Leading Politician Says Canada Could End Up Treating Muslims As It Did Jews in the ’30s and ’40s

THE WASHINGTON POST: In a dramatic speech Tuesday evening, the leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, criticized the Canadian government for its rhetoric over the threat of Islamist-related terrorism – and compared the country's treatment of its Muslim minorities with restrictive policies against Jews prior to and during World War II.

Speaking in Toronto to alumni of McGill University, Trudeau, who will compete with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in an election later this year, discussed Canada's idea of liberty. At one point, he listed a number of historical moments when his country had failed in that ideal, including the Chinese head tax (a fixed fee charged to every Chinese immigrant) and the internment of Ukrainian, Japanese and Italian Canadians during the world wars. » | Adam Taylor | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Harper Says Majority of ‘Moderate Muslims’ Support View on Niqab Ban

THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Stephen Harper’s Conservatives find themselves on the defensive regarding their relationship with Muslim Canadians, a rare position for the governing party that has made courting ethnic communities a staple of its election strategy.

The Prime Minister, who upset some Muslim Canadians this week by saying the face-covering niqab is “rooted in a culture that is anti-woman,” stood up in the Commons Wednesday to enumerate support for his government’s campaign to ban the use of the veil when taking the oath of Canadian citizenship. A small minority of Muslim women wear the niqab in Canada.

He listed groups such as the Coalition of Progressive Canadian Muslim Organizations, which, Mr. Harper told the Commons, have declared: “Most Canadians believe that it is offensive that someone would hide their identity at the very moment where they are committing to join the Canadian family.” » | Steven Chase | Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Heresy! Muslim Prayers in Church of England Parish

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Clergy accuse vicar of holding ‘illegal’ Islamic prayer service in landmark London church


A Church of England vicar is facing a storm of protest from traditionalist Christians after allowing a Muslim prayer service to be held in his church.

Dozens of Muslims took part in the “Inclusive Mosque” event at St John’s church, Waterloo in central London, in what is thought to have been the first time a full Islamic prayer service has been held within the Church of England.

The vicar, the Rev Canon Giles Goddard, a prominent liberal cleric, joined in the event, reading a passage from the Bible and inviting the congregation to give thanks to “the God that we love, Allah”.

Canon Goddard, described the service, on Saturday, as “very moving” and said it was simply an expression of the church’s desire to offer people a “place to pray”.

But evangelical clerics were angered by the service which they said marked a breach with canon law which forbids any variation from the official liturgy if it contains “any departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter”.

It was also “offensive” to Christians being persecuted for their faith around the world, they said. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor, video source YouTube | Friday, March 13, 2015

Judge: Philly Public Buses Must Run Ads Linking Muslims to Hitler

CBS NEWS: PHILADELPHIA -- Anti-Islamic ads could soon be coming to Philadelphia public buses.

CBS Philadelphia reports that a federal court judge on Wednesday sided with a New Hampshire based non-profit on its claim that it has a first amendment right to run bus ads linking Muslims to Hitler.

The ads include images of Adolf Hitler and read "Islamic Jew Hatred: It's in the Quran." While they may be incendiary to some, a federal court judge wrote they're perfectly acceptable under the first amendment.

"He agreed with us on all the issues," said attorney Robert Muise.

Muise represents plaintiff American Freedom Defense Initiative. The group has filed more than a half dozen lawsuits against transit authorities across the country over anti-Islamic ads. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority refused to run their ad saying it disparaged Muslims, but the court held the buses are public forums -- so SEPTA cannot censor AFDI's political speech. » | Thursday, March 12, 2015

Americans Are 'Back-stabbers' and 'Tricksters' Says Iran's Leader after Senate Letter

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Republic-ans are unrepentant over the letter warning that a future president might revoke a nuclear deal with Iran. But Ayatollah Khamenei did not condemn the talks and experts say agreement remains possible

Iran’s Supreme Leader accused “back-stabbing” America of “tricks and deceptions” on Thursday as the clock ticked towards a deadline for a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a caustic response to an open letter from 47 Republican senators, warning that a future US president might revoke any nuclear deal with Iran.

This message – furiously denounced by President Barack Obama – raised the possibility of Iran walking away from an agreement while deflecting the blame on to America.

"Of course I am worried, because the other side is known for opacity, deceit and back-stabbing,” said Ayatollah Khamenei in a speech to the Assembly of Experts, Iran’s most senior body.

"Every time we reach a stage where the end of the negotiations is in sight, the tone of the other side, specifically the Americans, becomes harsher, coarser and tougher. This is the nature of their tricks and deceptions.” » | David Blair, and Peter Foster in Washington | Thursday, March 12, 2015

IS lässt eigenen Scharia-Richter köpfen

WELT ONLINE: Richter Abu Jaafar al-Hattab vertrat die strengste Ausrichtung der Scharia. Etliche Muslime ließ er zu Ungläubigen erklären. Nun wurde es offenbar selbst der IS-Führung zu viel: Er wurde geköpft.

Die Nachricht verbreitete sich in den sozialen Medien rasant. Unterstützer des IS twitterten, dass die Organisation ihren Scharia-Richter hingerichtet habe. Grund: die exzessive Auslegung des Takfir-Konzepts. Das berichtet der "Middle East Monitor".

Richter Abu Jaafar al-Hattab war als Mitglied der Scharia-Kommission dafür zuständig, die Rechtsgrundlage für ein Kalifat zu erarbeiten. Dafür wandte er das Konzept von Takfir an – es gilt auch im Islam als umstritten. Takfir erlaubt einem islamischen Gelehrten, andere Muslime zu Ungläubigen oder Abtrünnigen zu erklären. Ein Vergehen, auf das die Todesstrafe steht. Al-Hattab sei für seine Härte bekannt gewesen, so der "Middle East Monitor". » | dol | Donnerstag, 12. März 2015

Kuwaiti Preacher, ISIS Call for Demolition of Egypt’s Sphinx, Pyramids

RT: An Islamist preacher from Kuwait has called to destroy Egypt's Sphinx and pyramids, stating it is time for Muslims to erase the pharaohs' heritage. The alleged call comes as Islamic State jihadists ramp up their attacks against historic sites.

Although the ancient monuments are not religious – but rather cultural and historic sites – they should still be "destroyed" by Muslims, putting an end to the worship of images, preacher Ibrahim Al Kandari said, according to Al-Watan daily.

"The fact that early Muslims who were among prophet Mohammed’s followers did not destroy the pharaohs' monuments upon entering the Egyptian soil, does not mean that we shouldn't do it now," Al Kandari said.

