For the first time in 2,000 years, there will be no Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services at the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria in 5773, the Jewish Press website reports today (September 3, 2012).
This was the last active synagogue in Egypt. Egypt's new Muslim Brotherhood government's excuse for the shut-down -- effectively outlawing Jewish High Holiday services this month in the entire country -- is "security."
Levana Zamir -- head of the International Association of Egyptian Jews in Israel -- said: "It seems this is really the end of Jewish life in Egypt. The authorities have found a way to take over the last Jewish bastion, since all the remaining synagogues are already archaeological and tourist sites. It is very sad."
This phenomenon is more proof of the fact that Jewish life is becoming extinct in nations in which Islam is the predominant religion.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Unification Church Founder Rev. Moon Dies at 92; Turned His Rel. Vision into a Multibillion-$$ Corp.
The Rev. Sun Myung Moon was a self-proclaimed messiah who built a global business empire. He called both North Korean leaders and American presidents his friends, but spent time in prisons in both countries.
His followers around the world cherished him, while his detractors accused him of brainwashing recruits and extracting money from worshipers, the Associated Press website reports.
These contradictions did nothing to stop the founder of the Unification Church from turning his religious vision into a worldwide movement and a multibillion-dollar corporation stretching from the Korean Peninsula to the United States.
Moon died today (September 2, 2012) at a church-owned hospital near his home in Gapyeong County, northeast of Seoul, South Korea, two weeks after being hospitalized with pneumonia, Unification Church spokesman Ahn Ho-yeul said. Moon's wife and children were at his side, Ahn added. Moon was 92 years old.
His followers around the world cherished him, while his detractors accused him of brainwashing recruits and extracting money from worshipers, the Associated Press website reports.
These contradictions did nothing to stop the founder of the Unification Church from turning his religious vision into a worldwide movement and a multibillion-dollar corporation stretching from the Korean Peninsula to the United States.
Moon died today (September 2, 2012) at a church-owned hospital near his home in Gapyeong County, northeast of Seoul, South Korea, two weeks after being hospitalized with pneumonia, Unification Church spokesman Ahn Ho-yeul said. Moon's wife and children were at his side, Ahn added. Moon was 92 years old.
Pakistani Police Say Muslim Cleric Framed Girl; Put Quran Pages in Her Bag to Bolster Blasphemy
Pakistani police said today (September 2, 2012) that a Muslim cleric planted torn Quran pages in a Christian girl's bag to be used as evidence to link the girl to blasphemy, according to the CNN website.
The imam, Khalid Jadoon Chishti, will himself face blasphemy charges for tearing pages out of a Quran to use as evidence against the girl, Islamabad police chief Bin Yamin said.
This development may make it easier for the girl, 14-year-old Rimsha, to be released on bail at her next court hearing.
Police arrested Rimsha last month after a neighbor accused her of burning pages containing texts from the Muslim holy book. She had gathered the paper as fuel for cooking, authorities said.
The imam, Khalid Jadoon Chishti, will himself face blasphemy charges for tearing pages out of a Quran to use as evidence against the girl, Islamabad police chief Bin Yamin said.
This development may make it easier for the girl, 14-year-old Rimsha, to be released on bail at her next court hearing.
Police arrested Rimsha last month after a neighbor accused her of burning pages containing texts from the Muslim holy book. She had gathered the paper as fuel for cooking, authorities said.
H.S. Reunion Holds "White Graduates Only" Party; St. Martinville, La. H.S. Class of '73 Snubs Blacks
Graduates from the St. Martinville, Louisiana Senior High School Class of 1973 decided that after nearly 40 years, they would stop holding segregated class reunions, but a letter announcing the change included an after-party for "white graduates only," the Yahoo News website reports today (September 2, 2012).
Michael Kreamer -- who is the principal of the school -- said the letter was brought to his attention on August 31.
On September 21, a reception will be held at the school, followed by the homecoming football game, which the letter notes all graduates are welcome to attend.
The letter also notes that after the game, "white graduates only" are invited to a classmate's home and are encouraged to bring a "food dish to share."
Michael Kreamer -- who is the principal of the school -- said the letter was brought to his attention on August 31.
