Qaddafi Forces Kill At Least 20 In Rebel-Held City

From Fox News:

Forces loyal to Muammar al-Qaddafi used deadly force against rebels and civilians in Misrata Wednesday, killing at least 20 people, a rebel spokesman told Reuters.

The spokesman says that Qaddafi forces are using artillery to bombard the rebel stronghold.

"Artillery bombardment resumed this morning (Thursday) and is still going on. The (pro-Qaddafi) brigades could not enter the town but they are surrounding it... Massacres are taking place in Misrata," the spokesman told Reuters by phone.

A Libyan government spokesman tells Reuters that Qaddafi and his sons will remain in the country "until the end."

"If this aggression did anything, it only rallied people around the leader and the unity of the nation," spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told Reuters. "Especially now. They see a clear enemy."

The new commander of international military operations in Libya warned Thursday that anyone attacking civilians would be "ill-advised" to continue, and said he would look into a report by a Vatican envoy that air strikes had killed 40 innocent people.

As NATO took over command of all air operations over Libya, Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said the bloc had already deployed more than 100 fighters and support aircraft to monitor the no-fly zone over Libya and prevent attacks on civilians.

The alliance also had a dozen frigates patrolling the Mediterranean Sea off Libya to prevent weapons shipments from reaching the warring sides.

The hand-over from the U.S., which had been leading the impromptu group of countries bombing forces loyal to Qaddafi, "has been seamless with no gaps in the effort," the commander told journalists from his headquarters in Naples, Italy.

He also said NATO would investigate a claim by the Vatican's envoy in Libya that air strikes in Tripoli during the night had killed 40 civilians -- though he noted that the alleged incident was said to have taken place before NATO took command.

"I am aware of this news report," he said. I take every one of those issues seriously, but our mission began ... today."

The report by the Fides news agency quoted Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, the apostolic vicar of Tripoli, as saying he had learned that a building in the district of Buslim had collapsed during bombing, killing 40 people inside.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters in Stockholm that NATO's position is that "we are there to protect the Libyan people, not to arm the people."

Britain and the U.S. believe that existing U.N. Security Council resolutions on Libya could allow for foreign governments to arm the rebels, despite an arms embargo being in place.

The NATO secretary-general said he has "taken note of the ongoing discussions in a number of countries but as far as NATO is concerned ... we will focus on the enforcement of the arms embargo."

Fogh Rasmussen said the alliance assumed sole command of all air operations over Libya at 2 a.m. ET Thursday. NATO now commands the international force that has been bombarding forces loyal to the Libyan leader. A rebellion against Qaddafi's 42-year rule erupted last month, and international forces including the U.S., France and Britain stepped in March 19, just as it appeared Qaddafi was on the verge of crushing the revolt.

The NATO operation -- codenamed Unified Protector -- includes enforcement of a U.N. Security Council resolution mandating an arms embargo on Libya, enforcement of a no-fly zone and the protection of civilians from Qaddafi's troops.

The takeover comes at a sensitive moment in the war between the rebels and loyalist forces. On Wednesday, Qaddafi's ground troops recaptured a strategic oil town and moved within striking distance of another major eastern city, nearly reversing the gains rebels made since the international airstrikes began.

While NATO insisted that airstrikes are not meant to give air cover to opposition forces, airstrikes are clearly the only way the rebels bent on overthrowing Qaddafi are going to continue their push to the capital.

NATO’s takeover came the day after a U.S. official told Fox News that President Obama signed a secret presidential finding authorizing covert operations in Libya, though the administration says it still hasn't decided whether to arm rebel forces there.

The presidential findings establish a framework of legal authorities for covert action. They can authorize specific actions, such as arming the rebels, or establish authorities under which future actions might be taken after permissions are given to undertake them.

Another senior American official, however, says CIA operatives are already on the ground in Libya and are currently gathering intelligence and aiding rebel forces.

The Pentagon has begun drafting plans for arming the rebels if needed, sources told Fox News, but officials caution that no decision has been made because not enough is known yet about the rebels.

Asked where NATO is now that the rebels are being pushed back, Fogh Rasmussen answered, "We are there. We are there to take action with the aim to protect civilians against any attack."

"And if and when our military commanders feel that civilians are threatened then they will take, as is stated in the U.N resolution, take all necessary measures to protect civilians against such attacks," he said.

Senator Wants Libyan Official To Tell What He Knows About Lockerbie Bombing

From Fox News:

Pressure built Thursday for the U.S. government to leverage the unrest in Libya to investigate the deadly 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, with one senator looking at whether a defecting foreign minister who fled to Britain might be able to provide vital information about Muammar al-Qaddafi's role.

Rebels have accused the Libyan official, Moussa Koussa, of helping devise the bombing that killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland, most of them Americans. Britain refused to grant Koussa immunity, and Scottish officials have already said they want to interview him about the Lockerbie bombing.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is adding to the call to mine Koussa for information. The senator's office said he views the ex-minister as a potential source of information about the bombing and is "considering ways for U.S. investigators to understand his and Muammar Qaddafi's specific role" in the bombing.

Menendez and other senators representing New Jersey and New York, where the bulk of the victims were from, have long spoken out about the bombing -- particularly after convicted bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was released to Libya by Scottish officials in 2009.

New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer said in a letter Thursday that the Obama administration should hold off on formally recognizing the rebel movement until they commit to turning Megrahi over to the United States, "so that he may be tried and convicted in an American criminal court."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also penned a letter Thursday to Attorney General Eric Holder backing a call for an investigation into Qaddafi's role. Graham referenced the fact that a former justice minister has already gone on record claiming Qaddafi ordered the bombing.

"He is not the legitimate leader of Libya and is, in fact, an international criminal," Graham wrote. "Should the claims of Mr. Qaddafi's involvement prove true, he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton several weeks ago expressed support for launching a new probe into Qaddafi's role.

Maps Released Of Hezbollah's Military Sites, Bunkers

From the Jerusalem Post:

The IDF has released an aerial map of Lebanon revealing the location of some 1,000 different military sites and facilities. The map was published on Wednesday in the Washington Post.

According to the map, which the newspaper said it obtained from the Israeli military, Hezbollah has around 550 underground bunkers throughout Lebanon, around 300 surveillance sites and another 100 or so additional installations.

The bunkers are likely being used by Hezbollah as command posts as well as storage centers for the large amounts of weaponry Syria and Iran have transferred to Lebanon since the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

According to the map, most of the facilities are located in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah stores most of its short and medium-range rockets inside close to 200 different villages. Hezbollah is believed today to have over 40,000 rockets and missiles, including several hundred longrange missiles that can hit targets in Tel Aviv with superior accuracy.

The decision to leak the map to the Washington Post comes several months after the IDF divulged classified intelligence information on the southern Lebanese village of El-Khiam in the summer. During a briefing then to the Israeli media, the IDF revealed satellite footage of the village, located north of Metulla, detailing the exact location of Hezbollah arms caches and command posts.

While Hezbollah is continuing to build up its arsenal, it is currently believed by the IDF to be deterred from renewing hostilities with Israel.

Israel is revealing the information as part of a public diplomacy campaign aimed at preparing the world for the widespread devastation that will likely occur in Lebanon if there should be a new Israeli war with Hezbollah, due to Hezbollah’s decision to station its assets inside populated villages.

Below are the two images released by The Washington Post. The first image, labeled "Hizbullah underground infrastructure in south Lebanon," purports to show over 500 bunkers, 300 monitoring sites, and 100 other sites....

Police Make Toronto Airport "Terrorism" Arrest

From Reuters via Yahoo News:

A man was arrested for "terrorism-related offenses" at Toronto's international airport just before he was about to board an airplane bound for North Africa, Canadian police said on Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said 25-year-old Canadian citizen Mohamed Hassan Hersi was headed to Somalia to join al Shabaab, which police said is a hard-line Islamist group that has ties to al Qaeda.

"Al Shabaab is a listed terrorist entity," said RCMP Inspector Keith Finn at a press conference. "Any participation in that group would constitute an offense."

Hersi was arrested Tuesday evening at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, moments before he was to board a one-way flight to Cairo via London, the RCMP said. They said Hersi planned to travel to Somalia from Cairo.

Somalia has replaced Iraq as the state most at risk from terrorist attack, according to a ranking by global analysts Maplecroft.

Hersi appeared in a Toronto area courthouse on Wednesday, and was remanded to custody until Friday.

