Germans mark fall of wall, Palestinians lament 'apartheid' wallIsrael's wall remains 20 years after Berlin Wall
Local and international peace activists stand on a concrete block of Israel's controversial wall
DUBAI (Al Arabiya)
As Germany marked the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Palestinians lamented the rise of Israel's "apartheid" wall by breaching the concrete barrier on Monday near the West Bank city of Ramallah. Some 100 protestors, waving Palestinian flags, broke through near the Qalandiya military checkpoint and set fire to tires as Israeli forces opened fire, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported. The protesters were said to be wearing fluorescent jackets that read "We are going to Jerusalem" in a bid to get the worlds attention about the hypocrisy of celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall when Israel still kept its wall around the Palestinian people.
The images of Palestinians breaching the wall were almost identical of the images of the historic night when East Berliners trapped behind the 3.6 meter (12 feet) high concrete barrier rushed checkpoints to force it open, which have dominated German television and newspaper coverage for the past week.In Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the courage of East Germans as leaders converged on the German capital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of an event which marked the end of the Cold War."The night of Nov. 9, 1989 was the fulfillment of a dream," Merkel said in a speech in Berlin. "Many played a role. But it would not have been possible without the courage of the people in the former East Germany."Perhaps the Palestinian people should take a page out of the German people's book.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saudis say pick up communications in Farsi among rebelsYemen rebels post alleged Saudi prisoner video
The military identity card posted by the Houthi rebels
DUBAI (Al Arabiya)
Yemeni rebels on Monday posted footage of a man they identified as one of several Saudi soldiers in their custody as Riyadh continued its offensive against the Shiite insurgents.Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on the northern Yemeni rebels last week after they crossed the border and said they had seized an area called Jabal al-Dukhan. On Friday, the rebels said they had captured several Saudi soldiers.The video showed a man in military uniform with facial wounds and an apparent leg injury receiving medical attention. It identified him as Staff Sergeant Ahmad Abdullah al-Omari.
They also posted a picture of a military identity card carrying Omari's name but the photograph alongside it showed little resemblance to the man in the video.Saudi Arabia has said four soldiers were missing, but denied they had been taken prisoner. The rebels have not said how many soldiers are in their hands.
Important documents
In the meantime, one of the Saudi soldiers reported missing returned to the kingdom on Monday with important maps and other military documents.The Saudi forces said they have also reported picking up communications in Farsi language among the rebels.The kingdom said on Sunday it had regained control of territory seized by the rebels.The world's top oil exporter has become increasingly anxious about instability in Yemen, which, as well as the Shiite insurgency in the north, faces separatist sentiment in the south and a growing threat from resurgent al-Qaeda fighters.In the past few weeks Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of allowing Yemeni forces to use its territory as a base to launch attacks against them, but the kingdom has denied the allegation. The rebels, referred to as Houthis after the clan of their leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, first took up arms against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government in 2004, citing political, economic and religious marginalization by the Western-backed administration.The conflict intensified in August when Yemen's army launched Operation Scorched Earth to crush the rebels.Aid groups, which have been given limited access to the northern provinces, say up to 150,000 people have fled their homes since 2004
The military identity card posted by the Houthi rebels
DUBAI (Al Arabiya)
Yemeni rebels on Monday posted footage of a man they identified as one of several Saudi soldiers in their custody as Riyadh continued its offensive against the Shiite insurgents.Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on the northern Yemeni rebels last week after they crossed the border and said they had seized an area called Jabal al-Dukhan. On Friday, the rebels said they had captured several Saudi soldiers.The video showed a man in military uniform with facial wounds and an apparent leg injury receiving medical attention. It identified him as Staff Sergeant Ahmad Abdullah al-Omari.
They also posted a picture of a military identity card carrying Omari's name but the photograph alongside it showed little resemblance to the man in the video.Saudi Arabia has said four soldiers were missing, but denied they had been taken prisoner. The rebels have not said how many soldiers are in their hands.
Important documents
In the meantime, one of the Saudi soldiers reported missing returned to the kingdom on Monday with important maps and other military documents.The Saudi forces said they have also reported picking up communications in Farsi language among the rebels.The kingdom said on Sunday it had regained control of territory seized by the rebels.The world's top oil exporter has become increasingly anxious about instability in Yemen, which, as well as the Shiite insurgency in the north, faces separatist sentiment in the south and a growing threat from resurgent al-Qaeda fighters.In the past few weeks Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of allowing Yemeni forces to use its territory as a base to launch attacks against them, but the kingdom has denied the allegation. The rebels, referred to as Houthis after the clan of their leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, first took up arms against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government in 2004, citing political, economic and religious marginalization by the Western-backed administration.The conflict intensified in August when Yemen's army launched Operation Scorched Earth to crush the rebels.Aid groups, which have been given limited access to the northern provinces, say up to 150,000 people have fled their homes since 2004
King Abdullah to Israel: Don't play with fire
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:28:28 GMT
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Jordan's King Abdullah
Last month, Jordan warned that the provocative Israeli acts in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound could "fuel violence in the region and jeopardize peace efforts." "Any further provocative attempts by Israeli troops and Jewish extremists, such as what happened today in the shrine's compound, represents a flagrant violation of international law and conventions and sets the stage for more tension and acts of violence," said Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communication Nabil Sharif, in a statement. Hamas Political Leader Khalid Meshaal said in October that Israel plans to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in an effort to build a new temple in its place. Under a 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Tel Aviv, Israel acknowledged Amman's right to be in control of all matters relating to the historical compound
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:28:28 GMT
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Jordan's King Abdullah
Last month, Jordan warned that the provocative Israeli acts in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound could "fuel violence in the region and jeopardize peace efforts." "Any further provocative attempts by Israeli troops and Jewish extremists, such as what happened today in the shrine's compound, represents a flagrant violation of international law and conventions and sets the stage for more tension and acts of violence," said Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communication Nabil Sharif, in a statement. Hamas Political Leader Khalid Meshaal said in October that Israel plans to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in an effort to build a new temple in its place. Under a 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Tel Aviv, Israel acknowledged Amman's right to be in control of all matters relating to the historical compound
Obama: US military presence serves Japan
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:03:17 GMT
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The US Marine Corps Futenma Air Base is located in the populated city of Ginowan.
