I bet that white female reporter was scared out off her mind when she did this. That is one brave lady.
h/t Peter Tadros
Category Archives: Reforming Caliphate
Egyptians demonstrate for an Islamic state
This isn’t going the way supporters of the Egyptian revolution initially hoped it would.
U.S. formally accuses Iran of working with Al Queda
From The Wall Street Journal:
By JAY SOLOMON
WASHINGTON—The U.S. for the first time formally accused Iran of forging an agreement with al Qaeda, helping operatives move money, arms and fighters through Iranian territory to the terrorist group’s bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The U.S. Treasury Department outlined on Thursday what it said was an extensive fund-raising operation devised by al Qaeda that utilizes Iran-based operatives and draws from donors in oil-rich Persian Gulf countries such as Kuwait and Qatar.
The Treasury said it had sanctioned six al Qaeda members for allegedly overseeing this network. The network’s head, Syrian-national Ezedin Abdul Aziz Khalil, is based in Iran and has been operating there under an agreement with Iranian authorities since 2005, according to senior U.S. officials.
“Khalil moves money and recruits from across the Middle East into Iran, then on to Pakistan for the benefit of al Qaeda’s senior leaders,” the U.S. Treasury Department said in a written statement.
U.S. officials alleged Mr. Khalil requires all operatives transiting through Iran to deliver the equivalent of $10,000 to al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan. The officials also said that Mr. Khalil has worked closely with Iranian authorities to secure the release of al Qaeda militants held in Iranian prisons who are then returned to Pakistan-based camps.
“By exposing Iran’s secret deal with al Qaeda allowing it to funnel funds and operatives through its territory, we are illuminating yet another aspect of Iran’s unmatched support for terrorism,” David Cohen, the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said on Thursday.
Please click through to the WSJ for the rest of this article.
Iranian Officials: This is The Century of a Worldwide Islamic Awakening
From American Thinker
By Reza Kahlili
The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, addressing participants in Tehran’s 28th International Holy Quran Contests, said on Tuesday that the revolutions and popular uprisings sweeping the Middle East and North Africa show that God definitely fulfills His promises. He further emphasized that the regional nations’ uprisings are a “clear indication of the fact that Allah’s promises mentioned in the Holy Quran are definitely materialized.”
Khamenei then declared the Holy Quran as “the most important means and factor of unity, honor and dignity, and power for the Islamic Ummah (community), adding that lack of belief in Quranic concepts and divine promises “has practically prevented unity, honor and dignity, power and mightiness of the Islamic Ummah.”
Then on Wednesday, July 6th, the Iranian Supreme Leader’s Advisor for Military Affairs, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the ex-chief commander of the Guards, stated that the Muslim states’ main share in control over the world’s vital energy corridors has provided Islamic nations with an excellent chance to control the world economy. He reminded the Islamic nations that their rich energy resources are their source of power, giving Muslims the capability to control the world economy.
Australia: Ban the burka day
Afghanistan. Everybody out of the pool.
Obama has announced that he is pulling out over 100,000 troops this year. That would mean within the next 6 months and possibly 200,000 by the end of the year total. England today said it would withdraw another 1000 or so troops by the end of 2012.
Poland and other nations are withdrawing troops and other nations like Canada sure as hell are not staying there if the US is leaving. The US is at war on several fronts. In the past few days, several targets in Somalia have been struck clearly by US forces, all belonging to Al Shabab. US forces are operating in Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are likely other theaters of operations as well against Islamics.
This leaves me with two questions.
1. What have we accomplished in Afghanistan that warrants such major troop withdrawal. Is it that they are needed somewhere else? (Hopefully Iran)
2. How many fronts can a nation be at war before it is called a ‘World War’. Whats the protocol on that, anyone know?
Eeyore
Britain, OIC agree to develop joint programs
By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Jun 20, 2011 01:17 Updated: Jun 20, 2011 01:17
RIYADH: The British government has appointed Mohammed Shokat as the UK special envoy to the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in a major bid to boost ties between the two.
The OIC and the UK have also announced plans to develop a joint framework of dialogue and cooperation in selected areas and evinced keen interest to hold regular consultations on issues of common concerns, said a British Embassy spokesman in Riyadh Sunday.
The move to promote relations with the OIC is significant for both sides as Islam is the second largest religion in Britain, with an estimated Muslim population of 2.5 million.
The UK is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council besides being a developed country and the world’s sixth largest economy. On the other hand, the OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN, is the collective voice of the Muslim world.
A joint draft statement released by the British Embassy Sunday said Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, OIC secretary-general, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Minister William Hague that focused on promoting OIC-UK cooperation.
The OIC chief paid a five-day official visit to London last week on the invitation of Baroness Warsi, UK Cabinet minister without portfolio.
During the visit, Ihsanoglu was also received by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Alistair Burt, Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan, UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mark Sedwill, as well as Shokat, said the statement.
