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The following is a selection of entries from recent days, on issues ranging from Annapolis, Iran, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and Jihad & Terrorism to reform, Pakistan, and Algeria.
*Annapolis
Iranian Dissident: Annapolis Could Benefit Iran
Iranian dissident journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi has stated that the success of the Annapolis conference could benefit Iran, explaining that it would hobble Iran, lead it to cut off relations with Syria, and block its access to Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority.
He added that this development would lead to the isolation of Iran's leaders and to their preferring diplomatic avenues to military action.
Source: Rooz, Iran, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3839.htm
Cartoon In Saudi Paper On Israel, The Palestinians, And Annapolis
On sign: "Annapolis."
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3813.htm
Palestinian Source: Arab Countries Undermined Syria-Iran Alliance
A knowledgeable Palestinian source has reported that intensive activity by the Arab countries has led to an undermining of the alliance between Syria and Iran.
He said that Syria was told that it must choose between the Iranian camp – and the resulting isolation in the international arena – and ending its alliance with Iran and returning to the Arab world and the international community.
Source: Al-Quds, Jerusalem, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3832.htm
Iranian Paper Criticizes Arab Countries Over Annapolis Participation
The Iranian conservative daily Jomhouri-ye Eslami wrote that the heads of the reconciling Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, should be harshly criticized for participating in the Annapolis conference, and that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas must explain why they returned empty-handed from the "show of disgrace" in the U.S.
Source: Jomhouri-ye Eslami, Iran, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/irantest/blog_personal/en/3824.htm
Former Syrian Minister: We've Gained Political Benefit At Annapolis
In an article, former Syrian information minister Mahdi Dahlallah wrote that the contacts in the matter of the Annapolis conference that Arab and foreign elements have held with Syria are proof that Syria's standing on its principles is forcing others to respect that stand and to find a common language with it.
He added that Syria was not interested in the outcome of the conference, but rather in the political benefit it gained by adhering to its position and to its demands.
Source: Teshreen, Syria, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3818.htm
Islamist Turkish Daily: Annapolis Meeting For "Invasion of Iran"
In its lead story yesterday, the Islamist Turkish daily Milli Gazete slammed the Annapolis conference, saying it was seeking to annihilate Palestine and establish "the larger Jewish state."
The daily quoted Ismail Ridvan, a Hamas representative, as saying, "The conference will not serve any of the interests of the Palestinians. The gathering in Annapolis is being organized only to support the Zionist enemy."
The daily said that the Annapolis conference was a disguised discussion of "the invasion of Iran."
Source: Milli Gazete, Turkey, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/3808.htm
Advisor To Khamenei: If Israel Is Recognized As Jewish State, Hamas and Islamic Jihad Will Renew Intifada
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's advisor Ali Akbar Velayati has warned that if Israel's demands for recognition as a Jewish state are accepted, it will be able to expel its Arab citizens any time it wants
He added that if that day comes, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad would renew the Intifada in Tel Aviv and other occupied areas.
Source: Jomhouri-ye Eslami, Iran, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/irantest/blog_personal/en/3828.htm
Saudi FM: Saudi Arabia Not A Tool For Achieving Normalization With Israel
In an interview, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal told the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia had agreed to participate in the Annapolis conference in order to support the Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese positions, and that it would not agree to be used as a means of achieving normalization with Israel.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3801.htm
Hizbullah: Lebanese Delegation To Annapolis Does Not Represent Lebanon
The Faction Loyal to the Resistance, which is the Hizbullah faction in the Lebanese parliament, has condemned Lebanon's planned participation in the Annapolis conference.
In an announcement, the faction said that any Lebanese delegation to the conference will not represent Lebanon and that its positions, and the conference outcome, will not be binding upon the Lebanese or their country.
In an announcement, it said that the position of the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora regarding the Annapolis conference was another addition to that government's dark past and deeds, which are unconstitutional and harmed the country's supreme national interest.
