Blogit > altmuslim

Will London Attack Mark A Turning Point For Extremism?

Last Thursday's horrific attack against London's public transport systems marked a day of reckoning among Britain's 1.6 million Muslims, who have been grappling in recent years with rising alienation and extremism among a small minority of younger adherents. Though details on the bombers origins... Sign in to see full entry.

Can A Poem Get You 10 Years In Jail?

The poem " Wild Pigeon," written by a Muslim poet in China and published by an official Chinese literary publication, seems innocuous enough - a young pigeon is trapped and caged by humans when he ventures too far from home, and chooses to die rather than be imprisoned for life. However, this poem... Sign in to see full entry.

Tsunami Aid Snub Upsets Sri Lankan Muslims

With the creation of the Tsunami Relief Council, a tentative agreement has been reached in Sri Lanka to distribuite an estimated $3 billion in internationally donated tsunami aid among representatives of Sri Lanka's three main ethnic and religious groups - the 70% majority Sinhalese, the northern... Sign in to see full entry.

Will An Islamic "World Bank" Be Any Better Than The Real One?

Can capital be invested more ethically when wielded by a Muslim hand? Muslim governments and banking institutions around the world are hoping so, with broad moves taken last week at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to dismantle trade barriers (long term goal: a Muslim common market),... Sign in to see full entry.

Mukhtar Mai Wins The Fight To Tell Her Story

The mother of all PR disasters had just begun earlier this month when a local Pakistani court ordered the release of 12 men accused of gang raping 35-year old Mukthar Mai, a Pakistani woman from a rural village, in a well known incident that prompted global concern. Soon after, as Mai prepared for a... Sign in to see full entry.

Democracy (Or Not) In Iranian Presidential Elections

Polls have closed in Iran's presidential elections, with an expected runoff election to be held between former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and reformist candidate Mostafa Moin. While this has set back more conservative elements (Rafsanjani is seen as a pragmatist), voting between the eight... Sign in to see full entry.

Mosque Politics Take Center Stage In Lodi Arrests

There have been so many terror probes inside the US Muslim community that it seems like a reality show gone bad. The latest, involving a predominantly Pakistani community in the sleepy California Central Valley town of Lodi, has all the hype and drama of past terror probes. However, things have been... Sign in to see full entry.

Hopes Rise (and Fall) For Douglas Wood's Release

When Australian Douglas Wood was kidnapped in Iraq several weeks ago (apparently betrayed by someone he knew), many feared the worst (especially since Margaret Hassan wasn't spared). However, Australia's chief Islamic cleric, Sheikh Taj Aldin Al-Hilali, quickly offered to swap himself in Wood's... Sign in to see full entry.

Turkey Starts Waking Up From Its European Dream

When the French and Dutch rejected the proposed EU constitution in referendums held this week, the real pain was not felt in Brussels, but at the edge of Europe (well, technically past it) in Ankara, where Turkish citizens reacted with mixed feelings. Though the referendums in France and Holland... Sign in to see full entry.

Shining A Light On The "White Elephant" Of Hudud Punishments

Ever since Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan found his spotlight under less than favorable circumstances, many who weren't familiar with his works have waited to see what he would do next. Being refused entry to the US helped rally Muslim scholars and citizens around him (and the ACLU ), while... Sign in to see full entry.

Chechnya Searches For A Post-Maskhadov Identity

Earlier this month, veteran Chechen leader Aslan Maskhadov was killed in a bunker in a remote Chechen village, ending what many believe to be the last hope for a peaceful end to the conflict with Russia (now in its fifth century). Not everyone shared Russian jubilation (Poland called it "a political... Sign in to see full entry.

Where Do Muslims Stand On The Terri Schiavo Case?

Religious views have been central to the debate regarding the fate of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman with severe brain damage who was disconnected from her feeding tube per court order over a week ago. Both Terri's husband (who fought for the disconnection) and her parents (who have tried in vain... Sign in to see full entry.

Hughes Your Daddy? Adventures In Public Relations (Part III)

For the past several years, the United States has had an office whose main job is to tell Muslims around the world that things aren't really as they appear. And even though two high-profile appointees - veteran ad executive Charlotte Beers and former ambassador to Morocco Margaret Tutwiler - spent... Sign in to see full entry.

Holy Vimanarama, Batman! It's A Muslim Superhero!

Ever wish there was someone you could turn to when ancient demons threaten to wreak havoc on your neighbourhood? Someone you could... relate to? A new comic book series released last month, Vimanarama, features a teenaged Muslim superhero named Ali (complete with a " funky and gorgeous " arranged... Sign in to see full entry.

The Lilith Prayer: Female Imam Sparks Global Controversy

In a major city like New York, a Friday prayer of around 100 people would usually be no big deal. But last Friday's groundbreaking prayer, featuring Dr. Amina Wadud leading a mixed-gender congregation, was no ordinary one. It caused quite a stir among many in the Middle East, who weren't prepared to... Sign in to see full entry.

altmuslim

Monday, July 11, 2005