Thursday, July 03, 2008

Geert Wilders: Prisoner of Islam

TOWNHALL.COM: THE HAGUE, The Netherlands -- Having run the polite-but-grim gauntlet of Dutch government security to gain access to Geert Wilders, I finally understood what the 24-hour security requirements of the man's continued existence really mean: To make the survival of Western-style liberty in the Netherlands his political cause, this Dutch parliamentarian has to live under high-tech lock and key.

This stunning paradox, with no end in sight, illustrates how far political freedom in the West has already eroded. Think of it: For writing about the repressive ideology of Islam, for arguing against the inequities of Sharia (Islamic law), for making a video ("Fitna") to warn about Islamic jihad, Wilders lives in his own non-Islamic country under a specifically Islamic death threat.

If it is politically incorrect to notice this, it is also indisputably true. True, too, is that, sans state security, this death threat could conceivably be carried out anytime, anywhere -- from the picturesque streets outside the Dutch parliament, to the house Wilders hasn't slept in since 2004. That, of course, was when, on an Amsterdam street, a Muslim assassin plunged a knife into Theo van Gogh's corpse, thus attaching the Islamic manifesto threatening both Wilders and his then-parliamentary colleague, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, with death. Geert Wilders: Prisoner of Islam >>> By Diana West | July 3, 2008

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Algeria: Christians Get Suspended Jail Terms

REUTERS: TISSEMSILT, Algeria - A court in Algeria handed suspended jail terms and fines to two Christians on Wednesday for trying to convert Muslims, a defence lawyer said, in the latest in a series of trials stirring accusations of religious repression.

Rachid Seghir and Djallal Dahmani each received suspended six month jail terms and 100,000 dinar fines in the hearing at Tissemsilt town 200 km (125 miles) southwest of Algiers for "distributing documents in order to disrupt the Muslim faith", defence lawyer Khelloudja Khalfoun said.

Contacted by telephone after the hearing, Seghir said in brief remarks that he would appeal, adding: "We are disappointed by the verdict but we are not ashamed of our religion." Algeria Christians Get Suspended Jail Terms >>> By Hamid Ould Ahmed | July 2, 2008

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Does Germany Have a Problem with Gay Hate Crime?

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Migration to Germany from countries including Turkey and Russia, where homosexuality is taboo, has led to a rise in crime against gays. Gay-bashing hip hop music isn't helping, either. So how should liberal-minded Germans deal with less-tolerant immigrants? Does Germany Have a Problem with Gay Hate Crime? >>> By Michael Scott Moore in Berlin | July 3, 2008

RELATED - SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
Amsterdam to Study Gay Bashers >>> | November 30, 2008

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Turkish Party Rejects Anti-Secularism Charges

ASSOCIATED PRESS: ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's deputy prime minister defended the ruling party in the country's top court Thursday against charges that it is steering the country toward Islamic rule.

The chief prosecutor is demanding the Islamic-rooted party be disbanded for anti-secular activity and that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and 70 other party members be barred from joining a political party for five years.

The court will deliver a verdict in the coming months. Some observers say a decision to disband the party could throw the country into political and economic instability.

The case is being heard as police rounded up two retired senior generals and some of the government's fiercest critics as part of a widening, year long investigation into allegations of a coup plot against the Islamic-leaning government by secularists.

The court case and the arrests have heightened tensions in Turkey. Erdogan's party is locked in a power struggle with secular groups supported by the military and other state institutions, including the judiciary. Turkish Party Rejects Anti-Secularism Charges >>> | July 3, 2008

DIE PRESSE:
Psychologischer Krieg der Armee gegen Erdogan: Die kemalistische Elite zieht alle Register, um den gemäßigt islamischen Premier Erdogan von der Macht zu drängen. Sehr geschickt geht sie dabei jedoch nicht vor, außer beim Verbotsverfahren gegen die Regierungspartei >>> Von Jan Keetman | 1. Juli 2008

DIE PRESSE:
Held und Hassfigur – Ein Porträt >>>

DIE PRESSE:
Türkei: Von Atatürk bis heute >>>

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Muslims Turn to Christ in Algeria


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Another Setback to Freedom in the West: YouTube Must Divulge People’s Viewing Habits!

That “New Dark Age” is “Dawning” faster than anyone could ever have imagined! - ©Mark

BBC: Google must divulge the viewing habits of every user who has ever watched any video on YouTube, a US court has ruled.

The ruling comes as part of Google's legal battle with Viacom over allegations of copyright infringement.

Digital rights group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called the ruling a "set-back to privacy rights".

The viewing log, which will be handed to Viacom, contains the log-in ID of users, the computer IP address (online identifier) and video clip details.

