In Germany, the Rise of Anti-Islam Terrorism

THE DAILY BEAST: Arrests this week expose an alleged plot to attack Muslim targets that, amid multiplying tensions, could presage many troubles to come.

German police arrested four people earlier this week accused of belonging to a far-right group plotting terrorist attacks against Muslims in Germany.

Around 250 German law enforcement officers, including specialized counter-terrorism units, conducted raids across four states on Wednesday. Officers found "fireworks with large explosive power" and other evidence of terrorist plotting during the raids but investigators are still trying to determine "whether the suspects already had concrete attack targets or attack dates.”

The four arrested were members of an organization called The Oldschool Society and “strongly suspected of forming a terrorist group,” according to a statement from the German general prosecutor's office. » | Jacob Siegel | Friday, May 08, 2015

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Pamela Geller’s Critics Are Proving Her Point

NATIONAL REVIEW: Let’s be clear: The great freak-out over Pamela Geller’s “draw Muhammad” contest isn’t about love for Islam or for robust and respectful religious pluralism. Indeed, many of those expressing anguish over blasphemy against Islam show no such concern over even the most vile attacks on the Christian faith. Beyond that, they’re among the leaders in movements designed to banish religious liberty — including Muslim religious liberty — to the margins of American life.

Instead, the fury against Pamela Geller is motivated mostly by fear — by the understanding that there are indeed many, many Muslims who believe that blasphemy should be punished with death, and who put that belief into practice. It’s motivated by the fear that our alliances with even “friendly” Muslim states and “allied” Muslim militias are so fragile that something so insignificant as a cartoon would drive them either to neutrality or straight into the arms of ISIS. » | David French | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Tajikistan Debates Ban on Arabic Names as Part Of Crackdown on Islam

Muslims pray at the mosque in Dushanbe.

THE GUARDIAN: Authorities prepare list of acceptable alternatives for parents amid warning that ‘unsuitable’ names will not be registered. Eurasianet.org reports

Tajikistan is debating legislation to ban Arabic names as part of an ongoing campaign against Islam that has seen men being forced to shave their beards and women in hijab being labelled prostitutes.

The president, Emomali Rahmon, ordered his rubber-stamp parliament to consider a bill that would forbid the registration of names considered too Arabic, an official in the Justice Ministry’s department of civil registry told Interfax.

“After the adoption of these regulations, the registry offices will not register names that are incorrect or alien to the local culture, including names denoting objects, flora and fauna, as well as names of Arabic origin,” Jaloliddin Rahimov was quoted as saying. » | David Trilling for Eurasianet.org, part of the New East network | Friday, May 08, 2015

Ed Miliband Resigns as Labour Leader

THE GUARDIAN: Miliband steps down after admitting scale of election defeat had taken him and his staff by surprise


A devastated Ed Miliband has resigned as leader of the Labour party, saying he is truly sorry for the scale of the party’s crushing defeat.

In an emotional speech, Miliband said it was time for someone else to take over as leader, but called on the party to keep fighting, rather than give in to despair.

“I take absolute and total responsibility for our defeat. I am so sorry for all of those colleagues who lost their seats,” he said on Friday.

He said the party now needed an “open and honest debate” about the best way of rebuilding after the heavy losses, particularly to the Scottish National party. » | Patrick Wintour and Rowena Mason | Friday, May 08, 2015

UK Election Results: David Cameron Pledges a 'Greater Britain'

BBC AMERICA: David Cameron has promised to lead a government for "one nation" and make "Great Britain greater" as he returned to Downing Street as prime minister.

Speaking outside No 10 after visiting Buckingham Palace, he said the UK was "on the brink of something special".

The Conservatives have 331 seats - five more than needed for a Commons majority - their first such victory since 1992.

Mr Cameron's rivals Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage have all resigned after election disappointment.

The Conservative leader is now beginning the process of putting together the new government, which will have a parliamentary majority of 12. Senior Cabinet appointments are expected to be announced later on Friday. » | Friday, May 08, 2015

Germany Arrests Four in Alleged Anti-Islam Plot

AL JAZEERA AMERICA: German authorities arrest four people accused of founding a right-wing extremist group to attack mosques

German authorities conducted raids across the country on Wednesday, seizing explosives and arresting four people accused of founding a right-wing extremist group to attack mosques and housing for asylum seekers.

Police arrested three men and a woman accused of leading the group during raids by some 250 investigators on homes in Saxony and four other states, the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Prosecutors allege the four helped found the “Old School Society” group and were planning to attack asylum-seeker housing, mosques and well-known members of the Islamic-extremist Salafist scene in Germany.

The four arrested, identified only as Andreas H., 56, Markus W., 39, Denise Vanessa G., 22, and Olaf O., 47, are being held on terrorism charges and are also accused of having procured explosives.

The statement identified Andreas H. and Markus W. as the group's president and vice president. » | Al Jazeera with the Associated Press | Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Islam: Losing My Religion

THE ECONOMIST: A small but growing number of Muslims are abandoning their faith

IDENTIFYING Muslims who have renounced their faith is tricky. Few are open about doing so, even in safe and secular Britain. But among the country’s Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, who overwhelmingly describe themselves as Muslims, the numbers are growing, albeit from a tiny base. According to official statistics, between 2001 and 2011 the proportion of Bangladeshis who say they have no faith has more than tripled, from 0.4% to 1.4%. For Pakistanis it has doubled, from 0.5% to 1.1%. Some who explicitly identify as ex-Muslims are becoming more vocal. Groups such as the Council of Ex-Muslims in Britain (CEMB), set up in 2007, are helping.

Former Muslims’ reluctance to admit to their lack of faith rarely stems from a fear of violence, as in countries such as Sudan where laws make apostasy punishable by death. Rather the worry in Britain is about the social stigma, moral condemnation and ostracism that follows, says Simon Cottee of the University of Kent, who has written a book on the subject.

