Global anti-Semitic incidents reached a seven-year high, a new study found, while social hostilities involving religion declined somewhat in 2013 following a six-year peak, the Forward (Jewish) website reports today (February 28, 2015).
The Pew Research Center's annual study of global restrictions on religion -- released on February 26 -- reported that approximately one-quarter of the world's countries are "grappling with high levels of religious hostilities within their borders."
In the 77 countries in which Jews were harassed, Jews were "much more likely to be harassed by individuals or groups in society than by governments."
The study also reported that in Europe, harassment of Jews and Muslims was "particularly widespread," with Jews experiencing harassment in 34 European countries and Muslims in 32 countries.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Norway Nabs Islam Cleric Who Praised Murder; Supported the 8 Killings at Charlie Hebdo Paper
A radical Islamic preacher has been arrested in Norway after he praised last month's deadly attack by fanatic Muslims that killed eight staff members at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly in Paris, the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website reports today (February 28, 2015).
The Iraqi Kurd preacher known as Mullah Krekar said in a television interview broadcast on February 25 that "those who draw caricatures of Mohammed must die."
Krekar -- who had only been freed from prison late last month -- was arrested on February 26 on accusations for inciting crime, police said.
"I am obviously happy with what happened in Paris," the 58-year-old said in the interview with Norwegian channel NRK.
The Iraqi Kurd preacher known as Mullah Krekar said in a television interview broadcast on February 25 that "those who draw caricatures of Mohammed must die."
Krekar -- who had only been freed from prison late last month -- was arrested on February 26 on accusations for inciting crime, police said.
"I am obviously happy with what happened in Paris," the 58-year-old said in the interview with Norwegian channel NRK.
ISIS Trains Children as Young as Five for Combat; "It's Like Signing Your Kid Up for Private School"
A video released this week from ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) shows the terrorist organization training children as young as 5 years old, the Christian Headlines website reports today (February 28, 2015).
Christian News Network reports the video was filmed at the Al Farouq Institute for Cubs in Raqqa, Syria.
The video shows the boys wearing fatigues and black bandanas and chanting, "Allah Ahkbar," which means "Allah is the greatest."
"If you believe the ISIS caliphate is the best place to be and Allah commands you to go there, you'd want your family there, too," Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project said. "For ISIS supporters, this is like signing your kid up for the best private school."
Christian News Network reports the video was filmed at the Al Farouq Institute for Cubs in Raqqa, Syria.
The video shows the boys wearing fatigues and black bandanas and chanting, "Allah Ahkbar," which means "Allah is the greatest."
"If you believe the ISIS caliphate is the best place to be and Allah commands you to go there, you'd want your family there, too," Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project said. "For ISIS supporters, this is like signing your kid up for the best private school."
Friday, February 27, 2015
Vatican Slams Leaking of Info on Power Struggle; Cardinals Felt Head of Ec. Reforms Too Powerful
The Vatican today (February 27, 2015) condemned the leaking of documents that show a power struggle in the Holy See over economic reforms and excessive expenses by the cardinal charged with carrying them out, according to the Reuters website.
L'Espresso magazine said it had seen minutes of meetings and emails showing mostly Italian cardinals felt that Cardinal George Pell had accumulated too much power.
Pell is an outsider brought by the pope to Rome from Australia to oversee the Vatican's often muddled finances after decades of scandalous control by Italians.
"Leaking confidential documents to the media in order to stir up polemics and fuel arguments is nothing new, but is always something to be condemned and is illegal," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.
L'Espresso magazine said it had seen minutes of meetings and emails showing mostly Italian cardinals felt that Cardinal George Pell had accumulated too much power.
Pell is an outsider brought by the pope to Rome from Australia to oversee the Vatican's often muddled finances after decades of scandalous control by Italians.
"Leaking confidential documents to the media in order to stir up polemics and fuel arguments is nothing new, but is always something to be condemned and is illegal," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.