He has been charged by police under section 83.8 of the Criminal Code for attempting to participate in terrorist activity and for providing counsel to a person to participate in terrorist activity.

The RCMP said that they, along with Toronto police, have been investigating Hersi since October 2010. Finn would not comment on additional suspects or charges.

"There was nothing in the investigation that would suggest direct threat to Canadians within Canada," Finn said.

"The issue of radicalization, and of people from Canada traveling overseas and receiving that type of indoctrination and training, remains a concern to the RCMP."

Syria's Assad Blames Unrest On Israeli Plot

When all else fails, Syria's tyrant will blame the Jews.

From Jihad Watch:

On one hand, of course, everything is a Zionist plot. But on the other hand, let's stop and think about that for a moment, Bashar. Why would Israel plot to potentially have an even more unstable and hostile regime next door?

But that's the handy thing about conspiracy paranoia: it doesn't have to make sense. "Defiant Assad blames country’s turmoil on ‘Israeli plot’," by Oren Kessler for the Jerusalem Post, March 31:

Addressing his people for the first time since popular unrest erupted nearly two weeks ago, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday blamed a foreign conspiracy for the unrest and made no substantive pledges on implementing much-awaited reform.

“Our enemies work every day in an organized and public fashion to hurt Syria,” he told parliament. “Our enemies’ aim was to divide Syria as a country and force an Israeli agenda onto it, and they will continue to try and try again.”

Assad said Deraa, a southern city near the Golan Heights, where some of the bloodiest clashes with protesters have taken place, “is in the forefront in confronting the Israeli enemy and defending the nation.”

After the speech, hundreds took to the streets of the coastal city of Latakia – another hotbed of revolt in recent weeks – chanting “Freedom!” Several residents said they heard gunfire as security forces clashed with demonstrators.

Assad said he supported the principle of reform, but offered no specifics on changing Syria’s repressive one-party system.
“Implementing reforms is not a fad. When it’s just a reflection of a wave that the region is living, it is destructive,” he said.

“Syria today is being subjected to a big conspiracy, whose threads extend from countries near and far,” Assad added, without naming any countries. [...]

In Israel, analysts tried to envision the shape Syria might take in a post-Assad era.

“The idea that these regimes will be replaced by liberal democracies is too good to be true,” Moshe Maoz, a Syria expert at Hebrew University told Reuters. “If he stays he might prove more pragmatic.

He wants the Golan Heights from Israel. His father lost it... and the prestige involved is very important to him.”
“Any new regime is not going to be able to compromise its legitimacy by reaching any agreement with Israel,” said Gabriel Ben-Dor, of Haifa University....

Saudi Student Pleads Not guilty To Bomb Plot

From KXAN.com (NBC affiliate):

A Texas college student from Saudi Arabia accused of buying chemicals and equipment to build a weapon of mass destruction has pleaded not guilty.

Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari entered his plea at his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Koenig at the federal courthouse Monday in Lubbock. Koenig set a May 2 trial date.

If convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, he faces up to life in prison.

Court documents allege he hatched plans to attack various U.S. targets, including New York City and former President George W. Bush's Dallas home.

Authorities arrested Aldawsari on Feb. 23.

Court records indicate authorities traced his online purchases, discovered extremist online posts he made and secretly searched his apartment, computer and e-mail accounts and read his diary.

Woman Jailed For Being Raped In Muslim Country Sues

From Fox News:

An Australian woman is suing a five-star UAE hotel after she was drugged and raped by co-workers - but ended up in jail for eight months for having sex outside marriage.

Alicia Gali, 29, had her drink spiked and was raped by four co-workers at the luxury Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in the United Arab Emirates in June 2008.

She is seeking compensation from her former employer for breaching its workplace duty of care after she reported the assault to authorities, only to be jailed for eight months on an adultery charge.

Ms Gali spent eight months in prison as it is illegal as having sex outside marriage in the UAE is illegal.

Australian embassy staff advised Ms Gali and her family not to go to the media during her time in custody, when she was locked in a cell with 30 other women.

She has since been pardoned and was released in March 2009.

Read more at the Daily Mail.

Pakistan: Another Church Burned, Florida Qur'an Burning Touted As Excuse

From Jihad Watch:

The ease of organization, intensity of these attacks, and disregard for the complete and obvious lack of affiliation between Pakistani Christians and one man's congregation in Florida show this wave of anti-Christian violence was a rampage waiting for an excuse. If Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp had not burned a Qur'an, the attackers would have found another opportunity to seize upon. After all, accusing local Christians of damaging Qur'ans is a popular pretext for violence across the Muslim world. In connecting their actions with the Qur'an burning, they are seeking sympathy and an excuse to act as they please.

They hope that people will blame Jones more than the people torching churches (at the price of implying that Muslims do not have the free will to restrain themselves), thereby tacitly endorsing the notion that the burning of one Qur'an is equivalent in magnitude to a yet undetermined number of burnt churches. An update on this story. "Third church attacked as Pakistani extremists declare war over Florida Koran burning," by Jibran Khan for AsiaNews, March 29:

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - An armed group of seven people attacked the Catholic Church of St. Thomas in the military district of Wah, about 45 km from Islamabad. The attack took place at 6.30 pm yesterday, while the security guard was absent. The extremists hurled stones, damaged the building and tried to set fire to it, but they did not shoot. Yesterday's was the third attack against a church in Pakistan less than a week. The escalation of violence is a result of the mad act - repeatedly condemned by Christians in Pakistan and India – of pastor Wayne Sapp, who last March 20, in Florida burned a copy of the Koran under the supervision of the evangelical preacher Terry Jones.

The caretaker of the church of St. Thomas confirmed that the attack occurred yesterday, at about 6.30 pm, taking advantage of the absence of the security guard. A group of six or seven armed men broke through a small door and started throwing stones at the windows, smashing the small lamps and tried to break the door. The caretaker called the priest and the police, he is currently still in shock and does not intend to make statements.

The extremists were armed, but did not open fire. Unable to break down the door, they tried to set it on fire. The parish priest, Fr Yousaf, rushed to the scene of the attack and tried to reassure the small Christian community. "It's a reaction - the priest told AsiaNews - to the desecration of the Koran in Florida, although the Catholic community has condemned the act. We pointed out clearly that we have no link with the Americans. At the time of the attack there were no guards, the police are present only on Sundays. "

Pastor Tariq Emmanuel, who lives near the church, added that the assailants did not open fire "because it is a high security area" and the military would have reacted immediately in the event of gunfire. "The forces of order – he adds - have asked to install closed circuit security cameras and private guards of the Christian faith", the only available. Christians now "no longer believe the promises of protection" of the police, especially after the murder of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti.

Msgr. Anthony Rufin, Bishop of Islamabad / Rawalpindi, strongly condemns the latest attack on the Christian community of Pakistan and once again distances the church from the burning of the Koran in the United States. "We have already explained – says the prelate - we are Pakistani Christians, not Americans. We have repeatedly reiterated that we should not be equated to the Americans. " He adds that the police "have started to investigate”, but in the past the parish "had not received threats of any kind. "

The bishop of Islamabad points the finger at what he calls the "most troubling" part of the story. "The church of St. Thomas – he points out - is located near a high security zone, which is the only ammunition dump located in Pakistan, and as a result reinforced area. In addition, there are 4 barriers at the entrances of the military district of Wah, which means the assailants did not come from outside. " The prelate calls to take urgent action and anticipates the intention to arrange a meeting with Christian leaders, from the Anglican Church and other Protestant denominations to examine the current situation "of minorities. The young Pakistani Christians, in fact, do not see any reason for hope in the future.

No 'Revolution' For Egypt's Christians

From RaymondIbrahamin.com:

On March 5, Muslims attacked, plundered, and set ablaze an ancient Coptic church in Sool, a village near Cairo, Egypt. Afterwards, throngs of Muslims gathered around the scorched building and pounded its walls down with sledge hammers—to cries of "Allahu Akbar!" Adding insult to injury, the attackers played "soccer" with the relic-remains of the church's saints and martyrs and transformed the desecrated church into a mosque (a live example of history, which witnessed countless churches seized and transformed into mosques). As a result of Christian girls being abducted and raped and overall terrorization of the Coptic community, thousands fled the village. (See this letter to Egypt's military leadership signed by twenty congressmen discussing this and similar anecdotes.)

This latest church rampage was initiated by Muslims killing each other over an affair between a Christian man and a Muslim woman—and then transferring their violence onto the Copts of the region and their church.

