#Mehr-un-Nisa

[echoesoftime-heritagechronicles]

Celebrating Nur Jahan’s Patronage in Art and Architecture

[wishesofeternity]

“Nothing about the calamitous circumstances of Noor Jahan’s birth ... could have predicted the extraordinary and glorious career she was to have in the most glittering court in the world.

Noor Jahan is born in a caravan, outside the town of Kandahar, as her parents flee poverty and persecution in Tehran to seek their fortune in the rising Mughal court of Akbar in Hindustan. Her parents, Asmat Begum and Mirza Ghiyas Beg, are from a noble Persian family and the child Mehr-un-Nisa is given a thorough education in the Persian arts and letters. The educated, cultured Ghiyas Beg obtains a modest mansab of 300 horse at Akbar’s court at Fatehpur Sikri, which already counts numerous other Persian immigrants in attendance. At seventeen, Mehr-un-Nisa is given in marriage to Ali Quli, a Persian mercenary, who obtains some measure of fame as an excellent shot at the court of Salim Mirza, the future Jahangir, and is given the title Sher Afghan, killer of tigers. Mehr-un-Nisa learns how to hunt and shoot with her husband and gives birth to a daughter, Ladli, in 1605. Three years later, at the age of thirty, Mehr-un-Nisa is widowed. Mehr-un-Nisa and Ladli are taken into the household of the Mughal court, where Jahangir is now padshah. Her father has been awarded the title Itimad-ud-Daulah, ‘Pillar of Government’, and is Jahangir’s revenue minister while her brother, Asaf Khan, is an increasingly influential nobleman of the court. Mehr-un-Nisa is taken into the entourage of Ruqayya Begum, Akbar’s senior-most surviving widow, a childless woman, to whom she is a steady and cherished companion. ‘This Begam,’ writes a Dutch cloth merchant, Van den Broecke, about Ruqayya, ‘conceived a great affection for Mehr-un-Nisa; she loved her more than others and always kept her in her company.’ It is an established custom at the Mughal court that the padshah must protect all the widows and dependent members of those who have served him, and this tradition adds to the ever-growing number of women, children, and retainers in the Mughal zenana. In the imperial zenana, Mehr-un-Nisa has the close companionship of her family, especially her beloved parents, and the enormous network of zenana women.

“...it is in the meena bazaar in 1611 that Jahangir, now a respectable forty-two years old, sees Mehr-un-Nisa with Ruqayya Begum. Jahangir would have known who she was, since Mehr-un-Nisa’s father and brother are already valued members of his entourage, so the circumstances of her family and widowhood are known to him. Speaking to her, Jahangir is now seduced by the beauty, grace and charm of this thirty-four-year-old widow and within two months Jahangir has married her and Mehr-un-Nisa has become Noor Mahal, ‘Light of the Palace’, in a mirroring of Noor-ud-Din, Jahangir’s own title, ‘Light of the Faith’.

Noor Mahal will be Jahangir’s last legal wife and by 1616, she has become Noor Jahan, ‘Light of the World’. They never have any children together and, indeed, by the standards of the day, Noor Jahan is a mature woman, but for the next sixteen years of his life Jahangir will never again search for distraction in a younger wife’s charms. He has always been nurtured and cherished by a coterie of older women—Gulbadan, Haji Begum, Salima Sultan, Hamida Banu and his own milk mother—and in Noor Jahan Jahangir finds a felicitous blend of comforting, reassuring care and a woman with enormous talent, charisma and ability. Noor Jahan shares Jahangir’s aesthetic sense and contributes in many ways to the expansion of his imperial vision and legacy. Within a few years, Noor Jahan is issuing royal farmans signed with her own seal, having gold coins struck in her name, engaging in trade and has a series of magnificent buildings constructed through the breadth of the empire. Exceptionally for a woman, drums are beaten before her advance and ‘sometimes she would sit in the balcony of her palace, while the nobles would present themselves and listen to her dictates’. Noor Jahan’s family, already influential, further prospers as she becomes more powerful. Itimad-ud-Daulah, temporarily disgraced because of charges of embezzlement, which a contemporary writer sarcastically notes when he says that ‘in the taking of bribes he certainly was most uncompromising and fearless’, is reinstated. Asaf Khan, Noor Jahan’s brother, is honoured with the gift of one of Jahangir’s special swords, the Sarandaz, ‘Thrower of Head’, and the atmosphere at the Mughal court becomes conducive to an increasing influx of Persian talent. Where once the Atka Khail and Chagatai reigned supreme, and then the Rajputs, the Persians now are increasingly powerful. But it is in conducting international trade that Noor Jahan is exceptionally successful and the quantum of wealth this creates for her gives Noor Jahan the financial reach to sponsor buildings, offer gifts, organize marriages and entertainments, and sponsor charity, on a scale rarely seen before in a Mughal woman. 

“...As for Noor Jahan, her trade with the English is only a small part of her commercial activity. She owns and rents trade ships and trades with the Dutch and the Portuguese, in addition to the English. She collects duties at Sikandarabad on goods coming from Bhutan and Bengal, raw silk, spikenard, borax, verdigris, ginger and fennel, and invests specifically in the commerce of indigo and embroidered cloths. ‘The officers of Noor Jahan Begum, who built their Sarai there,’ clarifies a Dutch merchant, Francisco Pelsaert, ‘collect duties on all these goods before they can be shipped across the river, and also on innumerable kinds of grain, butter, and other provisions, which are produced in the eastern provinces.’ She begins her construction activities as early as 1616, when she spends 200,000 rupees on the Noor Manzil gardens in Agra. She also invests in infrastructure which helps in the smooth functioning of her trade routes. In 1620, following a proclamation from Jahangir for mileage towers, kos minars, to be built along all major highways in a bid to ensure safe travel in the empire, Noor Jahan builds a monumental caravanserai outside Agra called the Serai Noor Mahal. While many caravanserai were built during the reign of Jahangir, the Serai Noor Mahal is particularly magnificent, reflecting the wealth and splendour of its patron. It has large carved gateways, compartments for travellers, a bathhouse and a mosque. Two thousand travellers at a time, along with their camels and horses, can camp inside the serai at no expense. In the serai there are ‘servants, entrusted with the preparation of the food for guests, as well as doing all the other duties essential to comfort within the house, even to providing hot water for washing the feet’. All one has to do, specifies Manucci, is send for food from the nearby bazaar, since all other needs are met. ‘If the guests have horses,’ moreover, the servants ‘are required also to cook mung or chick pea, which is given instead of the barley we feed such animals in Europe.’ All this is done for just a small coin, which Manucci marvels at, admiring the servants’ work ethic when he says that ‘uncivilized and heathens though they are, they surpass our stable men and innkeepers of Europe’ who apparently are much more voracious in their fees. At night, the huge gates to the serai are slammed shut and bolted, to guard against thieves and brigands. The guard shouts out a warning to all the travellers, to guard their belongings, picket their horses by the leg and stay vigilant against wild dogs ‘for the dogs of Hindustan are very cunning and great thieves’. While most of the serais in the Punjab are relatively pedestrian, made from bricks, the Serai Noor Mahal is made from red sandstone, brought at great expense from the quarries at Fatehpur Sikri more than 300 miles away. The serai is decorated with traditional Islamic arabesques, but also with the Tree of Life and the flower pot of Persian iconography and elephants, peacocks and human figures reflecting the influence of Hindu art. There is also an inscription on the serai that proudly announces the name of the patron, the ‘angel-like Noor Jahan Begum’ so that all the traders and travellers on this lucrative trade route between Agra and Lahore are reminded of the power and compassion of the Mughal shahzaadi.

