Europe needs a stong military!

Europeans, and that now includes the British, need to reassess their attitudes to their own culture(s). European culture is clearly being threatened by Islam; but we Europeans are in denial.

The French are not famous for their courage: When Hitler and his army invaded France, the French simply capitulated. The Germans were just able to march in and take control of their country. The French didn’t even put up a fight!

Now, Muslim immigrants have invaded France; but again, the French are in denial. They just don’t seem to be able to grasp the nettle, don't seem to be able to take tough action to protect their wonderful culture. Do they, I wonder, inhabit a dream world, or are the French just lacking in courage to assert themselves?

The Germans are crippled by memories of their brutal past. That’s what makes them incapable of tough action. They are terrified of being perceived as ‘racist’ again.

The British are just too tolerant. The British put up with anything and everything these days. The characteristics which made the British strong and triumphant in the 40’s now seem to have evaporated. Young people seem incapable of knowing what makes them British! Nor are they any longer able to look danger in the face and call it what it is: danger!

It seems that the Europeans not only fail to see the dangers that lie ahead of them vis-à-vis Islam, but they are unwilling to identify the danger even if they do. A civilization will not last long that way, not last long when the people are unwilling to identify the enemy, and are unwilling to fight for its survival.

Spending on the military is way too low in Britain. It is shamefully low in Europe. One of the first things that needs to be done is increase spending on the military thoughout Europe: on the armies, the navies, and the air forces. No civilization can be strong when spending on the military is so woefully inadequate. If the military needs manpower, equipment, and training, then it’s only a matter of time before that civilization will be challenged.

We are now being challenged by Islam like never before in recent history. It’s no good the Europeans depending on the Americans to come to their rescue. God knows, central Europeans have criticized the Americans enough in recent years. Frankly, I wouldn’t blame the Americans if they refused assistance!

In this era of grave danger, in an era in which Islam is growing in importance all over the world, especially here in Europe, and in an era in which the Iranians are threatening to develop the nuclear bomb, it is most essential that the Europeans be ready for any crisis that may develop. The Europeans need to put forward a strong face to the Islamic world. Muslims need to be shown that nonsense will not be tolerated. Europeans need to be ready for the good fight, ready to fight for our Judeo-Christian heritage and civilization!

Historically, Islam has played little part in European culture. I repeat: Our culture is based on Judeo-Christianity. It is not based on Islam! Our culture must be fought for, fought for in each and every way necessary. Islam would soon snuff it out, given half a chance.

This is why the Europeans should in no way allow the Eurocrats to let Turkey into the Union. Turkey does not belong in Europe for all the reasons I have mentioned many times before.

It is high time for our European ‘leaders’ to listen to the people. It is also high time for the Europeans themselves to start being more courageous, and willing to put up a fight for our civilization, regardless of the cost. War cannot be avoided at all costs anyway. A war in the name of fighting for our civilization, should it come, would be a just war. Naturally, nobody wants war. Only a fool would wish for it. But the fact of the matter is this: War is far more likely to come about if we are not ready for it, if we are weak. Without a strong military, and the will to use that military should it be necessary to do so, the Europeans will be perceived as weak. Indeed, they already are.

Weak people don’t avoid being attacked; on the contrary, they are more likely to be attacked, and for the very reason that they are weak! This can be seen even in the schoolyard: How many strong children get picked on?

It’s high time that Europeans started to stand up and be counted. Our culture and civilization is in grave danger of being Islamized.

©Mark Alexander

Viewpoints: Iranians in the Diaspora

Estimates of the Iranian community living abroad vary from between two to five million, the bulk of which live in the US, while Canada, the UK and other European countries also hold sizeable Iranian communities.

Many left after the Islamic revolution in 1979, when the pro-Western Shah was swept aside, and remain solidly opposed to Iran's clerical government.

But a new generation, raised in the West yet influenced by the Iranian values of their families, is beginning to address the thorny issues of identity and belonging.

Seven Iranians from different parts of the world told the BBC about their relationship with the land of their birth and their sense of identity. Check the diverse viewpoints out here: Iran: Life in the diaspora

Iran in maps

Mark

When there are problems locating Mecca

Malaysian scientists and religious scholars are trying to determine how Muslims should behave in space, as the predominantly Islamic country prepares to dispatch its first astronaut next year.

More than 150 delegates attended a seminar to consider how to pray in space given the difficulties of locating Mecca and holding the prayer position in zero gravity; as well as other questions such as halal food and washing.

"It's as important as sending the astronaut," said Mustafa Din bin Subari, deputy director of Angkasa, Malaysia's space agency. "We want to stress that being a Muslim does not restrict you from doing anything."

The application of a religion founded in the 7th century Arabian desert to space travel in the 21st century is complex. The International Space Station (ISS) moves at almost 17,000 mph, so the relative position of Mecca is constantly shifting. With 16 orbits a day, and the timing of five daily prayers determined in relation to sunrise and sunset, devout Muslim astronauts could find themselves intoning their chants 80 times in 24 hours. Read it all: Computer will tell Muslim astronaut how to pray in space

Mark

Iran talks even tougher!

US interests around the world will be harmed if America launches an attack against Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said.

"The Iranian nation will respond to any blow with double the intensity," he added, in comments reported on TV.
Iran has been reported to the UN Security Council, amid Western fears Iran is seeking atomic weapons.

The UN is seeking a diplomatic solution but the US has not ruled out military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
Addressing workers in Tehran on International Labourers' Day, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would not heed US "threats and intimidation". Read it all here: Iran leader issues warning to US

Analysis: Iran under pressure

Who holds the power?

Mark Alexander

White House calls for Snow to whiten its image

One of Fox News' most personable personalities to take over as Press Secretary at the Whie House. This from the Washington Post:

Fox News commentator Tony Snow was named White House press secretary today after top officials assured him that he would be not just a spokesman but an active participant in administration policy debates, people familiar with the discussions said.

A former director of speechwriting for President Bush's father, Snow views himself as well positioned to ease the tensions between this White House and the press corps because he understands both politics and journalism, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the appointment had not been officially confirmed, although an announcement is expected today. Read it all here: Tony Snow to Be White House Press Secretary

Mark Alexander

Muslimahs urged to take off the veil

I've just read this very interesting article on MEMRI.org. I'd like to share it with you...

