Iran: Human Rights activist, sentenced to 6 years

Image by Robert Reed Daly via Flickr.INN.com:

A semiofficial Iranian news agency revealed that a prominent rights activist has been sentenced to six years in prison on various anti-government charges, but has escaped the death penalty.
ILNA said Saturday that Shiva Nazar Ahari has been convicted of moharebeh, or “waging war against Allah,” a crime usually punishable by death. The news agency reported further that she was also convicted of plotting to commit crimes and agitating against the ruling system. Ahari was sentenced to six years in total and has been ordered to pay $400 as a substitute for 76 lashes.
Ahari is a founder of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters in Tehran. Human rights groups have dismissed the claims against her as “trumped-up charges” stemming from her participation in protest rallies after Iran’s disputed June 2009 presidential elections.

Global Voices Online also reports on this.

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US: Fla. pastor who threatened to burn the Koran, could be forced to pay security bill

NYPost:

The cost of providing security for the pastor who threatened to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks totaled at least $200,000 — and the controversial minister may be forced to foot the bill, The Gainesville Sun reported Friday.

The city of Gainesville, Fla., said it intends to present pastor Terry Jones a bill for $100,000, the amount it cost the Gainesville Police Department to devote almost its entire police force to monitoring the Dove World Outreach Center — the tiny evangelical church led by Terry Jones — after news of his threat spread across the world.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, which also estimates it spent $100,000 on providing security to Jones, said 160 of the 242 deputies on duty last Saturday were specifically assigned to police the planned protest of the scheduled burning. Sheriff Sadie Darnell said she is considering sending the bill to Jones.

The “menace” was stupid, it was just “provocative“. But forcing him to pay the security bill , without warning him first that they were going to make him pay, is absolutely wrong. Firstly, because even if it’s stupid, he has the right to burn it; secondly, because no one told him that his action was going to have consequences (is this stated by any US law?) and thirdly, because he didn’t threaten anyone’s security. Even if his action was absolutely ridiculous, he never threatened other people’s lives, properties…. Why this security bill is not presented to the various groups which threatened him?
By the way, this seems to me a measure to prevent him from doing similar things in the future….

Lebanon: (Another) Hizbullah coup is near?

That’s what Saudi intelligence has told Lebanese PM:

Well-informed Saudi sources have confirmed to the “Beirut Observer” that the delay of Lebanon’s PM return to Beirut came in response to advice by Saudi officials. The Saudis are extremely concerned in regards to information became available to them indicating that an imminent Hezbollah coup is in on the horizon. The Saudis are fearful that Hezbollah’s threats are not mere political rhetoric this time. The Iranian-armed militia has set all the needed logistic preparations for the coup and is only waiting for the zero hour.

According to the report, Hezbollah’s planned coup will take a camouflaged cover of civilian protection this time. But the reality on the ground is that it will not be different from Hezbollah’s bloody and cruel invasion of Western Sunni Beirut and Druze Mount Lebanon in May 2008. The coup will be initiated by putting government officials under house arrest. This will include Lebanon’s PM, Saad Al Hariri, General prosecutor Said Mirza, Internal Security Forces General Director General Ashraf Rifi as well as many other officials and politicians. Sources said that Information Branch President Colonel Wesam Hassan will be spared from house arrest in the early hours of the coup.

The report went on to conclude that at the present time the centre of attention is a scheduled visit by a Saudi envoy to Damascus today and on the results of his talks with Syrian officials. The Saudi mission to Syria will focus on the current volatile situation in Lebanon, the avoidance of bloodshed, strife and and the repetition of what happened on May 2008. The Saudis fear that the impact of any military coup executed by Hezbollah in Lebanon will spread chaos over the entire region.

Another phase in Sunni-Shia war?

Saudi Arabia: activist calls for the end of male control over women

Image via Wikipedia. Young Saudi Arabian woman wearing Islamic clothing, as required by Sharia.

I don’t think she is going to be very succesful. Ansamed:

Saudi Arabian women’s rights activist Wajeeha Alhuwaider has called for the political leadership in the country to abolish rules granting male authority over women, said Al Jazeera’s website, which stressed the controversy that the request has created.

So what is the controversy about? About “Westernization”. An Islamic activist and journalist Amira Salem, believes that her remarks are just “an extension of the American strategy that is focused on the rights of Saudi women“. And another Islamic writer, named Ibraheem Assakran, said that “there is an enormous project of Westernization, based on the issue of Saudi women“, adding that “they (that is, Westerners) want women and men to see each other and become friends like in the West“.

WOW. What about driving? Marrying the man they want,not their families? Travelling alone? Having a carreer of their own? Being able to dress in a normal, modern dress, not as Arabian Peninsula 780 BC?

Japan, for example, has evolved, maintaining their own traditions, but adopting those mores which can be considered as necessary to live now. There were people who opposed to it, of course, but in the end they succeeded in being a modern country with very ancient traditions.

