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Expatica’s Belgian news in English: Judiciary ‘regrets’ blaming North Africans
Judiciary ‘regrets’ blaming North Africans

25 April 2006

BRUSSEL — Federal police and the Brussels public prosecution office regret that in the aftermath of the murder of teen Joe Van Holsbeeck an accusing finger was initially pointed at the North African community in Belgium.

However, the judicial director of the federal police, Glenn Audenaert, congratulated police on Tuesday for the results thus far from the investigation into the Brussels Central station murder.

“We think it is very regrettable that shortly after the murder the North African community was immediately accused, certainly now that it appears the culprits were not from that community,” Audenaert said.

“I must point out though that the federal police never said
that the suspects were definitely North Africans”.

That terminology was used by the Brussels public prosecution office. Spokesman Jos Colpin apologised and said the suspects were publicly identified by the prosecution as North Africans based on the first witness statements.

“Nearly every statement talked about North Africans or culprits of North African origin,” Coplin said.

But both the prosecution and federal police spokesmen agreed that police services had performed commendable work.

Audenaert said railway police sat through more than 200 hours of security camera footage to find usable images of the suspects, local police from the six Brussels zones deployed extra officers and federal officers also performed well.

The judicial director also thanked school teaching staff in the Francophone education system for displaying responsibility and assisting police inquiries.

“It is partly thanks to them that we have found the culprits. We also thank everyone who gave us useful information. A lot of people know what civil responsibility is,” Audenaert said.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Reuters AlertNet - Bin Laden words raise Saudi reform debate tensions
Bin Laden words raise Saudi reform debate tensions
24 Apr 2006 16:47:42 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Andrew Hammond

RIYADH, April 24 (Reuters) - An unprecedented verbal attack by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Saudi liberals will raise the temperature in a tense debate over reforms in his native Saudi Arabia, analysts and activists said on Monday.

Bin Laden said some Arab intellectuals were “scorning religion” and singled out Saudi Labour Minister Ghazi Algosaibi by name, according to the Web site of Al Jazeera television.

The attack is seen as a new tactic for the militant whose followers have waged a violent campaign against the Saudi government since 2003.

Al Qaeda analyst Faris bin Houzam said the comments by bin Laden, who has been in hiding since the September 11 attacks on U.S. cities in 2001, could lead to attacks on liberal writers.

“This is a sign to his supporters to target these people, and thus we could enter a new wave for al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Al Jazeera television, which aired parts of an audio tape by the Saudi-born militant on Sunday, published more of his remarks on its Web site www.AlJazeera.net.

“Bin Laden attacked ministers including Saudi Labour Minister Ghazi Algosaibi, writers and journalists in Saudi Arabia and some (other) Gulf countries, accusing some of them of being unbelievers and apostates…,” the site said.

It quoted the al Qaeda leader as saying: “The heretics among us are mocking our religion and our Prophet, therefore be fearful of God, satisfy Him and do not seek opinions about killing these heretics.”

TAPPING ANTI-WEST SENTIMENT

The reference to Algosaibi echoed an Internet article by a Saudi Islamist activist — Mohsen al-Awajy — in March, which accused a clique of liberal advisers, including the minister, of influencing King Abdullah.

Awajy, who was detained by police for more than a week over the article, said bin Laden wanted to tap into widespread anger at secular reformers who are seen as pro-Western at a time when anti-West sentiment is strong over the U.S. invasion of Iraq and support for Israel.

“It is a fertile period for anyone to talk about this agenda. Anyone who attacks liberals and secularists is a hero. I think bin Laden picked up on this and waved his wand to mobilise more sympathisers,” he told Reuters.

Turki al-Hamad, a liberal writer attacked on one Internet forum on Monday as a “heretic”, said bin Laden was worried about the advance of reforms since the king came to power last year.

Women are an increasing presence in public life, senior officials have expressed hope women may be allowed to drive cars, and the authorities are trying to soften Saudi’s hardline version of Islam in education, media and mosques.

