November 23, 2004 edition
The appearance of Islam in China has a lengthy history, dating back to the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. This period was contemporary with the first generation of the followers of Prophet Muhammad, who died in AD 632. These Hui Muslims were mostly traders who came into contact with Arabs, Persians, and Indians along the Silk Road. Dozens of mosques constructed in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Cang'an—now known as Xi'an—were happily constructed with blood, sweat and tears. Today, Islam has a strong presence in Xi'an, supported by a harmony of small businesses, tourism, and a tradition of Tai Chi.
Here is a travel report made in early September by Wahyu Muryadi from Tempo, who explored the ancient dream cities of the emperors.
The appearance of Islam in China has a lengthy history, dating back to the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. This period was contemporary with the first generation of the followers of Prophet Muhammad, who died in AD 632. These Hui Muslims were mostly traders who came into contact with Arabs, Persians, and Indians along the Silk Road. Dozens of mosques constructed in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Cang'an—now known as Xi'an—were happily constructed with blood, sweat and tears. Today, Islam has a strong presence in Xi'an, supported by a harmony of small businesses, tourism, and a tradition of Tai Chi.
Here is a travel report made in early September by Wahyu Muryadi from Tempo, who explored the ancient dream cities of the emperors.
Read More
More Intermezzo articles in other editions
November 9, 2004 edition
FRESH air was blowing in Vietnam, 1986. The country, torn by protracted war, decided to launch doi moi—perestroika Vietnam-style. Various doors, closed since the war, have now been opened with ‘lubricants’ added: deregulation, land reform, and a revived business climate. This step is expected to go a long way in changing the face of Vietnam. Is it true that doi moi has become an effective formula to change Vietnam, which is dubbed Asia’s ‘little dragon’? Here is a travel report from Tempo’s Mardiyah Chamim, who visited Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, last month.
FRESH air was blowing in Vietnam, 1986. The country, torn by protracted war, decided to launch doi moi—perestroika Vietnam-style. Various doors, closed since the war, have now been opened with ‘lubricants’ added: deregulation, land reform, and a revived business climate. This step is expected to go a long way in changing the face of Vietnam. Is it true that doi moi has become an effective formula to change Vietnam, which is dubbed Asia’s ‘little dragon’? Here is a travel report from Tempo’s Mardiyah Chamim, who visited Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, last month.
Read More
October 26, 2004 edition
THERE was a time when the company, then called PT Inti Indorayon Utama, was branded by the local community as a polluter of the environment. The technology it used in its operation was not environmentally friendly. Today, the company, which has since been renamed PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), is operating with a “new paradigm.” Located at Desa Sosor Ladang, Kecamatan Porsea, in the North Sumatra district of Toba Samosir, it’s now operating under new management with technology that is friendly to the environment—no longer running a rayon-producing facility believed to be the main source of pollution in the area.
THERE was a time when the company, then called PT Inti Indorayon Utama, was branded by the local community as a polluter of the environment. The technology it used in its operation was not environmentally friendly. Today, the company, which has since been renamed PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), is operating with a “new paradigm.” Located at Desa Sosor Ladang, Kecamatan Porsea, in the North Sumatra district of Toba Samosir, it’s now operating under new management with technology that is friendly to the environment—no longer running a rayon-producing facility believed to be the main source of pollution in the area.
Read More
October 5, 2004 edition
FOUR centuries ago sailors from Makassar in South Sulawesi landed on Marege on the northern coast of Arnhem Land in what is now Australia’s Northern Territory. The men, braving the seas in their traditional sailboats known as padewakang, came to gather sea cucumbers and in the process associate with the aborigines, binding the culture, language, and tradition of two peoples of different racial and historical origin.
It’s been almost a century since the last padewakang lay anchor off the coast of Arnhem Land in 1907, leaving traces which still can be found on its shores. Tempo’s Endah W.S. visited Arnhem Land last August to record the legacy left by the intrepid sailors from Makassar in Australia and filed this report:
FOUR centuries ago sailors from Makassar in South Sulawesi landed on Marege on the northern coast of Arnhem Land in what is now Australia’s Northern Territory. The men, braving the seas in their traditional sailboats known as padewakang, came to gather sea cucumbers and in the process associate with the aborigines, binding the culture, language, and tradition of two peoples of different racial and historical origin.
It’s been almost a century since the last padewakang lay anchor off the coast of Arnhem Land in 1907, leaving traces which still can be found on its shores. Tempo’s Endah W.S. visited Arnhem Land last August to record the legacy left by the intrepid sailors from Makassar in Australia and filed this report: