Catholic Scholars Ask Pope Benedict XVI to Slow Pius XII's Path to Sainthood
THE TELEGRAPH: Catholic scholars from around the world have "implored" Pope Benedict XVI not to make a controversial wartime pontiff a saint before opening up to scrutiny secret Vatican archives.

In a letter to the Pope, the scholars said that making Pius XII a saint could do grave damage to relations between the Catholic Church and Jews and that he had become a de facto "symbol of Christian anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism".

Jewish groups have long claimed that Pius turned a blind eye to the Holocaust, but this is thought to be the first time that a group of Catholic theologians have issued such a strongly worded appeal to the Pope.

They endorsed demands made by Jewish groups that Vatican archives covering Pius's papacy, from 1939 to 1958, must be opened up before the Church decides whether his predecessor is worthy of being made a saint. They are believed to contain details of his efforts to save Jews from the Holocaust.

The Vatican recently said that there were so many files for its archivists to trawl through that the archives will not be made available until 2015.

The 18 Catholic scholars from Australia, Germany and the United States used the word "implore" twice in the letter, saying that if Pius was made a saint before the historical record was cleared up, it could irreparably harm Catholic-Jewish relations.

"Holy Father, we implore you, acting on your wisdom as a renowned scholar, professor and teacher, to be patient with the cause of Pius XII," the scholars wrote in their letter. >>> Nick Squires in Rome | Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Barack Obama to Meet Dalai Lama at White House in Private
THE TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama is expected to meet the Dalai Lama in private at the White House on Thursday, aides to the Tibetan spiritual leader said.

Lodi Gyari, the Dalai Lama's chief envoy, said the meeting between the Nobel Peace laureates, even if out of the public eye, would be an important boost for Tibet and for the broader US commitment to human rights.

A joint appearance by Mr Obama and the Dalai Lama could make tense US-China ties even worse and further complicate American efforts to secure Chinese help in settling North Korean and Iranian nuclear standoffs and crucial economic, military and environmental problems. >>> | Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Relations sino-américaines : "La politique chinoise d'Obama n'était plus tenable"
L’EXPRESS.fr: Le président américain doit rencontrer jeudi le dalai lama qui arrive aux Etats-Unis ce mardi. La preuve qu'il compte bien changer la position des Etats-Unis face à Pékin, selon Mathieu Duchâtel, chercheur de l'Asia Centre à Sciences Po Paris.

En octobre dernier, Barack Obama évitait de rencontrer le dalai-lama, qui arrive de nouveau sur le sol américain ce mardi. Leur entretien prévu ce jeudi - et qui suscite déjà l'ire de Pékin - ne devrait pas tomber à l'eau. Comment expliquer ce contraste?

Depuis son entrée en fonction, en janvier 2009, le président américain a mis son pays en position d'attente vis-à-vis de la Chine. Souvenez-vous, en novembre dernier, lors de sa visite à Pékin, le président américain a présenté aux Chinois une longue liste de demandes de coopération dans une multitude de dossiers: Iran, Afghanistan et Pakistan, régulation financière, changement climatique... Pour faciliter la négociation, Barack Obama a omis d'évoquer les questions sensibles comme Taïwan, le Tibet et les droits de l'homme.

Qu'a-t-il obtenu? Des critiques en interne, aucun accord chinois sur l'Iran, ou encore des négociations qui se sont mal passées entre les deux délégations au sommet de Copenhague, si l'on en croit le New York Times... Un an plus tard, cette politique n'est donc plus tenable pour Obama. >>> Par Marie Simon | Mardi 16 Février 2010

Incredible! Muslims in Texas
Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:



Part 4:



Part 5:

Plight of Ex-Muslim Christians in Malaysia

Former Muslim, Rashid, Reveals the Truth about Islam

Saudia Arabian Muslim Accepts Jesus!

Muslim Man Accepts Jesus on Live TV

Embrace Islam, Or Lose Your Job
STRATEGYPAGE: Islamic terrorism comes in many different forms. Christian Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are complaining that their employers are threatening to fire them if they do not convert to Islam. It's against the law for a Moslem in Saudi Arabia to convert to another religion. The punishment is death, and anyone attempting to convert Moslems is subject to the death penalty. This sort of double standard, and use of coercion, is a big deal in the Philippines, although the government there, and in Saudi Arabia, try to play down this particular problem. There are about 200,000 Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia, and 600,000 throughout the Persian Gulf. The forced conversions are not widespread, yet. But several hundred are believed to have occurred, and the idea is catching on with employers who are conservative Moslems. >>> | Friday, February 12, 2010

Reviving the Sunnah – The Beard
YUSHAEVANS.COM: The commands of the Prophet (SAW) clearly indicate that the beard should be completely spared. Furthermore, our beloved Prophet (SAW) and companions had full and large beard. There are no authentic reports whether Prophet (SAW) trimmed or cut short his beard. However, there are authentic reports from a number of the sahabah – particularly, Ibn-Umar, Abu Hurayrah, and Ibn-Abbas(may Allah be pleased with all of them), indicating that they used to cut what extended beyond a fist-lenght. [sic] >>>

