Iranian actress causes outrage in Iran

Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail

DAILY MAIL: She has been dubbed Iran's Paris Hilton after appearing in a sex video on the internet.

But while Paris's exploits propelled her to worldwide stardom, Zahra Amir Ebrahimi faces ruin, a public lashing and even a jail term.

Ebrahimi is one of the best-known actresses in the strict Islamic country and made the 20-minute sex tape privately with her boyfriend on a camcorder at the flat they shared two years ago.

Unbeknown to her, it was posted on the internet and widely released as a DVD - angering millions in Iran. Outrage in Iran as actress does a "Paris" and her sex video ends up on the net by Richard Creasy

Mark Alexander

Shift to the right in France: Far-right poses credible threat in French presidential elections

THE TELEGRAPH: Besides his penchant for champagne and singing outmoded French songs, far-Right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is known to like a practical joke.

So when he strode purposefully out of his private office at the National Front's presidential convention outside Paris this weekend towards the press tent, camera crews in tow, nobody seemed overly surprised when he veered off at the last minute into the lavatory.

The cameras were still rolling when he reappeared with a grin, chin jutting forth, to carry on with the presidential show.

At 78, Mr Le Pen can afford such low farce: his popularity ratings have never been better.

An IFOP poll in this weekend's Le Monde showed that 18 per cent of the French say they will "definitely" vote for the National Front chief.

That is nine points more than at the same period before the 2002 election, in which he horrified Europe by coming second to Jacques Chirac. No longer a joke – France is having to take Le Pen's threat seriously by Henry Samuel

Le Pen pledges

Mark Alexander

Neo-Nazis in "the capital of the German Reich": "One day we will control this country"

Image courtesy of YNET NEWS

"Skin heads and uniform-wearers are already a minority. The convention participants were well-kept, well-dressed people from all levels of German society." - Eldad Beck

YNET: BERLIN - Decades after World War II, Germany isn't the same Germany, but whoever came across the neo-Nazi convention Saturday in Berlin couldn't help but sense a slight chill crawl up his back.

And yet, just as the hall in Munich in the 20s of the previous century was too small to contain the ambitions of a former corporal, the venue in the worker's quarter of Berlin is seen as just a starting point for the former paratrooper and current chairman of the neo-Nazi party.

"One day we will control this country, and not from some remote town, but from Berlin," declared National Democratic Party (NPD) Chairman Udo Voigt at the convention. The declaration received roaring applause from those in attendance. NeoNazis: One day we'll control Germany by Eldad Back

Mark Alexander

Dana Olmert says support wanting for Jerusalem's Gay Pride happening

YNET: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's daughter Dana told Army Radio on Sunday that the struggle of the homosexual community in Israel has just began, charging that the community's rights remain violated.

"There is a continuing history of violence and hatred, there is homophobia. Coming out of the closet is not a one-time struggle," Dana, a lesbian, said. PM's daughter slams lack of support for gay parade

Mark Alexander

Mubarak: Carrying out the death sentence on Saddam "will explode violence like waterfalls in Iraq"

BBC: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has warned that hanging former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will lead to even more bloodshed in Iraq.

A Baghdad court condemned Saddam Hussein to death on Sunday for the killing of 148 Shia Muslims after a 1982 assassination attempt against him.

Mr Mubarak said hanging the former president would only exacerbate ethnic and sectarian divisions between Iraqis. Mubarak warns on Saddam execution

Mark Alexander

UN plan of action to overcome "mutual feelings of fear and suspicion" between Muslims and Christians!

BBC: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be presented with a plan of action on Monday to ease increasing polarisation of Muslim and Western societies.

The report is by a group of prominent international figures, including Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ex-Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.

They have been brought together under the United Nations initiative, the Alliance of Civilisations. UN tries to heal religious divide by Sarah Rainsford

Alliance of Civilizations

Mark Alexander

Is this guy for real?

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: Sir Elton John has said he would like to see all organised religion banned and accused it of trying to "turn hatred towards gay people".

Organised religion lacked compassion and turned people into "hateful lemmings", he told the Observer.

But the musician said he loved the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it which he had learned at Sunday school. Sir Elton: Ban organised religion

Mark Alexander

Remembrance Day

Photo courtesy of Google Images

In deep gratitude: Remembering those who died for our liberty.

