Jonathan Cook

Palestine Reclaimed: A Return to The Hill-Top of Iqrit

Palestine Reclaimed: A Return to The Hill-Top of Iqrit

JONATHAN COOK: A dozen young men have returned to the village from which their grandparents were expelled in 1948 and set up camp

 Crossroads Arabia

Bahrain Becomes Vatican’s Middle East HQ

Bahrain Becomes Vatican’s Middle East HQ

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Vatican is striving to improve relations with authorities throughout the Gulf

 Abu Muhammed

Ramadan and the Sighting of the Moon

Ramadan and the Sighting of the Moon

ABU MUHAMMED: if you really want to know when Ramadan begins do what many of us do–go out on the 28th of Shaaban just before sunset and look for the new moon.

 Juan Cole

It’s US: Why Americans Should Support the Arab Spring

It’s US: Why Americans Should Support the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: Americans have given up too soon on the Arab Spring. They have bought into overly large generalizations, some of them purveyed by right wing American pundits…

 Mich Cafe

Edgy Damascus: Jesuit Priest Asked to Leave Syria

Edgy Damascus: Jesuit Priest Asked to Leave Syria

MICH CAFE: A fortnight ago, Fr. Paolo posted a Christmas message on the monastery’s web site. The message did not go down well in Damascus.

 Steve Royston

Jerusalem Postcard: Tears, Trinkets, Traffic

Jerusalem Postcard: Tears, Trinkets, Traffic

STEVE ROYSTON: “When we enter Jerusalem, you will be surrounded by people who will try to take your money. I know these people…”

 Tabsir

The Luridly Literal Cartoonist Unfunny in Hate

The Luridly Literal Cartoonist Unfunny in Hate

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Jack Chick’s one-dimensional, nasty view of the world has been played out for more than 40 years…

 Steve Royston

After Tunisia: Choosing the Society We Want

After Tunisia: Choosing the Society We Want

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s about building societies in which people are not afraid to think for themselves, and are free to express themselves without fear of censorship or persecution…

 Yahya Ederer

Muslim Guidebook: How to Deal with Christmas

Muslim Guidebook: How to Deal with Christmas

YAHYA EDERER: Every December the Christmas clamour seems to increase around the world. I have some thoughts on how Muslims should manage the festive ‘bombardment’.

 Naseem Tarawnah

An Iraqi Christmas In Amman

An Iraqi Christmas In Amman

NASEEM TARAWNAH: The photo is a reminder of the difficulties of this region. Of conflict. Of safe havens. Of wars. Of truce. Stripped of politics, it is free…