28 Feb, 2015

Australian Sikhs say abuse on the rise as they cop Anti-Muslim sentiment

SYDNEY – Not long after the terror alert level was raised to high, truck driver Amar Singh was working when a stranger approached and said: “You look like a terrorist. You should be on a terrorist watch list.” Mr Singh, who was sitting in his parked truck in Wollongong, was perplexed. He certainly was not […]

28 Feb, 2015

Norwegian doctor in Gaza speaks at Israel Apartheid Week in Oslo

He is one of the few foreign doctors who have seen from close the horrific consequences of several Israeli aggressions on Palestinians. Dr. Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian doctor, has been travelling to and from Gaza for several years to treat Palestinians at the al-Shifa hospital. He was also there during the Israeli aggression last summer. […]

23 Feb, 2015

Alcohol-free Hotel Takes Off in Ibadan, Nigeria

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 23 February 2015 (04 Jumaada al-Awwal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]

22 Feb, 2015

Jewish Fanatic Settlers Chop Down 36 Olive Trees in South Hebron Hills

======

AT-TUWANI, February 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers chopped down Friday 36 olive trees in the south Hebron hills, said Operation Dove, an Italian peace group, in a press release, The group said that on the morning of February 20, Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills awoke to find that 36 olive trees had been […]

22 Feb, 2015

On Mother Language Day, UN spotlights role of native tongue in education

======

United Nations, UN News Centre, 21 February 2015 – Mother tongue education is not only a force for quality learning, it is also essential to bolster multilingualism and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity at a time when societies are transforming quickly and many languages are under threat, the United Nations agency mandated with promoting […]

22 Feb, 2015

Indian govt ousts Modi critic, a Nobel Laureate, as head of Nalanda University – The Indian Express

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday ruled out reconsidering his decision not to seek second term as Chancellor of Nalanda University, saying that the government had decided “not to have me”. The 82-year-old economist’s decision to withdraw his candidature as the university Chair for the second term after complaining about political interference in academic matters […]

21 Feb, 2015

Hidden agenda: How EU-US trade deal could thwart “boycott Israel” campaign | The Electronic Intifada

Two members of the US Congress have introduced a bill that would turn a giant trade deal between the EU and US into a devastating weapon against the people of Palestine and all those seeking justice alongside them. Together with the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that is currently under negotiation, the proposed […]

21 Feb, 2015

Iran’s Jews: It is our home and we plan to stay

Tehran, Feb 20, IRNA – National Public Radio (NPR), a media organization in the United States, says Iranian Jews believe Iran is their home and they want to stay in their home. In a report written by the NPR reporter Steve Inskeep, we read Iran is a country where people at rallies routinely chant ‘Death […]

20 Feb, 2015

Beijing’s crowd control system to be rolled out nationwide

======

Beijing, (Xinhua), 2015-02-02 – Beijing is using a crowd analytics system to prevent stampedes at major commercial areas. It is hoped that the system will be rolled out nationwide. Beijing has used the system, which was developed by the Beijing Municipal Institute of Labor Protection (BMILP), for five years. The system provides real-time data on […]

20 Feb, 2015

Wealth of China’s super rich to rise in Year of Sheep

Beijing, (CRI), 2015-02-18 – Ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival that falls on Thursday, also the Year of the Sheep, China’s ultra-high net worth population will have another successful year. Ultra-high net worth (UHNW) intelligence and prospecting firm Wealth-X has predicted that the wealth of UHNW population, those with a net worth of $30 million […]

20 Feb, 2015

Ten Reasons for the “War on Islam”

Imtiaz Muqbil

On February 19, U.S. President Barack Obama gave a speech at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, in which he declared that the United States is not waging a war on Islam. He made a similar assertion in his famous speech at Al Azhar University in Cairo in June 2009. Former U.S. President George W. […]

