Shakira Resents Prejudice Towards Middle East  11/5/05

Colombian pop sensation Shakira is proud of her Arab roots and resents those who assume it is a violent culture.

The 28-year-old singer's paternal grandmother is Lebanese - a heritage she is proud of.

Shakira now hopes she can re-educate the world through her music and dance.

She says, "I am very proud of my heritage. I think I have always shown that through my dancing because my acts are inspired by Arab culture. Many of my movements belong to Arab culture.

"There are many preconceptions out there. I think it is important to make it clear to the entire world that only a very small number of people in the Middle East are violent.

"It is very painful to see how there is a tendency to generalize. I think the world can't be that way."