Mich Cafe

‘Help Now’: Syrian Refugee Crisis ‘Unprecedented In Its Scope’

‘Help Now’: Syrian Refugee Crisis ‘Unprecedented In Its Scope’

MICH CAFE: If Americans diverted the money they spent in a month on ice-cream to the UN Syrian refugee fund the target would be met.

 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

 Juan Cole

New U.S. Terrorism Map: It’s Only 500 Years Out of Date

New U.S. Terrorism Map: It’s Only 500 Years Out of Date

CHARLES KURZMAN, INFORMED COMMENT: If the lead agency in combatting terror against the U.S designates the whole Islamic world as the source of terror what hope is there?

 Mich Cafe

The 13 Most Beautiful Things in the World: My Choice

The 13 Most Beautiful Things in the World: My Choice

MICH CAFE: A friend threw out the challenge on Twitter and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a few days.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Is It Time for Europe to Ban Saudi Men from Driving?

Is It Time for Europe to Ban Saudi Men from Driving?

EMAN AL NAFJAN: So Kuwait is thinking about changing its laws to suit Saudi Arabia. Maybe it’s time for the European Union to take a leaf out of their book

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Modesty: The Stick That’s Used to Enforce Invisibility

Modesty: The Stick That’s Used to Enforce Invisibility

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Too often modesty is used as an excuse to silence women. We must not allow this situation to continue.

 Common Ground News Service

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

NADIA AKL, CGNEWS: Until recently women, in spite of their clear achievements across many sectors, have been invisible in public discourse. That’s changing

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

True Multi-Cultural Hero: The Surprise That Is St George

True Multi-Cultural Hero: The Surprise That Is St George

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: He’s been adopted by the English right-wing as a symbol of racial purity. He actually stood for nothing of the sort.

 Syria News Wire

“We Win or Die”: Syrian Conflict Is a Matter of Existence

“We Win or Die”: Syrian Conflict Is a Matter of Existence

SYRIA NEWS WIRE: A new documentary examines both sides of the conflict through the eyes of its combatants. It’s a grim story.

 The View From Fez

‘Funny, Touching, Poignant’: The Voice of Moroccan Children

‘Funny, Touching, Poignant’: The Voice of Moroccan Children

A few days ago The View from Fez wrote about a project being run by SOS Children, a UK-based international charity which supports orphaned and abandoned children worldwide. One of the interesting things about the way they operate is that their Africa project, Our Africa seeks to give young Africans the power to show Africa the way […]

 Common Ground News Service

‘Who’s The Victim Now?’: The Shame of My Holocaust Stories

‘Who’s The Victim Now?’: The Shame of My Holocaust Stories

NOA MA’AYAN, CGNEWS: There we were, three women sitting removed from their natural environment chatting about their lives in a beautiful setting

 Mondoweiss

Asmaa’s Mecca Visit: Who Will Make It Happen?

Asmaa’s Mecca Visit: Who Will Make It Happen?

WALAA AL GHUSSEIN, MONDOWEISS: Asmaa lives in a densely populated area, is dangerously ill. She dreams of Mecca…

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

How Not To Marry A Child Bride And Treat Women Well

How Not To Marry A Child Bride And Treat Women Well

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Perhaps in light of the events in Steubenville, Ohio what’s needed is a simple ‘How To’ and ‘How Not To’ guide

 Juan Cole

Women: Pope and Muslim Brotherhood ‘Share Views’

Women: Pope and Muslim Brotherhood ‘Share Views’

The selection of the new pope was carried out by a conclave of elderly men, and the only candidates were men. The new pope is a staunch social conservative who opposes women’s ordination as priests and women’s right to control their own bodies and limit family size, key issues for women’s health and well-being. It is no wonder that the church hierarchy is so tone deaf on women’s issues, since its highest counsels are all-male.

JUAN COLE: Patriarchal religion takes a remarkably similar view of the position of women in society.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Women’s Rights in Kingdom: Fragile Progress Made

Women’s Rights in Kingdom: Fragile Progress Made

EMAN AL NAFJAN: It’s indisputable that women are making strides in Saudi Arabia but this progress could be swept aside at a stroke

 Common Ground News Service

‘Politics Not History Is Driving Islamophobia’

‘Politics Not History Is Driving Islamophobia’

MUQTEDAR KHAN: Those analysts who turn to history to explain growing Islamophobia around the globe are ignoring today’s political landscape

 Common Ground News Service

Arabic Chat: An Encounter With Hatred On a Train

Arabic Chat: An Encounter With Hatred On a Train

MORIEL ROTHMAN, CGNEWS: Two obviously Jewish people speaking Arabic in a public place was sure to cause a reaction.

 James M. Dorsey

In Israel and Egypt The Stench of Racism Grows Stronger

In Israel and Egypt The Stench of Racism Grows Stronger

JAMES DORSEY: Whether it’s Israeli football teams or Egyptian presidents accusations of racism are running rife throughout the region.

 Common Ground News Service

The Many Different Shades of ‘Muslim Feminism’

The Many Different Shades of ‘Muslim Feminism’

ERIKA SANCHEZ, CGNEWS: Putting the two words side by side ‘Muslim’ and ‘Feminism’ is sure to evoke powerful reactions in many of the faithful

 Layla

Saudi-Arabia: Roads Not Paved in Gold For All

Saudi-Arabia: Roads Not Paved in Gold For All

LAYLA: The impression that foreigners in particular have of Saudi Arabia is that it is a land bathed in unbelievable wealth. For many citizens that is not so.