MADRID -- One of the by-products of the three-day interfaith dialogue conference held in Madrid earlier this week at the initiative of Saudi Arabias King Abdullah is what some observers describe as four conflicting schools of thought: the optimists, who believe that eventually everything will fall in order; the pessimists, who like the cartoon character Chicken Little, believe that the sky is falling; and wishful thinkers – among this category one can include Saudi Arabia – who believe that if they wish for something strong enough to happen, it happens. At least in their mindset. And finally, there are the critics of the Saudi initiative, who regardless of what this conference may have achieved, or will achieve, will only look at the dark side of Arabia.
CAIRO -- Television and radio is again under threat in Egypt. The government is currently reviewing a new draft law from the ministry of information that would make it even more difficult for the transmission of audio and visual materials from Egypt.
EDITORIAL
Of all the verdicts on the birth of the Mediterranean Union, the brainchild of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the most striking came from the West African state of Senegal.
OPINION
Shebaa Farms is a sliver of land located in the border area between Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It can play an important role, much larger than its size. An agreement on that area – located some 16 square miles on the western slopes of the Hermon mountain range – can help create a much-needed momentum for peace in the region.
"I never expected anything like it" was the comment of one Pakistani Muslim attending the World Conference on Dialogue organized by the Muslim World League and hosted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