“For bin Laden to throw himself into the current struggle in Saudi Arabia is serious. But it is a recognition that they (liberals) are having an influence and that there are changes in Saudi Arabia,” al-Hamad said.

He said it was too early to say whether the diatribe against reformers would put their lives in danger. “We need time to absorb what he said.”

Trouw, hetNieuws| nederland - Homoseksualiteit / Kritiek op Hirsi Ali werkt als boemerang
Homoseksualiteit / Kritiek op Hirsi Ali werkt als boemerang
door George Marlet
Ayaan Hirsi Ali kreeg gisteren in Kamp Westerbork daverend applaus van een zaal vol homo’s en lesbiennes, die ze pas twaalf jaar geleden voor het eerst bewust ontmoette.

Ademloos luisterden zo’n 150 genodigden in een steeds warmer wordende zaal naar de persoonlijk getinte toespraak van Hirsi Ali. Af en toe geestig (’Ik wist niets van Gerard Reve. Een ezel in Afrika trok gewoon de kar’), soms shockerend (scholieren die ’Hamas, Hamas, alle homo’s aan het gas’ roepen), maar vooral bezorgd om in Nederland dezelfde intolerantie te zien die ze als kind in Afrika meemaakte. En premier Balkenende heeft tijdens zijn ontmoeting met islamitische studenten in Jakarta een geweldige kans laten liggen. „Wat zou ik trots zijn geweest op onze minister-president, als hij de studenten in Jakarta het verhaal had verteld van kamp Westerbork, van de joden, maar ook, in die zaal van de islamitische universiteit: het verhaal van het lot van de homoseksuelen.’’ Hirsi Ali krijgt een daverend applaus.

Haar optreden was bij voorbaat omstreden door kritiek van negen - in Westerbork afwezige- wetenschappers op het gebied van homoseksualiteit. Hirsi Ali noemt de kritiek „allesbehalve wetenschappelijk en zeer emotioneel’’. De wetenschappers waren bang dat het VVD-kamerlid de opening van de tentoonstelling over homovervolging en -verzet in de Tweede Wereldoorlog zou aangrijpen om de islam zwart te maken en de tegenstelling tussen oost en west aan te scherpen.

De wetenschappers leken gisteren op hun wenken te worden bediend, ook door de aanwezigheid van ’Saba Rabi’, schuilnaam van een homoseksuele Iraanse asielzoeker. Met Hirsi Ali opende hij de tentoonstelling om na afloop te verklaren dat hij zich „ook in Nederland onvrij voelt’’ en uit angst voor de Iraanse autoriteiten een schuilnaam gebruikt.

Hirsi Ali „kan niet zwijgen’’ over de homohaat onder radicale moslims. „Er zijn op dit moment signalen dat de radicale islam vooroordelen vertaalt in een ideologie.’’ Dat mag voor moslims in Nederland geen vrijbrief zijn om groepen zoals homoseksuelen te onderdrukken. ’’ „Vooroordelen zijn aangeleerd en die kun je ook weer afleren.’’

Hirsi Ali ging verder dan alleen te waarschuwen voor de radicale islam. Ook in Nederland neemt de verdraagzaamheid af. Twaalf jaar geleden maakte zij voor het eerst kennis met een homoseksuele docent. Dat kon toen nog met een grap: ’Ik ben homo, maar kan toch wel economie geven’. Hirsi Ali: „De tijd van grapjes is voorbij. De werkelijkheid is grimmig geworden.’’

Directeur Dirk Mulder van Herinneringscentrum kamp Westerbork prees Hirsi Ali vanwege haar betrokkenheid bij homoseksuelen en lesbiennes. „En zo vanzelfsprekend is die betrokkenheid nou ook weer niet, helaas ook niet in Nederland.’’