US President Barack Obama, who is due to travel to Japan this week, says the presence of US military bases in the country is in the interest of the nation. Obama said he thinks the new center-left government in Japan will continue with a 2006 military deal with the US after reviewing the agreement. "I'm confident that once the review is completed they will conclude that the alliance that we have … serves the interests of Japan and that they will continue," Obama said Tuesday. Under the 2006 accord, the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Base would be closed, but its air operations moved to an alternative site to be built on the southern island of Okinawa by 2014 in the coastal Camp Schwab area. The US leader, however, accepted that the new government wanted to review aspects of their security alliance. "I think that it is perfectly appropriate for the new government to want to reexamine how to move forward in a new environment," Obama said in an interview with broadcaster NHK. Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads with each other over the presence of US military forces in the country after the new Japanese government took power in September. Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who has pledged a less subservient relationship with the US says his government may want the base moved off the island or even out of the country. Washington has about 47,000 troops based in Japan, more than half of them on Okinawa. Local residents have been angered by crimes committed by US service personnel as well as the risk of accidents. In 1995, rape of a schoolgirl by three US servicemen infuriated residents of Okinawa. Demands to close the base on safety grounds grew when a US helicopter crashed in the grounds of a local university in 2004. Last Sunday, some 21,000 Okinawan residents protested against the presence of the US military base.
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:03:17 GMT
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The US Marine Corps Futenma Air Base is located in the populated city of Ginowan.
US President Barack Obama, who is due to travel to Japan this week, says the presence of US military bases in the country is in the interest of the nation. Obama said he thinks the new center-left government in Japan will continue with a 2006 military deal with the US after reviewing the agreement. "I'm confident that once the review is completed they will conclude that the alliance that we have … serves the interests of Japan and that they will continue," Obama said Tuesday. Under the 2006 accord, the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Base would be closed, but its air operations moved to an alternative site to be built on the southern island of Okinawa by 2014 in the coastal Camp Schwab area. The US leader, however, accepted that the new government wanted to review aspects of their security alliance. "I think that it is perfectly appropriate for the new government to want to reexamine how to move forward in a new environment," Obama said in an interview with broadcaster NHK. Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads with each other over the presence of US military forces in the country after the new Japanese government took power in September. Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who has pledged a less subservient relationship with the US says his government may want the base moved off the island or even out of the country. Washington has about 47,000 troops based in Japan, more than half of them on Okinawa. Local residents have been angered by crimes committed by US service personnel as well as the risk of accidents. In 1995, rape of a schoolgirl by three US servicemen infuriated residents of Okinawa. Demands to close the base on safety grounds grew when a US helicopter crashed in the grounds of a local university in 2004. Last Sunday, some 21,000 Okinawan residents protested against the presence of the US military base.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Cultivating For Hajj | |||
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“This is my third time to go on hajj,” the 68-year-old told IslamOnline.net on Saturday, November 7. He is preparing to go with his wife to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia for the spiritual trip. “We farm and sell our produce to collect money for hajj.” More than 20,000 Russian Muslims will go on hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, this year. The first batch of the Russian pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia on November 4. Russian preparations are in full swing for the soul-searching journey. “Religious authorities have begun giving lessons to the pilgrims about hajj ahead of their travel to the holy lands,” said Roshan Abassov of the Religious Board of Muslims in European part of Russia. He said the Board is also cooperating with travel agencies to provide religious guides for the pilgrims. “We are coordinating with the agencies to provide a group of religious guides to help the pilgrims perform the ritual.” Every able-bodied adult Muslim -- who can financially afford the trip -- must perform hajj once in their lifetime. Around three million pilgrims from over 160 countries are expected to perform hajj this year, which is expected to climax on November 26, when the faithful descend the Mount `Arafat. Dream Comes True The elder Muslim recalls his first time he went on the spiritual journey. “Hajj was a far-fetching dream,” Mouradov said. “I had never imagined that I would be able one day to visit this holy place as the Communists have deprived us from everything, even prayers.” Muslims suffered repression under the Soviet Union, which banned the visible practice of all religions. Under the Soviet rule, a few number of Muslims were able to get their hajj dream fulfilled. “But now the dream has come true,” said Mouradov. Islam is in a state of revival in Russia after years of suppression. There are nearly 4,000 mosques in the country. Muslim halal food and Islamic dresses have emerged in the capital Moscow, which saw earlier this month the opening of the first Muslim hospital in federal Russia. The government has also set up a $60 million fund to support Islamic culture, science and education, part of which is designated for state-accredited Muslim schools and universities. Russia has a sizable Muslim minority of around 23 million people representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million population. Islam is Russia's second-largest religion |
