Wednesday, 15 September 2010



Dear Readers,



Welcome to the fifth edition of Dialogue, the current affairs review from Unitas Publications.



Highlights of this issue:



- Unitas CEO Muddassar Ahmed writes on the changes in productivity in Muslim countries during the month of Ramadan.



- A briefing on three key stories from last month: The pullout of US troops from Iraq, the race for Labour leadership and the Pakistan flood crisis.



-A special feature on Park51, including an extensive timeline of events and a detailed discussion of key players and debates.



- An interview with US Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith, who discusses the important influences in her role as the most senior Muslim official in the US Government.



- A feature by Tahir Wahid on the importance of forming strategic responses to the Pakistan flood crisis and eliminating ineffective approaches.



You can view and download the publication in pdf format here. Dialogue will also be available for viewing on our website shortly.



We are also pleased to announce that Dialogue will now be published on a quarterly basis and the next issue will be sent out in December.



Best Regards,

The Unitas Team


Follow us on twitter at: www.twitter.com/unitascomms

Tuesday, 14 September 2010



YOU CAN WATCH THIS AND ANY OTHRE RELATED PROGRAMS EVERY MONDY FROM 10 AM - 12 NOON AND TEUSDAY FROM 10 PM EVRY WEEK .FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT www.ayoubmzee.blogspot.com

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

The Daily Telegraph

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•COVER STORY: 'Big cut in number of police on streets'

Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, warns that in the wake of government spending cuts fewer police may be on the streets; Home Secretary Theresa May has refused to confirm whether police numbers on streets will fall. (Link)


•'Foreign workers could face NHS ban' p.4
Home Secretary May said yesterday that in order to reduce the burden on the NHS and ease immigration foreign workers may have to use private health insurance if they want to work in the UK.
•''Test English skills on foreign doctors'' p.10

The Chairman of the British Medical Association has noted that doctors speaking almost no English have been allowed to work but has advised that foreign doctors should have to pass an English language test. (link)


•'Aid cash feared lost as £2bn is flown out of Kabul' p.12

The large amounts of cash leaving one of the world's poorest countries regularly since 2007 has led to concerns about whether the money is being taken from Western aid projects or security and reconstruction contracts. (link)


•'Russia warning over Kyrgyz reform' p.13

Sunday's referendum has make Kyrgyzstan the only country to have a parliamentary democracy in Central Asia, but Russia warns that the decision will lead to instability and allow extremist parties to gain power.


•'Children's camp wrecked in Gaza' p.14

In the second such attack within a month, 24 men vandalised a UN children's summer camp in Gaza; the Telegraph notes that though there has been no immediate claim of responsibility, Islamic extremists have accused the UN agency of corrupting Gaza's youth and that Hamas is the UN's main competitor for summer camps. (link)




The Guardian

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•COVER STORY: 'Shirking fathers should lose their benefits - poverty tsar'

Frank Field, Cameron's poverty adviser, has said that Britain must end its obsession with getting young single mothers into work, and focus on young, unemployed fathers whose historic role as the bread winner has been taken over by the tax payer. (link)


•'Black councillor is found guilty over racial slur' p.5
A black councillor has been found guilty of racial harassment after describing an Asian political opponent as 'a coconut' during a heated debate. (link)
•'Cameron under pressure to review interrogation guide lines' p.10


The government is facing pressure on two fronts to overhaul the secret interrogation policy, drawn up by the Labour administration, that led to terrorism suspects being detained illegally and tortured in the so called war on terror. (Link)


•'Cameron raises Afghan pullout as bomb disposal expert is shot' p.12-13


Cameron injected a note of urgency over the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan yesterday as the MoD announced the death of another British soldier in the country. A bomb disposal expert was killed in a gunfight with insurgents. (Link)


•'World briefing: Petraeus is facing some tough choices on Afghanistan' p.18


Simon Tisdall looks at the options facing General Patraeus in Afghanistan; persevere with the twin track counterinsurgency strategy, use military pressure to create time and space for Afghan civilian governance; remove political heat by de-emphasising the importance of a scheduled White House progress review and Nato's Lisbon summit in November; or go with a third Afghan surge. (Link)



The Times

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•COVER STORY: 'Business chiefs back deep and early cuts'


Leaders of some of Britain’s biggest businesses last night gave their emphatic endorsement of the coalition Government’s decision to cut spending immediately in order to pay down the deficit.(Link)






•'Parents killed by ‘honour killers who set fire to wrong house’' p.17



A father and mother were murdered by mistake when arsonists out to avenge a Muslim family’s “honour” set fire to the wrong house, a jury at Preston Crown Court were told. (Link)






•'UN camp vandalised' p. 26



Two dozen armed masked men vandalised a UN summer camp for children, tying up guards and slashing tents and a plastic pool. Islamic extremists say the UN aid agency is corrupting Gaza's youth.