Another call for the destruction of Egypt's main symbols comes from Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who suggested the demolition of the historic monuments is a "religious duty," Al Alam news reported on Sunday. In the extreme interpretations of Islam, no material objects should be idolized or worshiped.

It comes amid growing concerns over the safety of many other historic and architectural monuments in the region, where militants continue to destroy ancient cities and artifacts. » |Pub. Monday, March 09, 2015 | Ed. Wednesday, March 11, 2015

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Swiss Citizen Arrested for Fighting Islamic State

Johan Cosar was arrested by Swiss authorities

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Switzerland prosecutes man for forming Christian militia in Syria under law that citizens must have permission to fight in foreign armies

A Swiss man is facing up to three years in prison after he travelled to Syria to fight the Islamic State group.

Johan Cosar, born in Switzerland to parents of Syrian Christian origin, was arrested in Basel in February after his return from the Middle East. Details of his arrest emerged this week.

He had joined a Christian militia fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Those who travel to Syria to join Isil or other jihadist groups face arrest if they return amid fears they may launch terror attacks in Europe.

But so far most European countries have taken no action against the increasing numbers who are travelling to the region to join local militia fighting against the jihadists.

Mr Cosar helped train the Syriac Military Council, a 500-strong militia which defending the ancient Assyrian Christian minority from Isil, after travelling to Syria as a journalist. » | Justin Huggler in Berlin | Thursday, March 12, 2015

LE TEMPS: «Je ne suis pas djihadiste: je combats les terroristes» » | Valérie de Graffenried | mercredi 11 mars 2015

Hillary Clinton Could Face Jail Time As Email Scandal Sparks Legal Challenges

The Obama administration will soon find itself in court having to explain to federal judges why it never told anyone former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton used a secret email address, potentially spoiling dozens of open records requests, experts said Wednesday. And Mrs. Clinton could face up to three years in prison per message if…

Margaret Thatcher Speech to Congress

MARGARET THATCHER FOUNDATION: Speech to Joint Houses of Congress »

L'Iran durcit sa législation pour freiner la baisse de la natalité

L’EXPRESS.fr: Amnesty international dénonce la loi "sur la population et l'exaltation de la famille" destinée à restreindre les moyens de contraception, afin de faire obstacle à la chute de la natalité.

La République islamique ne sait plus comment redonner aux Iraniens l'envie de faire des enfants. Pour tenter de stopper la chute de la fécondité, deux projets de loi sont en cours d'examen au Parlement. Des mesures qui risquent de réduire les femmes à des "machines à faire des enfants", dénonce, ce mercredi, Amnesty International. » | Par LEXPRESS.fr avec AFP | mercredi 11 mars 2015

The Whole World Is Trying to 'Topple' Me, Says Netanyahu

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Israeli prime minister claims to be the target of a "worldwide effort" to ensure his defeat in next Tuesday's election

Benjamin Netanyahu claimed to detect a “worldwide effort” to remove him from power on Tuesday as polls suggested that he faces defeat in Israel’s election.

After three terms totalling nine years in office, Mr Netanyahu has become the longest-serving Israeli prime minister since David Ben Gurion. But a poll for Channel 2 News suggested that his Likud party would win 21 seats in the Knesset, or parliament, in next Tuesday's election, compared with 25 for the Zionist Union, an opposition alliance. » | David Blair | Wednesday, March 11, 2015

British Muslims Condemn Terror Laws for Creating 'Witch-hunt' against Islam

Moazzam Begg of Cage is one of the signatories to the public statement.

THE GUARDIAN: Strongly worded public statement, which includes signatories from Cage and Hizb ut-Tahrir, condemns ‘crude and divisive’ government election tactics

Anti-Muslim rhetoric and “endless ‘anti-terror’ laws” are in danger of creating a McCarthyite witch-hunt against Muslims, according to the signatories of a strongly worded public statement, who include several controversial figures.

The statement accuses the government of “criminalising” Islam and trying to silence “legitimate critique and dissent”, and decries what it describes as “the ongoing demonisation of Muslims in Britain [and] their values, as well as prominent scholars, speakers and organisations.”

Signatories of the statement include Moazzam Begg, director of outreach for Cage, the organisation that came under fire last week after it sought to explain the radicalisation of Isis killer Mohammed Emwazi. Members of Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in several countries including Germany, have also signed the statement.

It comes after it was revealed earlier this week that the Home Office is planning a “more assertive” stance against extremism, with a series of measures including imposing penalties on benefit claimants who do not learn English and making visa applicants commit themselves to “British values”.

The statement, seen by the Guardian, reads: “We reject the portrayal of Muslims and the Muslim community as a security threat. The latest act of parliament, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, threatens to create a ‘McCarthyite’ witch-hunt against Muslims, with nursery workers, schoolteachers and universities expected to look out for signs of increased Islamic practice as signs of ‘radicalisation’.”

The signatories state that the “Muslim issue” is being exploited for political capital in the run[-]up to the general election. » | Alexandra Topping, Nishaat Ismail, Shiv Malik | Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Saudi Playboy Caught Drug Driving McLaren Supercar through Hyde Park

Mohammad Al-Sharif, 22, confessed to smoking the drug

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Court hears Mohammad Al-Sharif, 22, was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech when questioned by officers after taking cannabis

A rich Saudi playboy was caught by police driving his father's £168,500 McLaren supercar while high on cannabis through Hyde Park.

Mohammad Al-Sharif, 22, confessed to smoking the drug at 7.30am that morning and was unsteady on his feet with slurred speech when questioned by officers.

He pleaded guilty to driving a McLaren MP4-12c 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 Velocita Wind Edition in West Carriage Drive on December 11 last year while unfit to drive through drugs.

Student Al-Sharif, who lives off a family allowance, was fined £400, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge. He was disqualified for twelve months.

The supercar, which goes from 0mph to 60mph in 2.8 seconds, has a makeover by German specialists DMC, which increases its brake horsepower to 650bhp and makes the car more powerful and luxurious. » | Agency | Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Spain: "The Mediterranean Corridor of Jihadism"

Samira Yerou was arrested March 7 at Barcelona's airport, on
suspicion of running a jihadist recruiting network.

GATESTONE INSTITUTE: The arrests have, once again, cast a spotlight on the problem of radical Islam in Catalonia, which has the largest Muslim population in Spain. The region is home to an estimated 465,000 Muslims, who account for more than 6% of the total Catalan population of 7.5 million.

Catalonia is home to approximately 465,000 Muslims. At least 10% of them are estimated to be "radicals" who are hardcore believers in the "doctrine of jihadism." — Jofre Montoto, Catalan terrorism analyst.

