WASHINGTON DIARY: The men on horseback —Dr Manzur Ejaz We can appreciate the military’s flood relief work but if this disaster is partly man-made, the military has to take responsibility because it has been ruling the country most of the time The Pakistani military’s help during these devastating floods is appropriate but not outstanding because people have complained about its delayed response. The military’s flood relief work is not exceptional because no other institution in any country has such a large and organised force that it can take care of a disaster of the scale where one-fifth of the population … Continue reading The men on horseback

COMMENT: Discussing a tragedy —Munir Attaullah Is it not the case that we help in the relief effort not because there is a duty to do so, but out of simple human compassion and fellow feeling? Is the whole exercise not a voluntary affair, where some give generously, others modestly, and some nothing at all? If there is a duty at all, it is that of the government and not of an individual If a calamity affects you (or your near and dear ones) directly, you are forced to act. Your mental energies become narrowly focused. For the time being, … Continue reading If a calamity affects you (or your near and dear ones) directly, you are forced to act.

Davi Barker: 70% of 760 AM Listeners Support Forcing Muslims to Register on Database Posted on 30 August 2010 by Emperor Some may say who listens to AM radio anymore? Nonetheless still a scary poll. 70 percent of 760 AM listeners support forcing Muslims to register on a national database 760 KFMB AM is a talk radio station hosting such conservative luminaries as Michael Savage, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin. Today, below the Wiener Dog racing and ads for the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert is a fun little poll that asks listeners: During a time of war, should we register … Continue reading US Forcing Muslims to Register on Database?

Dr. Sherman Jackson: Western Views of Shariah Posted on 30 August 2010 by Rousseau A real “scholar” of Islam: Sherman A. Jackson Dr. Sherman Jackson of the University of Michigan tackles the issue of Shariah in a brief summary about how misinformation and cultural perceptions of the Islamic legal system have fed anti-Muslim viewpoints. Shariah: Between Two Popes By Dr. Sherman A. Jackson via The Huffington Post While it started out as a minor footnote, opposition tosharî’ah has now morphed into the mantra by which many justify their opposition to the so-called “Ground Zero mosque.” If we allow this mosque … Continue reading Western Views of Shariah

The Taliban are Against Park51 Posted on 31 August 2010 by Emperor at loonwatch.com All the anti-Islam and anti-Muslim rhetoric is a boon for Taliban recruitment. Taliban vs. The Mosque Taliban officials know it’s sacrilegious to hope a mosque will not be built, but that’s exactly what they’re wishing for: the success of the fiery campaign to block the proposed Islamic cultural center and prayer room near the site of the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan. “By preventing this mosque from being built, America is doing us a big favor,” Taliban operative Zabihullah tells NEWSWEEK. (Like many Afghans, he uses … Continue reading The Taliban are Against The New York Mosque

What if they were Muslim?: Israeli Lashed 39 Times by Rabbi for Singing Posted on 31 August 2010 by Garibaldi Can you imagine if this happened in a Muslim country? This actually happened in “secular” Israel, not Saudi Arabia or Iran and at the hands of a Rabbi. If a Muslim cleric had done it you can be sure that Spencer and company would be wailing about how oppressive Shariah is and how there is no fun in Islam. Will we hear a peep from Spencer about this? Don’t hold your breath. ‘Sinner’ singer given 39 lashes by rabbis A … Continue reading Lashed 39 Times by Rabbi for Singing!

Newsweek Pakistan to launch despite an uncertain future at home KARACHI: Media insiders expect cut-throat competition in the English print media market as two new publications enter the once stagnant market that has already witnessed one launch this year (The Express Tribune). The first is the Pakistan edition of US based Newsweek Pakistan which is set to launch today despite facing ongoing losses in the international market. It, along with many other media entities including the New York Times (a partner paper of The Express Tribune in Pakistan) faces a difficult future as the rise of the internet coupled with … Continue reading Newsweek Pakistan to launch

Getting drunk in Kabul bars? Pass the sick bag The expat drinking scene of journalists and diplomats in Afghanistan’s capital is the height of disrespectful colonialism Seema Jilani guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 31 August 2010 09.00 BST Article history “Kabul is the new Beirut.” This frivolous drivel fell from the mouth of a journalist in Afghanistan. She was effervescent with excitement about the prospect of Kabul’s expatriate bars being even more hip than those in Beirut. Beirut – where they dance to the beat of the bombs, where alcohol flows freely and women are freer still. Yay! Kabul has finally left the … Continue reading Getting drunk with Mullahs in Kabul!