Baghdad – Iraq suicide killers

Posted by ideviate on Feb 1, 2010 in News, Politics | 6 comments

Baghdad (Arabic: بغداد‎ Baġdād, Persian: بغداد) , meaning “Given by God (in Persian)”, is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is coterminous. Having a municipal population estimated between 5 and 7.5 million, it is the largest city in Iraq and one of the two largest in the Arab World (including Cairo). Located on the River Tigris, the city dates back to the 8th century and was once the centre of the Muslim world [1].

Baghdad was founded in the 8th century following an Arab victory over a larger Persian army. Baghdad was the seat of the Abbasid caliphate from the 9th to the 13th centuries. During this era, it became the center of Islamic learning and international trade. Modern Iraqis proudly look back to this period as the golden age of Islamic civilization. Baghdad was one of the three seats of provincial Ottoman rule, and was maintained as a Sunni buffer against the Shia Safavid Empire in Iran. With more than 5 million people, Baghdad is the largest and most diverse city in Iraq. It is approximately 70% Shia. It is home to many important religious and cultural sites dating to the Abbasid period, including shrines of great Imams such as Sheik al-Ghailani, who established the Sufi order al-Qadiriya, and Imam al-A’dham, who developed Islamic jurisprudence [2].

Haiti Earthquake

Posted by ideviate on Jan 31, 2010 in News | 17 comments

Haiti (pronounced /ˈheɪtɪ/; French Haïti, pronounced: [a.iti]; Haitian Creole: Ayiti, Haitian Creole pronunciation: [ajiti]), officially the Republic of Haiti (République d’Haïti ; Repiblik Ayiti) is a Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago. Ayiti (land of high mountains) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the mountainous western side of the island. The country’s highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. Haitian Creole and French are the official languages.[Wikipedia Haiti Page]

Michael C. Hall – Dexter Morgan – Cancer

Posted by ideviate on Jan 25, 2010 in Health, Magazine, News | 10 comments

Michael C. Hall is 38 years old. He’s at the top of his profession. His role as Dexter Morgan has brought him acclaim, awards and fame. Dexter Morgan maybe a killer by night but in real life he is currently battling cancer. Michael C. Hall, 38, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Umida Akhmedova photojournalist in Uzbekistan facing criminal charges of insult

Posted by ideviate on Jan 25, 2010 in Art, News | 5 comments

Pictures taken by an Uzbek photographer may land her in jail.

Umida Akhmedova, a prominent photojournalist in Uzbekistan, is facing criminal charges of insulting the Uzbek people. The charges stem in part from a 2007 album of photography depicting life in Uzbekistan’s villages. Here is a slide show featuring images from the album. 

Umida Akhmedova, the Uzbek [EN] documentary photographer, has been accused of insult and slander against Uzbek people and traditions, reports Fergana.ru [EN]. The maximum penalty for these charges includes remedial work on two up to three years or detention for up to six months.