BBC: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be presented with a plan of action on Monday to ease increasing polarisation of Muslim and Western societies.Mark Alexander
The report is by a group of prominent international figures, including Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ex-Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.
They have been brought together under the United Nations initiative, the Alliance of Civilisations. UN tries to heal religious divide by Sarah Rainsford
Alliance of Civilizations
Monday, November 13, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Sir Elton John has said he would like to see all organised religion banned and accused it of trying to "turn hatred towards gay people".Mark Alexander
Organised religion lacked compassion and turned people into "hateful lemmings", he told the Observer.
But the musician said he loved the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it which he had learned at Sunday school. Sir Elton: Ban organised religion
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Mark AlexanderIn deep gratitude: Remembering those who died for our liberty.
WATCH VIDEO: Remembrance Day ceremony
WATCH VIDEO: Ceremony honours war dead
Saturday, November 11, 2006
BBC: Thousands of Turks have demonstrated in support of secularism during the funeral of the veteran statesman Bulent Ecevit in the capital Ankara.Mark Alexander
"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," crowds chanted as his coffin reached the city's main mosque.
They also booed the arrival of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has its roots in political Islam. Chants as Turks bury ex-PM Ecevit
Turkey holds Ecevit funeral
"We will not rest from our jihad until ... we have blown up the filthiest house -- which is called the White House" - al-Muhajir (Abu Ayyub al-Masri)Mark Alexander
THE WASHINGTON TIMES: BAGHDAD -- The head of al Qaeda's Iraq operations yesterday gloated in a new audio tape over the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and praised U.S. voters for punishing President Bush and the Republicans in Tuesday's midterm elections.
Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, in the first public statement by a senior al Qaeda figure since the vote, said in an Internet-posted recording that his group now had 22,000 armed fighters and reserves in Iraq and taunted Mr. Bush not to copy Mr. Rumsfeld and "flee the battlefield."
Al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, urged the United States to stay in Iraq so his group would have more opportunities to kill American troops. Al Qaeda gloats over U.S. election by Christopher Bodeen
CNN: BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- German neo-Nazis, some shouting "Sieg Heil," rampaged in the eastern city of Frankfurt on Oder and destroyed wreaths placed to mark the anniversary of the 1938 Nazi pogrom against the Jews, police said on Friday.Mark Alexander
A police spokeswoman said the group had launched an attack on Thursday evening, shortly after a memorial service by community and Jewish leaders at a monument where a synagogue once stood.
She said the neo-Nazis trampled floral wreaths placed at a memorial stone to the synagogue in the Polish border city that was destroyed 68 years ago in the Nazis' Kristallnacht or "Night of Broken Glass." Neo-Nazis attack Jewish memorial
CNN: MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- Nearly 70 years after Adolf Hitler declared Munich's main synagogue an "eyesore" in the center of his power base and personally ordered it torn down, the city's Jews are celebrating a return to the heart of the southern German city.
On Thursday, the 68th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, Torah scrolls were marched with fanfare through the winding, cobblestone streets of downtown Munich to a newly built synagogue in the heart of the city. After 68-year wait, a new synagogue for Munich
NPD darf ihren Parteitag in Berlin abhalten: Gericht macht Weg frei
Intense rivalry between father and his wayward son has given way to mutual concern about the family legacyMark Alexander
THE TIMES: THE White House was in no mood this week to discuss President Bush’s psychological state after an election defeat that he himself had described as “a thumping”. Tony Snow, Mr Bush’s press secretary, said: “The President is not a guy who — he doesn’t get on the couch — what he does is [say], ‘What it is, is what it is’ ”.
But if the President ever did lie down on a therapist’s couch, any psychoanalyst worth the name would begin by asking about his relationship with his father, George H. W. Bush. The 41st US President is a figure that his son, George W. Bush, the 43rd President, has variously ignored, clung to, sought the approval of and competed with. Some commentators have long since taken to describing an oedipal struggle between them.
Bush v Bush: an oedipal battle between men of rigid beliefs by Tom Baldwin
Foto dank der Welt
DIE WELT: Prinz Alwaleed besitzt das größte Privatflugzeug der Welt, einen Palast mit 317 Räumen und 20 Milliarden Dollar. Nun will der Saudi zusammen mit Bill Gates die Hotelkette Four Seasons kaufen.Mark Alexander
Was geschieht, wenn die beiden mächtigsten Investoren der Welt aufeinander treffen? Sie tauschen Höflichkeiten aus. So fühlt sich Prinz Alwaleed, Nummer acht auf der Forbes-Liste der reichsten Menschen der Welt, geschmeichelt, wenn die "New York Times" ihn als "Saudi Arabiens Warren Buffett" bezeichnet. Umgekehrt lässt der amerikanische Großinvestor und zweitreichste Mann der Welt den saudischen Prinzen wissen, dass er in seiner Heimatstadt Omaha im US-Bundesstaat Nebraska der "Alwaleed von Amerika" genannt wird. Nach den Schmeicheleien kommt das Geschäft, oder eine Partnerschaft mit dem allerreichsten Mann der Welt: Buffett beglückte jüngst seinen Bridgepartner Bill Gates mit einer Spende von 30 Mrd. Dollar für dessen humanitäre Stiftung. Und der Prinz legte zu Wochenbeginn gemeinsam mit dem Microsoft-Gründer ein Übernahmeangebot von 3,7 Mrd. Dollar für die Hotelkette Four Seasons vor. Der reichste Mann Arabiens von Von Katja Ridderbusch
Friday, November 10, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: BNP leader Nick Griffin and party activist Mark Collett have been cleared of inciting racial hatred after a retrial at Leeds Crown Court.Mark Alexander
Mr Griffin, 46, from Powys, Wales, had denied two charges of using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in a speech in Keighley.