Source: http://www.hizbollah.org/ar/index.php, November 23, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3777.htm
Palestinian Organizations Reject Invitation To Iran
The London daily Al-Hayat has reported that the heads of Palestinian organizations in Syria have rejected an official invitation to visit Iran and to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The paper wrote that the offer was rejected because of the organizations' reservations about the timing of the invitation, as it immediately followed Syria's participation in the Annapolis conference, and Iran's criticism of the conference.
Source: Al-Hayat, London, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3834.htm
200 Lashes Sentence For Rape Victim Embarrasses Saudi Delegation At Annapolis
A Saudi court's harsh sentence of 200 lashes for a young woman who was gang-raped is embarrassing the Saudi delegation at the Annapolis conference.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that he was saddened that this isolated incident was being used to tarnish the name of Saudi Arabia and its government.
He added that at this time the Saudi judicial system was reexamining the issue and that it was hoped that the sentence would be changed.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London; Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3812.htm
Cartoon In UAE Paper: Annapolis Serves Israel
Source: Al-Bayan, UAE, November 26, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3804.htm
Iranian Reactions To Annapolis Conference
According to the Iranian daily Kayhan, which is affiliated with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Annapolis conference was called in order to "deal with Iran's increasing influence, which poses an unprecedented danger to the historic interests of the U.S. in the Middle East."
In an editorial, the Jomhouri-ye Eslami daily, which supports Expediency Council chairman Hashemi Rafsanjani, states that the attempt by the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to revive its relations with Egypt, while Egyptian President Mubarak continues his "traitorous and impudent" mediation and reconciliation efforts between the Israelis and the Palestinians, attests to a political misunderstanding, and to concessions to the Zionist enemy at the Palestinians' expense.
On the other hand, the reformist daily Aftab-e Yazd calls for refraining from provocative statements about the Arab countries who will be participating in the conference, because under current circumstances such statements do not serve Iran's interests.
Source: Kayhan, Aftab-e Yazd, Jomhouri-ye Eslami, Iran, November 25, 2007.
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3787.htm
Damascus Declaration In Letter To Bush: Don't Let Annapolis Become Arena Of Defeat For Freedom, Victory For Dictatorship
Left: Poster of "Dissidents who could not join us today because they are in jail." Right: President George W. Bush and Muhammad Mamoun Al-Homsi at International Democracy and Security Conference, Prague, June 2007.
The Aafaq website reports that the Beirut Secretariat for the Damascus Declaration has sent a letter to President George W. Bush demanding that the Annapolis conference not become an arena of defeat for the project of freedom and democracy or an incentive for the victory of dictatorship over the ambitions, struggles, and hopes of the Syrian people and of the peoples in the Middle East region.
The letter is signed by Damascus Declaration secretary, former Syrian MP, and prisoner of conscience Muhammad Mamoun Al-Homsi.
Source: http://www.aafaq.org/english/aafaq_today.aspx?id_news=79, November 25, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3785.htm
Ahmadinejad Slams Middle East Countries For Planned Annapolis Participation
In a speech to Basij members, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized the countries of the Middle East for participating in the Annapolis conference, and said to Arab participants: "Why do you have the right to represent the Palestinian? Israel is in a very bad position, and its existence curve is headed towards downfall. It is defeated in Lebanon... [and] now you want to make concessions. This is because you are unwise... From now on, I say that any future agreement which does not include the right of the Palestinian is worthless and will be not accepted by the Middle East countries."
Ahmadinejad went on to say that the report by International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohammad ElBaradei had been a huge success, and that Iran had accomplished its aims without making any concessions.
Source: IRIB TV, Iran, November 26, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3784.htm
*Iran
In Iran, 5,500 Sign Up For Martyrdom
The spokesman of the Iranian group Esteshhadiyoun (Volunteers for Suicide Operations), a man called Mohammadi, has said that so far some 5,500 Iranian men and women, mostly aged 18-29, have signed up to carry out suicide operations.
He added that a new round of registration would be starting soon.
