Stories

Taste of ring-shaped bread bonds Turkey

Popular bread waters down ethno-political, cultural disparities

Ethnic and traditional leanings aside, Turks and Kurds unite for one thing.

For either of the ethnic groups in Turkey, chilly winter morning and summer evening tea means little if served without a snack. Hold on, calling this crisp, circular bread a snack may offend many here. This indispensible pastry is called simit.

Hussein Shiraz, 22, runs a bakery – Simit Evi Shop – on an Üsküdar street near Istanbul’s Marmara Sea. Popularity of multi-flavored sesame-studded simit helps this 15-member family from southeastern city of Sirnak make both ends meet.

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One week for the weak and the vulnerable

To raise funds and voice, NY Muslim adopts lifestyle of the homeless

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Amid hot summer days of August in New York City, one man set aside the comfort of his metropolis lifestyle for a greater, less popular cause. Yusuf Ramelize lives in an apartment in the borough of Queens, but for one week his new residence was the street floor by Manhattan’s Grand Central Station. Homeless and humble, for the third year in a row Yusuf put himself in the forefront to bring attention to those less fortunate in the glamorous city of New York.

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William lives five lives now!

Jordan’s Christian family gives fellow Muslims their best

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Adib Akroush shudders to sound of a gunshot. The 60-year old lost his youthful son to a similar fire some 14 years ago.

Recalling bitter details, tearful Akroush says: “William was playing with my gun, unaware of a bullet that he accidently fired piercing in and out of his head.” Soon the doctors declared him brain dead, admitting their helplessness to save his life.

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Muslim family integral to Gaza Church

Qarmash devotes life for Christian-Muslim solidarity

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Across the narrow road linking Omar Mukhtar Street and Zeitoun neighbor in Gaza city center lives 32-year old Ramzi Qarmash. In the afternoon, he returns to his home in the courtyard of the St Parvirius Church that dates back to 407 AD.

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It’s all in the blood

Malawian scares away Africa’s vampires

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Belita James, (40), was about to be taken to the theatre but the doctors had to think twice. Since she had less blood in body, the operation could have cost her life.

“Though doctors had asked my relatives to arrange blood but none was willing to help,” recalls James.

James had swelling in uterus that had to be removed to avoid further loss of blood, advised her surgeons.

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Christian ties Jordan’s rich and poor

Zureikat prefers sharing over donation

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As the bus stops, boys rush to receive their faithful friend, Rabee Zureikat, and his guests, who came to visit Ghor Al-Mazraa after 110-kilometer southward journey from Jordan’s capital, Amman.

The visitors are first-timers here but 30-year old Zureikat enjoys the respect of a local elder. Christian by belief, Zureikat can be taken for a local who see this Karak-resident as a sincere friend.

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Christian ties Jordan’s rich and poor

Zureikat prefers sharing over donation

Author: 

As the bus stops, boys rush to receive their faithful friend, Rabee Zureikat, and his guests, who came to visit Ghor Al-Mazraa after 110-kilometer southward journey from Jordan’s capital, Amman.

The visitors are first-timers here but 30-year old Zureikat enjoys the respect of a local elder. Christian by belief, Zureikat can be taken for a local who see this Karak-resident as a sincere friend.

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Baptizm, Ramadan for Muslims, Christians both

An untold story of two religions in Gaza

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In busy Rimal street of Gaza City, a small shop offers Arabian staple food – beans, chickpeas and falafel. Though it can’t serve many customers, the vendor somehow connects Christians and Muslims with tolerant minds.

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The right to play . . . for Pakistanis too!

Norwegian athlete fortifies Pakistani people

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Christ unites Jordan’s Muslims and Christians

Madaba invites anarchists to learn lessons in co-existence

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Half a century ago, a Muslim prayer leader (Imam) in a remote Jordanian village fell sick in Ramadan, thus failing to lead people break their fast (iftar). To avert any discrepancy, a priest in the neighboring church rang the bells to alert fellow Muslims to for the iftar.

However, inter-religious harmony is much older than the last few decades.

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