Amanpour dissects The War Within in CNN docu

Curtain-raisers:

• Yes, it’s true. Maloli Espinosa (photo) has quit her job as ABS-CBN VP for corporate PR to run for congressman in her native Masbate in this May’s elections. Maybe not many in the TV industry know that Maloli comes from the political Espinosa clan which is very influential in that Bicol province where sometimes elections can be bloody and violent. "Politics is in our genes," Maloli told Funfare. "My elders have carved their names in politics, from my grandfather, Emilio Espinosa, to my siblings." It’s also in politics where Maloli lost some of her loved ones, including an uncle, a brother and her father (the late Gov. Moises Espinosa) who were killed in politically-motivated incidents. Asked if she’s not afraid to go into such a dangerous territory as politics, Maloli bravely said, "No, I’m not. My elders have told me that if I have to invest in anything, whether in business or my ability, it should be in Masbate. I worked for a company guided by the motto ‘In the service of the Filipino.’ I hope to continue serving the Filipino starting with my fellow Masbateños."

• Yes, it’s confirmed: Kat Alano is filing a libel case against Luis Alandy (photo) who named her as among the famous women he has gone to bed with last Wednesday when he guested on Mo Twister’s controversial radio program. The two other women "implicated" by Luis were his former girlfriends Desiree del Valle and Tin Arnaldo (who’s now married to a non-showbiz guy). Kat’s manager June Torrejon said that it was unfair for Luis to have done it and, even if what he’s saying is true, Luis should be reminded that truth is not a defense against libel. "Didn’t Luis ever consider the feelings of Tin and her husband?" asked June. "How mean can he get!"

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"Yes, it’s winnable!"

That’s what Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent based in London, said in an exclusive STAR interview about the war she’s dissecting in a special one-hour report entitled The War Within which is airing on CNN tonight at 7 and 11 (with replays tomorrow, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Monday, Jan. 22, at 4 a.m.).

The war referred to is the conflict within the Muslim community in England. According to the docu, London has become a target of home-grown Islamic extremists whose messages of violence and death have divided the Muslim communities in the United Kingdom.

"Majority of the Muslims don’t believe in using religion as an excuse for violence," said Christiane in the 20-minute phone interview a few days ago. "Only an extremist minority preaches violence and hatred. But as I’ve said, the war is winnable. I believe it will take long, but the majority of the Muslims will win in the long run."

The hour-long docu explores how the London commuter attacks on July 7, 2005 and the foiled airline terrorism plot in August 2006 have forced a spotlight on the growing tensions among the Islamic community of all ages.

"Christiane examines the complex issues that are starting to tear apart the large British Muslim community," said Rena Golden, senior vice president of CNN International in a press bulletin. "The simmering tension, angst and disillusionment in the faces and words of those she interviews underlines the difficulties now faced by many countries around the world."

In the docu, some Muslims in the UK assert that home-grown extremists have "hijacked" their religion, distorted its tenets and spread fear and misunderstanding in the name of Islam.

Among those whom Christiane interviewed for the docu was a youth worker in London named Hanif Kadar who said, "Foreign policy is the leading cause that is bringing in young Muslims into the extremists’ circles. It’s the minority radical groups that use (foreign policy) to get to our young people. There’s a minority in the schools that believes ...blowing people up is cool."

"Majority of the moderate Muslims don’t agree with the extremist minority," said Christiane who also interviewed well-known Islamic extremists in Britain whose ideologies drastically differ from those of mainstream Muslims. "Members of this moderate majority are starting to stand up to be heard. Other peace-loving Muslims should do the same no matter what the costs are. Islam is not about hatred and violence but about peace and love."

Also featured in the docu is Shahid Malik, one of only four Muslim members of the British Parliament, who acknowledges that even moderate Muslims feel more alienated by fear and suspicion since the terrorist attacks in 2005.

Said Malik, "I think the Muslim community does feel under siege...there’s a degree of polarization that’s taken place in our communities."

Anyway, watch The War Within and see for yourself what the real situation in England’s Muslim community is.

(Note: For the full story on Christiane Amanpour, watch out for tomorrow’s Conversations With Ricky Lo.)

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