Source: Farda, Iran, November 25, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3819.htm
IRGC Official: Basij Forces Ready For Martyrdom Ops
Deputy IRGC commander in charge of intelligence Majid Mir-Ahmadi has declared, "The Basij forces are ready to carry out any kind of martyrdom operation for the sake of the revolution."
Eight and a half million people participated in recent maneuvers held across Iran by Basij paramilitary forces.
Source: Mehr, Iran, November 26, 2007; Fars, Iran, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3819.htm
Iranian DM: New Missiles "In Line With Iran's Deterrent/Defense Doctrine"
Iran's development and production of the 2,000-km-range Ashura and Qadr missiles are "in line with Iran's deterrent and defense doctrine," said Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najar at a November 27 ceremony honoring the paramilitary Basij forces.
He added that the Sa'eqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh (Thunder) fighter planes, the Ghadir submarine, and the Mowj (Wave) destroyer were other major Defense Ministry achievements, and that there were new plans in place for maximizing the power of Iran's naval force.
(For more on Iran's defense doctrine, see http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3806.htm)
Source: IRNA, Iran, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3823.htm
"Kayhan" Cartoon: Sands In Hourglass Of Israel, America Running Out
Source: Kayhan, Iran, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3820.htm
Crisis In Jordan-Iran Relations Over Demonstration At Jordanian Embassy In Tehran
Jordanian Information Minister and acting Foreign Minister Nasser Jouda summoned Iranian Ambassador to Amman Mohammad Al-Irani and asked him for clarification regarding Iran's official stand on the November 26 attack on the Jordanian Embassy in Tehran.
Official Jordanian sources say that Jordan is considering recalling its ambassador to Tehran.
In the attack on the Jordanian Embassy building in Tehran, stones were thrown and windows were smashed during a gathering of about 100 Iranians in front of the building. The demonstrators were protesting Jordan's participation in the Annapolis conference
A senior Jordanian source said that the Jordanian government had information that an order was issued by official Iranian apparatuses to Iranians to demonstrate in front of the embassy, and that Iranians are displeased because King Abdullah brought the Syrians to participate in the Annapolis conference.
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia; Al-Jarida, Kuwait, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3810.htm
Iranian Paper: Before Saying U.S. Elections "Aren't Free," Ahmadinejad Must Deal With Iran's Failed Electoral System
In response to statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that "elections in the U.S. are not free," the reformist Iranian daily Aftab-e Yazd stated that Ahmadinejad should first deal with the invalid and selective activity in the Iranian electoral system.
Source: Aftab-e Yazd, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3798.htm
Iranian Navy Cmdr: Iranian Submarine Joins Navy
Commander of Iran's army navy Habibollah Sayyari has announced that the navy will add an Iranian-made submarine to its fleet on November 28.
He said that Iran was also manufacturing a destroyer called the Jamaran, which could meet "the security needs of the other countries in the region, not only Iran's."
Source: IRNA, Iran, November 24, 2007; Kayhan, Iran, November 26,
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3788.htm
Rooz: Trial Of Jailed Iranian Students Delayed Due To Visible Signs Of Torture
The online daily Rooz has reported that the trial of the three Emir Kabir University students jailed for "insulting the sanctity of Islam" is being delayed for fear that the public will see their severe injuries from torture in prison.
Source: Rooz, Iran, November 25, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3780.htm
Iranian Weekly: U.S. On Anti-Islam Crusade
In an article, the Iranian weekly Parto-e Sokhan, which is affiliated with Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, mentor of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, discussed statements by President Bush on World War III.
The article, which included a photo of Bush as Hitler, stated that Bush's insane behavior was leading to the conclusion that the U.S. was on a new crusade against the Islamic world.
Source: Parto-e Sokhan, Iran, November 14, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3754.htm
*Palestinian Authority
Cartoon In Palestinian Paper On Israeli Nazi Tunneling Under Al-Aqsa Mosque
Source: Falastin, Palestinian Authority, November 18, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3762.htm
Columnist In PA Daily: God Protect Us From One Who Is Very Close To Being President Of Nuclear State
In his column in the Palestinian Authority daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Mufaq Matar attacked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statement that participating in the Annapolis conference attested to a lack of political understanding.
