Saleh al Qallab, in a comment piece for the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jarida, wrote that Iran will commit a major political blunder if it continues behaving in such a reckless manner about its nuclear programme. "This will put the Islamic republic in a situation that is preferable for the US and its western allies, very similar to Iraq in years past. Iran is betting on the wrong horse and it needs to understand that it is rotting from inside. Moreover, it is increasingly living in isolation and has exposed itself to an air attack if it continues to be obstinate and act defiantly."
The wise voices in Iran should oppose the president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is heading towards a disaster. He is leading his country to utter destruction. Rational minds in Iran should also understand that the policies of their president are risk a calamity similar to post-Second World War Germany and present-day Iraq. Iran is in both a deep internal crisis and international isolation as the mighty Russia and China have joined the US, Europe and Israel. Since it is governed by a regime which is unable to grasp the lessons of history nor understand its present circumstances, the country is being gradually dragged towards military action.
A mosque's minaret is not a spear but a religious symbol, wrote Satea Nourredine in an opinion piece for the Lebanese newspaper Al Safear. Out of the blue, Switzerland has decided to join the debate over Islamic symbols at the level of its constitution by introducing new amendments that were backed by the Swiss people. No more minarets are going to be built on Swiss territory, thereby preventing six per cent of the Swiss population from heeding calls to prayer through loudspeakers.
"It is an additional reason for tension between the Muslim world and the Christian West. It came unexpectedly from an unexpected country, putting the two sides at the mercy of extremists who see a threat in the minaret and the call to prayer. Underneath, there is a feeling that the spread of Islam in Europe is a new invasion disguised in the form of religion, and that Islamic expansion can bring to Europe wars and political conflicts taking places in many parts of the Muslim world." Though the poll results were a surprise, they have not stirred up the acute reactions that arose when the Danish cartoons were published some years ago. Still, Switzerland, a country that has always been seen as model of freedoms and multiculturalism, will be exposed as a biased state in unjustified confrontation with the Muslim world.
"We would like to express our appreciation for the Saudi royal decision to form a committee to investigate the Jeddah flood which caused the deaths of many. It is heartening that King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz did not accept flimsy excuses," wrote Tariq Alhomayed in an opinion piece for the London-based newspaper Al Sharq al Awsat.
"Instead, King Abdullah took a very honourable decision when he said that the state would bear the cost of property losses and give one million Saudi riyals [Dh979,000] to every single family that lost one of its members." At issue is not a matter of money, but an ethical stance taken by the kingdom. This is seen in terms of the monarch's decision to inquire into the causes that led to such a tragedy. This would involve investigating officials and government departments.
It is true that negligence and corruption can happen anywhere, but the disaster is worsened when irregularities are covered up or overlooked. From this perspective, the royal decision is timely and wise. "This newspaper strongly supports the royal statement and considers it fair. As we and others requested accountability, we feel honoured to say thank you to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."
"The occupied Palestinian Territories are seriously on the verge of a new intifada as all the roads leading to a peaceful solution are completely blocked," remarked Waleed Mohammed al Saadi in an opinion article for the Jordanian newspaper Al Rai. It can be assumed that whenever negotiations reach such a deadlock, the general atmosphere becomes a breeding ground for a new Palestinian uprising.
This time, it is likely to be more robust if advanced weapons enter the occupied Palestinian Territories. "This has recently prompted Israel to express its fear that Hamas has rockets that may reach Tel Aviv. Thus, there is a strong chance that the outbreak of a new intifada will come soon, unless there are further tangible initiatives to revive the stalled peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians."
* Digest compiled by Mostapha Elmouloudi @Email:melmouloudi@thenational.ae