Friday Sermon: Iran Won't Yield To Oppression, Double Standard On Nuclear Rights; We Muslims Have Never Relied On Aggressive Moves Or Brutality

In his Friday sermon, interim Tehran Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said that Iran would not yield to any type of oppression or double standard regarding its absolute nuclear rights.

Addressing thousands of worshipers at Tehran University's central campus, Rafsanjani, who is also Expediency Council chairman, said, "They [the West] are not going to abandon taking advantage of the remote probability of Iran's access to nuclear weapons in order to deprive us of our natural and absolute right to master the nuclear sciences."

He said that Iran would never yield to such a double standard and oppression, and added, "This is typically the oppression they observe in dealing with scientific works conducted in Third World countries. But who gave them the right to monopolize most advanced technologies, such as nuclear technology?... Is it merely because they enjoy the veto right at the UN Security Council?
He added, "We are Muslims, and therefore, we do not rely on aggressive moves, or brutality, as we have not done so in the past, and will not do so in the future."

Rafsanjani said, "It is easy to prove that the majority of the problems in the world today are due to the West's resorting to the logic of military power."

Noting the 60th anniversary of the end of the World War II, he said that the war "should have been a good lesson for the mankind... but with the passage of 60 years the reigning spirit over the superpowers in today's world leads us to draw conclusion that they have not taken appropriate lessons from that war, since they trespass the barriers of humanity and civilized social life at times."

He also said that "proper care should therefore be taken not to let the mankind face more international catastrophes due to such inappropriate conduct of certain world powers."

(See also the MEMRI TV page for clips of Friday sermons.)

Sources: IRNA, IRIBnews, Iran, May 9, 2008

Assad Honors Martyrs On Syrian Martyrs Day

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad marked Syria's Martyrs Day, May 6, by visiting the Martyrs Monument at Qassiyoun Mount.

Assad was received there by Syrian Defense Minister Hasan Turkmani and Chief of Staff Lt. General Ali Habib. ‏He reviewed the Honor Guard as a 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the martyrs, and later laid a wreath on the Unknown Soldier Monument, and recited some Koran verses. ‏ He also held a luncheon in honor of the children of martyrs. ‏

During the ceremony, a student from the School of Martyrs Daughters gave a speech highlighting the sublime values of martyrs and martyrdom, and pledged to continue rallying behind the president's wise and brave leadership and embodying the manners of martyrs in the great sacrifices they had offered in defense of the home. A group of martyrs' sons and daughters also performed an artistic show highlighting the occasion. ‏

Assad later met with sons and daughters of martyrs, and asked them to be outstanding in their study to contribute to the building of their homeland and society.

Source: Syria Times, Syria, May 7, 2008

Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula Claims Responsibility for Mortar Attack on Italian Embassy in Yemen

On May 3, 2008, Islamist websites, including Al-Hesbah (hosted by ThePlanet.com Internet Services Inc., Houston, TX) posted a communiqué by the jihadi group Kataib Jund Al-Yaman, a sub-group of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Click Here To View The Full Post On The Islamist Websites Monitor Project Website

Caricature Of Condoleezza In Egyptian English-Language Weekly

Cartoonist: Fathi Abouelezz

Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, Egypt, May 8-14, 2008

Cartoon In Egyptian English-Language Weekly On Olmert, Abbas, And Condoleezza

Cartoonist: Fathi Abouelezz

Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, Egypt, May 8-14, 2008

New Algerian Women's Radio – Unique In Arab World

An Algerian women's association has announced the launch of a radio station for women, the first of its kind in Algeria and in the Arab world.

The station is aimed at "supporting the Algerian woman's great struggle against violence and extremism, and advancing it on the legal, media, and cultural level."

The station is to be funded by the E.U.

Source: Aafaq.org, May 7, 2008

Sudan Liberation Army Rejects U.K. Darfur Initiative

Abd Al-Wahed Muhammad Nur, head of the Sudan Liberation Army, an influential Darfur rebel organization, has expressed reservations about British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's initiative for a Darfur peace conference in the U.K.

Nur called on Britain to send forces to Darfur to protect the uprooted people there, saying it was responsible for the situation in Darfur because of its colonialist past in the region,.

He also denied that the U.K. had informed him of anything concerning the conference.

Source: Al-Sudani, Sudan, May 7, 2008

New Iranian Surface-To-Surface Missile Found In Basra

Iraqi Defense Minister Abd Al-Qadir Al-Ubaydi said May 4 that Iraqi army searches in Basra turned up a new surface-to-surface missile.

