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christmas story trivia game

Disney Fanatic? Test your Knowledge of Disney World & Orlando

1. What year did Disney’s Magic Kingdom open its doors?

A) 1955

B) 1971

C) 1975

2. What Orlando attraction is known as “The Alligator Capital of the World”?

A) Gatorland

B) Jungle Adventures

C) Holy Land Experience

3. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex during Spring Training?

A) Houston Astros

B) Atlanta Braves

C) Milwaukee Beers

4. What is the tallest structure at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Space Mountain

B) Swiss Family Treehouse

C) Cinderella Castle

5. Scenes from which 1998 Adam Sandler movie were filmed at the Citrus Bowl?

A) The Waterboy

B) Happy Gilmore

C) Deuce Bigalo: European Gigolo

6. What is the name of the new water park scheduled to open across the street from SeaWorld Orlando in the spring of 2008?

A) Seatopia

B) Aquatica

C) The Life Aquatic

7. Which PGA Tour golf tournament takes place at Bay Hill Golf Club each March?

A) Arnold Palmer Invitational

B) Arnold Jackson Invitational

C) Arnold Ziffel Invitational

8. What is the name of Disney World’s major promotional celebration that runs throughout 2007?

A) Year of a Million Dreams

B) Year of a Thousand Dreams

C) Year of 10 Dreams

9. What is Orlando’s “tallest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster”?

A) Incredible Hulk Coaster

B) Kraken

C) Shamu Express

10. Which performing arts troupe will find a permanent home at Universal Orlando during the summer of 2007?

A) Cirque du Soleil

B) Milli Vanilli

C) Blue Man Group

11. What year did the Orlando Predators win the Arena Bowl championship?

A) 1965

B) 1998

C) 2000

12. What Orlando attraction is billed as the “world’s most interactive dinner show”?

A) Pirate’s Dinner Adventure

B) King Henry’s Feast

C) Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede

13. What is the tallest artificial mountain at Disney World?

A) Expedition Everest

B) Splash Mountain

C) Space Mountain

14. Which annual Orlando festival is billed as “10 Days of Theatre, Art, Music and Madness”?

A) Orlando International Fringe Festival

B) Epcot International Wine & Cheese Festival

C) Ocoee International Sailing Regatta

15. What is the fastest ride at Disney World?

A) Space Mountain

B) Test Track

C) WEDway PeopleMover

16. Which Cirque du Soleil show takes place at Downtown Disney?

A) Mystere

B) La Nouba

C) La Strada

17. Encompassing more than 500 acres, which is Disney World’s largest theme park?

A) Epcot

B) Boardwalk and Baseball

C) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

18. What is the name of the indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney?

A) DisneyQuest

B) DisneyInterQuest

C) Cirque du Quest

19. Name the “living, biblical history museum” that lies just off Interstate 4 in Orlando.

A) Holy Land Experience

B) Bible-o-Rama

C) Holy World

20. What is the name of the free reservation system Disney World uses for its most popular rides and attractions?

A) QUICKPASS

B) FASTPASS

C) SUNPASS

21. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee during Spring Training?

A) Houston Astros

B) Atlanta Braves

C) Durham Bulls

22. What year did Disney-MGM Studios open its doors?

A) 1982

B) 1989

C) 1998

23. Who is the head coach of the Orlando Magic?

A) Grant Hill

B) Brian Hill

C) Benny Hill

24. Which Orlando attraction is home to the Dr. Phillips Cinedome?

A) Orlando Museum of Art

B) Xanadu: Home of the Future

C) Orlando Science Center

25. Which is one of the seven enchanted lands that make up Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Seussland

B) Copland

C) Adventureland

26. Which of the following countries is represented at Epcot’s World Showcase?

A) Bangladesh

B) Morocco

C) Algeria

27. Who was the first champion at the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Golf Invitational in 1971?

A)Jack Nicklaus

B) Tiger Woods

C) Arnold Palmer

28. What is the former name of the Astro Orbiter attraction in Tomorrowland?

A) Skyrockets in Flight

B) Star Jets

C) Mon Calamari Star Cruisers

29. Which astronaut took the first ride during the grand opening of Space Mountain in 1975?

A) Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson

B) Commander Neil Armstrong

C) Colonel Gordon Cooper

30. What is the name of Disney World’s first water park, which opened at Fort Wilderness Campground in 1976.

A) River Country

B) Splash Country

C) Wilderness Country

31. What did EPCOT originally stand for?

A) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

B) Experimental Polyester Clothes of Tomorrow

C) Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed

32. Which thrill ride can be found in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot?

A) Troll Trauma

B) Maelstrom

C) El Rio Del Norway

33. Singer Gloria Estefan owns which Downtown Disney restaurant?

A) Raglan Road Irish Pub

B) Bongos Cuban Cafe

C) Latin Quarter

34. Which is one of Disney World’s two miniature golf courses?

A) Disney’s Winter Summerland

B) Disney’s Summer Winterland

C) Disney’s Fall Springland

35. What International Drive landmark is known as “ Orlando’s only upside-down attraction”?

A) Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

B) Skull Kingdom

C) WonderWorks

36. Which PGA golf tournament takes place at Disney World each October?

A) FUNAI Golf Classic

B) Arnold Palmer Golf Classic

C) Bushwood Golf Classic

37. Summit Plummet, the world’s fastest and tallest free-fall waterslide, can be found at which water park?

A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

C) DisneyQuest

38. Which legendary rock band is associated with a thrill ride at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Guns N’ Roses

