'Emir' of Mosul Says Islamic State Has No Fear of US Air Strikes

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Haji Othman tells Italian daily that militant group's advances in Iraq are 'just the beginning' and that the world 'cannot imagine' the strength of its forces

Islamic State’s self-declared “emir” of Mosul says his fighters have no fear of American air strikes and that the world has so far seen just a fraction of the extremist group’s military strength.

Haji Othman, who identifies himself as one of the leaders of the “Islamic caliphate of Mosul”, warned that Christians in northern Iraq must convert to Islam, pay a tax as “non-believers” or face certain death.

Islamic State has made rapid advances in Iraq and is tightening its grip on Syria, where the group now controls around a third of the country.

They have successfully taken on the Syrian army, Kurdish militias and Sunni Muslim tribal forces but bigger military operations are to follow, Haji Othman told Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s leading dailies.

“This is nothing. We’re just at the beginning. Up until now we’ve used just a small part of the forces that we have at our disposition. You cannot imagine how strong we really are. We have immense power. You’ll be amazed. You won’t be able to defeat us,” he told the newspaper, during a telephone conversation by mobile phone. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Monday, August 11, 2014

Islam Fastest Growing Religion in UK as Churches Decline

While Christian Churches in the UK are struggling to draw people to worship, the Islamic community there is burgeoning. Some Muslim groups are doing all they can to counter fears the rapid growth is a challenge to British traditions.

George Galloway Declares Bradford ‘An Israel-free Zone’ and Warns Away ‘Israeli Tourists’

THE INDEPENDENT: The Respect Party leader and MP for Bradford West said ‘we don’t want Israeli goods, services… or tourists’

George Galloway claims to have “declared Bradford an Israel-free zone”, saying that he wants the city to reject all Israeli goods, services, academics – and even tourists.

Reportedly speaking at a meeting of the Respect Party in Leeds at the weekend, Mr Galloway urged the people of that city “to do the same”.

The MP for Bradford West’s comments were captured on video and posted to YouTube, and have since been met with an angry backlash on Twitter.

According to the footage, which was posted on the Guido Fawkes blog, Mr Galloway told activists: “We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone.”

He said: “We don’t want any Israeli goods. We don’t want any Israeli services. We don’t want any Israeli academics, coming to the university or the college. » | Adam Withnall | Thursday, August 07, 2014

Iraq Christian Leader: People Are Being Slaughtered

BBC: The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting on Iraq, after the largest Christian town was seized by Islamic State militants.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians and Yazidis have fled their homes following a warning by the militants to renounce their faiths or face death.

Canon Andrew White, who is the vicar of the only Anglican church in Iraq, says the international community must do more to help Christians and other minorities. He says people are being "slaughtered". (+ BBC video) » | Friday, August 08, 2014

Antisemitism On Rise across Europe 'In Worst Times since the Nazis'

THE GUARDIAN: Experts say attacks go beyond Israel-Palestinian conflict as hate crimes strike fear into Jewish communities

In the space of just one week last month, according to Crif, the umbrella group for France's Jewish organisations, eight synagogues were attacked. One, in the Paris suburb of Sarcelles, was firebombed by a 400-strong mob. A kosher supermarket and pharmacy were smashed and looted; the crowd's chants and banners included "Death to Jews" and "Slit Jews' throats". That same weekend, in the Barbes neighbourhood of the capital, stone-throwing protesters burned Israeli flags: "Israhell", read one banner.

In Germany last month, molotov cocktails were lobbed into the Bergische synagogue in Wuppertal – previously destroyed on Kristallnacht – and a Berlin imam, Abu Bilal Ismail, called on Allah to "destroy the Zionist Jews … Count them and kill them, to the very last one." Bottles were thrown through the window of an antisemitism campaigner in Frankfurt; an elderly Jewish man was beaten up at a pro-Israel rally in Hamburg; an Orthodox Jewish teenager punched in the face in Berlin. In several cities, chants at pro-Palestinian protests compared Israel's actions to the Holocaust; other notable slogans included: "Jew, coward pig, come out and fight alone," and "Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas."