While the legal battle between the two firms is being contested in the US, it is thought the ruling will apply to YouTube users and their viewing habits everywhere. Google Must Divulge YouTube Log >>> | July 3, 2008

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Christopher Hitchens on Islam


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Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Caution on Iran, Urges Top US Admiral

Admiral Mullen
Photo of Admiral Mullen courtesy of the BBC

BBC: America's top military officer has said opening up a third front in the Middle East through a strike on Iran would be "extremely stressful" for US forces.

Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was commenting on the likelihood of US or Israeli military action over Iran's nuclear programme.

Tensions have risen amid reports Israel may be planning a possible strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran denies its nuclear programme is anything other than peaceful.

It has been clear for some time that Adm Mullen does not want to attack Iran, but his latest remarks suggest that he is fighting hard behind the scenes for both the US and Israel to think carefully about the consequences of an attack before considering mounting it.

He said opening up a third front, after Iraq and Afghanistan, would be "extremely stressful, very challenging, with consequences that would be difficult to predict". US Admiral Urges Caution on Iran >>> By Justin Webb | July 2, 2008

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Barack Hussein Obama Backs Faith in Public Life

This wouldn’t be the Muslim faith that you are backing, per chance, would it? If so, you would be wise to keep faith out of public life, and leave it in the private sphere, where it surely belongs. - ©Mark

BBC
Photo of Barack Hussein Obama courtesy of the BBC

BBC: US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has said he would expand George W Bush's programme of involving religious groups in government initiatives.

The Democratic Party candidate unveiled plans for a council of faith-based and neighbourhood partnerships in Ohio.

He said challenges from saving the planet to ending poverty were too big for the government to solve on its own.

A council involving religious groups would help to set the national agenda, Senator Obama said in his speech.

"We know that faith and values can be a source of strength in our own lives," said Mr Obama.

"That's what it has been to me and that's what it has been to so many Americans. It can also be something more.

"It can be the foundation of a new project of American renewal and that's the kind of effort I intend to lead as president of the United States." Obama Backs Faith in Public Life >>> By James Coomarasamy | July 2, 2008

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Jerusalem Bus Attack

Watch Guardian video: Jerusalem Bus Attack: Man hijacks bulldozer and overturns a bus on the city's main road >>> | July 2, 2008

THE GUARDIAN:
Man Shot Dead after Jerusalem Bulldozer Rampage >>> By Mark Tran, David Batty and agencies | July 2, 2008

NZZ Online:
Baggerfahrer rammt Bus in Jerusalem: Drei Personen getötet und mehrere schwerverletzt >>> | 2. Juli 2008

LE FIGARO:
Un bulldozer fonce dans un bus à Jérusalem >>> | 02. 07. 2008

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Surprise! Surprise! Yet More Muslim Outrage! This Time over a Cute Puppy

Is it perhaps true to say that it’s poppycock like this that proves Muslims do not really belong in the West, and proves, too, that they have absolutely no intention of integrating; rather, they simply want to impose their narrow-minded, backward ideas on us, and Islamize the West into the bargain? - ©Mark

puppy, Daily Mail
The innocent Tayside police advert featuring a sweet little puppy that’s got Muslims all bent out of shape. Photo courtesy of the Mail Online

DAILY MAIL: A postcard featuring a cute puppy sitting in a policeman's hat advertising a Scottish police force's new telephone number has sparked outrage from Muslims.

Tayside Police's new non-emergency phone number has prompted complaints from members of the Islamic community.

The choice of image on the Tayside Police cards - a black dog sitting in a police officer's hat - has now been raised with Chief Constable John Vine.

The advert has upset Muslims because dogs are considered ritually unclean and has sparked such anger that some shopkeepers in Dundee have refused to display the advert.

Dundee councillor Mohammed Asif said: 'My concern was that it's not welcomed by all communities, with the dog on the cards. Muslims Outraged at Police Advert Featuring Cute Puppy Sitting in Policeman’s Hat >>> | July 1, 2008

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Australia: Muslim Leaders Split on Polygamy

THE AUSTRALIAN: POLYGAMY has split the Australian Islamic community, pitting senior Muslim leaders against each other over the religious teachings on the issue.

A statement from the National Imams Council saying polygamy was banned in Australia and that calls for its legalisation were unwarranted was criticised by other senior community leaders as well as its own members.

Outspoken Muslim cleric and Sydney imam Taj Din al-Hilali attacked the imams council for putting out a statement that "contradicts the wisdom and teachings of God".

Sheik Hilali "reminded those imams" that compromise through watering down religious teaching was wrong.

The chairman of the Jemiat Ulama of Australia (Muslim Council of Theologians), Adbul Quddoos, said the imams council was not telling people the correct thing.

