Times Online, SNP candidate praised radical Muslim as ‘preacher of peace’, 12 Nov 09, "Mr Awlaki, 38, who on his blog described Major Hasan as “a hero”, has been a regular visitor to Britain and delivers frequent lectures to audiences here by video or via the internet.
"Counter-terrorism sources said last night that Mr Awlaki was barred from entering Britain on security grounds, while the anti-extremist Quilliam Foundation said that he was “perhaps the most influential pro-jihadist ideologue preaching in English today”."
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Fort Hood Updates
Washington Post, Authorities scrutinize links between Fort Hood suspect, imam said to back al-Qaeda, 9 Nov 09 "Federal investigators are examining possible links between Fort Hood shooting suspect Maj. Nidal M. Hasan and an American-born imam who U.S. authorities say has become a supporter and leading promoter of al-Qaeda since leaving a Northern Virginia mosque, officials said. "
Monday, November 09, 2009
al-Watan Hacked
alarabiya.net, Saudi newspaper al-Watan website hacked, 7 Nov 09 "The website of the Saudi based newspaper al-Watan was hacked early Saturday by suspected supporters of a leading cleric who was recently sacked from the kingdom’s Council of Senior Clerics board.
"After the newspaper’s website was compromised, the hackers placed a picture of Sheikh Saad bin Nasser al-Shithri on its front page along with a statement denouncing the defamation of Muslim scholars."
"After the newspaper’s website was compromised, the hackers placed a picture of Sheikh Saad bin Nasser al-Shithri on its front page along with a statement denouncing the defamation of Muslim scholars."
Saudi Arabia and Facebook
alarabiya.net, Saudi religious police launch Facebook group "A group of Saudi's launched a group on a popular social networking website called The Facebook Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and have so far to attracted more than 500 members.
"The group, named after the kingdom's Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice also known as the religious police, aims to introduce people to the religious police, the London-based al-Hayat reported Friday."
"The group, named after the kingdom's Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice also known as the religious police, aims to introduce people to the religious police, the London-based al-Hayat reported Friday."
Malaysia IT
star-techcentral.com, Choose local IT solutions, govt agencies told "All government agencies will soon be required to use local software and solutions whenever possible.
"The move is to give Malaysian ICT (information and communications technology) companies a chance to flourish in the local market and strengthen their products before pushing into global markets."
Also see star-techcentral.com, Three new MSC Malaysia cybercentres to be developed "Three new locations in the Klang Valley will be developed into MSC Malaysia cybercentres — the Persoft Tower in Petaling Jaya, as well as GTower and Bangsar South City in Kuala Lumpur.
"Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, chief executive officer of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), said the new locations are to provide more variety and choice to companies and organisations looking to be part of the MSC Malaysia initiative.
"The move is to give Malaysian ICT (information and communications technology) companies a chance to flourish in the local market and strengthen their products before pushing into global markets."
Also see star-techcentral.com, Three new MSC Malaysia cybercentres to be developed "Three new locations in the Klang Valley will be developed into MSC Malaysia cybercentres — the Persoft Tower in Petaling Jaya, as well as GTower and Bangsar South City in Kuala Lumpur.
"Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, chief executive officer of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), said the new locations are to provide more variety and choice to companies and organisations looking to be part of the MSC Malaysia initiative.
Najibullah Zazi
The Sun, Brit spies foil 9/11 New York raid No2, 9 Nov 09 "Thousands of New Yorkers could have been at risk from a US subway blitz. Zazi, of Denver, Colorado, is alleged to have been given instructions through the internet by a senior al-Qaeda figure in Pakistan.
"But the Yard's counter-terrorism branch was monitoring an email address uncovered in April's abortive Operation Pathway probe into an alleged UK terror cell."
"But the Yard's counter-terrorism branch was monitoring an email address uncovered in April's abortive Operation Pathway probe into an alleged UK terror cell."
Fatma Riahi
aljazeera.net, Tunisian blogger detained, 7 Nov 09 "A Tunisian blogger and drama teacher, Fatma Riahi, known online as Arabicca, has been arrested by the country's police, Al Jazeera has learned."
The photo above comes from Facebook, Free Arabicca
Also picked up by LA Times, TUNISIA: Online activists rally to free fellow blogger Fatma Riahi [Updated], 7 Nov "Fatma Riahi was released Saturday morning, according to a statement posted on the Facebook page and blog devoted to her release.
"The statement said Riahi was in good health but was still in danger of being re-arrested."
Maldives
Ahmed Naish, minivannews.com, Maldivian featured in al-Qaeda video, 8 Nov 2009 "A video clip of a Maldivian man, who went to Pakistan for Jihad and was reportedly killed in a suicide attack in Lahore, has surfaced on the internet.
"In the clip, Ali Jaleel (Mus’ab Sayyid), 30, from H. Moscowge in the capital Male’ says he wants to wage Jihad and die a martyr.
"“I want my blood to be the bit of carpet which the Mujahideen are taking from their blood. The red carpet which would take the Ummah to its glory...So I want to be among that caravan so that I can be a brick upon which Islam will stand,”"
"In the clip, Ali Jaleel (Mus’ab Sayyid), 30, from H. Moscowge in the capital Male’ says he wants to wage Jihad and die a martyr.
"“I want my blood to be the bit of carpet which the Mujahideen are taking from their blood. The red carpet which would take the Ummah to its glory...So I want to be among that caravan so that I can be a brick upon which Islam will stand,”"
Commentary on Islam Q&A - Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid
Tarek Fatah, National Post, Spreading intolerance, one fatwa at a time, 9 Nov 09 "Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid is a well-known Saudi cleric who has a large following in Canada and the West. Like other so-called Islamic scholars, he maintains an active presence on the Internet, which he uses as a platform to tell young Muslim men and women how to lead proper Islamic lives. His Saudi-based Islamic web portal, Islam Q& A, caters to Muslim youth not just in English, but Mandarin, Cantonese, Turkish, Urdu, French, Spanish, Russian, Uyghur and of course Arabic."
Refers to the Islam Q&A site, which I have discussed in iMuslims and other work.
Refers to the Islam Q&A site, which I have discussed in iMuslims and other work.
Fort Hood Shooting - Nidal Malik Hasan
Observer, Fort Hood massacre investigators focus on suspect's internet activity: Computers belonging to army major examined as chief of staff warns against anti‑Muslim backlash, 8 Nov 09 "Detectives from the FBI and the US military's internal police force have taken away for forensic examination the computer used by Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who is now in a coma having been shot in the gun rampage on Thursday. They have also seized a computer that he often used in a neighbour's house.
"They hope that by tracing Hasan's internet activities, including postings and conversations that may have been erased before the killing spree, they can gain some insight into his actions."
Also see Naveed Ali Shah, washingtonpost.com, In Iraq, the Ft. Hood attack hit home, 8 Nov 09 interesting article: Naveed Ali Shah also has a blog: aCitizenSoldier
TechCrunch, NSFW: After Fort Hood, another example of how ‘citizen journalists’ can’t handle the truth, 7 Nov 09 op-ed
"They hope that by tracing Hasan's internet activities, including postings and conversations that may have been erased before the killing spree, they can gain some insight into his actions."
Also see Naveed Ali Shah, washingtonpost.com, In Iraq, the Ft. Hood attack hit home, 8 Nov 09 interesting article: Naveed Ali Shah also has a blog: aCitizenSoldier
TechCrunch, NSFW: After Fort Hood, another example of how ‘citizen journalists’ can’t handle the truth, 7 Nov 09 op-ed
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
Fort Hood Shooting - Nidal Malik Hasan
Guardian, Fort Hood gunman shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as he opened fire, 6 No v09
"Family and fellow officers said Hasan had complained of harassment by other troops about his Middle Eastern ethnicity and Muslim faith.
"The FBI was last night going through Hasan's phone and computer records to see if a motive could be identified. Agents were checking back on website postings by a man who identified himself as Nidal Hasan that appeared sympathetic to suicide bombings."
Times Online, Web post by Fort Hood gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan could shed light on motives, 6 Nov 09, "Investigators trying to understand why a US army psychiatrist launched into a shooting spree on a military base in Texas will be poring over an internet posting he is thought to have made comparing the sacrifice of Islamist suicide bombers and American military heroes."
Obviously, this event has been picked up by various jihadi oriented sites, which I'm looking at at present.
"Family and fellow officers said Hasan had complained of harassment by other troops about his Middle Eastern ethnicity and Muslim faith.
"The FBI was last night going through Hasan's phone and computer records to see if a motive could be identified. Agents were checking back on website postings by a man who identified himself as Nidal Hasan that appeared sympathetic to suicide bombings."
Times Online, Web post by Fort Hood gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan could shed light on motives, 6 Nov 09, "Investigators trying to understand why a US army psychiatrist launched into a shooting spree on a military base in Texas will be poring over an internet posting he is thought to have made comparing the sacrifice of Islamist suicide bombers and American military heroes."