US Muslims Condemn Fort Hood Attack, Fear Backlash | |||||
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“We make it clearly that the American Muslim community condemns the attack in the strongest possible words,” Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American Muslim Relations (CAIR), told IslamOnline.net. "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence.” “The incident is horrific,” said imam Shaker Elsayyed, of Dar Al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, Virginia. “This is a very unfortunate incident and we feel it is very sad that it took the lives of those who protect us and our country,” added Khaled Iqbal, deputy director of ADAMS Islamic center in Virginia. Hasan, who was born in the US to Palestinian parents, was shot and taken into custody after the attack. During his army service, he counseled many US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder. Having counseled the traumatized soldiers, Hasan, who was to be deployed to Iraq this month, knew all too well the terrifying realities of the war. “We are deeply shocked of the random killing of service people and civilians who protect us and our country and we are sending our condolences to all families of the victims,” said Ibrahim Ramey of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation. “We think it is tragic and we condemn it. There is nothing in Islam that tolerates violence.” Backlash
“We reject the idea that this incident is motivated by a terrorist ideology of a religious community, which is Islam,” asserted Ramey. He fears that there would be a possible backlash reaction for the incident and the Muslim community will bear the brunt of it. “We are deeply concerned about that. We ask the government to stand vigilant and protect the community.” The anti-Muslim reaction for the Fort Hood rampage emerged fast in Texas. "Jihad at Fort Hood?" read the headline of a post on the Jihad Watch blog, just moments after Hasan was identified as the perpetrator of the attack. The Arab-American Institute said it received one threatening call from an unidentified male, shortly after reports of the incident surfaced, and the group, which condemned the attack, said it was expecting more. CAIR scheduled a Capitol Hill news conference Thursday night to urge calm and said it would be announcing publicly any threats they receive as they occurred - in hopes of dissuading people from making them in the first place. “We are urging the community leaders to take extra precautions to protect their families and institutions from a possible backlash,” Awad, CAIR Executive Director, said. American Muslims, estimated at between six to seven million, have been in the eye of storm since the 9/11 attacks, having their faith widely stereotyped and their civil rights eroded by anti-terror laws. “We are also calling for calm and unity,” Award urged. “We urge national political and leaders and media professionals to help setting that tone in a time of crisis. |
Islamic Banks Weather Global Crisis | ||
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"A conservative approach to risk and close links between the financial sector and real assets has helped shield the sector from the worst of the credit crisis," Brian Caplen, editor of the Banker Magazine, said in the study cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The study, commissioned by the London-based magazine and a unit of HSBC Bank, said Islamic finance institutions have overcome the crisis that harshly hit conventional banks. A financial firestorm swept the US and the world in September 2008, after the demise of Lehman Brothers, one of the Wall Street giants. It has knocked down many major companies worldwide, causing mounting job losses, falling household wealth and forcing consumers to hold back on spending. The study attributes success of the Islamic banks to rules that forbid investing in collateralized debt obligations and other toxic assets that caused the financial crisis. The rules of Islamic banking and finance read like a how-to guide on avoiding the kind of disaster that is currently gripping world markets. Islam forbids Muslims from usury, receiving or paying interest on loans. Transactions by Islamic banks must be backed by real assets -- not shady repackaged subprime mortgages. Shari`ah-compliant financing deals resemble lease-to-own arrangements, layaway plans, joint purchase and sale agreements, or partnerships. Investors have a right to know how their funds are being used, and the sector is overseen by dedicated supervisory boards as well as the usual national regulatory authorities. Booming Due to its safety, the Islamic finance industry is building a “solid track record," on the global market, the study says. “At the moment there is a great demand for capital guaranteed or capital secured products," David Dew, Deputy CEO of HSBC Amanah, told Reuters. The study notes that assets held by Shari`ah-compliant banks or the Islamic units of conventional banks rose by 28.6 percent to 822 billion dollars in 2009, up from 639 billion dollars in 2008. This contrasts sharply with the stagnation in the conventional banking sector. A Banker's survey of the top 1,000 world banks published in July showed annual asset growth of just 6.8 percent. Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global financial industry. Starting almost three decades ago, the Islamic banking industry has made substantial growth and attracted the attention of investors and bankers across the world. A long list of international institutions, including Citigroup, HSBC and Deutsche Bank, are going into the Islamic banking business. Currently, there are nearly 300 Islamic banks and financial institutions worldwide whose assets are predicted to grow to $1 trillion by 2013 |
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