Reformist Yemeni columnist Dr. Elham Mane'a, who writes regularly for the reformist website www.metransparent.com, espouses improvement of women's status, freedom of thought, a rationalist approach to the religious sources, and the right of humans, as rational beings, to decide their own futures. In a recent article, Mane'a urged Muslim women to exercise free thought and to decide for themselves whether to wear the veil. ...

... Take Off the Veil, Sister

"I call on you, my Muslim sister, to take off the veil. This is an honest call... Its intention is not to defile you, nor to encourage you to [moral] lassitude. I call on you to exercise [free] thought and to use your own mind.

"You and your mind are sufficient. There is no need to search in books and in history, and there is no need to consult the opinions of the commentators... I request that you listen to my words and judge them without suspecting my intentions. After that, you are free. Free to choose [for yourself], to [shape] your own fate, and to do as you wish. You are your own master. You alone. No one but you has custody over you. After [you consider my words], don the veil or take it off - I will respect your decision. Ultimately, the decision must be yours... Read it all here: Yemeni Reformist Writer Urges Muslim Women to Take Off the Veil

Mark

Too little, too late?

US President George W Bush has unveiled plans, including an inquiry into price fixing, to lower the cost of oil and cut climbing petrol prices.

Mr Bush told the Renewable Fuels Association that the US needs to "get off its dependency on oil" as crude costs have moved towards record levels.

The US will also stop topping up the strategic oil reserve, boost domestic output and promote alternative fuels.
Mr Bush said that oil and petrol prices were a matter of national security[.] Read it all here: Bush plans to tackle petrol price

Mark

The Futility of Interfaith Dialogue
Have you ever wondered about this thing called 'interfaith dialogue' - the dialogue so beloved by our weak politicians and clergy? Well, wonder no longer. Please let me elucidate...

For dialogue with an enemy - and make no mistake about it, Islam is the enemy of the liberal and democratic West - please read my earlier article here - to serve any purpose, there must be a possibility of finding some middle ground. A compromise must be found. If it is not possible to find a compromise, then engaging in dialogue becomes not only futile, but meaningless, too. Engaging in such a dialogue with Islam, a so-called 'interfaith dialogue', is precisely that: futile and meaningless.

You might well ask how I can say this with such certainty. Well, the answer is really quite simple to comprehend...

In Islam, we have a faith which is diametrically opposed to everything Christianity says is true. The tenets of both faiths couldn't be more different. Christians are taught that God had a Son, born of the Virgin Mary, who came down to earth and died for their sins, quasi to redeem them, to save them. Hence, Jesus Christ is their Lord and Saviour, their Redeemer. He died on the cross to save their souls. Further, to Christians, God is loving and forgiving, merciful and compassionate indeed.

Muslims are taught, by contrast, that God never begat a son; indeed, in Islam it is sacrilege to believe so. The whole concept of the Trinity, so essential to the belief system of a Christian, is considered to be shirk, or polytheism to any practising Muslim.

Furthermore, Jesus in Islam, although revered as a major prophet, is nothing more than this. He is not considered to be the Godhead. Muslims have an unshakeable belief that God is unique and one - tawhid - and cannot conceive of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Christians, in their eyes, are considered to be guilty of polytheism for believing in the Trinity! The abstract concept of there being three bodies in one - actually just like the human body - is beyond their understanding and comprehension.

So, to believe that Jesus is man's Saviour and Redeemer is totally and utterly alien to Muslims. As far as they are concerned, indeed as far as they are convinced, Jesus was not crucified at all. They believe that a look-alike was crucified in his stead!

For a devout and practising Christian, there can be no compromising on these issues; likewise, for a devout and practising Muslim, there can also be no compromising on them, either.

So would someone like to explain to me what all this 'interfaith dialogue' is about? For what compromise is there to be? Perhaps I'm missing something; but I don't think so.

You see, the differences between Islam and Christianity are so clear in even the basic understanding of the concept of God in the two religions. The name for God in Islam is Allah. Allah is also the name for God for Christian Arabs. But the Christians' understanding of God (and the Christian Arabs' understanding of Allah) is very different from the Muslims' understanding of Him. For anyone seriously to believe that these two deities are the same, he would have to be seriously deluded. To a Muslim, Allah is to be feared; to a Christian, He is the kind and understanding and merciful Father.

The fact of the matter is clear: 'Interfaith dialogue' is a mechanism thought up by the weak and ineffectual in a desperate attempt to find a solution to the growing chasm in Western society, a chasm between the ever-growing Muslim population and the rest. (Do we ever hear calls for 'interfaith dialogue' from Muslims?) But it is merely a Band Aid. It will never solve the problems that have been shored up for us over the past few decades, never solve the problems of increasing tensions which will inevitably ensue.

Truth is: Our politicians, because they have lacked the foresight to see the inevitable outcome of their lax immigration laws, because they have lacked the courage to enact sensible laws to stem the growing problem of immigration in this country, and because they have failed to lead, they have got us all into a fine mess. Believe me: The storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. It's only a matter time now before we will witness their devastation.

©Mark Alexander

All Rights Reserved

Fear in the mainstream parties; desperation in the electorate

David Cameron called yesterday on voters in next month's English local elections to support any party other than the far-Right British National Party.

The Conservative leader accused the BNP of "thriving on hatred" and wanting to set one race against another.

"I hope nobody votes for the BNP. I would rather people voted for any other party," Mr Cameron told Sky News.

His remarks reflect growing alarm among mainstream parties that the BNP is poised to make gains on May 4 when almost 23 million voters in London and in borough and metropolitan councils go to the polls.

A YouGov survey for The Daily Telegraph today suggests that millions of voters are not enamoured of any of the main parties.

Fewer than one voter in five wants the Conservatives to control their local council. The same small proportion wants to see Labour in power locally. Still fewer fancy the Liberal Democrats. Cameron calls on voters to back anyone but the BNP

Please note: That the mainstream parties - Labour, Conservative, and Liberal - are becoming ever more fearful and desperate at the prospect of significant gains by the British National Party (BNP) is obvious. When people like Cameron call out for voters to vote for any party but the BNP, something is seriously wrong. Cameron is the second to raise the spectre of such gains in less than a week.

If the mainstream parties are fearful, then you can bet your bottom dollar that the British electorate is both fearful and desperate: fearful of what the mainstream parties have turned this 'Sceptered Isle' into, and desperate to find someone with enough courage to fix the problem.

The fact of the matter is clear and simple: The mainstream parties are guilty of a dereliction of duty. If the British electorate becomes desperate enough to look for radical and extreme solutions, the main parties have only themselves to blame.