The trade, revenues collected and exorbitant gifts offered to the queen make Noor Jahan an exceedingly wealthy woman. In 1622, upon the death of her father Itimad-ud-Daulah, Jahangir awards the entire estate of this fabulously wealthy man to Noor Jahan, completely bypassing the dead man’s son, Asaf Khan. Noor Jahan is now the wealthiest woman in the Mughal empire and, arguably, in the world. Indeed Pieter van den Broecke, a Dutch cloth merchant, remarks that at the time of Jahangir’s death in 1627, Noor Jahan had amassed wealth ‘more than that left by the King’ himself. Jahangir himself had dazzling amounts of wealth which Hawkins estimated at half a billion rupees, a clearly inflated figure, but nonetheless a reflection of the visible opulence of the Mughal empire.

...Noor Jahan continues to be a dominant player in court politics and is also capable of being a talented and constant companion to Jahangir in all his activities. She is by his side in Ajmer when he participates at the urs at Moinuddin Chishti’s shrine. Jahangir has a large cauldron made in Agra and brought to Ajmer during the saint’s death celebrations. The padshah ‘ordered them to cook food for the poor in that pot, and collect together the poor of Amir to feed them whilst I was there’, Thomas Coryat, an English traveller, is surprised to note. He also observes Jahangir ‘kindling a fire with his own hands and his Normahal under that immense…brasse-pot, and made kitcherie for 5000 poor, taking out the first platter with his own hands and serving one; Normahal the second; and so his ladies all the rest’. Noor Jahan often accompanies him on the hunt, which Jahangir is very fond of, and excels at it. She understands his flamboyant need for entertainment as distraction from his many ills and occasional bad humour and organizes the most resplendent feasts. Even to the details of her involvement in embroidery design, clothing and jewellery, she demonstrates a fine taste which reflects Jahangir’s. Noor Jahan loves the colour white, and favours clothes in paler colours, as opposed to the more riotous tastes of the Rajput and other Hindu wives. She invents the farsh-e-chandani, a spreading of snow-white sheets instead of carpets in a room. She also invents the dodamni, a light cloth weighing two dams, and the pachtoliya, a cloth weighing five tolas, as a head covering for women, the high Turkish hats having long disappeared from the Mughal court. Jahangir too is an aesthete and passionately interested in the clothes and jewellery worn at the court. All his clothes are designed expressly only for him, and he wears them just once. Certain textiles and garments are reserved solely for his use and no courtier may use them. He introduces the fashion of embroidery on the collar and the hems of the long sleeves of the qaba. He also starts the fashion for earrings for men when in 1615, after a recovery which he believes he owes to Moinuddin Chishti, he has pearl earrings made which signified that he was a slave of Moinuddin. All the nobles and courtiers immediately do the same and now it is de rigueur for the elegant men of the Mughal court to wear earrings. Even Asmat Begum, Noor Jahan’s mother, contributes to the elegance of the courtly life by making perfumes. The Mughals love perfumes, having a visceral hate for the sweat that is provoked by the intolerably hot climate of Agra and Delhi. They bathe frequently and change their clothes every day, casting off their day-old clothes, handing them on to their servants. Incense is burned throughout the day through the rooms of the zenana and fresh flowers are brought in from the flower gardens to perfume the rooms. Chameli, mogra, champa, nargis, harsinghar gulab, kamal and malti are some of the flowers grown in the palace gardens and scent is also extracted from these flowers. One day, while Asmat Begum is making rose water, she finds that a scum is formed on the top of this hot concoction and that by collecting the scum bit by bit, she is able to gather a potent oil of such strength ‘that if one drop be rubbed on the palm of the hand it scents a whole assembly and it appears as if many red rosebuds had bloomed at once’. Jahangir is delighted by this perfume, which Salima Sultan tactfully names Itr-e-Jahangiri. ‘It restores hearts that have gone,’ exclaims the jaded padshah, ‘and brings back withered souls’. Noor Jahan and her talented family surround the emperor with beauty and elegance and it is not surprising that according to the eighteenth-century biographer Shah Nawaz Khan ‘the emperor used to say that until she came to his house, he had not understood domestic pleasures or the spirituality of marriage’.

... Noor Jahan is now at the height of her power and influence at the Mughal court. Her family have also become immensely successful, marrying into the Persian nobility and gaining steady promotions under Jahangir, none more so than Itimad-ud-Daulah. As early as 1617, Jahangir honours him ‘as an intimate friend by directing the ladies of the harem not to veil their faces before him’. There are very few men, apart from the padshah, his young sons and the eunuchs, who are allowed to visit the women of the zenana when they are without their veils so this is a high honour indeed. Itimad-ud-Daulah is appointed prime minister and granted a flag and a drum and, as a special favour, is permitted to sound his drums in the royal presence. In 1619, as part of elaborate Navroz celebrations, Itimad-ud-Daulah presents to Jahangir a magnificent throne, made by a Frenchman and erstwhile counterfeiter of precious stones. Augustin Hiriart is hired by Jahangir for his skill in making beautiful, jewelled objects, and at the Mughal court he is renamed Hunarmand from the Persian hunarmandi or skilful. The throne that Hunarmand has created takes three years to build and costs a staggering 450,000 rupees and Jahangir is well pleased. Jahangir is able to delegate most matters to his talented wife while he occupies himself with the matters that interest him the most: the beauty of the natural world, his ateliers with their painters of miniatures and the aggrandizement of the imperial image through the visual arts. Jahangir consults Noor Jahan, Itimad-ud-Daulah or Asaf Khan on most matters and the biographer Shah Nawaz Khan agrees that ‘the disposal of the affairs of the kingdom were in her hands’. Such is her power that ‘except for the khutba not having been read in her name, she exercised all the prerogatives of royalty’. The farmans she issues are wide ranging and numerous, similar in scope to Jahangir’s edicts. Moreover, whereas the earlier Mughal women such as Hamida Banu and Harkha Bai had simply had their names written on their seals, Noor Jahan’s seal on her farmans reads; ‘By the light of the sun of the emperor Jahangir, the bezel of the seal of Noor Jahan the Empress of the age has become resplendent like the moon.’