In February, the lower house of the Spanish Congress approved far-reaching changes to the country's penal code, as a way to combat Islamic extremism and support for the Islamic State.

Under the new law, anyone convicted of carrying out a terrorist attack will be subject to a life sentence (35 years) without the possibility of parole. The law also calls for 20-year sentences for anyone convicted of supplying weapons to terrorists, or ten-year sentences for funding terror networks.

Spanish police have arrested a Moroccan woman on suspicion of running a jihadist recruiting network for the Islamic State.

Samira Yerou, 32, was arrested at Barcelona's El Prat airport on March 7 upon her arrival on a flight from Turkey, where authorities had detained her for trying illegally to enter Syria with her three-year-old son, a Spanish citizen.

Police say Yerou, who lives in Rubí, a Catalan town situated 15 kilometers north of Barcelona, disappeared in December 2014, while her son's father, a Moroccan-Spaniard, was away on a trip to Morocco. Spanish authorities issued an international warrant for Yerou's arrest.

In a statement, the Spanish Interior Ministry said Yerou had specialized in recruiting women from Europe and North Africa to join the Islamic State. She allegedly became interested in militant Islam after visiting Morocco during the summer of 2013, and later became radicalized through the Internet by "spending many hours consulting" jihadist websites. The boy, who was unharmed, has been returned to his father.

Yerou is one of at least 50 jihadists who have been arrested in Spain during the past twelve months alone. Most of the arrests have taken place in Catalonia and in Spain's North African exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. » | Soeren Kern | Wednesday, March 11, 2015

THOMAS STEWART: ISIS May Herald Return of the Barbary Pirates

Americans contemplating a Mediterranean cruise in the near future should perhaps think again. Islamic State militants are now close to securing control of part of the Libyan coast. If they succeed, cruise ships and merchant vessels could be their next targets. The threat is real. Seth Cropsey, a former naval officer and current director of the…

China Says Uighurs Bring Islamic State Terror Back From Jihad, Plot Attacks

A key Chinese official claimed Tuesday that ethnic Uighurs who once fought with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq have returned with plots to attack China, an assertion that quickly drew scrutiny in Washington but underscored the increasingly global reach of the extremist outfit that has drawn more foreign fighters than any other jihadi movement…

Course au pouvoir suprême à Téhéran

24 HEURES: Iran – Le Guide Ali Khamenei serait atteint d’une maladie grave de nature à accélérer sa succession.

La bataille de succession au sommet du pouvoir iranien pourrait survenir plus tôt que prévu. Selon des informations obtenues par Le Figaro auprès de plusieurs sources dans les milieux occidentaux du renseignement, le Guide de la révolution serait atteint d’un cancer de la prostate de stade 4, autrement dit métastasique, ce qui signifie que le mal s’est disséminé ailleurs dans le corps. Compte tenu de son âge, 76 ans, son espérance de vie serait évaluée par les médecins à environ deux ans. » | De Philippe Gélie | mercredi 11 mars 2015

Erschiessungskommandos statt Giftspritzen

TAGES ANZEIGER: Der Senat im US-Staat Utah verabschiedete ein Gesetz, das Exekutionskommandos wieder erlauben soll. Der Hintergrund: Nicht genügend Medikamente für die Todescocktails.

Zum Tode verurteilte Straftäter könnten im US-Staat Utah bei einem Mangel an Giftspritzen möglicherweise bald von Exekutionskommandos erschossen worden. Einen entsprechenden Gesetzesentwurf verabschiedete der Senat des Bundesstaates am Dienstag mit einer Mehrheit von 18 zu 10. Wenn der republikanische Gouverneur Gary Herbert das Gesetz nun unterzeichnet, wäre Utah der erste amerikanische Staat, in dem solche Kommandos erlaubt wären. » | chk/AP | Mittwoch, 11. März 2015

America Just Got Its First Accredited Muslim College

THINK PROGRESS: A Muslim college received formal academic accreditation this past weekend, making it the first officially recognized Islamic institution of higher learning in the United States.

On Sunday, Zaytuna College, a liberal-arts school based in Berkeley, California, announced that it was formally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the six official academic bodies responsible for the authorizing public and private colleges and universities in the United States.

“Today, Zaytuna’s accreditation roots this vision in a reality recognized within American higher education,” Hamza Yusuf, president of the college, said in a statement celebrating the announcement.

The statement also added, “[Accreditation] helps ensure that Zaytuna successfully fulfills the objectives outlined in its curriculum, which grounds its students in both the Islamic and Western scholarly traditions.”

According to the school’s website, Zaytuna was founded in 1996 as an institute and briefly operated as an Islamic seminary before dedicating itself to becoming a Muslim liberal arts college in 2009. It welcomed its first freshman class in 2010, and conferred its first undergraduate degrees in 2014. It has a student body of around 30 students, and offers a B.A. in Islamic Law and Theology and courses in politics, astronomy, and American history, among others. In a video chronicling the school’s pursuit of accreditation, Colleen Keyes, vice president of academic affairs, explained that the school’s goal is “to prepare and educate students, who are morally committed spiritual, intellectual, and professional leaders who are grounded in the Islamic tradition and conversant with … modern society.” » | Jack Jenkins | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Op-Ed: Islam Wants to Convert Rome

ARUTZ SHEVA: There are three "Romes". Will each of them fall before the Islamic hordes? The Pope has already capitulated.

First the black flag of the Caliphate waving over the Vatican. Then the Colosseum in flames and a sea of blood that submerges it. Finally, the announcement of the Libyan caliphate that “we are south of Rome”.

In the propaganda videos of the Islamic State there are many prophecies about the fall and the conquest of Rome. There is a long Islamic tradition aiming at Rome, “Romiyyah”, aiming to make it the fourth holiest city of Islam (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem) and the base from which Islam will conquer the Western world. Rome is the greatest magnet of the mystical Islamic universe.

Roger Garaudy, the French intellectual who converted to Islam, in 1986 launched his challenge, boasting: “I’ll bring Islam to Rome”. The foundation of this prophecy is the thirtieth Sura of the Koran, called ar Rum, “Romans”. The fall of Rome is based on the myth of the Emperor Heraclius and a letter that he would have written to Muhammad, recognizing him as “the messenger of God”.

Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the founder of the Islamic Hanbali school (now in power in Saudi Arabia) reported among the “hadith”, the sayings of Muhammad, that the Prophet of Islam predicted that “the city of Heraclius (Constantinople) would fall first, then Rome”.

