Quantos Bangladeshis vivem na freguesia de Arroios?

 

Mauritania, the last country to abolish slavery, in 2015

 

The interpretation of Quranic verses related to violence and fighting, particularly those concerning Jews, is a complex and highly debated topic. There is no single verse in the Quran that explicitly commands the killing of all Jews. However, certain verses, when taken out of their historical context or interpreted in a particular way, have been used to justify violence against them.

Here is a breakdown of the key points and verses often cited in this discussion:

Verses often cited to justify violence:

    Quran 9:29: This is one of the most frequently cited verses in this context. It states: "Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled." This verse is often used to justify fighting against "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians) who do not convert to Islam, but it also specifies an alternative: paying a tax known as jizyah.

Quran 2:191: "And kill them wherever you find them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and persecution is worse than slaughter. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they do fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers." This verse is part of a larger section (2:190-195) that deals with warfare and self-defense. Mainstream Islamic scholars and modern interpreters argue that this verse is conditional and applies only to those who are actively fighting against Muslims and have persecuted them, not to all non-believers.

The Debate on Interpretation and Context:

    Historical Context: Many scholars argue that these verses were revealed during a specific period of conflict between the early Muslim community and tribes in Mecca and Medina, including some Jewish tribes who had broken treaties and allied with Muslim enemies. Therefore, the verses are seen as specific to those historical circumstances and not as a blanket command for all time.

    The Concept of Jihad: The term jihad is often translated as "holy war," but its primary meaning in the Quran is "struggle." Islamic scholars distinguish between the greater jihad (the internal struggle to live a virtuous life) and the lesser jihad (physical fighting). The Quran places strict limitations on the lesser jihad, specifying that it should be defensive, not aggressive, and should not be used to force conversion.

    Contrasting Verses: Many other verses in the Quran preach tolerance, coexistence, and justice, even with non-believers. For example, Quran 5:32 states that "whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely." Quran 60:8 also says, "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them."

In summary: While some verses of the Quran, when read in isolation, can appear to command violence against non-believers, including Jews, the consensus among mainstream Islamic scholars is that these verses are conditional and must be understood within their historical and religious context. They are not considered a universal command to kill or persecute Jews. However, extremist groups and individuals often use these verses, decontextualized, to justify their violence.

mautitania history of slavery

Slavery has a long and deeply entrenched history in Mauritania, with its roots in a caste-based system that continues to have a profound impact on the country today. Unlike the transatlantic slave trade, slavery in Mauritania is primarily a hereditary, descent-based system.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of Mauritania's history with slavery:

Historical Context

    Chattel Slavery: Slavery in Mauritania is a form of chattel slavery, meaning that enslaved people and their descendants are considered the property of their masters. This status is inherited through the mother, ensuring that entire families remain enslaved for generations.

Racial and Ethnic Basis: The practice is tied to the country's ethnic composition. Lighter-skinned Arabs and Berbers, known as Beidane, historically enslaved the darker-skinned, often sub-Saharan African population, known as the Haratin. While slavery also exists among other groups, this Beidane-Haratin dynamic is the most prominent.

Nomadic Lifestyle: For centuries, Mauritania's nomadic lifestyle facilitated the practice. Enslaved people were a source of labor for herding, agriculture, and domestic work, and were often bought, sold, or given as gifts.

Attempts at Abolition

    French Colonial Period (1904-1960): The French administration officially declared an end to slavery in 1905, but in practice, they did very little to enforce the ban. They often cited a need to respect local customs and traditions, and many slaves who fled were simply returned to their masters. This policy, in effect, allowed the system to persist.

Post-Independence (1960-1981): When Mauritania gained independence in 1960, its new constitution implicitly abolished slavery. However, like the French, the government did not take any concrete steps to enforce this. The practice continued under the guise of preserving social order and meeting the country's labor needs.

Official Abolition in 1981: Under international pressure, Mauritania became the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery in 1981. This was done via a presidential decree, but a major problem remained: there were no criminal laws to prosecute slave owners.

The Fight for Criminalization and Enforcement

    Criminalization in 2007: It wasn't until 2007 that Mauritania finally passed a law making slavery a crime punishable by imprisonment. However, the law was rarely enforced, and convictions were extremely rare.

