altmuslim

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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Al-Arian Acquitted, But Court Of Public Opinion Still Out

Though US prosecutors have scored many apparent victories in terror-linked cases (thanks to immigration violations), there have also been numerous high profile defeats of late. Even so, none have been as huge a blunder as the acquittal on 8 charges (the remaining 9 were deadlocked) of Sami Al-Arian,... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Searching for Islam in a Belgian Female Bomber

These days, the news (and propaganda) value of suicide bombings in Iraq has significantly decreased from the (be)heady days of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi's grisly exploits (though that may yet change ). So what's Al Qaeda to do to shock people these days? Enter Muriel Degauque, a 38-year old Belgian who,... Sign in to see full entry.

In California, Muslim-Owned Liquor Stores Become A Target

The issue of liquor stores in poor African-American neighborhoods such as those in Oakland, California has long been an issue of contention with urban activists. Seen by many as magnets for criminal behavior and contributing to alcohol abuse among the poor, liquor stores were one of the first... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, November 28, 2005

The Strange Spiritual Journey of Michelle Leslie

On the surface, it seemed like just another trip to Brokedown Palace, where young westerners find themselves at the mercy of the strict drug laws of many Southeast Asian nations. In this case, a 24-year old Australian model, Michelle Leslie, was arrested in Bali, Indonesia (along with the children... Sign in to see full entry.

Undoing A Character Assassination

Nearly two years ago, US Senator and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Chuck Grassley (R-IA) ordered the IRS to investigate 25 American Muslim organizations and charities which he claimed "finance terrorism and perpetuate violence". However, observers did not have to wait for the results to... Sign in to see full entry.

A Lion Of The Desert: Remembering Moustapha Akkad

Whenever Muslims have talked about their continued demonized image in Hollywood, and subsequently about the dearth of Muslims working behind the camera to help change it, the example of filmmaker Moustapha Akkad often came up as a bright spot. Akkad, who was murdered last week in the Jordan suicide... Sign in to see full entry.

Is What's Good For France Also Good For Egypt?

In the aftermath of France's feu des voitures, many observers have noted (quite correctly) that the violence follows decades of neglect, limited economic integration, and social exclusion. But while most of the attention has been focused on Europe, a parallel universe has existed in Egypt for... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, November 7, 2005

Paris Is Burning: What's Religion Got To Do With It?

When the sun sets, the violence begins. Burning cars, balaclava-clad youth battling police (sometimes with real bullets), and an increasing sense of hopelessness cover neighborhoods long afflicted with high unemployment. It could be the West Bank, but this time the unrest is happening in the French... Sign in to see full entry.

Did Ahmadinejad Write a Cheque Iran Can't Cash?

Iran's antipathy to Israel is nothing new, entrenched in the very core of Iranian political identity. But when newly elected conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated the late Ayatollah Khomenei's words this week that "Israel must be wiped off the map," all hell broke loose. The comments... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Mukhtar Mai In The Spotlight During US Visit

To the end, Pakistani gang-rape victim Mukhtaran Bibi (aka Mukthar Mai) faced obstacles in garnering support abroad for her efforts to fight sexual violence in Pakistan. Charged by President Pervez Musharraf of washing Pakistan's dirty linen outside the country, followed by insinuations that women... Sign in to see full entry.

Racial Tension In Birmingham Turns Deadly

Last week, a pirate radio DJ named Warren G (no not that Warren G ) aired an allegation of the rape of a 14-year old Jamaican girl by a gang of Asian (Pakistani) youths in a beauty parlour that exacerbated racial tensions between the two communities in the Lozells neighbourhood of Birmingham (no,... Sign in to see full entry.

Aid (and Politics) Slowly Follow Kashmir's Misery

Much of the devastation from last week's devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Pakistani Kashmir still remains unseen in many remote areas, making aid relief efforts challenging. Some 25,000 deaths have been confirmed, a number that could rise to 40,000 - mostly women and children (who were in... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Movie Studio Not Amused By Muslim-Themed Comedy Film

If you thought that Hollywood had no sensitivity to the way Muslims were portrayed in film, you'd be wrong. Not because there rate of Muslims being portrayed as terrorists has slowed down, but because a major studio is trying to save us from being portrayed as being funny. Sony Pictures refused to... Sign in to see full entry.

Female Muslim Tennis Ace Stands Up To Fatwa

She just wanted to be a tennis pro. 18-year old Sania Mirza, a Muslim from Hyderabad, India, has fought her way to the top of the tennis world, moving from 326th to 34th best woman player in the world. She recently became the first Indian woman to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament,... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

What If Jews Destroyed Mosques?

Imagine if Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip destroyed two dozen mosques. There would be mass rallies in front of Israeli embassies around the world, and in America organizations like CAIR and MPAC would issue righteous condemnations calling on the American government to restrain Israel. However, as... Sign in to see full entry.

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