For the first time:Yemen Photographic Exhibition in Singapore [Archives:2004/767/Last Page]
Irena Knehtl
[email protected]
For the Yemen Times
Singapore – From the 10th- 14th August 2004, Singapore held the First Yemen Photographic Exhibition. The exhibition which was the first of its kind in South-East Asia and was jointly organized by the Arab Association in Singapore and the Yemeni Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and was shown at the Geylang East Community Library. The Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia Dr. Ahmed Salem Al-Washishi flew in for the occasion and also officially opened the Exhibition. In his speech he stressed the historical relations between Yemen and Singapore. The Yemeni Ambassador said that this exhibition is an example resulting from fruitful bilateral cooperation between Yemen and Singapore, which has its roots in the history when our grandfathers came to Singapore.
The Yemeni Ambassador further pointed to the broad possibilities of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, in all fields including tourism. The exhibition in Singapore is also within the framework of Sana'a the Arab Culture capital festivities. From the Singaporean side the guests of honor included Mr. Yatiman Jusuf, Senior Parlimentar Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Art.
The photographic exhibition highlights places of interest in Yemen. “We want to create an awareness about Yemen in Singapore”, says Zahra Aljunid, the Manager of Geylang East Community Library in Singapore. Zahra, whose ancestry goes back to Hadramawt in Yemen, had, on an earlier visit to Yemen, personally selected the places of interest and also prepared and supervised all very beautiful and tastefull presentations.
Explore the Geyland East Community Library web site: www.nlb.gov.sg
ABOUT SINGAPORE
Singapore is an independent republic in Southeast Asia comprising of one main island and about 50 small adjacent islands off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The main island, Singapore Island, is separated from Malaysia on the north by the narrow Johore Strat and is linked by road and rail to the Malaysian city of Johor Baharu. On the south, Singapore Island is separated from Indonesia Riau Archipelago by the Singapore Strait, and an important shipping channel linking the Indian Ocean to the west with the South China Sea on the east. The main island is densely populated, especially in the south central portion, where the central business district and main port are located. About three-quarters of the people of Singapore, known as Singaporeans, are Chinese, but there are significant Malay, Indian and Arab minorities. Since becoming an independent republic in 1965, multiethnic Singapore has maintained political stability and high economic growth. Singapore is Southeast Asias most important seaport, financial center, and manufacturing hub, and its citizens enjoy one of the worlds highest standards of living. In 2002 the GDP was estimated at USD 87 billion, or 20.890 per capita, among the highest per capita GDP in the world. The economy is centered around services, notably financial and business services. Much of the country's trade involves the transshipment of goods produced in the region. Singapore's port is the busiest in the world in terms of shipping tonnage. Major exports are electronics products, machinery and transportation equipment, and refined petroleum products.
The total area of Singapore, including the main island and all the islets is 685.4 sq km. More than 85% of Singapore island is built up for residential, commercial, and industrial use. One of the islands larger remaining tracts of undisturbed rain forest is protected in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. About half its water must be imported from Malaysia through an aqueduct that runs under the causeway linking Singapore and Johor Baharu. Singapore has a population of 4,767,974, a labor force of 2 million. Women make up 39% of all workers, 74% of the total labor force is employed in the service sector in industries such as banking, finance, retail and tourism.
Singapore's cultural life reflects its past colonial administration and the country's diverse population. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab and British influences are apparent in Singapore's art, architecture, and fine arts. The Islamic architecture is represented in the ornate Shuang Lin Temple, the Sri Mariamma Temple, and the Sultan Mosque. Singapore's National Museum complex consists of one museum devoted to the contemporary art of Southeast Asian cultures, and another to the history of Singapore.
Singapore is Southeast Asias third most important tourist destination after Malaysia and Thailand, during 2002 some 7 million tourists visited Singapore.
Singapore is developing as a global hub of information and communication technology, and telecommunications is a vital aspect of the economy. Personal use of computers and mobile communications devices is high in Singapore, and about half of all homes are connected to the internet.
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