B) Aerosmith

C) Insane Clown Posse

39. Which annual event takes place at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Fear Factor Live Weekend

B) K-Fed Rapper Wannabe Weekend

C) ABC Super Soap Weekend

40. What is the airport code for the Orlando International Airport?

A) MCO

B) MCKY

C) ORL

41. How much does it cost to ride the I-Ride Trolley?

A) 25 cents

B) 75 cents

C) 99 cents

42. Which Kissimmee dinner show bills itself as a “Storybook Tale of Romance and Adventure”?

A) Medieval Times

B) Arabian Nights

C) Battlebots: Metal Munching Maniacs

43. What Orlando attraction gives you the opportunity to swim with bottlenose dolphins?

A) Discovery Cove

B) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

C) Splendid China

44. Which shopping, dinning and entertainment complex in Kissimmee is home to the SkyCoaster thrill ride?

A) Celebration

B) Pointe*Kissimmee

C) Old Town

45. Who did the Orlando Magic select as its No. 1 draft pick in 2004?

A) Dwight Howard

B) Juwan Howard

C) Clint Howard

46. Which NASCAR legend offers a stock car “Driving Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Speedway?

A) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

B) Richard Petty

C) Ricky Bobby

47. Which of the following attractions is still open on International Drive?

A) Titanic: The Experience

B) Skull Kingdom

C) Hard Rock Vault

48. Disney World is actually located in what city?

A) Orlando

B) Lake Buena Vista

C) Bithlo

49. Which Disney World theme park has more than one entrance?

A) Disney-MGM Studios

B) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

C) Epcot

50. The Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot has changed its name to honor which Disney animated character?

A) Nemo

B) Arial

C) Foghorn Leghorn

51. Which is the largest of the five islands that make up Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Jurassic Park

B) Marvel Super Hero Island

C) Seuss Landing

52. What year did Epcot open its doors?

A) 1978

B) 1982

C) 1989

53. Which is not one of the characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be added to the Pirates attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Captain Jack Sparrow

B) Barbossa

C) Cap’n Crunch

54. Which is one of the five “islands” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Looney Tune Lagoon

B) Bufoon Lagoon

C) Toon Lagoon

55. The world’s first inverted, dueling roller coasters can be found at which Orlando theme park?

A) Universal’s Islands of Adventure

B) SeaWorld Orlando

C) Fun Spot Action Park

56. Mount Gushmore serves as the centerpiece of which Orlando area water park?

A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

C) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

57. Which Fantasyland attraction boasts the world’s largest seamless projection screen?

A) It’s a Small World

B) Peter Pan’s Flight

C) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

58. The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by what 1946 Disney movie?

A)Song of the South

B) Fantasia

C) Splash

59. President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech during a convention at which Disney resort in 1973?

A) Polynesian Resort

B) Contemporary Resort

C) Motel 6

60. Which science fiction writer assisted in the design of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?

A) Ray Bradbury

B) Isaac Asimov

C) Thomas Anderson

61. Who is the actor that currently narrates the Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot?

A) Jeremy Piven

B) Jeremy Irons

C) Jeremy Shockey

62. How many ghosts reside at the Haunted Mansion?

A) 99

B) 999

C) 9,999

63. Name the body of water that lies directly in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

A) Discovery Lagoon

B) Seven Seas Lagoon

C) Toon Lagoon

64. Which was not one of the original attractions when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?

A) Haunted Mansion

B) Jungle Cruise

C) Pirates of the Caribbean

65. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland was replaced by which attraction in the late ‘90s?

A) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

B) If You Had Wings

C) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

66. How much did a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?

A) $4.75

B) $8.75

C) $67.75

67. How tall is Space Mountain?

A) 89 feet

B) 189 feet

C) 29,028 feet

68. Which of the Country Bears sings “Blood on the Saddle” during the Country Bear Jamboree?

A) Big Al

B) Mr. Big

C) Notorious B.I.G.

69. What is the name of the fort that is connected to Tom Sawyer Island by a swinging suspension bridge?

A) Fort Courage

B) Fort Longhorn

C) Fort Langhorne

70. What is the nickname of the vehicles used at The Haunted Mansion?

A) Doom Buggies

B) Creepy Carriages

C) Haunted Hearses

71. Which is not a location of one of the three Walt Disney World Railroad stations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Frontierland

B) Adventureland

C) Mickey’s Toontown Fair

72. What is the highest rank you can achieve through accumulating points at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?

A) Galactic Hero

B) Starfleet Captain

C) Space Nerd

73. What is the maximum speed of the Indy cars at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway?

A) 2.5 mph

B) 7.5 mph

C) 160 mph

74. Which of the following animated films was worked on at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Mulan

B)Treasure Planet

C)Fritz the Cat

75. What is the original name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority?

A) Mach Go Go Go

B) Blade Runner

C) WEDway People Mover

76. The Leave a Legacy Sculpture is located near the entrance to which Disney World theme park?

A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom

B) Disney-MGM Studios

C) Epcot

77. Which Epcot attraction gives you a bird’s-eye view of California landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland?

