Security in the Arabian Gulf the Study of Islam and Contemporary Muslim

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Security in the Arabian Gulf the Study of Islam and Contemporary Muslim NUMBER 64 WINTER 2014 OCIS NEWS OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES OCIS – ECSSR Joint Conference on Security in the Arabian Gulf at the Banqueting House. The dinner was hosted by ECSSR founder and Director General, HE Dr Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the foundation of ECSSR. Discussions continued through the weekend in the secluded surroundings of Ditchley Park. Participants included senior academics and public figures from the Gulf region, the US, UK and Europe as well as from India, Pakistan and China. Participants discussed the strategic importance of the Gulf, its military and economic security, the complex political and military developments in the wider region, and the continuing effort to resolve The Conference in session various conflicts. Particular focus was given to From 31 October – 2 November the Centre hosted an Syria and Iraq and the need to find ways to defeat extremist international colloquium on ‘Security in the Arabian trends not just militarily, but by rebutting their political Gulf’, the second in an annual series organised in and ideological narratives. This was a key global challenge, cooperation with the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and one in which the states of the region would need to and Research. Conference participants and invited play a leadership role, requiring a coordinated approach guests gathered in London on 30 October, for a dinner and a sophisticated campaign at many levels. Knowledge Exchange Conference on The Study of Islam and Contemporary Muslim Societies On 18 and 19 October, the Centre hosted a conference on the ‘Study of Islam and Contemporary Muslim Societies’, in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Director of the Centre, Dr Farhan Nizami, welcomed the guests. Dr Abdullah Lheedan delivered the inaugural speech on behalf of HE Shaikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al-Alsheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs. Sir Alan Munro, former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia responded to the opening remarks. Leading scholars from across the world participated in a weekend of discussion on the Dr Abdullah Lheedan addressing the conference, Dr Farhan Nizami history of scholarship on Islam, its current state and (centre) and Sir Alan Munro (left) future direction. The conference examined the different Martin, Emory; Dr Adel Al-Sheddi, MWL; Professor disciplinary approaches to the study of Islam and stressed Reinhard Schulze; Professor Alison Scott-Baumann; the need to preserve institutional space and funding for Dr Zaid Al-Dakkan, Riyadh; Professor Rashid Naim, this important academic endeavour. Georgia, and Professor Abdel Haleem, SOAS. Also in attendance were representatives from international Islamic Participants included, amongst others, Professor Richard organisations and political and civic bodies. WINTER 2014 / OCIS NEWS / Page 1 New Visiting Fellows New Centre Scholars at Oxford A number of Launched in 2009, the OCIS–Oxford St Hilda’s College, Saif Al-Nahayyan appointments were Scholarships and the OCIS–Khazanah Scholar; Ms Amina Khatun Ali (MChem in made at the Centre Scholarships support over 30 students from Chemistry) Trinity College, Kasim Darwesh during Michaelmas Britain and countries in Africa and Asia Term: Scholar; Mr Eu Gin Ng (Masters in Business reading for a variety of Oxford University Administration) St Hugh’s College, Merdeka Dr Adam Ng, LLB degrees. Scholars enjoy Centre activities and Scholar; Ms June Mary Rubis (DPhil in (IIUM), BCL (Oxon), are mentored by Centre fellows throughout Geography and Environment), Oriel College, PhD (INCEIF) Scholar their studies. The Centre is pleased to Merdeka Scholar; Ms Najiah Mohd Sadali in Residence in Islamic announce the appointment of the following (DPhil in Plant Sciences), Wolfson College, Finance; Dr Ahmad new Scholars: Ms Farheen Ahmed (BA in Sukkar, MRes (London), Merdeka Scholar; Ms Hande Yalnizoglu Imam Bukhari Visiting Law), Pembroke College, Kasim Darwesh (MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies), Research Fellow; Dr Scholar; Ms Rumana Ali (BA in History) St Antony’s College. Khaled Al-Suwaidi, BA (Texas), MA Encouraging Future Leaders (Westminster), PhD (London), Visiting YMLP and Alumni Reunion Research Fellow. lectures, discussions, workshops and team- Library building exercises. The programme aims to Relocation provide participants with the opportunities The initial stages of to explore diverse ways of making a positive the Centre’s Library contribution to British society. relocation to the Marston Road site To celebrate the success of the Programme were undertaken this and inaugurate the Alumni Association, summer. The OCIS the Centre held a reunion at the House of Library collection Lord Stevenson of Coddenham comprises some 14,000 Lords on Thursday 23 October. The Alumni items, mainly in print From 31 August – 13 September 2014, Association has over 200 members and more format, and also some the Centre ran its annual Young Muslim than 120 of them attended the reunion. digitised copies of Leadership Programme at Christ Church, The event was hosted by Lord Stevenson of Arabic manuscripts. It Oxford. The programme is supported by the Coddenham. It was an opportunity to reflect caters for a wide range of academic disciplines Prince’s Charities, the Amanah Foundation, on the impact of the programme and its from Classical ISESCO, and Barclays. Now in its ninth year, future. Speakers included a YMLP alumnus Islamic Sciences to the programme brought together 25 young who works in the Royal Household and the contemporary men and women from across Britain for an presented greetings to the alumni on behalf of study of all aspects intensive residential course which included HRH The Prince of Wales. of the Muslim world, Graduate Colloquium Muslims in the West, The Joy of Research and modern Muslim thinkers. The main Graduate Colloquium languages represented A Graduate Colloquium was held on (St Antony’s College), ‘Reflections on in the collection Tuesday 18 November, with postgraduate Mother–Child relation in a Muslim are English, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Malay students presenting their research to community of Margilan (Uzbekistan)’; and Turkish. Students Centre Fellows and other scholars. The Farania Rangkuti (St John’s College), and academics have following presentations were made: Selma ‘Learning from Monkeys’; Soufia Siddiqi (St been enjoying the new Harb (St Hilda’s College), ‘Al-Razi and Anne’s College), ‘Silent Girls, Talkative Boys: facilities for the first Islamic Medicine in the Ninth Century’; A Civic Puzzle from Two Schools in Lahore, time this term. Other Riccardo Jaede (St Antony’s College), Pakistan’; Shireen Walton (St Antony’s activities are scheduled to move during the ‘New Atheism and its Muslim Other: College), ‘Picturing Culture Online: Iranian course of the coming Integrating Universalist Inclusion and Photoblogs and the Enchantments of Digital year. Orientalist Exclusion’; Mukaddam Khaitova Technologies’. WINTER 2014 / OCIS NEWS / Page 2 Journal of Centre Seminar Series Islamic Studies Islamic Finance Islamic Cities Volume 25 Number 3 The Centre organised a seminar series on In Michaelmas Term, the Centre hosted The latest issue of the ‘Islamic Finance’ in Michaelmas term. It a seminar series on ‘Islamic Cities’. It JIS contains articles by was convened by Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, was convened by the Centre’s Research Sara Yıldız, on “From Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Fellow, and Fellow in Medieval Islamic History, Dr Cairo to Ayasuluk: Hacı supported by Fajr Capital. The following George Malagaris, and focused on the art, Paşa’s participation in interregional Muslim presentation were made: architechture and historical perspectives textual communities of a selection of significant Islamic cities. and the transmission Mr Iqbal Khan, CEO Fajr Capital, The of Islamic learning to History and Evolution of Islamic Finance; A number of distinguished social and western Anatolia in Mr Iqbal Asaria, Adviser to Secretary art historian presented papers. These the late 14th century”; General of MCB, Introduction to Islamic included: Ismail Fajrie Alatas on “Pilgrimage and Finance: Concepts, Products and Structures; Professor Ebba Koch, University of Vienna, Network Formation in Dr Ann Pettifor, Director, Policy Research Mughal Agra; Professor Sheila Blair, Boston two Contemporary Bā in Macroeconomics, How Keynesian College, Shiraz; Professor James Allan, ‘Alawī ‘awl in Central Monetary Theory and Policy Could Embed University of Oxford, Isfahan; Professor Java”; and Muhammad