Dubai is home to over 200 nationalities and as a truly vibrant global city it has begun to attract the world's greatest artistic and cultural assets. Other than the emergence of a new Arab art Renaissance the city is increasingly attracting contemporary artists, especially from neighboring Iran and South Asia, as its exhibition venues continue to multiply. Pakistan's successful participation in the premiere Middle Eastern art fair 'Art Dubai' has introduced art from this region to audiences there. Sharing religious and cultural affinities with counterparts in Dubai is an obvious facility and commonality that is encouraging our artists to follow art developments there with a keen interest. And the changing focus of art marketing with emphasis on the Asian region is another important occurrence that is boosting Pakistani art in the Middle East.

Among the current developments The Universal Museums Project is a significant happening that will make a positive contribution towards consolidation of the arts in Dubai. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) has announced the Berlin State Museums, Bavarian State Collections of Paintings in Munich and Saxonian State Museums and Art Collections in Dresden, three internationally-renowned museums, will establish a physical presence at 'The Universal Museums' project in Dubai, recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

In addition to establishing their physical presence, the three museums will work alongside the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to implement various joint initiatives, including exhibitions and conferences related to the fine arts and world cultures. The museums will also promote exchange of expertise in scientific and restoration work and education programmes, displaying rare and contemporary works of art from around the world.

The German Federal Museums in Berlin (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin) comprise one of the largest museum complexes in the world. Encompassing sixteen museums with numerous branches at different sites in Berlin and in Germany, three research institutes and the biggest plaster cast workshop worldwide, they constitute a Universal Museum of Art from its beginnings to the present day.

The unique collections of the Federal Museums in Berlin embrace the areas of European, Islamic, Asian, African and American art, archaeology, and ethnology. Since the re-unification of the divided German nation in 1990, the Federal Museums in Berlin is carrying out a master plan for in-depth reorganisation and an ambitious extension of the current locations.

Dr. Peter Klaus Schuster, Director General of the Federal Museums in Berlin, said: "The Federal Museums in Berlin is honoured to generate together with the museums in Dresden and Munich a comprehensive cosmos of the arts with our new partner, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The United German Museums Berlin - Dresden - Munich wants to realize this challenging museum project in an international dialogue with museums in London, New York, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Beijing. Within the very next years, Dubai will become an international museum and exhibition centre for all genres from antiquity up to contemporary art."

With almost 30,000 works of art, the Bavarian State Collections of Paintings in Munich form one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. The rich holdings cover a span from the 14th century to contemporary art and are largely the result of the collecting activities of the Royal House of Bavaria. These treasures are now exhibited in Munich's three major art museums the Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne as well as in 13 branch galleries all over Bavaria. Dr. Reinhold Baumstark, Director General of the Bavarian State Collections of Paintings, said: "Looking back over almost five hundred years of collecting in Bavaria it will be exciting to take part in helping shape Dubai into a major centre for the art of the world. We are proud to share in the near future masterpieces from Munich with an audience in Dubai; a country that boasts a truly global stage."

The Saxonian State Museums & Art Collections in Dresden are among the most important, oldest museums and existing treasures, embodying a history of over 450 years. Comprising 11 museum institutions, they offer a thematic diversity that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Their Old Masters Picture Gallery showcases the masterpieces of world-famous painters of the 16th to 18th centuries, including Raffael, Titian, Vermeer, Rembrandt and Rubens. The Porzellansammlung is the largest and most precious collection of porcelain outside of Asia and showcases a great wealth of the famous Meissen porcelain which was invented in Dresden 300 years ago. The Saxonian Museum Dresden also boast the only existing treasure chamber - The Green Vault - consisting of around 3,000 masterpieces made of gold, silver, diamonds and pearls. It was created as a synthesis of arts in the Baroque style, an expression of wealth and power.

"One of the most important tasks and challenges we face is to safely hand over the precious collections, preserved for over a hundred years, to the future generations," stated Dr. Martin Roth, Director General of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

"It is an honour and responsibility that our children will share this cultural heritage on a global scale through such a strategic and far sighted initiative. We hope to achieve this monumental feat through partnerships such as the cooperation between Dubai and Germany."

'The Universal Museums' will be located in the recently-launched Khor Dubai area, a 27 kilometre long project stretching from Shindagha to Business Bay, alongside the area's museums, performances spaces, artist ateliers, and galleries. The combined attractions of these matchless institutions will draw local, regional and international 'cultural tourists,' in addition to the thousands of visitors who already flock to the emirate each year.

Democracy in Muslim Societies

Edited by Zoya Hasan

Published by: Sage Publication

India (Pvt) Ltd, New-Delhi, India

Price: Rs 550 Pp: 266

Democracy, has taken all the newly-freed countries by a storm. The book under review "Democracy in Muslim Societies" sheds some light on how democracy affected the Muslim societies.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi, has initiated a programme which analyses the dynamics of change in the Muslim societies situated in the neighbourhoods of India. ORF's main objective is to identify the democratic forces at work and the impact they may have on the future developments in the Muslim societies. The ORF has a public policy which aims to build a healthy and prosperous environment.

