QALANDIA, West Bank, Aug 31 (IPS) – The future of East Jerusalem and of Palestinian access to it has again been brought under the spotlight. Thousands of Palestinians were turned away at West Bank checkpoints leading into Jerusalem by Israeli security forces as they tried to attend Friday Ramadan prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. IPS witnessed dozens of heavily armed Israeli …

September 02, 2009 “venezuelanalysis” — Mérida, August 27th 2009 (Venezuelanalysis.com) — U.S. author, dissident intellectual, and Professor of Linguistics at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology Noam Chomsky met for the first time with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas and analyzed hemispheric politics during a nationally televised forum on Monday. Chomsky is well known in Venezuela for his critiques of …

To My Muslim Sisters A letter from a Christian woman to all Muslim Sisters Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist “war on terror,” the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help …

A timely premonition, perhaps with the intention of nipping in the bud; the Daily Mirror Editorial on’ Cricket, Nation and Religion’ II .08.09.has focused the attention of people of all nationalities and people with diverse religious practices to think as Sri Lankans [Nation] on all issues without giving prior consideration to community and religious sentiments. Perhaps it is after the …

Arabic words transform to art as Marhana works her magic For centuries, the beauty of flowing curves and angular lines of the Arabic font has been preserved and protected in a beautiful art form, calligraphy. From the enchanting arabesque mosaics lining the walls of mosques, to the flowing scriptures of the Holy Qur’an, from international logos made by converting an …