Geert Wilders Party Now Polling at No. 1
FRONTPAGEMAG.COM: A year ago, Islamists and their useful idiots were writing off Wilders as finished. The political crisis appeared to have shaken his PVV party and Islamists were gleefully claiming that Wilders was done. The future might belong to the more mainstream VVD party willing to compromise on the “big” issues.

But Wilders’ gamble has paid off and voters are turning his way once again. » | Daniel Greenfield | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Decoding Facial Hair in the Arab World

BBC: During the Mubarak-era, beards were a no-no in Egypt - but now they're back in fashion with a vengeance. In the Arab and Muslim world, facial hair signifies a lot more than personal style, writes Cairo-based journalist Ashraf Khalil.

A couple of years ago, I was with my parents in a mosque near Chicago. They introduced me to an old family friend - a lady who'd known me since I was a kid but hadn't seen me for years. She embraced my mother and shook hands with my father, but when she turned to me she stood about a foot away from me, didn't offer to shake my hand and instead sort of awkwardly waved.

My father asked her why she had been so distant and she said it was because of my beard. She assumed that my facial hair was symbolic of a deep Islamic religiousness and was afraid that if she offered her hand to shake, I wouldn't take it. My father, who knows exactly how non-religious I am, still LOVES to tell this story.

In the Arab and Muslim world, facial hair means far more than just style and grooming. It's a sociological signifier, a shorthand that often tells you who you're dealing with and what they're all about before they can even speak. There are a couple of different styles in play, and as a journalist you learn to develop a sort of internal chart.

In Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood members generally tend to go with the full but well-groomed beard and moustache. However Salafists - the ultraconservative fundamentalist Muslims - like to let their beards grow long and wild, often leaving their upper lip clean-shaven as a nod to how the Prophet Mohammed wore his own beard 1,400 years ago.

Some within the Salafist camp take things an extra step and dye their beards with henna, producing a range of colours from maroon to bright pumpkin orange. » | Ashraf Khalil | Saturday, February 02, 2013

Inside Story: What Does the Future Hold for Egypt?
As the country's reserves fall and unemployment increases, we ask if it is tipping towards an economic breaking point.

Jordan's Democracy Experiment Appears to Fail
The Prime Minister of Jordan has spent three weeks consulting members of parliament, on who to include in his new cabinet.

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Daredevil Saudi Arabian Craze of 'Sidewalk Skiing' Brings New Meaning to the Term 'Off-road' as Drivers Flip Car onto Just Two Wheels as Passengers Cling on Outside

MAIL ONLINE: Daredevil young men risk life, limb and licence with hair-raising stunts / Adrenaline junkies perform their 'dangerous driving' near city of Ha'il

Parallel parking is tricky enough for some motorists, but for others there is nothing more exhilarating than jumping behind the wheel and performing these death-defying stunts.

When it comes to such a hair-raising hobby, nothing stalls these adventurous youths in Saudi Arabia as they bring a whole new meaning to the term 'off road'.

The latest craze among young Saudi men is dubbed 'sidewalk skiing'. It involves a driver racing along before manouevring - most likely with the help of a ramp - the vehicle onto its side.

The daredevil group like nothing more than to step it up a gear when it comes to hitting the road near the northern city of Ha'il.

To describe it as 'dangerous driving' would be putting it mildly, with motorists who perform such stunts risking life and limb - not to mention their licence. » | Alex Gore | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Cardinal Timothy Dolan: Catholic Church’s Nature Means It Will be Out of Touch Sometimes

Watch More News Videos at ABC | Technology News | Celebrity News

Read ABC NEWS article here | Benjamin Bell | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tristes Pâques pour les catholiques de Syrie
LE POINT: Le bourg chrétien d'Al-Ghassaniyé, qui comptait 10 000 habitants avant la guerre, est devenu une localité fantôme.


Célébration de Pâques à Damas en 2012. © AP/Bassem Tellawi
C'est un bourg chrétien situé à la limite de la province d'Idleb et de celle côtière de Lattaquié, dans le nord du pays. Al-Ghassaniyé comptait avant la guerre 10 000 habitants, dont une demi-douzaine de familles musulmanes. Il est devenu une localité fantôme où il ne reste plus que 15 personnes. Les festivités de Pâques, dans cette zone complètement dévastée par les violences, avaient un goût amer.

"Nous n'avons pu célébrer ni la Passion, ni la Crucifixion, nous n'osions pas quitter nos maisons", explique Giorgio, 88 ans, un des derniers habitants encore présents dans la localité dévastée par les bombardements. Vêtu d'un pantalon bleu et d'une veste beige, arborant le traditionnel foulard blanc tenu par un lacet noir, il s'est rendu quand même à l'église en ce dimanche pour célébrer Pâques aux côtés de quelques autres habitants, ainsi que quatre religieuses et deux prêtres. "Nous sommes un peuple de paix, pas de guerre. Nous voulons la paix pour le monde entier", affirme-t-il à l'AFP. Ses six enfants ont fui quand leurs maisons ont été détruites par les bombardements. » | Source AFP | dimanche 31 mars 2013

Accusé d'insultes à l'islam, un humoriste défie la justice égyptienne
LE POINT: Bassem Youssef a été entendu dimanche après avoir été accusé d'avoir insulté la religion. Il a tourné les juges en dérision, puis a été libéré sous caution.


