The terrorist attack in Vienna has once again attested to the fact that in no way could the world community afford selective approaches in the fight against international terrorism, as it is the greatest menace to mankind in our times, Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan said in his condolence message to the families of victims of the terrorist attacks.
In the words of Harutyunyan, no state is immune to terrorism, and it must not be associated with any particular civilization, religion, nationality or ethnic group.
“It has been more than a month that in full view of the international community Artsakh became a target of terrorism, combating aspirations and attempts of Azerbaijan and Turkey to turn the South Caucasus into a new hotbed of international terrorism. The Republic of Artsakh faces terrorism and crimes against humanity, suffering human and tangible material loss,” said the President, condemning any attempt whereby communities are subjected to terrorism, and the civilian population is targeted deliberately on the grounds of ethnic or religious belonging.
“Any attempt to justify those encouraging, sponsoring or perpetrating terrorism and extremism, as well as those inciting hate crime and violence, should be unequivocally condemned. The Republic of Artsakh remains committed to those principles and determined to contribute to the fight against terrorism, reinforcing international and regional security, and we will struggle to the end for our right to secure life and development,” the message concluded.
You walk a fine line when discussing secularism and Islam, or any religion, for that matter. A step to the left and you’re an Islamophobe, disrespectful of a religion and (at the extreme) you may be beheaded. A step to the right, and you’re a fundamentalist, a fanatic or a radical who wants to spread Sharia law, and (yourself) behead people.
The politics of either-or, and responses to savage individual cruelty in the name of a larger group or set of beliefs places you on a very fine line of discussion. With a world drenched in ethno-nationalism, searches for purity, anti-globalism, opposition to multiculturalism, and a rather pernicious type of identity politics – the type that identifies, separates, and demonises, or outright persecutes “others” or “outsiders” – there are dangers everywhere. Walking this line is dangerous, and any misstep, in the “right” or “wrong” direction (depending on time and place) could be fatal.
It is like the day after the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11 2001. There was only one position to take…. Anyway, we know, by now, that the US went to war against the people of Iraq, and the people of Afghanistan. I am reminded of what the Indian writer Arundhati Roy wrote at the time:
“Once war begins, it will develop a momentum, a logic and a justification of its own, and we’ll lose sight of why it’s being fought in the first place.”
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I recall that passage because I have been reflecting on the beheading and the gruesome murder of people in France and the UK (in the name of a religion) and Emmanuel Macron’s defence of France’s secularism. Part of my reflection was on the way that India’s secularism, enshrined in that country’s Constitution, has effectively been replaced by Hindu (ethnic) nationalism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian prime minister, according to Roy, was determined to turn India away from its secularist moorings and into a Hindu nation “commandeered by a Hindu supremacist organization that believes in a doctrine of One Nation, One Language, One Religion, One Constitution.”
“We use the word ‘secular’ in a slightly different sense from the rest of the world – for us, it’s code for a society in which all religions have equal standing in the eyes of the law. In practice, India has been neither secular nor socialist. It has always functioned as an upper-caste Hindu state. But the conceit of secularism, hypocritical though it may be, is the only shard of coherence that makes India possible. That hypocrisy was the best thing we had. Without it, India will end,” Roy explained.
“The problem is that we are living in societies that exclude each other – and that’s giving us our issues. The compromise lies in including each other and understanding one another. We should be on the same page, instead of looking at Islam as a strange and extreme religion, as an extreme religion, that we can’t deal with. Islam is part of society. Muslims are European citizens and they have the right to be here. But they have to invest to make it more part of any kind of society. We have to find a way to talk as partners, instead of as victims and accused,” Macron said.
Is there a defence of secularism?
It seems ridiculous to even contemplate the above question – at least from my point of view. I do not want to live in a theocracy of any type. At this point, it’s probably worth providing a very basic introduction, a bit late in the essay, of what is referred to here as secularism. It is the separation of government institutions, agencies and agents of the state, from religious institutions and religious fundamentalism. In short, it’s keeping state and church apart – and that’s a good thing.
