altmuslim

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Monday, January 12, 2004

Without Muslims, Foiled Domestic Terror Plot Gets No Respect

What does a terrorist in the US have to do to get some media coverage in John Ashcroft's America? You'd think that having a weapon of mass destruction (in this case, a socium cyanide bomb capable of killing thousands), 100 other bombs (including remote-detonating suitcase bombs), machine guns with... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, January 9, 2004

If It's Not Organic, It's Not Halal

The news about the discovery in the US of a case of "mad cow" disease (otherwise known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a disease caused by feeding animal products to otherwise vegetarian ruminants) may not be of concern to Muslims who stick with halal meat, but given the sad state of halal... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 7, 2004

India & Pakistan: From The Brink Of War To The Road To Peace

For over 50 years, the issue of Kashmir - a beautiful mountainous region divided between (and claimed by) India and Pakistan - has been an unhealed wound along the heavily armed border between the two countries, which aside from their hostilities share a common history, culture, and language. It has... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, January 5, 2004

Opinions Divided Over French Hijab Ban, Muslims Included

Once again, the humble hijab or head scarf that some Muslim women wear, has become a touchstone for anger, resentment, and protest. But France's decision made last week to enact a law banning the hijab along with Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses (who since Madonna circa 1984 wears large... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, December 31, 2003

The Top Ten Good News Stories Of 2003

We've spent much of the past year covering troubling events throughout the Muslim world - increased conflict in the Middle East, civil rights struggles in the US, and most recently the Iranian earthquake that may have killed up to 30,000 people. However, at the end of each year we try to reflect on... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, December 29, 2003

Hope Fades In Iran As Death Toll Surpasses 20,000

Search and rescue teams from all over the world poured into the quake-stricken city of Bam, Iran this weekend as people desparately tried to save what few victims may have survived the 6.3 temblor. Over 90% of the injured are said to be in critical condition, leaving much work for local and incoming... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 26, 2003

What If The Next Attempt On Musharraf's Life Succeeds?

Since taking over the government of Pakistan from the previous democratically elected (yet ineffectual) leader Nawaz Sharif, President-General Pervez Musharraf has made halting steps toward a return to democratic rule. Along the way, however, this progress was slowed when he led Pakistan in an... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Nuclear Dominos In Middle East Topple: Will Israel Follow?

A series of events of the past week has led to a dramatically different military landscape in the Middle East - one that promises to leave the entire region (with one notable exception ) verifiably free of nuclear weapons. Most stunning was the declaration of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi of an... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 19, 2003

Anti-Terror Prosecutions In "War On Terror" Falling Apart

There's a lot of silent conservative commentators now that prominent court cases brought as part of the "war on terror" are collapsing. First, while media hype insured that everyone knew about the arrest of Chaplain James "Yousef" Yee on suspicion of spying for al-Qaida, not many know that he's been... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

In Bush's Backyard, An American Muslim Wins Houston Election

Given the dismal post 9/11 record of Muslims running for political office in America, it's not surprising that skepticism surrounded M. J. Khan's decision to run for Houston City Council. But this candidate was different, showing dogged perserverance in securing one endorsement after another, and... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, December 15, 2003

Saddam Captured: Now, Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Quagmire

If the instability of the Arab and Muslim world was really based on the demise of one man, then today's news of the capture of Saddam Hussein would be worth the hype that you're hearing on TV and radio talk shows across America. But the lack of communication equipment or documents most likely means... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 12, 2003

A Delicate Balance: Teaching About Islam In American Schools

About 12 years ago, the story goes, Shabbir Mansuri's daughter Ahsia came home from school, waving her sixth-grade textbook opened to the chapter on Islam. The text explained that Muslims rub their faces in the sand during prayer. "Dad, we don't have any sand in our house," said Ahsia. "I don't... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, December 9, 2003

American Muslim Football: An Intifada On The Gridiron

Football - it's as all-American as apple pie, large SUVs, and invading third world countries. And in addition to keeping couch potatoes firmly planted in front of their large-screen TVs, it's also a great way to keep young people off the streets and out of trouble. So who could complain when a... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 4, 2003

Special Registration For Muslim Visitors Ends, But Fears Continue

Muslim visitors to the US who cooperated with the "special registration" procedure known as the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System ( NSEERS ) filed into federal buildings this week for regular interviewing and photographing, but found themselves being handed "walkaway papers" informing... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, November 28, 2003

Much Ado About Smut-ing: Terrorism Charges Dropped

After three months of detention on suspicion of terror-related er... stuff, James Yee was released from prison only to be slapped with unrelated adultery and pornography charges, leaving his family and friends feeling both relief and outrage. When Yee was arrested on Sept. 10th, the media-fanned... Sign in to see full entry.

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