Arsenal 4 Bolton 1: Wenger's style too much for Wanderers' brute force

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By Ian Ridley

Three and easy: Marouane Chamakh added a third as Arsenal eased past 10-man Bolton


Owen Coyle is supposed to be bringing some subtlety and more of a passing game to Bolton in place of the direct, physical approach of recent years. He has some way to go.

Old habits do indeed die hard. Bolton had Gary Cahill sent off and might also have lost captain Kevin Davies and Paul Robinson to red cards in the sort of bruising encounter associated with these two teams, but which was unexpected now that Coyle is managing the Wanderers.

The frustration for him must surely be that the game, and his side's start to the season, was promising much before being so rudely interrupted.

There was a time when Arsenal might have caved in, when Arsene Wenger might have been bleating more than a field full of Spring lambs. Instead, he was delighted that his team may finally be growing into rams.

The manager's new centre-back pairing of Laurent Koscielny and debutant Sebastien Squillaci came through a searching aerial test as his Cesc Fabregas-inspired team, though injury hit, rode the storm and the challenges to stride to their ninth successive victory over Bolton.

'There could have been other red cards,' conceded Wenger. 'It was very physical.

Bolton make use of the strong points of their team but they have a good mixture on the ground and in the air. They had true commitment and we had to be patient to get our technique and passing to prevail.'

Then he added tellingly: 'We've had two games, against Blackburn and today, where we would not have taken six points two years ago.'


Marching orders: Gary Cahill could have no complaints after being shown a straight red for a wild lunge on Marouane Chamakh


After Koscielny had given the home side the lead, his team spurned a host of chances before the interval and were rocked by Johan Elmander's equaliser.

Then, after Marouane Chamakh had restored their lead, came the physical test that also showed more mental maturity.

Bolton were unfortunate not to be given a free-kick for a foul on Chung-Yong Lee but lost their heads as a result while Arsenal kept theirs.

Cahill's hot-headed revenge tackle on Chamakh simply gave referee Stuart Attwell occasion to send him off, perhaps to make amends for not showing Davies a second yellow moments earlier for a late challenge on Koscielny.

Kieran Gibbs might have had a second yellow late in the game to show that Arsenal were not entirely blameless.

But by then Paul Robinson might also have gone for the visitors after a foul on Abou Diaby.

The game was certainly settled by then, late strikes by Alex Song - Arsenal's 1,000th league goal in 14 years under Wenger - and Carlos Vela gilding the lily.


Head boy: Johan Elmander fired his third of the season


'I think we all recognise what happened at 2-1 when we were pressing for the equaliser and Lee was fouled,' Coyle lamented.

'I thought it was a yellow for Gary Cahill and that was a blamehuge turning point. All I ask is that my team are dealt with in the same manner as the opposition, and we weren't today.'

It is to be hoped he does not let his team off the hook that easily in private.

Ultimately Arsenal had too much attacking talent, even in the absence of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, and but for Hungarian goalkeeper Adam Bogdan they could have been out of sight by half-time.

It was all orchestrated beautifully by Fabregas, who nursed Wilshere - on loan at Bolton last season - through a rare start alongside him to show that his head is back at Arsenal after its summer excursion to Barcelona.

Wilshere instigated the first goal by crossing from the right for Fabregas to volley the ball back across goal and Koscielny bundled it in.


Making the pressure tell: Laurent Koscielny (centre) opens his Arsenal account with a close-range effort


Koscielny then went from hero to villain as he could only head a high ball back towards his own goal, Lee latching on to it before crossing from the left for Elmander to head home his third goal of the season.

Chamakh's headed goal to restore Arsenal's lead came after Arshavin and Fabregas had worked an opening for the Spaniard to cross from the byline, and soon 10-man Bolton were imploding in their own indiscipline.

They conceded the third when Arshavin played in a ball to the near post where Song nipped ahead of Zat Knight and chipped neatly over Bogdan.