It is high time that politicians of all hues - red, blue, and orange - do a bit of serious contemplation. It is also high time that they stop the spin and find their backbone. Without backbone, there will be no solution. Beware: The electorate will tolerate this nonsense no longer!

By the way, just in case you didn't know who Cameron is, he is the increasingly unconvincing leader of the Conservative Party! The man who used to think of himself as a "media tart"!

Mark Alexander

BIN LADEN TALKS AGAIN OF CRUSADE AGAINST ISLAM

The West's moves to isolate the new Hamas-led Palestinian government prove it is at war with Islam, a tape attributed to Osama Bin Laden declares.

The tape also described the situation in Iraq and Sudan's troubled Darfur region as further evidence that a "Zionist-crusader war" was being waged.

The recording was broadcast by Arab satellite TV al-Jazeera on Sunday.
If confirmed, it is the first message from Bin Laden since January 2006, when he threatened more attacks on the US. Read it all here: West is on crusade - 'Bin Laden'

Verbalattacken auf die Uno

Die USA stufen die jüngste ausgestrahlte Osama-Bin-Laden-Tonbandaufnahme als authentisch ein. Der Extremistenführer wirft darin dem Westen einen Kreuzzug gegen den Islam vor. Zudem greift er auch explizit die Uno an und ruft die Muslime zu Vorbereitung eines Kriegs im Sudan auf, wie aus am Sonntagabend zusätzlich gesendeten Passagen hervorging. Neues Bin-Ladin-Tonband offenbar echt

Le chef de l’organisation terroriste Al-Qaïda dénonce, dans un enregistrement sonore qui lui est attribué par la chaîne de télévision qatarie Al-Jezira, la «guerre de croisés et de sionistes» lancée par les Occidentaux contre l’Islam. Il cite notamment les exemples du Darfour, des caricatures de Mahomet ou encore de la suspension des aides aux Palestiniens. Un nouveau message attribué à Ben Laden

Mark Alexander

AHMADINEDRAB!

Authorities in Iran are to crack down on women failing to follow the regime's definition of good Islamic dress.

Some 200 extra police are to patrol the streets of Tehran confronting women who reveal ankles, sport thin headscarves or wear short or tight jackets.

Those found to be in breach of Iran's Islamic dress code could face instant penalty fines.

The move is part of a blitz against anti-social behaviour, also targeting drugs and people who play loud music. Read it all here: Iran launches Islamic dress drive

Mark Alexander

There's nothing new under the sun!

Jamal Abu Samhadana had just been appointed chief of the Palestinian security services, but his supporters saw no reason to celebrate.

Instead of driving around the potholed streets firing their AK47s in the air, his advisers gathered in a tin-roofed hut in a remote part of the Gaza territory, safe - they hoped - from prying ears.

For now is a dangerous time to be the Palestinians' security supremo, and Abu Samhadana's allies know that even if the Israelis do not succeed in killing him, there are plenty of Palestinian rivals who might like to.

In his first interview with a British newspaper since his controversial appointment as Hamas's "iron glove" last week, Abu Samhadana, 43, revealed his ambitions for the paramilitary force under his control.

"This will be the nucleus of the future Palestinian army," he said. "The resistance must continue."

Abu Samhadana was speaking only days after nine Israelis were killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber. He can expect that Israel security officials are hungry for revenge for the Tel Aviv bombing and regard him as an attractive target.

For his part, the new commander-in-chief remained defiant and gave no sign that he would seek to rein in future attacks.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: "We have only one enemy. They are Jews. We have no other enemy. I will continue to carry the rifle and pull the trigger whenever required to defend my people." Read it all here: 'Jews are our enemy. I will pull the trigger whenever required'

Mark

Iran and Russia's courting alarms the US

Washington has asked Moscow to reconsider selling Iran anti-aircraft missiles as the crisis over its nuclear programme continues.

Russia plans to sell Tehran 29 TOR M1 mobile surface-to-air missile defence systems in a deal said to be worth about US $700 million (£392m).

"This is not time for business as usual with the Iranian government," a top US state department official said.
The US also urged other states like China to review defence sales to Iran. Read it all here: Missile exports to Iran alarms US

Grundsätzliche Übereinkunft zur Urananreicherung

Laut eigenen Angaben haben sich Russland und Iran grundsätzlich auf ein Abkommen zur Urananreicherung geeinigt. Russland soll für den Golfstaat künftig die Produktion von Brennstoff auf russischem Boden vornehmen. Gemäss dem Vertreter Irans in der IAEA seien lediglich noch kleinere Fragen offen. Unklar ist auch, ob Iran vollständig auf die Anreicherung von Uran im eigenen Land verzichtet. Lesen Sie alles hier: Iran und Russland sind sich einig

Mark Alexander

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MA'AM!

The Prince of Wales led the nation yesterday in paying tribute to the Queen, his "darling Mama", on a day of both public and private celebrations to mark her 80th birthday.

In a televised broadcast, Prince Charles praised the most "remarkable steadfastness and fortitude" and her "duty and devotion" as Queen on a day that saw more than 15,000 cheering well-wishers line Windsor's High Street during a birthday walkabout.

On a more personal note he spoke, too, of her other role - as a mother.

"For very nearly 60 of those 80 years she has been my darling Mama and my sentiments today are those of a proud and loving son, who hopes that you will join with me in wishing the Queen the happiest of happy birthdays, together with the fervent prayer that there will be countless memorable returns of the day." Happy birthday darling Mama

Mark

TOSH!

A new report submitted to the Dutch government has sparked controversy by arguing that Islam does not conflict with either human rights or Dutch values.

Islam has been a hot topic in the Netherlands since the killing of a controversial film-maker, Theo van Gogh, by a young Muslim in 2004.

In a country traditionally seen as one of the most liberal and tolerant in Europe, Islam and Muslims are now viewed with suspicion.

The report is the fruit of three years' work by the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), a think-tank in The Hague which advises the government.

It examines the evolution of thinking about democracy and human rights in a dozen Muslim countries, ranging from Egypt and Iran to Indonesia.

Jan Schoonenboom, a member of the council who supervised the research, says it highlights the variety and dynamism of Islamic activism.

While there are radical, jihadi trends, there are also more mainstream Islamic movements which are moving, albeit slowly, towards democratisation. Read it all: Dutch reconsider Islamic values

Mark

Two Great New Antipodean Book Reviews



One from Australia, from Sydney's top overnight broadcaster, Jim Ball:

Wake Up, West!