In 2003, Osama Bin Laden made a speech on “The new Rome” and three years later, in the footsteps of Pope Benedict’s Islamic speech at Regensburg University, Al Qaeda proclaimed: “Servants of the Cross, expect defeat, the Muslims will conquer Rome as they conquered Constantinople”. » | Giulio Meotti | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

L'EI exécute un Arabe israélien accusé d'espionnage

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Syrie / Israel – Le groupe EI a montré l’exécution par un jeune garçon d'un Arabe israélien présenté comme un «espion». Le père de la victime affirme que son fils était parti faire le djihad en Syrie.

Le groupe Etat islamique (EI) a diffusé mardi 10 mars une vidéo affirmant montrer l'exécution par un jeune garçon d'un Arabe israélien accusé d'espionner pour le compte des services secrets israéliens.

Sur la vidéo de plus de 10 minutes, on voit un homme présenté comme Muhammad Said Ismail Musallam vêtu d'une combinaison orange, ainsi que son passeport israélien. Il est ensuite abattu d'une balle dans la tête par le jeune garçon, habillé en treillis. » | afp/Newsnet | mardi 10 mars 2015

MARGARET THATCHER – Book Discussion – "The Downing Street Years" 1993

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher discussing her memoirs "The Downing Street Years" with Brian Lamb on 4 November 1993.

How Gaddafi's Home City in Libya Fell under the Rule of Islamic State Jihadists

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Telegraph's Ruth Sherlock and Sam Tarling report from inside Sirte in Libya, the first major foothold for the Islamic State group on the Mediterranean coast


The facade of the building that was once Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s pride and joy is now painted with the distinctive black and white jihadist flag.

In streets nearby, mannequins in women’s clothes shops are covered in demure, shapeless black. Ladies’ hairdressers have been closed down.

The Libyan dictator’s home city and pet project, later the scene of his capture and death, Sirte is now the first major foothold for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) on the Mediterranean coast.

A visit by The Telegraph revealed how a small group of foreign fighters has developed into a force to be reckoned with, 300 miles from Italy’s shores.

“When they arrived they were just a small number,” said Milad, a resident, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals. “But then many locals joined them. They see them as the only way to have power in post-Gaddafi Libya.” » | Ruth Sherlock, Sirte, video by Sam Tarling | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Britain May Broadcast Putin's Financial Secrets to Russian People

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Foreign Secretary interested in proposals to broadcast information on secret wealth of Putin's circle, as he warns Russia could be "single greatest threat" to Britain


Britain may broadcast the financial secrets of Russia’s ruling elite as part of the information war against the Putin regime, the Foreign Secretary has indicated.

Philip Hammond said he was interested by the idea of publicising the wealth of the Russian president’s inner circle in order to embarrass them in front of their people, as part of the response to the ongoing incursion into eastern Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary warned that Putin is rapidly modernising his armed forces, and warned Russia’s bid to destabilise eastern Europe poses “the greatest single threat” to British national security.

Mr Hammond said that Britain must now “accept” that efforts to offer Russia its “rightful place” in the post-Cold War order had been “rebuffed”.

It marks a change in tone from the British government: David Cameron has repeated[ly] said that the door is open to Russia to normalise relations if it ended the assault on Ukraine. » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Franklin Graham: Muslims Kill Christians to Emulate Muhammad

NEWSMAX: The Rev. Franklin Graham says that just as he tries to "emulate" Jesus, who was "a man of peace," Muslims try to emulate their leader, who "was a man of war."

"Muhammad was a man of war and he killed many people," Graham told Tucker Carlson on "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Sunday. "Jesus Christ came as a man of peace, and as a follower of Christ I follow him and I want to emulate Him. But the followers of Islam are emulating the prophet Muhammad, and that’s what you’re seeing carried out."

"We have to be very careful and understand that Islam — the teachings of Islam — are militant," the president of the Samaritan's Purse charity said. " I’m talking about, when you read the Quran, when you read the Surra, it’s very militant."

According to Graham, one of the reasons for the rise of Christian persecution in the Middle East was the fall of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"When Iraq was invaded by our country — and I’m not saying this was right or wrong, I’m just saying it’s a fact — there was a large Christian minority. Saddam Hussein gave them quite a lot of freedom," he explained.

"But when that government fell and the new government came to power, the Islamists in the country, al-Qaida and others, began to attack and burn churches," Graham said.

"We’ve seen that happen throughout Iraq, and now it’s happening in Syria," he explained.

And now as a result, "the Christian community is being slaughtered by the Muslims, and they’re being forced to leave," he said. » | Courtney Coren | Monday, March 09, 2015

DANIEL PIPES: Why Politicians Pretend Islam Has No Role In Violence

Prominent non-Muslim political figures have embarrassed themselves by denying the self-evident connection of Islam to the Islamic State (ISIS) and to Islamist violence in Paris and Copenhagen, even claiming these are contrary to Islam. What do they hope to achieve through these lies and what is their significance? First, a sampling of the double talk: President…

Incroyable ! Décès du roi Abdallah: "C'était un ardent défenseur des femmes" pour Christine Lagarde

Décès du roi Abdallah: "C'était un ardent... by LEXPRESS

Junckers Armee ist eine Utopie

TAGES ANZEIGER: Kommentar – Die Sicherheit ist der Kern nationaler Souveränität. Darum wird es auf absehbare Zeit keine EU-Armee geben.

Eine EU-Armee wird es auf absehbare Zeit nicht geben. Das weiss auch Jean-Claude Juncker. Der Kommissions­präsident aus dem kleinen Luxemburg ist ein Mann der grossen Träume. Die braucht es manchmal, um einem alten Projekt neuen Schub zu verpassen. Die Idee einer europäischen Streitmacht taucht nicht zum ersten Mal auf, ist aber bisher immer wieder schnell in der Versenkung verschwunden.

Juncker sieht angesichts der neuen Bedrohung durch ein aggressives Russland neue Chancen für das Fernziel und frische Dringlichkeit, darauf hinzuarbeiten. Die Frage im Hintergrund lautet vereinfacht: Wie hält es Europa mit seiner Verteidigung?

Fast alle Regierungen sind sich einig, dass der Status quo höchst unbefriedigend ist. Die Europäer haben in den letzten Jahren ihre Ver­teidigungshaushalte zum Teil rigoros zusammengestrichen und sind deshalb für ihre Sicherheit mehr denn je auf ihre amerikanischen Verbündeten angewiesen. » | Stephan Israel, EU-Korrespondent | Brüssel | Montag, 09. März 2015

Netanyahu bremst amerikanisch-iranische Annäherung ab

TAGES ANZEIGER: Netanyahus Rede im US-Kongress hat die Gegner eines Deals mit Teheran mobilisiert. Nach den amerikanisch-iranischen Gesprächen in Montreux dämpfen US-Diplomaten nun die Erwartungen.

