Economist newspaper has several articles of interest in its current issue. All are worth reading:
The Arabs: Between fitna, fawda and the deep blue sea
Why George Bush, touring the Middle East this week, is finding the Arabs in a gloomy mood
Islam and democracy: The practice—and the theory
Can rule by the people be reconciled with the sovereignty of Allah?
The Bible v the Koran: The battle of the books
The business of marketing the Bible and the Koran says a lot about the state of modern Christianity and Islam
Islam in Indonesia: Where “soft Islam†is on the march
Indonesia has some worrying radicals but it seems to be following Turkey, with Islamists moderating as they get closer to power
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January:11:2008 - 15:56
First Article:
“Islam and liberal democracy are quite compatibleâ€
A trip to Turkey had a huge (90%) impact on my decision to convert to Islam. I actually got to go inside the mosques which was very nice because in Saudi Arabia it wasn’t welcomed or even suggested by my husband. The people in Turkey were kind hearted and I will never forget my trip there! Of the novel “Eat pray and loveâ€. Turkey was my pray place! Greece is the love place and well Saudi Arabia could be the EAT place
Second Article:
“There are, in short, many interesting things to say about Islam and democracy. The pity is that they are mostly being said in the West, not in Islam’s heartland.â€
No where is Islam sweeter than in the U.S. So many Muslims who have come here to Saudi have said that (except for the strange ones…there are quite a few of those). It is genuine and not pretentious nor coerced like it becomes in S.A. Also Oprah showed a lovely Muslim African American lady who I swear could be the spokesperson for Islam. Her light shined bright. Many Saudis agreed. Haven’t seen that in a while FOR REAL.
January:11:2008 - 16:12
Third Article:
“Reciting the Koran is the backbone of Muslim education. One of the most prized honorifics in Islamic society is “hafiz†or “one who has the entire scripture off by heartâ€.
On memorization of the Quran with CHILD:
ME: You better memorize that or else…Gosh darn it your teacher has complained again.
CHILD: (Head down) It is hard…Uh “Bis mil lah…..+ 6 more lines
ME: Very Good
CHILD: (after one mistake) Uh Oh
FATHER: What is wrong with you? Again GO
CHILD: (goes away for ten minutes and the tension is high after the first part of this story is repeated 5 times) Bismillah In the Name of God (mind goes blank)
ME: What are you reading about? Tell me!
CHILD: (In a DUH voice…) I don’t know
ME: (fed up and disgusted) Put it back in your bag PLEASE and do it NOW.
This is a common story not only for bilinguals. An emphasis needs to be put on the story behind the revelation and the morals behind it not mere rote memorization. DUH!
January:11:2008 - 17:32
I only had a chance to read the first article so far and thought it is excellent. The analysis about the education system is fairly accurate. Hopefully the efforts of Saudi and Qatar in establishing new Universities with academic freedom will improve the outlook of higher education over the next couple of decades. In general the entire education system needs an overhaul in many of the countries in the region.
Sparky,
I loved the story of the 6 year old. My mom could have told it the same way 40 years ago. Some things never change