Imam Blesses Union of Gay Muslim Couple in France

AL ARABIYA NEWS: Two Muslim gay men, deeply in love, tied the knot in France with the blessing of an imam.

Ludovic Mohamed Zahed, a French man of Algerian origin, and his South African partner Qiyam al-Din, were reportedly married in accordance to the Sharia (Islamic law) in the presence of a Mauritian imam named Jamal who blessed their union on February 12, 2012, according to a report in Albawbaba on April 2.

The two were previously able to marry in South Africa under the country’s same sex marriage laws, which also permits gay couples to adopt but France does not recognize same sex unions.

Zahed shared his story with France 24 TV, telling the channel how he met Din last year at a convention on AIDS in South Africa.

“I was in the lecture hall when an imam, who incidentally is gay himself, introduced me to Din. We discovered we had a lot in common and a mutual admiration was cemented. I stayed on after the convention for two months, deciding to get married, since South African laws were more friendly [to same sex unions],” he said.

After the wedding that was organized by Din’s family, the couple decided to return to France and settle down in a Parisian suburb, hoping that the French government would recognize the legality of their marriage.

But the French authorities refused.

Zahed, who has his family’s blessings for the marriage, says that he faces more obstacles with the French law than discrimination from Muslims. » | Al Arabiya | Sunday, April 08, 2012

Gay Mormon Students Discuss Struggles With Suicide in 'It Gets Better' Video
ABC NEWS: Students at Mormon college Brigham Young University have released avideo about their experiences as homosexuals in a religious community that prohibits gay sex and marriage.

The video, called "It Gets Better at Brigham Young University," is part of the "It Gets Better" project, founded by columnist Dan Savage to prevent suicide among LGBT youth.

Erikka Beam, a recent BYU graduate in psychology, said that when she realized she was gay, she became depressed, started cutting classes, and was told by her bishop that she wasn't worthy to take the sacrament.

"I just felt, 'I'm not worthy. God clearly doesn't love me because he does not love gay people,'" she said in the video.

Beam also talked about her struggle with suicide.

"I just thought that I needed to just kill myself because the heartbreak of me dying would be less than the heartbreak my parents would experience if I came out to them," Beam said.

According to the video, 74 percent of LGBT students at BYU in Provo, Utah, have contemplated suicide, and 24 percent have attempted suicide.

"I thought that eventually maybe it would be better if I died," one male student said, "so I did everything I could to really be that perfect Mormon. I thought that was going to cure myself." » | Olivia Katrandjian | Sunday, April 08, 2012

"Schwulenpropaganda" : Politiker wüten in Russland gegen Homosexuelle

WELT ONLINE: Homosexuelle werden in Russland immer noch diskriminiert. Aktivisten kamen nun sogar ins Gefängnis. Westliche Stars wie Madonna und Rammstein könnten für "Unzucht" oder "Propaganda" bestraft werden.

Wer in Sankt Petersburg öffentlich über Homosexualität spricht, könnte bald dafür bestraft werden. Am Freitag und Samstag gab es in der zweitgrößten russischen Stadt erste Festnahmen für angebliche Verstöße gegen das Gesetz gegen die so genannten "Schwulenpropaganda".

Am Freitag wurden zwei junge Männer festgenommen, die ein Plakat mit der Aufschrift "Schwul sein ist normal" bei sich trugen. Die beiden Männer waren mit dem Plakat vor einem Jugendzentrum aufgetreten. Am Tag danach gingen etwa 40 Menschen auf die Straße, um gegen die Homophobie zu protestieren, zwei von ihnen landeten im Gefängnis.

Seit dem 11. März gilt in Sankt Petersburg ein Gesetz, das Aufklärung über Homo- und Bisexualität unter Minderjährigen verbietet. Im Gesetzestext, der sehr schwammig formuliert ist, wird Homosexualität als "Päderastie" bezeichnet und im Prinzip der Pädophilie gleichgestellt. » | Von Julia Smirnova | Montag, 09. April 2012

Verwandt »

Neues Gutachten hält Breivik für zurechnungsfähig
WELT ONLINE: Der Attentäter Anders Behring Breivik kommt bei einer Verurteilung vielleicht doch nicht in die Psychiatrie. Ein neues Gutachten bescheinigt ihm, dass er geistig gesund und damit zurechnungsfähig sei.

