Political Cartoon Response

Refugees in Europe

Ben Jennings

Response:

As many people know, the issue of immigrants in Europe is quite controversial. It seems everybody has taken a side: for or against masses of people moving to seek better lives in different areas. The cartoonist thinks that the refugees are not receiving the warm welcome they had hoped for. I'm not sure if he agrees, saying they shouldn't be accepted, or just stating the fact that the original tolerance had worn off and acceptance is no longer given. But some people still persist and let refugees move on in. They continue to want these people to have a safe place and a foundation to begin again. I find that the cartoon is pretty persuasive and actual. It's true that Europeans are becoming weary of the huge numbers
"invading" their country and space. A brick was has been set up and division is clearly present. One of the reasons I find it so persuasive is the irony that is behind it. Usually, when people work hard, they want a nice reward. But at the same time, they aren't willing to give that reward if others have succeeded in escaping the turmoil in their homeland. There aren't many symbols, besides the wall and welcome sign. It's a very simple but deep cartoon. Although the issue will go on for more time after this, it's interesting to see others' perspectives and digest what they have put out for us to see.

Citation:

Jennings, Ben. "the Guardian." 18 September 2015. Guardian News and Media Limited. 28 September 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/sep/18/ben-jennings-europe-response-refugee-crisis-cartoonoodle>

Church Leaders Visit Mosque Response

Kenya: Church Leaders Now Visit City Mosque for Prayers

By Jeremiah Kiplang'at

Church leaders on Friday joined Muslims during Friday prayers at Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, in a gesture aimed at bolstering the relationship between the two faiths.

Leaders from various Christian denominations sat through the prayers and then addressed the press in the company of their hosts in the afternoon.

The religious leaders under the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, said they had agreed to visit each other's places of worship to show solidarity in fighting intolerance among members of their faiths.

At the packed mosque, the Christians sat not far from the platform where Sheikh Abdullatif Essajee gave a short teaching before the prayers.

"Our brothers and sisters are here as a gesture of the cooperation and understanding that should exist between us. Where there is understanding, there is tolerance," said Sheikh Essajee.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said it was good for people to live together despite professing different faiths.

He said the suspicions between Muslims and Christians had gone up following terrorist attacks in the country but added that such coming together would help wipe out such mistrust.

Mr Kerrow is a member of Jamia Mosque Executive.

The church leaders said they expected their Muslim counterparts to reciprocate soon by visiting their churches.

Catholic Church leader and Executive Director of Global Pace Foundation Daniel Omondi said: "Today we are sending a strong message that we are one humanity under one God. We are saying No to religious intolerance.

"We want all pastors and sheikhs to work together in order to rid this country of radicalism."

They challenged believers in different faiths to love one other as ordered by God.

"We are here to express our love for God together. We worship one God and He tells us to love one another," said Reverend John Alusiola of the Calvary Covenant Centre.

Response:

After I read this article, I didn't really know what to think. It's obviously being directed towards both Christians and Muslims not in Nairobi wo are hoping for a chain reaction. Their intentions are clear: they wish for calmer relations between the two religions. In general, most people don't like violence, so it seems logical. But at the same time, that is a bias. Not everybody agrees with the statement they're making. Church & Mosque leaders are trying to convince as many people as possible that this is the best and most practical solution to the chasm between Christianity and Islam. At the same time, the publisher has a bias. They agree with the writer in that this is perfectly acceptable and should be happening all over Kenya, maybe even the world. I don't really agree with the article. If the Church leaders were worshiping in the mosque to witness, and praise Jesus, I would be okay with this. But because Christianity isn't tolerant of other religions, I tend to slant away from their view, saying maybe this isn't the best way to do things. We can worship God together, but I would have a hard time worshiping God when a Muslim next to me is worshiping Allah.

Citation:

Kiplang'at, Jeremiah. "Daily Nation." 18 September, 2015. allAfrica. 20 September, 2015. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201509200027.html>.