Referring to Ihsanoglu’s talks with Cameron and Hague, the statement said a number of issues of mutual interest were discussed including the further development of OIC-UK relations and cooperation, including thorough regular consultation at various levels.
They also exchanged views on the Middle East peace process, developments in some countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East, such as Libya, Syria and Yemen and the situation in Afghanistan, the statement added.
The OIC chief welcomed Shokat’s appointment and expressed his support for him in consolidating the bilateral relationship.
Ihsanoglu met selected British Muslim personalities and exchanged views about their role and activities in society. He commended the valuable and successful work conducted by the British Muslim community and expressed his strong belief that members would set a good example for Muslims in the rest of Europe.
In addition, the OIC secretary-general got together with ambassadors of OIC member states based in London and met representatives of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, during his trip.
Both sides agreed to develop a joint framework of dialogue and cooperation between the OIC and the UK on selected areas including international political issues, development aid, humanitarian assistance, science and technology, interfaith dialogue and combating intolerance.
Hizb ut Tahrir to hold an International Conference in the heart of London’s East End
From CIFWATCH:
It’s been a while since we heard anything from Hizb ut Tahrir, the guys who like to talk about such things as:
Essentially Hizb ut Tahrir are a radical Muslim group who dream of creating one Muslim government ruling the Middle East and essentially the whole world. They call this mythical Muslim empire the Khilafate. Their followers dream of the day when the Muslim armies will somehow arise and rid the world of Israel then take everything else for Islam. Terrorists the world over have been linked to them and they recruit rigorously on British campuses. Continue Reading →
Turkey’s Last Free Election
by Daniel Pipes
June 12, 2011
As someone who has been sounding the alarm ever since the AKP won its first election in 2002, I now warn: Elections taking place today are likely to be the last fair and free ones in Turkey.
With Turkey’s leading Islamist party controlling all three branches of the government and the military sidelined, little will stop it from changing the rules to keep power into the indefinite future. And should the AKP manage to gain a 2/3s parliamentary majority, either on its own or in alliance with others, it will change the constitution, speeding up this process. (June 12, 2011)
 Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, AKP boss and Turkish prime minister, votes today. |
Turkey’s Islamist-rooted conservative ruling party is expected to easily win a third term
Turkey headed to a one-party system, critics say. DW-World
Turkey may be headed for a turning point under Erdogan
Turkey’s Islamist-rooted conservative ruling party is expected to easily win a third term. While the AKP promises broader democratic rights, critics fear a landslide victory would lead to a “one man, one party” system.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP is almost certain to win Turkish elections on June 12. Polls show support for the party ranging from 42 percent to 50 percent, predicting a landslide victory.
Critics fear such a victory would help Erdogan tighten his grip on power and establish a de facto one-party system. That could undermine freedom and democratic rights and raise pressure on the secular opposition and Kurdish groups.
The AKP has dismissed the criticism and has promised that a new civilian constitution would be adopted.
Turkey’s role in international politics is growing
“Fears about the future of democracy in Turkey are unfounded,” said Volkan Bozkir, a former career diplomat who has led efforts for Turkey’s campaign for EU membership and is now an AKP deputy candidate for parliament.
“AKP has already been in government as a single party for the last eight and a half years. Turkey has already come closer to an advanced democracy, founded on liberal ideas, freedom and free enterprise, with a larger role for civil society, with basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the system.”
In the last decade, Turkey has become one of the world’s fastest growing economies. It significantly boosted its role in international politics, even at times causing diplomatic rifts between Turkey’s longtime ally, the US, and Israel. While Turkey gained more international recognition as a growing regional power, its record in democratic rights and freedoms has deteriorated in recent years.
Polarization and the suppression of criticism
The Washington-based think tank Freedom House views Turkey as a “partly free” country and criticizes the government for its restrictions on press freedom. According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Turkey is currently holding at least 57 journalists in prison. Restrictions on access to the Internet, deliberate and widespread wire-tapping practices and a growing government intolerance of critics are also concerns. Continue Reading →
Iranian Defector Reza Kahlili – Iran Runs “Large Network” Through U.S. Mosques And Islamic Organizations
Here is a link to an interview with Reza, which deals with a lot of important subjects concerning Iran and its plans and current state of the Iranian regime. Below, is one question and answer which is of particular and immediate interest, but do click over to the originating site and read this interview with Reza. We publish a lot of his articles here on Vlad. Reza Kahlili is an important source on all things Iranian.
Q. What kind of presence does the IRG and Hezbollah have within the borders of the United States; are there numerous cells; are there no cells?