In 1621, Asmat Begum, Noor Jahan’s mother, dies and Itimad-ud-Daulah is devastated. Within three months of his wife’s death, Itimad-ud-Daulah dies too and for Noor Jahan, this is a shattering loss. She inherits all of her father’s riches and becomes fabulously wealthy but she acquires two powerful new enemies. In the next few years, as Jahangir becomes increasingly ill, his body faltering under the years of assault from wine and opium, various factions across the empire swirl and coalesce together to stake a claim for the Mughal throne. Asaf Khan’s daughter, the young Arjumand Banu has been married for ten years to Khurram Mirza, now Shah Jahan. Disinherited from his own father’s fortunes and wary of his sister’s ambition for her daughter Ladli Begum, Asaf Khan aligns himself with his son-in-law. Noor Jahan, meanwhile, has married Ladli Begum to the youngest of Jahangir’s sons, the handsome but imbecilic Shahriyar. The unfortunate Khusrau is given over to the uncertain care of Shah Jahan, who soon has him murdered, for the Mughal empire has now become worth killing for. The days when Babur encouraged his sons to get along with each other are long gone. There are betrayals and alliances and flickering violence. Noor Jahan enters the fray gallantly, at one point riding on elephant-back to rescue her beleaguered husband, who is practically being held prisoner by his erstwhile faithful retainer, Mahabat Khan, and his army of 5,000 Rajputs, because of the high-stakes intrigues surrounding Jahangir’s sons. But Shah Jahan has gathered a huge following during his years on campaigns for his father and upon Jahangir’s death, in 1627, he becomes Padshah Ghazi of the Mughal empire. Noor Jahan, vanquished, retires to Lahore with Ladli Begum, who is soon widowed when Shahriyar is murdered upon the orders of Shah Jahan. Mother and daughter live in quiet retirement and Shah Jahan decrees a generous yearly allowance of 200,000 rupees for Noor Jahan. All other signs of Noor Jahan’s influence and power, however, are meticulously erased. He bans the use of Noor Jahan’s gold coins, under pain of death, and has all her coins melted. Her royal drums fall silent and the imperial elephants are no longer hers to command. Noor Jahan displays the same grace and dignity in retirement as she did when she was Padshah Begum of Hindustan. She dies eighteen years later, and steps into immortality as the most charismatic and influential of the Mughal queens. But before her death, Noor Jahan creates one last piece of art—the ultimate reflection of her flawless aesthetics and her visionary and unique artistic expression. She builds a tomb, from her own funds, for her parents at Agra called Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, which is so beautiful it will be used as an inspiration for a later, more famous, monument to love.

... Noor Jahan owed her meteoric rise to power to her status as the wife of the padshah. From the time that Jahangir dies, her powerful charisma vanishes, like dew on the misty mornings in her flower gardens at Agra. It is poignant that the most ephemerally beautiful and enduring monument Noor Jahan builds is not to the memory of Jahangir, but to her beloved parents, whose warm abiding presence was the bedrock upon which she built her legacy. Noor Jahan will spend eighteen years in charmless obscurity in Lahore, and it will be a galling reality to a woman who once commanded ships and ambassadors. As Shah Jahan settles into Agra and makes it the imperial capital, Noor Jahan may have taken some comfort from the fact that he was circled by a luminescent series of buildings, the Noormahal Serai, the Noor Afza gardens with their pleasure pavilion and, further away, Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, all built through the wealth and the grace of her patronage.”

- Ira Mukhoty, “Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire”

[caprice247]

RELEASE FRIDAY: DAS SIND DIE NEUEN DEUTSCHRAP-SINGLES & ALBEN!

Es ist schon wieder Freitag, ihr wisst, was das bedeutet: Heute um 0 Uhr erscheinen neue Singles, Alben, EPs und Mixtapes des Deutschrap-Universums. Einige der wichtigsten Releases haben wir hier für euch aufgelistet.

Die neuen Deutschrap-Alben der Woche

Genetikk – Sacrifice

Pashanim – Tage vor 2000 (EP)

Asche – Bosshaftes Massaker (EP)

Ansu & Cato – Zuhause (EP)

Estikay – Tennisplatz (EP)

Lélé – Long Story (EP)

Die neuen Deutschrap-Singles der Woche

Ufo361 – LeaveMe_

Asche ft. Kollegah – Bosshaftes Massaker

Olexesh – Schmetterling

Yakary ft. PA Sports – Blei

Faroon – Heartless

Shoki – Schweinegeld

Animus – Banana Bars

Disarstar ft. Jugglerz & Frida Gold – WSWT

Majoe ft. Linaa – Liebe & Hass

Liaze ft. Rua – Weit weg

Booz ft. Ion Miles – Lass uns feiern

Crackaveli ft. Lugatti – Kein Joke

Gola Gianni – WYA?

Manuellsen ft. Megaloh – 2023 Remastered

Fero47 – Jack Daniels

Yung Pepsi ft. Money Boy – Hunde Freestyle 3

dieserBuddha – Freitagsvibe

Mortel – Banlieue

Koushino ft. Safraoui & Hoodblaq – Patek Phillipe

Nisa – Wer wir waren

Koçan ft. Manuellsen – Das sind Wir

Taha ft. Antifuchs – Kinderspielplatz

Zymba – Next Up Germany S1 E26

Nugat – Feen

Sanito – Lach nicht mehr...

WILSN – Home Tonight

kid kensaii – Lotus

Holandez - Holandezense

[ordonews]

Amazing discovery: Physicists have discovered the brightest and most powerful light ever observed from the Sun

NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — The Sun, the closest star to us, has always attracted the attention of scientists. However, a recent discovery has left researchers amazed. Physicists have detected the most energetic light ever observed from the Sun, shedding new light on the mysteries of our celestial neighbor. The international team behind this breakthrough discovery includes Mehr Un Nisa, a…

[daily-quiz-join]

Jahangir: The fourth ruler of Mughal dynasty

Jahangir, the fourth ruler of the illustrious Mughal dynasty, ascended to the throne in 1605, following in the footsteps of his father, Akbar the Great. His reign marked a unique period in the Mughal Empire's history, characterized by a splendid fusion of art, culture, and governance. This article delves into the life, accomplishments, and the cultural zenith achieved during the reign of Jahangir, a ruler who played a pivotal role in shaping the Mughal Empire.