Ein neues psychologisches Gutachten hält den norwegischen Attentäter Anders Behring Breivik doch für zurechnungsfähig. Behring Breivik sei geistig gesund, heißt es in der Untersuchung, die vor Gericht vorgelegt wurde. (+ Video) » | AFP/kami | Dienstag, 10. April 2012

Mindestens zehn Tote bei Selbstmordanschlag in Afghanistan
REUTERS DEUTSCHLAND: Herat - Im Westen Afghanistans hat sich ein Selbstmordattentäter in die Luft gesprengt und mindestens neun Menschen mit in den Tod gerissen.

Der Anschlag ereignete sich offiziellen Angaben zufolge am Dienstag in der bislang relativ friedlichen Provinz Herat an der Grenze zum Iran. Bei den Opfern handele es sich um sechs Zivilisten und drei Polizisten, sagte ein Sprecher des Provinzgouverneurs. » | Reuters | Dienstag, 10. April 2012

Une salle de prière musulmane incendiée à Ajaccio
REUTERS FRANCE: PARIS - Une salle de prière fréquentée par la communauté musulmane a été partiellement détruite par un incendie d'origine criminelle dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi à Ajaccio [Anglais] (Corse-du-Sud), annonce le ministère de l'Intérieur. » | Marine Pennetier | Reuters | lundi 09 avril 2012

Chavez Accuses US of Trying to Topple Syria Leader
ARAB NEWS: CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is accusing the US government and its allies of provoking violence in Syria in an effort to topple its government. » | Associated Press | Published: Saturday, April 07, 2012, Updated: Monday, April 09, 2012

European Jewish Congress Fears 'Tsunami of Hate in Europe'
YNET NEWS: Brutal attack of Jewish man in Kiev prompts European Jewish Congress to urge EU leaders to 'act swiftly' to curb new wave of hate crimes against Jews

The European Jewish Congress (EJC) issued an urgent call for the Ukrainian government to spare no effort in capturing those responsible for the brutal attack on Aharon Alexander in Kiev, Sunday.

The EJC's Monday statement also urged all European governments to collaborate in curbing what the organization called the potential "tsunami of anti-Semitism in Europe."

Alexander, 25, was assaulted shortly after leaving a Kiev synagogue on Saturday night. The Jewish community in the Ukrainian capital denounced the attack as a hate crime. » | Aviel Magnezi | Monday, April 09, 2012

Fla. Pastor Terry Jones: Islam's Goal Is 'World Domination'
USA TODAY: DEARBORN, Mich. – Speaking Saturday in front of the biggest mosque in Michigan, the Florida pastor known for burning the Quran blasted Islam and called upon Americans to take back their country.

"Islam has one goal: That is world domination," said Pastor Terry Jones, wearing sunglasses, jeans and a faded black leather jacket. "It's time to stand up."

Holding signs in English and Arabic that read "I Will Not Submit," about 20 supporters cheered as Jones and his assistant spoke outside the Islamic Center of America. Framed by the mosque's minarets, Jones said he's concerned that the growth of the Muslim population in metro Detroit and the United States will lead to the oppression of non-Muslims.

"Muslims, no matter they go around the world … they push their agenda on the society," Jones said. "We must take back America." » | Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press | Monday, April 09, 2012

Islamic Police Hold Sway in Indonesia's Aceh
AFP: BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — In Indonesia's only province ruled by strict Islamic law, the sight of the "morals police" prompts women to quickly adjust their headscarves and male and female companions to move apart.

In Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra island, it is the job of the 1,000-strong Wilayatul Hisbah, or Islamic police, to enforce sharia laws that mandate public modesty for women, and forbid unmarried couples from socialising.

In the capital Banda Aceh last week, a woman peeled away from her husband, reached for a scarf and quickly wrapped it around her head as a patrol approached; a petrified couple hopped on a motorcycle and fled.

But another pair hiding behind a large rock on the beach were not so lucky.

"Are you married?" roared a burly officer, wearing a khaki uniform and sporting a thick moustache, as he approached the cringing couple who shook their heads.

"This is unacceptable in Aceh, we have sharia laws here. Go along now, go home," he said, after examining their identity cards. » | Arlina Arshad (AFP) | Monday, April 09, 2012

Gunfire from Syria Hits Border Camp in Turkey
Syrian forces have fired across the border at protesters at a refugee camp in Turkey, wounding a Turkish translator and at least two Syrian refugees, in the first such attack since Turkey began sheltering thousands of refugees last summer, authorities said.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, said Turkey immediately protested the incident to the Syrian charge d'affaires and asked that the fire be halted.

