Soon to be launched Elan: a magazine of contemporary Muslim culture, is on the lookout for talented journalists! Our start-up four-color glossy magazine is scheduled to launch Fall 2007, and we need a few good writers to work on short topical pieces 200-300 words) as well as longer, investigative features (2,000-3,000 words). The topics range from Music and Fashion to Media and Culture—all with an American Muslim focus.
Elan is dedicated to quality reporting on the current trends in the arts, business and contemporary Muslim lifestyle. We will also provide a public forum for the young professional community in print and on the web. Elan represents, embraces and commemorates the unique and distinct lifestyles of American Muslim, making Elsan a handbook for the chic Muslim. Our cosmopolitan publication is committed to incorporating all interpretations of Islam, realizing unity within our diversity.
For more information, please submit a resume and writing samples (pasted into the body of the e-mail---no attachments, please!) to: elan@elanthemag.com
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Jordanian group urges protections for journalists and free speech
Jordanian group calls for banning arrest of journalists
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Friday, February 23, 2007
AMMAN: A Jordanian rights group urged Parliament Thursday to adopt "clear and frank" legislation banning the arrest or imprisonment of journalists. The appeal came in a report on the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) Web site detailing the state of political, economic, social and environmental rights issues in Jordan in 2006. The NCHR "recommends the adoption of a clear and frank legislation that prohibits arrests or imprisonment in issues related to the press and publication," it said. The report also urged the government to scrap legislation allowing it to own shares in newspapers. "The government controls, through its funds, 60 percent of shares in Al-Rai newspaper, and 35 percent in Al-Dustour newspaper and interferes in their editorial policies," it said. The NCHR also called for legislation "guaranteeing the right to information" and pleaded for journalists on trial for perceived publication offenses to be heard by civil courts instead of the state security court. On Wednesday, journalists observed a one-hour work stoppage to protest a bill that would allow them to be jailed for publication offenses. Parliament later indefinitely postponed its deliberations on the bill until the government reinstates the Information Ministry, which was scrapped by royal decree in 2001. - AFP
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Friday, February 23, 2007
AMMAN: A Jordanian rights group urged Parliament Thursday to adopt "clear and frank" legislation banning the arrest or imprisonment of journalists. The appeal came in a report on the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) Web site detailing the state of political, economic, social and environmental rights issues in Jordan in 2006. The NCHR "recommends the adoption of a clear and frank legislation that prohibits arrests or imprisonment in issues related to the press and publication," it said. The report also urged the government to scrap legislation allowing it to own shares in newspapers. "The government controls, through its funds, 60 percent of shares in Al-Rai newspaper, and 35 percent in Al-Dustour newspaper and interferes in their editorial policies," it said. The NCHR also called for legislation "guaranteeing the right to information" and pleaded for journalists on trial for perceived publication offenses to be heard by civil courts instead of the state security court. On Wednesday, journalists observed a one-hour work stoppage to protest a bill that would allow them to be jailed for publication offenses. Parliament later indefinitely postponed its deliberations on the bill until the government reinstates the Information Ministry, which was scrapped by royal decree in 2001. - AFP
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Committee to Protect Journalists condemns arrest of blogger critical of Egypt
CPJ Condemns Blogger’s Conviction for Insulting Islam
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA
Phone: (212) 4651004
Fax: (212) 4659568 Web: www.cpj.org
E-Mail: media@cpj.org
http://www.cpj.org
Contact: Abi Wright
e-mail: info@cpj.org
Telephone: (212) 465-1004 x-105
EGYPT: CPJ Condemns Blogger’s Conviction for Insulting Islam, President Mubarak
New York, February 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement in response to today’s conviction of Internet writer Abdel Karim Suleiman, who was found guilty of insulting Islam and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Alexandria.
“With this verdict, Egypt has opened up a new front in its efforts to stifle media freedoms,” said CPJ Middle East Program Coordinator Joel Campagna. “It sets an alarming precedent for the criminalization of online expression and will surely have a debilitating effect on an all independent media in Egypt. Abdel Karim Suleiman should be released immediately.”
According to CPJ research, Internet writers and editors are the fastest growing segment of imprisoned journalists worldwide, with 49 behind bars as of December 2006. CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA
Phone: (212) 4651004
Fax: (212) 4659568 Web: www.cpj.org
E-Mail: media@cpj.org
http://www.cpj.org
Contact: Abi Wright
e-mail: info@cpj.org
Telephone: (212) 465-1004 x-105
EGYPT: CPJ Condemns Blogger’s Conviction for Insulting Islam, President Mubarak
New York, February 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement in response to today’s conviction of Internet writer Abdel Karim Suleiman, who was found guilty of insulting Islam and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Alexandria.
