‘Anti-Terror Message At 5.5 Lakh Mosques’: Muslim Bodies Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack;

New Age Islam News Bureau

24 April 2025

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi (C), Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization (AIIO), after the Ram Mandir Pran Pratisha ceremony, in Ayodhya, on Jan. 22.(PTI FILE)

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·         ‘Anti-Terror Message At 5.5 Lakh Mosques’: Muslim Bodies Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack;

·         Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Said Giving The It A Religious Angle Is Misguided

·         Imam Of Eidgah Lucknow Leads Prayer For Peace, Justice For Terror Victims, Stresses Islam Opposed All Forms Of Terrorism

·         After Diplomatic Slap From India, Pakistan Plans Surface-To-Surface Missile Test Off Karachi Coast

·         Al-Quds International Foundation: Enemy Is Using Non-Muslim Tourists To Change Identity Of Mosque

·         54 Soldiers Killed In Suspected Jihadist Attack In Benin

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India

·         Muslim Man Set Ablaze By Cow Vigilantes In Gujrat’s Gandhinagar, Charred Body Found In A Burnt Car

·         Delhi HC Reserves Judgement In Tablighi Jamaat And Covid Spread CaseAt The Nizamuddin Markaz In Delhi

·         Pahalgam Attack: The truth Indian TV channels won’t show you

·         Pahalgam attack: Bengaluru techie identified himself as Muslim, told to recite from Quran and strip before being shot

·         Hell in ‘paradise’ for Bengal trio: A night at saviour Muslim driver’s home after Pahalgam attack

·         Kashmiri Students Attacked, Given Ultimatum To Leave; 8 Incidents Reported Across Punjab, Himachal, And Uttarakhand

·         Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal Admin To Remove Mosque, Temple Encroachments

·         AIMPLB temporarily pauses Waqf protests over Pahalgam terror attack

·         ‘Kashmir normal after Article 370 abrogation?’ Trinamool’s Sagarika Ghose targets Amit Shah

·         Attack on Hindus: VHP says what RSS can't, blames Pakistan for Pahalgam killings

·         'We were eating bhel puri when they suddenly emerged, said he's not Muslim': Wife recalls moment Lt Vinay Narwal was shot in Pahalgam

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Pakistan

·         National Security Committee To Discuss Response To Indian Steps: Asif

·         Pakistan’s isolating itself in the Muslim world by backing terrorism

·         World Bank trims Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 2.7pc

·         Held Kashmir attack timed to defame Pakistan: leaders

·         IHC urged to initiate contempt case against Adiala jail authorities

·         People being jailed for seeking rights: Mengal

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Mideast

·         Hamas video shows Israeli hostage marking his birthday

·         UK Jewish group investigates members for condemning Israel’s renewed Gaza offensive

·         HRW accuses Israel of ‘indiscriminate’ attacks on civilians during war in Lebanon

·         Iran slams ‘hostile’ US sanctions ahead of new talks

·         French FM says Iraq should not be dragged into regional conflicts

·         Holocaust survivor says reliving nightmare with grandson’s Gaza captivity

·         UN appoints envoy to assess aid for Palestinians

·         Syrian defense minister meets Jordanian army chief in Damascus

·         Settlers Renew Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

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Africa

·         ‘Nigerians Are Tired Of Your Propaganda, Let There Be Light, Not Lies’ – NLC Blasts Minister Adelabu

·         COAS Gives Military Troops One Month To Wipe Out New Terrorist Group In Kwara State

·         Court Orders FRSC, Police To Return Whistleblower’s Car, Phone After Expose

·         ‘These Attacks Are Deliberate, Calculated’ – Governor Alia Describes Escalating Violence In Benue

·         Give Us A Chance, Stop Politicizing Killings – Ribadu To Benue Indigenes

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South Asia

·         Probe Commission Urges 18 Individuals Including Hasina To Testify About BDR Carnage

·         Islamic Emirate Condemns Tourist Attack in Jammu and Kashmir

·         Islamic Emirate Adds Three Districts to Administrative Structure

·         62 Afghan prisoners freed from Pakistani Jails

·         WFP appeals $25 million to support Afghan returnees amid growing humanitarian crisis

·         IEA to introduce ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow, says Muttaqi

·         Khalifa Haqqani discusses security, trade cooperation with Russian representative

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North America

·         Amid Feud With Trump, Harvard Pushed Back Release of Antisemitism, Anti-Muslim Bias Task Force Reports From Early April

·         CAIR-LA, Partners to Demand Accountability for Assault on UCLA Pro-Palestinian Protesters and End to Crackdown on Student Speech

·         CAIR-Florida Welcomes Lawsuit Against Southwest Ranches for Violating First Amendment Rights of Peaceful Anti-War Protesters

·         CAIR Calls on ‘People and Institutions of Conscience’ to Refuse Engagement with Israeli Terrorist Ben-Gvir

·         Trump's threats unite Canadians - even many who want independence

·         NFL champion Shannon Sharpe sued for sexual assault

·         Weinstein used 'unfettered power' to sexually abuse women, rape retrial hears

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Southeast Asia

·         Establish Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Advisory Board To Strengthen National Unity: G.Gunaraj

·         Indonesia’s Largest Muslim Group Defends Halal Rules Against US Criticism

·         Umno: DAP can't alter Islam, Malay rights even with two-thirds majority

·         A message too far: Unity minister demands action over racist remark by delivery rider

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Arab World

·         Head of Saudi National Center for Meteorology elected regional chair of global organization

·         Saudi ambassador to UK voted MENA diplomat of the year

·         UN competition calls on Saudi startups using AI in travel

·         Saudi, Tunisian officials discuss humanitarian efforts

·         Environment Week unites Saudis for a sustainable future

·         Together, we are building a future of shared prosperity: US charge d’affaires

·         Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim

·         Riyadh pavilion showcases Saudi literary, cultural diversity at Argentina book fair

·         Saudi forces join ‘Desert Flag’ air drill in UAE

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Europe

·         Detained Ingush Imam Accused Of Supporting Terrorism Publicly Declares Innocence

·         'Pope Was Brother, I Will Be At Funeral' - Rome Mosque Imam

·         Caucasus Muslims Office chairman to advocate for peace in Spain

·         Dublin's Islamic Cultural Centre shuts 'until further notice' following 'troubling incident'

·         Muslim graves desecrated at Carpenders Park cemetery

·         Court overturns French decision to cut funding to biggest Muslim school

·         Hajj pilgrims warned over spate of fraud crimes targeting Muslims

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/anti-terror-mosques-muslim-pahalgam-attack/d/135296

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‘Anti-Terror Message At 5.5 Lakh Mosques’: Muslim Bodies Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack;

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Said Giving The It A Religious Angle Is Misguided

Apr 23, 2025

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi (C), Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization (AIIO), after the Ram Mandir Pran Pratisha ceremony, in Ayodhya, on Jan. 22.(PTI FILE)

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Prominent Muslim organisations on Wednesday strongly denounced the Pahalgam terror attack. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said that giving the incident a religious angle is misguided, emphasising that terrorism is a “cancer” that goes against Islam's message of peace.

The attack, which targeted a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of South Kashmir on Tuesday, claimed the lives of at least 26 people, most of them tourists, and left several others injured.

Head of the All India Imam Organisation, Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, said imams at over 5.5 lakh mosques across India will deliver a strong anti-terror message during Friday prayers and pray for the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

After meeting officials from his organisation and representatives of other faiths, Ilyasi said that killing innocent people in the name of religion is not only against Islam, but also against humanity.

“Prayers will be offered at mosques for the innocent people who have been killed in Pahalgam and their families. During the Friday prayers, the imam will give a strong message against terrorism during his khutba (religious sermon),” he said.

“Our demand from the government is that no terrorist should be allowed to be buried on the soil of India,” Ilyasi added.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, calling it a cowardly act.

In a statement, he expressed deep sorrow, extended solidarity with the victims' families, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Madani said those who kill innocent people are not humans but “beasts.”

“There is no room for terrorism in Islam. Terrorism is a cancer that contradicts Islam's policy of promoting peace. It is essential for every believer to raise their voice against it,” he said.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind views criminal acts, particularly those committed in the name of religion, as a serious threat to the nation’s peace and security, Maulana Arshad Madani said.

He added that while this horrific terrorist attack is deeply troubling, it is heartening to see ordinary Kashmiris strongly condemning the violence and expressing their disapproval.

“The condemnation of such acts from the mosques indicates that the common people of Kashmir desire to promote peace and harmony in the region. It shows that the spirit of brotherhood, compassion and unity is strong and alive in their hearts irrespective of their religions,” the Jamiat chief said.

'Government has Kashmiri people's support'

Madani added that this also shows the government can count on the full support of the Kashmiri people in maintaining law and order.

He stressed that it is wrong to give this tragedy a religious angle.

“Among the deceased was not only a Muslim, but according to the reports coming from there, during the attacks, local people risked their own lives to save many tourists and took the injured to the hospital. After the attack, no official assistance arrived for a while and there were no vehicles available to transport the injured. In such a situation, local residents came out of their homes and saved the lives of many people,” he said.

“In doing so, they set an example of humanity. And while doing so, they did not ask anyone about their religion. The common people of Kashmir are deeply shocked and angry over this tragedy. They have expressed their feelings by holding torch marches at various places,” he said.

This is a sign that the common people of Kashmir desire peace, unity and development in the region, and do not support any form of extremism, Madani said.

“Therefore, the media should avoid one-sided and biased reporting. This is not the time to fuel hatred, but rather a moment to come together to heal the wounds ... and to promote unity, love and brotherhood,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) president Syed Sadatullah Husaini strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, expressing deep sorrow and outrage over the tragic loss of lives. In a statement, he called for swift justice for the victims.

“We strongly condemn the deadly terror attack that took place in Pahalgam, south Kashmir. The loss of innocent lives, including foreign tourists, is deeply saddening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their grieving families. There can be no justification for such a barbaric act,” he said.

Husaini said the act was utterly inhuman and must be condemned without any ambiguity. He called for those responsible to be brought to justice and given the strictest punishment.

The JIH chief emphasised that no cause, whether political, ideological, or otherwise can ever justify such brutal violence.

“This was an inhuman act that defies every moral and ethical code,” he said.

He appealed to both state and central authorities to take firm and transparent action to deliver justice to the victims, strengthen security measures, and protect vulnerable communities.

He further urged civil society, faith leaders, and the media to act with responsibility, avoiding narratives that could escalate tensions or unfairly target innocent groups.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Said Giving The It A Religious Angle Is Misguided

Apr 23, 2025

Mumbai: The All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulema condemned the massacre of tourists in Pahalgam. "This is a heinous crime which has no justification in Islam or humanity. The tourists were innocent...The perpetrators asked the victims to identify themselves with a diabolical aim to foment communal trouble in the country," said senior spiritual leader Maulana Moin Ashraf Quadri (Moin Mian), who also heads the Sunni Jamiatul Ulema. He added that clerics assembled at Sunni Bilal Masjid on Wednesday to condemn the massacre and condole the deaths.

Saeed Noorie of Raza Academy also condemned the killings and demanded justice for the families. tnn

Mumbai: The All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulema condemned the massacre of tourists in Pahalgam. "This is a heinous crime which has no justification in Islam or humanity. The tourists were innocent...The perpetrators asked the victims to identify themselves with a diabolical aim to foment communal trouble in the country," said senior spiritual leader Maulana Moin Ashraf Quadri (Moin Mian), who also heads the Sunni Jamiatul Ulema. He added that clerics assembled at Sunni Bilal Masjid on Wednesday to condemn the massacre and condole the deaths.

Saeed Noorie of Raza Academy also condemned the killings and demanded justice for the families. tnn

Source: indiatimes.com

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Imam Of Eidgah Lucknow Leads Prayer For Peace, Justice For Terror Victims, Stresses Islam Opposed All Forms Of Terrorism

Apr 24, 2025

Lucknow: Chairman of Islamic Centre of India and Imam of Eidgah Lucknow, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, strongly condemned and expressed deep sorrow over terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He emphasised that killing of innocent individuals contradicted Islamic principles and stressed Islam opposed all forms of terrorism.

A prayer meet was organised at Darul Uloom Farangi Mahal Idgah Lucknow, where attendees expressed solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims and prayed for swift recovery of those injured. The gathering included students and teachers.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed urged govt to apprehend swiftly those responsible for the incident and ensure they received severe punishment. He appealed to Kashmir residents to maintain peace while ensuring the protection of tourists.

Source: indiatimes.com

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After diplomatic slap from India, Pakistan plans surface-to-surface missile test off Karachi coast

Apr 24, 2025

NEW DELHI: Pakistan on Thursday issued a notification to carry out surface-to-surface missile test from its Karachi coast along its coastline within its exclusive economic zone on April 24-25, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

Indian agencies concerned are keeping a close watch on all the developments, ANI added.

This comes after India noted evidence of cross-border linkages in the attack and said the attack came “in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.”

As part of its response, India suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, shut the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect, and halted Pakistani access to travel under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any such visas issued earlier have been cancelled, and Pakistani nationals under SVES have 48 hours to leave.