A) Soarin’

B) Flyin’

C) Glidin’

78. Who was the original narrator of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?

A) Walter Cronkite

B) Carl Sagan

C) Butch Patrick

79. Which of the following is one of the audio-animatronic characters that host The American Adventure at Epcot?

A) Mark Twain

B) Abraham Lincoln

C) Donald Trump

80. What is the nickname of the water tower icon at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Eyeful Tower

B) Earffel Tower

C) Falafel Tower

81. The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney-MGM Studios reaches 0 to 60 miles per hour in how many seconds?

A) 2.8

B) 3.8

C) 23.8

82. Which thrill ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure boasts two corkscrews, two vertical loops, a double-inverting cobra roll and a zero-g roll?

A) Dueling Dragons

B) Incredible Hulk Coaster

C) High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

83. The Sounds Dangerous show at Disney-MGM Studios stars which TV comedian?

A) Carrot Top

B) Andrew “Dice” Clay

C) Drew Carey

84. How many stories does the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror plummet?

A) 15

B) 13

C) 2

85. Which of the following attractions is no longer open at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Muppet Vision 3-D

B) Voyage of the Little Mermaid

C) Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It

86. What year did Disney’s Animal Kingdom open its doors?

A) 1989

B) 1998

C) 2000

87. Which attraction lies underneath the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

A) It’s Tough to be a Bug!

B) Expedition Everest

C) Kali River Rapids

88. Expedition Everest takes you on a thrilling adventure that leads to a confrontation with what mythical creature?

A)Yeti from the Himalayas

B) Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back

C) Sloth from The Goonies

89. What is the nickname of the Tyrannosaurus Rex replica that serves as the unofficial mascot of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

A) Dino-Mite

B) Dino-Sue

C) Dinah-Shore

90. Surfing instruction can be arranged at the Surf Pool of which Orlando area water park?

A) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

B) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

C) Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park

91. Which of the following theme restaurants is not located at Universal CityWalk?

A) NBA Café

B) Chuck E. Cheese’s

C) Hard Rock Cafe

92. A walk-through exhibit near the entrance to Universal Studios honors which legendary TV actress?

A) Lucille Ball

B) Mary Tyler Moore

C) Yasmine Bleeth

93. Which attraction at Universal Studios involves the use of “OgreVision googles”?

A) Shrek 4-D

B) Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast

C) Jaws

94. What is the name of the kiddie roller coaster located in The Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) The Flying Spaghetti Monster

B) The Flying Dragon

C) The Flying Unicorn

95. What is the newest attraction in Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Caro-Seuss-El

B) Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride

C) The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

96. The grand opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971, drew approximately how many guests?

A) 10,000

B) 20,000

C) 100,000

97. Which is one of the classic attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom that originally made its debut at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair?

A) Carousel of Progress

B) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

C) Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

98. The Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios is housed in a replica of which famous theater?

A) Mann’s Chinese Theater

B) Apollo Theater

C) AMC Pleasure Island 24

99. Which Adventureland attraction was once sponsored by Florida Citrus Growers?

A) Pirates of the Caribbean

B) Tiki Room

C) Jungle Cruise

100. A replica of what famous icon can be found in the center of Liberty Square?

A) Declaration of Independence

B) Liberty Bell

C) Michael Jackson’s Chimp, Bubbles

101. What thrill ride at Epcot is so authentic that motion sickness bags are available just in case of emergency?

A) Mission: SPACE

B) Test Track

C) Ellen’s Energy Adventure

102. Where does “intergalactic lounge singer” Sunny Eclipse perform daily at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Tomorrowland

B) Johnny Appleseed’s Tavern, Liberty Square

C) Big Bamboo Lounge, Highway 192

103. What is the name of the audio-animatronic dog in the Carousel of Progress?

A) Rover

B) Spot

C) Triumph

104. Which of the following movies had scenes shot in Orlando?

A)Police Academy 6: City Under Siege

B)The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

C) Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector

105. Who won the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge?

A) Tiger Woods

B) Happy Gilmore

C) Vijay Singh

106. What is the name of the one-of-a-kind “watercoaster” ride at SeaWorld Orlando?

A) Beyond Atlantis

B) Journey to Atlantis

C) Pelt a Penguin

107. Which new after-hours event did Disney’s Magic Kingdom introduce during the winter of 2007?

A) Disney’s Very Merry After Christmas Party

B) Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party

C) Disney’s It’s A Dead Man’s Party

108. Which body of water in Central Florida is the fourth-largest lake in Florida?

A) Lake Apopka

B) Lake Orlando

C) Lake Bithlo

ANSWERS:

1. B

2. A

3. B

4. C

5. A

6. B

7. A

8. A

9. B

10. C

11. C

12. A

13. A

14. A

15. B

16. B

17. C

18. A

19. A

20. B

21. A

22. B

23. B

24. C

25. C

26. B

27. A

28. B

29. C

30. A

31. A

32. B

33. B

34. A

35. C

36. A

37. A

38. B

39. C

40. A

41. B

42. B

43. A

44. C

45. A

46. B

47. A

48. B

49. C

50. A

51. A

52. B

53. C

54. C

55. A

56. A

57. C

58. A

59. B

60. A

61. B

62. B

63. B

64. C

65. A

66. A

67. B

68. A

69. C

70. A

71. B

72. A

73. B

74. A

75. C

76. C

77. A

78. A

79. A

80. B

81. B

82. B

83. C

84. B

85. C

86. B

87. A

88. A

89. B

90. A

91. B

92. A

93. A

94. C

95. C

96. A

97. A

98. A

99. B

100. B

101. A

102. A

103. A

104. C

105. C

106. B

107. B

108. A

About the Author

Orlando, Florida Guide, the most comprehensive online guide to Orlando, offers discount Disney World tickets, discount Universal Orlando tickets and discount SeaWorld Orlando tickets, as well as discount Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

jesus earrings

Was Jesus the King of the Jews as the Pagan Magi Claimed?