WATCH VIDEO: Remembrance Day ceremony

WATCH VIDEO: Ceremony honours war dead

Mark Alexander

Bulent Ecevit buried in Ankara

BBC: Thousands of Turks have demonstrated in support of secularism during the funeral of the veteran statesman Bulent Ecevit in the capital Ankara.

"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," crowds chanted as his coffin reached the city's main mosque.

They also booed the arrival of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has its roots in political Islam. Chants as Turks bury ex-PM Ecevit

Turkey holds Ecevit funeral

Mark Alexander

Al-Qaeda gloats over mid-terms and taunts Bush

"We will not rest from our jihad until ... we have blown up the filthiest house -- which is called the White House" - al-Muhajir (Abu Ayyub al-Masri)

THE WASHINGTON TIMES: BAGHDAD -- The head of al Qaeda's Iraq operations yesterday gloated in a new audio tape over the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and praised U.S. voters for punishing President Bush and the Republicans in Tuesday's midterm elections.

Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, in the first public statement by a senior al Qaeda figure since the vote, said in an Internet-posted recording that his group now had 22,000 armed fighters and reserves in Iraq and taunted Mr. Bush not to copy Mr. Rumsfeld and "flee the battlefield."

Al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, urged the United States to stay in Iraq so his group would have more opportunities to kill American troops. Al Qaeda gloats over U.S. election by Christopher Bodeen

Mark Alexander

Anti-Semitism far from dead in Germany

CNN: BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- German neo-Nazis, some shouting "Sieg Heil," rampaged in the eastern city of Frankfurt on Oder and destroyed wreaths placed to mark the anniversary of the 1938 Nazi pogrom against the Jews, police said on Friday.

A police spokeswoman said the group had launched an attack on Thursday evening, shortly after a memorial service by community and Jewish leaders at a monument where a synagogue once stood.

She said the neo-Nazis trampled floral wreaths placed at a memorial stone to the synagogue in the Polish border city that was destroyed 68 years ago in the Nazis' Kristallnacht or "Night of Broken Glass." Neo-Nazis attack Jewish memorial

CNN: MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- Nearly 70 years after Adolf Hitler declared Munich's main synagogue an "eyesore" in the center of his power base and personally ordered it torn down, the city's Jews are celebrating a return to the heart of the southern German city.

On Thursday, the 68th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, Torah scrolls were marched with fanfare through the winding, cobblestone streets of downtown Munich to a newly built synagogue in the heart of the city. After 68-year wait, a new synagogue for Munich

NPD darf ihren Parteitag in Berlin abhalten: Gericht macht Weg frei

Mark Alexander

An oedipal battle between Bush and Bush

Intense rivalry between father and his wayward son has given way to mutual concern about the family legacy

THE TIMES: THE White House was in no mood this week to discuss President Bush’s psychological state after an election defeat that he himself had described as “a thumping”. Tony Snow, Mr Bush’s press secretary, said: “The President is not a guy who — he doesn’t get on the couch — what he does is [say], ‘What it is, is what it is’ ”.

But if the President ever did lie down on a therapist’s couch, any psychoanalyst worth the name would begin by asking about his relationship with his father, George H. W. Bush. The 41st US President is a figure that his son, George W. Bush, the 43rd President, has variously ignored, clung to, sought the approval of and competed with. Some commentators have long since taken to describing an oedipal struggle between them.

Bush v Bush: an oedipal battle between men of rigid beliefs by Tom Baldwin

Mark Alexander

Gates und Alwaleed wollen Geschäft machen. Ziel: Hotelkette Four Seasons aufkaufen!

Foto dank der Welt

DIE WELT: Prinz Alwaleed besitzt das größte Privatflugzeug der Welt, einen Palast mit 317 Räumen und 20 Milliarden Dollar. Nun will der Saudi zusammen mit Bill Gates die Hotelkette Four Seasons kaufen.