Obviously, this event has been picked up by various jihadi oriented sites, which I'm looking at at present.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
As7ab
Ghaith, arabcrunch.com Yahoo!Maktoob’s Launches Workplace and University Friend Finder Alert for its Arabic Social Network “As7ab”, 4 Nov 09 "As7ab which means Friends in Arabic is one of first Arabic social networks owned now by Yahoo! Maktoob, the social network was launched around 2 years ago by Maktoob, since then it has been adding features gradually."
See As7ab for more
Napoleon TV
Mona Moussly, alarabiya.net, Mutah Beale launches TV show to present "true Islam": US rapper to expose "media lies" about Islam, 04 November 2009
"Islam is backward, breeds terrorists and suppresses women, are just some of the lies the media promotes about Islam, says American rapper and convert to Islam Mutah Beale, who is set to launch a TV show next month to counter the negative stereotypes about Muslims.
"Beale, who shot to fame as a member of the "Outlawz" formed by hip hop legend Tupac Shakur, is set to launch Napoleon TV on Dec. 1 to introduce people to the "true" Islam and counter what he terms "media lies about Islam." "
"Islam is backward, breeds terrorists and suppresses women, are just some of the lies the media promotes about Islam, says American rapper and convert to Islam Mutah Beale, who is set to launch a TV show next month to counter the negative stereotypes about Muslims.
"Beale, who shot to fame as a member of the "Outlawz" formed by hip hop legend Tupac Shakur, is set to launch Napoleon TV on Dec. 1 to introduce people to the "true" Islam and counter what he terms "media lies about Islam." "
Iran protests: update
# Ian Black and Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Guardian, Iran protesters hijack 30th anniversary of US embassy seizure: Pro-Mousavi demonstrators are met with militia violence after taking to the streets against Ahmadinejad regime, 4 Nov 09 "Video footage on the internet showed supporters of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, who claims he won the presidential race, stamping on images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, and denouncing him as a "murderer". Others criticised the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Many wore wearing green scarves, ribbons or wristbands."
YouTube, Iran Tehran 4 Nov 09 Shariati St Seyed Khandan Protest P37
Also see Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press, Rival marches in Iran mark U.S. hostage anniversary: Opponents defied threats to protest as supporters praised the 1979 revolution, 4 Nov 09
Jillian York, ONI, Is Iran Cracking Down On the Internet Again?, 4 Nov 09
YouTube, Iran Tehran 4 Nov 09 Shariati St Seyed Khandan Protest P37
Also see Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press, Rival marches in Iran mark U.S. hostage anniversary: Opponents defied threats to protest as supporters praised the 1979 revolution, 4 Nov 09
Jillian York, ONI, Is Iran Cracking Down On the Internet Again?, 4 Nov 09
Egypt cellphones
Joseph Mayton, bikyamasr.com, Egypt: Is the government getting your personal information?, 30 Oct 09 "When Rashad Mahmood’s mobile phone stopped working earlier this month, it came as a surprise. But when a text message was sent asking him to update his personal information with Vodofone Egypt, he was confused. The staff writer for Business Monthly – a publication run through the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt – didn’t know what was going on."
AQAP
AFP, Qaeda blasts Saudi king over mixed university: SITE, 5 Nov 09 "Ibrahim al-Rubaish, a Saudi member of Al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), said in an audio message posted on the internet that the new King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, where post-graduate science students and researchers will work together, violated Islamic shariah law."
Qur'an resources
baltimoresun.com, Walters Art Museum puts Islamic texts online for all; Digitization revolutionizes scholarship, experts say
"In a quiet, windowless room deep inside the Walters Art Museum, a digitization specialist places a 900-year-old Quran into the cradle of the Stokes Imaging System.
"She turns a page, lowers a wedge to hold the book in place, and snaps a picture."
I'm looking for a direct link to this, and will update when I receive info. The Walters Art Museum's general page is here
"In a quiet, windowless room deep inside the Walters Art Museum, a digitization specialist places a 900-year-old Quran into the cradle of the Stokes Imaging System.
"She turns a page, lowers a wedge to hold the book in place, and snaps a picture."
I'm looking for a direct link to this, and will update when I receive info. The Walters Art Museum's general page is here
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Commentary: al-Qaradawi and 'Fiqh al-Jihad'
Nelly Lahoud, Qaradawi on Jihad this is the first of a three parter available on jihadica.com "Youssef al-Qaradawi’s recent book Fiqh al-Jihad (Jurisprudential Reasoning and Jihad), excerpts of which are available here, has received considerable attention in the Arabic press and for good reason. Al-Qaradawi commands significant influence among Sunni Muslims in the Arab world and beyond, not least because he reaches a wider audience through his television shows on al-Jazeera (”Huda al-Islam” and “al-Shari‘a wa-al-Hayat”) and his two websites, one dedicated to his work, the other, Islamonline, designed to serve as a news service about the Muslim world, a religious guide to Muslims and a window to the Islamic faith and civilization to non-Muslims."
I haven't read this closely yet, but it looks useful. The article links through to the other two sections.
I haven't read this closely yet, but it looks useful. The article links through to the other two sections.
Commentary on aQ
Leah Farrall, All Things Counter Terrorism, Al Qaeda’s As Sahaab brand value slipping? is commented on at Internet Hagahan, Whither the as-Sahab brand? [thread picked up at jihadica.com]
Saudi Arabia
Yves Gonzalez-Quijano, saudiwave.com, Sex and the Arab City : les vents du changement soufflent dans le monde arabe, 2 Nov 09, "A voir le nombre de commentaires qu’elle a suscités sur le Net, la vie sexuelle des Arabes, en particulier en Arabie saoudite, est un sujet qui passionne ! Rappel pour ceux qui n’ont pas suivi cette affaire: en juillet dernier, un Saoudien a eu la malheureuse idée de faire état de ses aventures galantes dans le cadre de « Ligne rouge » (الخط الأحمر), une émission tapageuse – et à succès – de la chaîne libanaise LBC (contrôlée par le milliardaire saoudien Al-Waleed Ibn Talal)."
Malaysians go shopping online
Star, Malaysians still big on online shopping, 3 Nov 09, "Despite the weakened economy, Malaysians are entering into the festive spirit, with 6 in 10 shoppers expected to spend more or the same amount during the upcoming holiday season, as compared to last year."
Phone code in Egypt
BBC News, Egypt seeks ethical mobile users, 29 Oct 09 "A code of ethics for the use of mobile phones has been launched by Egypt's official telecoms regulatory body.
"The 16-point guide includes advice about when to switch phones off and warns against annoying others with ringtones and loud conversations."
No specific references to religion in this guide.
"The 16-point guide includes advice about when to switch phones off and warns against annoying others with ringtones and loud conversations."
No specific references to religion in this guide.
'Love Jihad' update
hindustantimes.com, 'Love Jihad' a mis-information campaign, say Muslim outfits, 2 Nov 09, "Muslim outfits in Kerala today said the 'Love Jihad', where girls from other religious background are allegedly lured to marriage and converted to Islam, is a "malicious-and mis-information campaign" by Sangh Parivar outfits."
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
The Australian, ASIO busy fending hostile cyber probes, 28 Oct 09
"A sharp increase in cyber attacks including internet probes by "hostile foreign intelligence services" marked the busiest year since 2005 for the country's peak security service, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
"ASIO's annual report to federal parliament released yesterday, cited "new layers of complexity" to the standard fare of terrorism threats, espionage and foreign interference.
"The most serious national security challenge in 2008-09 was the thwarting by ASIO of an alleged plan by Melbourne-based Islamic extremists for an armed suicide assault on an Australian Defence Force facility, the report said."
"A sharp increase in cyber attacks including internet probes by "hostile foreign intelligence services" marked the busiest year since 2005 for the country's peak security service, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
"ASIO's annual report to federal parliament released yesterday, cited "new layers of complexity" to the standard fare of terrorism threats, espionage and foreign interference.
"The most serious national security challenge in 2008-09 was the thwarting by ASIO of an alleged plan by Melbourne-based Islamic extremists for an armed suicide assault on an Australian Defence Force facility, the report said."
'Ibn Sina' the Robot
AFP/asiaone.com, Robots primed for 'are you being served' role in Arabic, 3 Nov 09 "A laboratory in the UAE has built what it says is the world's first Arabic-speaking robot which could soon go into mass production to serve as staff in shopping malls.
"Ibn Sina, named after the 11th century Islamic philosopher and scientist commonly known in English as Avicenna, was designed by a team at UAE University in the city of Al-Ain, which is part of Abu Dhabi emirate.
""It is the world's first Arabic-speaking conversational humanoid robot," Nikolaos Mavridis, assistant professor of computer science at the university who led the team, told AFP in an interview."
"Ibn Sina, named after the 11th century Islamic philosopher and scientist commonly known in English as Avicenna, was designed by a team at UAE University in the city of Al-Ain, which is part of Abu Dhabi emirate.
""It is the world's first Arabic-speaking conversational humanoid robot," Nikolaos Mavridis, assistant professor of computer science at the university who led the team, told AFP in an interview."
Sada al-Malahem
Al Qaeda calls for home-made bomb attacks in West, 2 Nov 09 "Abu Basir Nasser al-Wahayshi, in an article in the e-magazine Sada al-Malahem, also urged militants to assault secular media figures and columnists who promote the policies of rulers in the world's top oil exporting region.
