The Galapagos Islands Essay Example for Free

The Galapagos Islands Essay The Galapagos Islands were first inscribed as a World Heritage site in danger in 1978. This was extended in 2001 and they were again inscribed in June 2007. The islands are found on the Pacific Ocean, 1000 kilometer from the South American continent, they are in Ecuador. They are 19 islands which lie on equator so their seasons vary very little. They have been called a unique â€Å"living museum and showcase of evolution†. (www. whc. unesco/org/en/danger). The islands were formed by seismic and volcanic activities which are still ongoing processes. These together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life such as the land iguana, giant tortoise and many types of finch. The finch inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution following his visit in 1835. The islands are referred to as an archipelago as they are very isolated from the nearest continent and the islands themselves are separated from one another. This separation and differences in climates favors evolutionary change. As a result, populations that are related follow separate evolution tracks leading to emergence of various species and even further diversification. The species so formed become very susceptible to changes in the environment. ( www. darwinfoundation. org) The uniqueness of the island lies in its marine and land ecosystems, and presence of flora and fauna endemic to the islands and in most cases found nowhere else in the world. The marine ecosystem is composed of both cold and warm water current systems, marine landscapes â€Å"bajos†- these are underwater mountains formed by volcanic activity they rise almost to the oceans surface. Some of the coastal animals found in the Galapagos marine reserve are sea lions, fur seals, albatrosses, several species of booby, frigate bird species, sea turtles marine iguana, penguins and flightless cormorants. (www. darwin. foundation. org) The land habitats of the Galapagos are mainly determined by their vegetation which is in turn determined by the local climate. The vegetation of the area is strongly zoned by altitude. The land ecosystem has such animal species as land iguanas, land snails, rice rats among others. The Galapagos contain a total of 560 native species of flora,180 are endemic (www. darwinfoundation. org). Some of the plant species include scalesia, opuntia cacti and the Galapagos rock-pursane and other lesser known species. Human intrusions threatening the area Threats to this hub of diversity are mainly in the form of fishing and tourism by humans. In the 1990s, fishing led to a big decline in some of the marine species such as sea-cucumbers and sharks. Then, the fishermen would fish the sharks just for their fins and the remainder of the shark’s body would go to waste. Fishing is the second most important economic activity in the region and marine resources were overused by such practices as illegal fishing and over fishing. The dangers presented by the Galapagos fisheries are-: i) Large international vessels fishing around the Galapagos pelagic zones and inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) which is illegal. Long-lining and use of large seines are modern high-technology methods with devastating effects of depleting marine species. (www. darwinfoundation. org) ii) There has also been a rapid influx of poor fishermen from the mainland of Ecuador who serve the interests of mainland fishing companies and middlemen buyers. The fishermen are provided with capital in the form of a loan by the fishing companies to buy boats and equipment. The fishermen then sell the catch to the companies; the catch is later sold in the international market especially the Asian market. The influx has led to the human explosion being experienced in the islands and also the immigration brings with it invasive species which compete with the natural species of the islands decreasing their survival chances. ( www-darwinsfoundation. org) Tourism is the leading economic activity in the Galapagos Islands. Tourism has grown economically at 14% per year and this has lead to the Galapagos experiencing drastic, social, economic, cultural and ecological changes. (www. galapagos. org) The dangers that immigration poses include increased pollution, overuse of resources and eventually a charge in climate and introduction of invasive species. A change in climate will lead to loss of some of the species in the island. Invasive species refers to alien plants, diseases, insects and other organisms that people bring inadvertently to the islands. There are now 1,321 introduced species, compared to 112 identified in 1990. These include 748 species of introduced plants compared to 500 species of native plants and at least 490 species of introduced insects. The risk of the arrival of pathogens such as the West Nile virus, insect pests, and new predators is now high-: Dengue-carrying mosquitoes and some avian diseases are new arrivals in the islands. (www. galapagos. org,2007) Existing protection areas The Galapagos Islands have several protection areas. The Galapagos National Park (GNP) is one of this. 97% of the area covered by islands was designated as a national park in 1959. The lands not included were the settlement areas. Later in 1967, a park service Galapagos National Park service (GNPS) was set up to oversee management and administration of the park. The GNP is made up of 13 large islands, 17 small islands and 40 rocks. (www. galapagos. org/). The park authorities educate the visitors and enforce the laws and regulations of the park. The GNPS also oversees the management and administration of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) which was set up in 1998, another protection area. The GMR’s function is to protect the waters surrounding the archipelago. 3000 species of marine plant and animals are found in the GMR. The necessity of the GMR became apparent when in the 1990s fishing activities around the archipelago increased and almost had devastating effects on the marine species due to the high demand of both sea cucumbers and sharks’ fins. The GNPS also approves itineraries. This ensures that no one place is too frequently visited. This serves to distribute tourism to all the islands, decreasing chances of harm to the environment. The GNPS works together with the Charles Darwin Foundation, now known as the Galapagos Conservancy. The foundation provides the scientific and technical know-how required in maintenance of the natural biodiversity and ecosystems of the islands. Other protected areas include Sangay National Park, Limoncocha Reserve, and Antisana Ecological Reserve which has the Antisana volcano that is 5758 meters high. The reserve was created in 1993. The Cuxabeno Forest Reserve is another protected area, for two thirds of the year the forest is submerged in water and when it is not, it is made up of dry futbol fields (www. ecuador. com/,2007). It was established in 1979. Part of the 6000 square Kilometer rain forest makes up part of the Amazon Rain forest. There are indigenous people found in this forest whose contribution to reservation is through jungle tours and eco-tourism. Existing efforts in Galapagos to protect and preserve the area include:- i) Registration of fishermen to fishermen’s cooperatives. This has enabled the monitoring of fishermen’s activities and from this an estimate of how much fishing is going on can be got. Also, it makes it easier to track illegal fishing. ii) Establishment of the Galapagos Marine Reserve in March 1998. In this area, all fishing is banned. The area covered by the GMR was expanded TO cover 40 miles around the whole archipelago. These are also zones of protection around the islands. All these are patrolled by GNPs park rangers. The sea shepherd conservation society assists with carrying out patrols in the service. iii) Approving the designation of the Galapagos Archipelago as Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the Marine Environment Protection Committee(MEPC). PSSA is defined by the International Marine Organization (IMO) as â€Å"an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological socio economic or scientific reasons and because it may be vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities†. ([IMO,2001]www. dorwinfoundation. org) iv) Introduction of residence controls which decrease immigration and in turn lower the flow of alien species. The aim is to curb population growth. The controls are however difficult to implement because it is difficult to determine genuine residents and those who come and go but have permanent residence elsewhere. (www. law. emory. edu/ ) v) Education of residents, tourists and Galapagos policy makers on how beneficial sound conservation, practices, polity and sustainable economic activities are for example finding alternative viable economic activities for the local fishermen. vi) The success of Project Isabela. This project has seen a large area being freed of feral goats and pigs. Subsequently there has been an increase in Galapagos’s rails. Areas that had been previously degraded have now become resting areas for petrels and re-establishment of vegetation like tree-terns and endemic scalesia has occurred. Also native invertebrates thought to be extinct are now being identified (www. darwinfoundation. org, 2007) vii) Successful breeding programs for tortoise run by the Charles Darwin Foundation and GPNS has led to repopulation of some islands with their native reptile species. The giant tortoise was becoming extinct due to hunting by humans and other animals. (www. galapagos. org) viii) Inclusion of various sectors in the management board of the Galapagos National Park service has been instrumental in bringing about an attitude of conservation and preservation. At first the local people felt that the government was only concerned about plant and animal life. The multisectoral approach involves key players in fishing, tourism and conservation sectors and also the local person. (www. galapagos. online/) Including the local people has helped to enhance the concept of conversation because the local people no longer feel neglected. Should human intrusion go unchecked, the loss will be great. Maintenance of the rich biodiversity of the islands is achievable of the ecosystem can support sustainable economic use where the local people, conservationist and players in tourism and fishing industry feel their needs have been put into consideration. An example of how the biodiversity can lost is seen in the fact that the present tortoise population is very small. Poaching, destruction of habitats and the presence of invasive species are the main dangers to the tortoise population. (www. galapagos. org, 2007). Though the near extinction of the giant tortoise caught the attention of people and the process was reversed the giant tortoise is not out of the woods yet, and the work of repatriation needs support. In the process of poaching the tortoise, various invasive species which trampled on the tortoise’s habitat were limited and multiplied faster than the tortoise would, leading to destruction of the tortoise habit. The mangrove finch is another species being driven towards extinction. Again the greatest threat to be mangrove forests and the finches is the exploding human presence in the Galapagos. (http://www. galapagos. org/about. html). Increased activity among humans increases the risk of disease further especially avian pox, black rats, cats, fire ants the parasitic fly philornis. All threaten the mangrove finch as well as vulnerable species in Galapagos (http://www. galapagos. org/about. html. ) For the mangrove finch to be saved there has to be study of the mangrove finch and its habitat. Activities that would require support in the mangrove finch conservation project include: ? Creating potential captive breeding facilities for the mangrove finch. ? Resting degraded mangrove finch ecosystem, including establishment of new mangrove forest plots. ? Releasing the captive-bred birds to sites on Isabela and Fernandina islands where the mangrove finch once thrived. For the future generations to be able to see and be part of the abundant biodiversity in the Galapagos islands the necessary funds and a coalition of leadership are needed to successfully conserve and preserve the world heritage site. Otherwise, we risk losing not just an area rich in natural biodiversity but a site of origin of human philosophy and in the process part of the human race. Because of ecological interdependence, there can be no climate changes that will affect animals and plants only, whatever adverse effects will affect flora and fauna will also affect the human race. This means that no part of the ecosystem will be spared the price of not doing all that is necessary to protect and preserve the balance of nature. Conclusion Islands are generally smaller than continental areas but are basically more or less the same with similar social, economic and ecologic changes happening. This then means that islands can and should serve as a model to the rest of the world for these changes (www. darwinsoundation. org). In coming up with solutions to the Galapagos problems we are more or less coming up with a prototype to solve problems that will occur in other continents of the world, but if we cannot resolve the issues then it means that we will also fail in achieving a society where there is a balance of nature and social economic sustainability in the rest of the world. References Charles Darwin foundation, Galapagos Risk; Ground Breaking Analysis Produced retrieved July 6 from http://www. org/en/library/pubs/2007/galapagos Galapagos Conservancy, ‘Breaking News: Galapagos in â€Å"Danger† Retrieved July 6 from http://www. galapagos. org/about. html. ‘Protected areas’ Retrieved July 7 from http:www. ecuador. com/protected-areas UNESCO, Galapagos islands, Retrieved July 7 from http://whc. unesco. org/en/danger UNESCO World Heritage in Danger List July 7 from http://whc. unesco. org/en/danger/ .

