Free Republic

AT least six people were killed and dozens injured as enraged Muslims staged more violent demonstrations across Asia and the Middle East over the publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. World leaders launched a desperate bid yesterday to stop the crisis spiralling out of control as more newspapers, including The Jerusalem Post, printed the pictures, more European embassies were attacked and more ambassadors recalled. Iran suspended all trade with Denmark, where the cartoons were originally printed. Denmark warned its citizens to avoid travel to 14 Muslim countries. Travel companies cancelled flights to Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, affecting 15,000 holidaymakers....

Culture Vulture: Koranic misreadings By Claude Salhani From the Life & Mind Desk Published 8/9/2002 10:00 AM WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A new controversy is percolating in North Carolina over the proposed reading of a book about the Koran -- the Muslim holy book -- by freshmen at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The book in question is called "Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations," and is authored by Michael A. Sells, a professor of comparative religion. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks believed to be have been perpetuated by Islamist fundamentalists operating under directives from...

ABU DHABI, AMMAN AND BEIRUT POLITICAL observers and analysts see the recently exposed briefing to the Pentagon, which branded Saudi Arabia as a terrorist country, as the machinations of the Zionist lobby in the White House. Contacted in a number of Arab capitals, they said Zionist lobbyists in the US are targeting the Kingdom because of its steadfast support of the Palestinian cause and its total rejection of relinquishing or bargaining on Arab right to Al-Quds and the occupied territories. In Abu Dhabi, Muhammed Khalifa, executive director of Zaid Center, regretted the surrender of the US administration and the White...