The Guardian Council confirms Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory

by Samira Anvar
June 29th, 2009

On Monday the Iranian Pess TV, a state backed news agency, announced Gaurdian Council’s decision that confirmed Ahmadinejad’s victory, which comes after weeks of protests by Ahmadinejad’s opponents against what they claim was a rigged election.

A member of the Guardian council told Press TV that a partial recount of 10 percent of the ballots carried on Monday showed no irregularities in the vote.

Ahmadinejad’s main opponent, Mir Hossein Mousavai, is not content with a partial recount and wants the whole election to be held again. In addition, to the claims of Mousavi, Mehdi Karoubi, one of the three defeated candidates, called for a re-election and insisted that it was the only way to regain Iranian people’s trust.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton expressed her doubts regarding the recount. She said: “They [the Iranian government] have a huge credibility gap with their own people as to the election process.

“And I don’t think …

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Islamic Banking: is it compliant with the Sharia law?

by Samira Anvar
June 28th, 2009

The principles of Islamic finance were laid down by the divine revelation, Qur’an, 1400 years ago. Qur’an banned usury and vowed severe punishment for those who are involved in it; these revelations shaped the basics of Islamic banking.

However, the world’s first modern Islamic bank didn’t start until 1970s. And the sector did not attract attention until few years ago when petrodollars were pouring in due to a surge in oil prices and economic strengthening of Islamic countries in Middle East.

According to Sharia law Islamic banks are prohibited from investing in certain products, including, but not limited to, alcohol, tobacco, pork, and pornography. The Qur’an has banned all forms of usury; so Islamic financial transactions are structured to rely on income in the form of rent (ujra) or profits (murabaha) from the loan, technically not interest. Following are some of the popular Islamic financial instruments:

Sukuk: “This essentially amounts to commercial paper …

Popularity: 1% [?]

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No iPhone for you!

by Diana Ameen
June 26th, 2009

Since the release of the new iPhone, 3G S, Apple has sold more than a million devices in its first weekend in United States itself. iPhone 3G S was released on 19th of June in U.S and major European countries. One million sales was not a surprise to most of Apple fans and admirers, including myself.

However, what surprised me was the fact that the new iPhone, 3G S, was not released in any major Islamic country, including Dubai, UAE. Dubai is one of the most technologically developed cities in the world, no to mention its growing IT sector. The only version of iPhone available in Islamic countries is the iPhone 3G. It is available in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, Qatar is still waiting for iPhone 3G. To see the list of countries that iPhone 3G/3G S is offered please click here.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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Where is Iran heading?

by Admin
June 24th, 2009

Are we witnessing another revolution? Is history repeating itself? Is clerical rule has come to a circle? These and many other questions being asked by many. The protesters themselves are not sure of their near future.  They don’t know were they are going or what they are going for, but they seem to be sure that they don’t want the current regime.

Do these protests speak on behalf of the majority of Iranian population or is it just the western propaganda that is amplifying the crisis? On one side the western media is accusing Iran for its oppression of peaceful protesters, while on the other side Iran’s supreme leader khamenei is accusing the United State, Briton, and Israel of fueling riots in Iran.

On a separate note the Iranian interior minister has accused Washington, London, and Tel Aviv of direct and indirectly supporting different terrorist groups to …

Popularity: 4% [?]

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Sarkozy: Burka is not welcome in France

by Admin
June 22nd, 2009

Addressing the parliament today, president Sarkozy said that the Islamic burka is not welcome in France, while tens of parliamentarians expressed their concern regarding the spread of burka amongst the French women.

The French president described the Islamic dress as enslavement of women and described it against a woman’s dignity and that it is not a symbol of religion.

And he also added in his speech that “We cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting, cut off from all social life, deprived of identity,”.

Please let us know what you think about the French president’s speach.

To read more please click here

Popularity: 15% [?]

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Khamenei Backs Ahmadinejad, Slams Protests

by Admin
June 20th, 2009

IslamOnline.net & News Agencies

TEHRAN — Siding with declared winner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Friday, June 19, for an end to streets protests over last week’s disputed presidential elections.

“The people have chosen whom they wanted,” Khamenei said in his Friday prayers sermon in Tehran, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“I see some people more suitable for serving the country than others but the people made their choice,” he added to the cheers of the massed worshippers who included Ahmadinejad.

“The result of the election comes from the ballot box, not from the street,” he said. “Today the Iranian nation needs calm.”

Iran fell into turmoil since last week’s presidential elections, which incumbent Ahmadinejad won in landslide.

Reformist rival Mir-Hossein Mousavi challenged the election results and led daily protests that left at least seven people dead.

Khamenei insisted that despite some vote violations registered by the three defeated candidates with …

Popularity: 1% [?]

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Turkish Economy Looks East to Counter Global Slowdown

by Admin
June 20th, 2009

By Yakup Kocaman

Turkey, the fifteenth largest economy of the world, is suffering in recent times from an unfinished business breakthrough. After a boom of six consecutive years, the Turkish economy is now confronting tough conditions of economic crises in the new world.

Image source: www.kwintessential.co.uk

Turkey’s major distress is lagging export numbers with European Markets, not toxic assets, bad loans, or Ponzi schemes. In December 2005, industry export figures declined sharply, by almost 25 percent. The significant decrease in demand from European markets hit exporters harshly; in 2008, Turkey’s export figures yielded USD 130 bn and import figures at USD 200 bn.

As the country loses ground in Europe,

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Popularity: 40% [?]

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Pakistan’s Defense Private Sector Emerges with Indigenous UAV Technology

by Diana Ameen
June 19th, 2009

Article by Mr. Riaz Haq

Back in 1970, the American Army Gen. William Westmoreland is reported to have said: “On the battlefield of the future, enemy forces will be located, tracked and targeted almost instantaneously through the use of data links, computer-assisted intelligence and automated fire control. … I am confident the American people expect this country to take full advantage of its technology-to welcome and applaud the developments that will replace wherever possible the man with the machine.” It seems that this vision from the 1970s is being realized today. One manifestation of it is the development and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles by many nations, including Pakistan.

Image

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Popularity: 7% [?]

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Islamic Hotel Branding & Muslim Hospitality

by Samira Anvar
June 17th, 2009

By Mr. Naseem Javed

For original post Click Here

There is a sudden realization among key developers in Dubai and Middle Eastern countries that hotels and hospitality in Arabia can easily absorb a huge number of properties and tour destinations purely based on Islamic culture. These new brands will deliver all the traditional values and customs to accommodate familiar authentic experiences for Muslims traveling alone or with their families. These new brands will address how Muslim needs are met and how they want to be treated.

However, the real challenge lies in providing an environment which is rich enough to allow competitive comfort and luxury that not only rivals Western hotels, but equally sets a new global standard of quality yet conservative enough in taste while maintaining the aesthetic and spiritual balances and the etiquette so highly cherished by the Muslims.

The thought of creating hospitality concepts under specific religious …

Popularity: 1% [?]

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