Browsing All Posts filed under »Balance vs Extremism«

Muslim groups draft rulebook for mosques to drive out extremists

October 30, 2007

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Patrick Wintour, political editor Tuesday October 30, 2007 The Guardian The first attempt by British Muslims to set out the core standards and constitutions for Britain’s 1,350-plus mosques and Islamic centres has been drawn up by a new body representing four leading groups. The move was welcomed by Hazel Blears, the communities secretary. Ministers have […]

Pakistan’s Army: Unprepared to tackle terrorism?

October 22, 2007

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By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN   Before returning to Pakistan Oct. 18, Benazir Bhutto boldly claimed that she would take the fight to militants in Pakistan’s lawless border regions. Hours after she arrived, her motorcade was bombed, killing about 136 people. The attack has only emboldened Ms. […]

My Islam: Freedom and Responsibility

October 19, 2007

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Dr. Ingrid Mattson  Muslims in America today seem to have lost the right to be individuals. We are treated as a collectivity – responsible as a group for any crime committed by another Muslim or done in the name of Islam. Shortly after 9/11, I wrote an article stating that Muslims have the greatest obligation […]

Muslim Leaders Send Peace Message

October 16, 2007

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 Time Magazine It is time that Muslims and Christians recognized just how similar they are — the fate of the world depends on it. That’s the message being sent out today by 138 Muslim leaders and scholars in an open letter to their Christian counterparts saying that world peace hinges on greater understanding between the […]

Ann Coulter: both Anti-semitic and Islamophobe

October 12, 2007

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Ann Coulter: Jews need to be “perfected” In the above video, Ann Coulter discusses with Donny Deutsch on his Big Idea show about her views on Christianity and Jews, and what her version of a perfect world would be like. From the Media Matters Website. Note from Rafik Beekun: Please note that what Ann Coulter said […]

The rise of mosques becomes catalyst for conflict across Europe

October 11, 2007

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Ian Traynor in Wangen, Switzerland Thursday October 11, 2007 The Guardian North of Berne in an idyllic Alpine valley cowbells tinkle, a church steeple rises, and windowboxes tumble with geraniums. It has always been like this. But down by the railway station the 21st century is rudely intruding and the villagers of Wangen are upset. […]

Islamophobia 101–Episode 23: Horowitz’s upcoming “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week”

October 9, 2007

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David Horowitz has announced “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week” (IFAW) for October 22-26, to take place on campuses around the country. Horowitz has enlisted some of the most extreme, and dangerous, ideologues as spokespeople, and is working with a whole potpourri of  reactionary student organizations in an attempt to hold what he says will be the largest conservative university […]

Palestinian student denied entry to Israel for University program

October 9, 2007

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A Palestinian high tech executive has been denied permission to enter Israel to attend an executive MBA program run by Northwestern University, an Israeli advocacy group said Monday. Saed Hasan, 32, a manager at Global Software in Ramallah, was accepted to the Kellogg-Recanati International Executive MBA program, run jointly by Northwestern University and Tel Aviv […]

Muslim medical students get picky

October 7, 2007

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 Sunday Times, London, Oct 7, 2007 Daniel Foggo and Abul Taher SECTION: HOME NEWS; News; Pg. 1 SOME Muslim medical students are refusing to attend lectures or answer exam questions on alcohol-related or sexually transmitted diseases because they claim it offends their religious beliefs, write Daniel Foggo and Abul Taher. Some trainee doctors say learning […]

How Americans view Muslims in 2007

October 4, 2007

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 Source: The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life  The Muslim and Mormon religions have gained increasing national visibility in recent years. Yet most Americans say they know little or nothing about either religion’s practices, and large majorities say that their own religion is very different from Islam and the Mormon religion. A new national […]

Pentagon observes Muslim holy month

October 3, 2007

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Washington Times,  October 3, 2007 By Sara A. Carter – Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon. “God is most great,” sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, […]

Ye Hum Naheen: Muslim-to-Muslim Video against Terrorism

September 29, 2007

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Yeh Hum Naheen has become a truly unprecedented musical movement. Featuring the vocal talents of some of Pakistans biggest music artists, including Haroon, Ali Haider, Ali Zafar, Shufqat, Strings, Shuja Haider and Hadiqa Kiani, uniting to sing out the message the world needs to hear. Written by Ali Moeen, Pakistans foremost lyricist, with music composed […]

MUSLIM SCARF DENTIST GUILTY

September 27, 2007

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The Mirror, UK. Sept 27, 2007 A MUSLIM dentist who refused to treat a woman unless she wore a headscarf was yesterday found guilty of serious professional misconduct. The General Dental Council ruled Dr Omer Butt, 31, discriminated against the patient, known only as Mrs A. [more] Please click here to read the remainder of […]

Reminder: Fatwa Issued Against Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida

September 22, 2007

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In light of the recent involvement of Muslim professionals (i.e. doctors) in acts of terrorism, I am reprinting this fatwa issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain against Osama Bin Laden, and the fatwas by the US Fiqh Council of North America and British Muslim clerics against religious extremism and terrorism as a reminder to […]

Islamophobia 101-Episode 21: “Too many mosques in the United States.”

