Month: February 2007
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Do “Later” Verses of the Qur’an Abrogate “Earlier” Verses?
I was asked once whether I would state that extremists hew to later Suras of the Qur’an and “ignore all the teachings of love and tolerance that came before that.” The question was repeated to me again recently in the form of whether “sweeter pre-Medina surahs” were “abrogated” by “vengeful later surahs.” As there is…
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News and Analysis (2/19/07)
Latest BBC poll shows polarization, but possibility for a ‘middle ground’ between Muslims and Westerners: The Middle Ground on Islam and West (BBC News) Middle East professor Juan Cole gives his analysis and opinion on why Muqtada As-Sadr most likely did not flee to Iran and provides a link to the draft law on Iraqi…
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News and Analysis (2/16/07)
Alleged Madrid bombing mastermind condemns the bombings: · Madrid Trial Suspects Deny Guilt (BBC) Pastoral leader says he was rendered “to Egypt where he says he was tortured with electric shocks, beatings, rape threats and genital abuse:†· CIA Agents to Stand Trial for Italy Kidnapping (Reuters) Routine videotaping of political events could result in…
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News and Analysis (2/15/07)
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) speaks out about the future of US troops in Iraq: “the argument has been reduced to this: If we leave now Iraq will be left in a mess – implying the implausible that if we stay it won’t be a mess.†In Congress, Opposing the War but Doing Nothing to Stop…
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News and Analysis (2/14/07)
Sunni ‘rebel’ group claiming responsibility for car bomb attack in Iran: At Least 11 Reported Killed in Iran Bombing (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty) If you’re going to attack Iran, here are the consequences: Iran’s Weakened Hard-liners Crave a US attack (Christian Science Monitor) 12 Consequences of Attacking Iran (Antiwar.com) Syria’s Grand Mufti condemns murder and calls for legal…
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Free to Choose Madrasas (A Tribute to Milton Friedman)
Our website now has a copy of my tribute to Nobel prize winning eocnomist Milton Friedman in which I at the application of his ideas on choice and education to the issue of Muslim madrasas. This may seem like an odd pairing of topics. Milton Friedman was an intellectual who championed freedom of choice and,…
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News and Analysis (2/13/07)
“People watch the shows, and then walk into the interrogation booths and do the same things they’ve just seen,” – Tony Lagouranis, former US Army interrogator Does ’24’ Encourage US Interrogators to ‘Torture’ Detainees? (Christian Science Monitor) One year since the major sectarian bloodletting began, the state of the ‘Askariya mosque is symbolic of Iraq’s…
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Breach of Law, Breach of Security – Racial Profiling
Prior to 9/11 a national consensus outlawing the use of racial profiling was emerging. After the attacks occurred, “…this consensus evaporated… The federal government immediately focused massive investigative resources and law enforcement attention on Arabs, Arab Americans, Muslims, and those perceived to be Arab or Muslim, such as Sikhs and other South Asians†[The Leadership…
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News and Analysis (2/12/07)
‘Criticism’ of intelligence isn’t the same thing as manipulation: Ex-official Defends Claim on Iraq, Al Qaeda (LA Times) Abducted by CIA, extremist imam is set free after being tortured Egyptian authorities: Egypt Releases Cleric Allegedly Seized by CIA (Reuters) “At the end of it, people are going to look back and say, ‘What the hell…
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News and Analysis (2/10-11/07)
Israeli government finances project to encircle Palestinian private property with settlements: · Jewish Inroads in Muslim Quarter: Settlers’ Project to Alter Skyline of Jerusalem’s Old City (Washington Post) Ahmadinjad repeats Iranian claim that its seeks nuclear energy, not nuclear weapons: · Iran Says Wants to stay Within Nuclear Rules (Reuters) The probable victor in the…
