Month: April 2009
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Wahabism in Salafi Thought
Prof. Ahmad Moussalli’s purpose was simple, to clarify the distinction between the Salafi and the Wahhabi schools of thought. In essence, Wahabism is a subset of Salafism. Although very similar in nature, the basic difference can be understood in these terms, not all Salafis are Wahabis but all Wahabis are Salafis. Reverting to what they…
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News and Analysis (4/30/09)
A new dialogue coinciding with Israel’s “independence” hopes to expose both sides to the “experiences of the other while not denigrating one’s own” … In Israel, Jews and Arabs Aim to Bridge ‘Independence’ and ‘Catastrophe’ Narratives (Christian Science Monitor) … while in the U.S. an advertiser under pressure breaks a contract for a billboard containing…
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Why Can’t We Have A Public Debate About Aid to Israel?
In the United States of America, government has no authority to censor the press. Why then is the news media so unwilling to report the news when it reflects badly on the Israeli lobby? When Muslims wanted to boycott Denmark over the cartoons insulting Muhammad it was considered big news, but when an American advertising…
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Elections in Turkey
Before the elections, which were believed to be local elections with national implications, Prime Minister Erdogan claimed anything under 47% for his AK party would be considered a failure. How then should carrying only 39% percent of the vote, the lowest performance since his party gained power in 2002 be interpreted? Despite the considerable decline…
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News and Analysis (4/29/09)
Given the imbalance of power between the sheikh and the grain dealer, the alleged agreement “not to bring formal charges against each other, i.e., theft on the one hand and assault on the other hand’” is alarming: Torture Tape Implicates UAE Royal Sheikh (ABC News) The court wisely agrees that the need to protect classified…
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News and Analysis (4/28/09)
Deteriorating conditions lead to fears over Pakistan’s longevity as a functioning state: Pakistanis Worry About Their International Image (LA Times) In the Wahhabi dominated Saudi Arabia, Shiites struggle for equality: With Shiites Rising Across the Region, Saudi Arabia’s Grow Impatient (Christian Science Monitor) Contradicting viewpoints within Fatah and the rising popularity of Hamas have many…
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News and Analysis (4/27/09)
Prosecution of American soldiers will be the first test of the Ivaguely-worded Iraqi / US security agreement … Deaths in U.S. Raid Elicit Anger in Iraq (Washington Post) … While negotiations begin to consider extending troop stay past the June 30 deadline for Mosul: Exceptions to Iraq Deadline Are Proposed (NY Times) If the importance…
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News and Analysis (4/25-26/09)
Even as the Taliban embarrass Islam with their violations of shariah … Taliban Betrays Qur’an (Washington Post) How Islamic Law Can Work (Washington Post) … Rwandan Muslims’ demonstration of Islamic principles attracts enough survivors of Rwanda genocide to double their share of the population to 14%: Jihad Is Taught as ‘Struggle to Heal’ (Washington Post)…
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News and Analysis (4/24/09)
“To hide relevant and exculpatory evidence from counsel and from the court under any circumstances. . . is fundamentally unjust, outrageous and will not be toleratedâ€: Judge: U.S. Used Mentally Ill Witness in Guantanamo Cases (McClatchy / Free Detainees) Clinton indicates negotiations can take place with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas leaders as…
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News and Analysis (4/23/09)
As the chronology suggests that the legal opinions were generated after the fact to justify a torture policy already adopted by top officials, Cheney calls for a declassification of memos that he says will prove its efficacy: Harsh Methods Approved As Early As Summer 2002 (Washington Post) Hawks persist among Obama’s top military advisers: To…