Der israelische Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu hat mit seiner Rede im US-Kongress die Widerstände gegen eine amerikanisch-iranische Annäherung offenbar verstärkt. Nach dreitägigen Gesprächen zwischen US-Aussenminister John Kerry und seinem iranischen Kollegen Mohammed Dschawad Sarif dämpften US-Diplomaten die Erwartungen, dass es bis Ende März das geplante Rahmenabkommen zum Teheraner Atomprogramm geben werde.

Ein ranghoher US-Diplomat sagte zum Stand der Gespräche, angestrebt werde nun nur noch eine «Verständigung, die mit einer Vielzahl von Details gefüllt sein muss». Es sei nun an Präsident Barack Obama, darüber zu befinden, ob die erzielten Fortschritte eine ausreichende Grundlage böten, ein endgültiges Abkommen bis Ende Juni zu erreichen, sagte der Diplomat. Die nächste amerikanisch-iranische Gesprächsrunde sei für den 15. März an einem noch nicht festgelegten Ort vereinbart worden. » | Mittwoch, 04. März 2015

Republikaner torpedieren Obamas Iran-Politik

TAGES ANZEIGER: 47 republikanische Senatoren schrieben der iranischen Führung einen offenen Brief: Ohne Zustimmung des US-Parlaments gebe es kein langfristiges Atomabkommen. Das Weisse Haus reagierte empört.

Die Republikaner im US-Kongress torpedieren weiter Präsident Barack Obamas Atomdiplomatie mit dem Iran. In einem offenen Brief an die iranische Führung warnten 47 republikanische Senatoren, dass es ohne die Zustimmung des Parlaments kein langfristiges Abkommen geben werde. Das Weisse Haus reagierte empört und warf den Abgeordneten vor, sich unzulässig in die Aussenpolitik einzumischen. » | Dienstag, 10. März 2015

Inside Libya: How Battle for Oil Has Left Country Close to Collapse

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: In the first of a series of exclusive reports from Ruth Sherlock in Libya, the resource-rich country's oil minister warns that it will run out of money in 18 months as post-Gaddafi anarchy threatens to turn it into "another Somalia"

Libya will "run out of money" in 18 months despite once being one of Africa's richest countries, officials have told The Telegraph as internecine fighting grinds its oil and gas industry to a halt.

Mashala Zwai, the oil minister for one of Libya's two rival governments, warned that the country was becoming "a second Somalia".

"This is a critical time in a critical situation," said Mr Zwai, speaking from the Tripoli offices of the National Oil Corporation, which manages Libya's energy sector. "By next year the state will not be able to pay Libyans' salaries."

Oil battlefields

With the government split into two rival authorities, Libya's oil installations are becoming battlefields where affiliated militias vie for power.

They are also the focus of attacks by Islamist extremists, including a local branch of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), who are thriving in the country's state of lawlessness. » | Ruth Sherlock, near Sidra, Libya, video by Sam Tarling | Monday, March 09, 2015

Apple Unveils the New Apple Watch

Read all about it »

Obama Mocks Republican Letter to Iran over Nuclear Talks

Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, was the lead
author of the letter to Iranian leaders

BBC AMERICA: US President Barack Obama has criticised a letter from Republican senators to Iran, accusing them of "interfering" in ongoing nuclear talks.

He said the 47 senators made an "unusual coalition" with Iran's hard-line religious leaders.

The letter reminds Iran that any deal is just an executive agreement unless it gets congressional approval.

Talks on Iran's nuclear programme are at a critical stage, with an outline agreement due on 31 March. (+ BBC video) » | Monday, March 09, 2015

Japan Must Face Up to Its Shameful Second World War Past like Germany Did, Says Angela Merkel

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: German chancellor speaks on trip to Tokyo of the need for Japan to squarely confront its past ahead of 70th anniversary of country's defeat in Second World War

Japan must face up to its actions during the Second World War if it is serious about building better relations with its neighbours, Angela Merkel warned on Monday.

The German chancellor is on a two-day official to Japan, but her comments are unlikely to be welcomed by Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, whose conservative views on Tokyo’s war crimes are under scrutiny.

“Germany was lucky to be accepted in the community of nations after the horrible experience that the world had to meet with Germany during the period of National Socialism (Nazism) and the Holocaust,” Mrs Merkel said in a public lecture hosted by the left-leaning Asahi newspaper.

“This was possible first because Germany did face its past squarely, but also because the Allied Powers who controlled Germany after the Second World War would attach great importance to Germany coming to grips with its past.”

“One of the great achievements of the time certainly was reconciliation between Germany and France ... The French have given just as valuable a contribution as the Germans have.” » | Julian Ryall in Tokyo | Monday, March 09, 2015

Greece's Defence Minister Threatens to Send Migrants Including Jihadists to Western Europe

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Panos Kammenos, Greece's defence minister, threatens to open country's borders to refugees – including potential members of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) - unless Athens receives debt crisis support

Greece will unleash a “wave of millions of economic migrants” and jihadists on Europe unless the eurozone backs down on austerity demands, the country[‘s] defence and foreign ministers have threatened.

The threat comes as Greece struggles to convince the eurozone and International Monastery Fund to continue payments on a £172billion bailout of Greek finances.

Without the funding, Greece will go bust later this month forcing the recession-ravaged and highly[-]indebted country out of the EU’s single currency.

Greece’s borders with Turkey is the EU’s frontline against illegal immigration and European measures to stop extremists travelling to and from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) bases in Syria and Iraq.

Panos Kammenos, the Greek defence minister, warned that if the eurozone allowed Greece to go bust it would give EU travel papers to illegal immigrants crossing its borders or the 10,000 currently held in detention centres. » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Monday, March 09, 2015

Saudi Man Faces Death for Ripping Up Koran, Renouncing Islam

FOX NEWS: A Saudi court has sentenced a man to death for renouncing his Islamic faith along with other reported acts of blasphemy which included ripping up a Koran and cursing Mohammad.

The Saudi Gazette reported the unnamed man in his 20s posted a video online on the social networking site, Keek, where he ripped up a copy of the Koran, hit it with a shoe and cursed Allah and the Islamic Prophet Mohammad – all considered crimes in the Saudi Kingdom. Under Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi system of Islamic Sharia law, those convicted of crimes of apostasy receive the death penalty, often carried out by public beheading.