A. “…I’m going to quote to you Hassan Abbasi…he was the brains behind the strategy to bog the U.S. forces down in Iraq…he says…and he is very open about things…they have recognized about 800 sensitive sites within the U.S….when the time comes and the order comes their cells…will attack many of these sites…so basically they have agents here…they have a large network here through Islamic student associations…they collaborate with the Muslim Brotherhood…they do run a large network through the mosques in the U.S…”
Egypt: Protesters demand Sharia Law implementation, tourism that respects Islam
From Al Masry Al Youm
Photographed by Ibrahim Zayed
Around 300 individuals gathered in Tahrir Square on Friday, chanting “Islamist, Islamist,” and calling for the implementation of Sharia Law in Egypt. Protesters also raised objections regarding tourists who “violate the people’s traditions,” and demanded closer scrutiny of those who receive permission to enter the country for tourism purposes.
The protesters, who held the banner of the “Development and Renaissance Party”, refused a civil state and attacked secularism, arguing that it does not suit the Egyptian people. They stressed that Egypt is a strictly Islamic country. A number of protesters had set up a stage at the same spot that Tahrir revolutionaries used to spread their message. A number of passers-by and street vendors gathered around the group.
The protesters called for tourism that respects cultural norms, saying Gulf tourists visit to violate Egyptian women. Foreign tourists who do not respect the Islamic traditions should also be more strictly regulated, they said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
Former Egyptian Interior Minister Accused of Collusion in Alexandria Church Bombing
(AINA) — The Egyptian attorney general has reopened the investigation into the bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on New Year’s Eve, which killed 24 Copts and injured more than 90. On May 25 Coptic Church attorney Joseph Malak presented a petition to the Attorney General to reopen the investigations into the church bombing. The petition accused former Minister of Interior, Habib el-Adly, of criminal responsibility and collusion.
The Attorney General assigned the case to the Supreme State Security Prosecution to question the former Minister of Interior, who is presently in prison on other charges, including ordering the shooting of more than 900 protesters in Tahrir Square on January 28.
“We expect el-Adly to appear for interrogation before prosecution within the next few days,” said Malak in an interview on Egyptian TV. He said that everyone was surprised when in mid April it was reported that all 20 Muslim suspects in the church attack were released and that they had been held as “political detainees.” Continue Reading →
Collective Punishment of Egyptian Christians For Death of Two Muslims
The article below was sent to me both by the author, and by Asaad Elepty, a Copt who I believe lives in Australia now although I could be wrong about that. Asaad is a dedicated bell ringer for the Christians in Egypt and sends me a lot of good information about truly horrifying events as well as some videos some Copts manage to take of slaughter and carnage perpetated upon them by the Egyptian authorities.
I trust that at some point, the decent people of the world will remember what ‘victim’ and ‘refugee’ really mean and help the Copts and other persecuted minorities in Islamic nations and purge the totalitarian elements out of our own nations, Islamic and otherwise.
Eeyore or Vlad
The below article By Mary Abdelmassih of the AINA news agency is particularly disturbing. The thought of any individual or group of individuals “throwing a grandmother off a 2nd floor balcony” in the name of their Allah raises seriously concern about the entirety of the Islamic faith and the manner it may be interrupted and lived out.
Bear in mind this attack took place during the most sacred time of the christian calender.
Can you Imagine the Islamic reaction if the roles were reversed and such an attack took place during Ramadan?
Such actions are not only barbaric, they are void of any degree of decency or respect for humanity especially an elderly Lady. As the video clearly shows the Islamic vandals, thieves and arsonists are permitted to conduct the attack with no security police or law enforcement. The fire engine is prevented access despite repeatedly blowing its horn.
This is the Islamic treatment of Non Muslims, where is the peace and tolerance of Islam?
Field Marshall Tantawi, where is the justice and protection, SHAME ON YOU AND EGYPT.I am at a total loss as to what the Islamic radicals have to do before western secular governments totally denounce the Barbarism of Islam.
Lord Jesus have Mercy upon us.
Assad elepty
(AINA) — After the death of two Muslims on April 18 sectarian violence broke out in the southern Egyptian town of Abu Qurqas El Balad, in Minya Governorate, 260 KM south of Cairo. One Christian Copt was killed, an old woman was thrown out of her second floor balcony and ten Copts were hospitalized. Coptic homes, shops, businesses, fields and livestock were plundered and torche
Christians lived in terror, anticipating a blood bath on Friday, April 22 because Muslims as announced their intention to avenge the death of the two Muslims. Rumors spread throughout Abu Qurqas of many strangers and of trucks loaded with weapons coming into the village to carry out the threats during the Easter week. The terrorized Christian villagers sent pleas everywhere, asking for protection, even to Coptic groups in Europe and the U.S.
“Muslims threw my old mother out of the second floor balcony and torched my home,” said Adel Abdulllah to Hazem Refaat of Free Copts advocacy. His business and home were torched and his father and three brothers were arrested on suspicion of killing the two Muslims.
