Spain

Turkey Turned the Hagia Sophia back into a Mosque: Is it Consistent with Muslim Values, the Dialogue of Civilizations?

(Special to Informed Comment) – Debates are currently going on regarding the destiny of the Hagia Sophia (literally “Divine Wisdom”, the sixth-century cathedral built by Eastern Roman emperor Justinian) in Istanbul. President Erdogan made a kicked off this dispute with his declaration a few days ago allowing Muslims to pray at the venue. This wide-ranging […]

Books

Washington Irving, “Legend of the Arabian Astrologer”

contributors

Washington Irving, Tales from the Alhambra (New York: Lea and Carey, 1832). Legend of the Arabian Astrologer. IN OLD times, many hundred years ago, there was a Moorish king named Aben Habuz, who reigned over the kingdom of Granada. He was a retired conqueror, that is to say, one who having in his more youthful […]

Featured

Spain’s Socialists aim for 75% Renewables in Ten Years (at 40% Today)

Juan Cole

Spain is already getting 40% of its electricity from renewables, but its Socialist government hopes to nearly double that proportion in a little over a decade. Spain’s Socialist prime minister Pedro Sanchez and his cabinet have approved a draft proposal to get t 74% of the country’s electricity from renewables by 2030, a little over […]

Israel/ Palestine

Spain to Recognize Palestinian State, work for European Union Acceptance

Maan News Agency

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Spain has become the latest country to voice its readiness to recognize the State of Palestine and that it will promote a European Union (EU) move to recognize Palestine as an independent state. Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, spoke at a conference of EU leaders in Austria, saying that the […]

Spain

Spain: After 7 Years of Conservative Corruption, Austerity, Socialists come to Power

AFP

Sanchez, a 46-year-old economist with no government experience, will take the oath of office at 11:00 am (0900 GMT) before King Felipe VI

Saudi Arabia

Spanish Activists to Kick Out Saudi Ship Loading Weapons for Yemen War

contributors

TeleSur | – – The Bahri Hofuf ship was already kicked out of Bilbao, but sneaked into Santander. In the first days of March, a Saudi cargo ship docked on the Spanish port of Santander to load weapons with Yemen as its final destination and activists are trying to kick it away. The Saudi Bahri […]

History

‘These are the keys of this paradise’: how 700 years of Muslim rule in Spain came to an end

contributors

By Elizabeth Drayson | (The Conversation) | – – It was the moment which set Spain on a course to become the greatest power in early modern Europe. On January 2, 1492 Abdallah Muhammad bin Ali, or Muhammad XII, known as Boabdil, the last Moorish sultan of Granada and head of the Nasrid dynasty, surrendered […]

Counter-Terrorism

Barcelona: Nearly 500K march for Peace, against Islamophobia

contributors

TeleSur | – – Marchers, on Saturday, displayed signs and banners with various slogans. Some read, “No to Islamophobia,” “The best response: Peace,” and “I’m not afraid.” Almost half a million people have taken to the streets in the Spanish city of Barcelona to condemn violence following recent terrorist attacks in Spain. Emergency workers, police […]

Islam-hatred

‘Not in Our Name!’: Barcelona Muslims Denounce Attacks

contributors

TeleSur | – – The crowd chanted slogans such as “Islam is peace!” and “They are not Muslims, they are terrorists!” In the wake of two attacks in Catalonia this week, claimed by the Islamic State group, Barcelona’s Muslim community gathered to denounce the incidents. Chanting “Islam is peace!”, “Not in our name!” and “They […]