Many do not divulge their unbelief to their families, let alone the wider community. At events organised by the CEMB, some come straight from the mosque. Women say they continue to wear their veil at home to conceal their change of heart. Those who are openly godless often use the language of gay rights, talking about “coming out” to those close to them. » | From the print edition | Friday, May 09, 2015

David Cameron on Track to Remain PM after Electoral Triumph

THE GUARDIAN: Conservatives head towards overall majority in UK general election as swings to Labour fail to materialise and Lib Dems face huge losses


David Cameron is on course to secure an astonishing electoral triumph as the Conservative party headed towards an overall majority and unseated a raft of senior political opponents including the Labour shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, and the Lib Dem business secretary, Vince Cable.

The result – devastating Labour and the Liberal Democrats, and leaving Scotland a near one-party state under the control of the Scottish National party – probably represents the biggest surprise in a general election since 1945.

Cameron is to head to Buckingham Palace at 12.30pm to meet the Queen and is expected to make a statement on his return to Downing Street. » | Patrick Wintour and Rowena Mason | Friday, May 08, 2015

VE Day Celebrations (1945)

VE Day Celebrations (1945). A Day that Shook the World. The war in Europe is declared over as celebrations break out across Britain.

A Day That Shook The World is the classic series that recalls the days of the 20th century that proved to be era-defining and pivotal in the course of modern history.

Germany Today: Post-World War II Reconstruction, 1947

«Qui est Charlie?» Unbequemer Blick auf Frankreichs Gesellschaft

Nach den Attentaten in Paris sind am 11. Januar Millionen Menschen auf die Strasse gegangen. «Je suis Charlie», skandierten sie. Für den Soziologen Emmanuel Todd war bei den Massen aber wenig Geschlossenheit spürbar. Manche verdächtigt er gar, ein falsches Spiel zu spielen. Das macht er in seinem neuen Buch zum Thema.

Allah Knows Best! Only Allah Can Set the Price of Oil, Claims Saudi Minister as Concerns Rise over Iran Oil

According to Ali Al-Naimi, "no one can set the price of oil"

DAILY EXPRESS: SAUDI Arabia's oil minister has claimed that only Allah knows whether oil prices will continue to fall.

Ali Al-Naimi said that "no one can set the price of oil – it's up to Allah."

The country has decided not to cut its levels of production – and prices could fall further if Iranian crude oil returns to the market.

Sanctions on Iran may be lifted as part of an international nuclear deal.

But Al-Naimi said: "I am not worried about Iranian crude, nor will I try to predict what the price is.

"If I were to predict, I would be somewhere else, gambling." » | Tom Parfitt | Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Extremists Order East London Muslims to Boycott Election Vote in Tower Hamlets

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Radicals accused of intimidating Muslims with campaign that claims voting is un-Islamic

Voting in the General Election was embroiled in controversy with some Muslims told not to vote while others were allegedly ordered by spiritual leaders to back Labour.

Muslims in east London were warned not to vote in what has been branded an “intimidating” and “covert” campaign.

Flyers claiming that “Islam is the only real working solution for the UK” were stuck to the wind shields of residents’ cars in Tower Hamlets, a borough that has previously been riddled with election fraud.

The leaflets also warned that voting for “man-made law” was a sin, akin to idol worship, and that “democracy is a system whereby man violates the right of Allah”. » | Lyndsey Telford, Robert Mendick and Gregory Walton | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Assad Using Chemical Weapons Again? US Eyes New Allegations, Consequences Unclear

FOX NEWS: Allegations are mounting that the Assad regime has returned to using chemical weapons against Syrian rebels and civilians, nearly two years after the government agreed to dismantle their stockpile.

The suspicions have the Obama administration calling for an immediate U.N. investigation into the "abhorrent acts" -- though it remains unclear what, if any, punishment Bashar Assad might face if formally blamed for the string of alleged chlorine gas attacks.

One western U.N. diplomat told Fox News the situation has become "unacceptable" in Syria.

"There is mounting evidence of repeated chlorine attacks," the diplomat said. » | FoxNews.com | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Protester Being Prosecuted for Shouting 'F*** the King' Hopes to Call Dutch Monarchs as Witnesses

THE INDEPENDENT: The royal palace was spray painted with the insult in protest at the decision to prosecute

An anti-monarchy campaigner hopes to call the Dutch king and queen to the witness box, having been prosecuted for shouting “f*** the king” at a rally in Amsterdam last year. Abulkasim Al-Jaberi was arrested at a demonstration against Zwarte Piet for shouting “f*** the king, f*** the queen and f*** the monarchy.”

Al-Jaberi is due to appear in court in Amsterdam on May 27 after refusing to accept an out of court settlement including a €500 fine. The action taken against him has caused anger on Twitter and vandalism to the Royal Palace.

He is being prosecuted for lèse-majesté, a crime which specifically refers to offences against the dignity of the monarch, for which the maximum sentence is five years in prison. » | Louis Doré | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Lithuania Attacks Russian 'Liberators' ahead of Victory Day Celebrations

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Dalia Grybauskaite, president of the tiny Baltic republic, launches scathing attack on Russia ahead of Victory Day parade

Lithuania’s president has launched a scathing attack on Russia on the eve of V-E Day, warning that "we cannot accept the blackmail of an aggressor who calls itself the victor of Europe but who has launched a new war against Ukraine."

Dalia Grybauskaite, president of the tiny Baltic republic that ended the Second World War under Soviet rule, has been one of Russia’s harshest critics since the advent of the Ukraine crisis.

"Those who call themselves the conquer[or]s and liberators of Europe have begun a new war in Europe against a sovereign state wishing only to decide its own future," she said in an interview for the Polish press. » | Matthew Day in Warsaw | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Islam's 'Reformation' Is Already Here and It's Called 'ISIS'

CHRISTIAN POST – OPINION: The idea that Islam needs to reform is again in the spotlight following the recent publication of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's new book, Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now. While Ali makes the argument that Islam can reform—and is in desperate need of taking the extreme measures to do so—many of her critics contend that Islam is not in need of reform.

