I cannot be guided by Gandhi, King alone: Barack Hussein Obama in his Nobel speech, Current affairs, NewAgeIslam.com

Current affairs

I cannot be guided by Gandhi, King alone: Barack Hussein Obama in his Nobel speech

Barack Hussein Obama

And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize - Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela - my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women - some known, some obscure to all but those they help - to be far more deserving of this honor than I.

But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars. One of these wars is winding down. The other is a conflict that America did not seek; one in which we are joined by forty three other countries - including Norway - in an effort to defend ourselves and all nations from further attacks.

Still, we are at war, and I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill. Some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the cost of armed conflict - filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other.

http://newageislam.com/i-cannot-be-guided-by-gandhi,-king-alone--barack-hussein-obama-in-his-nobel-speech/current-affairs/d/2210

America is not and never will be at war with Islam: US President Barack Obama, Islam and the West, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and the West

America is not and never will be at war with Islam: US President Barack Obama

4 June 2009

We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world, tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation but also conflict and religious wars.

More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims and a Cold War in which Muslim majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and western countries but also to human rights.

All this has bred more fear and more mistrust. So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

http://newageislam.com/america-is-not-and-never-will-be-at-war-with-islam--us-president-barack-obama---/islam-and-the-west/d/1441

Islamic militancy: a foreign policy tool of the US and Pakistani establishments, Islam and the West, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and the West

Islamic militancy: a foreign policy tool of the US and Pakistani establishments

December 26, 2008

By Yousuf Nazar

The Pakistani media was quick to dismiss Indian allegations about the complicity of elements from Pakistan in Mumbai attacks. Some channels even carried stories that there was no Aslam Amir in Faridkot, only to contradict themselves later. We need to reflect upon the whole paradigm of 'terrorism'. For this purpose, it is essential to take a holistic view including examination of some important and critical events since 9/11, US's strategic interests in the Middle East and Central Asia, the relationship between the US and Pakistan authorities, and the murky nature of CIA's involvement with the so-called Islamic militants.

In Pakistan, there are two extreme viewpoints. One view sees things through a conspiracy paradigm where India-US-Israel nexus is out to destroy Pakistan and Pakistani establishment is an innocent bystander. The other view sees fundamentalism as purely a home grown issue that has gone out of control. There are elements of truth in both the views. But the reality, as always, is far more complex.

It has been made more complex due to the fact there is big money involved on both the sides. The Americans have poured money into so-called Pakistani think-tanks and media groups. Some of these think-tanks have clear and identifiable linkages to those run by neocons or are directly or indirectly funded by the US government or organisations. Their views are given platforms by large and respected groups such as DAWN and GEO TV without bothering to make disclosures about conflict of interest; a standard practice.

Some of the so-called fundamentalists enjoy cosy relationship with the Arab kingdoms and the Pakistani intelligence agencies. These agencies are very close to the CIA and the Pentagon.

http://newageislam.com/islamic-militancy--a-foreign-policy-tool-of-the-us-and-pakistani-establishments---/islam-and-the-west/d/1103

Pakistani journalists face pressures from feudal lords and religious zealots, Islam and the Media, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and the Media

Pakistani journalists face pressures from feudal lords and religious zealots

By Khalid Hasan

Sunday, September 21, 2008

He said Gen Pervez Musharraf must be given credit for permitting private channels, although he also tried to suppress them when the tide of public opinion turned against him. He said now that Pakistan has an elected political government, its tolerance for criticism will need to be tested when the chips are down. Politicians were the biggest supporters of media freedom. It remains to be seen if they will remain that way now that they have acquired power. The time had also come for the media to accept self-assessment. The media will also have to decide if it should put out what is right or what it thinks is right. Should extremists be given exposure? How should self-regulation be brought about?

Ejaz Haider spoke about media-military relations and how they had evolved over time. Turning to the situation in the turbulent, strife-torn tribal regions, he said, what the militants claim and what the military asserts, you have to look for middle ground because the truth lies somewhere there. Verification of information doled out remains difficult, he pointed out.

http://newageislam.com/pakistani-journalists-face-pressures-from-feudal-lords-and-religious-zealots-/islam-and-the-media/d/776

Normal Islamabad-Delhi links crucial to the entire world, Current affairs, NewAgeIslam.com

Current affairs

Normal Islamabad-Delhi links crucial to the entire world

Published: Sunday, 3 August, 2008

I wrote recently about the centrality of Pakistani-Indian relations to the struggle against Al Qaeda. Pakistan’s army and intelligence services have been more focused on the border with India than on the mountainous Pakistani-Afghan border, where Al Qaeda and other murderous militant groups are now based.

The elected government of Pakistan - whose prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, visited the White House last week - wants to shift foreign-policy focus. It understands that jihadi groups present a more immediate threat to Pakistan than does India. But the civilian government is still trying to consolidate power and doesn’t fully control the military or intelligence agencies. It is unclear whether Qureshi can carry out his plans or whether the military will go along.

One thing is certain, however. The US should be doing all it can to help Pakistan’s new government establish control over the military and pursue warmer relations with India. I repeat: all it can.