Was geschieht, wenn die beiden mächtigsten Investoren der Welt aufeinander treffen? Sie tauschen Höflichkeiten aus. So fühlt sich Prinz Alwaleed, Nummer acht auf der Forbes-Liste der reichsten Menschen der Welt, geschmeichelt, wenn die "New York Times" ihn als "Saudi Arabiens Warren Buffett" bezeichnet. Umgekehrt lässt der amerikanische Großinvestor und zweitreichste Mann der Welt den saudischen Prinzen wissen, dass er in seiner Heimatstadt Omaha im US-Bundesstaat Nebraska der "Alwaleed von Amerika" genannt wird. Nach den Schmeicheleien kommt das Geschäft, oder eine Partnerschaft mit dem allerreichsten Mann der Welt: Buffett beglückte jüngst seinen Bridgepartner Bill Gates mit einer Spende von 30 Mrd. Dollar für dessen humanitäre Stiftung. Und der Prinz legte zu Wochenbeginn gemeinsam mit dem Microsoft-Gründer ein Übernahmeangebot von 3,7 Mrd. Dollar für die Hotelkette Four Seasons vor. Der reichste Mann Arabiens von Von Katja Ridderbusch

Mark Alexander

Nick Griffin, the leader of the BNP, acquitted of race hate

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: BNP leader Nick Griffin and party activist Mark Collett have been cleared of inciting racial hatred after a retrial at Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Griffin, 46, from Powys, Wales, had denied two charges of using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in a speech in Keighley.

Mr Collett, 26, of Leicestershire, was cleared of four similar charges.

Chancellor Gordon Brown has told the BBC race laws may have to be revised in light of the acquittal. BNP leader cleared of race hate

WATCH VIDEO: BNP chief celebrates victory

Brown hints at new race hate law as BNP chiefs are cleared by Paul Stokes

Bringing case was own goal as Griffin makes political capital

Mark Alexander

Turkey talks hitting problems

BBC: Few issues divide the Europeans as much as Turkey.

Divisions are becoming ever more apparent as the European Union nears the moment of truth in relations with its biggest and poorest applicant country, which also happens to be Muslim. Turkish bid exposes EU rifts

Mark Alexander

Get your copy of The Dawning of a New Dark Age for Christmas for yourself and your friends

"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." - Jim Ball

"The book I wish I could have written myself!" - Norman Caswallon

"Mark, I have you to thank for two nights in a row of very little sleep! I have just finished reading your book. Awesome, but very worrying. I have been researching Islam for years now and your book is the latest. I feel that your book is probably the most amazing, and by far the most frank and to-the-point book about this very real and massive problem at hand. From one page to the other I thought about people in my street, my town and my country who are blissfully unaware of the impending peril." - Liberty Lover

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A MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable.MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable." - Anonymous

Single best book to start to learn truth about Islam - George M.

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Mark Alexander

If you were in any doubt about the direction the US is taking ...
... then watch this video of Keith Ellison, the US's first Muslim congressman, on the night of his victory:

WATCH VIDEO: Ellison Accepts Seat as First Muslim Congressperson
With thanks to Always On Watch for alerting me to this video.

Mark Alexander

Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, the Director-General of MI5, paints a depressing picture

1,600 suspects under surveillance
30 plots to kill, maim, damage
200 terror groups or networks

THE TIMES: Hundreds of young British Muslims are being radicalised, groomed and set on a path to mass murder, the head of MI5 said yesterday.

In a stark public warning, Dame Eliza ManninghamBuller, the Director-General of MI5, revealed that the Security Service’s caseload had risen by 80 per cent since January and now involved about 30 “Priority 1” plots.

It has identified 200 terrorist networks involving at least 1,600 people, many under the direct control of al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan.

“More and more people are moving from passive sympathy towards active terrorism through being radicalised or indoctrinated by friends, families, in organised training events here and overseas,” she said. “Young teenagers are being groomed to be suicide bombers.” More Britons are turning to terror, says MI5 director by Michael Evans

But th editorial misses the main point. It's Islam, stupid! The al-Qaeda challenge

WATCH VIDEO: MI5 boss spells out UK threat

Mark Alexander

What might have been

The rueful President Bush

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: US President George W Bush has appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, after heavy Republican losses in mid-term polls. Bush drive to heal partisan split

Mark Alexander

Talk of Impeachment

Photo courtesy of Google Images

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Democratic voters were last night pressing for the impeachment of President George W Bush for his conduct over the Iraq war.