Additionally, the overall strength of both countries’ diplomatic missions will be capped at 30 personnel by May 1, down from 55. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, in which most of the victims were civilians. Asif said Thursday’s National Security Committee meeting reflects the gravity of the moment, noting that such sessions are held “when issues related to national security are to be discussed.”

India had last downgraded diplomatic ties in 2020 by reducing the mission strength to half of what it was earlier.

In what is being described as the deadliest assault since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, at least 28 tourists were killed and many others injured on Tuesday.

The attack occurred in Baisaran meadow, a scenic area approximately 7 km from the resort town of Pahalgam, popular among tourists for its natural beauty and serene environment.

According to survivors, six foreign terrorists dressed in Army's fatigue uniform targeted their victims based on religion. The assailants reportedly asked individuals to identify themselves by name and recite Islamic verses before opening fire at point-blank range.

The attack occurred around 1:30 pm as tourists relaxed in the picturesque meadow, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pine forests. Despite a strong security presence in the region, including multiple checkpoints and armed patrols, the attackers managed to breach defenses and unleash chaos in what should have been a peaceful tourist haven.

Source: indiatimes.com

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Al-Quds International Foundation: Enemy is using non-Muslim tourists to change identity of mosque

23 Apr 2025

The Al-Quds International Foundation revealed that the Israeli enemy police are using non-Muslim tourists as a means of changing the identity of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The foundation said in a statement on Wednesday: "The enemy police are deliberately allowing female tourists to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque without head coverings and in revealing clothing that does not respect the minimum sanctity of the mosque and the modesty required to respect it as a holy place, even when they enter the Al-Qibli Mosque between prayers."

It considered this an aggression by which the occupation police are intended to strip Al-Aqsa Mosque of its Islamic sanctity.

It added that "the enemy police sponsored the raising of the enemy flag inside Al-Aqsa by a group of German tourists who support Zionism on the fourth day of the Hebrew Passover, thus completing the settlers' aggression and forming a new tool of aggression against the mosque and its identity under the auspices of the police."

She explained that the enemy police allow non-Muslim tourists to roam freely around the mosque, individually or in groups, without being accompanied by any guide or guide from the endowments department who regulates the visit in accordance with the sanctity of the mosque.

Source: saba.ye

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54 soldiers killed in suspected Jihadist attack in Benin

FRANCE 24

24 April 2025

Beninese soldiers at the presidential palace in Cotonou on July 27, 2022.

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The Beninese government said on Wednesday that suspected jihadists killed 54 soldiers stationed in a national park on April 17, the heaviest toll since jihadist attacks began in the northern part of the country. The al Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims claimed the attack.

Suspected jihadist insurgents killed 54 troops in an attack last week on military posts in a Benin national park, the government said Wednesday.

Government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji gave the new toll to a press briefing on the April 17 attack in the W national park in northern Benin, close to the frontiers with Burkina Faso and Niger. Authorities had previously said eight soldiers were killed.

This is the heaviest official toll since the start of jihadist attacks in the north.

The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM or JNIM in Arabic) which is affiliated with al Qaeda. It had said 70 Beninese soldiers were killed.

"Even if its not the 70 ... it's a lot," the government spokesman acknowledged.

"The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends," he said.

The country deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to secure its borders in January 2022. It later sent an additional 5,000 troops to bolster security in the north.

Source: yahoo.com

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India

 

Muslim Man Set Ablaze By Cow Vigilantes In Gujrat’s Gandhinagar, Charred Body Found In A Burnt Car

April 24, 2025

In a gut wrenching incident, a Muslim man was set ablaze by cow vigilantes in Gujrat’s Gandhinagar district, Sanjet area on the night of April 21.

Mohammad Bhura Habibullah left home for transporting goods along with Syed Mohammad Rafiq around 10 AM. However, next morning at 11 AM Bhura’s charred body was discovered in a burnt car  near Narmada Canal in Santej. His accomplice, Rafiq was found lying nearby in a critical condition. He is currently admitted in the ICU.

The family has accused right wing group, Bajrang Dal for attacking two men resulting in one’s horrifying death. The family also alleged that the group had been threatening the victims for the past five days. However, according to the police, the two were driving through Vayana village and ignored a  road diversion. Suggesting that it was a road accident, inspector S.R Mucchal said, “ the driver must have lost control of the vehicle which then collided with an object and caught fire. Both were trapped inside as the car burned.”

The police also stated that no evidence of assault was found. Expressing shock and demanding action, the AIMIM Ahmedabad City spokesperson Aslam Sheikh said, “In the so-called Gujrat model, the BJP has made the blood of Muslims cheaper than water. They claim that they have found meat but whether it is beef or any kind of meat, there are courts and laws to deal with such issues. No one has the right to take laws into their own hands.”

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/muslim-mans-charred-body-found-in-a-burnt-car-accomplice-in-critical-condition-family-accuses-cow-vigilantism-by-bajrang-dal/

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Delhi HC Reserves Judgement In Tablighi Jamaat And Covid Spread CaseAt The Nizamuddin Markaz In Delhi

April 23, 2025

The Tablighi Jamaat event held in March 2020 at the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi became a major point of controversy during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The religious gathering, which included participants from various countries, came under intense scrutiny after allegations surfaced that foreign attendees were responsible for spreading the virus in India.

Following the imposition of a nationwide lockdown, some Hindu organizations accused the event’s participants of violating health guidelines and contributing to the pandemic’s spread.

These accusations quickly spiraled into a larger social media campaign and public outcry, prompting the Union Home Ministry to intervene. Subsequently, the Delhi Police registered cases against attendees, particularly focusing on foreign nationals and Indian members of the Tablighi Jamaat.

In total, 28 FIRs were filed involving 193 individuals, including 70 Indian nationals, under various laws such as the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and the Foreigners Act. IPC sections 188, 269, 270, and 120-B were cited, dealing with unlawful assembly and the negligent spread of infectious diseases.

Over time, many of the initial charges, especially against foreign nationals, were dropped. Courts invoked the principle of Double Jeopardy, which prevents multiple prosecutions for the same offence, signaling doubts over the legitimacy of the police’s actions. Currently, 16 FIRs related to the event remain under legal review, with a Delhi High Court bench led by Justice Neena Bansal reserving its verdict after concluding hearings.

The legal defense, including advocates like Ashima Mandla and Mandakini Singh, has questioned the credibility of the evidence and the procedures followed by the authorities. They argue that the police failed to adhere to due process and relied on generalized allegations rather than concrete proof. These claims have been bolstered by the dismissal of similar cases in other states due to insufficient evidence.

Critics have voiced concerns that the prosecution of the Tablighi Jamaat members reflects a pattern of scapegoating minority communities during crises. The narrative of the group being “super spreaders” was amplified by parts of the media and political rhetoric, leading to increased hostility toward Muslims during the pandemic.

As the Delhi High Court prepares to issue its verdict, the case has broader implications beyond legal guilt or innocence. It highlights the need for careful, unbiased law enforcement and adherence to legal principles, especially during emergencies.

The outcome will not only impact the accused but will also set a precedent for how such sensitive situations are handled in the future. At its core, the case underscores the importance of justice, accountability, and the protection of minority rights in a democratic society. — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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Pahalgam Attack: The truth Indian TV channels won’t show you

April 24, 2025

On 22th April, a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 27 tourists, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent years. While Indian television channels extensively covered the tragedy, much of their reporting focused on divisive narratives, attempting to frame the attack as a Hindu-Muslim conflict. Media outlets claimed that terrorists specifically targeted Hindu tourists by asking for their names to confirm their religious identity before killing them. However, no credible evidence supports these claims, and such reporting risks deepening communal tensions in an already sensitive region.

What many Indian TV channels failed to highlight are the stories of solidarity, bravery, and humanity that emerged in the wake of the attack. This report aims to shed light on these overlooked aspects, highliting the resilience and unity of the people of Kashmir and beyond.

Condemnation by Muslim Leaders Across India

Political and religious Muslim leaders from various parts of India, not limited to Kashmir, unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. Prominent figures issued statements denouncing the violence, emphasizing that such acts are against the principles of Islam and humanity. These leaders called for unity and urged citizens to stand together against terrorism.

Candlelight Vigils Organized by Muslims in Kashmir

In a powerful display of solidarity, Muslim communities across different cities in Kashmir organized candlelight marches to honor the victims of the attack. These peaceful gatherings saw participation from people of all walks of life, sending a clear message that the people of Kashmir reject violence and mourn the loss of innocent lives alongside the rest of the nation.

Historic Shutdown in Kashmir Valley

For the first time in 35 years, the Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown in response to the Pahalgam attack. Shops, businesses, and schools closed as a mark of respect for the victims and as a collective stand against terrorism. This unprecedented gesture underscored the region’s commitment to peace and its rejection of violence.

Unreported Stories of Compassion and Courage:

Heroism of Syed Adil Hussain Shah

Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local horse rider who ferried tourists from the car parking area to the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, displayed extraordinary courage during the attack. The meadow, accessible only by foot or horse, was one of the sites targeted by the terrorists. When the attack began, Syed Adil attempted to confront one of the assailants to protect the tourists he had brought to the spot. Tragically, he was shot dead in his brave effort to save others. His sacrifice stands as a testament to the selflessness of ordinary Kashmiris who risk their lives for others.

Aadil’s Act of Humanity

In the chaos following the attack, another Muslim, a driver named Aadil went above and beyond to ensure the safety of stranded tourists. With many tourists left vulnerable and without immediate assistance, Aadil opened his home to a group of them, providing shelter, food, and comfort until help arrived. His actions reflect the deep-rooted hospitality and compassion that define the Kashmiri ethos, even in times of crisis.

Nazakat Ali a Kashmiri woollen clothes trader, saves the life of four families

In another act of bravery a Kashmiri woollen clothes trader, Nazakat Ali, who visits Chhattisgarh’s Chirmiri town every winter, heroically guided four families from the state to safety after they were caught in a sudden terror attack at the tourist site of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

The Bigger Picture: A Call for Responsible Reporting

The Pahalgam terror attack was a tragedy that affected people of all communities, and the response from Kashmiris—Muslims and others alike—demonstrates a shared commitment to peace and humanity. Unfortunately, the focus of many Indian TV channels on unverified communal narratives has overshadowed these stories of unity and heroism. Such reporting not only misrepresents the reality on the ground but also undermines the efforts of those working to foster harmony in a region long plagued by conflict.

By highlighting the unreported stories of condemnation, solidarity, and bravery, we hope to present a more balanced perspective on the Pahalgam attack. The people of Kashmir, through their actions, have shown that terrorism does not define their identity. Instead, it is their compassion, courage, and resilience that shine through in the face of adversity.

The Pahalgam terror attack was a heartbreaking loss for India, but it also revealed the strength of human spirit in the face of terror. From the heroic sacrifice of Syed Adil Hussain Shah to the selfless hospitality of Aadil, and from the candlelight vigils to the historic shutdown, the people of Kashmir have demonstrated that unity and humanity prevail over division and violence. It is imperative that media outlets report these stories to foster understanding and healing, rather than perpetuating narratives that divide. Let the legacy of Pahalgam be one of solidarity and hope for a peaceful future.

Source: muslimmirror.com

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Pahalgam attack: Bengaluru techie identified himself as Muslim, told to recite from Quran and strip before being shot

Apr 24, 2025

BENGALURU: It was meant to be a short summer getaway but instead turned into a nightmare. Madhusudhan Rao left Bengaluru Sunday with his wife, daughter and son. By Tuesday evening, news of his death in the terror attack in Pahalgam reached his stunned neighbours in Riches Garden Layout, Bengaluru.

“He said he’d be back Friday,” said Babu Venu, a neighbour and friend of 15 years. “He didn’t tell us where he was going. It was just summer holidays… None of us imagined this.”

Rao, a software engineer with IBM, was shot dead by terrorists who boarded the bus he was travelling in with his wife Kamakshi Prasanna, daughter Medhasree, son Sridatta.

Police said the attackers asked him his name and religion. When he responded “Muslim,” they asked him to read from the Quran. He said he’d forgotten. They then asked him to strip. He refused and was shot.

Originally from Kavali in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Rao lived in Riches Layout, Rammurthynagar, for more than a decade. His wife works with an IT company. The children are aged 17 and 12.

“He was a gem,” said Venu. “Jovial, honest. He never spoke badly about anyone. He was someone you wouldn’t see unhappy.”

Residents are planning a candlelight vigil and walk in his honour on Thursday. “We were saddened when we heard the news,” said Malthesh of the Riches Garden Welfare and Cultural Association.

“We learnt from Babu about the incident (who in turn found out about it from the media). Madhusudhan was active in our community—always involved in Ganeshotsava and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations.”

Rao’s body was being taken to his hometown. Ten people from Rao’s neighbourhood also left for Nellore. “We’re a small, closeknit community here,” said Venu. “It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”

Source: indiatimes.com

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Hell in ‘paradise’ for Bengal trio: A night at saviour Muslim driver’s home after Pahalgam attack

24.04.25

A trip to Paradise on Earth turned into a living hell for three families from Bengal who lost a member each in the terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday.

Sameer Guha, Bitan Adhikary and Manish Ranjan Mishra were among the 26 who were killed by gunmen in the picturesque Baisaran Valley.

Sameer Guha

Sameer, a central government employee who traced his roots to Chhattisgarh and lived in Behala’s Sakherbazar, was shot dead by the gunmen in front of his wife Sabari and daughter Subhangi.