""You do not need to exert great effort or spend a lot of money to make 10 grams of explosives, more or less. Do not spend a long time searching for materials as they already exist in your mother's kitchen," Wahayshi wrote in the article, posted on an Islamist website on Sunday."
Also see jihadica.com, Magazines and Waq al-Waq.
""You do not need to exert great effort or spend a lot of money to make 10 grams of explosives, more or less. Do not spend a long time searching for materials as they already exist in your mother's kitchen," Wahayshi wrote in the article, posted on an Islamist website on Sunday."
Also see jihadica.com, Magazines and Waq al-Waq.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Hossein Derakhshan: update/reminder
Robert Mackey, The Lede, News of Iran’s Detained ‘Blogfather’, 23 Oct 09 "After a long silence, there is suddenly news on the fate of Hossein Derakhshan, an influential Iranian blogger with Canadian citizenship who was detained in Tehran almost a year ago."
ICANN IDN non-Latin characters
ICANN, ICANN Bringing the Languages of the World to the Global Internet, Fast Track Process for Internationalized Domain Names Launches Nov 16, 30 Oct 09 "The first Internet addresses containing non-Latin characters from start to finish will soon be online thanks to today's approval of the new Internationalized Domain Name Fast Track Process by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers board.
""The coming introduction of non-Latin characters represents the biggest technical change to the Internet since it was created four decades ago," said ICANN chairman Peter Dengate Thrush. "Right now Internet address endings are limited to Latin characters – A to Z. But the Fast Track Process is the first step in bringing the 100,000 characters of the languages of the world online for domain names.""
See Paul Suarez, pcworld.com, ICANN OKs International Domains: The Pros and Cons, Nov 1, 2009
"ICANN's approval of non-Latin character domains undoubtedly is a game-changing decision in the history of the World Wide Web. With scheduled [sic] to start popping up in the middle of next year, many people are debating if this digital support for more distinctly international sites balances with potential security threats and fragmentation of the Internet."
Also see the thread on slashdot.org, ICANN Approves Non-Latin ccTLDs
I talk about this is iMuslims and elsewhere, in terms of potential impact in Islamic contexts.
Tiba3a
Gaith, arabcrunch.com, Tiba3a: Unleashing the Beauty of Arabic on the Web, 26 Oct 09 "No one can deny that Arabic is one of the best looking written languages out there, it’s considered a highly sophisticated art form in addition of it being a communication medium.
"Yet the amount of Arabic fonts that are available on Windows, Mac, Linux and the Web is very few. This problem was a discussion topic about between some of the participants -including me- at BarCamp Lebanon event, we tried to do something to solve this problem, but not much work was done!"
More info: tiba3a.com
'The Arab Knowledge Report 2009'
arabcrunch.com, Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
"HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has launched The Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge during the Arab Strategy Forum. The report is the fruit of a collaborative effort between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme/ Regional Bureau for Arab States."
Gaith has provided an introduction to this report on arabcrunch.com - given it runs to over 300 pages, this is quite helpful, it isn't light reading! I haven't read any of this yet, but will be working through it soon. The full report can be accessed here:
UNDP/Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge takes you to chapter-by-chapter links, or download the full pdf here (1.92MB). These are links to English documentation. Arabic versions are here (تقرير المعرفة العربي للعام 2009)
Research: "Chinese Digital Islam"
Ho Wai-Yip, 'Islamic-Confucian Axis as Transborder Connectivity: Chinese Digital Islam, Middle East & Reimagining the Ummah' Conference paper, taken from 'Transcending Borders: Asian, Middle East, and the Global Community', October 16-17, 2009, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
Here's the first part of the abstract:
"While the predominant focus of the rise of cyber Islamic environments has been on the Middle East and the West, this paper considers the emerging trend of the Chinese-speaking Islamic websites in the midst of growing autonomy of civil social movements as well as the state surveillance, it is argued that the transborder Sino-Islamic digital movements are repositioned in both the foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its domestic politics among 56 local nationalities of China."
I haven't read this paper yet, but clearly it's an under-represented area, with relevance to this blog.
Here's the first part of the abstract:
"While the predominant focus of the rise of cyber Islamic environments has been on the Middle East and the West, this paper considers the emerging trend of the Chinese-speaking Islamic websites in the midst of growing autonomy of civil social movements as well as the state surveillance, it is argued that the transborder Sino-Islamic digital movements are repositioned in both the foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its domestic politics among 56 local nationalities of China."
I haven't read this paper yet, but clearly it's an under-represented area, with relevance to this blog.
vigilancemusulmane.be
euro-islam.info, Belgian Muslim vigilance website launched, 26 Oct 09"Vigilance Musulmane (Muslim Vigilance), a think tank and watch dog group based out of Belgium, has launched a website detailing their work ensuring for proper treatment within the country’s constitution, as well as the neutrality of the State and the separation of religion and politics in the country. The website features news articles on these topics. It is coordinated by Abdelghani Ben Moussa."
Details: vigilancemusulmane.be It could do with some fresh content, however.
Details: vigilancemusulmane.be It could do with some fresh content, however.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Marwa al-Shirbini
Times Online, Fatwa fear as Islamic world watches trial of Alexander W over court killing, 27 Oct 09 "The authorities fear a repetition of the riots against Danish and Scandinavian institutions after the publication of cartoons lampooning the Prophet Muhammad in September 2005.
"The fatwa has been issued by a Sheikh Ihab Adly Abu al-Madjd in a video clip on the internet. He calls on all Muslims in Germany to take vengeance and “receive the award of Allah”."
"The fatwa has been issued by a Sheikh Ihab Adly Abu al-Madjd in a video clip on the internet. He calls on all Muslims in Germany to take vengeance and “receive the award of Allah”."
Monday, October 26, 2009
Opinion piece/commentary
Maloy Krishna Dhar, frontierindia.net, Talibanized Pakistan and threat to regional security, 25 Oct 09 opinion piece (brief ref to iMuslims)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Al Mus’haf - iphoneislam
Gaith, arabcrunch.com, iPhoneIslam Launches Al Mus’haf: A Free iPhone Natural Book Flipping App Using Their iFlipePage Engine, 10 Oct 09 "iPhoneIslam the pioneering iPhone applications startup from Egypt that is best known for Arabizing the iPhone and developing Yahoo!Maktoob’s iPhone Dictionary app, has launched today a stunning free Quran app called ” Al Mushaf ” available on iTunes Store.
"Al Mushaf makes you feel like reading the Quran on a real physical Quran; it gives you a very realistic hands-on experience of flipping a paper-book by simply dragging the pages corner. It also has natural paper behavior and natural page reflection, shadows and realistic paper sound effects."
Details: iphoneislam.com
I'm going to write something on apps soon - 3G phone reception is poor in my location in Wales, however, which hinders research. Islamic Calendar would be high on my wishlist.
There's also a range of products at Guidedways, such as iPray:
Also see their Qur'an app:
More suggestions to follow.
"Al Mushaf makes you feel like reading the Quran on a real physical Quran; it gives you a very realistic hands-on experience of flipping a paper-book by simply dragging the pages corner. It also has natural paper behavior and natural page reflection, shadows and realistic paper sound effects."
Details: iphoneislam.com
I'm going to write something on apps soon - 3G phone reception is poor in my location in Wales, however, which hinders research. Islamic Calendar would be high on my wishlist.
There's also a range of products at Guidedways, such as iPray:
Also see their Qur'an app:
More suggestions to follow.
Apps
Gaith, arabcrunch.com, An Arab/ Pakistani iPhone Success: After Reaching 1 Million Users, Bandar and Fahed Launches a Dead Simple 2Do App for the iPhone "After Reaching the 1 million user mark, the Arab/Pakistani iPhones duo who won the best User Interface award of 2009, has just launched a new great dead simple 2Do application for iPhone and iPod Touch." cool app
Kzalek
Meedan, Arabic language Twitter client puts right-to-left pickle into the past
"A new Twitter application claims to have made life a lot easier for Arabic speaking users of the hit web service.
"Kzalek helps users write from right-to-left with Arabic and English words combined."
Also see Breaking: Gaith, arabcrunch.com, Kzalek, First Twitter Arabic Desktop App Beta Launched (supports all platforms), Farisi UI Planned, 19 Oct 09 "Few hours ago, Kzalek, founded by Mustafa Farghay from Egypt, launched in beta. Kzalek did not only solve the problem for Mac and Linux users but has a complete Arabic Interface for both platforms, Windows and any platform that can run by Adobe AIR.
"Whats more wonderful, I think that this app has the best Arabic right-to-left (RTL) support."
Also see Saleh Alzaid, twtbase.com, Kzalek
I just tried to locate Kzalek, but it seems to be down at present (it's in Beta, and likely to be suffering server strain). I'll update if I find more.
"A new Twitter application claims to have made life a lot easier for Arabic speaking users of the hit web service.
"Kzalek helps users write from right-to-left with Arabic and English words combined."
