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Islam in 60 Seconds, July 17, 2008 Issue
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IIC Condemns Violence in Parachinar, Pakistan
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July 15, 2008
 The Islamic Information Center strongly condemns the atrocities being committed by Taliban and related Takfiri forces in Pakistan against Shia Muslims.
According to news, nearly three dozen Shi'ite civilians are killed in daily attacks from the Taliban fighters. Such atrocities are a violation of human rights, and IIC believes that the Pakistani government should take immediate action to prevent further bloodshed. To read more, click here. |
FBI to be given legal rights to "profile"?
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July 10, 2008
The U.S. Department of Justice is deliberating on altering the grounds for FBI investigation of US citizens and residents. Currently the FBI is required to have evidence to open an investigation, but future changes might allow federal authorities to create "terrorist profiles" as grounds for investigation. Included in the profile could be information like race, ethnicity, travel behavior, or occupation. | Australian Muslims Welcome Catholic Visitors
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July 14, 2008
Australia's Muslim leaders have opened their mosques and schools to house Roman Catholic pilgrims for World Youth Day as part of efforts to ease interfaith tensions. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils is also planning mixed-faith sporting competitions and mosque open days for the international festival. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports. Roman Catholic leaders in Australia sought the help of other faiths to help house an army of foreign pilgrims arriving for the World Youth Day events this week. | Saudi Shi'ites Respond to Extremist Language
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July 2, 2008
Shi'ite Scholars in Saudi Arabia have responded to "fatwas" or edicts from Wahabist clerics branding them as "infidels". According to the scholars, the clerics were suffering from psychological problems. "We ask our brothers who have wronged us with their fatwas (religious edicts) branding Muslims as infidels to reconsider and re-read the contemporary Shi'ite reality in a responsible manner," said the statement that was sent to Reuters. | Obama to travel to West Bank
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July 14, 2008
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, is making plans to visit the West Bank later this month. During his visit he will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and make a stop in Jordan. Obama has stated his solid support for Israel but hopes for a peaceful Palestinian nation together with an Israeli one. | Islamic heritage celebrated at Islam Expo
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July 15, 2008
The Islam Expo 2008 gathered over 40,000 visitors, Europe's largest Islamic "cultural extravaganza" which took place in London. The five-day event was a celebration of "Islamic culture, tradition, innovation and art" and was open to both Muslims and non-Muslims to enjoy and learn. | Allegation of abuse made against British troops
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July 13, 2008
An allegation against British soldiers for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Iraqi boy has been made just a few days after a statement was given that the UK's Ministry of Defense would give about 3 million pounds to Iraqis tortured by British troops. The sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred at Camp Bread Basket in Basra. The Royal Military Police is investigating.
| Bush Administration unyielding in Iraqi occupation
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July 8, 208
The current Bush Administration is repudiating attempts at the Iraqi government to secure a withdrawal date. "The US government and the government of Iraq are in agreement that we, the US government, we want to withdraw, we will withdraw. However, that decision will be conditions-based," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said. | China's trials against Muslims condemned by US lawmakers
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July 11, 2008
United States politicians condemned the concentrated pre-Olympic effort that Beijing has made in China against the Muslim population in the northwest Xingjian region. Democrat Jim McGovern and Republican Frank Wolf claim that "abuses of due process and rule of law" have been committed, particularly in the closed trial case of 15 Muslim Uighurs incarcerated on terrorism charges, two of which were executed immediately following the trial. "These trials appear to be no more than a ploy to oppress religious freedom and ethnic minority groups," Wolf said. | French deny Muslim woman citizenship on grounds of religion
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July 12, 2008
Thirty-two-year-old Faiza M from Morocco has lived in France for eight years with her French husband and three children. A French court has rejected her application for citizenship for what they call the practice of "radical" Islam, which isn't compatible with French principles. She was also denied citizenship in 2005 for "insufficient assimilation." | | Philippines to attract Muslim tourists with halal food |
July 15, 2008
Philippines's Department of Tourism has emphasized the need to increase the availability of halal food in their country to boost tourism. They hope that by providing halal food Muslim tourists will be more likely to visit and will feel more welcome. The department co-sponsored the National Halal Convention in Pasay City to discuss methods in joining the halal industry. | | US air raids undermining Pakistani government |
July 14, 2008
Pakistan is "deeply concerned" that the United States will increase air strikes in tribal areas. Pakistani officials claim that such attempts could harm the government's effectiveness in fighting the militancy. While the U.S. did have consent for restricted attacks against al-Qaeda earlier in the year, the new government has requested them to discontinue the strikes since they have increased resentment and violent attempts at retribution. | | Wedding bombed by US, according to Afghan authorities |
July 13, 2008
Locals of the Nangarhar province in Afghanistan say that 47 civilians were killed in a U.S. air strike that dropped bombs on a wedding party. According to Afghan authorities on July 6 celebrators from a double wedding were walking through a pass in the mountains when three bombs landed on members of the party, killing many including one of the brides. The U.S. military claims that they believed the dead to be insurgents and are looking into the incident. Not being the first time the U.S. has been responsible for the death of civilians, the American government may find the people of Nangarhar unsympathetic to their cause. |
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