Vela made it four when he paid Fabregas's delightful through-ball the compliment it deserved



source: dailymail
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'9/11 must not be a time for protest and division': Anger of victims' families after anniversary is overshadowed by rival demonstrations against WTC m

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By Mail Foreign Service

Differing opinions: Matt Sky, of Manhattan, supports the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. He had a heated debate with Rose Van Guilder, West Sayville, New York, and Lance Corey of Ossining, New York


Thousands gather at Ground Zero, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon

Police braced for violence as rival mosque protests are held in New York

Obama: 'We are not at war with Islam'

U.S. flags burnt in Afghanistan and Pakistan


Tensions flared in New York this afternoon as rival demonstrations over the Ground Zero mosque overshadowed a day of mourning to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Two marches were taking place just a few blocks apart, one in support of the mosque and the other in protest against it.

The rival demonstrations began shortly after the families of 9/11 victims held moving ceremonies to remember loved ones killed in the atrocities nine years ago.

Many voiced their anger at the rival demonstrations and called called for ‘sombre reflection’ instead of what has become the most divided September 11 anniversary yet.


Clash: Supporters and opponents of the mosque held simultaneous marches in downtown Manhattan today. Predictably, tempers flared when the groups met and ploice were forced to break up many arguments


Shortly after the ceremonies, a large crowd of pro-mosque activists lined two blocks next to City Hall before marching to an area near Ground Zero.

Elizabeth Meehan, a 51-year-old Christian from Saratoga, New York, said: 'I'm really fearful of all of the hate that's going on in our country. People in one brand of Christianity are coming out against other faiths, and I find that so sad.'

'Muslims are fellow Americans; they should have the right to worship in America just like anyone else.'

The event was largely peaceful, except for occasional exchanges with anti-mosque passers-by.


Strong opposition: Americans travelled from across the country to participate at a rally against the mosque on the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on New York


One man walked by holding a poster that said, 'Stop Obama's Mosque,' while another held a more provocative sign with a Quran attached.

At the anti-mosque rally nearby, some participants wore clothing featuring stars and stripes, and some carried signs with messages including 'It stops here' and 'Never forgive, never forget, no WTC mosque.'

'My grandparents didn't expect special treatment. They didn't fly planes into buildings,' said Theresa Angelo, 57, from Queens.

'No other culture does that. This is hallowed ground. It's something like Gettysburg or Pearl Harbor. Why did they have to do it here? Be a little sensitive.'



Time for reflection: A boy kneels in silence at the edge of a reflecting pool filled with flowers during a memorial service at Ground Zero today


Remembering the fallen: President Barack Obama pauses during a ceremony today at the Pentagon


Making feelings plain: Alyson Low, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, shrugs off the controversy over the planned mosque


Anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who advocates banning the Quran and taxing Muslim women who wear head scarves, planned to address the crowd in person, along with a handful of Republican congressional candidates who have made opposition to the mosque a centerpiece of their campaigns.

Earlier, family members gathering n New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon brought flowers, pictures of their loved ones and American flags as the victims' names were read out.

Standing before microphones, stifling sobs, some family members expressed their thoughts about the furore surrounding plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero.

Karen Carroll, who lost her brother, firefighter Thomas Kuveikis, said: ‘It's a day to be sombre; it's a day to reflect on all those thousands of people that died for us in the United States.’


Grief: Anna Sereno holds a portrait of her son Arthuro Angelo Sereno, killed during the attacks on the World Trade Centre


Others mourners made their feelings plain with placards.

Alyson Low, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, held a photo of her sister Sara Low beside the words: ‘Today is ONLY about my sister and the other innocents killed nine years ago.’

The mother of a British victim of the 9/11 attacks criticised the pastor for adding to the ‘burden’ suffered by families on the anniversary of the deaths of their loved ones.

Patricia Bingley, from Essex, whose son Kevin Dennis worked in the World Trade Centre, told the BBC: ‘We have enough burden to bear without having to listen to this crank, as I call him, threatening to burn a very sacred book belonging to the Islamic community.

