Palestinian joy as Gaza singer wins Arab Idol

Google – AFP, 23 June 2013

Thousands of Palestinians celebrate the victory in the Arab Idol contestant

of Mohammed Assaf on June 23, 2013 (AFP, Abbas Momani)

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories — Tens of thousands of jubilant Palestinians celebrated into the early hours of Sunday after a 23-year-old Gazan singer won the prestigious Arab Idol talent show that has captivated millions across the Middle East since March.

The meteoric rise of Gaza's Mohammed Assaf to snatch the top prize in the pan-Arab singing contest sparked an unprecedented outpouring of joy across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, unifying an often divided public.

Assaf's victory in the finals, held in Beirut and screened live on television across the Arab world, marked the first such success for a Palestinian entertainer.

"Mohammed Assaf is the Arab Idol!" declared the presenter of the show which is modelled on the US hit show Pop Idol, as coloured confetti rained down on the cheering audience.

The handsome, tuxedo-clad singer immediately dedicated his win to "the Palestinian people, who have been suffering for more than 60 years from (the Israeli) occupation".

Fans of Mohammad Assaf celebrate in

 Khan Yunis after the Palestinian singer

 won the final of the Arab Idol

competition (AFP, Said Khatib)

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas immediately crowned him a national goodwill ambassador, and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees named him their UNRWA Youth Ambassador.

Since the contest began in March, Assaf has earned himself an army of followers who have been glued to the big screens in cafes and restaurants across the territories, listening enraptured as his powerful voice propelled him further and further ahead in the weekly sing-off.

As his name was read out, his mother, who was wearing a traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, her shoulders wrapped in the black, green, white and red of the national flag, burst out crying.

Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the Gaza Strip, and in the West Bank, where tens of thousands took to the streets, cheering and dancing, car radios blasting the traditional Palestinian song which propelled him to victory as people handed out sweets to passers by.

His victory was splashed across Sunday's front pages with many making a play on words linked to a remark by one of the judges who described him as "the best rocket" to have come out of Gaza - "a rocket of peace, not war".

"'The rocket hit the target and brought joy to the Palestinians," said Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, while the rival Al-Ayyam went with: "Assaf - the Palestinians' art rocket."

Each edition of the twice-weekly show, aired by the pan-Arab MBC channel in Beirut, has been followed with increasing anticipation, with social networks mobilising to boost votes for their favoured candidate.

In Ramallah, the West Bank's political capital, the streets were jammed with people until the early hours of Sunday.

Similar scenes were played out in Gaza, where a sea of smiling faces packed the streets.

"The mood is indescribable. Everyone is celebrating. Thank you, Mohammed Assaf, for bringing joy to our hearts!" said Gaza resident Mohammad Dahman.

"We haven't felt this joy in a long time!"

Celebrations also erupted in annexed east Jerusalem, but soured as young Palestinians clashed with Israeli police, resulting in several arrests.

Mohammed Assaf performs after winning

 the "Arab Idol" singing contest in Beirut,

on June 23, 2013 (AFP, Anwar Amro)

In northern Lebanon, Palestinian refugees in the Beddawi camp fired into the air and honked car horns to celebrate, while major partying also took place in the southern city of Sidon, an AFP correspondent said.

Born in Misrata, Libya, Assaf grew up in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in southern Gaza, one of the world's poorest and most densely-populated areas which has been subjected to a tight Israeli blockade since 2006.

Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers disapprove of shows such as Arab Idol, which are considered to be un-Islamic, but they have not clamped down on support for the contest.

"All Palestinians share in his success. Mohammed's music is a universal language and speaks to all of us," said UNRWA chief Filippo Grandi.

"How fantastic that a Palestine refugee from Gaza should bring us all together in this way."

There were even congratulations from Israel, with the army's Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee hailing his victory on Twitter.

"Congratulations Assaf on winning - we wish Hamas would allow the people in the Strip to be happy instead of restraining all signs of happiness as they have been doing so far," he said.

And the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper also hailed his success saying: "A Palestinian hero is born."