Matar said that Iran was exporting arms and violence to various organizations on the pretext of spreading the revolution, and that it had invented a method of kneecapping by shooting (like that used by Hamas in Gaza against Fatah members).
In his column, Matar expressed hope that God would protect us from the one who is very close to being president of a nuclear state.
Source: Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Palestinian Authority, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3831.htm
*Hamas
Hamas Official Abu Marzouq: After Annapolis, We'll Escalate Resistance
Hamas Political Bureau deputy head Moussa Abu Marzouq has warned that following the Annapolis conference, there will be an escalation in all forms and methods of resistance activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip against the "Zionist occupation." He also called on the Palestinian public to stand against "the Annapolis conspiracy."
Source: http://tharwacommunity.typepad.com, November 24, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3778.htm
Hamas Leader Al-Zahar: Palestine – From The Sea To The River
In reading out the concluding statement of a Gaza conference in which some of the Palestinian factions participated, Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar stated that the land of Palestine stretches from the sea to the river and from the borders with Lebanon and Syria to the border with Egypt.
He added that the land of Palestine is the property of the Palestinian people, and that no person, group, government, or generation must denigrate a single centimeter of it.
Source: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3803.htm
*Jihad and Terrorism
New on the MEMRI Islamist Websites Monitor Project Website: Chechen Jihad Commander Announces Establishment of "Caucasus Emirate"
On November 22, 2007, the Islamist website Kavkaz Center (www.kavkazcenter.com, hosted by PRQ-NET-COLO in Sweden), which supports the mujahideen in the Caucasus, posted a communiqué by top Chechen jihad commander Dokka Umarov, in which he announces the establishment of the "Caucasus Emirate." In the message, Umarov also calls on the Muslims to wage jihad against the Russians in order to reclaim Chechnya and the rest of the Caucasus, as well as other territories which were once part of dar al-Islam (i.e., under Muslim rule).
To View the Full Report on the MEMRI Islamist Websites Monitor Project Website, Click Here.
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3796.htm
Senior Saudi Official: Extremist Thought Being Spread By Millions Of Websites
Saudi Interior Ministry Advisory and Guidance Committee member Muhammad Al-Najimi, who is in charge of rehabilitating terrorists who renounce their extremist views, has said that people with mistaken views are gaining influence on the Internet.
Millions of websites are spreading extremist thought, he said, and some 4,500 in Arabic are addressing Arab youth and spreading mistaken and misleading fatwas among them.
He added that he had received death threats because of his membership in the advisory committee.
Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3826.htm
Sudanese National Congress Party Youth Ready For Jihad Against Sudan Popular Liberation Movement
Tension is continuing following statements by Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir, who called to reopen the training camps of the popular militias that fought in the civil war against southern Sudan (see "Sudan Political Crisis Worsens").
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Sudan yesterday, November 19, declared a state of alert in the south of the country, and also threatened to quit the government within two months if the crisis between it and Al-Bashir's National Congress Party was not resolved.
Meanwhile, National Congress Party youth division secretary Hajj Majed Suwar said that his branch was planning to gather jihad fighters from the refugee camps in answer to Al-Bashir's call. He said that jihad is a religious obligation not abrogated by the signing of a peace agreement.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 20, 2007, Akhir Lahza, Sudan, November 20, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3747.htm
*Reform
In Syria, Petition Against Blocking Of Websites
Under the slogan "Everyone Has A Right to Know," abssyria.freewebpage.org has posted a petition against the blocking of websites in Syria.
The petition includes a partial list of 110 websites that are blocked in Syria (see "Syria Blocks Facebook").
Source: syriahr.com, November 25, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3793.htm
In Morocco, 8 Arrested In "Gay Wedding" Incident
Eight individuals were arrested in the city of Ksar El-Kebir in northern Morocco, following participation in a November 19 ceremony thought to be a gay wedding.
According to the arrest warrant, the detainees are suspected of illegal "sexual perversion."
