We are proud to have three new bloggers on ProgressiveIslam.Org.  Neither G. Willow Wilson or The Muslim Hedonist would call themselves Progressive.  That is the point here, you know, to provide a space for voices across the spectrum of Islam.  You will find that they are women who know their voices and their minds and are not afraid to use them.  They complement each other.  You'll see.  The Dissident provides technology advice in the service of free speech.  If you are afraid to speak, you can use this technology to find your voice, protect yourself, and change your world. 

The Muslim Canadian Congress reports "The former Mufti of the French city of Marseilles, Soheib Bencheikh who is currently the Director of the Institut Supérieur des Sciences Islamiques (ISSI) will be the guest of the Muslim Canadian Congress on Sunday,  February 19, where he will address a press conference on the issue of the Danish Cartoons and the role of Muslims in Europe.

Mufti Soheib Bencheikh will also participate in the Zuhr prayers after the press conference which will be led by Pamela Taylor, Co-Chair of the Progressive Muslim Union.

Mufti Soheib Bencheikh has personally asked for Pamela Taylor to lead the prayers to demonstrate his support for gender-equity in Islam and women-led prayer as a step in the empowering of Muslim women.

We have booked the downtown “Host Restaurant” for this occasion between 11 am and 3 pm. Please join us for the press conference, the lunch and the prayer, which will led by Pamela Taylor."

Date:  Sunday, February 19, 2006

Location:  The Host Restaurant, 14 Prince Arthur Blvd (North-West corner of Avenue and Bloor in Yorkville area of Toronto

11 am: Chat and mingle with the Mufti
12 Noon: Press Conference
1 PM: Prayer
1: 30 Lunch

Looking forward to seeing all of you at this event. The event is taking place with the help of  the Montreal-based organization, "Rights & Democracy"

Ilan is going to be taking a few days to take the site down and clean it up such that whatever it is that we would not have liked to have happen will not happen at all.  Just one of those cryptic tech things that are all for the good, but are best left behind a veil of secrecy.  The site may be down off and on.  Some pages may be incomplete for a time during the rebuild.  Be patient, God wiliing and the creek don't rise, we'll be back.