Table: Important Details about Jahangir

DetailInformationFull NameNur-ud-din Muhammad Salim JahangirBirth DateAugust 31, 1569BirthplaceFatehpur Sikri, IndiaDeath DateOctober 28, 1627Place of DeathRajauri, Kashmir, IndiaDynastyThe Mughal EmpireReign PeriodOctober 3, 1605 – October 28, 1627ReligionIslam (Sunni)SpousesMehr-un-Nisa (Nur Jahan) and othersChildrenShah Jahan, Prince Khusrau, and moreNotable AchievementsPromotion of arts and culture, Religious tolerance, Administrative reforms, Patronage of the East India Company Early Life and Ascension Jahangir, born on August 31, 1569, was originally named Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim. He was the third son of Akbar the Great and Mariam-uz-Zamani, and his birthplace was the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri in India. His upbringing was deeply influenced by the rich cultural environment of the Mughal court, where art and learning thrived. Education and Cultural Exposure Jahangir received a comprehensive education that encompassed a wide range of subjects, from art and literature to political science and warfare. His tutelage under various scholars and mentors, including Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, contributed to his broad knowledge base and refined sensibilities. Key Influences: - Akbar's Legacy: The principles and policies of his illustrious father, Akbar, had a profound impact on Jahangir's approach to governance and cultural patronage. - Love for Art: Jahangir's passion for art and culture was nurtured by his early exposure to Persian miniatures, Mughal architecture, and literary masterpieces. Ascension to the Throne Jahangir's ascent to the Mughal throne in 1605 was not without challenges. His father, Akbar, had left behind a complex legacy, and the transition of power to a new ruler was a critical juncture in the empire's history. Key Events: - 1605: Jahangir succeeded his father, Akbar, as the Emperor of the Mughal Empire. - Early Consolidation: The early years of his reign involved consolidating power, establishing authority, and addressing internal disputes. Religious Policies and Tolerance Jahangir continued the tradition of religious tolerance that had been championed by his predecessors, Akbar and Humayun. His reign promoted an atmosphere of coexistence among diverse religious communities. Nur Jahan's Influence One of the most significant aspects of Jahangir's religious policies was the influence of his beloved wife, Mehr-un-Nisa, known as Nur Jahan. Her support for religious tolerance and her patronage of various faiths contributed to the atmosphere of inclusivity. Key Features: - Hindu Marriages: Jahangir issued a decree allowing the widows of Hindus to remarry, a step towards promoting religious harmony. - Interfaith Dialogues: Nur Jahan facilitated interfaith dialogues and sponsored the construction of religious buildings for different communities. Sikhism and Guru Arjan Dev Jahangir's reign witnessed the growing influence of Sikhism in the Punjab region. He had interactions with Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, which had both positive and negative consequences. Significant Events: - Positive Engagement: Guru Arjan Dev completed the construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar during Jahangir's reign, which he personally visited. - Conflict: Jahangir's disapproval of the Sikh Guru's growing influence led to his arrest and subsequent execution. Administrative Reforms While Jahangir's passion for art and culture is well-documented, his reign also saw notable administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the empire's governance. Land Revenue System Jahangir continued the revenue system introduced by his father, Akbar, known as the "Zabt" system. This system aimed to ensure equitable land revenue collection and promote agricultural productivity. Key Elements: - Measurement and Assessment: Lands were accurately measured, and revenue assessments were based on the fertility and productivity of the soil. - Stability: The fixed revenue demand provided stability to farmers and encouraged agricultural development. Regulation of the Mughal Court Jahangir initiated several measures to regulate the Mughal court, streamline administration, and ensure accountability among court officials. Key Reforms: - Control over Court Nobility: He limited the powers of the nobility and implemented a system of checks and balances. - Efficient Governance: Jahangir's efforts aimed to reduce corruption and maintain administrative efficiency. Artistic Patronage and Cultural Flourishing Jahangir's reign is often celebrated as a golden era of Mughal art and culture. His passion for artistic expression and his patronage of talented artists and craftsmen left an indelible mark on Mughal aesthetics. Mughal Miniature Paintings Under Jahangir's patronage, Mughal miniature paintings reached new heights of creativity and sophistication. The court atelier produced exquisite paintings characterized by intricate details and vivid colors. Prominent Artists: - Ustad Mansur: A renowned painter known for his exquisite naturalistic paintings of flora and fauna. - Bishandas: An artist famous for his portrayal of court scenes and portraits. The Art of Portraitures Jahangir had a particular fascination with portraitures, commissioning numerous paintings that depicted himself, his courtiers, and foreign dignitaries. Key Works: - Jahangirnama: Jahangir maintained a detailed diary, the Jahangirnama, in which he recorded events, his thoughts, and his observations on art and culture. - Self-Portraits: He commissioned self-portraits that depicted his evolving appearance over the years. Architectural Contributions Jahangir's reign also witnessed significant architectural achievements, with the construction of various notable buildings and structures. Architectural Marvels: - Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah: Often referred to as the "Baby Taj," this tomb in Agra showcases exquisite Mughal architecture. - Shalimar Bagh: A stunning Mughal garden in Srinagar, Kashmir, renowned for its terraced layout and flowing water features. Legacy and Impact Jahangir's reign left an enduring legacy that continues to be celebrated for its cultural richness and artistic contributions. His passion for art, promotion of religious tolerance, and administrative reforms had a profound impact on the Mughal Empire. The Nur Jahan Era Jahangir's wife, Nur Jahan, wielded considerable influence during his reign and played a pivotal role in shaping the empire's policies and direction. Key Contributions: - Administrative Acumen: Nur Jahan actively participated in the administration, issuing royal decrees and facilitating governance. - Artistic Patronage: She continued Jahangir's support for the arts and encouraged artistic endeavors. Cultural Flourishing The cultural achievements of Jahangir's reign, including Mughal miniature paintings and architectural marvels, continue to captivate art enthusiasts and historians alike. Enduring Influence: - Artistic Inspiration: Jahangir's passion for art has inspired generations of artists and continues to influence contemporary Indian art. - Architectural Treasures: Many of the architectural wonders from his reign remain preserved as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Religious Tolerance Jahangir's promotion of religious tolerance set an example for rulers across different eras and regions. His commitment to harmony among diverse religious communities resonates with modern ideals of coexistence. Historical Significance: - Influence on Subsequent Rulers: Jahangir's legacy of religious tolerance was carried forward by his son, Shah Jahan, and left an indelible mark on Mughal policies. Conclusion Jahangir's reign, often overshadowed by his father Akbar's greatness and his son Shah Jahan's architectural achievements, is a testament to the unique cultural and artistic zenith achieved during his time as Emperor. His passion for art, his promotion of religious tolerance, and his administrative reforms have left an indelible mark on the Mughal Empire's history. Jahangir's legacy continues to illuminate the rich tapestry of Indian history and the enduring allure of Mughal art and culture. Read the full article

