Categories : News

Opinion | N.Y.U. in Abu Dhabi: A Sectarian Bargain

The U.A.E.’s security clearance forms require applicants to list religion and sect, and N.Y.U.’s own written instructions specify that its employees cannot leave those fields blank. University officials recently told me that they’re still working to reverse my security clearance denial. But based on my past experience with the Abu Dhabi project, I have little hope.

Abdulkareem al-Hawaj at Imminent Risk of Execution after Recent Judgment

19 September 2017 – On 11 September, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Abdulkareem al-Hawaj, leaving him at imminent risk of being executed. With all of his appeals exhausted, al-Hawaj faces execution as soon as King Salman ratifies his sentence, which could happen at any time.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Cites Bahrain as “Egregious” Perpetrator of Reprisals

22 September 2017 – On 20 September 2017, United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour presented the office’s eighth report on reprisals at the 36 th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), raising serious concern over the increased attacks on human rights defenders in Bahrain.

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Washed up: Malaysian launderette refuses non-Muslim customers

“For Muslim customers only. Leave your shoes outside,” The owner of a self-service laundrette in the historic town of Muar in the Malaysian state of Johor likely had little inkling of the hornet’s nest he would stir up by putting up a sign barring non-Muslim from using his services.

See also ‘Malaysian launderette owner stirs Asian hornet’s nest’.

Bahrain’s debt levels and associated costs need a check

Bahrain has the means, stamina and experience in addressing some of the socioeconomic challenges engulfing the smallest state within the Gulf Cooperation Council. On the economic side, problems include the yawning budgetary deficit, growing public debt, poor credit ratings and the disturbing youth unemployment levels.

At least 50 die in twin attacks in Iraq

At least 50 people have been killed in two attacks in southern Iraq, health officials say. In the first attack, a suicide bomber detonated his vest and gunmen opened fire inside a roadside restaurant near Nasiriya, the capital of Dhiqar province, security sources said. Soon afterwards, a car bomb exploded at a nearby checkpoint.

See also alJazeera
See also Washington Post

Saudi Arabia on brink of flare up as HRC chief blasts Bahrain VOB.ORG

The situation in Saudi Arabia is deteriorating sharply due to the ill-conceived policies of the ruling Al Saud family. In the past week, the regime arrested scores of prominent figures including religious scholars who had supported the regime in the past. They include Salman AlAwdah and Aa’edh Al Qarni.

Saudi Arabia: Religion Textbooks Promote Intolerance

Saudi Arabia’s school religious studies curriculum contains hateful and incendiary language toward religions and Islamic traditions that do not adhere to its interpretation of Sunni Islam, Human Rights Watch said today. The texts disparage Sufi and Shia religious practices and label Jews and Christians “unbelievers” with whom Muslims should not associate.

See also The Guardian
and AEI

US approves huge arms sale to Bahrain despite human rights concerns

The US state department has approved a $3.8 billion arms sale to Bahrain, despite continued criticism of the Gulf regime due to gross human rights abuses. The US state department has approved a $3.8 billion arms sale to Bahrain, despite growing unease about the Gulf state’s human rights abuses and blockade of Washington ally Qatar.

HRC urged to investigate war crimes in Yemen, UN Special Rapporteurs challenge Bahrain’s dictator VOB.ORG

HRC urged to investigate war crimes in Yemen, UN Special Rapporteurs challenge Bahrain’s dictator In a report published on Tuesday 5th September, the UN human rights office challenged the U.N. Human Rights Council, which meets this month, to agree to look into atrocities committed during what it called an “entirely man-made catastrophe”.