"Not since the IDF (army) incursions into Gaza in 2002, have Palestinians had a unifying experience on par with Mohammed Assaf's success on Arab Idol," the paper said.

Related Article:

Gaza singer Mohammed Assaf wins Arab Idol contest 

President Says News Media Should Aid Social Unity

Jakarta Globe, Robertus Wardi & Novy Lumanauw,  June 15, 2013

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrives at the Chief Editors Forum
in Bali on Friday. (Rumgapres Photo)

Nusa Dua. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the country’s news chiefs to contribute to order and tolerance in the country by ensuring greater objectivity in their reporting.

In his keynote speech at the annual Chief Editors Forum in Bali on Friday, the president said the news media had a responsibility to publish news which did not set out to inflame cultural or religious sensitivities.

“I ask for the support of the media, in this case the chief editors of the country’s news media, to help keep the peace in our society,” he said.

“We must maintain tolerance and unity among the public.”

Yudhoyono added he wanted to use the rest of his time in office to build up a “good society,” and urged the chief editors to join him in the endeavor through more objective news reporting.

“A good society is part of the kind of civilization that we should strive for. We have to reach for a level of civilization that is developed and advanced,” he said.

He also said that the news media had a responsibility to put into proper context the democratic achievements made over the past 15 years, and to address the issues still to be resolved.

“I have to say a lot of what we’ve done over the years has been justified,” Yudhoyono said.

“But if we’re being completely open and transparent, there are still a lot of issues where we haven’t done enough.”

He did not cite examples of issues he believed had been adequately addressed or not, but said that in general the country’s social and democratic development was on the right track and should be maintained, with the help of the news media.

“This is the essence of sustainability amid change. We must guard that which is good, and fix that which is not,” he said.

Muhammad Ihsan, the chairman of the forum’s organizing committee and chief editor of the business publication Warta Ekonomi, said that while Indonesia enjoyed one of the freest press climates in Asia, that privilege was sometimes abused by irresponsible parties pushing out sensationalist or willfully provocative reports.

He said the problem was compounded by the Indonesian public’s frenzied adoption of social media platforms as one of their primary sources of news — a dangerous scenario, Ihsan said, given the lack of journalistic standards for this media.

He identified political meddling as another threat to press objectivity, saying it was no secret that well-placed politicians were using their media connections to take public swipes at their opponents.

Ihsan said while many of these attacks could reasonably be discounted as groundless, the problem was that the generally low level of education of the Indonesian public meant that most people tended to buy into such tendentious reporting.

“It’s truly sad to see such nonsensical claims being repeated in our mass media,” he said.

“It’s ironic that in an era where more than ever individuals have the potential to be the drivers of positive change, certain groups with vested interests are doing the very opposite.”

He said that in light of all these factors, the Chief Editors Forum had drawn up a draft declaration to cement the participants’ commitment to journalistic principles, with the ultimate purpose of contributing to national development.

Wahyu Muryadi, the forum chairman and chief editor of Tempo Magazine, said the participants had identified five sectors where the role of the press was considered important in helping to maximize contributions toward overall development.

He said these sectors were infrastructure, food security, energy security, finance, and technology and information.

Related Article:

Yudhoyono Tweets in Support of Religious Tolerance

Oranje Army Too Good to Beat

Jakarta Globe, Katrin Figge, June 8, 2013

Netherlands player Siem de Jong celebrates after scoring a goal against
 Indonesia on Friday. Merah Putih lost 3-0 in the friendly match. (JG
Photo/Jurnasyanto Sukarno)

The first football encounter between Indonesia and the Netherlands on Friday night ended in a 0-3 defeat for Merah Putih, with Ajax player Siem de Jong scoring the first two goals for Oranje, and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben making it three.

Despite the defeat, Indonesia’s new head coach Jacksen F. Tiago was able to see the silver lining of his team’s performance.

“Before the game, I talked to all the players and tried to give a new philosophy to the team,” he said. “I wanted them to give their all, no matter if we win or lose. I am quite happy to see how well they defended in the first half, and it gives me a good basis to work with for our upcoming games. But I also know that we still have a lot of work to do.”

