A satirical music video by the pop rock band Beygairat Brigade which openly mocks the military, nationalist politicians, and religious conservatism in Pakistan has become an internet sensation with more than 400,000 views in a few short weeks. “Aalu Anday,” which means “Potatoes and Eggs,” encourages open thought and a repeal of the country's anti-blasphemy laws. 

The office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was firebomed early Wednesday, apparently in retaliation for publishing an issue "guest edited" by the Prophet Muhammad. The magazine, known for its irreverence and skewering of all cultural institutions, had published a special edition earlier in the day to "honor" the victory of the Islamist Ennahda party in Tunisian elections under the name "Charia Hebdo," a reference to Sharia Law. Hugh Schofield, correspondent for the BBC, reports on the latest.

Over the last decade since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, America's standing in the world has volleyed sympathetic, after the attacks, to war mongering villain to perhaps something in between since the election of Barack Obama. As the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Ros Atkins, host of the BBC's World Have Your Say — which reaches 45 million people around the globe — has been talking to people all over the world to gauge foreign opinion of the U.S.

Coming up, we talk to two Muslim Americans about a recent poll that says Muslim Americans are happier with this country than the rest of the population.

Historically speaking, when we think of revolutions we think of youth. And in the case of the Arab spring, this is certainly true — one half of the Islamic world is people under thirty, and they are at the forefront of sweeping change. How are their values and religious beliefs similar to (and different from) their elders? And what do they want the future to look like?

Last night, during the holy month of Ramadan, Libyan rebel forces flooded into the capital of Tripoli, battling with Col. Moammar Gadhafi loyalists and capturing two of Gadhafi's sons. Civilians were celebrating in the streets over what may be the end of Gadhafi's 42 years in power of Libya. Fighting during the holy month is considered particularly offensive. Are there exceptions for revolutions such as this one?

Today is the fifth day of Ramadan — the holiest month on the Islamic calendar during which, typically, life in the Middle East slows down. Businesses close early, and families and communities gather every night to break their fast. But this year has been strikingly different. The Syrian government has used the holy month to intensify its violent crackdown on protesters, with tanks entering the town Hama every day since the weekend. Meanwhile in Egypt, hundreds of armed troops stormed Cairo’s Tahrir Square earlier in the week, beating protesters with electric batons.

When times are tough, Americans often turn to comic books. The so-called Golden Age of Comics in the U.S. began with the Great Depression, when out-of-work Americans were desperate for superheroes and role models. Our appetite for Superman and the Green Lantern only grew as Hitler marched across Europe. And Americans aren’t the only ones who need superheroes in difficult times. Our guest for this segment is the author of "The 99," a comic book series published in Kuwait and translated into nine languages. "The 99" follows Islam-inspired superheroes as they fight evil dictators and extremists.

Islamist protesters packed Egypt's Tahrir Square this morning, calling for the implementation of Shariah law. Dominated largely by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most organized political contingent, the Islamists have remained quiet throughout most of the revolution since former-president Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February. Their goals differ greatly from those of the secular groups who have been leading demonstrations in Tahrir Square since early July.

As Europe struggles with issues of integration and assimilation, Norway’s attacks have exposed the danger of the continent's right-wing extremists. The suspect’s tirades against multiculturalism and Islam come at a time when governments across the continent work to ease immigration and cultural differences. The country must now face the prospect of more violence.

Rep. Peter King (R-NY) held a second hearing Wednesday on the radicalization of Muslims in America — this time focusing on those incarcerated in U.S. prisons. Witnesses included law enforcement and counter-terrorism officials, like Michael Downing, Commanding officer of Counter-Terrorism at the Los Angeles Police Department. "Instead of providing a balanced, peaceful, contemporary perspective of one of the great and peaceful religions of the world, we are left with a hijacked, cut and paste version known to the counter-terrorism practitioners as 'prislam,'" Downing said at the hearing.