a Koranic Model of Finance; Lord Green of Shirine Hamadeh, Rice University, Istanbul; Zubair Abbasi on Hurstpierpoint, Former Minister of State Professor Amira Bennison, University of “Islamic Law and Social Change: An Insight into for Trade and Investment, The Role of Public Cambridge, Fes; Professor Hugh Kennedy, the Making of Anglo– Policy in Enabling Islamic Finance; and SOAS and University of London, Baghdad; Muhammadan Law”. Dr Alberto Brugnoni, Managing Partner and Professor Bakhrom Abdukhalimov, The issue also contains ASSAIF, Islamic Finance: Its Purpose, Current Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies, 20 book reviews of some Challenges and Future Opportunities. Bukhara. of the more important recent publications about Islam and the Distinguished Visitors at the Centre Muslim world. HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Oxford Open Doors HE Mr Abdullah Gül 2014 Centre Trustee and On Monday 27 October, HH Sayyid Haitham On the weekend Former President of bin Tariq, Minister of Heritage
Recommended publications
  • Amir Mourns H M Sultan Qaboos
    www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 8134 SUNDAY 12 JANUARY 2020 17 JUMADA I - 1441 2 RIYALS BUSINESS | 17 SPORT | 24 ARTIC expands Rublev wins operational Qatar hotel portfolio ExxonMobil in Qatar Open Enjoy unlimited local data and calls with the new Qatarna 5G plans Amir, Putin hold phone talks, Amir mourns H M Sultan Qaboos discuss regional Qatar announces ‘Oman to continue path developments three days of QNA — DOHA mourning This is a sad day for all the Gulf people, as for the laid by Sultan Qaboos’ brothers in Oman. With great sorrow, we received in Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Qatar the news of the departure of Sultan Qaboos to the QNA — MUSCAT set by the late H M Sultan Hamad Al Thani held a tele- QNA — DOHA mercy of Allah The Almighty, leaving behind a rising Qaboos in bolstering cooper- phone conversation yesterday country and a great legacy that everyone cherishes. It is H M Sultan Haitham bin ation with brothers in the GCC with H E President Vladimir Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin a great loss for the Arab and Islamic nations. We offer Tariq bin Taimur Al Said was and the Arab world without Putin of the friendly Russian Hamad Al Thani mourned condolences to the brotherly Omani people and we pray announced as the new Sultan interfering in the affairs of Federation. yesterday the death of H M to Allah for His Majesty the Supreme Paradise. of Oman, in succession to the others. Peace and coexistence During the phone call, they Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin late H M Sultan Qaboos bin will remain as cornerstones of discussed a number of regional Taimur of the Sultanate of and international issues of Oman, who passed away on common concern, especially Friday evening.
    [Show full text]
  • Protest and State–Society Relations in the Middle East and North Africa
    SIPRI Policy Paper PROTEST AND STATE– 56 SOCIETY RELATIONS IN October 2020 THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA dylan o’driscoll, amal bourhrous, meray maddah and shivan fazil STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. The Governing Board is not responsible for the views expressed in the publications of the Institute. GOVERNING BOARD Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Chair (Sweden) Dr Vladimir Baranovsky (Russia) Espen Barth Eide (Norway) Jean-Marie Guéhenno (France) Dr Radha Kumar (India) Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra (Algeria) Dr Patricia Lewis (Ireland/United Kingdom) Dr Jessica Tuchman Mathews (United States) DIRECTOR Dan Smith (United Kingdom) Signalistgatan 9 SE-169 72 Solna, Sweden Telephone: + 46 8 655 9700 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.sipri.org Protest and State– Society Relations in the Middle East and North Africa SIPRI Policy Paper No. 56 dylan o’driscoll, amal bourhrous, meray maddah and shivan fazil October 2020 © SIPRI 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of SIPRI or as expressly permitted by law. Contents Preface v Acknowledgements vi Summary vii Abbreviations ix 1. Introduction 1 Figure 1.1. Classification of countries in the Middle East and North Africa by 2 protest intensity 2. State–society relations in the Middle East and North Africa 5 Mass protests 5 Sporadic protests 16 Scarce protests 31 Highly suppressed protests 37 Figure 2.1.
