The chief suspect in the case of the failed Times Square car bombing is Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad, who has confessed to the plot. Much of the media has latched onto Shahzad’s Muslim faith and his Pakistani identity, making inflammatory remarks and suggestions about Muslims and Pakistanis: – CNN contributor and Redstate.com blogger Erick Erickson complained that the words “muslim” and “Islam” are “not mentioned” enough in stories about Shahzad. He wrote, “It really is pathetic that you’re more likely to see the words “racist” and “Republican” together in the newspaper these days than “terrorism” and “Islam.” [5/4/2010] – Hate radio … Continue reading Media Ignore The Fact That Man Who Alerted Police To Failed Times Square Bombing Is A Muslim Immigrant

Minnesota: Woman asks Forgiveness for Election of First Muslim Amidst prayers for the entertainment industry a woman asked God to forgive Minnesota for electing the first Muslim to Congress. Religious right leaders ask God to forgive Minnesota for electing first Muslim Religious right leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., on Saturday for “May Day 2010: A Cry To God For A Nation In Distress.” Topics addressed from the podium ranged from decrying the evils of Dakota Fanning to praying for God to take over Hollywood. But then the prayer turned to Minnesota — and a state woman’s … Continue reading Woman asks Forgiveness for Election of First Muslim

Paying for Pakistan By Mohsin Hamid If we raised tax revenues by a fifth, from 10 per cent of GDP to 12 per cent. That would give us Rs300bn a year. We could use that to rent a million classrooms for Rs10,000 per month. –Photo by APP dawn.com Here’s the great secret about Pakistan: we aren’t as poor as we like to think. Over the years I’ve travelled a fair bit around our country. I’ve ridden on the back of a motorbike in Gwadar, walked down streets in Karachi, explored bazaars in Peshawar. I’ve hiked in Skardu, fished (unsuccessfully) in … Continue reading Is Pakistan really poor?

‘This is your Eid present’: What attacker told Muslim woman as he wrapped her in a carpet and set her alight A robber wrapped a Muslim woman in a carpet and set fire to her after he raided her home. The attacker gained entry to the woman’s Westminster flat by claiming to be an inspector from her local council, but once inside he bashed her and tied her up before stealing thousands of pounds worth of valuables. As he left, he wrapped her in a carpet and set it alight, telling her: ‘This is your Eid present, you Muslim.’ The … Continue reading British Muslim woman attacked and set on fire in London

Lashings of ginger beer flying off the shelves as retro drinks make comeback Retro: Ginger beer is a popular ingredient in cocktails, such as this Moscow Mule Nostalgic Britons are turning back the clock to the days of drinking lashings of ginger beer, a new report has shown. The recession has given shoppers a taste for brands and flavours they enjoyed in their childhood – leading to a resurgence of old favourites including cloudy lemonade and Dandelion & Burdock. But the boom in traditional soft drinks of yesteryear is also being fuelled by increasing numbers of health-conscious Brits choosing products … Continue reading Lashings of ginger beer?

Not so fantastic Mr Fox! Curious cub gets head wedged in watering can This little fox cub got more than he bargained for when he investigated a garden watering can – and got his head stuck. The four-week-old cub was exploring a family’s garden when he poked his head into the tiny can. As the fox realised he was stuck, he became distressed and began to tear around the garden, bumping into objects while whimpering. Help! This four-week-old fox cub got his head stuck in a watering can as he investigated a garden Free at last: Staff at an animal … Continue reading Curious cub gets head wedged in watering can

Caught in the honey-trap: By day she’s a student. By night she’s paid to seduce enemies of the Kremlin. So is she Putin’s latest secret weapon? Model attraction: Fun-loving Katya Gerasimova She calls herself Mumu, and she’s a 21-year-old part-time model with green eyes and brown hair. But while she’s a pretty student and model by day, she spends her nights seducing critics of the Russian government. On offer in Mumu’s apartment – according to men she has entertained – are illicit encounters with Mumu herself, menages a trois with her friends, dope-smoking and copious amounts of cocaine. Unfortunately for … Continue reading By day she’s a student. By night she’s paid to seduce enemies of the Kremlin.

Spot the difference: The leopard and the golden retriever who are the best of friends It’s a role reversal not commonly seen, but then the cat chasing this dog is a little larger than most. Salati, a ten-month-old leopard, and her best friend, golden retriever Tommy, like nothing more than to run amok before settling down for a friendly cuddle. The odd couple were reared together at Glen Afric Country Lodge near Pretoria in South Africa. Close: Salati, a ten-month-old leopard, leans in for a cuddle with her best friend, Golden Retriever Tommy Animal wrangler Richard Brooker, 23, raised Salati … Continue reading The leopard and the golden retriever who are the best of friends

Misguided individuals like Faisal Shahzad have obscured our rich heritage and reduced Pakistan to a ‘terror central’ stereotype Mustafa Qadri guardian.co.uk An image of terror suspect Faisal Shahzad is seen on a TV screen as a briefing on the Times Square bomb is held. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images The well-worn maxim that all publicity is good publicity does not immediately spring to mind in Pakistan. But given the country’s frontline position in the fight against global terrorism, the involvement of yet another Pakistani in a plot to bomb a major international city will be a boon for everyone in favour … Continue reading Terrorists overshadow the real Pakistan

VIEW: Facts and fiction —Gulmina Bilal Ahmad The man himself certainly does not fit the textbook, conventional profile of a bomber. His looks and persona, as reflected in the pictures, is more of a model than an alleged bomber Another week and another challenge for Pakistan. The week has been filled with reports about the New York City suspect bomber, Faisal Shahzad. Faisal has perplexed political analysts and psychologists alike. Faisal is what is termed to be a member of the social-political elite of Pakistan. He is a member of, in the words of Mohsin Hamid, the writer of Moth … Continue reading Faisal Shahzad – Facts and fiction