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Another update.
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Salaam
Another update.
Salaam
Guess whats happening in Saudi Arabia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkHQbf-nwnY
E Michael Jones makes a similar point from a very different perspectives calling it the 'gay disco'.
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Another update.
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Now Putins getting in on the act. Seem he wants to remake Islam in his own image.
Moscow's Little-Noticed Islamic Outreach Effort
Russia is promoting Islamic moderation in unison with Arab powers—and further cementing its position in the Middle East.
Russia’s growing presence in the Middle East is generally discussed in military and economic terms. Moscow’s 2015 intervention in Syria to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad increased its influence with Iran and enabled it to draw a wedge between Turkey and the United States. In the last few years, Moscow has also drawn closer to Washington’s traditional allies in the Persian Gulf, in the form of arms sales and investments.
A little noticed trend, however, is Moscow’s focus on promoting politically pacifist Islam, which has coincided with an aggressive push by certain Arab countries to combat Islamism.
The Russian emissary for this effort is Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen republic. For Kadyrov, opposition to Islamic extremism is an extension of the war in Chechnya, in which he fought on behalf of Moscow against the separatist Chechen movement. An early example of the Russian-Arab religious alliance was an international conference of Islamic scholars held in the Chechen capital, Grozny, by Kadyrov in September 2016. The conference was co-organized by religious leaders with close ties to the governments in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates—two countries widely perceived to be particularly hostile to political Islam—and played host to clerics from Syria. Attendants were dismissive of the fundamentalist strand of Islam known as Salafism, officially practiced in Saudi Arabia. For that reason, the event was perceived as an effort to isolate Saudi Arabia. But Moscow has since established warmer ties with the Saudi leadership.
In October 2017, during a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz reportedly discussed Islamic proselytization in Russia. Saudi and Russian officials told Theodore Karasik, a Russia expert in Washington, that the king agreed to pull the plug on mosque funding and proselytization. (Last February, Riyadh made a similar move when it gave up control of Belgium’s largest mosque, notorious as a breeding ground for extremism.)
Over the summer, Kadyrov was welcomed like royalty in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities let him inside Prophet Mohammed’s room, which is closed to all but special guests. And even though Kadyrov is a follower of Sufism, which Saudi Salafis consider a deviant religious sect, he was allowed to perform and record Sufi rituals in the room. The episode shows that, while theological schisms remain vast between the views of Kadyrov and his Saudi hosts, the Russian-Saudi relationship is strong. Kadyrov has become a personal friend of many Arab leaders, including close American allies Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.
Russia’s Islamic outreach is driven by several factors, first among them domestic worries. Muslims constitute nearly 15 percent of the Russian population, and Moscow fought two religious and nationalist insurrections in the Muslim-majority North Caucasus region. The rise of Islamic State and al-Qaeda in Syria increased Moscow’s concerns about an extremist threat, especially given the sizable role of jihadis from North Caucasus within the two groups.
Three weeks after the Russians first intervened in Syria, in September 2015, Putin urged Russian Islamic leaders to stand against extremism. “Their ideology is built on lies, on open perversion of Islam,” he said. “They are trying to recruit followers in our country as well.”
Russia may also be attempting to counter the widespread perception that Moscow is hostile to Islam (because of the lingering legacy of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan) or to Sunni Islam in particular (because the country is associated with Iran and its proxies). “Internationally, Moscow is utilizing the Chechen factor to offset criticism that Russia is part of the Shiite alliance,” said Yury Barmin, a political analyst specializing in Russia’s Middle East policy. “The Chechen military police in Syria is case in point. The Chechens are rebuilding the Grand Mosque in Aleppo as well, which may be seen as an attempt to be more appealing to Syria’s Sunni population.”
Yet another motivating factor is Moscow’s desire to distinguish itself from the U.S. Russia’s Islamic outreach became more visible, at least in the Middle East, in 2016, precisely when anti-Muslim sentiments in Western countries appeared on the rise and Russian trolls and bots were spewing anti-Muslim rhetoric on American political forums.
“Russia is generally investing in the idea that it is not America, it is not against Islam, it is offering a moderate alternative, and their tool in this is Ramzan Kadyrov and the Chechen model,” said a political analyst of Chechen origins. “Chechnya is known … to people in the region.”
On the Arab side, governments are willing to partner with Russia in part because they see value in Kadyrov.
“Ramzan Kadyrov has made it one of his top priorities in recent years to build friendships throughout the Middle East, in particular the Gulf. Kadyrov portrays Chechnya as essentially an independent Islamic state,” said Neil Hauer, a Georgia-based political analyst on Syria, Russia, and the Caucasus. “Kadyrov also offers Arab and Gulf leaders … his experience in crushing a domestic Islamist insurgency.”
The scale of the push against political and Salafi Islam is unprecedented in the Arab world. Several countries in the Middle East and North Africa are working together more closely than ever to suppress extremism and steer local populations to a new understanding of streets protests as a tool of Jihadists and an obstacle to social peace.