    [Show full text]
  • World Leaders in Oman to Mourn Sultan's Death
    International MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020 Morrison proposes high-powered inquiry Malta gets new premier after outrage over blogger’s murder Page 8 into bushfires response Page 9 MUSCAT: A handout picture released by the Omani News Agency shows Oman’s newly sworn-in Sultan Haitham bin Tariq receiving Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in the capital Muscat yesterday. Tariq received world leaders and officials who presented their condolences after the death of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, on January 10, at the age of 79. —AFP Photos World leaders in Oman to mourn Sultan’s death Ceremony at Alam Palace draws figures from across political divides in Mideast MUSCAT: Britain’s Prince Charles and of 79 without an heir apparent. goes back over 200 years,” it said. assuming power on Saturday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined It was Sultan Qaboos’ policy of “Our countries have deep economic uphold the foreign policy of his regional leaders in Oman yesterday to neutrality and non-interference that ties and shared defence and securi- Western-backed predecessor under offer their condolences to the royal elevated Oman’s standing as a ty interests.” which Muscat balanced ties family after the death of long-reigning “Switzerland of the Middle East” As ruler, Qaboos modernized his between larger neighbors Saudi Sultan Qaboos. A ceremony at and won it respect in the region and country but also forged a broader Arabia and Iran as well as the Muscat’s Alam Palace drew figures beyond. It maintains healthy rela- role as a go-between in regional United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle East Flashpoint Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East & Islamic Studies University of Peloponnese
    Middle East Flashpoint Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East & Islamic Studies University of Peloponnese www.cemmis.edu.gr No 114 17 February 2020 The new Sultan: Oman’s Regional and Domestic challenges Charitini Petrodaskalaki * Despite speculations of a rocky transition of power, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s succession at the Omani throne was swift and according to the wishes of the late Sultan. While he declared that he will follow the principles set by Qaboos in terms of foreign policy, the new ruler will have to prove Oman’s commitment to neutrality and its position as intermediary in negotiations, at a time of great regional turmoil. Meanwhile, Oman has to tackle its economic and social challenges at home, in order to continue to project its international soft power. *Researcher of the Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East and Islamic Studies of the University of Peloponnese Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East & Islamic Studies www.cemmis.edu.gr The year 2020 brought about multifaceted developments in the Middle East; from the assassination of the top Iranian general Qassem Suleimani by the United States, to the US-proposed peace plan for the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, to another significant change in Oman: Sultan Qaboos bin Said al- Said, the longest-ruling Arab monarch in modern history, passed away on January 10 at the age of 79. He rose to power in 1970, when, with help from Britain and the Shah of Iran, he deposed his father and suppressed an internal uprising. Soon he set out a program of rapid development and modernization, exploiting the country’s oil reserves, but also put an end to Oman’s international isolation.