The one argument not being made, however, is the one I make below—namely, that Islam has already "reformed." And violence, intolerance, and extremism—typified by the Islamic State ("ISIS")—are the net result of this "reformation."

Such a claim only sounds absurd due to our understanding of the word "reform." Yet despite its positive connotations, "reform" simply means to "make changes (in something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it."

Synonyms of "reform" include "make better," "ameliorate," and "improve"—splendid words all, yet words all subjective and loaded with Western connotations.

Muslim notions of "improving" society can include purging it of "infidels" and "apostates," and segregating Muslim men from women, keeping the latter under wraps or quarantined at home. Banning many forms of freedoms taken for granted in the West—from alcohol consumption to religious and gender equality—is an "improvement" and a "betterment" of society from a strictly Islamic point of view.

In short, an Islamic reformation will not lead to what we think of as an "improvement" and "betterment" of society—simply because "we" are not Muslims and do not share their first premises and reference points. "Reform" only sounds good to most Western peoples because they naturally attribute Western connotations to the word. » | Raymond Ibrahim, CP Op-Ed Contributor | Thursday, May 07, 2015

The Cartoon Wars

GATESTONE INSTITUTE: It is most important to keep on challenging these would-be censors, so that people with Kalashnikov rifles do not make our customs and laws. / One of the false presumptions of our time is that people on the political left are motivated by good intentions even when they do bad things, while people on the political right are motivated by bad intentions even when they do good things. / When people prefer to focus on the motives of the victims rather than on the motives of the attackers, they will ignore the single most important matter: that an art exhibition, or free speech, has been targeted. / It does not matter if you are right-wing or left-wing, or American, Danish, Dutch, Belgian or French. These particularities may matter greatly and be endlessly interesting to people in the countries in question. But they matter not a jot to ISIS or their fellow-travellers. What these people are trying to do is to enforce Islamic blasphemy laws across the entire world. That is all that matters.

ISIS appears to have inspired its first terrorist attack in the United States: in Garland, Texas. This item may have slipped the attention of many people because as is so often the case today, much of the reporting and commentary has got caught up on other, supplementary issues.

The supplementary issues are first, that the attack targeted a competition set up to show images of what people thought Muhammad may have looked like. Then, there is the identity of the people who organized the exhibition and spoke at it.

Before coming to this, let us just return to that main issue. Since January, the idea that ISIS-like groups can inspire people to carry out murderous attacks in Paris and Copenhagen has come to be accepted. But that this can happen in Texas, of all places, could yet have an even worse "chilling effect" on free speech than the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen. No European country has the constitutional commitment to free speech of the United States. And Texas is not stuck in the moral relativism and fearful multiculturalism of most European countries.

There will be a feeling, post-Garland, that if ISIS can strike in Texas, it can strike anyplace. The entire developed world is therefore a potential site for an attack from ISIS. Although no one will put his hands up and surrender, neither will anyone be likely to draw attention to himself by saying or doing anything that might displease such homicidal censors. » | Douglas Murray | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Charlie Hebdo Editor Seeks to Distance Newspaper From Anti-Islam Causes

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The top editor at Charlie Hebdo, the satirical Paris newspaper that was attacked four months ago by militant gunmen over its cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, sought on Tuesday to reject attempts by right-wing activists to exploit that attack for their own agendas.

In an interview with members of the editorial board of The New York Times, the editor, Gérard Biard, disputed any analogies drawn between the Charlie Hebdo attack and the assault on Sunday against an art contest in Texas organized by Pamela Geller, a conservative activist and blogger.

“We have nothing to do with Pamela Geller’s work,” Mr. Biard said. “When Islam or the Prophet Muhammad jump out of the news, we comment on it, we mock it, maybe. But we are not obsessed about it.” » | Rick Gladstone | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Exclusive: ‘Draw Muhammad’ Winner on Growing Up in Islam and Defeating the Jihad

BREITBART.COM: Breitbart News spoke with Bosch Fawstin, an accomplished artist, cartoonist, and anti-Jihad activist who won first prize at Sunday’s “Draw Muhammad” free speech event in Garland, Texas.

The event came under attack by AK47-weilding jihadists, who were neutralized by a police officer before they could commit mass murder against the free speech art display’s attendees.

Fawstin talked about his unique experience growing up in the Bronx as a Muslim, how his life changed after the 9/11 attacks, and he shared strategies to defeat the global jihadist movement. His artwork is featured throughout the interview. » | Jordan Schachtel | Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Pamela Geller vs Imam Anjem Choudary on Fox News, Hannity: 'You Want Her To Die!' | Full Interview

Muslim Hate Preacher Says Blogger Behind ‘Draw Muhammad’ Comp Should Die, On Live TV

The preacher was born in Welling, south-east London

DAILY EXPRESS: HATE preacher Anjem Choudary told the anti-Islam activist who organised the 'Draw Muhammad' event at the weekend she should be sentenced to DEATH, on live TV.

American right-wing blogger Pamela Geller clashed with British imam Choudhary just days after gunmen Elton Simpson, 31 and Nadir Soofi, 34, attempted to storm the controversial cartoon event in Garland, Texas.

Geller, 56, has received death threats and Islamic State militants have called for her "slaughter" since the exhibition.

During a heated live Fox News interview, host Sean Hannity questioned Choudhary on his views about the cartoon drawing event and if he thought Ms Geller should die.

The imam replied: "We’re not talking about Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

“You’re talking about people who deliberately had a competition to insult the prophet … knowing full well this carries the death threat in Iran.

"If you saw the cartoons that Charlie Hebdo drew [sic], you would understand the anger."

