James M. Dorsey

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa immediately following his election last week pledged that he will pursue reform vigorously. Let us see.

 James M. Dorsey

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

JAMES M. DORSEY: The financial management of the Asian Football Confederation during Mohammed bin Hammam’s reign is under investigation

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

JAMES M. DORSEY: Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test.

 James M. Dorsey

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

JAMES M. DORSEY: FIFA’s investigation of Mr. Bin Hammam is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg, and will inevitably broaden to the Qatari World Cup bid itself.

 James M. Dorsey

Questions Continue to Surround Bin Hamman

Questions Continue to Surround Bin Hamman

JAMES M. DORSEY: The appointment by Qatari and UAE soccer bodies of individuals who worked with Mohammed bin Hamman raises more questions

 Common Ground News Service

Saudi Women at Olympics: A Major Breakthrough

Saudi Women at Olympics: A Major Breakthrough

MAHA AKEEL, CGNEWS: The participation of two Saudi women at the Olympic Games will provide inspiration and encouragement for girls throughout the Kingdom

 Juan Cole

Morsi’s To Do List: Egypt’s ‘Top Five’ Priorities

Morsi’s To Do List: Egypt’s ‘Top Five’ Priorities

JUAN COLE: The economic and social challenges facing Egypt today are immense. With the right approach, however, Muhammad Mursi can make real change happen

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

The Beach Holiday: Finally, I’m A Convert

The Beach Holiday: Finally, I’m A Convert

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: I’ve never seen the point of sitting, doing nothing on a beach. Now I do.

 David Westley

Qatar “World’s Wealthiest”, But What Does That Mean?

Qatar “World’s Wealthiest”, But What Does That Mean?

ANALYSIS: Qatar has a ‘poor’ Gini index. The Gini index measures how well income is actually divided within a society, the lower the score the better.

 Common Ground News Service

The U.S. and Muslim Brotherhood: A Match Made in Heaven?

The U.S. and Muslim Brotherhood: A Match Made in Heaven?

MOHAMED EL-SAYED, CGNEWS: A very unlikely relationship indeed is beginning to take shape.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Halal: Chasing The $500 Billion Industry

Halal: Chasing The $500 Billion Industry

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: The race is on to establish powerful international ‘halal brands’. The stakes are high: by some estimates $500bn a year.

 Naseem Tarawnah

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

NASEEM TARAWNAH: With 100,000 active personnel, nearly 65,000 in reserve , and household sizes of 5.4 that’s 891,000 people linked to the army’s payroll.

 James M. Dorsey

‘Cultural’ Symbol: Hijab Dispute Nears End

‘Cultural’ Symbol: Hijab Dispute Nears End

JAMES M. DORSEY: It has been a running sore between FIFA, football’s world governing body, and women’s football teams throughout the Islamic world.

 James M. Dorsey

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

JAMES M. DORSEY: While Al Qaeda is attempting to portray a gentler face, distributing aid to famine victims, Al Shabab, are ensuring strict adherence to a ban on women’s sports.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

JAMES M. DORSEY: Emerging markets are demanding that the heads of major international institutions be chosen on the basis of merit…

 American Bedu

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s a topic that seems, more often than not, to generate more heat than light but here’s my attempt to define a Muslim.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Paranoia and Control in the Gulf Economy

Paranoia and Control in the Gulf Economy

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Incubation is the most innovative role governments can play, sparking industries whose high start up costs are a barrier to entry.

 Steve Royston

Building Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

Building Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

STEVE ROYSTON: Creating an entrepreneurial culture in a country, as Professor Daniel Isenberg pointed out, requires determination, and a lot of money