(15April06) 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 .

Read an extract from the first chapter entitled Wake Up, West!

Take a peek at Jim Ball's recommendations: Jim Ball's recommended reading list

Visit Jim Ball's very interesting website: Jim Ball, Sydney's No. 1 Overnight Broadcaster

And one from New Zealand, from one of our regular erudite and valued contributors, Judah of Judah's Journal

Mark’s format, a collection of essays, makes this an extremely readable text that can be picked up and put down as opportunity allows, giving ‘thinking time’ between reads in order to fully process the knowledge and insights imparted here.

Still too much is misunderstood about this aggressively invasive ideology which threatens to overwhelm and subvert our Western civilization. Since Islam seeks to progress an agenda of world-wide domination and universal submission of all to Allah, by the sword if necessary, we most certainly need to understand far more about it.

Mark knows Islam intimately, and his writing is both perceptive and authoritative. He clearly outlines the dangers posed by Islam, describing the process of ‘Islamicization’ that is already happening, supporting his concerns with references (in context) to the Qur’an and to history, identifying the factors in our own civilization that fosters erosion of our Judeo-Christian heritage and invites the incursion of Islam, and suggesting means by which this could be stopped and reversed. There is a great deal of information packed between the covers of this book and much food for serious thought. To some it will be a horror story, but as frightening as the subject may be, we are wise to have our eyes opened in order to recognize what is happening hopefully in time to help stop the situation from worsening. It may already be too late unless radical measures are put in place, but we all need to know and properly understand the real threat in order that something effective can be done about it.

This is an absolute ‘must read’ for anyone who wishes to know the truth rather than be lulled into complacency by the ‘taqiyya’ (holy hypocrisy) of the Islamic clerics and apologists. If you have never read anything on this subject before, this is a good place to start. Likewise, it is also an essential read for those who do know the subject, the author becoming increasingly well known for his contributions to major websites devoted to the education of the web-savvy general population interested in knowing more about Islam.

I have become well-read on this subject myself, and can testify that the author writes in accord with all else that I have read by other authors with impeccable and relevant credentials. I can recommend Mark’s book to all who wish to be properly informed on this subject and, as the author puts it so well, the ‘dawning of a new dark age’ under Islam.

ISBN: 1-4107-9038-X (e-book)
ISBN: 1-4017-9037-1 (Paperback)
ISBN: 1-4140-3021-5 (Dust Jacket)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2003297102

Vist Judah's Journal here.

Mark Alexander

Infidel filth!

Pupils protest as college linked to Iran puts fundamentalist text on curriculum, reports our correspondent

MUSLIM students training to be imams at a British college with strong Iranian links have complained that they are being taught fundamentalist doctrines which describe non-Muslims as “filth”.

The Times has obtained extracts from medieval texts taught to the students in which unbelievers are likened to pigs and dogs. The texts are taught at the Hawza Ilmiyya of London, a religious school, which has a sister institution, the Islamic College for Advanced Studies (ICAS), which offers a degree validated by Middlesex University.

The students, who have asked to remain anonymous, study their religious courses alongside the university-backed BA in Islamic studies. They spend two days a week as religious students and three days on their university course. Read it all: Muslim students 'being taught to despise unbelievers as filth'

Mark

Schizophrenia?

Since September 11, there has been a concerted effort to present a new and improved Islam to the world. The moderate Muslim activists in the West avoid referring to teachings that may offend the Western citizen, such as the Islamic code of punishment.

They stress that they believe in Moses and Jesus. They refrain from calling Jews and Christians "infidels", "Zionists" or "Crusaders".

They use the term "Sunday School" in place of "Friday Class", and they end their speeches with the Christian expression "may God bless you".

Islam has two streams of theological thought; those based on Mohammed's sayings in Mecca and those penned from Medina. Both eventually were brought together in the Koran, but reflect two entirely different worldviews. Islam's Split Personality

Mark

Depressing, or what?

Back in 2004, Bernard Lewis had this to say about the Islamization of Europe:

SELDOM HAS THE COURSE of European history been changed by a non-politician's throwaway remark in a German-language newspaper on a Wednesday in the dead of the summer doldrums. But on July 28, Princeton historian Bernard Lewis told the conservative Hamburg-based daily Die Welt that Europe would be Islamic by the end of this century "at the very latest," and continental politics has not been the same since.

Days before the third anniversary of 9/11, Frits Bolkestein of the Netherlands, the outgoing European Union competition commissioner, caused an uproar when he mentioned Lewis's remark in the course of an address at the opening of courses at the University of Leiden. Bolkestein warned that the E.U. will "implode" if it expands too quickly. It was a timely topic. Islamic Europe?

In today's Die Welt, this:

Die Christen werden zur Minderheit in Europa. Ggen [sic] den Iran braucht es Härte. Amerika ist bedroht. Ein Gespräch mit dem renommierten Islamwissenschaftler Bernard Lewis

Die WELT: Das Zwölfer-Manifest, unterzeichnet Mitte März auch von Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Irschad Manji, Salman Rushdie und Ibn Warraq, bezeichnet den Islamismus als neue globale totalitäre Bewegung wie einst Nationalsozialismus und Stalinismus. Folgt jetzt eine Epoche heftiger ideologischer Zwiste, die über islamische Minderheiten Europas nicht nur außen-, sondern gleichwohl innenpolitisch ausgetragen werden? Alles hier lesen: Europa wird islamisch

I apologize that the latter article is available only in German. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to translate it for you at this time.

Mark Alexander

WE HAVE BEEN HACKED YET AGAIN!

For the second time in a matter of weeks, this weblog has been hacked! It has become increasingly obvious to me that this is so, because things are disappearing mysteriously.

This is making life very difficult for me at a time when it is difficult enough as it is.

I wish the little runt would stop his antics. He needs to find something better to do. Perhaps he could go find a sewer to clean, or perhaps pigs to feed.

Whoever it is, he probably thinks he's being clever. In my mind, he is showing just how low, mean and vicious he is. Clearly, he doesn't like what's being said here, but hasn't the ability to counter the arguments with intelligent points, well-stated.

So if anyone sees that links to their own blogspots have gone missing, please don't think I have taken them down. I haven't. Some swine has taken them down for me!

Mark

Democracy comes to Iraq!

"I don't want to be gay anymore. When I go out to buy bread, I'm afraid. When the doorbell rings, I think that they have come for me."
That is the fear that haunts Hussein, and other gay men in Iraq.

