ أَرَادَ بِذَلِكَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَدْعُ�� لِابْنِهِ وَيَعْلَمُ حُسْنَ فَهْمِهِ وَنَجَابَتِهِ - وَفِيهِ فَضْلُ النَّخْلِ قَالَ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَشَبَّهَ النَّخْلَةَ بِالْمُسْلِمِ فِي كَثْرَةِ خَيْرِهَا وَدَوَامِ ظِلِّهَا وَطِيبِ ثَمَرِهَا وَوُجُودِهِ عَلَى الدَّوَامِ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ حِينِ يَطْلُعُ ثَمَرُهَا لايزال يُؤْكَلُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى يَيْبَسَ وَبَعْدَ أَنْ يَيْبَسَ يُتَّخَذُ مِنْهُ مَنَافِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْ خَشَبِهَا وَوَرَقِهَا وَأَغْصَانِهَا فَيُسْتَعْمَلُ جُذُوعًا وَحَطَبًا وَعِصِيًّا وَمَخَاصِرَ وَحُصْرًا وَحِبَالًا وَأَوَانِيَ وَغَيْرَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ آخِرُ شَيْءٍ مِنْهَا نَوَاهَا وَيُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ عَلَفًا لِلْإِبِلِ ثُمَّ جَمَالُ نَبَاتِهَا وَحُسْنُ هَيْئَةِ ثَمَرِهَا فَهِي مَنَافِعُ كُلُّهَا وَخَيْرٌ وَجَمَالٌ كَمَا أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ خَيْرٌ كُلُّهُ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ طَاعَاتِهِ وَمَكَارِمِ أَخْلَاقِهِ وَيُوَاظِبُ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ وَصِيَامِهِ وَقِرَاءَتِهِ وَذِكْرِهِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالصِّلَةِ وَسَائِرِ الطَّاعَاتِ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَهَذَا هُوَ الصَّحِيحُ فِي وَجْهِ التَّشْبِيهِ قِيلَ وَجْهُ الشَّبَهِ أَنَّهُ إِذَا قَطَعَ رَأْسَهَا مَاتَتْ بِخِلَافِ بَاقِي الشَّجَرِ وقيل لأنها لاتحمل حَتَّى تُلَقَّحَ وَاَللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ قَوْلُهُ (فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي) أَيْ ذَهَبَتْ أَفْكَارُهُمْ إِلَى أَشْجَارِ الْبَوَادِي وَكَانَ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ يُفَسِّرُهَا بِنَوْعٍ مِنْ أَنْوَاعِ شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي وَذَهِلُوا عَنِ النَّخْلَةِ قوله (قال بن عُمَرَ وَأُلْقِي فِي نَفْسِي أَوْ رُوعِي أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ فَجَعَلْتُ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُولَهَا فَإِذَا أَسْنَانُ الْقَوْمِ فَأَهَابُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ) الرُّوعُ هُنَا بِضَمِّ الرَّاءِ وَهُوَ النَّفْسُ وَالْقَلْبُ وَالْخَلَدُ وَأَسْنَانُ الْقَوْمِ يَعْنِي كِبَارُهُمْ وَشُيُوخُهُمْ .. شرح النووي على صحيح مسلم

Al-Mahlab said: The meaning of asking questions to the students so that they may be fixed in their hearts, because what is learned in study is hardly ever forgotten. And in it: He (peace be upon him) likened the palm tree to the Muslim, as Allah has likened it in His Book, and set an example for people, saying: "See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). * Giving its fruit at all times, " [Ibrahim:٢٤ - ٢٥] Similarly, a Muslim does good all the time, from prayer, fasting, and remembrance of Allah Almighty. translated from Commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari by Ibn Battal

The believer is just like the beneficial date tree, always having good actions ascending at all times, by day and by night. ... Allah said next, تُؤْتِى أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ ( Giving its fruit at all times, ) It is said that it means by day and by night. And they say that describes the believer as a tree that always has fruits during summer and winter, by night and by day. This is the parable of the believer whose good works ascend to heaven by day and by night and at all times,... Quran 14:25 Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[hyssopandbee]

Long time no post! Haven't had much to share in the winter months, but here's a fun project I did recently: germinating dates! The packet I was eating was labeled "Medjool," from Turkey, if that's any indication of what variety they are. I've no idea who's taking these in as they're most definitely not hardy around here.