This is a new series (1-27) of Verse No. in the Bible versus the Quran.

Verse No. 27 in the Old Testament says: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Verse No. 27 in the New Testament says: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Verse No. 27 in the Noble Quran says: the lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes upon them they walk on, but as soon as it darkens they stand still. indeed, if Allah willed, he could take away their sight and hearing. Allah has power over all things.

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The verse No. 27 in the Old Testament is Genesis 1:27

The verse says: God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Herein, there are two questions:

Has man the image of God in Bible versus Quran?

Has the female too the image of God?

Has man the image of God in Bible versus Quran?

Image means form; appearance; semblance and resemblance; it is a physical likeness or representation of a person that is photographed, painted, sculptured, or otherwise made visible.

In the Bible, Genesis 1:27  says that God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him

In the Noble Quran, Verse 42:11 says that Allah is the creator of the heavens and the earth and:

QARIB: There is nothing like him

SHAKIR: Nothing like a likeness of him;

PICKTHAL: Naught is as his likeness;

YUSUFALI: There is nothing whatever like unto him,

This means that there is nothing similar to Allah or like Him. None knows the image or the nature of Allah save Allah. 

Has the female too the image of God?

The Bible says: in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them; in this case has the female too the image of God? Or the image of God is just for man? If the word image means the physical likeness of a person, it is known that the female has a uterus and genital system that is different than that of man!

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The verse No. 27 in the New Testament is Matthew 2:2

The verse says:

In the article 26, Matthew 2:1 says: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, (in Matthew 2:2):  Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

In article 26, we knew who are the Magi and what is their faith.

We knew that the Magi are the worshippers of the sun and fire;

They believe that anything either comes from the light or the darkness.

The good things come from the light.  The evil things come from the darkness.

That is why they worshipped the sun that is the source of light at day; and the Fire that was the source of light at night.  They had temples, priests, servants and festivals for the Fire that is considered as god in their faith. They do not believe in the Hereafter.

Now there are two questions:

1) why the pagan Magi changed their faith all of a sudden?

Was Jesus the King of the Jews as the Magi claimed?

1) why the Magi changed their faith all of a sudden?

the Magi are the worshippers of the sun and fire; they do not believe in God or in the Hereafter. Why they changed their faith all of a sudden and came to search after the new borne Jesus to worship him?

2) Was Jesus the King of the Jews?

The Magi said: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Well, Jesus was not the King of the Jews; and the Jews denied him and still they are denying him.

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Verse No. 27 in the Noble Quran is 2:20,

Chapter 2 is Surah AL-BAQARA (THE COW),

Verses 2:8-20 are talking about the hypocrites

Verse 2:8 (See article 15) states that the hypocrites say: 'we believe in Allah and the last day, ' yet they are not believers.

Verse 2:9 (See article 16) says: They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not.

Verse 2:10 (See article 17) says: "There is a sickness in their (the hypocrites) hearts which Allah has increased; for them there is a painful punishment because they lie."

Verse 2:11 (See article 18) says: when it is said to them: Do not corrupt in the land;  they (the hypocrites) say: we are only reformers.

Verse 2:12 (See article 19) says: are not they indeed the mischief-makers? but they perceive not.

Verse 2:13 (See article 20) says: and when it is said to them: believe as the people believe they say: shall we believe as the fools believe? now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know

Verse 2:14 (See article 21) says: when they meet those who believe, they say, 'we, too believe. ' but when they are alone with their devils, they say to them: 'we follow none but you, we were only mocking

Verse 2:15 (See article 22) says: Allah shall pay them back their mockery, and he leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.

Verse 2:16 (See article 23) says: these are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction,

Verse 2:17 (See article 24)  says: their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness; they do not see.

Verse 2:18 (See article 25) says: deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

Verse 2:19 says: or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. they thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death, Allah encompasses the disbelievers (in his guidance, his omniscience and his omnipotence).

Verse 2:20 continues talking about the hypocrites; and says: the lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes upon them they walk on, but as soon as it darkens they stand still. indeed, if Allah willed, he could take away their sight and hearing. Allah has power over all things.

The meaning of verse 2:20:

The lightning almost snatches away their sight from them, i.e. from the hypocrites. Similarly, the exposition of the Quran almost snatched away their error. As often as the lightening flashes forth, for them they walk therein in the brightness of lightening, and when it darkened against them they stand still; they remain in darkness. Likewise, when the hypocrites declared themselves to be believers, they went along with that which the believers went along with because their outward faith was accepted. But when they died, they remained in the darkness of the grave.

And if Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing, take away the thunder, and their sight, the lightening. Likewise, if Allah willed, He could take away the hearing of the hypocrites through the rebukes and threats contained in the Quran, and He could also take away their sight through the exposition contained therein.