•'The Holiest Link: TV game sorts out the imams from the boys' p.32


Contestants will compete for the ultimate bonanza: cash, pilgrimage, and a lifetime of piety. These are the inducements of Imam Muda, an Islam-themed reality TV game show that has captivated Malaysia in its search for an “idol” imam. (Link)






The Independent

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•COVER STORY: 'Don't blame him. Blame the players'

Capello was left to face the media's inquisition, but it is a generation wrapped up in their own domestic glories that are truly to blame. (link)


•'German Defence Minister questions role of Nato in Afghanistan war'



Germany is arguing for the aims of Nato's operations in Afghanistan to be significantly scaled down and wants the alliance to adopt criteria to ensure that it never commits itself to a similarly open-ended mission in future. (link)






•'Barred from Jerusalem for the crime of being Palestinian',



Engineer's battle to overturn loss of residency highlights plight of thousands. (link)





•'Turkey closes airspace to Israeli military after raid on Gaza flotilla'



Turkey has closed its airspace to some Israeli military flights following a deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship, the Turkish Prime Minister and officials said yesterday. (link)










Al Jazeera


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•COVER STORY: 'US arrests alleged Russian spies'

The US has arrested 10 alleged Russian deep cover secret agents that have aimed at penetrating government policymaking circles for several years. (Link)




•'Afghan approval for five ministers'

Afghanistan's lower house of parliament has approved five new cabinet members. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai sees this as a positive step forward and is trying to get these nominees a vote of confidence in parliament. (Link)


•'New Kyrgyz constitution approved'


Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a new constitution to create a parliamentary democracy. An overwhelming 90 per cent voted 'yes' whilst five per cent of the ballots still have to be counted. Government officials are hopeful the new constitution will bring peace and stability in this ethnically divided country. (Link)


•'Iran postpones nuclear talks'


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that talks over his country's nuclear enrichment programme will be delayed until August. He has called for new negotiating partners and more countries, although it is not clear which ones he refers to, to participate in the talks. (Link)


•'UN summer camp in Gaza vandalised'


A group of armed men vandalised a UN summer camp in the Gaza strip yesterday. Plastic toys and swimming pools were destroyed and the rest was rest on fire. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the vandalisation, Hamas has condemned the raid and has ordered a full investigation. (Link)


•'Troops fire at Kashmir protestors'

At least two people have been killed after troops fired at protesters in Kashmir yesterday. Troops opened fire in 'self defense' after a mob tried to demolish a military bunker near Sopore town, 50km north of Srinagar. Monday's unrest is part of on-going clashes between Indian-ruled Kashmiris and police forces. (Link)





The Evening Standard (28th)

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•COVER STORY: 'Train commuters face 10% fare rise'


Commuters in London were warned that they face fare rises of up to 10 per cent with journeys at peak times being made in cattle truck conditions. (Link)


•'Masked men attack UN summer school in Gaza' p.24


Masked men vandalized a UN summer camp for children in Gaza yesterday burning and slashing tents and toys. There is no immediate claim of the attack but Islamic extremists have accused the main UN aid agency of corrupting Gaza's youth with its summer programmes. Hamas police have condemned the attack and said it was investigating. (Link)


The Daily Mail

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•LEAD STORY: 'Migrants must go private'

Firms employing migrant workers from out the EU will have to pay health cover for the duration of their contract at a cost of hundreds of pounds. Ministers are concerned immigration is placing enormous strain on the Health Service as well as public services such as education and housing. (Link)




The Sun

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• LEAD STORY: 'US holds Russia 'espionage ring''


TEN people have been held in the US accused of spying for Moscow - just ten days after Barack Obama enjoyed a burger with the Russian president. (Link)



