Islamic Scholars Say Muslims Should Not Use Full-body Scanners
THE MICHIGAN MESSENGER: While the federal Transportation Security Administration explains on its website that full-body scanners at airports using millimeter wave technology “are optional for all passengers,” devout Muslims may not have a choice anymore.

That’s because last week the Indiana-based Fiqh Council of North America issued a religious ruling, or fatwa, that the scanners violate Islam’s teaching on nudity. The council includes two Detroit area scholars. The full-body scanners, broady popular in the wake of the attempted Christmas Day attack over the skies of Detroit by the so-called “underwear bomber,” create detailed three-dimensional images that are used to detect any substances or objects underneath a person’s clothes.

But in the view of the Fiqh Council, an affiliate of the Islamic Society of North America, those detailed, revealing 3D images amount to a violation of Islam’s modesty rules:

“It is a violation of clear Islamic teachings that men or women be seen naked by other men and women,” reads the fatwa. “Islam highly emphasizes haya (modesty) and considers it part of faith. The Quran has commanded the believers, both men and women, to cover their private parts.”

>>> David Alire Garcia | Monday, February 15, 2010

Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman: The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Seerah [Sirah])

Euro Rebounds After EU Pledge to Support Greece
TIMES ONLINE: The euro rebounded in early trade today as European finance ministers prepared to begin a second day of talks on Greece’s debt crisis after telling the country that it has 30 days to prove its austerity plan will work or introduce new measures to control its deficit.

The European single currency jumped to $1.3757 by afternoon in New York from $1.3600 late Monday after assurances from EU states that Greece could count on their support if the situation showed no signs of improvement.

However, finance ministers said that Greece would have to prove that it was on track to meet its target of cutting its deficit by four percentage points this year or come up with further measures.

The offer of further help came after Greece warned that last week’s offer of support by EU leaders may not be enough calm market anxiety about Greece and other governments in the region, such as Spain and Portugal.

However, Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister and chairman of the finance ministers’ meeting in Brussels, said: “Financial markets are completely wrong if they think they can destroy Greece.” >>> Peter Stiff | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Nordkorea: „Ein Monatsgehalt für ein Kilo Tomaten“
DIE PRESSE: Nordkorea feierte am Dienstag den 68. Geburtstag von Machthaber Kim Jong-il. „Die Presse“ sprach mit der früheren Leiterin der deutschen „Welthungerhilfe“ in Pjöngjang über die Zustände vor Ort.

Aus Nordkorea kamen am Dienstag wieder die bizarren Bilder von Aufmärschen von Soldaten, Tänzerinnen, Kindern und sonstigem Jubelvolk in Reih und Glied mit viel Luftschlangen, Feuerwerk und Frohgesang. Grund: Kim Jong-il, seit 1994 der oberste Führer und, wie es bei einer Parade in Pjöngjang hieß, „brillanteste Befehlshaber der heutigen Zeit“, feierte pompös seinen 68. Geburtstag.



Dabei ist das Land, dessen einzige Joker die Atombombe und der Waffenexport sind, bettelarm und isoliert, Industrie und Landwirtschaft sind zerrüttet, ohne Finanz- und Lebensmittelhilfe von außen ginge kaum etwas. „Die Presse“ sprach mit der früheren Leiterin der deutschen „Welthungerhilfe“ in Pjöngjang, Karin Janz (50), über die Zustände vor Ort. Sie verließ Nordkorea vor kurzem nach fünfjähriger Arbeit, ist eine der besten Kennerinnen des Landes und erhielt sogar von der Regierung einen Orden. >>> Von Jutta Lietsch (Die Presse) | Dienstag, 16. Februar 2010

Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman: What Islam Says About Riba (Interest or Usury)

«Bern verschärft die Krise» : Anwalt der beiden Schweizer festgehaltenen Schweizer kritisiert Bundesrat
NZZ ONLINE: Der Anwalt der beiden in Libyen festgehaltenen Schweizer hat dem Bundesrat am Dienstag vorgeworfen, eine Lösung der Krise zwischen Tripolis und Bern hinauszuzögern. Mit ihrer Haltung verschlechtere die Schweizer Regierung die Situation seiner Mandaten.

«Jedes Mal, wenn man das Gefühl hatte, dass sich die Affäre regeln könnte, hat die Schweiz die Sache wieder schwieriger gemacht und uns zurückgeworfen», sagte der libysche Anwalt Salah Zahaf. «Libyen hat zahlreiche positive Vorstösse gemacht, im Gegenzug aber nichts erhalten». >>> sda/afp | Dienstag, 16. Februar 2010

Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman: Love of the Prophet Muhammad (Recorded at Lakemba Mosque*)


*WIKIPEDIA: Lakemba Mosque (also known as Imam Ali ben Abi Taleb Mosque / Masjid Ali Bin Abi Taleb) >>>

Islamic Media Entertainment (Australia) >>>

Iran Warns West Will 'Regret' Sanctions Move
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Iran's president and foreign minister lashed back Tuesday at recent harsh criticism by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, vowing to continue the higher-grade enrichment that has spooked Western powers unless they provide nuclear fuel for a medical reactor on Iran's terms.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Western powers would "regret" any sanctions move against the country. It was unclear whether Mr. Ahmadinejad was talking specifically about retaliation for economic sanctions, but state media late Tuesday suggested that's what he meant. Press TV, the English-language, state-run news agency, ran a headline saying, "Ahmadinejad Warns Sanctions Would Have Consequences."

"If anybody seeks to create problems for Iran, our response will not be like before," the Iranian president told a press conference in the capital, Tehran, on Tuesday. "Something will be done in response that will make them regret it." >>> Chip Cummins and Farnaz Fassihi | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Anonymous Video of Neda Aghan-Soltan's Death Wins Polk Award
THE GUARDIAN: New 'videography' category reflects rising professional use of user-created content

The George Polk Awards, one of the most important annual journalism prizes, has honoured the anonymous video of the death of Neda Aghan-Soltan during the 2009 Iranian election protests.