The cleric then went on to say that Geller would be fully aware that many Muslims consider blasphemy a crime that is worth capital punishment. » | Rebecca Perring | Thursday, May 07, 2015

Pamela Geller Takes Heat Over Shooting At Muhammad Drawing Contest

Pamela Geller and other hosts of the "draw Muhammad" contest were lucky to emerge unscathed after two Muslim gunmen attacked the event Sunday, but they haven't escaped the wrath of critics who insist the organizers share the blame for what happened. The two would-be jihadis were killed by police after charging the art exhibit and contest,…

Franklin Graham: ‘Folks In Garland Were Wrong’

Franklin Graham

WND: Faith leader says 'Draw Muhammad' event went too far

Franklin Graham, one of the world’s best-known Christian evangelists and the head of the nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse, said in a Wednesday morning Fox & Friends interview the “folks in Garland were wrong” to hold their “Draw Muhammad” event. ”

As a Christian, I don’t like it when people mock my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “What this event was doing in Texas was mocking Islam. I disagree with [them].” Graham said today’s society is lacking in civility and the “folks in Garland were wrong” to further that tone. “I think we need to show respect and civility,” he said.

“We need to respect one another … and those that believe differently [from my faith], I’m not going to mock them.”

Graham then condemned the radicalized element of Islam for attacking those outside their faith, and doubled down on remarks made earlier – reported by WND – that the United States should put a hold on allowing anyone into this country who’s coming from a nation with known terrorist cells.

“It’s wrong to prefer violence, period,” he said. “The Muslims have no right to go around shooting people because someone mocks them. … We should not be allowing immigration into this country from any countries that have active terrorist cells.”

Just Tuesday, Graham weighed in on the Texas shootings with a Facebook post saying the god of Islam is not the “God of the Bible,” or of Christianity. » | Cheryl Chumley | Wednesday, May 06, 2015

CNN Promotes Sharia Blasphemy Laws (Alisyn Camerota vs. Pamela Geller)

Following the recent shooting at a Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, media attention has once again focused on Islam and the First Amendment. In a discussion with Pamela Geller, CNN news anchor Alisyn Camerota noted the "fine line" between free speech and provocative speech. She went on to say that there should be a debate about the line between free speech and provocative speech. Apparently, CNN agrees with proponents of Sharia that criticizing Islam is beyond the scope of free speech (despite Camerota's claims to the contrary).

Robert Spencer on CNN's At This Hour Discussing the Jihad Shooting at AFDI/JW Free Speech Conference

On May 5, 2015, Jihad Watch director Robert Spencer appeared on CNN's At This Hour to discuss the jihad attack upon the AFDI/Jihad Watch Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest, and the necessity to defend the freedom of speech.

Pamela Geller Battles Fox News Host Over Critics of 'Drawing Muhammad' #Garland | Full Interview

Exclusive–Pamela Geller Calls Out Cowardly Conservatives, Says She’ll Organize Another Free Speech Event in Near Future**Full Image Gallery**e

BREITBART.COM: Breitbart News spoke with Pamela Geller, president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative and blogger at Atlasshrugs.com, about her recent “Draw Muhammad” free speech art exhibit, which came under attack by Islamic radicals on Sunday in Garland, Texas.

Geller discussed how much of the political left, Islamic totalitarians, and even some high-profile conservatives have attempted to equate her art exhibit with the actions of the AK47-weilding Islamic terrorists, who were shot dead in their botched attempt to commit mass murder. Geller talked about why drawing Muhammad is so controversial within Islam and how the media is capitulating to Sharia law in America, among other issues. Throughout the interview, view a selection of submissions to the “Draw Muhammad” contest. » | Jordan Schachtel | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

ISIS Threatens Controversial Blogger Pamela Geller in Message Boasting of '71 Trained Soldiers in 15 Different States'

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: ISIS appears to declare war on controversial blogger Pamela Geller on Tuesday in an ominous online message claiming it has fighters across America ready to attack "any target we desire."

The threat, posted on anonymous message board JustPasteIt, singles out Geller, who helped plan a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest that was attacked by two gunmen in Garland, Texas, over the weekend. ISIS claimed responsibility for the shooting early Tuesday, marking the first time the terror group called an American attack one of its own, though lawmakers believe the two men were influenced by the group, not guided directly by it.

"This is the textbook case of what we're most concerned about," Rep. Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Associated Press.

Both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security were aware the contest was a potential terror target and issued a joint bulletin on April 20. Organizers, including Geller - who has become a lightning rod for critics who think she promotes anti-Islam views - knew they'd be targeted but refused to back down. (+ video) » | Sasha Goldstein, Jason Silverstein | New York Daily News | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Texas Attack Shows How US Protects Free Speech – No Matter How Offensive

THE GUARDIAN: Critics say Pamela Geller’s event was provocative and arguably crossed the line into hate speech – but protections afforded by the first amendment are unique

The fatal shootings in Garland, Texas, of two extremist gunmen as they attacked an anti-Islamist meeting was a vivid reminder of the virtually unique protections afforded by the US constitution to free speech, no matter how hate-filled or provocative, according to prominent first amendment experts.

In many countries across Europe and around the world, Pamela Geller and the American Freedom Defense Initiative, who organized the event in Garland, might have fallen foul of hate speech laws such as the UK’s 1986 public order act or article 266(b) of Denmark’s criminal code. » | Ed Pilkington in New York | Wednesday, May 06, 2015

L'Iran interdit les coiffures punk

Les coupes de cheveux relevant du culte satanique sont désormais interdites.

LE POINT: Plusieurs coupes de cheveux, notamment les crêtes hérissées sur le crâne, sont devenues ces dernières années à la mode au sein de la jeunesse iranienne.

Les autorités iraniennes ont interdit les coupes de cheveux non orthodoxes pour les hommes. L'objectif ? Lutter contre les cultes sataniques, a rapporté lundi la presse locale qui évoque également l'interdiction des tatouages et des soins de beauté. Plusieurs coupes de cheveux, notamment les crêtes hérissées sur le crâne, sont devenues ces dernières années à la mode au sein de la jeunesse iranienne. La frange conservatrice de la société leur reproche de ne pas être conformes aux préceptes de l'islam. » | Source AFP | lundi 04 mai 2015

Pictured: Islamic State Opens Luxury Hotel…But Guests Face Beheading If They Break Rules

DAILY EXPRESS: ISLAMIC State have released images of its first jihadi hotel, complete with swimming pools and tennis courts – but without a bar.