“With this verdict, Egypt has opened up a new front in its efforts to stifle media freedoms,” said CPJ Middle East Program Coordinator Joel Campagna. “It sets an alarming precedent for the criminalization of online expression and will surely have a debilitating effect on an all independent media in Egypt. Abdel Karim Suleiman should be released immediately.”
According to CPJ research, Internet writers and editors are the fastest growing segment of imprisoned journalists worldwide, with 49 behind bars as of December 2006. CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
Egypt blogger jailed for "insult"
Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'
BBC News Feb. 22, 2007
An Egyptian court has sentenced a blogger to four years' prison for insulting Islam and the president.
Abdel Kareem Soliman's trial was the first time that a blogger had been prosecuted in Egypt.
He had used his web log to criticise the country's top Islamic institution, al-Azhar university and President Hosni Mubarak, whom he called a dictator.
A human rights group called the verdict "very tough" and a "strong message" to Egypt's thousands of bloggers.
Soliman, 22, was tried in his native city of Alexandria. He blogs under the name Kareem Amer.
A former student at al-Azhar, he called the institution "the university of terrorism" and accused it of suppressing free thought.
The university expelled him in 2006 and pressed prosecutors to put him on trial.
'Slap in the face'
During the five-minute court session the judge said Soliman was guilty and would serve three years for insulting Islam and inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mr Mubarak.
Egypt arrested a number of bloggers who had been critical of the government during 2006, but they were all subsequently freed.
Hafiz Abou Saada of the Egyptian Human Rights Organisation called the sentence "a strong message to all bloggers who are put under strong surveillance".
The UK-based organisation Amnesty International said the ruling was "yet another slap in the face of freedom for expression in Egypt".
Fellow blogger Amr Gharbeia told the BBC it would not stop Egyptian bloggers from expressing opinions as "it is very difficult to control the blogosphere".
There have been no reported comments on the sentence from the Egyptian authorities.
BBC News Feb. 22, 2007
An Egyptian court has sentenced a blogger to four years' prison for insulting Islam and the president.
Abdel Kareem Soliman's trial was the first time that a blogger had been prosecuted in Egypt.
He had used his web log to criticise the country's top Islamic institution, al-Azhar university and President Hosni Mubarak, whom he called a dictator.
A human rights group called the verdict "very tough" and a "strong message" to Egypt's thousands of bloggers.
Soliman, 22, was tried in his native city of Alexandria. He blogs under the name Kareem Amer.
A former student at al-Azhar, he called the institution "the university of terrorism" and accused it of suppressing free thought.
The university expelled him in 2006 and pressed prosecutors to put him on trial.
'Slap in the face'
During the five-minute court session the judge said Soliman was guilty and would serve three years for insulting Islam and inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mr Mubarak.
Egypt arrested a number of bloggers who had been critical of the government during 2006, but they were all subsequently freed.
Hafiz Abou Saada of the Egyptian Human Rights Organisation called the sentence "a strong message to all bloggers who are put under strong surveillance".
The UK-based organisation Amnesty International said the ruling was "yet another slap in the face of freedom for expression in Egypt".
Fellow blogger Amr Gharbeia told the BBC it would not stop Egyptian bloggers from expressing opinions as "it is very difficult to control the blogosphere".
There have been no reported comments on the sentence from the Egyptian authorities.
CAIR Video contest to promote understanding: deadline April 15, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR ANNOUNCES $10K VIDEO CONTEST TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Two $5,000 prizes to be awarded for 'Let the Conversation Begin' digital videos(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/22/2007) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today announced an online digital video contest designed to help promote mutual understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths in America and worldwide.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it will offer two $5,000 prizes for videos up to one minute long that are the most effective in promoting interfaith understanding and communicating the contest theme of "Let the Conversation Begin." (The videos are limited to one minute in length because they may be used as television public service announcements.)"Our video contest theme is a reflection both of CAIR's mission and of our belief that people of all faiths in America and around the world must begin talking to each other to help build trust and respect for differences," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. He added that the contest is also designed to identify and recognize talented video producers in the American Muslim community.