On Freedom for Egyptians an interesting article about the quite spectacular statements of the Sudanese Muslim Leader Dr. Hassan Al Turabi, still ignored by mainstream press. Thanks to my ISIM colleague Robbert for alerting me already two weeks ago:

Freedom for Egyptians الحرية للمصريين
Sudanese Islamic Leader Dr. Hassan Al Turabi gave new statements and released some new fatwas (religious opinions/edicts) that blew up many of what is believed to be basics or unquestionable issues in Islam, many related to the usurped righted of women.

In Islam, Muslim women are not allowed but to marry a Muslim man or a man who has converted to Islam. On the other hand, Muslim men are allowed to marry any woman from any faith with no restrictions.

Dr. Al Turabi, a party leader, said that a Muslim woman is allowed to marry a Christian or a Jew and not necessarily a Muslim. He asserted that forbidding her from marrying a man from another faith is aimed at dragging women backward. He added that Islamic Shariaa (Islamic jurisdiction) does not provide any restrictions for women to marry any man from another faith. He said that it was forbidden during war when Muslims were fighting with other armies. He said that when the reason is gone, the restriction is lifted.

Dr. Al Turabi, 74, in a seminar at the headquarters of the opposition Al Umma party said that women have the right to lead prayers. Current Muslim clerics forbid women from leading the prayers. Al Turabi said, if she has more knowledge, she has the right to lead the prayers. The criterion is the knowledge and not the gender.

He said that Prophet Muhammed permitted one of his followers who was a knowledgeable Muslim woman to lead the prayers at her home that included all men. He also cited the wife of the prophet, Aisha, as a model.

Al Turabi, PhD, said in this seminar entitled “The Role of Women in Establishing Good Governance” that women’s testimony at courts is equal to men. In Islam, one man’s testimony is equal to two women. Al Turabi denied this and said this is meant to go back to the dark ages and has nothing to do with Islam. He challenged anyone who could bring evidence that this is true.

He also refuted the idea of the Hijab, headscarves. He said that the Hijab is applied against the misinterpretation of some Quran verses and cannot be generalized on all the generations. He said that headscarves were made for the wives of prophet Muhammed not for all women.

Al Turabi called upon all women to invade politics, innovative, intellectual and sports domains and get all her rights and be an active participant in drawing strategies and stipulating legislations. He also attacked the Sudanese government and said the current regime does not enjoy any governance that is based on freedom, transparency and accountability and democratic participation.

Al Turabi said we living in Sudan in an age of corruption and there is a need for family and society reform and women’s inclusion. He emphasized the need for an election law that provides the participation of women so that they can play a role in political parties, elections and leadership positions.

Al Turabi also said that alcohol is not forbidden by Islam as agreed by most of Islamic clerics. He said that alcohol is only forbidden when drinking becomes an aggression. Practicing Muslims do not drink alchohol. Al Turabi’s article in Arabic.

On Memritv.org you can read the transcript and view the interview on Al-Arabiya TV: Continue Reading »

Trouw, deVerdieping| dossiers - Theo Maassen

Vroeger uit Seitert (beter bekend als het laatste plaatsje in het telefoonboek, Zijtaart) op een steenworp afstand van mijn geboortedorp (tegenwoordig op een snelwegafstand). Daarom alleen al de moeite waard, maar sowieso mijn favoriete cabaretier.

