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The article presents a reprint of the article "The Trapezoidal Mind," by William H. Gass, which discussed censorship of books, and was published in the spring 1996 issue of the periodical "New Letters." In the United States it has become quite common for people to protest against a school board's or a teacher's choice of books. Most cases of censorship or art control use prohibition as an instrument to aggravate people's sentiments against literary or art objects. The fatwa issued against author Salman Rushdie is an example of such censorship. Censorship of books and periodicals restricts the freedom of the press.

Covers various issues in the U.S. politics and government as of April 2005. Plan of the Republicans to increase the payroll tax on incomes over $90, 000; Information on fatwas issued by Ayatollah Ali Sistani; Services included in the concierge or boutique care offered by personal patient advocacy firms.

The article offers information on the political conditions of Iraq in 2004. The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, issued a fatwa in 2003 that unraveled America's go-slow planning for the postwar reconstruction of Iraq. The announcement reportedly exerted a strong effect on public opinion and demonstrated the power of the Shiite clerics. Article topics also include Islamic history, the Iraqi Governing Council, and democracy in the Middle East.

Presents the opinions of the author with regards to the holy war being waged against Jews by terrorist Osama bin Laden. Significance of the fatwas, communications between members of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda; Possibility of the war led by the United States against Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq; Role of Palestinians in al-Qaeda.

Analyzes the hatred of terrorist Osama bin Laden against the United States. Solidarity among Muslim people; Views of Muslims to US support for Israel; Issuance of fatwa in 1998.

Editorial. Offers observations on the controversial publication of the book 'The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie, and the subsequent fatwa placed on him by the Iranian government. Observation that libraries were, for a short while, the only place in the United States where one could obtain a copy of this book; Importance of free enterprise as part of the foundation of a free society; Failure of the marketplace to protect him; Suggestion that libraries better protected his freedom of speech than did booksellers.

The article focuses on the settlement between the U.S. and Iran regarding nuclear weapons. It says that a war with Iran may likely occur if the sanctions of the U.S. will not lead into a negotiated settlement for the nuclear issue. It adds that several ayatollah fatwas exist against the nuclear weapons and consensus of 16 intelligence agencies have reaffirmed the absence of nuclear weapons program in the U.S.

Presents world news for the week of May 19, 2003. At a recent book party in Manhattan, novelist Salman Rushdie explained his imperturbability in the face of yet another fatwa slapped on him. But Rushdie was far more intrigued with the fatwas coming out of Washington. Moroccan Islamic scholar Fatema Mernissi reports that women have taken a dominant role in the Arab media. Among the most famous women in radio and television is Muntaha ar-Rimhy, an attractive Al-Jazeera anchorwoman who also hosts a top-rated talk show, "For Women Only." Although U.S. President George W. Bush has assured the world that America plans to stay in Iraq, Afghanistan is not an encouraging precedent. A high-level military team sent to assess the stability of the country came away disheartened.

Reports on the fatwa, or religious edict, issued on September 27, 2001 which allows Muslims in the United States Armed Forces to join the war on terrorism even if their enemies are fellow Muslims. Actions taken by Muslims who oppose the war; Information on the nature of fatwas; Basis of the fatwa.

Reports on the fatwa, or religious edict, issued on September 27, 2001 which emphasized the duty of Muslim members of the United States Armed Forces to fight in the war against terrorism. Significance of the fatwa; Basis of the fatwa; Details on the nature and purpose of the fatwa.

Presents brief articles related to authors and writing. 150th anniversary of the W.H. Smith bookshop at Paddington Station, London, England; Work of United States poet laureates; Iranian government's disregard of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.