One in particular had a tough time breaking the surface of the dirt, and so corkscrewed itself up until I freed it. We'll see how it grows. Highly recommend looking at any seed you encounter and asking "Can I germinate this?" and then realizing what you grew can be 50ft tall.

[bewarethecheese]

The view from a #fort just outside of #Muscat, #Oman. A daily photo from my archives. bewarethecheese.com #photography #travel #asia #middleeast

[dawnleaf37]

objectober 2: picnic

photosynthesis is like basically eating and theyre in an outdoor place so I think that fits the definition good enough

[optikestrav]

minaret, steeple and date-palms (2023)

Casablanca Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1930-1956)

© optikestrav

[thebotanicalarcade]

Landscape photograph of Jerusalem, circa 1960

[whats-in-a-sentence]

African Sunrise

Gertrude May Lutz

Sky

Over the last star;

The parrot-winds

Sharp-beaked with yellow

Nipping the bunched date palms . . .

Now the camels

Open their beeswax eyes

And raise long necks,

Rutted sound in their throats –

Camels, pock-marking the sand with spread knees,

Lifting the odor of under-body with them.

Sun –

The burn of it

Hot-coined to each eyelid,

And desert-stretched,

the caravan of hours

not yet begun.

"Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle... And Other Modern Verse" - compiled by Stephen Dunning, Edward Lueders, and Hugh Smith

[shiraglassman]

Vero Beach, Florida 🌴

[rinibayphoto]

[hadeth]

نزل رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ على أبي. قال فقرَّبنا إليه طعامًا ووطبةً. فأكل منها. ثم أُتِيَ بتمرٍ فكان يأكله ويُلقي النَّوى بين إصبعَيه ويجمع السبابةَ والوُسطى ( قال شعبة : هو ظني. وهو فيه ، إن شاء اللهَ ، إلقاءُ النَّوَى بين الإصبعَينِ ). ثم أُتِيَ بشرابٍ فشربه. ثم ناوله الذي عن يمينِه. قال فقال أبي ، وأخذ بلجامِ دابتِه : ادعُ اللهَ لنا. فقال “ اللهمَّ ! بارِكْ لهم في ما رزقتَهم . واغفرْ لهم وارحمْهم “ صحيح مسلم حديث ٢٠٤٢

‘Abdullah b. Busr reported: Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) came to my father and we brought to him a meal and a preparation from dates, cheese and butter. He ate out of that. He was then given dates which he ate, putting the stones between his fingers and holding his forefinger and middle finger together” - Shu'bah said: “I think we learn from this that one may hold the date stones between two fingers, In shaAllah.” Then a drink was brought for him and he drank it, and then gave it to one who was on his right side. He (the narrator) said: My father took hold of the rein of his riding animal and requested him to supplicate for us. Thereupon he said: ” O Allah. bless them in what You have provided them as a sustenance; and forgive them and have mercy upon them.” Sahih Muslim 2042 a In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 202

باب اسْتِحْبَابِ وَضْعِ النَّوَى خَارِجَ التَّمْرِ وَاسْتِحْبَابِ دُعَاءِ الضَّيْفِ لأَهْلِ الطَّعَامِ وَطَلَبِ الدُّعَاءِ مِنَ الضَّيْفِ الصَّالِحِ وَإِجَابَتِهِ لِذَلِكَ.. مسلم ()

عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بُسْرٍ بِضَمِّ الْبَاءِ وَيَزِيدُ بْنُ خُمَيْرٍ بِضَمِّ الْخَاءِ الْمُعْجَمَةِ وَفَتْحِ الْمِيمِ وَقَوْلُهُ وَوَطْبَةً هَكَذَا رِوَايَةُ الْأَكْثَرِينَ وَطْبَةً بِالْوَاوِ وَإِسْكَانِ الطَّاءِ وَبَعْدَهَا بَاءٌ مُوَحَّدَةٌ وَهَكَذَا رَوَاهُ النَّضْرُ بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ رَاوِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ وَالنَّضْرُ إِمَامٌ مِنْ أَئِمَّةِ اللُّغَةِ وَفَسَّرَهُ النَّضْرُ فَقَالَ الْوَطْبَةُ الْحَيْسُ يَجْمَعُ التَّمْرَ الْبَرْنِيَّ وَالْأَقِطَ الْمَدْقُوقَ وَالسَّمْنَ وَكَذَا ضَبَطَهُ أَبُو مَسْعُودٍ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ الْبَرْقَانِيُّ وَآخَرُونَ وَهَكَذَا هُوَ عِنْدَنَا فِي مُعْظَمِ النُّسَخِ … وقوله ويلقى النوى بين أصبعيه أى يجعله بَيْنَهُمَا لِقِلَّتِهِ وَلَمْ يُلْقِهِ فِي إِنَاءِ التَّمْرِ لِئَلَّا يَخْتَلِطَ بِالتَّمْرِ وَقِيلَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُهُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْأُصْبُعَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَرْمِي بِهِ وَقَوْلُهُ قَالَ شُعْبَةُ هُوَ ظَنِّيٌّ وَهُوَ فِيهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ إِلْقَاءُ النَّوَى مَعْنَاهُ أَنَّ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ الَّذِي أَظُنُّهُ أَنَّ إِلْقَاءَ النَّوَى مَذْكُورٌ فِي الْحَدِيثِ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى تَرَدُّدٍ فِيهِ وَشَكٍّ وَفِي الطَّرِيقِ الثَّانِي جَزَمَ بِإِثْبَاتِهِ وَلَمْ يَشُكَّ فَهُوَ ثابت بهذه الرواية وأما رواية الشك فلاتضر سَوَاءٌ تَقَدَّمَتْ عَلَى هَذِهِ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَتْ لِأَنَّهُ تَيَقَّنَ فِي وَقْتٍ وَشَكَّ فِي وَقْتٍ فَالْيَقِينُ ثابت ولايمنعه النِّسْيَانُ فِي وَقْتٍ آخَرٍ وَقَوْلُهُ فَشَرِبَهُ ثُمَّ نَاوَلَهُ الَّذِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فِيهِ أَنَّ الشَّرَابَ ونحوه يدار على الْيَمِينِ كَمَا سَبَقَ تَقْرِيرُهُ فِي بَابِهِ قَرِيبًا وَفِيهِ اسْتِحْبَابُ طَلَبِ الدُّعَاءِ مِنَ الْفَاضِلِ وَدُعَاءِ الضَّيْفِ بِتَوْسِعَةِ الرِّزْقِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ وَالرَّحْمَةِ وَقَدْ جَمَعَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي هَذَا الدُّعَاءِ خَيْرَاتِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ�� شرح النووي على مسلم ()