The new videography category reflects the increasing importance of user contributions to journalism in an era where cameras are commonplace. It is the first time in the 61-year history of the awards that a work produced anonymously has won.

"This award celebrates the fact that, in today's world, a brave bystander with a cellphone camera can use video-sharing and social networking sites to deliver news," said the New York Times' John Darnton, the curator of the Polk Awards. >>> Mercedes Bunz | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

United for Neda

Wife of Trans-Atlantic Airlines Bomb Plotter 'Wanted Him to Become a Martyr'
THE TELEGRAPH: The wife of the leader of a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic airliners kept a diary in which she pledged support for his cause and hoped that he became a martyr, a court has heard.

Cossor Ali. Photograph: The Telegraph
Cossor Ali wrote about making herself slimmer for his return from Pakistan and added that she was becoming “more and more attached to the cause for which you are striving.”

She added: “I hope and pray Allah grants your wish and gives you the highest level of shahada” – a word which is said to refer to martyrdom.

In another entry she said: “I hope that when you attain shahada, I will have at least one small child and will be pregnant with another or at least be pregnant with a healthy baby at the least inshallah [god willing.]” >>> Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

French Fast Food Chain Makes Menus Halal
THE TELEGRAPH: Quick, one of France's most popular fast food chains, has taken pork off the menu at eight of its restaurants, turning them into halal-only outlets.

The chain has replaced bacon with smoked halal turkey in restaurants in three branches in a Paris suburb, two in Marseille, and the remainder in Toulouse, Villeurbanne, near Lyon, and Roubaix, northern France – all of them areas with high Muslim populations.

These restaurants now serve only halal food, seen as permissible according to Islamic law. The company said the move was part of a test, which began in November, and that pork may return to the menu at a later date.

However, it has sparked angry reactions from Catholic groups. A comment on E-Deo, a Catholic website, said: "Quick is in the process of inventing fast-islamisation".

Citing its outlet in Villeurbanne, a Quick spokesman said that no customers were "obliged" to eat halal meat, as "in parallel, we have 10 Quick restaurants in the Lyon area" offering "classic menus".

Some Muslim customers welcomed the move in one branch in Roubaix, northern France. "I'm happy, as I can come with my Muslim friends," said Farid, 17. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Monday, February 15, 2010

Türkei: Keilerei im Parlament um den "Propheten" Erdogan
WELT ONLINE: Ist Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip Erdogan ein Prophet? Über diese Frage ist in der türkischen Politik ein heftiger Streit ausgebrochen, der zeitweise sogar mit Fäusten ausgetragen wird. Die vordergründig bizarr anmutende Auseinandersetzung hat einen durchaus besorgniserregenden Hintergrund.

Der türkische Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip Erdogan verwahrt sich neuerdings gegen die Behauptung, er sei ein Prophet. Wer so etwas sage, erklärte Erdogan, der habe niederträchtige Beweggründe.

Die bizarre Erklärung folgte auf eine noch viel merkwürdigere Episode im türkischen Parlament Anfang Februar. Da flogen plötzlich die Fäuste, nachdem ein Abgeordneter der nationalistischen Oppositionspartei MHP gehöhnt hatte, Erdogan werde „als Prophet betrachtet“. Darüber erregten sich Abgeordnete von Erdogans islamisch geprägter Regierungspartei AKP. Im Laufe des Wortgefechts brannten einem MHP-Abgeordneten die Sicherungen durch und er schlug zu. Daraus wurde schließlich eine Massenkeilerei mit mehreren Verletzten.

Nun folgte Erdogans zornige Bemerkung, es sei eine Infamie, ihn als Propheten zu bezeichnen. Und zwar deswegen, weil es gegen den Islam verstoße: Vom Podium des Parlaments herab belehrte er die mehrheitlich säkular eingestellten Oppositionsabgeordneten, sie wüssten offenbar nicht einmal, „dass die Kette der Prophezeiungen mit unserem letzten Propheten endete“. Also mit Mohammed. >>> Von Boris Kalnoky | Montag, 15. Februar 2010

Tod eines jungen Ägypters: Mailands Immigranten-Viertel wird zum Pulverfass
WELT ONLINE: Dutzende Einwanderer aus Nordafrika warfen Fensterscheiben ein und Autos um. Ausgelöst wurden die schweren Ausschreitungen in Mailand durch einen Mord an jungem Ägypter. Kritiker der Regierung beklagen verfehlte Einwanderungspolitik. In Mailand sind Stadt- Provinz- und Regionalverwaltung in der Hand der Rechtsparteien.

Am Montagmorgen sieht es wieder ganz normal aus in der Via Padova in Mailand, der Himmel ist grau wie die Häuser und der Verkehr rauscht hindurch. Nur bei Hausnummer 80 ist etwas anders: Ein Strauß roter Rosen lehnt an der Wand, einige Zettel sind mit Klebstreifen befestigt. „Wir sind bei Dir, Ahmed“, steht da. Rundherum drei rot-weiß gestreifte Hürden. Routiniert abgesperrt ist die Stelle, von der am Samstagabend alles seinen Anfang nahm.

