07/13/2005 - 07/14/2005

Not in the Name of Peace – Muslims’ e-demo against misguided minority

Following the London bombings on the 7th July 2005 and the identification of the perpetrators of the crime, attention has yet again been drawn to the role of Islam in providing both an ideological and spiritual basis to “terrorist bombings�. Sadly, yet perhaps naturally, a backlash against Muslims is being witnessed. A new website, Not in the Name of Peace, has been established to present a worldwide united Muslim front against both the terrorists and those that paint all adherents to the religion with the same brush.

New York, Bali, Madrid, Iraq, Morocco and now London have all experienced the slaughter of innocents by the hands of a warped, politically motivated and religiously naïve minority existent within the umbrella of Islam. As a result of these actions, Muslim and non-Muslim have lost lives and loved ones, community relations have been strained and ultimately the public perception has shifted to seeing Islam as a religion of confrontation and terror.

Exasperated with the impact of these heinous crimes, a new website seeks to demonstrate to the world and to those that sympathise with this minority of murderers that Muslims across the globe do not, shall not and will not ever support these actions.

“We need to show these maniacs that none of us think what they are doing is right, justified or Islamically based. Islam has very clear guidelines as to what is right and what is wrong. Of course we all feel aggrieved by actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine but this does not give anyone the right to kill further innocent people� explains the site’s creator Muhammad Ridha Payne.

The apolitical site aims to become the focus point for one large and continuous e-demonstration against the killing of innocent people in all circumstances. Muhammad Payne hopes that Muslims from around the world will contribute photos, comments, poems and any other means of expression to show their disgust with such actions plus show people what Islam is actually about. “The name ‘Not in the Name of Peace’ was agreed upon because we feel that ultimately as Muslims our role in this life and on this earth is to bring peace. This is done through submitting to the will of Allah (God) and the way of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). We should be carrying out all actions in life in the name of Allah – the one who is peace and brings peace.�

To visit the site please go to Not in the Name of Peace

DaimlerChrysler Increases its Commitment to Diversity Management

DaimlerChrysler is raising its commitment to equal opportunity and protection of minorities through strategically aligned Global Diversity Management. The formation of the Global Diversity Office ensures the implementation of the relevant measures within the company. DaimlerChrysler’s Global Diversity Management ties in with the existing measures and guidelines in the company. The DaimlerChrysler Diversity Statement was adopted at the time of the merger in 1998 as a joint and globally applicable declaration on equal opportunities and the protection of minorities. Accordingly, all employees are deployed, promoted and developed in line with their competencies, abilities and performance, irrespective of their gender, origin, religious or organizational affiliation.

forum for expat women in jeddah

The ladies section of the International Association for New Muslims offers an ideal forum for Muslim as well as non-Muslim women in Jeddah to get together and exchange their culture and traditions.

“The main objective of the organization is to create a bridge of understanding between Saudis and expatriates,� said Lateefa Al-Turkistani, executive director of the section.

speaking a foreign language changes characters

If only Basil Fawlty had learnt a little Spanish. Psychologists have discovered that people take on the characteristics of foreign nationals when they switch into their language - and such a change in the embittered hotel owner could well have improved life for the hapless Manuel.

The personality changes, however, run deeper than a desire to gesticulate wildly when talking in Italian or to plunge into gloom when speaking Russian. According to research, using different languages alters basic characteristics traits such as extroversion and neuroticism.

manchester united launch chinese website

Manchester United has launched official websites in Chinese a week ahead of its Asian Tour.

The club signed an exclusive partnership with China.com Inc. which will host and operate the official websites in traditional and simplified Chinese. The Red Devils, who are estimated to have 40 million fans in Asia, will bring their all-star squad to Hong Kong, Beijing and Japan later this month.

The website localization project follows in the footsteps of Liverpool and Roma football clubs who likewise realised the potential of a Chinese website.

word of the day: fealty

fealty \FEE-uhl-tee\, noun:
1. Fidelity to one's lord; the feudal obligation by which the tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord.
2. The oath by which this obligation was assumed.
3. Fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness.

