Minaret of Freedom Weblog

U.S. and Afghanistan will jointly investigate the persisting disagreement over the number of civilian deaths from the coalition strike:

• Joint Inquiry Sought Into U.S.-Led Strike In Afghan Town (Washington Post)

An ominous sign as the sides are deadlocked over key issues:

• Agreement on U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq Said to Be in Peril as Maliki Ousts Negotiators (LA Times)

Seemingly oblivious to the irony, Hamas threatens doctors protesting “the politically motivated firing of at least 50 doctors and administrators,” asserting, “No one … will be allowed to sabotage the [health] security of Gaza’s citizens:”

• Gaza Medical Workers Go on Strike (Al-Jazeera)

After recent strike, Pakistan vows to stop offensives during Ramadan and Taliban vows that they won’t:

• Pakistan Says It Killed 40 Taliban Fighters (LA Times)
• Pakistani Taliban Vow to Strike During Ramadan (Reuters)

In Ramadan gesture, Egypt open access to the Gaza strip, while Israel, despite pressure from Rice, still prevents over 90% of Fulbright scholars from leaving Gaza:

• Egypt Opens Rafah Crossing to Gaza Strip (LA Times)
• Gaza Students Denied Chance to Study Abroad (LA Times)

An American reporter in Egypt takes takes a superficial look at the intersection of religion and science regarding the beginning of Ramadan:

• Religion and Science Blend in a Centuries-Old Ritual (Washington Post)

Rumors over responsibility for militants’ death bodes greater regional instability:

• Hezbollah Warlord Was an Enigma (LA Times)

In the face of a resurgent liberal Islamic opposition, the Malaysian government resorts to what is believed to be the first act of censorship “against a non-pornographic website:”

• Malaysia Ban on Anti-government Website Draws Outcry (Reuters)

Arrested by Israel on his return, the only Jewish member of the expedition, says things are the opposite of the Israeli perception that all Gazans hate Israelis, but in reality, “there is a basis for peacemaking here:”

• Boats Depart Gaza After Aid Delivery: 7 Palestinians Leave With Activists Who Flouted Blockade (Washington Post)

The Pentagon denies the U.N. report on the size of the recent “collateral damage” …

• Pentagon Reports U.S. Airstrike Killed 5 Afghan Civilians, Not 90 (Washington Post)

… while the first civilian jury to judge an ex-serviceman charged with a combat crime cites “lack of evidence” in explaining its acquittal:

• Ex-Marine Acquitted in Iraqi Prisoner Deaths (LA Times)

Despite lingering security concerns, the economic resurgence of southern Iraq is encouraging:

• Iraq’s Port City Shows Signs of an Economic Comeback (Christian Science Monitor)

The first major oil deal in Iraq goes not to the West, but to China, as the U.S. arrests a close associate of leading Iraqi War advocate Ahmed Chalabi:

• Iraq and China Sign $3 Billion Oil Contract (Washington Post)
• U.S. Arrests Key Iraq Official for Suspected Ties to Militia (LA Times)

Political motives suspected in Yemeni anti-terror measures:

• Antiterror Measures Incite Sectarianism in Yemen (Christian Science Monitor)
• Yemen’s Fight Against Resurgent Al Qaeda (Christian Science Monitor)

An Iraqi official says that the U.S. handing control of what was once the heart of the bloody Sunni Arab insurgency to the Iraqi government reflects a dramatic drop in violence across the country …

• U.S. Troops to hand back Iraq’s Anbar Province  (Reuters)

… but the redeployment of only 1,500 troops raises concerns that Taliban offensives in Afghanistan are over-extending US forces.

• U.S. Marines Shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan    (Christian Science Monitor)

As lawyers demand reinstatement of chief justice, insurgents and police targeted in attacks.:

• Pakistan Rocked by Renewed Violence and Angry Demonstrations  (Guardian UK)

Crowds of people have welcomed home the passengers and crew who were hijacked on a plane diverted to Libya:

• Hijacked Sudanese welcomed home  (BBC)

India struggles with bad press in the face of the death of Imran Ahmad Wani, and now of two hostages …

• The Families Grieving in Kashmir   (BBC)
• Kashmir Police Kill Suspected Rebels in Shootout (Washington Post)

… as they continue to use violence to suppress an increasingly non-violent demand for independence:

• Peaceful Protests In Kashmir Alter Equation for India: Tough Response Criticized as Outmoded (Washington Post)

An armed group in Somalia has released the local UN refugee agency chief who was seized in June near Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, the refugee agency said.