Can one even defend secularism in a world dominated by ethno-nationalism, where the search for purity, anti-globalism and opposition to multiculturalism is defined by an identity politics that separates, demonises, or persecutes “others” or “outsiders”? Well, I believe it is necessary to do so.
I refer, above, to a fine line that one treads when discussing these things. With religion, and Islam (currently), a step to the left and you’re an Islamophobe, disrespectful of a religion and (at the extreme) you may be beheaded. A step to the right, and you’re a fundamentalist, a fanatic or a radical, who wants to spread Sharia law and (also) behead people.
It is probably unfair to say that the person who beheaded Paty in France was not a “true Muslim”, that he was not representative of more than a billion Muslims around the world, and “does not” represent Islam. But the sight of a beheading with a cry that “god is great”, and in opposition to free speech is horripilating. Especially if you have lived through the persecution of censorship and fought for free speech – as many of us did during the 1980s.
There have been very many responses to the Paty beheading. Some go back to French misdeeds in its colonies 50 years ago, others reference the Palestinian struggle, and each has its merits. One argument is that Islam is in crisis, much like the way that the French state is in search of a new (secular) ethos. One misstep along that fine line can cost you your life….
To conclude, then. I always come out on the side of non-violence – something I adopted from Jainism (to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation). Secularism and humanism are always my preferred positions. I part ways with Macron over his insistence on the primacy of the European Enlightenment – a discussion brought back to life by Stephen Pinker in order to place Western liberalism on the right side of history – but that is for another essay.
For now, we remain transfixed by sanctimony, justifications, invocations of historical injustices – and people who are losing their heads, literally. DM
Ismail Lagardien
Ismail Lagardien is a writer, columnist and political economist with extensive exposure and experience in global political economic affairs. He was educated at the London School of Economics, and holds a PhD in International Political Economy.
… territory and posted two percent organic growth. The quarter was … seen a good performance from southern Europe and from and from Germany … smaller markets in in in Europe. So European markets posted zero percent … ] Thanks, Scott. Lots of meat on on at least two …
Out of the embers of World War II, the United States has largely been there for Europe.
With NATO, it provided security, amidst the threat posed by the Soviet Union.
With the Marshall Fund, an organisation dedicated towards US-European cooperation, recovery was comparatively smooth.
And with political support, the US helped lay the foundations for the EU itself.
But four years of the Trump presidency has challenged those transatlantic norms, with trade wars, a questioning of the military alliance and a view that the EU is a threat rather than an ally.
Euronews spoke to three key experts on how a win either way could affect the bloc.
Would a President Biden restore that more familiar relationship?
“He will try and repair and restitch the multilateral alliance, particularly with the EU which is one that we know he has a long history with,” said President Barack Obama’s former advisor, Robert Malley.
“Now, that doesn’t mean it is going to be that easy to go back to square one, there has been a lot of damage done, not just in eroding trust, but I think Europe will know that when you have President Trump one day and President Biden the next, who knows who will come after that, so Europe will probably feel the need to deepen its strategic anonymity if that is the right word, even if relations with the US improve, I suspect quite dramatically in the wake of a victory by Joe Biden.”
There are concerns in some quarters about a second Trump term. How do you see that affecting the future of the EU?
“The biggest fear is that the EU would fall apart because you would have one camp who would see the Trump two Presidency as an opportunity to double down on European sovereignty and you would see another camp that would try to stick with the United States whatever it takes and that can easily divide the European Union. That is the biggest fear here in Berlin, we are always the ones that want to hold the club together and work with the Poles and the French, and north and south,” Jana Puglierin, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations explained.
America has been moving its focus in a direction away from Europe for decades, pivoting east to Asia and China. Is this rebalancing likely to continue?
“There are structural reasons why the rise of China makes a difference to the United States but also the general focus to Asia. We are after all a bi-oceanic country, a bi-oceanic power, that has always been part of our makeup. You could see a rebalancing for sure. There are also demographic changes in the United States, generational changes that probably push in that direction as well, clearly, younger people in the United States are paying more attention to Asia, probably a bit less to Europe. But there are still overwhelming reasons for the United States to care about this relationship with Europe,” Ian Lesser, Vice President at the German Marshall Fund told Euronews.
