Thursday, October 25, 2007

The Rich custodian of Haramayn Sharifayn

Saudi Arabia has banned the latest issue of the Arabic-language edition of Forbes magazine for an article about the wealth of the king and other Arab leaders, its managing editor said on Wednesday.

"The reason was a two-page report on the wealth of 15 ruling dynasties, seven of which are Arab," Refaat Jaafar, managing editor of Dubai-based Forbes Arabia, told Reuters.

"This sort of ban is counterproductive."

He said the Saudi distribution company was told about the ban on Tuesday.

"Instead of ripping out the pages of the report, the authorities decided to ban the magazine altogether," said one government official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Officials at the information ministry could not immediately comment on the ban.

The report ranked King Abdullah third, behind the rulers of Brunei and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi authorities have ordered columns by Khalid al-Dakhil, a prominent Saudi analyst and university lecturer, to be ripped out of Forbes Arabia twice so far this year.

Authorities in the conservative kingdom also tear out pages from newspapers and magazines before they hit newsstands if they contain pictures deemed indecent. (Reuters)

>>>detail

So how much wealth amassed from the Hajis?

Monday, October 22, 2007

Woman in western society

If in Muslim countries they try to cover the woman, in America they try to make them look like a piece of meat. "
--Marjane Satrapi, The New York Times. October 21, 2007

Friday, October 19, 2007

The Saudi Religious Discourse Promotes Extremism

The hatred generated by the Wahhabis from and Saudi Arabia and world around has caused too much damage to the Muslim unity. These people have nothing but calling other Muslim believers as Kafirs. They talk only of killings and suicide bombings.

On this subject a columnist for the Saudi daily Al-Watan Khaled Al-Ghanami said that the exaggerated preoccupation with the issue of heresy is what encourages terrorism in Saudi Arabia. He wrote: "Unfortunately, the traditional religious discourse inadvertently serves those who are accusing people of heresy.

"When the mosques promulgate religious rulings and announcements that accuse other Islamic schools of thought, such as Sufism or Shi'ism, of heresy - while ignoring the fact that Sufism is an inseparable part of the Saudi identity and that the Shi'ites constitute a large proportion of the population in the eastern and southern areas of Saudi Arabia - this serves those who accuse others of heresy. Even the sentence 'We accuse of heresy only those whom Allah and His Messenger accused of heresy,' which is often repeated in the wider religious circles, is an inseparable part of the mentality of those who repeatedly accuse others of heresy. The debate over who is subject to this decree and who is not is only a small [part of the] controversy...>>>full article

Friday, October 12, 2007

Mixing Hypocracy with Democracy

Phone companies have opened a new front in their campaign against the free flow of information. This time they've found a powerful ally in the White House. AT&T and Verizon have already shown their disdain for free speech and Net Neutrality, and their eagerness to let government spies lurk on American people phone calls.

The champions of Free Speech, Liberty, Democracy etc. etc. who are trying to implement these on the weak nations, are now stealing the freedom of their own people. Now the American masses will realize that how the people under occupations and invasions live. >>>story

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Black deeds of Blackwater - to pay -$9m

IRAQI authorities have demanded $US8 million ($8.9 million) in compensation for the families of each of the 17 people killed when Blackwater USA guards opened fire on a crowded square last month.

A report issued by the Iraqi Government, which calls on the US Government to end its relationship with the controversial security firm within six months, is set to further raise tensions between the Government of the Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, and the White House.

The report said the compensation - totalling $US136 million - was so high "because Blackwater uses employees who disrespect the rights of Iraqi citizens even though they are guests in this country".

"The investigation committee appointed by [Mr Maliki] has finished its inquiry and has found that there was no evidence that the convoy of Blackwater came under fire directly or indirectly," a Government statement said, quoting the inquiry's findings. "Employees of the company violated the rules governing use of force by security companies. They have committed a deliberate crime and should be punished under the law.">>>Detail

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The Pharoic Islam of Egypt

Egypt should immediately free two men active in promoting the rights of Egypt�s Shi`a minority and halt any criminal proceedings against them, Human Rights Watch said today. The two men were arrested after also criticizing the prevalence of torture in Egyptian prisons.>>>more

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The US Congress Passes the "Ramadaan Bill"
This is HISTORIC for American- Muslims and Muslims around the world. This is the first time in history that the United States Congress will commemorate and recognize the month of Ramadan as the Islamic holy month. The language from the bill text is below for your viewing.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. MEEKS of New York , and Mr. KEITH ELLISON) submitted the following resolution H. RES. 635; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.
Therefore, it was Resolved, That-- (1) during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and (2) in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.
The Congress passed the resolution unanimously 376-0 on October 2,2007.
(Thanks Zahra Liaghat)

Saturday, October 6, 2007

An appeal to Nobel Prize Foundation

Former US vice president has been nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his wide reaching efforts to tackle global warming. But, the Nobel Prize foundation has been hasty in announcing the name. They should have bestowed this prize to Madame Condolizzza Rice on giving birth to a "New Middle East". The world is still searching this newborn.

Israel..... Check


While Iran is playing mind game with Israel and America and amazingly is dominating it. The chess player of Iran has refused to play against an Israeli chess player in the second round of the World Under 20 Juniors and Girls Chess Championships on Friday.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Can India rely on US after this?

It was the second time in less than two years that the US had let down India. First, for the UN General Secretary (Shashi Tharoor) post for succeeding Kofi Annan and now to head the International Monetary Fund's Monetary and Financial Committee -- the IMF's influential policymaking body. The candidate was none other than India's Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Also the US has been dangling the carrot of UN's Security Council permanent membership. The big question is; The N-deal. Will this deal be in the interest of the people of India, the emerging super power of Asia?

Thursday, October 4, 2007

BJP bowled over by the Gowdas

BJP has been stung for the second time, this time by a political old horse, Deve Gowda. Though, first time it survived the sting by Mayawati, but, this time there are remote chances of its survival. The BJP had gone far ahead to grab the power after dumping its one of the ministers, without any success. Those who compromise their ideology face such kind of humiliations. Rajasthan and Gujarat are facing rebellions from the senior and polished BJP members. The approaching elections are alarm for this saffron party. These two states have already slipped away from its hands. Anti-incumbancy is at its peak. The party has reach to the point of no-return. The BJP has burned the bridges with its major NDF allies and the Ram Setu will not be able to let it cross to the power from the oblivion. The leadership issue is eroding its administrative base internally. To summarise, there is opposition to this party save from its own so-called disciplined cadres. The Uma Bhartis and Khuranas have already created the schism within the party. Any announcement of the mid-term poll will reduce its parliamentary seats into half. The stars are not favouring it nor the film stars can save it from dimming out. A poet says in such a situation:
Aage aage dekhye hota hai kya?
Ibtedae ishq hai rota hai kya?