News and Analysis (2/8/08)

Mukasey refuses to investigate CIA waterboarding:

• Justice Dept. ‘Cannot’ Probe Waterboarding, Mukasey Says (Washington Post)

Islamic Law expert Noah Feldman finds that Turkey’s AKP can blaze a trail of modern Muslim liberalism by not only protecting “religious freedom against coercive secularism”, but also by fighting for “the individual freedoms and the equality of all citizens:”

• Veiled Democracy? (New York Times)

Archbishop of Canterbury is taking public flak for his openness to allowing Muslims to use Islamic law to settle family matters:

• Sharia Comments Trigger Criticism (BBC News)

CIA states Muslims are growing more disenchanted with Al-Qaeda because of its bloody tactics:

• Muslim Backing Of Al-Qaeda Wanes (Washington Post)

UK refusal to allow controversial cleric Yusuf Al-Qaradawi to enter the country for medical treatment has “worrying implications for freedom of speech””:

• Muslim Cleric Not Allowed Into UK (BBC News)

Prominent members of Musharraf’s main constituency continues to call for his retirement from politics:

• Retired Generals Turn On Musharraf (AP News/Wire Dispatch)

Misguided American attempts to clamp down on terrorist financing stunt local Arab philanthropy seeking to educate and provide social welfare to its youth:

• Arab Charity Is Blooming – No Thanks To America (Christian Science Monitor)

Alejandro

Alejandro Beutel is program assistant for the Minaret of Freedom Institute with expertise in religious freedom, democratization and security issues.