Radical sheikh Muhammad Hassan [pictured], who was commissioned to investigate the incident, recently shared his "findings" on Egyptian TV. After insisting to Coptic viewers that "Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, and justice," he said that the "Muslim youth" who attacked the church never intended to do so; rather, they went there searching for a Coptic man. After invading the church, they discovered ancient liturgical books in the Coptic script, and papers with the names of Muslims. These were interpreted as "sorcery"—hence, they destroyed the church. (The fact is, some Muslims venerate St. Mary and often submit their names at churches for intercession.)

Not once did Hassan condemn the Muslim perpetrators. He even referred to the Copts as "dhimmis" and "pact-holders," prompting outrage among Egypt's indigenous Christian population, or as one Copt put it: "Hassan wants to make Dhimmis out of us… I thought we were living in [a] country with a constitution and a police force and not in Mecca or Medina, 14 centuries ago. Or maybe this is a first step to later subject Christians to Jizya for protection."

As medieval as this entire anecdote is—and as anachronistic as Hassan's rationale of "sorcery" is—none of this is surprising. What is disappointing, however, is that the Egyptian army—recently touted as the noble "savior" of the Egyptian people—and the Arabic media—which provided 24-hour coverage of the Tahrir Square protests—have both blatantly demonstrated their bias against Egypt's Christians.

Portrayed in the Western media as magnanimous for restraining itself against Egypt's civilians during the recent uprisings, not only did the Egyptian army allow the wanton destruction of the church to go unfettered, but it also opened fire on Christians protesting the burning of the church, killing nine and seriously wounding at least a hundred, some beaten with electric batons. Coptic activist lawyer Sherif Ramzy, who was among those assaulted, said that the soldiers also cried "Allahu Akbar" before attacking the Copts, adding, "This only shows that the army is infiltrated by Islamists."

Nor was this the first time since Mubarak was ousted that the military attacked Copts: in late February, armed forces, including tanks, opened fire on a 5th century monastery (as churches are accused of "sorcery," monasteries are accused of stockpiling weapons). Likewise, as Muslims spent some twenty hours pulverizing the church at Sool with sledge hammers, neither the military, nor state security ever appeared—and this near Cairo, Egypt's capital, not some inaccessible village....

Read it al here.

Assyrian Bishop: "True Democracy In Muslim Countries Only If Christians Are Equal Citizens"

From the Assyrian International News Agency:

Würzburg -- "Aid to the Church in Need" organised a world conference titled "Welt Kirche in Würzburg", in Germany on 18-20 March 2011, on the situation of Christians in Muslim counties. Many bishops from Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq and Nigeria and elsewhere took part in the event. Mgr Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, was among them. He expressed serious concerns about how 'Jasmine Revolutions' were developing in many countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

The Chaldean prelate saw few signs of optimism in the events now unfolding in Arab countries, like mass protests and popular unrest, which have front-page in newscasts, newspapers, magazines and websites. The sight of crowds praying or shouting slogans gives the impression of a wave of extremism.

Media are always talking about Islamic parties. Many Muslims want an Islamic state. After the collapse of regime that lacked a direction and vision, questions abound. Will things improve? Will there be security? Who comes next? Who is pushing these masses of young people? Who is funding the movement? I hope things will evolved differently in Iraq.

The bishop described the situation in Iraq, where for the past eight years, "we have lived with different kinds of oppression. Establishing freedom and democracy takes time and education, especially a separation between politics, which is based on interests, and religion, which is based on ideals that cannot be compromised."

"Democracy cannot function if Islam is not updated. We must work together for a civilian state in which the only criterion is citizenship," he said.

"In Iraq, the post-Saddam government, and the people, have proclaimed democracy, but democracy cannot be imposed by pushing a magic button. Eight years after the US invasion, we do not have democracy in Iraq. Indeed, we have groups fighting each. Instead of democracy, we have a growing sectarian problem, with expulsions, abductions and attacks."

"We Christians are at a disadvantage, socially and religiously discriminated. More than half of the country's Christians have left, but others are leaving as well. The exodus is never-ending. If Islamisation continues, there will be no Christians left. A million Christians used to live here; now 400,000 are left. Christians certainly respect Muslims, but Muslims must also recognise Christians are real citizens, not as second-class citizens. There must be a clear and courageous decision by the state, as well as Muslim authorities."

In fact, Mgr Sako issued an appeal to Muslim authorities. "It is necessary," he said, "that Muslim religious leaders get involved in dialogue to build a multicultural and multi-religious society and reduce inter-religious tensions and conflicts so as to build true coexistence. Sectarian and provocative speeches do not help humanity's development and are contrary to the universal religious message of 'Peace on earth'."

"We must work together for a civilian state in which the only criterion is citizenship. The government, police, army, courts and all institutions should uphold the law and maintain order among all citizens."

Argentina Caving To Terrorists?

From Jihad Watch:

Five Iranians are listed as wanted by Interpol for the bombing of the community center. Argentina was apparently prepared let that all slide, deciding that writing off the loss of 114 lives in the two attacks was cheaper than losing a trade deal. "Israel angered by Argentine 'deal' to stop Iran terrorist inquiry," by Robin Yapp for the Telegraph, March 29:

President Cristina Kirchner's government allegedly indicated it was prepared to suspend inquiries into attacks on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association in 1994, that killed 114 people.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranian foreign minister, is said to have written to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to tell him Argentina "is no longer interested in solving these two attacks, but would rather improve its economic relations with Iran."

The memo, which was leaked to the Argentinian newspaper Perfil, was apparently written after Hector Timerman, the Argentine Foreign Minister, met with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Iran, in January.

The July 1994 car bomb attack on the seven-storey Jewish centre in Buenos Aires, killed 85 people and left up to 300 injured, making it the country's worst terrorist attack.

Two years earlier a bomb had destroyed the Israeli embassy in the capital of Argentina, killing 29 people and injuring more than 240.

Argentine officials, the United States and Israel have all blamed Iran for orchestrating the two bombings, which they say were carried out by Hezbollah.

Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's defence minister, is one of five people wanted by Interpol for the 1994 bombing.
Iran has denied involvement in the attacks.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said that if the claims about Mr Timerman were true, "then it would be a display of infinite cynicism and a dishonor to the dead."

He said he was awaiting an official comment from Argentina amid reports that Israel could postpone a visit Mr Timerman is due to make there next week as a result of the claims.

The Argentine Foreign Ministry has not made any statement on the matter.

Trade between Argentina and Iran is currently worth around $1.2bn (£750m) a year.

GOP Senator Turns The Tables At Muslim Rights Hearing

From CBS News:

Defenders of Muslim civil rights went to Capitol Hill today to ask the federal government to stem what they say is a rising tide of anti-Muslim discrimination. Yet for one Republican senator, the real question was whether Muslim advocacy groups are doing enough to help the government curb Islamic extremism.

Today's Senate hearing, led by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), is the first in Congress to explore Muslim civil rights. It is intended to show that most Muslim Americans "are patriotic, law abiding people who simply want to live their life as we do," Durbin said today.

Republican Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), however, questioned the need for the hearing and suggested one of the groups testifying could do more to cooperate with the government.

"I'm a bit perplexed by the focus" of the hearing, Kyl said, in light of the fact that most religious hate crimes in the United States are committed against Jews.

"The point is, all bigotry is to be condemned," Kyl said. "Selective indignation is not helpful."

Today's hearing comes about three weeks after a controversial House hearing on the radicalization of Muslim Americans that critics said unfairly portrayed the Muslim community. Farhana Khera, the executive director of the group Muslim Advocates, testified in today's hearing that "in the last several months, anti-Muslim rhetoric has reached a disturbing new level." He said political leaders have jumped into the fray with sweeping, critical statements about Islam.

Kyl defended the hearing over Muslim radicalization today, saying, "Political correctness cannot stand in the way of identifying those who would do us harm." He questioned whether Khera's organization was committed to helping root out extremist elements of Islam, given that its website advises Muslims to consult a lawyer before speaking with the FBI about violent extremism.

"I would think Muslim Americans would feel a special obligation to help in such investigations," Kyl said.

Khera responded that "every American has a civic duty to report criminal activity," but added that "every American has the right to seek legal advice."

Khera and other witnesses spent much of their testimony relating stories of Muslim Americans being subject to harassment because of their religion, which they said illustrated a disturbing trend of growing bigotry.