Awad said one prize will be awarded to a member of America's Islamic community whose video is deemed most effective at promoting mutual understanding between American Muslims and people of other faiths. The other prize will be awarded to a person of any faith, anywhere in the world, whose video is most effective at promoting mutual understanding between the Islamic World and America.
Video submissions will be accepted between February 23 and April 15, 2007. Audio (if any) must be in English or with English sub-titles, and the videos must be submitted in .avi, .mov, or .mpg using .zip format.All CAIR video contest submissions will be evaluated for originality and creativity, production quality and effectiveness in promoting mutual understanding. Winners will also have their videos posted on www.YouTube.com and on www.cair.com.
SEE: CAIR 'Let the Conversation Begin' Video Contest RulesCAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
-----
CAIRCouncil on American-Islamic Relations453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.Washington, D.C. 20003Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726Fax: 202-488-0833E-mail: info@cair.comURL: http://www.cair.com
CAIR ANNOUNCES $10K VIDEO CONTEST TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Two $5,000 prizes to be awarded for 'Let the Conversation Begin' digital videos(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/22/2007) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today announced an online digital video contest designed to help promote mutual understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths in America and worldwide.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it will offer two $5,000 prizes for videos up to one minute long that are the most effective in promoting interfaith understanding and communicating the contest theme of "Let the Conversation Begin." (The videos are limited to one minute in length because they may be used as television public service announcements.)"Our video contest theme is a reflection both of CAIR's mission and of our belief that people of all faiths in America and around the world must begin talking to each other to help build trust and respect for differences," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. He added that the contest is also designed to identify and recognize talented video producers in the American Muslim community.
Awad said one prize will be awarded to a member of America's Islamic community whose video is deemed most effective at promoting mutual understanding between American Muslims and people of other faiths. The other prize will be awarded to a person of any faith, anywhere in the world, whose video is most effective at promoting mutual understanding between the Islamic World and America.
Video submissions will be accepted between February 23 and April 15, 2007. Audio (if any) must be in English or with English sub-titles, and the videos must be submitted in .avi, .mov, or .mpg using .zip format.All CAIR video contest submissions will be evaluated for originality and creativity, production quality and effectiveness in promoting mutual understanding. Winners will also have their videos posted on www.YouTube.com and on www.cair.com.
SEE: CAIR 'Let the Conversation Begin' Video Contest RulesCAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
- END -
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
-----
CAIRCouncil on American-Islamic Relations453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.Washington, D.C. 20003Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726Fax: 202-488-0833E-mail: info@cair.comURL: http://www.cair.com
Monday, February 12, 2007
ADC 2007 Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship applications open
2007 Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship
Purpose: To recognize Arab-American students who excel in Media Studies. Amount: $1000 Eligibility: Juniors, Seniors, or Graduate Students. Must be attending college in the 2007-08 academic year. Must be majoring in Mass Communications, Journalism, Radio, Television, and/or Film. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen of Arab heritage Applicants should send the following to the ADC Research Institute: A one-page statement stating that you are a US citizen, explaining your goals and why you merit the scholarship. Copies of articles, videos, films, etc. Official academic transcripts including your GPA. Two letters of recommendation from Mass Communications professors. Permanent home address, phone number, email address; also address, phone number, and email address during the school year. Deadline: April 12, 2007 Awards will be announced and presented during ADC's Annual Convention in Washington, DC. Send materials to: Attn: Nawar Shora ADC Research Institute (ADCRI) 1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, DC 20007 Tel: 202-244-2990 Fax: 202-244-7968
To donate or become a member of ADC click here:
https://www.adc.org/membership/
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination CommitteeOrganizing Department1732 Wisconsin Ave NW.Washington, DC. 20007, U.S.A.Tel: (202) 244-2990
E-mail: organizing@adc.org
Web : http://www.adc.org
Purpose: To recognize Arab-American students who excel in Media Studies. Amount: $1000 Eligibility: Juniors, Seniors, or Graduate Students. Must be attending college in the 2007-08 academic year. Must be majoring in Mass Communications, Journalism, Radio, Television, and/or Film. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen of Arab heritage Applicants should send the following to the ADC Research Institute: A one-page statement stating that you are a US citizen, explaining your goals and why you merit the scholarship. Copies of articles, videos, films, etc. Official academic transcripts including your GPA. Two letters of recommendation from Mass Communications professors. Permanent home address, phone number, email address; also address, phone number, and email address during the school year. Deadline: April 12, 2007 Awards will be announced and presented during ADC's Annual Convention in Washington, DC. Send materials to: Attn: Nawar Shora ADC Research Institute (ADCRI) 1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, DC 20007 Tel: 202-244-2990 Fax: 202-244-7968
To donate or become a member of ADC click here:
https://www.adc.org/membership/
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination CommitteeOrganizing Department1732 Wisconsin Ave NW.Washington, DC. 20007, U.S.A.Tel: (202) 244-2990
E-mail: organizing@adc.org
Web : http://www.adc.org
Saturday, February 03, 2007
CPJ: Journalists in Iraq still missing one year later
Iraq: Journalists still missing one year on
New York, February 2, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned that more than a year after Iraqi journalists Marwan Ghazal and Reem Zaeed were abducted by gunmen in Baghdad they remain missing.