19 Feb, 2015

Emirates rejects Delta’s apology over terrorism remarks | GulfNews.com

Dubai: Emirates has rejected an apology from Delta Air Lines, one of America’s major carriers, after its chief executive, Richard Anderson, this week associated the 9/11 terrorist attack with Gulf airlines. “We believe that the statements made this week by [Mr] Anderson were deliberately crafted and delivered for specific effect. This brings into question his […]

19 Feb, 2015

China Focus: Mind your manner – tourists advised before holiday travel rush

======

HANGZHOU, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — As many Chinese prepare to travel abroad for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, tourism industry insiders are appealing travelers to mind their manners. Ctrip, a NASDAQ-listed travel service company, published a report on Chinese travelers’ behavior abroad in January, which claimed most of the 1 million tourists using its package […]

19 Feb, 2015

For India, Secularism is not a policy option – The Hindu

Contrary to what many in the BJP seem to think, secularism is not a policy option for a government, but one of the original principles that inform the Constitution. ‘Secular’, as a word to describe the Indian Republic, might have been added to the Preamble only in 1976, but the freedom of conscience and free […]

19 Feb, 2015

Are Airbnb and Uber creating a new black economy? – Sydney Morning Herald

It is called the “sharing economy”. It has been embraced by millions of consumers globally, and has made multi-millionaires out of the savvy entrepreneurs behind its most high-profile services, like Uber and Airbnb. But for governments in Australia, and around the world, it has proved to be a difficult beat to police. The likes of […]

19 Feb, 2015

Spotlight: Chinese Maritime Silk Road to boost regional prosperity

======

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Overseas experts have made positive comments on China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, saying it will promote the development of the countries along the route and boost regional prosperity. Professor James Peck from New York University told reporters that the strategic 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative will exert […]

19 Feb, 2015

Israel’s Control of Dead Sea Deprives Palestinians of $962b Annually

RAMALLAH, February 15, 2015 (WAFA) – The Ministry of National Economy Sunday said the Israeli government’s full control of the Dead Sea deprives the Palestinian economy from taking advantage of its natural resources and valuable metals by profiting from around $962 billion. The ministry said if Palestinians were allowed to make use of the natural […]

19 Feb, 2015

Bangkok Int’l Fashion & Leather Fairs 2015 to be held March 11-15

======

Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce invites you to attend the 33th Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair or BIFF&BIL. This time, BIFF&BIL 2015, which will be held during March 11-15, 2015 at Challenger Hall 1-2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, will portray the new whole […]

19 Feb, 2015

Jewish fanatic settlers uproot hundreds of olive saplings near Hebron

======

HEBRON, February 18, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Wednesday uprooted around 550 newly planted olive saplings in the town of ash-Shuyukh to the northeast of Hebron, according to local sources. Sources told WAFA that settlers from the illegal settlements of Asfar and Bani Kadim uprooted olive trees’ saplings belonging to the families of Abd al-Qader […]

19 Feb, 2015

Why Muslim lives don’t matter in the U.S. – Al Jazeera English

Irrespective of what rallying cries, signs or adapted hashtags proclaim, Muslim lives in America don’t matter. The aftermath of the murder of the three American students in Chapel Hill, and the broader context that spurred it, reconfirms this brutal truth. The three victims – Deah Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Mohammad, 21, and her sister […]

19 Feb, 2015

UN political chief warns of ‘increasingly toxic’ Gaza; calls for new talks, international support

======

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 18 February 2015 – Briefing the United Nations Security Council after “another tumultuous and deadly month” in the Middle East, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, warned that further escalation remains possible in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and could be highly damaging to both parties and to […]

19 Feb, 2015

Israeli Police Let Jewish Fanatics into Al-Aqsa Area, Block Palestinians Entry

======

JERUSALEM, February 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Tuesday continued their almost daily provocative visits to al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem, whilst Israeli police proceeded with imposing restrictive policies on Palestinian worshippers’ entry. Settlers, divided in small groups and protected by Israeli police, stormed the Mosque’s compound and carried out provocative tours, infuriating worshipers who […]

