26 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
On 21 July 2010, clerics announced that Malaysian Muslims should not wear Manchester United football shirts because the devil emblazoned on the badge is un-Islamic. Condemnation also extended to the strips of Brazil, Norway, Serbia, Portugal and Barcelona, because their crests contain crosses. Prominent Islamic cleric Nooh Gadot described the jerseys as “very dangerous” adding that Muslims “should not worship the symbols of other religions or the devil”.
Fans reacted angrily on social networking sites, accusing the clerics of supporting United’s arch rivals Liverpool. However, despite their disapproval, Islamic authorities have stated that there are no plans to issue an edict making the shirts illegal.
26 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
On 23 July, popular Nicaraguan stand-up Luis Enrique Calderón has revealed that he was offered money by government officials in return for not ridiculing President Daniel Ortega in upcoming performances organised to celebrate the comedian’s 20 year career. The humorist, renowned for satirising famous personalities and politicians, contacted First Lady Rosario Murillo ahead of the event to gain their support for the act. Yet senior political advisor Fidel Moreno responded by offering to pay Calderón’s mortgage and give his children scholarships if he did not criticise the president or government. Calderón turned down the offer. However, since the rejection, he has received anonymous phone calls warning him that the July 29-30 concerts may yet be cancelled.
26 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Journalist Gheyrat Niyaz has been given a 15-year jail sentence by the Chinese authorities after he was found guilty of endangering Chinese national security. The Uighur journalist and blogger was given the sentence following accusations that he criticised Chinese government policy towards the Uighurs and gave evidence to Western press organisations during last year’s race related riots in Xinjiang province.
26 Jul 2010 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, News and features
The wife and brother-in-law of the lawyer who defended Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the mother of two who was sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery, have been arrested. The lawyer, Mohammed Mostafaei, who is also a human rights activist, drew international attention to the case, which eventually forced the Iranian authorites to overturn the ruling. On Saturday his office was searched and he was arrested but later released.