Palestinians Win Approval Response

Palestinians win approval to fly flag at UN

Ireland votes in favour of resolution granting observer states the right to fly their flags

Palestinians overwhelmingly won the right to fly their national flag in front of the United Nations headquarters, a symbolic step opposed by Israel and the United States.

The change was made by the UN General Assembly, when a vast majority of member countries voted in favour of a resolution granting what are known as non-member observer states the right to fly their flags alongside member states.

Palestine became an observer state in 2012. The Vatican, the only other observer state, has held that status since 1964.

The flag is expected to be hoisted for the first time when the Palestinian Authority’s president, Mahmoud Abbas, delivers his remarks to the annual meeting of heads of state and government at the General Assembly on Sept 30th.Palestinian diplomats secured the support of a majority of the assembly, as was expected, with 119 countries voting in favour of the resolution, eight voting against it and 45 abstaining.

The resolution is part of the effort by Mr Abbas and his associates to gain international recognition for a Palestinian state on lands seized or controlled by Israel since the 1967 war. Israel and the United States have argued that such measures are meaningless without a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“Today’s vote is a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, of their existence among the nations of the world and their right to self-determination,” the Palestinian ambassador, Riyad H Mansour, said in thanking his General Assembly supporters.

Voting in favour of the resolution were the countries of the Arab world, Iran and nearly every African and Asian country. It was co-sponsored by more than 50 countries. Israel, the United States, Canada and Australia were among those that voted against it.

The 28-member countries of the European Union did not manage to take a united position as they had hoped.

Ireland voted in favour of the resolution alongside fellow-EU members France, Sweden,Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Belgium and Malta.

Others, including Britain, Germany and Austria, abstained.

The US ambassador, Samantha Power, in explaining her no vote, said that raising the flag “is not an alternative to negotiations and will not bring the parties closer to peace.”

The Israeli ambassador, Ron Prosor, described the resolution as a cynical action. “Make no mistake, the goal of this resolution is a photo op,” Mr Prosor said.

“The Palestinians want to bring together world dignitaries and the media to gather around and watch as Mahmoud Abbas raises a flag. They plan to use the prestige of the UN as a backdrop for this charade.”

How much the resolution buoys Mr Abbas’ standing among his domestic constituency remains to be seen. On Thursday, Ghassan Khatib, vice-president of the Palestinian Birzeit University, called it “a good symbolic move” that he hoped would bring more tangible benefits.

“People need to see real achievements that have a practical impact on people’s lives,” he said.

In another international challenge to Israel, the European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a resolution that supports labeling of products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, and for “differentiation” between Israel and the settlements in European relations.

The resolution does not mean settlement products will immediately be labeled, but increases the pressure on European leaders to move the initiative forward.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel denounced it as “unjust” and said, “It also hurts peace.”

“The root of the conflict is not the settlements,”Mr Netanyahu said in a statement, adding, “We have historical memory of what happened when Europe labeled Jewish products.”

NYT, Reuters


Response:

As I read through this article, the realization of who it was actually for came to me. I realized Reuters was writing to the Irish. After all, they got what they wanted, and he was just letting them know what's going on. But at the same time, the aim was locals. People in the area. Not necessarily international. So as Reuters goes on, he explains the symbolism behind the Palestinians raising this flag, especially in front of the UN. It's like mocking the countries who don’t want them to have their own country. The article even mentions that Ireland did vote for the resolution, and for the raising of their flag. Their bias stands out as they say it's the only way peace can ever come. At the same time, the publisher is Irish. So not only do you have an Irish writer, but a publisher too. I think they both take the same side of things. Both want Palestine to become a country and they are influenced by which side Ireland has chosen. I tend to agree with the Western side of things. My American blood stands out as I look at this article. I don't think they should get their own country, but that’s my opinion. This writer is trying to convince me otherwise. I think he may be on the lookout for recruits on their side, but at the same time informing their people that they took a step towards the resolution.