Wie aus dem Nichts waren in den Seitenstraßen Via Fanfulla, Via Chavez und Via Arquà nördlich des Mailänder Doms Unruhen ausgebrochen: Dutzende Einwanderer aus Nordafrika, vor allem Ägypter, warfen Fensterscheiben ein und Autos um, die Bilder von Jugendlichen, die zu fünft ein Auto an der Seite hochhoben und auf das Dach stürzen ließen, liefen in allen Fernsehkanälen. Sie waren aufgebracht, weil hier, wo jetzt der Strauß mit den Rosen steht, mutmaßlich südamerikanische Einwanderer den 19-jährigen Ägypter Ahmed A. mit einem Stich ins Herz ermordet hatten. Ahmed A. war einem Mitglied der sogenannten „Latino-Gang“ zuvor in einem Bus auf den Fuß getreten, der Streit eskalierte und mündete in die Messerstecherei. Den Tod von Ahmed A. rächten die Ägypter mit Krawallen gegen südamerikanische Geschäfte. >>> Von Martin Zöller | Montag, 15. Februar 2010

Saint-Valentin au pays de la police religieuse
LE FIGARO: Pour les jeunes Saoudiens, célébrer cette fête interdite est quasiment un acte de subversion.

Comme chaque année, Sabria, étudiante à l'université de Riyad, a pris soin de porter son abaya spéciale Saint-Valentin : son informe manteau noir, obligatoire pour les femmes dans les lieux publics d'Arabie saoudite, est bordé d'un liseré rouge. Abdallah, un jeune fonctionnaire, a parcouru les centres commerciaux, principaux lieux de loisirs saoudiens, coiffé d'une casquette rouge. «Une façon de défier la police religieuse», dit-il. En Arabie saoudite, porter du rouge le 14 février signifie que l'on fête saint Valentin, célébration interdite car provenant d'une religion autre que l'islam. La Saint-Valentin y est pourtant devenue, comme partout ailleurs, un événement commercial. Mais il est teinté ici de rébellion.

Les hommes de la police religieuse, les mutawa, reconnaissables à leur barbe broussailleuse, ont donc, comme tous les 14 février, parcouru les rues commerçantes, ordonnant de faire disparaître les symboles honnis : roses rouges, ours en peluche brodés de cœurs rouges, boîtes de chocolats en formes de cœur, etc. On les trouve quand même sous le comptoir - à ses risques et périls, et au prix fort. Paradoxes >>> Par Pierre Prier | Lundi 15 Février 2010

Barack Obama tente de rassurer le monde musulman
À l'occasion du Forum Islam-États-Unis ce week-end à Doha, Barack Obama a adressé un message vidéo pour défendre sa politique à l'égard du monde musulman. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Le président a nommé un émissaire spécial auprès de l'OCI.

Huit mois après le discours du Caire, dans lequel il avait appelé à un «nouveau départ » dans les relations entre les États-Unis et le monde musulman, Barack Obama poursuit sa politique d'ouverture à un moment où les défis sont plus importants que jamais. Le président américain vient de nommer un émissaire à l'Organisation de la conférence islamique (OCI) et défendu son action dans une vidéo retransmise à l'ouverture du septième Forum mondial Islam-États-Unis ce week-end à Doha. La secrétaire d'État américaine, Hillary Clinton, devait y prononcer dimanche un discours avant de se rendre lundi en Arabie saoudite pour chercher des appuis sur le dossier iranien.

Dans son message, Barack Obama a pris soin des détails. Il commence par un «Salam Aleikoum» et précise que son émissaire à l'OCI, Rashad Hussain, avocat et l'un de ses proches collaborateurs à la Maison-Blanche, est un «Hafiz» du Coran, terme arabe désignant ceux qui ont appris par cœur le texte saint.

Depuis le discours du Caire, force est cependant de constater que le monde n'a guère changé. L'envoi de nouvelles troupes en Afghanistan et la menace de sanctions contre l'Iran sont mal perçus par une partie du monde musulman, qui y voit la poursuite de la politique de George Bush. Dans son message, Barack Obama a pris la mesure de ces inquiétudes. «Les États-Unis et les musulmans ont souvent été entraînés dans un cycle de méfiance et d'incompréhension qui peut mener au conflit plutôt qu'à la coopération», a-t-il reconnu, admettant que «beaucoup reste à faire». À propos de l'Afghanistan, parallèlement à une opération militaire d'envergure, le président a expliqué que les États-Unis essaient «d'établir des partenariats afin d'isoler les extrémistes violents». >>> Adèle Smith, à New York | Lundi 15 Février 2010

Hillary Clinton Claims Iran Is Becoming 'Military Dictatorship'
THE TELEGRAPH: Hillary Clinton has accused Iran of becoming a "military dictatorship" with a scathing attack on the growing influence of the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard.

In a clear signal Washington intends to make Iran's military hierarchy the prime target of a new round of United Nations sanctions, the US Secretary of State warned the elite unit had effectively mounted a silent coup.

"We see that the government of Iran, the supreme leader, the president, the parliament [are] being supplanted and that Iran is moving towards a military dictatorship," she said in a blunt assessment delivered to students in Qatar during a three-day tour of the Arabian peninsula.

"I fear the rise of the influence and power of the Revolutionary Guard poses a very direct threat to everyone."

The Revolutionary Guard is viewed by many as the dominant political, economic and military force in the country. With over 120,000 men under its command, it has become the bedrock of the Iranian regime, protecting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the country's president who was once a Guard officer himself.

Since Mr Ahmadinejad's controversial re-election last June, it has further cemented its power by using its feared Basij paramilitary wing to lead the suppression of protests by the opposition's so-called Green Movement.

So brutal were the Basij's tactics that Britain and France yesterday led calls demanding an independent investigation into the post-election violence amid renewed allegations of widespread torture and even extrajudicial execution of political dissidents. Besides its political influence, the Revolutionary Guard has also caused international alarm because of its control over Iran's missile programme.

More than half of the Iranian cabinet is filled with ex-Guard veterans, and US National Security Adviser James Jones has said sanctions against it could "well trigger regime change" in Iran.

But It [sic] is the Revolutionary Guard's vast commercial empire that will be in America's sights for sanctions. >>> Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Monday, February 15, 2010

Australian Jihad Plotters Jailed for Up To 28 Years
THE TELEGRAPH: Five men convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in Australia will spend between 23 to 28 years in prison after a Sydney judge handed them the maximum sentences for their crimes.