Across Europe, the conflict in Gaza is breathing new life into some very old, and very ugly, demons. This is not unusual; police and Jewish civil rights organisations have long observed a noticeable spike in antisemitic incidents each time the Israeli-Palestinian conflict flares. During the three weeks of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in late 2008 and early 2009, France recorded 66 antisemitic incidents, including attacks on Jewish-owned restaurants and synagogues and a sharp increase in anti-Jewish graffiti.But according to academics and Jewish leaders, this time it is different. More than simply a reaction to the conflict, they say, the threats, hate speech and violent attacks feel like the expression of a much deeper and more widespread antisemitism, fuelled by a wide range of factors, that has been growing now for more than a decade.

"These are the worst times since the Nazi era," Dieter Graumann, president of Germany's Central Council of Jews, told the Guardian. "On the streets, you hear things like 'the Jews should be gassed', 'the Jews should be burned' – we haven't had that in Germany for decades. Anyone saying those slogans isn't criticising Israeli politics, it's just pure hatred against Jews: nothing else. And it's not just a German phenomenon. It's an outbreak of hatred against Jews so intense that it's very clear indeed." » | Jon Henley | Thursday, August 07, 2014

'Jihadist' Flag Flown in East London

THE GUARDIAN: Flag flown outside housing estate on Poplar High Street

A black flag with white Arabic writing, similar to those flown by jihadist groups, was flying at the entrance of an east London housing state near Canary Wharf.

In a highly provocative gesture, the emblem was planted on top of the gates of the Will Crooks estate on Poplar High Street, and is surrounded by flags of Palestine and slogans.

The flag bears similar writing to the jihadi flags that have been flown by the extremist group in Iraq and other jihadi groups since the 1990s. When the estate was approached last night, a group of about 20 Asian youths swore at Guardian journalists and told them to leave the area immediately. One youth threatened to smash a camera. » | Rajeev Syal | Thursday, August 07, 2014

Baroness Warsi Was Over-promoted, Incapable and Incompetent

THE SPECTATOR: Farewell then Sayeeda, Baroness Warsi. The most over-promoted, incapable and incompetent minister of recent times has finally done the nation one service and resigned. This morning she announced on Twitter that she can ‘no longer support government policy on Gaza.’ That would be government policy that now includes reviewing all arms export licenses to Israel? Not strong enough for Sayeeda, it would seem.

It was not hard to see this coming. Not just because Warsi’s Twitter activity in recent weeks has mainly consisted of pumping out support for Hamas-run Gaza and berating supporters of Israel for saying things she disagrees with, but also because she has shown a career-long sympathy for Hamas and other Islamic radicals. » | Douglas Murray | Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Polls Show Rising Disapproval of Obama's Job Performance

Aug. 01, 2014 - 5:52 - President's numbers take a dive on foreign policy, immigration

America's Weakness, Part 2

Aug. 05, 2014 - 3:18 - Talking Points 8/5

Part 1 »

Warsi Resignation: An Astonishing Charge Sheet against No 10 over Gaza

THE GUARDIAN: Sayeeda Warsi's sudden departure and biting challenge to David Cameron's policy on Israel may have long-term repercussions for the Conservatives

Sayeeda Warsi's resignation may yet prove to be a passing summer storm. But the vitriolic tone of her attack on David Cameron's policy towards Gaza, and her status as the first Muslim cabinet member, suggests her departure has the potential to inflict both political and moral damage on the Conservatives months before the general election.

More importantly, she may have opened the possibility that longstanding, unequivocal British political support for any Israeli government is now under question.

After all, it is not often a minister leaves government warning that its actions, or silence, are morally indefensible, not in the national interest, liable to foster terrorism in the UK and likely to undermine British influence in the Middle East by failing to be seen to be fair-minded. There was a raw emotional power to her resignation as she set out her anguished reaction to the collapse of hospitals, the death of young children on beaches and the realisation that children the same age as those in her own family were being killed in the Israeli raids.

Few ministers have quit accusing George Osborne of failing to speak out against the flattening of schools and hospitals, or recounting tales of backbenchers in tears at the refusal of David Cameron to condemn Israel. » | Patrick Wintour | Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Baroness Warsi Sparks Tory Rebellion Over Gaza

THE INDEPENDENT: First Muslim cabinet minister slams PM for “morally indefensible” policy

David Cameron was facing mutiny among senior Tory MPs last night as they lined up to condemn his handling of the Gaza crisis and to warn his stance was alienating millions of British Muslims.