He was re-elected Governor in 1855, and his administration of the State affairs, both in that and the preceding term of office, was marked by a regard for the public interest rather than party fealty. --"Andrew Johnson Dead," New York Times, August 1, 1875

Barbour believed Christian conservatives represented a critical constituency, and he looked for opportunities to display his fealty to them. --Dan Balz and Ronald Brownstein, Storming the Gates

cross cultural training for expats

Relocating to a foreign country involves numerous considerations for employees, including how they will adjust to living and working in a new culture. One of the ways companies facilitate cultural assimilation is by providing training for expats.

Because cross-cultural training is often viewed in the context of planning for relocation, companies have historically provided it early—before assignees even set foot in a foreign country. Although such training can be helpful, experts are now finding delayed training may have more impact.

beirut most expensive arab city

Beirut is now the most expensive city in the Arab world, according to a recently released report by a London-based research group. The Lebanese capital ranks at number 52 in the world.

The annual study, conducted by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, considers cost of living factors such as utilities, transportation, rent, sport and leisure, restaurants alcohol and tobacco. The only city more expensive in the region is Tel Aviv, Israel, while the cheapest is Tehran, Iran, which ranks number 129 in the world out of 144 cities surveyed.

threat to euro tax havens

Media reporting of a new EU savings tax directive has left many people wondering whether European tax havens could soon become obselete. The July directive requires banks throughout Europe, including low and no tax areas such as Gibraltar, Monaco, Malta and Andorra, to disclose bank account owner information to their home country’s tax authority.

But Roger Munns, Managing Director of tax haven property specialists Tribune Properties, says that some of the reporting has been less than accurate. "The purpose behind this directive is primarily aimed at those who hold illicit funds, such as drug dealers, who will need to look outside of the European banking system to place large cash deposits. The main attraction of Monaco and Andorra is the zero per cent income and inheritance taxes, and this remains intact and there are no plans whatsoever to change this".

US not ready for China

U.S. schools lack resources and teachers to meet the demand for Chinese language and culture studies, despite the growing importance of China's economic and political relationship with the United States, according to a study released by the Asia Society on Tuesday.

The study, designed to expand awareness of the need for more classes and teacher training, questioned several dozen experts in a variety of fields to see what it would take to have 5 percent of American high school students learning Chinese by 2015.

"We are saying we have to convince the American public that globalization is here to stay. You can't hide from it and the education and policy institutions need to gear up right now, because the Chinese are gearing up to engage with us," said Michael Levine, the Asia Society's executive director of education in New York.

primary school language drive praised

Moves to improve language teaching in primary schools have been "a great success", the schools inspectorate said today. The government drive in a group of 19 English local authorities has seen a "significant expansion" of French, German and Spanish education in primary schools, Ofsted said.

But while teachers' linguistic competence was generally adequate and lessons were often good, many teachers needed more training, the watchdog said. The Ofsted report follows criticism from teachers and experts over the government's decision to scrap compulsory languages at GCSE.

From last year, pupils were no longer required to study a language at school after the age of 14, which led to a significant drop in interest in French and German.

french angry over language jibe

A group of French speakers in Japan are suing the governor of Tokyo after he described French as a failed language. The 21 teachers and researchers, are demanding compensation and an apology for the "insulting remarks" from Governor Shintaro Ishihara.

Mr Ishihara is accused of saying he was not surprised French did not qualify as an international language, as it was "a language which cannot count numbers". The veteran politician is well-known for his outspoken comments.

word of the day: malfeasance

malfeasance \mal-FEE-zuhn(t)s\, noun:
Wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior, especially by a public official.

But more often than not the same board members who were removed by the chancellor for malfeasance subsequently manage to get reelected in a political process that defies any form of accountability. --Diane Ravitch and Joseph Viteritti, New Schools for a New Century

Cagney family conjecture was that Grandpop Nelson, with the temper of a dozen Furies, had likely committed some malfeasance in his native town forcing him to change his name when he left. --John McCabe, Cagney