The first person to help 52-year-old Sameer’s wife and daughter, who were numb with shock, was their Kashmiri driver.

Md Iqbal took the duo to his home, from where Sabari called up her brother in Calcutta at 3am on Wednesday.

“Ever since visuals of the Pahalgam attack started appearing on TV, I have been horrified. But I was unable to contact them. When we finally spoke, Sabari and Subhangi were safe, but my sister was not in a position to talk,” Sabari’s brother Subrata Ghosh said.

“The driver took my sister and niece to his home, where they spent the night,” he added.

The Guhas live on the first floor of a building on Jagat Roy Chowdhury Road, a less than 10-minute walk from Diamond Harbour Road in Sakherbazar.

Sameer used to work in the ministry of statistics and programme implementation and was posted at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake.

Sameer bought the Behala flat in 2019 after getting posted in Calcutta.

“We received a call early in the morning from Sabari. She was sobbing. She informed us about Sameerda’s death. She was unable to speak. Her daughter told us what had happened,” Archana Gajender, a neighbour who spoke to Subhangi on Wednesday morning, told this newspaper on Wednesday.

“She said they heard two gunshots. Initially, they did not understand what was happening but within minutes, they were facing gunmen in army fatigues. ‘Modi ka aadmi hai?’ one of them asked. When Sameerda said yes, they opened fire,” Archana added.

Subrata said his brother-in-law and his family loved to explore new places.

“This was their first trip to Kashmir and they were very excited. They left on April 16. All of us thought that Kashmir had changed. But this attack proved that nothing has,” Subrata said.

Mayor Firhad Hakim visited Sameer’s residence on Wednesday. “This is unacceptable. Going to a vacation together and coming back in a coffin,” Hakim said.

The Guhas were soft spoken and affable. “In a few years, they became an integral part of our locality and the Durga Puja at the club,” neighbour Dipak Chakraborty said.

Bitan Adhikary

Forty-year-old Bitan Adhikary was taking in the beauty of the Baisaran meadows along with wife Sohini and their three-and-a-half-year-old son Hridaan when a barrage of bullets shattered its calm.

Sohini told this newspaper that before they could flee the spot, they were accosted by men with their faces masked.

The family was asked if they were Hindu or Muslim. “Before we could respond or react, they opened fire. My husband died on the spot,” Sohini said.

Adhikary, an engineer from the city, was based in Brandon, Florida.

Sohini and Hridaan live in an apartment on Baishnabghata Lane off Netajinagar.

“Every day, Sohini used to take the boy to his school on an auto. Sohini’s husband had come recently. Their windows were closed for a few days. So I guessed that they must have gone out,” said a neighbour.

Known to friends and relatives as lively and respectful, Bitan was born and brought up in Durgapur. He did his electronics engineering from BC Roy College and came to Calcutta to join an IT company.

“The family moved out of Durgapur several years ago but we still keep in touch through social media. I was following his trip to Kashmir through his photographs and videos. Even yesterday, he posted a photo with his new moustache. A few hours later, I saw him on television. He was dead. This is unbelievable,” said Tarun Kumar Banerjee, a resident of the same neighbourhood where the Adhikarys lived in Durgapur.

Bitan’s father Bireswar Adhikary, 87, and mother Maya, 75, came to know about their son’s death on Wednesday.

“We switched on the television on Tuesday night when we saw the news. They were showing our son, daughter-in-law and grandson,” Maya said.

Bitan’s body reached Calcutta on Wednesday evening.

Hakim met the bereaved parents at their home on Kalipada Mukherjee Road in Behala.

Manish Ranjan Mishra

Manish Ranjan Mishra, the third victim from Calcutta, was a section officer with the Intelligence Bureau in Hyderabad. He hails from Jhalda in Purulia and was on a holiday in Pahalgam with his wife and two children.

Manish, 42, wanted to take his elderly parents to the Vaishno Devi temple and had asked them to meet him at Katra. His parents were on the way when they got a call that they shouldn’t proceed.

Manish was vacationing with his wife Jaya, son Samriddh, 10, and daughter Jishu, 6, when he was killed by the gunmen.

“We last spoke two days ago when he said he was going to Srinagar and that he would take us to Vaishno Devi. He asked us to go to Katra from where he was planning to proceed to Vaishno Devi. Yesterday, we were on our way to Katra when we got a call. I was told that my son had been injured and that we should return home,” Manish’s mother Asha said.

Son of a school headmaster in Purulia’s Jhalda, Manish was the eldest of three siblings. Before Hyderabad, he was posted in Ranchi and Delhi, a family friend said.

According to friend and neighbour Sanjay Pathak, the family was originally from Bihar but had been settled in Bengal for generations.

Manish’s younger brothers are posted in the food department and the excise department, Pathak said.

“We had planned to meet bhaiya in Jammu on Wednesday and had begun our journey by car on Tuesday morning. When we reached Daltonganj in Jharkhand, our sister-in-law called us from someone’s mobile and gave us the tragic news,” Manish’s brother Vinit said.

Manish’s father Mangalesh, a retired school teacher suffering from cardiac ailments, has taken to bed following the news of his son’s death.

Neighbours said Manish was a brilliant student and loved to visit his hometown Jhalda twice a year. He used to organise a trip with his elderly parents every year, they said.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Kashmiri students attacked, given ultimatum to leave; 8 incidents reported across Punjab, Himachal, and Uttarakhand

April 24, 2025

Kashmiri students studying across northern Indian states are facing an alarming wave of hate-driven violence, harassment, and intimidation following the recent militant attack in Pahalgam.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has condemned what it describes as a “deliberate and targeted campaign of hate,” reporting at least eight separate incidents across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

In Himachal Pradesh, disturbing events unfolded at Arni University in Kathghar (Indora), Kangra district. Kashmiri students there were reportedly harassed, verbally abused, and labelled “terrorists” by Hindu right-wing mobs.

According to Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the JKSA, students made frantic distress calls describing how hostel doors were broken down and how they were forced to flee for their safety. “The situation is turning grim and deeply concerning,” said Khuehami. “These students are being physically attacked, intimidated, and coerced to vacate their accommodation under threat of violence.”

In Uttarakhand, the Hindu Raksha Dal, a right-wing Hindutva group, has openly issued threats targeting Muslim Kashmiri students. The group demanded that all such students vacate the state by 10 AM Thursday, threatening to “pick them up one by one” if they failed to comply. Written threats were allegedly sent to multiple educational institutions in Dehradun, escalating the sense of fear among Kashmiri youth.

JKSA reported that around 20 terrified students from BFIT College in Sudhowala, Dehradun, fled toward Jolly Grant Airport in a desperate attempt to escape potential violence. “The streets are being taken over by right-wing mobs chanting inflammatory and Islamophobic slogans like ‘Kashmiri mullo, go back.’ It’s a horrifying atmosphere,” said Khuehami.

In Punjab, another violent episode was reported from the Universal Group of Institutions in Derabassi, near Chandigarh. Kashmiri students were attacked inside their hostel late at night by individuals reportedly armed with sharp weapons.

At least one student sustained serious injuries, and their clothes were torn during the assault. “The college security failed to intervene, and the Punjab Police also did not respond in time. This inaction emboldened the attackers,” Khuehami noted.

He stressed that these incidents are not isolated but reflect a growing pattern of communal targeting and vilification based on region and religion. “This is more than a security lapse—it is a collapse of law and order. The silence and inaction of local authorities are enabling such hate-fueled violence,” he added.

The JKSA has appealed to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to ensure the safety of every Kashmiri student in the state and called for immediate and decisive action. Khuehami also revealed that he has reached out to the office of the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who has expressed deep concern over the rising incidents and assured that he would raise the issue at the national level.

The situation remains tense and volatile, with students continuing to seek safety amid a growing environment of fear, communal tension, and unchecked aggression by right-wing groups. — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal admin to remove mosque, temple encroachments

April 24, 2025

The local administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district is preparing to take action against encroachments involving religious structures—a mosque and part of a temple—that have been built on a Public Works Department (PWD) road, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions in the area, which have persisted since November 24 last year when clashes broke out over a court-mandated survey of the ASI-protected Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi. The violence left four people dead and several injured, including police personnel.

According to officials, a recent land survey conducted in the Hayatnagar police station area revealed that a mosque was constructed on government land along the Sambhal–Behjoi road. On the opposite side of the road, part of a temple, including a verandah-like structure, has also encroached on the road.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra said the survey confirmed that both structures were built on land owned by the PWD. “The road leading from Sambhal to Hayatnagar belongs to the PWD. It was found that a mosque was constructed on the road itself, and similarly, part of a temple had extended onto the road with a verandah and a well,” she said. Mishra added that action to clear both encroachments would be taken soon to ensure unobstructed public access.

The SDM also noted unrelated instances of land misuse nearby. An individual named Uwais had illegally set up a commercial shop on gram sabha land. The shop has since been removed, and the person has been warned against future violations.

In another case, land officially designated for a primary school was found to be used for operating a madrassa. “We are reviewing historical records and will take legal action if any irregularities are confirmed,” Mishra said.

Local residents claim both the mosque and temple structures have been in place for 25 to 30 years. However, Mishra emphasized that public infrastructure cannot be compromised regardless of how long the encroachments have existed. “Structures obstructing public roads, whether religious or otherwise, must be removed in the interest of safety and accessibility,” she stated.

The administration’s upcoming actions are part of a broader effort to reclaim public land and enforce regulations across the district. — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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AIMPLB temporarily pauses Waqf protests over Pahalgam terror attack

April 23, 2025

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and announced a temporary suspension of its ongoing protest against the amended Waqf law.

The Board expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident that took place on Tuesday in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which resulted in the death of 26 people, most of whom were tourists, and left several others injured.

In a statement issued by the AIMPLB, the organisation offered condolences to the families of the victims and declared a three-day pause in all protest activities related to its Waqf Protection Campaign. This gesture, the Board said, is meant to express solidarity with the bereaved families and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the attack. The pause in protests will be observed from April 23 onwards.

SQR Ilyas, the national convener of the Majlis-e-Amal for the Protection of Waqf under the AIMPLB, described the terrorist attack as “deeply tragic and strongly condemnable.” He said the decision to suspend the campaign temporarily is a mark of mourning and empathy toward the victims and their families.

As part of this decision, Ilyas issued a circular to all state and district-level conveners of the campaign, instructing them to halt all protest activities immediately for the duration of the three-day period. He emphasized that the Board remains committed to its stance on the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act and that the campaign will resume once the mourning period concludes.

The AIMPLB has been leading a nationwide campaign against the recent changes to the Waqf Act, which it describes as harmful to the interests of the Muslim community and detrimental to the preservation and management of Waqf properties.

While the protests are on hold temporarily, the Board has reaffirmed that its mission to safeguard Waqf institutions will continue with renewed focus once the suspension ends. — With Agencies Inputs

Source: muslimmirror.com

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‘Kashmir normal after Article 370 abrogation?’ Trinamool’s Sagarika Ghose targets Amit Shah

23.04.25

The Trinamool’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Sagarika Ghose, held Amit Shah responsible for “the situation in Kashmir is normal line” and fired off five questions for the Union home minister a day after terrorists killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley. .

“Will Amit Shah answer as to how he can repeatedly claim that the situation on Kashmir is normal? He is the one who has repeatedly pushed the ‘situation in Kashmir is normal’ line. How has he repeatedly claimed that the situation in Kashmir is normal when so many innocent lives have been massacred,” Ghose asked in a video shared on her X handle.

She also shared images of Shah walking the red carpet on arrival in Srinagar. “It is time for accountability. No red carpet. We want answers,” she wrote.

Ghose said since the terror attack happened under Shah’s watch he is the one who should provide the answers.

The journalist-turned-politician asked how an intelligence failure of this magnitude could happen in Kashmir Valley.

She asked: “Will he answer as to what have been the coordination mechanisms between the Home ministry and the local security agencies on the ground in Kashmir? Will he answer as to how he has repeatedly claimed that cross-border terrorism has been eliminated? That cross-border terrorism no longer exists when this kind of attack has taken place in Pahalgam?”

On March 25 this year, the Union home minister wrote on his X handle: “Separatism has become history in Kashmir. The unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J & K. Two organisations associated with the Hurriyat have announced the severing of all ties with separatism.”

Releasing a book on Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in January this year, Shah sought credit for the abrogation of Article 370 and claimed it had reduced terror attacks.

According to a release from the Press Information Bureau on January 2, Shah had said since the abrogation of Article 370 there has been a reduction of over 70 per cent in terrorist incidents in Kashmir, as he rolled out a number of achievements for the state since the law was abrogated in 2019.

The Trinamool leader begged to differ.

“Will he admit that he has been far too involved in political management, in election management, rather than in dealing with the real issues that the Home ministry needs to be concerned about? Namely keeping the people of India safe? Will he admit he is too busy politicking rather than taking care of the Home ministry?” asked Ghose.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut too held the BJP’s “politics of hate” responsible for the Kashmir terror attacks, saying: “If terrorists ask for religion before killing people, then BJP’s politics of hate is responsible for it.”