This particular research on contemporary Muslim societies has been accomplished through the efforts of the editor of the book, Zoya Hasan, with the aid of some additional contributors.

According to Zoya Hasan, after the tragedy of 9/11 and its aftermath, everyone around the globe was highly concerned about Muslim politics. The shattering events in New York provoked a number of questions about Islam and the Muslim world. George W. Bush's description of the attack on the World Trade Centre suggested a clash between militant intolerance. The pluralist liberal free world raised questions about the compatibility of Islam with democracy and the democratic norms in several Muslim societies.

In Asia it can be proven that democracy can indeed work in different settings. The success of India's democracy acclaimed as worlds largest and true democracy shows that democracy can work, provided there is an emphasis on pluralism and equality.

For a number of reasons, one needs to be wary of discussing Muslim societies and politics in the abstract and as a part of a unitary system called the world of Islam. The 54 Muslim countries have a variety of economic and political systems. The picture is complicated by the fact that very few Muslim countries actually follow the teachings of Islam in the legislation.

The Muslims of South Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh included) account for about forty percent of the Muslim world. Islam in these parts is even today qualitatively different.

The majority of Muslims reside in the Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. What is generally conceived of as the "Islamic heartland" in the Arabian Peninsula is in fact, home to a minority of the Ummah. Even within the Middle East, the largest concentration of Muslims is in Iran and Turkey, rather than the Arab World. As a gift of colonialism, English, French and Russian are more widely understood across the Muslim world than their own languages.

In a number of Muslim majority countries namely, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey – all of them outside the Arab world have political parties of two kinds: Islamic oriented and non-Islamist parties.

The most populated Muslim country Indonesia has had secular governments since its independence in 1949, with a religious opposition that is minute, although it is growing gradually.

The Islamic republic of Iran provides a very complex case for any assessment of democracy and human rights. Iran adheres officially to Islam. Iran's politics is going through a transitional change which is causing contradictions and instabilities to the country. The Islamic republic of Iran has been experimenting with democracy for two decades now, but the present state of political and civil rights in Iran is a far cry from a democratic political system. The electoral laws remain restrictive in Iran, excluding 'non-desirable' candidates from political offices. Legal and institutional mechanisms for protecting civil rights remain absent or undeveloped.

By comparison, Turkey is not an Islamic state. Its experience with democracy has been considerably progressive towards the consolidation of democracy. Turkey is often considered a distinctive case by Islamic scholars because of its long history of secular nationalist ideology, and the Turkish campaign against Islamic institutions, early in the 20th century.

Indonesia stands among the world's newest democracies. Muslims constitute 88 percent of its total population. Muslims and Islam play a less prominent role in the country's public life, politics and economy than their numbers alone would lead one to expect.

In neighbouring country, Malaysia, which has just over 50 percent Muslims, Islam is the official religion of the state, yet it does not enjoy the same status in Indonesia, which gives equal recognition to Islam and four minority religions (Christianity – Catholic and Protestant, Hindusim and Buddhism).

Malaysia has long been viewed as a moderate Islamic country. Muslims and non-Muslims have enjoyed the same civil rights and Islamic parties have competed alongside secular parties in periodic elections.

Pakistan has experienced periods of procedural democracy in which national elections were held, yet democratic consolidation has remained elusive. Pakistan's political factions have often found it difficult to co-operate with one another or to submit to the rule of law.

The book explores the character of the political transformation and democratic moves in the Asian Muslim countries, and comes to the conclusion that there is no fundamental incompatibility between Islam and democracy in these countries.

Zoya Hasan is a Professor at the Centre for political studies, Jawaharla Nehru University, New Delhi and is the author of several other books. The other contributors are Adriana Elisabeth, a senior researcher at Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Jakarta, Indonesia; Abdul Rahman Embong, professor of sociology of Development and Principal Research Fellow University Kebangasaan, Mohammad Waseem, professor of Political Sciences, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)and Sadegh Zibakalam, associate professor at Tehran University, Iran and many other renowned contributors.

This is your life

Russell Crow (Biography)

By Tim Ewbank and Stafford Hildred

Published by: Andre Deutsch

Price: Rs. 750 (Paperback) Pp: 288

Sharon Stone described him as the sexist actor in the world; Richard Harris said he was carved from the same mould as Peter O' Toole, Albert Finney and himself; while Denzel Washington swallowed his spit before giving him thumbs up for the role of SID 6.7.

Russell Crowe's journey to the top of Hollywood's A-list is a story of incredible drive and talent. His powerful performance in LA Confidential, The Insider and Gladiator were the turning point of his acting career, earning him two Oscar nominations and one win, along with major stardom.

But who is the real Russell Crowe? Is he the virile Maximus or the introvert Jeffrey Wigand or the sadistic SID 6.7 … Renowned biographers Tim Ewbank and Stafford Hildred discuss the rise and rise of the Oz actor who proved his mettle against the best to become the very best!