Fighters for the brutal terror group have refurbished the Ninawa International Hotel in Mosul, the northern Iraqi city currently under IS control.

The 262-bed, five-star hotel, once voted the best place to stay in Iraq, has had an ISIS makeover with manicured gardens and freshly-polished marble floors.

It is unclear whether the hotel once famed for its "luxurious elegance and comfort" has retained its bowling alley and sauna after the recent renovations.

But dancing, music, smoking or gambling are now forbidden and women must dress head-to-toe in black.

Members of the group's notorious al-Khansaa brigade – its female police force - are understood to be tasked with patrolling the grounds to check clients are obeying strict Sharia law.

Patrons risk amputation or beheading for failing to adhere to the Islamic rules that govern the area. » | Tom Batchelor | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Marine 'Not Fit to Be a Le Pen', Says Suspended Front National Founder Jean-Marie

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jean-Marie Le Pen says he "does not recognise any ties" with daughter who "betrays me in such a scandalous fashion" after he is suspended from party he founded

Jean-Marie Le Pen claimed that his daughter Marine was unfit to run France, saying the Front National leader lacked the “moral principles” to be French president a day after his suspension from the party.

The 86-year old Front National (FN) founder said on Tuesday he would not, as things stand, back his daughter’s bid for the French presidency in 2017, saying his suspension suggested she did not have the moral fibre for the job.

“If such moral principles should preside over France, it would be scandalous given my betrayal,” he said. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

IS Says It Was Behind US Prophet Cartoon Attack

Elton Simpson had talked about going to Somalia to fight
with militant Islamists

BBC AMERICA: Islamic State (IS) has said that it was behind the attack on a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in the US state of Texas.

It said that "two soldiers of the caliphate" carried out the attack at a conference centre near Dallas.

IS's al-Bayan Radio news bulletin said the exhibition "was portraying negative pictures of the Prophet Muhammad".

Both suspects were shot dead after opening fire at the contest on Sunday.

Correspondents say that it is believed to be the first time that IS has claimed to have carried out an attack in the US.

"We tell America that what is coming will be even bigger and more bitter, and that you will see the soldiers of the Islamic State do terrible things," the statement released by the group said. » | Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Jihad in Texas: Geert Wilders

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Pamela Geller Battles CNN Host Over Garland Shooting: Why Is Media ‘Targeting’ Us? |Full Interview

HT: JihadWatch article Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Are These Portrayals of Pamela Geller Fair?

Are these portrayals of Pamela Geller fair? From The Daily Telegraph this. And from the Daily Mail this. Is she a brave woman fighting for our freedoms, or is she a peddler of hate? You decide! – © Mark

Geert Wilders, the Champion of ‘Free Speech’ in Texas, Wants to Ban the Koran in Holland

Dutch politician Geert Wilders

THE WASHINGTON POST: A mass shooting tragedy may have been averted late on Sunday, when two gunmen were killed in Garland, Tex., outside an exhibition for drawings of the prophet Muhammad. The two men apparently had hoped to kill attendees, but after they shot an unarmed security guard, police officers returned fire.

In an e-mail to The Washington Post, Pamela Geller, an anti-Islam activist who organized the event, blamed "Islamic jihadis" who were "determined to suppress our freedom of speech violently." That sentiment was echoed on Twitter by another high-profile, if seemingly out-of-place, guest: the Dutch politician Geert Wilders. » | Adam Taylor | Monday, May 04, 2015

Carly Fiorina Declares Bid for President as New Foil to 'Not Trustworthy' Clinton

Former chief executive of Hewlett-Packard becomes first woman to seek party’s nod for White House in crowded 2016 race – and to test Hillary Clinton ‘disconnect’

Read the Guardian article here | Sabrina Siddiqui in Washington and Amanda Holpuch | Monday, May 04, 2015

Ben Carson Tells US to 'Rise up' as he formally announces run for president

Retired neurosurgeon and Tea Party favorite joins crowded Republican field as he offers himself as an everyman candidate to audience in Detroit

Read the Guardian article here | Ryan Felton in Detroit | Monday, May 04, 2015

Troll or Hero? The Sex Blogger Who's Offending Muslims

BBC AMERICA: Sex blogger, agent provocateur, trouble-maker - or freedom of speech activist?

These are all phrases that one of Malaysia's most infamous bloggers, Alvin Tan, uses to describe himself. He has a history of posts that have been highly divisive in the Muslim majority nation, and his latest stunt has involved once again offending Muslim sensibilities with a controversial Facebook post.

In the video, Tan, bare-chested and wearing sunglasses, plays the piano while singing a lyrically garbled version of the Azan - the Muslim call to prayer. Underneath the video, he has written: "Please don't badger me about the wrong lyrics ... First, this is a cover, so creative modification is permitted. Second, I ain't a suicide bomber." » | BBC Trending | Sunday, May 03, 2015

Dallas Prophet Cartoon Attack: Suspected Gunmen 'Named'

Authorities have identified the suspected gunmen who attacked an event near Dallas exhibiting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, US media say.

Officials have named them as Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post newspapers.

Geert Wilders on Muslim Hit Lists before Muhammad Cartoon Attack

The keynote speaker at Sunday's Muhammad cartoon-drawing contest in Texas was Dutch politician Geert Wilders, a longtime target of Muslim extremists in Europe. Mr. Wilders is an ally of anti-Shariah organization American Freedom Defense Initiative, which sponsored the event that came under attack from two gunmen and a possible car bomb Sunday. He also was a…

Shooting Reported at Prophet Muhammad Cartoon Contest Near Dallas, Texas

Police in a Dallas suburb killed two men in a car during a gun battle as they attacked a Muhammad-cartoon drawing contest. As the event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland was ending, "two males drove up to the front of the building in a car." according to a statement Sunday night by the city…

Texas Gunman 'Tweeted Allegiance to ISIS During Attack'

ARUTZ SHEVA: Twitter account believed to belong to one of two men killed in attack on Mohammed cartoon contest includes chilling message.