[astroimages]

DETECTADA A LUZ DE MAIS ALTA ENERGIA VINDA DO SOL

ACOMPANHE O  PROJETO SERJÃO DOS FOGUETES!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghImQP2Yd28&t=610s VOTE NO SPACE TODAY NO PRÊMIO IBEST: https://app.premioibest.com/votacao/cultura-curiosidades ECLIPSE ANULAR DO SOL!!! https://spacetoday.com.br/eclipse23/ A descoberta dos raios gama de alta energia do sol por Mehr Un Nisa e sua equipe é um marco significativo na astronomia. Utilizando a tecnologia única do observatório HAWC e através de uma colaboração internacional, eles desvendaram um aspecto do sol que era desconhecido e inesperado. Isso não apenas desafia nosso entendimento atual do sol, mas também abre novas portas para a exploração e compreensão do universo. A aula de hoje nos lembra que, mesmo em nossa estrela mais próxima e familiar, ainda há mistérios a serem explorados e maravilhas a serem descobertas. FONTE: https://www.quantamagazine.org/strange-solar-gamma-rays-discovered-at-even-higher-energies-20230227/ https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.051201 #SUN #ENERGY #UNIVERSE

[andronetalks]

Scientists discover the highest-energy light coming from the sun

Phys Org by Matt Davenport, Michigan State University August 3, 2023 Sometimes, the best place to hide a secret is in broad daylight. Just ask the sun. “The sun is more surprising than we knew,” said Mehr Un Nisa, a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University. “We thought we had this star figured out, but that’s not the case.” Nisa, who will soon be joining MSU’s faculty, is the…

[skycrorg]

Descubren la luz de mayor energía proveniente del Sol

A veces, el mejor lugar para ocultar un secreto es a plena luz del día. Pregúntale al sol. “El sol es más sorprendente de lo que sabíamos”, dijo Mehr Un Nisa, investigador asociado postdoctoral en la Universidad Estatal de Michigan. “Pensamos que teníamos esta estrella resuelta, pero ese no es el caso”. Nisa, que pronto se unirá a la facultad de MSU, es la autora correspondiente de un nuevo…

[untoldstoriessworld]

Nimra Ahmed (Review) -- نمرہ احمد

Nimra Ahmed (Review) -- نمرہ احمد A Critical Analysis

Nimra Ahmed (Review) نمرہ احمد۔

      Nimra Ahmed (A Review Article)      2017 کا زمانہ تھا جب کمرہ جماعت میں اپنے ساتھ والی کرسی پر براجمان لڑکی کو ایک کتاب میں غرق پایا۔ اس قدر غرق کہ دو تین بار آواز لگانے پر بھی اس نے سر اٹھا کر دیکھنے کی زحمت نہ کی آخر کار تنگ آکر جب اسے جھنجوڑ کر دریافت کیا کہ آخر اتنے انحماک سے کیا پڑھا جا رہا ہے تو جواب ملا کہ کوئی نیا ناول آیا ہےنمرہ احمد نامی کسی لکھاری…

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Who designed Mehr-un-Nisa Safdar's dress for Junaid's valima?

Who designed Mehr-un-Nisa Safdar’s dress for Junaid’s valima?

— Instagram/@hassanhsy. With the wedding festivities of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar taking place over the past week, the Sharif family has been in the spotlight for some time now. Renowned Pakistani designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, mostly known as HSY, did the fittings for the groom’s outfits including Junaid’s sister Mehr-un-Nisa. The groom’s sister opted for a grey…

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Mughal Women

Ok while I was scrolling through tumblr today on women’s history, one thing struck me odd - there wasn’t a single post regarding the women of one of the richest, most powerful empires in the history of the world. So here’s to you ladies - icons, role models and most of all - badass queens.

1. Isaan Daulat (lit. Good fortune) : Grandmother of Zahiruddin Khan or as he is famous, Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, Isaan Daulat regularly advised her son on statecraft and warfare, and carried out most of his diplomatic missions. According to a source, Isaan Daulat’s husband was once killed in a war against the Shah of Persia. The Shah thereafter proceeded to “gift” Isaan Daulat to one of his generals. However, the same night, Isaan Daulat had her retinue murder him in the courtyard, “while she sipped wine reclining in the moonlight courtyard” as a witness claimed. When the Shah arrived, he questioned her about this action, to which she replied, “Islam gives me a right as a widow to marry by my convenience. You just handed me to him like cattle, and therefore his killing is perfectly justified by Islamic Sharia. You should consider yourself lucky.” The Shah of Persia then sent back Isaan Daulat with the wealth and assets he gained from that war, and declared her and her lineage as his sister and nephews. This later helped to back the Mughals’ legitimacy. Sadly, Isaan Daulat could never enjoy the land her descendants called home.

2. Gulbadan (lit. she with a rose like body) : Gulbadan was Babur’s eldest daughter, and was quite adventurous. She had famously chronicled the lives of her father and her brother Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. She looked after administration while her brother fled from place to place. She had also embarked on a seven-year voyage to Mecca and Medina for The Hajj, encountering the malicious Portuguese (she had to bribe them with a fricking town for guarantee of safe passage), pirates, kings, sufis and many more, and was thus also called Hajji Begum. She held a special place in Akbar’s zenana as his aunt.

3. Hamida Banu : Princess of Sindh, she was married off at the age of 15 to a much older Humayun at the age of 15. She had accompanied Humayun in all his wars and also on his journey to Persia, for asking the Safavid Shahs to help them recapture Hindustan. She was Akbar’s mother.

4. Maham Anagah and Jiji Anagah : Akbar’s wet nurses, they had raised up Akbar while his parents tried to win their empire back. Maham Anagah was Akbar’s chief advisor and head of his zenana, before a failed coup by his son, after which he was killed and later on she was relieved of her post, despite still holding Akbar’s favour. Jiji Anagah’s children extensively married into the Mughal family, and her husband Mirza Aziz Koka was Akbar’s head of finance. Her family, wealth and power grew so much, as the Emperor’s favourites, that they were collectively known as the Atka Khail.

