Happy Book Day!

Today is World Book and Copyright Day.  It is a day to celebrate the power of the written words and reflect on how books can connect people across the world, teach us about different cultures and traditions, and remind us of how much we have in common despite geographic boundaries, ethnic backgrounds, race, religion, or language.  

UNESCO offers a number of great resources  for all book lovers and aspiring book lovers around the globe.  

"Temporary Marriage" -- New Twist/Phrase for World's Oldest Profession

Men in certain Asian and African are purchasing wives, some as young as 9 years old, for the sole purpose of sex and without having to bear the obligations of spousal or child support that are part of traditional marriages.  The so-called “temporary marriages” can last as little as 15 minutes to as long as 99 years, depending on the wishes of the husband.  In societies where such “marriages” are permitted, men are allowed as many “temporary wives” as they so desire in addition to their permanent wife.

In essence, “temporary marriages” are state-sponsored prostitution.  They are sanctioned mostly by clerics in Muslim societies where the clerics administering the “marriage” receive payment from men in exchange for certificates of temporary marriage.  The men — both the clerics who administer and profit from them as well as the “grooms” who purchase mostly poor and vulnerable women and female children — are in total control.  The “brides” have no rights, no recourse in case of abuse or mistreatment, and no way out.   

You can read more about this horrifying practice here.

 


Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/what-world/2013/apr/15/temporary-marriages-are-growing-problem-india/#ixzz2QdVsR5rh
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Our Hearts and Thoughts are with People of Boston -- قلب و فکر ما با مردم شهر بوستون است

At least two explosions detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The explosion killed two people and injuring more than 80. According to the Associated Press, a senior U.S. intelligence official said two other explosive devices found nearby, but were being dismantled.

President Barack Obama, responding to the explosions at the Boston Marathon, says the United States does not know “who did this or why” but vowed that whoever is responsible “will feel the full weight of justice.”

He said: “We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable.”


دو انفجار پیاپی نزدیک خط پایان ماراتن دوی بزرگ بوستون، ٢ کشته و ۵۰ زخمی به جای گذاشت.
 
بعد از ظهر روز دوشنبه در حالی که مسابقه دوی بزرگی که با شرکت هزاران نفر در شهر بوستون در ایالت ماساچوستِ  آمریکا برگزار می شد، دو انفجار پی در پی سبب خرد شدن شیشه های چند ساختمان اطراف محل انفجار گرديد.

بلافاصله پس از این حادثه، اعلام شد که صدای مهیب این دو انفجار به فاصله سه دقیقه از یکدیگر به گوش رسیده، اما مقام های امنیتی و پلیس محلی اکنون می گویند این دو انفجار به فاصله ۱۵ ثانیه از یکدیگر روی داده اند.

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