The 2015 Anti-Slavery Law: A new law in 2015 was passed, which designated slavery as a "crime against humanity" and created special courts to handle slavery cases. This was a significant step, but activists argue that the government still lacks the political will to fully enforce the law.

The Anti-Slavery Movement: Organizations like the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), led by Biram Dah Abeid, have been instrumental in fighting for the rights of the Haratin and holding the government accountable. These activists often face government repression, including arbitrary arrests and imprisonment.

The Legacy of Slavery

Today, despite being illegal, slavery and its legacy of systemic discrimination continue to exist in Mauritania. It is often described as a "hidden" practice, where psychological and economic factors, rather than physical chains, keep people in bondage. Enslaved people are often without birth certificates, making it impossible for them to access education, healthcare, and other basic services. Even those who are freed face immense social and economic discrimination, often forcing them into a state of semi-dependency on their former masters. While official figures on the number of enslaved people vary, human rights organizations estimate tens of thousands still live in bondage 

Um europeu à espera de muitos imigrantes...

 

Greta Thunberg, de 22 anos, abandonou a direção da flotilha humanitária Global Sumud, que está em direção a Gaza,

 

Desentendimentos internos, de acordo com o jornal italiano La Repubblica, estiveram na origem deste episódio.

Segundo as fontes do jornal, em causa está o facto da ativista sueca desviar as atenções do que se passa na Faixa de Gaza e virá-las para a própria flotilha humanitária. Apesar de sair da direção da flotilha, a jovem sueca não irá abandonar o comité organizador e segue num dos barcos.

Recorde-se que a flotilha humanitária, onde segue a líder do Bloco de Esquerda Mariana Mortágua e também Miguel Duarte e Sofia Aparício, partiu da Tunísia em direção ao enclave palestiniano na segunda-feira, dia 15. 

 

PS: Remember the "human shields", in 2003 Iraq War? 

 

"Voluntary Human Shields: This refers to a group of anti-war activists, primarily from Western countries, who traveled to Iraq to act as a deterrent to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. This group, known as the "Human Shield Action to Iraq," believed that placing themselves at potential bombing targets would prevent attacks on those sites.

They deployed themselves at various locations, including electrical plants, water treatment facilities, and an oil refinery. The total number of volunteers was estimated to be between 200 and 500, though not all remained throughout the conflict.

The movement was criticized for potentially aiding the Saddam Hussein regime, and participants were often called "dupes" or "useful idiots." However, human rights organizations noted that, as non-combatants, they retained their civilian immunity from attack.

None of the human shields who remained in Baghdad during the invasion were killed or injured, and none of the sites where they stayed were bombed while they were there. One site was bombed after the volunteers had left 

 

Europe Cracks Down: Netherlands, Hungary Target Antifa as Terror Group

 

The Dutch parliament and the Hungarian government are moving to designate the far-left group Antifa as a terrorist organization, aligning themselves with the decision earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump. The move aims to curb escalating political violence across Europe and North America linked to Antifa networks.

In The Hague, lawmakers approved a motion presented by Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV). Wilders argued that Antifa cells are already active in the Netherlands, pointing to incidents in which conservative politicians, students, and journalists have been threatened, harassed, or physically assaulted. 

According to Wilders, the group’s activities go beyond street protests and are aimed at silencing dissenting voices. The Dutch government must now respond formally and decide whether to proceed with the terrorist classification, which would broaden police powers for surveillance and prosecution.

From: "Gates of Vienna" 

 

Mamdani Reiterates Vow to Arrest Netanyahu as Poll Shows Nyers Prefer Him Over Any Opponent on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

 

Zohran Mamdani said he would seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Mamdani is elected and Netanyahu comes to New York City.

“This is something that I intend to fulfill,” Mamdani, the Democratic candidate and frontrunner, told The New York Times in an interview released Friday.

Mamdani, a staunch and longtime critic of Israel and its government, had indicated during the primary that he would aim to carry out an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last year against Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where Israel has been fighting Hamas since October 2023.

France: 64% of Robberies, Physical Attacks and Sexual Assaults on Public Transport in Paris Are Committed by Foreigners, 43% From North African Countries

  

New data shows that 64 percent of violent robberies, physical and sexual violence on public transport in Paris are committed by foreigners, with 43 percent of this number being North African, who represent only 3.4 percent of the population.