Prospects and Perception of Islamic Life Insurance

Prospects and Perception of Islamic Life Insurance Chapter 1 Introduction Background to study: Insurance is a financial industry which has surfaced as a colossal industry for both in Muslim and Non Muslin world. In Conventional Insurance there are many elements, activities and procedures which are considered unethical, unlawful and unislamic by majority of Islamic scholars. Elements such as uncertainty, gambling and excessive interest are the main culprits. (Khair Bakhsh, 2009). For the satisfaction of Muslim concern, market experts and Islamic scholars introduced an insurance with the name of Takaful.The increase in demand of Takaful system and the presence of large markets for its products is compelling the entitled authorities to introduce it in Pakistan as soon as possible. Problem Statement: What are the prospects and perception of Islamic life insurance in Peshawar? Purpose of the study: To review why convention system is prohibited in Islam To compare Islamic Life Insurance (Takaful) with Contemporary Life Insurance. To find out justification of an Islamic Life Insurance (Takaful) Analysis of prospects of Takaful in Peshawar City. Methodology Applied Research: In this research I will be studying existing Islamic life insurance system and adding no new finds to body of knowledge. Scheme of study Type of investigation: This is a descriptive study: The format, which will be followed in this study, is to find out justification of an Islamic Life Insurance and what are its prospects in Peshawar. Cross-sectional Data: In this research I will observe and study secondary data regarding Islamic Life Insurance and Conventional life Insurance system. Unit of Study: My research unit of analysis will be organization Study Settings: Field Study: Study will be done in natural settings in which variables will not be controlled. Researchers interference: In this study researchers interference will be minimal and has no direct interference with the Islamic life insurance organizations because I am not allowed to interfere in the organizations. Methodology: The methods I will be using in the report are both Primary and Secondary data collection. Secondary Data: For this research I will use secondary data. Sources: Internet Leading newspaper articles Books related to Islamic life Insurance (Takaful) Research instruments: The instruments which will be used in my research to collect primary data are: Observations Questionnaires. Sample Size: I will be distributing questionnaires. Sampling Techniques: The sampling technique will be simple random sampling that will help in reducing the biasness factor in the research. Limitations: The scope of my research will be limited to students of universities in Peshawar because of time and other limited resources. Scheme of the report: The report will consist of the following parts. Introduction Literature Review Findings Analysis Conclusion and Recommendations Literature survey Meaning of Takaful: Takaful is a form of mutual assistance (Taawun) strengthened by aiding the ones who are in problems and deserve to be helped.(Dr.Masum) (2009). According to him, Islamic Scholars have begun to accept and conclude to the viewpoint that Takaful is according to Shariah principles. Numerous Islamic conferences are being held and Shariah Councils are emphasizing by creating awareness amongst the Muslims that Takaful operations are free from unIslamic elements thus the development of Takaful in the market is to cater to the needs of Muslim by providing them products and services in accordance to Islam. â€Å"Overtime, greater understanding on the concept of Islamic Insurance has emerged as the concept of Takaful, based on the contract of Tabarru (donation) and Mudarabah profit sharing.† â€Å"Takaful is an alternative form of Conventional Insurance based on the concept of trusteeship and cooperation inspired by the beliefs of the followers of Islamic teachings. Murtaza Ali (2007). It can be concluded that takaful is an Islamic way of dealing with uncertainties via mutual assistance and it is social scheme developed on the principals of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual assistance. Takaful is rooted from an Arabic word Kafal, which means that ones needs should be taken care of. According to this scheme participants jointly agree to bind themselves against damages caused by hazards. â€Å"Takaful is a legally binding agreement between all the participants of the scheme to pay any of the members who suffers a loss as specified in the Takaful certificate†. (Dr.Masum)(2009). Muhaimin Iqbal (2005), Abdul Rahim, Wahab and Kabir Hassan explain Takaful as a scheme that is derived from the concept of Taawun and the concept of Takaful is similar to Conventional mutual risk sharing. Takaful has a fixed maturity period and is considered long term saving tool. Apart from giving benefits of return it also provides a mutual financial assistance among participants. â€Å"A Programme that pools efforts to help the needy in times of need due to immediate deaths or mishaps resulting in personal injury or disablement†. (Bank Negara Malaysia) Scholars like Dr.Yusof Qaradawi (July 2007) state â€Å"Our observation that the modern current practices are objectable Islamic ally does not mean that Islam is against Insurance: it only opposes the means and methods.† According to the author the Islamic insurance companies will use the contract of donations and provide compensation and the operation of the company shall not get engaged in any unislamic elements. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE; â€Å"Muslims were involved in Marine activities in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean from the seventh century on†. Chaim-Vardit (2009).† â€Å"The rough model of Takaful was practiced by Arabian tribes, holding to the principal of pooled resources to help the needy on the voluntary basis† Masum Billah (2001). Tamim become the first insurance term in Arabic only in 20th century and it is believed that Ibn Abidin, a Hanafite Jurist who died in 1836,is the First Muslim to coin name Insurance Sukara (security) influenced by Italian term Siguare and Turkish Sigorta. Chaim-Vardit (2009). Merchants of Mecca used to form a group of Mutual funds with a purpose to help the victims or survivors of natural hazards during their commercial ventures into Syria, Iraq and other countries. Such a practice was supported and even contributions were made by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) while trading with the capital of Hazrat Khadija. Aziz-Abdul (2005) â€Å"The period lasting from the fall of Rome until the Dawn of Islam was the darkest, most corrupt and unsettled period in the known history to man. Hence the Dawn of Islam removed darkness from the face of life and brought the environment of security and stability to the areas which came under the influence of Islam.† According to Chaim-Vardit, Shariah recognizes several transactions and institutions which function in a way similar to certain type of Insurance. The typical ones are: Daman (guarantee) is synonymous to â€Å"Kafala† is used with risk or responsibility that one bears with regard to property of which one enjoys profit. Daman Khatar al Tariq (guarantee against travel hazards). In this type of transaction, the person himself wishes to be compensated for a future possible loss. Wala al Muwalat-This type of transaction was prohibited by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The problem was this type of transaction established new ties, as strong as blood ties, outside the family was unbearable. Diya (blood money)-compensation to victim or victims family for unintentional killing or bodily injury. Mudaraba-is not mentioned in Quran and there is much doubt whether it is mentioned in Hadith Zakat-means growth and purity. It is often mentioned as equal to modern social Insurance and there have been modern attempts made in Islamic states as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to apply Zakat. The institution of Waaf (endowment)-the property endowed as Waaf was intended to support the poor, staff of mosques, hospitals, to maintain city facilities and the two holy cities. Jizya-tax levied on non-Muslims residing in Islamic State and provides then with security for their lives and property. Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) emphasised that a Muslim should protect itself from hazards and risks via transfering the risk through Takaful Model.The life of a muslim is Controlled and destiny by Allah (S.A.T) but it does not mean that a Muslim cannot protect itself but indeed a Muslim in Islam should gurad itself from misfortunes, hazards, risks and uncertanities.Dr.Masum (2001). Types of Takaful Structures: â€Å"There is no single â€Å"best† model that exists for takaful. Shariah scholars worldwide concur on fundamental components that characterize a takaful scheme, yet in their judicial opinions (fatwas), operational differences are tolerated as long as they do not contradict essential religious tenets.† Ms Shakun Ashoka Raj (2007). There has been a tremendous research done on the takaful models which includes work of prominent authors like Dr.Masum (2001), Hassan, Rahim and Wahab (May June 2007). According to Hassan, Rahim and Wahab (2007) for the Mudarabah contract to be allowed and carried in Islam requires a number of elements to be present: The capital provider (participant); The entrepreneur (takaful operator); Capital an appropriate activity; Profit and loss sharing and offer and acceptance. In the mudaraba contract, the two parties know as provider (rab ul maal) and the entrepreneur or takaful operator (mudarib) operates on a joint venture basis. †An investment on a Mudarabah basis of 100 should at the end of the period give more then 100 to be termed as profit and for the operators to share that.† The other takaful model is known as agency or wakala model. On the basis of this principal, a person delegates his right or business to the other people/person to act as his agent or wakil. The agent is responsible to contribute his knowledge, skills, and abilities in performing the tasks assigned to him in the best manner. According to Dr.Masum (2001) in the Wakala model the salary of the agent who rendered the services is subtracted against the fool of funds. The net funds will be used for the purpose of investment and profits will be distributed accordingly. Similarly author Rahim, Wahab and Hassan â€Å"Under a typical wakala model, the Tabarru (donation) remains the property of the participants unless consumed, as they have the right to receive the surplus back and therefore it becomes a conditional gift.† Tijari model (business) commonly uses both the pure Mudarabah and modified Mudarabah approaches. Dr.masum is of the opinion, that modified Mudarabah approach is used where deduction of expenses is taken into consideration and as result more expensive premium is charged from the participants in order to cover the operational expenses while on the other hand Pure mudarabah approach is used where there are no operational expenses charged. Waqf model-this model operates on non-profit basis that collects donation from individuals or firms who willingly want to contribute something positive to the society. Social organizations and enterprise are engaged in such type of activity. Shakun Ashoka Raj (2007). Concepts of beneficiaries in Takaful It is vital to test the beneficiary in the policy inorder to find that whether the beneficiary is the right person to be tranferred the benefits.In order to do so the following concepts are under taken : Al-Wasiyah (bequest) Al-Mirath (inheritance) Al-Milkiyah (ownership) In the Takaful Model if the policy holder outlives the policy duration then under such circumstances the policy holder is entitled for the benefits and he is the only owner but in Waqf model the sole owner is Allah (S.A.T) and no one can claim the property or benefits. Dr.Masum (2001). After death of the policy holder the following stages are inoccured before the distribution of benefits of the policy. Wealth heald by the policy holder is adding with total benefits If there are any debts left by the policy holder then from the total weath those debts are paid off . For the remaining the funeral expenses will be deducted. The remaining property or any thing left is disrtibuted under the principals of Al wasiyah and Al mirath. Al Wasiyah Under the islamic principal the policy holder can give away via will 1/3 of the property. This is to reduces injustice that may be caused by the policy holder by giving his benefits not to his legal heirs . Al Mirath After making payments of loan taken by Policy holder, excluding funeral expenses from the remaining property