‘To me the repercussions if this act was to take place would reverberate right the way through the Muslim world.

‘I am just as much against that as I am against having a mosque built next to the site because that's my son's grave - I don't have any other grave.

‘I think it's disrespectful to build a mosque just there.'


Scene of tragedy: Members of the victims' families gather at Ground Zero today






source: dailymail

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Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova

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Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.





Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.





Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.





Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.



Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.





Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.





Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.




Miss World Russia 2010, Irina Sharipova will represent Russia in Miss World 2010 next October in Sanya. She was the first runner-up of Miss Russia 2010. Irina of Tatarstan is 18 year old and stands 1.78m.


Irina Sharipova studies fashion and design at a university in the Tatar capital, Kazan.

Among her hobbies are playing the piano, painting and ballroom dancing.

At the contest, Irina is expected to perform a traditional Tatar dance in her republic’s traditional costume.

The Miss World wannabe told Itar-Tass news agency that she cannot wait to take part in the beauty pageant. “I’m fond of showing off clothes. I’ve dreamt of becoming an actress or a model since childhood.”

As for her secret to staying trim, Sharipova said she does not diet and boasted she can even “eat spaghetti in the middle of the night”.






source: missworld, tnnw, t-pageant
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Jessie Wallace ditches the gym junkie look and regains some healthy curves

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By Jessica Satherley

The casual look: Jessie dressed down for a day of shopping at Tesco


She famously dropped from a size 16 to an 8 and even released her own fitness DVD but Jessie Wallace has now opted for a healthier look once again.

After shedding so much weight she resorted to wearing a fat suit on stage for her role in the musical Stepping Out, the actress has now embraced some new curves once again.

The 38-year-old EastEnders star admitted that exercise had become an obsession for her but as she was spotted doing some shopping in Hertfordshire today she had ditched the super skinny look.


Curves regained: Jessie Wallace seems to have shed her obsessive diet and looks back to a healthier size


Wallace, who plays Kat Moon on the BBC soap, dressed casually in baggy jeans, trainers and a vest top as she was snapped near Elstree Studios.

Her muscular arms showed she’s still hitting the gym but looks as though she’s finally treated herself to a more realistic diet as her once taught abs seem to have disappeared.

At the peak of her slimming obsession she said: ‘I haven’t treated myself at all. I go to the gym three times a week and do half an hour on the running machine.

‘Then I work my arms, my legs, my a***, my tummy, every part of the body, doing weight machines. It has become an obsession, but a good one.’


Gym junkie: Jessie at her thinnest in 2009 and with a fuller figure in 2004


She also cut out wheat, dairy and alcohol from her diet and switched to snacking on fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and seeds.

And her gruelling regime led her to shift a whopping two stone in six weeks, leading her to lose her once ample cleavage that she loved to show off at a size 16.

The 5’2’’ star then released her fat-burning workout Jessie Wallace: Look At Me Now late last year, following in the footsteps of her EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy.

But the mother-of-one seems to have put her extreme obsession behind her for now and looked to be a healthy size 10 to 12 again.



source: dailymail [endtext]

X Factor audience saves Tom, 16, after crowd power forces judges to change their minds

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Difficult position: Pixie Lott was forced to choose whether to end a teenager's dreams when she sat alongside Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh


There are just four seats on the X Factor panel, but it was thanks to a whole roomful of judges that one teen made his way through to the bootcamp round on tonight's X Factor.

Tom Richards, 16, was initially told he'd be going home when Simon Cowell and guest judge Pixie Lott rejected his 'dated' dance moves.

But the audience loved the talented Welsh singer, and their chants of 'Pixie say yes' persuaded the teen pop star to change her mind.


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High hopes: Tom, 16, was saved from elimination from the X Factor when the audience started chanting 'say yes' and convinced Pixie Lott to change her mind
Pixie, who replaced Dannii Minogue for the auditions in Cardiff, was given the casting vote when Tom's version of The Scripts song Man Who Can't Be Moved divides the judges.

