religion

By Jean-Marc Mojon with Raji Nasser in Najaf | ( Your Middle East ) | – – The new Iraq Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bullish entry into the Syrian conflict has worked wonders for his popularity in neighbouring Iraq, where some await “Hajji Putin” like a saviour. Sitting at his easel in his central Baghdad […]

Balkans

Ottomans saved Hungarian PM Orban’s Ancestors; now he says Islam never part of Europe

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not only continued to defend his anti-immigrant bigotry but went on to say that Islam has never been part of Europe. Mr. Orban not only is increasing the misery of largely Muslim refugees, but now he has erased 1300 years of […]

al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda in Syria Leader: Kill Alawite Minority, Russians; Christians fear West Backs Him

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The leader of al-Qaeda in Syria, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has called for an escalation in attacks on the population centers of the Alawite Shiite minority. The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and other leading members of the ruling Baath Party belong to this folk sect of […]

Entertainment

” ‘Homeland’ is Racist”: Showtime hijacked by Egyptian graffiti artists:

contributors

Ian Lee | (CNN Video News Report) | – – “Egyptian graffiti artists, who were asked to add authenticity to the show “Homeland,” managed to sneak in some mocking Arabic slogans. CNN’s Ian Lee reports.” CNN: “‘Homeland’ hijacked by Egyptian graffiti artists”

Islam-hatred

Swedish Bearded Men Mistaken For ISIL

contributors

AJ+ | – – “In Sweden a group of bearded men (Bearded Villains) are saying that they were mistaken for ISIL fighters during a gathering in the countryside, prompting a visit by the police.” AJ+: “Swedish Bearded Men Mistaken For ISIL”

Russia

Putin’s Syria Strikes Irk some among Russia’s 16 mn. Muslims, Raise Risks

contributors

By Tom Balmforth | RFE/ RL MOSCOW — With its soaring minarets and golden dome, the huge new mosque that President Vladimir Putin opened in Moscow late last month was welcomed by Muslims as a sign of their greater acceptance in mostly Christian Russia. Days later, some worshippers voiced dismay over the Kremlin’s campaign of […]

Islam-hatred

Armed Extremists plan “Global Rally” to Stalk American Mosques

contributors

Bridge Initiative Team | (Tracking islamophobia) Against the backdrop of increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric, a coalition of online activists is calling on “patriots” to organize protests in front of mosques across the United States. Dubbed the “Global Rally for Humanity,” events are planned in at least 20 cities nationwide on October 9th and 10th. Claiming that […]

Featured

Facing ISIL Propaganda, Russia Denies its Syria Campaign is a “Holy War”

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Remember when George W. Bush lapsed and called his Iraq War a “crusade?” He had to back off that religious rhetoric really quickly because he needed Muslim allies. Now the Russian Orthodox Church has made a similar error. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said that his church supports […]

Iraq

Aided by Climate Change, ISIL wages Water war on Shiites of south Iraq

contributors

By Raad Salem | (Niqash.org) | Amarah | – – “Droughts, extremists’ control of water upstream and government austerity measures that are shutting pumping stations: Iraq’s already-precarious, but precious, marshes and wetlands are in danger – again.” The buffaloes that Jabbar Hassan farms moved too slowly across the marshland. They looked tired and too thin; […]