The Qur’aan on Mountains

A book entitled Earth is a basic reference textbook in many universities around the world. One of its two authors is

Professor Emeritus Frank Press. He was the Science Advisor to former US President Jimmy Carter, and for 12 years

was the President of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC. His book says that mountains have

underlying roots.

This is how the Qur’an has described mountains. God has said in the Qur’an:

"Have We not made the earth as a bed, and the mountains as pegs?"

(Qur’an, 78:6-7)

Modern earth sciences have proven that mountains have deep roots under the surface of the ground and that these

roots can reach several times their elevations above the surface of the ground. So the most suitable word to describe

mountains on the basis of this information is the word ‘peg,’ since most of a properly set peg is hidden under the

surface of the ground.

The history of science tells us that the theory of mountains having deep roots was introduced only in 1865 by the

Astronomer Royal, Sir George Airy. Mountains also play an important role in stabilizing the crust of the earth.

They hinder the shaking of the earth. God has said in the Qur’an:

"And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you... "

(Qur’an, 16:15)

Likewise, the modern theory of plate tectonics holds that mountains work as stabilizers for the earth. This knowledge

about the role of mountains as stabilizers for the earth has just begun to be understood in the framework of plate

tectonics since the late 1960’s. Could anyone during the time of the Prophet Muhammad have known of the true

shape of mountains?

Could anyone imagine that the solid massive mountain which he sees before him actually extends deep into the

earth and has a root, as scientists affirm? Modern geology has confirmed the truth of the Qur’anic verses.

X-rated egg rush in Terengganu

KUALA TERENGGANU: Market traders here are openly selling endangered turtle eggs, much to the shock

and dismay of the state authorities.

Under the law, only licensed collectors are allowed to harvest the eggs which must be sold to the Fisheries

Department, which then sends the eggs to incubators to be hatched.

State Agriculture and Agro-based committee chairman Ashaari Idris stressed that the belief that turtle eggs

could improve sexual prowess was a myth. This, however, has failed to stop couples wanting to revive their

flagging sex lives from buying the eggs.

Salleh Solat, who has been trading at the market for over two decades, said he had buyers from as far as

Kuala Lumpur.

He sells the Green Turtle eggs at RM30 for a packet of 10 and said he could get double or triple the price

during off-season.

“There is a huge demand for these eggs as they can also be used to treat asthma and backaches,” he claimed.

He added that he previously sold eggs supplied from Sabah and Indonesia but there was now a great demand

for Terengganu eggs.

This was because the locally laid eggs can be obtained for sale within a few hours of collection and therefore

fresher, compared with eggs from elsewhere which took about two weeks to reach here.

Salleh said he got his supplies from two agents, but declined to name them.

The endangered Green Turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world. Females lay their eggs at night

in a process that takes two hours, each time laying 110 to 115 eggs.

The leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles are already said to be close to extinction in Terengganu while the

number of Hawksbill and Green Turtles has also plunged drastically.

It has been reported that a leading cause for the decline of turtle species is egg consumption.

From - The Star

Who and What Eats a Turtle?

Turtles can boast their place as a vital link in many of the food webs. They are agents that disperse seeds back

into the environment. There are a number of predators that prey upon the turtle for food and their eggs are

harvested by many more to provide life giving sustenance.

Turtles are best known as omnivores, which mean they eat a wide variety of foods such as plant matter and

smaller vertebrates. They are also opportunistic feeders eating anything that crosses their path. You may be

surprised to learn that they will even try to eat the bait at the end of a fishing line.

Turtles eat frogs, small fish, the larvae and the adult variety of insects, tadpoles, and crayfish. They will also

sup on shrimp, amphipods, crayfish and snails. The plant matter that turtles eat is fruits, roots, stems, seeds,

duckweed and leaves. They will also nibble on herbaceous plants that are just emerging and algae both green

and blue.

Turtle Predators

The human race is the greatest of the turtle's predators. We will shoot them for sport if they are spotted basking,

they are often run over by cars as they travel from one place to the next, and often get hooked by an occasional

fisherman that fails to put him back into the water. The eggs of the turtle are harvested so that the hatchlings may

be used in the pet trade and children wandering woods, streams and ponds will think nothing of capturing them

for a pet.

The question of what eats a turtle can be answered easily. There are many animals that will feast on an adult

turtle, the hatchlings and especially the eggs. Fish such as bass and pike will eat a turtle hatchling, frogs and

snakes will as well. Larger turtles may become a turtle's predator and skunks and raccoons enjoy the eggs of

turtles. Wading birds such as heron will feast on turtle hatchlings as will mink, otters, and crows.

The eggs are in even more danger from common molds as well as insects such as maggots and ants. There are

many creatures that will eat a turtle and with so many waiting for an opportunity to feast on these creatures, it is

a wonder that the turtle has been able to survive as long as it has.

Turtles and Man

With so many natural predators, turtle species survival depends upon man taking himself out of the equation.

Teaching your children to respect all animals and not just turtles is one way you can begin. Educate them on

the importance of the turtle in a successful food chain, encourage them to leave their findings just where they

discovered them so that the animals can go on to live out their natural life and contribute to fragile ecosystems.

They will learn by example and the parent that pushes ecological education upon their child is a responsible

citizen of the planet. Future generations are going to suffer greatly because of man's seemingly disinterest in

the environment. Education is the key that will open the door to sustainability and living in harmony and balance

with the natural world.

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at...

http://www.petturtlecare.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Magill