Indeed Allah is able to do all things, in terms of destroying their hearing and sight.

In other words, the verse says: the lightning well-nigh, almost, snatches away their sight, that is, takes it away swiftly; when so ever it gives them light, they walk in it, in its light; and when the darkness is over them, they stop, that is, they stand still: a simile of the perturbation that the Quran arguments cause in their hearts, and of their acknowledging the truths of what they love to hear and recoiling from what they detest; had Allah willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight, that is, the exterior faculty, in the same way that He took away their inner one; Truly, Allah has power over all things, that He wills, as for example, His taking away of the above mentioned.

==========

Verse No. 27 in the Old Testament, the New Testament in four different versions of the Bible; and in the Noble Quran in Four different Translations

Verse No. 27 in the Old Testament

Genesis 1:27

New International Version:

27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

New American Standard Version:

27] God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

English Standard Version:

27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

King James Version:

27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

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Verse No. 27 in the New Testament

Matthew 2:2

New International Version:

27] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[a] and have come to worship him."

New American Standard Version:

27] Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

English Standard Version:

27] saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

King James Version:

27] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

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Verse No. 27 in the Noble Quran

Chapter 2:20

Surah AL-BAQARA (THE COW)

QARIB: the lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes upon them they walk on, but as soon as it darkens they stand still. indeed, if Allah willed, he could take away their sight and hearing. Allah has power over all things.

SHAKIR: the lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased he would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things

PICKTHAL: the lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. as often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. if Allah willed, he could destroy their hearing and their sight. lo! Allah is able to do all things.

YUSUFALI: the lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. and if Allah willed, he could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things.

==========

It is very premature to ask this question:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?

Wait and you will see.

About the Author

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt.
And, President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyptian union of Writers

god christ and church

Joy and God's Other Unexpected Gifts

Anyone who accepts good things from God, must accept them as free, undeserved gifts. It is only by His grace that we have any good thing.

Consequently, we can only have good things according to God's gracious terms. We have joy, for example, either His Way or no way.

For some incomprehensible reason, sinful men would spend their lives striving vainly on their own terms rather than surrender to Christ and freely receive every good and heavenly gift in Him. Natural people are so infatuated with the illusion of control that they’ll cling to the stone that sinks them for the sole reason that it’s the rock they chose.

However, to know Christ is the beginning and the end of joy and every other blessing from heaven. To draw near to Him is heaven on earth, just as He explicitly promised.

There is every desirable, heavenly asset in christ, such as freedom, joy, grace, mercy, contentment, salvation, Godliness and love. Every heavenly gift takes root and is best expressed in Christ Himself.

But in order to accept one part of Christ, we have to accept all the rest of Him as well. This requires complete surrender, which sounds scary to fleshly men, but spiritual men know that surrender is a divinely excellent thing.

Heavenly assets must exist beyond our mortal control or else they would cease to be heavenly. And all good things are miraculously good things, because they result from God’s miraculous grace.

Therefore, when we think that we have obtained some good thing by ourselves so that there seems to be no greater miracle than our own strength, we deceive ourselves, cheapen the gift and cheat the Giver.

The nature of true joy is similar to other Godly gifts, in that it comes whenever God's Spirit allocates it, however He makes a person able to accept it. Joy is similar to other heavenly qualities because it can only be understood and embraced by a Spirit-anointed heart. So devastatingly thorough is the consumption of God's people in His Spirit that they may or may not get anything from this world and yet this won’t affect their joyful outlooks.

Tainted hearts, on the other hand, look with dismay upon God's people, who have found reasons apart from this world for being joyful. It is confusing to fleshly men that another person, also living in a similar shell of flesh, remains joyful regardless of adverse circumstances, even despite an utter lack of shell-comforting devices.

Unassuming innocence is best equipped to embrace God's gifts in general, a fact which is especially obvious in regards to joy. The person whose heart is as pure as the very founts of heaven is probably well-acquainted with a heavenly quality of joy.

However regular people cannot help but spoil the most blatantly joyful scenarios because their own hearts, which are their inward points of reference, are still thoroughly infected by sin. So also the jaundiced eye, which is yellow with infection, looks out and sees everything with a yellow tinge (thank you Alexander Pope).

Natural people store up within themselves an infinitude of factors that prevent them from either enjoying God or accepting any free gift from Him. Such is the tragedy and insanity of sin.

However, Godly joy serves as an unmistakable signature of God’s workmanship in the Christ-follower. Such a heart sings out naturally with this divine proof of transformation.

Another surprising aspect of Godly joy is that it consists of letting go of all self-centered concern. Good things such as emotional health and contentedness do not come from seeking these things as ends in themselves.

In this way Godly treasure requires an alarming amount of vulnerability before God. And Godly joy in Christ requires an immensely courageous, self-neglecting leap.

We will enjoy a heavenly fullness in Christ in this life when we give up our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is Spirit-dependent truth.

In return for giving up literally everything, we receive Christ Himself. When we give all of ourselves we get all of Him. And, if we get Christ, then we get Him who embodies all the treasure and precious value of heaven for those who believe in Him. Therefore we still live in this world and yet we have an otherworldly, tenacious joy because Christ teaches us to die to this world.