A Twitter account which appears to have belonged to one of the two gunmen shot dead outside a Mohammed Cartoon contest in Texas Sunday night, posted a message swearing allegiance to ISIS around the time of the attack.

The account, @atawaakul, has now been removed by Twitter. Its profile picture was a photo of Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-educated cleric who became the influential mouthpiece of Yemen's Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) before being killed in a US drone strike.

In the message, the poster says: "The bro with me and myself have given ba'yah [allegiance - ed.] to Amirul Mu'mineen [leader of the believers - ed.], may allah accept us as mujahideen [holy warriors - ed.]" » | Ari Soffer | Monday, May 04, 2015

Chancellor Merkel Marks 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Dachau

German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalls the "unfathomable horrors everywhere" as she lays a wreath to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Gavino Garay reports.

Gunmen Shot Outside 'Draw Muhammad' Event in Garland, Texas

Police in Texas Kill Gunmen at Exhibit Defying Islam

THE NEW YORK TIMES: HOUSTON — Two gunmen were killed after they opened fire Sunday evening outside an event hosted by an anti-Islam group in Garland, Tex., featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, local officials said. According to the authorities, the two assailants shot a private security guard and were, in turn, shot and killed by police officers.

Officials did not give the identities of the gunmen or the security officer and did not assign a motive for the attack. The Texas State Police and the F.B.I. referred reporters’ questions to the Garland Police Department. The City of Garland confirmed the episode in a Facebook posting. » | Manny Fernandez and Liam Stock | Sunday, May 03, 2015

British Muslims and UK Elections

PRESS TV: Experts say Muslims in the UK have the power to significantly influence election results in the UK and the Muslim vote is considered to be essential.

Historically it's been said Muslims have identified themselves mostly with the Labour Party.

However, in 2010 less and less Muslims voted for them. Experts say British Muslims have become increasingly disenfranchised with mainstream parties. (+ video) » | Saturday, May 02, 2015

Islamic State: Militants 'Kill 300 Yazidi Captives'

BBC AMERICA: Several hundred Yazidi captives have been killed in Iraq by Islamic State (IS) militants west of Mosul, Yazidi and Iraqi officials say.

A statement from the Yazidi Progress Party said 300 captives were killed on Friday in the Tal Afar district near the city.

Iraqi Vice-President Osama al-Nujaifi described the reported deaths as "horrific and barbaric".

Thousands of members of the religious minority group were captured last year.

It is not clear how they were killed, or why this has happened now, says the BBC's Middle East editor Alan Johnston.

Many are reported to have been held in Mosul, the main stronghold of IS after the militants swept through large areas of northern and western Iraq, and eastern Syria in 2014.

Yazidis, whose religion includes elements of several faiths, are considered infidels by IS. (+ BBC video) » | Saturday, May 02, 2015

Royal Baby: Princess Presented to World

Dutch Anti-Islam Lawmaker Issues ‘Warning’ to America

JP UPDATES: (AFP). The far-right populist Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders issued a “warning” to America on Thursday, saying that mass immigration from Muslim countries threatened the nation’s security.

“I am warning America. Don’t think that what’s happening in Europe today will not happen in America tomorrow because it will,” Wilders told reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.

“Islamic immigration has proven to be a Trojan horse, the jihadists are among us,” he added, warning of “enormous security problems” in the United States if Muslim immigrants are allowed to stay.

“Let them go, but never let them return,” he said. » | JP Newsroom | Friday, May 01, 2015

Obama: Islam's Most Powerful Friend

Barack Hussein Obama is the most powerful friend Islam has ever known. Islam means "submission". And Islam has been at war with the world for the past 1,400 years. The goal is Islam is to force the world to submit to Islam.

Massive Crowd in Sanaa Protests Saudi Strikes in Yemen

Thousands of people took to the streets of Sanaa, Friday, to protest against Saudi intervention in Yemen and the Saudi-led airstrikes that have seen hundreds killed and thousands left injured in recent months. Protesters held rifles and flags and chanted slogans against Saudi Arabia and its allies, including the United State and Israel.

BBC Documentary: The Kingdom of Morocco

Islamic State Terrorists Brutally Execute Men by Smashing Concrete Blocks onto Their Heads

An Islamic State militant is shown about to throw a large
concrete block onto a man

DAILY EXPRESS: ISLAMIC State terrorists brutally executed two men accused of murder by smashing concrete blocks onto their heads.

Horrific images have emerged showing the Islamists lifting the large blocks above their heads as they shadow over the men cowering on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs.

The next photos show horrendous images of blood spattered across the road and dripping down the side of a pavement as a shouting crowd cheers the executors on.

Both men were bludgeoned to death in Nineveh province in northern Iraq after the Islamic police arrested them for allegedly robbing and killing three women.

The execution is known as a 'qisas' punishment, or an 'eye for an eye' retribution.

The pictures come in the same week as two other men were shown on social media being beheaded by Islamic State militants with a huge machete in the Syrian village of Jarnyah, west of Raqqa.

It is thought they were executed after being accused of practicing sorcery.

Last week militants stoned two gay men to death seconds after they were photographed embracing and 'forgiving' them. » | Alix Culbertson | Friday, May 01, 2015

Transgender Jews: Beyond the Rainbow

JEWISH JOURNAL: More and more, transgender Jews are introducing themselves to the Jewish world

Deborah attends services at Temple Aliyah nearly every week, but on a Friday night two years ago, she was nervous. Her daughter, Rebecca, then 18 and known all of her life as Jeremy, had chosen the Kabbalat Shabbat service to come out in public dressed as a woman for the first time. Deborah worried Rebecca’s newfound confidence and courage might be shot down by disapproving stares.

Tall and thin, with a head of brown curls that were still short on that day so early in her transition, Rebecca wore a straight, white skirt and a top with large purple paisleys. She doesn’t like to be showy, so she wore flats and no makeup.