Justice Anthony Whealy of the New South Wales Supreme Court said he had little hope that the men, aged 25 to 44, could be rehabilitated, saying they were motivated by "intolerant, inflexible religious conviction" and had shown contempt for the Australian government, its leaders and laws.

In October last year, at the end of Australia's longest ever trial, a jury found the Sydney men guilty of conspiring to commit a terrorist act or acts.

Their exact target or targets have never been identified.

The men, Australian-born or naturalised citizens with Muslim immigrant backgrounds, had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the 10-month trial, the court heard the five jihadists wanted to terrify and intimidate the Australian public and the government in retaliation for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. >>> Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Monday, February 15, 2010

Libya Imposes Visa Ban on Europeans
THE TELEGRAPH: Libya has stopped issuing visas to citizens of 25 European nations amid a bitter row between the Gaddafi family and Switzerland.

Members of the continental Schengen free travel zone, including Switzerland, were targeted for retaliation after the Swiss authorities blacklisted 188 senior Libyan figures, including the country's leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi, and members of his family.

Diplomats said there were scenes of tension as tourists were turned back at Tripoli airport. Britain was exempted from the ban as it is not a Schengen member. >>> Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Monday, February 15, 2010

Far Right Australian Politician Pauline Hanson Moving to Britain
TIMES ONLINE: The far Right Australian politician Pauline Hanson has announced that she is giving up her home country and moving to England.

Ms Hanson, Australia’s most controversial former MP who campaigned for Parliament on an anti-immigration platform, will migrate to Britain after selling her house in rural Queensland, taking a cruise, and visiting New Zealand.

The 55-year-old former fish and chip shop owner complained that Australia had become a "harder" place to live with fewer opportunities. She said that she was selling her property southwest of Brisbane to live in Britain indefinitely.

"Our governments lack enough people with the fortitude to speak up without fear or favour," Ms Hanson told Australia’s Women’s Day magazine. "Over-regulation, increasing taxes and lack of true representation are affecting our way of life. >>> Sophie Tedmanson in Sydney | Monday, February 15, 2010

How Much Does a Grecian Urn?
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Greece's dysfunctional economy is now at the heart of a rescue effort that could be disastrous for the entire continent—and the rest of the world.

Plutus, the Greek god of wealth, did not have an easy life. As the myth goes, Plutus wanted to grant riches only to the "the just, the wise, the men of ordered life." Zeus blinded him out of jealousy of mankind (and envy of the good), leaving Plutus to indiscriminately distribute his favors.

Modern-day Greece may be just and wise, but it certainly has not had an ordered life. As a result, the great opportunity and wealth bestowed by European integration has been largely squandered. And lower interest rates over the past decade—brought down to German levels through Greece being allowed, rather generously, into the euro zone—led to little more than further deficits and a dangerous buildup of government debt.

Now Plutus wants his money back. Europe is entering unprepared into a serious economic crisis—and the nascent global recovery could easily collapse due to the unsustainable and Ponzi-like buildup of government debt in weaker countries.

At the end of the G7 meeting in Canada last weekend, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told reporters, "I just want to underscore they made it clear to us—they, the European authorities—that they will manage this [Greek debt crisis] with great care."

But the Europeans have not been careful so far. The issues for troubled euro zone countries are straightforward: Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain (known to the financial markets, and not in a polite way, as the PIIGS) had varying degrees of foreign- and bank credit-financed rapid expansions over the past decade. In fall 2008, these bubbles collapsed. >>> Simon Johnson and Peter Boone | Saturday, February 13, 2010

Stevie Wonder: I Just Called To Say I Love You

Die Spiele von Vancouver sind eröffnet: Kanadas Ureinwohner begrüssen die Wintersportler der Welt
NZZ ONLINE: In Vancouvers BC Place sind die XXI. Winterspiele mit der Begrüssung durch die verschiedenen Stämme der Ureinwohner Kanadas eröffnet worden. In der ersten olympischen Auftaktfeier unter Dach wurde der Einzug der Nationen gleich an den Beginn des Programms gesetzt.

Ein Snowboarder kurvt durch die grandiose Berglandschaft British Columbias, er fährt durch ein von Fackelträgern gebildetes Ahornblatt, setzt zum Sprung an – und landet im Oval des BC Place, des Hallenstadions von Vancouver. Mit dem Übergang von Video zur Realität, von den Bergen zum Tal, hat die Eröffnungsfeier der XXI. Olympischen Winterspiele in Kanada begonnen. >>> spi. | Samstag, 13. Februar 2010

Le transsexualisme n'est plus une maladie mentale
LE FIGARO: Roselyne Bachelot, la ministre de la Santé, l'avait promis en mai dernier. Le décret a été publié mercredi au Journal officiel. La France devient le premier pays du monde à franchir le pas.

Une avancée historique. Les transsexuels ne sont plus considérés comme des malades mentaux en France. Le ministère de la Santé a en effet publié mercredi au Journal officiel un décret qui retire «les troubles précoces de l'identité de genre» de la liste des affections psychiatriques. Dans l'hexagone, entre 40.000 et 60.000 personnes seraient concernées par cette décision, selon les estimations des associations.

«La France est le premier pays au monde à ne plus considérer le transsexualisme comme pathologie mentale», s'est félicité vendredi Joël Bedos, responsable français au comité IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia, NDLR). «C'est historique», a renchéri Philippe Castel, porte-parole de l'Interassociative lesbienne gay bi et trans. «C'était quelque chose de très important et très attendu depuis la promesse» de la ministre de la Santé, Roselyne Bachelot, le 16 mai 2009, à la veille de la journée mondiale de lutte contre l'homophobie et la transphobie», a poursuivi le porte-parole. >>> Par Marion Brunet | Vendredi 12 Février 2010

Surgeon Told Off for Abusing Fat Patient
NEW ZEALAND HERALD: A foul-mouthed surgeon has been reprimanded for swearing at a severely obese patient and for punishing her by removing her from a waiting list.