and cash left by the deceased and executing his will, the remaing benefits ,property and cash left is distributed among the legal heirs of the policy holder via Islamic methods. CONVENTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE INSURANCE: Insurance is a medium via which people transfer the burden of uncertainty (financial loss) to the insurer, for an agreed financial attention known as â€Å"Premium†. In return, the issuer promises to provide financial compensation to the insured for particular loss occurring. The clients of the policy are known as policyholders. Human life is exposed to risks of death and disability due to natural disasters and accidents. Property possessed by man is exposed to various man made and natural hazards. Simultaneously man himself is exposed to different diseases, deadly viruses, the cure for which involves huge expenses. A family might have to face serious financial and moral hazards as a human life is lost or a person is disabled temporarily or permanently. If an individuals property is damaged, it might result in decline in income of the individual. Life insurance gives protection to an individual during his/her lifetime and after his death too. So we can say that it is an agreement that guarantees the payment of agreed amount of monetary benefit to the insured. There are number of companies offering Life insurance policies. The more the time period of the policy the greater its benefit e.g. if a person purchases a policy for the period of 10 years, he will get its benefit after 10 years but if he dies during this time frame, his family will get its benefit. The insurance company reviews variables that are likely to affect the health and how long and individual lives after receiving an application by individual for life insurance policy. Actuarys Statistical Analysis is performed by a person know as â€Å"Actuary† who determines whether the individual is a good â€Å"risk† to insure. Insurance premium is calculated, the older an individual, the higher the life insurance premium to be paid. Insurance premium can also be higher if an individual has health issues like higher cholesterol. If the insurance company agrees to provide insurance the agent will deliver the life insurance contract. The contract will include: The amount of money to be paid when the policyholder dies. How long the contract lasts. The amount of premium that needs to be paid by the policyholder. The policyholder will need to name the beneficiary to whom the benefit of the policy will be transferred in the event of death of policyholder. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF INSURANCE: Insurance is as old as the development of human society. In a society there are two types of economies Money economy Natural economy. Natural economy is more old then the money economy where people form community to help each other. For example if the house of a person gets burnt, the community members will pool in funds and reconstruct the house. Money economy practiced the transfer or distribution of risk by the Chinese and the Babylonian traders in the 2nd and 3rd millennium B.C. Achaemenian monarchs of Iran were the first to insure their people and that process was registered in the governmental notary offices. Life Insurance primarily established to provide protection against risk and catastrophes to people who were dieing very early, people who were aged and people who as a result of accident were disabled. This was practiced made possible by sharing and transferring risk with other individuals of the society. The idea of insuring oneself against risk is as old is mankind. Early times in England, societies were formed. Relief to the family of members of the societies would be given by making little sum of payments, if the grains of the farmers were damaged. The first life insurance company was established in England in 1705 and named the Amicable Society for Perpetual Assistance. Life insurance developed from these small beginnings into colossal industry, which gives people sense of security they require to maintain financial stability, moral and faith against inflation, deflation, wars, boom, panic and all sort of devastation. Life insurance gives individuals sound financial back up to move forward as it is based on scientific principles. Life Insurance companies were the only companies to pay their dues fully and survive the crisis of recession while the banks and other investment companies failed to do so. The purpose of selling life insurance is to make sure that it provides fresh air to people to start a life. In the larger view the life insurance policy becomes the reason for the beneficiary to begin a new life. Life insurance does active saving, utilization of funds and reserves for hazards and opportunities. It is a medium of savings, protection and growth and it has given people peace of mind and financial soundness. TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE There are many different classification of life insurance each satisfying different need of individuals. Life insurance can be broadly divided into two main types: Term Assurance Whole Life Assurance Term Assurance: It is the least expensive Insurance and is available in various forms. This form of insurance is opted if the individual cannot afford other types of insurance or when temporary protection is needed. The premium from this type of insurance is free from element of investment. Term Assurance policy in case of death of policy holder during the specified years is bounded to provide lump sum amount of agreed money but if the individual outlives, then in such circumstances the contract is ceased and no money is to be provided to the policyholder. Term Life Insurance policy lengths for: One-year term policy- promises to pay the beneficiaries of the policyholder the agreed amount of money if the insurer dies within one-year tem policy. Five years promises to pay the beneficiaries of the policyholder the agreed amount of money if the insurer dies within five-year term policy. Ten years, fifteen and twenty year term policy is also known as long term policy. TYPES OF TERM ASSURANCE: Renewable term life policy –In this term life policy, the policyholder automatically qualifies to continue the policy when the specified time of the policy ends. Non-Renewable term life policy- this term life policy, the policy holder does not automatically qualifies to continue the policy when the specified time of the policy ends instead the individual has to re-qualify for the policy by undergoing physical examination in order to determine the health condition. Convertible term life policy-In this type of term policy the insured has the choice to covert this type of policy into permanent life insurance policy into variable insurance, whole or universal life insurance. Non-Convertible term life policy- simply means that policyholder cannot switch the policy to another type life insurance policy. WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE: This policy last the whole (entire) life of the insured. If the policyholder stops paying the premium he/she can get the benefit paid till date. Because of this reason it is an expensive life insurance policy. For example the funeral policy in which expenses are covered for the funeral of the person passed away. Full payment for the policy is taken at the time of purchases of policy. Whole life insurance policy can be divided into two types: Ordinary Life Insurance Limited Payment Life Insurance Ordinary life insurance: It is also know as straight life insurance. In this type of insurance policy the insurer is give lifetime security. For example if the insurer is alive at 100, then he is to be paid the benefit if the policy or the agreed amount of money. Under this policy of life insurance the policyholder is charged high premiums in the start of the policy and charged less premium during the last years of the policy. The life insurance company invests the premium of the policyholder to accumulate a cash surrender value. The policyholder can withdraw from the policy by taking the cash value or borrowing cash value at lower interest rates. The cash value is relatively small in the start of the year and increases with years. LIMITED PAYMENT LIFE INSURANCE: This life insurance policy is also known as â€Å"limited pay life insurance† in which individual pays for the specific time period and enjoys the policy for the rest of his/her life. The face amount of the policy is paid tax free to the beneficiaries the policyholder mentioned. This face amount can be paid on monthly basis or in lump sum amount. If the Policyholder mentioned to make payment to the beneficiary on monthly basis then the policyholder has four options to choose from: Life Income-In this policy the beneficiary of the policyholder is paid on the monthly basis as long as the beneficiary lives. Fixed Period Income-In this type of policy, the policyholder asks the insurance company to pay the beneficiary after his death the proceeds in equal amount over the period of ten years. The years determined are dependent on the wish of the policyholder. Fixed Amount Income-In this type of policy the policy holder asks the insurance company that after his death the nominated beneficiary should be paid lets suppose Rs.1000 a month till the proceeds are exhausted Interest Options-In this the policy holder asks the insurance company that after his death the benefit of the policy should be reinvested by the insurance company and the interest from the investment made should be provided to the nominated beneficiary each year. OTHER FORMS OF LIFE INSURANCE: Endowment Life Insurance- This policy is for a specific time period. The face value is paid to the nominated beneficiary if the policyholder dies during the specific period but if he is alive then the policyholder is paid the benefit of the policy. Variable Life Insurance-This policy is for the whole life. The policyholder is given option to decide the amount he wants to invest in life insurance and the amount he wants to invest in other investment opportunities like buying stocks. It has a guaranteed death benefit, which is based on forecasted interest rates. Theses rates are not fixed indeed vary from company to company. Universal Life Insurance-This policy charges less premium in the start but does not provide death benefit or cash value as this policy is flexible in terms of premium payments and timing. Second To Die Life Insurance- This policy is designed for couples.(married).The benefit of the policy is provided to the heirs of the policyholders only when the surviving spouse dies. Juvenile Life Insurance-The purpose of this policy is to provide safeguard to the children. The guardian or the parent of the child purchases policy in order to secure the minor from mishaps. Modified Life Insurance Policy-In this life insurance policy higher premium are charged at the later years of the specified time. It is suitable for those individuals who believe that their salary/income will increase in the future. METHODS FOR PROVIDING LIFE INSURANCE PROTECTION: There are two methods that are actively used to provide life insurance to individuals. Annual Renewable Term Level Premium method Annual Renewable Term: This type of life insurance policy has overcome the challenge of insurability simply meaning that the policyholder can renew the policy without under going medical examination or providing sound health evidence. Because of poor health or other mishaps the insurer might not be allowed to renew the policy. So annual renewable policy (ART) ignores the insurability element, they simply pay the renewal premium. The policy period varies from 10 to 30 years and for the till the age of 95 mostly. In such policy the premium to be paid is much higher then other life insurance policies. The more the age the higher the premium to be paid and thus the greater the return on the policy. The premium is calculated by determining the death rate of each age group. For Example: A group of 1000 males (non-alcoholic) at the age of 40 wants to get a life insurance for $1000.The death rate of males at the age of 40 is .332% out of 1000.This means that the insurance company would have to pay $.3220 for the death claim. The insurance company would have to collect $.3.20 from each policyholder in order to cover the death claims. The yearly renewable insurance premium increases, as the individual gets older. Premium sharply rises during the later years, because as the age grows the death rate also grows. LEVEL PREMIUM METHOD: In this type of life insurance policy the premium remains the same for the agreed number of years. The time frame varies from 10, 15, 20 to 30 years. This life insurance policy provides insurance to age 100.If the insurer survives till the age of 100 then the face value of the policy is paid to the policyholder. The premium charger in the early age is higher in order to cover for the morality expenses. Level Premium method is also know as ‘Legal Reserve† because the money invested by the company is according to the state law. The state requires the company to maintain a minimum amount of liquid so that it is able to pay for the agreed claims. The legal reserve that the insurance company maintains is equal to the present value of the future death claims minus present value of future premiums. The main objective of the legal reserve is to provide lifetime security. The policyholder has an option to withdraw from the policy by just taking the cash value which is less then the legal reserve because of deductions of expenses like sales. UNISLAMIC ELEMENTS IN CONVENTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE Conventional insurance contains the elements that are unacceptable in Islam which include Riba Maisir Gharar Riba –also termed as interest, is present in conventional life insurance. Loans granted by companies are charged on interest. An insured upon his death receives greater then he has paid. This is not permissible in Islam. Insurance funds stocks/bonds contain the element of interest Those who eat riba (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say, Trading is only like riba or usury, whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden riba. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating riba shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge): but whoever returns to riba, are dwellers of the Fire they will abide therein. â€Å"Al-Quran, Al-Baqarah (2). 275 Maisar- It refers to gambling or game of chance. Gambling of all forms/types is prohibited in Islam. The gambler tries to win mass wealth without making an effort. When the policyholder dies after only paying a small amount of premium his/her nominated beneficiary receives the benefit in term of monetary, which the policyholder has no idea where the amount has come from. Al-Maisir is referred to in the Quran as follows: O you who believe intoxicants (all kind of alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and Al-Ansab (ways for seeking luck) are an abomination of Shaitan (Satan). So avoid strictly all that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Al-Quran, AI-Maidah (5): 90 Uncertainty -It is an element which is termed as gharar, is prohibited in Islam. In business terms gharar means undertaking business deals which are riskier and individuals do not posses sufficient knowledge about them. A contract which contains uncertainty due to: Occurring time is not known. The amount payable is not known. Whether the payment will be accepted as agreed. HARAM/HALAL-Islam does not allow individuals to invest money in unIslamic activities. Insurance companies may invest in bonds or tobacco companies or any unethical activity which is not permissible in Islam then taking insurance from such companies is considered haram. ISLAMIC LIFE INSURANCE The transaction of an Islamic life insurance system aims to protect the life of widows, orphans and the dependents of the deceased against future risks and hazards. It follows the principal of Al-Mudaraba financing. Under this principal the insured and insurer mutually agree to co-operate. The insured dependants are protected of future hazards as well as donations are made for the uplift of poor individual who face accidents in Islamic society. This concept was present and practiced during the times of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). In Islamic life Insurance policy the nominee is just acting as a trustee and is not considered the absolute beneficiary. The purpose/responsibility of the individual nomination (nominee) by the assured is to distribute the benefit to the heirs of the deceased under the principal pf Mirath and Wasiyah. In Islamic life insurance policies there are two situation in which the benefits of the policy are transferred i) the insurer can claim from the insurer the benefi ts if he outlives the time mentioned in the policy a) the paid premiums b) the profits made upon the paid premiums and c) the dividends/bonus made according to the company policy. In the other situation if the insured is not alive or passed away during the policy, the benefits are transferred to the nominee (selected by insured) and it is mandatory for the nominee to distribute the benefits of the policy among the heirs of the policyholder. The benefits include a) paid premium b) profits made on the paid premiums c) bonus/dividends make the company policy and d) donations from the companys charitable funds according to the policy selected by the assured. The benefits of the Islamic life insurance policy are not just claimed by individuals who face natural death/accidents but the benefit are also provided to people insured and passing in unlawful death example suicide/murders. The reason for that is life and death can only be det Prospects and Perception of Islamic Life Insurance Prospects and Perception of Islamic Life Insurance Chapter 1 Introduction Background to study: Insurance is a financial industry which has surfaced as a colossal industry for both in Muslim and Non Muslin world. In Conventional Insurance there are many elements, activities and procedures which are considered unethical, unlawful and unislamic by majority of Islamic scholars. Elements such as uncertainty, gambling and excessive interest are the main culprits. (Khair Bakhsh, 2009). For the satisfaction of Muslim concern, market experts and Islamic scholars introduced an insurance with the name of Takaful.The increase in demand of Takaful system and the presence of large markets for its products is compelling the entitled authorities to introduce it in Pakistan as soon as possible. Problem Statement: What are the prospects and perception of Islamic life insurance in Peshawar? Purpose of the study: To review why convention system is prohibited in Islam To compare Islamic Life Insurance (Takaful) with Contemporary Life Insurance. To find out justification of an Islamic Life Insurance (Takaful) Analysis of prospects of Takaful in Peshawar City. Methodology Applied Research: In this research I will be studying existing Islamic life insurance system and adding no new finds to body of knowledge. Scheme of study Type of investigation: This is a descriptive study: The format, which will be followed in this study, is to find out justification of an Islamic Life Insurance and what are its prospects in Peshawar. Cross-sectional Data: In this research I will observe and study secondary data regarding Islamic Life Insurance and Conventional life Insurance system. Unit of Study: My research unit of analysis will be organization Study Settings: Field Study: Study will be done in natural settings in which variables will not be controlled. Researchers interference: In this study researchers interference will be minimal and has no direct interference with the Islamic life insurance organizations because I am not allowed to interfere in the organizations. Methodology: The methods I will be using in the report are both Primary and Secondary data collection. Secondary Data: For this research I will use secondary data. Sources: Internet Leading newspaper articles Books related to Islamic life Insurance (Takaful) Research instruments: The instruments which will be used in my research to collect primary data are: Observations Questionnaires. Sample Size: I will be distributing questionnaires. Sampling Techniques: The sampling technique will be simple random sampling that will help in reducing the biasness factor in the research. Limitations: The scope of my research will be limited to students of universities in Peshawar because of time and other limited resources. Scheme of the report: The report will consist of the following parts. Introduction Literature Review Findings Analysis Conclusion and Recommendations Literature survey Meaning of Takaful: Takaful is a form of mutual assistance (Taawun) strengthened by aiding the ones who are in problems and deserve to be helped.(Dr.Masum) (2009). According to him, Islamic Scholars have begun to accept and conclude to the viewpoint that Takaful is according to Shariah principles. Numerous Islamic conferences are being held and Shariah Councils are emphasizing by creating awareness amongst the Muslims that Takaful operations are free from unIslamic elements thus the development of Takaful in the market is to cater to the needs of Muslim by providing them products and services in accordance to Islam. â€Å"Overtime, greater understanding on the concept of Islamic Insurance has emerged as the concept of Takaful, based on the contract of Tabarru (donation) and Mudarabah profit sharing.† â€Å"Takaful is an alternative form of Conventional Insurance based on the concept of trusteeship and cooperation inspired by the beliefs of the followers of Islamic teachings. Murtaza Ali (2007). It can be concluded that takaful is an Islamic way of dealing with uncertainties via mutual assistance and it is social scheme developed on the principals of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual assistance. Takaful is rooted from an Arabic word Kafal, which means that ones needs should be taken care of. According to this scheme participants jointly agree to bind themselves against damages caused by hazards. â€Å"Takaful is a legally binding agreement between all the participants of the scheme to pay any of the members who suffers a loss as specified in the Takaful certificate†. (Dr.Masum)(2009). Muhaimin Iqbal (2005), Abdul Rahim, Wahab and Kabir Hassan explain Takaful as a scheme that is derived from the concept of Taawun and the concept of Takaful is similar to Conventional mutual risk sharing. Takaful has a fixed maturity period and is considered long term saving tool. Apart from giving benefits of return it also provides a mutual financial assistance among participants. â€Å"A Programme that pools efforts to help the needy in times of need due to immediate deaths or mishaps resulting in personal injury or disablement†. (Bank Negara Malaysia) Scholars like Dr.Yusof Qaradawi (July 2007) state â€Å"Our observation that the modern current practices are objectable Islamic ally does not mean that Islam is against Insurance: it only opposes the means and methods.† According to the author the Islamic insurance companies will use the contract of donations and provide compensation and the operation of the company shall not get engaged in any unislamic elements. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE; â€Å"Muslims were involved in Marine activities in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean from the seventh century on†. Chaim-Vardit (2009).† â€Å"The rough model of Takaful was practiced by Arabian tribes, holding to the principal of pooled resources to help the needy on the voluntary basis† Masum Billah (2001). Tamim become the first insurance term in Arabic only in 20th century and it is believed that Ibn Abidin, a Hanafite Jurist who died in 1836,is the First Muslim to coin name Insurance Sukara (security) influenced by Italian term Siguare and Turkish Sigorta. Chaim-Vardit (2009). Merchants of Mecca used to form a group of Mutual funds with a purpose to help the victims or survivors of natural hazards during their commercial ventures into Syria, Iraq and other countries. Such a practice was supported and even contributions were made by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) while trading with the capital of Hazrat Khadija. Aziz-Abdul (2005) â€Å"The period lasting from the fall of Rome until the Dawn of Islam was the darkest, most corrupt and unsettled period in the known history to man. Hence the Dawn of Islam removed darkness from the face of life and brought the environment of security and stability to the areas which came under the influence of Islam.† According to Chaim-Vardit, Shariah recognizes several transactions and institutions which function in a way similar to certain type of Insurance. The typical ones are: Daman (guarantee) is synonymous to â€Å"Kafala† is used with risk or responsibility that one bears with regard to property of which one enjoys profit. Daman Khatar al Tariq (guarantee against travel hazards). In this type of transaction, the person himself wishes to be compensated for a future possible loss. Wala al Muwalat-This type of transaction was prohibited by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The problem was this type of transaction established new ties, as strong as blood ties, outside the family was unbearable. Diya (blood money)-compensation to victim or victims family for unintentional killing or bodily injury. Mudaraba-is not mentioned in Quran and there is much doubt whether it is mentioned in Hadith Zakat-means growth and purity. It is often mentioned as equal to modern social Insurance and there have been modern attempts made in Islamic states as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to apply Zakat. The institution of Waaf (endowment)-the property endowed as Waaf was intended to support the poor, staff of mosques, hospitals, to maintain city facilities and the two holy cities. Jizya-tax levied on non-Muslims residing in Islamic State and provides then with security for their lives and property. Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) emphasised that a Muslim should protect itself from hazards and risks via transfering the risk through Takaful Model.The life of a muslim is Controlled and destiny by Allah (S.A.T) but it does not mean that a Muslim cannot protect itself but indeed a Muslim in Islam should gurad itself from misfortunes, hazards, risks and uncertanities.Dr.Masum (2001). Types of Takaful Structures: â€Å"There is no single â€Å"best† model that exists for takaful. Shariah scholars worldwide concur on fundamental components that characterize a takaful scheme, yet in their judicial opinions (fatwas), operational differences are tolerated as long as they do not contradict essential religious tenets.† Ms Shakun Ashoka Raj (2007). There has been a tremendous research done on the takaful models which includes work of prominent authors like Dr.Masum (2001), Hassan, Rahim and Wahab (May June 2007). According to Hassan, Rahim and Wahab (2007) for the Mudarabah contract to be allowed and carried in Islam requires a number of elements to be present: The capital provider (participant); The entrepreneur (takaful operator); Capital an appropriate activity; Profit and loss sharing and offer and acceptance. In the mudaraba contract, the two parties know as provider (rab ul maal) and the entrepreneur or takaful operator (mudarib) operates on a joint venture basis. †An investment on a Mudarabah basis of 100 should at the end of the period give more then 100 to be termed as profit and for the operators to share that.† The other takaful model is known as agency or wakala model. On the basis of this principal, a person delegates his right or business to the other people/person to act as his agent or wakil. The agent is responsible to contribute his knowledge, skills, and abilities in performing the tasks assigned to him in the best manner. According to Dr.Masum (2001) in the Wakala model the salary of the agent who rendered the services is subtracted against the fool of funds. The net funds will be used for the purpose of investment and profits will be distributed accordingly. Similarly author Rahim, Wahab and Hassan â€Å"Under a typical wakala model, the Tabarru (donation) remains the property of the participants unless consumed, as they have the right to receive the surplus back and therefore it becomes a conditional gift.† Tijari model (business) commonly uses both the pure Mudarabah and modified Mudarabah approaches. Dr.masum is of the opinion, that modified Mudarabah approach is used where deduction of expenses is taken into consideration and as result more expensive premium is charged from the participants in order to cover the operational expenses while on the other hand Pure mudarabah approach is used where there are no operational expenses charged. Waqf model-this model operates on non-profit basis that collects donation from individuals or firms who willingly want to contribute something positive to the society. Social organizations and enterprise are engaged in such type of activity. Shakun Ashoka Raj (2007). Concepts of beneficiaries in Takaful It is vital to test the beneficiary in the policy inorder to find that whether the beneficiary is the right person to be tranferred the benefits.In order to do so the following concepts are under taken : Al-Wasiyah (bequest) Al-Mirath (inheritance) Al-Milkiyah (ownership) In the Takaful Model if the policy holder outlives the policy duration then under such circumstances the policy holder is entitled for the benefits and he is the only owner but in Waqf model the sole owner is Allah (S.A.T) and no one can claim the property or benefits. Dr.Masum (2001). After death of the policy holder the following stages are inoccured before the distribution of benefits of the policy. Wealth heald by the policy holder is adding with total benefits If there are any debts left by the policy holder then from the total weath those debts are paid off . For the remaining the funeral expenses will be deducted. The remaining property or any thing left is disrtibuted under the principals of Al wasiyah and Al mirath. Al Wasiyah Under the islamic principal the policy holder can give away via will 1/3 of the property. This is to reduces injustice that may be caused by the policy holder by giving his benefits not to his legal heirs . Al Mirath After making payments of loan taken by Policy holder, excluding funeral expenses from the remaining property and cash left by the deceased and executing his will, the remaing benefits ,property and cash left is distributed among the legal heirs of the policy holder via Islamic methods. CONVENTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE INSURANCE: Insurance is a medium via which people transfer the burden of uncertainty (financial loss) to the insurer, for an agreed financial attention known as â€Å"Premium†. In return, the issuer promises to provide financial compensation to the insured for particular loss occurring. The clients of the policy are known as policyholders. Human life is exposed to risks of death and disability due to natural disasters and accidents. Property possessed by man is exposed to various man made and natural hazards. Simultaneously man himself is exposed to different diseases, deadly viruses, the cure for which involves huge expenses. A family might have to face serious financial and moral hazards as a human life is lost or a person is disabled temporarily or permanently. If an individuals property is damaged, it might result in decline in income of the individual. Life insurance gives protection to an individual during his/her lifetime and after his death too. So we can say that it is an agreement that guarantees the payment of agreed amount of monetary benefit to the insured. There are number of companies offering Life insurance policies. The more the time period of the policy the greater its benefit e.g. if a person purchases a policy for the period of 10 years, he will get its benefit after 10 years but if he dies during this time frame, his family will get its benefit. The insurance company reviews variables that are likely to affect the health and how long and individual lives after receiving an application by individual for life insurance policy. Actuarys Statistical Analysis is performed by a person know as â€Å"Actuary† who determines whether the individual is a good â€Å"risk† to insure. Insurance premium is calculated, the older an individual, the higher the life insurance premium to be paid. Insurance premium can also be higher if an individual has health issues like higher cholesterol. If the insurance company agrees to provide insurance the agent will deliver the life insurance contract. The contract will include: The amount of money to be paid when the policyholder dies. How long the contract lasts. The amount of premium that needs to be paid by the policyholder. The policyholder will need to name the beneficiary to whom the benefit of the policy will be transferred in the event of death of policyholder. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF INSURANCE: Insurance is as old as the development of human society. In a society there are two types of economies Money economy Natural economy. Natural economy is more old then the money economy where people form community to help each other. For example if the house of a person gets burnt, the community members will pool in funds and reconstruct the house. Money economy practiced the transfer or distribution of risk by the Chinese and the Babylonian traders in the 2nd and 3rd millennium B.C. Achaemenian monarchs of Iran were the first to insure their people and that process was registered in the governmental notary offices. Life Insurance primarily established to provide protection against risk and catastrophes to people who were dieing very early, people who were aged and people who as a result of accident were disabled. This was practiced made possible by sharing and transferring risk with other individuals of the society. The idea of insuring oneself against risk is as old is mankind. Early times in England, societies were formed. Relief to the family of members of the societies would be given by making little sum of payments, if the grains of the farmers were damaged. The first life insurance company was established in England in 1705 and named the Amicable Society for Perpetual Assistance. Life insurance developed from these small beginnings into colossal industry, which gives people sense of security they require to maintain financial stability, moral and faith against inflation, deflation, wars, boom, panic and all sort of devastation. Life insurance gives individuals sound financial back up to move forward as it is based on scientific principles. Life Insurance companies were the only companies to pay their dues fully and survive the crisis of recession while the banks and other investment companies failed to do so. The purpose of selling life insurance is to make sure that it provides fresh air to people to start a life. In the larger view the life insurance policy becomes the reason for the beneficiary to begin a new life. Life insurance does active saving, utilization of funds and reserves for hazards and opportunities. It is a medium of savings, protection and growth and it has given people peace of mind and financial soundness. TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE There are many different classification of life insurance each satisfying different need of individuals. Life insurance can be broadly divided into two main types: Term Assurance Whole Life Assurance Term Assurance: It is the least expensive Insurance and is available in various forms. This form of insurance is opted if the individual cannot afford other types of insurance or when temporary protection is needed. The premium from this type of insurance is free from element of investment. Term Assurance policy in case of death of policy holder during the specified years is bounded to provide lump sum amount of agreed money but if the individual outlives, then in such circumstances the contract is ceased and no money is to be provided to the policyholder. Term Life Insurance policy lengths for: One-year term policy- promises to pay the beneficiaries of the policyholder the agreed amount of money if the insurer dies within one-year tem policy. Five years promises to pay the beneficiaries of the policyholder the agreed amount of money if the insurer dies within five-year term policy. Ten years, fifteen and twenty year term policy is also known as long term policy. TYPES OF TERM ASSURANCE: Renewable term life policy –In this term life policy, the policyholder automatically qualifies to continue the policy when the specified time of the policy ends. Non-Renewable term life policy- this term life policy, the policy holder does not automatically qualifies to continue the policy when the specified time of the policy ends instead the individual has to re-qualify for the policy by undergoing physical examination in order to determine the health condition. Convertible term life policy-In this type of term policy the insured has the choice to covert this type of policy into permanent life insurance policy into variable insurance, whole or universal life insurance. Non-Convertible term life policy- simply means that policyholder cannot switch the policy to another type life insurance policy. WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE: This policy last the whole (entire) life of the insured. If the policyholder stops paying the premium he/she can get the benefit paid till date. Because of this reason it is an expensive life insurance policy. For example the funeral policy in which expenses are covered for the funeral of the person passed away. Full payment for the policy is taken at the time of purchases of policy. Whole life insurance policy can be divided into two types: Ordinary Life Insurance Limited Payment Life Insurance Ordinary life insurance: It is also know as straight life insurance. In this type of insurance policy the insurer is give lifetime security. For example if the insurer is alive at 100, then he is to be paid the benefit if the policy or the agreed amount of