World | Other World Stories
Palau Muslims await detainees' arrival
At the call to prayer, the men turn one by one down a narrow path through the jungle, marked only by a towering coconut tree.
- AP
- Published: 23:52 June 19, 2009
Koror, Palau: At the call to prayer, the men turn one by one down a narrow path through the jungle, marked only by a towering coconut tree.
Hidden at the end of the dirt track stands the sole mosque in Palau, the tiny Pacific nation that has agreed to take in a group of Chinese Muslim detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
For the small group of about 500 Muslims in this predominantly Christian nation, this is a spiritual sanctuary.
Most are workers from Bangladesh, who began landing on this remote archipelago over a dozen years ago, seeking better jobs and peace.
Reflecting local sentiment, they expressed mixed feelings yesterday about the expected arrival of 13 Guantanamo detainees.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