September 20, 2007

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Please watch the following (unedited) interview of New York Congressman King. In the above interview, Rep. King said: “Unfortunately, we have too many mosques in this country. There are too many people who are sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully. We should be finding out how we can infiltrate. […]

A Ramadan Letter to Osama bin Laden

September 18, 2007

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 Sheikh Salman al-Oadah, Islamtoday.com Sheikh Salman b. Fahd al-Oadah, the general supervisor of IslamToday.net, delivered the following address to Osama bin Laden live on NBC television on 14 September, 2007, which corresponds to the second say of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: Brother Osama:How much blood has been spilled? How many innocent children, women, and old […]

Please sign the petition on behalf of Professor Nadia Abu al-Haj’s Tenure.

September 14, 2007

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BIO of Nadia Abu El-Haj, assistant professor, recently published Facts on the Ground: Archaeological Practice and Territorial Self-Fashioning in Israeli Society (University of Chicago Press, 2002). She spent the past academic year at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and has received numerous fellowships. Her research focuses on the Middle East. At Barnard, she […]

In Turbulent Pakistan, Start-Ups Drive a Boom

September 11, 2007

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By PETER WONACOTT September 5, 2007; Page A1, Wall Street Journal ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s political scene is growing more clouded, but a clear demonstration of confidence in the country’s future is coming from an emerging economic force: entrepreneurs. Scores of new businesses once unseen in Pakistan, from fitness studios to chic coffee shops to […]

How a Muslim Billionaire Thrives in Hindu India

September 11, 2007

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By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV September 11, 2007; Page A1, Wall Street Journal BANGALORE, India — The world’s richest Muslim entrepreneur defies conventional wisdom about Islamic tycoons: He doesn’t hail from the Persian Gulf, he didn’t make his money in petroleum, and he definitely doesn’t wear his faith on his sleeve. A native of Mumbai, Azim Premji […]

Palos mosque controversy: A Harvard case study

September 10, 2007

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Harvard University students are going to be studying Palos Heights this fall. A case study titled “A Mosque in Palos Heights,” based on real events in that city in 2000, has been developed by Harvard’s Pluralism Project, which studies America’s changing religious diversity to better understand its impact on society. In 2000, the Al Salam […]

Saudi government bans leading Arab paper

September 10, 2007

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By SALAH NASRAWI, Associated Press Writer CAIRO, Egypt – Saudi Arabia has indefinitely banned the distribution of a leading Arab newspaper, days after the paper disclosed that a Saudi extremist had played a key role in a violent Iraqi al-Qaida front group. One of the kingdom’s most influential journalists immediately criticized the ban, calling it […]

Abandon Stereotypes, Muslims in America Say

September 7, 2007

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By NEIL MacFARQUHAR, New York Times. ROSEMONT, Ill., Sept 3 — It is time for the United States to stop treating every American Muslim as somehow suspect, leaders of the faith said at their largest annual convention, which ended here on Monday. Six years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Americans should distinguish between mainstream Muslims […]

Turkey is vital to Europe’s future

September 6, 2007

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The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)David MilibandSECTION: FEATURES; Comment; Pg. 20 In the 20th century, Britain’s national security came under threat from hostile nations. Today, the threat is from terrorist groups, such as al-Qa’eda, operating within failed states, seeking to fracture the world along religious lines. The response by the police and the Army, at home and […]

Watch Video of Arabic School and VOTE whether it should be allowed to operate or not

September 5, 2007

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AOL is carrying out a survey asking people whether the Arabic school (see article below) should be allowed to operate or not. Please click here to participate in the vote. As of 4:30 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time), Sept 6, 2007, the results were as follows: 35% were voting in favor of the Arabic school being allowed […]

