JEDDAH: If you think the issue of women showing their faces is restricted to certain parts of the Muslim world, you might consider picking up one of the newspapers published by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel that completely forbid the publication of pictures of women. This, according to a Reuters story, has posed an interesting conundrum for both editors of said newspapers and the Israeli Acting Prime Minister Tzipi Livni. On one side, Livni must appeal to the community of ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as haredim, as she works to put together her coalition — which is a little difficult to do if press photos of her wheeling and dealing are considered forbidden in the newspapers read by about 8 to 15 percent of the Israeli population. On the other hand, the fact that a woman has become the head of the country must have Orthodox Jewish editors wondering whether their ban on pictures of women can hold.
Furious over blaring loud speakers, Saudi tries to attack imam with knife
JEDDAH: An imam at a local mosque in the northern city of Sakaka had the shock of his life when a Saudi man tried to attack him with a knife after Fajr prayers, Al-Eqtisadiah reported yesterday. Worshippers at the mosque prevented the assailant from approaching the imam but the man shouted at the imam asking him to turn down the mosque’s loudspeakers that was causing him severe headache. “If you don’t turn down the loudspeaker I will kill you,” the man shouted at the imam as he was overpowered by the worshippers. Col. Sanitan Al-Daraan, spokesman of police at Al-Jouf Province, said security officers had arrested the man soon after receiving a complaint. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has urged all imams to reduce the sound of the mosque’s loudspeakers — lest another wary worshipper decides to make some serious threats.
Wanna laugh your head off? Visit Bahrain on Eid to see ‘Axis of Evil’ show
Bahrain will be entering a new era of entertainment during the Eid holiday when it hosts, for the first time, world renowned “Axis of Evil” Comedy Tour on the second and third day of Eid (2nd and 3rd of October). Over 2000 tickets are expected to be sold for each event. Newsweek described the show as “.....they are doing for Middle Easterners what Richard Pryor did for African Americans — carrying their culture to the mainstream... Very funny and timely.” At a time when the East and West seem to be unable to understand each other, top stand up comics of Middle Eastern descent Ahmed Ahmed, and Maz Jobrani have single-handedly taken it upon themselves to bridge the gap between East and West with an original comedy tour. The three-hour show, to be held at Al Ahli Club, will include a live band as well as some comedians from Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries.