19 Feb, 2015

Chapel Hill shooting and western media bigotry – Al Jazeera English

Three Muslim Americans were murdered on Tuesday in a University of North Carolina dorm room. The crime came on the heels of recent anti-Muslim attacks in Europe, carried out in apparent response to the January murders (committed by Muslims) of Charlie Hebdo journalists in Paris. Western media outlets will likely frame the most recent perpetrator […]

19 Feb, 2015

ADB Publishes Myanmar Business Plan 2015-17, Plans Minimum US$463m in Funding

======

Bangkok – The Asian Development Bank has published its Country Operations Business Plan for Myanmar covering the period 2015-2017.  The indicative allocation for Myanmar amounts to $463 million but could go up to $680 million if cofinancing and funding from other sources is included. The key economic sectors targeted are Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Natural Resources, […]

19 Feb, 2015

FREE Download: European Long-Haul Travel Sentiment Survey Report

======

Brussels, 18th February 2015.  (ETC Media release) – To best support the tourism sector facing uncertainties caused by threats of terrorism and Eurozone economic instability, the European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Tourism Association (ETOA) and the Eurail Group have jointly launched a new research initiative that monitors travel sentiment in key extra-European markets: Brazil, […]

19 Feb, 2015

Afghanistan cricketers, some ex-refugees, inspire on World Cup debut

======

Canberra, (International Cricket Council website), 19 February 2015 – The Cinderella story of world cricket did not achieve the fairy tale finish many hoped for on Wednesday, but Afghanistan’s maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup had a far greater significance than the score at the end of the Manuka Oval match. The Afghanistan […]

18 Feb, 2015

India to Help Myanmar Upgrade Border Infrastructure

======

Nay Pyi Taw, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 17-February-2015 — The 5th India- Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 17 February, 2015. The meeting was co-Chaired by Minister of Commerce & Industry Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman and Myanmar Union Minister of Commerce U Win Myint. The […]

18 Feb, 2015

2014 Political crisis caused Bangkok hotels to be worst hit amongst Asia-Pacific cities

======

SINGAPORE, Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — According to the HRS Annual Hotel Price Radar, Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore took the top slots for cities with most expensive average hotel room rates in 2014. Based on data collected from all hotel bookings made via the HRS hotel portal in 2014, the analysis looks at per night […]

18 Feb, 2015

Indonesia to stop sending maids to UAE, Arab countries | GulfNews.com

Dubai: The Indonesian Embassy confirmed that the country has stopped sending domestic workers to the UAE and all other Arab countries. The announcement came after the newly elected president of Indonesia, which has approximately 90,000 expatriates, many of whom work as housemaids, in the UAE, vowed to stop sending housemaids abroad. The practice is deemed […]

18 Feb, 2015

Report Exposes the Funders and Pundits Spreading Islamophobia | Alternet

By Amy Goodman, Nermeen Shaikh February 16, 2015 – In an interview with Democracy Now!, Yasmine Taeb, Islamophobia project manager at the Center for American Progress, spoke about a report she co-authored entitled “Fear, Inc. 2.0, The Islamophobia Network’s Efforts to Manufacture Hate in America.” This latest investigation comes in the wake of recent events […]

18 Feb, 2015

Eureka! Earthshaking New Study Reveals Root Cause of the Profoundly Stupid | Alternet

By Susan Grigsby / Daily Kos It is a question I have been pondering for the past week or two. Could a vaccine, specifically, the polio vaccine, have caused us to become profoundly stupid? Looking for evidence, like so many troubled young parents of today faced with a vaccination schedule, I turned to Google to […]

18 Feb, 2015

Beijing pollution levels projected to spike with New Year fireworks

======

Beijing, (China Daily)  2015-02-17 – When the fireworks light up the night to celebrate Lunar New Year in Beijing, air quality in the capital will get worse, possibly leading to three days of severe pollution, the municipal environmental watchdog said on Monday. The weather from Wednesday to Friday is expected to be windless, which means […]

