Daniel Pipes On Islam and Democracy

I’ve always appreciated that Daniel Pipes - unlike Robert Spencer - takes the time and effort to differentiate between Islam and what is usually termed Islamism, the political ideology of groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Given that Pipes is a staunchly right-wing figure, I found this article of his refreshing in substance. I don’t […]

Darfur and Sudanese-American Relations

I’ve been following the ongoing negotiations between Khartoum and the US envoy to Sudan closely. Can you blame me? Normalizing ties would be a huge positive and mutually-beneficial step.
I’m glad America has the right conditions in place.
April 14, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The US special envoy for Sudan is expected to hold a meeting with a […]

Irshad Manji to Host Prof. An-Na’im

… and the launching of his new book “Islam and the Secular State“, one I’ve been anxiously looking forward to.
The event will take place at the first of several “Conversations with Champions of Moral Courage“, a project by Irshad Manji. It’s happening in NYU’s Graduate School of Public Service.
You can read more about Irshad’s […]

WTF News of the Moment: Republicans for Obama?!

Yes, believe it!
This race is getting so much more interesting with every passing minute. A new website called Republicans for Obama has popped up. And no, it’s not fake. It’s real and was even featured on Time!
On a related note Susan Eisenhower, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s grand daughter has a super interesting article in the Washington […]

Giuliani Ready to Endorse McCain?

What? What? What?. It might actually happen! Cool. So Rudy Giuliani who is Bushier than Bush seems ready to quit the race? Phew!
My ideal candidate would be the best of a McCain-Obama combination but too bad that imaginary candidate doesn’t exist. If Obama wasn’t supportive of withdrawing from Iraq, I think I would have picked […]

Fouad Farhan: Why We Blog

Whops, I just realized I’m supposed to be silent today in order to express solidarity for Fouad Farhan, a fellow blogger who got jailed by the Saudi authorities.
Better late than never.
I never knew Fouad before the news of his arrest made it all over the media. Today for the first time I checked out some […]

Obama’s Victory Speech

Admit it. He makes the best and most uplifting speeches. Crap, I’m almost in tears.
When it comes to the Elephants I’ve been saying for a year now that I support John McCain. As for the Donkeys, it’s either Hillary or Obama. I’m sort of undecided but I gotta say I’m leaning more towards Mr. Hope. […]

Ayn Rand Speaking to the Elephants

It might seem odd to many (especially Muslims), but I am deeply intrigued by Ayn Rand. Up until recently, I only knew small bits of information about her and the views she espoused. Lately though, I find myself getting acquainted better and the more I read, the more I’m fascinated.
The woman was tough and confidently […]

“Freedom” from “Freedom”

I’ll call it “photo of the day”. I found it at Miss Egyptiana’s blog. It displays a very comfortable coexistence between the secular and religious. There is the big umbrella of freedom under which exists mini-”freedoms”. Think about it.
You’ll find other pieces of art bearing strong similarities here, here and here.

Denmark and Europe Might Get Their First Hijabi MP

Yup, it’s true. I’ve written about the hijab here and here. Even our beloved Danish friend, the one and only Halalhippie has. Now it might actually become a reality in the Danish parliament.
And you know what’s funny? It isn’t in the Turkish one. Ironic isn’t it?

Iraq: When Good News Is Bad News

Discovered via Iraq.DailyVoices.com:
Long live Iraq’s true freedom fighters!!
UPDATE:
I wrote this six months ago in a post that pissed off some people:
If, I repeat if, order and security is back and if Iraqis start seeing peace, prosperity and justice in the coming years, then I believe Bush will go down in history as a liberator. If […]

How the Blue Donkeys Could Take Over

This cracked me up so badly!
… it occurred to me that Democrats really don’t need to do anything. All liberals need to do is sit back and watch while the whole Republican government resigns after it’s discovered that they’re all actually gay.
That makes at least three this year. Mark Foley, Larry Craig and Richard Curtis. […]

Criticize Hosni Mubarak All You Want, No Problemo

Yeth yeth, of courth. The Egyptian government hath alwayth thupported free thpeech. Praith be to Hothni Mubarak, the greatetht prethident ever.
There were some tensions over U.S. criticism of human rights in Egypt. Rice told their press conference that in her talks with Mubarak and Aboul Gheit she brought up the issue of the detentions of […]

Interview With Sadiq al-Mahdi, Leader of al-Umma Party

Sadiq al-Mahid is the former Prime Minister of Sudan. I regard him as an appealing figure in Sudanese politics worthy of respect. Sudan Tribune conducted an excellent interview with him:
Mr. Al Mahdi is one of the few Sudanese political leaders who truly believes in a liberal democracy and ruling by consensus in a […]

Yaaay Netanyahu Wins Likud Race!

Yaaay! He won! Phew! Hey come on, I’m not a Zionist agent. I’m just looking at the bright side. At least Netanyahu’s challenger, crazy Moshe Feiglin got defeated:
Netanyahu faced a relatively strong challenge from Moshe Feiglin, a radical West Bank settler, whose performance in Tuesday’s primary could help shore up the extreme right wing of […]

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