Sunday, August 23, 2009 WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has issued a special Ramadan message to the Muslim World, expressing hope for a more peaceful and secure world. In a video message to Muslims, Obama said the US was committed to keeping its pledge to build a safer world, end the Iraq war and isolate violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "All of these efforts are part of America's commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect," Obama said in the message posted on the White House website. "And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world." "We are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure," he said. Obama also mentioned the common Muslim-Christian principals and rituals, saying that people of the both faiths are in search of "advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." He said that the US would help recognize the rights of Israelis and Palestinians for them to live in peace and security. Since taking his oath of office in January, Obama has tried to reconcile US relations with the Muslim World, which were soured after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 20003. The US President visited Turkey and Egypt, telling both Muslim audiences that "America is not - and never will be - at war with Islam." Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, is a time for Muslims to fast from dawn to sunset and focus on their faith, self-accountability and self-restraint. Muslims believe it was in this month that the first verse of the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH).
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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