• Armed Somali Group Frees UN Worker (Al-Jazeera)

Back in his old seat, the embattled advocate of liberal reform predicts a no-confidence vote as soon as next month, and the Islamist Party has signaled their support:

• Anwar to Take oath as Malaysian MP (Al-Jazeera)
• Malaysia’s Islamists Endorse Anwar in Bid for Power (Washington Post)

“If I’d known this would be the result of breaking the law I would never have done it:”

• Man Convicted over Shia Flogging (BBC)

SLM denies connection to perpetrators of “irresponsible terrorist act” …

• Sudan Plane Hijackers Surrender Freeing All Passengers (Guardian Unlimited)

… while police in Kashmr accuse militants of holding six hostage:

• Kashmir Police and Suspected Rebels in Shootout (Washington Post)

Taliban loss in Pakistan, gain in Afghanistan:

• ‘Scores Dead’ in Pakistan Clashes (BBC)
• Taliban Gain New Foothold in Afghan City (NY Times)

BBC is accused of regurgitating propaganda:

• BBC Denies Interference in al-Qaida Coverage (Guardian Unlimited)

With the U.N. professing possession of “convincing evidence” over 90 civilians, mostly children, were killed in recent coalition strikes, Karzai demands a halt …

• U.N. Says Has Evidence Air Strikes Killed 90 Afghans (Reuters)
• Afghanistan Demands End to Nato Air Strikes on Villagers (Guardian Unlimited)

… while a similar controversy storms around Sudanese attacks on a refugee camp:

• Sudanese Forces Amass Again at Darfur Camp After Deadly Raid (Christian Science Monitor)

To the Palestinians the reported doubling of illegal settlements is the tip of an iceberg of grievences, but to the Israeli foreign minister they are just “noise:”

• Israel Settlement Surge Draws Rice Criticism (Reuters)

In a stunning twist to the controversial case of Aafia Siddiqui, the U.S. now claims the 11-yr. old boy detained during her arrest is the neuroscientist’s son and a U.S. citizen:

• Afghan Officials Detain American Boy, U.S. Says: Mother Held by U.S. as Al-Qaeda Suspect (Washington Post)

Despite charges pending against the PM candidate, Anwar’s party predicts a landlslide victory:

• Malaysia Opposition Claims Victory (Al-Jazeera)

They might have tried Rushdie’s own technique and called the book a “historical fiction,” but instead the publishers plan to publish the book with the 11 lies deleted:

• Bodyguard Apologises to Rushdie (BBC)

As new violence in Diyala province where the Kurdish peshmerga withdrew perpetuates questions as to the national government’s ability to establish security, Maliki insists America respect Iraq’s national sovereignty:

• Suicide bomber Targets Recruits at Iraqi Police Station, 28 Killed (LA Times)
• Iraqi Leader Insists on Deadline for Troop Pullout (Washington Post)

Al-Malaki tells his people that the U.S. has agreed to a “fixed date,” but State says the agreement is to a “draft text,” not a “final deal” …

• Iraq Seeking 2011 Troop Pullout (BBC)

… meanwhile, the leader of a U.S. allied militia-leader and his recently released son are assassinated:

• Suicide Blast Kills 25 At Celebration in Iraq (Washington Post)

In a bid to bolster Fatah over its Hamas rival, Israel releases 196 political prisoners and 2 militants, but 11,000 more Palestinians remain in detention:

• Israel Releases 198 Palestinian Prisoners (Reuters)

As Kashmiri separatists effectively use “peaceful but massive demonstrations for freedom,” their leader is arrested after predicting failure for India’s repressive reponse:

• Kashmir Muslims Defy India Curfew (BBC)

“U.S. counter-terrorism efforts have alienated many Somalis, and a leader of the hard-line Islamic group Shabab says it is ready to unite with Bin Laden’s organization:”

• Conditions May be Ripe for Al Qaeda in Somalia (LA Times)

The PPP fears the return of judges dismissed by Musharraf “would leave Mr. Zardari open to prosecution on long-standing corruption charges:”

• Pakistan Coalition in Major Split (BBC)

Attempts to encourage native human resource development by mans of quotas (instead of cutting their people off of their oil revenue dependence) are failing:

• Gulf States Try to Steer Jobs to Citizens: Employers Resent Efforts Intended to Fight Unemployment and Radicalization (Washington Post)

As the S.S. Liberty and SS. Free Gaza successfully defy the Israeli blockade of Gaza, Israelis raids an Islamic charity established to defend Jeruslaem’s Old City mosque from nearby construction on accusations that they support Hamas:

• Protest Boats Reach Gaza Strip (LA Times)
• Israel Police Raid Islamic Movement (Al-Jazeera)

Under pressure from the Afghan President they installed, the U.S. will investigate charges that there were 60 children, 19 women, and no evidence of any Taliban among the dead:

• Afghan Leader Assails Airstrike He Says Killed 95 (NY Times)
• Commanders Fired over Afghan Deaths (Al-Jazeera)
• U.S. Probes Afghan Assertions That Raid Killed 70 Civilians (Washington Post)

A Bahraini woman refutes the conventional wisdom that modest dress is incompatible with gold medal athletic performance:

• Muslim Sprinter Wins Olympic Sprint Dressed Head to Toe in a Hijab (Evening Standard)

A Freemarket and civil society advocate may be on the next prime minister:

• Malaysia’s Anwar Set to Win Poll After Grueling Fight (Reuters)

The failed attempt to fihgt terrorism through laws that undermine financial freedom and privacy demonstrates “a complete disconnect” from “the underlying reality of how terrorism is funded:”

