THE PONCA CITY NEWS, MONDAY, JULY 30, 2012–PAGE 7 News Briefs IN THIS PHOTO a man enters an art gallery in La Marsa, Tunis. The Spring of the Arts exhibit in the wealthy Tunis suburb of La Marsa triggered June riots that left one dead and 100 injured. Many of the paintings questioned religion’s role in society, including some clearly skewering Salafis. (AP Photo) Tunisia: Hardline Islam Threatens Democracy TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Thousands of hardcore Muslims chant against Jews. Youths rampage through cities at night in protest of “blasphemous” art. A sit-in by religious students degenerates into fist fights and the desecration of Tunisia’s flag. In the birthplace of the Arab Spring, the transition from dictatorship to democracy has been mostly smoother than in neighboring countries, with no power-hungry military or armed militias to stifle the process. But as a moderate Islamist party rules with the help of secular forces, an unexpected threat has emerged: the increasing boldness of ultraconservative Muslims known loosely as Salafis, who want to turn this North African country of 10 million into a strict Islamic state. Tunisia’s hardcore Salafis are estimated to number only in the tens of thousands. But their organized and frequent protests against perceived insults to Islam, especially by artists, have rocked the country and succeeded in mobilizing disaffected and angry youth much more effectively than secular opposition parties. Experts warn that an economic downturn could turn these spasms of religioustinged rage into the new language of the opposition. Tunisia’s economy shrank by 2 percent last year and unem- Man Sentenced NEWKIRK — Nikki Andrew Holt, 26, Ponca City, entered a plea of no contest in Kay County District Court to a felony count of first degree burglary. In the affidavit, a woman told police that she obtained a protective order that was served to Holt while he was incarcerated at the county jail. On Dec. 10, 2011, she called police and reported that Holt kicked in her door and walked in her residence. The woman grabbed a handgun and told Holt to get out. She said Holt stated “Oh my God you have a gun,” and left the residence. He was sentenced to seven years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on that charge with all but 90 days suspended in the county jail. Holt was given the same sentence on a felony charge of obtaining merchandise by false pretences. He was charged in that case on Feb. 21, 2012. ployment stands at 18 percent — even higher among young people. “There’s no question that unemployment aggravates the situation,” said William Lawrence, the North Africa representative for the International Crisis Group think tank. “They go to Salafism because they have nowhere better to go socially, politically and spiritually.” As Salafis thrive in the new atmosphere of freedom of expression, they are aggressively attacking the free expression of those they see as insulting Islam. Their main target: artists who themselves have used democratic upheaval to raise sharp, often provocative, questions about the relationship between religion and society. Tensions that were bottled during the regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali are bubbling to the surface. A film called “Neither Allah nor Master” about secularism by an atheist director, an animated film portraying God as an old man that was broadcast on TV, and most recently an art exhibit dabbling in religious themes have all provoked the wrath of the Salafis. The Spring of the Arts exhibit in the wealthy Tunis suburb of La Marsa triggered June riots that left one dead and 100 injured. Many of the paintings questioned religion’s role in society, including some clearly skewering Salafis. There were images of veiled women hanging from punching bags in a boxing ring, veiled women buried in stones, and paintings of demonic bearded faces. The Islamist-led government has tread carefully around Salafi demonstrations, conscious that they themselves were once victims of government oppression and fearful of further radicalizing the Salafis. That has exposed the government to accusations by the liberal and leftist opposition that they are unable to preserve stability, or even worse — complicity in the extremist violence. For Tunisian authorities, grappling with the Salafis is made all the harder by the fact that they have not coalesced into an articulate, united movement but are rather comprised of different groups, some which may even be under manipulation of secular remnants of the old regime. That contrasts with Egypt, where Salafis have formed political parties and participate in politics. Salafis did not pop out of nowhere in Tunisia after the revolution. The movement grew quietly under Ben Ali, who vigorously repressed the moderate Islamists of the now dominant Ennahda Party, heirs to Tunisia’s own indigenous tradition of reformist Islam. Under Ben Ali, imams were appointed by the state and religious schools closed. Many of those alienated by the official secular culture of the French-speaking elite turned to the strict Salafi Islam of the Arabian peninsula. “They were influenced by the Salafi discourse coming out of the Gulf countries and diffused by the Salafi satellite channels all through the 1990s,” explained Slaheddine Jourchi, a