Diverse Similarities

All-American Americans

2011-12-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

The home-improvement store, Lowe's, has pulled its advertising from TLC's "All-American Muslim," a reality series based on the lives of five American Muslim families from Dearborn, Mich. Lowe's decision was prompted by the complaint of an evangelical Christian group known as the Florida Family Association, who threatened to boycott the company's products because they believed the show

A Legacy of Hate

2011-10-19T20:57:00.002-04:00

Op-Ed It is time to heal ourselves now A children’s coloring book recently published by Big Coloring Books, Inc., in St. Louis, titled,We shall never Forget - The Kids Book of Freedom has sparked much controversy of late. It claims to be a tribute to the victims of 9/11, but many are questioning its deeper agenda. Responding to criticism, Wayne Bell, the publisher of the book, has

A Land in Crisis

2011-10-18T08:54:00.001-04:00

Feature Living in a melting pot of races, religions and cultures, the inhabitants of Northeast India continue to struggle with an identity crisis while battling decades of ethnic conflict. Northeastern India consists of the seven sister states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, and parts of North Bengal. This is a very diverse region and has

South Asia - Potential and Prospects

2011-09-04T20:42:00.000-04:00

Feature Social indicators of development in the dynamic South Asian region are not always promising. However, the South Asian economy is resilient as are its people, and can do well with sustained international focus in lending and knowledge investment to supplement efforts of local governments. South Asia comprises seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and

An Aftar to Remember

2011-08-15T17:44:00.005-04:00

Satire ...want to outshine the neighbor’s Iftar party? Follow my instructions...at own peril!!! Wake up Lazy-bones! Yes, you… the housewife who’s eaten too many parathas at Sehri and having sent the doting husband to office and chubby-cheeked Angles to school, are now sprawled in bed because you have nothing better to do! Are you bent upon making up for the time you had to spend

A Culture of Compassion

2011-06-25T10:57:00.006-04:00

Feature Volunteers serve as a catalyst for change in a society. It is important to provide a supportive environment to these selfless individuals and organizations so that they may contribute to true nation building. The culture of volunteerism is inherent to many societies and supplements State functions. It is also an expression of the spirit of human compassion. Sometimes,

The Development Challenge in Asia

2011-04-22T08:18:00.003-04:00

Feature Many South Asian countries continue to receive financial and technical support from the Asian Development Bank. However, development planners and practitioners urge ADB for reform in its policies and procedural approach in order to be truly reflective of its commitment to poverty reduction The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was established in 1966 with a commitment “to help its

India's Slumlord Enterpreneurs

2011-03-18T17:34:00.002-04:00

Feature Some of the largest slums in the world adapt innovative, if indeed short term, solutions at the hands of slumlords to fulfill basic needs where States fail The slums of India are not a recently discovered phenomenon but came into focus more so when Danny Boyle’s 2008 blockbuster, Slumdog Millionaire, appeared on box-office to enthrall audiences across the globe. The tough lives of

The Reality of Reality Shows

2010-12-22T20:34:00.005-05:00

Feature Television is an influential medium of entertainment reaching out to millions. It is, therefore, necessary to utilize its potential as a positive influence while serving that purpose. The importance of entertainment as a central cultural phenomenon cannot be overlooked since it serves as an indicator of larger cultural trends. Media is considered to be one of the most influential

The AIDS Challenge in Pakistan

2010-11-27T10:08:00.005-05:00

Feature Each year December 01 is celebrated around the world as International AIDS Day to renew the commitment of the world community to spread awareness and find ways to combat this disease. There are an estimated 36 million people currently living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, of which at least half are women and 98% of these women live in developing countries. AIDS (Acquired

Winning Hearts and Minds, the Right Way

2010-11-02T19:09:00.013-04:00

Opinion He might not have much influence on his country’s foreign policy, but he is surely the best ambassador any country could hope for Pick up any newspaper, and you find Pakistan in the news more often than any other country – and usually not for the best of reasons. Fortunately, however, these days the news of corruption, bombs, beards and burkas is outshined by the hospitality and

Investing in Healthcare

2010-10-19T08:48:00.008-04:00

Feature Access to healthcare is a basic human right. The World Bank is playing an important role in helping South Asian countries to provide this right to their citizens. Developed countries of the world have in place a robust infrastructure and institutions that see to the provision of these rights, while developing countries struggle with funds and weak healthcare systems. When resources

Tears in the Rain

2010-10-12T08:14:00.007-04:00

Short Story No one asked her. No one had to. It was the way. She wants to step out into the rain. She wants to let the raindrops wash away her pain. She wants to open her arms, close her eyes and walk into oblivion. She wants. She wants. Who is she? Why is she here? Is anything ever going to fill the huge hole inside her heart that grows bigger by the day? Or will the abyss suck her in,

Park 51 - to be or not to be?