Cheryl Cole labelled his act is 'a little bit contrived' but admitted he was one of the best singers they had seen all day.

Cowell was unimpressed while Louis Walsh told him to cut out the 'silly stage antics.'

Dancing boy: But while his singing was impressive, Tom's stage moves left the judges cold But after lobbying from his family backstage the shaken teenager ignored their advice and sang This Is The Moment from the Jekyll and Hyde musical, only for Cowell to tell him he could not 'have chosen a worse song.'

The vote was split with Louis and Cheryl giving him the go-ahead and Cowell saying no, telling him: 'That was what I would call a boyband performance from five or six years ago.'

Pixie admitted it was a 'really hard' decision.

She said: 'I find this really hard as I don’t know where I’d put you in the music industry today. It feels like you were...not dated, but not right for this time.'

She decided to go with her 'gut instinct and say no', but was left with Louis and the audience pleading with her to change her mind.

As the chants of 'Pixie say yes' grew louder, and the crowd got to their feet, she bowed to the pressure with a smile.

Also on tonight's show was Kash, a phone salesman, who left Pixie speechless with his version of Ne-Yo's Closer.


Flash man: Mobile phone salesman Kash during the Cardiff auditions


So bad: Bun nd Cheese have an 'attitude', but Simon likes them


The show then moves on to London where one of the highlights is girl group Bun Nd Cheese.

The trio - Pinky, Patty and Peas - have been singing together for two years and claim their karaoke versions of Beyonce, Mary J Blige and the Sugababes have won over the crowds.

Their version of Beyonce's Listen does not impress the judges but their attitude does, with Cowell telling them: 'Your attitude is so bad I actually quite like you.'


Diva? Nicolo, 21, impresses the judges, and thinks 'I'm amazing'


One act who does impress is 21-year-old Nicolo with Cowell and Walsh agreeing they could have 'a diva' on their hands.

He tells the presenters: 'Nobody has everything – the look, the style, the attitude and the voice.

'I think I could be that guy. It’s time to shake things up a little bit. What I think truly is that I’m amazing.'

Other contestants include a McDonald's worker who could have a future away from flipping burgers if her voice impresses the judges and a cinema usher looking for stardom.


'I don't like burgers': McDonlads worker Raquel wants to do more with her life














source: dailymail
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Everton 3 Manchester United 3: Never-say-die Toffees storm back from the brink in injury time

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By Sportsmail Reporter

Boys' own stuff: Mikel Arteta lets fly deep into injury time to fire Everton level


Everton scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to Manchester United, who left Wayne Rooney out of their squad after a week of allegations about his private life.

Rooney did not even travel to Goodison Park as manager Sir Alex Ferguson, on the occasion of his 700th Premier League match, claimed he wanted to protect the 24-year-old from abuse from the fans with whom he used to be a favourite.

The disruption appeared to affect his team-mates early on as they fell behind to a Steven Pienaar goal but Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov put United well ahead before the Toffees' stunning late comeback through Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

Ferguson has overseen plenty of player controversies during his lengthy tenure at Old Trafford, dealing with the likes of David Beckham's celebrity lifestyle and Roy Keane's unique brand of criticism.

However, leaving out a player to protect him from opposition fans is unprecedented and surely unlikely to be repeated.

Whether it affected the overall result is open to debate but when the England international next appears, likely to be in Tuesday's Champions League clash against Rangers he will get nothing less than a rousing Old Trafford reception.

Rooney's absence seemed to affect United more than they expected as, for the first 15 minutes, they found themselves under constant pressure.

Arteta's sixth-minute free-kick was tipped over by Edwin van der Sar, although referee Martin Atkinson did not spot the goalkeeper's touch.

The Spaniard had another shot deflected behind by Jonny Evans, Pienaar saw his shot from the Spaniard's corner blocked and Leon Osman blazed over all in the same passage of play.


