Muslims in Russia celebrate the 100th anniversary of St Petersburg Mosque. On the 100th year, government officials, religious and social figures will attend the special ceremony to be performed. The ambassadors of Muslim countries will among those who will attend the ceremony. Cafer Nasibullahoglu, the imam of the mosque for 34 years and mufti of St Petersburg, said in the period when the St. Petersburg Mosque was built, 8 thousand of Muslims lived in the city. He also said that currently around 700 thousand of Muslims live in St. Petersburg and the historical mosque could not hold the capacity and … Continue reading Muslims in Russia celebrate the 100th anniversary of St Petersburg Mosque.

Thousands of Muslims walked through legendary canyon during a march to commemorate Bosnian spiritual leader on the 500th anniversary of his arrival. Thousands of Muslims on Sunday walked through legendary canyon during a march to commemorate Bosnian spiritual leader on the 500th anniversary of his arrival to Bosnia. The march saw thousands of Bosnian men, women and children, including some 500 men on horseback, climb a seven-kilometre (four-mile) path leading to a site on Mount Ajvatovica, sacred to Bosnian Muslims for more than five centuries. Walking up the hill, the pilgrims waved green Islamic flags with white crescents, before stopping … Continue reading Bosnians mark “Islam day” on 500th anniversary

Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin on Tuesday said Europe considered its own culture as “superior” and all other cultures as “enemy”. “The Europeans should quit seeing themselves the higher culture and get to know the Islam better,” Aydin told a “High-level Conference on Tolerance and Non-discrimination” of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Astana, Kazakhstan. Aydin said the Western world was under heavy influence of islamophobia, which he said needed urgent counter-action. “European politicians used islamophobia as a political chip at times of elections to get more votes. Unless urgent action is taken today, the world … Continue reading Turkish Minister says Europe sees other cultures “enemy”

The Challenges of Islamist Ideology to America’s Founding Principles Published on June 29, 2010 by Michael Nazir-Ali Abstract: What challenges does Islamism pose domestically to the core principles of Western plural societies, particularly the United States? Although Islamist rhetoric is sharp and polarizing, many of these tenets have been derived from classical Islamic sources, and Islamists reject any interpretations of them offered by “reform-minded” or “moderate” Muslims. Western European and British experiences point to potential areas of friction in public life. Specifically of note are the following Islamist tenets as they relate to specific core principles of Western legal and … Continue reading Challenges of Islamist Ideology to America’s Founding Principles?

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The Russians have spy rings. We have trooping the colour This nostalgic yarn shows how security services, like the armed forces, are struggling to find a new role in a changed world Simon Jenkins guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 21.30 BST Article history What a laugh we have all had at the Russians’ expense. They have apparently been caught red-handed spying on America, with secret agents, passwords, codes, woodland drops and invisible ink. At a London breakfast today addressed by Sir John Sawers, head of the Secret Intelligence Service, the assembled top brass were full of beans. They do things … Continue reading Russians have spy rings. We have Mr Bean!

To Kill a Mockingbird: the backlash The backlash against Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is as inevitable as it is stupid. It’s payback for her being so reclusive Hadley Freeman guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 20.30 BST Article history Mary Badham and Gregory Peck in the 1962 film of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/UIHey, England soccerball fans, turn those frowns upside down! This summer isn’t a total washout. Sure your boys might have lost both their pants and their game thingummyjig but the best is yet to come, something that will absolutely have you rehanging your … Continue reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: the backlash

VIEW: Decapitation is no solution either —Daud Khattak Those destroying the peace of the land and killing innocent people must be dealt with an iron hand, but it is also necessary to review why their might is increasing day by day despite the use of immense force against them The continued military operations against the Taliban, their supporters and al Qaeda elements are regularly shifting from one area to another over the past few years (mostly in the lawless tribal zone), but a complete victory against the militants still seems to be a far cry, as they continuously change positions … Continue reading Decapitation is no solution either

WASHINGTON DIARY: APPNA: a reflection of ideological variations —Dr Manzur Ejaz Pakistani-American physicians working in rural or far-flung areas are the backbone of APPNA. The physicians and their families, cut-off from the major cities and centres of the Pakistani community, take solace in this annual gathering The Association of Pakistani Physicians in North America (APPNA), the largest, richest and seemingly most influential organisation of Pakistani-Americans, is holding its annual conference in the first week of July. In some circles, its role is controversial because of its leadership’s close links with Pakistan’s ruling elite. However, it has evolved from a pro-government … Continue reading APPNA: a reflection of ideological variations

VIEW: Remembering Rachel Corrie —Ishrat Saleem In many ways, I feel, we are like Tarlochan Singh, whose religion lied in his turban and underwear. Our religion is hijab or beard, or complete segregation of sexes One of ships in the Turkish flotilla carrying aid for Gaza was named ‘Rachel Corrie’, after the 23-year old American peace activist who was martyred on March 16, 2003, when she tried to prevent an advancing Israeli bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian home by standing in front of it, as part of non-violent resistance by International Solidarity Movement activists. The Israeli Defence Forces fulfilled her … Continue reading Rachel Corrie