On Tuesday night, Raut had on his X handle demanded the resignation of Shah. “Resign. The entire time is spent in making and toppling of government. The mind is busy 365 days to annihilate political rivals. People’s safety is left to the gods. Now even lord Rama is tired of these people. Do a favour to the country, resign.”

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi was the first to refer to intelligence failure in the Pahalgam attack.

“The terrorists indiscriminately killed innocent people after asking their religion in Pahalgam. We strongly condemn this. We expect the government would take strict action. Another important thing is that this is also an intelligence failure,” Owaisi said.

Most of the Opposition parties including the Congress assured the Narendra Modi government of cooperation in the battle against terrorism.

“This is not a time for partisan politics. It is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families, by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice,” Kharge said addressing a news conference in Bengaluru.

Kharge is returning to Delhi to attend a Congress Working Committee meeting to discuss the Kashmir terror attack.

He urged the government to convene an all-party meeting, saying that Pahalgam was a direct attack on the Indian State.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Attack on Hindus: VHP says what RSS can't, blames Pakistan for Pahalgam killings

J.P. Yadav

24.04.25

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Wednesday said the Pahalgam killings had shown “terror has a religion” and urged the government to respond with force against “Islamic Jihadi Pakistani”, stressing that the targetted attack on Hindus was “Pakistan’s open declaration of war against Bharat”.

The strong remarks by VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain followed an RSS statement on the carnage that earned flak from the saffron ecosystem for not terming it an “attack on Hindus”.

“The heinous act of terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu & Kashmir is highly condemnable and heart-wrenching. We pay homage to the deceased and pray for the early recovery of the injured in this attack,” RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale had said.

The statement put out on Tuesday night on the RSS’s X handle was slammed by several users for avoiding a clear reference to an “attack on Hindus”.

“They were Hindu tourists and not just tourists,” a user claiming to be a “proud Hindu” said in reply to the post.

“Which tourists are these RSS ji? Are you ashamed of calling them Hindus?” another asked.

The VHP, a wing of the Sangh, later came out with a strong Hindutva line. “The manner in which the tourists were massacred in Pahalgam and were asked to remove their trousers, show their ID and read the Kalma to confirm that they were not Muslims is highly condemnable,” Jain said, announcing a nationwide protest on Friday.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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'We were eating bhel puri when they suddenly emerged, said he's not Muslim': Wife recalls moment Lt Vinay Narwal was shot in Pahalgam

Apr 24, 2025

KARNAL/GURGAON: Amid dancing, feasting and photoshoots, Karnal boy Lt Vinay Narwal and Gurgaon girl Himanshi got married in Mussoorie on April 16. Six days later, a picture of a dazed Himanshi slumped next to her husband's body on a verdant meadow lined with pine trees in Pahalgam became the image of terrorism's devastating fallout.

And while the image cannoned around news and social media on April 22 afternoon after terrorists gunned down 26 tourists, among them the 26-year-old Navyman, the sound of celebrations from the couple's destination wedding still echoed in Karnal as Narwal's mother visited neighbours to distribute sweets.

The family came to know only in the evening, and a crushing sorrow drowned everything out. "Everyone in the Narwal household was so happy after the wedding," Naresh Bansal, a neighbour who was in tears, told TOI on Wednesday. "They were even planning a 'Mata ka Jagran' next month," he added.

Narwal and Himanshi were not even supposed to be there. The duo had a European honeymoon in mind, in the Swiss Alps, but decided on Kashmir when the visas did not come through on time.

"I was eating bhel puri with my husband when a man suddenly came and said he's not Muslim... then shot him," a stunned Himanshi is heard saying in one of the many videos from the attack site, which is en route to a place locally known as 'mini-Switzerland', circulating online.

Married In Mussoorie, Became Face Of Devastation In Kashmir Six Days Later

In a casket draped in the Tricolour, the body of Narwal - who would have turned 27 on May 1 - was flown to Delhi and then taken by road to Karnal on Wednesday. His parents and younger sister had flown to Srinagar to bring his body back.

According to initial reports, Narwal was shot in the chest, neck and left arm.

"I pray that his soul is in peace, and he has the best time wherever he is... we should all be proud of him in every way," were all the words Himanshi could muster as she embraced the coffin and cried before it was taken for the last rites, accompanied by slogans of "Hindustan zindabad, Pakistan murdabad" from the large crowd that had turned up to express condolences.

Narwal and Himanshi, a PhD scholar who teaches in Gurgaon, got engaged two months ago after their families fixed the match. Himanshi's father Sunil Kumar is an excise and taxation officer. Narwal's father Rajesh is a superintendent in the GST department.

An engineering graduate, Narwal wanted to join the armed forces since school but couldn't crack the combined defence services (CDS) exam back then. After getting his bachelor's degree from a Sonipat college, he prepared for SSB (service selection board) and was chosen to join the Navy three years ago.

Posted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, he took leave from March 28 for the wedding, his family members at their Sector 7 house in Karnal city said. The wedding celebrations began with a ring ceremony on April 4, culminating in the Mussoorie wedding.

The couple left for J&K on April 21 two days after the reception in Karnal on April 19, catching a flight from Delhi's IGI after a lunch stopover at Himanshi's house in Gurgaon's Sector 47. After Pahalgam, the newlyweds had planned to go to Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu. They were supposed to return to Karnal by May 1. "We had planned a big party on his return from the honeymoon," said Amit, a relative. On May 3, the couple was to leave for Kochi, where they had booked a resthouse.

Narwal's grandfather Hawa Singh, who retired from Haryana Police, said on Wednesday the Prime Minister should teach terrorists a lesson. "Had the attackers not been carrying guns, my grandson would have taken on at least 3-4 of them," he said. Raghbir Singh, Narwal's granduncle, said the family was informed by the SHO of Madhuban police station and by the SP office Karnal. Bhusali, the village the family is from, was in deep shock. Many had celebrated Narwal's wedding at a resort on Kunjpura road in Karnal.

The Indian Navy, in a post on its official X account, said on Wednesday that the force and naval chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi were "shocked" and "saddened by the tragic loss of Lt Vinay Narwal who fell to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam". "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this moment of unimaginable grief," the post read.

Himanshi's family is originally from Jhajjar but settled in Gurgaon two decades ago. Himanshi is the elder of two siblings. Her younger brother is in college. Narwal's sister Srishti is preparing for the civil services in Delhi. Vikrant, a neighbour, said Himanshi's father was very social and an active resident of the sector. "He takes initiatives for cleanliness and plants trees across the sector," said Vikrant, adding the neighbourhood shared the family's grief.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who was in Gurgaon on Wednesday, called the terrorist attack on tourists cowardly. "My condolences are with the bereaved families in this time of sorrow. Govt stands fully with the families who are grieving," said the CM. Saini spoke to Hawa Singh through a video call and assured the family that those responsible will be punished. In the evening, he visited the family in Karnal. "Today, I have lost my grandson, tomorrow it can be someone else," Singh told the CM.

Narwal's uncle Surjeet Narwal said, "I request PM Modi to shut petty missions, find those terrorists, kill each one of them in the same manner they killed our people. The PM should find them and destroy them." Calling Narwal a true gentleman, he said the officer would always touch his feet when he met him. "We celebrated his wedding merely a week ago and now we are forced to make arrangements for his funeral," he said.

Vinay's colleagues remembered him as a cheerful officer. "He was deeply committed to his duties," a Navy officer said.

Source: indiatimes.com

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Pakistan

 

National Security Committee to discuss response to Indian steps: Asif

April 23, 2025

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the National Security Committee (NSC) session on Thursday (today) to decide on an "appropriate response" to New Delhi's steps taken after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam area.

The attack in IIOJK killed at least 26 people and injured 17 others when gunmen attacked a popular tourist spot. India, earlier today, took several measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and banning Pakistani nationals from entering its territory.

"A session of the National Security Committee will be held under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif," said Asif in a statement, adding that decisions will be taken to give "an appropriate response to the Indian steps".

Speaking on Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath', Asif said the issues raised by India would be discussed in tomorrow’s meeting.

He said that India cannot unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, as the agreement involves not just Pakistan and India, but other stakeholders as well, including the World Bank.

Asif warned that if India takes extreme steps under internal pressure, Pakistan is fully capable of responding, just as it did during the Abhinandan episode.

He further added that India has long sought to exit the treaty, but Pakistan remains prepared to respond with full force if necessary.

'Fitting response'

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar termed India’s announcements as "inappropriate and lacking seriousness", vowing that the neighbouring country would receive a "fitting response".

“The National Security Committee will issue a comprehensive reply tomorrow,” the foreign minister said while speaking on the same programme.

He further said New Delhi has not provided any evidence linking Pakistan to the recent terror incident.

He added that expressing anger over terror incidents in such a manner is "unjustified", accusing India of shifting blame for its internal issues onto Pakistan.

'False flag operation'

In a separate statement today, the defence minister said that Pakistan condemns terrorism wherever it occurs in the world and India should investigate the Pahalgam incident as merely levelling allegations won't absolve them of responsibility.

"India's allegation against Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident is inappropriate," said Asif while speaking to a private news channel. He added that Pakistan is the most affected country by terrorism and has been facing the menace for decades.

He questioned how Pakistan could promote terrorism, being a victim of the threat itself.

"There should be no ambiguity that we strongly condemn terrorism," the defence czar said; however, he added that a "false flag operation" could not be ruled out.

Meanwhile, Asif also clarified that Pakistan was in a position to give a befitting response to India [in case of any misadventure].

"People remember what happened to Abhinandan," the minister said, referring to the Indian pilot who had been arrested after Pakistan shot down an Indian MiG-21 during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019.

He also accused New Delhi of sponsoring terrorists in Balochistan and "giving asylum and medical facilities to separatists".

Asif added that evidence proved India's connection with the outlawed militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The minister further said that several Indian consulates in Afghanistan had been facilitating terrorism in Pakistan.

Attack 'orchestrated by Indian army': PML-N senator

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) senior leader and head of the party’s parliamentary group in the Senate, strongly condemned the recent incident in IIOJK, calling it a false flag operation orchestrated by the Indian army.

Speaking to the media after the launching ceremony of a book held at Alhamra Hall today, Siddiqui said that India had a long-standing history of staging such incidents to malign other countries, especially during visits by foreign dignitaries.

“India has forcefully occupied the lands of Kashmiris and has been involved in their killings. Moreover, it has consistently engaged in acts of terrorism within Pakistan,” he stated, adding that Pakistani authorities have apprehended several Indian spies over the years.

India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers permanently deployed in the territory. In recent years, the authorities have promoted the mountainous region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering summer heat elsewhere in India.

Around 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, mostly domestic visitors.

India revoked Kashmir's special status in 2019, splitting the state into two federally administered territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Pakistan’s isolating itself in the Muslim world by backing terrorism

RISHI GUPTA

24 April, 2025

Following the horrific terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on 22 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to cut short his State visit to Saudi Arabia and return to New Delhi the same evening. Yet, even in that brief diplomatic window, his engagements with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yielded more than just protocol pleasantries. The visit marked a significant deepening of the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership. More importantly, it delivered one of the strongest and most unequivocal condemnations of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

From personally extending condolences to making it public on social media, Saudi Arabia’s support to India was not merely a symbolic gesture. On many fronts, it was a clear signal that a key player in the Muslim world is moving away from the old rhetoric and aligning more firmly with global norms on counter-terrorism.

In the Saudi Arabia–India joint statement, the 30th point adds that, “both sides also stressed the importance of strengthening security cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and its financing. Both sides emphasised that terrorism, in all its forms, remains one of the gravest threats to humanity. They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever.” This stands out as one of the strongest condemnations of terrorism from a major Muslim country.

But what is exceptional and a take-a-note moment is the shifting paradigm in the Muslim world toward Pakistan. Today, foreign policy in parts of the Gulf is increasingly being guided by strategic, security, and global priorities rather than just religious or ideological affiliations. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is a new-generation reformer who has been strongly against fundamentalist ideology.

This may well mean trouble for Pakistan, which has in the past found resonance in religious rhetoric to sustain its narratives on issues like Kashmir.

The evolved Muslim world

From the heydays of terrorism in Pakistan throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Islamabad often framed its position on the Kashmir issue as having broad backing from the Muslim world. This support, whether political or rhetorical, was sometimes used by the establishment within Pakistan to justify or legitimise the activities of non-State actors.

While much of the Muslim world has since evolved in its approach to such issues—embracing reforms and distancing from extremist narratives—Pakistan has been slow to adapt to these changes.

Just a few days ago, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, in a loaded speech, targeted India. He affirmed his position on taking vengeance with remarks like Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein”—something that has been a metaphor for Pakistani leadership in their speeches.

In the same speech, Munir claimed, “In the entire history of humanity, there have only been two states founded on the basis of the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith). The first was Riyasat-e-Taiyyaba, which today is known as Madina (Saudi Arabia). The second state, after 1,300 years, has been created by Allah Almighty for you people (Pakistan), on the foundation of the Kalma.”

Not sure how many countries in the Muslim world agree to Munir’s narrative on Pakistan’s creation—but that is what the Pakistani establishment wants its people to believe. However, the question remains, how much longer will Pakistan be able to sell this narrative to the Muslim world?