Also see Breaking: Gaith, arabcrunch.com, Kzalek, First Twitter Arabic Desktop App Beta Launched (supports all platforms), Farisi UI Planned, 19 Oct 09 "Few hours ago, Kzalek, founded by Mustafa Farghay from Egypt, launched in beta. Kzalek did not only solve the problem for Mac and Linux users but has a complete Arabic Interface for both platforms, Windows and any platform that can run by Adobe AIR.
"Whats more wonderful, I think that this app has the best Arabic right-to-left (RTL) support."
Also see Saleh Alzaid, twtbase.com, Kzalek
I just tried to locate Kzalek, but it seems to be down at present (it's in Beta, and likely to be suffering server strain). I'll update if I find more.
Internet jihad - research
Mark Dubowitz and Larry Footer, National Post, 'Full Comment', "The code is mightier than the sword" "The Long War against radical Islam is a war of ideas as much as a war of arms. Yet, for too long, the incitement and violent propaganda from Internet platforms operated by violent Islamist extremists have gone unnoticed and unanswered.
"Today, such neglect is not an option. As we have been warned by Harry Wingo — a former Navy SEAL who now serves as Google’s Washington, D.C. policy counsel — “the code is mightier than the sword.”
Some themes familiar to regular readers of this blog. For more info on the article's origins, see Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. This would appear to be part of a series.
"Today, such neglect is not an option. As we have been warned by Harry Wingo — a former Navy SEAL who now serves as Google’s Washington, D.C. policy counsel — “the code is mightier than the sword.”
Some themes familiar to regular readers of this blog. For more info on the article's origins, see Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. This would appear to be part of a series.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
IIU attack
pravda.ru, Pakistan Shutters Educational Institutions After Blasts at International Islamic University, 21 Oct 09 "News agencies also report, while Islamic extremists have bombed many foreign and Pakistani institutions in recent years, yesterday's attack was the first at a major university amid the jihadists' battle with the state. The sprawling government-run university has 18,000 students, 1,500 of them foreign."
Guardian, Pakistan suicide attack closes schools and universities, 21 Oct 09
Guardian, Pakistan suicide attack closes schools and universities, 21 Oct 09
Selangor
bernama.com, JAIS Arrests Relative Of Convicted Malay Prophet, 21 Oct 09, "The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) on Wednesday arrested a close relative of the convicted so-called "Malay Prophet" to help in the investigation into dissemination over the Internet and through SMS of the teachings of a deviant Islamic sect led by the "prophet"."
Monday, October 19, 2009
Twitter Palestine
Sara Elghobashy, Elan Magazine, Palestinian Takes Twitter to the Street - Literally, 15 Oct 09, "When Batheos Vloesman and his colleagues began selling street names to raise money for a children’s center in the West Bank, I bet they never anticipated that one of those streets would be named after a Twitter account. For $140, Arjan El Fassed, a Dutch-Palestinian, was able to name a street “@arjanelfassed tweetstreet.” Now his account will possibly be glorified until the end of time."
Twitter Top 10
Farrah Hamid, Elan Magazine, The 10 Best Twitter Accounts Muslims Should Follow, 19 Oct 09 [Tip: Huffington Post] "Check out our list (the first of it’s kind, as far as we can tweet) of the 10 Best Twitter Accounts that Muslims should follow. Our list includes the best of the best - from royals to athletes, to maybe even your Mom."
AK47 prize
Fox News, Al Shabaab Awards AK-47 to Winner of Koran Reciting Competition, 19 Oct 09 "The winner of a Koran recital contest and general knowledge competition organized by Islamist militant group al Shabaab in Somalia was rewarded with an AK-47, two hand grenades, an anti-tank mine, and a computer."
al-Shabaab
alarabiya, Somalia's Shabaab destroy mosque & Sufi grave, 19 Oct 09 "Al-Shabaab, which Washington says is al-Qaeda's proxy in the failed Horn of Africa state, has targeted Sufi holy sites and religious leaders in the past, saying their practices go against the insurgents' strict interpretation of Islamic law."
Tunisia
Middle East Online, Ben Ali campaign goes cyberspace, 19 Oct 09
"The campaign committee of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has launched three websites on the Internet to be distinct spaces for the different activities of the campaign at home and abroad.
"The sites offer room for visitors to know what has been achieved in Tunisia since the Changement that brought Ben Ali to power in 1987, in terms of gains and achievements under his leadership.
"The official website of the election campaign of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is:
www.benali.tn
"The campaign committee of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has launched three websites on the Internet to be distinct spaces for the different activities of the campaign at home and abroad.
"The sites offer room for visitors to know what has been achieved in Tunisia since the Changement that brought Ben Ali to power in 1987, in terms of gains and achievements under his leadership.
"The official website of the election campaign of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is:
www.benali.tn
VEVO
Middle East Online, Abu Dhabi invests in music video site VEVO, 19 Oct 09
"ADMC chairman says deal is part of integrated approach to expanding firm’s global digital presence, brand portfolio."
"ADMC chairman says deal is part of integrated approach to expanding firm’s global digital presence, brand portfolio."
Hamas on the beach
Rory McCarthy, Guardian, Hamas patrols beaches in Gaza to enforce conservative dress code, 18 Oct 09 "This education campaign is called fadeela or virtue, and in part consists of posters distributed across the city. Some advise young people against smoking or taking drugs. Others warn against internet pornography or satellite television: "Be careful. Watching dirty channels corrupts the family and the coming generation." That particular poster lists recommended channels: all are religious and Islamic."
Dagestan
The Sun, Koran boy's skin mystery, 19 Oct 09
"A baby boy has left doctors baffled after passages from the Koran were found on his skin.
"The parents of nine-month-old Ali Yakubov were stunned when the word Allah appeared on his chin soon after his birth.
"A baby boy has left doctors baffled after passages from the Koran were found on his skin.
"The parents of nine-month-old Ali Yakubov were stunned when the word Allah appeared on his chin soon after his birth.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Hajj hotel
Riazat Butt, Guardian, Mecca super-hotel to offer spa, butler and a chocolate room, 15 Oct 09 "Raffles, which gave thirsty wanderers the Singapore Sling, is opening a luxury hotel in Mecca offering pilgrims a coffee sommelier, a chocolate room where chefs will prepare bespoke pralines and truffles, and a 24-hour butler service.
"Undeterred by restrictions on beautifying oneself during the Hajj, the hotel will also have segregated gyms, beauty parlours, grooming salons and a spa."
Non-tech, but interesting story. There's an artist's impression of the new hotel. Not sure if it is subject to planning permission (the hotel seems to overshadow the precincts of Mecca), nor is it clear how its luxurious facilities are justified on other religious grounds.
"Undeterred by restrictions on beautifying oneself during the Hajj, the hotel will also have segregated gyms, beauty parlours, grooming salons and a spa."
Non-tech, but interesting story. There's an artist's impression of the new hotel. Not sure if it is subject to planning permission (the hotel seems to overshadow the precincts of Mecca), nor is it clear how its luxurious facilities are justified on other religious grounds.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Islam4UK
Telegraph, 'Muslims want sharia law in Britain' claim "Radical Muslim group Islam4UK has launched a campaign to impose sharia law on Britain, starting with a rally in London, according to a report.
"Members of the organisation have Muslims from all over Britain to meet in the capital on October 31 for a procession to demand the full implementation of sharia law.
"The demonstration will start at the House of Commons and will then converge on Trafalgar Square."
Also in The Daily Express, Now Muslims demand full sharia law, 15 Oct 09
Islam4UK's website is currently experiencing 'difficulties' (maybe overloaded by Express readers)
"Members of the organisation have Muslims from all over Britain to meet in the capital on October 31 for a procession to demand the full implementation of sharia law.
"The demonstration will start at the House of Commons and will then converge on Trafalgar Square."
Also in The Daily Express, Now Muslims demand full sharia law, 15 Oct 09
Islam4UK's website is currently experiencing 'difficulties' (maybe overloaded by Express readers)
bitterlemons.org
peacenow.org, Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - October 12, 2009 "Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst, co-founder and co-editor of the Israeli-Palestinian internet dialogue bitterlemons.org and Middle East roundtable bitterlemons-international.org. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, and a former senior official with the Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency. His views do not necessarily reflect those of Americans for Peace Now or Peace Now."
Internet rumours in Iran
Damian Thompson, Telegraph, Internet rumour: Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, 'is dead', 15 Oct 09
"Is Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran dead? This is the story being put out this morning by Realite EU, a news service “supported by individuals concerned with the growing threat of Iran and extremism in Europe and the Middle East”. It is unconfirmed and turns out to be based on questionable sources."
One of these is Antimullah
"Is Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran dead? This is the story being put out this morning by Realite EU, a news service “supported by individuals concerned with the growing threat of Iran and extremism in Europe and the Middle East”. It is unconfirmed and turns out to be based on questionable sources."
One of these is Antimullah
"The lonely, dangerous life of Gaza wine-lovers"
AFP, The lonely, dangerous life of Gaza wine-lovers, 14 Oct 09
""I started making my own wine after Hamas took power," says the 40-something civil servant who, like all the other Gaza bootleggers interviewed by AFP, declined to give their real names for fear of being arrested.
""I asked friends how to do it and I did some research on the Internet," he says."