Four years of Donald J. Trump have proven to be a cold, hard slap in the face for much of Europe, but it is a reality that has been coming for a long time and maybe an opportunity too, for the EU to define and assert its own united foreign policy position more.
Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving? It’s a time to celebrate with family, reflect on our blessings and renew our sense of gratefulness. Sometimes it’s hard to lead a life of gratefulness in the midst of the complicated world we live in. Many Christians take time in November to practice an ‘attitude of gratitude’ and purposefully express on each day something they are thankful for.
But, why do we pick this one month to express our gratitude? Shouldn’t we practice gratitude year-round? Many studies have shown that the effects of gratitude on physical health as well as psychological well-being are overwhelming. People who regularly recorded their gratefulness saw an increase in their immune systems, lowered blood pressure, increase in optimism and found more rewarding outcomes in their relationships. Indeed, gratitude is good for you.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Thank God: Stories of Gratitude, Harvest, and Home By Paraclete Press Celebrate autumn and Thanksgiving by reading these reflective stories of gratitude. The stories include writings from Henry van Dyke, Sarah Josepha Hale (the ‘Mother of the American Thanksgiving’), Abraham Lincoln and Louisa May Alcott, as well as songs, psalms and prayers.
Countdown to Thanksgiving: Memory Making Stories and Activities for 14 Days Leading up to Thanksgiving By Amy Puetz Do you long to make this Thanksgiving the best holiday you have ever had? Do you want to slow down and just enjoy Thanksgiving like our ancestors did? If so, this book will bring a new joy to your Thanksgiving. The book guides families to read a heartwarming Thanksgiving story each day and then participate in a fun activity together.
Spirituality of Gratitude: The Unexpected Blessings of Thankfulness By Joshua Choonmin Kang In this book, readers are invited to enter the world of thankfulness that awaits everyone who seeks it. In 52 short chapters, which may be read in weekly reflections or as daily devotions, you’ll discover the beauty of finding gratitude in the everyday moments and the hard times.
The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude By Joyce Meyer Discover the life-changing power of a grateful heart. In this 365-day devotional, readers will explore how pausing to acknowledge God’s blessings helps restore us to a state of spiritual peace. Designed to spark an attitude of gratitude in your life, each daily meditation includes an inspiring reading, a Scripture verse and a prayer of thanks.
How can new life forms that we cannot see be discovered? Using a novel method based on looking for DNA in soil samples, researchers at Uppsala University have revealed the existence of two hitherto unknown, but very common fungus species. They are thought to perform a key function in the ecosystem, but their exact role remains to be clarified. The study is published in the journal IMA Fungus.
To most people, the word ‘fungus’ conjures up something like a chanterelle or fly agaric, rising vertically from the ground. Since a huge number of fungi do not form distinct fruit bodies, however, they do not catch the eye. This applies, for example, to the newly discovered fungi. Invisible to the naked eye, they are nonetheless common in forest soils in Northern and Central Europe, as DNA analyses of soil samples show.
The researchers found the fungi in soil samples from the Ivantjärnheden field station near Jädraås, in the province of Gästrikland, in east central Sweden. The method developed by the scientists is based on extracting both long DNA sequences, to investigate species interrelationships, and short DNA sequences to get an idea of how common species are.
“Our data show that these two are closely related but distinct species that compete for resources in the soil profile. One wins out, and is dominant, in organic soil; we’ve named it Archaeorhizomyces victor. In second place we have Archaeorhizomyces secundus, which makes do with resources in mineral soil to a greater extent,” says Anna Rosling of the Department of Ecology and Genetics at Uppsala University, who headed the work.
Where the two species coexist—in soil and roots in mixed and coniferous forest—Archaeorhizomyces victor thus predominates in the humus-rich soil. Just a little further down in the ground, where the soil contains less nutrients, victor does poorly and secundus can become widespread.