They say that since the US-led invasion, gays are being killed because of their sexual orientation.

They blame the increase in violence on the growing influence of religious figures and militia groups in Iraq since Saddam Hussein was ousted. Read it all here: Gays in Iraq fear for their lives

Mark

Iran droht mit Selbstmordattentätern

Sondereinheit der revolutionären Garde. Für den Fall eines Angriffs auf iranische Atomanlagen droht Teheran mit dem Einsatz von angeblich 40'000 Selbstmordattentätern. Die Attentäter gehörten einer Sondereinheit der Revolutionären Garde an, die im März während einer Militärparade erstmals zu sehen gewesen sei, schrieb die Zeitung «The Sunday Times».

Die Mitglieder der Einheit hätten Sprengstoff an ihren Uniformen getragen und Zünder in die Höhe gehalten. Der Leiter des iranischen Zentrums für Doktrin-Strategische Studien der Revolutionären Garde sagte, 29 westliche Ziele seien ausgemacht worden. «Wir sind bereit, sensible Punkte der Amerikaner und Briten anzugreifen, wenn sie die Atomanlagen des Irans angreifen», zitierte die «Sunday Times» aus einer Rede Hassan Abbassis, deren Tonbandaufzeichnung dem Blatt nach eigenen Angaben vorlag.

Mark Alexander

Labour voters drift to the BNP

The growth of support for the British National Party is extremely disturbing. Margaret Hodge, the Minister of State for Employment, told this newspaper that eight out of ten white voters she canvassed in Barking and Dagenham admitted that they were considering voting for the BNP in the May local elections. It is a trend that has been noticed in several other working-class areas of Britain - and for which New Labour must take responsibility.

Nick Griffin, the BNP's Cambridge-educated leader, is no longer seen surrounded by a phalanx of tattooed thugs: he makes sure he is photographed in the company of smiling, unthreatening women. Griffin carefully crafts his message so that it sounds reasonable rather than racist. He has learned from the techniques of mendacious and misleading presentation that New Labour so effectively pioneered. Read the article here: Labour is to blame for the drift to the BNP

Also from The Telegraph: White voters are deserting us for BNP, says Blair ally

Leader of the BNP, Cambridge-educated Nick Griffin

Voting for the BNP is about rage rather than race

Mark

Pope speaks of darkness

Pope Benedict said last night that the world was in the grip of Satan and prayed for mankind to open its eyes to the "filth around us".

At an Easter ceremony that recreated the passage of Jesus Christ to the crucifixion, Benedict XVI lashed out at man's "decadent narcissism".

He said "a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan".

The Good Friday service, held at the Colosseum, showed the 14 stages of Christ's suffering and was designed to allow worshippers to share in the agony of Jesus. During the first and final stage, the Pope carried the cross.

The prayers, written by Archbishop Angelo Comastri, the Vatican City's vicar general, were approved by the Pope, and reflected his strongly conservative outlook.

"Surely God is deeply pained by the attack on the family," the Pope said. "Today we seem to be witnessing a kind of anti-Genesis, a counter-plan, a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family." Read it all here: The Pope: Society values 'immorality and selfishness'

Mark

HAPPY EASTER!



A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL!

Mark

Is it fair to call for Rumsfeld's resignation?

A whispering campaign against Donald Rumsfeld has burst into the open with two generals who helped him plan the Iraq war denouncing his leadership and calling on him to resign.

Maj Gen John Batiste, who commanded a division in Iraq last year, became the fourth recently-retired general to attack the defence secretary for his handling of the war and demand new faces at the Pentagon.

"I believe we need a fresh start at the Pentagon," he told CNN, adding that many of his peers agreed.

"It speaks volumes that guys like me are speaking out from retirement about the leadership climate in the Department of Defence." Read the whole article here: Generals call for Rumsfeld's resignation over Iraq

Mark Alexander

The long, long, long, long, long, long war!

It sounds eerily like the Cold War - and that is no mistake.

The "Long War" is the name Washington is using to rebrand the new world conflict, this time against terrorism.

Now the US military is revealing details of how it is planning to fight this very different type of war.

It is also preparing the public for a global conflict which it believes will dominate the next 20 years.

The nerve centre of this war against terror is the huge MacDill airbase in Tampa, Florida.

Surrounded by white sand beaches, palm trees and two golf courses it looks more like a holiday camp than a military camp.

But inside US Central Command (Centcom) generals are planning what they call "fourth-generational warfare".

Centcom is already responsible for operations in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa - as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - and now it is planning a campaign that will eventually span the globe. Read it all here: Planning the US 'Long War' on terror

And now, Iran says it has started to enrich uranium! This from The Times: We've started to enrich uranium, Iran tells the world

Mark Alexander

Is talk of limited nuclear strikes on Iran "nuts"?

JACK STRAW sought yesterday to silence renewed sabre-rattling from hardliners within the US Administration who are pressing for military action — even the use of tactical nuclear weapons — against Iran.

The Foreign Secretary described the idea that the White House wanted a nuclear strike as “completely nuts”. He insisted that Britain would not support pre-emptive military action, adding: “I’m as certain as I can be sitting here that neither would the United States.”

Many analysts in the West suspect that Tehran is attempting to build its own nuclear weapons. Over the weekend Iran allowed UN inspectors to examine some of the atomic plants which, its Government maintains, are designed solely for production of electricity.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Straw said: “There is no smoking gun, there is no casus belli. We can’t be certain about Iran’s intentions and that is, therefore, not a basis on which anybody would gain authority to go for military action.” Read it all here: The idea of US nuclear attack on Iran is just nuts, says Straw Mark Alexander

Please accept my sincere apologies for my absence in recent days. There has been illness (with hospitalization) in the family, so I have been otherwise engaged. I am posting this today, but, unfortunately, I shall not be able to answer all the comments as I usually do. Please bear with me as things will hopefully return to normal again soon.

Saddam Hussein to face charges of genocide

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is to be charged with genocide over a 1980s campaign against the Kurds, an Iraqi tribunal has announced.

Saddam Hussein and six others face new charges over a campaign of killings, arrests, deportation and property destruction known as the Anfal.

Human rights groups say 180,000 civilians died in the campaign.

Saddam Hussein and seven others are already on trial for the deaths of 148 people in the town of Dujail.

The killings followed an attempt to assassinate the former Iraq leader.

Mahmoud Othman - an independent Kurdish member of the national parliament and former member of the Iraqi governing council - welcomed the announcement. Read it all here: Saddam to face genocide charges"

Mark Alexander

Does death await Moussaoui?

