Common Ground News Service

3Fs Forum: ‘All of the Big Questions Up for Discussion’

3Fs Forum: ‘All of the Big Questions Up for Discussion’

JESSICA ABRAHAMS, CGNEWS: Frank and open dialogue was the name of the game at a recent inter-faith event in the UK.

 Rob L. Wagner

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

ROB L. WAGNER: HSBC’s decision to downgrade significantly the resources it devotes to Islamic banking has thrown the issue into sharp focus.

 Rob L. Wagner

Is It A ‘Right to Free Speech’ Or A ‘Right to Incite’?

Is It A ‘Right to Free Speech’ Or A ‘Right to Incite’?

ROB L. WAGNER: The makers of the film have been clear about their intentions in making it – to incite violence. What rights should they have?

 Editor, MEP

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

JAMES DORSEY: Critics are asserting Qatari building standards are shoddy and cast doubt on the safety standards of stadiums…

 James M. Dorsey

Vodafone’s Egyptian Meltdown: Arab Spring Victim?

Vodafone’s Egyptian Meltdown: Arab Spring Victim?

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s been a bad year for Vodafone in Egypt. Are the problems of their own making?

 Rob L. Wagner

‘This Car Is Made With Pride in Riyadh’: At Last, Saudi’s ‘Magic Export Product’?

‘This Car Is Made With Pride in Riyadh’: At Last, Saudi’s ‘Magic Export Product’?

ROB L. WAGNER: Saudi Arabia has been looking for more than 40 years for an export product that will minimize its dependency on oil. Have they found it?

 The View From Fez

Quixotic?: Morocco’s Bid for the Olympics

Quixotic?: Morocco’s Bid for the Olympics

IBN WARRAQ, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: As a Moroccan one always approaches articles written about the country with trepidation…

 James M. Dorsey

Bad Timing For Dubai’s First Soccer Hedge Fund

Bad Timing For Dubai’s First Soccer Hedge Fund

JAMES M. DORSEY: A Dubai bank has launched the region’s first alternative soccer fund modelled on European funds – amid rising fan opposition.

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf States Seek to Tap Massive Sport Investments

Gulf States Seek to Tap Massive Sport Investments

JAMES M. DORSEY: Spain is rapidly emerging as a model for the offsets Qatar, Dubai and other energy-rich Gulf states hope to reap from their massive investments.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Dedicated – and Faithful – Followers of Fashion

Dedicated – and Faithful – Followers of Fashion

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Bloomberg has estimated the global Muslim fashion market could be worth $96bn. For comparisons, the entire UK fashion industry is valued at £21bn.

 Alexander McNabb

ENOC and Eppco: Where Not Just the Petrol Has Run Dry

ENOC and Eppco: Where Not Just the Petrol Has Run Dry

ALEXANDER MCNABB: “Deliciously, Deena twists the knife: “Pressed for answers, he made casual comments on the weather to change the subject…”

 Juan Cole

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

JUAN COLE: To suggest that the West has cooked up a war against Qaddafi to steal Libyan oil is to demean the bravery of the Libyan people.

 David Roberts

Citigroup: ‘No Benefit to Qatar from World Cup’

Citigroup: ‘No Benefit to Qatar from World Cup’

DAVID ROBERTS: Not a good week for Qatar 2022. First, there are accusations of bribery in the bid process, now Citigroup tells us that Qataris will see now net economic benefit from hosting the world’s top prestige event.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Dismal Education System Threatens GCC Future

Dismal Education System Threatens GCC Future

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: We seem to be in a constant state of ‘re-assessment’ or ‘re-evaluation’ of education in the region. Bottom line: We’re still not delivering.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

A more balanced federal budget benefits us all

A more balanced federal budget benefits us all

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: But how can the country cover a federal budget shortfall of Dh18.2 billion, which is now carried by only Abu Dhabi and Dubai? A tax regime…