في هذا الحديثِ يَرْوي عبدُ اللهِ بنُ بُسرٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهما أنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ نزَلَ ضَيفًا على والِده؛ فقرَّبُوا إليه، أي: وضَعُوا له طعامًا «ووَطْبَةً»، وهو طَعامٌ يُتَّخَذُ مِن التَّمرِ حيث يُخرَجُ نَواهُ ويُعجَنُ باللَّبَنِ، فَأكلَ منها النَّبِيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، ثُمَّ جِيءَ له صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ بِتمرٍ فكان يَأكُلُه ويُلْقِي النَّوى بَيْنَ أُصبعَيْه السَّبَّابةِ والوُسْطَى، بمعنى أنَّه صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ لا يُلقيهِ في وِعاءِ التَّمرِ؛ لئلَّا يَختلِطَ بالتَّمرِ، ولا يَرمِيه على الأرضِ مُحافَظةً على نَظافةِ المكانِ، وفَسَّره بعضُهم بأنَّه كان يَجمَعُها بيْنَ أصابعهِ لِيَرمِيَها بعدَ ذلك في مَحلٍّ مُناسِبٍ، ثُمَّ أُتِيَ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ بِشرابٍ مِن ماءٍ أو ما يقومُ مَقامَه فَشَربَه ثُمَّ أعطاه لِلَّذي عَن يَمينِه، ثُمَّ بعْدَ جَلستِه صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ عندَ أهلِ بَيتِ عبدِ اللهِ، قام فرَكِبَ دابَّتَه لِيَنصرِفَ، فأمسَكَ بُسرٌ والدُ عبدِ اللهِ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهما بِلِجامِ دابَّةِ النَّبِيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ وطلَبَ منه أنْ يَدعوَ اللهَ له ولأهْلِه، فدعا صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ وقال: «اللَّهمَّ بارِكْ لهم فيما رزقْتَهم»، وعلامةُ البرَكةِ القناعةُ والتَّوفِيقُ لِلطَّاعةِ، «واغْفرْ لهم» أي: ذُنوبَهم، «وارحَمْهم»: بِالتَّفضُّلِ عليهم، فجَمَع صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ لهم في هذا الدُّعاءِ خَيرَي الدُّنيا والآخرةِ. وفي الحديثِ: تعليمُ النَّبِيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ أُمَّتَه أدَبَ أكْلِ التَّمرِ. وفيه: أنَّ مِن هدْيِه صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ أنْ يُدارَ الشَّرابُ ونحوُه على اليمينِ. وفيه: المبادرةُ في ��كرامِ الضَّيفِ، وتَقديمِ الطَّعامِ والشَّرابِ له. وفيه: طَلبُ الدُّعاءِ مِن أهلِ الفضْلِ والصَّلاحِ. وفيه: دُعاءُ الضَّيفِ لأهلِ بَيتِ الضِّيافةِ بتَوسِعةِ الرِّزقِ. الدرر السنية ()

Chapter: It is recommended to take the stones out of dates, and it is recommended for the guest to pray for the host and to ask a righteous guest to supplicate, and he should respond to that request.. Muslim ()

[emperornorton47]

Date palms

[rabbitcruiser]

Medjoola Date Day

Medjool Date Day takes place on February 4 yearly and serves the purpose of highlighting the benefits of the Medjool dates. Originally a Middle-Eastern fruit, Medjool dates made their way to the U.S in the 18th century, and since then, they have reigned in the hearts of the people. With a hint of caramel flavor, the dates are sweet, delicious, and one of the healthiest snacks on the market nowadays. They are also great for energy and can do wonders for people who are trying to cut down on the consumption of artificial sugar.

History of Medjoola Date Day

Medjool dates, like many other delicious fruits, have existed in this world for centuries. Though dates can be traced back to around 5000 to 6000 B.C., it took some time to reach different parts of the world. This was only possible with the technological evolution in transport, as the fruit was transported to different regions of the world. The Medjool dates, originally from Morocco, were brought to Nevada in 1927. From there, the plantation grew in abundance. Today, it is one of two date varieties grown in the U.S. And yes – people are really fond of this fruit.

Medjool dates were introduced into America by Walter Swingle in the 20th century. Swingle was assigned by the U.S government to identify some exotic crops around the globe, and after the researcher discovered dates, he transported them to America. During that time, however, not many were familiar with dates. This was, after all, a fruit they hadn’t heard of before. But as globalization happened and different cultures were brought to the forefront, people came to recognize dates for the delicious fruit they are. One of the main events that added to the popularity of dates in America was the annual date festival that started in 1921.

Today, dates are eaten by people of all ages, for their delicious taste as well as the numerous health benefits linked to them. A 2021 study reveals that Medjool dates are a good source of phenolic compounds.

Medjoola Date Day timeline

7000 B.C. The Fruit Delight

The Mehrgarh civilization cultivates dates in the Asian region.

3000 B.C. Reap What You Sow

Dates are grown in Mesopotamia.

2600 - 1900 B.C. Sweet Valley

The Indus Valley Civilization grows and consumes dates.

2019 Going Strong

Nine million tonnes of date fruit are produced.

