Thursday, December 25, 2008

Holy Hunger in the Midst of Plenty Wins Emmy Awards

Three students in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication were honored in the Emmy Awards given by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The students—Stjepan Alaupovic, Jamie Murdick and Zabihullah Noori—won in the student production category for their documentary, “Holy Hunger in the Midst of Plenty,” which follows Muslim students at Arizona State University as they observe Ramadan, a month-long religious observance emphasizing prayers, fasting, charity and self-examination.

Click on the headline to read the full story on ASU Web site.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Mazar Residents’ Initiative Unify Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the Region

Residents of Mazar-e-Sharif city, Balkh province, have usually taken the lead in leadership, whether poetry, politics, music or religion.

In an initiative attempt to unify all the sectors of Islam, thousands of Muslims from both Shiite and Sonny sectors got together and offered their Friday prayer following one Imam.

“It is really is the true representation of Islam. You see people praying their hands tied side by side their Shiite brothers, who pray with their hands open,” Ghulam Hussain, a residence of Mazar said.

“We have a lot in common than in conflict. Islam invites every one for unity, and that is what we are doing today,” Said, Abdul Jamil, a resident of Mazar city.

This unity in Mazar-e-Sharif city takes place in such a critical time that according to Western media thousands of Muslims in other parts of the world are killing each other for different sectors of Islam.

“Islam is the faith of unity and peace. There are no sectarian preferences in Islam. Whoever kills a Muslim under any name or circumstances will not be forgiven in the Day of Judgment by Allah (God),” Said Mawlawi Qair.

Mazar residents also got credit for another unique initiative of providing space and allowing women to offer their prayers collectively in mosques.

Every Friday hundreds of women go to Shrine of Hazart-e Ali—the fourth Caliph of Islam and offer their Friday prayer alongside Muslim men.

This initiative soon spread out and reached to another province of Afghanistan. Residents of Herat province also replicated this positive action and allowed women to offer collective prayers in mosques.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Q&A about Public Relation and Journalism in Afghanistan

Andrea Aker, the creator of Aker Imprints, is a graduate student of Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University. I got to know her during my time at ASU.

She is an awesome writer and a very good friend. She conducted a quick Q&A with me about the PR and journalism in Afghanistan, which she posted in her blog.

Take a moment and visit Andrea Aker's Aker Imprints, and read the Q&A.