Adhésion à l'UE: la Turquie satisfaite du "début de changement" de la France

L’EXPRESS.fr: Ankara salue la levée partielle du blocage de Paris aux pourparlers sur l'adhésion turque à l'Union européenne.

Le "début d'un changement". Le ministre turc aux Affaires européennes Egemen Bagis salue ainsi la position de la France sur l'entrée de son pays à l'Union européenne, après la levée annoncée du veto qu'exerçait Paris sur un des chapitres des négociations d'adhésion.

"C'était une chose logique à faire. Bloquer le processus d'adhésion de la Turquie n'a aucun sens", estime Egemen Bagis dans un entretien accordé à l'AFP à la veille d'une rencontre avec son homologue français Bernard Cazeneuve à Paris.

La Turquie a entamé dès 2005 des négociations d'adhésion à l'UE. Mais les pourparlers patinent en raison de l'hostilité de pays européens comme la France et l'Allemagne à une pleine adhésion turque, et aussi de blocages d'Ankara. La Turquie refuse notamment d'élargir à Chypre, sous administration chypriote-grecque et membre de l'UE, le bénéfice des accords de libre circulation qui la lient au bloc européen. Ce refus a entraîné le gel de plusieurs chapitres de négociation. Sur les 35 prévus, 13 seulement font l'objet de discussions et un seul à été conclu. » | Par LEXPRESS.fr | mardi 19 février 2013

7 Egypt Copts Get Death Sentence Over Anti-Islam Film
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE: Cairo court upholds death sentences for Egyptian Coptic Christians in absentia over their involvement in anti-Islam movie.

CAIRO - A Cairo tribunal on Tuesday upheld death sentences passed on seven Egyptian Coptic Christians in absentia for their involvement in a movie that ridiculed the Prophet Mohammed, a judicial source said.

The accused, including the director of the movie that triggered outrage across the Muslim world when it surfaced last September, are currently living in the United States.

Terry Jones, an American pastor based in Florida who is said to have promoted the film and who had also been sentenced to death in absentia, had his sentence reduced to five years in jail by the tribunal. » | Middle East Online | Monday, February 18, 2013

'Muslim Patrol' Police London Streets
A group of young men are attempting to create 'Muslim zones' in East London.

‘Abuse Cannot Harm Islam, Prophet’
ARAB TIMES: KUWAIT CITY, Feb 18, (KUNA): College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University has organized a conference entitled ‘Insulting Islam and its Sanctities’, within its role in the government program to highlight moderation of Islam, fighting extremism as well as its role in enlightening and informing the Muslim community through studying the phenomenon of insulting Islam and its sanctities.

College Dean Dr Mubarak Al-Hajri recalled in his speech at the conference the numerous cases in which Islam and its sanctities were defamed and insulted as well as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“We know for sure that these abuses cannot harm our religion, our Prophet and our holy places as it has been proven throughout history that Islam spreads quickly when its enemies start defaming or insulting the faith”. » | Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Drying Out: Islam and the Rise of Prohibition Culture
THE INDEPENDENT: In the Middle Ages Islam had no problem with alcohol, now - from Sharia Patrols in the UK to flat out bans in Egypt - the crackdown is gathering strength

In the last few weeks, Al Jazeera has been posting videos on its global web site of Islamic vigilantes “patrolling”, as it puts it, the streets of Whitechapel ensuring that the various British citizens inhabiting its pavements are doing their best to conform to shar’ia law. A notorious instance involved an unfortunate, and wholly innocent, gay man who was told that he was “dirty” and should get out of the neighborhood immediately. “Yes,” he was forced to say, presumably under the threat of a boot in the groin, “I am dirty.”

The British mosques duly condemned the patrols, and the Metropolitan Police made its usual ineffectual vows. But the videos themselves, as far as I could see by watching them in Dubai that week, evoked very little disgust in readers sharing the Faith. It struck me immediately that there was very little reason that such patrols should not progress from the rarified joys of beating up homosexuals to demanding that people stop drinking in public in the same neighborhoods. Lo and behold, other videos show drinkers being forced to pour the contents of their cans on to the streets.[.]

It would be easy to dismiss these patrols as outliers. But then again, who twenty years ago would have foreseen them ever happening in the first place? The Islamic revival, for want of a better word, which is changing the face of two civilizations at once – ours and Islam’s – has not been flexible on the question of alcohol, any more than it has on the question of gay love.

