International leaders condemn attacks

Michael Weissenstein, Associated Press, Cairo, Egypt | Fri, 02/04/2011 10:12 AM | World

International leaders condemned the violent targeting of the reporters, photographers and film crews who have brought searing images of Egyptian protests to the world.

In Berlin, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "intimidation and restrictions" being placed on journalists and human rights groups in Cairo.

"Let me absolutely clear: this is outrageous and totally unacceptable," he said after meeting Germany's president, Christian Wulff. "It must stop now."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also condemned the attacks and said the Egyptian government "must demonstrate its willingness to ensure journalists' ability to report on these events to the people of Egypt and to the world."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs denounced reports of "systematic targeting" of journalists in Egypt. The State Department described it as a "concerted campaign to intimidate."

"I think we need to be clear that the world is watching the actions that are taking place right now in Egypt," Gibbs said.

Education in Oz for young Muslim leaders

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/10/2011 8:57 PM | National

The Australian Embassy in Jakarta is calling for applications for the 2011 Australia-Indonesia Exchange Program for young Muslim leaders, a press release said Monday.

The deadline for application is Jan. 31, 2011.

“High-calibre, young Muslim leaders are encouraged to apply for this prestigious bilateral interfaith program and become international ambassadors for Indonesian Islam,” the release said of the program.

“This exchange program for young Indonesian and Australian Muslims continues to encourage open dialogue and promote greater understanding of faith, tolerance and diversity between both countries,” Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said.

Now approaching its 9th year and a highly regarded model for fostering interfaith dialogue, the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program aims to build links between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia.

Paramadina University has acted as a partner and the Indonesian coordinator of the program since its inception.

The program is funded by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute.

Information about the program and application process is available at indonesia.embassy.gov.au and paramadina.ac.id.

List of state officials, leaders to watch AFF Cup final in KL

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 12/22/2010 8:50 PM | Sports

A number of senior state officials and community leaders are scheduled to watch the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup first final match between Indonesia and Malaysia at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday.

Among them are:

Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono and wife

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Andi Alfian Mallarangeng and wife

Administrative Reforms Minister Evert Erenst Mangindaan and wife

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad and wife

Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar and wife

Education Minister Mohammad Nuh and wife

House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie

Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD

Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum

House of Representatives Commission IX vice chairman Irgan Khairul Maghfur

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin

Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Da’i Bachtiar said that his office would coordinate with the Football Association of Malaysia to welcome them.

"Even though they come not in the capacity of a state visits, we should respect them,” Da'i said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.