Wednesday, April 22, 2009 15:11 - GMT

Richard D. Heideman and Daniel S. Mariaschin - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Richard D. Heidman and Daniel S. Mariaschin write that the United Nation's Durban anti-racism conference turned into an anti-Israel conference. More importantly, they argue that the negative criticism of Israel has diverted attention from other main and important topics such discrimination and intolerance in Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Darfur.  They state that 'the negative obsession with Israel -- the sole democracy in the Middle East -- is completely out of proportion.'

Friday, April 17, 2009 20:34 - GMT

Peter Singer - The Daily Star - Lebanon

In response to last month’s UN Human Rights Council resolution of condemning the defamation of religions, Peter Singer explains that curbing freedom of speech against Islam hurts the religion more than helps it. He also draws attention to a recent German court verdict against PETA organization advertisements, comparing the slaughter of animals to Jewish suffering in the Holocaust. “The fact that some forms of speech cause offense is not sufficient reason to censor them,” writes Singer.

Thursday, April 16, 2009 20:08 - GMT

Editorial - The New York Times

In this New York Times editorial, the author emphasizes the urgency and importance of releasing Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who has been imprisoned in the notorious Evin prison for espionage. With a quick trial and muddled charges, Roxana’s imprisonment is a “dangerous farce.” The editorial brings to the reader’s attention several other cases of unfair imprisonments in Iran, including that of Zahra Kazemi; the Iranian-Canadian photojournalist who died after torture in the same Evin prison.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 03:06 - GMT

Sana Khorshid - Middle East Times

Sara Khorshid speaks out against the pre-conceived associations of her background and identity as an Arab woman. She explains that she is often ‘subjected to the same list of topics and questions concerning religion and culture’ such as polygamy, domestic violence, female circumcision and women’s oppression. She also states that ‘I am sick of Muslims being put in a position that compels them to apologize for their own value system, whether or not they condemn the practice.’

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 20:30 - GMT

Brian Whitaker - The Guardian

The Guardian's Brian Whitaker writes that "Egypt took a small but important step towards freedom of belief and equal rights yesterday when a court ruled that the 'religion' section on national identity cards can be left blank." In the article, he surveys the history of religious freedom in modern Egypt with an eye to the future.

Richard D. Heidman and Daniel S. Mariaschin write that the United Nation's Durban anti-racism conference turned into an anti-Israel conference. More importantly, they argue that the negative criticism of Israel has diverted attention from other main and important topics such discrimination and intolerance in Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Darfur.  They state that 'the negative obsession with Israel -- the sole democracy in the Middle East -- is completely out of proportion.'