Writing about Cairo recently, I made so bold as to mildly observe that the number of “baladi” bars in that once bibulous city has noticeably diminished. A few grizzled ex-pats chose to deny it, but most Cairenes are all too ready to lament the gradual erosion of their once free-ranging alcoholic night-life (the sale of alcohol has recently been bannedaltogether from settlements around the capital). The world of Om Khaltoum and Mafouz and Youssel Chahin was saturated in drink, but the Cairo of 2013 is headed in a very different direction. One might even claim that a link exists between the diminishment of overflowing bars and the increase in covered female heads. It is far from preposterous. » | Lawrence Osborne | Monday, February 18, 2013

Islam a 'Dangerous and Totalitarian Ideology': Wilders
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: FAR-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders has called the Prophet Mohammed a murderer and used Anzac soldiers as an example of the courage needed to speak out against Islam at a speech to Melbourne supporters.

Tight security surrounded Mr Wilders' hour-long speech to members of the ultra-conservative local group the Q Society of Australia at La Mirage reception centre in Somerton in Melbourne's north on Monday night.

Fifty police, some on horseback, separated about 100 vocal but peaceful protesters standing on the Hume Highway verge outside the venue.

Protest organiser Feiyi Zhang said: "we're here to show we will not stand for Wilders' racism and Islamophobia". She said his speech could incite violence against Muslims "and general fear of Islam".

Protester Nadia Shamsuddin, a doctor and a Muslim, said she was "repulsed" by Wilders' visit and views. "His promotion of oppression and racism is appalling in civilised world".

Her husband Raj Rao said: "Wilders accuses Islam of promoting hatred and violence but I think that's what he's doing."

Mr Rao said the message of the Qu'ran was of "peace and submission to God".

Inside the venue, audience member Inez, a Dutch immigrant, said she had come from Ringwood to hear Wilders, "because we have built this country into something very, very beautiful but I can slowly see it getting spoiled by people who want to impose their beliefs and laws.

"When I hear Muslim people wanted to introduce Sharia law here, I shudder. I thought it too horrible to contemplate." » | Carolyn Webb | Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Helga Weiss: An Interview with a Holocaust Survivor
Helga Weiss was transported to Terezín concentration camp at the age of 12. She tells Nicholas Shakespeare how she came to write – and draw – the most moving child’s-eye testimony since the diary of Anne Frank.

Read the article here

Hillary Clinton to Make Her Millions on the Speaking Circuit
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hillary Clinton will turn her experiences as America's Secretary of State and First Lady into millions of dollars by joining the lucrative after-dinner speaking circuit, it has been announced.

Mrs Clinton, who resigned as President Barack Obama's chief diplomat at the end of last month, has joined her husband, former president Bill, at one of the most prestigious speaking agencies in the US.

Having been paid $186,600 (£120,224) per year as Secretary of State, she will command a six-figure sum for less than an hour of anecdotes collected during her 12 years at the heart of Western power.

The 65-year-old will hope to emulate the success of Mr Clinton, who has made an estimated $89 million in fees as one of the prize assets at the Harry Walker Agency since leaving office in January of 2001.

"We are proud to share the exciting news that former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has joined the Harry Walker Agency exclusively for her speaking engagements," the firm – which also represents Dick Cheney, the former US vice-president - said in a brief message posted on its website. Representatives for Mrs Clinton could not be reached for comment.

Mrs Clinton said before stepping down that in addition to public speaking, she expects to write a second memoir and take teaching positions at US universities before considering her long-term future. » | Jon Swaine, Washington | Monday, February 18, 2013

Sean Ali Stone - My Journey to Islam - UMAA Convention 2012

Londres veut trouver «une solution diplomatique» au cas Assange
LA PRESSE: Le Royaume-Uni a réaffirmé sa détermination lundi, au lendemain de la réélection du président équatorien Rafael Correa, à trouver une «solution diplomatique pour sécuriser l'extradition vers la Suède» du fondateur de WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, réfugié à l'ambassade d'Équateur à Londres.

«Le Royaume-Uni est déterminé à trouver une solution diplomatique avec le gouvernement équatorien pour sécuriser l'extradition de Julian Assange vers la Suède», a déclaré le ministre britannique des Affaires étrangères, William Hague, dans un communiqué.

«Je félicite le peuple équatorien et le président Correa pour cette élection qui a été un succès, et je salue la participation élevée et le climat pacifique le jour du scrutin», a-t-il ajouté.

«Le Royaume-Uni et l'Équateur ont une relation bilatérale de grande valeur et nous sommes impatients de travailler davantage avec le gouvernement équatorien sur une variété de sujets», a-t-il encore dit. » | Agence France-Presse | Londres | lundi 18 février 2013

Australia: Praise for Diversity on Eve of Controversial Visit
THE AGE: Multicultural organisations have sung praise for Victoria's cultural diversity on the eve of a controversial talk by anti-Islamic Dutch MP Geert Wilders.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Nicholas Kotsiras said Mr Wilders's views were wrong and misinformed.