The doctor, known as "Dr B", told his gastric bypass patient, "Ms A", that she was "going on a f****** diet" after she complained she disliked the word "diet" and preferred to talk about "lifestyle".

He had put the Maori 44-year-old on a list to be considered for surgery after a tense consultation last April at which he used forms of the F word at least three times.

In a letter written seven weeks after she complained, the surgeon offered what Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson calls a half-hearted apology - and took her off the list, asserting they no longer had a "therapeutic relationship". >>> Martin Johnston | Thursday, February 11, 2010

'Timid' EU Must Not Make Us Fight This Battle Alone, Says Greek Prime Minister
THE GUARDIAN: Lack of united support blamed for creating a pyschology of imminent collapse / Tentative response fails to impress markets as data shows eurozone stagnating

George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister. Photo: The Guardian
George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, today slammed the EU for displaying "timidity" in its dealings with the country as it grappled with its worst financial crisis in a decade.

In a live address to his cabinet following his return from yesterday's emergency summit in Brussels, the normally mild-mannered leader hit out at the lack of united support from the EU, saying the foot-dragging had exacerbated the load for debt-ridden Greece which has been hammered by markets in recent weeks.

"Greece is not a political or an economic superpower to fight this alone. The EU gave political support in the last few months of this crisis, but in the battle against impressions and the psychology of the market it was at the very least timid."

The union had, he said, been fragmented by multiple voices, differences and diverging statements. "There was speculation about our country which created a psychology of imminent collapse, prophesies which risked becoming self-fulfilling," he said. "There was a lack of co-ordination between various bodies of the union, the commission, the member states, the European Central Bank, even different opinions within those bodies."

EU leaders also failed to impress the financial markets with their tentative response to the Greek debt crisis and suffered another blow from fresh data today showing the eurozone economy stagnated in the last quarter.

With governments declining to put flesh on the bones of plans to rescue Greece from sovereign default, if need be, the markets again rounded on the euro, taking it to a nine-month low against the dollar at $1.3606 this morning.

Despite the market fever, however, leaders across the EU are quietly relaxed about the fall as they view the single currency as too strong. They are privately hoping for an adjustment against the dollar to boost European exports, not least in Germany, the world's champion exporter until recently overtaken by China. >>> Ian Traynor in Brussels, Julia Kollewe, and Helena Smith in Athens | Friday, February 12, 2010

America's Kennedy Dynasty Set to End
THE TELEGRAPH: America's fabled Kennedy dynasty is set to come to an end after the son of the late Senator Edward Kennedy said he would not run for re-election to Congress in November.

Patrick Kennedy with his father, the late Senator Edward Kennedy. Photo: The Telegraph
His decision means that Washington will soon to be left without a member of the Kennedy clan holding political office for the first time since 1947.

Representative Patrick Kennedy, 42, of Rhode Island, who has battled with drugs and alcohol abuse, is to announce on Sunday that his life is "taking a new direction" and indicated that the death of his father in August was a factor in his decision.

"Illness took the life of my most cherished mentor and confidante, my ultimate source of spirit and strength," he said in a television message as a black-and-white photograph of him as a boy sailing with his father appeared on the screen.

"From the countless lives he lifted, to the American promise he helped shape, my father taught me that politics at its very core was about serving others."

The announcement is another blow to President Barack Obama, coming a month after the stunning upset in Massachusetts when Scott Brown, a Republican, won the Senate seat that Edward Kennedy had held since 1962. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Saturday, February 12, 2010

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Accused of Ruining 'World's Greatest Party'
THE TELEGRAPH: The mayor of Rio de Janeiro has been accused of ruining the atmosphere of the city's famous carnival with a "zero tolerance" approach towards drinking, prostitution and debauched behaviour.

Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome. Photo: The Telegraph
Eduardo Paes wants to end the Brazilian city's general lawlessness with a campaign he calls "Shock of Order" based on the police tactics that brought spiralling crime under control in New York in the 1990s.

But as this year's Rio carnival, billed as the "world's biggest party," gets under way, the youthful Mr Paes, 40, is being denounced by some as a killjoy.

Under his tough measures those who drink too much beer at giant carnival street parties and use gutters as lavatories face a night in a prison cell.

Nearly 100 people have already been arrested ahead of the carnival for an indiscretion always tolerated in the past.

To keep beaches pristine the mayor has also outlawed traditional skewered carnival foods like fried shrimp and grilled cheese sticks.

Beach football, a near religion in Brazil, is banned until 5pm and Rio's infamous waterfront pickup club for legal prostitutes on Copacabana beach has been closed to make way for a museum.

Mr Paes also recently told Cariocas, as Rio residents are known, to stop being such "pigs" by leaving piles of rubbish on the beach.

Part of the motivation for the carnival clean-up is Brazil's effort to shine when it hosts the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic games. >>> Nick Allen | Friday, February 12, 2010

Abdur Raheem Green: Loving Allah and His Messenger

Diplomatie: Obama ne doit pas voir le dalaï-lama, insiste Pékin
Le dalaï-lama. Crédits photo: Le Temps
LE TEMPS: Selon l’agence Chine Nouvelle, Pékin a demandé l’annulation de la rencontre entre le président américain et le leader tibétain en exil, prévue le 18 février. La Chine a transmis une représentation solennelle auprès de Washington

«La Chine s’oppose fermement à ce que le Dalaï-lama rende visite aux Etats-Unis et aux dirigeants américains», a déclaré le porte-parole cité par l’agence Chine Nouvelle, reprenant mot pour mot une déclaration faite quelques heures plus tôt.

