Salamun alaykum,
No-fly Zone imposed :
An unprecedented no-fly zone was imposed across Europe since Thursday 15th April, 2010. Airspace stretching from Ireland to Finland, including airports in U.K. was closed. The pan-European shutdown affected an estimated 4,000 flights and is the most dramatic step of its kind in living memory. It caused the most international travel chaos since the 9/11 (11th September) attacks on America in 2001.
According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia,” a no-fly zone is a territory over which aircraft are not permitted to fly. Such zones are usually set up in a military context, somewhat like a demilitarized zone in the sky.”
What happened?
A cloud of volcanic ash had spread across the above regions covering some of the world's busiest flight paths. This was due to a violent volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland emitting black smoke and white steam into the air since Wednesday 14th April, 2010. Scientists had measured increased seismic activity near the glacier about two hours before the volcano started to erupt early on Wednesday.
Impact of the Volcano:
Huge losses have been incurred in the Airline Industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) put the overall cost at $1.7bn.Tonnes of Agriculture produce and flowers destined for European markets have perished and dumped for lack of air transport. Thousands of travelers have been stranded becoming ‘volcano refugees’. The list of the brunt continues….
Putting it in perspective:
Who could have guessed that a mere eruption of volcano with emission of ashes and smoke could cause so much disruption in our civilized lives? With all our achievements in science and technology at our disposal, yet here we are helpless?
“Soon We will show them Our signs in the (furthest) regions of the earth, and in their own souls, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth…….(Sura Al Fussilat 41:53).
Imam Ali said: "O He who proves His (eternal) existence by His signs that exist in everything."
Hopefully this event has caused us to pause, reflect on our helplessness and learn humility. This is a powerful message to acknowledge the presence of Almighty Allah SWT.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk:
Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk: Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board