These species belong to the class Archaeorhizomycetes and, as such, to a group of ancient fungal root endophytes: fungi that colonize plants’ root tissue internally and live in symbiosis with the host, enhancing plant performance and causing no obvious harm. From soil samples around the world, the researchers know that this class comprises at least 1,000 species. These fungi are common; in soil samples from Ivantjärnheden, for example, they make up roughly 30 percent of all sequenced genetic material. This large fungus group was first described scientifically in 2011 and then, too, it was Anna Rosling and her research group who made the discovery, and also succeeded in cultivating two species in their laboratory. The fungi then grew enough to permit more detailed study. Rosling describes them as slow-growing and somewhat beige in color, and says they form differently shaped spores.
With these two newly discovered fungi, the known species of Archaeorhizomycetes have doubled in number. Even more important, the researchers think, is the fact that they have established a method of identifying new species that does not depend on cultivation, or on finding a fruiting body. And much remains to be discovered in the fungus kingdom. The presence of certain marker genes in soil samples indicates that nearly 90 percent of all fungi have yet to be scientifically described.
“With our study, we want to give an idea of the tremendous diversity of fungi in the soil and the importance of naming them, even if we haven’t seen them with the naked eye yet,” Rosling says.
More information:
Faheema Kalsoom Khan et al. Naming the untouchable – environmental sequences and niche partitioning as taxonomical evidence in fungi, IMA Fungus (2020). DOI: 10.1186/s43008-020-00045-9
Citation:
Invisible fungi revealed by their genetic material (2020, November 3)
retrieved 3 November 2020
from https://phys.org/news/2020-11-invisible-fungi-revealed-genetic-material.html
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“I count on your commitment to this appeal”, Amina Mohammed told the meeting via videoconference, on factors driving civil strife worldwide. “And I count on your renewed political and financial investments in prevention and solutions, to stave off security and conflict risks, at a time when the world needs peace and calm more than ever before”.
She informed that the pandemic continues to exacerbate the risks and drivers of conflict, “from cross-border insecurity and climate-related threats, to social unrest and democratic deficits”.
I always laud #UNGA for giving small countries a voice. But little states can also make their mark elsewhere. Today @SVG_UN assumed leadership of the Security Council. I know the smallest country ever to sit on that body has a big voice. Can’t wait to follow their presidency. pic.twitter.com/lT2ersPyOm
The deputy UN chief cited the diverse impacts of the pandemic on economic and social inequalities, as well as on the promotion and protection of human rights, especially for women.
“Parties to conflict are taking advantage of the pandemic to create or aggravate insecurity and impede medical care and other life-saving assistance and services”, she attested.
At the same time women are disproportionately employed in the sectors most affected by lockdowns – where there is “an alarming spike” in gender-based and domestic violence – and are more likely than men to lack savings, social security and health coverage.
“How can we talk about peace and security when millions of women are at greatest risk in their own homes? And we know there is a straight line between violence against women and girls, civic oppression and conflict”, stated Ms. Mohammed.
Climate driver
Turning to linkages between climate change and security challenges, she dubbed the climate emergency “a major driver of inequality, insecurity and conflict”.
She recounted her own fact-finding missions in the Sahel, Lake Chad region and Middle East, noting connections between the large-scale displacement of people and “extreme weather events like droughts and floods that destroy homes, livelihoods and communities”.
“In some cases, the climate crisis threatens the very existence of nations”, Ms. Mohammed spelled out.
‘Stalled’ development
The UN official also pointed to “stalled” progress on development that is continually being addressed in a “fragmented” manner.
While noting, “the drivers of conflict are not static: they change and evolve”, so too are the opportunities, including new means for learning and growing, she continued.
“The pandemic has already shown that rapid change is possible, as millions of people adopt new ways of working, learning and socializing”, the deputy chief said, urging everyone to “build forward better”.
She also maintained that recovering from COVID has “reinforced the need for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – our ultimate prevention tool”, including on gender equality, and upholding the rule of law and good governance.
