Let us all hope today is as peaceful as possible in Iraq.

I enjoyed this novel by the author of the best-seller Alchemist. In this novel, Paulo Coelho tells us the story of a young woman who leaves her town to explore the world with a childhood friend, and to solve her inner conflicts. During the journey, Pillar finds answers to the big questions of life, love and beliefs.

As a Muslim, I did not quite understand the religious side of the story. However, the other aspects of the story related to relationships were much more meaningful to me.

Some idiots have ruined the whole BABA thing. Frankly, I’m not interested anymore. Too bad, I thought all Arab bloggers will enjoy the awards, however, it seems like some people have fun by making others suffer. As one commenter said “Welcome to the Arab World!”

Islamists of Kuwait have announced the creation of their political party. Ummah Party is the first of its kind in the Gulf region. (Links: Arabic, English)

Husein Shubukshi thinks we can balance the intolerant books our kids study at school by considering ideas by the likes of Ibn Khaldoun, Ibn Rushd and Ibn Hazm. Good point.

Some Saudis who went to Indonesia to help the Asian tsunami victims have decided to take the chance to spread their Wahhabism. Instead of giving food, they started giving hijabs! For God’s sake! Can’t you just help those people and leave? They need food and shelter, not your radical ideas.

A long, but extremely good piece on blogs and traditional media by Jack Shafer.