The international friendly, which took place at South Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno, almost began with a shocker for the Indonesian team when a saved header by Robin van Persie was netted in from a short distance by Wesley Sneijder. But he was ruled offside, much to the relief of the crowd of 40,000 people who had flocked to the stadium.

For the rest of the first half, it was Van Persie who proved to be most dangerous, creating several good chances for the guests, but lacking the finishing touch to give his team the lead.

On the other side, Indonesia relied on counterattacks, but wasn’t forceful enough to impose a real threat.

The Dutch came better into the game in the second half, needing 12 minutes to score the first goal of the night, after De Jong was able to head in a cross from Ruben Schaken.

The same two players were involved in creating the 2-0 in the 67th minute. Schaken flicked on a cross from Robben, and De Jong forcefully headed the ball into the net.

Merah Putih, although having shown great determination in the first hour, seemed to have lost its stamina and hardly made it out of its own half anymore. It was the Dutch team that dictated the game and consequently scored another goal in the 89th minute when Robben overran the Indonesian defenders and finished clinically with his strong left foot for the final score, which looks more effortless on paper than it actually was on the field.

Tiago said it was obvious that the players had already become tired in the second half of the game. “When that happened, we created space for the Netherlands, and since they are very good on the wings, they had the opportunity to score,” Tiago said.

Meanwhile, Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal praised Indonesia’s fighting spirit, but also said that the poor condition of the pitch made it hard for his team to play at its best.

“The Indonesian team has run a lot in this game, and they have played with a lion’s heart,” he said. “I see that the people have applauded their coach after a 3-0 defeat. I have never [seen] that before.”

“The pitch was not so good, and we missed too many chances in the first half,” he added. “It was only in the second half that we did much better, and were able to move forward.”

Van Gaal also applauded the good performance by goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga, whose individual effort kept Indonesia in the game during the first half.

“I like him very much, he is like an 11th player on the pitch,” Van Gaal said. “A very talented goalkeeper.”

For naturalized Dutch-born footballer Raphael Maitimo, the match was one very close to his heart.

“Personally, this was one of the best moments in my life, because I grew up in Holland and played with some players of the Dutch team in my youth, so it was a very special day for me,” he said.

Maitimo and Van Persie were teammates in the youth side of Feyenoord Rotterdam, and the 29-year-old also played alongside Sneijder and Robben in the Netherlands U15, U16 and U17.

“It was a very tough match, as we played against one of the best teams in the world,” Maitimo said. “The key for this match was discipline, and I think we should gain a lot of confidence from this game.”

Dutch national coach Louis van Gaal conducted a clinic for 
Indonesian youngsters in Jakarta on Thursday. (JG
Photo/Safir Makki)

Related Article:

Merah Putih Ready for Oranje Army

Yudhoyono Tweets in Support of Religious Tolerance

Jakarta Globe, June 7, 2013

President Yudhoyono receives the World Statesman Award by Rabbi
Schneier. (Reuters Photo/Eduardo Munoz).

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took to the Twittersphere on Friday and asked the people of Indonesia to strengthen interfaith tolerance in the nation.

“Indonesia is a diverse nation that is godly,” the president tweeted from his @SBYudhoyono account on Friday. “Let us continue to strengthen tolerance and religious harmony in the country.”

Yudhoyono recently received the World Statesman Award from a US interfaith organization for his role in promoting religious tolerance and freedom of worship in Indonesia

Yudhoyono has been widely criticized by human rights organization over his decision to receive the award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, citing cases of religious intolerance in Indonesia, such as the shuttering of the GKI Yasmin and HKBP Filadelfia churches and the attacks on Ahmadiyah members and their mosques.

Philosophy lecturer and interfaith activist Franz Magnis Suseno sent a letter to the foundation objecting to the award. He said that Yudhoyono did not do anything significant to protect Indonesia’s Ahmadiyah and Shiite communities.

“This is a shame, a shame for you. It discredits any claim you might make as an institution with moral intentions,” Franz wrote in his letter. “How can you take such a decision without asking concerned people in Indonesia? Hopefully you have not made this decision in response to prodding by people from our government or the entourage of the president.”