«Nous pressons la partie américaine de comprendre pleinement le caractère hautement sensible des problèmes liés au Tibet et d’honorer son engagement à reconnaître le Tibet comme partie intégrante de la Chine et de s’opposer à l’indépendance du Tibet», a ajouté Ma Zhaozu. >>> ATS | Vendredi 12 Février 2010

Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem: Friendship Between Man and Woman Is Forbidden

Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem: Polygamy in Islam

Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem: Plucking One’s Eyebrows in Islam

Sheikh Assim al Hakeem: The Beard in Islam

Important for Westerners to Understand: Sheikh Assim al Hakeem: Love for the Prophet Muhammad
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We Ignore This Devotion at Our Own Peril! Muslims of the World: “Our Love for the Prophet”

Swiss Politician Bans Minarets then Converts to Islam
Al-JAZEERAH.info: The Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who rose to fame as a result of his opposition to mosques in his homeland, has now embraced the faith he reviled.

Daniel Streich was a member of then Swiss People's Party (SVP) in Switzerland. A well-known politician, Streich led the calls for a ban on minarets across Switzerland. He was active in building anti-Muslim sentiments throughout Switzerland. This sustained campaign led to him being given a high ranking position in the Swiss Army.

SVP Witch Hunt

Streich left the SVP in November 2009 calling his party's campaign against Islam as a 'witch hunt.' The date coincided with the second anniversary of Streich's conversion which he had kept secret from the party.

With the party's campaign to ban minarets leading to a referendum, Streich said the situation had become unbearable for him. >>> Faisal Hanif | Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Anti-Minarett-Initiative – Ex-SVPler: «Schweiz braucht mehr Moscheen»
20 MINUTEN ONLINE: Daniel Streich, Militärinstruktor und bis vor Kurzem SVP-Politiker in Bulle, ist aus der Partei ausgetreten. Grund: Er ist zum Islam konvertiert. Zwei Jahre lang verheimlichte er dies seiner Ex-Partei. Jetzt - mit der «Hetzjagd gegen den Islam» - wurde die Situation für ihn untragbar.

Er war ein treuer SVPler und Christ, las die Bibel und besuchte regelmässig die Kirche. Nun liest der Militärinstruktor und Gemeinderat von Bulle, Daniel Streich, den Koran, betet fünfmal täglich und geht in die Moschee. «Der Islam bietet mir logische Anworten auf wichtige Lebensfragen, die ich im Christentum nicht abschliessend fand», sagt Streich. >>> dp/20 Minuten | Montag, 23. November 2010

Muslime in Uniform: Sicherheits-Risiko für unsere Armee?
BLICK.ch: ZÜRICH – Daniel Streich ist Militärinstruktor. Und: Er ist Muslim. Das ist kein Einzelfall. Ein Problem für die Schweizer Armee?

Lange hat er sein Doppelleben geheimgehalten. Einerseits strammer SVP-Rechtsaussen und Militärinstruktor. Anderseits streng praktizierender Muslim. Er bete fünfmal jeden Tag und gehe in die Moschee. Jetzt habe Streich die Flucht an die Öffentlichkeit angetreten, berichtet «20 Minuten». Hat sich öffentlich zum Islam bekannt – und den Austritt aus der SVP bekanntgegeben. Jetzt will Streich der BDP von Bundesrätin Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf beitreten.

Wieviele Muslime in der Armee?

Offiziell gibt es keine Infos zur Anzahl der Muslime in der Armee. «Die ist wahrscheinlich viel höher, als uns bewusst ist», sagt Strategieexperte Albert A. Stahel von der Uni Zürich gegenüber Blick.ch. Es gebe zahlreiche eingewanderte Kosovaren, Bosnier, Türken, die heute als Eingebürgerte Militärdienst leisteten.

Sind Muslime in der Armee ein Sicherheitsrisiko? Diese Frage wird in westlichen Demokratien zunehmend diskutiert, seit der muslimische Militärpsychiater im texanischen Fort Hood wegen seinem Hass auf die USA 13 Kameraden tötete.

In der Schweiz gibt es einen Bericht über die politische Einstellung der Imame in der Schweiz, den das VBS erstellt hat, aber nicht veröffentlichen will. Ob auch etwas über Muslime in der Armee und mögliche Auswirkungen steht, ist ebenfalls nicht bekannt. Islam und Armee: «Gleiche Macho-Kultur» >>> Von Michael Scharenberg | Dienstag, 24. November 2009

Vicar Outrages Congregation by Telling Women to 'Be Silent and Submit to Your Husbands'
MAIL ONLINE: A vicar has come under fire after instructing his female parishioners to 'be silent' and 'submit to your husbands'.

Angus MacLeay, the rector of St Nicholas Church in Sevenoaks, Kent, issued a leaflet to his congregation saying that women should 'not speak' if questions could be answered by their husbands.

The pamphlet, entitled The Role Of Women In The Local Church, has enraged female members of the congregation, in particular a section called Family Life And Church Family Life.

It reads: 'Wives are to submit to their husbands in everything in recognition of the fact that husbands are head of the family as Christ is head of the church.

'This is the way God has ordered their relationships with each other and Christian marriage cannot function well without it.'

The leaflet - under a section called More Difficult Passages To Consider - continues: 'It would seem that women should remain silent... if their questions could legitimately be answered by their husbands at home.'

Reverend MacLeay, whose wife teaches at fee-paying Sevenoaks School, sits on the General Synod and is chairman of the board of trustess of Reform, a hardline organisation committed to 'reforming the church from within according to the holy scriptures'. >>> Graham Smith | Friday, February 12, 2010

TIMES ONLINE: David Code warns parents how spoilt children turn into monsters >>> Penny Wark | Saturday, February 13, 2010

Portugals Parlament stimmt für Homo-Ehe: Entscheidung liegt nun bei Staatschef Cavaco Silva
NZZ ONLINE: Das portugiesische Parlament hat in zweiter Lesung einem Gesetz zur Einführung der Homo-Ehe zugestimmt. Für das Vorhaben stimmten wie schon bei der ersten Lesung die Abgeordneten der linksgerichteten Parteien.

