Iraqi and Afghan Gays and Women Losing Freedom

Wayne Besen, 09.18.2009

Founder of Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization that debunks anti-gay lies and myths.

It is incomprehensible to waste American lives fighting the Taliban to protect a regime that looks an awful lot like the Taliban. If women are not equal partners, let's pack up and leave.

Iran: Entainment -- A Way Forward

Mark Fowler, 09.17.2009

Mr. Fowler is a retired CIA Officer and a Middle East specialist.

The only real chance for success in reaching out to Iran is to implement a carefully crafted strategy of engagement and containment. Call it a policy of "entainment," if you will.

Is Obama Pro-Pakistan and Anti-India?

Sunil Adam, 09.17.2009

Editor, "The Indian American"

Being respectful toward Islam or being responsive to Pakistan's predicament doesn't make President Obama anti-Indian. That kind of zero-sum worldview is antithetical to everything he was raised to believe.

The Unconstitutional Un-Islamic Republic of Iran

Melody Moezzi, 09.14.2009

Author, Activist & Attorney

With increasing accounts of rape, torture, forced confessions and skewed judicial proceedings, the Iranian government is losing any credibility it had left, including any legitimate claim to Islam.

Good-Minded People Are Losing Ground to Shouting Race-Baiting Hooligans

Sabria Jawhar, 09.12.2009

Journalist

Good-minded people who see a need to teach tolerance and engage in civil discussion are cowed into submission by the shouters.

IS RELIGION THE SOURCE OF GOOD?

Bill Shireman, 09.12.2009

President and CEO of the Future 500

There is an intrinsic truth in religious belief and if you take away the literal interpretations that bastardize the spirit of faith, you discover that the essence of good, and of God.

Don't, Please: An Atheist's Defense

Landon Ross, 10.05.2009

Los Angeles based writer, artist, and progressive thinker.

Charlotte Allen tries to trivialize the Atheist movement on the basis that we are boring, even if angry, fanatics who whine about being oppressed. Allen is wrong about everything; except this: I'm an Atheist, and I'm angry.

Wither the Clash of Civilizations?...Not Just Yet

Derek Flood, 09.07.2009

Independent Journalist,the-war-diaries.com

I visited a mosque in Abu Dhabi, the oil soaked capital of the United Arab Emirates today with a friend of mine who lives and works here. I'm in the U...

Muslims in America

Salam Al Marayati, 08.31.2009

Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council--DC

It is an Islamic obligation to defend what we are taking an oath to, namely the constitution of the United States of America.

Voices of Protest: The Iranian Word

Shirin Sadeghi, 08.27.2009

Middle East Consultant and former Journalist for the BBC and Al Jazeera

There is an old saying in Persian, that every Iranian has written at least one line of poetry in their lifetime -- one can only imagine how many millions of lines have been written this summer alone.

Booming Islamic Antiquities Market in the Gulf Leads to Thefts in Old Cairo Mosques

Journalism Boot Camp, 08.21.2009

The AUC-QU Journalism Boot Camp brings together US journalism students with their Arab counterparts

Despite denials that the buying of pieces by Qatar helped fuel a black market, Egyptian officials say Gulf collectors are the reason Islamic heritage sites are being looted.

The Islam-Basher and the Librarian Kerfuffle

Ahmed Rehab, 08.14.2009

www.ahmedrehab.com

A controversy erupted last week in Chicago after it was publicly revealed that a noted anti-Islam blogger had been invited to an American Library Association panel.

Religious Divisions in Iran's Leadership -- More than Meets the Eye

Joshua Gleis, 08.13.2009

By speaking out against Ayatollah Khamenei, much of the Iranian religious establishment is in a sense questioning the concept of the wilayat al-faqih, which laid the foundation of Iran's current form of government.

Why the "New Atheists" are Right-Wing on Foreign Policy

Robert Wright, 08.13.2009

Author of The Evolution of God

It must strike progressive atheists as a stroke of bad luck that Christopher Hitchens, leading atheist spokesperson, happens to have hawkish views on foreign policy.

Lifting the Veil on the Debate over Veils

Kamran Pasha, 08.12.2009

Hollywood filmmaker, author of "Mother of the Believers"

The debate over Muslim dress and women's rights will continue. But it needs to be seen in a broader issue of cultural values and history.

Sarkozy Hiding Behind the Burqa

Jamal Dajani, 08.09.2009

Senior Director and Producer of Mosaic News, Link TV

"What does Sarkozy think? Outlawing burqas is going to make these women walk outside in a sundress?" asked one social worker. "They just won't leave home as often. He is sentencing them to prison!"

Muslim Holidays Make Sense for New York City Schools

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, 08.08.2009

Chairman, Cordoba Initiative

Not recognizing these holidays puts unnecessary pressure on Muslim students who must risk academic punishment if they choose to celebrate at home with their families.

Celebrating July 4th with Rick Warren and 45,000 Muslims

Frankie Martin, 08.07.2009

Ibn Khaldun Chair Research Fellow at American University

This 4th of July I celebrated America's Independence with Pastor Rick Warren, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) and 45,000 Muslims as a part of the Islamic Society of North America's annual convention.

Rapper Leaves Hip-Hop For Islam

Youth Radio -- Youth Media International, 08.06.2009

Youth Radio/Youth Media International (YMI)

Originally published on Youthradio.org, the premier source for youth generated news throughout the globe. By: Orlando Campbell Loon, a hip hop arti...

Georgia State University Stands Behind a Professor Who Discriminated Against An Arab and Muslim Woman

Yvonne R. Davis, 08.06.2009

President and CEO of DAVISCommunications

It seemed okay in 2008 for a University Professor to harass a Muslim student and get away with it.

Ex-AP Hostage Terry Anderson Back in Beirut to Teach U.S. J-Students How to Report Accurately on Middle East

Magda Abu-Fadil, 08.05.2009

Director of Journalism Training Program at the American University of Beirut

"Unfortunately, I wasn't scared enough, and I wasn't cautious," Anderson admitted. "I got caught because I refused to take the precautions that I probably should have."