18 Feb, 2015

Health & wellness: Mindfulness meditation may help older adults sleep better – study

======

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Mindfulness meditation practices may help improve sleep quality in older adults with moderate sleep disturbance, a U.S. study said Monday. An estimated 50 percent of individuals 55 years and older have some sort of sleep problem in the United States, and moderate sleep disturbances in older adults are associated with […]

18 Feb, 2015

Chinese Commentary: Those terrorists that once were ‘friends’ of United States

Beijing, (Xinhua), February 17, 2015 — U.S. President Barack Obama is set to meet with leaders and senior security officials from many other countries at a summit in Washington on Thursday, in an attempt to address the aggravating terrorist violence across the world. This summit, themed “Summit on Countering Violent Extremism,” will be attended by […]

18 Feb, 2015

Happiness Index Survey: PhDs less happy than the less well-educated

======

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), February 17, 2015 – A report released by China Household Finance Survey last Thursday shows that the improvement in educational level has not created a greater sense of happiness, and that PhDs feel even less happy than the least well-educated. Overall, a higher level of education means less happiness. Primary school […]

18 Feb, 2015

Chinese Commentary: Uncle Sam: anti-terror leader or terrorist breeder?

by Xinhua writer Luo Jun

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — On the world stage, the United States has assumed anti-terror leadership since the deadly Sept. 11 attack in 2001, yet underneath its glossy surface, Uncle Sam seemed to have a secret identity as a terrorist breeder. In a display of leadership and power, the White House will convene an international […]

17 Feb, 2015

Russian researchers expose US spying program | GulfNews.com

San Francisco: The US National Security Agency has figured out how to hide spying software deep within hard drives made by Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba and other top manufacturers, giving the agency the means to eavesdrop on the majority of the world’s computers, according to cyber researchers and former operatives. That long-sought and closely guarded […]

17 Feb, 2015

Over 100 UK artists announce a cultural boycott of Israel – The Guardian

Along with more than 600 other fellow artists, we are announcing today that we will not engage in business-as-usual cultural relations with Israel. We will accept neither professional invitations to Israel, nor funding, from any institutions linked to its government. Since the summer war on Gaza, Palestinians have enjoyed no respite from Israel’s unrelenting attack […]

17 Feb, 2015

Indian-American businessman shot dead in US – The Times of India

NEW YORK: A 28-year-old Indian-American businessman, who was gunned down by an unidentified assailant in his family-owned liquor shop in the US, has succumbed to his injuries, police said today. Amit Patel from Edison was shot and killed in New Jersey inside Roseway Liquors in Irvington yesterday. Patel was alone in the liquor store, owned […]

17 Feb, 2015

US Hindu temple vandalised, hate message ‘get out’ sprayed on walls – Hindustan Times

A Hindu temple has been vandalised with hate speech in the US state of Washington, sending shock waves through the community in the area and prompting authorities to launch an investigation. The incident happened when unidentified miscreants sprayed swastika and painted “Get Out” on one of the walls of the temple in the Seattle Metropolitan […]

17 Feb, 2015

Robert Fisk: Arabs Kill Arabs. But Americans are safe. So are the Israelis.

President Obama and the Pentagon can, it seems, take satisfaction in seeing their “moderate” friends in the Middle East flying alongside them in their latest version of the “war on terror”. So far, so good. No “boots on the ground”, as the now-hackneyed expression goes. No Western lives in danger – save for the pitiful […]

17 Feb, 2015

European taxpayers fork out another €212 million to subsidise Israeli occupation of Palestine

======

Brussels, 17 February 2015, European Commission Press release — The European Union has released the first tranche of its 2015 financial support to the Palestinian Authority and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), totalling €212 million. This new funding will help provide vital basic services […]

17 Feb, 2015

Festival of India in Thailand: Multi-faith Sufi Gospel Musicians Hail Unity of Humanity