Gij zult de naam van de Here, uw God, niet ijdel gebruiken

„In mijn voorstelling maak ik eerst een paar grappen over de islam en dan ga ik even met Jezus aan de gang. Er zullen ongetwijfeld mensen zijn die zeggen: moet dat nou? Ja, dat moet. En ik leg ook uit waarom. Letterlijk zeg ik: ’Het is toch geweldig dat wij een profeet hebben die we belachelijk kunnen maken?’ Ik roep ook dat Jezus gelijk had. Dat er miljarden omgaan in de porno-industrie, maar dat niemand zich eens lekker afrukt op de naastenliefde. Het is in feite een verhaal over de liefde – ik ben pro-Jezus, ik zit alleen maar een beetje met hem te dollen. Dat mag. Islamieten raken zo snel in paniek, die denken bij iedere grap aan disrespect, terwijl humor juist hét middel is om tegenstellingen samen te brengen. Je hebt wel gelijk als je zegt dat mijn grappen over Jezus harder zijn dan die over Mohammed, maar ik moet ook aan mijn eigen veiligheid denken. Als ik op het toneel een scène zou spelen waarin ik zogenaamd op de wc zit en in plaats van wc-papier bladzijden uit de koran gebruik om mijn kont mee af te vegen, loop ik kans neergestoken of doodgeschoten te worden. Bovendien is het helemaal niet mijn bedoeling om die mensen zo kwaad mogelijk te krijgen, ik wil alleen het goede voorbeeld geven. Ik wil de islamiet verheffen; ik wil hem laten zien wat vrijheid van godsdienst kan betekenen.”

Gedenk de sabbatdag, dat gij die heiligt, zes dagen zult gij arbeiden en al uw werk doen; maar de zevende dag is de sabbat van de Here uw God, dan zult gij geen werk doen

„Volgens mij is het belangrijk om je met een bepaalde regelmaat te bezinnen. Ik krijg het zelf nooit voor elkaar, maar je zou ook af en toe een dag moeten vasten. Goed voor je ingewanden en je smaakpapillen. Dat is waar de ramadan ook voor staat: bezinning, reiniging, ervoor zorgen dat dingen niet meer zo vanzelfsprekend zijn. Het is goed om die vanzelfsprekendheid van altijd maar eten, altijd maar drinken, altijd maar kopen, altijd maar televisie, altijd die herrie overal, te doorbreken. Ik zou me natuurlijk stierlijk vervelen, maar toch: ik zou geen bezwaar maken tegen een verplichte dag zonder afleiding.”

Belgium-Muslim s-Crime /WRD Brussels Imam denounce killing of Belgian youth - Irna

Brussels, April 21, IRNA

The Imam (prayer leader) at Brussels Islamic Centre Friday condemned as a ‘heinous crime’ the killing of a Belgian youth by killers believed to be of North African descent.

Addressing the large gathering of worshipers, the Imam in his Friday sermon said robbery and murder were grave sins in Islam and noted that it was the religious duty of Muslims to contribute to maintain peace and security in the country in which they live.

17-year-old Joe Van Holsbeeck was stabbed to death in the Brussels Central Railway Station last week, for refusing to hand in an mp3 player.

The killing at one of Brussels busiest train station and at day time has shocked the Belgian society.

The Imam urged Muslim families to pay careful attention to the upbringing of their children in accordance with the true teachings of Islam.

“The people who know who the killers are, should not remain silent and reveal their identity,” Nordine Taouil of the Antwerp Mosque was quoted saying by the local media.

Brussels police have released video images of the killers.

The Saudi-funded Islamic Centre of Brussels is the biggest mosque in Belgium and the only Muslim worship house to be recognized officially by the state.

An estimated 400,000 Muslims, a majority of them from North African states like Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, live in Belgium.

Gay policy sparks Muslim council dispute- from Pink News- all the latest gay news from the gay community - Pink News
Gay policy sparks Muslim council dispute

PinkNews.co.uk last week revealed informal MCB talks regarding gay rights in reaction to Sir Iqbal Sacranie’s Radio 4 comments
23-Apr-2006
Marc Shoffman

PinkNews.co.uk Exclusive Investigation
A dispute appears to be emerging within the board of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and its advisors in regards to their policy on gay issues.

Last week PinkNews.co.uk revealed an informal 5 year MCB plan to combat homophobia amongst Muslims and Islamophobia in the gay community, after talking to the group’s policy consultant, Muhammed Aziz.

