Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid
JAMES M. DORSEY: In a worrying development for Qatar, the FIFA president has opened the door to a possible investigation into its successful World Cup bid.
“I am an Arab Woman of Color and We Come in all Shades of Anger. Beware.”
ANNIE, MONDOWEISS: She is set to become a major star and is a woman of great courage, strength and eloquence. But it’s an eloquence infused with anger.
23rd November: A Red Letter Day for Bahrain
STEVE ROYSTON: Tomorrow sees the publication of a report into the events of February and March of this year. Could it draw a line under those tragic events?
Syria: Young Goalkeeper Leads Homs Protest
JAMES M. DORSEY: A promising young footballer has emerged as the voice of protest in the Syrian city of Homs. He has become a key target for the regime’s security forces.
From Personal Disaster to Moroccan Music Pioneer
DEREK WORKMAN, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: What should you do once your life’s work has been destroyed? Instead of brooding Nick Wilde went to Morocco…
Nawal al-Saadawi: Writer or Politician First?
M. LYNX QUALEY: She’s just approaching her 80th birthday and has begun work on a new novel set in Tahrir Square. A divisive character is she first and foremost a political activist or writer?
“Damascus With Love”: Homage at a Painful Time
NEWS FROM SYRIA: It’s been a depressing time in Syria recently, but a newly released movie set in Damascus certainly lifted my gloom, if only for a few hours.
Saudi Arabia: A Glimpse Through the Myths
STEVE ROYSTON: Received wisdom portrays a backward, oppressive society, dominated by religious extremists and a monarchy whose main mission is self-preservation.
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.
Palestinian Hope – Voices for a Lost Cause?
STEVE ROYSTON: “This military occupation has lasted for over 64 years and is an affront to humanity and civilised values. It is high time that the international community took some responsibility.”
‘Writing the Revolution’: Two Authors Reflect
JENNIFER SEARS, ARABLIT: Two leading novelists attending an event in New York reflect on the role of intellectuals on this year’s events.
Water Not Oil is the ‘Big Issue’ Facing Kingdom
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The current rate at which Saudis are consuming water is simply unsustainable. Drastic action needs to be taken. And soon.
‘The Stream’: A Radical New Concept?
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Al Jazeera recently launched ‘The Stream’ designed to bring the ‘holy grail’ of convergence to a worldwide audience. Have they succeeded?
Jerusalem – The Biography: A Compelling Story
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s a city that is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews but it appears to have attracted its fair share of ‘complicated characters’ in its rich past.
Tariq Jahan: Dignity & Respect Teaching Us All A Lesson
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: These events must make us think differently about our approach to Muslims. They are not demons of our society.
Riots in the UK – “It was the best day of my life”
STEVE ROYSTON: There will be riots again. If we live in a society prizing individual liberty and “order”, the balance will go out of kilter from time to time.
Dubai Gets its Blue Mosque
I heard ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan saying, when people argued too much about his intention to reconstruct the mosque of Allah’s Apostle, “You have talked too much. I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Whoever built a mosque, Allah would build for him a similar place in Paradise’.”
MICH CAFE: The closer you get, the more splendid the mosque looks. The size is breathtaking and I had difficulty getting the four 60-meter-high minarets in one frame.
Vimto – The Drink of Choice for Ramadan
MICH CAFE: No-one seems to know how it has happened but a modest, cordial drink from a small village in England is a firm Ramadan favourite.
Powerless: Why We’re At the Mercy of the Markets
STEVE ROYSTON: Whereas the blind are at least able to steer clear of walls and ditches, the rest of us don’t have the faculties even to recognise the wall.
Saudi Draft ‘Anti-Terror Law’ Evokes Strong Response
AHMED AL-OMRAN: A leaked draft of a proposed, new anti-terror law has been leaked to Amnesty International. A predictable storm has erupted.