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – When Indian singer Sonam Kalra introduced the musicians of her Sufi Gospel Project troupe at this year’s inaugural Festival of India performance in Bangkok, she made it a point to highlight the team’s multi-faith composition. Two are Hindus, two Muslims and two Sikhs (including herself). One, a Christian, was absent at this performance. […]

16 Feb, 2015

Thousands of jobs to be created by road-rail projects in Oman

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 16 February 2015 (27 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT […]

16 Feb, 2015

India headed towards a fascist regime under BJP, says activist – The Hindu

Questioning the secular nature of the present Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre, noted civil rights activist and journalist Teesta Setalvad said here on Monday that we are heading towards a fascist regime. “Fascism occurs when corporate capitals capture the political economy. Unless we assert ourselves as secular citizens, we will keep on […]

16 Feb, 2015

Beijing strengthens Chinese New Year holiday festival safety measures

======

Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-02-14 – The Beijing city government is strengthening safety measures for Spring Festival following the deadly New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai. The number of visitors in tourist attractions will be strictly monitored, according to the Beijing Commission of Tourism Development, and police must be contacted immediately if they exceed the safety […]

16 Feb, 2015

Chinese New Year Luxury sales sag in corruption-plagued Shanxi

======

Beijing, (Xinhua)  2015-02-15 – The upcoming Lunar New Year is not making life for luxury retailers in Northwest China’s Shanxi province any easier as sales continue dropping amid the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. “In the past, wearing top brands at work attracted admiration. Now it invites suspicion over corruption, so everybody is being low-key these days,” […]

16 Feb, 2015

Millions of Filipinos catching travel bug | Manila Bulletin

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said traveling has now officially become the latest national craze to grip the country next to taking “selfies.” Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez made the statement during the awarding ceremony of the first Tourism Star Program (TSP) where he announced that 47 million Filipinos visited different local tourist spots last year. […]

16 Feb, 2015

Asia Times Online: Parking space terrorism in the US

By Ramzy Baroud The murder of three American Muslims at a University of North Carolina condominium on Tuesday, 10 February, was no ordinary murder, nor is the criminal who killed them an ordinary thug. The context of the killings, the murder itself and the media and official responses to the horrific event is a testimony […]

16 Feb, 2015

150 U.S.-based Civil Rights & Faith Groups Urge Federal Investigation of Muslim murders

13 Feb 2015 (Official media release) – Today a diverse coalition of 150 leading civil rights, faith, community, and civic groups, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to open a full and rigorous federal hate crime investigation into the brutal murders of Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, […]

16 Feb, 2015

Angry, Armed and White: The Typical Profile of America’s Most Violent Extremists | Alternet

Police in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, say they’re investigating the role racial hatred played in the killing of three Muslim students by suspect Craig Stephen Hicks. They’re saying the 46-year-old white man had a history of fights over a parking space with the victims, suggesting the killings could be reduced to road rage. Meanwhile, Hicks’ […]

16 Feb, 2015

Health & Wellness: Alcoholics Will Pass their Drinking Problem on to their Children

======

New York (13-02-2015),  Joint Press Release IOGT International, Nacoa UK, NACoA (USA) — – Marking Children of Alcoholics Week 2015, Civil Society leaders have called in a joint press release for stronger efforts to not leave children of alcoholics isolated and alone. “Children of Alcoholics are all too often silently suffering because their needs are […]

16 Feb, 2015

Superficial to spiritual: Buddhist monk to keynote at brand-building conference in Bangkok

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Possibly for the first time in Asia, a Buddhist monk is to deliver the keynote speech at an upcoming conference on building brands. The Venerable Dr. Anilman Dhammasākiyō Phra Shakyavongsvisuddhi will officiate at the opening of the ‘Sustainable Brands ’15 Bangkok’ to be held March 18-19 on the innovative theme, “Reimagine, Redesign, Rebirth.” […]

