While the United States dithers, a growing Islamic fundamentalist movement linked to al-Qaeda and Pakistani intelligence agencies is steadily converting the strategically located nation of Bangladesh into a new regional hub for terrorist operations that reach into India and Southeast Asia.
Excerpted
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080101118.html
Italy beach for Muslim women only
Riccione: One of Italy’s most popular Adriatic Sea resorts, Riccione, is set to open the country’s first beach exclusively for Muslim women. The city administration has approved an unprecedented measure this week providing for a beach from which men will be banned and fitted with tents to safeguard the privacy of Muslim women who want to sunbathe and swim without having to do so fully clothed, as Islamic custom prescribes.
Female lifeguards will also be provided. City councillor Loretta Villa told Italy’s largest circulation paper, Corriere della Sera, that Riccione is now only waiting for one of the local entrepreneurs "to apply to run the beach and we will immediately prepare the authorisation."
Excerpted
http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&cat1=2&cat2=28&newsid=239284&RF=DefaultMain
Priest guards church against ‘racist’ attacks
A PRIEST is set to install high fences around his church in Blackburn in a bid to combat racist attacks.
The move was revealed as a Muslim leader blasted the gang of youths which targeted St Joseph's RC Church, in Audley, Blackburn.
Excerpted