Militants’ Threat to Pakistan

Petraeus Warns About Militants’ Threat to Pakistan
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: April 1, 2009
Courtesy: New York Times
WASHINGTON – Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, warned a Senate panel on Wednesday that militant extremists in Pakistan “could literally take down their state” if left unchallenged, as he and two other top officials presented a grim picture of growing dangers in the region.

The Namaz, Mazhab, and Masjid

by Khurram Chaudhry
In Saudi Arabia if you are found wandering the streets during the time of Salaa (Namaz) and have a green colored Aqama, then you are liable to get caned and forced into one of those building they miscall Masjid in the Kingdom. This is what is perceived as the “Islamic” state by the post-Yazid Sunni school of thought. It is perceived as imperative for a successful society to implement such measures as these measures ensure that the flock is in order and all citizens are exercising what is “fard” or obligatory upon them. I have yet to see any positive result of this and when I mention this I often get uncomfortable stares from the vast majority of “believers” who would rather I not touch upon this subject.

Could carrot to Pakistan bite U.S.? Democrat: Aid could backfire if they feel they’re being bought

Courtesy: Chicago Tribune
By Julian E. Barnes, Washington Bureau
2 April 2009
WASHINGTON- A senior Democratic senator raised questions Wednesday about the Obama administration’s plans to prod the Pakistan government to take more aggressive action against extremists by increasing foreign aid to Islamabad.