But it’s interesting to note, nevertheless, that Mr. Assakran is worried mainly about men being friends with women. 

Found at Poste de Veille.

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Afghanistan: election’s day amid threats and kidnappings

Elections on Afghanistan were held amid the threats from the Talibans against the voters, the kidnappings of several campaign workers and, probably, of a candidate too, and the risks that female candidates have in this country.
About violence, yesterday there were several episodes of violence against voters. The most important ones are these two. The first, from Reuters:

“One national army and six Arbaki (militiamen) were killed in the attack,” Baghlan’s police chief, Abdul Rahman Rahimi, told reporters by phone. Five others were wounded in the attack in Baghlan province, which took place near a polling station and an adjacent security outpost.

The second reported by Herald Sun:

A mortar bomb attack in northern Takhar province killed one man and injured two of his sons, said provincial spokesman Faiz Mohammad Tawhidi, after an earlier rocket attack killed two people in volatile eastern Nangarhar province.
The violence came as Afghans voted across the country despite Taliban threats to attack polling centres and security forces, and warnings that voters could expect to be harmed.

About the kidnappings: NYTimes:

The Taliban on Friday claimed to have kidnapped 30 campaign workers, election officials and even a candidate for Parliament as Afghans prepared to vote in elections Saturday.
…On Thursday evening in northern Badghis Province, 8 workers with the Independent Election Commission and 10 campaigners for a candidate went to meet with village elders in Qolghai, in Muqur District, about opening a polling station, but armed Taliban insurgents in the village took them prisoner, according to Sharafuddin Majidi, a spokesman for the provincial governor.
In eastern Afghanistan, a candidate, Mollawi Hayatullah Purqani, was driving in the Alishing District of Laghman Province on Friday morning when he was stopped by the Taliban and taken away, according to Abdul Rahman Muhabat, head of the election commission in the province, who said that others with Mr. Purqani may have been kidnapped as well.

And lastly, related to the risks that have female candidates, Radio Free Europe run this article. An excerpt:

The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan, an independent watchdog body, says that women remain the main target of election-related intimidation. For every 10 threats made against candidates, nine were made against women candidates, according to the foundation.

http://www.rferl.org/flash/MediaPlayer.swf?cache=
Related:
NATO soldier killed in Northern Afghanistan.
American soldiers ambushed in dramatic video.
Risky climate for female candidates in Afghan poles.
Afghan vote marked by light turnout and violence.

Al-Qaeda: Ayman Al-Zawahiri speaks on the 9th anniversary of 9/11 bombings

http://www.youtube.com/v/TG4GkAtMqeM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1

Pakistan: More on the Christians discrimination on the relief aid

From Missão Portas Abertas:

A photographer of Portas Abertas is traveling through Pakistan to report on the flood’s disaster. The circumstances are difficult and threatening. “I had to travel by night to the affected area and could only stay there for some hours. I had to go back to a safe city before there was talk of a foreigner in the region“.

The photographer visited two villages. “Of course I had heard stories about Christians being overlooked during the relief effort of the government and Islamic organizations. In the first village that was a harsh reality. The town was still flooded with people camped on high ground. The Muslims were in tents nice and firm. Christians were situated a few hundred meters down the road, with makeshift tents made of branches, leaves and grass“.

The local Christian leader said they were heartbroken when help arrived at the Muslim village. Everything that they could have were the leftovers. However, when a church brought supplies to the Christians, they had to share it with the Muslims, otherwise they would have problems. According to the pastor, “the situation is a sad reality of many affected areas“.

In another village, the situation was slightly better. “These Christians have helped each other a little, because they managed to secure parts of the harvest. I prayed with about 50 local men in the country and the village.”

Still, the photographer feels the tension in all the places you visit. “Five years ago I was in the country because of the earthquake that struck Kashmir. There was a lot of freedom to move. Freedom that has disappeared. In many places the people were persecuting me. It seems they want the Church involved in humanitarian aid. Or at least they want to keep quiet about it. Moreover, the Christians say that the Talebans are very active. There is always a risk of humanitarian workers being attacked, mainly foreigners and Christians. “

Despite the dangers, Open Doors works in conjunction with the Church to trace Pakistani Christians in areas that are difficult to access. Contributed food, medicine, blankets and other aid products. They are also taken to safe shelters, if needed. Pray for Christians and workers in the field.

Background:

Convert to Islam or you’re not getting aid, Christians told.

(Translation: T&P).

