They’re not in it for just a little Sharia. They’re in it for the package deal. Even Imam Rauf knows that Sharia does not lend itself to selective compartmentalization. “Islamists want new Libya based on Shariah law,” from the Associated Press, November 28: TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) “” Dozens of Libyan imams and other religious leaders […]
Archives for November 2011
Spencer, McCarthy, Fawstin at Restoration Weekend 2011: What about moderate Muslims?
Q and A: This was originally supposed to be a continuation of my print debate at National Review (here and here) with Andrew McCarthy on Islam vs. Islamism. It was changed at the last minute into this panel with the peerless artist Bosch Fawstin and the Baroness Caroline Cox.
Iran moves to expel British ambassador; legislators chant “Death to England”
Britain is now also officially “worse than the devil,” according to the resolution that legislators passed, with some lawmakers threatening a reprise of the 1979 hostage crisis. “Tehran votes to expel Britain’s ambassador,” by Adrian Blomfield for the Telegraph, November 27 (thanks to Alan): Iran erupted in a fresh frenzy of animosity towards its old […]
U.K.: Muslim students, including trainee doctors, walking out on lectures on evolution
The collective action is an attempt to bully universities into modifying their curricula, or at least to secure an exemption on Islamic grounds from knowing and being tested on what every other biology student has to study. That is a slippery slope, with lives at stake where prospective future doctors would selectively reject basic coursework. […]
Iran: Celebratory pat on the rear between soccer players results in long suspensions and $30,000 fines for “immoral” act
Sharia meets the wide world of sports, just to drive home the point that “there are no homosexuals in Iran.” None. Ahmadinejad said so. “Long suspensions, heavy fines for Iran soccer players’ fanny pat,” from the Los Angeles Times, November 29: REPORTING FROM TEHRAN AND BEIRUT — Long suspensions and $30,000 fines. That’s what Iran’s […]
NATO “braces for reprisals” from Pakistani-backed jihadists in retaliation for airstrike
“This will come back at us, and at a time and a place of their [the ISI’s] choosing.” “Nato braces for reprisals after deadly air strike on Pakistan border post,” by Julian Borger and Saeed Shah for the Guardian, November 27: Nato forces in Afghanistan were braced on Sunday for possible reprisals from Pakistani-backed insurgents […]
Afghan officials: “Forces were retaliating for gunfire from two Pakistani army bases”
This account supports a senior Western official’s statement that the airstrikes were a defensive measure, and suggests another case of curiously close proximity between jihadists and Pakistani military posts. U.S. officers reportedly also believed the Pakistani military was providing cover for jihadists in a firefight in late October, along with other recent allegations of jihadists’ […]
Nigeria: Four dead, eight churches burned in latest round of attacks in northeast
These attacks appear to be a continuation of an earlier rampage by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s Yobe state. An update on this story. “4 dead, churches burned in north Nigeria attack,” from the Associated Press, November 27: MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) “” Witnesses and authorities say at least four people died in an apparent attack on […]
U.S. State Dept. on jailed Afghan rape victim: “We expect Afghan prosecutors to properly apply the law while also upholding Gulnaz’s rights”
Here is the problem: even at face value, the statement is vague and non-committal, but while those words would mean one thing in the American legal system, they mean quite another in Afghanistan. Officials surely believed they were properly applying the law and upholding Gulnaz’ “rights.” The question becomes: whose law is being applied? Sharia […]
Pakistani Hindu: “Sexual assault, forced conversion, abduction and humiliation is all this country has given us”
Pakistani authorities turn a blind eye to the plight of religious minorities now, but the same people who torment minorities in the name of Islamic piety will knock on the door in Islamabad when they are strong enough. Then it will be a crisis. “Scarred and scared, these Pakistani Hindus seek refuge in India,” from […]