BBC: Morocco's state airline Royal Air Maroc has banned its staff praying at their offices and headquarters.Mark Alexander
The company says that in the past its workers have abused the privilege of praying, by taking too much time away from their desks and their customers.
But the airline's workers as well as Islamist politicians say it is part of a crackdown on their religious freedom. Moroccan airline bans prayer time
Monday, November 06, 2006
"Anywhere in the world where there are two peoples and two religions there is conflict. What we have seen in Cyprus is that since they have that model, there is no terror. There is security." - Avigdor LiebermanMark Alexander
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: Less than a week after being appointed to the Israeli cabinet, ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman called for Israel to become "as much as possible" an all-Jewish country without an Arab minority. Israeli cabinet minister calls for Arab-free Israel by Tom Regan
BBC: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Turkey's EU bid will be in serious trouble if Ankara does not open its ports and airports to Cyprus.Mark Alexander
Mrs Merkel, whose government assumes the EU presidency in January, called on Turkey to "do all it can to prevent such a complicated situation arising". Merkel warns Turkey over Cyprus
Turks cool towards 'unfaithful' Europe
Analysis: Turkey and the EU Drift Apart
THE INDEPENDENT: So America's one-time ally has been sentenced to death for war crimes he committed when he was Washington's best friend in the Arab world. America knew all about his atrocities and even supplied the gas - along with the British, of course - yet there we were yesterday declaring it to be, in the White House's words, another "great day for Iraq". That's what Tony Blair announced when Saddam Hussein was pulled from his hole in the ground on 13 December 2003. And now we're going to string him up, and it's another great day.Mark Alexander
Of course, it couldn't happen to a better man. Nor a worse. It couldn't be a more just verdict - nor a more hypocritical one. It's difficult to think of a more suitable monster for the gallows, preferably dispatched by his executioner, the equally monstrous hangman of Abu Ghraib prison, Abu Widad, who would strike his victims on the head with an axe if they dared to condemn the leader of the Iraqi Socialist Baath Party before he hanged them. But Abu Widad was himself hanged at Abu Ghraib in 1985 after accepting a bribe to put a reprieved prisoner to death instead of the condemned man. But we can't mention Abu Ghraib these days because we have followed Saddam's trail of shame into the very same institution. And so by hanging this awful man, we hope - don't we? - to look better than him, to remind Iraqis that life is better now than it was under Saddam. Robert Fisk: This was a guilty verdict on America as well
Europe calls for death penalty to be commuted
Bush hopes verdict will boost election campaign
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It is wrong to take pleasure in the approaching death of any human being, and therefore we do not celebrate the fact that – barring an exceedingly unlikely turn of events – Saddam Hussein will soon be dangling from a hangman's rope. But we recognise the justice of yesterday's death sentence by the court in Baghdad, and we also welcome the fact that this guilty defendant will be denied the firing squad reserved for those to whom a shred of honour still attaches. A hangman's noose is all Saddam deserves
Sunday, November 05, 2006
BBC: A month after ex-foreign secretary Jack Straw suggested that Muslim women who wear veils over their face can make community relations harder, what do people within the Muslim community in the UK think of his remarks?Mark Alexander
Jack Straw's comments on veils have been good news for the owner of The Hijab Centre in the MP's constituency of Blackburn.
Nadeem Siddiqui tells me he is selling more veils than he did before his local MP made his controversial remarks. How veil remarks reinforced its support
THE SUNDAY TIMES: IN SUSSEX they celebrated England throwing off Catholicism with traditional bonfire night gusto yesterday by blasting effigies of the Pope to smithereens. In Rome, meanwhile, a Catholic member of the British royal family married a fellow papist as if the 16th-century break with the Vatican was ancient history.Mark Alexander
The marriage of Lord Nicholas Windsor, youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, to Paola Doimi de Frankopan is thought to be the first British royal marriage to take place at the Vatican since the Reformation. It was blessed by the Queen, who has written to the couple paying tribute to their shared devoutness. After 500 years, a royal wedding in the Vatican by Christopher Morgan
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Katharine Jefferts Schori has taken office as the first female leader anywhere in the Anglican denomination.Mark Alexander
Bishop Jefferts Schori, 52, became the presiding bishop and primate of the US Episcopal Church at an investiture service in Washington DC.
She was selected in June to lead the 2.3m-strong Church after narrowly winning a vote.