Perhaps, Malaysia and Azerbaijan may still support Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, and that may be all. The growing people-to-people, trade, defence, science and technological ties between India and the Muslim-dominated countries have weakened any support that Pakistan had for just being a Muslim country.

It’s worth recalling that in 2020, Pakistan was infuriated with the Saudi Arabia-led Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its reluctance to convene a meeting on the Kashmir issue. In response, then Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, “I am once again respectfully telling OIC that a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers is our expectation. If you cannot convene it, then I’ll be compelled to ask Prime Minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris.”

Too close to China

While Pakistan may continue to believe that the Kashmir issue holds emotional sway over the Muslim world—especially in the Gulf—it seems to increasingly miss the point of how dramatically the geopolitics has evolved. Today’s Gulf is not only economically and diplomatically aligned with the West and the US but also growing steadily closer to India.

The most recent example, perhaps the most tangible one, is that the Gulf countries are key stakeholders in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It is an ambitious infrastructure and trade project that emphasises connectivity, stability, and economic diversification as the new priorities over ideological alignment.

Even if the investments from the Gulf were to flow into Pakistan, political instability and the insurgency in Balochistan make the investors wary about the returns.

At the same time, Pakistan may have further complicated its position by moving too close to China, becoming increasingly aligned with the China-Russia nexus in the region. Islamabad seems to be seeking some form of security guarantees in exchange for its strategic offerings to Beijing, especially as its relationship with the US continues to deteriorate.

However, this growing dependence on China comes with its own vulnerabilities—mainly the safety of Chinese interests in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. Repeated attacks have targeted Chinese nationals and projects. After all, China means business and offers no freebies.

At the same time, Pakistan’s traditional allies in the Muslim world are no longer offering blanket support.

It is not just the Gulf or West Asia, it is the wider Muslim world, including the World Muslim League, and Pakistan’s closest Muslim neighbours, Iran and Taliban-led Afghanistan, who have condemned the barbaric attack in India’s Kashmir valley.

As India takes measures to counter Pakistan, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and demanding that it renounce its support for cross-border terrorism, Pakistan’s deep state must reconsider the reliability of support it once enjoyed from the Muslim world. And reflect on whether its new-found strategic partnerships can be counted on to offer unconditional backing forever.

Rishi Gupta is the Assistant Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, New Delhi. He writes on the Asia-Pacific affairs, strategic Himalayas, and South Asian geopolitics. He tweets @RishiGupta_JNU. Views are personal.

Source: theprint.in

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World Bank trims Pakistan’s economic growth forecast to 2.7pc

Khaleeq Kiani

April 24, 2025

• Notes economy showing signs of stability amid constraints

• Warns slow growth will make it difficult to create jobs, reduce poverty

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank on Wednesday slightly lowered its growth forecast for Pakistan to 2.7 per cent for the current fiscal year, citing continued economic stabilisation but persistent constraints from tight monetary and fiscal policies.

The World Bank had earlier predicted Pakistan’s economy to grow by 2.8pc during the current fiscal year in its Pakistan Development Update (PDU) released in October last year.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the World Bank said that growth would remain subject to many downside risks but forecast that the economic growth rate would improve to 3.1pc in the next fiscal year (FY26) and 3.4pc in FY27.

In a rare move, the bank did not officially release its usual biannual PDU that was officially scheduled for launch on April 8 and postponed it at the last moment without any explanation.

When approached for comment, a World Bank spokesperson said the bank’s management was at the spring meetings in Washington and hence the PDU was not released as usual, and instead a statement was issued.

According to the statement, real GDP growth is expected to be supported by recovering private consumption and investment driven by subdued inflation, lower interest rates and recovering business confidence.

It said Pakistan’s economy was stabilising with easing inflation and improving financial conditions, as well as current accounts and primary fiscal surpluses. Amid continued tight macroeconomic policy, economic growth has been weak during the first half of the fiscal year.

Agriculture saw limited growth, in part due to adverse weather and pest infestations. Industrial activity declined, impacted by higher input costs and taxes, and reduced government spending.

Similarly, the growth of the services sector was muted, given limited spillovers from weak agriculture and industrial activity. While expected to strengthen, economic growth will remain tepid, making job creation and poverty reduction amid high population growth challenging, the World Bank said.

“Pakistan’s key challenge is to transform recent gains from stabilisation into economic growth that is sustainable and adequate for poverty reduction,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank’s Country Director for Pakistan.

“High-impact reforms to prioritise an efficient and progressive tax system, support a market-determined exchange rate, reduce import tariffs to boost exports, improve the business environment and streamline the public sector would signal strong reform commitment, build confidence, and attract investment,” he said.

The bank said the growth would likely remain constrained amid tight monetary and fiscal policies aimed at rebuilding buffers and containing risks of imbalances. In addition, significant downside risks persist. It said the economic outlook remained fragile and any implementation delays in structural reforms or shifts in economic stabilisation could dampen the nascent recovery and intensify external pressure.

“Risks remain high due to elevated debt levels, policy and global trade uncertainties, and exposure to climatic shocks,” said Anna Twum, lead author of the report.

The bank called for structural reforms to unlock opportunities for private capital mobilisation to improve Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and enable the environment for the digital economy.

“Connectivity quality varies widely across provinces, while high costs make fixed broadband less accessible,” the bank said, adding that Pakistan had opportunities to improve its capability to digitally deliver services to its citizens and businesses through the ongoing development of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

However, the dividends from the DPI depend on several regulatory and institutional enablers and require ownership by the leadership and a strong coordination framework among the federal, provincial and local governments.

Source: dawn.com

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Held Kashmir attack timed to defame Pakistan: leaders

Syed Irfan Raza | Tariq Naqash

April 24, 2025

• Asif says Pakistan will respond to any Indian aggression ‘in befitting manner’

• Insists India can’t suspend Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally

• PPP says all indications point to a ‘false flag operation’ by India

• PTI says Imran, his party ‘firmly stand with armed forces’

• AJK leaders term attack ‘sinister ploy’ by Indian agencies

ISLAMABAD / MUZAFFARABAD: As the Indian government severed diplomatic and other links with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s mainstream political parties on Wednesday branded the attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir a “false flag operation” desig­ned to malign Islamabad internationally.

They also believed that India’s aggression and illegal occupation of Kashmir had resulted in the Pahalgam attack.

The armed attack on tourists in the Pahalgam town left 26 people dead. The incident occurred amid a high-level visit by US Vice President J.D. Vance to India.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary leader of the PML-N in the Senate, termed the incident a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at defaming Pakistan.

Speaking to the media, he said India had a history of staging such incidents whenever a foreign dignitary visits the country. “The Pahalgam drama was orchestrated deliberately during the US Vice President’s visit to India to serve their propaganda objectives against Pakistan,” he added.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the Indian government should first thorou­ghly investigate the incident before levelling false allegations against Pakistan.

He noted India’s decades-long military presence in held Kashmir and its rights violations were fuelling unrest. He also alleged Indian involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan, including the recent Jaffar Express attack in Balochistan.

As it is feared that India could attack Pakistan against the backdrop of the Pahalgam incident, Mr Asif said: “Pak­istan is capable of responding to any In­­dian aggression in a befitting manner.”

Talking to a private TV channel, the minister said that India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — that allows for sharing the waters of the Indus River system between the two countries — is a violation of international laws. “India cannot take unilateral decisions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said. “We will give a comprehensive re­­sponse to India after holding the Nat­ional Security Committee’s meeting, which is being called on Thursday (today).”

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also warned in a video statement that any “misadventure by India under the pretext of a false-flag operation will have dire consequences”.

Condemning the “shocking terror attack”, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Unfortunately, the reflexive finger-pointing already at play against Pakistan has become the boilerplate response for a New Delhi that was unable to contain its own spectacular failures amidst a fundamentalist meltdown.”

Regarding India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, she said India could not suspend the treaty unilaterally.

“Stridency-on-steroids is not a foreign policy,” she said, adding that all indications of the Pahalgam attacks go towards a “false flag operation” of India.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also strongly criticised attempts to link Pakistan with unrest in Indian-occupied Kashmir, calling such accusations “baseless” and asking India to introspect on its internal failures instead of blaming its neighbour. “It’s convenient for India to blame Pakistan, but that doesn’t change the ground realities,” he said.

PTI also denounced the attack, describing terrorism as a “shared enemy of the civilised world”. In its statement, the PTI warned that any adventurism against Pakistan would be met with a united national response, reaffirming support for the armed forces. “Founding Chairman Imran Khan and PTI firmly stand with the armed forces and the people in their inalienable resolve to blunt any such aggression by the Indian government against Pakistan,” it added.

Former minister Saad Rafique condemned Indian media’s atte­mpt to blame Pakistan for the attack “without any evidence”. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Alla­­ma Raja Nasir expressed condolences, called for dialogue for regional peace and warned that escalating tensions could endanger South Asia’s stability.

‘Sinister ploy’

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), political and resistance leaders unanimously condemned the Pahalgam attack, terming it a sinister ploy by Indian agencies to discredit the Kashmir freedom struggle and falsely implicate Pakistan.

Extending condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, they called for international accountability to bring the real culprits to justice, while making it clear that no amount of violence could shake the Kashmiri people’s resolve for their right to self-determination.

In his statement, AJK President Bar­rister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry called the massacre “condemnable,” accusing the Narendra Modi-led regime of staging another false flag operation, especially timed with the visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance to India, and likened it to India’s habitual blaming of Pakistan, as seen after the 2019 Pulwama incident.

AJK Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed maintained the “Pahalgam false flag operation had flopped even before the script could unfold.”

The AJK chapter of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) echoed similar concerns. “We firmly believe Indian agencies are involved in this heinous act… to destabilise the region and malign the peaceful freedom movement,” said APHC convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi.

Source: dawn.com

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IHC urged to initiate contempt case against Adiala jail authorities

Malik Asad

April 24, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The sisters and spokesperson of ex-premier Imran Khan urged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to proceed against the Adiala jail authorities for not implementing court’s order permitting meetings with the PTI founder in prison.

While the PTI petitions seeking contempt proceeding ag­­a­inst the jail authorities were not schedule for hearing, PTI spokesman Niazullah Khan Niazi approached the rostrum where the division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas was hearing other petitions.

Mr Niazi along with Ale­ema Khan, Noreen Khan, and prominent party lawyers met Maqsood Ahmed, the secretary to acting CJ.

Soon afterwards, PTI representatives moved to the courtroom and requested the bench that the pending co­­ntempt pleas be scheduled. “We believe in the ru­­le of law,” he said. “Our pe­­titions are not being lis­ted despite repeated filings.” Justice Dogar respon­d­­ed that administrative mat­­te­­rs are addressed once the re­­­­levant files are presented.

As Aleema Khan stepped forward to address the bench, both the judges left the courtroom without hearing her remarks. A visibly disappointed Aleema later expressed her frustration with Mr Niazi for speaking first, saying, “I told you I had to speak. You spoke on your own.”

Speaking to the media outside the court, Aleema Khan criticised the handling of their petitions. “We are being deprived of justice,” she said. “If the judge’s orders are disrespected today, tomorrow every institution will face the same insult.”

Mr Niazi told reporters the jail authorities were openly violating court orders. “We informed the secretary earlier, and now we have raised the issue in court,” he said. “We have done our part to highlight that court orders are being ignored.”

Source: dawn.com

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People being jailed for seeking rights: Mengal

Abdul Wahid Shahwani

April 24, 2025

KHUZDAR: Balochistan National Party (BNP) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Wednesday criticised the government’s treatment of Baloch women, highlighting that many are imprisoned simply for demanding their rights.

Speaking at a public meeting at Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo Stadium in Khuzdar, Mr Mengal said the rising political awareness among Baloch women is alarming the ruling elite. “Our women in Balochistan are now so aware that the rulers are losing their sleep over it. They fear the Baloch,” Mr Mengal said. “Our party resigned from the assemblies to advocate for Baloch rights. We have attempted to solve the issues of this region through political means, but things have only gotten worse.”

He said the Baloch people were no longer willing to trade their votes for unfulfilled promises. “Today’s rally in Khuzdar is different from the previous ones. The presence of thousands of people here proves that the people of Balochistan are alive,” he said.

Referring to criticism against his resignation from the National Assembly, Mr Mengal said the move was made in consultation with people. “I was told that resigning from the assembly was wrong. But the decision belongs to my voters. I leave it to them to decide whether I made the right choice.” He later announced that the BNP would hold another rally in Quetta on May 2 for justice.

Source: dawn.com

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Mideast

 

Hamas video shows Israeli hostage marking his birthday

April 23, 2025

GAZA CITY: Hamas’s armed wing released a video on Wednesday showing an Israeli Hungarian hostage walking through a tunnel in Gaza and lighting a candle to mark his birthday.

In the nearly three-minute clip, the hostage — who identifies himself as Omri Miran — addresses the camera in Hebrew.

His family confirmed his identity, while requesting that the media refrain from publishing the footage. Miran said he was marking his 48th birthday, which fell on April 11.

He is initially shown walking through a tunnel, then seated on a mattress in a confined space, acknowledging protesters in Israel who have been demonstrating against the government and demanding the hostages’ release.

He states that hostages are living in constant fear of bombings and urges a deal be reached as soon as possible to secure their release, adding that he missed his wife and daughters.