    [Show full text]
  • Oman Succession Crisis 2020
    Oman Succession Crisis 2020 Invited Perspective Series Strategic Multilayer Assessment’s (SMA) Strategic Implications of Population Dynamics in the Central Region Effort This essay was written before the death of Sultan Qaboos on 20 January 2020. MARCH 18 STRATEGIC MULTILAYER ASSESSMENT Author: Vern Liebl, CAOCL, MCU Series Editor: Mariah Yager, NSI Inc. This paper represents the views and opinions of the contributing1 authors. This paper does not represent official USG policy or position. Vern Liebl Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning, Marine Corps University Vern Liebl is an analyst currently sitting as the Middle East Desk Officer in the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL). Mr. Liebl has been with CAOCL since 2011, spending most of his time preparing Marines and sailors to deploy to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other interesting locales. Prior to joining CAOCL, Mr. Liebl worked with the Joint Improvised Explosives Device Defeat Organization as a Cultural SME and, before that, with Booz Allen Hamilton as a Strategic Islamic Narrative Analyst. Mr. Liebl retired from the Marine Corps, but while serving, he had combat tours to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as numerous other deployments to many of the countries of the Middle East and Horn of Africa. He has an extensive background in intelligence, specifically focused on the Middle East and South Asia. Mr. Liebl has a Bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Oregon, a Master’s degree in Islamic History from the University of Utah, and a second Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College (where he graduated with “Highest Distinction” and focused on Islamic Economics).
    [Show full text]
  • Who Is Who in Pakistan & Who Is Who in the World Study Material
    1 Who is Who in Pakistan Lists of Government Officials (former & current) Governor Generals of Pakistan: Sr. # Name Assumed Office Left Office 1 Muhammad Ali Jinnah 15 August 1947 11 September 1948 (died in office) 2 Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin September 1948 October 1951 3 Sir Ghulam Muhammad October 1951 August 1955 4 Iskander Mirza August 1955 (Acting) March 1956 October 1955 (full-time) First Cabinet of Pakistan: Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. Its first Governor General was Muhammad Ali Jinnah and First Prime Minister was Liaqat Ali Khan. Following is the list of the first cabinet of Pakistan. Sr. Name of Minister Ministry 1. Liaqat Ali Khan Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Minister for Commonwealth relations 2. Malik Ghulam Muhammad Finance Minister 3. Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Minister of trade , Industries & Construction 4. *Raja Ghuzanfar Ali Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Health 5. Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar Transport, Communication Minister 6. Fazal-ul-Rehman Minister Interior, Education, and Information 7. Jogendra Nath Mandal Minister for Law & Labour *Raja Ghuzanfar’s portfolio was changed to Minister of Evacuee and Refugee Rehabilitation and the ministry for food and agriculture was given to Abdul Satar Pirzada • The first Chief Minister of Punjab was Nawab Iftikhar. • The first Chief Minister of NWFP was Abdul Qayum Khan. • The First Chief Minister of Sindh was Muhamad Ayub Khuro. • The First Chief Minister of Balochistan was Ataullah Mengal (1 May 1972), Balochistan acquired the status of the province in 1970. List of Former Prime Ministers of Pakistan 1. Liaquat Ali Khan (1896 – 1951) In Office: 14 August 1947 – 16 October 1951 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Weakened by Showdown with US, Iran Faces Outcry Over Plane Downing
    UK £2 Issue 239, Year 5 EU €2.50 January 12, 2020 www.thearabweekly.com Lebanon’s Five years after Tunisian parliament faltering Charlie Hebdo deals stinging blow tourism sector massacre to Islamists Page 21 Page 19 Page 5 Weakened by showdown with US, After Sultan Qaboos dies, Iran faces outcry over plane downing first Omani Iranians are unlikely to quietly accept their government’s responsibility in the catastrophe Thomas Seibert transition in Istanbul 50 years fter a roller-coaster week Mohammed Alkhereiji that saw the assassina- tion of a top Iranian gen- A eral by the United States, London an Iranian calculated retaliation against US troops in Iraq, attempts he death of Sultan Qaboos at de-escalation and the death of bin Said Al Said, the region’s 176 people in a plane crash caused longest-ruling monarch, at by an Iranian missile, the regime in T the age of 79, ushered in the Tehran finds itself embattled and first Omani leadership transition in weakened both internationally and nearly 50 years. at home. Sultan Qaboos, who died January It was embroiled in a major new 10, was rumoured to have been suf- domestic and international crisis af- fering from cancer for several years ter it had to admit January 11 that it and his health took a turn for the had downed a Ukrainian passenger worse last year, sparking rumours of jet earlier in the week. an imminent succession. The killing of Qassem Soleimani, Ending years of speculation over the head of Iran’s al-Quds Force, who would succeed Qaboos, who January 3 in Baghdad, was a major was unmarried and had no heirs, the blow to the Iranian regime but its Omani government announced that leaders sought to capitalise on the Culture Minister Haitham bin Tariq event, which triggered an outpour- Al Said, a cousin of the late sultan’s, ing of grief that saw thousands of would be the new sultan of the Gulf Iranians attend funeral ceremonies.
