12 Things About Abdul Sattar Edhi

1. Abdul Sattar Edhi founded the world's largest volunteer ambulance network in Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation.
2. Unlike wealthy individuals that fund charities in their names, Edhi dedicated his life to the poor from the age of 20, when he himself was penniless in Karachi.
3. Edhi was born before partition in Bantva, Gujarat, India on February 28, 1928.
4. He is also well-known for the aphorism: “People have become educated... but have yet to become human.”
5. Edhi was born into Islam but never allowed faith to interfere in his humanitarian endeavors. Once asked why he helped non-Muslims, he answered simply: “Because my ambulance is more Muslim than you.”
6. In light of the new US President’s “Muslim travel ban”, it is worth remembering another of Edhi’s remarks, after being detained and interrogated by immigration officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport in January 2008 under Bush administration terror laws. Questioned by reporters as to the reason for his detention, the philanthropist wryly offered: “The only explanation I can think of is my beard and my dress.”
7. Abdul Sattar Edhi died of kidney failure, leaving behind his wife of 52 years, Bilquis, a former nurse, and four offspring. By the time of his death on July 8th 2016,  Edhi was registered as a parent or guardian of nearly 20,000 children.
8. The Edhi Foundation's slogan is: "Live and help live".
9. With more than 1,800 ambulances stationed across Pakistan, the Edhi Foundation is Pakistan's largest welfare organization. 
10. In 1997, the foundation entered the Guinness World Records as the "largest volunteer ambulance organization" (operating 1,500 vehicles) and Edhi ambulances are welcomed as friendly neighbors throughout Pakistan. If you call 115 in the South Asian nation, the Edhi Foundation will answer.
11. After the nominations in 2014, the hashtag  #NobelPrizeforEdhi was created; many said he should have been recognized instead of Malala Yousafzai, who is also from Pakistan. In an interview with the Express Tribune newspaper, Edhi said: "I don't care about it. The Nobel Prize doesn't mean anything to me. I want these people, I want humanity." 
12. It was announced that the State Bank of Pakistan would issue a commemorative coin of 50 rupees (38p) in memory of Edhi as a small token of appreciation for his selfless services for the country.

References:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/abdul-sattar-edhi-google-honours-angel-mercy-170227140720826.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/02/28/abdul-sattar-edhi-89-birthday-pakistan-angel-of-mercy-father-teresa/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/abdul-sattar-edhi-google-doodle-pakistan-philanthropist-volunteer-medical-care-network-ambulances-a7603221.html

12 Recommended Tech Courses from eDX starting September 2017

I received an email from eDX and here are 12 recommended courses that you can also explore and learn starting September 2017 to boost your personal career.

Discover courses we picked just for you or explore all edX courses See All Courses UBCx The Science of Religion Learn More UC San DiegoX Computer Graphics Learn More LinuxFoundationX Introduction to Cloud Foundry and Cloud Native Software Architecture Learn More CaltechX Learning From Data (Introductory Machine Learning) Learn More Microsoft Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Learn More MITx Becoming an Entrepreneur Learn More DartmouthX Retail Fundamentals Learn More EdinburghX Introduction to Marketing: Tools to Set Enterprises Apart Learn More IIMBx Customer Relationship Management Learn More AdelaideX Introduction to Project Management Learn More MITx Supply Chain Analytics Learn More Microsoft Front-End Web Development Orientation: Microsoft Professional Program Learn More

