Music is not Compatible with Islam
And Islam gets even nuttier. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said today that music is “not compatible” with the values of the Islamic republic, and should not be practised or taught in the country. In some of the most extreme comments by a senior regime figure since the 1979 revolution, Khamenei said: “Although music is halal, promoting and teaching it is not compatible with the highest values of the sacred regime of the Islamic...
Read MoreA few notes on Israel and the Middle East
I know I criticize Israel from time to time. To be clear, I do not consider myself anti-Israel necessarily; I just do not believe any nation or ideal is above criticism. They are not perfect, just as any nation is not perfect. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what exactly anti-Israel is. Do I believe they should be entitled to a Jewish land? No. I honestly don’t believe any country should be ruled by religious law. I also don’t think there should be a Muslim or Christian country...
Read MorePalestinian family evicted from their home of 70 years by Israeli settlers
Peace in this region seems to be but a myth. Israeli settlers took over a Palestinian home in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City today, evicting about 45 members of an extended family which has occupied the building for more than 70 years. The settlers claimed to have documentation to prove they had purchased the building from the owners. The Palestinian tenants, who have been fighting attempts to evict them for many years, were challenging the takeover in court. … According...
Read MoreA Palestinian man is jailed for rape after consensual sex
Racism between groups who look alike doesn’t make it any better. A court in Jerusalem has made international legal history by jailing Sabbar Kashur, a 30-year-old delivery man from East Jerusalem, for 18 months. He was convicted of “rape by deception” following a criminal trial that has drawn criticism from across Israel. Rape by deception? All because he lied about his name. So the sex was consensual until the woman realized his racial heritage later on? It was only then that...
Read MoreWater pipes banned for Gaza Women by Hamas
I’m not whole-heartedly surprised in this one but, nonetheless, its still offensive and unfair. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories (AFP) – The Hamas-run government in Gaza on Sunday said it had banned women from smoking water pipes in public, as fear of the police drove many cafe owners to extinguish the popular pastime. “The police have decided to ban women from smoking water pipes in open, public places because it is against our customs, traditions and social norms,”...
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