Israel: Hamas fires phosphorus shells on civilians

Image via Wikipedia. Hamas’ flag with Shahada.This happened three days ago:

Two phosphorous mortars were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday. “These weapons have been banned by the Geneva convention. They cause burns among victims and they kill,” said Haim Yalin, head of the Eshkol Regional Council. Hamas-the Iranian-backed terrorist group that rules Gaza-has increased its attacks on the Jewish state since Israel and the Palestinian Authority resumed direct negotiations earlier this month. “So long as this autonomous Iranian entity in Gaza continues to exist, we will be fired on,” Yalin said. “There are 50,000 residents who live in this area who are thirsty for peace and a normal life. And we face a Hamas entity that is unwilling to recognize Israel. We are civilians, farmers, students, all being fired on indiscriminately.”

When Israel used them, there was an international uproar against its use. When Hamas uses it, it barely gets to front pages. Another example of double standards. What happens: Israeli lives are worth less than Palestinian ones?

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Spain: Moroccan activists prayed last Friday on Spanish-Moroccan frontier in Melilla

Image via Wikipedia. Melilla’s Flag.

El Mundo:

The Coordinator of the Civil Society of Northern Morocco and the Committee for the Liberation of Ceuta and Melilla have today moved the main prayer of the week, which is celebrated on Friday at noon, near the border with Melilla.

According to police sources, between 70 and 80 people have participated in joint prayer, which was led by a Moroccan imam of a nearby town.

For the occasion, the have deployed along the border, in the “no man’s land”, rugs and mats on which the prayers were made.

Before the start of the prayer, which began around 14.20 Spanish time, activists have expressed proclamations against the Popular Party and against “the occupation and imperialism of Spain.”

They have also displayed banners with the image of Melilla’s Autonomous President, Juan José Imbroda, as well as PP leader, Mariano Rajoy, and former Prime Minister José María Aznar, who has been criticized by Morocco after visiting the city independently.

The prayer coincides with the celebration of Melilla’s Day, which commemorates the 513 anniversary of the Spanish city.

UK: Halal food is being served without informing consumers

Image by John Griffin via Flickr

Daily Mail:

A Mail on Sunday investigation – which will alarm anyone concerned about animal cruelty – has revealed that schools, hospitals, pubs and famous sporting venues such as Ascot and Twickenham are controversially serving up meat slaughtered in accordance with strict Islamic law to unwitting members of the public.

All the beef, chicken and lamb sold to fans at Wembley has secretly been prepared in accordance with sharia law, while Cheltenham College, which boasts of its ‘strong Christian ethos’, is one of several top public schools which also serves halal chicken to pupils without informing them. 

Even Britain’s biggest hotel and restaurant group Whitbread, which owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains, among many others, has admitted that more than three-quarters of its poultry is halal.

Animal welfare campaigners have long called for a ban on the traditional Islamic way of preparing meat – which involves killing animals by drawing a knife across their throats, without stunning them first – saying it is cruel and causes unnecessary pain.

Sharia law expressly forbids knocking the animal out with a bolt gun, as is usual in British slaughter houses. Instead, it must be sentient when its throat is cut, and the blood allowed to drip from the carcass while a religious phrase in praise of Allah is recited.

The extent of halal meat consumption, even in areas of Britain with a very small Muslim population, was revealed as the Pope, on his first visit to Britain, expressed fears that the country was not doing enough to preserve traditional Christian values and customs.

In a strongly worded speech to Parliament, he said: ‘There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.’

But it is animal rights groups which have been most vociferous in their opposition to halal slaughter. Campaign organisation Viva!, whose supporters include Heather Mills and Joanna Lumley, said in a statement: ‘Other practices which may be undertaken for religious reasons, such as polygamy or the stoning of adulterers, are not permitted in the UK.

Without informing the public…, what about “transparency“? Consumers should take this into account when buying goods or using services provided by these institutions.

UK: Algerians arrested on plot to kill Pope, freed

Image via WikipediaNewsTime:

British police are reporting that they have freed the men who were arrested on suspicion of plotting a ‘terrorist’ attack on Pope Benedict XVI.
The men, between the ages of 26 and 50 were released without charge on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

BBC focuses more on the Pope’s agenda for today but has this line:

six men who were being held in connection with an alleged threat to the Pope’s visit were released without charge.

Background: Five held over plot to kill the Pope.

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European Parliament: VP wants to organise women in support of Sakineh

Image by • Bruce via FlickrADNKronos:

European parliament vice-president Roberta Angelilli intends to help organise a Italian and European networks of women in support of an Iranian woman death-by-stoning has been suspended.

“We decided to build a network of women for Sakineh,” Angelilli told Adnkronos International (AKI) in an interview on Friday. “It would be a bipartisan grouping of diverse political interests on the European and national level.

“All politicians would be involved to keep interest going in this case and to try to bring forward a motion by the European Parliament that would guard the rights of women and all the people in Iran.”

AKI’s newly launched ‘Flowers not Stones!’ campaign aims to save the life of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, a mother of two who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery and helping kill her husband.

Background: Woman’s stoning put on hold.

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