Khera said employment discrimination complaints are at an all-time high, with Muslim bias-based complaints comprising 25 percent of those received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, she said, opposition to mosque construction is on the rise and "getting uglier," while the Muslim community is "more concerned than ever" about school bullying.

Muslim Advocates and other groups also provided recommendations for ways lawmakers could curb anti-Muslim discrimintation. For instance, Muslim Advocates urged Congress to explore amending Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include religion as a protected class. The group also urged the administration, particularly the Education Department, to boost bullying prevention resources and enforcement.

800 Priceless Artifacts Missing From Egypt Warehouse

From Al Arabiya:

Egyptian officials said on Friday that 800 priceless artifacts were still missing after armed robbers raided a warehouse near the canal city of Ismailiya in the unrest following a popular revolt.

"An inventory of the East Qantara warehouse which houses antiquities from the provinces on the Suez Canal and Sinai has revealed the theft and damage of a large number of artifacts," said Mohammed Abdul Maqsood, an official with Supreme Council of Antiquities for north east Egypt, according to AFP.

"We found that 800 antiquities - which go back to the Pharaonic, Roman and Islamic periods - are still missing from the warehouse after 293 items were recovered," he said.

Abdul Maqsood said the survey also revealed that "several" artifacts unearthed by French, American and Polish archaeological teams had also been stolen.

Robbers raided several warehouses around the country, including the one in Cairo's world renowned Egyptian Museum, after an uprising that forced the stepping down of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak gave way to looting and insecurity.

On Tuesday, the United Nations cultural body UNESCO voiced growing concern for Egypt's archaeological sites and museums.

Muslims Attack Christian In Egypt, Cut Off His Ear

From the Assyrian International News Agency:

A group of Muslims attacked Ayman Anwar Mitri, a 45 year old Christian Coptic man in the Upper Egyptian town of Qena, cutting off his ear. The Muslims claimed they were applying Sharia law because Mr. Mitri allegedly had an illicit affair with a Muslim woman. The Muslims called the police and told them "We have applied the law of Allah, now come and apply your law," according to Mr. Mitri in an interview for the Egyptian Human Rights Organization.

Mr. Mitri, a low grade administrator at a secondary school, from elHasweya, in Qena, 492 KM from Cairo, had rented his flat to two Muslim sisters, Abeer and Sabrin Saif Al-Nasr, through an agent. After nine months he learned the sisters had been indicted for prostitution, so he asked them to leave and they did.

On Sunday, March 20 Mr. Mitri was informed by a friend via a phone call at 4 AM that the flat where the Muslim sisters lived was on fire; he went to the flat. While waiting in the torched flat a Muslim named Alaa el Sunni came and berated him for renting his flat to prostitutes. "I tried to calm him down," said Mr. Mitri, "and told him I knew nothing about the two women since they came through an agent." Alaa suggested they would go somewhere quiet to clear the misunderstanding. They went to the flat of Mr. Mitri's friend Khaled, a policeman, where 12 Muslims were waiting for him. They started beating him and saying "We will teach you a lesson, Christian" and "This serves your right for renting your property to prostitutes."

Believing this was the end of the episode, they asked him to call the Muslim woman, so that they would send her to her father. When the woman refused to come, they asked a female Muslim neighbor to call her, saying that her belongings are with her. The woman, Sabrin, came and was told to say that she had a relationship with Mr. Mitri. "At first the woman refused, but after being beaten, she agreed," said Mr. Mitri.

Remembering his ordeal, he said that they sat him on a chair and a Muslim named elHusseiny cut his right ear off. "I felt so shocked that I do not even know what tool he used." They also made a a 10cm cut at the back of his neck, cut his other ear, his face and his arm (video showing wounds). Mr. Mitri said they wanted to throw him off the fifth floor but Khaled objected, saying he would get into trouble for just being there, since he is a policeman.

Mr. Mitri said that the Muslims tried to convert him to Islam, but he refused. The Muslims then called the police and told them to come and get the Copt saying "We have applied the law of Allah, now come and apply your civil law."

The police came and rescued Mitri and Sabrin, who told the police the Muslims forced her to lie about the illicit relationship between her and Mitri. A police report was issued, but no arrests were made.

"I feel humiliated and broken," said Mr. Mitri. "I have lost the income from the torched flat, my car, and have become disfigured. Who is going to restore my honor?"

His wife said in an interview that she is ashamed to go to work and feels very unsafe. She is afraid to let the children go to school and is hoping to leave the area.

At first Mr. Mitri said he wanted full compensation for his losses and even wanted revenge by cutting off the ear of the Muslim who cut his ear off. However, it was reported that a "reconciliation" meeting was made in the presence of Colonel Ahmed Masood, Vice military ruler of Qena, whereby Ayman Mitri and the Muslims came to an "agreement." Mr. Mitri had to withdraw the police report he filed against the Muslims.

Mr. Mitri appeared on the Coptic TV channel CTV, where he was asked about the reason he agreed to reconcile and forfeit his rights. Mitri said while sobbing "I was threatened, they threatened to kidnap the female children in our family."

Anba Kirollos, Bishop of Nag Hammadi, called on the armed forces to intervene and put an end to this "thuggery in the name of religion" so that this "infection" does not spread to other areas. He said if thuggery is put above the law the dignity and prestige of the State would be lost.

Government Backers, Police Attack Jordan Protest

From the Associated Press via The New York Times:

Protesters demanding reforms clashed with government supporters in the center of Jordan's capital on Friday, pelting each other stones until security forces charged in and beat protesters, as unrest intensified in this key U.S. ally.

The clashes, in which 120 were injured, were the most violent in more than two months of protests inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. One man reported to have been killed while protesting was later identified as a government supporter who died of a heart attack.

Protests in Jordan have generally been smaller than those in other Arab nations — and in another difference have not sought the ouster of the country's leader, King Abdullah II. But the young Jordanians organizing the demonstrations said this week they are intensifying their campaign, demanding the removal of the prime minister, creation of a more reformist government, the dissolving of what is seen as a docile parliament and the dismantling of the largely feared intelligence department.

Hundreds of anti-government activists — many of whom coordinated through Facebook — vowed to camp out in a central Amman square in front of the Interior Ministry until their demands are met. Their numbers swelled to more than 1,500 during the day to include members of the Islamic Action Front, Jordan's largest opposition party, and their leftist allies.

In the afternoon, several hundred government supporters attacked the protesters, sparking stone-throwing clashes until about 400 riot police stormed the square. The pro-government crowd appeared to disperse as the security forces waded in, hitting protesters with clubs and firing water cannons. At least a dozen protesters were dragged into a nearby government building.

One person died. The opposition Islamic Action Front said he was a protester and that he was beaten to death by police. Later, however, a spokesman for the anti-government protest movement, Ziad al-Khawaldeh, said the man who died was not among the protesters.

Police chief Lt. Gen. Hussein Majali said the man was a government supporter who died of a heart attack while running for cover when clashes broke out. He identified him as 55-year-old Khairi Jamil Saad. Other government officials, including the foreign minister, also said he was on the pro-government side and died of a heart attack.

Majali said 120 people were hurt, including 52 policemen. Eight people were detained for questioning.

Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit accused the Islamic Action Front and the umbrella group it is part of, the Muslim Brotherhood, of inciting the violence.

The Muslim Brotherhood rejected the accusation. "The protesters were peaceful and didn't attack anyone," said Jamil Abu-Bakr. "The prime minister is running away from his responsibility."

Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said police had surrounded the protesters to protect them but were then caught in the middle when counter-demonstrators attacked the crowd.

Hospital officials said more than 100 people were admitted with serious to minor injuries to the head and the body. The officials insisted on anonymity, fearing government reprisal. An Associated Press reporter saw three police officers, their faces covered with blood, being taken away in ambulances.

One of the wounded, Mohammed Maaytah, 26, said he passed out after suffering an eye injury from a hurled stone.

"As I tried to get up from the ground, five policemen attacked me with batons and kept beating me until I passed out again," he said. "The police were supposed to protect us, but they attacked us."

Noor Smadi, 23, said she was also beaten by police until "I fainted."

"Our Cabinet is a bunch of criminals," she said. "They had policemen beat us savagely, although we insisted that our protest was peaceful."

A similar clash broke out in the same square late Thursday, injuring 35 people.

Elsewhere, 3,000 pro-king loyalists took to the streets of the capital in two separate protests, waving portraits of the monarch and chanting "our lives and souls we sacrifice for you, King Abdullah."