""I started making my own wine after Hamas took power," says the 40-something civil servant who, like all the other Gaza bootleggers interviewed by AFP, declined to give their real names for fear of being arrested.
""I asked friends how to do it and I did some research on the Internet," he says."
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Salma al-Oudah statement: Standing United Against Terrorism & Al-Qaeda
muslimmatters.org, 'Standing United Against Terrorism & Al-Qaeda' – Salman al-Oudah (with Yasir Qadhi, Yaser Birjas, Tawfique Chowdhury), 12 Oct 09 which originated on the Islam Today website "I have persistently called upon our sincere scholars and preachers – and continue to call upon them – to describe things by their proper names, and to disassociate the word "jihād" (a word rich in meaning which is found in our sacred texts) form the activities of those killing organizations which murder innocent people and undermine security in societies around the world – regardless of whether those societies are Muslim or non-Muslim – since carrying out atrocities and targeting civilians is categorically forbidden in Islam."
Milan bombing attempt: web responses
AKI, Italy: Jihadist websites exalt Milan barracks attack, 13 Oct 09
"Extremist websites have lauded Libyan immigrant Mohammed Game's botched bombing of a military barracks in northern Italy - the country's first attempted suicide attack. Police have arrested two people suspected of helping Game in Monday's attack, in which he lost a hand, his eyesight and suffered injuries to his face. An Italian soldier was slightly injured in the attack."
"Extremist websites have lauded Libyan immigrant Mohammed Game's botched bombing of a military barracks in northern Italy - the country's first attempted suicide attack. Police have arrested two people suspected of helping Game in Monday's attack, in which he lost a hand, his eyesight and suffered injuries to his face. An Italian soldier was slightly injured in the attack."
Egypt and Hamas
Egyptian Chronicles, Innocent People Do Not Do Such Thing !!, 13 Oct 09
"The Egyptian authorities have cut the broadcast of Al-Aqsa Channel which follows Hamas on Nile Sat today. The timing of the cut was very interesting , it was during the announcement of Sami Abu-Zahery, Hamas’ spokesperson that his brother “Youssef” died because of his torture during his detention in Borg Al-Arab prison in Egypt!!"
Spotted by Brian Whitaker, Hamas man dies in custody, 14 Oct 09
"The Egyptian authorities have cut the broadcast of Al-Aqsa Channel which follows Hamas on Nile Sat today. The timing of the cut was very interesting , it was during the announcement of Sami Abu-Zahery, Hamas’ spokesperson that his brother “Youssef” died because of his torture during his detention in Borg Al-Arab prison in Egypt!!"
Spotted by Brian Whitaker, Hamas man dies in custody, 14 Oct 09
“Jihadi Media Elite”
Scott Sanford, jihadica.com, Information War in Gaza, 13 Oct 09
"The “Department of Documents and Research” from the “Jihadi Media Elite,” a jihadi media production entity, has recently announced its “Series for God and then for History” publications. These productions are intended to “document the important events” in the jihadi world “that are considered historical turning points in the Ummah’s path and in the circle of conflict between truth and falsehood.”"
Also see the related post: Scott Sanford, jihadica.com, Media Incursion of Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi, 10 Oct 09
"The Global Islamic Media Front, in cooperation with the Faloja Forums, has announced, “The Media Incursion of the Imam and Martyr Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi.” It has five goals:
"1. Expose the truth about Hamas’s “crime” and “lies,” i.e. the recent attack on Jund Ansar Allah (JAA).
"2. Expose the truth about Hamas today and how it has “strayed” from its foundational roots.
"3. Let Muslims know that the money they give Hamas equates to “bullets in Muslims’ chests.”
"4. “Support the monotheistic mujahidin, who fight for the word of God and for the rule of God’s absent law.”
"5. “Distribute the legacy of the Imam Shaykh Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi.”"
"The “Department of Documents and Research” from the “Jihadi Media Elite,” a jihadi media production entity, has recently announced its “Series for God and then for History” publications. These productions are intended to “document the important events” in the jihadi world “that are considered historical turning points in the Ummah’s path and in the circle of conflict between truth and falsehood.”"
Also see the related post: Scott Sanford, jihadica.com, Media Incursion of Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi, 10 Oct 09
"The Global Islamic Media Front, in cooperation with the Faloja Forums, has announced, “The Media Incursion of the Imam and Martyr Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi.” It has five goals:
"1. Expose the truth about Hamas’s “crime” and “lies,” i.e. the recent attack on Jund Ansar Allah (JAA).
"2. Expose the truth about Hamas today and how it has “strayed” from its foundational roots.
"3. Let Muslims know that the money they give Hamas equates to “bullets in Muslims’ chests.”
"4. “Support the monotheistic mujahidin, who fight for the word of God and for the rule of God’s absent law.”
"5. “Distribute the legacy of the Imam Shaykh Abu al-Nur al-Maqdisi.”"
Canada
Sheema Khan, Extremism: Canadian Muslims must keep their eyes on the ball, 13 Oct 09 "Widespread skepticism of the terrorist threat is far too common among Muslims. Community leaders need to take this threat seriously and warn the faithful of its danger."
"Middle East Bloggers: The Street Leads Online"
Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ, Middle East Bloggers: The Street Leads Online "In the Middle East and North Africa, where political change occurs slowly, blogging has becomes a serious medium for social and political commentary as well as a target of government suppression."
Although I haven't read this in detail, it looks very useful. There's also an MP3 audio report, and some related comments from bloggers. BTW there's a chapter on blogging in iMuslims.
Although I haven't read this in detail, it looks very useful. There's also an MP3 audio report, and some related comments from bloggers. BTW there's a chapter on blogging in iMuslims.
RevolutionMuslim.com
foxnews.com, New York-based Muslim web site calls on God to ‘kill Jews’, 13 Oct 09, "A New York bicycle cabbie has used his web site to post a prayer that calls on God to murder all Jews and exhorts Muslims to “throw liquid drain cleaner in their faces.”
"Yousef al-Khattab, who runs RevolutionMuslim.com and pedals a pedicab in New York City, insists the words he has posted on his web site are a prayer, and not a threat - and that his hatred is protected by the First Amendment, reports Fox News."
"Yousef al-Khattab, who runs RevolutionMuslim.com and pedals a pedicab in New York City, insists the words he has posted on his web site are a prayer, and not a threat - and that his hatred is protected by the First Amendment, reports Fox News."
Albania
AP, Albanian Muslim charged with inciting terrorism, 13 Oct 09, "Authorities say they have charged an Albanian Muslim man for inciting terror acts through postings on a local Web site.
"The Prosecutor-General's office says 31-year-old Artan Kristo was arrested Monday in the port city of Durres, 20 miles (33 kilometers) west of Tirana, following a two-month investigation."
"The Prosecutor-General's office says 31-year-old Artan Kristo was arrested Monday in the port city of Durres, 20 miles (33 kilometers) west of Tirana, following a two-month investigation."
Annoucement: New Journal - International Journal for Arab Studies
"International Journal for Arab Studies *
"Launching date : 21 October 2009, 1:00pm Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies University of Exeter, UK
"The International Journal for Arab Studies is an electronic journal introduced by the Society of Arab & Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter (UK). We strive to publish outstanding and unique research produced by young academics from around the world. Our eJournal will publish original, previously unpublished, work in both Arabic and English. Through our website www.ijasjournal.com we hope to expand our readership and access to the thousands of researchers with interest in the Arab World."
More details on their website. Interesting to learn of a new journal in these cash-strapped times. Looks like a niche waiting to be filled, however, especially as there is the eJournal element to it.
"Launching date : 21 October 2009, 1:00pm Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies University of Exeter, UK
"The International Journal for Arab Studies is an electronic journal introduced by the Society of Arab & Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter (UK). We strive to publish outstanding and unique research produced by young academics from around the world. Our eJournal will publish original, previously unpublished, work in both Arabic and English. Through our website www.ijasjournal.com we hope to expand our readership and access to the thousands of researchers with interest in the Arab World."
More details on their website. Interesting to learn of a new journal in these cash-strapped times. Looks like a niche waiting to be filled, however, especially as there is the eJournal element to it.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Istiqlal Media
Adam Rawnsley, wired.com, Taliban Steps Boldly in 2007, Invades YouTube, 13 Oct 09 discusses Istiqlal Media:
"The Taliban’s experiment with an official YouTube channel, however, might not be as effective at keeping the group’s propaganda online. While controversies have erupted over YouTube’s efforts to remove terrorist videos before, many such videos are frequently taken down. An official Taliban channel could be a lightning rod, making it easier to identify, report and remove the outfit’s videos and potentially placing Afghanistan’s militant Mullahs in another bandwidth crunch sooner than they think."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fatwa
Currently receiving a great deal of online attention:
alarabiya.net, Fake "hymen" sparks outrage in Egypt, 11 Oct 09
"A fatwa sanctioning the harshest of punishments on those who import the hymen was issued by Dr. Abdel-Moati Bayoumi, a member of the Center for Islamic Research (CIR), which has been slammed as unnecessary.
