Author Archives

Rafiq A. Tschannen

Rafiq A. Tschannen is a Swiss national. He converted to Islam and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the age of 16 after reading the German translation of the Holy Qur'an. He worked in 15 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, first as Finance Director in the private industry and later as Chief Executive Officer of NGOs and International Governmental Organizations. He is now devoting his time to The Muslim Times as Editor for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Switzerland and as Associate Chief Editor.

Kurdish diplomat cool to Israeli scheme

JERUSALEM: A Kurdish diplomat has played down the significance of Israeli advocacy of independence for her people, saying this was not coordinated with the autonomous Kurdish government in Iraq and may be intended to serve Israel’s interests. While acknowledging that Israel had sway in Washington, which wants to prevent a […]

Happy July Fourth

Source: CNN Moscow (CNN) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he hoped for better ties with the United States in a July Fourth message to his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama. The Independence Day wishes come at a time when relations between the two nations are at their lowest ebb […]

No peace in Palestine in 2014: As violence escalates, the hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis in 2014 has disappeared

Daoud Kuttab Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris professor of Journalism at Princeton University Even though the United Nations has declared 2014 as the year of solidarity with the Palestinian people, there are indications that this year will not bring the peace that Palestinians and Israelis […]

The Middle East: The tragedy of the Arabs : A civilisation that used to lead the world is in ruins—and only the locals can rebuild it

A THOUSAND years ago, the great cities of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo took turns to race ahead of the Western world. Islam and innovation were twins. The various Arab caliphates were dynamic superpowers—beacons of learning, tolerance and trade. Yet today the Arabs are in a wretched state. Even as Asia, […]

Examining the Professed Caliphate

Source: Stratfor The Islamic State, previously known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, has changed its name, but otherwise the militant group remains the same. Over the past weekend, a spokesman for the group announced that it had established a caliphate stretching from Diyala province, Iraq, to […]

A Chechen in Syria, the rising star of ISIS

Bassem Mroue| Associated Press DAILY STAR LEBANON BEIRUT: A young, red-bearded ethnic Chechen has rapidly become one of the most prominent commanders in Al-Qaeda splinter group ISIS that has overrun swaths of Iraq and Syria, illustrating the international nature of the movement. Omar al-Shishani, one of hundreds of Chechens who […]

Robert Fisk: Israeli teenagers' funeral: It is obscene when either side kills children – not only Palestinians In the end it’s all about the colonies Israel is building on Arab land

Three Israeli teenagers killed by Palestinians. Vicious, cruel, unforgivable. True. At least 37 Lebanese children killed by Israel. Regrettable, unfortunate, but the ultimate fault of “terrorists”. Untrue. The slaughter of the children at Qana in Lebanon in 1996 – among 109 civilians killed by Israeli shellfire as they sheltered in […]

Paternity test reveals ethical minefield

A decision by a chain of pharmacies to sell an over-the-counter DNA paternity test has provoked serious ethical concerns. Sun Store, which operates mainly in French-speaking Switzerland, has decided to sell the PATERtest in its larger stores. Although such do-it-yourself tests are available on the Internet, it is believed to […]