The dumbfounding secret to embracing joy as well as every heavenly gift is to completely let go and let Christ. The sooner we stop striving by familiar, manly means to obtain joy or contentment or any other Spirit-dependent gift, the closer we will be to every aspect of full, obedient, Godly living.

God only requires this very small thing from us, which is to surrender every last trace of ourselves in favor of gaining Christ instead. Such is the nature of this Living Water, that He cannot resist filling every last space in His people, even to the point of overflowing us. Mere men cannot secure any good thing for themselves, therefore Christ takes it upon Himself to secure Himself in His people’s hearts.

The joy of knowing God in Christ is unconditional, no matter how much this word, “unconditional,” remains mysterious or even distasteful to most people.

However, the freed, otherworldly quality of God's gifts makes irresistible sense to the soul who is purified in Christ. Not only does Christ freely give, He also teaches us how to restfully accept what He is freely giving so that we don’t get more worn out than necessary trying to earn what we could not have earned on our own in any case.

Godly, joyful people are reasonable in God’s eyes for taking whatever joy He offers in whatever time that He offers it.

There is also an unreasonable quality in God's joyful people, in that no amount of worldly prodding can convince them to seek a more difficult way to joy. They are a people whose taste for worldly imitation has been spoiled by tasting the Real Thing Himself. Anyone who is innocent enough to accept God's real joy won’t waste time questioning or complicating the joy that is already right in front of them. This seems unreasonable to the world, but it is reasonable to Almighty God.

And, as Christ's people watch the world self-destruct around them, they have continual confirmation and they are increasingly thrilled to embrace His otherworldly gifts whenever and however He may give them. It becomes obvious to anyone who spends time with Christ that this decaying world hasn’t a clue about heavenly riches (such as Godly contentment or a Spirit-cleansed conscience). Emptiness is self-evident to people who know fullness. This is not to any Christ-follower’s credit but all to God's credit.

So it goes that God’s people naturally plead and reason with a world thirsting for substantial joy. The mere existence of Christ's church shines a revealing light on counterfeit joys. As we continue to walk after Christ, we will naturally expose the futility of imitation joys, which amount to wandering away from Him who is the exclusive Source of all genuinely good things.

by Patrick Roberts

This is an excerpt from To the Church of the West, Scattered Throughout the World. Find this book and similar articles at www.BooksByPatrick.com

About the Author

Patrick is an average Christ-seeker. His goal is to turn people to jesus christ.

no saints gear

The History of the Denver Broncos Uniform

The Denver Broncos debuted in 1960 with uniforms which were criticized largely by the public. This could be caused by the fact that they were really ugly uniforms which consisted of brown helmets, brown pants, jerseys with a white and mustard yellow color, and the infamous vertically striped socks. Two years after endless criticism, the club decided to get rid of their uniforms at a public occasion where they burned their uniforms together in a huge bonfire.

Together with this, the team revealed a new logo in the form of a bucking horse. Likewise, they changed their colors to orange, blue, and white. The team's uniform in the early 60's were designed by Laura North-Allen and consisted of white pants, orange or white jerseys, and orange helmets and were way better than their first uniforms.

1968 was the year that the Broncos became popular for their Orange Crush design. The team's logo was redesigned to show a horse coming out of the D. The helmets were also change to blue and other minor modifications were done including thin stripes that were put onto the uniform's sleeves. In the following years, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys.

Then in 1997, the team change their logo and uniforms to the design that is being used today. The current logo of the Denver Broncos is a profile of a horse's head. Now, they wear navy blue jerseys instead of the usual orange ones. This new uniform also features a streak that runs down the sides of the jersey and the pants. The streak is color orange on the blue jerseys and blue on white ones. Despite the change, these uniforms were still unacceptable to the fans and critics. These uniforms were only accepted by the public when the Broncos won their first ever Super Bowl sporting the said design.

For prime-time home games, the team also introduced blue pants with orange stripes and are worn with blue jerseys. Something odd about their pans is that their home white pants have the orange stripe but the road white ones sport the navy blue stripe.

The blue pants that the team can be seen wearing to day was introduced in the mid-2000. Although it has been included in the initial uniform change of 2007, one player vetoed wearing them and thus delaying the introduction of the uniforms to the public. Further, the team also has an alternate orange jersey with a navy blue stripe in the side. These jerseys were first seen during the game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2002 and was last used against the New orleans saints in a 2008 game.

Denver Broncos' head coach is not really a big fan of the orange jerseys which explains why this particular uniform is not used most of the time. Nevertheless, uniforms only make one part of the team. It can make a difference one way or another but what is important is the teamwork that is needed to win a game.

About the Author

Rick Grantham is an avid NFL fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on
Denver Broncos Merchandise
. Many articles are related to
NFL Football Helmets
and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

easter night lights

Weekly Poems From Poems For Free: A Name Poem And More

MADELINE VIOLET

Madeline Violet has come down to Earth,
A pinpoint of passion possessed by her need,
Destined to be the sweet husk of a seed
Eternally living through birth after birth.
Love her – this angel that innocent came
Into the world, though not by her will!
Now in the grasp of your wisdom and skill,
Enduring her first tastes of beauty and pain.
Vested in you is a trust none can keep,
Immense as a universe, vast as a quark,
Of the bonfire of being, one brief, playful spark,
Lovely with longing so frail one must weep.
Even as you vow more love than you know,
The angel is dancing to music below.