money. Under this policy of life insurance the policyholder is charged high premiums in the start of the policy and charged less premium during the last years of the policy. The life insurance company invests the premium of the policyholder to accumulate a cash surrender value. The policyholder can withdraw from the policy by taking the cash value or borrowing cash value at lower interest rates. The cash value is relatively small in the start of the year and increases with years. LIMITED PAYMENT LIFE INSURANCE: This life insurance policy is also known as â€Å"limited pay life insurance† in which individual pays for the specific time period and enjoys the policy for the rest of his/her life. The face amount of the policy is paid tax free to the beneficiaries the policyholder mentioned. This face amount can be paid on monthly basis or in lump sum amount. If the Policyholder mentioned to make payment to the beneficiary on monthly basis then the policyholder has four options to choose from: Life Income-In this policy the beneficiary of the policyholder is paid on the monthly basis as long as the beneficiary lives. Fixed Period Income-In this type of policy, the policyholder asks the insurance company to pay the beneficiary after his death the proceeds in equal amount over the period of ten years. The years determined are dependent on the wish of the policyholder. Fixed Amount Income-In this type of policy the policy holder asks the insurance company that after his death the nominated beneficiary should be paid lets suppose Rs.1000 a month till the proceeds are exhausted Interest Options-In this the policy holder asks the insurance company that after his death the benefit of the policy should be reinvested by the insurance company and the interest from the investment made should be provided to the nominated beneficiary each year. OTHER FORMS OF LIFE INSURANCE: Endowment Life Insurance- This policy is for a specific time period. The face value is paid to the nominated beneficiary if the policyholder dies during the specific period but if he is alive then the policyholder is paid the benefit of the policy. Variable Life Insurance-This policy is for the whole life. The policyholder is given option to decide the amount he wants to invest in life insurance and the amount he wants to invest in other investment opportunities like buying stocks. It has a guaranteed death benefit, which is based on forecasted interest rates. Theses rates are not fixed indeed vary from company to company. Universal Life Insurance-This policy charges less premium in the start but does not provide death benefit or cash value as this policy is flexible in terms of premium payments and timing. Second To Die Life Insurance- This policy is designed for couples.(married).The benefit of the policy is provided to the heirs of the policyholders only when the surviving spouse dies. Juvenile Life Insurance-The purpose of this policy is to provide safeguard to the children. The guardian or the parent of the child purchases policy in order to secure the minor from mishaps. Modified Life Insurance Policy-In this life insurance policy higher premium are charged at the later years of the specified time. It is suitable for those individuals who believe that their salary/income will increase in the future. METHODS FOR PROVIDING LIFE INSURANCE PROTECTION: There are two methods that are actively used to provide life insurance to individuals. Annual Renewable Term Level Premium method Annual Renewable Term: This type of life insurance policy has overcome the challenge of insurability simply meaning that the policyholder can renew the policy without under going medical examination or providing sound health evidence. Because of poor health or other mishaps the insurer might not be allowed to renew the policy. So annual renewable policy (ART) ignores the insurability element, they simply pay the renewal premium. The policy period varies from 10 to 30 years and for the till the age of 95 mostly. In such policy the premium to be paid is much higher then other life insurance policies. The more the age the higher the premium to be paid and thus the greater the return on the policy. The premium is calculated by determining the death rate of each age group. For Example: A group of 1000 males (non-alcoholic) at the age of 40 wants to get a life insurance for $1000.The death rate of males at the age of 40 is .332% out of 1000.This means that the insurance company would have to pay $.3220 for the death claim. The insurance company would have to collect $.3.20 from each policyholder in order to cover the death claims. The yearly renewable insurance premium increases, as the individual gets older. Premium sharply rises during the later years, because as the age grows the death rate also grows. LEVEL PREMIUM METHOD: In this type of life insurance policy the premium remains the same for the agreed number of years. The time frame varies from 10, 15, 20 to 30 years. This life insurance policy provides insurance to age 100.If the insurer survives till the age of 100 then the face value of the policy is paid to the policyholder. The premium charger in the early age is higher in order to cover for the morality expenses. Level Premium method is also know as ‘Legal Reserve† because the money invested by the company is according to the state law. The state requires the company to maintain a minimum amount of liquid so that it is able to pay for the agreed claims. The legal reserve that the insurance company maintains is equal to the present value of the future death claims minus present value of future premiums. The main objective of the legal reserve is to provide lifetime security. The policyholder has an option to withdraw from the policy by just taking the cash value which is less then the legal reserve because of deductions of expenses like sales. UNISLAMIC ELEMENTS IN CONVENTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE Conventional insurance contains the elements that are unacceptable in Islam which include Riba Maisir Gharar Riba –also termed as interest, is present in conventional life insurance. Loans granted by companies are charged on interest. An insured upon his death receives greater then he has paid. This is not permissible in Islam. Insurance funds stocks/bonds contain the element of interest Those who eat riba (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitan (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say, Trading is only like riba or usury, whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden riba. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating riba shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge): but whoever returns to riba, are dwellers of the Fire they will abide therein. â€Å"Al-Quran, Al-Baqarah (2). 275 Maisar- It refers to gambling or game of chance. Gambling of all forms/types is prohibited in Islam. The gambler tries to win mass wealth without making an effort. When the policyholder dies after only paying a small amount of premium his/her nominated beneficiary receives the benefit in term of monetary, which the policyholder has no idea where the amount has come from. Al-Maisir is referred to in the Quran as follows: O you who believe intoxicants (all kind of alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and Al-Ansab (ways for seeking luck) are an abomination of Shaitan (Satan). So avoid strictly all that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Al-Quran, AI-Maidah (5): 90 Uncertainty -It is an element which is termed as gharar, is prohibited in Islam. In business terms gharar means undertaking business deals which are riskier and individuals do not posses sufficient knowledge about them. A contract which contains uncertainty due to: Occurring time is not known. The amount payable is not known. Whether the payment will be accepted as agreed. HARAM/HALAL-Islam does not allow individuals to invest money in unIslamic activities. Insurance companies may invest in bonds or tobacco companies or any unethical activity which is not permissible in Islam then taking insurance from such companies is considered haram. ISLAMIC LIFE INSURANCE The transaction of an Islamic life insurance system aims to protect the life of widows, orphans and the dependents of the deceased against future risks and hazards. It follows the principal of Al-Mudaraba financing. Under this principal the insured and insurer mutually agree to co-operate. The insured dependants are protected of future hazards as well as donations are made for the uplift of poor individual who face accidents in Islamic society. This concept was present and practiced during the times of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). In Islamic life Insurance policy the nominee is just acting as a trustee and is not considered the absolute beneficiary. The purpose/responsibility of the individual nomination (nominee) by the assured is to distribute the benefit to the heirs of the deceased under the principal pf Mirath and Wasiyah. In Islamic life insurance policies there are two situation in which the benefits of the policy are transferred i) the insurer can claim from the insurer the benefi ts if he outlives the time mentioned in the policy a) the paid premiums b) the profits made upon the paid premiums and c) the dividends/bonus made according to the company policy. In the other situation if the insured is not alive or passed away during the policy, the benefits are transferred to the nominee (selected by insured) and it is mandatory for the nominee to distribute the benefits of the policy among the heirs of the policyholder. The benefits include a) paid premium b) profits made on the paid premiums c) bonus/dividends make the company policy and d) donations from the companys charitable funds according to the policy selected by the assured. The benefits of the Islamic life insurance policy are not just claimed by individuals who face natural death/accidents but the benefit are also provided to people insured and passing in unlawful death example suicide/murders. The reason for that is life and death can only be det

REPORT ON MISSOURI :: essays papers

REPORT ON MISSOURI GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Missouri has had four constitutions: 1820, prior to statehood; 1865 and 1875, in the aftermath of the Civil War; and 1945. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by a majority of the legislature or by petition signed by 8% of the voters in two-thirds of the state's congressional districts. Proposed amendments must be approved by a majority of the voters in a statewide election. A constitutional convention must be called every 20 years to review the constitution for possible changes. The Missouri general assembly is composed of the senate of 34 members, half of whom are elected every 2 years for 4-year terms, and the house of representatives, with 163 members, all of whom are elected every 2 years. The general assembly meets annually. The governor is elected for 4 years and may succeed himself once. The chief judicial officers are the 7 supreme court judges. The Missouri Plan for selecting judges, adopted in 1945, has become a nationwide model for the nonpartisan assignment of judges. Each of Missouri's 114 counties is governed by a 3-member elected county commission. St. Louis functions as an independent city with county status. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have considerable electoral strength in Missouri, but since World War II the Democrats, strongest in the cities and the Bootheel, have more often controlled the legislature. Elected state offices and Missouri's representation in the U.S. Congress have been rather equally divided between the two parties. Missouri's Democrats tend to have a more conservative political philosophy than Democrats nationally. Republicans retain strength in suburban regions and in the southwestern part of the state. STATE SYMBOLS The state flower is the Hawthorn. The state bird is the Eastern Bluebird. And the state tree is the Dogwood. Government Configuration Missouri has had four constitutions: 1820, prior to statehood; 1865 and 1875, in the aftermath of the Civil War; and 1945. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by a majority of the legislature or by petition signed by 8% of the voters in two-thirds of the state's congressional districts. Proposed amendments must be approved by a majority of the voters in a statewide election. A constitutional convention must be called every 20 years to review the constitution for possible changes. The Missouri general assembly is composed of the senate of 34 members, half of whom are elected every 2 years for 4-year terms, and the house of representatives, with 163 members, all of whom are elected every 2 years.