With the Democrats preparing to control both houses of Congress, they have extensive powers to investigate the president, including the appointment of a special counsel.

Many Democrats are keen to press home their new-found advantage by investigating the president's conduct in the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and any role he may have played in exposing the identity of the CIA agent Valerie Plame.

Mr Bush may not know it, but "his presidency is now over" said Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic Party chairman, who promised that Mr Bush would be held accountable for "the colossal failure in Iraq that has set our foreign policy back by 50 years". Cock-a-hoop Democrats clamour to impeach Bush by Alex Massie

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Democrats have now taken control of both chambers of congress, the American media reported late last night. Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress by Sally Peck

Bush's hell starts today by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

Mark Alexander

Turkey's bid to join the EU falters

THE TIMES: Turkey was told yesterday to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic within the next month or face the suspension of talks to join the European Union.

The ultimatum from the European Commission — the first delivered to a potential EU country — solicited a promise to speed up domestic reforms, but the Turkish Prime Minister insisted that the Cyprus issue could be solved only by Greece and Greek Cypriots. “Don’t expect us to open our ports and airports until the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot state is lifted,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Suspension of accession talks would damage relations between Turkey and the EU. Opposition to Turkish membership in Germany and France would make restarting the process difficult if stalled. Ultimatum may end Turkey EU hope from Rory Watson and Suna Erdem

Mark Alexander

Harte Kritik an der Türkei

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: In dem am Mittwoch veröffentlichten Fortschrittsbericht übt die Europäische Kommission harte Kritik am EU-Beitritts-Kandidaten Türkei. Vor allem moniert sie den lahmenden Reformprozess. Für Ankara kommt die Brüsseler Beurteilung einer eigentlichen Ohrfeige gleich. Doch damit nicht genug: Die Regierung Erdogan muss mit der Suspendierung der Beitrittsverhandlungen rechnen, wenn die Türkei bis Ende Jahr das sogenannte Ankara- Protokoll nicht ratifiziert haben wird. Darin hatte sich das Land noch vor Aufnahme der formellen Beitrittsgespräche vor gut einem Jahr verpflichtet, die Zollunion mit der EU auch auf die zehn neuen EU-Mitgliedstaaten, also auch auf Zypern, auszudehnen. Die Türkei weigert sich zurzeit noch, dieser Verpflichtung nachzukommen und ihre Häfen für Schiffe und Flugzeuge aus Zypern zu öffnen. Verkorkste EU-Beitritts-Verhandlungen

Mark Alexander

A Real Leader For Her Time
On the day of the mid-term elections in the States, it seems fitting to profile one of the world's recent great leaders: Margaret Thatcher. The then president of France, President François Mitterand once said of her: "She has the eyes of Caligula, and the lips of Marilyn Monroe."

Photo courtesy of Google Images

TIME: She's called the iron lady, but to me there has never seemed anything iron about Margaret Thatcher, a remarkable woman and one of the greatest politicians of the modern age. I've had the pleasure to meet her many times over the past 17 years, since the fall of communism. She has always been kind and a good listener. Margaret Thatcher: Her political philosophy provided a model for postcommunist countries by VÁCLAV KLAUS

Mark Alexander

Jews and Muslims find common ground: Their aversion to homosexuality

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.

Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews, who regard homosexuality as an "abomination", and death threats against those taking part. Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals

In support of free speech

Is gay marriage a threat to marriage? by Steve Chapman

Watch video here: Row over Israeli gay pride

Is a gay who opposes same-sex marriage a hypocrit? by Dennis Prager

Vatican asks Israel to ban Jerusalem gay pride parade

Mark Alexander

Blair opposes death penalty for Saddam

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair has joined other EU countries in asking Iraq not to execute Saddam Hussein.

Mr Blair said the conviction of the former Iraqi leader was a reminder of his regime’s “barbaric brutality”.

He told his monthly press conference in Downing Street that the Government was “against the death penalty, whether it is Saddam Hussein or anybody else”. Blair opposes execution of Saddam

Mark Alexander

Prayer time banned for Royal Air Maroc staff

BBC: Morocco's state airline Royal Air Maroc has banned its staff praying at their offices and headquarters.