Even Syria, a close Russia ally that was until recently isolated by most of its neighbors, could become part of this effort. Damascus recently introduced a law that would require authorities to “systematically” counter political Islam and “Wahhabism,” as the Salafi brand in Saudi Arabia is widely known, across the various sectors of state and society.
The U.S. and other Western countries may not accept the principle that Islamists and Salafis are as dangerous as militant jihadis. Russia, by promoting a particular brand of Islamic moderation in unison with Arab powers, could cement its position in the region more deeply than through economic and military means alone.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/ar...-islam/579394/
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Another update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPkUahtyMWI&t=14s
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Oh dear, MSM media promoting 'liberal' Islam, again.
Forced secularization might be a 'bad' idea? how long did it take you to figure this out?
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Another update
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I see MBS 'modernisation' programme is proceeding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPBXoUxP6kY
Mariah Carey defies activists to perform in Saudi Arabia
Singer’s publicists claim the show is ‘a positive step towards the dissolution of gender segregation’ in the kingdom
The singer Mariah Carey has been criticised by women’s rights campaigners, who have accused her of helping to airbrush Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record by agreeing to perform there.
Carey appeared with DJ Tiesto, Sean Paul and the Yemen-born singer Balqees Fathi on Thursday in what she has claimed was an opportunity to work towards gender desegregation in the kingdom.
Activists, however, have rejected that. “The Saudi government is using entertainment to distract the people from human rights abuses because it can sense the anger among the public,” said Omaima al-Najjar, a Saudi woman who sought political refuge abroad and co-founded Women for Rights in Saudi Arabia (WARSA).
Najjar said the kingdom uses concerts as a diversion from the Saudi-led war in neighbouring Yemen, human rights abuses committed under the crown prince and repressive male guardianship laws that restrict women’s freedoms.
WARSA launched a petition calling on the singer to boycott the country. It said it was focused on Carey because “she has power to stand for women … as an artist and as a female”.
Other campaigners had urged Carey to take notice of fellow Saudi women’s rights activists who have been imprisoned in recent months, and Najjar said artists such as Carey should make their performances in Saudi Arabia conditional on the release of such people. She said a boycott would not impact ordinary Saudis because many could not afford concert tickets, which started at about £60, with VIP seats costing about £400.
Carey’s publicists told the Associated Press that, when “presented with the offer to perform for an international and mixed gender audience in Saudi Arabia, Mariah accepted the opportunity as a positive step towards the dissolution of gender segregation”.
They added: “As the first female international artist to perform in Saudi Arabia, Mariah recognises the cultural significance of this event and will continue to support global efforts towards equality for all.” The statement said that Carey “looks forward to bringing inspiration and encouragement to all audiences.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...n-saudi-arabia
@Junon :
Does this news has any weight...?
''Saudi Arabia will be divided into four regions; Mecca and Medina will be run as a structure similar to the Vatican.
The second Riyadh-based region will be the capital of the “moderate Islam” project. The rest of Saudi territories will be annexed for the purpose of establishing a “Great Israel.”
A Shia state will be established in the regions of Al-Qatif and al-Dammam......
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/t...0%2C3666804205
Probably not. Look I love reading Yeni Safak but it is an AKP mouth-piece. So if you are not biased towards Erdogan, you should believe the news.
Could still happen though.
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After what Saudis did in Egypt and Algeria, can't really say I feel remotely sorry. It won't be long now.
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Another update.
https://videos.files.wordpress.com/Y...penalty_hd.mp4
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Hmmm I think some of its plausible for instance the whole 'moderate Islam' project. You have scholars being arrested and jailed for not toeing the line. Then you have the pathetic Blair 'advising' the Saudis about reform.
You can see the 'moderate Islam' project appearing in the UK.
The purpose of the 'moderate Islam' project. To deform, degrade and eventually destroy.
Christians in the UK has already gone through the 'moderate Christianity' process and we can see the results
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv3cZ7qdajs&t=70s
On the 'Greater Israel' project. I dont think they would cede that much and Israel could take it if they wanted to. Israel does have the problem of being crowded.
Theres no military force apart from (whether you like them or not) Hezbollah who can deter them. Though I think Israel would rather economically and then culturally control the region around them (now that the region has been successfully fragmented) rather than physically expand.
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Another update
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More on the moderate Islam project.
Related? The new religion Saudi Arabia is embracing.
Who Are the Enemies of Nationalism? or Patriotism?
” we are not easternizing or westernizing. We are modernizing”
Fatimah Ba’ashan, former Saudi spokesperson in United States.
Enemies of nationalism and patriotism are the enemies of original identity, heritage, culture and enemies of nation’s sovereignty or even national security. The plan to modernize Saudi Arabia is welcomed by general Saudi public as it comes from Saudi people and devoted to Saudi people in first place. Throughout the history of the kingdom, neither Saudi royal family, nor Saudi people were ashamed of their original identity. Saudis have full respect to their tribal culture with strong family bonds and appreciation to the variety of heritage and traditions of the kingdom.
When Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman describes the Saudi people, he says: ” I am one out of 20 million Saudis. I am nothing without them!” or he says: “Saudi people are glorious and great as Tuwaiq mountains. Nothing can put their ambitions down except when Tuwaiq is smashed by the level of the ground!“. His royal highness has been inspiring the Saudis especially the young generation to work hard for Saudi Arabia, to keep their ambitions high and to believe in the future vision 2030 that is mainly made to modernize the country and utilize the existing capabilities. The crown prince is confident that Saudi Arabia’s massive reform plan will succeed and the reason why according to him is” we have all the elements of success to create something great and exceptional and the most important element is the Saudi people!”. He keeps referring to his people to have the most important role.
Is Media the enemy of Saudi People?
As opposed to the Saudi crown prince’s statements and efforts to encourages his people, media and journalists made Saudi people their own enemies by coming up with different accusations as an attempt to demonize the Saudi people or their roles in defending their country throughout the anti-Saudi media campaigns. They accused Saudi Twitter users to be bots, Mongolian attack, traitors، etc. However, the anti-Saudi people accusations reached new low when the Bloomberg reporter Vivian Nereim published an article about: ‘Traitor is the new infidel as nationalism grips Saudi Arabia’.
Bloomberg’s article that criticized nationalism lacks any credibility!
This article has deviated from reality in many ways. first of all, nobody calls anyone as ‘infidels’ in Saudi Arabia except those who are known to belong to muslim brotherhood organization that the crown prince is trying to eradicate from the country. Second, the quoted stories belonged to those people who actually attacked Saudi public and called them ‘traitors’ such as Muna Abu Suliman. Third, criticizing nationalism as an obstacle to Saudi vision is a completely false propaganda. The truth is exactly the opposite!
Nationalism versus Socialism
Over decades and especially over the last years how mass immigration in Europe and globalist agenda resulted in many issues. Yellow vest protests against UN migration pact has spread to many western countries. Yellow vest protestors were also disappointed how mass immigration is destroying the country’s identity, increased fights between different religious groups or even threatened the national security! Protesters were looking for improving their own life conditions rather than bringing foreigners with different ethnic, religious and cultural background, etc
Nationalism is necessary in Saudi Arabia to succeed under vision 2030
Nationalism and patriotism are the necessary elements for any country’s prosperity. In order for Saudi massive reform plans to succeed, the reforms have to come from within the country rather than be dictated by foreigners. All foreign interferences in Saudi internal affairs so far were not welcomed by neither Saudi government nor Saudi people, were baseless and didn’t serve any of the country’s interests. Saudi crown prince’s message to the world was clear in this regards. and as former Saudi spokeswoman is United States, Fatima Ba’ashan stated:” we are not easternizing or westernizing. We are modernizing”. These facts has to be respected by media and journalists as targeting Saudi public was not and will not be successful!
https://opiniononmedia.home.blog/201...or-patriotism/
Salaam
Another update
Saudi Arabia holds ‘secret trial’ for prominent cleric Al-Ouda
The Saudi authorities have “secretly” held a trial in absentia for the kingdom’s jailed prominent cleric Sheikh Salman Al-Ouda, his family reported yesterday.”
This time, the state authorities did not let my father [Al-Ouda] attend the trial,” his son, Abdullah, said on Twitter, adding that Saudi prosecutor reaffirmed on his previous request of killing Al-Ouda.
Al-Ouda is the assistant secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, which Riyadh considers a terrorist organization. He was arrested on 10 September 2017 as part of a massive detention campaign, initiated under the order of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, against opponents of the kingdom’s policy regarding the blockade on the Gulf state of Qatar.
The Imprisoned cleric was reported to have been arrested from his home without a warrant a few hours after posting a tweet reacting to the Gulf crisis, in which he said: “May God harmonise between their hearts for what is good for their people.”
In November 2017, the kingdom authorities arrested a group of senior Sheikhs, scholars, businessmen, wealthy people and ministers, in what was said to be a “war against corruption,” which was considered an attempt to obtain full control over the political scene. Dozens of Islamists, writers and academics who criticized Riyadh’s foreign policy were also arrested.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20...leric-al-ouda/
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The gulf shiekhs 'moderate Islam' project is proceeding apace.
Some comments.
Salaam
Another update.
As a muslim I have never supported liberalization or secularization of any muslim country. But is it really wrong to feel happy inside to see the collapse of Saudis and their sect? If liberalization of Saudi means they will stop funding their sect, stop funding destabilizing terrorists, stop sectarian war in other countries, then it's a price well paying.
Ideally stopping Saudis from supporting Israel, supporting USA, fudning military coups and supporting secular dictatorships is still a massive problem.
However, it's important to remember even being secularized, UAE keeps funding terror groups in coutnries like Somalia.