One of the United States’ key allies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has received a criticism over lack of transparency in its legal proceedings and utilization of beheadings as the main method of execution. Last August, NBC reported that the Kingdom’s rate of executions had increased to one per day and, last month, a top Saudi official protested over comparisons between the county and ISIS. However, Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki, told NBC News that Saudi criminal punishments were legitimate because they are based on "a decision made by a court" as opposed to ISIS' "arbitrary" killings. " » | FoxNews.com | Monday, March 09, 2015

Using Sign Language, ISIS Appeals to the Deaf

YNET NEWS: New video shows deaf jihadists urging Muslims of Europe to join group and vowing to slaughter West and leaders of its Arab allies.

The Islamic State released a new recruitment video over the weekend in an attempt to court a new group – the deaf. The video shows two militants from the organization's ranks – both deaf themselves – addressing the audience in sign language. (+ video) » | Roi Kais | Monday, March 09, 2015

'Jihadi John' Issues Apology - For 'Shaming His Parents'

"Jihadi John" a.k.a. Mohammed Emwazi is sorry - for upsetting
his parents

ARUTZ SHEVA: ISIS executioner sends note to his family expressing remorse for damage to their honor - but doesn't apologize for callous acts of murder.

Mohammed Emwazi, the man revealed as ISIS executioner "Jihadi John", has reportedly written a letter to his family apologizing for "shaming" them - but not for his murderous acts.

According to the UK's Sunday Times, Emwazi sent a letter to his family - who, since he was outed as the face behind the black-clad jihadi killer have fled Britain back to Kuwait - in which he said he was sorry for the "problems and trouble the revelation of his identity has caused."

The letter reached his family via a third party from Syria, where Mohammed is based.

But notably he did not express any remorse whatsoever for the gruesome beheadings of a series of western and Japanese hostages, mainly aid-workers and journalists. » | Ari Soffer | Monday, March 09, 2015

The Time When Americans Drank All Day Long

BBC AMERICA: A new exhibit looks at the history of drinking in America.

The Puritans get a bad rap in America - especially when it comes to alcohol. They are generally blamed for putting the dampeners on any form of fun, and many people assume that it was the nation's puritanical roots coming to the surface when Prohibition was introduced in 1917.

But while they weren't exactly party animals, a new exhibition at the US National Archives reveals that the Puritans actually approved of drink.

"One of the things we understand now is that the initial ship that came over from England to Massachusetts Bay actually carried more beer than water," says Bruce Bustard, senior curator of Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History.

In fact Increase Mather, a prominent Puritan minister of the period, delivered a sermon in which he described alcohol as being "a good creature of God" - although the drunkard was "of the devil."

Early Americans even took a healthful dram for breakfast, whiskey was a typical lunchtime tipple, ale accompanied supper and the day ended with a nightcap. Continuous imbibing clearly built up a tolerance as most Americans in 1790 consumed an average 5.8 gallons of pure alcohol a year. » | Jane O’Brien | BBC News, Washington | Sunday, March 08, 2015

La lutte pour le contrôle de l’or noir devient féroce

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Libye – Attaques, meurtres, kidnappings et sabotages: la production de pétrole est au cœur de la crise politico-militaire libyenne.

Quatre champs pétroliers ont été attaqués ces derniers jours. Sept étrangers auraient été kidnappés et huit gardes tués. La Libye, 12e producteur mondial de pétrole, devient peu à peu un enfer pour les compagnies pétrolières. L’insécurité se mêle à une forte baisse de production avec 531 000 barils par jour en février contre 1,7 million en 2010.

Bahi, Dahra et Ghani- dans le bassin de Syrte, ont été visés. Vendredi, huit gardes ont été tués dans une nouvelle offensive contre Ghani où travaille Petro-Canada. Sept étrangers, dont un Tchèque et un Australien, auraient été kidnappés. Aucune de ces actions n’a été revendiquée, mais le gouvernement de Tobrouk pointe du doigt l’Etat Islamique, bien implanté dans la région. Son rival basé à Tripoli accuse les kadhafistes. » | De Maryline Dumas, Tripoli | dimanche 08 mars 2015

Austria Defends New Law on Foreign Funding of Mosques

THE GUARDIAN: Foreign minister Sebastian Kurz has defended a new Austrian law which restricts foreign funding for Austrian mosques and Islamic communities

Austria’s foreign minister has rejected criticism of the country’s new law on Islam aimed at cutting off foreign influence and funding, arguing that the legislation should become a model for the rest of Europe.

In an interview with the Guardian, Sebastian Kurz, whose role in the Austrian government also includes the portfolio for social integration, took particular aim at the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, suggesting Erdogan’s opposition to the law was motivated by fear of losing political influence on Austrian Muslims.

“I‘m not surprised by the criticism from President Erdoğan. This was to be expected,” Kurz said. “In our opinion, imams should be role models for young Muslims and must show that it is possible to be a proud Austrian and a believing Muslim at the same time and so there will be no need for Turkish imams in the future.

“And this is maybe the point why Erdoğan is so critical about our Islam law. At the moment we have more than 60 imams from Turkey and in the future we will have our own Austrian imams,” Kurz said. “It will not be possible in the future to have imams employed by the Turkish government.” » | Julian Borger Diplomatic editor | Sunday, March 08, 2015

Präsidentenwahl in Frankreich: Premier Valls warnt vor Sieg der Rechtspopulisten

Frankreichs Premier Valls: "Ich habe Angst um mein Land"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Der rechtspopulistische Front National ist in Frankreich auf Erfolgskurs. Nun hat Premierminister Manuel Valls davor gewarnt, die Partei von Marine Le Pen könnte bei der Präsidentschaftswahl stärkste Kraft werden.

Paris - Frankreichs Premierminister Manuel Valls hat vor einem Siegeszug des rechtsextremen Front National (FN) gewarnt. Es sei nicht auszuschließen, dass der FN schon die kommende Präsidentschaftswahl im Jahr 2017 gewinnen könnte, sagte der Regierungschef im TV-Interview bei iTéle. » | vek/AFP | Sonntag, 08. März 2015

Le Grand Rendez-Vous (partie 1) du 08/03/2015 -

Blogger Lashing: Saudi Rejects Criticism of Badawi Case

Raif Badawi's punishment has drawn condemnation around the world

BBC AMERICA: Saudi Arabia has expressed "surprise and dismay" at international media reports criticising the flogging of a Saudi blogger for insulting Islam.

In its first official statement on the case the foreign ministry said it rejected any interference in its internal affairs.

Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail last year.

He received the first 50 lashes in January prompting strong criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

The foreign ministry said it could not accept any impingement on the country's sovereignty, or on the impartiality of its judiciary system.