"Mr Wilders is opposed to the religion of Islam, not so much to the people, and he believes Islam has no place in democratic society which I believe is wrong."

Mr Kotsiras said while he supported freedom of speech he did not support the incitement of violence.

"We don't support the incitement of violence, the incitement of hatred and we have legislation in place that covers that. But we are multicultural and we are proud of it, we have embraced it over many years and are a prime example of how it can work."

The Q Society is funding Mr Wilders's Australian speaking tour, which will involve a talk in Sydney and Melbourne. » | Henrietta Cook | Monday, February 18, 2013

Anti-muslim campaigner coming to Australia: Ahead of his visit to Australia, far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders talks to Tony Jones about his opposition to Muslim immigrants in his country. » | Australian Broadcasting Corporation | Broadcast: Wednesday, February 13, 2013


THE TELEGRAPH (AU): I'm no bigot, says anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders ahead of Australian speaking tour: CONTROVERSIAL Dutch MP Geert Wilders has delivered a message to Australia ahead of a series of speaking events across the nation: "I am not the devil." » | Charles Miranda in The Netherlands | News Limited Network | Saturday, February 16, 2013

Muslim Insurgents Launch 50 Attacks in Thailand's Deep South
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Muslim insurgents fighting for a separate state in Thailand's deep south launched 50 bomb and arson attacks over the weekend, killing three members of the security forces as violence in the troubled region intensifies.

The three local defence volunteers died after a bomb hidden in a pile of clothes exploded outside a restaurant in Pattani Town on Sunday lunchtime.

Another nine people were injured in the blast.

A coordinated campaign of terror started at 6pm local time on Saturday, when seven bombs were planted outside shops, supermarkets and a karaoke bar in Pattani Town, the capital of Pattani Province, one of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand with a Muslim majority population.

Bomb disposal experts defused five of the bombs. But further devices were detonated later that night and on Sunday, while a wave of arson attacks gutted shops in Pattani Town and targeted mobile phone towers, security cameras and local defence bases elsewhere in Pattani Province.

"Intelligence estimates suggest there were 50 coordinated attacks. We managed to prevent attacks in eight spots," Police Major General Ekkaphob Prasitwattanachai told local media. » | David Eimer, Saigon | Monday, February 18, 2013

Pope Benedect XVI to Receive £2,150 Pension
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Benedict XVI could receive a pension of £2,150 a month once he steps down as Pope at the end of this month and goes into retirement within the walls of the Vatican.

The Vatican has indicated that the most likely title for Benedict after his resignation on Feb 28 will be Bishop Emeritus of Rome.

That would entitle him to a pension of 2,500 euros a month.

The Vatican would not confirm the arrangement, but its official spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said last week that the Pope would want for nothing.

"We will ensure he can live a dignified existence," he said.

It is unclear what Benedict might need to spend the money on. The former nunnery is a grace-and-favour residence inside the Vatican, and he will not have to pay rent.

His meals and daily living expenses will also be paid for by Vatican state finances, and cooking and cleaning will be done by a group of four women from a Catholic organisation called Memores Domini.

Nor is he likely to be jetting around the world in the manner of an ex-US President or British Prime Minister.

The long trips he had to do as Pope, including to Mexico, Cuba and Lebanon last year, were one reason he decided to resign. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Monday, February 18, 2013

Protests Likely as Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders Changes Venue
HERALD SUN: POLICE will monitor the comments of controversial anti-Islamic Dutch MP Geert Wilders as he faces possible unruly protests in Melbourne tomorrow.

Mr Wilders, who opposes the so-called "Islamisation'' of Europe, had been booked to speak at a CBD venue tomorrow night.

But it is understood his meeting will now be held in the outer suburbs after the venue's owners cancelled amid fears of trouble from hard Left protesters.

Victorian Multicultural Commission chairman Chin Tan said Mr Wilders faced possible prosecution under the state's racial and religious hatred laws if his comments were out of line.

"He's entitled to his views, as anyone is in Australia ... but he's got to be very careful that he does not take it beyond the point where it traverses the law of this country and the expectations and what we here in Australia value,'' he said.

"To the extent that he might may say something or in a particular manner that has legal implications, I'm sure someone or the police may take it up.'' » | John Masanauskas | Herald Sun | Monday, February 18, 2013

HERAL SUN BLOG – ANDREW BOLT: If you need this much security for criticising Islam… » | Monday, February 18, 2013

Peter Seewald und Papst-Benedikt XVI. im Gespräch: Das Interviewbuch "Das Licht der Welt"
Peter Seewald im Gespräch mit Papst Benedikt XVI. Daraus entstand das Buch: „Licht der Welt". Der Autor und Papstkenner erzählt von den Rahmenbedigungen des Interviews in Castel Gandolfo.

