""After nearly two decades of “the climate wars”, arguments for climate action focus on power (we must decarbonise our energy system), prosperity (we must develop our green industries and clean tech) and planet (we must do more to keep global temperature increases within safe limits). But rarely are these arguments framed in terms of the impact on ordinary Australians. How will the transition to renewables keep electricity prices low for households? Given our continued reliance on fossil fuel exports, can Australia avoid falling off an economic cliff in the coming decades that would compromise quality of life? What will it cost our nation if large swathes of the country are at risk of climate-related disaster? In this clear-sighted volume, Woodroofe argues that Australia needs to elevate climate change to our top foreign and economic policy priority. And we need to speak about it in a way that makes sense from the Cabinet Room to every lounge room across the mortgage belts and beyond. Because the ingredients that made us the lucky country – reliable power, economic prosperity and the beauty of our part of the planet, are at risk." Readings"

""Jannah is the calling of every Muslim: eternal bliss in the company of the prophets, truthful, martyrs, and righteous. As part of Allah's immense mercy, He has made the paths to Jannah easy and plentiful. It has eight gates, as the Prophet ﷺ informed us. Each gate has a unique virtue that, if we adhere to and live by, we will be allowed to enter from it. The 8 Gates of Jannah is a scholarly collation of qur'anic passages and prophetic traditions speaking about these paradisal gateways and how we can be among those admitted through them. May we be among those people about whom Allah said: "Gardens of lasting bliss with gates wide open for them." Q 38:50" The Eight Core Gateways (Chapter Breakdown) Each of these central chapters focuses on a specific gate, the specific actions required to unlock it, relevant ahadith, and finishes with a dedicated Poetic Reflection section: Baab As-Salah: The Gate of Prayer – For those who were constant and mindful in their daily and voluntary prayers.Baab Al-Jihad: The Gate of Striving – For those who sacrificed and struggled in the path of righteousness.Baab As-Sadaqah: The Gate of Charity – For the open-handed who gave consistently to those in need.Baab Ar-Rayyan: The Gate of Fasting – The exclusive portal reserved for those who fasted regularly.Baab Al-Hajj: The Gate of Pilgrimage – For those who fulfilled the sacred rites of the pilgrimage.Baab Al-Kaazimeen Al-Ghaiz wal 'Aafina 'Anin-Naas: The Gate of Restraint – Dedicated to those who controlled their anger and actively forgave people.Baab Al-Iman: The Gate of Faith – Reserved for those who possess deep, unwavering conviction and trust in God.Baab Al-Dhikr: The Gate of Remembrance – For those who kept their tongues moist with the constant remembrance of Allah."

""Most books about public speaking don't tell you what to do when you open your mouth and nothing comes out. And they don't tell you how to get over the anxiety about performance that most people naturally have. They don't tell you what to do in the moments when you are made to feel small as a woman. They don't tell you how to own the room""