"“People who bring the artificial hymen into the country should be severely penalized,” Bayoumi, who is also a former Deputy Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee in parliament, stated in his fatwa."
alarabiya.net, Fake "hymen" sparks outrage in Egypt, 11 Oct 09
"A fatwa sanctioning the harshest of punishments on those who import the hymen was issued by Dr. Abdel-Moati Bayoumi, a member of the Center for Islamic Research (CIR), which has been slammed as unnecessary.
"“People who bring the artificial hymen into the country should be severely penalized,” Bayoumi, who is also a former Deputy Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee in parliament, stated in his fatwa."
"The Laidback Show"
hindustantimes.com, Pakistani bloggers ‘jihad’ on mainstream media!, 12 Oct 09
"In a first, two of Pakistan’s leading bloggers have challenged the supremacy of mainstream media’s talk shows and programming by launching an online audio-visual show.
"Karachi-based bloggers Awab Avli and Faisal Kapadia, who blog at teethmaestro.com and deadpanthoughts.com respectively, have released the third episode of "The Laidback Show". The promos carry a picture of Al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden tagged "Jihad on da suits starts now!""
And here it is:
Haven't watched this all the way through yet, but it is certainly a 'relaxed' presentation style ...
"In a first, two of Pakistan’s leading bloggers have challenged the supremacy of mainstream media’s talk shows and programming by launching an online audio-visual show.
"Karachi-based bloggers Awab Avli and Faisal Kapadia, who blog at teethmaestro.com and deadpanthoughts.com respectively, have released the third episode of "The Laidback Show". The promos carry a picture of Al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden tagged "Jihad on da suits starts now!""
And here it is:
Haven't watched this all the way through yet, but it is certainly a 'relaxed' presentation style ...
UAE
BBC News, UAE jails man for 'terror links', 12 Oct 09
"UAE public prosecutors said that, while living in the US, he donated $2,000 to an unnamed Islamic charity. This is alleged to have financed the firing of two rockets on Israel.
"He was also reportedly alleged to have copied and reposted an item from an Islamist website, but his lawyer argued this did not constitute in crime in the UAE."
"UAE public prosecutors said that, while living in the US, he donated $2,000 to an unnamed Islamic charity. This is alleged to have financed the firing of two rockets on Israel.
"He was also reportedly alleged to have copied and reposted an item from an Islamist website, but his lawyer argued this did not constitute in crime in the UAE."
Taqwacore + The Kominas
hollywoodreporter.com, 'Punk Islam' creates a buzz at Montreal fest: Omar Majeed's label-defying feature documentary "It's their inner punk that grabs Muslim misfits, judging by Omar Majeed's label-defying feature documentary "Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam," the buzz film at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal."
taqwacore.com has more information, including premiere details. I haven't seen this yet ...
taqwacore.com has more information, including premiere details. I haven't seen this yet ...
Khyaboon
Hamid Tehrani, Global Voices Online, Iran: Interview with Khyaboon, an underground Internet journal, 7 Oct 09
"Khyaboon, (meaning 'street') is one of underground internet journals that emerged in Iran after the June presidential election and subsequent systematic repression of protesters."
"Khyaboon, (meaning 'street') is one of underground internet journals that emerged in Iran after the June presidential election and subsequent systematic repression of protesters."
Friday, October 09, 2009
AQIM CERN
BBC News, 'Al-Qaeda-link' Cern worker held, 9 Oct 09
"The 32-year-old man of Algerian descent was one of two brothers detained in the south-east town of Vienne on Thursday.
"Police believe they had been in contact over the internet with people linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and had been planning attacks in France."
"The 32-year-old man of Algerian descent was one of two brothers detained in the south-east town of Vienne on Thursday.
"Police believe they had been in contact over the internet with people linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and had been planning attacks in France."
Thursday, October 08, 2009
AmmanCIty100
meedan.net, Arabic-English website charts history of Amman for 100 year celebration
"A new bi-lingual website is making an ambitious claim to help increase understanding of Jordanian history."
Details: AmmanCIty100
Censorship issues
Julaybib, Cultural Anarchlyst, Censorship: pointless, futile and counterproductive, 8 Oct 09
"I was recently sent an invitation to join a group on Facebook, called The True Furqan – Fake so called Quran. The True Furqan is “…is a book written by two Christian Arabs, calling themselves Al Saffee and Al Mahdee, and translated by Dr Anis Shorrosh who calls it ‘a tool to evangelize Muslims’. It consists of about 77 chapters. The book seems to be an amalgam of different versions of Bible and the Holy Quran. Most of the Arabic text has been copied from the Holy Quran by modifying many of its verses.” This FB group is for Muslims and others opposed to The True Furqan."
Interesting opinions on this issue, in relation to knee-jerk reactions or calls for censorship. "The True Furqan" [sic] reminds me of the "SuraLikeIt" debate, which I discussed way back in Virtually Islamic.
"I was recently sent an invitation to join a group on Facebook, called The True Furqan – Fake so called Quran. The True Furqan is “…is a book written by two Christian Arabs, calling themselves Al Saffee and Al Mahdee, and translated by Dr Anis Shorrosh who calls it ‘a tool to evangelize Muslims’. It consists of about 77 chapters. The book seems to be an amalgam of different versions of Bible and the Holy Quran. Most of the Arabic text has been copied from the Holy Quran by modifying many of its verses.” This FB group is for Muslims and others opposed to The True Furqan."
Interesting opinions on this issue, in relation to knee-jerk reactions or calls for censorship. "The True Furqan" [sic] reminds me of the "SuraLikeIt" debate, which I discussed way back in Virtually Islamic.
American Muslims, Detroit and the web
Paul Egan, The Detroit News, FBI works to cut tension with Arab community, 8 Oct 09
"After the FBI's Andrew Arena gave a recent talk in Dearborn, three teenagers approached him and asked if it was illegal for them to listen to songs that tout Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization.
""I said, 'No, it's the United States, you can listen to whatever you want,'" Arena, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Detroit, recalled telling them.
""Can we go on pro-Hezbollah Web sites?" one of the teenagers asked.
""Yes, this is America," Arena answered.
""However, "the minute you push the button to send money to Hezbollah ... you've crossed the line.""
"After the FBI's Andrew Arena gave a recent talk in Dearborn, three teenagers approached him and asked if it was illegal for them to listen to songs that tout Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization.
""I said, 'No, it's the United States, you can listen to whatever you want,'" Arena, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Detroit, recalled telling them.
""Can we go on pro-Hezbollah Web sites?" one of the teenagers asked.
""Yes, this is America," Arena answered.
""However, "the minute you push the button to send money to Hezbollah ... you've crossed the line.""
'American Qur'an'
AP, 'American Qur'an' blends US life, Quranic verses, 7 Oct 09 "In Birk's version, each chapter of the Quran has been carefully copied in English in a calligraphy modeled on the urban graffiti of America's inner cities. The stark black text is bordered by scenes from American life both mundane and extraordinary: gangsters flashing signs, Hurricane Katrina's devastation, migrants working the fields, a crowded airport lounge and a raging California wildfire among them."
This has raised a number of potentially controversial issues relating to text and depiction of the Qur'an.
"Even when completed, Birk’s “American Qur’an” is not to be considered a “Holy Qur’an” in that it does not contain the original text in Arabic. Tradition holds that since the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic, that only the Arabic text – or a translation that also contains the original Arabic verses – may truly be considered as the “Holy Qur’an”. Translations into any other language are not “true” Qur’ans, but merely approximations of God’s revelations." Source: koplindelrio.com
For further information, and examples of the illustrations (which can be viewed online), see koplindelrio.com, Sandow Birk, 'American Qur'an'
This has raised a number of potentially controversial issues relating to text and depiction of the Qur'an.
"Even when completed, Birk’s “American Qur’an” is not to be considered a “Holy Qur’an” in that it does not contain the original text in Arabic. Tradition holds that since the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic, that only the Arabic text – or a translation that also contains the original Arabic verses – may truly be considered as the “Holy Qur’an”. Translations into any other language are not “true” Qur’ans, but merely approximations of God’s revelations." Source: koplindelrio.com
For further information, and examples of the illustrations (which can be viewed online), see koplindelrio.com, Sandow Birk, 'American Qur'an'
'Phishing' in Egypt
US-Egypt smash cyber 'phishing' ring "Investigators in the United States and Egypt have smashed a computer "phishing" identity theft scam, officials said Wednesday.
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation said 33 people were arrested across the United States early Wednesday while authorities in Egypt charged 47 more people linked to the scam.""
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation said 33 people were arrested across the United States early Wednesday while authorities in Egypt charged 47 more people linked to the scam.""
Pew Report
BBC News, One in four is Muslim, study says, 8 Oct 09 "A report from an American think-tank has estimated 1.57 billion Muslims populate the world - with 60% in Asia."
Details: pewforum.org, Mapping the Global Muslim Population, A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population [executive summary] "A comprehensive demographic study of more than 200 countries finds that there are 1.57 billion Muslims of all ages living in the world today, representing 23% of an estimated 2009 world population of 6.8 billion.
