10 Oct, 2014

Shlomo Sand: ‘I wish to resign and cease considering myself a Jew’ – The Guardian

During the first half of the 20th century, my father abandoned Talmudic school, permanently stopped going to synagogue, and regularly expressed his aversion to rabbis. At this point in my own life, in the early 21st century, I feel in turn a moral obligation to break definitively with tribal Judeocentrism. I am today fully conscious […]

10 Oct, 2014

Zero Australian Terrorism Deaths vs 1 Million Preventable Australian Deaths

By Dr Gideon Polya One can estimate that 81,000 Australians die preventably each year, and over 1 million have died thus since the US Government’s false-flag 9-11 atrocity (3,000 killed) as compared to only 6 Australian deaths by terrorists (none Muslim) in the last 36 years. Yet the major Australian parties, the currently ruling Coalition […]

10 Oct, 2014

Moral trade-offs are for the common good – Sydney Morning Herald

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By Ross Gittins, Sydney Morning Herald Economics Editor Biologists (and economists) have long stressed the importance of competition between us – survival of the fittest and all that – but it’s not hard to see that humans’ domination of the planet arises from our unmatched ability to co-operate with each other to overcome problems. So […]

10 Oct, 2014

The remnants of Gaza – In Pictures – Al Jazeera English

Weeks after Israel ended its bombardment of Gaza, Palestinian residents have started coming back to what remains of their homes and livelihoods. Operation Protective Edge reduced entire neighbourhoods to rubble, flattened iconic buildings and killed more than 2,000 people. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 100,000 people were […]

10 Oct, 2014

Why banning Arab authors from US is censorship – Al Jazeera English

On September 30, Jordanian poet and novelist Amjad Nasser was scheduled to give the inaugural address at the Gallatin Global Writers series. Nasser is a major Arab poet, whose “A Song and Three Questions” was chosen by The Guardian as one of the 50 greatest love poems of the past 50 years and whose debut […]

10 Oct, 2014

Australian spies can access my metadata, so why can’t I? – Sydney Morning Herald

By Ben Grubb, Deputy Technology Editor. This hearing isn’t where I expected to be 15 months ago when I sent Telstra an email requesting access to my metadata. But, after more than a year of phone calls and emails and a private mediation session, it still hasn’t released the information or answered my one key […]

10 Oct, 2014

Dozens of anti-Muslim attacks in Australia – Sydney Morning Herald

There have been at least 30 attacks on Muslims – mainly against women wearing the hijab – in the three weeks since the police anti-terror raids and threats by Islamic State put relations between the Islamic community and mainstream Australia on edge. Muslim community leaders are compiling a register of religiously motivated incidents, which includes […]

10 Oct, 2014

Why outgoing PATA CEO Martin Craigs lasted only one term

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – When his resignation was announced at the PATA Travel Mart in Phnom Penh this past September, outgoing PATA CEO Martin Craigs took an indirect swipe at the PATA board. He was quoted by the TTG Asia e-Daily as saying that it needed more diversity, thus: “People who have served their time on the […]

10 Oct, 2014

Modi campaigns for legislature candidate with criminal taint – Hindustan Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for a controversial Bharatiya Janata Party candidate on Thursday, asking people gathered at a rally in Maharashtra’s Rahuri city to re-elect the local legislator who faces a dozen criminal charges, including that of murder and extortion. The Prime Minister’s support to Shivaji Kardile, ironically, came in a speech exhorting the […]

9 Oct, 2014

Fitch: Hacking Epidemic Puts US Colleges and Universities at Risk

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 07, 2014 – Cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent at U.S. colleges and universities and media attention surrounding an attack poses reputational risk that could push down enrollment, according to Fitch Ratings. Smaller private institutions with less resources and more operating challenges may have weaker security systems in place and a less prepared […]

9 Oct, 2014

U.S. Survey: 62% of Kids Think Parents Too Distracted to Listen, Mobiles Main Culprit