When Deborah and Rebecca walked into the family service at the Woodland Hills Conservative synagogue, along with Rebecca’s younger brother, they were greeted with friendly smiles, with Temple Aliyah’s Rabbi Stewart Vogel in the lead. » | Julie Gruenbaum Fax | Thursday, April 30, 2015

Krawalle in Istanbul

Lebanese Talk Show Host Paula Yacoubian: The Ottomans Were the Forefathers of ISIS, but Armenian Genocide Was Not About Muslims Killing Christians

Egyptian Cleric Saad Abu Aziz: Jews Are a Malignant Tumor That Must Be Eradicated

Netherlands Imam Slams Democracy: Europeans Have Yet to Get a Taste of Its Woes

Tunisian Scholar Mohamed Talbi: The Quran Does Not Prohibit Alcohol, Prostitution, or Homosexuality

Jupe "trop longue": Najat Vallaud-Belkacem soutient la décision du collège

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem le 4 mars 2015 à l'Assemblée nationale
à Paris

L’EXPRESS: Invitée de RTL, la ministre de l'Education appuye la décision du collège de Charleville-Mézières où est scolarisée Sarah. La jeune fille de 15 ans s'était vu refuser l'accès à son établissement, coupable de porter une jupe "trop longue".

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem reste ferme. Pour la ministre de l'Education, il ne fait aucun doute que la direction du collège de Charleville-Mézières, dans les Ardennes, a fait preuve de "discernement" pour juger du caractère "prosélyte" de l'attitude d'une élève, Sarah, alors qu'elle portait une longue jupe noire. A deux reprises, l'établissement a refusé à la jeune fille de 15 ans de se rendre en cours, considérant la jupe comme un signe religieux ostentatoire. » | Par LEXPRESS.fr avec AFP | jeudi 30 avril 2015

Gauck zeigt sich offen für Entschädigung Griechenlands

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Bundespräsident Gauck hat sich zu den Forderungen der griechischen Regierung geäußert, die von Deutschland hohe Entschädigungen für NS-Kriegsverbrechen verlangt. Er hält es für angebracht, dass „ein geschichtsbewusstes Land wie unseres auslotet, welche Möglichkeiten von Wiedergutmachung es geben könnte“.

Bundespräsident Joachim Gauck zeigt sich offen für eine Wiedergutmachung deutscher Kriegsverbrechen in Griechenland. In einem vorab veröffentlichen Interview mit der „Süddeutschen Zeitung“ sagt Gauck: „Wir sind ja nicht nur die, die wir heute sind, sondern auch die Nachfahren derer, die im Zweiten Weltkrieg eine Spur der Verwüstung in Europa gelegt haben - unter anderem in Griechenland, worüber wir beschämend lange wenig wussten“.

Gauck fügt hinzu: „Es ist richtig, wenn ein geschichtsbewusstes Land wie unseres auslotet, welche Möglichkeiten von Wiedergutmachung es geben könnte.“ » | Quelle: Reuters | Freitag, 01. Mai 2015

Pegida-Mitgründerin bittet Muslime um Entschuldigung

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Pegida-Mitgründerin Kathrin Oertel zeigt späte Reue. Sie fühle sich „ein Stück weit mitverantwortlich für die ganze Hetzkampagne, die hier losgetreten worden ist“, sagt sie in einem Video auf Facebook.

„Pegida“-Mitgründerin Kathrin Oertel empfindet offenbar inzwischen Reue über das Schüren von Ressentiments gegenüber Andersgläubigen. In einem neu auf ihrer Facebook-Seite eingestellten Video bat Oertel dafür um Verzeihung. Wörtlich sagte sie: „Ich möchte die Gelegenheit nutzen und mich bei allen Migranten und vor allen bei den Muslimen unter ihnen entschuldigen.“ » | Quelle: epd | Freitag, 01. Mai 2015

Muslim Congressmen Try to Boot Islam Critic Geert Wilders

Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.

WND: Crashed D.C. news conference after urging John Kerry to deny visa

As one of the world’s most prominent critics of Islam, Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders doesn’t go anywhere without his security detail of as many as six plainclothes police officers, and he rarely crosses international borders without causing political uproar, having already been banned in Britain at one time.

So it was of little surprise that three U.S. congressmen urged Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to deny him a visa ahead of his planned visit to the U.S. this week, due to his alleged ongoing “participation in inciting anti-Muslim aggression and violence.”

Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and André Carson, D-Ind., who both are Muslim, along with Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., wrote a letter April 23 citing “the International Religious Freedom Act which allows the Department of State to deny entry to a foreign leader who is responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.”

Nevertheless, Wilders – who insists he doesn’t hate Muslims but believes Western civilization is threatened by adherents of the Islamic supremacy taught in the Quran – showed up on Capitol Hill Wednesday and spoke at two events at the invitation of Reps. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and Steve King, R-Iowa[.] » | Art Moore | Thursday, April 30, 2015

Cameron and the Election's Career-defining Moment

With one massive Freudian slip, Cameron confirms out loud the very reason why so many voters find him hard to trust

Read the Guardian article here | John Crace | Friday, May 01, 2015

Isis Leader Incapacitated with Suspected Spinal Injuries after Air Strike

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is being treated in hideout two months after attack while deputy leader Abu Alaa al-Afri runs terror group intent on revenge

Read the Guardian article here | Martin Chulov in Irbil | Friday, May 01, 2015

Jeb Bush Thinks Islam Has Been 'Hijacked' by 'Barbarians'

THE GUARDIAN: Republican presidential candidate says peaceful practitioners should not take offense at his opinion on those ‘who want to destroy western civilization’

Jeb Bush, the potential Republican presidential candidate, said in an appearance in Washington on Thursday afternoon that the religion of Islam had been “hijacked” by “barbarians” – and that peaceful practitioners of the religion should not be offended by his saying so.

Bush made the comments at a conservative conference during a one-on-one interview with the National Review Institute’s Rich Lowry.

Lowry asked: “Is Islam a religion of peace?”

