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South Asia
Pakistan produces more mullahs than doctors and engineers annually
Although all the religious parties except two (Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam who could clinch a few seats in 342-member parliament) were rejected by the people of Pakistan in the general elections held in May this year, they are penetrating deep and deeper in the society by establishing thousands of seminaries…
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East Asia
Our culture, our global citizenship
There is a strong belief that culture is becoming an overwhelming global citizenship. Some of us are connected with others under the sky of religions, or gathered in the tent of languages, or collected below the tree of races, or even corresponded with the shadow of political loyalties. Only culture…
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“To have a friend, you must be a friend”
The following excerpt is a part of Najwa Zahhar’s autobiography. Her book was published in Arabic in 2004, and was translated under the title of Gardenia, which means Garden in local Arabic. She talks about the meaning of friendship and life as lamenting the loss of her friend. -Editor’s note “To have a…
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Russia’s interests on the Korean Peninsula
The summit between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Russian President Vladimir Putin has attracted much attention to Russia’s attitude toward the problems of the Korean peninsula. When it comes to Russia’s attitude to South Korea, there is surprisingly little to discuss. In spite of some misunderstandings and minor frictions,…
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East Asia
Press freedom struggles symbolise ‘Gwangju Spirit’
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the wily general Tsao Tsao, noted for his one-upmanship, often claims credit for himself whenever his lieutenant comes up with battle plans by declaring, “What you have just said is already in my mind.” I do not see myself doing a Tsao Tsao…
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South Asia
Hemant Divate: Poetic butterflies from the garden of India
An email sent from a friend opened a whole new world for me. It happened when Ahmed Al Shahawi, the well known Egyptian poet, sent me his friend Hemant Divate’s poems, to introduce them for Arab readers. Mr. Hemant Divate is an internationally known Marathi poet from India, who lives…
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West Asia
Women in revolution
Women had an effective role in rebellions even in earlier revolutions like the French Revolution, Russian Revolution, and even in Arab revolutions. Women’s participation in revolutions started much earlier than 1000 A.D.; Cleopatra II of Egypt led a rebellion against her brother Ptolemy VIII and drove him and Cleopatra III…
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South Asia
Talent on the streets of Pakistan
It’s true that the talent can take birth anywhere. On the streets of Pakistan, one can come across many people who have passion and flair for singing. Mostly they are folk singers and musicians who are compelled to perform at streets and roadsides owing to their economic circumstances and having…
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East Asia
Myths and facts about North Korea’s Great Famine in 1990s
When it comes to North Korea, one of the most common clichés is a reference to the 1996-99 famine which, as we are told, “killed two or three million people”. This figure has been repeated countless times, and few people are aware where it comes from. Even fewer people know…
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East Asia
Differences in taste shown at Seoul Int’l Drama Awards
The explosion in global popularity of the Korean entertainment industry was well highlighted by the biggest ever Seoul International Drama Awards(SDA), which were held at the National Theater of Korea on September 5. For the first time since these awards began in 2006, the voice of Korea’s growing army of…
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