New York public school accused of radical Islamist agenda

September 4, 2007

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NEW YORK (CNN) — A public school in New York that will teach Arabic language and culture opened Tuesday amid accusations that it will impose a radical Islamist agenda in its classrooms. Please click here to view CNN video on the Khalil Gibran Academy. Carmen Colon enrolled her son in Khalil Gibran Academy, but pulled […]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 19–Group Targets Middle Eastern Textbooks

September 4, 2007

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By Special to the Sun September 4, 2007 As schools citywide open their doors today, a group critical of a new Arabic-language public school is stepping up its opposition efforts, broadening its campaign to target national school curricula. The group, a coalition of community members, parents, and organizations called Citizens for American Values in Public […]

Tajik MPs urge president to prevent demolition of mosques in capital

September 3, 2007

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BBC Monitoring Central Asia Unit Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring Three Tajik MPs have appealed to President Emomali Rahmon to prevent demolition and closure of mosques in Dushanbe. In their appeal Akbar Turajonzoda, Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda and Muhiddin Kabiri – former United Tajik Opposition leaders – condemn what they term “anti-Islamic and anti-constitutional” acts of the […]

Sri Lankan Girl Facing Death Row in Saudi Arabia

August 29, 2007

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Lankan Newspaper.com 19-year-old Rizana Nasik, is facing death sentence by beheading in Saudi Arabia for the murder of her employer`s infant two years ago. `According to the relatives of the accused girl the baby had died by accidental strangulation while her employer was abusing the Sri Lankan girl while she had the baby in her […]

Religious Profiling: New TSA Policy on Head Covering

August 29, 2007

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CAIR News Release August 28, 2007 Civil rights and community organizations are urging their constituents to take note of revised screening procedures at airports for all head coverings and to know their rights as travelers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released a statement today confirming reports of new head covering screening procedures as of August […]

Smearing the Accomplishments of a Muslim School Principal

August 29, 2007

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By SAMUEL G. FREEDMAN New York Times Last Feb. 12, you may recall, New York education officials announced plans to open a minischool in September that would teach half its classes in Arabic and include study of Arab culture. The principal was to be a veteran teacher who was also a Muslim immigrant from Yemen, […]

Death threats allegedly issued against Middle Eastern Scholar at Barnard College

August 18, 2007

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In an email from President Judy Shapiro of Barnard College to Phil Orenstein of Democracy Project, she allegedly states that Assistant Professor Nadia Abu El-Haj has received death threats. “To clarify and provide some additional information: I do not myself believe that the people who are getting in touch with me anonymously truly need to […]

Along a Brooklyn avenue, a melting pot — and peace;

August 15, 2007

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Rick Hampson USA Today NEW YORK — What is it about Coney Island Avenue? That’s what Brooklyn College sociologist Jerry Krase wonders as he rides the B68 bus along this 5-mile commercial strip, which is populated at various stops by pockets of West Indians, Latinos, Pakistanis, Indians, Orthodox Jews, Chinese, Russians, Israelis and Ukrainians. How […]

In defense of Hijab: Azizah’s front cover

August 7, 2007

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Linda Morris Religious Affairs Writer Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) August 7, 2007 Tuesday, p. 5 First Edition ON JUST about every cover of Azizah, the first of a new crop of US Muslim women’s magazines, is a women wearing the hijab. The practice has drawn criticism that the publisher and editor of Azizah, Tayyibah Taylor, […]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 18–Republican Presidential candidate threatens Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina

August 6, 2007

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WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo says the best way he can think of to deter a nuclear terrorist attack on the U.S. is to threaten to retaliate by bombing Islamic holy sites. The Colorado congressman on Tuesday told about 30 people at a town hall meeting in the state of Iowa that […]

What is Islamophobia?

August 1, 2007

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1. Ibrahim Hooper debates Dennis Praeger CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper debates use of the term “Islamophobia” with talk show host Dennis Prager on CNN. 2. Islamophobie (What is Islamophobia) [in French] Please click here to view an excellent short lecture by Tariq Ramadan on what Islamophobia is. The lecture is in French. 3. […]

Is flushing the Qur’an down the toilet a hate crime?

August 1, 2007

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CAIR Debates Hate Vandalism of Quran with Chris Hitchens

Egypt’s Grand Mufti comes out against the killing of apostates

July 26, 2007

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By OMAR SINAN, Associated Press Writer One of Egypt’s most senior Muslim clerics has raised controversy by saying there is no worldly retribution for Muslims who abandon their religion, prompting an outcry from conservatives insisting Islamic law requires such apostates be killed. The editorial in The Washington Post came from Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Ali Gomaa, […]

Good appearance in Islam

July 25, 2007

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Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Hashimi The true Muslim takes good care of his clothes, so you will see him presenting a pleasant appearance, without being extravagant. He is pleasant to look at and to meet, and does not annoy people with his careless, disheveled appearance. He always checks himself before he goes out to meet people, […]

Islam in America: Are Muslims Integrated Into Our Society?