The Mirror

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• LEAD STORY: 'Foreign doctors 'should have English test''


Top doctors, including the BMA's chair Dr. Meldrum, have insisted that foreign doctors should have to pass an English language test. (Link)

Monday, 28 June 2010

THE TANZANIA MINISTER FOR EAST AFRICA MATTERS ADDRESING THE DIASPORA IN THE UK


Hon D Kamara , addressing the Congregation The tANZANIA hIGH COMMISSIONER H.E MWANA IDI SINARE


Mr Banduka , the Reading TA Chair



Sunday, 27 June 2010

Release


Date: June 26, 2010

For immediate release

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER LAUNCHES SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE FINANCE CHALLENGE
Announces Canadian contribution to the initiative

TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today launched the G-20 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Finance Challenge during remarks to international business leaders at the G-20 Business Summit (B-20). The Prime Minister was joined by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to announce that Canada will be providing financial support for the initiative.

The SME Finance Challenge is intended to expand business opportunities and create jobs by inviting the private sector — financial institutions, private investors, companies and foundations, among others — to develop proposals that will attract private investment for small businesses in low-income countries.

“Small and medium enterprises are the single largest contributor to employment and job creation, in Canada and around the world,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This G-20 initiative will help provide developing countries with the access to financing they need to get their small businesses up and running.”

The best proposals will be presented at the G-20 Summit in the Republic of Korea , November 11-12. The G-20 has committed to ensuring public funding is available to implement the winning proposals.

Friday, 18 June 2010


Dear Friends,
We invite you to join us for a day of films (Memories of Lumumba, Street Children of Kinshasa,and Apocalypse Africa) cutting edge discussion, and an evening reception featuring Congolese performers to reflect, assess, and celebrate the way toward a truly free and liberated Congo. A special commemoration will be held to celebrate the life and work of Congolese human rights activist Floribert Chebeya Bahizire.
Congo Independence 50 Years Later: The Continuing Pursuit
Wednesday, June 30, 20102:00 pm to 8:30 pm
True Reformer Bldg's Lankford Auditorium12th & U Street, NWWashington, DC USAClick here for directions!Click here to download flyer!
On June 30, 2010, the Democratic Republic of Congo will celebrate its 50th year of independence from Belgian colonial rule. Celebrations will take place throughout the globe commemorating this golden anniversary. However, not all Congolese are celebrating. Nor are peace and justice loving people who value and respect a more united and elevated African continent. The ultimate independence and liberation of the Congo has yet to be achieved.
This event will offer prescriptions to chart a way forward to a free and liberated Congo, and examine its potential role within the African continent as a whole.
The program will include a dedication and tribute to the life and work of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire (1963 - 2010) a leading Congolese human rights activist, who was suspiciously murdered on June 2, 2010. Hailed as a champion of human rights, as director of Voix des sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless) Chebeya worked for more than 20 years defending human rights in Congo. Congolese activists in Kinshasa and across the globe are seeking justice through an investigation into his murder, and accountability for those responsible. Congolese activists made a call for a month of action in response to the assassination of Floribert Chebeya. His driver and member of Voice of the Voiceless, whose body has yet to be found will also be acknowledged.
PROGRAM:
Film Screenings and Discussions with the Filmmakers 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm
“Memories of Lumumba” by Lubangi Muniania“The Street Children of Kinsasha” by Gilbert Mulamba“Apocalypse Africa” by Del Walters
Poem Dedication: Christian KuleTribute and Dedication to Floribert Chebeya, remembering, honoring, and celebrating his life and work.Panel Discussion: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Panelists:Dr. Georges NzongolaBibiane TshefuLubangi MunianiaGilbert Mulamba
Moderated By:Del Walters
Closing Remarks:A Call To Action: How To Join The Global Movement
Reception 7:00 pm to 8:30 pmLight refreshments will be served.Featuring:Omekongo Dibinga
A $10 suggested donation at the door will be much appreciated to help with costs. All are welcome. No one turned away. Please RSVP to netfa@ips-dc.org.
Click here for more information.Hosted by: Africa Action, Africa Faith & Justice Network, Congo Global Action, Friends of the Congo, TransAfrica Forum, IPS' Foreign Policy In Focus