I was struck by Qureshi’s fervour in outlining the measures he seeks to build confidence with India.

“It is in our own interest to have improved relations,” he said. “The Pakistani business community wants it.” That community grasps that its future growth depends on a more open relationship with its far bigger neighbour.

http://newageislam.com/normal-islamabad-delhi-links-crucial-to-the-entire-world/current-affairs/d/419

Rice admits US policy shift on Iran, Islam and the West, NewAgeISlam.com

Islam and the West

Rice admits US policy shift on Iran

No permanent enemies: “The United States doesn’t have any permanent enemies,” Rice said in response to a reporter’s question on the unexpected move to send a diplomat to meet directly with Iran’s negotiator Saeed Jalili in Geneva on Saturday.

“And we hope this signal we’re sending, that we fully support the track that Iran could take for a better relationship with the international community, is one the United States stands fully behind.”

“We have been very clear that any country can change course,” Rice added. “This decision to send Undersecretary (William) Burns is an affirmation of the policy that we have been pursuing with our European allies... for some time now.”

Rice called the move “a strong signal to the entire world that we have been very serious about this diplomacy and we will remain very serious about this diplomacy.”

Rice pointed out that she had endorsed the proposal from the so-called P5 plus one - the United States, France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany - on incentives to advance talks with Iran on halting its nuclear program.

http://newageislam.com/rice-admits-us-policy-shift-on-iran/islam-and-the-west/d/265

With friends like these do Muslims need enemies? CPI (M) communalising N-deal issue!, Islam and Politics, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam and Politics

With friends like these do Muslims need enemies? CPI (M) communalising N-deal issue!

N-deal support may cost Muslim votes: CPM warns SP

June 23, 2008

He said the SP chief, who enjoys a good relationship with the Left parties, will have to give a lot of explanation if he decides to support the deal, one which he has opposed earlier.

"Mulayam will have to think twice before supporting the deal as an overwhelming majority of Muslims are not in favour of the deal. Mulayam's support is much more among Muslim masses," he told reporters in New Delhi.

He was responding to a question about speculation that the Uttar Pradesh-based party was cosying up to Congress to support the deal, which was strongly opposed by the Left.

Noting that such reports were ‘no doubt’ a serious development, Pandhe said, "He will have to explain it to people how suddenly he has become a supporter of the deal. He has been very strongly opposing the deal."

The role of the 39-member strong party in Lok Sabha could be crucial in a trial of strength if Left allies withdraw support to the deal.

http://newageislam.com/with-friends-like-these-do-muslims-need-enemies?-cpi-(m)-communalising-n-deal-issue!/islam-and-politics/d/128

Australian Muslims warned on polygamy, Islamic Sharia Laws, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Sharia Laws

Australian Muslims warned on polygamy

June 25, 2008

"I certainly would not have entertained the thought of having a relationship without a religious marriage and I thought the relationship with that person was developing to the stage where we had become too friendly with each other,'' Mr Trad told ABC Radio.

"Rather than entertain any thoughts of an affair I thought the only decent thing to do was to consider a proper commitment to that person.''

Mr McClelland said the debate on polygamous marriages was entirely different to issues surrounding same-sex marriage and discrimination of homosexual couples.

http://newageislam.com/australian-muslims-warned-on-polygamy/islamic-sharia-laws/d/143

Can Turkey’s Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with Iran Lead to a Strategic Partnership?, Islam,Terrorism and Jihad, NewAgeIslam.com

Islam,Terrorism and Jihad

Can Turkey’s Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with Iran Lead to a Strategic Partnership?

The liability of the relationship, however, as Ozdag suggests, is that Iran is not on the same page with Turkey when it comes to maintaining the unity of Iraq. In addition, Iran’s policy on the Kirkuk issue is to support the Kurdish position on autonomy/independence, which contradicts Turkey’s position on a unified Iraq (umitozdag.com, May 25, 2007). Retired General Tuncer Kilinc put emphasis on similar points: “Given its location there are competing pressures on Turkey. Whereas its Western partners want to see Turkey on their side against Iran, Turkey’s position requires it to maintain its ties with Iran. In other words, Turkey cannot afford to follow a uni-dimensional foreign policy given its geography and economic ties. Therefore Turkey should seek new partnerships with Russia, Iran, China, and India and conduct its foreign policy through mutually-reinforcing institutions” (Referans, March 23, 2007). The rationale behind Turkey’s strategic thinking was revealed by Gen. Basbug in 2006. In his inaugural speech on the occasion of assuming the command of the Turkish Land Forces on August 25 of that year, Gen. Basbug revealed: “Given the fact that some states [i.e., the United States] and groups [i.e., the Kurdish leadership in northern Iraq] do not take effective measures against the PKK terror, before finding a solution for the Kirkuk problem, we should develop strategies to force them to take effective measures” (kkk.tsk.mil.tr, August 25, 2006).

http://newageislam.com/can-turkey%E2%80%99s-anti-terrorism-cooperation-with-iran-lead-to-a-strategic-partnership?/islam,terrorism-and-jihad/d/153