Shahrukh Khan’s newest Bollywood film, “My Name Is Khan” has been lauded by many as a cinematic gift to Muslims all over the world. The film follows the Asperger’s afflicted protagonist Rizwan Khan as he struggles to find his way through a pre and post 911 America. Many Islamic organizations have lavished the film with praise for breaking down barriers and showing Muslims in a positive light. For that reason, the movie is undoubtedly a Bollywood landmark as most Bollywood films revolve around couples trying to get married for three hours.

The first-ever Abu Dhabi Media Summit is currently underway, and Rupert Murdoch, head honcho of News Corp., has set his lucrative little heart on the Middle East as the creative future of the media industry. News Corp. owns a slew of media properties, including MySpace - which hasn’t given us much lately, “Jihad Jane” aside - and, ironically, the region’s biggest media fan, Fox News.

March marks the commemoration of Women’s History Month and the recognition of International Women’s Day - a time to reflect on the progress that women around the world have experienced over time in gaining rights. Yet, the gender divide still rages on for many communities - especially in American mosques. 

The UK Telegraph is reporting that potential terrorists, and even common criminals, have a new threat to worry about when trying to evade capture and it’s as plain as the nose on their faces. That’s right, new technology recently unveiled by British scientists places great emphasis on “nose analysis” as a credible means of identification for criminals. 

Its automotive industry may not be so hot right now, but there’s always the next best thing for Detroit - Islamic art! Enthusiasts rejoice! The Detroit Institute of Arts has opened a permanent gallery of Islamic art, showcasing approximately 170 works of art from the Middle East, Central Asia, India and the Mediterranean region. 

We knew it wouldn’t be long before he struck again. Muammar Gaddafi has taken a much needed break from his role as dastardly dictator of Libya and has begun issuing his own jihadist commands from high atop his bedazzled soapbox. This time, the audacious authoritarian has set his sights squarely on Switzerland and has launched a bitter diatribe against the chocolate capital of the world.

An anti-capitalist French political party has fielded a young female activist to run in the upcoming regional elections in Vaucluse. The decision has both right and left-wing politicians up in arms. The reason? The candidate, Ilham Moussaid, wears the hijab. 

Despite what we see on the news, not all political couples are doom and gloom. Take mayoral candidate and long-time Paterson resident, Andre Sayegh, and his Muslim-American fiance, Farhanna Balgahoom.

There is nothing that irks me more than a self-denying Arab - the kind of person who thinks that “Arab” is a dirty word, a label they don’t care to stoop beneath. I’ve met Egyptians who claim to be a race of their own - the same pure “Egyptian” race that Cleopatra and King Tut belong to. I once even met a girl from Lebanon who bristled with offense when I mentioned something about the two of us being Arab. ”I am not Arab,” she proclaimed. “I am Phoenician.” Yeah right, and I’m the granddaughter of Nefertiti. 

You know what I just can’t understand? Women who bring their beleaguered husbands and boyfriends shopping with them. These men walk around the mall as if they are being led into Hell itself. Especially the poor souls lingering awkwardly in lingerie shops, not wanting to look in any particular direction in case, who then inadvertently meet the eye of some lady holding panties up for size.