Medjoola Date Day FAQs

What is the difference between Medjool dates and regular dates?

Medjool dates are more caramel-like in taste than regular dates (also called Deglet Noor).

Do dates make you fat?

Consuming a large number of dates can lead to weight gain.

Are Medjool dates healthier than other dates?

They may be healthier since Medjool dates contain more calcium.

Medjoola Date Day Activities

Buy some Medjool Dates

Share their benefits

Cook a dish

Honor the day by heading out to the store and buying some Medjool dates for yourself and your family. Don’t forget to serve them at the dinner table!

Since Medjool dates are good for health, it's only fair you share their benefits with other people too. Find some good articles and start posting on social media now!

Start the day well by cooking up some yummy date dishes in your kitchen. Some items you can attempt include date biscuits, puddings, and cakes.

5 Fun Facts About Dates

Dates are grown in California

Nickname of Medjool dates

Amount of fiber in dates

A perennial plant

Edibles made from dates

95% of the dates in the United States are grown in California.

It’s known as the ‘king of dates.’

It has 12% of the fiber amount our body needs daily.

The date palm takes four to five years to grow.

This includes syrup, alcohol, and vinegar.

Why We Love Medjoola Date Day

The fruit is highly nutritious

Its potential health benefits

It can be a substitute for sugar

Offering a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, Medjool dates are a rich source of healthful nutrients. It also contains more calcium than other common date varieties.

Protection from disease, indigestion, and cell damage are a few of the many health benefits of Medjool dates. And compared to figs and prunes, it has the highest antioxidant content.

Medjool dates are a rich source of natural sugar. The stone fruits are especially good for people monitoring their blood sugar because they have a low glycemic index and do not cause large increases in blood sugar.

Source

[bewarethecheese]

The view from a #fort just outside of #Muscat, #Oman. A daily photo from my archives. bewarethecheese.com #photography #travel #asia #middleeast

[shrutiramlingaiah]

hybrid date palm competing its real cousin

It appears by now my eyes have traced it thrice. Keeping a count is a bit contentious, but I exercise it often in a new place/city. Helps draw a landmark (in my head's backend) in cities that look similar mostly paved, grid lane setups. On the bus every day to the studio, I confront this standing tall telecommunication tower, spooky, clad in no-aging date palm. Also, no-bearing fruit. I know cause I have tried with my eyes squinted to check if they dangle a bunch of fruits. It is symbolic. A gesture, attire for connecting and networking, navigation and decorative, biome tensions forming a certain aesthetics of this place enhances the cultural scene even though looks imperceptibly artificial. What is not artificial is another discussion altogether. Not at all deceiving with my many rounds around this city of Abu Dhabi, and how it gets tough sometimes to be eventually found. Apparently taller than its natural-cousin which has an overall greyish/whitish greenish blue tinge to leaves and this is relatively greener and outstanding with the mobile service provider’s logo flaunted at its feet. In the landscape of urbanism, top-view architecture emphasises road pushing through space and land groomed to aptly mimic its capitalist intentions. An upscale look quickly transpires its antenna flagging into the blue sky. I am reminded of what Walter Benjamin said, “The power of country road when one is walking along it is different from the power it has when one is flying over it by aeroplane.” One would say, that the power of metropolitan roads has not many dynamics. Whether a real date palm tree radiates any freshness or idea of growth goes against how green it feels. how lush and various a tree features itself through changing seasons. Not that being so green removes its vitality in presence.

The date is a sweet fruit when it's ripe, scrumptious delicacies of a reward of sweetness, anecdotes on maamoul, ma’amoul reads an article on food history and culture with many other names it goes by across regions of the Middle East. Connecting people remains a fundamental idea behind date palms be it fake, a mega version of hybrid interconnectedness or mouth-watering cookies (I recently tasted filled of date paste). Traditionally understood as transforming ideas of home, family and gathering cut to this giant, connecting, signalling, magnetic waves distributed in a nuanced manner that translates growing urbanism’s infrastructural vision in an ever growing island city.

[optikestrav]

Aït Benhaddou, Morocco (September 2023)

© optikestrav