UK Muslim MPs Scared after Voting for Gay Marriage Bill
THE NEWS (PAKISTAN): LONDON: Extremist websites are abuzz against Muslim members of the British parliament who voted in favour of gay marriage legislation and there are fears that the Muslim parliamentarians could face serious hostility after clerics issued fatwas against these MPs declaring them “apostates”.

On February 5, 2013, the House of Commons voted — by 400 votes to 175, giving the bill a 225 majority — to legalise gay marriage in Britain. Muslim MPs Sadiq Khan, the Labour high-flyer, Rushanara Ali, Sajid Javid, Shabana Mahmood and Anas Sarwar voted for gay marriage. Benazir Bhutto’s former adviser Rehman Chishti voted against the move while Yasmin Qureshi and Khalid Mahmood MP abstained from voting, fearing opposition from their constituents.

At least three Pakistani clerics have said that these MPs needed to repent and renew their faith, which means that they stand expelled from the circle of Islam for supporting same sex marriages. They have also said that their Islamic marriages stand annulled and they needed to read Kalma again to become Muslims. The News understands that police forces in Britain have taken notice of the fatwas and the threats against the MPs. Also, the MPs have privately said that they fear for their lives after the delivery of fatwas on them by clerics. Anjem Chaudh[a]ry, former UK head of extremist group Al-Muhajiroum [sic] who has organised demonstrations against the MPs, said the Muslim MPs have committed “apostasy by declaring war on Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) by voting for gay marriages”. He added: “These MPs have allied themselves with parties that are responsible for the killing of Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.” » | Murtaza Ali Shah | Sunday, February 17, 2013

Cold Reception for Anti-Islam Campaigner

SBS: Right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders has told SBS he is "happy" to be in Australia despite getting a frosty reception from local politicians.

Right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders has told SBS he is "happy" to be in Australia despite getting a frosty reception from local politicians.

"Even your Prime Minister said not the most kind things about me, and your former Minister of Immigration stalled granting me a visa," he said.

"Freedom of speech is one of the most important things in our free society and I am happy to be here."

Wilders is visiting Melbourne at the invitation of Q Society, where he will speak about his anti-Islamic platform in what he calls a warning to Australia. » | Source: SBS Staff | Monday, February 18, 2013

Row over Renaming of Sandhurst Hall after Bahrain Donation
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A Sandhurst tribute to the fallen of a First World War battle has been abandoned so a donation from the King of Bahrain can be honoured.

Mons Hall, named after the 1914 battle that saw thousands killed, will be renamed the King Hamad Hall after he gave £3 million towards its refurbishment.

Defence chiefs were yesterday accused of betraying the memory of soldiers who gave their lives for their country.

MPs also questioned the ethics of honouring regimes that have dubious human rights records.

It emerged an accommodation block at the Army officer training academy has also been named after the first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a £15 million donation from the country.

Andy Slaughter, Labour’s chairman of the Democracy In Bahrain all-party parliamentary group, said: “To change the name of something which commemorates a very tragic episode in British military history and an example of courage and heroism of British soldiers simply because they’re getting a sum of money from a rather dubious source is appalling.

“It reflects the appalling double standards the British Government and institutions have in relation to the Bahraini regime, which is guilty of all sorts of human rights abuses and fundamentally undemocratic.’

The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War. » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Sunday, February 17, 2013

Iran Confiscates Buddha Statues in Crackdown on 'Cultural Invasion'
THE GUARDIAN: Officials reportedly seizing statues from shops in Tehran to stop the promotion of Buddhism

Buddha statues have joined Barbie dolls and characters from The Simpsons as banned items in Iran.

Officials are confiscating the statues from shops in the capital, Tehran, to stop the promotion of Buddhism, according to a report in the independent Arman daily.

The Islamic republic has long fought against items such as Barbie toys to block western influence, but this appears to be the first time authorities have shown an opposition to symbols from the east.

The newspaper quoted Saeed Jaberi Ansari, an official for the protection of Iran's cultural heritage, as calling the Buddha statues symbols of "cultural invasion".

He reportedly said authorities would not permit a specific belief to be promoted through such items. Ansari did not say how many Buddhas had been seized, but said the "cleansing" would continue. » | Associated Press in Tehran | Sunday, February 17, 2013

HRH Princess Basmah Bint Saud - A Call for Responsibility
HRH is known to be quite the critic of the élite that runs Saudi Arabia and is a tireless advocate of peaceful but essential reform in the Kingdom and elsewhere.