14 Feb, 2015

It’s the geopolitics, stupid: Australia threatens Indonesia with travel boycott

Australians may reconsider travel to Indonesia if the two Australian convicted drug couriers currently on death row are executed by firing squad as expected, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has warned. Authorities in Indonesia are finalising plans to move Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran from Bali to their execution place on a prison island off […]

14 Feb, 2015

Russia To Reveal 9/11 Satellite Imagery Indicating US Complicity In False Flag Attack

Moscow (Pravda): American experts believe that despite the fact that relations between the US and Russia reached the worst point since the Cold War, Putin caused Obama only small troubles so far. Analysts believe that this “calm before the storm”. Putin is going to hit once, but he’s going to hit hard. Russia is preparing […]

14 Feb, 2015

Why does Buddhist-majority Myanmar hate its Muslims so much? – Washington Post

The situation in Burma has changed for the better. The country has opened up. The secretive, dictatorial military junta that once held sway has allowed the advent of a fledgling, albeit heavily curtailed democracy. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from decades of house arrest and is now a main leader of the […]

13 Feb, 2015

Teetotaller numbers rise in UK with one in five adults not drinking – The Guardian

Britain is becoming a nation of teetotallers, with young adults and Londoners leading the way, according to new figures. More than one in five adults (21%) do not drink alcohol at all, according to the Office for National Statistics’ Adult Drinking Habits in Great Britain report released on Friday. The figure was 19% in 2005. […]

13 Feb, 2015

Philippines: Thousands Call For Passage Of Bangsamoro Law to End Mindanao Conflict

======

COTABATO CITY, Feb 12 (NNN-PNA) — About 20,000 peace activists converged at the plaza here as part of simultaneous peace rallies in support of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as a permanent solution to the decades-old Mindanao conflict. The peace rallies were staged in different areas in Mindanao — General Santos City; […]

11 Feb, 2015

U.S. Restaurants projected to add over 300,000 jobs in 2015

======

February 6, 2015, National Restaurant Association, – Restaurant industry job growth outpaced the overall economy for the 15th consecutive year in 2014, adding jobs at a robust 3.5 percent rate.  Restaurants will continue to post solid payroll gains in 2015, and will add over 300,000 jobs for the fifth consecutive calendar year, according to the […]

11 Feb, 2015

US military spending will never be enough

By Chen Weihua (China Daily)

Washington DC, 2015-02-06 – The US national debt clock near Times Square was ticking in the $16-trillion range when I left New York two years ago. On Tuesday, it had crossed $18.102 trillion. This means that each of the 319 million Americans owes a debt of more than $56,000. The US national debt was only […]

11 Feb, 2015

Delhi Assembly election: AAP demolishes India’s caste, class divide | The Asian Age

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday breached all caste and class divides to record a historic victory in the Delhi Assembly elections. With its army of young and dynamic activists, the AAP’s aggressive door-to-door campaign got it 48.78 lakh votes to win 67 of the 70 seats. Be it the Muslim-dominated areas of the walled […]

11 Feb, 2015

Business Travel Coalition Calls For Investigation of Unjustified Airline Fuel Surcharging

======

February 9, 2015, WASHINGTON, DC (BTC media release) – The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a thorough and in-depth investigation with respect to the airline industry’s continued assessment of often-sizeable fuel surcharges on many itineraries in violation of DOT’s clear “Additional Guidance on Airfare/Air Tour Price […]

11 Feb, 2015

Luxury Hotel Okura being built in fast-growing Phnom Penh, Cambodia

======

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 9, 2015 – Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced it will open The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh, a luxury hotel to be built in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, in 2019. Hotel Okura has signed an agreement to manage the hotel with TEHO Development Cambodia Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of TEHO International, listed in Singapore. […]

11 Feb, 2015

To really understand why Israel fears a future Palestine, visit the Mekong countries