Source: arabnews.com

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UK Jewish group investigates members for condemning Israel’s renewed Gaza offensive

April 23, 2025

LONDON: A major body representing Jews in the UK has suspended one of its senior figures and is investigating dozens of others after they signed a letter condemning Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it had launched the probe after “multiple complaints” in response to the letter published in the Financial Times last week.

The letter, signed by 36 members of the group, said they could not “turn a blind eye or remain silent in the face of this renewed loss of life and livelihoods” in Gaza.

Among the signatories was Harriett Goldenberg, vice chair of the organization’s international division. Members of the group’s executive committee voted to suspend her while the complaints procedure is underway, a statement on Tuesday said.

The Board of Deputies is the largest representative body of Jews in the UK with 300 deputies elected by synagogues and communal organizations.

The group previously criticized the UK government for putting pressure on Israel over the military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 51,000 people.

The recent letter represented a significant break from the official position of the Board of Deputies, which has offered support for Israel since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages.

Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said: “We take alleged breaches of the code of conduct very seriously.

“The Board of Deputies is clear: Only our democratically elected honorary officers and authorized staff speak on behalf of the organization.”

Goldenberg told the Financial Times last week that British Jews run the risk of being complicit if they do not speak up.

“In Jewish history, silence is not a good thing,” she said.

The letter condemned Israel for breaking a ceasefire in Gaza, which had led to the killing of “hundreds and hundreds more Palestinians.”

It also said this “most extremist” Israeli government was openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Source: arabnews.com

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HRW accuses Israel of ‘indiscriminate’ attacks on civilians during war in Lebanon

April 23, 2025

BEIRUT: Human Rights Watch accused Israel on Wednesday of “indiscriminate” attacks on civilians during its recent war with Hezbollah, saying two deadly strikes in east Lebanon should be investigated as war crimes.

A November 27 ceasefire sought to end more than a year of hostilities between the two sides that began with Iran-backed Hezbollah’s cross-border fire at Israel in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas.

More than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon, most of them during two months of all-out war that erupted in September, according to Lebanese authorities.

Among the dead were hundreds of Hezbollah fighters and a slew of senior commanders.

HRW said “two unlawful Israeli strikes” on the town of Yunin in the eastern Bekaa Valley that killed more than 30 people “were apparent indiscriminate attacks on civilians.”

“At least one of the attacks used an air-dropped bomb equipped with a United States-produced Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit,” it said.

“The attacks should be investigated as war crimes.”

On September 25, a strike “killed a family of 23 people, all Syrians, including 13 children,” HRW said, while another on November 1 on a two-story house “killed 10 people, including two children, one of them a year old.”

HRW said it “did not find any evidence of military activity or targets at either site” and that the Israeli army did not issue evacuation warnings ahead of the strikes.

The rights watchdog said it had contacted the Israeli military about its findings but had “not received a response.”

AFP has also contacted the military for comment on the report.

HRW’s Ramzi Kaiss said in the statement that “more and more evidence is emerging that Israeli forces repeatedly failed to protect civilians or adequately distinguish civilians from military targets during its strikes across Lebanon.”

Washington’s supply of weapons to Israel “has made the US complicit in their unlawful use,” HRW added.

It urged the Lebanese government to give “the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes” and provide “a path for justice for grieving families.”

Swathes of Lebanon’s south and east and parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs were heavily damaged by Israeli bombardment during the hostilities.

Last month, rights group Amnesty International said Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics and health facilities in Lebanon during the conflict should also be investigated as war crimes.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran slams ‘hostile’ US sanctions ahead of new talks

April 23, 2025

TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned new US sanctions targeting its oil network, calling the move a sign of Washington’s “hostile approach” ahead of a third round of nuclear talks.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Washington’s policy of imposing sanctions on the Iranian people was a “clear contradiction with the United States’ demand for dialogue and negotiation and indicates America’s lack of goodwill and seriousness in this regard.”

On Tuesday, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on an Iranian shipping network and an individual named Asadoollah Emamjomeh, who Washington says is the network’s owner.

It said in a statement the network was “collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets.”

The sanctions came after Tehran and Washington held two rounds of indirect nuclear talks on consecutive Saturdays in Muscat and Rome, starting on April 12.

Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has reimposed sweeping sanctions under his policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran.

In March, he sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for talks but also warning of possible military action if they failed to produce a deal.

Oman said the third round of talks, set for Saturday, April 26, would again be held in Muscat.

On Tuesday, Iran announced that a technical expert-level nuclear meeting between the two countries will also be held on Saturday.

“The expert and high-level indirect talks in Oman will not be held simultaneously,” state TV reported on Wednesday.

“Iranian and American experts will first hold their indirect talks and convey the results of the talks to the high-level officials, who will then start their discussions,” the report said.

Source: arabnews.com

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French FM says Iraq should not be dragged into regional conflicts

April 23, 2025

BAGHDAD: France’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that Iraq should not be pulled into conflicts in a turbulent Middle East during his first visit to the country, which has suffered from decades of instability.

Jean-Noel Barrot will also visit Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as part of a regional tour to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iraq, an ally to both Tehran and Washington, has been navigating a delicate balancing act not to be drawn into the fighting, after pro-Iran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops based in Iraq, as well as mostly failed attacks on Israel.

“It is essential for Iraq not to be drawn into conflicts it did not choose,” Barrot said in a joint conference with his counterpart Fuad Hussein.

He praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to “preserve the stability of the country.”

“We are convinced that a strong and independent Iraq is a source of stability for the entire region, which is threatened today by the conflict that started on October 7, and Iran’s destabilising activities,” Barrot said.

There have been no attacks by pro-Iran Iraqi factions for several months, while Iraq is now preparing to host an Arab League summit and the third edition of the Baghdad Conference on regional stability, which Paris has been co-organizing with Baghdad since 2021.

Since returning to the White House in January, US President Donald Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy with Iran while engaging in talks over its nuclear program.

Fuad Hussein urged for successful talks “to spare the region from the danger of war,” adding that “there are no alternatives to negotiations.”

Barrot met Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in Baghdad, and he is expected later in the autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq to meet with Kurdish leaders.

Sudani said he welcomed “an upcoming visit” of French President Emmanuel Macron to Iraq, which would be his third trip to the country.

Iraq and France have been strengthening their bilateral relations in several sectors, including energy and security.

France has deployed troops in Iraq as part of the US-led international coalition to fight the Daesh group, which was defeated in Iraq in 2017, although some of its militant cells remain active.

Baghdad is now seeking to end the coalition’s mission and replace it with bilateral military partnerships with the coalition’s members, saying its own forces can lead the fight against the weakened militants.

“We cannot allow ten years of success against terrorism to be undermined,” Barrot said, adding that France remains ready to contribute to the fighting.

Barrot’s regional tour will also help “prepare for the international conference for the implementation of the two-state solution” that Paris will co-organize in June with Riyadh, the French foreign ministry said.

Macron said earlier this month that France planned to recognize a Palestinian state, possibly as early as June.

He said he hoped it would “trigger a series of other recognitions,” including of Israel.

For decades, the formal recognition of a Palestinian state has been seen as the endgame of a peace process between Palestinians and Israel.

Source: arabnews.com

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Holocaust survivor says reliving nightmare with grandson’s Gaza captivity

April 23, 2025

HOLON, Israel: For Holocaust survivor Michael Kuperstein, the harrowing wait for news of his grandson — held hostage by Hamas in Gaza — feels like he is reliving a nightmare.

“It’s a second Holocaust,” said the 84-year-old, describing an anguish that has reopened old wounds he thought had long since healed.

Despite his frail health, the octogenarian is determined to take part on Thursday in the annual March of the Living at the site of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in southern Poland.

In his heart, he holds tightly to the hope of one day seeing his grandson, Bar Kuperstein, alive again.

“The government says the war must go on, that we have no choice — but that’s not true,” said Kuperstein, his anger clearly visible as talks for the release of hostages remain deadlocked.

During their attack on Israel, Hamas militants abducted 251 people and took them back to Gaza. Of those, 58 are still being held there, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Kuperstein himself narrowly escaped death in 1941, when his mother fled the Nazi advance in the Soviet Union and hid him in Tashkent — then part of the USSR, now Uzbekistan — just months after his birth.

In 1972, he immigrated to Israel with his wife Faina and their two children.

But tragedy has continued to shadow the family.

Their son, Tal Kuperstein, a volunteer paramedic, suffered severe injuries in an accident years ago while rushing to save a four-year-old girl.

The incident left him disabled, unable to speak or move.

At 17, Tal’s eldest son, Bar, moved in with his grandparents to make space at home for Tal’s live-in caregiver.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Bar also became a paramedic and once even saved his grandfather’s life after a heart attack, performing emergency aid and swiftly calling an ambulance.

Just two months later, at the age of 21, he was abducted from the Nova music festival near the Gaza border during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The massacre at the festival left more than 370 people dead.

Bar was seen in a video taken shortly after his abduction — bound hand and foot, with a rope around his neck.

Since then the family received no updates until February, when freed hostages who had been held with Bar in Gaza tunnels confirmed he was still alive.

Witnesses at the festival told AFP that Bar had been treating the wounded when he was seized by militants.

Then on April 5, Hamas’s armed wing released a video showing Bar alongside another hostage — the first images of him alive.

“Bar looks extremely thin. He has his grandfather’s eyes. He’s the only one who inherited them,” said Faina Kuperstein, his grandmother.

“He looked so much like him when he was younger. But now, his eyes have lost their light. He looks terribly pale.

“I barely recognize his face anymore,” she said, choking back tears.

“He never left the house without kissing me goodbye. I miss him so much.”

All the hostages should have been released by now, said Michael Kuperstein.

“But we’re still waiting. Nothing changes except for more fallen soldiers. Why?” he added.

Bar turned 23 at the start of April.

Despite his speech disability, his father, Tal, longs to talk to him.

With immense effort, Tal recently managed to say a few words — a moment of pride that fills the family with hope he’ll one day be able to speak to his son again.

Faina visits Bar’s room every day. It remains neat and tidy.

At each meal, the family keeps a chair empty for him, with his photo placed on the table.

She yearns to tell him, “Your father is speaking now.”

“He’ll soon walk again. You dreamed of this moment — and look, it’s happening. You must stay strong so that you can return to us.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598149/middle-east

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UN appoints envoy to assess aid for Palestinians

April 23, 2025

UNITED NATIONS: The UN on Tuesday appointed an envoy to complete a “strategic assessment” of the agency charged with aiding Palestinians, a spokesman said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed Ian Martin of the United Kingdom to review the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, to gauge the “political, financial, security” constraints the agency faces.

The organization, broadly considered to be the backbone of humanitarian aid delivery for embattled Palestinians, has withstood a barrage of criticism and accusations from Israel since Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack inside Israel and the devastating war in Gaza that followed.

Israel cut all contact with UNRWA at the end of January, and has accused 19 of its 13,000 employees in Gaza of being directly involved in the October 7 attacks.

“We’re trying to see how in this very complex environment, UNRWA can best deliver for the Palestine refugees it serves. For the communities it serves, they deserve to be assisted by an organization, by an UNRWA that can work in the best possible manner,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

The review is being carried out as part of the UN80 initiative launched last month to address chronic financial difficulties, which are being exacerbated by US budget cuts to international aid programs.

Not all agencies will undergo a strategic assessment, but UNRWA’s operations in Gaza are unique, Dujarric said.

“We will not question UNRWA’s mandate. We will see how UNRWA can better operate and better serve the communities that rely on” it, Dujarric added.

The agency was created by a UN General Assembly resolution in 1949, in the wake of the first Israeli-Arab conflict, shortly after the creation of Israel in 1948.

Throughout decades of sporadic but ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, UNRWA has provided essential humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Educated at Cambridge and Harvard universities, Martin has previously served the UN on missions in Somalia, Libya, Timor-Leste, Nepal, Eritrea, Rwanda and Haiti.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598144/middle-east

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Syrian defense minister meets Jordanian army chief in Damascus

April 23, 2025

DUBAI: Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, chairman of Jordan's Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra on Wednesday in Damascus, news agency Petra reported.

During the meeting, the two men discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to further develop and strengthen them. They also addressed prospects for enhanced security and military cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and joint efforts to confront the various challenges facing the region.

They highlighted the need to use the capabilities and resources of the Jordanian Armed Forces in multiple sectors to support regional security and stability — particularly in light of the challenges in border areas, which directly affect the national security of the two countries.

The Syrian defense minister affirmed the depth of the historical ties between Syria and Jordan and reiterated his country’s commitment to close cooperation. He also commended the pivotal role of King Abdullah II in fostering regional security and stability.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598133/middle-east

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Settlers Renew Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

23 Apr 2025

Dozens of Zionist settlers renewed their storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound this Wednesday morning from the Mughrabi Gate, under heavy protection from Israeli occupation forces.

Palestinian media reported that groups of settlers conducted provocative tours inside the mosque's courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals, their voices audible inside the mosque's corridors.