Tunisian writer and human rights activist who has closely studied Islamist movements. “They saw the Salafi discourse as the most pure in Islam.” With the fall of the dictatorship, Salafis are now free to spread their message to the rest of the country. One of the biggest flashpoints was Manouba University near the capital where conservative students and their allies staged a months-long sitin protesting restrictions on the Islamic veil and lack of prayer halls on campus. They fought with secular students and in one case tore down the national flag and replaced it with a black one bearing the Islamic profession of faith. “Our movement benefits from the new climate of freedom to get out its message and preach to people,” said Bilal Chaouachi, a bearded theology student who describes himself as a follower of Salafi Islam and gives religion classes in his local mosque. Redha Belhaj, head of the recently legalized Hizb al-Tahrir, or Liberation Party, which calls for the restoration of the Islamic Caliphate, said that Ennahda betrayed the country when it declined to enshrine Islamic law as the basis of all legislation in the new constitution. Burglary Investigation — Ponca City Police took a report on a vehicle burglary in the 900 block of North Third Street at 9:58 a.m. Saturday. ————— Burglary Investigation — Ponca City Police took a report on an auto burglary at Third Street and Overbrook Avenue at 10:35 a.m. Saturday. ————— Sod and Sodding, Bermuda and Zoysia Pre-orders. Call 580-762-2922- Keathley Nursery 547 Big Snake Road. adv. ————— Vandalism Reported — A car dealership in the 3400 block of North Fourteenth Street reported vandalism to several vehicles at 10:41 a.m. Saturday. Ponca City Police took a report. ————— Juvenile Cited — Ponca City Police issued a citation to a juvenile at South Avenue and Waverly Street at 12:20 p.m. Saturday for minor in possession of tobacco. ————— Warrant Request —Ponca City Police took information for a warrant request for assault and battery after an assault in the 200 block of South Twelfth Street at 12:45 p.m. Saturday. ————— Warrant Request — A resident of the 2800 block of Temple Place reported at 1:39 p.m. Saturday that his father stole his computer and took it with him to California. Ponca City Police took information for a warrant request. ————— Wildcat Football season tickets. Adults $20, reserved seats $40, students all sports pass $40. Student tickets good all year. Call 580-767-8075.adv. ————— Theft Reported — A man in the 700 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 2:54 p.m. Saturday that his wallet was stolen from his vehicle while he was moving his things into a motel room. Ponca City Police took a report on the theft. The man reported Sunday that his credit card was used at a gas pump. ————— Domestic Assault — A man reported at 3:04 p.m. Saturday that his ex-wife had taken his child and left, driving recklessly. The man followed the woman to Hartford and Union Street, where he assaulted her and took the child. Ponca City Police advised they were doing a warrant request for domestic assault and battery. Man Arrested —Ponca City Police received a call at 3:51 p.m. from a child who said his uncle was beating on his aunt. Officers arrested a 39-year-old man in the 700 block of South Fourth Street on a complaint of domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor and took a report. ————— Burglary Investigation — A resident of the 400 block of North Ninth Street reported at 4:39 p.m. Saturday that his residence was burglarized. Ponca City Police took a report. ————— Taco Stop will be closed for its annual vacation from Monday, July 9 through Tuesday, July 31. We will re-open on Wednesday, August 1 to continue serving you Ponca City’s best mexican food. Thanks for 39 great years. adv. ————— Trespass Warning — Ponca City Police issued a trespass warning and a citation to an 18-year-old man at the Lake Ponca volleyball court at 5:51 p.m. Saturday. ————— Fire Run — Marland Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire in the 21700 block of Eagle’s Nest Road at 8:17 p.m. Saturday. ————— Victim Transported — Ponca City ambulance transported a man from Fourth Street and Detroit Avenue to the hospital at 8:19 p.m. Saturday after an altercation which included a stabbing. An 18-yearold man and an 18-year-old woman were arrested on complaints of public intoxication. Officers established a crime scene in the 400 block of East Comanche Avenue which was released at 10:14 p.m. Saturday. ————— Man Arrested — Ponca City Police arrested a 36-year-old man in the 300 block of Redbird at 8:56 p.m. Saturday on complaints of assault and battery on an officer, domestic assault and battery, domestic assault and battery with strangulation, resisting arrest and obstructing an officer. Police deployed a taser in the arrest. ————— Man Arrested — Ponca City Police arrested a 30-yearold man at Fifth Street and Comanche Avenue at 9:07 p.m. Saturday on a complaint of public intoxication. ————— Broken Window — Ponca City Police took a report from a resident in the 400 block of South Eighth Street at 11:48 p.m. Saturday after someone threw an item and broke a window. ————— Assault Reported — Ponca City Police took a report from a woman in the 200 block of South Palm Street at 11:59 p.m. Saturday who said