Imtiaz Muqbil

Siem Reap, Cambodia — In order to truly and fully understand why Israel fears the birth of a state of Palestine, try visiting the Mekong countries. What’s the connection? Read on. Forty years after the defeat of U.S. forces in Vietnam, peace and opportunity prevails throughout the Mekong river countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and […]

11 Feb, 2015

Jewish state to add more illegal settlements to wipe Palestine off the map

TEL AVIV, February 9, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli government has marked some 3,740 dunams in the occupied West Bank as state lands, preparing to expand four illegal settlements, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. It said the so-called Israeli Civil Administration, which has complete jurisdiction in Area C of the West Bank, set a […]

11 Feb, 2015

Jewish state to Demolish EU-Funded Projects in Area C of West Bank

RAMALLAH, February 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Sunday the decision of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to demolish around 400 European Union-funded Palestinian structures in Area C of the West Bank, under complete Israeli jurisdiction. Earlier Friday, Netanyahu instructed his Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon to move forward with a plan to […]

11 Feb, 2015

Rapid aviation growth creating “imminent” pilot shortage, will impact on safety, IATA warns

======

BANGKOK — The rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific aviation industry is set to create a major shortage of qualified pilots which in turn could impact on safety levels, the International Air Transport Association has warned. In a paper presented to Second High-Level Safety Conference 2015 organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montréal, 2 […]

10 Feb, 2015

World Interfaith Week Marked Under Theme “Multi-religious Partnership for Sustainable Development”

======

United Nations, 6 February 2015 (UN News Centre) – At a special event today which marked World Interfaith Week, top United Nations officials celebrated the importance of dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people. The President of the General Assembly told the event, titled “World Interfaith Harmony: […]

9 Feb, 2015

‘My time in the US has come to an end’: Dr. Sami al-Arian on the fight for justice in post 9/11 America

After 40 years, my time in the U.S. has come to an end. Like many immigrants of my generation, I came to the U.S. in 1975 to seek a higher education and greater opportunities. I also wanted to live in a free society where freedom of speech, association and religion are not only tolerated but […]

9 Feb, 2015

New alliance formed to unite all Australians with disability

======

Canberra, 6 February 2015, Minister for Social Services media release – A new Alliance representing the interests and views of all people with disability will provide advice to the Australian Government on improving social and economic participation, and breaking down barriers. The National Cross-Disability Alliance will provide the Government with practical advice to help improve […]

9 Feb, 2015

Australian State Tourism Ministers call for lower fuel costs to be passed onto customers

======

Sydney, Minister of Trade & Investment Media release, 6 February 2015 – Australia’s Tourism Ministers met in Sydney today with tourism industry leaders and the New Zealand Government. All Australian Ministers agreed that the tourism sector must benefit from all airlines and regional petrol sale outlets passing on oil price reductions in full. Ministers noted […]

9 Feb, 2015

100-yr-pact for Hindu-Muslim amity signed in Konkan village | The Indian Express

Hindus and Muslims in Burondi, a village in Ratnagiri district — located 228 km from Mumbai — have signed a 100-year pact between themselves to maintain communal harmony. The pact, which has been notarised, lays down a code of conduct for members of both the communities to avoid communal strife in the village that has […]

9 Feb, 2015

Google launches Street View for Bangladesh

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 09 February 2015 (20 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT […]

9 Feb, 2015

Cambodia’s two World Heritage temples symbolise future of peace, culture and tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil

SIEM REAP, Cambodia — The World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat was the backdrop of the first world UNWTO-UNESCO  ministerial conference on building a tourism-and-culture partnership between February 4-6, 2015. More than 900 delegates from 100 countries, including record numbers from the Arab world and Africa, mulled ways to save the tourism goose from dying […]

5 Feb, 2015

How a culture remembers its crimes is important: A review of ‘American Sniper’