Citation:

Reuters, NYT. "The Irish Times." September 11, 2015. The Irish Times. September 14, 2015. <http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/palestinians-win-approval-to-fly-flag-at-un-1.2348456>

Diabetes Sufferers Plan Ahead Response

Diabetes sufferers urged to plan ahead for Hajj 

7:00am Sunday 6th September 2015
By Asian Image reporter

Diabetes sufferers heading to Mecca on the Hajj pilgrimage have been warned to plan the management of their condition during their religious journey.

Thousands of British Muslims will fly to Saudi Arabia for the event, which falls between September 20 and 25.

Diabetes UK is urging Muslim diabetics taking part in the Hajj to plan ahead how they will manage their condition while away.

Pilgrims may walk up to 20 kilometres a day, so the charity is encouraging Muslim diabetics taking part to check their feet carefully before travelling.

It advises them to visit their GP if they have any concerns, or if they are not used to this type of activity, as foot problems are a well-known complication.

Diabetes UK warns it is important to wear footwear suitable for walking long distances throughout the Hajj and check feet every day for anything unusual such as sore spots, hard skin or breaks in the skin.

It also stresses that hot weather and physical exertion, combined with the travel, mean extra precautions need to be taken.

It has a list of five actions for pilgrims: n Saudi Arabia is two hours ahead of the UK, so think about how this affects the timing of medication; n If you take insulin, the hot climate may affect it, so test more regularly; n If you are carrying insulin and needles on the plane, ensure you have a letter from your GP; n Take twice the quantity of medicine that you normally use with you and pack snacks just in case your plane happens to be delayed; n Contact your insulin manufacturer to see if it is supplied in Saudi Arabia.

Juliet O’Brien, diverse communities officer at Diabetes UK, said: “Thousands of British Muslims travel to the Hajj every year including diabetics.

“The pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and there’s no reason their condition has to get in the way.

“What is needed is careful planning and talking to your GP.

“There are a lot of things to organise.

“We also encourage anyone planning to observe Hajj this year to get their feet checked before they travel.”

For more information about diabetes visit the charity’s website at diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Travel-and-insurance.

People can also call the Diabetes UK’s Careline, available on 0345 123 2399.

Response:

This article has several unique and fun aspects. Not only is it directed toward diabetic Muslims in Britain, but it's special in other ways. Since the topic isn't very controversial, its harder to see which side the writer is taking. They obviously want to help these Muslims to make their lives easier as they complete a religious pillar. The article offers several tips and things to make sure of while travelling to observe Hajj and walking the kilometers. They have an honest wish and desire to help and they therefore wrote the article for the Muslims' benefits. The publisher on the other hand is a more local and regional newspaper. So the audience ended up being more specifically for the Muslims in the area. I assume they also were trying to assist, but from a bit closer to home. When a reader views this, if they aren't Muslim or diabetic, they might just ignore its message and move on. But for the others, it provides handy information that would most likely be accepted. So not only was this article unique and interesting to read, but it might save some people a lot of pain later on.

Citation:

Reporter, Asian Image. "Lancashire Telegraph." September 6, 2015. Newsquest Media Group. September 6, 2015. <http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/13648397.Diabetes_sufferers_urged_to_plan_ahead_for_Hajj/>

My Bio

Saying my life is normal is a complete understatement. For the first nine years of my life, I grew up in the USA. My family moved to Kenya when I was ten. I have attended Rift Valley Academy for six years now and I really love it. There are six kids in my family, including me, and more than half are adopted. We are unique, especially because my father is Canadian and my mother is American. My parents teach at the school, so I live on campus. I really love to volunteer at the local hospital in the Maternity ward. I also love to travel, although it’s harder to do when I’m in school. Studying history has not always been my favorite, but I enjoy learning about what’s going on in our world today. It’s interesting to figure out what I believe and how I want to react. The Bible has helped me figure out my views and I hope to learn even more throughout this year.