Islamic Friendship Association president Keysar Trad, who sparked the debate on polygamy last week, wrote to the council saying it had "no right to conceal the solutions that our faith offers to social problems". Muslim Leaders Split on Polygamy >>> By Natalie O’Brien | July 1, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Australia)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Australia)

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Mongolia Calls State of Emergency

BBC: The president of Mongolia has declared a four-day state of emergency in the capital amid violent protests over claims the general election was rigged.

Crowds torched the HQ of Mongolia's governing party - the former Communists - and attacked a police station.

Over 60 people were hurt - around half of them police - as officers used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon against stone-throwing protestors.

The unrest went on into the night, with reports of bank robberies and looting.

Rioters set fire to the Cultural Palace, home to a theatre, museum and national art gallery in the capital, Ulan Bator. Mongolia Calls State of Emergency >>> | July 1, 2008

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Turkey: Erdogan in Trouble

Photobucket
Photo of Recep Tayyip Erdogan courtesy of the BBC

BBC: Turkey's chief prosecutor has appeared before the country's Constitutional Court calling for the governing party to be closed down.

Founded by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Justice and Development Party, the AKP, won a landslide victory in the last election.

But its critics say it is trying to impose Sharia law on the secular state.

The party's attempt to ease a ban on the wearing of the Islamic headscarf is expected to be central to the evidence.

Prosecutor Abdurraham Yalcinkaya, who has argued that the party has become the focal point of anti-secular activities in Turkey, is appearing before judges in a closed-door session.

"This risk has been increasing every day" reads the 162-page petition submitted to the Constitutional Court by Mr Yalcinkaya.

"The danger is clear and concrete. There is no other way to protect society than to close the party down," it reads.

He is calling for the prime minister, president and 69 other party members to be banned from politics.

The AKP has condemned the case as an assault on democracy. A team representing the party are expected to present their defence on Thursday.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has warned the case could jeopardise Turkey's bid to join the bloc - arguing such disputes should be resolved through the ballot box, not the courts. Turkish Ruling Party Put on Trial >>> | July 1, 2008

LISTEN TO BBC RADIO:
The AK Party won the last election in Turkey by a landslide, but its roots are in political Islam. Now Turkey's chief prosecutor is to give evidence to the country's constitutional court calling for the governing party to be closed down. The prosecutor claims it is trying to impose sharia law on Turkey, which is a strictly secular state >>> Sarah Rainsford reports | July 1, 2008

VOICE OF AMERICA:
Case Against Turkey's Ruling Party Gets Under Way: Turkey's constitutional court has begun hearing a case calling for the ruling Justice and Development Party to be shut down on the charge of undermining the secular state. The prosecutors are asking the court to disband the party and ban the prime minister and president from politics. As Dorian Jones reports for VOA from Istanbul, just as the case got started, Turkish authorities arrested more than 20 hardline nationalists, including two retired generals >>> By Dorian Jones, Istanbul | July 1, 2008

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Texan Sheriff Gives His Staff a Lesson on How to Be a Good Dhimmi

HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Reacting to the latest controversy about his office in recent months, Sheriff Tommy Thomas on Monday apologized in person to a local Muslim group for insensitive e-mails sent by members of his staff.

Monday's appearance before the Islamic Society of Greater Houston was Thomas' second apology in recent days over staff e-mails that surfaced in media reports last week, including one message from a top commander that mocks Islam's core tenets.

"I think we've opened some lines of communication that certainly may not have existed before," Thomas said of the meeting. "We will have a continuing dialogue." Harris Sheriff Apologizes to Muslims for Offensive e-Mails; He meets with Islamic Society members, vows to discipline deputy >>> By Matt Stiles and Rosanna Ruiz ©Houston Chronicle | June 30, 2008

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Jordan to Prosecute Geert Wilders over Fitna

Photobucket
Photo of Geert Wilders courtesy of Google Images

RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: The Jordanian justice authorities are preparing a criminal case against right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders because of his anti-Islam film, Fitna. A Jordanian judge has ruled that there is a case to answer. A number of procedures will have to be followed before any indictment is issued and this is likely to take a considerable time.

The complaint has been brought by organisations which believe the film constitutes an incitement to hatred of Muslims. They have already launched a campaign to boycott Dutch products, blaming the government in The Hague for not prosecuting Mr Wilders. Jordan to Prosecute Dutch MP over Anti-Islam Film >>> By Mike Wilcox | July 1, 2008

THE STRAITS TIMES:
Jordan Charges Dutch MP over 'Anti-Islam' Film >>> | July 1, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:
Meanwhile, the Dutch Back Wilders >>> | July 1, 2008

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER:
Geert Wilders Plans ‘Fitna’ Sequel >>> By Ab Zagt | July 1, 2008

NIS NEWS BULLETIN:
Wilders Weighs Fitna Sequel: "I do not have to keep to the laws of banana republics like Jordan and Saudi Arabia," Wilders explained. The Dutch OM's decision not to prosecute him "should be presented in golden gift-wrapping to those lunatics in Amman" >>> | July 2008

REUTERS:
Jordan Charges Dutch Politician with Blasphemy >>> | July 1, 2008

RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE:
Jordanian Ambassador Not to Be Summoned >>> | July 2, 2008

DUTCHNEWS.NL:
Verhagen Picks Diplomacy over Wilders >>> | July 2, 2008

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Archbishop of Canterbury Warns Rebels over Church of England Split


THE TELEGRAPH: The Archbishop of Canterbury has rounded on rebel Anglicans seeking to bypass his authority over issues such as homosexuality and women priests.

