The Qur’an (4:92) allows blood money in cases of accidental death if a captive is freed as well; but the U.S. refuses to free Aafia Sidiqui:

• ‘Blood Money’ Frees CIA Contractor in Pakistan (AP / abc News)

With reports of Apache helicopters shooting at peaceful protesters, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expresses alarm at developments:

• Bahrain, Gulf Allies, “on the Wrong Track”: Clinton (Reuters)

As Sarkozy denies Saif al-Islam’s accusations that the accepted Libyan campaign contributions, Saif claims the rebellion will be suppressed within 48 hours:

• Gaddafi Shells City, Threatens Rebel Stronghold (Reuters)

When efforts to take over the demonstration failed, “Hamas police beat up demonstrators with batons, chased out and punched reporters and seized activists’ mobile phones. Fatah loyalists beat each other up on the sidelines of the Ramallah protest, apparently during an argument on whether to join the demonstrators or not”:

• After Reconciliation Rallies, Palestinian President Offers to Visit Gaza for Talks with Hamas (AP / Washington Post / Foreign Policy)

She said “I’ve got to go” into her cellphone; he heard “It’s a go” as he passed by; she was wearing a headscarf and had brown skin, so:

• CAIR: San Diego Muslim Removed from Southwest Airlines Flight (PR Newswire / Yahoo)

“A law guaranteeing religious freedom to prisoners applies to a courthouse holding cell where sheriff’s deputies ordered a Muslim woman to remove her headscarf”:

• Muslim Defendant Can Sue over Hijab Removal (SF Chronicle)

“An autopsy is due to be carried out on the body in the presence of his family members”:

• Official Says Pakistani Christian Jailed for Blasphemy Dies in Prison, Lawyer Suspects Murder (AP / Washington Post / Foreign Policy)

“Closing the door of interpretations of Islam, partly or wholly, is a threat on Islam itself because by being so, Islam will rot,” — JIL Web site:

• Bomb Target Ulil Once Had Fatwa on His Head (Jakarta Globe)

Human Rights Watch says atrocities “committed by president Laurent Gbagbo’s forces may constitute crimes against humanity”:

• Ivory Coast Murders and Abuse of Foreigners Documented in Report (Guardian)

Around 100 people, mainly relatives of political prisoners, gathered in Marjeh Square on Wednesday calling for the release of their loved ones and an end to emergency laws:

• Rare Public Protest Quashed in Syria (AlJazeera)

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