The rebellion was triggered by the resignation of Baroness Warsi, the first Muslim cabinet minister, over his refusal to take a tougher stance on the Israeli bombardment during which 1,800 Palestinians have died. Her dramatic departure, in which she warned the Prime Minister’s approach was “detrimental” to the national interest and risked radicalising young Muslims, won plaudits from several former Tory ministers. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, also appeared to back her.

She called for an immediate arms embargo against Israel and said that the Government’s “approach and language during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible”. In a swipe at Mr Cameron, she lamented the sacking of moderate ministers such as Kenneth Clarke in last month’s reshuffle. » | Nigel Morris, Oliver Wright | Tuesday. August 05, 2014

Iran's Supreme Leader Calls for the Destruction of Israel

Jul. 30, 2014 - 2:05 - Iranian opposition groups demand stronger sanctions against Tehran

America’s Weakness

Aug. 04, 2014 - 6:50 - Talking Points 8/4

The History of the Middle East Conflict in 11 Minutes

Obamas 53. Geburtstag: Der lustlose Präsident

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Barack Obama wird 53, doch Grund zum Feiern hat er kaum. Der US-Präsident wirkt amtsmüde, verweigert die politische Führung. Viel Zeit bleibt ihm nicht, um seine Präsidentschaft zu retten.

Am Samstag konnte Barack Obama endlich wieder einen Erfolg feiern. Auf dem Landsitz Camp David gewann seine Herrenrunde ein privates Golf-Turnier gegen eine andere Herrenrunde. Das White House Press Corps meldete, Obama habe "bestes Golfwetter" genossen: "24 Grad und überwiegend sonnig"

Nichts gegen Golf oder gegen Herrenrunden, aber Obama erweckt den Eindruck, als flüchte er vor den Herausforderungen seiner Präsidentschaft. So wie sich die Fotos häufen, die ihn auf Polo- oder Golfplätzen zeigen, häufen sich die ungelösten Probleme seines Landes.

Obama, der an diesem Montag seinen 53. Geburtstag feiert, ist ein müder Präsident geworden. Er wirkt erschöpft, genervt vom Kleinkrieg mit dem politischen Gegner. Zugleich erweckt er den Eindruck, als sei er sich zu fein für das schmutzige Geschäft der Politik. Vieles deute darauf hin, "dass Obama bereits das Handtuch geworfen hat", schrieb der Publizist Joe Klein. » | Ein Kommentar von Markus Feldenkirchen, Washington | Montag, 04. August 2014

Inside Story: Who Can Stop the Islamic State's Advance?

Concern as the Islamic State continues expanding its territories under its control in Iraq.

Islamic State Terrorists Claim First Stake in Lebanon

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The rebel group, which has carved out a vast swathe of territory across Syria and Iraq, launched attack on border town after follower was seized

The jihadists of the Islamic State have seized their first territory inside Lebanon, a long-feared strike that hits at the heart of the country’s uneasy sectarian balance.

A Syrian rebel group which has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State’s leader has set up check-points in the town of Arsal on the two countries’ border, though it has stopped short of declaring it part of the organisation’s “Caliphate”.

Lebanese army troops have moved up to attack the town, firing shells and putting at risk not only the 40,000 local inhabitants but the estimated 120,000 Syrian refugees who have taken shelter there.

The crisis brought a rare show of unity from Lebanon’s competing political factions, with the Sunni prime minister Tammam Salam standing alongside the rest of the cabinet to give a statement. “The attack on Lebanese national dignity will not go unpunished,” he said, calling Islamic State’s behaviour “sick”. » | Carol Malouf in Arsal and Richard Spencer, Middle East correspondent | Monday, August 04, 2014

US Muslim Civil Rights Group Showing Sympathy to Terrorists?

Jul. 24, 2014 - 5:38 - Group's massive letter-writing campaign

Hamas Founder's Son Speaks Out against Terrorist Group

Jul. 30, 2014 - 6:46 - Mosab Hassan Yousef on why it's time to stop the organization

'Jihadist' Books On Sale in French Supermarkets

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Thousands of people complain at works that reportedly call on Muslims to open bomb factories and advertise methods to kill 'sodomists'

Books preaching violent jihad and urging Muslims to set up arms factories are reportedly on sale openly in French supermarkets and bookshops, sparking thousands of complaints and fresh debate over the limits of free speech.