Le parquet égyptien a entendu dimanche le célèbre animateur de télévision satirique Bassem Youssef, puis l'a libéré contre une caution de 15 000 livres (environ 1 700 euros), a annoncé une source judiciaire. L'humoriste avait fait l'objet de plaintes pour insultes à l'islam et au président issu des Frères musulmans Mohamed Morsi. Bassem Youssef, dont l'émission satirique Al-Bernameg ("L'émission"), inspirée du Daily Show américain de Jon Stewart, tourne en dérision les figures politiques du pays et n'épargne ni le président ni les Frères musulmans, a continué à se moquer des autorités lors de son arrivée au parquet.

Le cardiologue reconverti en humoriste s'est frayé un chemin à travers la foule de partisans venus le soutenir et de journalistes, avec sur la tête un chapeau démesuré, imitation d'un couvre-chef que M. Morsi a porté lors d'une visite au Pakistan mi-mars. Il a également continué à publier des commentaires ironiques sur son compte Twitter durant son interrogatoire. "Les officiers (de police) et les magistrats du parquet veulent se faire prendre en photo avec moi. Peut-être est-ce la raison pour laquelle j'ai été convoqué ?", a-t-il ainsi écrit. (+ vidéo) » | Source AFP | dimanche 31 mars 2013

Theologe Erwin Keller: Papst setzt neue Akzente

Papst wünscht der Welt Frieden

Santiago de Chile: Straßenproteste eskalieren
In der chilenischen Hauptstadt ist die Gewalt zwischen Studenten und der Polizei eskaliert. Die Demonstranten setzten Polizeifahrzeuge in Brand. Die Polizei setzte Tränengas ein.

“Hijab or Hell,” Say Egypt Salafists in Alexandria
BIKYA NEWS: Egyptian female students are now faced with threats of “going to Hell” if they continue to wear pants at an Alexandria university, north of Cairo, the New Women Foundation reported, citing a news article published by al-Youm al-Saba’a online website.

Female students were surprised to see threatening literature calling on them to abandon the “manly” look and go back to a more “Islamic way of dress.”

Although the majority of Egyptian women wear the head scarf, ultra-conservatives still complain about women’s attire and try, at every available chance, to limit women’s freedom in the country.

“Know women that it is either the hijab or Hell. Why do you refuse your God’s orders?” read one pamphlet. » | Manar Ammar | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Salafism On Rise in North Africa: Algeria Moves to Stem Imported Religious Ideas
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE: Algerian authorities give all-clear for union of imams to protect country's moderate form of Islam from teachings of hardline Salafists.

Algerian authorities have given the all-clear for a union of imams to protect the country's traditionally moderate form of Islam from the teachings of hardline Salafists whose influence is on the rise in North Africa.

The move comes two months after an Al-Qaeda-linked attack on a desert gas plant, where 37 foreign hostages were killed during a siege and army rescue operation, and amid fears of jihadist groups gaining ground in neighbouring Tunisia.

The union's "mission will be to defend the material and moral rights of the imams and to act as a bulwark against imported religious ideas, Salafist or other," its secretary general Sheikh Djelloul Hadjimi said.

The preacher of El Ouarthilani mosque, in the Telemly district of the capital Algiers, welcomes his followers over tea and dates, some of them seeking a fatwa, or religious edict, others asking for advice or material assistance.

He says he is used to receiving people suffering from psychological afflictions, including young people who have tried to commit suicide.

But since the union was officially announced in mid-March, he has struggled to cope with his daily agenda and the phone hasn't stopped ringing.

Sheikh Hadjimi has said that the bulk of the union's work must be focused on Algiers, "where a large majority of the mosques are hostage to Salafist imams." » | Abdelhafid Daamache | ALGIERS | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Mr Hate Sneers at the Cops
Hours after cops say they can't nick him, Choudary tells cronies: Be proud to call yourself terrorist

THE SUN: COCKY hate cleric Anjem Choudary has laughed at British justice only days after cops said they were powerless to arrest him,

The hate preacher urged his cronies to “be proud” to be called terrorists as he sneered on a trip abroad funded by benefits - when he also urged followers to “rise up”.

It came hours after police here admitted they were powerless to arrest him for saying he wanted David Cameron dead and urging Muslims to rake in handouts to fund holy war.

Choudary, who claims £25,000 a year in welfare, launched his tirade on a secret trip to Finland.

In an angry rant he said followers should “follow the message” and refuse to compromise in their fight to impose Muslim law in the West. » | Matt Wilkinson | Sunday, March 31, 2013

Conservative Knives Out for George Osborne
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: George Osborne faces a whispering campaign at the highest levels of the Conservative Party over his competence and judgment.