    [Show full text]
  • Suddensuccession
    SUDDEN SUCCESSION Examining the Impact of Abrupt Change in the Middle East SIMON HENDERSON EDITOR REUTERS Oman After Qaboos: A National and Regional Void The ailing Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said, now seventy-nine years old, has no children and no announced successor, with only an ambiguous mechanism in place for the family council to choose one. This study con- siders the most likely candidates to succeed the sultan, Oman’s domestic economic challenges, and whether the country’s neutral foreign policy can survive Qaboos’s passing. THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY POLICY NOTE 74 DECEMBER 2019 SUDDEN SUCCESSION: OMAN In November 2019, while presiding over Oman’s TABLE 1. ILL-FATED OMANI SULTANS National Day celebration at the Wudam naval base, Thuwaini bin r. 1856–66 Killed in his sleep by his Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled his country Said son Salem bin Thuwaini for nearly five decades, looked particularly frail. It was correspondingly of little surprise that on December 7 he Salem bin r. 1866–68 Deposed by his cousin departed for Belgium to undergo a series of medical Thuwaini Azzan bin Qais tests at Leuven’s University Hospitals. In 2014–15, the Azzan bin r. 1868–71 Not recognized by British; sultan spent eight months in Germany while receiving Qais killed in battle apparently successful treatment for colon cancer. But his latest trip abroad coincided with rumors of a signifi- Taimur bin r. 1913–32 Abdicated to his son Said Faisal bin Taimur under pressure cant deterioration in his health.1 Although he has now returned to Oman, the prognosis for any seventy-nine- Said bin r.
    [Show full text]
  • The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims, 2021
    PERSONS • OF THE YEAR • The Muslim500 THE WORLD’S 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS • 2021 • B The Muslim500 THE WORLD’S 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS • 2021 • i The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Chief Editor: Prof S Abdallah Schleifer Muslims, 2021 Editor: Dr Tarek Elgawhary ISBN: print: 978-9957-635-57-2 Managing Editor: Mr Aftab Ahmed e-book: 978-9957-635-56-5 Editorial Board: Dr Minwer Al-Meheid, Mr Moustafa Jordan National Library Elqabbany, and Ms Zeinab Asfour Deposit No: 2020/10/4503 Researchers: Lamya Al-Khraisha, Moustafa Elqabbany, © 2020 The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre Zeinab Asfour, Noora Chahine, and M AbdulJaleal Nasreddin 20 Sa’ed Bino Road, Dabuq PO BOX 950361 Typeset by: Haji M AbdulJaleal Nasreddin Amman 11195, JORDAN www.rissc.jo All rights reserved. No part of this book may be repro- duced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanic, including photocopying or recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Views expressed in The Muslim 500 do not necessarily reflect those of RISSC or its advisory board. Set in Garamond Premiere Pro Printed in The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Calligraphy used throughout the book provided courte- sy of www.FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com Title page Bismilla by Mothana Al-Obaydi MABDA • Contents • INTRODUCTION 1 Persons of the Year - 2021 5 A Selected Surveyof the Muslim World 7 COVID-19 Special Report: Covid-19 Comparing International Policy Effectiveness 25 THE HOUSE OF ISLAM 49 THE
    [Show full text]
  • Qaboos, the Sultan Who Transformed Oman
    SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020 07 Qaboos transformed the Arabian Peninsula nation from a backwater into a modern state while pursuing a moderate but active foreign policy cil statement said. (GCC). 1962. State media did not disclose “He was a stable force in the He went on to join a British the cause of death. Qaboos had Middle East and a strong US infantry battalion in Germany, been ailing for years and was in ally. His Majesty had a vision returning home to bide his time Belgium in December for treat- for a modern, prosperous, and under the close watch of his fa- ment. peaceful Oman, and he willed ther, Sultan Said bin Taymur. that vision into reality,” former On July 23, 1970, Qaboos de- Longest-serving leader US president George W. Bush posed his father in a palace coup, Qaboos, who died on Friday at said in a message of condolence. pledging “a new era” for the na- the age of 79 as the longest-serv- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mo- tion. ing leader of the modern Arab hammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan “In the early years, he went world, came to power in 1970. said Saturday that Oman and village to village and he had a He had been ill for some time the Arab world have lost a “wise weekly radio address -- that and was believed to be suffering leader and a (figure) of great was the only way to reach the from colon cancer. historical stature”. entire population at the time,” The late sultan, who was un- British Prime Minister Boris said Muscat-based public policy married and had no children, Johnson also recalled a meet- analyst Ahmed al-Mukhaini.
    [Show full text]
  • Syria Biological Chronology
    Syria Biological Chronology 2008-2000 | 1999-1972 Last update: October 2008 This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here. Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation. 2008-2000 18-22 August 2008 A Syrian delegation attends the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts in Geneva, Switzerland. A decision of the meeting allows Syria, which is only a signatory to the BWC to participate in the meetings proceedings and deliberations. —Informal Advance Report of the Meeting of Experts, 25 August 2008, p.3, para. 8, www.unog.ch. 3 March 2008 The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) releases its Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions for the period 1 January to 31 December 2006. In the section addressing Syria's biological warfare program the report states: "Syria's biotechnical infrastructure is capable of supporting limited biological agent development.
    [Show full text]
  • Crisiswatch: February Alerts and January Trends 2020 | Crisis Group
    2/4/2020 CrisisWatch: February Alerts and January Trends 2020 | Crisis Group CrisisWatch Tracking Conflict Worldwide BROWSE MAP SCROLL DOWN TO READ TRENDS & OUTLOOK CrisisWatch is our global conict tracker, a tool designed to help decision-makers prevent deadly violence by keeping them up-to-date with developments in over 80 conicts and crises, identifying trends and alerting them to risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace. Learn more about CrisisWatch GLOBAL OVERVIEW SEARCH DATABASE PRESIDENT'S TAKE USING CRISISWATCH ABOUT SUBSCRIBE Global Overview JANUARY 2020 Outlook for This Month February 2020 Conflict Risk Alerts https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/february-alerts-and-january-trends-2020 1/64 2/4/2020 CrisisWatch: February Alerts and January Trends 2020 | Crisis Group Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Resolution Opportunities Ethiopia, Egypt Trends for Last Month January 2020 Deteriorated Situations Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Somalia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Venezuela, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Improved Situations Thailand, Kosovo, El Salvador In January, the security situation in the Sahel deteriorated, especially in central Mali, western Niger and northern Burkina Faso, where suspected jihadists inicted a heavy toll on civilians. In Nigeria, Boko Haram stepped up attacks and jihadist group Ansaru claimed its rst attack since 2013. Al-Shabaab intensied deadly raids in Kenya, and violence rose in Cameroon’s Anglophone areas and eastern DR Congo. Political tensions increased in Somalia’s Galmudug state and Guinea-Bissau, and security forces hardened a crackdown in neighbouring Guinea.
    [Show full text]