Category: Timely

Allah’s Name

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Zeinab Yusuf Saiwalla: In Muslim majority Malaysia, the government recently refused to allow the distribution of tens of thousands of bibles that were printed in the country’s main language – Bahasa Malaysia. The controversy is not new; in 2009 the Malaysian Home Ministry prosecuted The Herald, Malaysia’s sole Catholic publication, and threatened it with the loss of its printing license for the use of Allah in describing the Christian God in its Malay-language section.

The Herald defended its usage of the term Allah, arguing that it was backed by a centuries-old tradition within the Arabic language where non-Muslims in Arab countries used Allah to mean God. Continue Reading →

Scientology Porn

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One hardly knows what to say about Emily Anne Epstein’s very brief article and photo series in last week’s Metro, the free paper handed out at the dark mouth of another day’s underground commute.  But maybe that’s the point.  Epstein makes Scientology — and the New York “flagship” center on 46th Street — sound a lot like porn (and not just of the real estate variety):  you’ll find it around Times Square; it’s gaining adherents all the time; it’s got big and easy money; and it invokes just enough of that under-belly controversy to keep your interest.  What’s more, there’s a sauna for when you’re “looking for something else.”

If the Scientologists invited Epstein for a visit to get some alluring PR, check and check.

(h/t Abby Ohlheiser) Continue Reading →

The Egyptian Referendum: Believing in Citizenship

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Egyptians were deeply divided on whether to say “yes” or “no” to the proposed amendments to their country’s constitution following the January 25th Revolution. On the hot and dusty morning of Saturday, March 19th, after weeks of debate on-air, online, in newspaper op-ed pages and in our own living rooms, we lined up in droves to cast our votes.

I prepared carefully for this historic day: Through an online portal set-up by the armed forces I checked which schools were designated as polling stations in my neighborhood; I made sure my national ID, proving my eligibility to vote, was in my wallet; I hired a baby sitter to watch my toddler so that I could go brave the long queues unhampered.

Most importantly, in the few days leading up to the referendum, I read all the different editorials and analyses both in favor of “yes” and “no” so that I could make an informed decision on which way to cast my vote.  Exercising my right to vote as an Egyptian citizen was made much easier by the technology, finances and education that my upper middle-class background afforded me.

Umm Fatima, who is married to the neighbor’s bawab (building keeper), doesn’t have access to any of these things. Continue Reading →

House Opening Prayer, 3.14.11

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Eternal God,
Before whom all creation bows,
and Father of all humanity
another week of life and testing unfolds before us.

With the breath of spring upon us,
may Congress be given fresh vision
on how to address the needs of Your people;
and as a good steward of national resources
be delivered from alien forces
and the tyranny of money.

By respecting the goodness of your creation
and recognizing Your image in each person,
make this nation an instrument of peace
and an ambassador of reconciliation
in Your Holy Name.

Amen.

– Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin

To search the archive of opening prayers, go to the Office of The Chaplain, Unites States House of Representatives (h/t Al Stefanelli) Continue Reading →