Turkish security forces were reinforced in the well-marked border area following the attack, state television reported.

Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught has this update from Antakya in southern Turkey.

Morocco Activists Target 'Rape Marriage Law'
Amina Filali was just 15 when she was allegedly raped, and was subsequently pressured by judges and - by some accounts - her own mother, to became the child bride of her rapist. A few months later Filali killed herself, reportedly because she was unable to endure ill-treatment from her husband. Filali's incident has brought the marriage of minors and the marriage of victims to their rapists to the fore. Now, activists in Morocco have staged a mock trial as part of their campaign to rid the 50-year-old "oppressive" article from the country's law books. Al Jazeera's Khadija Magardie reports.

Urbi et Orbi 2012

I Wed Aged FIVE… in the UK
Shocking story from a British town
THE SUN: DRESSED in a fancy new outfit, little Samina Shah thought she was getting ready for her birthday party.

Instead she was being married off — having just turned FIVE.

The Islamic ceremony effectively ended her childhood and paved the way for years of abuse.

Just as shockingly, this was not happening in a remote Third World village — but in a large town in the north of England.

Samina has decided to speak out after Britain’s Forced Marriage Unit revealed that last year the 1,468 cases they investigated included another girl of five.

There are thought to be another 6,500 cases that went unreported.

Samina — not her real name as she is too scared to be identified — told The Sun: “I was denied the right of childhood, play and innocence.

“When you are married at the age of five you no longer live like a normal child. I was deprived of my basic human rights. » | Anila Baig | Exclusive | Sunday, April 08, 2012

THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: I was forced to marry at five » | Rebecca Seales | Sunday, April 08, 2012

Queen Invites Ruler of Bahrain's Bloody Regime to Her Jubilee Lunch at Windsor Castle Because 'It's Very Rude to Leave Anyone Off the List'

MAIL ONLINE: Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's regime is accused of killing and torturing civilians during last year's pro-democracy demonstrations / The King of Bahrain is also set to attend a champagne dinner hosted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace / Outcry expected from human rights campaigners and MPs / Pressure mounts for this month's Bahrain Formula 1 race to be cancelled after police using tear gas and live bullets shot a protester dead last week

The Queen has risked an international outcry by inviting the King of Bahrain to a Diamond Jubilee banquet despite widespread criticism of his bloody and repressive regime.

The English-educated Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is on the guest list for a lunch hosted by the Queen in May at Windsor Castle. He is also thought to be among those invited to a champagne dinner given by Prince Charles the same evening at Buckingham Palace.

The invitations will infuriate human rights campaigners and MPs angry at the Gulf state’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

The country’s despotic rulers were accused of using brute force and torture to crush the protests last year, which saw more than 50 civilians killed and thousands arrested. The Bahrain royal family has direct control of the police, army and security services. Read on and comment » | Katie Nicholl and Jonathan Petre | Saturday, April -7, 2012

This Is a Government of Chums, Say Six Out of Ten in Damning New Poll

MAIL ONLINE: Nearly two out of three say entry to Mr Cameron’s elite inner circle depends on ‘who you know’ / Three out of ten said George Osborne was a 'snob' / Ratings of Boris Johnson show that it is possible to have a privileged background and still be popular

David Cameron is running a ‘Government of chums’ where ‘who you know’ matters more than ‘what you know’ – and he is becoming dangerously out of touch with voters as a result.

That is the finding of a new poll in the wake of the longest run of political and public-relations blunders by the Tories, many self-inflicted, since Mr Cameron became Prime Minister.

The hostile reaction to the ‘granny tax,’ the ‘pasty tax,’ the petrol panic and the Downing Street ‘donorgate’ scandal appears to have led to a growing feeling that Mr Cameron and his Ministers are elitist and remote.

The phrase ‘a Government of chums’ was first coined in a leader column in The Mail on Sunday last week, which asserted that ‘a small group of people from very similar backgrounds, who have known each other for years, are running the country mainly by talking to each other – and to nobody else’. Read on and comment » | Simon Walters | Saturday, April 07, 2012

What North Koreans Really Think of Kim Jong-un

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Secret telephone calls to North Korea reveal what citizens of the world's most secretive and dictatorial regimes really think about their new leader Kim Jong-un.

