Saudi Anthropologist Advocates Modern Interpretation of Religious Texts
From MEMRI.
Quote:
Saudi Anthropologist Sa'd Al-Sowayan Advocates Modern Interpretation of Religious Texts, Suggests Swords Be Removed from Saudi Flag
Video here (may require plugin)
Excerpts here
I have to wonder how long it will be before someone issues a fatwa on him :wry:.
Don't really disagree with that
Quote:
Originally Posted by
marct
Hi Ron,
Definitely agree that it is becoming moire common - or at least I am seeing more coverage of it, which is not the same thing :wry:. Still and all, some of the extremist groups also seem to be issuing fatwas more often - probably all part of the offshoot of increased communications.
There is definately more visibility then I've seen before , but on the Fatwa thing I think that they might find out why printing more money when you run out doesn't fix the problem, Darned inflation sucks.
Not to mention the old adage about not making promises you can't keep:wry:
I can truthfully say that Iran is the only
country I've been to where I never had a bad meal, not one. Even enjoyed the eyeballs...
Loss of HTT Member in Afghanistan
From MarcT who is on the road
Quote:
passed by the USMC IA
For those of you who have not heard, Michael Bhatia has been killed in
Afghanistan. I do not know if the details provided in the Chronicle story (
see here) are true, but have heard nothing to the
contrary. He is a great loss.
It sounds like his colleagues at Brown and in the UK are setting up
scholarship funds. When I get detail about that, I will pass it along.
Blessings and best wishes to Dr. Bhatia's family in this time of loss,
Tom
Human Terrain Team Member Killed in Afghanistan
Human Terrain Team Member Killed in Afghanistan
http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/imag...haelbhatia.jpg
From the Human Terrain System,
It is with deep sorrow that we must inform you of the tragic death of Michael Bhatia, our social scientist team member assigned to the Afghanistan Human Terrain Team #1, in support of Task Force Currahee based at FOB SALERNO, Khowst Province.
Michael was killed on May 7 when the Humvee he was riding in was struck by an IED. Michael was traveling in a convoy of four vehicles, which were en route to a remote sector of Khowst province. For many years, this part of Khowst had been plagued by a violent inter-tribal conflict concerning land rights. Michael had identified this tribal dispute as a research priority, and was excited to finally be able to visit this area. This trip was the brigade's initial mission into the area, and it was their intention to initiate a negotiation process between the tribes.
Michael was in the lead vehicle with four other soldiers. Initial forensics indicate that the IED was triggered by a command detonated wire. Michael died immediately in the explosion. Two Army soldiers from Task Force Currahee were also killed in the attack, and two were critically injured.
During the course of his seven-month tour, Michael's work saved the lives of both US soldiers and Afghan civilians. His former brigade commander, COL Marty Schweitzer testified before Congress on 24 April that the Human Terrain Team of which Michael was a member helped the brigade reduce its lethal operations by 60 to 70%, increase the number of districts supporting the Afghan government from 15 to 83, and reduce Afghan civilian deaths from over 70 during the previous brigade's tour to 11 during the 4-82's tour.
A copy of Colonel Schweitzer's comments can be found at the Human Terrain System web page.
We will remember Michael for his personal courage, his willingness to endure danger and hardship, his incisive intelligence, his playful sense of humor, his confidence, his devoted character, and his powerful inner light. While his life has ended, he has not disappeared without a trace. He left a powerful effect behind, which will be felt by his friends and colleagues and by the people of Afghanistan for many years to come.
Steve Fondacaro
Program Manager
Montgomery McFate
Senior Social Science Advisor