"Ayyuha’l-Walad (Dear Beloved Son) offers a rare, deeply personal window into the direct spiritual counsel of Imam al-Ghazali. Originally written as an intimate letter to one of his most accomplished students—a scholar of the highest caliber—this text serves as an enduring guide for anyone seeking a purposeful spiritual path. In this timeless epistle, Imam al-Ghazali clarifies vital concepts for both his student and the contemporary reader, including: The dynamic between knowledge and action, and how both are essential when striving for Paradise.The profound spiritual weight of the night prayer (Tahajjud).The enduring wisdom of Luqman the Wise's advice to his own son.A precise definition of worship and obedience, which the Imam describes as the very core of true knowledge.The four essential requirements for any spiritual traveler.A single, comprehensive Hadith that encapsulates the wisdom of both ancient and modern times.Eight definitive lessons that provide a complete framework for ultimate salvation. Ayyuha’l-Walad is a book meant for lifelong reflection, designed to be read, revisited, and internalised. While it captures an extraordinary historical dialogue between one of Islam's greatest teachers and his elite disciple, al-Ghazali’s prescriptions are delivered with a clarity that will profoundly benefit any modern reader of high aspiration. This specific edition features a meticulous English translation by Ustadh Moustafa Elqabbany, presented side-by-side with Imam al-Ghazali’s original Arabic text. Core Structural Sections of Ayyuha'l-Walad Introduction & The Student's InquiryThe Premise: A senior student who spent years studying under al-Ghazali pauses to ask which branch of knowledge will truly benefit him in his grave and which is useless.Al-Ghazali’s Warning: Knowledge without action is insanity, and action without knowledge is vanity. The First Group: Foundations of Knowledge and Time (Counsels 1–3)Counsel 1 (Revelation): True guidance comes exclusively from the teachings of the prophets.Counsel 2 (Time): The fleeting nature of life and the duty not to waste a single breath.Counsel 3 (Knowledge): Identifying knowledge that transforms character versus knowledge gathered merely for debate or status. The Second Group: Inner Sincerity and Accountability (Counsels 4–8)Counsel 4 (Allah's Mercy): Balancing fear of divine accountability with hope.Counsel 5 (Self-Evaluation): Accounting for one's daily actions and correcting past shortcomings.Counsel 6 (Intention): Purifying motivations behind every study and deed.Counsel 7 (Death): Keeping the reality of the end of life close to the heart.Counsel 8 (Hypocrisy): Eradicating the desire for public praise or pretense. The Third Group: Daily Spiritual Disciplines (Counsels 9–14)Counsel 9 (Action): Putting learned principles immediately into practice.Counsel 10 (The Grave): Preparing for isolation and the reckoning in the afterlife.Counsel 11 (Sleep): Restricting unnecessary sleep and utilizing nights.Counsel 12 (Dhikr): Maintaining constant remembrance of God.Counsel 13 (Tahajjud): The specific high value of night prayers.Counsel 14 (Obedience): Total alignment of the self with divine will. The Fourth Group: Etiquette, Creed, and Mentorship (Counsels 15–18)Counsel 15 (Shari'ah): Strict adherence to sacred law and moral boundaries.Counsel 16 (Aqidah): Securing a firm, sound core creed.Counsel 17 (Companionship): Choosing righteous peers and avoiding toxic associations.Counsel 18 (Spiritual Guide): The necessity of a true Shaykh (mentor) to guide the ego safely. The Fifth Group: Devotion, Dawah, and Surrender (Counsels 19–24)Counsels 19–20 (Referral & Rationale): Entrusting matters entirely to God and understanding purpose.Counsel 21 (Devotion): Sincere, undistracted worship.Counsel 22 (Dawah): Inviting others to truth with wisdom.Counsels 23–24 (Contemplation & Dua): Deep reflection on creation and heartfelt personal supplication.The Key Appendices & ParablesThe Eight Lessons of Hatim al-Asamm: A famous interlude detailing eight principles of salvation (identifying true enemies, true worth, and true provision).Advice of Luqman the Wise: Timeless parental wisdom shared regarding character, speech restraint, and piety. "

"When the mistreated livestock of Manor Farm revolt against their owner, Mr Jones, they believe they are building a utopia of freedom and fairness. However, a scheming, ruthless group of pigs led by Napoleon and Snowball quietly orchestrates a power grab. The rest of the animals soon realize that their dream of equality is a lie, finding themselves trapped under a new regime just as oppressive as the last. George Orwell’s brilliant allegory remains a timeless warning about how easily noble ideals can be corrupted by a hunger for absolute control. Can you relate to this situation? Perhaps. Section 1: Rebellion and Idealism Section 2: Power Struggle and Dictatorship Section 3: Betrayal and Complete Corruption It is quite heavy for a work of fiction. I looked up who the possible characters in this book represent (guys, I can't check the truth, but it's interesting to find): 🐖 The Pigs (The Ruling Class) Napoleon: Represents Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator. He is power-hungry, quiet, and uses brutal force (his dogs) to control others.Snowball: Represents Leon Trotsky, Stalin’s rival. He is smart, creative, and genuinely wants to help the farm, but Napoleon chases him away.Squealer: Represents state propaganda and the Soviet media. He is a smooth talker who tricks the other animals into believing Napoleon's lies.Old Major: Represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, the creators of communist theory. His dream of a fair society inspires the entire rebellion. 🐴 The Horses (The Working Class) Boxer: Represents the loyal, hardworking working class (proletariat). He is strong and dedicated ("I will work harder"), but he is exploited and betrayed by the pigs.Clover: Represents the female working class. She is kind and motherly, and she quietly notices when the rules are broken.Mollie: Represents the vain bourgeoisie (middle/upper class) who care more about sugar, ribbons, and comfort than freedom. She eventually leaves the farm for a human owner. 🐾 Other Animals (Society and Institutions) Benjamin: Represents the cynical intellectual. He is an old donkey who refuses to get excited about the revolution because he knows that power always corrupts.Moses the Raven: Represents organized religion (specifically the Russian Orthodox Church). He talks about "Sugarcandy Mountain," a paradise after death, which the pigs tolerate because it distracts the animals.The Dogs: Represent Stalin’s secret police (the KGB). Napoleon raises them from puppies to be vicious enforcers who scare everyone into silence. 🧑‍🌾 The Humans (The Outside World) Mr. Jones: Represents Tsar Nicholas II, the lazy and cruel ruler of Russia who was overthrown.Mr. Frederick: Represents Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. He tricks Napoleon with fake money and attacks the farm.Mr. Pilkington: Represents the capitalist leaders of Great Britain and the United States. He owns the neighboring Foxwood farm and ends up dining with Napoleon at the end of the book."