No space to counter hate By Huma Yusuf dawn.com In May, YouTube and Facebook were blocked for hosting ‘blasphemous’ and ‘offensive’ content. It is now July, and Tere bin Laden seems fated to be next in the firing line. — Photo by AFP Like most Ali Zafar fans, I hope that members of our culture ministry and Central Board of Film Censors spend the weekend remembering that Pakistanis have a highly developed sense of humour (consider, for instance, how they are ever willing to laugh off the antics of our parliamentarians). If it is upheld, the government’s decision to ban … Continue reading Muslims must have space to counter Mullahs

Champion of UK burka ban declares war on veil-wearing constituents By Andrew Grice, Political Editor Hollobone said the vast majority of Muslim women wore dress allowing people to see their face and claimed no Islamic scholars or clerics said wearing the burka or niqab was a religious requirement. // A Conservative MP says he will refuse to hold meetings with Muslim women wearing full Islamic dress at his constituency surgery unless they lift their face veil. Last night Muslim groups condemned Philip Hollobone and accused him of failing in his duty as an MP. In an interview with The Independent, … Continue reading Philip Hollobone MP and his fixation on womens clothing

Knowledge regained In contrast to their forebears, modern Muslims have a childlike view of science, especially evolution. This needs to change Usama Hasan guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 September 2008 13.30 BST Article history Professor Richard Dawkins recently said that most Muslims were creationists, and their children are taught that the theory of evolution is wrong, which causes a huge problem in schools. He’s largely correct, and the Muslim world desperately needs to debate the matter properly without fear, since science can neither prove nor disprove God. Whereas the Christian world, where Charles Darwin first proposed his thesis, has had a century … Continue reading iSLAM AND EVOLUTION

Police arrest devil-horned suspect When witnesses to a car crime in the United States reported the suspect had devil-like horns, police had little trouble catching up with Jesse Thornhill. telegraph.co.uk Jesse Thornhill, who was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly attempting to run down his landlord with a car Photo: SPLASH After accosting the 28-year-old, officers noted down on his arrest sheet that his “personal oddities” included “horns, neck tattoos and implant earrings on head”. The arrest came after police were called to a disturbance in Tulsa, Okalahoma, following reports of a late-night altercation. … Continue reading Pigs catch Devil

Darth Vader actor David Prowse banned for ‘annoying’ director George Lucas The British actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has been banned from attending offical fan conventions, it has been claimed. By Rebecca Lefort Published: 9:48AM BST 17 Jul 2010 telegraph.co.uk David Prowse appeared in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi playing baddie Darth Vader Photo: HEATHCLIFF O’MALLEY Actor David Prowse as Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back Friends of David Prowse, 75, say he is being punished after “annoying” George Lucas, the films’ creator. Prowse’s website said he … Continue reading Darth Vader – Persecuted!

I say you want a revolution, Egypt Activists in Egypt should look to the hippy movement of the 60s for a successful model in bringing about long-term social change Osama Diab guardian.co.uk, Saturday 17 July 2010 15.00 BST Article history The hippy movement spread its anti-war message through fashion and culture. Photograph: taken from the NewsroomSince the establishment of the Kifaya (Enough) movement in 2004, the Egyptian political scene has changed dramatically. If this continues, political resistance in Egypt is likely to become much more dynamic than it has been since the 1952 revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established … Continue reading Want a revolution Egypt?

George Clooney radiates cool on witness stand dawn.com U.S. actor George Clooney, center, arrives at Milan’s Law court, Italy, July 16, 2010. -AP Photo Culture Latest scandals spell trouble for Gibson’s tarnished star DOWNWARD SPIRAL Latest scandals spell trouble for Gibson’s tarnished star MILAN: It’s no wonder the Italian businessmen claimed George Clooney was behind their fashion line – the actor knows how to wow an audience whether he’s on the red carpet or the witness stand. Maintaining his trademark aura of cool, Clooney delivered a few wisecracks Friday as he testified against three defendants accused of co-opting his name … Continue reading George Clooney – witness stand

By Irfan Husain dawn.com The only difference alcohol prohibition has made is that the substantial revenue the state once earned by taxing alcohol now goes to smugglers and bootleggers. –Photo by AFP Being human and fallible, we are all prey to temptation, and in this, I rather tend to be with Oscar Wilde when he said: “I can resist everything except temptation.” It would seem that our DNA is programmed to lust after whatever is prohibited, and what is supposed to be bad for us. Thus, we smoke, drink, gamble, eat and indulge in sex to excess whenever we get … Continue reading Giving in to temptation

By Sami ShahJuly 14, 2010 The writer is a standup comedian (sami.shah@tribune.com.pk) Ireally wish I could decide who I hate more: the PPP or the PML-N. It’s so terribly confusing. I don’t blame the two parties themselves. After all, they are just behaving as political parties in Pakistan are wont to; hilariously pathetic and despicably evil. That is in their nature. I don’t blame the snake for carrying poison in its fangs, nor do I blame politicians for being repulsive, soul destroying, hope devouring creatures. But I do fear the snake and hate the politicians. But how much hate? That’s … Continue reading Hateful decisions…

By Abdul MananJuly 17, 2010 Members of the Ahmadiyya community listen to a sermon during Friday prayers at their worship place in Garhi Shahu, Lahore. This was one of… LAHORE: The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) have picked up a doctor in connection with the May 31 attack on the Jinnah Hospital after “a thorough surveillance lasting over a month and a half” on July 10, officials in the agency have told The Express Tribune. However, Dr Abdullah’s parents and colleagues dismiss the assertions and rule out his involvement in the terrorist attack. They say they will hold a press conference … Continue reading ISI link doctor to Jinnah Hospital attack