Around 7,000 people reiterated pledges of loyalty to the king in demonstrations in the Red Sea port of Aqaba and the Jordan Valley, bordering Israel and the West Bank, the Petra state news agency said.

About 400 members of Islamic Action Front and their leftist allies also staged another demonstration outside Amman's Kalouti mosque, near the Israeli Embassy. They demanded an end to Jordan's 1994 peace treaty with Israel.

In the western city of Salt, some 300 Salafis — an ultraconservative Islamic sect banned in Jordan — protested in the city, demanding convicted al-Qaida prisoners be released from Jordanian jails.

Meanwhile, Petra said 15 leftists and independents quit a national dialogue committee with the government on reforms to protest police using force against the protesters. The 53-member committee was formed earlier this month to draft laws that would give wider public freedoms.

Somalia: Al Shabaab, Government Clashes Leave 12 Dead

From PressTV:

At least 12 civilians have been killed during clashes between Somali government troops backed by African Union forces and al-Shabab fighters in Mogadishu.

The civilians, among them women and children, were killed on Saturday after the fighting broke out in Mogadishu's northern districts of Bondhere and Dayniile as well as the southern district of Hodan, the Press TV correspondent in Mogadishu reported.

More than 67 people were also wounded when Somali soldiers and al-Shabab fighters exchanged heavy gunfire, and barrages of mortar shells were fired.

Al-Shabab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageh claimed that at least 20 government troops were killed after both sides engaged in bloody skirmishes.

However, Somali police spokesman Col. Abdulahi Hassan Barise rejected the claim, saying that government forces have captured nine under-age children, who were recruited by the al-Shabab group and forced to fight for them in the frontline.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Over the past two decades, up to one million people have lost their lives in the fighting between rival factions and due to famine and disease.

There are more than 1.4 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in Somalia, and over 300,000 IDPs are sheltering in Mogadishu alone.

Most of the displaced live in poor and degrading conditions on makeshift sites in southern and central Somalia, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Libyan Rebel Commander Admits His Fighters Have Al-Qaeda Links

From The Telegraph:

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, Mr al-Hasidi admitted that he had recruited "around 25" men from the Derna area in eastern Libya to fight against coalition troops in Iraq. Some of them, he said, are "today are on the front lines in Adjabiya".

Mr al-Hasidi insisted his fighters "are patriots and good Muslims, not terrorists," but added that the "members of al-Qaeda are also good Muslims and are fighting against the invader".

His revelations came even as Idriss Deby Itno, Chad's president, said al-Qaeda had managed to pillage military arsenals in the Libyan rebel zone and acquired arms, "including surface-to-air missiles, which were then smuggled into their sanctuaries".

Mr al-Hasidi admitted he had earlier fought against "the foreign invasion" in Afghanistan, before being "captured in 2002 in Peshwar, in Pakistan". He was later handed over to the US, and then held in Libya before being released in 2008.

US and British government sources said Mr al-Hasidi was a member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, or LIFG, which killed dozens of Libyan troops in guerrilla attacks around Derna and Benghazi in 1995 and 1996.

Even though the LIFG is not part of the al-Qaeda organisation, the United States military's West Point academy has said the two share an "increasingly co-operative relationship". In 2007, documents captured by allied forces from the town of Sinjar, showed LIFG emmbers made up the second-largest cohort of foreign fighters in Iraq, after Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, al-Qaeda issued a call for supporters to back the Libyan rebellion, which it said would lead to the imposition of "the stage of Islam" in the country.

British Islamists have also backed the rebellion, with the former head of the banned al-Muhajiroun proclaiming that the call for "Islam, the Shariah and jihad from Libya" had "shaken the enemies of Islam and the Muslims more than the tsunami that Allah sent against their friends, the Japanese".

Libyan Rebels Thank France, But Want Foreigners Out Of Libya

From AGI:

Paris - The insurgents have thanked Nicolas Sarkozy for his armed intervention in Libya, saying "foreign forces" must go. This is the substance of a letter from the head of the Transitional Council in Benghazi, Mahmoud Jibril, to the French President, which said "In the middle of the night, your planes destroyed tanks that were set to crush Benghazi. The Libyan people see you as liberators. Its recognition will be eternal." Mr Jibril added, however, "we do not want outside forces. We won the first battle thanks to you, but will win the next battle through our own means."

Pak Sunni Group Calls For Death To American Pastor Jones

From MSN News:

A prominent group in Pakistan, the Jamaat Ahl-e-Sunnat, has called for "death" to US pastor Terry Jones for his act of burning a copy of the Quran and threatened its members will march to the Pakistani capital if the US ambassador is not expelled by April 7.

Sunnat leader Allama Riaz Husain said his organisation was giving "an ultimatum to the federal government that it should banish the US envoy by April 7 or be ready for a long march from Karachi to Islamabad".

Husain said a Shariah or Islamic court comprising 500 clerics associated with the Sunni sect had declared Jones an "international terrorist" for desecrating the Quran and for damaging world peace.

This court had announced capital punishment for Jones, he said.

"We will hold demonstrations outside US embassies in 45 countries for Washington''s failure to take action against Jones," he said.

Prominent Sunni leader Sahibzada Fazle Karim, who is the chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council, demanded the convening of a session of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to announce the establishment of an "Islamic United Nations" to protest the desecration of the Quran.

He suggested that Muslim countries should quit the UN if it does not act against Jones.

All hardline groups, especially the Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jamaat-e-Islami, are at the forefront of protests across the country against Jones'' "intolerable" act.

Lady Gaga Takes On Malaysia's Censors

From The Telegraph:

She said youth in Malaysia – where homosexuality is taboo and sodomy illegal – must peacefully protest the crackdown against her song "Born This Way" if they wanted to be free in their own society.

The largest group of non-government radio stations has been rendering song's line "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian or transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby" unintelligible by garbling the lyric.

Pop acts from the West regularly fall foul of the authorities or conservative Islamic groups in Malaysia. Numerous concerts have been cancelled, dramatically toned down or the promoters fined afterwards for contravening laws governing modesty.

But the outspoken Lady Gaga refused to hold her tongue when asked about the Malaysian censorship when she visited the headquarters of Google, in Mountain View, California.

"What I would say is for all the young people in Malaysia that want those words to be played on the radio, it is your job and it is your duty as young people to have your voices heard," she said in an interview posted on YouTube.

"You must do everything that you can if you want to be liberated by your society. You must call, you must not stop, you must protest peaceably." AMP Networks, the largest private radio operator which boasts the largest English-language station, said it had to tread carefully for fear of breaching laws promoting good taste and decency and safeguarding against offending the public.

"The particular lyrics in 'Born This Way' may be considered as offensive when viewed against Malaysia's social and religious observances," AMP said in a statement. "The issue of being gay, lesbian or bisexual is still considered as a taboo by ordinary Malaysians." The sanctions against broadcasters that flout the rules include fines of up to £10,000.

Gay rights activist Pang Khee Teik was scathing of the radio stations' decision, saying the broadcasters' had a duty to provide a voice for the voiceless.

"Lady Gaga was trying to address this very thing in her song," he said. "How dare they play that song and cut out its shining heart?"

Egypt: Amnesty International Reports Virginity Tests On Female Protesters

From ANSAmed:

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, MARCH 23 - Amnesty International has asked the Egyptian authorities to investigate reports of torture, including the obligation to perform a "virginity test", inflicted by soldiers on women who took part in a protest in Tahrir Square on March 9.

Eighteen women were arrested by soldiers, according to a statement by the international organisation, and claim that they were "beaten, subjected to electric shocks, forced to undress while soldiers took photographs of them and forced to take a "virginity test", amid threats of being charged with prostitution".

"Forcing women to take a "virginity test" is completely unacceptable," Amnesty says, highlighting the case of Rasha Azeb, a journalist arrested in Tahrir Square.

"According to her account, the 18 female protesters arrested were initially taken to a room in the Cairo Museum, where they were handcuffed, hit with sticks and rubber tubes, given electric shocks to their chests and legs and called prostitutes," Amnesty reports, adding that the journalist was freed a number of hours later, together with four fellow journalists, while the other 17 women were transferred to the El Heikstep military prison.

The 17 women appeared before a military court on March 11 and were released two days later, Amnesty claims, saying that "a number of them were given a one-year suspended prison sentence".