Reliable Iraqi intelligence sources said that the missile was an Iranian Falaq 1, made in 2007, and that this was the first missile with such great destruction potential to be found in Iraq.

The sources said that if many such missiles had been brought into Iraq, "we are on the brink of a security catastrophe, both Iraqi and regional."

Hinting that the missile could have been sent from Iran together with a launch crew, the sources added that the launching of such missiles required great technical knowhow, and that at this point the militias were not likely to have such knowhow.

The sources also noted that Hizbullah used similar Iranian missiles in the July 2006 war against Israel.

Source: Al-Zaman, London, May 5, 2008

Cartoon In Lebanese Paper On "Condoleezza's Visit" – Trying To Bridge The Gap Between Israelis And Palestinians

Cartoonist: Hassan Bleibel

Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, May 6, 2008

Syrian Newspaper Op-Ed: Try Jumblatt For Treason

In an op-ed in the Syrian daily Al-Watan, the Egyptian host on Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV, Amr Nasef, attacked Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, accusing him of giving information on Hizbullah's telephone network to the Israeli enemy via live broadcast.

Nasef said that any self-respecting country would try Jumblatt for treason.

Source: Al-Watan, Syria, May 7, 2008

Lebanon Roads Blocked, Beirut Airport Cancels Flights Due To Strike, Protests

Main roads were blocked throughout Lebanon during the general strike and protests launched by the Lebanese opposition.

The strike and protests were under the aegis of the labor union.

Also, Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut was forced to announce 32 flight delays and cancellations.

A number of clashes broke out between various political movements. In some, the military intervened, firing into the air.

Source: Alintiqad.com, May 7, 2008

Lebanese Government: Hizbullah Communications Network Illegal

The Lebanese government decided yesterday, May 6, that Hizbullah's private communications network was illegal and damaged state sovereignty, and that those responsible for setting it up must stand trial.

The government also decided to cancel the order that eight years ago made Wafiq Shuqeir security chief at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut. Shuqeir is suspected of supporting Hizbullah (see "Jumblatt: Hizbullah Has Set Up Cameras At Beirut Int'l Airport To Monitor Leaders' Comings And Goings – So It Can Harm Them").

Opposition MP Nabil Naqula said in response that the decisions were a declaration of war that would lead the country to an explosion.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, May 7, 2008

Sudanese Interior Minister Rejects U.N. Assessments For Darfur

Sudanese Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmud told a press conference that he rejected the assessment of the region by U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs John Holmes, which stated that 300,000 have died so far in the conflict.

Mahmud said that the World Health Organization and the Sudanese government's Humanitarian Affairs Ministry figures contradict this assessment.

Mahmud also accused the Darfur rebel organizations of accepting funding from drug dealers and from hashish growers in the region.

Source: Al-Rai Al-'Aam, Sudan, May 7, 2008

Cartoon In Jordanian Paper: Olmert Sabotages Condoleezza's Efforts To Revive Peace Process

Cartoonist: Jalal Al-Rifa'ai

Source: Al-Dustour, Jordan, May 6, 2008

Egyptians Protest Gas Price Increase

A large wave of protest has greeted a 35% rise in gas and diesel prices in Egypt.

The price rise is to fund the 30% wage increase promised by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (see "Why May 4 Egyptian Opposition Strike Failed").

Clashes broke out between drivers of taxis and private buses and riders who were surprised by drivers' demands for fares in excess of those set by the Interior Ministry.

Thousands of drivers decided to strike in protest over the gas increase, and demanded fare increases.

Sources: Al-Masryoon, Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, May 7, 2008

Sudanese Intellectuals: End Darfur Conflict

In a communiqué, a group of Sudanese intellectuals has called on the Sudanese government to fulfill its legal and moral obligation and to reach a peaceful solution to the conflicts in Sudan, particularly in Darfur.

The communiqué also called on the government to stop relying on the military establishment and to act according to the principles of democracy, human rights, and ethnic pluralism.

Source: Aafaq.org, May 6, 2008

Algerian President: Keep Israel Out Of Mediterranean Union

Knowledgeable Algerian sources say that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is against Israel joining the Union for the Mediterranean, proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The source said that Bouteflika made his objections known to French Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie during her visit to the country.

Bouteflika also said that Israel could not possibly join the union as long as there was no full solution to the Palestinian problem.

Source: Elaph.com, May 7, 2008

Why May 4 Egyptian Opposition Strike Failed

The large-scale strike called by the Egyptian opposition for May 4 was a failure, and the opposition leaders are looking for the reasons why.

