Minaret of Freedom Weblog

UN agency head predits humanitarian disaster:

• US Resolve Prolongs Gazan Despair (BBC)

Commentator Shira Herzog think Israeli policy is predicated on fallacies:

• If Hamas Falters (Jordan Times)

All sides condemn attacks on Palestinian Churches:

• In the Name of Security, But Not for Its Sake (Haaretz)

CAIR releases data showing a significant increase in anti-Muslim incidents

• Surge in Anti-Muslim Incidents Reported (Washington Post)

Falsely accused by Canada, deported to the Middle East by the US and tortured by Syria—Canadian Muslim is vindicated but still demands justice against those responsible for his mistreatment…

• Canadian Was Falsely Accused, Panel Says (Washington Post)

…Op-ed: discusses the effect of the above story on the Bush administration’s plan to ‘redefine’ part of the Geneva conventions:

• Another Blow to the White House’s Detainee Plan (Washington Post)

Egypt’s governing party holds conference to showcase reform agenda but critics insist, “’The main objective of the NDP is to put Gamal Mubarak on the seat of power, and this conference will ensure that happen.”

• Egypt’s Ruling Party Holds Conference (AP/NY Times)

As women outnumber men at universities, will Iranian women be at the forefront of reform?

• Women Graduates Challenge Iran (BBC News)

Muslims caught in the ‘crossfire’ as violence continues in Sri Lanka:

• Muslims Hacked to Death in Sri Lanka, Rebels Blamed (Reuters/Washington Post)

Sorry for the reaction, but is the Pope also sorry for his words?

• Pope ‘Sorry’ About Reaction to Islam Remark (Washington Post)

Debate over who should be considered a moderate Muslim and by whom:

• Defining Today’s Moderate Muslim (LA Times)

France steps out against economic sanctions on Iran

• Chirac Urges No Sanctions on Iran (BBC News)

As Somalia’s interim president survives assassination attempt, but 11 others are killed

• Somali Leader Survives Bomb Blast (BBC News)

An analysis of the upcoming Yemeni elections:

• Yemen Gets Real Taste of Democracy (BBC News)

Does the Whiite House have a learning disorder? Perhaps a “No administration left behind left behind” program would help.

• CIA Learned in ’02 That Bin Laden Had No Iraq Ties, Report Says (Washington Post)

Evidence obtained by torture just isn’t reliable.

• ‘Alternative’ CIA tactics complicate Padilla case (Christian Science Monitor)

Colin Powell and Condi Rice have a difference of opinion on detentions:

• 2 Views of Geneva Accord (LA Times)

Arresting politicians:

• West Bank: A Government in Jail (Christian Science Monitor)

Approvingly quoting a long-dead hate-monger is just another form of hate-mongering:

• Muslims Demand Pope Apologise for Comments on Islam (AFP)

To change anti-Muslim media reporting, “Muslim investors must invest in the large media institutions of the world, which generally make considerable profits, so that they have the ability to affect their policies via their administrative boards.”

• Islamic Group Urges Muslims to Invest in Media (Reuters/Washington Post)

US is in a diplomatic mess in East Africa:

• U.S. Counterterrorism Work Stumbles in Somalia (Reuters/Washington Post)

A victory for reformist and women or a political move by Musharraf to save face in Washington?

• Changes to Islamic Law on Rape Hit Snag in Pakistan (Reuters/Washington Post)

Leader of the Progressive Jewish Alliance defends the award nomination of MPAC founder:

• Looking for Extremism in the Wrong Places (LA Times)

IAEA criticizes errors in a Congress report about Iran’s nuclear program.  Critics say, “This is like prewar Iraq all over again”

• U.N. Inspectors Dispute Iran Report By House Panel (Washington Post)

Talk of Palestinian Unity government may be premature:

• Hamas, Abbas in Disharmony over Unity Policies (Reuters)

Columnist Richard Cohen marvels over the administration’s lack of regret over handing America’s sworn enemy his biggest victory…

• Bin Laden’s Victory (Washington Post)

… while Henry Porter thinks that they are about to hand him another one:

• Even a Bag-lady Can Teach Bush About Human Rights (Guardian Unlimited)

While Iraqis bicker over federalism, the terror continues:

• Baghdad Death Squads Kill 60 (Reuters)

Rebiya Kadeer: Muslim, Uighur, female, activist, businesswoman, and now Nobel Prize nominee

• China Muslim Activist: from Unknown to Nobel Nominee (Reuters/Washington Post)

A diverse group steps out to defend the nomination of Maher Hathout, chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California, against opposition by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

• Plans to Honor L.A. Muslim Leader Bring Out Animosity (LA Times)

Robert Pape explains: “Suicide terrorism is mainly a response to foreign occupation rather than a product of Islamic fundamentalism.”

• The Growth of Suicide Terrorism (Chicago Tribune)

Muslim man killed in his business: was it a hate-crime?

• Family Still Blames Hate for Man’s Slaying (Chicago Tribune)

Intimidated by the Union of Islamic Courts, a private radio station temporarily shuts down and now is re-opened but not playing music

• Somali Radio Shut by Islamists Re – Opens Without Music (Reuters/NY Times)

Lebanese protest Blair’s visit:

• Angry Beirut Protests Greet Blair (BBC News)

Despite accusations from the US that Syria supports terrorism, Syrian forces foil bombing of US embassy:

• US Thanks Syria over Embassy Raid (BBC News)

Who is really corrupting Islamic law? Pakistani Islamic parties still can’t tell the difference between rape and adultery, but women will soon have a choice:

• Changes to Pakistan Rape Reform (BBC News)

The Palestinian political crisis may be ending …

• Abbas: Fatah, Hamas Agree to Form Gov’t (Chicago Tribune)

… but the humanitarian crisis rages on:

• Palestinians Forced to Scavenge for Food on Rubbish Dumps (The Independent)

We’ve been told the secret prisons are closed, yet…

• CIA Still Hiding ‘Ghost’ Captives (London Times)

A voice ungagged:

• ENEMY COMBATANT by Moazzam Begg (Washington Post book review)

“During the calamity of September 11, two crimes were committed: one was the killing of innocent people and the second was making this crime in the name of Islam”:

• Khatami Says 9/11 Attackers Will Not Go to Heaven (AFP)

Former National Guard sergeant of Jewish and Puerto Rican ancestry who lost eight relatives in the WTC bombing adopts Islam:

• Faith’s Friction (St. Petersburg Times)