Libyan Expats Plot Revenge Terror Attacks

From the Daily Mail:

MI5 has warned that Libyan expats are plotting terrorist attacks in Britain in revenge for bombing raids on Colonel Gaddafi’s regime.

The threat was exposed after intelligence officers monitored hundreds of conversations between Libyans in the UK who have ‘maintained connections with Tripoli’.

It raises the spectre of a new atrocity such as the 1988 Lockerbie bombing which was ordered by Gaddafi after U.S. air raids on his palace, launched from air bases in Britain in 1986.

MI5 sent a dossier to its allies on Friday just hours before the first bombs were dropped on Libya. It warns that Islamic extremists could be bankrolled as terrorists by wealthy and respected Libyan businessmen living in the UK.

One suspected plotter was overheard saying: ‘Wherever we are, we’ll do it. We have to fight. We must be dedicated to give support.’

Another talked of launching ‘actions against neo-colonialism’.

The threats emerged as the commander of RAF raids over Libya declared that Gaddafi’s airforce has been wiped out by four nights of allied air strikes.

Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell said Libyan air defences have been hit so hard that RAF fighters had yet to come under attack and are now operating ‘with impunity’ across Libya.

He said: ‘We’ve blown up all their airplanes. Gaddafi’s air force no longer exists. We have negated any air threat from his planes and surface-to-air missiles and, in effect, taken away his eyes and ears.

‘And now we’ve destroyed his air force, we’ll set about destroying his ground force that attacks civilians on the ground.’

The scale of the damage inflicted by the air strikes is so extensive that intelligence chiefs have told David Cameron that the dictator’s top henchmen are now ‘looking for a way out’ and planning to go on the run.

Security sources said the GCHQ listening post in Cheltenham has picked up intelligence ‘chatter’ indicating that some close to the Gaddafi family have been making inquiries with African, Arab and South American countries about flying into exile.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also claimed that Gaddafi’s closest allies are seeking to flee – and want to take the dictator with them.

Coaliton warplanes yesterday launched airstrikes against pro-Gaddafi forces slaughtering people in the rebel stronghold of Misrata.

Fighter jets bombed tanks which had shelled the besieged city, where at least 45 people have been slaughtered including four children from the same family. But terrified locals said the killing was continuing.

Pro-Gaddafi snipers were shooting people from roof-tops. Sixteen civilians were reported to have been killed.

Doctors at the town’s hospital said the situation was ‘disastrous’.

Mr Cameron will host a summit next Tuesday to thrash out coalition plans for the future – with Nato still arguing last night over exactly what role the alliance will play in running the military operations.

Foreign ministers from those enforcing the no-fly zone will attend the talks in London.

Officials said the ‘strategy for dealing with the Gaddafi regime’ would be on the agenda....

For Al-Qaeda, Detroit Was Just The Cheapest Flight

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When an admitted al-Qaida operative planned his itinerary for a Christmas 2009 airline bombing, he considered launching the strike in the skies above Houston or Chicago, The Associated Press has learned. But tickets were too expensive, so he refocused the mission on a cheaper destination: Detroit.

The decision is among new details emerging about one of the most sensational terrorism plots to unfold since President Barack Obama took office. It shows that al-Qaida's Yemen branch does not share Osama bin Laden's desire to attack symbolic targets, preferring instead to strike at targets of opportunity. Like the plot that nearly blew up U.S.-bound cargo planes last year, the cities themselves didn't matter. It's a strategy that has helped the relatively new group quickly become the No. 1 threat to the United States.

After the failed bombing and the arrest of suspected bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the question of why Detroit was targeted had gone unanswered. It was previously reported that Abdulmutallab did not specifically choose Christmas for his mission.

Abdulmutallab considered Houston, where he attended an Islamic conference in 2008, current and former counterterrorism officials told the AP. Another person with knowledge of the case said Abdulmutallab also considered Chicago but was discouraged by the cost. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

While the target and timing were unimportant, the mission itself was a highly organized plot that involved one of the FBI's most wanted terrorists and al-Qaida's go-to bomb maker, current and former officials said. Before Abdulmutallab set off on his mission, he visited the home of al-Qaida manager Fahd al-Quso to discuss the plot and the workings of the bomb.

Al-Quso, 36, is one of the most senior al-Qaida leaders publicly linked to the Christmas plot. His association with al-Qaida stretches back more than a decade to his days in Afghanistan when, prosecutors said, bin Laden implored him to "eliminate the infidels from the Arabian Peninsula."

From there he rose through the ranks. He was assigned the job in Aden to videotape the 1998 suicide bombing of the USS Cole, which killed 17 sailors and injured 39 others, but fell asleep. Despite the lapse, he is now a mid-level manager in the organization. Al-Quso is from the same tribe as radical U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who had an operational role in the botched Christmas attack.

In December, al-Quso was designated a global terrorist by the State Department, a possible indication that his role in al-Qaida's Yemen franchise has grown more dangerous.

Al-Quso was indicted on 50 terrorism counts in New York for his role preparing for the Cole attack and served more than five years in prison in Yemen before he was released in 2007. On the FBI's list, al-Quso ranks behind only bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri among the most sought-after al-Qaida terrorists.

After meeting with al-Quso, Abdulmutallab left Yemen in December 2009 and made his way to Ghana, where he paid $2,831 in cash for a round-trip ticket from Nigeria to Amsterdam to Detroit and back.

Abdulmutallab, 24, is charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiring with others to kill 281 passengers and 11 crew members aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253. After his arrest, he admitted to the FBI that he intended to blow up the plane and later surfaced in an al-Qaida propaganda video.

Abdulmutallab initially cooperated with investigators, pulling back the curtain on some activities by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based offshoot that has quickly became al-Qaida's most active franchise. Plea discussions fell apart, however, and he's scheduled to go to trial in October while acting as his own lawyer.

One of the challenges facing U.S. intelligence officials is that much of the information they collect on terrorists comes from surveillance or informants, and the government is reluctant to reveal it. So if a terrorist is captured overseas, prosecuting him in the U.S. or persuading another country to hold him can be difficult.

A plea deal from Abdulmutallab would have resolved that dilemma. His testimony could form the basis for indictments against al-Awlaki or perhaps bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri. And the U.S. wouldn't have to disclose some of its most sensitive intelligence-gathering techniques. On Thursday, the State Department designated al-Asiri as a terrorist and banned Americans from doing business him.

Spain: Four Suspected Jihadists Set To Go On Trial For Aiding Madrid Bombers

From Jihad Watch:

Seven years after the bombing, authorities are still working to untangle the web of Misunderstanders of Islam that made the attack possible. "4 suspected Islamic militants set to go on trial in Spain," by Al Goodman for CNN, March 24 (thanks to Twostellas):

Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- Four suspected Islamic militants are due to go on trial Thursday afternoon in Madrid for allegedly aiding fugitives from the Madrid train bombings of 2004, a National Court spokesman told CNN.

Prosecutor Miguel Angel Carballo, at Spain's National Court, seeks sentences of eight to 13 years in prison against the four male suspects, who include a Moroccan, an Algerian, a Tunisian, and a fourth man whose nationality was not immediately disclosed, said the spokesman, who by custom is not identified.

The prosecutor alleges the suspects provided clandestine lodging in Madrid and in a Barcelona suburb, as well as other aid to various fugitives who "were directly implicated" in the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800, the spokesman said.

Spanish courts already have convicted 14 Islamic militants for their roles in the train bombings, along with four Spaniards, the latter for trafficking in explosives used in the attacks.

Additionally, seven other prime Islamic suspects in the attacks blew themselves up three weeks after the train bombings as police closed in on their hideout in a Madrid suburb. That explosion also killed a police officer and wounded various others.
The seventh anniversary of the train bombings was two weeks ago on March 11.

Last February, Spain's Supreme Court overturned a lower court's conviction of five other men for Islamic terrorist activities that included aiding fugitives from the Madrid train bombings and planning other attacks, according to the court order made public March 2.

The National Court in January 2010 had convicted the five other men --- three Moroccans, an Algerian and a Turk --- for collaborating or belonging to an Islamic terrorist group and sentenced them to prison terms from five to nine years....

Picture of the Week: Mid-East Protests

From The Religion of Peace:

Heading to the local mosque for Friday prayers?

Pakistani Actress Defies Mullah

Pakistani Actress Veena Malik defies mullah accusing her of immoral behavior.