• Al-Qaeda Masters Terrorism On the Cheap: Financial Dragnet Largely Bypassed (Washington Post)

Russians are unsurprised by Chechnyan rebel attacks after their military incursion into neighboring Georgia:

• Two Russian Officers Killed in Chechnya Attack (Reuters)

Even where sectarian killings are down, distrust of neighbors and guards over hostility bred by the invasion and occupation prevent the displaced from going home:

• Fear Keeps Iraqis Out of Their Baghdad Homes (NY Times)

With an Orwellian vocabulary, the Israeli foreign minister warns that pursuing peace is the path to war …

• From Israel, a Call for Patience:Rushing Peace Process Invites Violence, Foreign Minister Says (Washington Post)

… while a drought highlights how Israeli delays and denials of permits choke off Palestinians from their own water while illegal settlers have easy access:

• Water Shortage in the West Bank (Al-Jazeera)

The presidential election is set for Sept. 6, but Sharif accuses his senior partner in the shaky ruling coalition “of failing to respect an agreement to bring back the justices within 24 hours of Musharraf’s resignation:”

• Bhutto Widower Proposed for Pakistan President (Washington Post)

Armed Islamists “have taken control of Kismayu and the situation is now calm:”–local resident:

• Somali Rebels Take Port City as Death Toll Hits 70 (Reuters)

For the Sudanese, the ethno-racial labels used to “explain” the Darfur violence are fuzzy at best and malicious at worst:

• Sudanese: ‘What Arab-African Rift?’ (Christian Science Monitor)

A land dispute has “snowballed into full-scale anti-India protests this month, boosting separatists who want India’s only Muslim-majority region to secede:”

• Scores March for Kashmir’s Independence (Reuters)

An alleged student break-in to the house of resident neighbor escalates into an eviction of the evangelical school from its campus of 20 years:

• Attack Forces Indonesian Christians off Campus (Washington Post)

Islamic law prohibits consummation of marriage before pubescence and requires the consent of both parties to a marriage, nonetheless:

• Yemen Confronts Plight of Child Brides (Christian Science Monitor)

Press conference boasts agreement on “aspirational time tables” but U.S. troop immunity, Iraqi election law, and an actual timetable remain in contention …

• Deal on US Troops in Iraq ‘Close’ (BBC)

… as the U.S. releases a journalist held, for the third time, three weeks without charge:

• U.S. Military Frees Reuters Cameraman in Iraq (Reuters)

Militant boasts of infiltrators in security forces and intelligence agencies are given credence by Taliban attack on munitions plant against the backdrop of an unraveling governing coalition:

• More than 50 Dead After Suicide Attack on Pakistani Weapons Plant (LA Times)
• Pakistan Suicide Bombers Strike Arms Factory (Guardian Unlimited)

U.S. claims killing 30 insurgents, but 21 civilian deaths exacerbate the “rift between Afghanistan and its Western backers: ”

• Afghan Civilians Said Killed in U.S.-led Air Raid (Reuters)
• 30 Militants Die in Afghan Battle near Ambush Site (LA Times)

“Judges order handover of secret information that could support claims of UK resident held in Guantánamo Bay that he was tortured:”

• British security services colluded in unlawful detention of terror suspect, court rules (Guardian Unlimited)

Under Christian pressure, the government reneges on its agreement and the Muslims refuse to renegotiate:

• Philippine Autonomy Deal Scrapped (BBC)

Sayf al Islam Gaddafi, whose past political interventions have been credited with reforming Libya’s reputation, says its time for Libya’s emerging civil society to finish the job:

• Gaddafi Son Retires from Politics (BBC)

While the U.S. presses European allies to increase their commitments to the fight in Afghanistan, the Taliban execute a “surge” of their own; Sarkozy says the French will not be deterred:

• Taliban Escalate Fighting With Assault on U.S. Base (NY Times)

For a pilot, the charge of “flying while Muslim” can be a career-killer:

• PA Pilot Says He’s on Watch List, Sues to Save Job (AP/Washington Post)

The 120 Saudis released from Guantanamo have been ben greeted by a committee of clerics, psychologists, social scientists, and and security people who use “a mix of forgiveness, reeducation, counseling, prison time, and cash” to disabuse them of “‘deviant’ or ‘misguided’ beliefs:”

• Saudis Use Cash and Counseling to Fight Terrorism (Christian Science Monitor)

“No Arab country has had an ambassador permanently stationed in Baghdad since Egypt’s envoy was kidnapped and killed in 2005, although several have named ambassadors this year who have yet to arrive:”

• Lebanese Calls for Arabs to Embrace Iraq (Reuters)

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front warns that the government’s threat of “an all-out offensive in the country’s south” would be “the most serious blunder that this sitting regime could commit:”

• Philippine Separatists Warn of War (Al-Jazeera)

As violence continues in Algeria, still no one claims responsibility, though outsiders are suspected:

• Two More Bombs Kill 11 in Algeria: Report (Reuters)