December 2003
Voting on the Draft Constitution of Afghanistan Has Been Suspended
Voting on Afghanistan's new draft constitution has been suspended due to disagreements over power-sharing and ethnic minority recognition. Afghan leaders, including Hamid Karzai, are seeking…
Islamic Militants Seek to Undermine Stability of Saudi Government - 2003-12-30
Islamic militants connected to Al-Qaeda are reportedly planning to destabilize the Saudi government through targeted assassinations of security officials. This follows a recent car bombing…
Report by Shahid: Presence of Two Officials of the Islamic Republic in Bam - 2003-12-30
Two officials of the Islamic Republic visited Bam, and it was announced that Ayatollah Khamenei organized a memorial service for earthquake victims in Tehran. This…
Security Siege of a Military Hospital in Hamburg - 2003-12-30
German police have set up a security perimeter around a military hospital in Hamburg due to credible threats from Islamic extremists planning a car bomb…
Two Groups Suspected of Links to Al-Qaeda Added to UN Sanctions List - 2003-12-30
The UN has added two groups linked to Al-Qaeda to its sanctions list, including the Islamic Haramain Foundation in Bosnia and the Hohberg company in…
Parliamentary Results in Serbia's Sunday Elections - 2003-12-29
In Serbia's recent elections, the Serbian Radical Party, led by convicted war criminal Vojislav Šešelj, won 27% of the votes but lacks sufficient support to…
American Soldiers Kill Three Suspected Members of Ansar al-Islam - 2003-12-29
American soldiers killed three suspected members of Ansar al-Islam in Mosul after being fired upon. Iraqi police arrested four foreigners, including an Iranian, for allegedly…
Reza Pahlavi: The Iranian Army is in the Best Position to Establish a Relief Headquarters for the Earthquake Victims of Bam
Reza Pahlavi emphasizes the capability of the Iranian Army to assist earthquake victims in Bam, stating that the current situation is not about political disagreements…
Saudi Police Have Arrested Over 4,000 People
Saudi police have arrested more than 4,000 people in a crackdown on militants near the Yemen border, seizing explosives, weapons, and drugs. This operation highlights…
Influx of Foreign Journalists to Bam, Iranian Arash - 2003-12-27
Foreign journalists are flocking to Kerman to cover the earthquake in Bam, rushing to Iranian embassies in Kuwait for visas. This influx highlights Kuwait's role…
The Moans and Cries of the Injured Trapped Under the Rubble, Saadi, Kerman - 2003-12-27
The article describes the desperate situation of the people in Bam, Iran, following a devastating earthquake, highlighting their cries for help and the inadequacy of…
5 to 6 Thousand People Killed in the Earthquake of the Historic City of Bam - 2003-12-26
A devastating earthquake struck the historic city of Bam, resulting in 5 to 6 thousand fatalities and 30,000 injuries. The disaster caused significant destruction, including…
Israel to Renew Targeting and Killing of Suspected Palestinian Militants
In response to a suicide bombing near Tel Aviv, Israel plans to renew its operations targeting and killing suspected Palestinian militants, specifically focusing on the…
Pervez Musharraf's Deal with Radical Islamists - 2003-12-25
Pervez Musharraf has made a deal with radical Islamists that has effectively stopped the democratic process in Pakistan. This situation involves Musharraf and extremist groups,…
Under the Microscope: Distortions and Propaganda of Newspapers Affiliated with the Supreme Leader
Dr. Ali Reza Nouri Zadeh discusses the rejection of two Guardian Council candidates by the Iranian parliament and critiques the propaganda of Supreme Leader-affiliated newspapers,…
Explosion at a Bus Station in the Suburbs of Tel Aviv - 2003-12-25
A Palestinian suicide bomber attacked a bus station near Tel Aviv, killing himself and three others, while Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed a militant leader…
Pervez Musharraf to Resign as Commander of Armed Forces by End of 2004
President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan has agreed to step down as Commander of the Armed Forces by the end of 2004 while remaining President. This…
Under the Microscope: The Health Status of Political Prisoners in Iran, the Expulsion of Mojahedin-e Khalq Members from Iraq - 2003-12-23
Dr. Ali Reza Nourizadeh discusses the alarming health conditions of political prisoners in Iran and the expulsion of Mojahedin-e Khalq members from Iraq, alongside the…
Mohammad Khatami Criticizes France's Proposal to Ban Hijabs in Public Schools - 2003-12-23
Mohammad Khatami has criticized France's proposal to ban hijabs in public schools, asserting it infringes on religious freedoms. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt also condemned…
Al Jazeera's Troubling Days, Arash Irani - 2003-12-23
A senior Qatari official is seeking to reopen Al Jazeera's office in Kuwait after it was closed due to its coverage of the U.S. invasion…
Under the Microscope: The Electoral Campaigns of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran - 2003-12-22
Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discusses the electoral campaigns for Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly and Libya's agreement with the U.S. on weapons of mass destruction. This…
Israel to Implement Ceasefire if Palestinian Militants Halt Attacks - 2003-12-22
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has indicated that Israel will agree to a ceasefire if Palestinian militant groups cease their attacks. Egypt is mediating to…
Extension of Detention for 4 Muslim Students in Indonesia - 2003-12-19
Four Muslim students in Indonesia have had their detention extended due to alleged connections with Hambali, a suspected terrorist leader. They are accused of aiding…
A Woman Killed in Explosion at a Shiite Extremist Group's Building in Baghdad - 2003-12-19
A bomb exploded in a building linked to a Shiite extremist group in Baghdad, killing a woman and injuring at least seven others. This incident…
500 Muslim Activists Protest Saddam Hussein's Arrest in Bangladesh - 2003-12-19
In Bangladesh, approximately 500 Muslim activists protested against the arrest of Saddam Hussein, expressing their opposition to U.S. military presence in Iraq and calling for…
