Honour killing a euphemism for extra judicial killing to protect the reputation of a family. Ancient and widespread, but information other than anecdotal exceptionally hard to find.
Final chapter in forthcoming e-book considers what will happen when the Saudi and Egyptian regimes fall and the West’s struggle against Jihad.
Summary: Saudi women are to be allowed to drive next year. A welcome decision but some opposition. Saudi government may be feeling its way towards wider reforms, but likely to be slow.
Hajj next week. History, significance, massive scale. Politics – last year Iran, this year Qatar.
Following eclipse of Western-style nationalism, socialism and fake democracy, political Islam prevailed in MENA for 40 years. But degraded by violence, now losing support and giving way to autocracy.
Atheism, apostasy, blasphemy, heresy condemned but much confusion about definitions. Atheists even in Saudi Arabia, keeping their heads down.
Isra and Mi’raj – amajor Muslim festival on 24 April, celebrated with prayers and light. Some political complications.
Summary: Iranians to participate in the Hajj again this year, despite continuing disagreement.
Saudi hostility to Iran not fully shared by the other GCC states. Saudi claim to lead the Sunnis contested. Kuwait and Iran.
Low turnout, but successful Jordanian elections a small step forward. In a Parliament mainly of independent members the Muslim Brotherhood with perhaps 15% may be the largest party.