The story, seen as a landmark move in the organisation, was picked up by several news media including the Islam Channel, but when they spoke to the MCB media secretary, Inayat Bunglawala, he denied all knowledge of any work.

He insisted that Mr Aziz does not represent the MCB and told the Islam Channel, “There is no truth in these quotes, our position is very clear, our Secretary General (Sir Iqbal Sacranie) was nearly prosecuted for this because we maintain that homosexual relationships are sinful in Islam.”

“We do not believe that it is in any way equal with marriage between man and wife, we do not accept the idea of gay adoption, we believe it is completely wrong.”

Mr Bunglawala claimed that he spoke to Mr Aziz who refuted the comments. PinkNews.co.uk spoke to Mr Aziz for a second time, he confirmed that he his not an official policy advisor to the MCB, but he just gives them advice and sits on equality forums for them.

Mr Aziz reiterated that there are plans with gay groups, but nothing as formal as a five year plan.

He told PinkNews.co.uk he would seek to clarify his exact role with the MCB.

Mr Bunglawala’s insistence that Mr Aziz does not represent the organisation is contradicted by his participation on the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) and the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, where he is listed as an “advisor” to the MCB.

In the minutes of the 18th January 2006 meeting of the EDF he speaks on their behalf and suggests talks with the gay charity, Stonewall.

The notes, in the any other business section, said: “Mohammed Aziz addressed the subject of remarks made by Sir Iqbal Sacranie in an interview on Radio 4. Part of what was said related to a real issue about the theological position of sexuality in Islam and this needs to be engaged with and a solution sought. Two comments were made that were particularly regrettable, about damage to society and about a possible danger to public health.

“While he cannot apologise for Sir Iqbal Sacranie’s comments, Mohammed would like to apologise on a personal level for the pain and hurt that they caused – he knows the pain and hurt that he would feel if such comments were made about Muslims.”

He then is reported to be speaking as an “advisor to the MCB.” The document said, “This affair has been a wake-up call. Up until now, the strategy of Mohammed and others who were asked to be MCB advisors around 2002-2003 was to steer the MCB away from the topic of homosexuality.

“To some extent this strategy succeeded, for example in relation to Section 28 and civil partnership. But this controversy has shown that that approach isn’t enough. So at a personal level and with the support of colleagues Mohammed plans to take this problem forward in three ways: 1) on 31st January at the APPG on conflict of rights to put some thoughts forward on how to deal with issues about theology and conflict with other rights; 2) to engage some Islamic scholars with a human rights background to address this problem; and 3) to develop a project of engagement between the communities involved, which he has already discussed with Stonewall.”

Alan Wardle, Stonewall’s director of Parliamentary and Public Affairs, was also at the meeting, he confirmed there has been some contact with the MCB but said any specific projects are in the early stages, he said “It is something we may look into for the future.”

A DTI spokesman also told PinkNews.co.uk that talks had taken place.

The document concluded, “The EDF Chair will write to the MCB setting out EDF’s position on homophobia and Islamophobia, welcoming the discourse that is going to take place and offering to contribute to taking this dialogue forward.”

But in his interview with the Islam Channel, Mr Bunglawala expressed shock that the station was covering this story and insisted, “There are no talks with any gay groups anywhere.”

He added: “Islam has a clear moral position which is that it does not regard homosexual relationships as acceptable.”

The MCB’s legal affairs chair, Khalid Sofi, last week told PinkNews.co.uk that Mr Aziz does work with them on issues relating to equality, discrimination and sexual orientation.

Mr Bunglawa told Pinknews.co.uk, “I will always be too busy,” when asked to comment.

If Mr Aziz is not a representative of MCB then this raises the question of who speaks for them on equality committees such as the EDF and CHR, as no one else is listed from the organisation on their websites or in their minutes.