Dr Rowan Williams adopted unusually forthright language to accuse the hardline traditionalists of lacking legitimacy
One of his staff even suggested the rebels were becoming a "Protestant sect".

The Archbishop's comments follow the creation at the weekend of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (Foca), a global network for millions of Anglicans unhappy at the ordination of the openly homosexual Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson.

Dr Williams called for patience from those who want to create an alternative worldwide Anglican Communion.

"It is not enough to dismiss the existing structures of the Communion," he said. "If they are not working effectively, the challenge is to renew them rather than to improvise solutions that may seem to be effective for some in the short term but will continue to create more problems than they solve." Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams Warns Rebels over Church of England Split >>> By George Pitcher, Religion Editor, and Graham Tibbetts | July 1, 2008

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Iran to Dig 320,000 Graves Ready for Enemies

NEWS.COM.AU: IRAN is to dig 320,000 graves in border districts to allow for the burial of enemy soldiers in the event of any attack on its territory, a top commander said today.

"In implementation of the Geneva Conventions ... the necessary measures are being taken to provide for the burial of enemy soldiers,'' the Mehr news agency quoted General Mir-Faisal Bagherzadeh as saying.

"We have plans to dig 15,000 to 20,000 graves in each of the border provinces or a total of 320,000,'' the general said, adding that some of them would be mass graves if necessary.

Mr Bagherzadeh said Iran was keen to "reduce the suffering of the families of the fallen in any attack against our country ... and prevent any repetition of the long and bitter experience of the Vietnam War''.

His comments came as the United States continued to refuse to rule out an eventual resort to force against Iran over its contested nuclear program, which the West fears is cover for a drive to build an atomic weapon. Iran Digs Thousands of Graves Ready for Enemies >>> | June 30, 2008

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Monday, June 30, 2008

Battling ‘Liberal’ Church Policies

BBC: Traditionalist Anglicans claiming to represent at least half of the membership of the worldwide communion, and more than a third of its bishops, have declared war on what they call the "false teaching" used to justify active homosexuality.

They have set up what amounts to a church within a church in order to organise for a long struggle against the ordination of gay clergy, the blessing of gay relationships, and what they claim is a drift towards accepting other religions as offering "equal access to God".

The Rev Rod Thomas, of the conservative Church of England group Reform, helped to formulate the organisation's strategy.

He claimed that traditionalists had been forced to create a new alliance to prevent the Bible being rewritten by liberal Anglicans to suit their current lifestyles.

"The Anglican Church is being destroyed by false teaching of the Bible on issues such as homosexuality", he said.

"We are gong to stand against this trend, and spread the true message of the Bible with confidence."

Traditionalists believe the Bible rules out active homosexuality, for example.

Road to schism?

They met in Jerusalem to bolster their claim that they were in touch with the authentic teaching of the early Church.

The group emphasises its intention of staying inside the Anglican Communion, but the alliance's mission statement appears to be a significant step towards eventual schism.

It is ready to send bishops anywhere in the world if traditionalist Anglicans call for help in countering liberal policies which in the view of the "Primates' Council" undermine strict biblical teaching.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, said the "revisionist agenda which we've seen in the same-sex agenda is a missionary one and will spread its views as much as it can.

So the rest of us have to do missionary work to defend the gospel and to promulgate it." Battling ‘Liberal’ Church Policies >>> By Robert Pigott, Religious affairs correspondent, BBC News, Jerusalem | June 30, 2008

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schism,
Peter Hitchens Tells It Like It Is

Why is it that nobody in our own elite actually likes or understands this country or its people or its traditions?

Why did we have to wait for Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, born and raised in Muslim Pakistan, to remind us that, as he put it, ‘the beliefs, values and virtues of Great Britain have been formed by the Christian faith’?

Just as important, why did we have to wait for him to urge us to do something about restoring that faith before we either sink into a yelling chaos of knives, fists and boots, or swoon into the strong, implacable arms of Islam?

Most of our homegrown prelates are more interested in homosexuality or in spreading doubt about the gospel or urging the adoption of Sharia law. Why Does It Take Bishop Nazir-Ali to Tell Us How It Really Is? >>> | May 31, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)