Source | CNN
Jakarta | 15 Jun 2011
Indonesia's transition from an autocracy to a vibrant democracy can be an example to those countries in the Middle East experiencing political upheaval, says the country's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
"Indonesia can be a model where Islam and democracy exist hand in hand, with no contradiction between the two," he told CNN.
Source : Mark S. Luckie | The Washington Post
14 Jun 2011
Want to know the difference between hajj and halal? Here is a short glossary of some of the most commonly used words and phrases in Islamic religion and culture.
Allah
The Arabic word for God.
Hadith
A traditional account of things said or done by Muhammad recorded by his followers, commonly taught as a part of Islamic theology.
hajj
Source : Badea Anu Al-Naja | Arab News
Makkah | 14 Jun 2011
Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb on Tuesday inspected the final phase of the Mashair Railway project that links the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The project will bring about dramatic improvement in Haj transportation.
Source | Reuters
ANKARA | 14 Jun 2011
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his Cabinet formally resigned on Tuesday as expected, starting the process of forming a new government after winning a third consecutive term in office.
Erdogan’s AK Party won 49.9 percent of the vote, 326 seats, in Sunday’s election, short of the 330 seats it needs to write a new constitution without the support of other parties in the 550-seat parliament.
• 'Hamas govt flourishes while restrictions hit the poor'
• Wages fall, jobless rate up since Israel blockade began
• Egyptian border opening slightly relaxes tension
• High unemployment rate ups pressure on UNRWA
Sorce : Ahmed Al-Haj | AP
SANAA | 15 Jun 2011
Militants emboldened by months of turmoil in Yemen launched a surprise dawn attack Wednesday on a southern city, seizing entire neighborhoods after gunfights with government forces, security officials said.
The militants, believed to include Al-Qaeda members, were in control of several neighborhoods of Houta, the provincial capital of Lahj province, the officials said.