After Libyan revolution, multi-cultural community torn apart
Ghadames, the "Pearl of the Desert," in Libya has been the
crossroads of cultures for centuries. Through that time,
different cultures lived in relative harmony. But when Libya's
revolution exposed divisions, it drove a wedge through this once
peaceful community. Walk though the covered alleyways of
Ghadames’ old town, along the whitewash houses of mud-bricks and
you find yourself in a sun drenched palm tree garden. Ghadames
is nicknamed the “Pearl of the Desert” — home to about 10,000
people. “Gorgeous isn’t it? Here you can see a very good example
of the mud bricks, they’re doing renovation,” a local tour guide
said. The town is a mix of many cultures, including Arabs and
ethnic Tuaregs. The two groups have lived together peacefully in
the town for centuries. But Libya’s revolution has driven a
wedge between them. See more photos from Ghadames at
TheWorld.org. Ghadames has been recognized as a United Nations
World Heritage site. Three countries in