Syrian Forces Kill Protesters

From ANSAmed:

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 23 - At least six protestors were killed in an attack by Syrian forces of order over the night - just after midnight - on the Al-Omari mosque in Deraa, a city located 120 km south of Damascus and epicentre of anti-regime protests which for six days have been flaring up in southern Syria. Reports were from eyewitnesses and city residents. The sources said that ''dozens were injured'', and that among those killed was Ali Ghassab Al-Mahmid, a doctor from an important family in Deraa who had gone to the mosque in the Old City to provide medical aid to those injured in the attack. ''The police used firepower and threw tear gas canisters against protestors'', who had been staging a sit-in around the mosque while chanting slogans against the regime, reported an activist from a human rights organisation. ''Electricity was cut and shots began immediately afterwards,'' he said, while protestors filled the night air with cries of 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is Great'). Over a thousand people had gathered in the street in front of the Al-Omari mosque. Surrounded by a large number of police, some of whom sent from Damascus, protestors had formed a sort of human chain around the mosque out of fear of an attack by the police in order to break up the sit-in. For days state-run media have been blaming ''infiltrators'', provocateurs'' and ''foreigners'' of instigating the incidents in Deraa, where at least 10-12 people have been killed.

Iran Orders Attacks On Saudi Interests Worldwide

From Pajamas Media:

The Iranian leaders, furious over the Saudi intervention in Bahrain and what they call crimes against the Shiites of that country, have openly created centers to recruit volunteers for suicide bombings against Saudi Arabia’s interests worldwide:

Several grand ayatollahs in Iran have issued a fatwa for Muslims to come to the aid of their Shiite brothers in Bahrain, who they claim are suffering horrific crimes from their government in collaboration with the Saudi armed forces. They further emphasized that the people of Bahrain have every right to demand freedom and their fair share from the state.

Shia-News, a site associated with Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi (a hard-line Shiite Twelver and an influential figure in the suppression of Iranians during their uprising to protest the fraudulent presidential election of 2009), is registering volunteers to participate in suicide bombings against Saudi interests around the world. Hundreds have already registered. Reports from inside Iran indicate that an alert has gone out to the Revolutionary Guards Quds forces throughout the world to prepare for attacks on Saudi establishments....

Read more here.

Dozens Hurt, Woman Killed In Jerusalem Bombing

From Y-Net News:

After long hours, officials confirm identity of woman killed in Jerusalem bombing; Explosive device detonated at phone booth near Jerusalem bus stop Wednesday afternoon wounds nearly 40 people, most of them aged 15-30. Gaza terror groups laud attack
Terror in capital: A woman of about 60 was killed and dozens of people were wounded Wednesday afternoon after an explosive device was detonated in a phone booth near the Jerusalem Convention Center.

Medical officials said 39 people were hurt in the blast, including three who were seriously hurt. Five other victims were moderately wounded and the rest sustained light injuries. Most victims are young, aged 15-30, said Shaare Zedek Medical Center Deputy Director, Ovadia Shemesh.

Authorities were able to confirm the fatality's identity only several hours after the attack. The woman did not carry any ID or wallet, and nobody arrived at the hospital to look for her. Earlier, medical officials estimated that the woman is a foreign resident who has no relatives in Israel. Authorities later confirmed the woman was a tourist.

Even after identifying the woman, police officials did not publish the name. The victim's identity is expected to be cleared for publication later on.

Magen David Adom rescue forces declared a mass casualty event and ambulances rushed to the scene after a loud exposion shook the area around 3 pm. MDA director Eli Bin said the victims had been standing at the bus stop or nearby when the bomb exploded.

The police said the blast was caused by an explosive device placed at a telephone booth near a bus stop. After the explosion, police officers were searching for additional devices while trying to clear residents from the scene, shouting that it could still be dangerous.

Nonetheless, crowds gathered at the scene of the attack and a group of young haredim attacked a British reporter at the site, chanting: "Anti-Semite." Others at the scene called for revenge, including Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari.

Minister Yishai wants retaliation
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch told Ynet that the bomb weighed 1-2 kilos (roughly 2-4 pounds) and included steel pellets added to the device in order to maximize its damage.

"There was no previous intelligence information. The Jerusalem District police are always ready for these types of events, but there was no specific warning," he said. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said one of the wounded called the police to inform them of a suspicious package at the site of the blast, and then the explosion occurred.

He added that no intelligence warnings were received before the attack.

Interior Minister Eli Yishai, who visited the scene of the attack, said retaliation was called for.

"The series of incidents from Itamar and until today without a doubt requires us to consider anti-terror operations. It will not be possible to refrain from launching an operation… No concrete decision has been made but we will weigh different options," he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency consultation session with senior officials in his office following the attack.

''Student running with legs on fire'

One attack victim, 29-year old Yair Zimerman, arrived at Shaare Zedek Hospital for tests and shared details of the blast with reporters.

"I was on bus route 75. The bus stopped at the station and there was a very loud blast. I told the driver to drive forward a little, because something had exploded. I am an MDA volunteer and immediately called the paramedics and told them," he said.

"I began treating people. There was one who couldn't be treated on the scene and another two in severe condition." Zimerman said.

Shlomo Steiner, who works at the Jerusalem central bus station, witnessed the explosion and told Ynet about the chaotic scene.

"I heard a loud blast. I looked out the window and saw smoke rising up, and a yeshiva student running around with his legs on fire. People were trying to help him put out the fire." he said. "I saw people lying on the ground and then rescue forces started pouring in. They were at the scene within a few minutes, evacuating victims…it was all very scary."

Another witness, Yonatan Shakiba, drove by the scene of the attack as the blast shook the area.

"I left the car and saw a boy running towards me with shrapnel wounds all over his body. He was injured in his arms and legs. He sat down on the ground and then laid down. An ultra-Orthodox woman who was there helped him, and then a guy came over with a tourniquet," he said.

"It was chaos…I looked around and saw many victims and a lot of blood. Rescue forces were all over the area, searching, opening and closing doors. It takes us back to trying times," he said.

The Popular Resistance Committees, a Gaza terror group, lauded the attack and said it came in response to "Israel's crimes." The Islamic Jihad also lauded the bombing but did not claim responsibility for it. Group spokesman Abu-Ahmed said the attack is a "natural response to the enemy's crimes."

"It's a clear and powerful message to Israel that her crimes won't be able to break the resistance," he said.

The Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital opened a hotline following the attack at the following number: 1255122

Rocket Hits Israeli School, Palestinian Arabs Escalate Conflict

From BICOM:

The situation between Israel and the Hamas enclave in Gaza has continued to deteriorate in the last 24 hours. Exchanges of fire between Hamas and Israeli forces, which began after Hamas launched a sudden barrage of rockets and mortar shells at Israel last Saturday, have now escalated into the most serious confrontation between Israel and Hamas since Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008/9.

On Tuesday afternoon, Gaza militants fired four mortars at Kibbutz Alumim and Kibbutz Sa'ad. In response, the IDF returned fire on the suspected launch site. Four Palestinian civilians were killed when an Israeli mortar shell hit a house near the area. The IDF expressed regret at the civilian casualties. As the evening progressed, Gaza militants continued to fire mortar shells and a Grad-type Katyusha rocket at Ashkelon.

This morning Gaza militants have fired seven mortar shells at the Eshkol region of the western Negev and another at the Sha'ar Hanegev area. The attacks followed another Grad fired from Gaza that exploded south of the coastal city of Ashdod. Israeli forces responded to the attack on Ashdod by firing at figures in a suspected rocket launching zone in Gaza, one person was reportedly killed.

Also this morning, Palestinian militant groups have launched two Grad rockets at the southern city of Beersheva and a barrage of mortar shells on the western Negev. The first rocket hit a residential district, and a piece of shrapnel penetrated an apartment moderately wounding one man. The second hit an open area in the city. A number of people were treated for shock in both incidents. Beersheva's schools are closed this morning because of the attacks.

Since Tuesday afternoon, in total at least nine Palestinians, including four civilians, have been killed over the course of heavy exchanges of fire between the IDF and militants in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret at the death of the civilians, and has castigated Hamas for 'using citizens as human shields.'

An analysis of the Gaza events in today's Haaretz newspaper concludes that what began as a 'local escalation' is currently turning into a broader confrontation with its own momentum. Israeli military officials reiterated again yesterday that Israel has no interest in an escalation of the clashes. The Hamas authorities in Gaza apparently sought to orchestrate a certain escalation, as a distraction away from its crushing of internal dissent in Gaza. However, as casualties mount and the situation continues to escalate, events may acquire their own momentum.