Publishers have defended the works, claiming only a few pages are contentious, while authorities say it would be difficult to ban them.

They can be found on the shelves of supermarkets including Carrefour, one of the world’s biggest retail chains, and Fnac, France’s largest retailer of books, music, DVDs and electronic goods. Some of the works are also available from the website of the online retailer Amazon.

According to Le Figaro newspaper, two petitions demanding they be withdrawn from sale, signed by more than 18,000 people, have been ignored by Carrefour.

“It is not up to the distributor to take a view on the shocking nature of publications,” a representative of the group’s press department said, adding the books “have never been banned”. » | David Chazan in Paris | Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Gutfeld: Obama Fans Writhe as the Dream Dies

Jul. 28, 2014 - 6:26 - It's like a 10-year-old realizing Santa is really his drunk uncle

The Great Marijuana Ruse

Jul. 28, 2014 - 8:29 - Talking Points 7/28

Latino Converts to Islam

Saudi King: Don’t Misuse Islam for Terrorism

AL ARABIYA: Some vested interests are tarnishing the noble image of Islam and using it to perpetuate terrorism across the world, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has warned.

In his Eid Al-Fitr address to the citizens, expatriates and the Muslims worldwide, King Abdullah said the Kingdom has taken several measures to root out the scourge of terrorism and to protect the country’s security and stability.

The Eid, he said, is an occasion to rejoice at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The King extended his best wishes for the Eid to world Muslims.

“The Muslim Ummah should steadfastly strive to defeat the forces who are maligning the noble and kind image of Islam and harming the believers and their sons,” the King said. » | Saudi Gazette, Jeddah | Monday, July 28, 2014

Anti-Semitism On the March: Europe Braces for Violence

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Fears of violence and anti-Semitism at major protest marches planned in Berlin and other German cities this weekend against Israeli operations in Gaza

European cities are braced for violent clashes this weekend as people take to the streets to protest against Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Thousands of police are being deployed in cities across Europe with Berlin alone deploying 1,500 police officers in a response and authorities in Paris have sought to ban outright marches planned for this weekend.

The protests have triggered warnings that the spectre of anti-Semitism has returned to haunt Europe.

Protesters have attacked synagogues, smashed the windows of Jewish-owned business and torched others, in scenes disturbingly reminiscent of the 1938 Kristallnacht in France. The marchers have chanted “Jews to the gas chambers”, and Jewish people have been attacked on the streets of Berlin.
An 18-year-old Jewish man claimed on Friday he had been punched in the face in an unprovoked attack while wearing a skull cap in the centre of Berlin, in what would be the second such incident in less than a week. » | Justin Huggler, Berlin, and Josie Ensor | Saturday, July 26, 2014

New Dark Age Alert! Gay Saudi Arabian Man Sentenced to Three Years and 450 Lashes for Meeting Men via Twitter

THE INDEPENDENT: The man was arrested after he arranged to meet a man who was in fact an undercover agent for the Saudi Arabian police

A Saudi Arabian man has been sentenced to three years in jail and 450 lashes after he was caught using Twitter to arrange dates with other men.

The 24-year-old man who has not been named, was given his sentence after the court in Medina, Saudi Arabia, found him guilty of “promoting the vice and practice of homosexuality.”

According to a report in the daily Arabic newspaper Al-Watan, the man was arrested following an entrapment ploy by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV).

Posing as a potential suitor online, members of the CPVPV arranged to meet the now convicted man for a date.

When the man arrived at the designated meeting place, he was greeted by an undercover agent and a number of other officers from the CPVPV.

He was then arrested and his phone was confiscated.

According to authorities, a search of the phone revealed “indecent images” and other incriminating evidence that apparently proved his “homosexuality”. » | Jack Simpson | Friday, July 25, 2014

Iraq: Isis Warns Women to Wear Full Veil or Face Punishment

'Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by
glamour will be subject to accountability.'

THE GUARDIAN: Sunni insurgents issue guidelines in mosques on how clothes should be worn to prevent women 'from falling into vulgarity'

Islamic State (Isis), the al-Qaida offshoot that seized large swathes of northern Iraq last month, has warned women in the city of Mosul to wear full-face veils or risk severe punishment.