Star man: Dimitar Berbatov shone in the absense of Wayne Rooney, scoring a fine third thanks to a sublime ball from Paul Scholes


Ferguson was less than happy and was soon prowling his technical area barking orders at the players.

John O'Shea's response was a blistering drive from the left angle of the penalty area which grazed the outside of Tim Howard's left-hand post.

Everton's pressure, albeit slightly less intense, continued while Nani was off the field having a cut lip tended with Cahill, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines all failed to trouble the goalkeeper with half-chances.

There was always the danger their failure to capitalise on possession would leave the way open for United to nick a goal and they almost did in the 34th minute.


Towering: Nemanja Vidic connects with Nani's cross to give United the lead


Tony Hibbert's foul on Ryan Giggs, despite winning the ball, saw Nani roll the free-kick to Paul Scholes and his powerful drive took a big deflection off Cahill but Howard, diving in the opposite direction, somehow diverted the ball over with his foot.

Four minutes later the American goalkeeper stuck up a hand to palm away Giggs' close-range shot after United counter-attacked.

But the visitors were caught cold themselves when Patrice Evra missed an ambitious overhead-kick clearance to put Arteta charging through on goal and although he shot straight at Van der Sar,
Leon Osman turned the rebound to Pienaar at the far post who rolled home.

Two minutes before half-time, however, Nani's cross was diverted home by Fletcher and Berbatov's volley almost put them ahead in added time.


Level pegging: Darren Fletcher restores parity at Goodison


It was apparent at the start of the second half Everton were in for a tougher test and it took just three minutes for that to become a reality.

Nani's corner from Berbatov's deflected shot was only half-cleared and when Scholes returned the ball to the Portugal international wide on the right he swung over a cross for an unmarked Vidic to head in from five yards.

It at least provoked a reaction from Everton and Pienaar's curling 20-yard shot was held by Van der Sar at the second attempt.

But United were where they like to be, in control and able to counter-attack, and one rapid foray forward saw Howard deny Nani low to his right.


Off the mark: Steven Pienaar scored Everton's second goal of the League campaign


He got nowhere near the next one in the 66th minute, which owed everything to the brilliance of Scholes and Berbatov.

The former England international's raking pass picked out the Bulgarian wide on the right and his first touch brilliantly took him clear of Sylvain Distin.

With acres of space to run into the languid striker took five or six paces before lashing an early shot into the bottom corner, taking Howard by surprise.

Baines curled a free-kick into the side-netting and as Osman hit a woefully-weak shot at Van der Sar as the hosts tried to find a way back but, as has been the case in their previous matches, they lacked a cutting edge.

However, in a dramatic finish Cahill headed home in injury-time before Arteta's deflected strike snatched an unlikely point.



source: dailymail [endtext]

Awe-inspiring images as millions of Muslims across the world gather together to mark end of Ramadan

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By Mail Foreign Service

Packed: Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in front of the Taj Mahal in northern India
Friends and relatives feasted on all manner of dishes denied them during the 28 days of Ramadan.


Far from the din and controversy embroiling interfaith relations in the West, Muslims worldwide thronged mosques, cafes and parks in a solemn and joyful end to the fasting month of Ramadan.

Authorities increased security in some countries due to fears that violence could intrude on the three-day celebrations which began with yesterday’s new moon – the symbol of Islam.

But for most Muslims it was a day of peace, family - and most important food.

Smokers also happily puffed on cigarettes in broad daylight as the Eid al-Fitr festival got under way.

During Ramadan, the faithful are supposed to abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex in a dawn-to-dusk period meant to test the faith and discipline of Muslims.

‘It's nice to be eating, drinking and smoking during the daytime,’ said Jordanian banker Mutaz Kurdi, 37, as he walked his two children in an Amman park. ‘Fasting was difficult this year because of the summer heat.’

