USA: Artist goes into hiding after death threats

17 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost

The artist who proposed an “Everybody Draw Muhammed Day” has gone into hiding on the advice of the FBI. Molly Norris was advised to move, change her name, and wipe away her identity, according to Seattle Weekly editor-in-chief Mark D. Fefer. Norris was put on an execution hitlist by Yemeni-American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in July. The cartoon led to a separate Facebook campaign, which resulted in the site being blocked in Pakistan.

Iran: Ayatollah Khamenei says no to music

6 Aug 2010 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

Iran’s supreme leader and cleric, Ayatollah Khamenei released a statement claiming that learning and teaching music are “not compatible” with Islamic laws and values. According to Fars news agency, he said: “It’s better that our dear youth spend their valuable time in learning science and essential and useful skills and fill their time with sport and healthy recreations instead of music.” Khamenei made the comments after one of his followers asked him for advice on taking up music lessons. When Khamenei was president, he banned western-style music.

Malaysia: protesters convicted for cow’s head rally

28 Jul 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

On 27 July, a Selangor court imprisoned a man for a week and fined 11 others after they protested against the construction of a Hindu temple with a severed cow’s head. All 12 pleaded guilty to the charge of “illegal assembly” and were fined 1000 ringgit (£202) whilst two men were also convicted of sedition and fined a further 3,000 ringgit (£606) for stamping and spitting on the cow’s skull. The rally took place in August 2009, in response to a proposal to build a Hindu temple in a Muslim neighbourhood.  An alternative site was eventually chosen for the place of worship.