5. Ruqaiyya Begum : Akbar’s first cousin, and also his first wife, Ruqaiyya Begum was Akbar’s chief queen and Padshah Begum of the zenana. Though she remained childless, she reigned supreme in the zenana and commanded her husband’s respect in a society where a woman’s existence was through her children. She was the main force behind Noor Jahan and Jahangir’s wedding, and was also the person who raised Shah Jahan.

6. Salima Sultana Begum : Wife of Akbar’s general Bairam Khan, she was later married to Akbar after Bairam Khan’s assassination. Her son Abdur Rahim was later made Khan-i-Khanan or Commander of the Mughal Army. She was the one who had brought up Jahangir, and thus he was also called Salim. An erudite scholar, she managed Akbar’s library along with her own private collection, commissioning new works and translations of others. She later protected Jahangir from Akbar’s wrath after Jahangir had him poisoned in a bid for the throne.

7. Harkha Bai : Bollywood knows her as Jodhaa, while history knows her as Maryam-uz-Zamani, Harkha Bai was the Rajput Princess of Amer and the daughter of Raja Bharmal. She was married to Akbar as part of a political alliance, and later became Jahangir’s mother. She was the richest woman of her time, her wealth being more than Akbar’s, and she also had one of the most valuable lands (jagirs). There are 2 famous anecdotes on her - 

Once, an English merchant had bought her indigo farms at Bayana, Rajasthan. When she got to know of this, she practically destroyed that merchant, bought back that farm, and later had it burnt.

Another time, the Portuguese had captured and set fire to her ship the Rahimi, one of the largest and finest ships in that time, in a last bid to maintain their hold in India and the Arabian Sea against the increasingly powerful English. In retaliation, Jodhaa had all of their ships burnt, snatched their powers and wealth, and basically made paupers out of them. She died as the richest woman in Mughal history, before Noor Jahan.

8. Anarkali : A courtesan, with whom Jahangir (then Prince Salim) fell madly in love, many historians now consider the very real possibility that she never existed and was instead “invented” by the Mughal family as someone to blame for the tension between Akbar and Jahangir. According to the folklore, Akbar didn’t approve of Salim and Anarkali’s relation, and after she and Salim refused to end things, he had her entombed alive in a wall.

9. Maan Bai : Harkha Bai’s niece, she was Jahangir’s first wife. She later committed suicide by an overdose of opium when Jahangir had her son Khusrau blinded and imprisoned in a bitter war of succession. Her brother Man Singh was one of the Nine Gems (navaratna) of Akbar’s court, and had defeated Rana Pratap in the famous Battle of Haldighati.

10. Jagat Gosini : Princess of Jodhpur, she was the Padshah Begum of Jahangir’s zenana before Noor Jahan, and also the mother of Shah Jahan. She was the biggest obstruction in Noor Jahan’s historic rise to power. She was not on good terms with then Dowager Empress Ruqaiyya Begum (see above) and hence, Ruqaiyya Begum demanded that Shah Jahan be handed over to her so that she could raise him up, and also helped Noor Jahan against her. A local folklore also suggests that she had been the one behind the miscarriage of Noor Jahan after she had come into the zenana. She faded after Noor Jahan’s rise, but still held respect and power.

11. Noor Jahan (lit. Light of the World): The most famous and powerful woman in the history of the Mughals, Noor Jahan was born as Mehr-un-Nisa (lit. Sun amongst Women) to Persian immigrant parents. Brought up in Agra alongside Akbar’s court, Noor Jahan was an intelligent woman full of talent and potential. She was married off at 19 to Sher Afghan, a commander in Akbar’s army. The marriage was a failure, and moreover Noor Jahan suffered through 8 miscarriages with him, before the birth of her daughter, Ladli (lit. Darling or Beloved). After her husband was murdered in a coup, Ruqaiyya brought her to the Imperial Palace as part of her retinue, and later helped her and Jahangir get married, with she being Jahangir’s twentieth and final wife. Her rise to power was quick, owing to her own ambition and intellect, and some help from her father Itimad-ad-Daulah (Royal Treasurer of the Mughals), brother Asaf Khan (a prominent minister in Jahangir’s court) and Ruqaiyya Begum. Her seal as the Padshah Begum became second only to that of Jahangir, and later even surpassed his own. She brought great innovations to fashion, cosmetics, administration, architecture and gardening, city planning, and many more. She was the one who had arranged the marriage between her niece Arjumand Banu and Shah Jahan. Her marriage with Jahangir was a success – both of them were tempestuous and cared and loved each other deeply. Later, as Jahangir’s health started failing due to asthma and alcoholism, she took over the reigns and took the Mughal empire to great heights. The first British ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe, arrived in her time. However, she gave the British no rights or privileges till the Rahimi incident, and extracted a great many gifts from him, including a carriage made entirely of silver. She had designed her parents’ tomb near the Yamuna river in Agra (it was later copied by Shah Jahan), and she also designed Jahangir’s tomb in Lahore (modern day Punjab, Pakistan). She had tried to get Shah Jahan to marry her own daughter, but he refused and so she completely withdrew her support from making him the emperor, and instead opposed him. Shah Jahan thus had to flee to Burhanpur, with his eldest children Dara Shukoh, Jahanara, Aurangzeb and Roshanara in Noor Jahan’s custody. Later, he waged war against Noor Jahan with help from her brother Asaf Khan. Noor Jahan was ultimately defeated in Kashmir. She was deprived of her wealth, status and power and exiled to Lahore with her daughter and granddaughter. Her influence still remained, with Shah Jahan keeping her legacy alive by copying the Taj Mahal from the tomb she designed for her parents.

12. Mumtaz Mahal : Born as Arjumand Banu, she was Noor Jahan’s niece and Shah Jahan’s most beloved. She died in childbirth while giving birth to her fourteenth child – a girl called Gauhar.

13. Jahanara : Eldest daughter of Shah Jahan, she was the one who headed the empire after Shah Jahan was left heartbroken following Mumtaz’s death, and became active in the construction of the Taj Mahal. Noor Jahan is often described as being fond of her, taking care of her education personally. She was known as Padshah Mallika, and her flower-shaped seal was the most powerful. She was an accomplished dancer, poet and a patron of the arts. She conducted the most expensive wedding ever, between her brother Dara Shukoh and Nadira Banu Begum, valued at 2 lakh rupees then, approximately 2 billion USD in today’s time.  She supported Dara Shukoh in his bid to become emperor. Later, she was imprisoned by Aurangzeb after he imprisoned Shah Jahan and killed all his remaining brothers.

14. Roshanara : Shah Jahan’s younger daughter, she was also an accomplished poet, but always at loggerheads with Jahanara. She later supported Aurangzeb as emperor.

