niqash | Kholoud Ramzi Iyad Jamaluddin, a Shia cleric and MP, has announced the creation of a new political ‘Ahrar’ liberal stream to compete in January’s parliamentary election. The movement is composed of Sunni and Shia liberal personalities including the Sunni MP and head of parliament’s national reconciliation committee, Wathab Shaker. The stream has chosen “secularism is the solution” as its electoral campaign slogan prompting some religious criticism. Muslim clergy have condemned the step because this slogan is being used – for the first time since 2003 – by a turbaned cleric and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad’s family. The … Continue reading Mullah calls for secular solution

// James Cameron’s sci-fi eco epic Avatar is almost certain to become the highest-grossing movie of all time – not bad going for a film whose heroes are blue-skinned aliens speaking a made-up language. It has violently divided critics. Some have been moved by its message of cosmic wholeness, others have been left cold by its vapid, predictable plot, its too obvious allegory and the preachiness of its message. Everyone agrees, however, that it is spectacular, which may be enough to explain its success. Boris Johnson is the latest to notice the film’s heavy-handed political subtext – a plot which … Continue reading Avatar and the future of religion

By Mohammad Darawshe The announcement of MK Mohammed Barakeh of his intention to join the parliamentary delegation to Auschwitz next week has ignited a heated discussion in Israel’s Arabic press. Many saw this as a positive step, following efforts by other members of the Arab community to reach out to the Jewish community and improve relations between the two groups. Such efforts include the establishment of a small Holocaust museum in Nazareth, and the visit of 260 Israeli Arab and Jewish clerics, municipal leaders and educators to Auschwitz in May 2003, led by Bishop Emile Shoufani. Shoufani’s visit sparked controversy, … Continue reading Have a safe trip, Mohammed

This is a cross post by Edmund Standing The BNP website has announced that BNP Head of Publicity, Mark ‘I am evil’ Collett, is to stand against David Blunkett in Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough. They’ve put up a short biography, which includes this: He moved to Leeds to study Business and Economics at Leeds University where he graduated with an honours degree. During his time at Leeds University he joined the BNP and became actively involved in local politics, standing for election to Leeds City Council in 2002 whilst still at university. After graduating, Mr Collett took up a full-time … Continue reading Nazi dude is hoping to become an MP!

Its soaring steeple of rock topped by a small oasis of trees looks straight out of the 3D blockbuster Avatar. But this is no special effects illusion, it’s a real-life tower of quartz-sandstone deep in the rugged mountain terrain of southern Hunan in China. The 3,544ft Southern Sky Column is one of 3,000 in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and became the inspiration for the magical ‘floating peaks’ in James Cameron’s film after a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008. Now where have I seen this before: The mountain previously known as the ‘Southern Sky Column’ in China, … Continue reading Found! The stunning mountain that inspired Avatar’s ‘floating peaks’

As local words creep into English, some fear that communication between India and the rest of the world could suffer The vernacular of Bollywood is a heady mix of English and local languages. Photograph: Corbis What kind of English should Indians be learning? Purists argue that language skills must meet international standards, but experience tells us that local languages will add flavour to the mix. The result may be fine for the street, but when it comes to the workplace, it is just not good enough. India speaks a lot of English, but she is also known for a dozen … Continue reading English or Hinglish – does it matter what Indian students are learning?

Stereotyping folk musicians damages the reputation of a struggling but valuable form of music Eliza Carthy The Guardian Christian Koch lightheartedly listed the musical tastes of “the world’s most evil men” (The guiltiest pleasures, 16 January). For instance, Osama bin Laden thought at one time that Whitney Houston was “the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen”, and liked the B-52s. Generally it was fine – apart from the inclusion of BNP leader Nick Griffin, who you report as being a fan of my music. People have said to me in the last few days that everyone who knows me and … Continue reading Traditional English song has no links to the far right or Nick Griffin