Mr Collett, 26, of Leicestershire, was cleared of four similar charges.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has told the BBC race laws may have to be revised in light of the acquittal. BNP leader cleared of race hate
WATCH VIDEO: BNP chief celebrates victory
Brown hints at new race hate law as BNP chiefs are cleared by Paul Stokes
Bringing case was own goal as Griffin makes political capital
BBC: Few issues divide the Europeans as much as Turkey.Mark Alexander
Divisions are becoming ever more apparent as the European Union nears the moment of truth in relations with its biggest and poorest applicant country, which also happens to be Muslim. Turkish bid exposes EU rifts
Mark Alexander
"I have read a lot of books on the issue of Islam and by no means consider my self totally across it. As is the case with most subjects, it has the capacity to glaze the eyes if you let it. This book though is a breezy and comprehensive easy read. You can pick it up and put it down at will and not lose the plot. The introduction of Mark Alexander's easy to read reality check, The Dawning of a New Dark Age is Wake Up, West! It is compelling reading." - Jim Ball
"The book I wish I could have written myself!" - Norman Caswallon
"Mark, I have you to thank for two nights in a row of very little sleep! I have just finished reading your book. Awesome, but very worrying. I have been researching Islam for years now and your book is the latest. I feel that your book is probably the most amazing, and by far the most frank and to-the-point book about this very real and massive problem at hand. From one page to the other I thought about people in my street, my town and my country who are blissfully unaware of the impending peril." - Liberty Lover
”Recently, I took a competitive exam that would enable me to be a candidate for permanent hire. The odds of passing this writing test are around 15%. The vast preponderance of people who pass are people fresh out of college and lawyers. We were told we cannot study for this exam. We were told that either one has the ability or one does not. I refused to accept those myths. I quickly realized that my style would not pass that exam. I went through books of short essays and one book stood out above the rest: Mark Alexander's. His simple, no-frills writing style, his eloquence, worked like a charm! Before the exam, I examined Mark Alexander's sentence style for one hundred hours. Mark's style made the rules of grammar come alive! I have to give credit to Mark Alexander for this. Going into the test, I knew I had to produce a first rate essay, and I did. My boss has noted the drastic improvements in my writing style. He even asked me if I had taken a brush-up course at the local University!” - Beakerkin
A MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable.MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable." - Anonymous
Single best book to start to learn truth about Islam - George M.
"The author has deep insight and personal knowledge of the Islamic faith - knowledge upon which he bases his evidence and expresses his clear views and insights. The book is clearly written, and it makes fascinating reading.The warnings to the West are skilfully stated. I found it difficult to put the book down!" - Anon. UK
Great Insight Great Read: "Mark Alexander has perfect insight into the issues facing the free world from Islam. Anyone who wants to understand the roots of terrorism will want to read Mark's book. It is short, readable and to the point." - George, University Professor
"Mark has written a very readable book here. He states clearly what Islam is all about, and he shows why this religion and political system is likley to be a problem for the West. Definitely a good read. I highly recommend this book." - EL
Great Read: "Mark Alexander is 'right on target.' His book is not only beautifully written, but is perfect for those who want a clear, straightforward understanding of Islam and its ambitious goal to make the whole world Islamic (and/or to destroy the infidels who refuse to convert). Mark's book is a 'great read,' an 'easy read' and a 'fascinating read' - I commend it to you highly." - D. K., Academic
Excellent!"This book is excellent. It really explains the danger that Islam poses to the West. It's a great read. I recommend it ." - Anonymous
Buy the book around the world here:
BUY eBOOK
BUY BOOK @ AMAZON
BUY BOOK @ B&N
BUY BOOK - BLACKWELL (US)
BUY BOOK - BLACKWELL (UK)
BUY BOOK @ POWELLS
BUY BOOK @ THE TELEGRAPH BOOKSHOP
BUY BOOK @ TESCO
BUY BOOK - AUSTRALIA
BUY BOOK - DENMARK
BUY BOOK - FINLAND
BUY BOOK - HONG KONG
BUY BOOK - N.Z.
BUY BOOK - JAPAN
BUY BOOK - SWEDEN
BUY BOOK - SWITZERLAND
FORBES BOOK CLUB
GUARDIAN BOOK CLUB
PLAY - Free Delivery (£'s)
PLAY - Free Delivery (€'s)
... then watch this video of Keith Ellison, the US's first Muslim congressman, on the night of his victory:
With thanks to Always On Watch for alerting me to this video.
