Seven People Killed in a Suicide Attack in Kazakhstan

Seven people were killed in a suicide attack in Kazakhstan’s southern city of Taraz, authorities said. The suspect blew himself up as officers moved in to arrest him.
The prosecutor general’s office said in a statement that the killings began in the morning when the suspect opened fire and killed two security service officers who were tailing him.
Authorities said the attacker, identified only as Kariyev, later attacked a weapons store, killing the owner and a customer. He then commandeered a vehicle and shot dead two police officers.
Kariyev subsequently returned to his home, where he picked up a grenade launcher that he then used to fire on a local branch of the Committee for National Security, the successor agency to the KGB.
“As an attempt was made to disarm Kariyev, he blew himself up, which resulted in the death of police captain Baitasov, who led the platoon engaged in the capture,” the statement said.

Source: Washington Post

Schools In Pakistan Teach Hatred for Hindus

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Text books in Pakistani schools foster prejudice and intolerance of Hindus and other religious minorities, while most teachers view non-Muslims as "enemies of Islam," according to a study by a U.S. government commission released Wednesday.
The findings indicate how deeply ingrained hardline Islam is in Pakistan and help explain why militancy is often supported, tolerated or excused in the country.
"Teaching discrimination increases the likelihood that violent religious extremism in Pakistan will continue to grow, weakening religious freedom, national and regional stability, and global security," said Leonard Leo, the chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Pakistan was created in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia and was initially envisaged as a moderate state where minorities would have full rights. But three wars with mostly Hindu India; state support for militants fighting Soviet-rule in Afghanistan in the 1980s; and the appeasement of hardline clerics by weak governments seeking legitimacy have led to a steady radicalization of society.
Religious minorities and those brave enough to speak out against intolerance have often been killed, seemingly with impunity, by militant sympathizers. The commission warned that any significant efforts to combat religious discrimination, especially in education, would "likely face strong opposition" from hardliners.
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U.S. troops leave border base to Afghans

COMBAT OUTPOST WAZA KHWAH, AFGHANISTAN — The last of the American soldiers packed up their gear, lowered their flag and flew away on Chinook helicopters Thursday, handing this small base to the 250 Afghan policemen left in the swirling dust below. Read more

Letter about: Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr sentenced to 90 lashes, for role in My Tehran for Sale

Dear Moderate Muslim Voices,

90 lashes and one year in jail sounds pretty harsh for playing a role in a film, even if it is over a controversial topic. Considering the amount of media attention it is receiving this week, it is safe to say that people are pretty disturbed by Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr’s recent punishment for her role in the film My Tehran For Sale. With the increase in media coverage, it will definitely be interesting to see what happens next.

After reading your post I wanted to suggest a video to you that was posted today on Newsy. Newsy is an online news service that creates short videos highlighting how different organizations cover news topics. This video provides a great summary of the situation. including some details about the charges against Vafamehr and some quotes from others that were involved in the film.

It’s a very informative video, and I think it would be a great addition to your post!

http://www.newsy.com/8855/ [Video]

Thanks,

Rachel Coleman