The company says that in the past its workers have abused the privilege of praying, by taking too much time away from their desks and their customers.

But the airline's workers as well as Islamist politicians say it is part of a crackdown on their religious freedom. Moroccan airline bans prayer time

Mark Alexander

Lieberman calls for Arab-free Israel

"Anywhere in the world where there are two peoples and two religions there is conflict. What we have seen in Cyprus is that since they have that model, there is no terror. There is security." - Avigdor Lieberman

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: Less than a week after being appointed to the Israeli cabinet, ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman called for Israel to become "as much as possible" an all-Jewish country without an Arab minority. Israeli cabinet minister calls for Arab-free Israel by Tom Regan

Mark Alexander

Attitude to Cyprus could cause serious trouble to Turkey's bid to join EU

BBC: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Turkey's EU bid will be in serious trouble if Ankara does not open its ports and airports to Cyprus.

Mrs Merkel, whose government assumes the EU presidency in January, called on Turkey to "do all it can to prevent such a complicated situation arising". Merkel warns Turkey over Cyprus

Turks cool towards 'unfaithful' Europe

Analysis: Turkey and the EU Drift Apart

Mark Alexander

The Independent's take on the Saddam verdict & more

THE INDEPENDENT: So America's one-time ally has been sentenced to death for war crimes he committed when he was Washington's best friend in the Arab world. America knew all about his atrocities and even supplied the gas - along with the British, of course - yet there we were yesterday declaring it to be, in the White House's words, another "great day for Iraq". That's what Tony Blair announced when Saddam Hussein was pulled from his hole in the ground on 13 December 2003. And now we're going to string him up, and it's another great day.

Of course, it couldn't happen to a better man. Nor a worse. It couldn't be a more just verdict - nor a more hypocritical one. It's difficult to think of a more suitable monster for the gallows, preferably dispatched by his executioner, the equally monstrous hangman of Abu Ghraib prison, Abu Widad, who would strike his victims on the head with an axe if they dared to condemn the leader of the Iraqi Socialist Baath Party before he hanged them. But Abu Widad was himself hanged at Abu Ghraib in 1985 after accepting a bribe to put a reprieved prisoner to death instead of the condemned man. But we can't mention Abu Ghraib these days because we have followed Saddam's trail of shame into the very same institution. And so by hanging this awful man, we hope - don't we? - to look better than him, to remind Iraqis that life is better now than it was under Saddam. Robert Fisk: This was a guilty verdict on America as well

Europe calls for death penalty to be commuted

Bush hopes verdict will boost election campaign

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It is wrong to take pleasure in the approaching death of any human being, and therefore we do not celebrate the fact that – barring an exceedingly unlikely turn of events – Saddam Hussein will soon be dangling from a hangman's rope. But we recognise the justice of yesterday's death sentence by the court in Baghdad, and we also welcome the fact that this guilty defendant will be denied the firing squad reserved for those to whom a shred of honour still attaches. A hangman's noose is all Saddam deserves

Mark Alexander

The Veil: Ban it!

BBC: A month after ex-foreign secretary Jack Straw suggested that Muslim women who wear veils over their face can make community relations harder, what do people within the Muslim community in the UK think of his remarks?

Jack Straw's comments on veils have been good news for the owner of The Hijab Centre in the MP's constituency of Blackburn.

Nadeem Siddiqui tells me he is selling more veils than he did before his local MP made his controversial remarks. How veil remarks reinforced its support

Mark Alexander

First Roman Catholic Wedding in Vatican for British Royal Family for 500 years

THE SUNDAY TIMES: IN SUSSEX they celebrated England throwing off Catholicism with traditional bonfire night gusto yesterday by blasting effigies of the Pope to smithereens. In Rome, meanwhile, a Catholic member of the British royal family married a fellow papist as if the 16th-century break with the Vatican was ancient history.

The marriage of Lord Nicholas Windsor, youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, to Paola Doimi de Frankopan is thought to be the first British royal marriage to take place at the Vatican since the Reformation. It was blessed by the Queen, who has written to the couple paying tribute to their shared devoutness. After 500 years, a royal wedding in the Vatican by Christopher Morgan

Mark Alexander

Far-left, Pro-gay, Feminist Bishop Heads US Episcopal Church

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: Katharine Jefferts Schori has taken office as the first female leader anywhere in the Anglican denomination.