"The kingdom unequivocally rejects any aggression under the pretext of human rights," it added. » | Sunday, March 08, 2015

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Saudi-Arabien-Reise: Gabriel setzt sich für Blogger Badawi ein: Heikle Mission für den SPD-Chef: Bei seiner Saudi-Arabien-Reise kritisiert Sigmar Gabriel die harte Strafe für den Blogger Badawi - und irritiert mit der klaren Haltung die Scheichs. » | Von Gerald Traufetter, Riad | Sonntag, 08. März 2015

Margaret Thatcher, Life, Love & Letters

President Obama Pays Tribute at Selma, 50 Years On

America's first black president says nation's racial history still casts a long shadow during powerful speech to mark anniversary of civil rights era clashes
Read the Telegraph article here | Rob Crilly, New York | Saturday, March 07, 2015

Polygamous Gay Marriage Ceremony Held in Thailand: 'We All Had a Lot of Feelings for Each Other'

What may be the world's first polygamous gay marriage took place in Thailand on Valentine's Day, as three gay men were married in a religious ceremony. The men, identified only by their first names as Joke, 29, Bell, 21 and Art, 26, say their marriage is recognized by Buddhist law. The marriage is not recognized by…

ANNE R. PIERCE: Iran's Rising Star

Iran is taking full advantage of the opportunities created by US appeasement and retrenchment. Indeed, many of Iran's foremost strategic and ideological goals have already been achieved. Among them: the (2011) withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and the end of the US "freedom agenda;" the repression of the Green Movement and the subsequent successful crackdown…

Extremism in Britain: Now the Crackdown Is Launched

Police escort an Islamist demonstrator marching to protest
outside the US embassy in London

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ministers are planning a raft of new measures to help stem the tide of Islamic extremism and radicalisation

The Government is planning a series of tough new measures to combat the growing threat from Islamist extremists.

A leaked draft of the Home Office’s new counter-extremism strategy, seen by The Telegraph, targets Sharia courts and calls for a ban on radicals working unsupervised with children over fears the young could be brainwashed.

Other measures include a requirement that staff at job centres identify vulnerable claimants who may become targets for radicalisation, after public outrage at people who hate Britain being able to live off the state.

There will also be an introduction of penalties in the benefits system to make people learn English to improve their integration into British society.

The rules on granting citizenship will also be tightened to ensure new residents embrace “British values”.

The crackdown is part of a new “get tough” strategy to deal with the perceived growing threat to the UK from Islamist extremists. » | Andrew Gilligan, Robert Mendick | Saturday, March 07, 2015

Egyptian TV Host Ahmed Moussa: The US, Turkey, and Qatar Constitute the Axis of Evil

In a February 16, 2015 address on the Egyptian Sada Al-Balad TV channel, TV host Ahmed Moussa said that the U.S., Turkey, and Qatar constituted the axis of evil, because they were countries that supported terrorism.

Al-Aqsa Mosque Address: May the Muslims Wage War on America, and Raid It on Its Own Land

Saudi Historian Al-Saadoon: Women Share Responsibility If Raped by Foreign Taxi Drivers

Lebanese TV Host Rima Karaki Cuts Short London-Based Islamist's Interview Following Insolent Remarks

ISIS Reportedly Demolishing Another Ancient Archaeological Site In Iraq

FOX NEWS: Islamic State militants were reportedly demolishing another ancient archaeological site in Iraq on Saturday, the latest in a series of efforts to rid what the terror group says are symbols that promote idolatry.

An official with the ministry of tourism and antiquities' archaeological division in Mosul told The Associated Press that multiple residents living near Hatra heard two large explosions Saturday morning, then reported seeing bulldozers begin demolishing the site. He spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal.

Saeed Mamuzini, a Kurdish official from Mosul, told the AP that the militants had begun carrying away artifacts from Hatra as early as Thursday and on Saturday, began to destroy the 2,000-year-old city. » | FoxNews.com | Saturday, March 07, 2015

DIE WELT: Terrormiliz zerstört weitere Kulturstätte im Irak: Die Ruinen der jahrtausendealten Stadt al-Hadra nahe Mossul sind der Terrorgruppe Islamischer Staat zum Opfer gefallen. Es ist bereits die zweite Zerstörungsaktion dieser Art binnen weniger Wochen. » | dpa/tan | Samstag, 07. März 2015

LE POINT: Les vestiges archéologiques de Hatra, nouvelle cible de l'organisation État islamique : Après des statues et des sculptures du musée de Mossoul, le groupe terroriste État islamique (EI) entreprend de raser cette cité vieille de 2 000 ans. » | 6Medias | samedi 07 mars 2015

Muslim Rights Activist Who Defended Jihadi John Refuses to Condemn Female Stoning

CAGE director Asim Qureshi refused to condemn the
stoning of adulterous women

DAILY EXPRESS: THE Muslim activist who described Islamic State (IS) murderer Jihadi John as "beautiful" has refused to condemn the stoning of adulterous women.

Asim Qureshi, director of Muslim rights group CAGE, was asked about views advocated by an Islamic scholar he had described as a mentor.

These included positions of female genital mutilation, domestic violence and stoning women as punishment for adultery. When questioned repeatedly about these views on BBC's This Week programme by presenter Andrew Neil Mr Qureshi refused to condemn the opinions.

Others extreme positions he refused to condemn included horrifying claims that Jews are descended from pigs and that homosexuality is evil.

Asim Qureshi, director of Muslim rights group CAGE, was asked about views advocated by an Islamic scholar he had described as a mentor.

These included positions of female genital mutilation, domestic violence and stoning women as punishment for adultery.

When questioned repeatedly about these views on BBC's This Week programme by presenter Andrew Neil Mr Qureshi refused to condemn the opinions.

Others extreme positions he refused to condemn included horrifying claims that Jews are descended from pigs and that homosexuality is evil. » | Dion Dassanayake | Friday, March 06, 2015

Related »

Helmut Schmidt : "Oui, j'ai eu une maîtresse"

Helmut Schmidt et sa femme Loki (ici en 2006) formaient,
pour les Allemands, le couple idéal.

LE POINT: Si la confession de l'ex-chancelier laisserait froids les Français habitués aux doubles vies à l'Élysée, en Allemagne, elle a l'effet d'une bombe.

