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Sufism

(Encyclopedia)Sufism so͞oˈfĭzəm [key], an umbrella term for the ascetic and mystical movements within Islam. While Sufism is said to have incorporated elements of Christian monasticism, gnosticism, and Indian m...

Labé

(Encyclopedia)Labé läbāˈ [key], town (1996 pop. 249,515), W central Guinea, in the Fouta Djallon. It is the market center for a farm region where citrus fruit, bananas, vegetables, and rice are grown and cattle...

Urijah

(Encyclopedia)Urijah yo͞orīˈjə [key], in the Bible. 1 High priest under King Ahaz. An alternate form is Uriah. 2 Prophet killed by King Jehoiakim. 3 Ancestor of a priestly family. An alternte form is Uriah. 4 C...

Mande

(Encyclopedia)Mande mänˈdā [key], language group, W Africa, including the Malinke, Dyula, Marka, Mende, Bambara, and Soninke subgroups. The Mande-speakers today number about 3 million and live mainly in Senegal,...

Joel, persons in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Joel jōˈəl [key], in the Bible. 1 Prophet of the book of Joel. 2 Son of Samuel. He also appears under the name Vashni. ...

Al-Biruni, Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad

(Encyclopedia)Al-Biruni or Al Beruni, Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad äbo͞oˈ rīhänˈ məhămˈĭd ĭbˈən äˈməd ăl-bēro͞oˈnē, ăl bĕro͞oˈnē [key], b. 973, d. after 1050, Central Asian scientist. His...

Loammi

(Encyclopedia)Loammi lōămˈī [key] [Heb.,=not my people], in the Bible, symbolic name of the prophet Hosea's second son and figurative name of Israel before reconciliation with God. Cf. Ammi. ...

Beth-aven

(Encyclopedia)Beth-aven bĕth-āˈvĕn [key], in the Bible, town of ancient Palestine, between Bethel and Michmash. It is probably used as an abusive name for Bethel in the Book of Hosea. The prophet seems to use A...

Sialkot

(Encyclopedia)Sialkot syälˈkōt [key], city (1998 pop. 417,597), near the Indian border, Pakistan. It is a rail junction and a major trade and processing center. Manufactures include sporting goods, processed foo...

Sahand

(Encyclopedia)Sahand sähändˈ [key], peak, 12,140 ft (3,700 m) high, NW Iran, S of Tabriz. It is snow-covered most of the year and is traditionally associated with the prophet Zoroaster. ...