Der Krieg gegen die Ungläubigen
DIE WELTWOCHE: Christliche Minderheiten sind weltweit bedroht. In muslimischen Ländern sind sie Fremde im eigenen Land und Sündenböcke für die Wut auf den «Kreuzritter-Westen». Sie gelten als Menschen zweiter Klasse. Von Pierre Heumann

Mustafa Krim macht sich wenig Hoffnung. Er hat zwar nach dem jüngsten Brandanschlag auf seine Kirche im algerischen Tizi Ouzou Anzeige erstattet. Aber die Behörden werden den Fall nicht untersuchen, das weiss der Pastor aus Erfahrung. Denn mit den Islamisten, den mutmasslichen Tätern, wollen sich weder die Justiz noch die Politik anlagen.

Die Kirche von Tizi Ouzou, einem Ort, wo al-Qaida stark ist, ist kein Einzelfall. 200 bis 300 Millionen Christen werden weltweit als Minderheit diskriminiert und verfolgt, schätzt Majed al-Shafie, der aus Ägypten nach Kanada flüchten musste, weil er vom Islam zum Christentum übergetreten war. Achtzig Prozent der Hetze gegen Andersgläubige finde in arabischen Ländern statt. Der Rest vor allem in Nordkorea, Kuba, Indien und China.

Christen in muslimischen Ländern sind der Wut vieler Muslime auf den Westen schutzlos ausgeliefert. Gerüchte über missionarische Aktivitäten oder eine Entweihung des Korans sowie die angeblich «liberale» Haltung von Christen gegenüber Frauen lösen die Gewalt aus. Allein in den vergangenen Wochen kam es in mehreren muslimischen Ländern zu blutigen Übergriffen: In Indonesien wurden Kirchen und das Haus eines Pfarrers angezündet; in Pakistan starben Christen, nachdem Kirchen und von Christen bewohnte Häuser in Brand gesteckt worden waren. In Malaysia und im Irak kam es zu Angriffen auf Kirchen und eine katholische Schule. Im Jemen ruft al-Qaida offen zum Dschihad «gegen die Untreuen» und die «Kriegsschiffe der Kreuzritter» im Golf von Aden auf. Im Iran sind derzeit mindestens vierzehn Christen ohne offizielle Anklage in Gefängnissen festgehalten. Einem Teil wird vorgeworfen, sich zu einer Weihnachtsfeier getroffen zu haben, andere müssen sich wegen Apostasie, Abfall vom Islam, verantworten. Wobei Letzteres in der Islamischen Republik ein besonders schwerer Vorwurf ist: Wer konvertiert, riskiert die Todesstrafe. >>> Pierre Heumann | Mittwoch, 10. Februar 2010

Saudi Warning That Sanctions Against Iran May Not Work
THE TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia has warned that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon before stronger sanctions take effect as Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, sought its support for a new round of UN-backed penalties.

U.S.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. Photograph: The Telegraph
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Mrs Clinton had correctly identified Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a serious threat.

"I hope that this doesn't lead to what it gives an indication of - which is a very extremist policy," he said.

He also said that "sanctions are a long-term solution. They may work. We can't judge.

"But we see the issue in the shorter term maybe because we are closer to the threat... So we need an immediate resolution rather than a gradual resolution." >>> The Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Nasrallah: 'If You Hit Beirut Airport, We'll Hit Ben Gurion'
HAARETZ: Hezbollah leader threatens to attack Tel Aviv in future conflict; says group still seeks to avenge Mughniyeh.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah threatened Tuesday that if Israel attacks Beirut in the future, Hezbollah will attack Tel Aviv.

"If you hit Rafik al-Hariri international airport in Beirut, we will hit Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv," Nasrallah told thousands of his followers at a ceremony to mark the two-year anniversary of the death of Hezbollah's military leader Imad Mughaniyeh.

"If you hit our ports, we will bomb your ports, and if you hit our oil refineries, we will bomb your oil refineries." >>> Avi Issacharoff, News Agencies | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Saudi Royal Under Police Investigation After His Servant Is Found Battered to Death in London Hotel
MAIL ONLINE: A member of the Saudi royal family is being quizzed by police on suspicion of murder tonight after one of his servants was found battered to death at a top London hotel.

Police were called to the five-star Landmark Hotel in Marylebone after a 32-year-old man was battered to death in one of the hotel's luxury suites.

The victim, a Saudi Arabian man believed to be part of the royal's entourage, suffered severe head injuries in the attack.

Tonight detectives were quizzing a wealthy man in his 30s who told them he was a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family.

It is thought that the unnamed royal had not claimed diplomatic immunity following his arrest on Monday evening.

Paramedics were called to a third floor room of the hotel at 4.45pm on Monday, but they found the man was already dead. >>> Rebecca Camber | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

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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