The choice has proven controversial as most other Anglican Churches around the world do not allow women to be bishops. Woman bishop takes over Church
Watch Video of snippets from ceremony in National Cathedral in Washington here: Church first for woman bishop
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (AU): PRESSURE is growing on Pope Benedict XVI to use a trip to Turkey this month to rebuild badly strained ties between the Vatican and the Muslim world.Mark Alexander
Two new developments last week – a shooting incident at the Italian consulate in Istanbul and news that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan would not meet him during his visit – have given an added edge to the visit from November 28 to December 1. Pressure on Pope to rebuild ties with Islam
Photo courtesy of the BBC
THE SUNDAY TIMES: THE Church of England’s only Asian bishop, whose father converted from Islam, has criticised many Muslims for their “dual psychology”, in which they desire both “victimhood and domination”.Mark Alexander
In the most outspoken critique of Muslims by a church leader, Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, said that because of this view it would never be possible to satisfy all their demands.
“Their complaint often boils down to the position that it is always right to intervene when Muslims are victims, as in Bosnia or Kosovo, and always wrong when the Muslims are the oppressors or terrorists, as with the Taliban or in Iraq,” said Nazir-Ali.
“Given the world view that has given rise to such grievances, there can never be sufficient appeasement and new demands will continue to be made.” Bishop attacks 'victim' Muslims by Christopher Morgan
Bishop attacks 'Muslim hypocrisy'
Saturday, November 04, 2006
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: ANKARA, Turkey: Thousands of pro-secular, nationalist Turks marched in the capital Saturday, vowing to defend the secular regime against Islamization and urging the government not to make too many concessions in order to gain European Union membership.Mark Alexander
Some 12,000 people from more than 100 pro-secular associations waved Turkish flags as they marched to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in a show of loyalty to secularism.
"Turkey is secular and it will remain secular," they chanted during a march broadcast live on some TV channels. 12,000 pro-secular Turks march against radical Islam, urge against making concessions to EU
Italian Foreign Minister runs scared of culture clash with Islam
BBC: Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of placing new obstacles on Turkey's bid to enter the bloc.
"Don't ask us for things that aren't part of the programme," he said, adding that the EU should be "honest and sincere" in its approach.
He was responding to a draft European Commission report, due to be released next week, that raises fresh doubts about Turkey's bid to join the EU. Turkish PM regrets EU 'obstacles'
Watch 'Obstacles' to Turkey's EU bid
Friday, November 03, 2006
Have you noticed that we never hear any good, light-hearted music these days. Nor do we get 'entertaining' films. Everything has become so, so HEAVY! The more influence Islam will have over the West, the WORSE it will get. For now, just for a change, click here to understand what life used to be like: Smokey Robinson
PS: I make nothing from this. I bring this music to you so that you do not forget what life used to be like: Light-hearted and happy! Why don't YOU add a link to the music of your choice. Let's have a jam session!
Mark Alexander
BBC: British National Party leader Nick Griffin told a crowd that Islam was a "wicked, vicious faith" a court heard.Mark Alexander
Mr Griffin, 47, from mid-Wales, is charged with using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 2004.
BNP activist Mark Collett, 25, of Leicestershire, also faces four similar charges at Leeds Crown Court.
The charges arose out of speeches filmed by BBC journalist Jason Gwynne for a documentary on the party.
The jury heard Mr Griffin, of Llanerfyl, Powys, urged the gathering to vote BNP to ensure "the British people really realise the evil of what these people have done to our country". BNP leader 'said Islam is wicked'
Vor diesem Kloster in Erfurt hat sich Weisselberg verbrannt
Photo dank der Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 03. November 2006Mark Alexander
Auf der Pressekonferenz am Mittwoch nachmittag zeigen sich Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und der Kurator des Augustinerklosters in Erfurt, Lothar Schmelz, ratlos. Was sollen sie, die selbst noch erschüttert sind, zur Selbstverbrennung des Pfarrers Roland Weisselberg am Reformationstag vor dem Erfurter Augustinerkloster sagen? Die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich, die mit Verspätung zur Pressekonferenz kommt, macht den Bischof wohl noch ratloser. Denn sie berichtet, daß sie bis eben mit der Witwe gesprochen habe und mit ihr einig sei, das Motiv des Pfarrers offenzulegen, um Spekulationen vorzubeugen. Roland Weisselberg sei es mit seinem Selbstmord „um die Ausbreitung des Islam und die Haltung der Kirchen dazu gegangen. Das war immer sein Anliegen.“ Seit drei Jahren habe er darum gebeten, sich des Themas anzunehmen. Es sei „das große Thema, das uns bewegt für die nächsten Jahre“. Weisselberg habe in Briefen dazu aufgefordert, „das Problem ernster zu nehmen“. Es sei für ihn „wirklich ein Dauerthema gewesen“. Die Kirche, sagt die Pröpstin, habe sich zwar damit beschäftigt, „aber nicht so exzentrisch“. „Nicht aus Angst, sondern aus Protest“ Von Claus Peter Müller, Alfons Kaiser und Raoul Löbbert
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: The Prince of Wales has called for tolerance between all religions as he continues his tour of Pakistan.Mark Alexander
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, his trip to Lahore took in a mosque, a Sikh temple and a cathedral.