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A majority of kids (62 percent) say their parents are distracted when kids are trying to talk to them, according to Highlights magazine’s 2014 State of the Kid survey results, an annual survey that gives children ages 6 to 12 a national platform to share their thoughts and […]

9 Oct, 2014

Islamophobia on U.S. cable news is out of control – Vox

On September 17, 2001, President George W. Bush gave his “Islam is peace” speech from the Islamic Center of Washington DC, tucked into a leafy stretch of embassy row. He urged the country to embrace “fellow Americans” who are Muslim as well as Islam itself “with respect,” explaining to a country full of “anger and […]

9 Oct, 2014

Fear factor gone, post-Modi Gujarat turns communal again – The Times of India

AHMEDABAD: Narendra Modi’s tallest claim at the end of his almost 13-year reign as Gujarat chief minister was flawless law and order situation in the state, but for the blemish of Godhra riots. “After 2002, Gujarat has not seen violence,” he would often say. After Modi’s flight to New Delhi five months ago, the fear […]

8 Oct, 2014

EXCLUSIVE: Incoming PATA CEO Plans to Restore the Balance, Boost Focus & Efficiency

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Just 10 months after being appointed Chief Operations Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Mario Hardy is to take over as Chief Executive Officer, effective Nov 1. In an exclusive interview, his first since the official announcement, he has pledged to maintain the original agenda of creating a more focussed, results-oriented organisation, […]

8 Oct, 2014

Warning to Australian travellers of kidnapping risk

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The following media statement was released by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on 07 Oct 2014. I urge Australians to carefully consider their need to travel to locations where there is a high threat of kidnapping. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has reissued its kidnapping threat bulletin on locations around the world where […]

7 Oct, 2014

RSS-BJP: Unmaking the Indian Republic – Hindustan Times

….the moment our prime minister returned to India having “conquered” the US, inviting them to invest in India — “Make in India” — US President Barack Obama in his weekly radio address to the nation said that “it was America and not India or China that was the most attractive investment destination in the world”! […]

7 Oct, 2014

Non-Muslim women offer flowers in show of solidarity with Canberra’s Islamic community – Sydney Morning Herald

Ten non-Muslim women, wearing hijabs and carrying flowers, have touched Canberra’s Islamic community with their simple message of love and solidarity. After a week of heightened anti-Islamic rhetoric in Canberra, where numerous politicians discussed banning the burqa, 10 women armed only with flowers attended an ACT Islamic festival to show support for their fellow Canberrans. […]

7 Oct, 2014

Britain, Ireland ink visa deal to benefit Chinese, Indian travelers

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LONDON/DUBLIN, (Xinhua) October 07, 2014 – Britain and Ireland on Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on visa cooperation to allow Chinese and Indian visitors to travel to the two island nations on a single visa. The landmark visa deal will help Britain and Ireland share data and exchange information to inform and determine immigration […]

7 Oct, 2014

FREE Download: Biodiversity report warns against ‘business as usual’ behaviour, consumption

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 6 October 2014 – The parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity began meeting today as a new United Nations report on the status of biodiversity warned that much more efficient use of land, water, energy and materials are needed to meet globally-agreed targets by 2020. “Bold and innovative action […]

7 Oct, 2014

Int’l Flight Training Center Opens for Business in Bangkok

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BANGKOK, Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Pan Am International Flight Training Center, together with All Nippon Airways, Nok Air, and Assumption University, announced today the opening of a new world-class flight training center located on Assumption University’s Suvarnabhumi Campus in Bangkok, Thailand. Pan Am International Flight Training Center – Thailand will serve the training needs […]

7 Oct, 2014

Chinese insurance firm buys Waldorf Astoria New York for $1.95 Billion

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MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 06, 2014 – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. today announced it has entered into an agreement with Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd., under which the Beijing-based insurance company has agreed to purchase the Waldorf Astoria New York for $1.95 billion. As part of this long-term strategic partnership, Anbang will grant Hilton Worldwide a […]

