Human rights commission says Pakistan failing Shias, Ahmadis, Christians
The Human Rights Commission at the launch of its annual report, State of Human Rights in 2017 — dedicated to the late activist Asma Jahangir says people continue to […]
Al-Azhar Mosque shines after years-long restoration | Ahram Online
by ismailimail Posted on March 8, 2018 In the Al-Hussein quarter in Islamic Cairo, the historic Mosque and University of A-Azhar stands welcoming worshippers, students and visitors. The mosque, like […]
Saudi Arabia and Iran are jostling for control over the Middle East – and it could turn into all-out war
The only way we can prevent global consequences from a regional conflict between Riyadh and Tehran is if we begin treating their countries the same Paddy Ashdown There used to saying in the Middle East: “If a dog barks in the Middle East, British intelligence is behind it.” Replace the word […]
Iran vying for leadership of Shi’ites in Iraq
Reuters International This content was published on November 7, 2017 2:52 PMNov 7, 2017 – 14:52 Shi’ite worshippers place copies of the Koran on their heads during Ramadan at the […]
Malaysia: Sabah bans Hizbut Tahrir, Shiah, Ahmadiyya… also liberalism, pluralism
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 8 — The Sabah state fatwa council has today banned 16 “deviant teachings”, which not only included hardliners Hizbut Tahrir and the minority Shiites and Ahmadis, but also “liberalism” and “pluralism”. Assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Ariffin Arif said the 16 teachings were […]
Politics divides societies – not religion, sect or tribes
Source: Khalij Times By Amira Agarib / Dubai Coexistence can’t be achieved without respecting the values, cultures and norms of others, Dr Rashid Al Khayoun says It’s politics that divides […]
Religious commonalities more important than differences: Sunni female governor
Source: Tehran Times By Naghmeh Mizanian December 13, 2016 TEHRAN — Different branches of Islam should pay attention to their notable commonalities rather than little differences, says Ms. Homeyra Rigi, […]
Al-Azhar’s historic fatwa on Shias
October 14, 2016 SHAFAQNA IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WORLD SHIA FORUM – The following is the transcript of an interview which was conducted with al-Azhar’s most senior authority: Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib with Al Neel Egyptian TV channel. In the interview Dr al-Tayyib rejects the notion of takfir in reference to Shia […]
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is being attacked by both Sunni and Shia leaders
What, the Saudis must be asking themselves, has happened to the fawning leaders who would normally grovel to the Kingdom? Robert Fisk @indyvoices Iran boycotted the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, this year after rising tensions between the nations AP The Saudis step deeper into trouble almost by the […]
Iranian Leader warns against insulting Sunni figures
September 20, 2016 TEHRAN – Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday underscored the importance of unity across the Islamic world, calling on the Shiite Muslims to avoid making vituperative comments about the Sunni figures. The Supreme Leader made the remarks as he received thousands of people from all walks […]
The Yemen imbroglio (as viewed by a Pakistani)
The Yemen imbroglio By Ali Sarwar Naqvi April 01, 2015 The ancient land of Yemen bore the name of ‘Arabia Felix’, roughly translated as Arabia the happy, in view of its salubrious climate, fertile land and plentiful water. This turned out to be ironic, because Yemen’s history through much of […]
Iran and Saudi Arabia: The art of Islamic tolerance
The escalating rivalries and animosities between Iran and Saudi Arabia have nothing to do with the Sunni-Shia divide. Visitors relax on the grounds of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar [Getty] by Hamid Dabashi @HamidDabashi Hamid Dabashi is the Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature […]
‘The only solution for Iraq’
May 04,2016 – JORDAN TIMES – MICHAEL JANSEN It is hardly surprising that Iraqis stormed the Green Zone at the heart of Baghdad, entered the parliament building and confronted legislators blocking reforms proposed by Prime Minister Haidar Al Abadi. Iraqis of all sects and stations in life were among those […]
Finding ourselves playing the mediator
By Talat Masood Published: January 19, 2016 rime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on January 19, 2016. PHOTO: PM OFFICE The current toxic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is another manifestation of the deep decay that has set in the Muslim world. The two […]
Pakistan PM to visit Saudi and Iran ‘to ease tension’
© Provided by AFP Pakistan Information minister Pervez Rashid told AFP Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (pictured) Sharif would travel to Riyadh on Monday and Tehran on TuesdayPakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will lead a high-level delegation to Saudi Arabia and Iran this week to try to ease tension between the […]
Why do Saudi Arabia and Iran compete for Pakistani support?
Saudi Arabia is pressing Pakistan to side with the Kingdom in its spate with Iran. Islamabad is reluctant to do so, given its own serious sectarian tensions. In the last week, the Saudi Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister have separately visited Pakistan to explain Saudi policy toward Iran and its decision to sever […]
Iraq offers to mediate between S. Arabia and Iran, fearing for Daesh campaign
By Reuters – Jan 07,2016 – JORDAN TIMES BAGHDAD — Iraq dispatched its foreign minister to Tehran on Wednesday with an offer to mediate in an escalating feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran, reflecting Baghdad’s fears that new sectarian conflict could unravel its campaign against Daesh. Sunni Saudi Arabia’s […]
Shiite cleric’s execution in S. Arabia exposes Mideast divisions
By AP – Jan 04,2016 – JORDAN TIMES – TEHRAN, Iran — The execution of a Shiite cleric in Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia has laid bare the divisions now gripping the Middle East, as protesters set fire Sunday to the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and demonstrators took to the streets […]
23 dead, 60 injured in Parachinar blast
December 13, 2015, 1:00 pm 23 people died, 60 were left injured in a blast in Landa Bazar, Parachinar, Waqt News reported. “The area is highly sensitive and it has been targeted before by terrorists,” media reported. According to sources security forces have surrounded and sealed the area. “Rescue teams […]
Can an Arab military force really work?
Summary by Omar Ashour| The Daily Star Such interventions were usually aimed at empowering a proxy political force over its military and political rivals, instead of averting humanitarian disaster or institutionalizing a nonviolent conflict-resolution mechanism following a war. By 1982, when the Lebanese government failed to extend the ADF’s mandate, it […]