Copt Eid Roshdy, was stabbed during the violence and later died in hospital.
According to Bishop Makarious twenty Coptic families had their homes and businesses looted by Muslims then torched, and their livestock was stolen. “One shop was only 50 meters away from the police station,” he said. He also confirmed the story of the mother of Adel Abdullah who was thrown out of the second floor balcony.
Curfew was imposed in the village on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, from 7 PM until 6 AM to control the violence but various sources reported that looting and destruction of Coptic property continued after the curfew, even in the presence of the army and police.
According to the villagers a fight broke out on Monday, April 18 between the two Muslim families, Abdel-Kader and el-Gazzar which resulted in the death of two Muslims. Meanwhile an altercation took place in front of the villa of Coptic attorney Alaa Reda Roushdy between a minibus driver and passengers and the guards of the villa over a speed hump built in front of the residence, which the driver claimed was damaging busses. People congregated and the villa guards shot into the air to disperse the crowd. The Copts were accused of killing the two Muslims.
Bishop Makarious of Minya and Abu Qurqas said the first version of the story was the Muslims were killed during the fight between two Muslim families, then the story changed to accuse the Copts.
Ayad Shaban, a local villager told Al Karma TV the two Muslims were killed in the Eastern side of village where the majority of the Muslims live. “Then the story of the speed hump came and Muslims connected the two together and accused the Christians of the killing. There is no proof the Christians killed the Muslims.” He added that relationship between Muslims and Christians are usually good and believes whoever created this story came from outside the village and incited the Muslims.
In retaliation, Muslims attacked and looted two tourist coffee shops belonging to attorney Roushdy. One coffee shop was turned into a mosque called the “Martyrs” and the second one was destroyed.
Next day during the funeral of the Muslims hundreds of Muslims from neighboring villages joined and notes were distributed among them saying the Christians were the culprit. After burying the dead the Muslim mob shouted for revenge for their two “martyrs” and attacked Christian homes while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” (video shows Muslims looting Coptic property before torching it while chanting “Allahu Akbar.” Army soldiers are seen passing through the looters).
Father Rofail of the Saints Church in Abu Qorqas said “It was terrible, the people who were in the funeral left and started shooting in the air and throwing Molotov cocktails at homes and fields belonging to Copts; some homes were demolished. Anything belonging to Christians was destroyed.”
According to Coptic activist Nader Shoukry, fifteen Copts and eight Muslims have been detained for the murder of the two Muslims. No one has been detained for the attacks against the Copts. “None of the Muslims who looted and destroyed Coptic property was questioned,” said Bishop Makarious. He added it was a miracle that the Copts were not harmed when their homes were torched. “They had to jump over the roofs of the neighboring houses to escape the flames. In one instance a wall had to be broken between two houses to get the people out as they could not escape otherwise.” He criticized the police and the army for not bringing the situation under control. “We expected more from the police and army, but they were not impartial.”
The new Governor of Minya appeared on Egyptian Hayat TV and said the incidents in Abu Qurqas El Balad was not sectarian but a fight over a speed hump which escalated, and denied the loss of property.
Security forces prevented TV stations from filming inside the village and Muslims also attempted to prevent Christians from filming, but many video clips have been uploaded to youtube (video showing Coptic homes after looting).
Coptic attorney Dr. Ihab Ramzy called on Copts who have had their property damaged or lost to file a complaint with the police in order for him to represents them for compensation. He said they had to name the assailants in their report, but this may be not be possible because the victims were threatened by Muslims not to mention their names.
Attorney Roushdy was arrested by the military two days ago and accused of provoking riots which led to the death and injury of citizens. Today the military ordered him to be detained for 15 days pending investigations.
By Mary Abdelmassih
Turkey’s Cautionary Tale
From Carolyn Glick’s website:
Today’s Turkey is a cautionary tale for the West. But Western leaders are loath to consider its lessons.
Ever since Turkey’s Islamist Justice and Development AKP party under Recip Tayip Erdogan won the November 2002 elections, Western officials have upheld the AKP, Erdogan and his colleagues as proof that political Islam is consonant with democratic values. During Erdogan’s June 2005 visit to the White House, for instance, then-president George W. Bush praised Turkish democracy as “an important example for the people in the broader Middle East.”
Unfortunately, nine years into the AKP’s “democratic” regime it is clear that Erdogan and his colleagues’ embrace of the language and tools of democracy was a mile wide and an inch thick. They used democracy to gain power. Now that they have power, they are systematically destroying freedom in their country.
Turkey ranks 138th in the international media freedom group Reporters Sans Frontieres country index on press freedom. Sixty-eight journalists are languishing in Turkish jails for the crime of doing their job. The most recent round-up of reporters occurred in early March. And it is demonstrative of Turkey’s Islamist leaders’ exploitation of democratic freedoms in the service of their tyrannical ends.
h/t Fjordman