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Islam and women’s rights

Posted by Ataman Rakin | in Religion, Uncategorized | on March 23rd, 2006
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Here’s an interview with Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi on the issue. Iran is a bit outside this blog’s reach but the issues are nevertheless also relevant for the region that it does covers.

In Iran the number of educated women is higher than men. According to the latest figures that were released this year, more than 65 percent of Iran’s university students are girls. But, unfortunately, women haven’t had the opportunity really to demonstrate their capabilities, and more men have entered the labor market. The unemployment rate among women is three times higher than among men.

In my opinion, it is the patriarchic culture that gives men priority in all issues. (…) We need an interpretation of Islam that recognizes women’s rights. (…) With a correct interpretation of Islam, we can have equal rights for women. But the problem is that there are wrong interpretations of Islam, which cause discrimination against women. That is why the situation for women in various Islamic countries is different. For example, in Saudi Arabia women can’t even drive, but in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh women have been able to become prime minister or president.

Nawruz mubarak, Nawruzangar menena

Posted by Ataman Rakin | in Religion, The wider region, Uncategorized | on March 20th, 2006
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To all those concerned!

For those who want to know a bit more about the origins and background of the Iranian/Persian new year (whiich it was at the origin), here’s a quite extensive Wikipedia article about it.

(Nawruz) is the traditional new year holiday in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, and among the Kurds. It is also celebrated in Turkey and various countries of Central Asia. (…) Nawruz is the festival of (the first day of) spring and the beginning of the Iranian Year. It is celebrated by some communities on March 21st, and by others on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which may occur on March 20th, 21st or 22nd.

A most interesting custom is the ‘haft seen’ table, the ‘8 s-es’:

The contemporary Haft Seen spread includes seven of the following items:

Sabzeh - wheat or lentils grown in a tray or dish prior to Noe-Rooz to represent rebirth,
Samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ, symbolizing affluence,
Senjed - the dried fruit of the lotus tree which represents love,
Seer - which means garlic in Persian, and represents medicine,
Seeb - which means apple in Persian, and represents beauty and health,
Somaq - sumac berries, which represent the colour of the sun rise,
Serkeh - which means vinegar in Persian, and represents age and patience,
Sonbol - the hyacinth flower with its strong fragrance heralding the coming of spring, and
Sekkeh - coins representing prosperity and wealth.

Alhtough the celebration is Zoroastrian by origin and by shooed by the more fundementalist Ulemah, it is a good example of a pre-Islamic custom that found its way in Islam. One factor that likely facilitated that is the predominance of Hanafi and Sufi Islam that is open to pre-Islamic elements if that strenghtens and promotes the faith.

Nawruz, along with Sadeh (that is celebrated in mid-winter), survived in society following the introduction of Islam in 650 CE. Other celebrations such Gahanbar and Mehragan were eventually side-lined or were only followed by the Zoroastrians, who carried them as far as India. Nawruz, however, was most honored even by the early founders of Islam. There are records of the Four Great Caliphs presiding over Nawruz celebrations, and it was adopted as the main royal holiday during the Abbasid period.

Following the demise of the Caliphate and the subsequent re-emergence of Persian dynasties such as the Samanids and Buyids, Nawruz was elevated to an even more important event. The Buyids revived the ancient traditions of Sasanian times and restored many smaller celebrations that had been eliminated by the Caliphate. Even the Turkish and Mongol invaders did not attempt to abolish Nowruz in favor of any other celebration.

Also, I think Nawruz celebrates a real, natural beginning something - i.e. springtime - more than the international/Western new year.

Event Summary: “Central Asia: Historical Legacies, Future Challenges”

Posted by James | in Development, Events, Uncategorized | on March 14th, 2006
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Dennis de Tray, the new Vice President of the Center for Global Development, gave a presentation on Tuesday, March 7, entitled “Central Asia: Historical Legacies, Future Challenges.� De Tray drew upon his experience as World Bank country director for the five Central Asian republics to outline the key obstacles to development facing Central Asia today.

De Tray’s presentation was based on an earlier presentation to World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. He joked that it held Mr. Wolfowitz’s attention for more than ten minutes, which is more time than he usually devotes to anything.

(more…)

Anonymous Blogging with Wordpress and Tor

ru.neweurasia.net - blogscan

Kyrgyz Migrants Run Away From Russia

November 17th, 2008

Mirsulzhan exemplifies the problems with migrants in Russia, who are now coming back to Kyrgyzstan due to the Financial Crisis, and insists that the crisis will hardly influence Kyrgyzstan (RUS).

What To Do With The Culture?

November 17th, 2008

Our Washington-based contributor Maksat Askerov is a student, who has moved to the U.S.A. this year, and he writes everything he sees and feels among the Kyrgyz youth there, about transformation of their culture, and questions if the Kyrgyz can proceed be a Kyrgyz everywhere, including America (KYR).

Tax Freedom Day In Kyrgyzstan

November 9th, 2008

Mirsulzhan liked the Adam Smith Institute’s Tax Freedom Day idea, and question, if we utilize this methodology in Kyrgyzstan, so what is the date when Kyrgyz citizens become working for themselves, not for the Government (RUS).

The Kyrgyz Opposition Has United?

November 4th, 2008

Mirsulzhan reports on and analyzes the Media Event of the Opposition, where they demonstratively united against the current Regime (KYR).

The Most Prestigious University - The Most Criticized One

November 4th, 2008

Mirsulzhan does not agree with Ishengul Boljurova, Minister of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, who thinks that AUCA does not meet any standards of quality education (RUS).