The Sunni insurgents, who have declared a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria and have threatened to march on Baghdad, also listed guidelines on how veils and clothes should be worn, part of a campaign to violently impose their radical brand of Islam.

"The conditions imposed on her clothes and grooming was only to end the pretext of debauchery resulting from grooming and overdressing," the group said in a statement.

"This is not a restriction on her freedom but to prevent her from falling into humiliation and vulgarity or to be a theatre for the eyes of those who are looking."

A cleric in Mosul told Reuters that Isis gunmen had shown up at his mosque and ordered him to read their warning on loudspeakers when worshipers gather.

"Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by glamour will be subject to accountability and severe punishment to protect society from harm and to maintain the necessities of religion and protect it from debauchery," Isis said. » | Reuters in Baghdad | Friday, July 25, 2014

Krauthammer: Obama Has Defended Muslims, Where Is He On Christian Persecution?

Read the short article on Real Clear Politics here | Posted by Ian Schwartz | Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Gaza Conflict: France Criticises 'Anti-Semitic' Riot

BBC: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has condemned "anti-Semitic" violence that broke out during a protest against Israel's action in Gaza.

Jewish-owned businesses and a synagogue were targeted in the suburb of Sarcelles, just outside Paris.

Shops were looted and 18 people were arrested as youths went on the rampage during Sunday's protest, which had been banned by authorities.

The mayor of Sarcelles said the Jewish community was in fear.

Such an outpouring of violence had never been seen in the suburb before, he said.

Roger Cukierman, head of the umbrella group Crif that represents French Jewish organisations, said Jews were not just afraid, they were anguished.

"What's happened in the past few days is terrible. They're shouting 'Death to the Jews' and attacking synagogues. It's completely out of control", he said. » | Monday, July 21, 2014

George Galloway Is a Muslim Now

Comment with George Galloway: How Should the ISIS Threat Be Confronted?

George Galloway Discussing ISIS

La persécution des chrétiens d'Irak est un "crime contre l'humanité"

LE POINT: Le secrétaire général de l'ONU Ban Ki-moon s'alarme des persécutions des chrétiens de Mossoul par les djihadistes de l'État islamique.

Ban Ki-moon, secrétaire général de l'ONU, a affirmé dimanche que la persécution des chrétiens de Mossoul (Irak) par les djihadistes de l'État islamique (EI) pouvait être considérée comme un crime contre l'humanité. Au moment où des centaines de familles chrétiennes fuient Mossoul après un ultimatum de l'EI, Ban Ki-moon a "condamné de la manière le plus ferme possible la persécution systématique des minorités en Irak par l'État islamique et les groupes armés qui lui sont liés". Dans un communiqué de l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon se déclare "particulièrement troublé par les informations sur des menaces contre les chrétiens à Mossoul". Ban Ki-moon "réaffirme que les attaques systématiques contre des civils en raison de leur origine ethnique ou de leur appartenance religieuse peuvent constituer un crime contre l'humanité dont les auteurs doivent rendre des comptes", ajoute le communiqué de l'ONU. » | Source AFP | lundi 21 juillet 2014

George Galloway Replies to Tony Blair on ISIS and Iraq – In The Now – Russia Today – June 16, 2014

George Galloway replies to Tony Blair on ISIS

Inside Story: Cyprus Divided - 40 Years On

Sunday marks the 40th anniversary of the division of Cyprus, hopes of reunification remain dim.

Jihadists Seize Ancient Iraqi Monastery and Expel Monks

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Islamic State fighters order monks to leave fourth-century monastery after issuing ultimatum to Christians to leave, convert, die or pay protection money, local residents say

Jihadist militants have taken over a monastery in northern Iraq, one of the country's best-known Christian landmarks, and expelled its resident monks, a cleric and residents said Monday.

Islamic State (IS) fighters stormed Mar (Saint) Behnam, a fourth-century monastery run by the Syriac Catholic church near the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh, on Sunday, the sources said.

"You have no place here anymore, you have to leave immediately," a member of the Syriac clergy quoted the Sunni militants as telling the monastery's residents.

He said the monks pleaded to be allowed to save some of the monastery's relics but the fighters refused and ordered them to leave on foot with nothing but their clothes.

