Britannia Radio

MEMRI Daily-May 29, 2011:

Indian PM: Terror in Afghanistan, India -

'Outside Phenomenon'; Afghan Journalist: Stop Hate Speech At Mosques;

Pakistani Blogger Slams Critics of French Veil Ban;

French Ambassador to Pakistan Defends Veil for Pakistani Women

The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series.

*Special Dispatch Series

Special Dispatch No. 3871—South Asia Studies Project/Afghanistan/India

Indian Prime Minister Calls Terrorism in Afghanistan and India 'Outside Phenomenon,' Says: 'We Are With Afghanistan For the Long Term'; We Will Prevail'

As the U.S. prepares to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has stated clearly that India will continue to engage with Afghanistan for the long term. Upon beginning a two-day visit to Kabul on May 12, 2011, Manmohan Singh announced an additional $500 million in aid to Afghanistan to rebuild the war-torn country's infrastructure and economy.

To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5321.htm.

Special Dispatch No. 3870—South Asia Studies Project/Afghanistan/Islamic Reform

Afghan Journalist Urges Reforms to Stop Hate Speech At Mosques: 'It's Not Only About Terry Jones; Hate Speech Is As Old As the Preaching Of the Mullahs'

Following the recent burning of the Koran by a group of pastors led by Terry Jones in Florida, popular anti-foreigner protests erupted in several Afghan towns. The first protests were reported on April 1, 2011, a Friday, which is an important day of weekly prayers, in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province; protesters set fire to the office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), killing at least eight foreigners.

To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5320.htm.

Special Dispatch No. 3869—South Asia Studies Project/Pakistan/Islamic Reform/Women's Topics

Pakistani Blogger Slams Critics of French Veil Ban: 'Burqa Can Never Be a Free Choice of Anyone – Had It Been, This Choice Would Have Been Available to Men Also'

Following the April 11, 2011 passage in France of a ban on the burqa, noted Pakistani human rights activist and blogger Marvi Sirmed published two blog posts on her website, marvisirmed.com, examining the arguments of those opposed to the ban – "Replugging: Burqa Gets a Befitting French Kiss" and "Big Ban Hypes Political Islam." Both posts are dated April 17, 2011.

To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5322.htm.

Special Dispatch No. 3868—Pakistan/Women's Topics/Europe and the Arab & Muslim World

French Ambassador to Pakistan Defends Veil for Pakistani Women: 'In Pakistan, The Niqab Is Part Of The Culture; I Fully Respect It'

In an op-ed in a leading Pakistani newspaper, the French Ambassador to Pakistan Daniel Jouanneau defended the French government's decision to ban the wearing of the veil in France.

In the article, titled "Niqab and French Social Pact," Jouanneau also sought to defend the wearing of the veil for Pakistani women, stating: "In Pakistan, the niqab is part of the culture and traditions in several areas. As a foreigner, I fully respect it. But this garment is totally alien to our culture and our traditions."

To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5323.htm.