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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1993)
State & Local Page 2 The Battalion Monday, April 19,1 Scientific evidence in Islamic holy book Koran describes stages of human embryology Badawi By ANAS BEN-MUSA The Battalion Elements of science in the Islamic holy book, the Koran, enable everyone to relate to and reflect upon the existence of God, said a member of the board of directors of the Islamic Society of North America. Dr. Jamal Badawi, lectured on "The Authority of the Bible and the Koran in Light of Scientific Discoveries," Friday night at Texas A&M. "I chose to try to look from a perspective that is relevant not only to Muslims and their Christian or Jewish brethren, but from a perspective that will be relevant to those who are agnostic, even atheist," Badawi said. "There is nothing perhaps more impressive in the Koran then the area of human embryology." Badawi's lecture focused on verses 12-14 from Chapter (Sura) 23 in the Koran discussing embryologic findings. The verses use scientific references to explain how life is created, he said. Badawi said the verse, Sura 23:12, which states "Man We (God) did create From a quintessence (of clay)," reveals an understanding of the chemical structure of humans. "The human body is composed of the same elements as in clay — carbon, potassium, magnesium, iron and so on," Badawi said. Sura 23:13 states "Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm In a place of rest, firmly fixed." Badawi said the Arabic word "nutfa" translates as "a drop of," signifying a minute amount of liquid or droplets. "It really shows (an understanding) that the human embryo is not created entirely of seminal fluid, but a minute amount of it (nutfa)," he said. In addition, another verse in the Koran explains nutfa as a mixed fluid, he said. The verse says "a human being is created from a mixed drop." Badawi said the findings attracted the attention of Dr. Keith Moore, professor of anatomy and associate dean basic sciences at the University of Toronto, Canada. In Moore's article, "A Scientist's Interpretation of References to Embryology in the Koran," he wrote, "The zygote forms by the union of a mixture of the sperm and the ovum ('The mixed drop')." A more meaningful interpretation of nutfa would be the zygote, because it divides to form a blastocyst which is implanted in the uterus ("a place of rest"- Sura 23:13), according to the Moore article. "It was only until 1775, according to Dr. Moore, that both the ovum and sperm were See Embryology/Page 3 CarePlusN>*if Presents Roc, The Good Doc “Roc, the good Doc, is in at CareFlus” Roc, the good Doc at CarePlus Medical Center is in. In fact, he's available seven days a week without an appointment to all you Aggies who want quick, convenient, quality medical attention. A&M students even get a 10% discount at CarePlus. So next time you're ill, chill out and come see Roc, the good Doc, at CarePlus Medical Center. CarePlus^ttf 2411 Texas Ave. and Southwest Pkwy • College Station, TX 77840 696-0683 LIBERAL ARTS CAREER AWARENESS FAIR Tuesday, April 20, 1993 MSC FLAG ROOM 10:00 A.M. -4:00 P.M. • • • 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. • • • Randall Balthrop, E.D.S. recruiter will speak on “What You Can Do with a L.A. Degree in a Technical Field” 2-$250.00 Book Scholarships will be given away at the conclusion of the presentation. To be eligible you must be a Liberal Arts major and present to win. Companies attending . . . Houston Astros Balfour Electronic Data Systems Foleys City of Bryan/City of College Station KCEN-TV Tx. Parks & Wildlife H.E.B. Tx. Rehabilitation Commission K-Mart Brooks Fashions Peace Corps I.D.S-Financial Planning BioMedical Marketing Child Placement Services M.D. Anderson Center Houston Chronicle Attorney General's Office . . .and many morel 11 Look up in the sky . . . CRAIG FOX/The Battalion A member of Aggies over Texas makes a landing on the polo field Saturday as a part of Parents Weekend. Ten members made the dive in groups of five as parents and students watched. CONTACT LENSES ONLY QUALITY NAME BRANDS (Bausch & Lomb, Ciba, Barnes-Hind Hydrocurve) $41 Qoo I O TOTAL COST.. .INCLUDES EYE EXAM, FREE CARE KIT, STD. DAILY WEAR, EXTENDED WEAR OR TINTED LENSES. YOUR CHOICE of . Std. Daily Wear, Extended Wear or Tinted Soft Lenses SAME DAY DELIVERY ON MOST LENSES. Call 846-0377 for Appointment CHARLES C. SCHROEPPEL, O.D., P.C. DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY 505 University Dr. East, Suite 101 College Station, TX 77840 4 Blks. East of Texas Ave. & University Dr. Intersection MATHEMATICS CONTEST Annual Freshmen and Sophomore MATHEMATICS CONTEST THURSDAY APRIL 22, 1993 7:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Room 317 Milner Hall It is intended to award at least five prizes: 1. $1 50 for paper judged to be the best overall 2. $125 for second best 3. $1 00 for third best 4. $100 for best freshmen paper not among first three 5. $100 for best sophomore paper not among first three Contest problems will cover topics up through Math 151 (Engineering Calculus I) for Freshmen, and through Math 251 (Engineering Calculus III) for Sophomore contestants. For purposes of this contest, freshmen are first-year undergraduate students, and sophomores are second-year undergraduate students. IRS opens doors to non-filers; hope to round up tax evaders By JAMES BERNSEN The Battalion People who have not filed a tax return with the Internal Reven# Service in recent years may