Meiji Restoration - Japan :: Japanese Japan History

Meiji Restoration - Japan The Meiji Restoration was period in Japan when massive changes in ancient Japan. The goal of the Meiji Restoration was summarized in their motto, "A rich country, a strong military." In their quest to do so, the Meiji looked to the western civilizations. The Meiji sent young men to study abroad and learn new traits from the west. Before this drastic move the traditional Japanese society was largely isolated from all other civilizations. By doing this the Japanese managed to strengthen the economy, strengthen the government, and make social reforms. Meiji leaders made the economy a major priority. They encouraged Japan's business class to adopt western methods. They Japanese built railroads to allow the shipment of goods and transportation of people, a banking system to aid in the expansion of businesses and investors, improved ports to aid in the expansion of trade with other countries, and also organized a telegraph and postal system which enables the spread of news quickly. Another goal of the Meiji was to strengthen the government and make it a strong central power, equal to those of the western powers. In 1889 they adapted the German for of government. It set forth principles that all citizens were equal before the law. Like the German system, however, it gave the ruler autocratic power. A legislature, or diet, was formed, made up of one elected house and one house appointed to the emperor. But its power was extremely limited. Japan then established a western style bureaucracy with separate departments to supervise finance, the army, the navy, and education. Meiji made social reforms to help appease the people and advance their society. The constitution ended legal distinctions between classes, thus freeing people to build the nation. The government set up new schools and universities and hired westerners to teach the new generation modern technology. The reform of the Japanese family system became the topic of major debate in the 1870's Reformers wanted women to become full partners in the process of nation building and to learn skills that would allow them to live on their own. While the government agreed to some increases in education for women, it dealt harshly with other attempts at change.

Domestic Terrorism In The United States Essay

To varying degrees, domestic terrorism has survived and affected the social and political structure of the United States. As defined by the country’s Department of Justice, these words connote â€Å"the unlawful use of force or violence, committed by a group(s) of two or more individuals, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives† (U. S. Department of Justice, 1994, p. 26). Though such characterization is considerably clear in its meaning, oftentimes a case-by-case interpretation is necessary to ascertain where extremism ends and terrorism begins. Terrorism vs. Extremism A more concise demarcation between extremism and terrorism is evident in the recognition that extremism is not unusual in any political environment, and is more often than not directed by societal pressures, civil discourse, education and the law. On the other hand, in terrorism, the violence is far beyond control by civil, educational or societal elements and must be tracked down, penalized and castigated by law enforcement agencies. The Dictionary of Political Thought defines extremism as â€Å"a vague term, that can mean a) the taking of a political idea to its limits, regardless of unfortunate repercussions, impracticalities, arguments and feelings to the contrary and with the intention not only to confront but also to eliminate opposition; b) intolerance towards all views other than one’s own; and c) the adoption of means to political ends which show disregard for the life, liberty and human rights of others† (Scronton, 1982). The complexity of separating terrorism and extremism is that in various situations, domestic groups which are seemingly law-abiding at present, may be contemplating of violent actions in the future. As it is, many violent groups started as non-violent discussion or protest movements with very lofty ideals; however, as time elapsed they evolved into something else. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, provides a suitable and a more fitting characterization of terrorism when he described it as â€Å"the deliberate and systematic murder, maiming and menacing of the innocent to inspire fear for political ends. † USA Patriot Act Section 802 of the USA PATRIOT Act stretched the definition of terrorism to include domestic in contrast to international terrorism. An individual is said to be involved in domestic terrorism if he/she does an act that is dangerous to human life, that is a violation of the criminal laws of a state or the United States, and if the act appears to be intended to a) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; b) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or c) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or kidnapping. Further, the acts have to take place chiefly within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and if they do not, then these acts can already be regarded as international terrorism. Clearly, Section 802 does not create a new crime of domestic terrorism. Nonetheless, it does extend the kinds or the nature of actions that the government can examine and probe into when it is investigating terrorism. The USA Patriot Act stretched out the powers of the government when they do their investigations and some of these powers are applicable to domestic terrorism. Such definition of domestic terrorism is expansive enough to cover the actions and activities of many known activist campaigns and organizations. Greenpeace, Operation Rescue, Vieques Island and WTO protesters and the Environmental Liberation Front have all recently engaged in activities that could make them subject to investigations as engaging in domestic terrorism. Contemporary Domestic Terrorism Though governments, private and public institutions have been beleaguered and weighed down by terrorism for hundreds of years in one form or another, the strategies and the application associated with it have changed and progressed as surely as the societies upon which it is imposed. Technological advances in the transportation, communication and in the area of weaponry have permitted the capacities of current domestic terrorist groups to get their message out and have enhanced their ability to take aggressive and sadistic action to achieve their objectives. President Clinton launched a counter-terrorism bill to the Senate and House of Representatives in February of 1995. One exceedingly contentious proposal in the bill is the assigning of the Department of Defense a dominant role in assisting the investigation of domestic terrorism incidents in which chemical and biological agents are utilized. Currently, the military can be used in cases of terrorist activities where there is an alleged employment of nuclear weapons or devices and much more if such allegation has been established (Hall, 1995, Sec A). Though the amplified role of the military would be limited, necessitating a further amendment to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, civil liberties experts cautioned that it would infringe the tenets of civil supremacy over the military and would only rekindle the hostilities and anti-government sentiments of the citizen-militias and conspiracy theorists (Landay, 1995). Furthermore, several Congressmen, law-enforcement officials and some military advisers concur that such employment of the military would be an exceedingly precarious approach in combating domestic terrorism. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a Democrat from New York, responded to questions as to whether the use of the military, in an expanded role, should be a part of the counterterrorism package, said, â€Å". . . the military defends the nation and does not involve itself in internal affairs† (Minzesheimer, 1995, Sec A). Incidents and Implications There has been an evident and persistent decline in the number of terrorist incidents in the United States during the past twenty years. To further delineate the trend of decline over time, a comparison of the average number of incidents per year during each of three, six-year periods would be useful. During the six year period from 1977 through 1982, there was an average of 59. 0 incidents/year; from 1983 through 1988 an average of 15. 7 incidents/year were recorded; this compared to an average of 5. 3 incidents/year investigated during the period from 1989 through 1994 (FBI, 1994). *** ACTIVE GROUPS OPERATING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES CLASSIFIED AS TERRORISTS African National Prison Organization (ANPO). An arm of the African Peoples Socialist Party. Animal Rights. Principally against use of animals for any purpose beyond their natural existence. Armed Resistance Group (ARG) aka Revolutionary Fighting Group, Red Guerrilla Faction. This group has been characterized in 1988 as â€Å"tired and aging revolutionaries. † Greenpeace Principally environmental-use extremists. Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Reorganized and relocated several arms of its group in 1989. Macheteros. Puerto Rican nationalists. Ohio Seven. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Very public-relations oriented. Radical Feminist Organizing Committee (RFOC). Driven-out of the feminist movement in 1989, operating independently. RAMBOC (Restore a More Benevolent Order Coalition). Targets and actively pursues the US assets and people of foreign groups with terrorist links, such as the PLO, SWAPO, ANC, etc†¦ Rolling Thunder aka American Foundation for Accountability; primary focus is to draw attention to the POW/MIA issue from Vietnam War. Satanic Cult. Associated with attempted bombing of churches and kidnapping, and animal sacrifices, tombstone vandalism, and miscellaneous actions. Skinheads (SKA). Groups consist of both racist and anti-racist factions. SS Action Group. Principally anti-Semitic. Apparent Motivation There are principally four classifications into which groups that are regarded as domestic terrorists can be distinguished currently existing in the United States. These groups can be generically delineated as being either motivated by religious convictions, racial prejudice and supremacist goals, anarchistic/anti-government/politically motivated, or in pursuit of unique special interests. These classifications have been extracted from a collection of the categorization and delineation of extremist and terrorist groups by two respected subject-authorities, Stephen Segaller and FBI’s Department of Justice. Segaller, in his book Invisible Armies, classified domestic terrorism in the United States into four groups as well, but lists them as being: a) Cuban infighting (political), b) â€Å"backwoods terrorism† (a combination of religious, racist and anarchistic), c) violent Puerto Rican independence groups (political), and d) a handful of domestic revolutionary Marxist groups (anarchistic/anti-government and racist) (Segaller, 1987, pp. 221-225). Theoretically speaking, the stimulus for the creation and sustained existence of extremist