… with some food for thought.
Ian Buruma argues that the Islamic way of life which stresses on virtues such as celibacy and no sex before marriage, could be the impetus for violence and terrorism among young Muslims. Have a think..
Pauline Millard, on what to do after one graduates
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I just watched Junior Mastermind on BBC1. I’ve got this thing about quiz shows, have I ever confessed that to the masses? A Question of Sport, Mastermind, University Challenge, They Think It’s All Over, Have I Got News For You. All BBC staples. Mastermind’s kinda cool because you get quizzed over two, two minute sessions. The first session are questions on your subject of expertise: this is usually anything you want it to be. I have long decided that if I were to ever take part, my subject of choice would be The Sitcom Friends. The second round is general knowledge, which makes it interesting because geeks and nerds usually ace the first round, but lost in our own little worlds as we all are, daily happenings mystify us.
Anyway. Onto Junior Mastermind. The kid who won was called Domnhall (which is Gaelic for ‘ruler’ or so I am told. I quickly informed my colleague that Malay for ‘ruler’ is pembaris.) His subject area of choice was: the African animal ecosystem. He was about twelve I think. There were questions in his general knowledge section about pop music, which he failed to answer. When asked about the new CD:UK host, he replied, John Lennon. Don’t we all wish.
I was feeling very proud of myself, having been able to answer most of the questions, bar two, in the General Knowledge round. Fancied myself a bit of an anorak, if I may say so myself – and never getting within ten miles of the correct answer on University Challenge demotivated me. Then I realised this was Junior Mastermind. I know almost enough to compete with your average 12 year old. Ain’t life grand.
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We’re meant to be in Newcastle next weekend. Anyone from up there fancy a coffee or three?
More food for thought
2 commentsAbout a year ago, I attended a public forum held at the Gregson in Lancaster, featuring Azmat Begg, father of then-recently released British Guantanamo detainne, Moazzam Begg. Last weekend, Moazzam told his story to the Guardian’s weekend magazine. The magazine also featured an excerpt of his soon to be published book about his incarceration experience.
“I’ve learnt that the information war – telling people, giving first-hand accounts, exposing some of the hypocrisies and lies – is more important than being involved in a ground war”. – Moazzam Begg.
I think this is everyone’s war, regardless of race, creed or culture.
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Madeleine Bunting, I’ve found, writes very well about the sentiments of being a Muslim minority in Britain, despite being on the other side of the fence herself. This week she tackles multiculturalism
“This is how Britain does multiculturalism. It creates community leaders and then expects them to organise their fiefdoms. At an institutional level there is plenty of tea and biscuits and gallons of polite goodwill to speed them on in their task. But the message is clear: Islamic extremism is your problem, not ours. There’s the loud splashing of water, washing and hands.” – Madeleine Bunting. How does this compare with the Malaysian model of multiculturalism?
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March 2 (that’s Thursday, people) is World Book Day. If you’re looking for a new piece to attack, try LoveReading. Have you hugged your books yet today?