“The plight of Marwan Ghazal and Reem Zaeed underscores the enormous dangers faced by all journalists covering this conflict, but especially those largely anonymous, local reporters who are most at risk,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said. “Alive or dead they must not be forgotten. If they are still being held, Iraqi authorities should do everything to find them.”
Ghazal and Zaeed, who worked for the Iraqi satellite channel Al-Sumaria, were seized by several gunmen driving a blue Opel car outside the offices of the Iraqi Islamic Party in Baghdad’s Yarmouk district at midday on February 1, 2006, according to a family member of one of the journalists and a news editor at Al-Sumaria.
The abduction occurred when Zaeed went to pick up Ghazal from a press conference at which the Iraqi Islamic Party had accused Iraqi police and security forces of human rights abuses, according to a source at Al-Sumaria. Zaeed had been coming from her own assignment, reporting on a meeting at the Baghdad offices of the Red Crescent. CPJ sources said that the gunmen ordered Zaeed and Ghazal to get out of the car, assaulted one of Zaeed’s cameramen who resisted, and drove off with the two journalists.
Journalists from Al-Sumaria say there has been no news of Ghazal and Zaeed’s whereabouts and that their captors have made no effort to contact Al-Sumaria or the journalists’ families. They also expressed the concern of journalists that the authorities had failed to take action, noting that a description of the kidnappers and their vehicle was provided to the interior ministry.
Ghazal and Zaeed, both in their early 20s, had started out at Al-Sumaria less than five months before their abduction. Al-Sumaria is a privately-owned Iraqi Satellite TV Network established in 2004.
According to CPJ research, at least 43 journalists have been abducted since 2004. CPJ is investigating the circumstances behind the abductions of five other journalists seized in the last year to determine if their abduction was related to their work.
CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
New York, February 2, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned that more than a year after Iraqi journalists Marwan Ghazal and Reem Zaeed were abducted by gunmen in Baghdad they remain missing.
“The plight of Marwan Ghazal and Reem Zaeed underscores the enormous dangers faced by all journalists covering this conflict, but especially those largely anonymous, local reporters who are most at risk,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said. “Alive or dead they must not be forgotten. If they are still being held, Iraqi authorities should do everything to find them.”
Ghazal and Zaeed, who worked for the Iraqi satellite channel Al-Sumaria, were seized by several gunmen driving a blue Opel car outside the offices of the Iraqi Islamic Party in Baghdad’s Yarmouk district at midday on February 1, 2006, according to a family member of one of the journalists and a news editor at Al-Sumaria.
The abduction occurred when Zaeed went to pick up Ghazal from a press conference at which the Iraqi Islamic Party had accused Iraqi police and security forces of human rights abuses, according to a source at Al-Sumaria. Zaeed had been coming from her own assignment, reporting on a meeting at the Baghdad offices of the Red Crescent. CPJ sources said that the gunmen ordered Zaeed and Ghazal to get out of the car, assaulted one of Zaeed’s cameramen who resisted, and drove off with the two journalists.
Journalists from Al-Sumaria say there has been no news of Ghazal and Zaeed’s whereabouts and that their captors have made no effort to contact Al-Sumaria or the journalists’ families. They also expressed the concern of journalists that the authorities had failed to take action, noting that a description of the kidnappers and their vehicle was provided to the interior ministry.
Ghazal and Zaeed, both in their early 20s, had started out at Al-Sumaria less than five months before their abduction. Al-Sumaria is a privately-owned Iraqi Satellite TV Network established in 2004.
According to CPJ research, at least 43 journalists have been abducted since 2004. CPJ is investigating the circumstances behind the abductions of five other journalists seized in the last year to determine if their abduction was related to their work.
CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
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