The jury in the US trial of confessed al-Qaeda plotter Zacarias Moussaoui has decided he is eligible to face the death penalty when he is sentenced.

A second phase of hearings will now take place, beginning on Thursday, to determine if he should be executed.

As the jury's verdict was announced in court, Moussaoui shouted: "You'll never get my blood, God curse you all."

Prosecutors argue he should be executed because he lied about the 9/11 plot. His defence say he knew very little.

Moussaoui has pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy to attack the US.

In order to deem him eligible for the death penalty, the jurors had to agree that Moussaoui's actions led directly to at least one death on 11 September 2001. Red it all here: Moussaoui can face death penalty

Mark Alexander

When women don't care anymore

Once, educated women could only be teachers. Now they can have any career they like, and society is suffering, says Alison Wolf

In 1945 the British public sector abandoned the marriage bar, which required female teachers and civil servants to stay single or resign in favour of male breadwinners. In the 60 years since, women’s lives have been transformed and, with them, the family and community.

You might not think it, given the focus on pay gaps and glass ceilings, but for the first time women, at least in developed societies, have virtually no career or occupation barred to them. Women used to enter the elite as daughters, mothers and wives. Now they do so as individuals.

This has brought enormous benefits to many women, but its repercussions are not all positive: we need to understand what the new female labour market means for all our lives.

Gender politics still encourages us to talk about women as a group with common interests and demands. Yet this is far less true today than when, as Kipling observed, the “Colonel’s lady an’ Judy O’Grady” really were sisters under the skin. Read it all here: The decline and fall of the caring woman

Mark Alexander

The big cover-up starts in Indonesia

SUNBATHING tourists in Bali and barely clad tribesmen in Papua are caught up in a cultural war between a minority of puritanical Indonesian Muslims and the country’s tolerant majority.

The battle appears to be frivolous, involving, as it does, learned arguments over whether a navel is indecent, or a penis gourd, which guards the modesty of the Papuan male, constitutes nudity.

However, it is serious for dozens of people who have fallen victim to zealous prosecutors, police harassment and mob violence in a battle for the destiny of the world’s most populous Islamic nation. Bali battles the Muslims who want an Indonesian cover-up from The Sunday Times

Mark Alexander

Abdul Rahman Thanks the Pope for His Intervention

Photo of Abdul Rahman courtesy of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung

An Afghan man who could have faced the death penalty for becoming a Christian has said he would probably have been killed had he remained in Afghanistan.

Speaking to journalists in Italy, where he has been given asylum, Abdul Rahman, 41, thanked Pope Benedict XVI for leading the campaign to have him freed.

He said he never wanted to return to Afghanistan and was concerned for the safety of his family there.

Afghan MPs have condemned his release and said he should have not have left. read it all here: Afghan convert 'would be killed'

Mark Alexander

Is Iran in for it?

With thanks to the BBC

Iran has been given 30 days to return to the negotiating table or face isolation, foreign ministers from the US and five other major powers warned.

"Iran has a choice between isolation brought about through [uranium] enrichment" or a return to talks, Germany's foreign minister said.

His comments reinforced a deadline in a statement by the UN Security Council, which urged Iran to halt enrichment. read it all here: Iran given stark nuclear choice

Mark Alexander

American journalist released

A US reporter held hostage in Iraq for more than two months has been freed.

Jill Carroll, who works for the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor, was abducted by unknown gunmen in west Baghdad on 7 January.

She told Iraqi TV she had been treated well and said she was looking forward to being reunited with her family. Read it all here: US journalist released in Iraq

Mark Alexander

The Western Standard needs your help!

The Western Standard of Alberta, Canada is being sued for publishing the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Being a small publication, they are asking people for support and donations. I received this email from the publisher this morning. I am passing it on in case you feel moved to help them in their cause of fighting for free speech:

Dear Western Standard reader,

Our magazine has been sued for publishing the Danish cartoons, and I need your help to fight back!

As you know, the Western Standard was the only mainstream media organ in Canada to publish the Danish cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

We did so for a simple reason: the cartoons were the central fact in one of the largest news stories of the year, and we're a news magazine. We publish the facts and we let our readers make up their minds.

Advertisers stood with us. Readers loved the fact that we treated them like grown-ups. And we earned the respect of many other journalists in Canada who envied our independence. In fact, according to a COMPAS poll last month, fully 70% of Canada's working journalists supported our decision to publish the cartoons.

But not Syed Soharwardy, a radical Calgary Muslim imam.

He asked the police to arrest me for publishing the cartoons. They calmly explained to him that's not what police in Canada do.

So then he went to a far less liberal institution than the police: the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Unlike the Calgary Police Service, they didn't have the common sense to show him the door.

Earlier this month, I received a copy of Soharwardy's rambling, hand-scrawled complaint. It is truly an embarrassing document. He briefly complains that we published the Danish cartoons. But the bulk of his complaint is that we dared to try to justify it - that we dared to disagree with him.

Think about that: In Soharwardy's view, not only should the Canadian media be banned from publishing the cartoons, but we should be banned from defending our right to publish them. Perhaps the Charter of Rights that guarantees our freedom of the press should be banned, too.

Soharwardy's complaint goes further than just the cartoons. It refers to news articles we published about Hamas, a group labelled a terrorist organization by the Canadian government. By including those other articles, he shows his real agenda: censoring any criticism of Muslim extremists.

Perhaps the most embarrassing thing about Soharwardy's complaint is that he claims our cartoons caused him to receive hate mail. Indeed, his complaint includes copies of a few e-mails from strangers to him. Some of those e-mails even go so far as to call him "humourless" and tell him to "lighten up". Perhaps that's hateful. But all of those e-mails were sent to him before our magazine even published the cartoons. Soharwardy isn't even pretending that this is a legitimate complaint. He's not even trying to hide that this is a nuisance suit.

Soharwardy's complaint should have been thrown out immediately by the Alberta Human Rights Commission, just like the police did. But it wasn't. Which is why I'm writing to you today.

According to our lawyers, we will win this case. It's an infantile complaint, without basis in facts or law. Frankly, it's an embarrassment to the government of Alberta that their tribunal is open to abuse like this.

Our lawyers tell us we're going to win. But not before we have to spend hundreds of hours and up to $75,000 fighting this thing, at our own expense. Soharwardy doesn't have to spend a dime - now that his complaint has been filed, Alberta tax dollars will pay for the prosecution of his complaint. We have to pay for this on our own.