The son of Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama figure Imam Shofwan even made an online petition called “No Award to SBY,” calling for the foundation not to give the award.

“I grew up in a Nahdatul Ulama family, and I agree with what Prof. Magnis said. I believe that a crime committed in the name of religion is a crime against religion. Ironically, this happens to be ACF’s credo.”

Pope Francis shows a thumbs-up sign as he arrives to lead his
Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the
Vatican on June 5, 2013. (Reuters Photo/Max Rossi)

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Yudhoyono Turns to Facebook to Connect With Indonesians

World Statesman (Pictures)

Yudhoyono Receives World Statesman Award in New York

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems  (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it),  Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse),  Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version) 

“.   New Tolerance

Look for a softening of finger pointing and an awakening of new tolerance. There will remain many systems for different cultures, as traditions and history are important to sustaining the integrity of culture. So there are many in the Middle East who would follow the prophet and they will continue, but with an increase of awareness. It will be the increase of awareness of what the prophet really wanted all along - unity and tolerance. The angel in the cave instructed him to "unify the tribes and give them the God of Israel." You're going to start seeing a softening of intolerance and the beginning of a new way of being.

Eventually, this will create an acknowledgement that says, "You may not believe the way we believe, but we honor you and your God. We honor our prophet and we will love you according to his teachings. We don't have to agree in order to love." How would you like that? The earth is not going to turn into one belief system. It never will, for Humans don't do that. There must be variety, and there must be the beauty of cultural differences. But the systems will slowly update themselves with increased awareness of the truth of a new kind of balance. So that's the first thing. Watch for these changes, dear ones. ...."

"... Conclusion

This is the message of the day. The recalibration of awareness is going to change systems, education, government and finance. Those who don't choose to be spiritual at all will still move with a new awareness, for they will be aware of something that they are not aware of now - a softer way of living.

We close with a trite statement that we've given before, but that many have stated in jest: "If women ran the world, they would never send their sons to be killed on a battlefield."

Many laugh. How trite, how simple minded. Indeed, there have been women leaders who have put wars together; they had to. They sent their sons, so that's not really a correct statement. However, it's more right than you may think, dear ones.

So now I will make the statement I have made over and over in these recalibrated channellings: "When recalibrated Humans run the world, there will come a day when they will never send their sons into the battlefield." You see, awareness will change all of that. They will eventually see the wisdom of unification, new ways to settle issues, and the intuitive attribute of putting things together instead of tearing them apart.

There will be a time when government armies will not need to be large, and weapons will not be as powerful. Slowly, government won't need them. Slowly, slower than you want, these things will happen as the old soul carries his light and looks at the masters of the planet and emulates them.

You've all heard it: There will come a time when the masters will come back to Earth, and there are many who are waiting for this. However, it has already happened! They couldn't come back until the alignment was right and now it is right. This is what you are feeling in 2012 and beyond. It's starting to happen, and they're back. But they're not back as corporeal Human Beings. They're back as the energy of recalibrating of the awareness of God.

I wouldn't say these things unless they were true. Watch for these things, dear ones. Remember where you heard them first and when some of them start to occur in your news. And when you see the earth working in this fashion, dear one, maybe you'll realize that what I have given today is real.

Be circumspect. There is no perfect timing. Humans will create all this at their own pace. Do not be in fear of the things that might follow, for I say it yet again that the old energy will show itself soon in survival mode and it won't be pretty.

In this beginning of new energy, stand tall and turn on your light. Darkness will shirk before you. That is the truth of the day. ...”

Merah Putih Ready for Oranje Army

Jakarta Globe, Wimbo Satwiko, June 7, 2013

Dutch national coach Louis van Gaal conducted a clinic for Indonesian
youngsters in Jakarta on Thursday. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Indonesia and the Netherlands may have a long and entwined history, but that hasn’t translated into contact on the football pitch. Tonight’s friendly match between the two at South Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno is the first clash between them.

Merah Putih officials and players are hopeful they can put up a good fight against a team ranked in the world’s top 10, and learn a few things from their opponents.