Bush’s reply, in full, ran:

“I’m sure for some of the practitioners, but it’s been hijacked by people who have a [sic] ideology that wants to destroy western civilization, and they’re barbarians. And so that part, which is the part that we need to confront head-on, is clearly not a religion of peace.

“And I think it’s – you’re not offending the sensibilities of people that are peaceful in the adherence to their faith when you say what I just said.” » | Tom McCarthy in New York | Thursday, April 30, 2015

Islam is Nazism with a God

Islam is Nazism with a God. Islamic scripture teaches the hatred and killing of Jews. These teachings are right out in the open in Islamic countries and occur quietly in Islamic Centers and mosques in America and Europe. The solution is to educate the civilized world about the threat of Islam. The enemy of Islamic brutality is information. Spread it far and spread it wide. Spread it like Napalm. The Information Age with be the death of Islam.

Bernie Sanders: I'm Running for President

Saudi Arabia: A Kingdom in Peril?

Welcome to Liberland, the Tiny Patch of Woodland Claiming to Be the World's Newest Country

Liberland, a tiny patch of woodland and fields on the sandy
banks of the River Danube

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Self-proclaimed libertarian micro-state whose founder admires Nigel Farage welcomes its first citizens on Friday, with the first 100 arrivals to be granted honorary citizenship

The first citizens will arrive on Friday to populate the world's newest self-declared country – Liberland, a tiny patch of woodland and fields on the sandy banks of the River Danube.

The establishment of the pocket-sized nation was declared earlier this month on land wedged between Croatia and Serbia which, its founders argue, was never properly claimed by either country.

Liberland has its own flag, which features an eagle and a sun, a constitution, and a motto – "To live and let live".

Its self-appointed ruler is Vit Jedlicka, a conservative, anti-EU Czech politician and admirer of Britain's Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP.

Known officially as the Free Republic of Liberland, the country's independence was formally declared on April 13. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, April 30, 2015

Free Republic of Liberland webpage

Charlie Hebdo Cartoonist 'Fed Up' of Caricaturing Prophet Mohammed

Rénald Luzier has rejected claims that the terrorists had won

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The cartoonist who caricatured the prophet on the cover of the magazine's "survivors' issue" says he has had enough of drawing Prophet Mohammed

The Charlie Hebdo cartoonist who drew a controversial front-page picture of Prophet Mohammed after the satirical magazine's staff were massacred says he will stop caricaturing the prophet.

Rénald Luzier, known as Luz, claims his decision is unrelated to the attack on January 7 and rejected claims that the terrorists had won.

"I will no longer draw the figure of Mohammed. He no longer interests me," he told Les Inrockuptibles magazine. "I'm fed up with him, just as I'm fed up with Sarkozy. I'm not going to spend my life drawing them."

However, commentators were sceptical that Charlie Hebdo's leading cartoonist, who has contributed to the magazine for two decades, would never draw Nicolas Sarkozy again as the former president is expected to be a candidate in the next election in 2017. » | David Chazan, Paris | Thursday, April 30, 2015

'Islamist Attack' Thwarted in Germany, Official Says; 2 Arrested

CNN: (CNN) – German authorities think they "have thwarted an Islamist attack," and a married couple has been arrested in a town near Frankfurt in connection with the case, the interior minister for the German state of Hesse told reporters Thursday.

The official didn't provide details about the alleged plot, but German media are reporting that a man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of planning a bomb attack on a bicycle road race that is scheduled to run near Frankfurt on Friday. » | Paul Cruickshank and Jason Hanna, CNN | Thursday, April 30, 2015

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Dismissed

Prince Moqren bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has been removed as
heir to the Saudi throne and the country's deputy prime minister.

THE GUARDIAN: King Salman removes Moqren bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud as heir and deputy prime minister and installs Mohammed bin Nayef, grandson of kingdom’s founder

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has dismissed the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud, and replaced him with the interior minister, Mohammed bin Nayef.

A statement from the royal court, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, added that Moqren was also relieved of his position as deputy prime minister.

The decree named Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince, as well as deputy prime minister, and said he would continue to hold his position of interior minister and head of the political and security council, a co-ordinating body. » | Agence France-Presse in Riyadh | Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Foreign Funds Promoting ‘Extreme Islamic Jihadist’ Views in Canada, National Security Advisor Says

NATIONAL POST: Money is coming into Canada to promote extremist ideology and much of it is going to religious institutions, the prime minister’s national security adviser testified at a hearing Monday on the government’s counter-terrorism bill.

Asked by Senate national security committee chairman Daniel Lang about millions of dollars allegedly coming from Gulf states “in respect to the extreme Islamic jihadist interpretation of the Qur’an,” Richard Fadden said it was a problem.

“I think it’s fair to say, without commenting on the particular country of origin, there are monies coming into this country which are advocating this kind of approach to life,” responded Fadden, who works in the Privy Council Office. » | Stewart Bell | Monday, April 27, 2015

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Muslim Congressmen Want To Block ‘Islamophobic’ Dutch Lawmaker Geert Wilders From Entering US

THE DAILY CALLER: The two Muslim members of Congress have called on two U.S. Cabinet members to block Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders from entering the U.S. because they believe he is “Islamophobic.”

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison and Indiana Democratic Rep. Andre Carson penned a joint letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson last Thursday. Foreign Policy reported it on Tuesday.

“We write to raise our deep concern regarding the visit of Mr. Geert Wilders, a Dutch lawmaker known for perpetuating Islamophobia,” the Democratic lawmakers wrote, citing a 1998 law, the International Religious Freedom Act. The law allows the State Department to deny foreign leaders guilty of “severe violations of religious freedom” from entering the U.S. » | Chuck Ross | Tuesday, April 28, 2015

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Transsexuals in Iran

Our World: Iran's Sex Change Solution BBC Documentary 2014

Ali Hamedani visits Turkey to meet LGBT exiles who have fled Iran in fear of being forced to change gender.

Muslim Sharia Law In Australia (2011)