Global Voices Online

Nepal Monitor on the importance of democracy, and a “citizen's roadmap” to it.

Think Maldives blog informs that the presidential election of Maldives has gone to a second round as none of the candidates could get 50% of the vote. ArtWork predicts who will win in the runoff.

Bibek Paudal discusses the controversy regarding whether the new Maoist Prime Minister observed Dashain festivities (15 days long national festival of Nepal) or not. He reminds: “Dashain is a Nepalese festival, not a Hindu festival. Calling Dashain anything other than a social-cultural festival is undermining the many unique Nepalese elements it symbolizes.”

A Bangladeshi blogger Juboraj was refused visa from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ghana and denied to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia citing the reason that only citizens of selected countries (USA, EEU, Australia, UK etc.) are allowed to receive Saudi Visa from a third country. When he asked why Bangladeshis do not get the opportunity he got this reply from the counselor: “Because you are from Bangladesh. you are Miskin (beggars).”