Indonesia’s national side has had a quiet year after finishing 2012 with a disappointing preliminary round exit of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup. In its last friendly match, in the lead-up to the tournament, Indonesia was crushed 7-1 by Uruguay in Jakarta.

New head coach Jacksen Tiago has called up 21 players for the match and promised fans that the side, which has faced accusations of a lack of commitment in the past, would be trying its hardest.

“We have arranged strategies to play the Netherlands and we hope the players can execute our game plan well and give the fans their best result,” Tiago told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

Tiago said naturalized Dutch-born players Raphael Maitimo and Sergio Van Dijk had given him some insights into the Netherlands side.

“I had a discussion with Raphael and Sergio this morning. They gave me lots of input, including information about some players that I don’t know. It was a very productive discussion,” Tiago said.

The 45-year-old coach acknowledged it would be a tough game for his side; the Netherlands currently ranks fifth in FIFA rankings, while Indonesia sits at 170.

“I want to see two things from the players. First they have to play to the best of their ability, while secondly I want them to understand our game plan and execute it properly during the match,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal has brought his best possible line-up to the Asian tour, including Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder.

Van Gaal said that initially he wanted to bring more youngsters on the trip, but they have to play in the Euro Under-21 event in Israel.

“I selected 41 players, but with the tournament in Israel, I have to select more older players for Indonesia. I selected 21 players, but Rafael van der Vaart is injured, so he’s not coming,” he said.

“Maybe Robben is slightly injured, which happened during the final for the German Cup [for Bayern Munich] against Stuttgart. I don’t know if he can play, but I expect he can play for 45 minutes.

“The circumstances here are also against us because our players are not used to hot weather and humidity. So, I have to take care of these problems too.”

Despite the 2010 World Cup runner-up’s status as a football powerhouse, van Gaal denied that his team would take Indonesia lightly.

“I always have respect for my opponent. When you are a professional trainer or player, you always prepare professionally.  When you fly 16 hours to play a match, it’s very unprofessional if you don’t play the match seriously,” van Gaal said.

“Besides, we’re here not only for the match. We’re here to hand over our knowledge about infrastructure and education.”

The match starts at 8:30 p.m.

Related Articles:

Jakarta Police to Deploy 2,524 Officers for Netherlands Clash

The Dutch open Under 21 Euros by spoiling German comeback

Miss World axes bikinis for Muslim Indonesia

Yahoo – AFP, 5 June 2013

Miss Indonesia Ines Putri Tjiptadi parades during the Miss World 2012 final

ceremony in the inner Mongolian city of Ordos on August 18, 2012.

Contestants at this year's Miss World beauty pageant will not wear bikinis in the parade in a bid to avoid causing offence in Muslim-majority Indonesia, organisers confirmed Wednesday.

The 137 women taking part in the September contest will swap bikinis for more conservative attire, such as traditional sarongs, for the beach fashion section.

The contest is being held on the resort island of Bali, where foreign tourists flock in their millions and the beaches are packed with women sunbathing in skimpy swimwear.

But Miss World Organisation chairwoman Julia Morley insisted that none of the pageant's contestants would wear a bikini.

"I don't want to upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful," she told AFP from London.

"We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant," she said, adding the final outfits had not yet been finalised.

Organisers are treading carefully after a number of music acts to recently visit Indonesia provoked controversy due to performers' outfits.

Last year pop sensation Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her concert in Indonesia after Muslim hardliners threatened to burn down the venue and criticised her for only wearing "a bra and panties".

Singer Beyonce and band The Pussycat Dolls were also asked to cover up before performing in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

The upcoming Miss World pageant, to be held in Bali and Bogor just outside Jakarta, has already stirred anger with the country's top Muslim clerical body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, which has called for its cancellation.

Council cleric Muhyidin Djunaedi accused the event of "promoting hedonism, materialism and consumerism", and said contestants were not positive role models for Muslim youth.

However, organisers insisted that the decision to axe bikinis was taken when the agreement was first struck to hold the event in Indonesia and that they had not changed their plans following complaints.

