It hurts that per capita GDP in Kyrgyzstan, population 5.3 million, is less than one-tenth of the level in Kazakhstan, its oil-rich neighbour to the north.

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 17 (UNHCR) - Violence in southern Kyrgyzstan has forced an estimated 300,000 people to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere in the country. This is in addition to some ...

By comparison, neighboring Kazakhstan -- a country with nearly three times the population of Kyrgyzstan -- has only 12 state madrasahs, including three for girls and women.