Archive for January 6, 2008
““The term ‘Allah’ was used to refer to God by Arabic-speaking Christians before Arabic-speaking Muslims existed,” he said.” And pagan Arabs used the word long before Christians or Muslims. And why should Muslims have a monopoly over the use of the word? How kooky is that? This is like having only Buddhists use the word [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
I have written about being impressed with the French Paisserie Paul in Florida, near Plantation. But the chain is everywhere in Europe and in Beirut, why not around the US?
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Is it true that the Dutch invented pancakes? True or not, their quality is outstanding.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
“The U.S. Special Operations Command, reportedly planning to “vastly expand†its presence in Pakistan, referred my request for details to the U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the region. A spokesman there likewise said he could provide no information. Continuing to call Pakistan a U.S. ally is bizarre, if compulsory. The problem we face [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
“The bridegroom, 40, is a deputy chief of the criminal division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in Manhattan. Among his most recent cases was that of Dr. Rafiq Sabir, who was convicted in May of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists by agreeing to treat injured [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
And who edited this “special” Islam edition of the NYT book review? I suspect it was Ariel Sharon.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
This is what you need to know: David Levering “Lewis is not a historian of Islam.”
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Jeffrey Goldberg, who had served in the Israeli occupation army, introduces his credential on matters Islamic: “One day in Damascus not long ago, I visited the understocked gift shop of the Sheraton Hotel, looking for something to read.” And if you are looking for something to read, make sure to avoid the New Yorker when [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
“The Koran is a book for both heart and mind.” What a cliche. And do you notice that every person says that about his/her holy book?
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
The NYT Sunday book section is a festival of books promoting Bush’s Islam.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
“Qazwini is well placed to observe the slow growth in self-confidence, involvement and political clout of Arab-Americans and Muslim Americans.” Oh, Rashid. “Well-placed”, about this Qazwini who is regarded, rightly, as a mere propagandist for the Bush administration?
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
So in one week, NYT asked Manji and Ali to review books on Islam. Which of the two is trained in Middle East or Islamic studies? Or is attending a Madraaaasssaeah as a child a qualification? I have a feeling that one’s fanatical hostility to Muslims–not only to Islam–is the only credential needed here.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Stop the presses: Hirsi Ali adopted the enlightenment. Ali reviews a book by a self-described expert on Arab culture who does not know Arabic (I should now count myself as expert on Chinese culture having consumed Chinese food): “Harris goes on to argue that the Muslim world, since it is governed by the law of [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Hajj PlayStation. (thanks Raed)
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Ajami reconsiders: “Nearly 15 years on, Huntington’s thesis about a civilizational clash seems more compelling to me than the critique I provided at that time.”
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Israeli occupation troops shot and killed the personal bodygaurd of Ahmad Quray`, and the latter did not dare say a word of protest. Why would he when the occupation forces are giving him contracts to build settlements and the racist separation wall.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Why did Ghassan Bin Jiddu host Majdi Ar-Rumi? I mean, what is her significance, politically? Unless he was rewarding her for the most silly and vapid comments she made when she spoke at a commemorative event for Jubran Tuwayni.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
“Ms. Latifa Al Busseir, Representative of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Comments.”
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Ash-Sharaq Al-Awsat, the mouthpiece of Prince Salman, reported today that Prince Salman met with Ahmad Zuweil (the Egyptian Nobel laureate in chemistry) and that the meeting dealt with “amicable conversations.” Really? Amicable conversations? I was convinced that the Prince talked physics and chemistry with Zuweil.
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad
Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, the mouthpiece of Prince Salman, reports that feuds and conflicts are brewing between the revival gangs of thuggery. The conflict is over money and influence, it said. In the A`dhamiyyah area, for example, two rival gangs battled it out. But then again: remember that the US and Saudi-supported Mujahidin of Afghanistan produced Al-Qa`idah. [...]
Posted on January 6, 2008 by As'ad