Christian residents from the area told AFP the monks walked several miles along a deserted road and were eventually picked up by Kurdish peshmerga fighters who drove them to Qaraqosh. » | AFP | Monday, July 21, 2014

Christians Lie and Wives Must Have Sex or Go to Hell, Trojan Horse Pupils Told

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Inquiry commissioned by Birmingham City Council reveals details of religious extremism in 13 schools

Children were taught that all Christians are liars and attempts were made to introduce Sharia law in classrooms as part of an alleged 'Trojan Horse' takeover plot of Birmingham schools, an inquiry has found.

The inquiry commissioned by Birmingham City Council found evidence of religious extremism in 13 schools as school governors and teachers tried to promote and enforce radical Islamic values.

Schools put up posters warning children that if they didn't pray they would "go to hell", Christmas was cancelled and girls were taught that women who refused to have sex with their husbands would be "punished" by angels "from dusk to dawn".

The report found that the extremism went unchecked because the council "disastrously" prioritised community cohesion over "doing what is right".

It concluded that there was a "determined effort" by "manipulative" governors to introduce "unacceptable" practices, "undermine" head teachers and deny students a broad and balanced education. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Friday, July 18, 2014

Bolivia Becomes First Nation to Legalise Child Labour from Age 10

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bolivia says law reflects reality in country where 1 million children regularly work, but activists complain it will increase poverty and contravenes United Nations conventions

Alicia weaves through El Alto's stalled traffic under a blazing sun, hawking colourful woven flowers to grumpy drivers and lovers. With luck, the 12-year-old and her mother will together muster £10 by day's end, all the while keeping watch over her younger brother and sister, ages 8 and 6.

"It is difficult for my mother to sell alone because she has to look after my siblings," said Alicia, who normally goes to school in the afternoon but is using her vacation to help her mother by working the entire day. As her siblings sleep, her mother knits the flowers that Alicia sells.

While most of the world is trying to diminish child labour, Bolivia has become the first nation to legalise it from age 10. Congress approved the legislation early this month, and Vice President Alvaro Garcia signed it into law on Thursday in the absence of President Evo Morales, who was travelling.

The bill's sponsors say lowering the minimum work age from 14 simply acknowledges a reality: many poor families in Bolivia have no other choice than for their kids to work. The bill offers working children safeguards, they say. » | Agencies | Saturday, July 19, 2014

'Radical Muslims On The March' - Hannity Investigation - Fox News

Epic Sean Hannity studio audience Special featuring Brigitte Gabriel, Pamela Geller, Jamie Glazov, KT McFarland, and Todd Starnes as they address the extremely controversial issue of the affect radical Muslims are having upon the rest of the world.

Muslims Attack Jews in Paris Synagogue

TOWNHALL.COM: This week, Islamic protestors surrounded a synagogue in Paris. Islamists threw rocks, and several tried to enter the synagogue with bats, chairs, an axe, and other weapons. One hundred and fifty Jews were trapped inside.

Ten thousand Muslims were protesting, in Paris, regarding Israel’s response to Hamas; a terrorist organization targeting the Israeli population with rockets and drones. The Muslims converged on the Don Isaac Abravanel Synagogue, and began chanting “Slaughter the Jews,” “Death to Jews” and “Hitler was right.” 10,000 Muslims vs. 150 Jews inside for a service were the odds of the day.

As if that were not enough intolerance, the Muslims attacked the synagogue.

The incident was partially caught on tape. » | Larry Provost | Saturday, July 19, 2014

What a New Islamic Caliphate Means for Christians, the West

Read the article here | CBN News | Tuesday, June 27, 2014

Convert, Pay Tax, Or Die, Islamic State Warns Christians

Islamic insurgents in Mosul are consolidating control over
the civilians, warning any Christians remaining in the
city to agree to certain terms – or face death.

THE GUARDIAN: Insurgents issue ultimatum to Iraq's dwindling Christian population to abide by 'dhimma' contract or face the sword

Islamist insurgents have issued an ultimatum to northern Iraq's dwindling Christian population to either convert to Islam, pay a religious levy or face death, according to a statement issued by the Islamic State (Isis) and distributed in the militant-controlled city of Mosul. The al-Qaida offshoot that led last month's lightning assault to capture swathes of northern Iraq said the ruling would come into effect on Saturday.

