If it survives early tests, this coalition could outlive the decade In a mirror image of Blair’s efforts, Cameron is set on marginalising the right, as part of a bold attempt to redraw the political map Martin Kettle guardian.co.uk In the circumstances it was probably just as well that David Cameron ended his speech launching the government’s detailed programme by making clear that he is, in fact, a Conservative and that Nick Clegg is, indeed, a Liberal Democrat. So much else has been turned on its head in British politics over the past two weeks that it is a comfort … Continue reading The coalition government could outlive the decade

Japanese bureaucrats face up to the clean-cut look Isesaki authorities order staff to shave off beards and moustaches after complaints from public Justin McCurry in Tokyo guardian.co.uk A bearded man in Tokyo: officials in a Japanese town have been told to shave off their facial hair. Photograph: Toshiyuki Aizawa/Reuters In feudal Japan, a beard was considered a symbol of power or a declaration of belligerent intent but bureaucrats in one town could find themselves sent to the bathroom, razor in hand, for sporting even the suggestion of a five o’clock shadow. Authorities in Isesaki, Gunma prefecture, have ordered all male … Continue reading Should Japanese ban beards?

The ban that backfired by Sana Saleem dawn.com Earlier this week, I wrote a blog post regarding the “Draw A Muhammad Day” controversy, highlighting the role of the social networking site Facebook. Let me begin by sharing some of the comments, Tweets and Facebook messages submitted in reaction to my last post (with the saner ones up top): I have deactivated my Facebook account today, and I requested all my friends to deactivate their accounts on 19th May till 21st may to protest against this group. We demand the Facebook Team to remove the group “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day” as … Continue reading The Facebook ban that backfired

By Jawed Naqvi dawn.com “In 1908, Hasrat Mohani published an article in his magazine Urdu-e-Mu-alla and criticised the policies of the British rulers of Egypt.” – (File Photo) He coined the Indian freedom struggle’s most resonant slogan: ‘inquilab zindabad’, which roughly translates to ‘long live the revolution”. Indeed, Maulana Hasrat Mohani’s call to arms against colonial occupation resonates through the Indian subcontinent even today though some would say it is beginning to resemble the Cheshire cat’s slowly fading grin, the only discernible feature of what was once a free-spirited beast. Not surprisingly, as often happens when betrayal gets even with … Continue reading Voice of an endless revolt

by Moderator dawn.com Pakistan has blocked two popular websites due to a controversial competition being held on Facebook on May 20. How has the ban on Facebook and YouTube affected you? Has the block on our accessibility to these sites highlighted the fact that how addicted and dependent we are on social networking websites and forums? How do you plan to pass your time instead now that browsing videos and random profiles is not an option? The views expressed by the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group. Continue reading Banned and blocked

Pakistan army pays heavy price in Taliban war dawn.com A Pakistani national flag stands next to the grave of a martyred Pakistani soldier at a graveyard in Chakwal. – AFP Editorial Karzai in America Karzai in America RAWALPINDI: Retired army captain Zafar Tajammal dismisses US demands for Pakistan to do more to fight Muslim militants as he chokes back tears. His son Captain Bilal Zafar was killed in the prime of his life, cut down by a rocket-propelled grenade while leading a charge against entrenched Taliban fighters. “I loved him so much that once I told him ‘I will not … Continue reading Pakistan army pays heavy price in Taliban war whilst Mullahs gloat

Face-ing the B! by Shyema As reports emerged of a countrywide ban on Facebook due to a competition encouraging users to post caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) on the site, people started panicking – how were they going to tell the world about their terrible day at work now that the status updates won’t be available? While various Islamic parties and organisations took to the streets, protesting against Facebook and the blasphemy it was promoting, a large number of Facebook fans in the country took to their Google Talk update boxes and expressed their frustration through their g-chat windows … Continue reading Pakistan banning Facebook helps the Draw Muhammad Day fanatics

Pakistan blocks YouTube over “blasphemous” material dawn.com Women supporters of Islamic political party Jamaat-e-Islami hold a placard during a protest against Facebook in Karachi May 19, 2010. – Reuters World US cartoonist disavows ‘Draw Mohammad’ Facebook page US cartoonist disavows ‘Draw Mohammad’ Facebook page ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has blocked the popular video sharing website YouTube indefinitely in a bid to contain “blasphemous” material, officials said on Thursday. The blockade came hours after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed Internet service providers to stop access to social network site Facebook indefinitely on Wednesday because of an online competition to draw the Prophet … Continue reading Pakistan makes a stupid move and blocks YouTube over “blasphemous” material

loonwatch Spencer resembles someone here. Sheila Musaji and The American Muslim have done a great job in compiling different sources, including a number of links from Loonwatch for a concise piece on Robert Spencer with the apt title: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Robert Spencer. by Sheila Musaji Robert Spencer describes himself as an impartial scholar of Islam, and maintains that he is not an Islamophobe, and that in fact the term Islamophobia is either irrelevant or an attempt to silence critics.  He is only one of a number of individuals whose statements about Muslims and Islam can only be … Continue reading The Politically Incorrect Guide to Robert Spencer