Bishop Jefferts Schori, 52, became the presiding bishop and primate of the US Episcopal Church at an investiture service in Washington DC.

She was selected in June to lead the 2.3m-strong Church after narrowly winning a vote.

The choice has proven controversial as most other Anglican Churches around the world do not allow women to be bishops. Woman bishop takes over Church

Watch Video of snippets from ceremony in National Cathedral in Washington here: Church first for woman bishop

Mark Alexander

Erdogan refuses to meet Pope during visit to Turkey

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (AU): PRESSURE is growing on Pope Benedict XVI to use a trip to Turkey this month to rebuild badly strained ties between the Vatican and the Muslim world.

Two new developments last week – a shooting incident at the Italian consulate in Istanbul and news that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan would not meet him during his visit – have given an added edge to the visit from November 28 to December 1. Pressure on Pope to rebuild ties with Islam

Mark Alexander

"Victimhood and domination" - this is the psychology of Muslims, says leading Bishop

Photo courtesy of the BBC

THE SUNDAY TIMES: THE Church of England’s only Asian bishop, whose father converted from Islam, has criticised many Muslims for their “dual psychology”, in which they desire both “victimhood and domination”.

In the most outspoken critique of Muslims by a church leader, Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, said that because of this view it would never be possible to satisfy all their demands.

“Their complaint often boils down to the position that it is always right to intervene when Muslims are victims, as in Bosnia or Kosovo, and always wrong when the Muslims are the oppressors or terrorists, as with the Taliban or in Iraq,” said Nazir-Ali.

“Given the world view that has given rise to such grievances, there can never be sufficient appeasement and new demands will continue to be made.” Bishop attacks 'victim' Muslims by Christopher Morgan

Bishop attacks 'Muslim hypocrisy'

Mark Alexander

Despite pro-secular demonstrations, the Islamization of Turkey gathers momentum

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: ANKARA, Turkey: Thousands of pro-secular, nationalist Turks marched in the capital Saturday, vowing to defend the secular regime against Islamization and urging the government not to make too many concessions in order to gain European Union membership.

Some 12,000 people from more than 100 pro-secular associations waved Turkish flags as they marched to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in a show of loyalty to secularism.

"Turkey is secular and it will remain secular," they chanted during a march broadcast live on some TV channels. 12,000 pro-secular Turks march against radical Islam, urge against making concessions to EU

Italian Foreign Minister runs scared of culture clash with Islam

BBC: Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of placing new obstacles on Turkey's bid to enter the bloc.

"Don't ask us for things that aren't part of the programme," he said, adding that the EU should be "honest and sincere" in its approach.

He was responding to a draft European Commission report, due to be released next week, that raises fresh doubts about Turkey's bid to join the EU. Turkish PM regrets EU 'obstacles'

Watch 'Obstacles' to Turkey's EU bid

Mark Alexander

Just a little respite from the dour news of Islam
Have you noticed that we never hear any good, light-hearted music these days. Nor do we get 'entertaining' films. Everything has become so, so HEAVY! The more influence Islam will have over the West, the WORSE it will get. For now, just for a change, click here to understand what life used to be like: Smokey Robinson

PS: I make nothing from this. I bring this music to you so that you do not forget what life used to be like: Light-hearted and happy! Why don't YOU add a link to the music of your choice. Let's have a jam session!

Mark Alexander

BNP leader in the dock

BBC: British National Party leader Nick Griffin told a crowd that Islam was a "wicked, vicious faith" a court heard.

Mr Griffin, 47, from mid-Wales, is charged with using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 2004.

BNP activist Mark Collett, 25, of Leicestershire, also faces four similar charges at Leeds Crown Court.

The charges arose out of speeches filmed by BBC journalist Jason Gwynne for a documentary on the party.

The jury heard Mr Griffin, of Llanerfyl, Powys, urged the gathering to vote BNP to ensure "the British people really realise the evil of what these people have done to our country". BNP leader 'said Islam is wicked'

Mark Alexander

Weisselberg hat sich nicht aus Angst sondern aus Protest verbrannt

Vor diesem Kloster in Erfurt hat sich Weisselberg verbrannt

Photo dank der Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 03. November 2006
Auf der Pressekonferenz am Mittwoch nachmittag zeigen sich Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und der Kurator des Augustinerklosters in Erfurt, Lothar Schmelz, ratlos. Was sollen sie, die selbst noch erschüttert sind, zur Selbstverbrennung des Pfarrers Roland Weisselberg am Reformationstag vor dem Erfurter Augustinerkloster sagen? Die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich, die mit Verspätung zur Pressekonferenz kommt, macht den Bischof wohl noch ratloser. Denn sie berichtet, daß sie bis eben mit der Witwe gesprochen habe und mit ihr einig sei, das Motiv des Pfarrers offenzulegen, um Spekulationen vorzubeugen. Roland Weisselberg sei es mit seinem Selbstmord „um die Ausbreitung des Islam und die Haltung der Kirchen dazu gegangen. Das war immer sein Anliegen.“ Seit drei Jahren habe er darum gebeten, sich des Themas anzunehmen. Es sei „das große Thema, das uns bewegt für die nächsten Jahre“. Weisselberg habe in Briefen dazu aufgefordert, „das Problem ernster zu nehmen“. Es sei für ihn „wirklich ein Dauerthema gewesen“. Die Kirche, sagt die Pröpstin, habe sich zwar damit beschäftigt, „aber nicht so exzentrisch“. „Nicht aus Angst, sondern aus Protest“ Von Claus Peter Müller, Alfons Kaiser und Raoul Löbbert

Mark Alexander

What does Charles mean by inter-faith respect? That Christians should be tolerant of beheadings, lapidations, amputations, wife beatings, and the persecution of Christians?

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: The Prince of Wales has called for tolerance between all religions as he continues his tour of Pakistan.
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, his trip to Lahore took in a mosque, a Sikh temple and a cathedral.

The prince called on community leaders of all faiths to have the "courage" to encourage mutual understanding and tackle religious intolerance.

BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt says the prince is passionate about improving inter-faith dialogue. Charles urges inter-faith respect

Mark Alexander

Strange! Just why is the Bush family so fond of Islam?

M & C NEWS: TALLAHASSEE, FL, United States (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has strongly condemned a county commissioner and his wife for their calling Islam a 'hateful, frightening religion.' Jeb Bush denounces anti-Islam statement

Mark Alexander

As I stated in my book, that New Dark Age Is Dawning

THE BRUSSELS JOURNAL: Europe’s current problems are entirely self-inflicted. This does not mean, however, that the result will be less catastrophic. By subverting the roots of its own Judeo-Christian culture – a process that started with the French Enlightenment (as opposed to the Scottish Enlightenment, which was not anti-religious) – a religious and cultural vacuum was created at the heart of European civilization. The collapse of faith in its own values has, not surprisingly, led to a demographic collapse because a civilization that no longer believes in its own future also rejects procreation. Today, a new religion and culture is supplanting the old one. There is little one can do about it, but hope for a miracle. The Closing Civilization of Europe by Paul Belien

Mark Alexander

1,500 migrants arrive, but 1,000 people (mostly British) leave the UK each and every day

BBC: Some 1,500 migrants arrived to live in the UK every day in 2005, according to official estimates.

Government figures suggest 185,000 more people came to live in the UK than emigrated in 2005 - making the population grow by 500 a day.

The total for those arriving was lower than 2004's record, but continues a trend of high levels of migration.

While the number of arriving Eastern European workers grew, the numbers of people leaving the UK has also risen.

In total, 565,000 people arrived in the UK in 2005 saying they intended to stay for at least a year. At the same time, 380,000 people left - 1,000 people a day - more than half of whom were British citizens. 1,500 migrants arrive in UK daily

Watch video: UK takes 1,500 migrants a day

Outline of the problem [facing the UK]

Mark Alexander

How shocking! Why doesn't she wear gloves, too? Ms Azmi must surely be in breach of Allah's injunctions!

Photo courtesy of the BBC

What is it with these people? Don't they ever wear anything except black? Why do they always have to be so morbid? Black veils, black turbans, black abayas, black, black, black. Everywhere you look, they're dressed in black! Psychiatrists! Please get on their case. This has got to be indicative of something. I think I know what it is: It's a morbid outlook and a love of death and the so-called afterlife. But a more scientific opinion would be more than welcome.

