More work for NGOs despite Arab spring clean
by Abdelhafidh Abdeleli, swissinfo.ch Swiss non-governmental organisations working in North Africa and the Middle East welcome changes underway in the region, but warn that not all problems will be solved. The NGOs say that while more democracy is on the cards, constitutional changes and more social justice are needed to […]
Women driving: Differentiate between luxury and need
By ALI AL-KHISHAIBAN | AL-RIYADH The acceptance or rejection of new ideas in Saudi society is subject to different criteria. These ideas have to go through cultural and social filters before they are accepted or rejected. An example would be riding bicycles, an idea rejected more than 50 years ago […]
Local muftis alone should issue fatwas
By ABDULLAH AL-JAMILI | AL-MADINAH Renowned scholar Sheikh Attieh Salim was one day delivering his religious lessons in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, when a man stood up and asked him a question that required fatwa (religious edict). Before answering, the sheikh asked the man: “Where are you from?” The […]
Protesters call for end to bloodshed in Syria
By Mohammad Ben Hussein AMMAN – The Islamist movement on Sunday held a protest in front of the Syrian embassy in Amman in solidarity with the popular uprising against the Baath regime in Syria. Several leaders from the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, joined activists […]
King outlines vision for Jordan’s future
AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday outlined the vision for Jordan’s political reform, which culminates in the formation of governments on the basis of parliamentary majority and political party manifestos. In his address to the nation yesterday, the King highlighted the importance of national unity, stressing that […]
China’s Interest in Farmland Makes Brazil Uneasy
URUAÇU, Brazil — When the Chinese came looking for more soybeans here last year, they inquired about buying land — lots of it.Even as Brazil, Argentina and other nations move to impose limits on farmland purchases by foreigners, the Chinese are seeking to more directly control production themselves, taking their […]
Egyptian authorities detain alleged Israeli spy
By SARAH EL DEEB CAIRO — An Egyptian security official says authorities have detained an alleged Israeli agent and are interrogating him on suspicion he tried to recruit protesters during the popular uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. The official said Sunday the alleged spy entered Egypt and posed as […]
Iraq says U.S. congressman, delegation not welcome in country By the CNN Wire Staff
Baghdad (CNN) — The U.S. Embassy in Iraq is distancing itself from statements made by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher that led to a government spokesman saying the congressman and his delegation are not welcome in the country. Embassy spokesman David Ranz issued a statement Saturday saying “congressional visitors do not necessarily […]
Fès: A festival of spirituality and music
By ASIF ISMAIL | GLOBAL INDIA NEWSWIRE The 17th World Sacred Music Festival kicked off June 3 in Fes, the charming Moroccan city of majestic hills and ancient walls, with a dazzling opera based on that eternal love story, Layla and Majnun. Under the artistic direction of the Morocco-reared and […]
Arabs should defeat Israeli plans
Israel is involved in a massive propaganda drive to counter Palestinians’ UN bid (winning recognition for their state). It is reported that secret cables have been sent to all Israeli embassies to exert maximum pressure on the countries they are in to thwart the international recognition of Palestinian state. Envoys […]
Saudi Arabia builds 500 houses for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka
By MD RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS RIYADH: Saudi Arabia handed over the keys of 500 houses of King Abdullah City for Sri Lanka’s tsunami victims, Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Abdul Aziz Al-Jammaz told Arab News from Colombo on Saturday. “We handed over the keys of the […]
4,600 Syrians flee to Turkey to escape turmoil
DAMASCUS (AFP) – Harrowing eyewitness accounts mounted on Saturday after Syrian forces backed by helicopter gunships killed at least 25 protesters, prompting the US to toughen its stance on President Bashar Assad. As the turmoil neared the three-month mark, the international outcry grew over Assad’s use of deadly force against […]
US mission in Iraq (a view from Jordan)
By Musa Keilani Tareq Al Hashemi, vice-president of Iraq,left Jordan after a three-day stay during which he shared with some media people his ideas about the future of his country, as well as his interpretation of the general pulse of the man in the Baghdad street. Hashemi’s Islamic background gave […]
Kosovo wants GCC, OIC help to counter offensive by Serbia
By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS RIYADH: Kosovo, Europe’s youngest nation with a predominant Muslim population, has sought the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for recognition of its independence amid reports of a staunch campaign launched by Serbia to […]
Aspects of Islamic Faith – 102: Islam abhors all types of injustice
By ADIL SALAHI The Prophet (peace be upon him) often highlighted certain aspects of unfair dealings in order to stress how repugnant they are from the Islamic point of view. Indeed Islam abhors all types of injustice, particularly when it is aimed at the weak and vulnerable. If one is […]
Women companions of Prophet Hamnah bint Jahsh: Woman of exceptional devotion
Hamnah belonged to a Makkan family with many members who were among the early companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Her mother was Umaymah bint Abd Al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) aunt, and her sister Zaynab was his wife whom he married by God’s order. Hamnah […]
Horseback Archery
A participant (left) showcases her archery skills at Jordan’s first International Horseback Archery Competition ‘Al Faris’ on Thursday. His Majesty King Abdullah and members of the Royal family attended the competition’s opening ceremony. Organised by the Public Security Department to mark the 12th anniversary of the King’s accession to the […]
Musa wants peace with Israel but not at any price
CAIRO (AFP) – The Arab League’s outgoing chief and Egyptian presidential candidate Amr Musa told French television on Thursday that he wants to work for peace between Israel and Palestinians but not at any price. “Egypt’s position will have to get back to a position of influence in the region […]
UNRWA: Palestinian unemployment rose in second half of 2010
By TOVAH LAZAROFF According to a study fromthe United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees, the number of jobless Palestinians is up to 25 percent. Palestinian unemployment went up in the second half of 2010, according to a study published Wednesday by the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees. The economic […]