7 Oct, 2014

Myanmar Launches Process for World Heritage Nomination of Bagan

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YANGON, 7 October 2014 (UNESCO media release)– Myanmar will launch the process to nominate Bagan to the UNESCO World Heritage List with an international consultation meeting to be held from 10-12 October 2014 in Bagan. The ancient archaeological site is at the top of the country’s priority list for future World Heritage nominations.  The meeting […]

6 Oct, 2014

Merged Islamic Tourism Mart – Indonesian Travel Fair to be held 24-26 Oct

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 06 October 2014 (12 Dhul Ḥijjah 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE Malaysian […]

6 Oct, 2014

First halal tourism conf in Spain awakens Europe to US$181 billion Islamic market

Imtiaz Muqbil

Granada, Spain – Spanish tourism authorities could double the number of visitor arrivals if they better market the country’s rich Islamic heritage, a unique competitive advantage over the rest of Europe. Indeed, speakers at the first Halal Tourism Conference (HTC) organised in Europe between 22-23 Sept 2014 sent clear messages that countries, companies and communities […]

4 Oct, 2014

Myanmar, Sri Lanka Buddhist extremists join hands | Arab News

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A hard-line Buddhist monk from Myanmar known for his anti-Muslim stance said his movement would join hands with a like-minded Sri Lankan group to “protect” Buddhists, whom he called an endangered world minority. Ashin Wirathu, leader of 969, a fundamentalist movement, was a special invitee Sunday at a rally of Bodu Bala […]

2 Oct, 2014

Plastic waste causing US$13 billion damage to marine ecosystems annually

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Athens, 1 October 2014 (UN News Centre) – Leading scientists and policymakers meeting in Athens this week acknowledged that marine litter remained a “tremendous challenge” in almost all regions of the world, with significant socio-economic consequences and clear impacts on marine ecosystems. The three-day 16th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans […]

2 Oct, 2014

Chinese commentary: New Western crusade in Middle East has no better prospects than last

Beijing (Global Times)  September 17, 2014 – Washington’s foreign policy has an increasingly Alice in Wonderland character. But President Barack Obama’s policy toward the Islamic State (IS) does not surprise. To consider the new US crusade, it is helpful to get first the context and narrative into perspective. The present mess in the Middle East […]

2 Oct, 2014

Ex-Afghan leader Karzai slams US, Pakistan in farewell speech – DAWN.COM

Kabul: Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday blamed the United States for his country’s long war, a final swipe at the country that helped bring him to power 13 years ago but towards which he has become increasingly bitter. His farewell speech came days ahead of the planned swearing in of a new president, […]

2 Oct, 2014

JCB to Launch the JCB Ultimate Card for Affluent Chinese

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Tokyo, Sept 30, 2014 – (ACN Newswire) – JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., is pleased to announce the launch of JCB Ultimate card, the highest-status JCB card in China, for the expanding market of affluent Chinese consumers. In mid-October, China CITIC Bank will start issuing the China […]

2 Oct, 2014

Russia cancels FLEX student exchange with the US | DW.DE

The Russian government decided on Wednesday to ditch a 20 year-old exchange that sent Russian high school students to the US amid escalating tensions between the former Cold War enemies. According to a report in the AFP news agency, the Kremlin accused the US of encouraging a student to stay behind under the guardianship of […]

2 Oct, 2014

What if every hotel room in the world displayed this “Poster of Peace”?

Imtiaz Muqbil

What if every hotel room in the world were to display this multi-lingual “Poster of Peace”? I pose this question in this special dispatch on Oct 2, universally marked as a Day of Non-Violence in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, whose Ahimsa philosophy of non-violent resistance was at the […]

1 Oct, 2014

Netanyahu’s message of unending war – Haaretz

Netanyahu is not interested in an agreement with the Palestinians, denies the existence of the occupation and is unwilling to withdraw from the West Bank in any case. Want peace? Look for it in Abu Dhabi and Cairo, not in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Even Abbas — who, like Netanyahu, awoke the national traumas in his […]