Eid al-Adha 2017 in the Philippines

1. Also Eid'l Adha, Eidul Adha, Id-ul-Adha
2. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or "big Eid", is one of two Eid festivals observed by the Muslim faithful. The second, Eid al-Fitr, comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. 
3. It falls on the 10th day of the Dhu al-Hijjah lunar month
4. In the Philippines, it was declared a Regular Holiday when President Duterte signed on 29 August 2017 Proclamation 297 declaring Friday, 1 September 2017 as  Regular Holiday
5. Around 6,000 pilgrims from the Philippines joined the faithful in Mount Arafat, East Mecca, to celebrate one of the greatest feasts of Islam, Eid'l Adha on Friday, September 1.
6. The feast, which is celebrated for 4 days to mark the end of Hajj (the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia), has distinct spiritual, educational and social significance for Muslims around the world.
7. In Manila, thousands flocked to the iconic Rizal Park to offer a morning prayer and listen to a 40-minute sermon delivered by Ustadz Mohammad Nhor Sawato, a Muslim teacher.
8. One hundred and two days: that’s how long thousands of families have endured living as internally-displaced persons (IDPs) since the war in Marawi forced them to flee their city.
9. Based on data from the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 359,680 IDPs or 78,466 families housed in 75 evacuation centers in 16 municipalities across Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
10. Many IDPs at the Saguiaran Municipal gymnasium are driven by hope that they have something to return to after the war in Marawi.
11. Imam Usman Rorogarus, an IDP, says that the Eid’l Adha reminds them of the sacrifices that the prophet Ibrahim had to endure as his faith in God, as well as that of his son, Ysmael, was put to a test.
12. "May this occasion invigorate you to remain steadfast in our task of ensuring triumph against elements that perpetuate discord and violence," President Rodrigo Duterte said in a message as he called for unity and renewal of Muslim values.

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYW2YggX-lk
http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2017/08/september-1-2017-regular-holiday-for-eidul-adha-philippines.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/01/world/eid-al-adha-festival/index.html 
https://www.rappler.com/nation/180862-marawi-evacuees-sacrifices-eidl-adha

12 Trivia Facts About Gaudencio Rosales

1. Gaudencio Rosales was born Gaudencio Borbon Rosales on 10 August 1932 in Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines.
2. Gaudencio Rosales studied theology at the San José Seminary and had as classmates two other future bishops  Bishop Severino Pelayo, former bishop of the Military Ordinariate, and Bishop Benjamin Almoneda, former Bishop of Daet. 
3. Gaudencio Rosales was ordained on 23 March 1958 by Bishop Alejandro Olalia  and was assigned to teach for 11 years in the seminary of the Diocese of Lipa.
4. Gaudencio Rosales was given his first parish assignment in 1970 at the obscure barrio of Banay-banay and was later transferred to the biggest parish of the diocese in Batangas City.
5. Gaudencio Rosales the first Batangueño to become auxiliary bishop of Manila and was appointed by Pope Paul VI on 12 August 1974.
6. Gaudencio Rosales was consecrated bishop of the titular see of Oescus in a ceremony on 28 October 1974 and was appointed rector of the archdiocesan major seminary, San Carlos Seminary in 1980.
7. Gaudencio Rosales was appointed coadjutor bishop on 9 June 1982 to the controversial and prophetic Bishop Francisco Claver of the Diocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon and on 14 September 1984 he succeeded the Bishop of Malaybalay.
8. Gaudenctio Rosales was appointed by Pope John Paul II on 15 September 2003 and  was enthroned in Manila Cathedral on 21 November 2003 becoming the 31st Archbishop of Manila and the fourth native Filipino to hold the post following centuries of Spanish, American, and Irish prelates and succeeded Jaime Cardinal Sin after his retirement.
9. During his last year as archbishop, he was concurrently named Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Pasig from December 21, 2010 to April 20, 2011, a post he accepted after the resignation of Pasig's first bishop, Francisco San Diego.
10. Gaudencio Rosales was created Priest of Santissimo Nome di Maria in Via Latina in the consistory of 24 March 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI joining fourteen others, two of them Asians, as the newest members of the College of Cardinals.
11. On 13 October 2011, two months after his 79th birthday, Pope Benedict XVI finally accepted his resignation and appointed the then Bishop of Imus, Luis Antonio Tagle, as his successor.
12. The 2013 Global Peace Award for Service was awarded to Cardinal Gaudencio Borbon Rosa.

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujnAg4NbXd0
http://www.cbcponline.net/bishops/cardinals/rosales.html
http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brosg.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudencio_Rosales