She called for a “whole-of-UN approach” to the contemporary challenges and drivers of conflict, which must include all Member States.
‘Unequal world order’
Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), attributed the UN’s failure in living up to “the ideals of collective and cooperative security” to an “unequal world order”.
The root causes of conflicts “range from the internal struggles for scarce resources; external contests for precious natural resources, and interventions designed to suppress the struggle of peoples to reclaim their own political and economic destinies”, he said.
COVID factor
And due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world economy is projected to contract by 5-10 per cent, depending on when the virus can be brought under control, according to the ECOSOC chief.
Noting that over a 100 million people will likely be pushed back into poverty, he flagged that “as usual”, the poorest countries and people “will suffer the most”.
Unless they receive financial assistance, Mr. Akram said “many developing economies – with lost revenues and laden with unplayable debt – are likely to face economic collapse”, which “would spread chaos and further inflame regional conflicts and global tensions”.
A toxic brew
Ibrahim Mayaki, head of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), painted a picture of African populations migrating to cities, including in largely rural countries, warning that conflict only adds to the difficulties States face in providing services for rural dwellers.
He noted that some African border areas, are virtual magnets for violence perpetrated by armed groups and warned that global warming in the Sahel is bringing about “extreme climate events”.
Chairing the meeting – his Caribbean island nation holding the Council presidency for November – Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, reminded that most of the region’s problems do not have military solutions and rejected any solutions that bypass the needs and aspirations of local populations.
He underscored the Government’s urgent responsibility to “end suffering” especially in conflict settings, adding that current chasms cannot be overcome with “baby steps.”
WFP/Justin Smith
Drought has affected residents of the Mbera refugee camp, Mauritania, in the Sahel region of Africa.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Grand Forks’ mask mandate was put to the test at City Hall Monday night, Nov. 2.
Anti-mask supporter David Waterman proved the mandates put in by Mayor Brandon Bochenski and the city council have very little weight.
The mandates regarding city buildings and mask-use around the city do not have any penalties attached.
The citywide mandate was originally proposed with a penalty, but was ultimately shot down.
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After a one-hour protest outside of city hall that was attended by two dozen people, including children, was organized by Waterman, he attempted to enter city hall for the city council meeting.
However, a Grand Forks police officer told him he had to wear a mask.
Waterman refused, citing religious and unspecified health concerns.
The Grand Forks police officer called his supervisor and ultimately allowed Waterman, along with his wife and another protestor, to enter city hall without a mask.
His wife and the protestor were not challenged by police.
During the meeting, city health officer Debbie Swanson told the mayor and city councilors more mitigation with penalties attached are needed to slow what she called a crisis. Nearly 700 new cases have been reported since Friday alone.
… significant structural opportunities for agricultural growth. To start, … region with rice and fruit, vegetables making up nearly … conditions, especially in northern Europe, I expect that herbicides … for improving both the fertilizer usage, crop protection, …
Following today’s attack in Nice and following on from the murder of Samuel Paty on 16 October, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has condemned all forms of terrorism and extremism and called for mutual understanding and dialogue between all peoples and nations.
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad states:
“The murder and beheading of Samuel Paty and the attack in Nice earlier today must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Such grievous attacks are completely against the teachings of Islam. Our religion does not permit terrorism or extremism under any circumstances and anyone who claims otherwise acts against the teachings of the Holy Quran and contrary to the noble character of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
As the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims and to the French nation. Let it be clear that our condemnation and hatred of such attacks is not something new but has always been our position and stance. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (peace be upon him) and his Successors have always categorically rejected all forms of violence or bloodshed in the name of religion.
The fallout from this heinous act has further exacerbated the tensions between the Islamic world and the West and between Muslims living in France and the rest of society. We consider this to be a source of deep regret and a means of further undermining the peace and stability of the world. We must all join together to root out all forms of extremism and to encourage mutual understanding and tolerance. From our perspective, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will spare no effort in our mission to foster a better understanding of the true and peaceful teachings of Islam in the world.”