HAPPINESS HAS MUCH TO RECOMMEND IT

Happiness has much to recommend it,
A choice, though hard, that often satisfies.
Passing joys, pursued, bid fair to end it,
Perhaps because their truths turn into lies.
Yet one may choose a life of faith and love,
Even dogged by doubt and ripe with lust,
Ample as a river on the move
Singing down the balustrades of dust.
To love is to step forward into light,
Embracing what would else return to night,
Redeemed, redeeming by this act of trust.

I GUESS YOU JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURTS

I guess you just don't know how much it hurts.
I cannot think you know and just don't care.
Destiny provides one's just deserts
By turning out one just as would be fair.
Just as a child learns to its delight
That lying sets one fabulously free,
So you say "love" to get the rapture right,
Getting so the most you can from me.
And then, of course, you tire of your pleasure,
As those who seek but pleasure often do,
And sacrifice by far the greater treasure
Upon the altar where you worship you.
Justice would demand you be the fool,
But you are far more ignorant than cruel.

HERE WE HAVE A STORY FOR THE WORLD

Here we have a story for the world,
A tale of justice served and freedom won,
Principles of goodness, universal,
Printed out on stone by God's own hand.
Yes, the past was bloody, and the old
Promise was by faithlessness undone.
And wonders ceased, memories turned brittle,
Shadows fell, and love turned into land.
Still, the story breathes the air of words
Old and new, a tale not writ in stone,
Vast as the hard history of a people
Ever changing, ever one, a grand
Recital running through time's glass like sand.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, DEAR DAUGHTER

Happy Mother's Day, dear daughter!
All my love to you!
Praised be those who give themselves,
Poised to part the sea!
Years of loving need no quarter,
Making passion do,
Offering a trove of selves,
Though vicariously.
How beautiful the gift of giving
Each the unspent whole,
Returning, turning, like a tide,
'Ere the moment wanes!
So beautiful, the act of living
Densely through a soul
Alight with wonder at the ride,
Yet soon to take the reins!

LET OTHERS SPEAK OF HELL – I SPEAK OF COURAGE

Let others speak of Hell -- I speak of courage:
In one there's inspiration for the other.
Nor need despair of Heaven one's life ravage:
Demand enough of Hell, and it rolls over.
All I suffered was what I endured,
For me a source of pride as well as pain.
Restored by love, I never could be cured:
Ill for life, but not alive in vain.
Enter bravely into my delight,
Dreadful though might be my manic mind.
More is known by feeling than by sight
As even darkness has its own sweet light;
Nor did I die but by my own design.

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED

In memory of those who died
We weep and walk away.
Tears run into swollen streams.
No trace of us remains.

Even those who grieve are gone,
And those that grieve who grieve,
And those whose lives are ravaged by
A frantic urge to be,

And those who wander silently
Among the empty rooms:
Immortality is theirs,
Though they must vanish, too.

We bear astonished witness to
The passage of the soul.
No bridge exists that can connect
Our passion to the whole.

About the Author

I am a poet and webmaster of the popular poetry site, Poems for Free, at http://www.poemsforfree.com.

rabbi jesus

In Bible versus Quran: What Jesus and Muhammad said about the Spirit

The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran (20)

This is the 20th article (and the last one) of the series:

"The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran"

 

The Bible says that the Lord jesus said no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again of water and the Spirit and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. The Noble Quran says that the Spirit belongs to Allah's knowledge, about which you know not. Also the Quran replies the disbelievers who claim that the Angels are God's daughters; and also, the Quran answers the dualists who claim that Satan is Allah's partner.

 

It is interesting that the Bible claims that the Lord Jesus said that the wind blows wherever it pleases, you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from and you cannot tell where it goes.

From the scientific point of view, winds are plotted on surface weather analyses indicating the direction the wind is blowing from as well as its strength, and over much of the globe wind speeds are measured over a ten-minute time frame. Wind direction is reported by the direction from which it originates and where it goes with the use of weather vanes. Everyday, the "Weather Forecasts" on TV, radio, newspaper etc. determine precisely the direction of the wind, where it comes from and where it goes.

Hence, the Bible initiates an important question:

Has the Lord Jesus refuted the climatology and the Wind Advisory? Has the Lord Jesus denied the Weather Forecasts?

As a matter of fact, I do not believe that the Lord Jesus said that; He knows better than the Scientists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Sons of the Lord God in the Bible (20)

 

The Bible (John 3:1-8) says:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'  The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

--------------------------------------------

 

John 3:1-8 (King James Version)

1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 

===================================================

 

The Sons of the Lord God in the Quran (20)

 

The Noble Quran says that the Spirit is of the command of Allah; it belongs to His knowledge, about which you know not.

Also, the Quran answers back the disbelievers who claim that the angels were God’s daughters by asking them many sensible questions.

In addition, the Quran replies the dualists who claim that Satan is Allah's partner in that Allah created the good things while Satan created the evil ones.

Then, the Quran says that Allah exonerates Himself from the lies they attribute unto Him.  He is exalted, above what they attribute to Him in the way of His having a child or a partner.

Essentially, the Quran decisively forbids saying that Allah has a son.

It is not befitting for the Majesty of Allah to take to Himself a son.