A preliminary investigation showed that the gathering was ceremony of the mystic Gnawa sect, practiced by descendants of African slaves. While some participants were dressed in women's clothing, the ceremony's organizer claimed that he only wanted to reenact a vision in which a woman asked him to dress like her and offer a gift to the saint Sayyed Al-Madloum.
Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc, Morocco, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3827.htm
Syrian Human Rights Report: Imprisoned Kurdish Youths Tortured
The Syrian Kurdish Human Rights Committee has reported that two Kurdish youths, aged 13 and 14, have been subjected to torture since their November 2 arrest by Syrian military police for participating in a demonstration in the city of Qamshili in support of the PKK (see "Syrian Human Rights Committee Demands Investigation Of Shooting Of Kurdish Demonstrators").
The committee condemned "inhuman acts against Syrian citizens" and called to speed up judicial processes in the case and to take their young age into account.
Source: thisissyria.net, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3821.htm
Iraqi Clerics Call To Condemn Al-Qaeda
A delegation of Sunni and Shi'ite clerics from various districts in Iraq that visited the Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani at Najaf have called on clerics in the Islamic world to clearly condemn the activity of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
They said that this was also Al-Sistani's message.
Source: Al-Hayat, London, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3817.htm
Middle East Christian Association To Stop Activity In Egypt
The Canada-based Middle East Christian Association, several of whose members in Egypt were recently arrested (see "Egypt Arrests Two Activists From Middle East Christian Association"), has announced that it is halting its activities in Egypt.
The announcement said that the organization intended to send a letter to the U.N. and to all human rights organizations and democratic governments worldwide, explaining its decision.
It added that the organization was being subjected to government terrorism and had funding problems that made it difficult to continue its activity.
Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, November 24, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3795.htm
In Jordanian Elections, Islamists Lose 2/3 Of Parliamentary Seats
In the final results of the November 21 Jordanian parliamentary elections, the Islamist Action Front lost 15 of its 22 seats, ending up with only seven seats.
The party's demand to cancel results in some districts on charges of election fraud was rejected.
The tribes supporting King Abdullah won a majority of seats in Parliament.
One woman, Falak Al-Jam'ani, was elected in regular in a regular running, and she will join the six women for whom parliamentary seats are earmarked.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 22, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3771.htm
"Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" Cartoon On "The Resistance" And The Iraqi People
On figure: "The Resistance." On belt: "The Iraqi people."
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 23, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3767.htm
Bahraini Authorities Order 7 Churches Shut Down
Bahraini authorities have decided to close seven churches in the capital of Manama, after city residents complained that their rest was being disturbed.
Following protests by Christian organizations in Britain, the authorities said that reason for the closures was that the churches were operating without the proper license from the government.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3841.htm
*Pakistan
From the MEMRI Urdu/Pashtu Project: Taliban (Police) Station- Matta (in the Swat Valley of Pakistan)
Source: The MEMRI Urdu/Pashtu Project, November 27, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3807.htm
*Algeria
Algeria Bans Veils For Women Voters
Algeria's Interior Ministry has ordered that every voter in the upcoming local elections be checked against their identity cards. This means that women wearing veils (niqab) will be required to uncover their faces.
Several districts are discussing the possibility of establishing separate polling centers for men and women, so as to follow the orders without requiring women to expose their faces to men.
Source: El-Khaber, Algeria, November 21, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3758.htm
Report: 80 Suicide Bombers Ready For Action In Algeria
Algerian security force sources have reported that intelligence material found in the vehicle of senior Al-Qaeda Maghreb commander Abdelhamid Saadaoui, who was killed last week, indicates that 80 suicide bombers are ready to attack security forces targets in Tizi Ouzi (Kabylia).
An Al-Qaeda Maghreb operative who turned himself in warned that a truck bomb attack was being planned against the regional government building, and all roads leading to the building were closed to traffic.
Source: El-Shourouq El-Yawmi, Algeria, November 20, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3757.htm
Algeria Arrests Commander Of Al-Qaeda Maghreb's Algiers Brigade
Senior Algerian security forces officials have announced that several weeks ago security forces arrested Abd Al-Fattah Abu Basir, commander of the Algiers Brigade of Al-Qaeda Maghreb, together with two of his aides, along with 800 kg of explosives and several bombs.