Look, $75,000 isn't going to bankrupt us. But it will sting. We're a small, independent magazine, not a huge company with deep pockets. All of our money is needed to produce the best possible editorial product, not to fight legal battles. This is clearly an abuse of process designed to punish us and deter other media from daring to cross that angry imam in the future.

One of the leaders in Canadian human rights law, Alan Borovoy, was so disturbed by Soharwardy's abuse of the human rights commission that he wrote a public letter about it in the Calgary Herald on March 16th. "During the years when my colleagues and I were labouring to create such commissions, we never imagined that they might ultimately be used against freedom of speech," wrote Borovoy, who is general counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Censorship was "hardly the role we had envisioned for human rights commissions. There should be no question of the right to publish the impugned cartoons," he wrote.

Borovoy went even further - he said that the human rights laws should be changed to avoid this sort of abuse in the future. "It would be best, therefore, to change the provisions of the Human Rights Act to remove any such ambiguities of interpretation," he wrote. That's an amazing statement, coming from one of the fathers of the Canadian human rights movement.

I agree with Borovoy: the law should be changed to stop future abuses. But those changes will come too late for us - we're already under attack. The human rights laws, designed as a shield, are being used against us as a sword.

We will file our legal response to Soharwardy's shakedown this week. And we will fight this battle to the end - not just for our own sake, but to defend freedom of the press for all Canadians.

Do you believe that's important? If so, I'd ask you to help us defray our costs. We're accepting donations through our website. It's fast, easy and secure. Just click on http://www.westernstandard.ca/freedom

You can donate any amount from $10 to $10,000. Please help the Western Standard today - and protect freedom for all Canadians for years to come.

Yours gratefully,

Ezra Levant
Publisher

P.S. Remember, Soharwardy's complaint will be prosecuted using tax dollars and government lawyers. We have to rely on our own funds - and the generous support of readers like you.

Please help fight this case.

Mark Alexander

Abdul Rahman in Italien

Für das Foto, dankt man der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung

Streit wegen Rahmans Freilassung

Der zum christlichen Glauben übergetretene Afghane Abdul Rahman hat seine Heimat verlassen. Er traf am Abend mit einem Flugzeug in Italien ein. Dies bestätigte der italienische Ministerpräsident Silvio Berlusconi. Italien hatte dem 41-Jährigen Asyl angeboten, nachdem er wegen seines Übertrittes mit dem Tode bedroht worden war. Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel hier: Christlicher Afghane in Italien

©Mark

Italy may become Abdul Rahman's new home

Italy is considering granting asylum to Abdul Rahman, the Afghan man who was released from jail yesterday in Kabul, where he had faced the death penalty for converting to Christianity.

He was staying in a safe house last night after prosecutors dropped the case against him under intense international pressure. But Mr Rahman will have to flee the country for his own safety, after several leading Muslim clerics called on Afghans to kill him.

Mr Rahman appealed for help to leave Afghanistan, and he is thought most likely to go to Italy, where the Foreign Minister, Gianfranco Fini is to ask the cabinet today to grant him asylum. Read all the article here: Italy may offer asylum to Afghan Christian convert

Mark

Britain always needs a Caspar

With thanks to PBS.org

"America never had a wiser patriot, nor Britain a truer friend." - Margaret Thatcher

Caspar Weinberger, who died yesterday aged 88, was US Secretary of Defence under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1987, and a loyal friend to Britain during the Falklands War.

Weinberger had a special admiration for Winston Churchill from the time when he had served as an Army officer in the Second World War, and often cited him as a significant influence. When Argentina invaded and occupied the Falklands in April 1982, Weinberger came down strongly on Britain's side and supported Margaret Thatcher's government when it decided to retake the islands.

From the first, he was in touch with Britain's ambassador in Washington, Sir Nico Henderson, saying that America could not put a Nato ally and long-standing friend on the same level as Argentina and that he would do his best to help. Read the rest of the obituary from The Telegraph here: Caspar Weinberger (1917 - 2006): America's erstwhile Secretary of State

FROM THE TIMES: CASPAR WEINBERGER was the US Secretary of Defence who built up the huge arsenal with which President Reagan confronted the military might of the Soviet Union in the last decade of its existence.

He was not the only American who believed passionately that the price of safety in the modern world was to sink dollars into arming men and developing ever more complex weapons systems. But he was more intelligent, more sophisticated and genuinely tougher than most of America’s hawks. American Secretary of Defence who created the military machine with which Ronald Reagan faced down the Soviet Union

Mark

No babies? No future!

News about the dwindling brithrates in Europe is enough to send anyone into a depression! No bonny babies like this one? No future!

With thanks to iVillage.com

Muslims in Europe are having babies; and their numbers in Europe are therefore increasing rapidly. Non-Muslims, however, are not. Their numbers decline by the year.

What has gone wrong with people's thinking? It seems that the educators have a lot to answer for. Girls in the education system have been pumped and primed with the idea that they can only be fulfilled outside of the home. Having a 'career' has been the buzzword for several decades. The policy of equal pay for women - not that I am advocating anything else! - has also played no small part in contributing to the small number of babies being born. By giving women equal pay, it has simply become too expensive for them to stay home and procreate.

How much more fulfilled women are, though, is a matter of speculation. But for sure, it can be said that the West in general, and Europe in particular, is paying a very high price for this kind of liberation.

The fact of the matter is clear to see: We are faced with the 'green peril': Islam. Muslims will not be slow to have more babies, and will therefore swell the population. This, of course, will change the demographics of Europe, and it will ultimately change the politics of the continent, too.

The reality is this: Without babies, we cannot survive. It was Churchill who said: There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies. And no finer, truer words have been spoken!

Italian women shun 'mamma' role

EU states are trying to understand why the birth rate is falling - and if anything can be done to stem the decline. All this week, the BBC News website is asking women in various countries about how they feel about being asked to have more babies, and how easy or difficult they find combining motherhood and work.

Here, the BBC's Rome correspondent Christian Fraser asks why Italy - a predominantly Roman Catholic country that has always loved children - has stopped having them.

Dwindling Germans review policies

In the latest in our series about motherhood and the role of the state in encouraging couples to have more children, the BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin has been meeting women to find out why Germany has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe.

"Some German mothers say they are thought selfish for wanting to work." Perhaps there is some truth in this statement.

The EU's baby blues

Birth rates in the European Union are falling fast.

