Jakarta Eid Exodus and Busy Malls
Eid a time of Jubilation in the Muslim World: http://www.demotix.com/news/808176/eid-ul-fitr-exodus-out-indonesia http://www.demotix.com/news/807413/mall-jakarta-crowded-people-end-ramadan
Mataf expansion to accommodate 130,000 pilgrims
By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was given a presentation on the new project to expand the mataf (the circumambulation areas around the Holy Kaaba). The project, which will be completed in three years, will enable 130,000 pilgrims to perform tawaf (circumambulation) at a time. Higher […]
Group to pressure government on fate of Jordanians in Syrian jails
By Hani Hazaimeh, JORDAN TIMES AMMAN – Families of Jordanian prisoners in Syria, journalists and activists said they will launch a campaign to pressure the government to address Syrian authorities in hopes to uncover the fate of an estimated 253 Jordanians thought to be in Syrian jails, a statement issued […]
Despite ties to the Aga Khan, Perry has avoided broadly embracing Islam
By Mary Tuma, The American Independent A recent Salon article exploring the “surprisingly warm” relationship between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and the Muslim community leans on the Republican presidential candidate’s ties to the Aga Khan, religious leader of the Ismailis — a sect of Shia Islam — as evidence he […]
Banned: ‘Taliban Hunting Club’ badges worn by UK troops in Afghanistan
British soldiers in Afghanistan have been banned from wearing skull-and-crossbones badges on their uniforms that declare ‘Death To The Taliban’ and proclaim membership of a ‘Taliban Hunting Club’. The unofficial stick-on badges are now a cult accessory among British troops fighting Taliban insurgents. But senior Army officers visiting Helmand province […]
Baha Mousa report to clear army of systematic abuse
An unprecedented public inquiry into the conduct of British soldiers in Iraq is expected to contain damning criticism of senior army officers and their legal advisers, and highlight the failure of commanders to ensure orders were passed down. The inquiry’s report into the September 2003 death of Baha Mousa, a […]
British army faces further inquiries into alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners
The Baha Mousa report is not the only one to look into the question of the “systemic” abuse of Iraqi prisoners. A second inquiry is to open later this year, examining disputed allegations that up to 20 men were tortured and murdered in British custody after a gun battle in […]
Is Islam for Germany?
Source / Courtesy: Review of Religions On the 2nd Day of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany’s Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) on 25th June 2011, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), Khalifatul Masih V, Fifth Successor to the […]
The Iran sanctions fallacy
BY REZA MAARASHI, ALJAZEERA ENGLISH International sanctions have exacerbated the pain of the middle class struggling with high levels of unemployment. Iranians’ displeasure with their government is palpable and transcends demographics. Before the contested 2009 presidential election, few were satisfied with the government’s performance. Since then, this displeasure has only […]
Who funds Muslim-baiting in the US?
Source: Aljazeera English A new report details how a small group of donors and ‘intellectuals’ have pushed Islamophobia into the mainstream. It has been just about a decade since Islamophobia exploded in this country. That was of moment that the World Trade Center and Pentagon were hit by al Qaeda […]
Picture of the Day: Hurricane Irene
Courtesy / Source: CNN
Many young Indonesians identify themselves as Muslims first and Indonesians second
Indonesian Muslim youths keep faith amid reform According to a recent survey by Germany’s Goethe-Institute, the bulk of youths in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country share remarkably traditional values about faith and family, despite a decade of social and political change since the fall of the Suharto dictatorship. More than […]
Mass social protests resume across Israel
Tens of thousands gather across Israel for social justice marches; Noam Schalit: We are fighting for Gilad’s right to live. Tens of thousands of Israelis took part in several protests on Saturday night, as the social issues movement resumed in force. Rallies were held in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Rishon Lezion, […]
When Is a Martyr a Martyr?
Source: Qantara Ten years after the attacks of 11 September 2001, international media need an East–West consensus – and not just with regard to the usage of key terms. Common standards and ethical norms are indispensable for reporting in crisis situations. A commentary by Loay Mudhoon How can international […]
The Swiss guards
The term “Swiss Guard” is used to refer to a historical organization of elite Swiss mercenaries which were hired out to various European powers. The original Swiss Guard had a number of units, some of which went on to become quite famous, playing critical roles in European history. Today, only […]
Swiss Justice minister pushes for faster asylum system
Source: Swissinfo.ch Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga is determined to speed up the asylum procedure “massively”, despite criticism from the political left. In an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger and Bund newspapers on Saturday, Sommaruga, herself a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, spoke of reforms lasting many years. “Our asylum […]
Israel uses new methods of torture on Palestinians
by MOHAMMED MAR’I, ARAB NEWS RAMALLAH: A Palestinian human rights organization on Thursday said Israel has begun using new methods of physical and psychological torture against Palestinian and Arab prisoners. The Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners said in a press statement that the Israeli internal intelligence agency Shin Bet has […]
7 mosques in Haram area proposed to tackle rush
By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS JEDDAH: A former Makkah mayor has proposed the construction of seven vast mosques in prime locations within the Haram area in order to avoid the overcrowding of pilgrims and worshippers at the Grand Mosque. Speaking to Al-Madinah Arabic daily, Fouad Muhammad Tawfik said […]
Conclusion of Qur’an recitation at Haram tonight
By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS MAKKAH: Over 2 million pilgrims and visitors will watch the Khatm Al-Qur’an (conclusion of the recitation of the Holy Qur’an) Sunday night at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The Holy Qur’an, which is recited during taraweeh prayer, is usually read […]
Aqaba, Dead Sea hotels fully booked for Eid holidays
By Khetam Malkawi, Jordan Times AMMAN – Hotels in Aqaba and at the Dead Sea are packed for the Eid Al Fitr vacation, with Jordanians and Arab Israelis topping the list of customers. Hotels in both areas reported 100 per cent occupancy rate for the August 30-September 2 holiday marking […]