In the statement, Isis said Christians who wanted to remain in the "caliphate" declared earlier this month in parts of Iraq and Syria must agree to abide by terms of a "dhimma" contract – a historic practice under which non-Muslims were protected in Muslim lands in return for a special levy known as "jizya". "We offer them three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract – involving payment of jizya; if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword," the announcement said.

A resident of Mosul said the statement, issued in the name of the Islamic State in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, had been distributed on Thursday and read out in mosques. It said that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, which the group has now named Caliph Ibrahim, had set a Saturday deadline for Christians who did not want to stay and live under those terms to "leave the borders of the Islamic Caliphate". "After this date, there is nothing between us and them but the sword," it said. Read on and comment » | Reuters | Friday, July 18, 2014

How 'Caliph' Baghdadi Aimed His Sermon at the Muslim Devout

The Western media focused on Ibrahim al-Baghdadi's wristwatch. But to relig[i]ous Muslims, the symbolism of his speech was carefully chosen, and clear

Read and comment on the Telegraph article here | Ed Hussain | Friday, July 18, 2014

Woman Helps Over 1,000 Belgian[s] Converts to Islam

WORLD BULLETIN: 'Prejudices stem from not being introduced to real Islam properly,' said Veronique Cools, a 25-year-old Belgian convert to Islam.

Veronique Cools, a 25-year-old Belgian convert to Islam, has has helped over 1,000 people who have accepted Islam in the past 8 years.

Cools, who accepted Islam herself at a very young age after being influenced by her Muslim friends and researching into the religion, turned her home into an Islamic center for Belgian Muslims seeking to learn more about their religion. » | World Bulletin/News Desk | Saturday, July 12, 2014

Muslim Cleric Says Islam Sees No Distinction Between Combatants and Civilians, So Killing American Women and Children Is Fine

THE BLAZE: A radical Muslim cleric in Sudan with a history of incendiary statements against the U.S. now says that under Islam there is no distinction between combatant and civilian and thus American women and children are fair game for militant attacks.

“In its war with the infidels, Islam recognizes no distinction between regular armies and civilians,” said Sudanese cleric Muhammad Al-Jazouli at his Friday sermon, citing a fatwa, or religious ruling.

The Middle East Media Research Institute found video of the sermon and posted translated excerpts online.

In the sermon, Al-Jazouli said he had been “overjoyed” to hear of one particular hadith, that is, a tradition related to the prophet Mohammed.

Al-Jazouli quoted a statement once conveyed to the prophet Mohammed that when Muslims would attack “the polytheists at night, women and children would be harmed.” » | Sharona Schwartz | Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Is This the Wife of Iraq's New Islamist Overlord?

Image from a video of a woman believed to be Saja al-Dulaimi,
the wife of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: First pictures emerge of Saja Hamid al-Dulaimi, said to be the spouse of Islamic State ruler Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

He is the world's most feared Islamic terrorist, carving out a new Middle East 'caliphate' through a combination of medieval butchery and stunning military success.

But until now, the wife of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State, has remained largely out of the public eye.

A photo has now emerged online purporting to show Saja Hamid al-Dulaimi – the woman whose husband now controls vast swathes of Syria and western Iraq after his forces routed government troops in a lightening eastern advance over recent weeks.

Although the provenance of the picture is unclear, it shows a youthful-looking woman draped in a black headscarf and gazing purposefully into the distance. » | Alastair Beach | Thursday, July 17, 2014

Tesco Apologises after Muslim Checkout Worker Refused to Sell Customer Ham and Wine because It Was Ramadan

MAIL ONLINE: Mother-of-three tried to buy items during shopping trip in north London / Employee said he couldn't sell them as he was fasting for religious festival / The customer was instead forced to use the self-service checkouts / She told worker he should be serving people not turning them away / Firm apologises to customer but refuses to condemn worker's actions

Tesco has issued an apology after a Muslim worker refused to sell a customer ham and wine because of Ramadan.

Mother-of-three Julie Cottle went into her local store to stock up, but was left stunned when a checkout employee insisted he couldn't serve her.

Muslims worldwide are currently fasting for Ramadan - the holy ninth month of the Islamic calendar where devotees abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. » | Richard Spillett | Wednesday, July 16, 2014