15. Dilras Banu Begum : Aurangzeb’s first wife and Padshah Begum of his zenana, Dilras Banu belonged to the Safavid dynasty of Persia. She was mother of all of Aurangzeb’s children. However, she died an year before Aurangzeb’s succession. The Bibi ka Maqbara (Tomb of the Lady) in Aurangabad, which bears a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal, was constructed by Aurangzeb in her honour.

16. Zeenat-un-Nisa : Aurangzeb’s eldest daughter, she was the Padshah Mallika after her mother’s death. She survived Aurangzeb by a great many years, and was respected by his successors as a remnant of a magnificent past. She was known for her charity, and was buried in the Zeenat-ul-Masjid built by her in Dlehi.

17. Zeb-un-Nisa : Aurangzeb’s favourite daughter, Zeb-un-Nisa was the most accomplished poet in Mughal history, with her works still surviving and enjoyed. She was an atheist, but later converted to Sufism. She led a secret society, and lead a rebellion against the oppressive and harsh rule of her father. She was subsequently imprisoned by Aurangzeb, where she died. She was buried in the Tees Hazari Bagh (Garden of 30,000 Trees) near the Kashmiri Darwaza (Kashmir Gate) in North Delhi. Her tomb was later shifted at Akbar’s Mausoleum in Sikandra, Agra when Delhi was expanded following Independence.

Well people, this has been an informative post. You’re welcome.

Sources : Daughters of the Sun by Ira Mukhoty, Empress : the Astonishing reign of Noor Jahan by Ruby Lal.

[echoesoftime-heritagechronicles]

Nur Jahan: A Force to be Reckoned With

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Mehrunnisa Safdar (Mehr-un-Nisa Munir) Biography: Age, Instagram, Husband, Birth Date, Wedding, Baby, Wikipedia, Parents, Photos, Boyfriend

Mehrunnisa Safdar (Mehr-un-Nisa Munir) Biography: Age, Instagram, Husband, Birth Date, Wedding, Baby, Wikipedia, Parents, Photos, Boyfriend

Biography Mehrunnisa Safdar (born 23rd November 1993) is the eldest daughter of Maryam Nawaz, a very popular personality In Pakistan. Her name is often stylized as Mehr-un-Nisa Munir. Maryam Nawaz, the mother of Mehrunnisa, is the daughter of a very popular Pakistani politician simply identified as Mian Muhammad Sharif. This automatically makes Mehrunnisa Safdar the granddaughter of the popular…

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Studienreise nach Holland

Am Montag, den 16. April ging es endlich ab nach Holland und zwar genauer gesagt nach Boskoop. Wir waren sehr fasziniert von dem schönen Haus, in dem wir wohnten – holländischer kann man es sich gar nicht vorstellen. Den ersten Abend blieben wir zuhause, wir waren erschöpft und müde, aber glücklich hier zu sein, denn eine spannende Woche lag vor uns.

So am Mittwoch waren wir fit und ausgeruht und bereit nach Rotterdam zu fahren um eine Führung in der Antes Bouman Klinik zu bekommen, welche spezialisiert ist auf Sucht und Psychiatrie. Als wir ankamen mussten wir zuerst eine doppelt gesicherte Eingangstüre passieren und danach waren wir in einem schönen Eingangsbereich, wo wir nur kurz warten mussten und schon ging unsere Führung los. Wir waren nicht nur erstaunt über die angenehme Atmosphäre der Räumlichkeiten, sondern auch über die Einstellung des Personals dort. Die Dame, welche uns durch die Klinik führte war sehr freundlich, zuvorkommend und vor allem offen. Sie erklärte uns alles mit Geduld und Enthusiasmus und wirkte sehr angekommen in ihrer Tätigkeit in der Suchtklinik.

Uns wurden Aufenthaltsräume, ein Klienten-Zimmer gezeigt und auch einen Non-Compliance Raum. Dieser wird für KlientInnen verwendet, die eine Gefahr für sich selbst oder andere sein könnten. Es ist ein kleines Zimmer mit einer Matratze und einem WC; über einen kleinen Touchscreen können sie Licht und Temperatur einstellen. Dieser Raum wird videoüberwacht und alle 30 Minuten kontrolliert. Es gibt einen Nebenraum mit einem Fenster zu dem Non-Compliance Raum, wo Familienangehörige den/die KlientIn besuchen können und bei Bedarf auch dort übernachten können. Nach all den positiven Eindrücken, war die kurze Besichtigung in diesem Raum sehr verunsichernd und bedrückend für mich. Zum einen verstehe ich, dass sich auch das Personal schützen muss und dass manche PatientInnen diese Auszeit brauchen um zur Ruhe kommen zu können. Zum anderen erinnert dieser Raum sehr stark an eine Gefängniszelle und der Gedanke, dass man hier eingesperrt wird, löst ein ungutes Gefühl aus. Vielleicht ist es aber auch gut, so einen Raum einmal gesehen zu haben um sich besser in die Situation der KlientInnen hinein zu versetzen können und ein kleines bisschen zu spüren wie es ist, wenn man nicht mehr über sich selbst bestimmen darf.

Auch hat sich eine Ärztin Zeit genommen, um zu erklären wie eine Sucht im Körper zustande kommt und wie das im Gehirn abläuft. Sie war sehr interessiert daran uns das so anschaulich wie möglich zu erklären und war für alle Fragen offen.

Diversität wird hier großgeschrieben und ist für alle ein wichtiger Bestandteil für die angenehme und tolle Atmosphäre und Stimmung. Es arbeiten viele Nationen und Kulturen an einer gemeinsamen Idee und das verbindet sie alle. Und das spürt man; alle haben dasselbe Ziel und verfolgen das gleiche Ideal. So entsteht ein kompetentes Personalteam.

Generell hatten wir das Gefühl, dass es den Personal große Freude bereitet hat ihre Ideen, Strategien und Methoden mit uns zu teilen und einen Teil zu unserem Wissen beitragen konnten.

Am Donnerstag waren in Amsterdam im Haus „Ru pare“, welches über 50 verschiedene Organisationen beherbergt. Der Manager Gottfrey hat uns eine Führung durch das Haus gegeben, jedoch hat er uns zuvor seine Geschichte erzählt, die sehr faszinierend ist. Er kam selbst als Flüchtling in die Niederlanden und kämpfte sich von ganz unten bis nach oben. Und da beginnt schon das Konzepts dieses besonderen Hauses. Gottfrey hat den Vorteil, dass er die Flüchtlinge, die auch unter anderem im Ru Pare unterstützt werden, auf einer besonderen Weise helfen kann, da er selbst so Vieles durchmachen musste. Er hat nicht nur stets ein offenes Ohr, sondern kann für die Flüchtlinge auch Übersetzungsarbeit leisten, was sehr hilfreich ist.