not only evade prosecution, but if the; come forward, may even be entitled to a refund. IRS spokesman Bob Branson said since the IRS opened its doors non-filers last August, about one-third have received refunds. The IRS is extending another chance to non-filers, and on May If all statewide offices will be staffed with extra personnel to allow nor> filers a chance to get back into the system. Most non-filers are not criminals, Branson said, but they stoppec filing one year because of a death in their family or some simila upheaval. They then became afraid to draw attention to themselves he said. "Our purpose is to let people who dropped out of the system bad in as painlessly as possible," he said. "If they start filing late return and make an honest effort to file, we won't send them to jail." There are about 1,700 non-filers in the Bryan-College Station area Branson said. Thomas Kinerd, a local Certified Public Accountant, said most not filers have been out of the system for more than two years and mat face late fees and interest payments. "They are very stiff," Kinerd said. "They can total a maximum of 25 percent of the taxes due." Also, Branson said, most taxpayers will still have to pay interel charges and penalties. The amount will vary depending on tit circumstances of non-filing. The IRS will work with individual non-filers to set up monthlt payment plans if needed, he said. Since October, about 570 people have come into IRS officesii Central and South Texas to take advantage of this policy. "We're giving it another shot, hoping to lure non-filers in," Bransoi said. "The sooner we get them back into the system, the less likelt they are to face prosecution." Kinerd said only time will tell whether the IRS plan will work. "The only thing they're changing is promising not to press crimim! charges," Kinerd said. "That might convince people to get backi the system." For more information, call 1-800-892-1040. Early voting ends April 28 The early voting period for the May 1 elections runs through April 28. Students, who were regis tered for last fall's elections, can vote for U.S. Senate and local city council candidates in MSC 138. The hours for voting areS a.m. to 5 p.m. Students need to bring either their voter's registration card or their driver's license with them when they vote. ' | The Battalion STEVE O'BRIEN, Editor in Chief JASON LOUGHMAN, Managing Editor STACY FEDUCIA, Opinion Editor KYLE BURNETT, News Editor DAVE THOMAS, News Editor TODD STONE, City Editor DON NORWOOD, Sports Editor SUSAN OWEN, Lifestyles Editor DARRIN HILL, Photo Editor Staff Members City desk - Mark Evans, Cheryl Heller, Juli Phillips, Jennifer Smith, Gina Howard, Stephanie Pattillo, Robin Roach, Jeff Gosmano, Jason Cox, Kevin Lindstrom, Mary Kujawa and Shelia Vela News desk - Belinda Blancorte, Lisa Borrego, Carey Eagan, Lance Holmes, Elizabeth Lowe, Jennifer Mentlilc, Ravae Villafranca and Heather Winch Photographers — Kevin Ivy, Robert J Reed, Billy Moran, Joseph Greenslade, Richard Dixon, Craig Fox, John W, Bartram, Nicole Rhorman and Mark Ybarra Lifestyles - Anas Ben-Musa, Dena Dizdar, Melissa Holubec and Jenny Magee Sports writers - William Harrison, Michael Plumer, Matt Rush and David Winder Columnists — Julie Polston, Toni Garrard Clay, Matthew Dickerson, Chris Whitley, Robert Vasquez, Rich Henderson, Dave Brooks, John Scroggs and Janet Holder Cartoonists — Thomas Deeny, George Nasr, Clay Welch, Boomer Cardinale and Jeff Crone Graphic Artist - Jennifer Petteway Clerks- Julie Chelkowski, Darra Dees, Wren Eversberg, Carrie Miura and Mary Beth Novak The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods), ot Texai A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas ASM University, College Station, TX 77843. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone number is 845:3313. Fax: 845-2647. Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, col 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday ifirougk Friday. Fax: 845-5408. Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-2611. Ring Orders CLAYTON W. WILLIAMS, JR. ALUMNI CENTER DEADLINE: APRIL 21, 1993 Procedure to order a ring; 1. You must come to the Ring Office no later than Wednesday, April 21, 1993 to complete the form for an audit of your tranecript. (One-two days are required to process your audit.) 2. After your transcript audit is approved, the entire ring price is paid in cash or by check no later than April 23, 1993. Undergraduate degree seeking students mav place an order if; 1. 30 credit hours were completed in residence at A&M in the Fall of ’92 or before if you were a transfer student. (Hours in progress are not completed.) 2. 95 credit hours are completed/will be completed at the end of this semester. (Should you be including enrolled hours for the Spring '93 semester, only hours in progress at A&M may be counted.) 3. A 2.00 cumulative grade point average at A&M is reflected on your transcript (after your most recent final grades). 4. Your transcript does not have any blocks for past due fees, loans, parking tickets, etc. Graduate degree seeking students may place an ordcr jfL 1. You are a May '93 degree candidate. (Your order will be accepted contingent upon your May '93 degree being conferred.) 2. Your transcript does not have any blocks for past due fees, loans, parking tickets, etc. MEN S RINGS WOMEN'S RINGS 10KY - £280.00 10KY - 2163.00 14KY-^381.00 14KY - #188.00 *There is an **8.00 charge for Class of '92 and before. The approximate date of the ring delivery is August 4, 1993