-
The Colorful Heritage of Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap Neighborhood
In the Islamic world in recent years, “Islamic finance” operating in accordance with religious norms has flourished. Such financial institution loans do not charge interest and are invested in accordance with Shariah principles. In addition to religious reasons, many Muslims also give priority to financing through this method when buying a house because of the interest-free benefits. There are also many “Shariah housing” products in the real estate market, and the process from house design to purchase is carried out in accordance with Shariah principles. South Africa is not an Islamic country, but has a Muslim population of more than 800,000. A large South African bank has also launched an…
-
Bali’s Changing Landscape: A Tourist Paradise in Turmoil
My sister lives in the picturesque island of Bali, famed for its natural splendour and cultural uniqueness. Of late, she notes, the island has seen an influx of Russians, real estate speculators and digital nomads, while soaring property prices, exacerbated by the post-pandemic economic downturn, have profoundly impacted locals. Here is her account. I came to Bali in 2016 to study hotel management. A hotel recruiting Chinese staff who spoke Mandarin piqued my interest, and so I ventured here. My flight arrived in the dead of night amid the rainy season, and the hotel I was to work in perched atop a mountain. The journey was faintly lit, imbuing the…