Der Gesetzestext schliesst ein Adoptionsrecht für gleichgeschlechtliche Ehepaare allerdings ausdrücklich aus. Über das Inkraftsetzen der Reform entscheidet nun Portugals Staatschef Cavaco Silva, der sein Veto gegen das Gesetz einlegen könnte. >>> sda/afp | Freitag, 12. Februar 2010

«Menschen in Iran wollen Demokratie» : Friedensnobelpreisträgerin Ebadi bittet Uno um Hilfe
NZZ ONLINE: Die iranische Friedensnobelpreisträgerin Shirin Ebadi hat wegen der angespannten Lage in ihrem Land ein Hilfegesuch an die Uno gerichtet. «Bitte helft uns», sagte sie am Freitag bei einer Veranstaltung am Uno-Sitz in Genf.

«Helft uns, den Frieden im Iran wieder herzustellen und das Feuer in unseren Häusern zu löschen», bat Ebadi. Es sei Zeit, dass die iranische Regierung «dem Volk zuhört, sonst gibt es schon morgen eine Katastrophe». Die Lage im Iran soll am Montag vor dem Uno-Menschenrechtsrat diskutiert werden. >>> sda/afp | Freitag, 12. Februar 2010

Carey Attacks Judges After Nadia Eweida Loses BA Crucifix Case
TIMES ONLINE: A Christian has lost her appeal against a ruling that British Airways did not discriminate her by banning her from wearing a visible cross at work.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, immediately condemned the decision by three Court of Appeal judges against Nadia Eweida and warned that it would lead to more cases of religious discrimination.

Ms Eweida, 58, from Twickenham, southwest London, went to the Court of Appeal to try to overturn a decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal that she was not a victim of indirect religion or belief discrimination.

But today Lord Justice Sedley said that her case of indirect discrimination was defeated by BA’s case that its actions were justified. >>> Frances Gibb, Legal Editor | Friday, February 12, 2010

Alexander McQueen Is Found Hanged
DAILY EXPRESS: ICONIC fashion designer ­Alexander McQueen was found dead at home yesterday after committing suicide days after his beloved mother died.

He is thought to have hanged ­himself on the eve of her funeral, which was reported to be today.

McQueen, 40 – known to friends by his first name, Lee – was “devastated” when Joyce died on February 2. He was pronounced dead by ­paramedics at the scene in his flat in exclusive Mayfair, central London. >>> Elisa Roche, Showbusiness Editor | Friday, February 12, 2010

Angela Merkel Dashes Greek Hopes of Rescue Bid
THE GUARDIAN: German chancellor refuses to rescue Greece's ailing economy amid Berlin's domestic austerity

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, mounted stiff resistance tonight to any swift bailout of Greece, as a rift opened up between European capitals over how best to tackle the risks posed to the euro.

Despite a show of Franco-German unity on the crisis and the first statement from EU leaders pledging to safeguard the currency's stability, hopes on the markets of a German-led rescue plan to shore up Greece's critical public finances were dashed by Merkel, who repeatedly emphasised that Athens would need to put its own house in order and brushed aside all questions of financial support.

"Germany is stepping totally on the brakes on financial assistance," said a senior EU diplomat. "On legal grounds, on constitutional grounds and on principle." Another senior diplomat said of the Germans: "They're not waving their chequebooks." >>> Ian Traynor | Thursday, February 11, 2010

Kommentar: Die Hilfe für Griechenland muss dem Land weh tun
WELT ONLINE: Der griechische Staat hat nicht nur unverantwortlich gewirtschaftet, er hat auch über Jahre hinweg systematisch seine Bilanz gefälscht. Deswegen ist es ein Fehler, dass sich die EU-Staaten auf eine Rettung Griechenlands verständigt haben, ohne die Bedingungen konkret festzuzurren, zu denen das geschehen soll. >>> Von Clemens Wergin | Donnerstag, 11. Februar 2010

Visumpolitik: Türkei ärgert EU mit Grenzöffnung nach Nahost
WELT ONLINE: Ankara hebt die Visumpflicht für mehrere Länder des Nahen Ostens auf, darunter Syrien und Libyen. Für die Harmonisierung mit der EU ist das ein Rückschlag. Denn über die Türkei reisen schon jetzt zahlreiche illegale Migranten in EU-Länder ein. Die Entscheidung ist nur ein Beispiel für einen neuen Konfrontationskurs.

Der türkische Staatschef Recep Tayyip Erdogan wird ungeduldig mit der EU - und orientiert sich anderweitig. Foto: Welt Online
Der türkische Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan wurde kürzlich in Saudi-Arabien gefragt, ob sich mit einer EU-Mitgliedschaft der Türkei seine Politik gegenüber muslimischen Ländern ändern würde. Er antwortete mit einem Koran-Zitat: „Strebe nach dem, was richtig ist, wie es (von Gott) befohlen ist.“ Zugleich wetterte er, noch nie habe man einen EU-Beitrittskandidaten so lange vor der Tür stehen lassen. Parierte Ankara Unsicherheit in Brüssel nach Bemerkungen dieser Art bislang mit Beteuerungen, man sei immer noch an einem EU-Beitritt interessiert, kommen diesmal andere Signale.

Normalerweise gehört zu einem Beitritt eine Harmonisierung der eigenen Politik mit der der EU. Von 2004 bis 2006 gab sich die Türkei diesbezüglich viel Mühe. Neuerdings ist davon nicht mehr viel zu spüren, es gibt in manchen Bereichen sogar eine „Ent-Harmonisierung“. Das deutlichste Beispiel ist die Visumpolitik. In Saudi-Arabien war es Erdogans Wunsch, die gegenseitige Visumpflicht aufzuheben. Das wünschen auch viele fromme Türken, um millionenfach nach Mekka pilgern zu können.