Business was brisk for ice cream vendors in Baghdad, where children decked out in holiday finery rode Ferris wheels at amusement parks and raced horse-drawn carts on traffic-free streets.


Devout: Worshippers in neat rows fill every part of the National Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh


The place to be: Hundreds of thousands fill a field to say prayers in Bhopal, India



All pray to to Mecca: Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia


Smaller gathering: Pakistani flood victims pray outside the damaged mosque in the village of Sadikiya


Mountain of prayers: Tens of thousands of Muslims attend the Eid al-Fitr prayers in Dashaping, near Lanzhou city, China's Western Gansu Province


While in Gaza, thousands of Palestinian children, most dressed in new holiday clothing, thronged the streets of Gaza City, which were decorated with banners wishing a ‘Happy Eid.’ Hamas activists distributed candy and toys to children who lost parents during Israel's bruising war in Gaza nearly two years ago and in other conflicts.

In the West Bank, men with children in tow paid respects to female relatives - mothers, sisters and aunts - bearing gifts of sweets as well as cash. The women greeted their visitors with offerings of baklava and other pastries.

In Egypt, hundreds of thousands flocked to the Giza Zoo while others rode traditional sailboats known as feluccas on the Nile River.

Millions prayed at some 3,000 outdoor sites as clerics gave sermons about the need to end disputes among family members and the virtue of forgiveness.


New moon: A crescent - marking the start of a new lunar month and the symbol of Islam - is seen in the sky from Silver Spring, in the U.S. state of Maryland


Time to eat: Residents of Peshawar, Pakistan enjoy breaking their fast once again eating in daylight



Celebration: A Muslim family in New Delhi, India, buys balloons as they leave after offering prayers


Happy: Palestinian look joyful as they gather outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City


Many were especially happy to see Ramadan end this year because it began in August for the first time in 33 years, coinciding with the hottest time of the year, with temperatures pushing 50C in many countries in the Middle East.

Jordanian tour operators said occupancy in Aqaba, Jordan's sole sea outlet, was 100 percent as tourists rushed to catch up with the last days of summer.

In Iraq some boys battled each other with plastic guns, ignoring a ban on toy weapons imposed so children would not be mistaken for militants.

Still, soldiers guarded playgrounds and public parks, and additional military and police checkpoints were erected across the Iraqi capital - a reminder the country still faces near-daily bombings and shootings despite a dramatic drop in attacks.

Ali Issa, a 41-year-old father of four from the Shiite slum of Sadr City, said Iraqis have little to look forward to this holiday season, with prices on the rise and continuing political bickering.

‘The security situation is deteriorating and so is the economy,’ Issa said. ‘This year, I only bought new dresses for my two girls while I asked the two boys to use their old clothes because I cannot afford new clothes for everybody.’


Covered: Thai Muslim women pray outside Pattani central mosque


In need of shade: Muslims shield their eyes from the sun at the King Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco


Hallowed ground: Indian Muslim devotees offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in the rain amongst the ruins of the Ferozshah Kotla fort and mosque in New Delhi



Troubled land: Afghan Muslims outside a mosque in Kabul


In Yemen, authorities warned people to pray inside mosques and deployed heavy security after posters signed by al-Qaida threatened attacks. No outdoor prayers were held in two southern provinces after officials urged people to avoid large gatherings.

War-weary Afghans marked the holiday with prayers for peace in mosques as well as family gatherings in homes. President Hamid Karzai urged the Taliban to lay down their arms and join peace talks - a theme often repeated in presidential speeches but so far unheeded by significant numbers of Taliban.

The normally festive atmosphere for Eid in Afghanistan was tempered not only by the war but by bitterness over a threat by a small Florida church to burn copies of the Islamic holy book Quran on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

At least 11 people were injured in scattered protests across the country, police said.

‘Muslims are not going to be humiliated,’ cleric Mohammad Ayaz Niazi said during a sermon in Kabul.

‘From this mosque, I'm asking the world to prevent this crime, which could destroy global peace.’


source: dailymail
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