BBC: Teaching assistant Aishah Azmi has no regrets about the huge controversy stirred by her refusal to take off her veil during lessons.

She is small in stature, but big on principle.

The Cardiff-born support teacher is unfazed by the national - and international - attention paid to her refusal to take off her veil when working with male colleagues.

The 23-year-old, married mother-of-one knows she could defuse the row by backing down, but will she?

"No" is her polite but firm reply. The woman at centre of veil case

Mark Alexander

The Increasing Islamization of Turkey Shows It's Not a Suitable Candidate for the EU

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: For almost half a century, Turkey has been pursuing European Union membership. With negotiations now started though, enthusiasm is waning. And the influence of Islam is on the rise.

At first glance, the "Sah Inn Suite" Hotel in Alanya looks no different from the average sunny resort along the Turkish Mediterranean coast: a bulky construction with a honeycomb of balconies, looking out over a generous swimming pool surrounded by parasols and lounge chairs. But, in fact, only men are allowed to take a refreshing plunge into these shimmering blue waters. Women vacationers at the Sah-Hotel swim in a strictly isolated pool for women. And what about a cold beer? Forget it. There is no alcohol here; instead, a mosque offers communion with God. Less Europe, More Islam

Mark Alexander

Pastor sets fire to himself over the growth and spread of Islam in Germany

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 01. November 2006
Der evangelische Pfarrer, der sich in Erfurt am Reformationstag selbst anzündete und tötete, hat den Suizid begangen, um ein Zeichen zu setzen gegen die Ausbreitung des Islam in Deutschland. Bevor er sich anzündete, rief er in Anspielung auf den Pfarrer Oskar Brüsewitz die Worte: „Jesus und Oskar!“

Das bestätigten Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich am Mittwoch nachmittag in Erfurt. Begrich sagte, seit mehreren Jahren habe den Mann der angeblich wachsende Einfluß des Islam umgetrieben. Pfarrer verbrennt sich aus Angst vor dem Islam

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: BERLIN: A retired Protestant minister died Wednesday of burns after setting himself on fire, apparently to express his concern over the spread of Islam, a church official said. Retired minister dies after setting himself on fire over Islam, church official says

Retired pastor burns himself in Islam protest

Mark Alexander

Iran's Tasteless Holocaust Denial Cartoon Competition to Become an Annual Event!

THE GLOBE AND MAIL: TEHRAN — Iran's Culture Ministry on Thursday dismissed criticism of its competition of cartoons on the Holocaust and lauded it as an expression of hatred against oppressors, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry, echoing widespread international condemnation, deplored that Tehran had joined the “obscene chorus” of denial.

Iran awarded a Moroccan artist late Wednesday the top prize in an exhibition of cartoons against the Holocaust, saying it wanted to emphasize that Palestinians were the indirect victims of the Nazi's killing of six million Jews in Europe during the Second World War.

“Palestinians have been victim of a deceptive history by Zionists,” Iran's Culture Minister Hossein Saffar Harandi was quoted as saying by the Kayhan conservative daily on Thursday.

“The cartoonists expressed their hate against oppressors and their love toward [Palestinian] victims in their works,” the Culture Minister said.

Israel, where many Holocaust survivors immigrated to, expressed its dismay at such hatred. Iran dismisses criticism of Holocaust cartoon contest by NASSER KARIMI

Mark Alexander

Mohammad Khatami in the UK

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: UK Muslims should obey British law as well as accepting the obligations of citizenship, the former president of Iran has urged.

Mohammad Khatami, during a three-day visit to Britain, told BBC News the UK was right to fear radicalism.

But it had added to the problem by getting involved in Iraq, he said. Obey UK law, Iran ex-leader urges

BBC: The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has branded US attempts to impose Western-style democracy in the Middle East as "a great joke".

Mr Khatami was critical of the US-led military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, which he said had led to more Muslims supporting al-Qaeda.

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Mr Khatami, said he was committed to fighting extremism around the world. Khatami labels US policy 'a joke'

Audio Interview: Khatami: US policy is a joke

Mark Alexander