Israel to Free Prisoners to Obtain Video of Soldier

JERUSALEM — Israel said Wednesday it would release 20 Palestinian women from its jails in exchange for a videotape of a captured Israeli soldier that would prove that he is alive.

French Mayors Fear Burqa Ban Could Not Be Enforced

PARIS (Reuters) – Several mayors of French towns faced with growing demands from Muslim residents say they fear a proposed ban on head-to-toe burqa and niqab veils could not be enforced and might even prompt more women to cover up.

Not all the mayors at the panel opposed the ban. Renaud Gauquelin, mayor of Rillieux-La-Pape near Lyon, said failing to take a stand would mean failing to defend the separation of church and state and, above all, women’s rights.

“What sign would we give to women around the world?” he asked. “To Iranian women fighting for their freedom? To Saudi women who want to be able to drive a car?”

Kartika caning undermines ‘moderate Islam’ image: SIS

SIS board member Zainah Anwar said while the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have always been trying to project Malaysia as a model Islamic country, such a punishment was unacceptable and could be seen as too severe.

She said Malaysia had attracted international attention because of the Kuantan Syariah High Court’s recent decision to whip the 32-year-old, along with other issues such as the fatwa (religious decree) on yoga and tomboys.

“Foreigners are interested to come to our country because of the moderate image we portray but when they come here, they are shocked to find the level of conservatism being practised.

“So where is this model Muslim country we have been trying to promote?” Zainah told a press conference at the SIS office here on Wednesday.

Jordan bans anti-Israel demo planned by Islamic groups

Jordanian authorities have refused to permit a demonstration which the country’s Islamic groups planned for Friday in reaction to the entry into the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem by Israeli police earlier this week, the Islamic Action Front (IAF) said Wednesday.

“The Amman Governor Samir Mobaydeen has rejected a request by Islamic leaders to organize the demonstration in downtown Amman after Friday prayers to condemn the desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque,” an IAF statement said.

Mobaydeen did not cite any reason for the refusal but said that his decision was based on “the authority accorded to him by the law”, it added.

Candidate wants ban on Muslim immigrants

A hopeful for a Texas congressional seat wants no more Muslim immigration to America. But candidate Canyon Clowdus doesn’t want to stop at the stance he outlined to the blog “Doctor Bulldog and Ronin,” which endorses him in the 11th Congressional District race.

“It’s not just (Muslims),” Clowdus said. “They need to check all immigrants. They used to assimilate.”

Instead, immigrants retain their beliefs, weakening America, said Clowdus, 40, a construction project manager in Marble Falls, Texas. The 11th Congressional District covers a wide swath of West Texas and stretches almost to Austin.