Topic: Sharia Law

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A fabled city of the Sahara: How much do you know about Timbuktu?

Timbuktu has a reputation in Western society as a distant, mysterious city. But it is a real place, and is back in the news after Tuareg rebels seized the city and implemented sharia. Can you separate Timbuktu's myth from reality?
Egypt's constitution: How 5 stakeholders would shape the document

Here’s what key stakeholders want Egypt’s new constitution to look like.
Somalia: A timeline of change in a troubled country

Here is a timeline of changes, intervention, and mediation in 5 bite-sized bits.
What is Nigeria's Boko Haram? 5 things to know

The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has generated headlines with a number of bloody attacks. Scott Baldauf breaks down the group's origins, funding, and possible ties to Al Qaeda.
Who's who in Egypt's election

Today Egyptians are wrapping up the first of several rounds of voting for the first Egyptian parliament since the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. Here are the options facing Egyptians as they go to the polls.

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Egypt votes with hope and fear

Egyptians took the the polls today in the first competitive presidential election in a lifetime, brought on by last year's populist uprising.
In historic election, Egyptians cast votes for stability, Islam (+video)

Nearly a year and a half after the revolution that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians are getting to choose their president for the first time.
Egypt elections: Sharia can support democracy

In Egypt elections for president today, the role of Islam in government is a big question. But a freedom-based interpretation of sharia can support democracy in the Arab world. Such a form of sharia in the early stages of the Iran Revolution set a precedent – before it was snuffed out.
Candidate Aboul Fotouh highlights diversity of Egypt's Islamists

Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh has emerged as a top candidate in next week's Egyptian presidential elections.
Nigeria soldiers arrest Boko Haram commander

The arrest of the Islamist sect's operational commander Suleiman Mohammed, and discovery of arms cache, is welcome news for Nigeria, which has been battling Boko Haram for three years.
Egyptian presidential debate underscores Islamist vs. establishment divide (+video)

Egypt's first ever presidential debate pitted stability against revolutionary fervor. Elections are scheduled for later this month.
Amid battles, Boko Haram offers dialogue with Nigerian president

A caller claiming to speak for the Islamist militant group Boko Haram called a local TV station on Sunday demanding 'one on one' dialogue with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Keep Calm
Coup and counter-coup: Mali's military junta retains control of capital

Mali's military junta have kept control of the capital, Bamako, after loyalists of the former president launch a counter-coup. But the junta has lost much of the country to Tuareg rebels.
Church service attacked in Nigeria after Boko Haram threats

An attack on a Christian church service at a university in northern Nigeria Sunday left at least seven people dead. The Islamist group warned it would attack schools and other institutions.
Separate bomb blasts rock Nigeria's newspapers, at least six killed

While no one has taken credit for the twin blasts, the methods used in the attacks on the newspaper offices appear similar to those used by the Islamist fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.
Tunisia debate turns personal: 'Pray more and turn down that Metallica'

Tensions between Tunisia's secularists and newly empowered Islamists are playing between brothers and sisters, mothers and daughters, as the country drafts a new constitution.
Taliban storm Pakistani prison: nearly 400 freed

Taliban militants armed with grenades battled their way into a prison in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, freeing close to 400 prisoners, including about 20 described by police as 'very dangerous.'
A fabled city of the Sahara: How much do you know about Timbuktu?

Timbuktu has a reputation in Western society as a distant, mysterious city. But it is a real place, and is back in the news after Tuareg rebels seized the city and implemented sharia. Can you separate Timbuktu's myth from reality?
Terrorism & Security
France arrests 10 suspected militants in latest post-Toulouse raids

While President Nicolas Sarkozy denies the crackdown on alleged Islamist militants in France has anything to do with last month's shootings in Toulouse, today's raids were the second series since the incident. 
Boko Haram: Fed up residents apprehend Islamists in northern Nigeria

Residents of Kano arrest two Boko Haram fighters in a sign of frustration with the group's campaign of terror in northern Nigeria.
Hundreds of Afghan women imprisoned for 'moral crimes,' says new report

But the response of local journalists at Human Rights Watch press conference shows how tough it may be to persuade Afghans to end criminalization of 'crimes' that include fleeing abuse.
Islam's defining moment with democracy

Islamist parties now dominate the constitution-writing process in post-revolution Egypt and Tunisia. If they can make Islam compatible with democracy, they will give hope to others in the Middle East still struggling in the unfinished Arab Spring.
Boko Haram: Nigeria's Army kills nine suspects after attack

Nigerian Army kills nine suspected members of the banned Islamist militant group Boko Haram, blamed for the deaths of 1,000 in a three-year long rebellion in northern Nigeria.
Egypt's constitution: How 5 stakeholders would shape the document

Here’s what key stakeholders want Egypt’s new constitution to look like.
Keep Calm
The politics of meat and Muslims in election-year France

Conservative Marine Le Pen recently alleged that President Sarkozy had bowed to 'Islamic radicals.' It may be election-year gold, but restricting or demonizing Islamic practices could push disaffected youth toward those with radical agendas, says author Jonathan Laurence. 
Those defending US Constitution from sharia must have failed high school civics

Those like Newt Gingrich who try to exploit sharia hysteria to foster fear of Muslims in the US not only fail to understand sharia, they also fail to understand the ideals of religious freedom upon which America was built.
Somalia: A timeline of change in a troubled country

Here is a timeline of changes, intervention, and mediation in 5 bite-sized bits.
Global News Blog
Malaysia may repatriate Saudi who faces death penalty for tweets

Saudi writer Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after a trio of tweets about the prophet Muhammad brought death threats. Malaysian police apprehended him en route to New Zealand, where he was to request asylum.
Religious trash talk goes mainstream in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Religious fundamentalists are gaining greater influence on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, complicating peace efforts.
As Egypt's new parliament convenes, eyes on ultraconservative salafis

Salafis want to roll back the clock to their vision of sixth-century Islam. They captured a quarter of the votes, far more than many expected.