and terrorist groups can unequivocally be associated in many circumstances to ethnic, cultural, religious, and racial feelings of superiority. An accurate depiction of the continuum formed by these supremacist attitudes, and how they promote further tension is succinctly articulated by Frank G. McGuire, when he said that as long as Christians feel superior to Jews (or vice-versa) and Catholics feel superior to Protestants and Ashkenazic Jews feel superior to Sephardic Jews, men feel superior to women and whites feel superior to blacks/browns/yellows/reds and so on, such phenomenon will be with us (McGuire, 1990, p. 10). These cultural, racial, gender, and a myriad of other differences that are present among people in society, particularly one as diverse as the United States of America, must be acknowledged and respected, but shouldn’t be seen or considered as a encumbrance to peace and harmony within society. Nor should these diversities be seen as wholly benign in their impact on the functioning of society as a whole. Tibor Machan, a social and political commentator, showed a well-timed dissertation on the myths and erroneous beliefs associated with viewing multiculturalism as simply a difference in dress, music, dance, and customs. Dr. Machan asserted that cultural differences, whether a result of race, gender, religion, or whatever, impacts both negatively and positively on other cultures within the society (Machan, 1996, pp. 134-135) and further opined that attitudes of cultural-superiority and intolerance are directly related and incorporated into many of the extremist views and motivations that are plaguing America today. The period from 1982 through 1994 showed that the targets of domestic terrorism were predominately commercial establishments. The majority of incidents directed against commercial establishments were conducted by animal-rights and/or anti-abortion extremists, either attacking stores that sold fur, or clinics that performed abortions or provided abortion advice, respectively (FBI, 1994; McGuire, 1990). Religious & Racial Supremacy/Intolerance Religious intolerance founded upon fundamentalist standpoints has been the stimulus for acts of terrorism all throughout history and such as involved Orthodox Jews, Moslems, Catholics, and Protestants. Perhaps, there is no issue or idea among human beings that is as provocative and as seditious as that of religious beliefs. Auspiciously, at least as far as the United States is concerned, terror stimulated by religious intolerance has not been as significant a threat as in other parts of the world like in Africa, the Middle East or Bosnia. â€Å"America is a unique nation in that it guarantees the freedom of religion with the First Amendment and the right to [keep and] bear arms with the Second Amendment. This means that people can believe whatever they want, and they can buy the guns to protect that belief† (LeBaron, n. d). The statement was made in direct reference to Mormon fundamentalism and summarizes the very ideology upon which this country was founded which also provides an insight into the potential dangers that exist with religious extremist groups. Recently however, there has been rhetoric and open threats of aggression from different extremist groups that describe themselves as being inspired by religion, nonetheless, have undisputedly displayed racial supremacist and hate-mongering views. The leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, advocates sundry rhetoric of black supremacist views and religious fervor. He professes to have the faith and devotion of some four million people (Fletcher, 1996). In addition, several white-supremacist clusters, including some of the many Christian militia splinter groups, advocate exceptionally caustic and hate-filled threats as well, apparently an endless, ages-old game of â€Å"I call you a name, you call me a name. † Oddly enough, two racial supremacist groups representing opposite extremes, the Nation of Islam and the Posse Comitatus, have concurred to an ultimate end-state segregation of the United States into regions of pure racial integrity. Another group operating within the United States that has historically merged a racist agenda with religious rhetoric, and was truly very sadistic in its actions and objectives, is the Ku Klux Klan. They have, however, considerably lessened in both their membership numbers and invisible power-base in recent years, and though there are still very strident individuals appearing from time to time, the danger posed by the Klan nowadays is essentially restricted to local regions, and their activities are in the form of parades and rallies. As the Klan has faded in its activities and numbers, it has been replaced by the tremendously vicious and rapidly growing racist movement known as the Aryan Nations, which is strongly associated with the Identity Church that proclaims Anglo-Saxons as God’s chosen people. The fundamentalist Mormons are another religiously-motivated cluster within the United States that are catching the attention and concern of law enforcement and other government officials. This group has been at odds, to a certain degree, with the government since its creation in the early 1800s. Many of these fundamentalist Mormons are well-armed conspiracy-minded survivalists, who have retreated to the mountains of central Utah to await Armageddon, which they believe will occur on April 6, 2000. Believing in their gifts of prophecy and revelation, and fired-up by heavenly visions and doctrines of blood atonement and oaths of vengeance, they have isolated themselves awaiting the end of the world and fearing that the government is about to take away their freedoms (LeBaron, n. d. ). A specifically insightful yet explosive issue to a huge section of the American people, despite individual beliefs, is the classification of particular abortion clinic-related hostility as domestic terrorism. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994 in concurrence with the Attorney General Guidelines (AGG) on General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprise and Domestic Security/Terrorism Investigations, instigated and directed the creation of the Department of Justice Task Force on Violence Against Abortion Providers to look into conspiratorial acts of violence against abortion clinics and personnel as domestic terrorism (FBI, 1994). Although personal opinions on the ethical aspects associated with abortion, whether for or against, are not wholly confined to religious beliefs, the most articulate, open and visible anti-abortion advocates are directly allied with religious organizations. As it is, abortion rights and issues persist to be one of the most contentious and conflict-ridden questions among Americans and motivate exceedingly passionate and rousing rhetoric and reactions from people from both sides of the matter. In the period between 1982 and the end of 1984, there were a total of 220 separate acts of violence, including 89 cases of bombing, arson and other serious incidents, conducted against clinics where abortions were performed or abortion-advice offered (Segaller, 1987, pp. 222-223). Ethnically and racially stimulated bias, extreme loathing and carnage are as much a part of human history as any other characteristics of mankind, and have at least to some extent have a bearing on the cultural and social identities of essentially all civilizations to date. From the subjugation of Hebrews by ancient Egyptians, to present-day current situation in the Balkans, racial and ethnic differences have triggered incalculable suffering and death. The history of racial and ethnic turmoil in the United States is no different, and is seemingly experiencing an increase in such activity recently. Racially-motivated extremist and terrorist groups in the United States, especially those of today, seem to employ religious rationalizations and teachings for their sadistic tendencies and aggressive actions, and all indications point to the fact that such trend will continue at an accelerating rate into the foreseeable future. Anarchistic/Anti-government /Political Terrorist clusters of today that are actually anarchist, anti-government or political in their motivations are mostly associated with the growing self-determination, radical citizen-militia movements, or have been around a relatively long time, such as the Puerto Rican freedom fighters. The former has drawn considerable attention, and extracted wary concern from law-enforcement and civil-rights groups due to the bombing in Oklahoma City, and their rapid and continuing growth in numbers and visibility. A few of the more extreme citizen-militia groups, often motivated by New World Order conspiracy theorists and anger over a belief that government has become too large and repressive in everyday life, are openly soliciting and calling for the overthrow of the United States government. These groups, when linked with the self-described â€Å"Constitutionalists,† are being considered as extremely dangerous by many law-enforcement and watchdog groups (Knickerbocker, 1995). The Puerto Rican terrorist groups have been almost exclusively limited in their actions to operating within Puerto Rico against local and federal targets of opportunity. Unique Special Interests Within this designation of domestic terrorist groups are those of relatively recent creation, or at least they have relatively recently gained high public visibility through their actions. Groups such as the extremist animal-rights groups, environmental extremist groups and homosexual-rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Earth Night Action Group, and Act Up, respectively, have emerged within the past two decades and have actively used violence, destruction and intimidation to gain recognition, and to further their respective political agendas. References *** McGuire, Frank. 1990. Security intelligence sourcebook: Who’s Who in terrorism. Silver Spring, MD. : Interests, Ltd. U. S. Department of Justice. 1994. Terrorism in the United States, 1994. Washington, DC. : National Security Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Terrorist Research and Analytical Center Scronton, R. 1982. Dictionary of Political Thought. New York: Hill and Wang Hall, M. 1995. â€Å"Clinton’s Military Police Plan Under Fire. † USA Today, 11 May Sec. 5A. Landay, J. S. 1995. â€Å"Tempering Terrorism. † The Christian Science Monitor, 8 May Sec. US. Minzesheimer, B. 1995. â€Å"Terrorism Bill Warning: Go Slow. † USA Today, 1 May Sec. 5A. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 1994. Terrorism in the United States 1982 – 1992; Terrorism in the United States 1994. Segaller, S. 1987. Invisible armies, terrorism into the 1990s. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Machan, T. 1996. â€Å"Fallacies of Uncritical Multiculturalism. † The Freeman, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 134-135. LeBaron, G. Jr. â€Å"Mormon Fundamentalism and Violence: A Historical Analysis available at http://www. tcd. net/~garn/ polygamy. html>. Fletcher, M. A. 1996. â€Å"Farrakhan Vows to Take Libya’s Aid. † Washington Post, 26 February, Sec. A1. Knickerbocker, B. 1995. â€Å"US Militias: The Dark Side of Frontier Independence. † The Christian Science Monitor, 24 April, Sec. NATIONAL.