They noted that the raids occurred amid strict measures imposed by Israeli occupation forces, which obstructed the entry of worshippers and confiscated some of their ID cards at the mosque gates and in the Old City of occupied Quds.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3470152.htm

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Africa

 

‘Nigerians Are Tired Of Your Propaganda, Let There Be Light, Not Lies’ – NLC Blasts Minister Adelabu

April 24, 2025

By Rachel Okporu Fadoju

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the statement made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, claiming that 150 million Nigerians now enjoy adequate electricity, with a capacity of 5,500 megawatts (MW).

Naija News reports that the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, said Nigerians are tired of propaganda and statistical gymnastics.

The NLC emphasised that global standards require at least 1,000MW per one million people, meaning Nigeria should be generating no less than 150,000MW to meet current needs. However, the country is struggling to maintain a mere fraction, with no visible improvement in infrastructure or distribution.

The union further stated that it is disheartening that, after over 12 years of privatisation and the expenditure of trillions of Naira, the power sector has not experienced any significant capacity expansion or substantial infrastructure renewal.

The NLC also denounced the recent electricity tariff hikes under the Band A, B, and C system, describing the system as a tool for legalised exploitation, adding that Adelabu should refrain from insulting the people’s intelligence with fabrications and false hope.

The statement read, “This wild assertion is not only pretentious, it is a bad joke on a people daily confronted by grinding darkness, outrageous electricity tariffs, and a power sector manipulated for private profit at the expense of national progress. Perhaps, the Minister wants to perform Jesus’ miracle of feeding 5,000 persons with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes.

“For the Minister to suggest that over 150 million Nigerians have access to reliable power in a country that struggles to generate a meager and inconsistent 5,000 megawatts—far below the global benchmark of 1,000MW per one million people—is to insult the intelligence and lived realities of Nigerians.

“By that standard, Nigeria should be generating no less than 150,000MW to justify such a claim. Yet, even on its best day, the country’s electricity generation has never exceeded 5,500MW—and that figure remains unstable and unreliable.

“We want to ask; Is Nigeria’s standard different from world standard? Where are the power plants that make this level of supply possible? Where is the upgraded transmission infrastructure to support such output? Why are our homes still shrouded in darkness and our factories shutting down daily?

“This is not how performance is measured but could be likened to a joke carried too far. The truth is that millions of Nigerians, from urban slums to rural communities, continue to live without access to electricity. The few who have access do so under constant threat of disconnection, blackouts, and financial exploitation through a complex pyramid of inflated tariffs and arbitrary billing.

“The crisis we face today is the direct result of the grand betrayal that was the 2013 power sector privatization—an exercise that handed over the nation’s critical infrastructure to cronies for just N400 billion. Over a decade later, there has been no improvement in service delivery. Yet, these same GenCos and DISCOs, which have failed the nation woefully are to receive over N4 trillion in public subsidies with zero accountability.

“Unfortunately, and predictably too, there has been no sanction for incompetent DISCOs and GenCos as outlined in the Privatization agreement because the buyers seem to be the same as the sellers.

“Rather than fix the rot, this government now plans to sell off the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)—the last publicly owned component of the power value chain. This move is not reform; it is economic ruse dressed in bureaucratic doublespeak.

“The recent electricity tariff hike, masked under the so-called “Band A, B, and C” classification, is nothing but a sophisticated scheme to legalize exploitation. While DISCOs have raked in over N700 billion from helpless consumers, power supply remains epileptic, erratic, and inaccessible to the majority.

“Our final Word to the Minister of Power; Nigerians are tired of propaganda and statistical gymnastics. Cease from insulting the intelligence of the people with fabrications and false hope. Let there be light—not lies.”

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/24/nigerians-are-tired-of-your-propaganda-let-there-be-light-not-lies-nlc-blasts-minister-adelabu/

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COAS Gives Military Troops One Month To Wipe Out New Terrorist Group In Kwara State

April 23, 2025

By Oladipo Abiola

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, has given the Nigerian Military a marching order to wipe out the new terrorist group in Kwara State known as Mahmouda.

The COAS said the new terrorist group must be wiped out before it spreads to other local governments in the state and other regions in the country.

Naija News reports that General Oluyede told the troops to ensure that the terrorists, who currently operate in the Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State, are wiped out within a month.

He issued the directive during a visit to the Sobi barracks in Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The COAS assured that necessary support will be provided to ensure victory for the troops, adding that Nigeria can not afford to have another form of Boko Haram in any other part of the country.

“So, you’re out here, and I know you can do it to make sure those people (bandits) leave that place for us.

“If they want to enter another country, that is their business, but you must push them out of those forests so we will not have another set of Boko Baram disturbing us here.

“In the next one month, I don’t want to see any footprints of those criminals within that Kainji Dam,” the army chief said.

Speaking further during an interview with newsmen during the visit, General Oluyede said the issue of the new terrorists is an isolated case that cannot threaten the peace in Nigeria.

He assured that the military will deal decisively with the criminals.

He said, “I can tell you, in the next one month, things will be different. What is happening in Kwara cannot be threatening the sanity in Nigeria generally; it’s just an isolated case and we’ll deal with it directly”.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/23/coas-gives-military-troops-one-month-to-wipe-out-new-terrorist-group-in-kwara-state/

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Court Orders FRSC, Police To Return Whistleblower’s Car, Phone After Expose

April 23, 2025

By Justina Otio

An Ondo State Court has ordered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian police to return the car and other personal items of a Nigerian man, Emmanuel Ajibade.

Naija News understands that Ajibade’s personal items were seized following his exposé of a patrol vehicle belonging to the FRSC operating with a worn-out tyre.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Wednesday morning, Ajibade’s lawyer revealed that the court had ordered the release of Ajibade’s personal effects.

A source privy to the incident said Ajibade was arrested by security operatives after exposing FRSC’s misconduct.

During the court proceedings, Ajibade’s lawyer explained the state of the case.

He said: “The police are not ready for trial today (Wednesday). But they were pleading for another day to oblige us with proof of evidence. Despite our consistent demands for proof of evidence.

“From our part, we are ready for trial. And we could not allow today to go like that. So we had to apply for the release of all the items; the car impounded by the road safety, the phone and eyeglasses recovered from my client. So I asked the court to order the police and the road safety corps to release them.

“When I applied for the release, I referred to sections 310 and 306, 229(2) of the Ondo State Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The court equally heard the objection from the police and the road safety corps. They raised an objection as regards to the car. They claimed it was impounded. They alleged that there was a fine on it. And I replied on point of law that if there is any fine, I was there at their station and asked that they should tell me the amount my client should pay for the car, so that we could pay and show the court the amount we paid and the proof of payment. They denied us the payment.

“They denied us the opportunity. And I said the state commander is at the court to testify to that.

“So they denied us that opportunity, and we had to express our grievance to the court. And the court said they have no right to impound the car; rather, we should pay the fine, and they should release the car.

“The fine is for not using a seat belt, and even though there is no proof for that. But we still allowed them to let us pay the fine first and have access to our car. And if we see our car damaged, we won’t allow that.

“I later made another application that the IPO must be present during the car’s release to assess its current state and the phone’s content to determine whether it has been wiped out.

“The FRSC is the nominal complainant, and the police are the ones prosecuting the matter. We are planning to get the phones and other properties by 3 pm today (Wednesday), and maybe tomorrow we will get the car after the fine.”

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/23/court-orders-frsc-police-to-return-whistleblowers-car-phone-after-expose/

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‘These Attacks Are Deliberate, Calculated’ – Governor Alia Describes Escalating Violence In Benue

April 23, 2025

By Ikenna Ngere

Benue State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, has raised an alarm over what he terms a full-scale attack on the state by increasingly organized and violent groups.

These groups, according to Alia, are not just herders but foreign-backed insurgents with the goal of territorial conquest.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Governor Alia described the present violence as a “new phase” in the long-standing conflict between farmers and herders in the state.

Alia explained that, unlike earlier assaults where herders would pass through remote communities with their cattle, the current attackers arrive without livestock, instead carrying AK-47 and AK-49 rifles.

“The appropriate captivating way to speak on what we are undergoing is that we are under siege. What we experience is the armed herders come in, before no, they could just come in with their herds and then to the isolated local governments and then do the attacks and then the people settle down,” Alia remarked.

He explained that these new assailants tend to operate in isolation, often dressed in plain clothes and staying in the bushes, awaiting the moment to strike. After executing their attacks, they disappear, only to return weeks later with reinforcements to take control of the areas they targeted.

“The attacks we have experienced are very deliberate and so calculated with the aim to come, kill and landgrab,” he added.

The governor further alleged that the attackers do not speak any local languages and appear to be from foreign origins, raising suspicions of mercenary or extremist involvement. “The nature of these attacks shows a clear intent to kill and seize land,” he asserted.

Alia also shared that the state government has made significant investments in security, acquiring 100 Hilux trucks and 600 motorbikes to strengthen various security agencies and a revitalized joint task force.

However, he acknowledged that the growing scale of the attacks has exceeded the capacity of their current security infrastructure.

“We urgently need help,” he pleaded. “We can’t access the farms, and our people are left with little option but to fend for themselves.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Alia revealed that when he assumed office a year and nine months ago, all 23 local government areas in the state were under attack. Although efforts had managed to reduce the violence to nine critical LGAs, six of these are once again at the forefront of the attacks. “The situation has regressed,” he noted.

Alia also criticized certain political figures whom he accused of using the crisis for their own political gain, pointing out their failure to visit affected areas while manipulating the narrative. “The reality is that our people are dying,” he lamented.

The governor called for enhanced intelligence operations to expose those aiding the attackers. “Once they bring this out, we are going to publish,” he warned.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/23/these-attacks-are-deliberate-calculated-governor-alia-describes-escalating-violence-in-benue/

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Give Us A Chance, Stop Politicizing Killings – Ribadu To Benue Indigenes

April 23, 2025

By Justina Otio

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged the people of Benue State to stop politicizing the killings in the state and give President Bola Tinubu’s government a chance to make things right.

He lamented that Tinubu and his administration inherited an extremely bad government, particularly insecurity.

He stated this on Tuesday when he visited Benue State to commiserate with the government and the people over the killing of over 72 people by terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.

Ribadu said, “Our Armed Forces are doing well. It is impossible to post soldiers or police to every hamlet. Give us a chance and stop politicizing the killings. This will help us to restore peace. Issue of security is relative.

“We inherited an extremely bad government and things have improved and we will address all these issues cropping up.

“It is a matter of time, to do the harm is easy but to solve it is difficult. We have reduced considerably the number of violence we met. This one too, we will confront it.”

In his response, Benue State Governor,  Hyacinth Alia said it was a sober moment for the state as it has come under intense siege with loss of lives of unimaginable figure since 2011.

Naija News reports that there has been a surge in attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau States in the last two weeks.

Just barely a week after suspected armed herders massacred over 50 farmers in parts of Benue State, fresh violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday.

Gunmen stormed Afia community in Ukum Local Government Area, killing eleven residents and leaving several others injured.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2025/04/23/give-us-a-chance-stop-politicizing-killings-ribadu-to-benue-indigenes/

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South Asia

 

Probe commission urges 18 individuals including Hasina to testify about BDR carnage

23 Apr 2025

DHAKA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) - The National Independent Investigation Commission on the 2009 BDR carnage has issued another public notice urging 18 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to testify as part of its ongoing inquiry.

Apart from Sheikh Hasina, other individuals are former security affairs adviser to the former Prime Minister Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former lawmakers Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mirza Azam, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, AHM Golam Reza, Waresat Hussain Belal, Anisul Islam Mahmud, Nurul Islam BSc, former director general of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Hasan Mahmud Khandoker, former additional IG of police Monirul Islam, former ward commissioner Suraiya Begum, journalists Munni Saha, JI Mamun, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Liton alias Leather Lition, son of Torab Ali.

 The commission has requested all the public and private television channels and electronic media to publish the public notice as scrawl for the next seven days.

The notice was published on the commission’s website: bdr-commission.org.

Earlier on March 8 last the commission issued a public notice asking 15 individuals including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to give testimony before it about the February 25-26, 2009 BDR carnage.

Apart from Sheikh Hasina, other individuals are former army chiefs General Moeen U Ahmed and Aziz Ahmed, Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique former prime minister's security adviser, Fazle Noor Taposh, former mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, former member of parliament from Gopalganj-2, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former member of parliament from Dhaka-13, Mirza Azam, former member of parliament from Jamalpur-3 and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former member of parliament from Dhaka-8, Brig Gen (retd) Muhammad Shamsul Alam, former commander, 44th Rifle Battalion, Lt Gen (retd) Molla Fazle Akbar, former directorate general of Forces Intelligence, Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, former directorate general, RAB, Abdul Kahar Akond, former police officer, Nur Mohammad, former inspector general of police and Monirul Islam, former additional IGP.

In the notice, the witnesses were requested to inform the commission in writing of their proposed schedule within seven days of the publication of the notice, either by phone or e-mail or by letter, as per their convenience.

Online testimony can also be arranged through video conference, the notice added.

The commission made the call in a special notice issued on March 8 last, saying that due to time constraint, the commission hopes to complete the process of taking the testimony of the 15 individuals by March 31 this year.

Source: bssnews.net

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https://www.bssnews.net/news/266011

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Islamic Emirate Condemns Tourist Attack in Jammu and Kashmir

2025-04-23

KABUL(BNA): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has strongly condemned a recent attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it an act that deserves denouncement.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Islamic Emirate’s deep regret over the attack, which took place in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, and extended condolences to the families of those killed.

