Where did he get that idea? Why, Muhammad, who is the supreme example of conduct for Muslims (Qur’an 33:21): “The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with ‘Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till […]
Indonesia: “Islamic extremists” push for demolition of five churches
Once again, this is a fight over permits. The permit system for houses of worship in Indonesia is one example of a crafty form of legislation in Muslim countries: laws that have the practical effect of allowing the enforcement of Sharia without the international and domestic political liability of spelling it out. Other examples include […]
Egypt: Book by 1996-2002 Muslim Brotherhood leader says Muslims are “masters of the world”
Mustafa Mashhur was in charge only 15 years ago, so this work cannot be written off so easily as an alleged relic of the Ikhwan’s “past.” Nonetheless, the Brotherhood, which railed against corruption in Mubarak’s regime, is already putting its own inclination to lie and defraud on full display. If this work attracts sufficient attention […]
Pakistani actress under fire for blasphemy against the ISI
The striking thing about this story is that it appears to be a virtual draw between whether the “nude” “photo” (a blind man could detect the digital editing from across the room) or the mockery of the Pakistani intelligence organization is more of an outrage. Within this story lies the tacit admission that both the […]
Al-Qaeda may have passed 70-year-old hostage to Pakistani Taliban
Nothing shows the bravery, nobility, and magnanimity of the glorious mujahedin quite like… beating up on 70-year-olds. An update on this story. “Concern grows for American kidnapped in Pakistan,” from MSNBC, December 5: ISLAMABAD “” Concern was growing Friday for the safety of American development expert Warren Weinstein, who was kidnapped from home in Pakistan […]
Iraq: Bombs targeting Shi’ite pilgrims kill 22, mostly women and children
“There’s still a tendency to see these things in Sunni-Shia terms. But the Middle East is going to have to overcome that.” – Condoleezza Rice, January 2007. “Bombs targeting pilgrims kill 22 in Iraq’s Hilla,” from Reuters, December 5: BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Three bombs tore through crowds of Shi’ite pilgrims celebrating a major ritual in […]
Afghanistan: 350 women in jail for “moral crimes,” girls also jailed; some prisons built with international aid money
International embarrassment for Afghanistan got one rape victim, Gulnaz, pardoned, although she will still marry the man who raped her. It is good to see reporting that focuses on those who are left behind after Gulnaz’ pardon. Hundreds of women and girls remain behind bars not only for “moral crimes,” but for what would be […]
Hilarious: Spokesman for Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s political party says it “is not interested in imposing Islamic values on Egypt”
The Muslim Brotherhood’s motto is: Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur’an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope. And while the Ikhwan railed against corruption in Mubarak’s regime, it has not only shown its own propensity for corruption through vote […]
Nigeria: Jihad against weddings
The intrepid mujahedin, keeping the world safe from the insidious distractions of joy. It is not clear who the target was, but hey, there will be paradise under Sharia just as soon as they have created enough hell on earth to eliminate the people standing in its way. Sure, that will work. “Gunmen kill 2 […]
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood on allegations of vote buying and fraud: Shut up
Oh, this bodes well for impartial and transparent governance in the New Egypt. Of course, the Ikhwan has gained popularity by railing against corruption under Mubarak. It is easy to criticize the other guy’s corruption and cronyism. But the Brotherhood has already shown its own propensity toward corruption, both in vote buying and other election […]