Forum Topics

British man arrested for 'fake kidnap' in Pakistan

A Briton of Pakistani origin has been arrested for faking his own kidnapping with that of his British wife to get a ransom from his family, say police.

The couple were living in Pakistan and were reported missing on 10 January from Gulberg, Lahore.

Police later found Awais Hadier Shah, 28, and his wife Jamie William, 24, hiding in a hotel room.

Mr Shah is expected to be charged with offences, including fraud. Police say his wife is not involved in the plot.

Read more @ BBC News

Tunisia: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali forced out

Tunisia's president has stepped down after 23 years in power amid unprecedented protests on the streets of the capital Tunis.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said he would be taking over from President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

A state of emergency has been declared amid protests over corruption, unemployment and rising prices.

Mr Ben Ali has flown to the Mediterranean island of Malta, reports the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.

Read more @ BBC News

[Pakistan] Fury over doctor's book on sex education for Muslims

Dr Mobin Akhtar is on a mission to educate Pakistanis in sexual matters, but his latest attempt to do so has caused controversy.

The release of his book - Sex Education for Muslims - aims to teach people about sex in a way that is in keeping with Islamic instruction.

Dr Akhtar, 81, says the fact that sex is not discussed in Pakistan is having serious repercussions. As a psychiatrist, he says he has witnessed them himself, and that is why he felt the need to write his book.

Read more @ BBC News

Sudan Referendum (and possible civil war)

Tomorrow, Jamuary 9 2011 is the date for a referendum in Sudan where the Christian South may secede to create a separate country from the Muslim/Arab north.

If it does secede, there could be war as in the middle there are resource rich over which the newly divided country will fight.

If the south does not secede, then there could be war as the southerners will feel their rights are being trampled over by the north and will also feel threatened by some bedouin like people who are moving south to escape the expansion of the sahara desert to the north.

Something to keep on top of.

Two pakistani men convicted of grooming and raping "young white girls"

Two pakistani men have been convicted of grooming "young white girls" and Jack straw thinks the Pakistani community needs to get its act in order. (source)

I think the criticism he has recieved for stereotyping is besides the point and that he is right to discuss the issue as it needs to be discussed.

Converting to Islam - the white Britons becoming Muslims

As 22-year-old Aisha Uddin recites Surah Al-Fatiha - the first chapter of the Koran - at home with close friend Sameeah Karim, she may stumble over one word but otherwise the text is perfectly recounted.

Aisha Uddin: 'It's a change I'm happy I've made'

But unlike Sameeah, 35, who has Pakistani heritage and grew up reading the holy book, Aisha is newer to it: she used to be called Laura and only converted to Islam two years ago.

She is pale and has bright blue eyes; originally from Birmingham, until recently she dressed like many other young white British women.

Read more @ BBC News

How Muslims killed Dracula

Born in the Ottoman Principality of Wallachia, Romania in 1435 AD, he was known as Radu al III-lea cel Frumos to his Romanian countrymen, Yakışıklı Radu Bey to the Turks, Radu al-Wasim to the Arabs, and Radu the Handsome in English. This ally and childhood friend of Sultan Mehmet II was instrumental in the conquest of Constantinople for Islam. Radu’s participation in that conquest ensured that Mehmet II would go down in history as “Fatih,” or “Conqueror.”

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