“The list of groups banned outright included the United Nations children’s agency, Unicef, and other UN bodies, the British charity Concern and groups from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.” Surely the Saudis and other wealthy Islamic states will be there any minute to fill that gap and help their brethren with their vast […]
Archives for November 2011
U.K.: Foreign secretary warns of jihadists without borders in Africa
More fallout from Libya, along with the now-standard concerns about al-Qaeda’s potential cooperation with al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. “U.K. warns of growing al-Qaeda risk in North Africa,” from the Associated Press, November 28 (thanks to Kenneth): LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague says there is a risk mercenary fighters driven out of Libya […]
Libya: 250 Muslim leaders meet to demand Sharia
They’re not in it for just a little Sharia. They’re in it for the package deal. Even Imam Rauf knows that Sharia does not lend itself to selective compartmentalization. “Islamists want new Libya based on Shariah law,” from the Associated Press, November 28: TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) “” Dozens of Libyan imams and other religious leaders […]
Spencer, McCarthy, Fawstin at Restoration Weekend 2011: What about moderate Muslims?
Q and A: This was originally supposed to be a continuation of my print debate at National Review (here and here) with Andrew McCarthy on Islam vs. Islamism. It was changed at the last minute into this panel with the peerless artist Bosch Fawstin and the Baroness Caroline Cox.
Iran moves to expel British ambassador; legislators chant “Death to England”
Britain is now also officially “worse than the devil,” according to the resolution that legislators passed, with some lawmakers threatening a reprise of the 1979 hostage crisis. “Tehran votes to expel Britain’s ambassador,” by Adrian Blomfield for the Telegraph, November 27 (thanks to Alan): Iran erupted in a fresh frenzy of animosity towards its old […]
U.K.: Muslim students, including trainee doctors, walking out on lectures on evolution
The collective action is an attempt to bully universities into modifying their curricula, or at least to secure an exemption on Islamic grounds from knowing and being tested on what every other biology student has to study. That is a slippery slope, with lives at stake where prospective future doctors would selectively reject basic coursework. […]
Iran: Celebratory pat on the rear between soccer players results in long suspensions and $30,000 fines for “immoral” act
Sharia meets the wide world of sports, just to drive home the point that “there are no homosexuals in Iran.” None. Ahmadinejad said so. “Long suspensions, heavy fines for Iran soccer players’ fanny pat,” from the Los Angeles Times, November 29: REPORTING FROM TEHRAN AND BEIRUT — Long suspensions and $30,000 fines. That’s what Iran’s […]
Philippines: Jihad against budget hotels
The intrepid mujadehin, keeping the world safe from joy: the hotel was packed with wedding guests. “Wedding tragedy: Hotel bomb kills 3, wounds dozens in Philippines,” from MSNBC, November 29 (thanks to Kenneth): MANILA, Philippines “” Suspected Islamic militants detonated a powerful bomb that killed at least three people and wounded 27 others in a […]
NATO “braces for reprisals” from Pakistani-backed jihadists in retaliation for airstrike
“This will come back at us, and at a time and a place of their [the ISI’s] choosing.” “Nato braces for reprisals after deadly air strike on Pakistan border post,” by Julian Borger and Saeed Shah for the Guardian, November 27: Nato forces in Afghanistan were braced on Sunday for possible reprisals from Pakistani-backed insurgents […]
Afghan officials: “Forces were retaliating for gunfire from two Pakistani army bases”
This account supports a senior Western official’s statement that the airstrikes were a defensive measure, and suggests another case of curiously close proximity between jihadists and Pakistani military posts. U.S. officers reportedly also believed the Pakistani military was providing cover for jihadists in a firefight in late October, along with other recent allegations of jihadists’ […]
Nigeria: Four dead, eight churches burned in latest round of attacks in northeast
These attacks appear to be a continuation of an earlier rampage by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s Yobe state. An update on this story. “4 dead, churches burned in north Nigeria attack,” from the Associated Press, November 27: MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) “” Witnesses and authorities say at least four people died in an apparent attack on […]
U.S. State Dept. on jailed Afghan rape victim: “We expect Afghan prosecutors to properly apply the law while also upholding Gulnaz’s rights”
Here is the problem: even at face value, the statement is vague and non-committal, but while those words would mean one thing in the American legal system, they mean quite another in Afghanistan. Officials surely believed they were properly applying the law and upholding Gulnaz’ “rights.” The question becomes: whose law is being applied? Sharia […]
Pakistani Hindu: “Sexual assault, forced conversion, abduction and humiliation is all this country has given us”
Pakistani authorities turn a blind eye to the plight of religious minorities now, but the same people who torment minorities in the name of Islamic piety will knock on the door in Islamabad when they are strong enough. Then it will be a crisis. “Scarred and scared, these Pakistani Hindus seek refuge in India,” from […]
‘Moderate, modern’ Malaysia update: Hindu temple assaulted, destroyed by sledgehammer-wielding police
Longtime readers of Jihad Watch will be familiar with Malaysia’s lengthy and ignominious history of demolishing non Muslim houses of worship (see here and here) under a whole gamut of spurious pretexts. In this latest incident, note the highly personal manner in which this particular temple was destroyed — Malaysian police officers (who were almost […]
Afghanistan: Senior jihadist commander responsible for NATO deaths given amnesty, now head of Kandahar’s Islamic Affairs Department
To land a gig like that, are they sure he has been miraculously cured of his “misunderstanding” of Islam? He does not sound terribly remorseful below in spite of hitting a few talking points. In fact, it sounds like he is bragging. More on this story. “Insurgent commander who planned bomb attacks that ‘blew soliders […]
U.K.: Lebanese Christian worker at Heathrow files suit after being harassed by Muslim co-workers, fired over their accusations
“It comes amid growing concern among some Christians that their faith is being marginalised.” “She said that she was the subject of a complaint by an Islamic colleague which was specious and that when she raised her own concerns as a Christian, she was the one who was dismissed.” “The law seems to be on […]
‘Moderate’ Malaysia allows women to preach Islam: Is this the moderate Islam we’ve been waiting for?
In a word, no. Various naïve parties, abetted by a dhimmified and (at best) ignorant media apparatus, are nearly certain to happily go along with the idea that Malaysia has somehow conjured up a ‘moderate, modern’ Islam by allowing a handful of women into the ‘male dominated’ bastion of Islamic preaching. From “In Malaysia, Muslim […]
Libya’s new regime offers weapons, possibly fighters to Syrian rebels
The Great Libyan Jihadist Garage Sale ships long-distance. “Libya’s new rulers offer weapons to Syrian rebels,” by Ruth Shurlock for the Telegraph, November 25: Syrian rebels held secret talks with Libya’s new authorities on Friday, aiming to secure weapons and money for their insurgency against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, The Daily Telegraph has learned. At […]
Senior official: NATO air attack on Pakistani troops was in self-defense
“A more troubling explanation would be that insurgents in the area were operating under the nose of Pakistani security forces.” It could be a tragic accident, but unfortunately, there is also ample precedent for such allegations. An update on this story. “Nato air attack on Pakistani troops was self-defence, says senior western official,” by Jon […]
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood “sure of election victory,” showing its true colors
We tried to tell you. Parliamentary elections start tomorrow; fasten your seatbelts. There are also more details below on the Muslim Brotherhood rally in Cairo, where participants vowed to “kill all the Jews.” “Muslim Brotherhood sure of election victory as Tahrir unrest lingers,” by Anshel Pfeffer for Haaretz, November 26: CAIRO – A protester was […]