"While Muslims are found on all five inhabited continents, more than 60% of the global Muslim population is in Asia and about 20% is in the Middle East and North Africa. However, the Middle East-North Africa region has the highest percentage of Muslim-majority countries. Indeed, more than half of the 20 countries and territories1 in that region have populations that are approximately 95% Muslim or greater."
The weighted map is useful in showing population distribution.
Also see the full report [pdf], which weighs in at 10MB
The website itself has interactive elements.
I'd be interested in mashing up this data with information about internet access/broadband, etc.
Details: pewforum.org, Mapping the Global Muslim Population, A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population [executive summary] "A comprehensive demographic study of more than 200 countries finds that there are 1.57 billion Muslims of all ages living in the world today, representing 23% of an estimated 2009 world population of 6.8 billion.
"While Muslims are found on all five inhabited continents, more than 60% of the global Muslim population is in Asia and about 20% is in the Middle East and North Africa. However, the Middle East-North Africa region has the highest percentage of Muslim-majority countries. Indeed, more than half of the 20 countries and territories1 in that region have populations that are approximately 95% Muslim or greater."
The weighted map is useful in showing population distribution.
Also see the full report [pdf], which weighs in at 10MB
The website itself has interactive elements.
I'd be interested in mashing up this data with information about internet access/broadband, etc.
China, Uighurs and al-Qaeda
bloomberg.com, Al-Qaeda Declares Holy War on China Over Oppression of Uighurs, 8 Oct 09 "A leading al-Qaeda theologian and possible successor to Osama bin Laden called for a holy war against China, which he accused of “Satanic” oppression of Muslims in the westernmost province of Xinjiang.
"“The state of atheism is heading to its fall,” Abu Yahya al-Libi said in a video posted on an unspecified Islamic Web site, Reuters reported yesterday. China has carried out massacres of Muslim ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang and pursued policies aimed at “their demise and destruction” while “looting their wealth and undermining their culture and religion,” Reuters citing him saying."
"“The state of atheism is heading to its fall,” Abu Yahya al-Libi said in a video posted on an unspecified Islamic Web site, Reuters reported yesterday. China has carried out massacres of Muslim ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang and pursued policies aimed at “their demise and destruction” while “looting their wealth and undermining their culture and religion,” Reuters citing him saying."
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
'Commercial break'
The whole issue of how websites promote themselves is an intriguing one, especially in relation to elements of cyber Islamic environments. For some time now (including in iMuslims, I've been writing about the phenomena of online matrimonial agencies, so thought I would drop this press release into the blog. It links to three humorous (depending on your definition) tv ads from SingleMuslim.com (also on YouTube), and they've been using an image from their campaign for online advertising elsewhere. They obviously had fun with the make-up. See:
SingleMuslim.com, SingleMuslim.com TV Adverts Launched
Other products are available. I'd be interested in seeing examples of humorous adverts of this nature elsewhere.
SingleMuslim.com, SingleMuslim.com TV Adverts Launched
Other products are available. I'd be interested in seeing examples of humorous adverts of this nature elsewhere.
“A Bridge to Islam.”
pr-inside.com, New York Website Development Company Helps Build Bridge to Islam, 7 Oct 09
"Peter Crisafi, Vice President of dzine it, inc. (www.dzineit.net), a leading Manhattan website development firm that specializes in web services for clients throughout the world, has announced that the company recently completed a new educational website titled, “A Bridge to Islam.” (bridgetoislam.org )"
OS wiki-style chapters on Islam, which could be a useful introductory resource (dpending on who is doing the editing).
"Peter Crisafi, Vice President of dzine it, inc. (www.dzineit.net), a leading Manhattan website development firm that specializes in web services for clients throughout the world, has announced that the company recently completed a new educational website titled, “A Bridge to Islam.” (bridgetoislam.org )"
OS wiki-style chapters on Islam, which could be a useful introductory resource (dpending on who is doing the editing).
German 'jihadists'
cnn.com, German raids target 'violent Islamic extremists', 7 Oct 09 "German police on Wednesday conducted a "city-wide search" in Berlin, targeting "potentially violent Islamic extremists," a police spokeswoman told CNN.
"While there is no "concrete" evidence of any attack plot, the raid is targeting people suspected of being involved in "jihadi training," according to the spokeswoman"
More to follow on this.
"While there is no "concrete" evidence of any attack plot, the raid is targeting people suspected of being involved in "jihadi training," according to the spokeswoman"
More to follow on this.
Sahara Net
Vineetha Menon, itp.net, Sahara Net to push hosting services at GITEX, 6 Oct 09, "Sahara Net, a leading provider of internet services in Saudi Arabia, is looking forward to showcasing their range of solutions at the upcoming GITEX Technology Week."
Sahara Net
Sahara Net
Yahoo! and Maktoob
Gareth Van Zyl, itp.net, Yahoo! goes East: Yahoo! intent on making in-roads in the East and Middle East, 6 Oct 09
"Apart from Maktoob, Yahoo! also seems to be trying to tackle the mobile space with news on ArabCrunch (a Middle East blog on technology) reporting that Yahoo! Maktoob have developed an app for the iPhone that acts as a translator from English into Arabic."
"Apart from Maktoob, Yahoo! also seems to be trying to tackle the mobile space with news on ArabCrunch (a Middle East blog on technology) reporting that Yahoo! Maktoob have developed an app for the iPhone that acts as a translator from English into Arabic."
Gulf broadband report
itp.net, Broadband service in the Gulf inadequate says report, 2 Oct 09
"Gulf countries do not have a high enough quality of broadband service to be able to meet the demands of today's applications, according to a new study.
"The study, which was carried out by Oxford University's Saïd Business School and the University of Oviedo, found that quality of service was not adequate to manage modern applications for business and consumers alike, and that Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are a long way from being able to handle applications developed in the next three to five years."
The link in the article to the report is broken - watch this space, I've requested more info on this.
Also see:
"Gulf countries do not have a high enough quality of broadband service to be able to meet the demands of today's applications, according to a new study.
"The study, which was carried out by Oxford University's Saïd Business School and the University of Oviedo, found that quality of service was not adequate to manage modern applications for business and consumers alike, and that Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are a long way from being able to handle applications developed in the next three to five years."
The link in the article to the report is broken - watch this space, I've requested more info on this.
Also see:
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Jordan, technology and comedy
A couple of interesting tech related stories relating to Jordan:
Tom Gara, The National, Animated success for Jordan, 5 Oct 09 "A Jordanian animation studio has received a multimillion-dollar investment from a regional private equity fund in another success for the country’s community of technology entrepreneurs."
Tom Gara, The National, Arabic humour scores a hit, 26 Sep 09 "A Jordanian website that lets users view and share humorous Arabic-language content is one of the winners of a contest to find the most promising internet startups in Europe and the Middle East." This refers to Talasim:
Details: Talasim. This blog needs more (intentional) comedy, so I may return in due course to Talasim when I have time.
Tom Gara, The National, Animated success for Jordan, 5 Oct 09 "A Jordanian animation studio has received a multimillion-dollar investment from a regional private equity fund in another success for the country’s community of technology entrepreneurs."
Tom Gara, The National, Arabic humour scores a hit, 26 Sep 09 "A Jordanian website that lets users view and share humorous Arabic-language content is one of the winners of a contest to find the most promising internet startups in Europe and the Middle East." This refers to Talasim:
Details: Talasim. This blog needs more (intentional) comedy, so I may return in due course to Talasim when I have time.
"Love Jihad: luring girls online and forcing them to convert to Islam"
asianews.it, Love Jihad: luring girls online and forcing them to convert to Islam, 6 Oct 09 "The High Court of Kerala asks the state police and the Interior Minister in New Delhi to investigate the forced conversion campaign dubbed "Love Jihad" and "Romeo Jihad." Young people attracted by promises of marriage end up in the hands of Islamic organizations. It is feared that there are over 4 thousand cases. For the boys who act as bait there is a reward of 100 thousand rupees ...
" ... The main instrument used for grooming is the Internet. The profile of young people involved is well defined: Hindu or Christian, a student in college or their first job, coming from wealthy families. The primers were precise: two weeks to verify the feasibility of converting the girl, six months for submission to real brainwashing. During their mission the young men are given cell phones, bikes and clothing needed to lure young women; if the conversion occurred 100 thousand rupees, about 1,400 Euros, as financial aid to start a business of their own."
Sensationalistic story - expect to see this in the tabloids.
" ... The main instrument used for grooming is the Internet. The profile of young people involved is well defined: Hindu or Christian, a student in college or their first job, coming from wealthy families. The primers were precise: two weeks to verify the feasibility of converting the girl, six months for submission to real brainwashing. During their mission the young men are given cell phones, bikes and clothing needed to lure young women; if the conversion occurred 100 thousand rupees, about 1,400 Euros, as financial aid to start a business of their own."
Sensationalistic story - expect to see this in the tabloids.
Hosam Maher Husein Smadi case
star-telegram.com, Accused Dallas terrorist made video for bin Laden, government says, "The Jordanian teenager accused of trying to blow up a Dallas skyscraper created a seven-minute video that he believed would be given to 9-11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, an FBI special agent testified during a probable cause hearing Monday."