This biography traces Russell's life from playing an orphan in the Australian TV series Spyforce to A Good Year in 2006. It also brings to fore how he became an A-list actor commanding $25 million per film from his simple roots in New Zealand.

The book also tells us why Russell Ira Crowe, born on April 7th, 1964 in Wellington, New Zealand was different from his cricket playing cousins Jeff and Martin, who went on to lead Black Caps. He had cinema in his blood since his maternal grandfather, Stan Wemyss, was an award-winning cinematographer during World War 2, while his own parents - mother Jocelyn and father Alex - were established set caterers.

Russell's ascent is not just an ordinary rise. It had its ups and downs, tragic and happy moments and no one including Russell himself knew he would go onto attain heights others only dream of. The best thing about this biography is that it is written so well that no body – be it a Russell Crowe fan or not – would get bored at all. It metaphors Russell's character Cort in The Quick and The Dead with his struggle excellently …

On the point of being hanged by a noose looped over a beam in the saloon bar by Herod, Cort is saved by Ellen, who expertly shoots through the rope. Later, she rescues him from a savage beating.' But before there was Russell Crowe the actor, there was Russ Le Roq, an upcoming musician who forayed into music only to be pushed back by tough competition. The moment he excelled in acting, Russell threw of his Russ Le Roq image and combined his rare talent, sex appeal and charisma to become an actor in the class of Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen – tough, classy and who always have there way.

In an uncertain art market art buyers and sellers needs to tread carefully. Market pundits are expecting upsets due to global recession and once a downturn begins, prices can tumble quite quickly and sharply. Market analysts are suggesting important tips for art enthusiasts to keep in mind when deciding whether to buy or sell in today's market:

1. Quality is key. Dazzling works by renowned artists -- from Picasso to Warhol -- will be valuable, even if prices drop.

However, "if you are not an owner of a major work by the right artist, you are likely to find few takers," says Petterson, Managing Dir Art Tactic. "The art market has narrowed its focus, and what we see in auction today is a much more blue-chip contemporary art, or exceptional, rare pieces. It is this quality supply which holds the market up."

2. Contemporary pieces are especially hot in today's market. (That means works produced in recent decades, rather than centuries.)

The outlook is strongest for works from the 1950s through the 1970s by Western artists who had "strong curatorial and art historic support, but [were] neglected by the market," Petterson says.

Some top names from 2007 and 2008 auctions so far: Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, Mark Rothko, Takashi Murakami, Gerhard Richter, Robert Rauschenberg and, of course, Pablo Picasso, among many others.

3. Works by emerging artists are less expensive and have room to appreciate. For instance, many Chinese artists have seen the value of their work increase tenfold over the past few years.

Among rising stars in the Chinese realm are Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Zeng Fanzhi and Chen Yifei, whose works recently set personal records near or below $5 million.

Petterson also suggests honing in on areas like India, Pakistan, the Middle-East and South-East Asia.

4. Beware of the speculative bubble.

Those who have been buying up "cheap" works of art for tens of thousands of dollars and selling them quickly at a relatively high profit may not be able to do so much longer. Auction houses have become more selective and such "exceptional price levels are starting to look like ceiling prices," according to Artprice.com's 2007 market review.

5. Pick the right middleman.

The winter evening settles down

With smell of steaks in passageways.

Six O'clock.

The burnt-out ends of smoky days.

And now a gusty shower wraps

The grimy scraps

Of withered leaves about your feet

And newspapers from vacant lots;

The showers beat

On broken blinds and chimney-pots.

And at the corner of the street

A lonely cab-horse steams and stamps.

And then the lighting of the lamps.

II

The morning comes to consciousness

Of faint stale smells of beer

From the sawdust-trampled street

With all its muddy feet hat press

To early coffee-stands.

With the other masquerades

That time resumes,

One thinks of all the hands

That are raising dingy shades

In a thousand furnished rooms.

III

You tossed a blanket from the bed.

You lay upon your back, and waited:

You dozed, and watched the night revealing

The thousand sordid images

Of which your soul was constituted;

They flickered against the ceiling.

And when all the world came back

And the light crept up between the shutters

And you heard the sparrows in the gutters,

You had such a vision of the street

As the street hardly understands;

Sitting along the bed's edge, where

You curled the papers from your hair,

Or clasped the yellow soles of feet

In the palms of both soiled hands.

IV

His soul stretched tight across the skies

That fads behind a city block,

Or trampled by insistent feet

At four and five and six O'clock;

And short square fingers stuffing pipes,

And even newspapers, and eyes

Assured of certain certainties,

The conscience of a blackened street

Impatient to assume the world.

I am moved by fancies that are curled

Around these images, and cling:

The notion of some infinitely gentle

Infinitely suffering things.

Wipe your hand across your mouth, and laugh;

The worlds revolve like ancient women

Gathering fuel in vacant lots.