Allah is exalted, magnified; He is above what they associate with Him of son or partner.  Allah is far transcendent above all that they ascribe unto Him!

In Islam, this point is very important faith wise.

1. Basically, it is unforgivable sin to say or to believe that the One Almighty Creator [who is Allah or God or the Lord or Jehovah or whatever name(s) you are giving Him] has a son or Sons.

From the Islamic point of view, the conclusion of this essential topic that may establish or tear down the faith is that:

Any one who believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or Sons; he corrupts and spoils his faith and he is considered as a disbeliever; and in the afterlife he will dwell in the eternal fire.

Any one who believes that the Almighty Creator has no son or partner, he has a good faith and he is considered as a believer; and in the afterlife, he will dwell in the eternal paradise. 

Verses 17:85 and 37:149-159 of the Noble Quran (respectively) make the topic of the Spirit and the son(s) of God plain, clear and understandable.

--------------------------------------------

 

The meanings of verse 17:85

The background of the verse

It is narrated that some members of the Jewish ruling council went to the Prophet Muhammad and asked him: O Muhammad, what do you say about the Spirit? They asked him this question to know if he is a true or a false prophet.  Muhammad kept quiet. Then a revelation was coming to him.

Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse (17:85):

"They are asking thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little”.

 

The meaning of the verse 17:85

And they (that is, the Jews) will question you O Muhammad, concerning the Spirit, from which the body receives life. Say, to them: ‘the Spirit is of the marvels of my Lord; the Spirit is of the command of my Lord, that is, it belongs to His knowledge, about which you know not. And of knowledge you have not been given except a little’, relative to His knowledge, exalted be He.

------------------------------------------------------

 

The meanings of verse 37:149

Before Islam, the ignorant disbelievers among Arabs used to hate having female girls and they preferred having sons, also, they used to kill their female because they think that it is shameful to have females and it is an honor to have sons. On the other hand, they claim that the Angels are God's daughters!  The verse says: So ask the disbelievers (O Muhammad): are daughters to be for your Lord, after their claim that the angels were God’s daughters, while sons are to be for them? Do you wish for Allah what you do not wish for yourselves? "That is to say, the best (as they think) are exclusively theirs?

 

The meanings of verse 37:150

Or did Allah create the angels females as you claim while they were witnesses to the act of Allah's creation? Were they present thereof that they might then say such a thing?

 

The meanings of verse 37:151

Lo! It is indeed out of their [own] mendacity, their [own] lies, it is of their falsehood) it is due to their denial that they say,

 

The meanings of verse 37:152

God has begotten’, for they claimed the angels are Allah's daughters. And verily they are liars, in what they say.

 

The meanings of verse 37:153

And again of their falsehood, Has Allah preferred daughters to sons?

 

The meanings of verse 37:154

What is wrong with you? How do you judge? It means that you consider having female an evil and shameful although you choose for Allah what you would not accept for yourselves,

 

The meanings of verse 37:155

Will you not then remember? Will you not then reflect? Will you not take heed from what you say? That Allah, glory be to Him, is exalted above having a child?

 

The meanings of verse 37:156

Or do you have a clear warrant, a Scripture stating that the angels are Allah's daughters? Do you have a plain definitive proof that God has a child?

 

The meanings of verse 37:157

Allah said: then produce your scripture, and show Me that the angels are Allah's daughters in it, if you are being truthful, about this statement of yours.

 

The meanings of verse 37:158

And the disbelievers have set up between Allah, exalted be He, and the angels a kinship, by saying that they are God’s daughters, while the angels certainly know that the disbelievers shall indeed be arraigned, into the Eternal Fire, to be chastised therein.

It is also said that this verse was revealed about the dualists who claimed that Satan is Allah's partner in that Allah created the good things while Satan created the evil ones; However, the angels know well that the disbelievers who claim that will be brought before Allah and will be chastised in the Eternal Hell.

 

The meanings of verse 37:159

Glorified be Allah, He exonerates Himself from the lies they attribute unto Him.  He is exalted, above what they attribute, to Him in the way of His having a child or a partner.

===============================

 

Verses 17:85 and 37:149-159 of the Noble Quran in one translation (YUSUFALI):

 

Verse17:85 (YUSUFALI Translation):

they ask thee concerning the spirit (of inspiration). say: "the spirit (cometh) by command of my lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (o men!)"

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

Verses 37:149-159 (YUSUFALI Translation):

 

Verse 37:149

Now ask them their opinion: is it that thy lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons?-

 

Verse 37:150

Or that we created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?

 

Verse 37:151

Is it not that they say, from their own invention,

 

Verse 37:152

"Allah has begotten children"? but they are liars!

 

Verse 37:153

Did he (then) choose daughters rather than sons?

 

Verse 37:154

What is the matter with you? how judge ye?

 

Verse 37:155

Will ye not then receive admonition?

 

Verse 37:156

Or have ye an authority manifest?

 

Verse 37:157

Then bring ye your book (of authority) if ye be truthful!

 

Verse 37:158

And they have invented a blood-relationship between him and the angels: but the angels know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his judgment-seat)!

 

Verse 37:159

Glory to Allah! (he is free) from the things they ascribe (to him)!

========================

 

Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?

About the Author

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University.
Cairo, Egypt.
And,
President of The Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyption union of Writers