Iran Arrests Bahai Followers For "Proselytising" Faith

From Iran Press Watch:

[This report uses the word "proselytising", and therefore a clarifying note: the Baha'is, as a matter of course, share the teachings of the Baha'i Faith with everyone without prejudice. Nevertheless, proselytising is strictly prohibited. Bahai's consider this prohibition a distinguishing character of the Baha'i Faith and its methods. In Baha'u'lah's own word: "Consort with all men, O people of Baha, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and goodwill. If it be accepted, if it fulfill its purpose, your object is attained. If anyone should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him."

The Editor,]

Sat Mar 12, 2011 2:00pm GMT TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran’s Intelligence Ministry has arrested a number of adherents of the Bahai religious minority for proselytising their faith in schools, student news agency ISNA reported on Saturday quoting a court official.

The arrests were the outcome of nine months of undercover investigation in the capital Tehran and the city of Bam, in south-eastern Iran, said Mohammad Reza Sanjari, the prosecutor-general of the revolutionary court in Bam.

He did not indicate how many and when the arrests were made.

“The investigation indicated the existence of a wide and intricate network, members of which undertook measures at the order of a central organisation,” he said.

Sanjari said the adherents of Bahai, which Shi’ites consider a heretical offshoot of Islam, took advantage of a powerful earthquake that rocked Bam in 2003 killing thousands and destroying 70 to 90 percent of homes and schools. Bam is 610 miles southeast of Tehran.

“The abuse by the Bahai organisation of the 2003 post-earthquake in the city of Bam, which was in need of cultural, social and educational measures is very obvious,” he said.

The Bahai faith was founded in Iran in the 19th century and more than 300,000 adherents are thought to live in Iran.

Exiled Bahai leaders say hundreds of followers have been jailed and executed since the 1979 Islamic Shi’ite revolution. The Iranian government denies it has detained or executed people for their religious beliefs.

(Editing by Matthew Jones)

Many Egypt Christians Vote 'No', Fearing Islamists

From Reuters:

CAIRO (Reuters) - Many Egyptian Christians say they voted on Saturday to reject proposed constitutional amendments in a referendum because they fear hasty elections to follow may open the door for Islamist groups to rise to power.

If the amendments are approved, parliamentary elections will take place in late September followed by presidential elections in December, giving scant time for new parties to organise, including ones representing the aspirations of Christians.

Foremost among these aspirations is the creation of a civil state where religion is not a basis for legislation.

It is widely assumed that quick elections would give an advantage to the well-established Muslim Brotherhood, a group founded in the 1920s which has emerged as the best organised political force since Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power.

"I fear the Islamists because they speak in civil slogans that have a religious context, like when one said he believed in a civil Egypt but at the same time no woman or Copt should run for president," said Samuel Wahba, a Coptic doctor.

The Islamist group has always sought to reassure Copts, who make up about 10 percent of 80 million citizens, saying they have the same rights as other Egyptians. But they have also historically opposed the idea of a Copt assuming the presidency.

Coptic Christians also want the new constitution to do away with Article 2, which says Islam is the religion of the state and Islamic jurisprudence the main source of legislation -- a point of tension with Islamists.

"I voted 'no', because I don't want to return to the old constitution or a patchwork of the old constitution and a tyrannical president after such a great revolution," Wahba said.

Some church leaders have advised their congregations to reject the amendments as a patriotic effort to support pro-democracy Egyptians who seek a civil state.

"I see we should say 'no', because such amendments are not valid to build a modern civil state. That isn't our opinion alone but also that of any moderate Egyptian who wants a civil state," said Father Metyas, a priest in a Coptic Orthodox Church.

"Anyone is free in one's opinion, but our role as those responsible for enlightenment is to tell people that these amendments serve the Brotherhood's ideology," he said.

Egyptians took pride in the Christian-Muslim solidarity displayed during the revolution that toppled Mubarak on February 11 and hoped the uprising had buried tensions that have flared up with increasing regularity in recent years.

But these feelings were dampened in March after an interfaith romance sparked the torching of a church by Islamists, which led to sectarian clashes leaving 13 people killed.

Copts staged an unprecedented sit-in for nine days in front of the state's television building demanding the destroyed church be rebuilt. Some Muslims also joined in.

"I voted 'no' because, as an Egyptian, I want a new complete constitution...it's not based on the 'yes' of Islamist groups," said Ramy Kamel, a Coptic lawyer.

Malaysia: Christian Bibles Desecrated By Government

From Asia News:

Christians refuse to collect Bibles held up for the past two years, and released after being stamped with a warning label, saying, “This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.” For Bishop Ng Moon Hing, president of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, “This is wholly offensive to Christians.”

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — The Christian community said today that it is appalled by what it says is the Najib administration’s desecration of 5,100 holy books shipped in from Indonesia and has flat out refused to collect the Port Klang shipment.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), which represents over 90 per cent of churches in the country, insisted that Putrajaya immediately drop the conditions imposed for the release of two shipments of Malay Bibles totalling 35,000 copies seized from Port Klang and Kuching port (“Christians protest: government blocks 30 thousand Bibles in Malay,” in AsiaNews, 12 March 2011).

Last night, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) was told its shipment of 5,100 Alkitab—as the Malay Bibles are called—were stamped with the Home Ministry’s official seal, as per the conditions imposed for the release issued two days ago, without its prior permission.

The first requires the importers to stamp directly on the cover of each of the 35,000 copies the following words: “Peringatan: ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja. Dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri” (In English: “Reminder: This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.”)

The cover of the Bibles would be stamped with the department’s official seal and dated as well.

The second condition requires the importers to stamp a serial number on each copy as if to demarcate copies from the released shipment and to enable the book to be traced back to the port of import.

“This means that the Bahasa Malaysia Bible is now treated as a restricted item, and the Word of God has been made subject to the control of man. This is wholly offensive to Christians,” the CFM said in a strongly worded statement today signed by its chairman, Bishop Ng Moon Hing.

The umbrella body refuted government claims it had reached a compromise, saying it had never agreed that its holy books should be endorsed to say, “It is only for Christians”.

“Any person who respects the Holy Scriptures of any religion would be appalled by this action. We will never accede to any desecration of the Bible since the Word of God to us is sacred,” it said.

Pointing to a 1982 order issued under the Internal Security Act (ISA), the CFM said nowhere in the law is it stated that any form of words had to be endorsed on any copy of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia. “Given that copies may already have been endorsed, we will not take delivery of those endorsed copies,” it added.

The CFM said it also wholly rejects the federal government’s argument that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is “prejudicial to the national interest and security of Malaysia”. It condemned the government’s treatment of its holy books as “subversive publication”.

The CFM said Christian Malaysians have always acted in good faith and with great patience to reach a peaceful end to religious dispute that would not compromise their beliefs. “But that good faith has not been reciprocated by the government,” it said.

It further accused Putrajaya of having moved the “goal posts” over the years “through a systematic imposition of unreasonable conditions and restrictions”.

“As Christians we wonder how our Holy Scriptures can become a national security threat where countless number of us find it helpful in bringing hope and healing to broken lives and homes which we can testify to,” it said.

The CFM called on all Malaysians to rally together and reject all attempts to control the freedom of religion in the country. It also advised all Christians to remain calm and pray for a dignified and respectful resolution to the ongoing Alkitab row and noted that Sunday will mark the second year the holy books have been detained at Port Klang.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein defended today his ministry’s stamping of the 5,100 Malay-language bibles in Port Klang with its official seal, saying it was standard protocol and not done to “deface” the Alkitab.

The minister also said his men had no choice but to adhere to these procedures as the BSM had wanted the Bibles to be released quickly. “We stamped the Bible based on amalan (practice) before [. . .] during Abdullah Badawi and even Tun Dr Mahathir’s time,” Hishammuddin told reporters today, referring to the two immediate past prime ministers.

Hishammuddin appeared to suggest that the Christian community’s uproar over what they considered a violation of their holy book to be manufactured. “They wanted it to be released quickly [. . .] If they want to find fault they can find fault [. . .] You can even say the Bibles are smelly after being kept for so long, if you want to find fault (with everything),” the minister claimed.

He said his officials had no intention to deface the Bibles, stressing that the Christian community should engage his ministry directly if it had issues or complaints over the measures taken. However, he also voiced frustration over the inability to bridge the now-widening chasm with the community over the issue.