In the first of a series about motherhood and the role of the state in encouraging couples to have more children, the BBC News website's Clare Murphy asks why governments are so concerned about the size of their populations.

Mark

Dhimmi of the month?: News anchor wins the honour of Muslims

Channel 4 news anchor Jon Snow was among the winners at the Muslim News Awards for Excellence.

Snow received the media award for his work "travelling extensively in the Muslim world, taking an in-depth look at events and developments".

Other winners included the solicitor for radical cleric Abu Hamza, Muddassar Arani, who took the citizenship award.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw praised the contribution of Muslims to British society, in a speech at the ceremony.

'Celebrate success'

Mr Straw said: "British Muslims are where Britain and Islam intersect. Celebrating their success is the best way of showing that these two identities can and do thrive in the same place and in the same person. Read the full article here: TV news anchor wins Muslim honour: Jon Snow was recognised for his reporting of the Muslim world

©Mark

Islam is a greater threat than Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union

Dennis Prager, in today's Townhall.com, writes that Islam is a greater threat than Germany was in 1939 and the Soviet Union subsequently.

In stating this, he agrees with my analysis in my book, The Dawning of a New Dark Age.

It is well worth your time to read his excellent article, The Islamic threat is greater than German and Soviet threats were.

I should like to take this opportunity to remind you that my book is available in paperback and hardback versions. Please see here:


Dawning of a New Dark Age: A Collection of Essays on Islam

©Mark Alexander

The unbelievable Tony Blair falls for the unbelievable!

"The most remarkable thing about reading the Koran - in so far as it can be truly translated from the original Arabic - is to understand how progressive it is. I speak with great diffidence and humility as a member of another faith. I am not qualified to make any judgements.

But as an outsider, the Koran strikes me as a reforming book, trying to return Judaism and Christianity to their origins, rather as reformers attempted with the Christian Church centuries later. It is inclusive. It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in attitudes to marriage, women and governance.

Under its guidance, the spread of Islam and its dominance over previously Christian or pagan lands was breathtaking. Over centuries it founded an Empire, leading the world in discovery, art and culture. The standard bearers of tolerance in the early Middle Ages were far more likely to be found in Muslim lands than in Christian ..."

No, Tone, the most remarkable thing about the Koran is precisely how regressive it is! What have you bin smokin’?

How can you possibly stand before an audience of educated, intelligent people and pronounce such balderdash?

If the Koran is so "progressive", and so "ahead of its time", then how come Muslims are so backward? How come Muslims wish to kill apostates, people who can no longer stomach the lies, the myths, the fairy stories propagated by the prophet of Islam? How come women, if they are not obedient, have to be beaten until they are prepared to be submissive to their husbands? How come women should be stoned to death for the ‘serious crime’ of adultery (while the men, the adulterers, will miraculously get away with it)? How come the Muslim world has contributed virtually nothing to human endeavour for approximately five hundred years? How come rates for adult illiteracy are so high in Muslim lands? How come? How come? How come?

Oh, and by the way: About that 'abhorring superstition' bit… Didn’t you know, Tone, that Muslims believe in Jinns? And didn’t you know, too, that they believe that two angels sit permanently on each person’s shoulders? The one on your left shoulder taking down notes on your bad deeds, and the one on your right shoulder taking down notes on your good deeds?

For God’s sake (not Allah’s), get real, will you?

You have disgraced yourself, and you have disgraced your office, too! It’s surely time for you to spend more time with your family now. It awaits you!

©Mark Alexander

Vatican Rethinks the Crusades
Image courtesy of Genealogy Source

THE Vatican has begun moves to rehabilitate the Crusaders by sponsoring a conference at the weekend that portrays the Crusades as wars fought with the “noble aim” of regaining the Holy Land for Christianity.

The Crusades are seen by many Muslims as acts of violence that have underpinned Western aggression towards the Arab world ever since. Followers of Osama bin Laden claim to be taking part in a latter-day “jihad against the Jews and Crusaders”. Read all of Richard Owen's article here: Vatican change of heart over 'barbaric' Crusades

Mark

Prince Charles shares his wisdom on Islam in Saudi Arabia

The meaning of God's word must be interpreted "for this time" as well as "for all time", Prince Charles has said in a speech to an Islamic university.

He became the first westerner to address the Imam Muhammad bin Saud University, in Saudi Arabia, which has worked to counter radicalisation.

Last week, in a speech to Egyptian scholars he talked about the row over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

It showed the danger "of our failure to listen" to others' views, he said.

The prince and the Duchess of Cornwall are in Riyadh as part of a two-week tour of the Middle East.

In his speech at the university, the prince spoke about the importance of interpreting religious texts. Read the article here: Prince's call over 'God's word'

Mark

Bangladesh's 'democracy' threatened by extremism

GAZIPUR, BANGLADESH — Nobody noticed the suicide bomber. He seemed to be an ordinary tea hawker: the poorest of the poor, dressed in dirty clothes and carrying a pair of tea flasks -- a common sight in the streets of Bangladesh.

As he tried to enter the local government headquarters, two policemen stopped him. His behaviour suddenly changed. "I will teach you a lesson," he shouted. He put down his tea flasks and yanked a wire device from one of them. There was a deafening explosion, and a crowd of people fell to the ground, covered in blood.

Mohammed Nurul Amin, a prominent lawyer, was just a few feet away. He was walking to a rally to protest a suicide bombing that had killed and injured dozens of lawyers just two days earlier in the same town. But as he tried to protest against one suicide bombing, he was caught in the devastation of another. "I couldn't imagine that he was carrying a bomb, even when I saw him pulling the wire from the tea flask," Mr. Amin said. Read all of Geoffrey York's article here: Extremism exploding in Bangladesh: Islamic militants turn to suicide bombings in threat to country's secular democracy

Mark

Adherents of the 'Religion of Peace' show their compassionate side!

Several hundred people have protested in northern Afghanistan against a decision to dismiss a case against a man who converted to Christianity.

Abdul Rahman's case has been handed back to the attorney-general because of gaps in the evidence, an official said.

The decision to release Mr Rahman came amid mounting international criticism over the issue.

Mr Rahman, a Christian for 16 years, was charged with rejecting Islam and potentially faced the death penalty.

Afghanistan's legal system is built on Islamic Sharia law, and Mr Rahman could have faced execution if he had refused to renounce Christianity. Read it all here: Afghans protest against convert: Many Afghans are not happy with the decision to dismiss the case

Mark