Report: ICT in Sub-Saharan Africa
Open Net Initiative, Internet filtering in Sub-Saharan Africa "Many sub-Saharan African governments view the Internet as a key tool for development and are developing ICT policies accordingly, though the region still lags behind the rest of the world in both number and percentage of Internet users. Sub-Saharan Africa has a history of media abuses and restrictions on freedom of the press, and the region would seem a likely setting for equally restrictive Internet policies. However, ONI testing found evidence of a technical filtering regime in only one country, Ethiopia. As the Internet continues to develop in sub-Saharan Africa, so too will laws regulating its use. To what extent these laws will encourage education, commerce and online governance or restrict free expression largely remains to be seen."
The report clearly has significant implications in its discussions on a variety of Muslim contexts, although I haven't read it yet.
Download available: Open Net Initiative, Sub-Saharan Africa [pdf]
The report clearly has significant implications in its discussions on a variety of Muslim contexts, although I haven't read it yet.
Download available: Open Net Initiative, Sub-Saharan Africa [pdf]
New channel for broadcasting Qur'an planned
Arab News, New Qur’an channel planned, 5 Oct 09 "A satellite channel focusing on broadcasting recitations of the Holy Qur’an will be launched next year, the Arabic daily Al-Watan reported, quoting president of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Open University Ali ibn Hamza Al-Amari. “The recitations of the current Qur’anic channels are not satisfactory... This is why the new channel is being launched,” he said."
It doesn't discuss why current output is not satisfactory...
It doesn't discuss why current output is not satisfactory...
sharia.com
pressreleasenetwork.com, New Sharia.com launched to help Poor Muslims "Every year millions of Muslims are falling in to the poverty trap, despite the wealthy people of the world consuming excessive amounts of food, energy and natural resources of the world.
"Sharia.com allows poor Muslims from around the world as well as other poor communities to list and display their products and services for sale, for free. Buyers from the local area as well as worldwide are encouraged to trade with the poor, so they can earn an income and get out of poverty with dignity and pride. Aid and Charity to date have largely failed poor Muslims around the world."
"“In the last few decades the situation of the poor Muslims worldwide has become very desperate. Sharia.com is our effort to address this situation. In a world of plenty and excess consumption by the wealthy, abject poverty is a “crime against humanity”, states Shafique Azam who is the idea’s man behind Sharia.com. He is the Founder of TheDesert.com which was the first business to business web portal launched for the Middle East region in 1999. He is UK educated and former Middle East Regional Manager for British Telecom."
Details: sharia.com
Naomi Wolf op-ed
Naomi Wolf, Khaleej Times, What Muslim Women Wan, 5 Oct 09 "When caricature takes the place of dialogue, everyone suffers — especially when it comes to understanding issues affecting women, who struggle worldwide against being silenced. Some right-wing American bloggers recently twisted an article that I wrote in a way that did just that." Opinion piece.
Tantawi
AFP/Arab News, Tantawi orders Al-Azhar girl to remove face veil, 5 Oct 09 widely reported online, hence inclusion here. "Egypt’s leading scholar ordered a student to remove her face veil while was he was visiting an academy linked to the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, an Egyptian newspaper reported on Monday."
Monday, October 05, 2009
'Gender reassignment'
Crossroads Arabia, Gender Reassignment Surgeries up in Saudi Arabia "‘Gender correction’, or as it is more usually known in the West, ‘gender reassignment’ surgery is taking place at a rapid pace in Saudi Arabia. The incidence of surgery is five times higher than its average over the past 25 years, according to a report from the Arabic daily Okaz, rewritten in Saudi Gazette."
Swat Facebook video
Telegraph, Pakistan soldiers 'beat' civilians in Facebook video, 5 Oct 09 "The recording has emerged as concern rises over alleged extra-judicial killing of Taliban detainees in the country's Swat valley.
"The apparent executions and the film, posted on internet websites including YouTube and Facebook, could undermine the Pakistani army's operation in north western Swat to drive out the Taliban who had annexed the area – an offensive which has won praise from around the world."
Declan Walsh, Guardian, Video shows Pakistani soldiers beating Taliban suspects, 2 Oct 09
The latter article includes a link to heavily edited version of the 10 minute clip, somewhat incongruously edited by the Guardian onto a commercial for vodka ...
"The country's powerful army has faced frequent accusations of human rights abuses. Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch said it was difficult to verify the authenticity of the video but such abuses were common whenever soldiers were involved in anti-terrorism operations. "It is disgustingly predictable," he said."
"The apparent executions and the film, posted on internet websites including YouTube and Facebook, could undermine the Pakistani army's operation in north western Swat to drive out the Taliban who had annexed the area – an offensive which has won praise from around the world."
Declan Walsh, Guardian, Video shows Pakistani soldiers beating Taliban suspects, 2 Oct 09
The latter article includes a link to heavily edited version of the 10 minute clip, somewhat incongruously edited by the Guardian onto a commercial for vodka ...
"The country's powerful army has faced frequent accusations of human rights abuses. Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch said it was difficult to verify the authenticity of the video but such abuses were common whenever soldiers were involved in anti-terrorism operations. "It is disgustingly predictable," he said."
Canada: GIMF
National Post, Terror plotter undone by online activities, 2 Oct 09 "Said Namouh thought his apartment in Trois-Rivieres was an ideal location to plot jihad, far from the prying eyes of anti-terrorism investigators. But the Internet that allowed him to spread hatred from the boondocks also proved his undoing, and yesterday -- largely on the strength of his online activity -- the 36-year-old Moroccan was convicted of four terrorism charges
" ... Hundreds of pages of transcribed conversations, retrieved from password-protected web sites and Namouh's computer, proved that he was an active member of the Global Islamic Media Front, a propaganda arm for al-Qaeda and smaller terrorist cells in Gaza and Somalia."
" ... Hundreds of pages of transcribed conversations, retrieved from password-protected web sites and Namouh's computer, proved that he was an active member of the Global Islamic Media Front, a propaganda arm for al-Qaeda and smaller terrorist cells in Gaza and Somalia."
'Terrorism message is viral on Web'
dallasnews.com, Terrorism message is viral on Web, 4 Oct 09 "Thousands of Web sites, most in Arabic but some in English, make it possible for Web surfers to soak up the tenets of violent Islamic terrorism. They can watch videos of jihadi rappers, meet like-minded radicals in chat rooms and, in one notorious case, even launch a rocket attack on U.S. troops in Iraq from anywhere in the world with the click of a mouse." Commentary.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Noordin Muhammed Top
New Straits Times/asiaone.com, Letters from bombers smuggled to Noordin, 1 Oct 09
"Indonesian police have discovered letters sent by executed Bali bombers at the Central Java hideout of slain terrorist Noordin Mohammad Top. The bombers had urged him to continue with his jihad to establish Islamic rule in the country.
"In 2005, police found that Imam Samudra was recruiting people through the Internet with a laptop which was smuggled into his prison cell in Kerobokan, Bali."
"Indonesian police have discovered letters sent by executed Bali bombers at the Central Java hideout of slain terrorist Noordin Mohammad Top. The bombers had urged him to continue with his jihad to establish Islamic rule in the country.
"In 2005, police found that Imam Samudra was recruiting people through the Internet with a laptop which was smuggled into his prison cell in Kerobokan, Bali."
Zakir Naik
Hussain Zaidim Time, The Muslim Televangelist Linked to Zazi, 1 Oct 09
"You can see and hear him [Zakir Naik] in one of the countless alternate universes available on YouTube — listen to him cite chapter and verse of Koran and hadith with the greatest of ease, explicating their meaning to those who would live their lives right by God, conjuring up the world as it should be, explaining everything from the difficult truths of Islam to how long a beard a good Muslim should grow (grab the hair by a fist, and snip off all that protrudes below; and trim your mustache!). Through video and via his PEACE TV channel, which is beamed in 60 countries out of Mumbai and is said to have 50 million viewers, the Indian Muslim televangelist is a very real presence in the spiritual lives of millions of Muslims all over the world — including, it appears, Nazibullah Zazi, who was indicted last week for conspiracy to detonate weapons of mass destruction in New York City around the time of the eighth anniversary of al-Qaeda's Sept. 11 attack on the U.S."
Also see Time, An Enemy Within: The Making of Najibullah Zazi, 1 Oct 09
"You can see and hear him [Zakir Naik] in one of the countless alternate universes available on YouTube — listen to him cite chapter and verse of Koran and hadith with the greatest of ease, explicating their meaning to those who would live their lives right by God, conjuring up the world as it should be, explaining everything from the difficult truths of Islam to how long a beard a good Muslim should grow (grab the hair by a fist, and snip off all that protrudes below; and trim your mustache!). Through video and via his PEACE TV channel, which is beamed in 60 countries out of Mumbai and is said to have 50 million viewers, the Indian Muslim televangelist is a very real presence in the spiritual lives of millions of Muslims all over the world — including, it appears, Nazibullah Zazi, who was indicted last week for conspiracy to detonate weapons of mass destruction in New York City around the time of the eighth anniversary of al-Qaeda's Sept. 11 attack on the U.S."
Also see Time, An Enemy Within: The Making of Najibullah Zazi, 1 Oct 09
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