Month: November 2007

Saudi lawyer and human rights advocate Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem sues the Justice Ministry for revoking his legal license and defaming his client, a gang rape victim, of having an affair: Rights Advocate Fights Back (Washington Post) “A young man cannot find true Islam in state-sanctioned religion…So a young man, with all his power, starts searching for…

After handing the army’s command over to Ashfaq Kayani, a man considered to have a “clean and solid reputation”, in his new civilian capacity as President, Musharraf announces an end to martial law on December 16: Ashfaq Kayani: The New Man with the Baton in Pakistan (Christian Science Monitor) Musharraf to End Emergency Rule (BBC…

After years of broken promises, Musharraf finally makes good on his word to step down from his position as army chief, meanwhile former CIA officer Arthur Keller finds Pakistan’s army has lost the will to fight Taliban militants and argues US policy supporting Musharraf has failed … Musharraf Gives Up Army Uniform (BBC News) Caution:…

Mansoor Ijaz argues that Muslim Americans should be considered for a cabinet level position to help defend America against religious militants because their unique cultural and religious sensitivities can help craft better national security strategies: A Muslim Belongs in the Cabinet (Christian Science Monitor) Showing disgust with the Karzai administration over its handling of recent…

On the day before Thanksgiving, Judge Amy St. Eve issued a sentence in the case of Abelhaleem Ashqar. To the shame of the America, the judge sided with government in its claim that an unprecedentedly harsh sentence was required because of an unproven connection between Ashqar’s refusal to speak to a grand jury and terrorism…

Seeking to shield itself from further legal challenges to its invasive warrantless wiretap program, the Bush administration seeks to invoke “State Secrets” doctrine before a friendly Supreme Court that is likely to rule in favor of the administration: Congress, Courts Examine ‘State Secrets’ (Associated Press/New York Times) Modest numbers of Iraqis returning from Syria are…

In spite of a lack of evidence demonstrating the Virginia-based Islamic Saudi Academy’s curriculum espouses “extremism”, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and some US Senators continue their drive to shut down the school:  Islamic Academy in Virginia on Defensive (Associated Press/Washington Post)  Editors from the libertarian-leaning Reason Magazine, argue in a Washington Post…

Big brother powers once used under the guise of counterterrorism are now employed to fight regular crime as FBI agents seek secret warrants, many without probable cause, to find the location of drug traffickers, fugitives and other types of criminals: Cellphone Tracking Powers on Request (Washington Post) Although making important strides in human rights since…