News and Analysis (6/5/08)

King Abdullah presides over international gathering of Muslim scholars in Mecca who are urged to strengthen interfaith and intrafaith relations:

• Saudi King Opens Conference On Interfaith Dialogue (Associated Press/Washington Post)

Ronni Abergel’s Living Library uses an innovative way of debunking social stereotypes by allowing one to “loan” someone, including a Muslim:

• Borrow A Muslim? A ‘Living Library’ To Prick Stereotypes (Christian Science Monitor)

Bush seeks imperialist deal with Maliki that would maintain the occupation by controlling Iraqi airspace, arrest whoever it wants with impunity and conduct military operations without the consultation of Baghdad:

• Revealed: Secret Plan To Keep Iraq Under US Control (The Independent)

Former military Chief Prosecutor Morris Davis says the trials of 9/11 plotters are tainted by political manipulation and torture-based evidence:

• Officer Calls Sept. 11 Cases Tainted (Los Angeles Times)

Bangladesh’s military junta announces 12,000 people have been arrested in its year-long “anti-corruption drive”, but politicians and human rights groups accuse it of torture and arbitrary arrests:

• Nearly 12,000 Are Arrested in Bangladesh (New York Times)

An Internet posting “signed by one Mustafa Abu al-Yazid” threatens Denmark with more attacks:

• ‘Al-Qaeda’ Claims Pakistan Attack (BBC News)

Alejandro

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