On September 21, a reception will be held at the school, followed by the homecoming football game, which the letter notes all graduates are welcome to attend.
The letter also notes that after the game, "white graduates only" are invited to a classmate's home and are encouraged to bring a "food dish to share."
Saturday, September 1, 2012
COMMENTARY: Turkey Must Not Thwart Communities That Want to Recognize the Armenian Genocide
A Turkish deputy consul general visited the Pasadena (California) City Hall last month, in an effort to discourage the city from carrying out its plan to build an Armenian Genocide Memorial in a park.
The Pasadena Armenian American Coalition announced last April that Pasadena is raising funds and working with an architect to erect a monument in time for the 100th anniversary of the genocide in 2015.
We believe that this memorial monument should be built, despite Turkey's attempt to prevent its construction.
The fact is that some 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Turks from 1915 through 1923 in what was then the Ottoman Empire.
Although most historians agree that there was a genocide of Armenians by Turks, Turkey -- to this very day -- denies that such a genocide ever occurred.
Consequently, Turkey tends to become angry when a nation officially recognizes the Armenian genocide, and takes punitive action against that nation, such as ending diplomatic relations with it.
To be sure, nations, states, and local communities -- such as Pasadena -- must not be intimidated by Turkey, as they decide to officially recognize the Armenian genocide.
If Turkey wants to deny that the Armenian genocide ever occurred, it has a right to do so, but Turkey does not have a right to bully nations or communities -- as it did to the United States two years ago -- to discourage the recognition of the Armenian genocide, which is indeed "a fact of history!"
The Pasadena Armenian American Coalition announced last April that Pasadena is raising funds and working with an architect to erect a monument in time for the 100th anniversary of the genocide in 2015.
We believe that this memorial monument should be built, despite Turkey's attempt to prevent its construction.
The fact is that some 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Turks from 1915 through 1923 in what was then the Ottoman Empire.
Although most historians agree that there was a genocide of Armenians by Turks, Turkey -- to this very day -- denies that such a genocide ever occurred.
Consequently, Turkey tends to become angry when a nation officially recognizes the Armenian genocide, and takes punitive action against that nation, such as ending diplomatic relations with it.
To be sure, nations, states, and local communities -- such as Pasadena -- must not be intimidated by Turkey, as they decide to officially recognize the Armenian genocide.
If Turkey wants to deny that the Armenian genocide ever occurred, it has a right to do so, but Turkey does not have a right to bully nations or communities -- as it did to the United States two years ago -- to discourage the recognition of the Armenian genocide, which is indeed "a fact of history!"
Salafism Is Radical Islam and Growing in Germany; It Encourages Violent Jihad, Hatred of Christians
Salafism -- a radical brand of Islam that preaches hatred of Christians and Jews -- is growing rapidly in Germany, the Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (September 1, 2012).
Salafis model themselves after Islam's prophet, Mohammed, and his followers, and strictly follow sharia (Islamic law).
Their ideology encourages violent jihad and is shared by al Qaeda and many other Islamic terror groups.
Security officers estimate that some 5,000 Salafis now live in Germany. A growing number of Germany's 4.3 million Muslims have adopted Salafism as their ideology in recent months.
Salafis model themselves after Islam's prophet, Mohammed, and his followers, and strictly follow sharia (Islamic law).
Their ideology encourages violent jihad and is shared by al Qaeda and many other Islamic terror groups.
Security officers estimate that some 5,000 Salafis now live in Germany. A growing number of Germany's 4.3 million Muslims have adopted Salafism as their ideology in recent months.
Two Suicide Blasts at U.S.-Afghan Base Kill 13; Taliban Has Claimed Responsibility for Attacks
Two suicide bombers struck a joint U.S.-Afghan military base in central Afghanistan early today (September 1, 2012), killing 13 people, according to the Newsvine website.
Among the dead were a child, two women, and four policemen. The attack wounded 78 others.
One bomber attacked the base on foot, then another one detonated a truck.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Among the dead were a child, two women, and four policemen. The attack wounded 78 others.
One bomber attacked the base on foot, then another one detonated a truck.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
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