MRN

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Protest against the French niqaab ban

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

Issued By: Muslim Students Association Gauteng

The Muslim Students Association in Gauteng condemns the decision taken by the French government to forbid face coverings (Niqaab) in public, a measure which is aimed specifically at outlawing some 2,000 or so Muslim women from deciding how they dress and conform to their religion.

One is baffled as to how a country that made famous the concepts of ‘liberty’, ‘equality’, and ‘fraternity’, can turn against its founding principles, and impinge on people’s liberty so drastically. More over this proposed ban goes against the universal declaration of human rights which asserts that freedom of religion (by religion, the right to dress according to one’s will is also implied) is an integral and indispensable right.

The Muslim Students Association supports the right of Muslim women to choose to wear the Hijaab without fear of prejudice. It is for this reason that a rally is being held outside the French Embassy in Pretoria, as well as to stop other countries from pursuing similar actions. (Details of the protest can be found at the end of this document)

For more information, please contact Ibrahim Patel at 072 105 0919 or email at Ibs.patel@gmail.com

Alternatively you can contact:

– Aqeela Dinat – 082 211 9400

– Amina Khotoo – 082 7444 335

DATE: 20TH MAY 2011

TIME: 10am – 12pm

VENUE: 250 MELK STREET, NIEUW MUCKLENEUK, PRETORIA

CONTACT: AMINA 082 7444 335 0R ZAEEM 082 743 1023

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a student based society at South African universities nationally. It aims to serve the needs of Muslim students on campus and maintains a considerable interest in community outreach and developmental projects.

Israel harms palestinians but also itself

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Mike Gravel

(source: MiddleEast Monitor)

My concern for the Israeli-Arab conflict is a personal one. I was raised in a Jewish neighborhood — three synagogues within three blocks of our home in Springfield, Mass. — which sensitized me to Jewish culture and history. As a young student of world affairs, I closely followed the history of the Holocaust and Israel’s birth in Palestine.

On the other hand, I also had a close boyhood friend whose family had roots in Syria and Lebanon; they exposed me to the local Lebanese community. The Middle East conflict was part of my global political awakening

During my 12 years in the U.S. Senate I enjoyed the support of a number of Jewish organizations, most notably the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the preeminent “pro-Israel” lobbying organization. For a time, I had a perfect voting record in support of Israel.

On several trips to Israel and the Middle East, I developed contacts at the highest levels of the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). These trips were discouraging; the possibility of peace seemed unattainable — until the courageous leadership of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat emerged.

My political rupture with AIPAC occurred over a vote for military aid to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel. This legislative package of aid was put together by the White House primarily to shore up support for Sadat in the Middle East. AIPAC opposed the package and hoped to muster enough congressional opposition to pressure the White House to stop the military aid package to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

But on this occasion, Sadat’s overture to Israel was too significant a factor. This was a rare instance in which AIPAC didn’t “win” on an issue.

Unchanging Obama challenged by the changing landsCape

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Mazin Qumsiyeh

(source: www.salem-news.com)

In a follow-up to the very successful 15 May36(the beginning of the global uprising), activists around the world called for a day of protests Friday (tomorrow). In Bethlehem, we gather after Friday Prayers in front of Omar’s Mosque (the Nativity Square) and march towards the apartheid wall.

President Obama tried in his (Cairo II) speech to again convince a sceptical world that the US promotes democracy and human rights. We have heard all of this orientalist talk before and yet have seen no action/change. The change is coming from the people waving Palestinian and Egyptian flags everywhere. Even Obama’s rhetoric seems hypocritical: why speak of peaceful demonstrations being suppressed in Syria and Libya but not speak about the constant repression of demonstrators by the Israeli apartheid regime? Obama even went further than other US presidents and talked as a typical Zionist: he lectured us, the native people, that we should stop “de-legitimising” Israel and accept it as “a Jewish state”, “for the Jewish people”. Even Reagan who, supporting apartheid South Africa in his first term, did not ask that we stop de-legitimising South Africa and recognise it as a “White state”, “for the white people”. What about International law (not mentioned by Obama) and what about a state of all its citizens (including the refugees who must be allowed to return to their homes and lands)? No, these basic rights are to be removed and the colonisers have a right to security but the colonised must be content to live in a demilitarised ghetto and accept their

dispossession.

Ronald Reagan refused to speak to AIPAC. But Obama agreed. Reagan at least pulled troops out of Lebanon while Obama still keeps his troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan (and uses the verbal trick of “ending combat mission”). Obama will also host war criminals at the White House and Netanyahu (the gang leader) will address the (Israeli-occupied) congress. No mention will be made of Israel’s illegal use of US weaponry in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yet, the successes of the popular uprisings in the Arab world, including the new uprising that started on 15 May in Palestine and two scandals that hit the apartheid state this week, add to the cracks in the “Iron Wall” (fortified by the US). In one scandal, Russia charged the Israeli military attaché working at the Israeli Embassy with espionage and expelled him. Russia and Turkey and many other countries previously friendly to the apartheid regime have been changing. Israeli papers also reported that Ron Arad, national security adviser to Netanyahu, did not actually resign voluntarily but was fired because he leaked “sensitive information”. The “sensitive” information was that the United States had given Israel unequivocal guarantees that its “strategic capabilities” in the nuclear field would be preserved and strengthened (according to Haaretz). This put another nail in the coffin of the “change we can believe in” façade and embarrassed Obama.

Death of anton hammerl

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

The Media Review Network (MRN) strongly condemns the actions of the pro-Gaddafi forces which led to the untimely death of South African Anton Hammerl, a well known freelance photo journalist.

Hammerl was on duty, attempting to bring to his readers36as he saw them through his lenses, unfolding on the ground in Libya, during these historical moments in North Africa and the Middle East. The evolution of conflict reporting and its relationships with government policies remains highly dangerous and contentious indeed. Nevertheless, it cannot justify the death of any journalist in such a violent manner.

The Executive and staff of the MRN shares in the grief and pain of the family and friends of Anton Hammerl and we convey our deepest and sincere condolences to all of them. They remain in our prayers during this time of heartache and sorrow

Issued By:

Bibi Ayesha Laher

Tell: 012 374 1635

Email: info@mediareviewnet.com