The main reason is perceived as the 30% wage increase declared by Egyptian President Mubarak, which neutralized the public. Another reason is the weak response from major opposition elements such as the Al-Wafd and Al-Tagamou' parties.

Meanwhile, on May 5, several days after the wage increase was announced, the Egyptian parliament approved further hikes in energy, cigarette, vehicle licensing, and private lesson tuition costs, in order to fund the wage increase.

(See also "Egyptian Opposition Call Again for General Strike, Civil Revolt,")

Sources: Al-Masryoon, Al-Masri Al-Yawm, May 6, 2008

Al-Azhar Sheikh: No To Abolishing Death Penalty

Al-Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi has expressed his own, and Islam's vehement objections to the West's call to abolish the death penalty.

In a speech marking the conclusion of the activity of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Tantawi said that he would never agree to abolish the death penalty, and that neither the Egyptian president nor the president of the court could stop a relative of a murder victim from avenging the murder, which is anchored in shari'a.

Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, May 6, 2008

Egyptian Gay Organization Demands Equal Rights

A new Egyptian gay organization called "The Lovers" garnered 600 members in the first two weeks of its existence.

Organization members are calling on the government to recognize their rights, to appoint a minister in charge of their affairs, and to permit them to establish a party.

The organization's head said that homosexual relations are illegal in Egypt even though the gay community numbers over 100,000.

Source: Al-Masryoon, Egypt, May 6, 2008

Cartoon In Jordanian Paper On Israeli Ceasefire

Israeli soldier in tank: "The time isn't right for a ceasefire."

Cartoonist: 'Abdallah Darqawi

Source: Al-Dustour, Jordan, May 4, 2008

Hizbullah Warns Against Damage To Its Telephone Network

Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri conveyed a message to the Lebanese government on behalf of the Hizbullah leadership saying that any damage to Hizbullah's telephone network would be considered damage to the weapons of the resistance.

Source: Al-Akhbar, Lebanon, May 5, 2008

GCC DMs Meet To Discuss Military Cooperation

The defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries met May 5 in Doha to discuss military cooperation among Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

The London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that these countries had already discussed the idea of a joint military.

Source: Al-Hayat, London, May 6, 2008

Cartoon In Syrian Gov't Paper On "Olmert's Peace Intentions"

Cartoonist: Fuad 'Ayyash

Source: Teshreen, Syria, May 5, 2008

Hizbullah: We Aren't Operating Outside Lebanon

Lebanese MP from Hizbullah Hassan Hubb Allah has said that Hizbullah is not operating outside of Lebanon.

He called claims that the organization was training Iraqi militia members in Iran "baseless," and added that this accusation was part of pressure on the organization after it defeated the Israeli enemy in July 2006, and thwarted the American plan for a New Middle East.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, May 6, 2008

Cartoon In Kuwaiti Paper: “Condoleezza Rice In Region To Promote Palestinian-Israeli Peace”

On sign: "The Middle East." Rocks symbolize Palestine and Israel.

Cartoonist: Stavro Jabra

Source: Al-Jarida, Kuwait, May 5, 2008

Syrian Authorities Preventing Human Rights Organization Conferences

The Syrian Human Rights Organization has reported that Syrian authorities have prevented its members from holding a conference in Aleppo.

According to the organization, security personnel came to the apartment where the conference was being held and forced its owner, organization administration member and attorney Najib Dadam, to sign a commitment not to hold such conferences in the future.

Source: Thisissyria.net, May 5, 2008

Egyptian Author Sharif Hatata Talks about Life with Egyptian Feminist Nawal Al-Sa'dawi, States: The Hijab Symbolizes the Claim that Women Have No Brains , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1904 - April 18, 2008

Pakistani Newspapers Accuse U.S. Of Targeting Pakistan , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1903 - April 18, 2008

Editor of London Arabic Daily on: 'The Controversy Surrounding Carter and Mash'al Meeting' ,                 Special Dispatch Series - No. 1901 - April 17, 2008

Iranian Regime Instructs on Press How to Report on Nuclear Issue and Iraq , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1898 - April 16, 2008

Iraqi Author 'Aref 'Alwan: The Jews Have an Historic Right to Palestine , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1897 - April 15, 2008

PA Representative in Lebanon: The PLO Proceeds Through Phases, Without Changing; Once We Get Jerusalem, We Will Drive Jews Out of All of Palestine, Allah Willing, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1896 - April 14, 2008

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