A Kingdom for a Horse

November 4th, 2008

Peter comments on the Turkmen president’s sudden enthusiasm for all things horse-related, which has prompted him to sign deals worth dozens of millions to build new racetracks across the country. (ENG)

PM without business = Businessman without associated “family”

November 1st, 2008

Mirsulzhan critisizes Kyrgyz PM Roza Otunbaeva’s statement, that a parliament member should not have a business (RUS).

Investor! Come and Feed Me! - The Another Tale On Energy Crisis&Reform

October 31st, 2008

Mirsulzhan analyzes the current state of the energy sector of the Kyrgyz Republic, shows modern trends, and criticizes terms of a tender on energy privatization, which creates heavy burden for each investor (KYR).

Chinese Information Expansion Or Diversification Of Information Channels?

October 30th, 2008

Mirsulzhan is surprized at reaction of Kyrgyz political scientists and journalists who believe that CCTV-9 might be a real information resource, which destroys information security of the nation (RUS).

Cracking Of a State Web-site

October 28th, 2008

Mirsulzhan publishes a screan-shot of a cracked State web-site, where hacker has written his critics against the Kyrgyz President (RUS).

Kyrgyzstan To Radically Change Its Army

October 27th, 2008

Mirsulzhan reports on the decision of the army commission to move from universal service to contract form of military duty (RUS).

Should We Learn The Formula Of Power Of Mr.Bakiev?

October 25th, 2008

Mirsulzhan announces about the premier of the TV-show “Formula Of Power” by Mihail Gusman, RTR-Planeta, where the main hero is Kurmanbek Bakiev (KYR), (RUS).

Russian Influence. The Kyrgyz Opposition Wants To Be a Friend

October 25th, 2008

Mirsulzhan analyzes reasons of the mysterious visit of Kyrgyz opposition leaders - Tekebaev, Sariev, Kekshenkulov and Omurkulov to Moscow this week, and questions if we could maneuver in geopolitics (RUS).

Soros-Kyrgyzstan On Stream Again

October 25th, 2008

Mirsulzhan congratulates the Kyrgyz branch of the Soros Foundation upon second wind, because this international NGO after a long thought and planning, has created a new strategy of work (RUS).

World Economic Freedom: Kyrgyzstan is a Leader

October 24th, 2008

Frazer Institute has published again its world economic freedom ranking, where Kyrgyzstan became one of the leaders on State Regulation of Economy among 141 countries, and outrunned Kazakhstan. Mirsulzhan questions, if Kyrgyzstan is praiseworthy (KYR).

21-Year Girl Became A Chairwoman of City Parliament Commission

October 24th, 2008

Breaking news! A 21-year student was appointed as a chairperson of the commission on economics, investment and external relations of the Bishkek city council today, October 24, - Mirsulzhan reports (KYR).

Kyrgyzstani Is Alive.

October 22nd, 2008

A citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic stayed alive after the aircrash in Koktobe, Kazakhstan, on October 19, 2008, reports Mirsulzhan.

Few Words About Abdijalil Nurpeisov

October 22nd, 2008

Nurgul Sulaimanova, a student of linguistics in Bishkek, analyses novel of Kazakh writer Nurpeisov, and compares it with statements of Ernest Hemingway (KYR).

Kyrgyzstanis Gathered In New York

October 22nd, 2008

Our Washington-based author Maksat Askerov has taken part at a meeting of Kyrgyzstanis in New York, where they have also talked to different public and political activists of Kyrgyzstan (KYR).

New Security Council Secretary is assigned

October 16th, 2008

Asel informs that new Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary is assigned (ENG).

Finding Kvas, and Kazakhstan, in Astana

October 7th, 2008

Molapse shares his travelogue impressions and photos from the trip to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan (ENG).

Re NurNabk and Rakhat Aliev

September 30th, 2008

Marat posts curious observations concerning the interrelation between the cost of Nurbank shares and political troubles of its former main shareholder Rakhat Aliev (RUS).

Pure theft

September 29th, 2008

Aba complains that his blog entry was illegally copied by the Russian separatist website, modified at their own discretion and reposted under his name (RUS).

Friday Photo: New landmark of Almaty

September 26th, 2008

Adam posts pictures of Esentai district, which will include Mariott hotel, residences, offices, retail etc - a projects that changed the Almaty cityscape (RUS, ENG)

New rules for cats and dogs

September 26th, 2008

Adam reports on the new rules that the Almaty city administration has introduced for those who own domestic animals and for those animals that do not have their owner (RUS).

Police brings charges against politicians

September 24th, 2008

Adam reports that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhsatn has brought criminal charges against four high-profile opposition leaders, accusing them of cover-up of a criminal (RUS).

Bicycle Lovers On a March

September 24th, 2008

Adam reports that amateur cyclists of Almaty together with the green movement are organizing a bicycle race in the Kazakhstan’s southern capital (RUS).

Re Stocks of Kazakhstani companies

September 23rd, 2008

Marat analyzes the trends of price of Kazakhstani companies that are listed on local and international stock markets (RUS).

Shell + KMG

September 22nd, 2008

Adam reports that Kazakhstan’s state oil-and-gas company KazMunaiGas would create a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell Plc to handle the production segment of the Kashagan oilfield (ENG).

Almaty Airport Update

September 22nd, 2008

Adam writes how the construction of new terminal of the Almaty airport goes, and posts several rendered pictures of its expected look (RUS).