U.S. Expresses Concern Over France's Proposal to Ban Religious Symbols in Public Schools
The U.S. has voiced concerns regarding France's proposal to ban religious symbols, including Islamic headscarves, in public schools. French President Jacques Chirac supports the ban…
Possibility of Resignation of Head of American Weapons Inspectors Team in Iraq - 2003-12-18
David Kay, head of the American weapons inspectors in Iraq, may resign soon as he returns to Washington for the holidays. The Supreme Council for…
Czech Legislators Approve Deployment of 150 Military Police to Iraq
Czech lawmakers have approved sending 150 military police to Iraq to assist in training and security operations. This decision follows Senate approval and highlights the…
Mohammad Hakim Killed in Assassination Attempt in Baghdad - 2003-12-18
Mohammad Hakim, a senior official of the largest Shia political party in Iraq, was assassinated in Baghdad, reportedly by loyalists of Saddam Hussein. This incident…
French President Calls for Ban on Islamic Headscarves in Schools
French President Jacques Chirac has proposed a law to ban Islamic headscarves in public schools, emphasizing the importance of secularism. This decision has sparked controversy,…
13 October Protesters Released in Riyadh
Thirteen protesters arrested during October demonstrations in Riyadh have been released, including three women who apologized for their actions. The protests, organized by the Islamic…
Egypt's Foreign Minister to Visit Israel Next Week - 2003-12-17
Egypt's Foreign Minister is set to visit Israel next week amid ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire between Palestinian militants and Israel. Despite these diplomatic…
Continuation of Milosevic's Trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for War Crimes - 2003-12-17
Retired General Wesley Clark testified for two days in the trial of Slobodan Milosevic, describing Milosevic's obstinacy and coarse behavior during the proceedings. Clark, a…
Clashes in Southern Philippines Leave 13 Dead
Clashes in the southern Philippines resulted in 13 deaths, including 4 soldiers, amid rising tensions that threaten upcoming peace negotiations to end a long-standing separatist…
Release of 41 Iranians from Iraq - 2003-12-16
41 Iranians detained by coalition forces in Iraq have been released and returned to Iran after seven months. They were described as pilgrims and aid…
Three Gold Medals for Dutch Swimmer at Ireland Championships - 2003-12-15
Pieter van den Hoogenband won three gold medals and set a world record at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Dublin, Ireland. He also…
Concerns of the Participation Party of Iran Over Candidate Disqualifications - 2003-12-13
The leader of Iran's main reformist party, Mohammad Reza Khatami, has urged election officials to approve their candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections. He warned…
Poisoning of 100 Iranian Female Students Due to Gas Leak
Over 100 female students at Zanjan Islamic Azad University were poisoned due to a carbon monoxide leak from a faulty heating system. Many were treated…
Six Palestinians Killed in Clash at Refugee Camp
Six Palestinians were killed during a clash between militants and Palestinian soldiers at the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza. The incident involved Israeli soldiers who…
Coverage of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony on Islamic Republic Television
The Islamic Republic Television's coverage of Shirin Ebadi receiving the Nobel Peace Prize was marked by sarcasm and a lack of respect, leading to public…
President of the Islamic Union of Pakistan Dies of Heart Attack - 2003-12-11
Mullah Shah Ahmad Noorani, the president of the Islamic Union of Pakistan, died from a heart attack at the age of 77. His death may…
Shirin Ebadi's Speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony - 2003-12-10
Shirin Ebadi delivered a speech upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, advocating for human rights and criticizing Western democracies for using terrorism as a justification…
The European Union Will Send Its Foreign Policy Chief to Iran Next Month - 2003-12-09
The EU plans to send its foreign policy chief to Iran next month to renew negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and a trade agreement. The…
Nasrin Mahdavi Report: Increase in Islamic Extremist Activities in Germany - 2003-12-08
The article reports on the rising activities of Islamic extremist groups in Germany, highlighting concerns raised by a special correspondent from Voice of America. This…
Ariel Sharon's Government Will Reject Ceasefire Proposed by Palestinian Militant Forces - 2003-12-07
Ariel Sharon's government has announced it will reject any ceasefire from Palestinian militants unless it completely stops violence against Israelis. This comes after a Cairo…
Russian Citizens in Separatist Regions of Abkhazia, Adjara, South Ossetia, and Moldova Participate in Russian Parliamentary Elections on Sunday - 2003-12-06
Russian citizens in separatist regions are set to vote in Russian parliamentary elections, with polling stations established in military bases. Georgian officials have accused Russia…
Emadeddin Baghi Sentenced to One Year in Prison
Emadeddin Baghi has been sentenced to one year in prison for promoting opposition to the Iranian regime. This ruling highlights the ongoing repression of dissent…
Under the Microscope: Arrest of the Suspects in the Murder of Ms. Zahra Kazemi - 2003-12-05
The article discusses the arrest of suspects involved in the murder of Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian journalist. Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh provides insights into the…
Report by Nasrin Mahdavi: Arrest of a Member of the Ansar al-Islam Terrorist Network in Germany - 2003-12-05
A member of the Ansar al-Islam terrorist network was arrested in Munich, Germany. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding terrorist activities linked to Iranian groups…
Shirin Ebadi: The Islamic Republic Must Grant Legal Equality to Women and Religious Minorities
Shirin Ebadi advocates for legal equality for women and religious minorities in Iran, asserting that the Constitution permits women to run for president, a view…