Aljazeera.Net - Bin Laden: West waging a crusade
Bin Laden: West waging a crusade

Sunday 23 April 2006, 19:36 Makka Time, 16:36 GMT

The tape is the first bin Laden message heard since January
Aljazeera has aired an audiotape attributed to Osama bin Laden in which he attacks the West for boycotting Hamas and accuses Western governments of waging a “crusader war” against Islam.In the recording, aired on Sunday, the al-Qaeda leader said the isolation and cutting off of aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government reaffirmed that the West was at war with the Islamic nation.

“The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusaders war on Islam,” he said.

The tape has not been independently verified, although the voice sounds similar to that on previous tapes from the al-Qaeda leader.

It is also not clear when the recording was made.

During the recording bin Laden also said the Western public shared responsibility for the actions of their governments, particularly for what he called their attacks on Islam.

“The war is a responsibility shared between the people and the governments,” he said. “The war goes on and the people are renewing their allegiance to its rulers and masters.”

“They send their sons to armies to fight us and they continue their financial and moral support while our countries are burned and our houses are bombed and our people are killed.”

The comments appeared to be an effort to justify attacks on cvilians in the West.

‘Long war’

At other points in the message, Bin Laden also spoke about the conflict in Iraq and, for the first time, the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Bin Laden called on supporters to fight in Darfur

He urged Muslim supporters to go to Sudan to foil what he called Western, especially American, efforts to divide the country.

“I call on mujahidin [fighters] and their supporters, especially in Sudan and the Arab peninsula, to prepare for long war against the crusader plunderers in Western Sudan.

“Our goal is not defending the Khartoum government but to defend Islam, its land and its people,” he added.
He also denounced the January 2005 north-south peace accord, saying to “[Sudanese President] Omar Al-Bashir and Bush that this agreement is not worth the ink it was written with and does not bind us.”

Southern Sudan, he said, had to stay part of the Islamic lands.”

More than three years of conflict between tribal rebels and government-backed militias in Darfur has left about 300,000 people dead and forced more than two million people from their homes.

Commenting on the message, Dhia Rashwan, an expert on Islamic groups at the Al Ahram Centre for Strategic Studies in Cairo, told Al Jazeera the tape showed bin Laden returning as leader after a long absence and calling on his soldiers to go to the battlefield.

Cartoons

The al-Qaeda leader also called on Muslims to expand the boycott resulting from the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers.

“They send their sons to armies to fight us and they continue their financial and moral support while our countries are burned and our houses are bombed and our people are killed”

Osama bin Laden
He said action should be taken against the United States and other European countries that have sided with Denmark on the issue.

Those that have wronged the prophet should be handed over to al-Qaeda for judgment, he said.

Earlier this year, the cartoons, including one showing the prophet with a bomb-shaped turban, sparked violent protests by Muslims worldwide. Muslims consider any image of the prophet to be blasphemous.

In other parts of the tape:

* Bin Laden criticised the United Nations as a puppet of the West and a “heretic” organisation. The Security Council, he said, excluded Islamic nations and gave the right of veto to “the crusaders of the world and the Buddhist pagans”.
* He condemned Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah for what he said was the king’s rejection of the idea of a clash of civlisations. In truth, he said, the West had launched an assault against the Islamic civilisation.

The last recorded message from bin Laden, was aired by Aljazeera on January 19.

In that message he threatened new attacks against the United States, but also offered the American people a conditional “truce”.

The last time the al-Qaeda leader was seen on camera was in a videotaped message released just prior to the US presidential elections in late 2004.

WUSA9.com - Bin Laden Tape: West At War With Islam
Bin Laden Tape: West At War With Islam

Tapes alledgedly from Bin Laden:
- April 23, 2006: In audiotape excerpts, bin Laden accuses the United States and Europe of supporting a “Zionist” war on Islam by cutting off funds to the Hamas-led Palestinian government. He also urges followers to go to Sudan, his former base, to fight a proposed U.N. peacekeeping force.

- Jan. 19, 2006: In audiotape excerpts, bin Laden says al-Qaida is making preparations for attacks in the United States and offers a truce on “fair” but undefined conditions.