"Oui, confesse l'ancien chancelier Helmut Schmidt, j'ai eu une maîtresse à la fin des années 60." La nouvelle n'aurait fait sourciller personne en France, mais en Allemagne, elle a d'autant plus l'effet d'une bombe que Helmut et Loki Schmidt incarnaient le couple idéal. Deux êtres complices depuis leur plus tendre enfance pour le meilleur et pour le pire. Les Allemands ont encore en mémoire les larmes amères de leur ancien chancelier voûté sur son fauteuil roulant à l'enterrement, en 2010, de sa compagne de toujours. La mort de Hannelore Schmidt, baptisée affectueusement Loki, et très appréciée pour son franc-parler et son allure à la garçonne sans prétention, fut vécue comme un deuil national. En 2012, deux ans plus tard, le très vieux Helmut Schmidt présentait officiellement sa nouvelle amie. Son ancienne secrétaire, âgée de 81 ans, qui, après cette terrible épreuve, lui avait "sauvé la vie". » | De corresponante du Point à Berlin, Pascale Hugues | jeudi 05 mars 2015

Rückkehr zur Wehrpflicht: Litauen fühlt sich bedroht

Präsidentin Grybauskaite, hier in Brüssel, will in Litauen
die Wehrpflicht wieder einführen.

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Präsidentin Grybauskaite hat Erklärungen zur Absicht Litauens abgegeben, die allgemeine Wehrpflicht wieder einzuführen. Das Land sehe sich einer Bedrohung gegenüber und müsse sich selbst verteidigen können.

Die litauische Regierung hat einen Vorschlag des nationalen Verteidigungsrats gutgeheissen, die 2008 abgeschaffte allgemeine militärische Stellungspflicht vorübergehend wieder einzuführen. Mit der Sache wird sich deshalb in Kürze das Parlament auseinandersetzen. Vor Journalisten gab am Mittwoch die Präsidentin des Landes, Dalia Grybauskaite, Erklärungen zu dem Schritt ab. » | Rudolf Hermann, Stockholm | Freitag, 06. März 2015

After Calling Muslims 'Suspect,' Radio Host Is Gone

DELAWARE ONLINE: A prominent radio host on WGMD 92.7 FM, Jake Smith, said on air that "as far as I'm concerned, not every Muslim is guilty, but every Muslim is suspect" of sympathizing with Islamic extremists.

When a caller to his show said Smith was "a bigot." Smith replied, "you're a jackass."

He has not returned to WGMD's airwaves since.

Smith's 97 seconds of verbal sparring, which aired during the live "Mike and Jake in the Morning" show Feb. 20 on WGMD, led to his dismissal from the station that same day, Smith said in an interview, although word of that dismissal is just now leaking out.

During a segment of the morning show focusing on Islamic extremism, Smith said: "Muslims do not stand up for America – and they don't, they didn't stand up for America during 9/11, they didn't stand up for America during Ft. Hood, they've never stood out and said, 'This has to stop' – I haven't heard one Muslim in this country do that.

"As far as I'm concerned, not every Muslim is guilty, but every Muslim is suspect," he continued. » | James Fisher, The News Journal | Friday, March 06, 2015

Jake Smith's on-air conversation »

Iran Condemned for 'Unspeakably Cruel' Blinding of Prisoner

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran punishment of man for acid attack by gouging out his eye condemned as "unspeakably cruel" by Amnesty

Iran has been condemned for "unspeakable cruelty" after a man was forcibly blinded in his left eye this week on the grounds of legal retribution for an acid attack he had carried out in 2009.

International rights group Amnesty International today condemned the "grotesque" punishment overseen by Iranian authorities on Tuesday under the principle of "qisas" – an eye for an eye – at a prison in Karaj, west of Tehran.

The man had been convicted of throwing acid in another man's face in 2009, leading to a 10-year prison sentence, an order to pay blood money to the victim and the act of retribution.

Medics gouged out his left eye after he was rendered unconscious in Rajai-Shahr prison, the Guardian reported.

"Punishing someone by deliberately blinding them is an unspeakably cruel and shocking act," said Raha Bahreini, Amnesty's Iran researcher, in a statement.

"This punishment exposes the utter barbarity of Iran's justice system and underlines the Iranian authorities' shocking disregard for basic humanity." » | Andrew Marszal, and agencies | Friday, March 06, 2015

Related »

The Know-nothing Cardinal Dolan! Cardinal Compares Islamic State to IRA: 'They Are Not Real Muslims, Just as IRA Claimed to Be Catholic'

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: A Cardinal in the US has compared Islamic State to the IRA - saying militants terrorising the Middle East are a distortion of “genuine” Islam, just as the Irish Republican Army was a “perversion” of Catholicism.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, drew the parallel in an interview with CNN.

"Remember 30, 35, 40 years ago with the IRA in Ireland? The IRA claimed to be Catholic. And they were baptized; they had a Catholic identity. What they were doing was a perversion of everything the church stood for," he said.

"And to their immense credit the bishops of Ireland, every time the IRA blew up a car or a house or a barracks to the British Army, the Irish bishops would say 'they are not Catholic'.

"The analogy I think is somewhat accurate. These are not pure, these are not real Muslims." » | Claire Cromie | Thursday, March 05, 2015

France To Counter Extremism By Doubling Islamic Varsity Courses

NEWS EVERYDAY: The number of Islamic university courses in France are going to double from 6 to 12, said Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, according to rt. The courses will be paid for by the French state, in order to blunt the impact of French Imams, who are receiving funds from abroad.

Valls pointed out that the measure to improve home-grown French Islamic education is important so that it can improve a situation in which "Islamist extremism and the far right feed off each other."

The speech was delivered in the eastern city of Strasbourg. The anxiety levels follow the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in January as well as a rise in right-wing support for the anti-immigration National Front Party, led by Marine Le Pen. » | Revathi Siva Kumar | Friday, March 06, 2015

HT: Always on Watch »

Cage Director Asim Qureshi Refuses to Condemn Stoning of Adulterous Women

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: This Week presenter Andrew Neil appears shocked at failure to refute Sharia law

The director of the Muslim rights group Cage has repeatedly refused to condemn the stoning of adulterous women by Islamic extremists.

Appearing on the BBC’s This Week programme, Asim Qureshi was asked about a series of positions advocated by a Muslim scholar he has described as a mentor, including female genital mutilation, domestic violence and the stoning to death of women found guilty of cheating on their husbands.

Last month, Mr Qureshi was criticised for describing Mohammed Emwazi, the Islamic State executioner known as Jihadi John, as a “beautiful young man”.

Pressed by Andrew Neil, the show’s presenter, to condemn a series of extreme positions, including claims

that Jews are descended from pigs and homosexuality is evil. He repeatedly refused to engage, saying: “I’m not a theologian.” (+ video) » | Rosa Prince, Online Political Editor, Video source: BBC / This Week | Friday, March 06, 2015