The greatest crime of the twenty-first century so far has come to the big screen, and it’s a hit. American Sniper scored “the top opening of all time for a non-tentpole”, a record that previously belonged to The Passion of the Christ. A white man beset by hostile Semites: box office gold. Mel Gibson’s Jesus […]

4 Feb, 2015

Negative views of Israel soar in the UK, new survey shows | The Electronic Intifada

Israel ranks as one of the world’s most unfavorably viewed countries among the UK public, second only to North Korea. A new survey by the UK think-tank Chatham House finds that 35 percent of the UK public have an “especially unfavorable” view of Israel. This is double the 17 percent who held such a view […]

4 Feb, 2015

Delta Under Fire for Alleged Discriminatory Treatment of Arab Passengers

======

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | February 3, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is currently investigating an incident of discrimination against an Arab-American family on Delta Airlines.  ADC has received video footage of a Delta Airlines employee threatening to remove a Muslim family off the plane after they were victims of xenophobic harassment by another […]

4 Feb, 2015

Growing up under Western coverage of Islam | The Jakarta Post

by Asyifa Putri About five years ago, my life was altered utterly when my father decided to move to the US, along with my family. Although different, everything was structured and simpler than back home in Jakarta. However, I was still a minority with attached stereotypes. The fact that I’m a Muslim is what might […]

3 Feb, 2015

Iranian Leader’s Open Message to European, US youth: Be very, very careful about spoonfed lies about Islam

======

Tehran, IRNA, 21 January 2015 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said in an open message to the young people of North America and Europe not to be taken in by the widespread attempts to tarnish the image of Islam and instead to do some serious study and research of the truth. […]

3 Feb, 2015

New spot on Asia’s spiritual tourism circuit: A replica of Bodhgaya pagoda in Myanmar

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw — After spending six days covering the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015, I was given a whirlwind tour of Nay Pyi Taw, courtesy of Maung Maung Swe, Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation. My first stop was the Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda (the first picture below), located a little on the […]

3 Feb, 2015

The colours, culture and costumes of the people of Myanmar

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw — The colourful culture, customs and costumes of the people of Myanmar were also on display at the ATF 2015.  

3 Feb, 2015

Interesting Myanmar SME products on show at the ATF 2015

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw – The opening up of Myanmar to tourism is certainly having an extensive trickle-down effect on the country’s small and medium sized enterprises and independent owners / operators of many products and services. Many of them took the opportunity to participate in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 and gain some international exposure. […]

3 Feb, 2015

ATF 2015 caps long tourism career of Minister U Htay Aung

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw — The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 was a personal triumph for Union Minister of Hotels & Tourism U Htay Aung. It capped a long career that has seen him rise from a mid-ranked official in the country’s tourism apparatus to Minister over the span of nearly three decades. I have personally known […]

3 Feb, 2015

Talent Hunt: A Rising Star Young Myanmar Hotelier

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw — When I arrived at the Excel Capital hotel on Jan 22, a young man helped me ensure a smooth check-in. Over the course of the week that I spent at the hotel, this same young man helped me discover what good service delivery really means. He was on duty literally all […]

3 Feb, 2015

Spot the ASEAN logo contest: How tourism has failed to build a single ASEAN identity

Imtiaz Muqbil

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar – If the ASEAN tourism industry, and the ASEAN fraternity at large, has failed to generate a strong and united brand-image, these pictures below of the ASEAN Tourism Forum hosted for the first time in the Myanmar capital between January 22-29, 2015, will prove why. The ASEAN logo, the primary symbol […]

2 Feb, 2015

Islamic museum founder honoured with Australian Award

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 02 February 2015 (12 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre […]

1 Feb, 2015

Christians in Israel and in the Middle East, Our Present and Future

By Michel Sabbah, Patriarch Emeritus

Note by Ranjan Solomon, Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) This is a special edition of PIEF POST. In it, we share with you the text of a lecture presented by Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem, Mgr. Michel Sabbah in the framework of a conference whose theme was “Identity of Christian Palestinian Arabs in Israel”. The […]