His elevation to leadership of one of the world's most secretive and dangerous regimes was the subject of speculation and rumour around the globe.

But now it has emerged that Kim Jong-un, the podgy 28-year-old who took the helm of North Korea after his father died last year is also the subject of clandestine gossip within his own insulated state.

In secret telephone conversations with activist groups based in democratic South Korea, residents of the North have revealed their own doubts about the man anointed as the Great Successor and Supreme Commander, despite all the revolutionary rhetoric with which they are bombarded.

"He is a four-star general aged 28," observed a trader, Im Seong-taek. "When did he do his time in the army to get those stars? It's nonsense."

A farmer in the far north of the country said: "He doesn't seem to be much use. A young person with his belly sticking out looks lazy."

Such comments are the fruits of a growing effort by South Koreans - often aided by defectors from the North who have made their way to Seoul, the capital of the South, by circuitous routes - to use gradually spreading mobile telephone technology to find out what North Koreans really think. » | Andrew Salmon, Seoul | Sunday, April 08, 2012

The names of all North Koreans in this report have been changed to protect their identities.

France Election 2012: Islam Takes Centre Stage in Battle for France
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The Toulouse shooting, arrest of 30 Islamic radicals and expulsion of 10 more has all shone an uncomfortable light on France's Muslim community. But, as Harriet Alexander finds out, the politicians are revelling in the spotlight.

Mounia Bassnaoui is living on the edge. Since the 23-year-old decided a year ago to wear an Islamic veil, cloaking her body and head but leaving her face visible, she has been spat at, chased down the road and endured shouts of "al Qaeda!" from gangs of youths in her Paris neighbourhood.

She lost her job as a junior accountant with the government, owing to French regulations banning religious clothing in state buildings. And, despite being born in France to Moroccan parents, she feels she may have to leave the country for Holland or the UK.

"It's frightening at the moment," she said. "France is the worst place in Europe to be a Muslim, because the government is so against us. And if Nicolas Sarkozy is re-elected, it can only get worse."

But the sense of fear is, for many French voters, mutual. Last week French police launched the latest of a series of raids on suspected Islamic militants, detaining 10 people across the country in predawn arrests. Five Islamic fundamentalists were also kicked out of France or told not to return, and concerns over Islamic fundamentalism have made security one of the key talking points with two weeks to go in the presidential election campaign.

Supporters of Mr Sarkozy, battling for re-election, claim that he is being tough on dangerous radicals and protecting France. His opponents point out that stirring up fear of Islamic fundamentalists is a very convenient way of appearing as a strong, dynamic president.

And, ironically for a country which takes great pride in upholding secular values, the question of religion – specifically Islam – is taking awkward centre stage in the campaign in a way that would be unthinkable in Britain.

The three elements of immigration, security and Islamic fundamentalism are frequently spoken of in the same breath – and have always been a favoured topic for Mr Sarkozy, who made his name as interior minister by taking on the angry young men in the mainly Muslim suburbs of Paris during the 2005 riots.

In September, he decided to ban praying in the streets, after photos of Friday prayers spilling out onto the pavements were seized upon by far-Right candidate Marine Le Pen as evidence of a supposed Muslim takeover.

Early on in his presidential campaign this year, he decided that halal meat was "the issue that most preoccupies French voters", and promised to introduce a law enforcing the labelling of all meat killed in accordance with Islamic traditions.

And three weeks ago, when al-Qaeda admirer Mohamed Merah murdered seven people in a nine-day terrorist rampage through Toulouse, Mr Sarkozy was quick to return once again to his favoured themes of security, immigration and dangerous extremists. » | Harriet Alexander | Paris | Sunday, April 08, 2012

Happy Easter! Joyeuses Pâques! Frohe Ostern! Buona Pasqua! ¡Felices Pascuas! Pasg Hapus! Happy Passover! ! المسيح قام

May you all have a blessed and joyous Easter!

Mass Rally for Salafi Candidate in Egypt Poll
Thousands of people have demonstrated in support of the Egyptian Salafi leader Hazem Abu Ismail amid reports that he may not be allowed to participate in the upcoming presidential election. The ultra-conservative leader registered as a candidate a week ago, but there are allegations that his mother holds US citizenship which would disqualify him from running. Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna reports from Cairo.