A teenager who was born in Uzbekistan has become the first Muslim beauty contestant to be crowned Miss England. Hammasa Kohistani, 18, said she was “happy to make history” and was looking forward to representing England in the Miss World championships in China.

She was born in Tashkent, central Uzbekistan, after her parents were forced to flee Afghanistan. The brunette, who speaks six languages including Russian and Persian, was selected from 40 contestants.

She was crowned on Saturday night following the two-day competition at Liverpool’s Olympia Theatre. Dressed in an ivory white chiffon and silk ball gown designed and made by her mother, the teenager spoke of her joy at winning the title. “When they announced that I had won I thought I had misheard. I hoped they hadn’t, but it took a second to sink in.”

Asked about her feelings at being the first Muslim Miss England, she said: “I’m making history and I’m very happy. Hopefully I won’t be the last.” The student, who was known as Miss Maya after the Asian fashion house which sponsored her, has also been offered a part in a forthcoming Bollywood movie.

Since winning Miss England Hammasa has had TV interviews with Sky News and CNN and has appeared on GMTV and Lorraine Kelly Live. She has had innumerable press interviews and has appeared in national and international newspapers and magazines.

Members of the first Afghan parliamentary delegation visiting Canada spent a week in Ottawa meeting with Canadian officials, parliamentarians, NGOs, media and community representatives.

After attending as observers a session of the Question Period at the House of Commons of Canada the six-member delegation of Afghan women parliamentarians received a standing ovation by all members of the House after being recognized by the Speaker.

The delegation also attended a reception hosted by the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, at the Lester Pearson Building.

Afghan Women Law that Allows Marital Rape in Afghanistan

Source of this information is CNN: The government in Afghanistan plans to change a legislation that has invited a lot of criticism internationally, that allows the Shia Muslim married women to be raped and not allow them to refuse sexual intercourse with their husbands.

President Hamid Karzai said that he has consulted with the clergy and appropriate changes will be made. The legislation applies only to 20 percent of the Afghan population which constitutes of the Shia Muslims. The 270 pages legislation written by the Shia clergy supports marital rape.

Almost 500 hundred women from all parts of Afghanistan came out to protest the legislation. Women were pelted with stones and cursed, however, the police did nothing much to help. There were around 600 demonstrators who supported the legislation as well.

This legislation has been criticized by US President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and even German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Human rights activists have been trying to change this Shia law since a long time. It was one of the most controversial laws in Afghanistan, however, to change for good. Sigh of relief for Shia women.

This Valentine’s I Wish that You Were with Me

Perfect Valentine's Day greetings

This Valentine’s I wish that you were with me.
It’s lonelier than most days I’m alone,
Even though we’ll manage on the phone
To touch with words the face we cannot see.
You away are far more dear to me
Than anyone who might remain at home.
My love is in the places that you roam,
Being with you where I cannot be.
We do not choose the objects of our passion,
But passively await the holy fire
That immolates our past and lights our fate,
Twisting through the alleys of desire.
So I am yours, and will contented wait,
Allowing love my life and will to fashion.

Valentine’s Day wishes is all about greeting your Valentine the perfect way. Make sure you have the perfect words, poems, songs and quotes for your Valentine! Here we are presenting collection of best Valentine’s days Cards collected from Net:

Sadly, in relation to begging in India, there is often more than meets the eye. While the poverty is real, begging is quite often carried out in organized gangs. For the privilege of begging in a certain territory, each beggar must had over their takings to the gang’s ring leader, who keeps a significant share of it. Quite a bit of welfare work in India has been directed at reducing begging, with varying degrees of success.

Child Begging in India

The most common problem is that beggars are so used to begging that they actually prefer not to work. Many of them also make more money from begging that what they would if they did work. Most of beggars belongs to Afghanistan, Bangladesh & South East India.

Begging is most prevalent anywhere that there are tourists. This includes important monuments, railway stations, religious and spiritual sites, and shopping districts. In big cities, beggars will often be found at major traffic intersections as well, where they approach vehicles while the lights are red. If you want to give to beggars, only give 10-20 rupees at a time. Only give when you’re leaving a place, not arriving, to prevent being mobbed. Try to give to those who perform a service, such as small children who often dance or sing, or those that are elderly or crippled.