The prince called on community leaders of all faiths to have the "courage" to encourage mutual understanding and tackle religious intolerance.
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt says the prince is passionate about improving inter-faith dialogue. Charles urges inter-faith respect
M & C NEWS: TALLAHASSEE, FL, United States (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has strongly condemned a county commissioner and his wife for their calling Islam a 'hateful, frightening religion.' Jeb Bush denounces anti-Islam statementMark Alexander
Thursday, November 02, 2006
THE BRUSSELS JOURNAL: Europe’s current problems are entirely self-inflicted. This does not mean, however, that the result will be less catastrophic. By subverting the roots of its own Judeo-Christian culture – a process that started with the French Enlightenment (as opposed to the Scottish Enlightenment, which was not anti-religious) – a religious and cultural vacuum was created at the heart of European civilization. The collapse of faith in its own values has, not surprisingly, led to a demographic collapse because a civilization that no longer believes in its own future also rejects procreation. Today, a new religion and culture is supplanting the old one. There is little one can do about it, but hope for a miracle. The Closing Civilization of Europe by Paul BelienMark Alexander
BBC: Some 1,500 migrants arrived to live in the UK every day in 2005, according to official estimates.Mark Alexander
Government figures suggest 185,000 more people came to live in the UK than emigrated in 2005 - making the population grow by 500 a day.
The total for those arriving was lower than 2004's record, but continues a trend of high levels of migration.
While the number of arriving Eastern European workers grew, the numbers of people leaving the UK has also risen.
In total, 565,000 people arrived in the UK in 2005 saying they intended to stay for at least a year. At the same time, 380,000 people left - 1,000 people a day - more than half of whom were British citizens. 1,500 migrants arrive in UK daily
Watch video: UK takes 1,500 migrants a day
Outline of the problem [facing the UK]
What is it with these people? Don't they ever wear anything except black? Why do they always have to be so morbid? Black veils, black turbans, black abayas, black, black, black. Everywhere you look, they're dressed in black! Psychiatrists! Please get on their case. This has got to be indicative of something. I think I know what it is: It's a morbid outlook and a love of death and the so-called afterlife. But a more scientific opinion would be more than welcome.Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Teaching assistant Aishah Azmi has no regrets about the huge controversy stirred by her refusal to take off her veil during lessons.Mark Alexander
She is small in stature, but big on principle.
The Cardiff-born support teacher is unfazed by the national - and international - attention paid to her refusal to take off her veil when working with male colleagues.
The 23-year-old, married mother-of-one knows she could defuse the row by backing down, but will she?
"No" is her polite but firm reply. The woman at centre of veil case
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: For almost half a century, Turkey has been pursuing European Union membership. With negotiations now started though, enthusiasm is waning. And the influence of Islam is on the rise.Mark Alexander
At first glance, the "Sah Inn Suite" Hotel in Alanya looks no different from the average sunny resort along the Turkish Mediterranean coast: a bulky construction with a honeycomb of balconies, looking out over a generous swimming pool surrounded by parasols and lounge chairs. But, in fact, only men are allowed to take a refreshing plunge into these shimmering blue waters. Women vacationers at the Sah-Hotel swim in a strictly isolated pool for women. And what about a cold beer? Forget it. There is no alcohol here; instead, a mosque offers communion with God. Less Europe, More Islam
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 01. November 2006Mark Alexander
Der evangelische Pfarrer, der sich in Erfurt am Reformationstag selbst anzündete und tötete, hat den Suizid begangen, um ein Zeichen zu setzen gegen die Ausbreitung des Islam in Deutschland. Bevor er sich anzündete, rief er in Anspielung auf den Pfarrer Oskar Brüsewitz die Worte: „Jesus und Oskar!“
Das bestätigten Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich am Mittwoch nachmittag in Erfurt. Begrich sagte, seit mehreren Jahren habe den Mann der angeblich wachsende Einfluß des Islam umgetrieben. Pfarrer verbrennt sich aus Angst vor dem Islam
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: BERLIN: A retired Protestant minister died Wednesday of burns after setting himself on fire, apparently to express his concern over the spread of Islam, a church official said. Retired minister dies after setting himself on fire over Islam, church official says
Retired pastor burns himself in Islam protest
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