The data, from the French agency INSEE, as reported by Fdesouche, also shows that in 2024, overall in France, foreigners committed 41 percent of violent robberies, physical and sexual violence on public transport. Nineteen percent of these crimes were committed by North Africans.

The foreign population in France is equivalent to 5.2 million people, or 7.7 percent of the total population. Of this number, 44.4 percent are from Africa.

From: "Gates of Vienna" 

 

Gates of Vienna: a few posts published in this blog

 

Mamdani Reiterates Vow to Arrest Netanyahu as Poll Shows Nyers Prefer Him Over Any Opponent on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Zohran Mamdani said he would seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Mamdani is elected and Netanyahu comes to New York City.

“This is something that I intend to fulfill,” Mamdani, the Democratic candidate and frontrunner, told The New York Times in an interview released Friday.

Mamdani, a staunch and longtime critic of Israel and its government, had indicated during the primary that he would aim to carry out an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last year against Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where Israel has been fighting Hamas since October 2023.

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Another Victim of Multiculturalism: French Woman Killed by Afghan Ex

A 25-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times on Monday, September 8th, in her home in Poitiers, France, and later died from her injuries. The prime suspect is the young woman’s former partner, a political refugee from Afghanistan who was residing in France legally.

Le Figaro reports that the 35-year-old Afghan is still on the run. The woman, who has been identified as “Ine’s,” had filed five complaints with the police for harassment before she was killed.

In a press release on Thursday, September 11th, the Poitiers prosecutor’s office confirmed that the victim had first filed a complaint on July 10th for harassment by a spouse or partner, intentional violence by a spouse or partner, and sexual offenses. “The victim subsequently renewed her concerns by filing additional complaints with the police four times, on July 17, August 13, August 19, and August 28,” prosecutor Rachel Bray added.

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Austria: ‘I’ve Never Experienced a Dimension of Crime of This Magnitude Before and I’ve Been in This Business for 20 Years’

More than 30 victims of a Syrian youth gang, known as “505,” have been recorded in the cities of Graz and Vienna. The suspects range in age from 17 to 20, with police reporting they dealt a “severe blow” to the group with mass arrests.

“I’ve never experienced a dimension (of crime) of this magnitude before, and I’ve been in this business for 20 years,” said police spokesman Fritz Grundnig.

The organized gang is accused of a long series of extremely violent assaults between November 2024 and June 2025, mostly in Graz. Styrian police have released details to the national media about the group, including their involvement in the narcotics trade.

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North African Gang Beats Disabled Man in Italy, Leaves Him for Dead

A 21-year-old man with a mobility disability was left for dead after being savagely beaten by a group of young men of North African origin outside a nightclub in Sanremo, Italy, over the weekend.

The victim, from Alba in Piedmont, had been waiting for a bus with two friends when the group of four attackers surrounded them on Via Gioberti near the Sanremo seafront in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The two friends managed to flee, but the 21-year-old was knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked as he lay helpless. Witnesses said his face was left completely bruised. At one point, one of the assailants reportedly shouted in French, “Okay, he’s dead!” and took a photo of the motionless victim as a trophy before fleeing.

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Trump Urges Supreme Court to Back Passport Gender Rules

President Donald Trump’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to allow it to block the issuance of passports that reflect the gender identities of transgender and nonbinary Americans.

The Justice Department filed an emergency request to lift a federal judge’s order that bars the State Department from enforcing a Trump-directed policy.

The dispute is one of several over an executive order Trump signed after returning to office on Jan. 20 directing the government to recognize only two biologically distinct sexes, male and female.

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UK: Huge Win for Assisted Dying Campaign as Law Passes Second Reading in Lords

Assisted dying in England and Wales has moved a step closer after proposed legislation passed the second reading stage in the House of Lords. Peers allowed Kim Leadbeater’s landmark bill to proceed to its next crucial stage after a second day of debate lasting for five hours on Friday. The House passed an amendment which will see a special committee set up for further scrutiny.

Negotiations between the bill’s supporters and opponents led to an agreement that the committee will conclude its work by November 7, which should allow enough time for the bill to proceed to a Committee of the Whole House and complete its remaining stages within this parliamentary session.

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