"We discussed the beach fashion issue last year with Miss World in London before we even agreed to host the event because we knew this would be sensitive in Indonesia," said Nana Putra from media group MNC, the official broadcaster and local organiser.

Indonesian investigative journalist wins AFP prize

Yahoo – AFP, 5 June 2013

Indonesian journalist Stefanus Teguh
 Edi Pramono has won the Agence
France-Presse Kate Webb Prize.

Indonesian journalist Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramono has won the Agence France-Presse Kate Webb Prize for his reporting on Syria's bloody civil war and the Jakarta drugs trade, the AFP Foundation announced Wednesday.

Pramono, 31, produced his work for Tempo, a respected media group that rose to prominence with its daring reporting during Indonesian dictator Suharto's more than three decades in power.

"I am not a brave person, I was often in a cold sweat when I was in Syria and in west Jakarta (for the drugs story), but it is just something that I have to do," he said from Jakarta.

The Kate Webb Prize was launched in 2008 in honour of the AFP correspondent in Asia who blazed a trail for women in international journalism.

The prize recognises exceptional work produced by locally hired Asian journalists operating in dangerous or difficult circumstances.

Pramono will receive 3,000 euros ($3,900).

"Pram is a young journalist who is clearly determined to uncover important stories, even if it means putting himself at risk of injury or attack," said Gilles Campion, AFP's Asia-Pacific regional director.

"I am delighted that such a worthy and enterprising reporter from the region has won the Kate Webb Prize."

Pramono's trip to Syria last year was his first to the Middle East and he had no knowledge of Arabic, but he nevertheless succeeded in producing a series of exceptional articles and accompanying photos.

In his undercover work on the Jakarta narcotics trade in 2012, Pramono and a colleague managed to infiltrate the notorious Kampung Ambon district, from where many drug dealers run their businesses.

Pramono has also exposed corrupt politicians during his seven years at the Tempo group, whose publications include an Indonesian-language magazine, a daily newspaper and English-language magazine. He is currently assigned to the newspaper.

Hermien Y. Kleden, an executive editor at Tempo's English magazine, said: "He is one of our best journalists. He is a quiet person and a great observer... I think he deserves the award."

Webb, who died in 2007 aged 64, was one of the finest correspondents to have worked for AFP, earning a reputation for bravery while covering wars and other historic events in the Asia-Pacific region over a career spanning four decades.

She first made her name as a UPI correspondent in the Vietnam War prior to assignments in other parts of Southeast Asia as well as India and the Middle East with AFP.

The prize is administered by the AFP Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes higher standards of journalism worldwide, and the Webb family.

Yudhoyono Turns to Facebook to Connect With Indonesians

Jakarta Globe, Ezra Sihite,  June 4, 2013

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced on Tuesday that he plans
to join Facebook next month. (Reuters Photo/Dado Ruvic)

After more than a month of actively using Twitter, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says that he’s ready to join Facebook.

“Next month, Insya Allah, I will join Facebook,” Yudhoyono said at his office on Tuesday.

Yudhoyono did not explain the details of his plan, and said had not yet decided whether it would be an ordinary Facebook account or fan page.

Julian Aldrin Pasha, the president’s spokesman, said that Yudhoyono wanted to join the social network because Indonesia is one of Facebook’s largest markets.

“It’s because this [Facebook] is different from Twitter,” Julian said. “Beside there are other things he could not say on Twitter that [we] considered [it] necessary for him to be active on a Facebook account.”

Julian refused to explain more details, claiming that the president was still preparing for the launch.

Related Article:

Yudhoyono Receives World Statesman Award in New York

Muslim religious leaders condemn holocaust deniers

Al Arabia - AFP, Tuesday, 4 June 2013

President of the Islamic Society of North America, Imam Mohamed Magid joined
other Muslim leaders to condemn holocaust deniers. (Photo courtesy: Youtube)

Muslim religious leaders and scholars from around the globe issued a joint statement Monday condemning any attempts to deny or justify the Holocaust in which six million European Jews perished under Nazi Germany.

