How is this relevant to Jihad Watch? Imagine the president snubbing a high level Muslim leader (and breaking from past precedent to do so) for similar reasons. You begin to wonder if the man has a list of Friendly Leaders I Still Need to Offend. Talks with Iran? No problem. Meeting with a benevolent, nonviolent […]
Pilgrim’s Regress?
“Well, don’t fret about that, Pilgrim.” “Jerusalem Tense as Arab Leaders Visit Disputed Holy Site,” by Robert Berger for the Voice of America, October 7: Israeli border police officer, masked plainclothes police officers detain Palestinian youth during clashes in east Jerusalem Kids Today! Tension remains high between Jews and Muslims at a disputed Jerusalem holy […]
Letterman of Arabia?
He may get more than a tongue-lashing. Maybe if his mama washes his mouth out with soap, they’ll give him credit for time served. Over-reaction alert: “Saudi Man Gets 5 Year Sentence, 1,000 Lashes for Sex Talk” from Voice of America, October 7: A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced a man to five years […]
Israel Incites Snake Attacks?
This post should be in the early September archives, but slithered by in transition. Lord Voldemort back from the dead? Dr. Dolittle run amok? Apparently Zionists speak Parseltongue in addition to programming squirrels, pigeons, rats, and wild boars, though the latest critter may have a “real life” mechanical counterpart. You can’t make this stuff up […]
Jedi Forced Out in Wales
“Boys In the Hood!” At one level, is this amusing? Absolutely. At another level, is this a double standard with less than amusing implications obscured by its amusing element? You bet. “Tesco discriminate against Jedi,” by Edgar Allan McAbe at The Morning Starr, September 18: A Tesco supermarket in Bangor, North Wales has been accused […]
Let’s buy off the Taliban!
Since it purportedly works so well in other contexts, why not line the coffers of the Taliban too? Isn’t it poverty that motivates them, anyway? “The Way Out of Afghanistan: We need to buy off our enemies” — Jizya madness at Newsweek by Fareed Zakaria, September 12: It’s time to get real about Afghanistan. Withdrawal […]
Egyptian Mufti says women can wear pants, but…
Relaxing Jean-jihad. Sharia Alert from Egypt: “Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa: Women Can Wear Trousers, But Stretch Pants Are ‘Unacceptable’” from the Huffington Post, September 16: CAIRO — Egypt’s top Islamic authority defended women’s rights to wear trousers in public following a high profile court case in neighboring Sudan were women were flogged for dressing […]
Hijackers speak for themselves at 9/11 Museum
A little delayed due to gearing up the new website, but still worthy of attention: Depending on the context and the way the content is presented, this might be a smart way to educate the public about the 9/11 attackers’ motives and discourage aspiring emulators. “9/11 Museum to display hijacker perspective” from Reuters, September 11: […]
The Holocaust’s untold heroes: Exhibit honors Albanian Muslims who saved Jews
As documented by Mark A. Gabriel, the history of Islamic anti-Semitism is persistent, pervasive, and severe. To the extent that Albanian Muslims — even if they were Muslim merely culturally or by default — protected Jews from the Holocaust, they are worthy and remarkable exemplars. Will other Muslims follow the Albanians’ example in future troubled […]
Mali women’s rights deferred for “peace and calm”
“Peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.” “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” — Martin Luther King, Jr. “They Have Betrayed Allah!,” from AFP, September 1: New family legislation giving more rights to Mali’s women which was passed by […]
What’s in a name? German court approves “Djehad” name for toddler
Shouldn’t parents (though there is no mention of the mother) have freedom in selecting their children’s names? Maybe. But why “Djehad?” Will this young man be brought up with a mystical, peaceful, interior understanding of the concept for which he is named? “Leading Islamist Wins Right to Name Son ‘Djehad,’” from Spiegel Online, September 2: […]
Thug-in-Chief takes up cabinet making, vows to continue “on the same path”
Does Ahmadinejad “knock on wood” before constructing cabinets? “Ahmadinejad urges parliament to approve cabinet” from Agence France-Presse, August 30: Iran’s embattled President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose disputed re-election unleashed the worst crisis in the Islamic republic’s history, appealed to parliament on Sunday to approve his new cabinet. “I hope the majlis will firmly approve all ministers […]
Stop the presses! Vote fraud allegations on the rise in Afghanistan
Democracy on the march. “Afghan vote: 225 claims of irregularities lodged,” from Dawn, August 23: KABUL: Around 225 allegations of irregularities in Afghanistan’s elections have been lodged with a complaints investigator, some of which could affect the results, the body said Sunday. The charges include tampering with ballot boxes for Thursday’s presidential and provincial council […]
India: bigamy is against the “˜letter and spirit” of Islam
Oh, really? “Bigamy is against the “˜letter and spirit” of Islam, Indian judge rules,” by Dean Nelson in The Telegraph, August 7: Bigamy among India’s Muslims is against the “letter and spirit” of true Islam, the country’s law commission has ruled. The ruling, by one of the country’s senior judges, has provoked a wave of […]
What we need with Iran is a good, hard, kick in the grass
The Christian Century, perhaps the most popular bi-weekly periodical in liberal Protestant Christianity, during the recent unrest in Iran proposed the first of many steps for rapprochement with that country. Since these views are widespread, this piece is worth revisiting. “Soccer diplomacy,” by the Century editors in Christian Century, July 28: Iran is a young […]
Malaysia: “Reckless” bloggers can be prosecuted
Free Speech Death Watch Update The Malaysian Star, August 18: KUALA TERENGGANU: Bloggers who incite hatred or harp on sensitive issues like race and religion in their postings can be prosecuted for sedition, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. He said the Government would put in place a mechanism to monitor and prevent […]