Mark Alexander
1,600 suspects under surveillance
30 plots to kill, maim, damage
200 terror groups or networks
THE TIMES: Hundreds of young British Muslims are being radicalised, groomed and set on a path to mass murder, the head of MI5 said yesterday.Mark Alexander
In a stark public warning, Dame Eliza ManninghamBuller, the Director-General of MI5, revealed that the Security Service’s caseload had risen by 80 per cent since January and now involved about 30 “Priority 1” plots.
It has identified 200 terrorist networks involving at least 1,600 people, many under the direct control of al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan.
“More and more people are moving from passive sympathy towards active terrorism through being radicalised or indoctrinated by friends, families, in organised training events here and overseas,” she said. “Young teenagers are being groomed to be suicide bombers.” More Britons are turning to terror, says MI5 director by Michael Evans
But th editorial misses the main point. It's Islam, stupid! The al-Qaeda challenge
WATCH VIDEO: MI5 boss spells out UK threat
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The rueful President Bush
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: US President George W Bush has appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, after heavy Republican losses in mid-term polls. Bush drive to heal partisan splitMark Alexander
Photo courtesy of Google Images
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Democratic voters were last night pressing for the impeachment of President George W Bush for his conduct over the Iraq war.Mark Alexander
With the Democrats preparing to control both houses of Congress, they have extensive powers to investigate the president, including the appointment of a special counsel.
Many Democrats are keen to press home their new-found advantage by investigating the president's conduct in the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and any role he may have played in exposing the identity of the CIA agent Valerie Plame.
Mr Bush may not know it, but "his presidency is now over" said Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic Party chairman, who promised that Mr Bush would be held accountable for "the colossal failure in Iraq that has set our foreign policy back by 50 years". Cock-a-hoop Democrats clamour to impeach Bush by Alex Massie
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Democrats have now taken control of both chambers of congress, the American media reported late last night. Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress by Sally Peck
Bush's hell starts today by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
THE TIMES: Turkey was told yesterday to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic within the next month or face the suspension of talks to join the European Union.Mark Alexander
The ultimatum from the European Commission — the first delivered to a potential EU country — solicited a promise to speed up domestic reforms, but the Turkish Prime Minister insisted that the Cyprus issue could be solved only by Greece and Greek Cypriots. “Don’t expect us to open our ports and airports until the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot state is lifted,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Suspension of accession talks would damage relations between Turkey and the EU. Opposition to Turkish membership in Germany and France would make restarting the process difficult if stalled. Ultimatum may end Turkey EU hope from Rory Watson and Suna Erdem
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: In dem am Mittwoch veröffentlichten Fortschrittsbericht übt die Europäische Kommission harte Kritik am EU-Beitritts-Kandidaten Türkei. Vor allem moniert sie den lahmenden Reformprozess. Für Ankara kommt die Brüsseler Beurteilung einer eigentlichen Ohrfeige gleich. Doch damit nicht genug: Die Regierung Erdogan muss mit der Suspendierung der Beitrittsverhandlungen rechnen, wenn die Türkei bis Ende Jahr das sogenannte Ankara- Protokoll nicht ratifiziert haben wird. Darin hatte sich das Land noch vor Aufnahme der formellen Beitrittsgespräche vor gut einem Jahr verpflichtet, die Zollunion mit der EU auch auf die zehn neuen EU-Mitgliedstaaten, also auch auf Zypern, auszudehnen. Die Türkei weigert sich zurzeit noch, dieser Verpflichtung nachzukommen und ihre Häfen für Schiffe und Flugzeuge aus Zypern zu öffnen. Verkorkste EU-Beitritts-VerhandlungenMark Alexander
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
On the day of the mid-term elections in the States, it seems fitting to profile one of the world's recent great leaders: Margaret Thatcher. The then president of France, President François Mitterand once said of her: "She has the eyes of Caligula, and the lips of Marilyn Monroe."
Photo courtesy of Google Images
TIME: She's called the iron lady, but to me there has never seemed anything iron about Margaret Thatcher, a remarkable woman and one of the greatest politicians of the modern age. I've had the pleasure to meet her many times over the past 17 years, since the fall of communism. She has always been kind and a good listener. Margaret Thatcher: Her political philosophy provided a model for postcommunist countries by VÁCLAV KLAUSMark Alexander
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.Mark Alexander
Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews, who regard homosexuality as an "abomination", and death threats against those taking part. Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals
In support of free speech
Is gay marriage a threat to marriage? by Steve Chapman
Watch video here: Row over Israeli gay pride
Is a gay who opposes same-sex marriage a hypocrit? by Dennis Prager
Vatican asks Israel to ban Jerusalem gay pride parade
Monday, November 06, 2006
DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair has joined other EU countries in asking Iraq not to execute Saddam Hussein.Mark Alexander
Mr Blair said the conviction of the former Iraqi leader was a reminder of his regime’s “barbaric brutality”.
He told his monthly press conference in Downing Street that the Government was “against the death penalty, whether it is Saddam Hussein or anybody else”. Blair opposes execution of Saddam
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)