Author: Sarah

American Muslim-Jewish searching for common ground during a time of conflict in the Middle East: Talking Over The Din Of War (Washington Post) Violence erupts as government bulldozes a mosque under construction in Ethopia: Police Clash With Muslim Protesters in Ethiopia (AP/Washington Post) Suspicious killing of an imam continues to threaten stability in Central Asia:…

Moderates in the Middle East complain about initiatives by the international community, “which has lined up behind Israel, which wants domination and occupation and only uses slogans of democracy.” ‘New Mideast’ May See Stronger Extremists (AP/Washington Post) Government scrutiny of Muslim charities hinders aid efforts to civilians in the Middle East Muslim Charities Say Fear…

U.N. monitors prove that Israel, not Hizbullah, is responsible for the present violence: Hizbullah's Attacks Stem from Israeli Incursions into Lebanon (Christian Science Monitor) Hizbullah’s popularity rises as Israeli strategy misjudges the nature of Hizbullah: Staying Power Adds To Hezbollah's Appeal (Washington Post) Muslims caught in the crossfire in Sri Lanka: 'Muslims Flee' Sri Lanka…

By Sarah Swick, Minaret of Freedom Institute, www.minaret.org Among the many shortcomings of US foreign policy seems to be a general lack of understanding of key diplomatic terms. In the effort to aid my country in solving these shortcomings, I submit the following examples: DIPLOMACY: 1. international relations: the management of communication and relationships between…

New ‘Shariah’ laws in Aceh aimed at curbing gambling, alcohol, and gender mixing, begs the question “Why have they not introduced the Shariah laws on corruption? Stealing in Islam is a bigger sin than these small sins”: “Indonesian Province Embraces Islamic Law” (NY Times) Muslims sue government alleging discriminatory in lengthy delays in receiving citizenship:…

By Sarah Swick, Minaret of Freedom Institute, www.minaret.org Last week’s episode of PBS’ “Wide Angle” chronicled the newest program in Morocco’s path towards reform. “Class of 2006” told the story of Morocco’s first official female religious leaders, or murchidates. Fifty women graduated along side their male counterparts from the year of intensive religious studies. The…

by Sarah Swick, Minaret of Freedom Institute, www.minaret.org I recently had the opportunity to attend a weeklong seminar on “Freedom, Tolerance and Civil Society” sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies. The seminar solidified my understanding of liberty and classical liberal thought. Through lectures by philosophers, lawyers, and an economist along with discussion with a…

The recent news of three deaths in Guantanamo has once again drawn attention to the prison facility and its role in the ‘War on Terror.’ A number of articles published in several different newspapers explore from different angles the causes and effects of these deaths. Ultimately, they raise the questions: what caused the death of…

In today’s Washington Post an article appears entitled “Saudi Women Rise in Defense of the Veil.” The article chronicles the opinions of several ‘conservative’ Saudi women who are upset with what they see as an erosion of traditional values. There are a couple positive signs in the article. First, it refutes the stereotype of Muslim…