Die Saudis sind nicht angetan. Begeistert sind hingegen Länder wie Syrien und Libyen. Mit ihnen sowie mit Jordanien und dem Libanon hat die Türkei die Visumpflicht aufgehoben – zum Entsetzen Brüssels. Denn die Türkei ist ein Durchreiseland für illegale Migranten auf dem Weg in die EU. >>> Von Boris Kalnoky | Donnerstag, 11. Februar 2010

Grèce : Georges Papandréou, l’homme de la rupture
Le premier ministre grec Georges Papandréou. Crédits photo : Le Temps
LE TEMPS: Le premier ministre grec a déjeuné mercredi avec Nicolas Sarkozy et a répété sa détermination à réformer son pays. Son style politique tranche avec celui de ses prédécesseurs

Il incarne une nouvelle génération d’hommes politiques. Elu avec une très confortable majorité, il promet, dès le début de son mandat, de changer son pays en lançant des réformes ambitieuses. Aujourd’hui, bien qu’il soit toujours très populaire, des milliers de citoyens descendent dans la rue pour contester déjà sa politique. Son nom: Barack Obama? Non, Georges Papandréou.

Le premier ministre grec est soumis ces jours à une pression extrême de l’Union européenne et des marchés en raison de la grave crise financière que connaît la Grèce et qui secoue la zone euro. Le pays a une dette de 300 milliards d’euros et un déficit public de 12,7% du PIB. Mercredi, pour desserrer l’étau dans lequel son pays est pris, le chef du gouvernement grec a répété au président français Nicolas Sarkozy, lors d’un déjeuner de travail à l’Elysée, sa détermination à «prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires» pour sortir la Grèce de ses lancinants problèmes structurels.

A 57 ans, Georges Papandréou dont le père Andreas et le grand-père Georges furent aussi des premiers ministres, n’est pas de nature à se décourager par les premiers mouvements sociaux dans les rues des villes grecques. Féru de fitness et de vélo, mais aussi soucieux d’une alimentation saine, il a l’énergie de celui qu’une vision titille, pousse à l’action. Il ne craint pas l’adversité. Son frère Nicholas se souvient: «Quand il était ministre des Affaires étrangères, Georges était déjà prêt à dialoguer, mais aussi à durcir le ton quand il le fallait. Un jour, il avait insisté pour continuer à négocier des droits de pêche avec l’Espagne et la Scandinavie jusqu’à ce qu’une solution soit trouvée. Le calvaire des négociateurs espagnols et suédois dura quarante heures.» >>> Stéphane Bussard | Jeudi 11 Février 2010

UE/Grèce : «L’Allemagne a changé les règles de la zone euro»
La chancelière allemande Angela Merkel, le premier ministre grec, George A. Papandreou et le président français Nicolas Sarkozy lors du sommet extraordinaire de l’Union européenne. Crédits photo : Le Temps
LE TEMPS: L’Allemagne est le maître d’œuvre de la mobilisation européenne en faveur de la Grèce. Elle pourrait apparaître comme une nouvelle avancée de l’intégration européenne. C’est du moins l’analyse d’Antonio Missiroli, directeur de recherche du European Policy Center (EPC) à Bruxelles

Le sommet informel des chefs d’Etat européen s’est transformé en sommet de crise pour aider la Grèce et sauver la zone euro attaquée par les marchés financiers. Ce jeudi, le président de l’Union européenne a annoncé que les pays de la zone euro prendront si nécessaire, des mesures «déterminées et coordonnées» pour préserver leur stabilité financière ébranlée par la crise grecque. Directeur de recherche du European Policy Center (EPC) à Bruxelles, Antonio Missiroli revient sur cette concertation au sommet. >>> Frédéric Koller | Jeudi 11 Février 2010

French Feminist Warns Green Movement Forcing Women to Stay at Home
THE TELEGRAPH: Elisabeth Badinter, a leading French feminist, has warned the green movement is threatening decades of improvements in gender equality by forcing women to give up their jobs and become earth mothers.

Elisabeth Badinter: Mrs Badinter contends that this politically correct cabal is burdening mothers with intolerable guilt unless they stay at home and breast-feed for as long as possible. Photo: The Telegraph
Mrs Badinter claims a "holy reactionary alliance" of green politicians, breast-feeding militants, "back to nature" feminists and child psychologists is turning Frenchwomen into slaves to green "fads" like re-usable nappies and organic food.

In her new book, Conflit, la Femme et la Mere (Conflict, the Woman and the Mother), Mrs Badinter contends that this politically correct cabal is burdening mothers with intolerable guilt unless they stay at home and breast-feed for as long as possible.

Their perfect French mother, she writes, "breastfeeds for six months and doesn't put her baby in a crèche or not too early, because baby needs to be with mum and not in a nest of germs; she is wary of all things artificial and is ecologically-minded. The jar of baby food has become a sign of selfishness; we're back to the purée mashed by mum."

Women in childbirth are even made to feel that epidurals are wrong, she goes on, adding: "We don't need to bow down to nature."

Those who choose to stay at work or to not have children are ostracised.

"It's as if we were all female chimpanzees," says Mrs Badinter, 65, who is widely admired in France for her outspoken views. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Thursday, February 11, 2010

leJDD.fr: "J'accuse un certain féminisme réactionnaire" : Elisabeth Badinter dénonce, dans un livre à paraître cette semaine, la tyrannie de la maternité et les nouvelles contraintes qui pèsent sur les femmes d'aujourd'hui. >>> Marie-Christine Tabet | Dimanche 07 Février 2010