Month: August 2006

US contractor goes on trial charged with death of an Afghani prisoner: Trial Begins in Afghan Death Case (BBC News) The speaker of the Palestinian Parliament hospitalized while in Israeli custody amid claims he was beaten: Seized Speaker in Israel Hospital (BBC News) Iraq’s vice-president is pursuing the establishment of Sunni militia to act as…

Attending pro-Israel rallies while ignoring peace vigils send an embbarrassing message: L.A. Mayor Apologizes to Muslim Leaders (AP/Washington Post) Afghanis complain: “I don’t need a department to decide if I am a bad or a good Muslim.” In Afghanistan, a Crackdown on Imported Pleasures (Washington Post) Morrocan alleges deportation threats are used to extort Muslims…

Protesters in London, South Africa, Indonesia, Cairo, and Vienna march against Israeli offensive: Global Marches Protest Israeli Offensive (AP/Washington Post) Should freedom of speech extend to giving condolences to a terrorist’s family? 2 Men Sentenced for Praising al-Zarqawi (AP/Washington Post) Human rights group led by Nobel Prize winner Shirin Ebadi banned: Iran Bans Nobel Winner’s…

An inside look at the propaganda war in the Middle East, as the Isrealis seek “psychological advantage with every weapon available, including surreptitious television broadcasts, text messages and voice recordings.” Both Sides in Battle for Hearts and Minds (LA Times) Organization of the Islamic Conference calls for “an investigation into Israel’s “violations” of international law…

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:…