2010-09-15T12:17:00.018-04:00

Opinion Learning to live together peacefully again The first time I heard about the plans for building a mosque at Ground Zero, I had immediately questioned the wisdom of such a move. However, since then, I have had a chance to ponder the deeper implications of this proposal as more details come to light, not the least of which is the fact that the mosque is actually a community center with

Click to Connect!

2010-09-12T18:20:00.002-04:00

Online social networking is changing our lives in more ways than we realize. “Online social networking is not just about contact; it is a way of life,” remarked my friend. “Absolutely!” I managed to say between mouthfuls of Hareesa, as we sat enjoying our lunch in the quiet corner of the restaurant I like to frequent for gup-shup or serious discussions. While I savor face-to-face contact with

Food for Thought!

2010-08-22T16:53:00.033-04:00

Introducing Interfaith Action Inc.'s cookbook, Food for Thought. The cookbook cover - designed by Rachel Finklestein especially for the IFA - and the introduction that I wrote, reflect the sentiments of all those associated with this project in some way. This cookbook is a celebration of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of Sharon that the IFA is proud to support. One of the

The Future of Our Youth

2010-08-18T12:56:00.006-04:00

FEATURE What future do the youth in developing countries have where opportunities are few and challenges numerous? Youth participation in world affairs is an investment into the future. The UN General Assembly in recognition of this important fact, in 1999 endorsed the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth to declare 12 August as International Youth Day.

Tools for Progress

2010-07-22T11:11:00.008-04:00

FEATURE The development of new and innovative forms of media over the years has served its purpose not only as a means of communication for social networking but also as a vital tool for development purposes. Social interaction and communication are integral to human development. It is no surprise then that we depend to such a large extent on the growth of information and communication

One Planet. One Future.

2010-06-08T07:48:00.009-04:00

Feature World Environment Day aims to create awareness and call to attention the need for the world community to come together and contribute in preserving the environment shared by all. Since 1973, World Environment Day is held every year on June 5, hosted by a different city and celebrating a different theme each succeeding year. Previous themes have included issues of water, human settlements

Behind the Veil

2010-05-31T10:12:00.015-04:00

A short story There’s a face behind the veil, Happy, sad, dark or pale? Maheen adjusted her headscarf as she boarded the train to get back home after an exhausting day at work. She was upset. To hear the same remarks every day from her colleagues at the library was not a pleasant experience. Oh it was all said in a light tone, she knew, for Jane and Iraj were as fond of her as she was of

A Time to Reflect

2010-05-17T10:08:00.008-04:00

Opinion Is religious correctness stifling freedom of speech or free expression testing religious boundaries? Multi-religious and multi-cultural societies have still much to learn by way of harmonious coexistence, not the least of which is finding a balance between freedom of speech and religious correctness. Starting with the controversy aroused over two decades ago by Salman Rushdie’s ‘The

Dignity of Labour

2010-05-06T08:31:00.008-04:00

Feature International Worker’s Day celebrates how far we have come in terms of securing social and economic rights of workers around the world, but also a reminder of how much more needs to be done. The United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families defines a migrant worker as, “a person who is engaged or has been engaged in a

To Each Her Own

2010-04-20T20:53:00.009-04:00

A short short story“Go back to your own hell!” He whispered in her ear.She turned her head, sharply. Undisguised hatred in his eyes sent chills down her spine. She looked away, adjusting her scarf and pulling her coat tightly around her.A little girl started coughing and gasping. The mother cried out.Maheen jumped from her seat. “…trained in Emergency First-aid”, she mumbled before bracing for

Motherhood Redefined?

2010-04-20T20:22:00.001-04:00

Are all alternative arrangements to human limitation justified? Traditionally, a mother may be defined as a female who is the biological parent, related through marriage to a biological father, or through a contract of adoption. However, procreative options have multiplied over the years to include a surrogate as a third party in the usual two-party parenthood equation. A surrogate mother is

Pursuing a Dream

2010-04-16T16:14:00.006-04:00

International student populations not only enhance their own learning capacities through their exposure, they also enrich host cultures and boost host economies. In today’s globalized, inter-dependent world the value of cross cultural learning cannot be ignored. Global engagement to broaden perspectives and vision is a necessity for growth and advancement in all fields. Many South Asian