No Dominion: The Lonely, Dangerous Fight Against Christian Supremacists Inside the Armed Forces by: Matthew Harwood, t r u t h o u t | Report Mikey Weinstein. (Photo: Steve Most) In his fight against British imperialism, Mahatma Gandhi described the life cycle of successful civil disobedience: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Mikey Weinstein, the 55-year-old founder of the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), likes to quote it, knowing full well he’s crossed the line into a bloody-knuckle brawl. Over the past year, Weinstein and his … Continue reading One Mans fight against growing Christian Supremacism in the US Military

In 2004, Mr Samodurov demonstrated against an earlier trial Two men who organised a controversial art exhibition in Moscow in 2007 have been found guilty by a Russian court of inciting hatred. Andrei Yerofeyev and Yuri Samodurov had set up the Forbidden Art exhibition at the Sakharov Museum in Moscow. The show provoked condemnation from the Russian Orthodox Church, among others, for artworks that included a depiction of Jesus Christ with the head of Mickey Mouse. Both men were ordered to pay a fine. The exhibition featured several images of Jesus Christ. In one painting of the crucifixion, the head … Continue reading Russians convicted and fined over Forbidden Art show

By Dr Riffat Hassan Dr Riffat Hassan is professor emerita of the University of Louisville, Kentucky. There is little doubt that to Iqbal a woman’s most important role is that of a mother. He likened motherhood to prophethood in Rumuz-e-Bekhudi (Mysteries of Selflessness): Motherhood is mercy, being linked/By close affinity to Prophethood/And her compassion is the Prophet’s own/For mothers shape the way that men shall go/Maturer, by the grace of Motherhood/The character of nations is; the lines/That score that brow determine our estate. (Translation by A J Arberry). In according the highest respect to motherhood Iqbal is in keeping with … Continue reading Iqbal’s view of an ideal Muslim woman

By Dr Riffat Hassan Dr Riffat Hassan is professor emerita of the University of Louisville, Kentucky. The ongoing global debate on segregation and the hijab in Islam is both fierce and divisive.  It is not possible to discuss all aspects of this subject in a short article. However, the Quranic injunction to “lower your gaze” which is commonly understood as applying only to women and what may be considered ‘decent’ attire for Muslim women is briefly discussed below. In the context of proper attire and conduct, the Holy Quran states: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (avoiding its … Continue reading The Quran on the issue of modesty

Osama bin Laden is alive, says son Omar By Online Omar bin Laden, Osama bin Ladenâ��s son LONDON: Omar bin Laden, son of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has said that his father is alive but maintains he doesn’t know anything about Osama’s whereabouts. Omar told The Sun on Thursday, “My dad is on the Earth but I don’t know where. He’s still alive. If that sort of person dies, you could never make it a secret. The world changes if he dies.”  He added, “I still love him – of course I do – he’s my father. That’s … Continue reading Osama bin Laden is alive

Controversial Preacher Seeks to Establish “Outreach Center” Near Ground Zero Posted on July 14, 2010 by Richard Bartholomew A new player has stepped into the controversy over a proposed Islamic Centre close to Ground Zero in New York. Charisma reports: A Florida evangelist is responding to efforts to build a multimillion-dollar mosque two blocks from Ground Zero with plans to open a religious center of his own. Bill Keller (pictured), host of the evangelistic website Liveprayer.com, said his 9/11 Christian Center near Ground Zero will begin holding Sunday prayer meetings Sept. 5. The services will be held at a hotel in downtown New York until … Continue reading Christian Extremist Bill Keller says HE IS GOD!

A Scientist Takes On Gravity Elwood H. Smith By DENNIS OVERBYE It’s hard to imagine a more fundamental and ubiquitous aspect of life on the Earth than gravity, from the moment you first took a step and fell on your diapered bottom to the slow terminal sagging of flesh and dreams. Kirsten Luce for The New York Times ZERO GRAVITY Dr. Erik Verlinde says, “For me gravity doesn’t exist.” In a recent paper he expounded on his theory. But what if it’s all an illusion, a sort of cosmic frill, or a side effect of something else going on at … Continue reading Gravity is an illusion?

Submitted by Arwa Aburawa on July 12, 2010  http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/07/12/24233/eco-mosque-england/ Architect Marks Barfield is to design a £13 million “eco” mosque on a 0.4 hectare brownfield site in Cambridge. England’s historic city of Cambridge, with its world-famous university and idyllic countryside, will soon count a mosque amidst its stunning skyline of spires. But this isn’t just any old mosque. In fact it is the first-purpose built mosque in the city which also happens to be environmentally-friendly! After years of dealing with overcrowding at various small sites across the city, the growing Muslim community decided that it was time to take action. … Continue reading Cambridge to Build Europe’s First Eco-Mosque

Should Jerusalem be sung here? Jerusalem isn’t Christian enough for some Anglicans, but it’s a favourite at weddings. What do you think of the hymn? Open thread guardian.co.uk, Thursday 15 July 2010 16.04 BST Article history William Blake’s Jerusalem is a popular choice at church weddings. Photograph: AlamyThe Church of England has issued new advice to churches on the use of the popular hymn Jerusalem at weddings. In the past, some conservative groups have claimed that it’s not suitable for official services. William Blake, who wrote the poem later set to music by Sir Hubert Parry, had a distinctly unorthodox … Continue reading Should Jerusalem be sung?