US Parades Troops, Tanks Along Russian Border; Could Deter Russian Attack, Could Spark WWIII
On February 25, the US Army did something that was dangerously provocative: It paraded soldiers and armored vehicles in the Estonian town of Narva, just 900 feet from Russia's border, the Vox website reports exclusively today (February 27, 2015).
Michael Burnbaum of the Washington Post explains, "Narva is a vulnerable border city separated by a river from Russia. It has often been cited as a potential target for the Kremlin if it wanted to escalate its conflict with the West onto NATO territory."
There is logic to this demonstration that is meant to show Russia that the US is sincerely committed to the defense of Estonia, which is a member of NATO. In other words, it is meant to deter Russia from starting a Ukraine-style conflict in Estonia, which could well spiral into World War III.
At the same time, such a demonstration is also dangerous, as it risks being misinterpreted by a furious Moscow as an act of aggression, thus making a war more likely.
Michael Burnbaum of the Washington Post explains, "Narva is a vulnerable border city separated by a river from Russia. It has often been cited as a potential target for the Kremlin if it wanted to escalate its conflict with the West onto NATO territory."
There is logic to this demonstration that is meant to show Russia that the US is sincerely committed to the defense of Estonia, which is a member of NATO. In other words, it is meant to deter Russia from starting a Ukraine-style conflict in Estonia, which could well spiral into World War III.
At the same time, such a demonstration is also dangerous, as it risks being misinterpreted by a furious Moscow as an act of aggression, thus making a war more likely.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
UGCC Head Urges the Pope to Denounce Russia; Says Ukraine Combat Due to Russian Aggression
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) has urged a tougher line on Russian aggression in his country from Pope Francis, the Ecumenical News website reports today (February 26, 2015).
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said on February 23 that a February 4 statement from Francis -- in which he called the conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists "fractricidal" -- was "particularly painful for all the people in Ukraine."
The Greek Catholic leader from the conflict-wracked country said the Pope's line had rankled Ukrainians who see the violence on the Crimean peninsula not as a civil conflict, but an act of foreign aggression by Russia.
Shevchuk expressed regret that Francis did not specifically point a finger at Russia in his February 20 remarks to a group of visiting Ukrainian bishops, instead referring only to a "situation of grave conflict."
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said on February 23 that a February 4 statement from Francis -- in which he called the conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists "fractricidal" -- was "particularly painful for all the people in Ukraine."
The Greek Catholic leader from the conflict-wracked country said the Pope's line had rankled Ukrainians who see the violence on the Crimean peninsula not as a civil conflict, but an act of foreign aggression by Russia.
Shevchuk expressed regret that Francis did not specifically point a finger at Russia in his February 20 remarks to a group of visiting Ukrainian bishops, instead referring only to a "situation of grave conflict."
New Austrian Law Bans Foreign Funding of Islam; Law Aims to Foster "Islam of European Character"
Austria's parliament passed a new law yesterday that bans foreign sources of financing to Muslim organizations and requires imams to be able to speak German, in a move closely watched by several other European nations facing growing problems with radical Islam, the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website reports today (February 26, 2015).
The new law aims to promote what conservative Integration Minister Sebastian Kurz calls an "Islam of European character" by muting the influence of foreign Muslim nations, organizations, and funding at a time when concerns are rising about the spread of extremist Islam in Europe.
The legislation also offers Austrian Muslims a mix of increased rights and obligations in practicing their faith in the central European country.
However, some Austrian Muslim groups view the new law as "discrimination" that imposes restrictions on Islam, but not on other religions.
The new law aims to promote what conservative Integration Minister Sebastian Kurz calls an "Islam of European character" by muting the influence of foreign Muslim nations, organizations, and funding at a time when concerns are rising about the spread of extremist Islam in Europe.
The legislation also offers Austrian Muslims a mix of increased rights and obligations in practicing their faith in the central European country.
However, some Austrian Muslim groups view the new law as "discrimination" that imposes restrictions on Islam, but not on other religions.
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