Stories |
Egyptian mosques get Christian touch
Outside a small shop, an old man in traditional Arabic robe called Tally brushes tools to complete what seems to be a minbar – a raised wooden platform, erected in the front area of a mosque to deliver sermons. Despite his age, he relies on himself to complete the work. Please meet popular Uncle Mikhail.
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The Gülen Effect: Filipino Muslims, Christians connect for peace
Most children of the picturesque city of Zamboanga in the Philippines’ troubled south are groomed to be cautious in making friends believing in a different religions.
Zamboanga Peninsula, the sixth most populous region and the third geographically largest in the Philippines, is home to 70 per cent Christians and 30% percent Buddhist and Muslim people.
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In Yemen, Somali spreads knowledge
Somalia and Yemen don’t share much in climate, cuisine and culture. Yet Ismaeel Ahmad (24) prefers his Aden flat over the entire world.
"Even if there is a Saudi plane ready with a seat for me, I won’t leave Yemen where I live a respectful life of a mua'allim (teacher),” says Ahmad, who once longed to live in the oil-rich monarchy in the Arabian Peninsula.
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Ali returns to boxing ring
As the crowd chants his name, one could not help but to reminisce of last time an 'Ali' was making headlines in the sport of boxing. The new 'Ali' is only 22 years old, but with his fast punch-combinations; Saddam Ali is flying to success.
"I feel good. And everybody's chanting my name, 'Ali! Ali!' And I don't remember the fights. Life is going by so fast," says Ali with a youthful smile.
Andre Rozier trains Ali and appreciates his determination and youthfulness.
"Saddam is a very gifted athlete and we work very hard in the gym, but he always brings a sense of humor and comedy to everything we do," says Rozier.
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Palestinian orchestra plays tunes of harmony: Israeli volunteers’ group pursue peace agenda
Applause and cheers erupted from the crowded room as musicians put their instruments to their sides, stood and faced their audience, residents of the Palestinian village of Salem, with pride.
This was the maiden performance by students of the Salem Music Center following 9 months of learning.
With 6,000 inhabitants, Salem is a few kilometers from the city of Nablus, West Bank. The village lies between two Palestinian refugee camps, and the illegal Israeli settlement of Elon Moreh and near Skali Ranch outpost.
The Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and the settlements have been sources of pain and hardship for the village. The locals have faced land confiscations, physical assaults, checkpoints, Jew-only roads and loss of livelihoods as their olive trees were burnt or uprooted. Worst of all, they faced a murder.
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