Abu Basir, whose real name is Bouderbala Fateh, is considered to be very close to organization commander Abu Mus'ab Abd Al-Wadoud, and has been active in jihad organizations since 1993.
Source: El-Shorouq El-Yawmi, Algeria, November 19, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3749.htm
*Turkey
Priest Abducted In Mardin, Turkey
Edip Daniel Savci, a priest from Turkey's Assyrian Christian community, was abducted yesterday in Turkey's southeastern city of Mardin. The kidnappers called Yohanna Aktas, the Head of the Assyrian Culture Association and demanded 300,000 Euro in return for Savci's release. According to Anto Nuay, a clergyman, the kidnappers said on a second call that they would kill the priest if they were not given the money.
Interior Minister Besir Atalay said that the national police and the gendarmerie in the region were following the case.
It is reported that the abductors may have crossed the border into Syria together with their hostage.
Source: Hurriyet, Zaman, Turkey, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/3847.htm
New Law In Turkey Censors Internet
A new law against Internet crimes came into effect in Turkey on November 23, 2007.
The law is aimed at fighting and preventing Internet-connected child pornography, prostitution, incitement to commit suicide, facilitation of obtaining illegal drugs, and facilitating gambling.
Columnist Oktay Eksi of Hurriyet wrote that while preventing obscenity was deemed important, websites that incite to terrorism, violence, or other crimes are not covered by the new law. He noted that the law leaves the decision to block access to websites considered obscene to a single individual, the head of the Communications Ministry Telecommunications Department.
Eksi says that this law puts Turkey in the category of undemocratic, despotic countries.
Source: Hurriyet, Turkey, November 30, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/3845.htm
Display Of Antisemitic, Anti-Christian Koran Verse Creates Controversy In Turkey
Following Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) encouragement to imams to display Koranic verses at the gates of Turkey's mosques, the imam of Zeynep Sultan Mosque in the busy Eminonu district of Istanbul chose to display the verse Maida 51: "Oh ye, the believers! Take not the Jews and Christians for your friends. They are friends to each other and he who befriends them is one of them. Allah does not guide those cruel oppressors to the path of truth."
Ertugrul Ozkok, editor of the top-selling mainstream Turkish daily Hurriyet, wrote that when the paper saw this verse outside the mosque, which is in a neighborhood frequented by tourists, it contacted the mufti of Eminonu district. The mufti told Hurriyet that he would call to warn the imam to remove it, and added that he was not arguing about the validity of Koranic verses but that not every verse could be displayed everywhere.
However, when Hurriyet contacted Istanbul's acting mufti, who has greater authority, the mufti defended the display, reiterating that the verse commanded Muslims to avoid befriending Jews and Christians, in accordance with their faith and saying, "Should we not display the verse because that mosque is visited by tourists?"
Ozkok wrote that because of the controversy on the issue, the paper then spoke to the directorate vice president, who is directly accountable to the prime minister. The directorate vice president said, "We encourage the display of Koran verses, and imams may make different choices. We instructed the office of the mufti of Istanbul to talk to the imam. We don't approve the display of that verse at Zeynep Sultan Mosque."
According to Ozkok, displaying that particular verse was not a bona fide act, especially when there are murderers out there like the ones that murdered the three Christians in Malatya.
Source: Hurriyet, November 24, 2007; Turkish Daily News, November 28, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/3844.htm
During Istanbul Visit, British Royals Visit Eyup Sultan Mosque, Kariye Museum
During their visit to Istanbul, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited the Eyup Sultan Mosque on November 28, as well as Eyup's tomb.
They were received at the mosque by Istanbul Deputy Mufti Yusuf Izzettin Konuk and other officials, and given a private 10-minute tour.
They also visited the Kariye Museum (Chora Church).
Source: Today's Zaman, Turkey, November 29, 2007
http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/3842.htm
