Volume 9
The Obama Phenomenon
December 17, 2007– “Over the past few weeks, as interest has grown in the 2008 U.S. presidential contest, I’ve been asked by friends across the Arab world for my opinion on Barack Obama. Could I explain the phenomenon they are seeing on television? Can he win? Here is my response.”
Balkanized Homecoming
As Iraqi Refugees Start to Trickle Back, Authorities Worry About How They Will Fit Into the New Baghdad
Muslims Mark Hajj’s Spiritual High Point
December 18, 2007–MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Millions of Muslims marked the zenith of the hajj Tuesday, praying for God’s forgiveness on a rocky desert hill here where in Muslim tradition Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden.
Behind the Bombings in Algeria and Lebanon
The recent explosions in Algeria and Lebanon may have the look and feel of those carried out by Al Qaeda-affiliated groups, but the timing of these explosions strongly suggest that external forces – like Syria, Israel or even French colonial powers – may also have a hidden hand.
Interfaith Festival Joins Muslim, Jewish, Christian Communities
Annual dinner celebrates Hajj, Hanukah, Christmas
‘Treason on the High Seas’
The Israeli jet aircraft were ruthless and stubborn in their attempt to sink and murder all hands aboard.
Bird Flu Affects Saudi Egg Supply
It could be months before the Saudi Arabian government gives the all-clear that the H5N1 virus has been annihilated in the Kingdom and there are likely to be more bird cullings in the future to be sure the virus has been eradicated.
Long Road Facing BJP’s Advani
Though 80-year-old Advani’s desire for the prime ministerial position has never been a secret, its announcement at this stage has sprung a surprise. Nevertheless, this definitely clarifies that if BJP wins the next parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2009, Advani will be the prime minister. This clearly signals Vajpayee, due to health-problems, is no more in the race.
Musings — Scripture, Not Culture, is Our Saving Grace
I read with great sadness the letters to the editor in one of the daily newspapers in the Detroit, Michigan area. The letters were responding to an editorial written earlier by one of our upstanding community leaders in this area, Victor Ghalib Begg.
Male Mental Depression in the West
Unwed motherhood became de-stigmatized in the West and it has increased ten-fold in just two generations. Divorce became de-stigmatized and has now become the norm in Western society. De-stigmatizing the un-natural or harmful tends to make it popular and propagated; it definitely does not eliminate the condition.
Investments (V9-I52) — Bottom Fishing
Investors have long been well served by adhering to the old adage ‘’buy low and sell high.’’ Whenever someone thought up that bit of wisdom, it wasn’t during times like now when all sorts of asset classes sell at premium prices.
Girls’ Guidance Class Celebration
A terribly important issue that faces all Muslims is the conduct of our children and the manner of our raising them. The Islamic Institute of Knowledge has one of the best program designed to reach out to Muslim adolescents in the entire Southeast Michigan region–the following is a report about the progress they have made over the past year
Houstonian Corner (V9-I52)
Evening with Russell Jones / PCC-USA Dinner for new consul-general of Pakistan
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Convention
MPAC held a highly successful convention, its seventh annual convention, this past weekend at the Convention Center in Long Beach, Ca.
Styrofoam and Polystyrene
styrofoam and polystyrene, explained.
Tribute to Hamza El Din
“One of the best old Nubian songs.”
To Live and Die in Algeria
December 11th–As I write two roadside bombers struck in the city of Algiers, a major metropolis and capital of Algeria in Northwest Africa. The targets seemed have been two U.N (United Nations) buildings in that metropolitan area.
Creeping Totalitarianism: The Writing Is On the Wall
“Reading Naomi Wolf’s The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2007), I realized the hour is later than I thought….”
Iran Stops Selling Oil in U.S. Dollars
TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran has completely stopped selling any of its oil for U.S. dollars, an Iranian news agency reported on Saturday, citing the oil minister of the world’s fourth-largest crude producer.
