Month: September 2008

More secular and more efficient, focused on fighting foreigners, the Taliban “forces operate in virtually every province and control many districts in areas ringing the capital:” A Modernized Taliban Thrives in Afghanistan: Militia Operates a Parallel Government (Washington Post) Devastating terrorist attack in Islamabad increases pressure on Pakistani government… Al Qaeda Suspected of Pakistan’s Marriott…

A man called the district governor for help, thinking the Nato forces raiding his house were Taliban attackers; Karzai calls his friend’s death “a misunderstanding”: Afghan Chief Shot in Nato ‘Mistake’ (Al Jazeera) Citing the killing of an Iraqi in the market, Maliki refuses immunity for US army and contractors, threatening the extension the U.S.…

US promise “to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty” belied by continuing attacks within Pakistani borders: U.S. Strike Reported as Mullen Consults Pakistanis (Washington Post) Nato and U.S. forces are responsible for 45% of civilian casualties: Afghan Civilian Death Toll Undermines U.S. Support (Christian Science Monitor) Recognizing that trade barriers hurt both sides, Ahmadinejad says, “Those who say…

Detained since his mother’s capture in July, Aafia Siddiqui’s son, an American citizen, is released: Afghans Free Son of Pakistani Al-Qaeda Suspect (Washington Post) Revenge motives of women suicide bombers are downplayed by accusations they are manipulated by “religion, money and empty promises”: Female Suicide Bombers Are Latest War Tactic (Washington Post) Religion and market…

Zoning laws and signs of bigotry: Italy’s Right to Curb Islam with Mosque Law (Reuters) Denied by both the Pakistani and US Military, warning shots supposedly fired at US military in a raid across the Pakistani border: Pakistan Allegedly Repulses U.S. Raid (Washington Post) Sharia courts given power to rule in Muslim civil cases: Revealed:…

Despite a failure to secure any convictions in the previous trial, prosecutors begin another trial against the Holy Land Foundation, accused of distributing charity to Palestinian relief groups run by Hamas: High-Stakes Trial Is Set Against Alleged Hamas Arm (NY Sun) Tribesmen “representing half a million people vowed to switch sides … if Washington does…

The man who argued for punishing suspected drug pushers without even charging them is now in the spotlight for a similarly contemptuous attitude towards Muslims: Relentless Terrorism Prosecutor Faces Accusations of His Own (Washington Post) Anwar Ibrahim “one of the leading proponents of the idea that Islam and liberal democracy are complementary”, claims to have…

Muslim workers leave factory after being denied a food break at sunset: Muslim Meatpackers Fired in Ramadan Work Dispute (Reuters) Divisions grow as Iraq plans to integrate the Sunni paramilitary army into national army: Iraq, U.S.-Funded Militia at Loggerheads (LA Times) Violent tactics are utilized as foreign pressure urges Egypt to stop border-crossing refugees: Egyptian…

Senior officials confirm suspicions of US raids in Pakistan and promises the US will inform Pakistani government of future raids, but won’t seek permission… Bush Said to Give Orders Allowing Raids in Pakistan (NY Times) … but Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani says the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country will be defended at all…

“From Him we come and to Him we return.” Yesterday a beloved and respected (revered, actually) member of the Minaret of Freedom Institute’s board of advisers passed away. Warith Deen Mohammed is best known for bringing the Nation of Islam, a cult co-founded by his father, Elijah Muhammad, into mainstream Islam. He did much more…