“We bear witness to the absolute horror and tragedy of the Holocaust where millions upon millions of human souls perished, more than half of whom were people of the Jewish faith,” said a statement signed by 10 leading Islamic figures including President of the Islamic Society of North America, Imam Mohamed Magid and India's Chief Imam, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi.

“We acknowledge, as witnesses, that it is unacceptable to deny this historical reality and declare such denials or any justification of this tragedy as against the Islamic code of ethics,” they said, adding they “stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish brothers and sisters in condemning anti-Semitism in any form.”

Imams and Muslim intellectuals from Bosnia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States knelt in solemn prayer for Holocaust dead at Auschwitz on May 22, their foreheads touching the ground before the notorious Wall of Death at the former Nazi German death camp in southern Poland.

They offered the traditional Muslim “salat” prayers facing south towards their holy city of Mecca, shoes removed, as part of an anti-genocide program which also saw them meet Holocaust survivors and their saviors in an emotional encounter at Warsaw’s synagogue a day earlier.

“With the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hatred, rhetoric and bigotry, now more than ever, people of faith must stand together for truth, peace and justice,” their Monday statement said.

“Together, we pledge to make real the commitment of ‘never again’ and to stand united against injustice wherever it may be found in the world today,” it concluded.

Their visit was part of a Holocaust awareness and anti-genocide program organized in part by the U.S. State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom.

Operated by the Nazis from 1940, Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945. It was part of a vast network of concentration camps across Europe, set up as part of Adolf Hitler’s “Final Solution” of genocide against Europe’s Jewish population.

Related Articles:

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems  (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it),  Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse),  Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version) 

“.   New Tolerance

Look for a softening of finger pointing and an awakening of new tolerance. There will remain many systems for different cultures, as traditions and history are important to sustaining the integrity of culture. So there are many in the Middle East who would follow the prophet and they will continue, but with an increase of awareness. It will be the increase of awareness of what the prophet really wanted all along - unity and tolerance. The angel in the cave instructed him to "unify the tribes and give them the God of Israel." You're going to start seeing a softening of intolerance and the beginning of a new way of being.

Eventually, this will create an acknowledgement that says, "You may not believe the way we believe, but we honor you and your God. We honor our prophet and we will love you according to his teachings. We don't have to agree in order to love." How would you like that? The earth is not going to turn into one belief system. It never will, for Humans don't do that. There must be variety, and there must be the beauty of cultural differences. But the systems will slowly update themselves with increased awareness of the truth of a new kind of balance. So that's the first thing. Watch for these changes, dear ones. ...."

"... Conclusion

This is the message of the day. The recalibration of awareness is going to change systems, education, government and finance. Those who don't choose to be spiritual at all will still move with a new awareness, for they will be aware of something that they are not aware of now - a softer way of living.

We close with a trite statement that we've given before, but that many have stated in jest: "If women ran the world, they would never send their sons to be killed on a battlefield."

Many laugh. How trite, how simple minded. Indeed, there have been women leaders who have put wars together; they had to. They sent their sons, so that's not really a correct statement. However, it's more right than you may think, dear ones.

So now I will make the statement I have made over and over in these recalibrated channellings: "When recalibrated Humans run the world, there will come a day when they will never send their sons into the battlefield." You see, awareness will change all of that. They will eventually see the wisdom of unification, new ways to settle issues, and the intuitive attribute of putting things together instead of tearing them apart.

There will be a time when government armies will not need to be large, and weapons will not be as powerful. Slowly, government won't need them. Slowly, slower than you want, these things will happen as the old soul carries his light and looks at the masters of the planet and emulates them.

You've all heard it: There will come a time when the masters will come back to Earth, and there are many who are waiting for this. However, it has already happened! They couldn't come back until the alignment was right and now it is right. This is what you are feeling in 2012 and beyond. It's starting to happen, and they're back. But they're not back as corporeal Human Beings. They're back as the energy of recalibrating of the awareness of God.

I wouldn't say these things unless they were true. Watch for these things, dear ones. Remember where you heard them first and when some of them start to occur in your news. And when you see the earth working in this fashion, dear one, maybe you'll realize that what I have given today is real.

