One Day Blog Silence

Monday April 30th, 2007 is designated as One Day Blog Silence, which originally started as a day to honor the victims of Virginia Tech, and now includes all victims worldwide. So blogs are supposed to remain silent for the day.

For me it's also a day of silence in the Blogosphere since one of my favorite blogs Rantings Of A Sandmonkey, (who introduced me to Mahmood's Den,) is shutting down shop and just posted his last blog. It's sad and you can read the explanation on his site.

In addition, an article in today's New York Times presents a history of the Muslim Brotherhood and the party’s current standing in Egyptian politics. Many are currently on trial here. They have a blogger Monem who was recently arrested and jailed, along a number of other party members. Much of what’s going on now in Egypt pertains directly to them, and this article could not have come at a more pivotal time.

Islamic Democrats?.
By JAMES TRAUB
Published: April 29, 2007
In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has taken up a freedom agenda. Freedom for what is under debate.

On another note, I finally finished reading River In The Desert, A Modern Traveler In Ancient Egypt, by Paul William Roberts. I hope to post a few observations on it in another couple of days (something for me to work on during the "Blog Silence".) On page 355, is a description of an area in Egypt that seems to epitomize what a world without war or violence could actually be like.


"Above the roof of a distant ruin I noticed what looked like a simple Christian cross. 'Christian Mosque' was how Haroun answered my query. He meant 'church,' but for a moment I wondered if there had been a fusion of faith no one was aware of. It was odd to realize that, even during the golden age of Islam, Christians and Muslims had lived side by side here peaceably. The church still stood, and there are no records of persecution. Perhaps the merchant in Al-Kharga had been right: Here they did know only peace."