The number of people proclaiming their faith worldwide is growing. This is clearly so in the Islamic world. Whereas Europe's birthrate is stagnant, the Arab population is set to double in the coming decades, and the population will rise in many Asian Muslim-majority countries.

Dominating the games demonstrates to the Chinese the superiority of their system, analysts say. China's lavish preparations and hospitality show fellow Asian nations that it is a friendly power whose leadership in the region should be embraced, not feared, they say.

Iran's Soureh University will hold an Iranian student film week in the Netherlands in an attempt to expand cultural relations between the two countries. In a meeting held at Tehran's Art Bureau, President of Tehran's Soureh University Mohammad Roshan and the Dutch ambassador to Tehran Cees J. Kole discussed holding an Iranian student film festival in the Netherlands.

More than 300 students from 13 theatre schools of the Asia-Pacific region began brainstorming at the second Asia-Pacific Bureau Drama Schools Meet, an UNESCO-aided theatre promotion and world peace forum, at the National School of Drama (NSD) here Monday.

Craftswomen from countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to display their wares, demonstrate their skills and exchange designs and techniques under the guidance of designers, provided by Dastkari Haat Samiti.

Year long celebrations on the occasion of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China commenced here last night with a function held at Pak-China Friendship Centre at a colourful ceremony attended by a large number of Pakistanis and Chines nationals.

Since Korea’s success began as an entertainment exporter in the late 1990s, its music, television dramas, movies and video games have become popular among young people across Asia, a phenomenon often known as “Hallyu” or the Korean Wave.