Be circumspect. There is no perfect timing. Humans will create all this at their own pace. Do not be in fear of the things that might follow, for I say it yet again that the old energy will show itself soon in survival mode and it won't be pretty.

In this beginning of new energy, stand tall and turn on your light. Darkness will shirk before you. That is the truth of the day. ...”

A Tranquil Island Paradise Just Off the Jakarta Coast

Jakarta Globe, Anna Egutkina,  June 2, 2013

A view from the beach on Pantara island; cottages are in the middle of a
jungle, giving visitors privacy.  (JG Photo/Anna Egutkina)

Looking for an intimate weekend getaway?

The farthest island of Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands), Pulau Pantara, is the perfect place. Located in the middle of the Java Sea, it offers breathtaking views and its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water soothe both mind and soul.

The paradise island of only 10.5 hectares first opened to tourism in 1987 and has since has developed into a popular destination for people from around the globe.

There are many similar islands out there in Pulau Seribu, but there is something special about Pantara.

When you walk around the dense jungle, or sit on the beach watching the sunset, the only sounds to break the tranquility are waves hitting the shore and palm leaves rustling in the warm wind. The secret is that cottages are located far apart, separated by trees.

“Actually right now, from March to July, is high season, and all 40 of the cottages are fully booked, so we have over 90 people on this island,” Dwi Rohadi, receptionist at the island resort, said.

After a two-hour journey on a luxury speedboat, holidaymakers are greeted with live music and a tropical welcome drink in the vast lobby, the largest lobby on the Thousand Islands.

All cottages are located on the shore, so guests have their own private spot on the beach. The western-style food is included in the total price of Rp 1,936,000 ($197) and is served three times a day at the island’s only restaurant.

“Because the price is quite expensive, the majority of our visitors are foreigners. Holidaymakers from as far as South Africa come here to relax,” Dwi said.

“We always try to make our foreign guests feel at home on the island, for example if we have visitors from Italy we play Italian songs at dinner.”

Dwi has been working as a receptionist on the island for 12 years, and has seen all sorts of customers.

“Most of the visitors are very nice, enjoy their stay here and want to come back again.

“But of course sometimes you encounter difficult people, who complain about the island being a disappointment and not meeting their expectations,” she said.

One thing foreigners need to prepare for, is the lack of pubs and parties. Even though during the day Pantara island offers tennis courts, table tennis and a swimming pool, as the day draws to a close, there is not much to do. The place is far from Bali’s wild discos.

After dinner, Pantara is dead, with nobody to be seen. Buying alcohol after 10 p.m. is impossible — because everything is closed.

As compensation for that missing bottle of wine, visitors can sit beneath the amazingly bright star-lit sky and enjoy the diverse wildlife of the island.

All kinds of birds and insects can be seeing wandering around, and if you get lucky you might see the king of the island, which Indonesians call biawak — a giant monitor lizard that can reach up to three meters in length and only lives on small tropical islands where it does not face much competition for food.

“The biawaks do not pose a danger to humans as long as they aren’t disturbed. Our guests should respect that they are wild, so don’t be tempted to get too friendly with them. Once a guest tried to catch a poisonous stingray while snorkeling, and he got hurt,” Dwi recalled.

The man was taken to the Pantara island clinic, where the staff treated the guest using traditional medicine.

Along with a few dangerous sea creatures, the island paradise poses another potential threat — natural disasters are not uncommon.

“Four months ago there was a hurricane from the sea that rooted out many trees located on the beach. Luckily nobody got hurt,” Dwi said.

Protecting and respecting the flora and fauna is one of the main rules on this untouched piece of paradise. Pantara is one of the few places left in Indonesia where you can truly feel reunited with nature.

A weekend of meditating on the beautiful beach and drifting into calm sleep to the distant sound of waves can really do wonders.

As I boarded the luxurious boat home on Sunday and watched the island grow smaller and smaller, I realized all the problems that had seemed so important a few days ago, had evaporated into the tropical breeze blowing from the sea.