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.
‘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.