When we think of Jihadists, we tend to think of people like Faisal Shahzad, who attempted to bomb Times Square last spring. But it so happens that one of the most famous Jihadist thinkers is a 76-year-old white woman from Westchester, New York named Maryam Jameela. Born to a non-observant Jewish family, she converted to Islam in her twenties, emigrated to Pakistan, and became a prominent female voice for conservative Islam, writing over thirty books on the subject. 

The recent killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ended the reign of the most wanted criminal on the planet. However, it hasn't put an end his importance as an historical figure. Due to his long list of crimes and efforts to spread a radical ideology and message of global jihad, bin Laden seems destined to become one of history's most notorious criminals. But how will history books write the bin Laden chapters?

In the wake of the September 11th attacks, America's relationship to Muslims at home and abroad changed. A new climate of fear and suspicion was born, though in some cases so were attempts at greater understanding between members of different faiths. For a look at how the death of Osama Bin Laden might affect the relationship between Muslims and members of other faiths in the US, we turn to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of the Cordoba Initiative, a multi-faith organization which works to build trust among people of different faiths and cultures.

Following a hearing yesterday in which a judge told Pastor Terry Jones he would need to pay a bond in order to rally or face a trial. The Wayne County prosecutor is asking for the state court to order Jones to pay a peace bond to guarantee the event won't be violent. Quinn Klinefelter, senior news editor at WDET reports that the pastor will face a jury today as he refused to pay the bond. However, the ACLU of Michigan has spoken against the authorities for trying to deny the pastor the right to protest.

In just a few days, a new law goes into effect in France, banning any veils that cover the face. Effectively a "burqa ban," the law was passed last fall by the French senate with a vote of 246 to 1. But it’s not just the French senate that’s in favor of the ban. The Pew Global Attitudes Project found in a survey last year that only one in four French people are opposed to the ban.

Between the powerful days of the Roman Empire and the intellectually vibrant era of the Renaissance, there was a time that we often refer to as Early Middle Ages, or more pejoratively, as the Dark Ages. During these centuries, literature, written history, and cultural achievements were on the decline in the western world. But just a bit further east, in the Arab world, a golden age of enlightenment was taking hold.

The Quran burning by Florida Pastor Terry Jones' church group has incited deadly protests in Afghanistan. These events show the perils of religious extremism. Daisy Khan, from the American Society of Muslim Advancement and Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe of the World Evangelical Alliance both condemn the burning of the Quran and the subsequent violence.

Congressional hearings on Islamic Extremism in America begin Thursday morning in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Congressman Peter King (R-NY), chair of the committee, called the hearings in order to start a debate over whether American Muslims are doing enough to prevent home-grown terrorism plots. Rep. King has a long history interacting with Muslims who live in his Long Island district and some say his relationship with the Muslim community changed drastically after 9/11. Many complain that singling out one religious group and tying it to extremism is discriminatory.

Tomorrow, Rep. Peter King will drop the gavel on the House Homeland Security Committee's hearing on "Islamic radicalization." The hearing starts while we're on the air and we'll take a close look at what's in store. We'll also look at why the hearings are happening now. King is drawing criticism from American Muslims for singling out Islam, but there was a time when the Long Island congressman had close ties in the Islamic community — even attending one Muslim constituent's son's wedding. But that all changed after 9/11. We'll try to find out why, with Robert Kolker, who writes about it in this week's New York magazine. We'll also hear from Dr. Faroque Khan, who once called King a close friend.

We've also been hearing from a lot of your about the controversial hearing. Most of you say it's nothing but divisive, but today we asked if you think that anything good can come out of it. Here's some of what you said by text message.

Only if all stakeholders are involved in the hearing and I don't think all parties have been given a chance to speak.
—Oakland, Calif.

Focusing on Islamist radicalism would be a start. Need multi-front approach though. Education of non-Muslims as to true nature of Islam is essential as well. Same goes for radicalism of any ideology.
—Tacoma, Wash.

While some useful information may emerge, I'm expecting more of the empty political theatre the GOP does best to be the outcome.
—Baruch DovBe, Brooklyn, NY