July 24, 2007

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Newsweek, July 30, 2007 issue What would you tell suicide bombers who invoke Islam to justify their actions? What are the rights of women in Islam? Is it permissible for a Muslim to convert to another faith? After September 11, many Americans asked whether Muslims living here at home were susceptible to the same extremist […]

Muslims must hold fast to flexibility in their tradition

July 24, 2007

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Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Grand Mufti of Egypt Irish Times, July 24, 2007 Almost two years ago the citizens of London were victims of a great atrocity. Those who perpetrated those crimes would like you to believe that they were inspired by the religion of Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is nothing […]

Diverse Muslim identity must replace the stereotypes

July 21, 2007

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Niall Crowley, The Irish Times, Opinion Section, July 21, 2007, p. 15 Reducing all Muslim people to a singular, all-encompassing unit justifies inequality and discrimination and does not serve the emergence of an integrated society, writes Niall Crowley. A man stands up in a Dublin bus, points at an Irish Muslim girl and shouts “terrorist”. […]

Pakistan Ulema (religious Islamic scholars) condemn suicide bombing

July 21, 2007

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Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency Peshawar, 20 July: The ulema [Muslim clergy] in the Jumma [Friday] congregations, while condemning suicide bombing, have stated it an act of anti humanity and a heinous crime. “The act is anti Islam and inhuman”, they told the faithful in their sermons. They said […]

‘The Muslim doctors’ oath rejects all acts of terrorism

July 20, 2007

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Dr Abdul Majid Katme, letters GP Magazine, July 20, 2007, p. 18 This is the oath of a Muslim physician: ‘Praise be to Allah, the Teacher, the Unique, Majesty of the heavens, the Exalted, the Glorious, Glory be to Him, the Eternal Being who created the Universe and all the creatures within, and the only […]

Islamophobia 101–Episode 16: Eradicate Muslims like Beetles from the Face of this Earth

July 19, 2007

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Please click here to listen to a threat from radio host Neal Boortz to eradicate Muslims like beetles from the face of this earth. Press the play button to start the audio clip. For more information on Neal Boortz, please click here. Please do not contact him directly because Mr. Boortz can and will use […]

From Atheism to Islam: Professor of Mathematics, Jeffrey Lang

July 18, 2007

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Dr. Jeffrey Lang is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, one of the biggest universities in the United States. He started his religious journey on Jan 30, 1954, when he was born in a Roman Catholic family in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The first 18 years of his life were spent in Catholic schools, which […]

Fighting Extremism is Up to All of US

July 17, 2007

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Saeed Saeed, Canberra Times FOREIGN Minister Alexander Downer recently addressed the opening ceremony of the Peace and Harmony Interfaith Conference in Sydney. He ended with a plea to Australia’s Muslim leaders and community members to take the lead in eradicating the community’s extremist fringe. ”You might feel that it is not your problem,” Downer said. […]

Indian Muslims oppose fatwa against co-education

July 17, 2007

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By Shaikh Azizur Rahman, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Indian Muslim leaders are uniting with female students in opposition to a “fatwa” or Islamic edict demanding that Muslim girls stay away from academic institutions where boys are studying. The order, issued by the influential theological school of Darul Uloom Deoband in northern India last week, said coeducation […]

Good Samaritan 101: Jews come to the help of Muslims in building new mosque

July 16, 2007

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By Tim Townsend ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH A FAMILIAR STORY IN THE 1950s • Temple Israel bought land in Creve Coeur. The city amended its zoning to block the temple’s efforts to build. The case went to the Missouri Supreme Court, and Temple Israel prevailed. NOW • In Lemay, the Islamic Community Center bought 4.7 acres […]

Radicalism Among Muslim Professionals Worries Many

July 16, 2007

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Hassan M. Fattah – The New York Times Media Group DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 13 — They were some of the best and brightest in the Muslim world who toiled for years to master their knowledge. Now they stand accused of seeking mass murder. For weeks, commentators and analysts in the Muslim world have […]

Doctors have no place in terrorism

July 16, 2007

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by Asma Mobin-Uddin Source: The Columbus Dispatch The thought of physicians treating sick patients by the light of day while plotting to kill innocent people under the cover of darkness sickens and angers me on a very personal level. If these accusations are true, they are the ultimate betrayal of the trust placed in physicians […]