The Chancellor has been personally blamed for the party’s misfortunes and poor opinion poll ratings, with senior figures warning that change is needed ahead of the general election.

There are renewed calls for Mr Osborne to give up his role coordinating the party’s campaigning, as fears mount of disastrous results in May’s English local elections.

Some critics are demanding that he should be replaced as Chancellor by William Hague, the Foreign Secretary. Such a move would be a dramatic shift for the Prime Minister, as Mr Osborne is his closest political ally.

One senior Conservative at the heart of the party, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Telegraph: “George is the problem.”

Concerns centre on what is perceived to be his failure to understand the middle classes, their values, and their economic struggle.

Most notably, critics highlighted how the last budget in effect penalised rather than helped stay-at-home mothers and did not introduce recognition for marriage in the tax system.

This came on top of changes to child benefit which also penalise single-earner households.

Senior critics within the party were also unhappy with his flagship measure to boost the housing market, a mortgage guarantee scheme. There have been warnings that it could create a housing bubble, rather than help economic growth. » | Patrick Hennessy | Saturday, March 30, 2013

Return of the Far Right: Greece's Financial Crisis Has Led to a Rise in Violent Attacks on Refugees
THE INDEPENDENT: John Carlin reports from Athens on the return of the far right.

An Afghan who fled his country, fearing a lynching, after converting from Islam to Christianity. A Syrian who bolted across the border after a bomb destroyed his home. A Sudanese man who ran for his life after soldiers murdered his father and raped his sisters.

All three have joined the rivers of refugees that flow, now as ever, from the most wretched corners of the earth, converging today on Athens, the most wretched capital in Western Europe. Pursuing the European dream, they have run aground in the swamp of Greek's economic crisis: undocumented, unwanted, despised, hungry and under constant threat of the sort of violence they imagined they had left behind at home.

The bad guys of this story are not hard to identify. The far-right Golden Dawn party (Chrysi Avgi in Greek) captures votes by using foreign migrants in the same way the Nazis used the Jews: as scapegoats for the frustrations, insecurities and hardships of today's Greek population. They blame Arabs, Asians and Africans (or 'subhumans' as they call them) for their country's dire lot. Accusing them of infecting Greeks with diseases and of turning the centre of Athens into a criminal jungle, young Golden Dawn militants hunt down foreigners in the streets, markets, parks and buses.

The good guys of this story are the NGO workers and Greek volunteers who endeavour to help the refugees. Their altruism is especially impressive: they are also suffering the consequences of the economic crisis, they all know fellow Greeks who are competing with the refugees for food in the bins of Athens. Workers at Médecins Sans Frontières, for example, report Greek people coming to them and asking: "Why don't you help us instead of them? Who invited them, anyway?".

Golden Dawn are the bad guys, but it is not hard to grasp why they are now the third biggest party in the country, well on their way to becoming the second. At a time of awful confusion and uncertainty, they offer simple solutions to complex problems. Linked to neo-Nazi groups in Germany, they have learnt the populist lessons of the Hitler era. They magnify the danger posed by refugees and present themselves as the only true defenders of the people. » | John Carlin | Saturday, March 30, 2013

Euro Crisis: After the Cyprus Bank Raid Fiasco, Germany Is Being Painted as the EU’s Chief Villain
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It’s easy to see why German taxpayers have had enough, argues Mats Persson. But the Cyprus bailout has ended with their government being painted as the EU’s chief villain - an accolade that should belong to the architects of the euro.


In the running blame-game that is the eurozone crisis, Germany has now emerged as the chief villain. In many parts of Europe, the country has been outright blamed for the Cypriot crisis, which saw Berlin demand that Cypriot depositors be taxed in return for a €10bn bailout.

A commentator in Spanish daily El País went the furthest. “Like Hitler,” he wrote, “German Chancellor Angela Merkel has declared war on the rest of Europe.”

The piece was quickly withdrawn but the damage had been done. In Britain, commentators across the political spectrum have lined up to criticise Germany. The New Statesman recently labelled Merkel “the biggest threat to global order and prosperity” - ahead of notorious dictators such as Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

Most comments have been far more level-headed but anti-Germany sentiments have reached levels not seen in a long time. Within Germany itself, however, the decision to tax Cypriot depositors continue to enjoy wide-ranging support, as does the wider austerity-driven approach to the crisis.

What’s more, many Germans would echo the country’s justice minister, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, who called on the EU to “also display solidarity with us and defend the Germans against unjust accusations”. » | Mats Persson *, director of Open Europe | Saturday, March 30, 2013

Mats Persson is the director of Open Europe, an independent think tank that campaigns for EU reform.

'I Was Sexually Assaulted & Tortured to Extract False Confession' - Bahraini Medic
In Bahrain, 21 doctors have been cleared of involvement in illegal anti-government protests. The medics have spent more than a year and a half behind bars, for as they say treating injured demonstrators. Dozens of health workers along with opposition activists have been arrested and charged, since the uprising began more than two years ago. Doctor Fatima Haji faced similar charges to the acquitted medics, and she told RT what she had to go through during her confinement.