her sister’s ex had assaulted her. Officers will request an assault and battery warrant. ————— Burglary Investigation — Ponca City Police took a report on a burglary in the 2000 block of Joe at 1:21 a.m. Sunday after the resident reported a suspect walked into the residence and stole several items. ————— Fire Run — Ponca City Fire Department responded for a smoke alarm investigation in the 1500 block of Princeton Avenue at 2:26 a.m. Sunday. ————— Vandalism Reported — Ponca City Police took a report on vandalism to a motorcycle left at the Ponca City Medical Center at 8:48 a.m. Sunday. ————— Burglary Investigation — Ponca City Police took a report on a burglary in the 800 block of South Eleventh Street at 9:49 a.m. Sunday. ————— Theft Reported — A resident of the 2100 block of North Union Street reported money stolen at 1:21 p.m. Sunday. Ponca City Police took a report. ————— Man Arrested — Ponca City Police arrested a 39-year-old man in the 1600 block of West South Avenue at 2:49 p.m. Sunday on Kay County Sheriff’s Office warrants for violations of the compulsory education act and failure to appear in court for violation of compulsory education act. ————— Fire Run — The Ponca City Fire Department responded to a grass fire in the 2000 block of Turner at 2:52 p.m. Sunday. ————— Vandalism Reported — Ponca City Police took a report on vandalism to a door in the 800 block of South Twelfth Street at 5:55 p.m. Sunday. ————— Man Arrested — Ponca City Police arrested a 50-year-old man in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street at 6:08 p.m. Sunday on a complaint of driving under the influence of drugs. Honor the Legacy of EW Marland Man Pleads Guilty NEWKIRK — Christopher Lee Palmer, 47, Ponca City, entered a guilty plea in Kay County District Court to a felony charge of unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. Palmer was arrested by Ponca City Police on April 16. Palmer was sentenced to 10-years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections with all but 80 days in the county jail suspended. Does your child need help focusing? Maybe anxiety is a problem… we have several all-natural remedies that may help. 2906 N. 14th next to Hobby Lobby 762-1854 Mon. – Sat: 9 – 7 By Hugh Pickens “The Ponca City News” recently announced that with the split of ConocoPhillips into two companies, the ConocoPhillips operation in Ponca City, Oklahoma will soon be renamed Phillips 66. Frank Phillips, the founder of the Phillips 66 Oil company, was a man who knew how to use his courage and initiative and great administrative ability to create industry and wealth in Oklahoma leaving a legacy in the oil company that bears his name that will always be a monument to his memory. But there is another Oklahoma oil pioneer who was equally important in developing the oil industry and bringing prosperity and advancement to Northern Oklahoma. That man was EW Marland. EW Marland pioneered the use of geological techniques in the oil industry and was years ahead of his time as an employer providing housing, loans, medical care, and other benefits for thousands of employees who worked at his refineries and pipelines but Marland lost everything to the powerful JP Morgan banking interests - even losing his name on the oil company that he founded in Ponca City. It is altogether fitting and proper that Phillips 66 honor the heritage of oil development in Northern Oklahoma by recognizing Frank Phillips and EW Marland. The executives of Phillip 66 have honored the memory of Frank Phillips by choosing to name their new company for Phillips. We think Phillips 66 should honor the legacy of oil pioneer EW Marland by naming their refinery in Ponca City for Marland, the man who started the refinery and brought advancement and development to North Central Oklahoma. A+ Attention is for children experiencing an overactive mind or body, low confidence, poor memory, a disclination to study, anxiousness and the inability to focus or pay attention. Solaray Focus FOCUSfactor for Children For Kids is a brain support is formulated to tablet. This product help support brain is designed to give function. Delicious the brain an chewable berry blast flavored added boost that wafers in this helps promote blend of vitamins focus and productivity. and nutrients. Buried Treasure Added Attention is formulated with the highest quality ingredients to support a child’s ability to focus. Wheat, gluten & dairy free. Vegetarian safe. Planetary Herbals Calm Child syrup or tablets combine the soothing botanicals chamomile, lemon balm & catnip, with the nourishing tonifiers hawthorn, zizyphus, gotu kola extract & amla. May help support alertness and focus in children. It would mean a great deal to the residents of Ponca City for Phillips 66 to acknowledge the history and heritage of the oil industry in Oklahoma by honoring these two great oil pioneers, Frank Phillips and EW Marland. Renaming the refinery the “Marland Refinery in Ponca City” will serve as a symbol going forward of the partnership between the oil industry and the citizens of North Central Oklahoma that honors the legacy of these two great oil pioneers. Read more on the web at www.HonorEWMarland.com Listen to a discussion of this issue on Dave May’s “Mayday in the Morning” show on KLOR Wednesday morning at 7am.
© Copyright 2024