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.
GCC countries are planning to launch a European-style Schengen visa by mid-2014 to allow Gulf-based expats and foreign businessmen to move easily across the borders of the six-member bloc. The GCC interior ministers are working on the details of the project, which many believe will boost tourism and trade in […]
By Scott Stewart STRATFOR Editor’s Note: The following is the first installment of a five-part series examining the global jihadist movement. Part 2 analyzes insurgent and terrorist theory. Part 3 defines the jihadist movement and evaluates its various elements. Part 4 looks at franchises and grassroots jihadists and Part 5 […]
An Al-Qaeda faction in Syria is committing appalling atrocities in areas under its control, Amnesty International said in a report Wednesday that urged the group to end its “reign of […]
“In Islam, the Holy Quran offers explicit direction to share resources beyond one’s requirements, and to care for the poor and those in need.” These are the words of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Aga Khan IV and spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, upon receiving the […]
In September, Zamboanga City in the Philippines was ravaged by an armed conflict between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the local government. The battle created tension between local […]
By Nicola Abé, Matthias Gebauer and Anders Somme Hammer SPIEGEL.DE Berlin is under pressure following the murder of a former Afghan interpreter who worked for the German army. The Taliban […]
by Abdelhafidh Abdeleli, swissinfo.ch December 18, 2013 – 11:00 Iraq has seen a massive escalation in violence since April 2013, when 50 people were killed by Iraqi security forces at […]
December 19, 2013 12:13 AM The Daily Star STORY SUMMARY The differences between American and European policies on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are often remarked on by analysts and politicians, who […]
December 18, 2013 12:23 AM By David Ignatius The Daily Star STORY SUMMARY Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that despite hitting a “snag” in nuclear negotiations last week, Iran was committed “100 percent” to reaching a comprehensive final agreement. Iranian concern was eased, Zarif said, after his contacts […]
STORY SUMMARY An Iraqi policeman gave his own life Wednesday in an attempt to protect Shiite pilgrims, embracing a suicide bomber just moments before an attack to shield others from […]
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE Published — Thursday 19 December 2013 WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia is prepared to act on its own to safeguard security in the region, the Saudi ambassador to Britain has said in a commentary published in the New York Times. Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf termed the West’s policies on […]
Source: ET A Policeman in Pakistan with unique mustache Refer:
(Reuters) – The Federal Reserve will decide on Wednesday whether the U.S. economyis finally resilient enough to withstand less policy support, or whether it is prudent to wait a bit longer. With the world’s financial markets on edge, the U.S. central bank wraps up a two-day meeting with a highly […]
Source: ET Helena Jornada and Thomaz Napolaéo’s images relate the duality of a modern culture absorbing facets of a centuries-old religion. PHOTOS: MYRA IQBALEXPRESS ISLAMABAD: Foreign diplomats tend to experience Pakistan through a curious and ambivalent lens, learning about its manifold nuances through an exchange of ideas with the local landscape […]
Source: CNN Last week, a federal judge in Utah struck down part of the state’s anti-polygamy law as unconstitutional, although he kept the ban on possessing more than one marriage license at a time. Fans of the “Sister Wives” reality TV stars, who filed the suit, are rejoicing in the news. […]
by Michael H. Jenkins, Demand Media Divorce is subject to strong restrictions in Islam. Divorce is a difficult subject, as it touches on sensitive emotional and financial issues, and varies widely between cultures and nations. In Islam, divorce is carefully governed by both scripture and tradition so as to protect […]
Source: CNN (CNN) — Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world, according to Transparency International’s latest survey, released Tuesday. More than two thirds of the 177 countries included in the 2013Corruption Perceptions Index scored below 50, where 0 indicates the country’s public sector is seen […]
STORY SUMMARY The US ambassador to Damascus has said a newly formed Islamist alliance in war-torn Syria has refused to meet with American officials, in an interview aired Wednesday on […]
By Christian Neef and Matthias Schepp SPIEGEL.DE In one of his many foreign-policy successes this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has used power politics and blackmail to bring Ukraine back […]
By JIM YARDLEY and JASON HOROWITZ NEW YORK TIMES ROME — Pope Francis moved on Monday against a conservative American cardinal who has been an outspoken critic of abortion and […]