Archive for September 7th, 2008
“I’m Muslim: don’t try me for armed robbery during Ramadam”
This has actually been said in France and the court has accepted it and has postponed the trial till January.
A row has broken out in France after a court postponed a trial, apparently because it was to take place during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Critics say the decision is a breach of France’s strict separation of religion and state. The trial of seven men for armed robbery was due to start on 16 September in Rennes.
But last week the court agreed to a request from a lawyer for one of the accused to put it off until January. In his letter asking for the delay, the lawyer noted that if the trial were to start now, it would fall in the Muslim month of Ramadan. His client, a Muslim, would have been fasting for two weeks and thus, he said, be in no position to defend himself properly. He would be physically weakened and too tired to follow the arguments as he should.
The court’s agreement to postpone the trial has now triggered an outraged response from campaigning groups and politicians of both left and right, who see it as a worrying new incursion by religion into the institutions of the French state.
BBC NEWS | Europe | Anger over ‘Ramadan’ trial delay
What about: I’m an adorer of the Holy Vacation Church and I can’t be tried during my holiday’s month as I am resting and not in a position to defend myself properly?
Yes, Muslims are fasting during Ramadam but only during the day. He can eat and drink during the night, so he won’t be weakened at all. And besides, if in a particular session he is worse, the tribunal can order a recession. So I don’t understand really the delay…
Sent to Open TRackbacks: Woman Honor Thyself, Cao’s Blog, DragonLady’s World, Rights Voices and Dumb Ox.
Sudan army ‘attacks Darfur towns
Hmm, Sudanese Government goes on with its imperialistic campaign…
Sudanese government troops have launched attacks on two towns in Darfur, three rebel groups in the region have said. The rebels said the troops, backed by militias, helicopters and planes, had attacked Disa and Birmaza in North Darfur state early on Saturday.
The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur said it was investigating the reports. There has been no comment on the rebel claims from the Sudanese military.
“The fighting is still going on, they are inside the town and are looting,” he said from Disa.
Commanders of two other rebel groups also said their forces in the area, north of the town of Kutum, were also involved in the fighting.
Rebel groups have accused government forces of launching a string of attacks on insurgent-held areas in North Darfur in recent months.
One rebel commander, Sherif Harir, from the Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity faction, said Khartoum was trying to wrest control of key transport routes and oil reserves in the area, Reuters news agency reported
BBC NEWS | Africa | Sudan army ‘attacks Darfur towns
Related posts:
Ex-speedskater’s visa for Olympics, revoked… for his criticism of Chinese involvement in Sudan.
Support for Darfur mission urged.
Arab Nations agree on Sudan plan but don’t reveal details about it.
UN, China: posturing over the indictiment of Sudanese President Al-Bashir.
Sudanese leader not fearful of ICC charges.
At last! Sudanese President charged!
“Sudanese President may be charged with genocide”.
UN peacekeepers in Sudan killed.
Pakistan restores 3 judges ousted by Musharraf
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday reinstated three judges ousted by Pervez Musharraf, cementing political divisions in the country a day before it elects a new president.
Musharraf’s purge of the court last year deepened his unpopularity and helped his political foes to a victory in February elections. Musharraf resigned under pressure last month. However, the second-largest party then quit the ruling coalition over the failure to restore all the judges including the ousted chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. Tassadiq Hussain Jillani, Shakirullah Jan and Syed Jamshed Ali were sworn back into the court at a ceremony Friday. Law Minister Farooq Naek said Chaudhry was also welcome to take a fresh oath, but said he could not return as chief justice because removing the judge who replaced him could trigger a “constitutional impasse.
Pakistan restores 3 judges ousted by Musharraf – Yahoo! News
Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto’s widower has won the Pakistani elections while a new terrorist suicide attack has killed 35 people.
More dhimmitude from UK
After we have known the huge cost of the boxes bought for Ramadam in a prison where terrorists are detained, I knew yesterday of the existence of a John Williams, who could compete to the title of “Dhimmi of the Year” and not fear to lose it:
Last week John Williams, Head of Democratic Services at Tower Hamlets Council in East London, e-mailed each of the borough’s 51 councillors with a similar instruction. For the duration of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, they are, he told them – every one of them, Muslim, Catholic, Jew or atheist – to behave during council meetings as strict Muslims. They are not to eat or drink; they are to break for Muslim prayers; they are to do as they are ordered by the Muslim religion.
Ghost of a flea: One word answer
Hmm, imagine the uproar if Muslims were told to behave like Jews, Christians or Bhuddists during their respective celebrations…