- Dec. 27, 2004: In an audiotape, the al-Qaida leader calls on Iraqis to boycott Jan. 30, 2005, elections and names as his Iraq deputy Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian blamed for major terrorist attacks in Iraq.

- Dec. 16, 2004: In an audiotape posted on an Islamic Web site, bin Laden exonerates Islamic militants of responsibility for violence in Saudi Arabia and calls on militants to stop the flow of oil to the West.

- Oct. 29, 2004: In a videotape broadcast by Al-Jazeera, bin Laden says the United States can avoid another attack like those of Sept. 11, 2001, if it stops threatening the security of Muslims.

- May 6, 2004: In an online audiotape released on Islamic forums, bin Laden offers rewards of gold for the killings of U.S. and U.N. officials.

- April 15, 2004: Bin Laden offers a “truce” to European countries that do not attack Muslims. He vows revenge against the United States for the Israeli assassination of Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin.

- Jan. 4, 2004: Bin Laden says on an audiotape that the U.S.-led war in Iraq is the beginning of the “occupation” of Persian Gulf states for their oil. He calls on Muslims to keep fighting a holy war in the Middle East.

- Sept. 10, 2003: In the first video image of bin Laden in nearly two years, he is shown walking through rocky terrain with his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri. Two taped messages accompanied the video. In one, a voice purporting to be bin Laden’s praises the “great damage to the enemy” on Sept. 11 and mentions five hijackers by name. In the other, a voice said to be that of al-Zawahri threatens more attacks on Americans.

- April 7, 2003: In an audiotape, bin Laden exhorts Muslims to rise up against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other governments it claims are “agents of America,” and calls for suicide attacks against U.S. and British interests.

- Feb. 13, 2003: An audiotape of bin Laden reading a poetic last will and testament is aired on the British-based Islamic Al-Ansaar news agency. Bin Laden says he wants to die a martyr in a new attack against the United States.

- Feb. 11, 2003: Bin Laden calls on Iraqis to carry out suicide attacks against Americans and defend themselves against a U.S. attack in a tape broadcast on Al-Jazeera.

- November 2002: Al-Jazeera broadcasts an audiotape in which bin Laden says the “youths of God” are planning more attacks against the United States.

- Dec. 13, 2001: U.S. Defense Department releases a videotape of bin Laden in Afghanistan on Nov. 9, 2001, saying the destruction of the Sept. 11 attacks exceeded even his “optimistic” calculations.

Associated Press reporters Katherine Shrader in Washington and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Dutch MP condemns Islam’s homophobia- from Pink News- all the latest gay news from the gay community - Pink News
Dutch MP condemns Islam’s homophobia

Ayaan Hirsi Ali condemed Islam’s attitudes towards homosexuality
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Gay policy sparks Muslim council dispute

23-April-2006
Benjamin Cohen

A Dutch Muslim-born politician has condemned Islam’s attitudes towards homosexuality and claims that the Netherlands have not done enough to protect gay asylum seekers who face death in their country of origin.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, first gained international attention with a film documenting voilence against women within Islamic societies. Her new film claims that Islam is responsible for a great deal of homophobia.

“By that I do not mean that people of other religions do not persecute homosexuals … but coming from that background that is what I have witnessed and I think that it is my responsibility not to remain quiet,” said Ms Ali who has faced death threats since her 2004 film on the role of women.

She also stressed the Dutch government and other European governments had not done enough to protect those trying to flee such persecution.

Ms Hirsi Ali claimed that the Dutch government have not protected the human rights of gay asylum seekers. This claim follows the comments made by Dutch immigration minister Rita Verdonk who claimed that gays did not face persecution in Iran as long as they were discreet.

“My government has not taken this as seriously as I would have liked,” Ms Hirsi Ali told reporters after she opened an exhibition documenting the persecution of gay people during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.