Prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has appealed to Egypt’s political rivals to close ranks to resolve a lingering crisis over drafting the country’s new constitution. “I call on all political trends in Egypt, whether Islamists, liberals, or nationalists, to cooperate together on all issues, including the constitution drafting,” Qaradawi said in a message reported on April 4. “I call on the majority and minority to show flexibility and widen the sco...

Syrian troops attacked the Damascus suburb of Duma, an assault activists said shows that Bashar Assad’s government is intensifying violence in the days before the April 10 UN deadline to pull out forces from cities. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Apr 5 said the crisis is getting worse and claiming more lives every day despite Assad’s pledge. The UN chief appealed to Assad “to show vision and leadership” and keep his pledge to pull troops and heavy...

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Apr 2 accused the UN Security Council of indirectly supporting the “oppression” of the Syrian people by failing to adopt a united stance on Syria. Once a friend of Damascus, Turkey has become a fierce critic of President Bashar Assad over his year-long crackdown on his opponents and has called for the Syrian leader to step down. “In not taking a decision, the UN Security Council has indirectly supported the oppression...

The Foreign Ministry of the UAE has shut down offices of some foreign organisations because they have violated the country’s rules. In a statement, Dr. Abdul Rahim Al Awadhi, assistant UAE foreign minister for legal affairs, said these institutions violated the terms of their licences. “Some foreign institutions were operating without licences. This obliged the legal authorities to issue instructions that they should cease their work in the UAE,” WAM quoted ...

The International Criminal Court has told Libyan authorities to surrender former dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s son — wanted by the permanent tribunal for crimes against humanity. Seif Al-Islam Qaddafi was arrested in November by rebel fighters in Libya’s remote southern desert, and has been held largely without access to the outside world since then.

Libyan authorities say they plan to put him on trial, and — despite requests from The Hague — have so far tak...

The Palestinian sovereign wealth fund is aiming to boost the private sector and wean the strife-torn region off aid, with investments in sectors like tourism and power generating profits despite difficult relations with Israel, its boss said.  While most other, much larger, sovereign wealth funds invest heavily abroad in a bid to spread risk and maximise returns, the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) is focused on developing the local economy.  

“Ou...

One million women worldwide have posted their pictures on Facebook wearing the hijab to show their support for an Iraqi immigrant in the US who was brutally murdered. Mother-of-five Shaima Alawadi was found beaten and unconscious in her San Diego home last month which officials described as a “hate crime”. Now as a show of solidarity towards the female Islamic community, one million women – many of whom are non-Muslim – have posted their photos wearing the tra...

An Indian American professor, Dr. Mohammad Jahangeer Warsi, has been selected as a 2011-2012 recipient of the James E. McLeod Faculty Recognition Award by the students of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Previously called the Faculty Awards, this year the Art Sci Council decided to rename the event in honour of one of their biggest supporters James E. McLeod. Viewed as a very prestigious honour in academics, the award is given to those who have positively and profoundly influence...