Da es in Amsterdam übe 180 Kulturen gibt und es bei so vielen Nationen öfters zu Streitereien gekommen ist, wurde vereinbart, dass in jedem Viertel und Haus verschiedene Kulturen zusammenwohnen. Diese Lösung hat es geschafft, dass in Amsterdam überwiegend die unterschiedlichsten Nationen gut miteinander auskommen und friedlich zusammenleben. Amsterdam soll ein Platz für alle sein und vor allem auch wo Diversität in allen Zügen gelebt wird. Damit keine Kultur zu kurz kommt und sich ausleben darf, wurden vom Haus Ru Pare die Exodus-Abende ins Leben gerufen. Das heißt einmal im Monat organisiert eine bestimmte Kultur oder Nation einen Abend, wo die ganze Nachbarschaft eingeladen wird. Es wird gekocht, gegessen, gelacht getanzt und gefeiert. Gottfrey meinte es ist ein recht erfolgreiches Projekt, was auch den Einheimischen hilft Vorurteile abzulegen, sich den unterschiedlichsten Kulturen anzunähern und vielleicht neue Freunde zu finden. So funktioniert meiner Meinung nach Integration und Nachbarschaftshilfe. Eine großartige Idee um Menschen zusammen zu bringen.

Es gibt noch viele weitere Projekte in diesem Haus. Eines davon war zum Beispiel, dass Rollstühle für Afrika gesammelt und repariert werden und diese dann verschickt werden. Es gibt Gruppen die Demonstrationen rund um sozialkritische Themen organisieren. Weitere Angebote sind Sprechstunden für Arbeitslose, Arbeitsprojekte und Tageswerkstätten für Arbeitsunfähige, welche alle von dem Know-How des ganzen Hauses profitieren. Das ist das tolle an dieser riesen Organisation; wenn man Fragen hat oder ein gewisses Fachwissen braucht, gibt es viele verschiedene Menschen, die sich in den unterschiedlichsten Bereichen spezialisiert haben. Somit gibt es immer jemanden, den man um Rat fragen kann und dadurch das Beste für die Klienten herausholen kann. Vieles funktioniert hier nach dem Buddy-System und nach Life-Experience. Die Menschen haben selbst Erfahrungen mit Flucht, Schulden etc. und damit kann man anderen Leuten helfen, die genau in derselben Situation sind. Die Sozialarbeiter können sich somit besser in die Lage der KlientInnen versetzen und können ihnen gut vermitteln, dass sie wissen wie das ist.

Weiters gibt es noch Angebote für schwererziehbare Kinder, Tagesstätten für demenzkranke Menschen und sogar einen Chor.

Ein großes Projekt im Haus Ru Pare ist das „Nisa for Nisa“. Hier haben sich eine Menge Frauen zusammengetan um die verschiedensten Angebote zu organisieren. Es sind viele muslimische Frauen angestellt; das Angebot ist jedoch nicht nur für Muslima, sondern für alle Frauen. Trotzdem gibt es einige Kurse, die geflüchteten oder ausländischen Frauen bei der Integration helfen sollen. Dazu zählen zum Beispiel Sprachkurse und Beratungen. Es gibt Nähkurse, Kochkurse, Vorträge zu den unterschiedlichsten Themen. Auch die Mädchenabende sind sehr beliebt – hier kommen ganz viele verschiedene Mädchen und Frauen, um einen schöne Abend mit abwechselnden Themen zu haben. Auch Sport kommt hier nicht zu kurz. Das Angebot geht von Zumba bis über Yoga. Ein wesentlicher Punkt ist in diesem Projekt, dass die Leiter eine große Zielgruppe erreichen. Es sollen alle Frauen und Mädchen willkommen sein. Und es ist ihnen auch wichtig, dass man die Frauen empowert, stärkt und ihnen die eigenen Ressourcen zeigt.

Ein weiteres tolles Projekt ist ein ganz simpler Nachbarschaftsdienst, der aber großartiges bewirkt. Hierbei können junge Menschen den Älteren in der Nachbarschaft und die Arme greifen und sie zu Einkäufen begleiten oder ganz einfach nur mit ihnen spazieren gehen. Auch können die älteren Menschen zu Arztterminen etc. begleitet werden.

Als wir in Amsterdam waren, haben wir auch das Rotlichtviertel besichtigt und hatten dann danach gemischte Gefühle. Ich war überrascht, dass so extrem viele Leute da waren und wirklich die Frauen hinter den Glastüren angestarrt haben wie Tiere im Zoo. Ich meine so grausam wie sich das jetzt anhört, aber es hatte einen Touch von einem Zoobesuch. Man quetscht sich durch die Menschenmassen und versucht ständig einen Blick zu den Frauen zu erhaschen. Sicher, man ist als TouristIn neugierig und das ist der Job der Frauen, aber wo sind denn hier die moralischen Grenzen? Das sind nicht nur Prostituierte, sondern auch in erster Linie Menschen mit Gefühlen und bestimmten Rechten, die auch kein/e TouristIn einfach so untergraben kann. Diese Frauen sind halbnackt und tausende von Leuten starren sie an und manche davon sind ziemlich unverschämt. Es ist verboten Fotos von den Frauen zu machen und trotzdem machen es einige Menschen. Es sind aber eben keine Tiere im Zoo, die man einfach so fotografieren kann. Dass das manche Personen nicht verstehen ist mir unbegreiflich. Die Frauen hinter den Glastüren werden dann natürlich aggressiv und klopfen bzw. schlagen gegen die Tür und schreien wütende Worte hinaus in die Menschenmasse. Es gibt auch Securities, die sich die Personen vorknöpfen, die sich ein Foto erlaubt haben. Obwohl hier die moralische Grenze verschwimmt und nicht mehr ganz deutlich ist, war es trotzdem gut es einmal gesehen zu haben. Es hat aber trotzdem ein sehr merkwürdiges Gefühl in mir ausgelöst und darum war ich schon froh, als wir wieder aus dem Viertel heraus waren.

Alles in allem kann ich sagen, dass es eine sehr erfolgreiche und wahnsinnig schöne Woche war. Wir haben die Zeit und die Eindrücke von diesem wirklich sehr offenen und vielseitigen Land sehr genossen. Die Niederlande ist ein Platz, wo alle Kulturen einen Platz hat und wo versucht wird diese Vielfältigkeit zu fördern und zu unterstützen.

-Juliana