“This kind of incident undermines peace and stability in the region,” the statement said, warning that such acts of violence threaten broader regional security.

According to reports, unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam—an area administered by India—resulting in the deaths of at least 26 people.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-condemns-tourist-attack-in-jammu-and-kashmir/

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Islamic Emirate Adds Three Districts to Administrative Structure

2025-04-23

KABUL (BNA) – In accordance with the decree of His Excellency Amir al-Muminin, the Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (may Allah protect him), three new districts have been established within the country’s administrative framework.

The newly created districts include Ferdows District in Faryab Province, Farashghan District in Laghman Province, and Pamir District in Badakhshan Province.

The Administrative Commission of the Islamic Emirate, in response to the esteemed order of His Excellency Amir al-Muminin, has stated that the formation of these districts was carried out by the delegation of the Ministry of Interior after thorough consideration of geographical locations, population distribution, requests from local residents, and recommendations from provincial authorities. The commission confirmed that the establishment of these new administrative units fully complies with all required standards and conditions for administrative divisions.

Simultaneously, the relevant department of the Ministry of Interior responsible for administrative units emphasized that the creation of these districts will prove beneficial for the Islamic Emirate’s system from political, social, and military perspectives.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-adds-three-districts-to-administrative-structure/

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62 Afghan prisoners freed from Pakistani Jails

By Fidel Rahmati

April 24, 2025

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced on Thursday, April 24, the release of 62 Afghan prisoners from Pakistani jails.

According to the statement, these prisoners were freed on April 23 and returned to Afghanistan. The release came as part of ongoing efforts related to the repatriation of Afghan migrants.

The detainees had been held in various regions across Pakistan for periods ranging from one to four days. The statement said that these individuals were part of a group of Afghan nationals detained due to immigration violations.

Pakistan began the second phase of deporting Afghan migrants in April 2024, with over 80,000 Afghan nationals sent back to Afghanistan since the start of the month.

In the first phase of the deportation process, which started in November 2023, around 800,000 Afghan migrants returned to their home country, either voluntarily or through forced deportation.

The Pakistani government previously claimed that increasing insecurity in the country was partially linked to the presence of “illegal Afghan migrants,” though this reasoning has sparked controversy.

The government of Pakistan had previously assured that Afghan nationals with legal documentation would not be deported. However, the second phase of the repatriation now includes individuals with legal documents being sent back as well.

This ongoing situation has raised concerns over the humanitarian impact of these deportations, with Afghan migrants facing uncertainty and instability upon their return. The international community and humanitarian organizations are calling for further assistance to address the growing challenges faced by these returnees.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/62-afghan-prisoners-freed-from-pakistani-jails/

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WFP appeals $25 million to support Afghan returnees amid growing humanitarian crisis

By Fidel Rahmati

April 24, 2025

The World Food Programme urgently requests $25 million to address the escalating needs of Afghan returnees facing severe hardship.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that thousands of Afghan families are returning from Pakistan every day, facing food insecurity. The organization emphasized that millions in Afghanistan are grappling with severe hunger, and immediate aid of $25 million is needed to assist returnees.

On Wednesday, April 23, in a video shared on X, WFP’s head in Afghanistan, Munitnta Chimuka, visited the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan. During her visit, she highlighted the challenges faced by returnees, many of whom have spent their entire lives in Pakistan and are unfamiliar with Afghanistan.

Chimuka pointed out that many returnees lack income, employment, food, or shelter. This situation is worsening amidst Afghanistan’s deepening humanitarian crisis, which continues to strain the country’s resources.

The WFP stressed that thousands of families are forced to leave Pakistan, while 15 million people in Afghanistan are uncertain where their next meal will come from. The situation has become dire, with basic needs going unmet for a large portion of the population.

The head of WFP in Afghanistan also warned that current aid efforts are insufficient to support the returnees, and new financial resources are urgently needed to address their needs by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the pace of deportations and expulsions of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, continues to increase. The Pakistani Ministry of Interior reported that over 100,000 Afghan migrants have been returned since April 1.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also raised alarms, noting that with around 5,000 migrants returning every week, millions of Afghans are facing poverty, homelessness, and difficult living conditions. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgency for international assistance and cooperation to mitigate the growing humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan.

The WFP’s appeal for emergency financial support highlights the need for immediate intervention to address both the challenges faced by Afghan returnees and the broader food security crisis in Afghanistan. Without significant global assistance, the situation is expected to worsen, with millions of lives at risk.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/wfp-appeals-25-million-to-support-afghan-returnees-amid-growing-humanitarian-crisis/

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IEA to introduce ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow, says Muttaqi

April 24, 2025

IEA to introduce ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow, says Muttaqi

KABUL: Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, in a meeting with Zamir Kabulov, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Afghanistan, has said that the Islamic Emirate would introduce an ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow. The ministry’s deputy spokesman, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said in a statement on his X page Wednesday that the two sides also discussed the enhancement of bilateral relations, the expansion of economic and trade relations, and some regional issues. The foreign affairs minister also appreciated the Russian government for the removal of the IEA from its list of banned groups. Zamir Kabulov, the Special IEA to introduce ambassador-level diplomat to Moscow, says Muttaqi Representative of the President of Russia for Afghanistan, stated that expanding relations with Afghanistan is crucial for his country. He stated that in May next year, a special meeting will be held on the sidelines of the Kazan Forum to initiate the work of the Afghanistan-Russia bilateral permanent commission, according to the statement. Enhancing diplomatic relations between Kabul and Moscow has the potential to bring significant political and economic benefits to Afghanistan, while also contributing to regional stability and international cooperation. The Kabul Times

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://thekabultimes.com/iea-to-introduce-ambassador-level-diplomat-to-moscow-says-muttaqi/

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Khalifa Haqqani discusses security, trade cooperation with Russian representative

April 24, 2025

KABUL: Khalifa Serajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, met with Zamir Kabulov, the Special Representative of the President of Russia for Afghanistan, discussing bolstering bilateral Khalifa Haqqani discusses security, trade cooperation with Russian representative trade, economic and security cooperation, the ministry said in a statement Wednesday. According to the statement, Haqqani expressed appreciation for Russia’s recent move regarding the removal of the IEA from that country’s list of banned groups, considering it an important step towards accepting Afghanistan’s political realities. Additionally, both parties committed to enhancing bilateral relations to a diplomatic level and increasing cooperation in the areas of security and trade. It should be said that bolstering relations between Afghanistan and Russia is not only vital for fostering peace, security, and prosperity in both countries but also for contributing to the broader stability and development of the Central Asian region. The Kabul Times

Source: thekabultimes.com

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https://thekabultimes.com/khalifa-haqqani-discusses-security-trade-cooperation-with-russian-representative/

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North America

 

Amid Feud With Trump, Harvard Pushed Back Release of Antisemitism, Anti-Muslim Bias Task Force Reports From Early April

April 24, 2025

Harvard intended to publish the long-awaited reports of its task forces on combating antisemitism and Islamophobia in early April but delayed their public release, four people familiar with the matter said.

The delay came as the Trump administration escalated its pressure campaign against Harvard, demanding that the University accept a set of sweeping conditions to keep more than $8 billion in federal funding.

The reports were first scheduled to be released last fall. After issuing preliminary recommendations in June, neither task force has released an update on the status of their work — a delay that Harvard’s top critics in Washington have noted.

A person briefed on the matter said the final report on antisemitism went through several drafting stages before being completed by late March and has not been changed substantially since.

The report, which spans approximately 100,000 words, includes multiple pages recounting anecdotes of affiliates facing antisemitism at Harvard, the person said. The report also recounts a history of antisemitism at Harvard and analyzes how the Harvard College Administrative Board has handled antisemitism complaints.

The reports were distributed to deans and senior administrators to verify the descriptions of incidents included in the reports, according to four people with knowledge of the matter.

In a letter to Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 on Saturday, the Department of Health and Human Services demanded that Harvard turn over all drafts of reports and findings from all of its task forces, explicitly naming the two presidential task forces on combating antisemitism and Islamophobia.

In a Monday message to Harvard affiliates announcing that the University had sued the White House, Garber pledged to release the reports “soon” in what seemed to be a response to the HHS’ demands from two days before.

“The reports are hard-hitting and painful,” Garber wrote. “We believe adoption of the recommendations and other measures will go far toward eradicating those evils on our campus.”

A Harvard spokesperson referred to Garber’s statement but declined to comment further.

In their preliminary findings released in June, the task forces found that both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students reported facing harassment and discrimination. The Islamophobia task force recommended that the University fund a visiting professorship in Palestinian studies, and both groups urged Harvard to take steps to address discrimination against students.

Several of the initial recommendations have already been implemented.

Last July, Harvard standardized the fact-finding process used in disciplinary cases across the University after the antisemitism task force urged Harvard to address “significant disparities across units” in their handling of such cases. A month later, Harvard University Dining Services introduced hot kosher lunches to undergraduate dining halls.

But the June recommendations drew quick criticism from top House Republicans. In a July letter to Garber, nearly 30 House Republicans — including Rep. Elise M. Stefanik ’06 (R-N.Y.), one of Harvard’s fiercest critics in Congress — accused the task forces of taking “six months to reinvent the wheel.”

Source: thecrimson.com

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https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/4/24/task-force-reports-delayed/

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CAIR-LA, Partners to Demand Accountability for Assault on UCLA Pro-Palestinian Protesters and End to Crackdown on Student Speech

April 23, 2025

On Friday, April 25, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-LA) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), in partnership with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Inkerij, Project Islamic H.O.P.E., Kleiman/Rajaram, and the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, will hold a press conference to address the failure of elected officials to take meaningful action against those responsible for the violent pro-Israel mob attack on pro-Palestinian student protesters at UCLA on April 30, 2024.

The press conference will also address the ongoing crackdown on student speech and activism at UCLA, as well as the failure of university leadership to take actionable steps to protect its Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students, and the diverse group of student protesters calling for an end to genocide in Gaza. 

Media will have an opportunity to interview speakers following their introductory remarks. Others will be available to speak by phone after the press conference.

CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.    

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-la-partners-to-demand-accountability-for-assault-on-ucla-pro-palestinian-protesters-and-end-to-crackdown-on-student-speech/

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CAIR-Florida Welcomes Lawsuit Against Southwest Ranches for Violating First Amendment Rights of Peaceful Anti-War Protesters

April 23, 2025

The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a lawsuit filed by Muslim Legal against the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida, for allegedly violating the First Amendment rights of individuals who peacefully protested the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The lawsuit alleges that town officials unlawfully suppressed constitutionally protected speech and assembly, targeting individuals who were peacefully exercising their right to protest. Demonstrators advocating for justice and human rights reportedly faced undue restrictions, interference and retaliation — setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Muslim Legal is a law firm led by Tampa-area civil rights attorney Hassan Shibly.

CAIR-Florida Lead Counsel Omar Saleh welcomed the lawsuit and stated:

“This lawsuit is a critical step toward ensuring that our constitutional rights are upheld, no matter the political message. Peaceful protesters must never be silenced by local authorities simply for speaking out against war and injustice.”

CAIR-Florida Calls for Action and Community Support

CAIR-Florida urges activists, legal advocates and community members to stand in solidarity against these civil liberties violations and attend all related legal proceedings.

CAIR-Florida’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR-Florida es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-florida-welcomes-lawsuit-against-southwest-ranches-for-violating-first-amendment-rights-of-peaceful-anti-war-protesters/

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CAIR Calls on ‘People and Institutions of Conscience’ to Refuse Engagement with Israeli Terrorist Ben-Gvir

April 23, 2025

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on “people and institutions of conscience” across America to refuse to engage with Itamar Ben-Gvir, a convicted terrorist supporter and far-right Israeli government official who has called for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza and the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

In a meeting with GOP and business leaders on at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir claimed that Republicans back his call for bombing food and humanitarian aid supplies in Gaza.

For years, Ben-Gvir infamously kept a photo in his living room of Baruch Goldstein, the Israeli-American who massacred 29 Muslim worshipers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in 1994. Ben-Gvir also threatened Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin weeks before his assassination by an Israeli extremist.

“It is unconscionable that Itamar Ben-Gvir, an open racist and convicted supporter of terrorism, parades around America while the Trump administration imprisons college students who dared to peacefully criticize the Israeli government’s war crimes.

“We call on people and institutions of conscience to refuse to engage with Ben-Gvir, a sociopath who should be sitting in a cell at The Hague, not visiting Mar-a-Lago or Yale University.”

CAIR previously demanded that the Biden administration condemn Ben Gvir’s call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

Washington, D.C., based CAIR has also condemned Ben Gvir’s past calls to violate international agreements and the sanctity of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-people-and-institutions-of-conscience-to-refuse-engagement-with-israeli-terrorist-ben-gvir/

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Trump's threats unite Canadians - even many who want independence

April 24, 2025

In Quebec, the issue of independence from Canada has long simmered. But faced with US tariffs and President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st US state, many voters are now seeking unity.

Suzanne Dumont knows who she will vote for in Canada's election, though it's a decision made "not from my heart, it's from my head".

The 70-year-old from Quebec City considers herself a sovereigntist, but hopes when Canadians go to the polls on Monday they'll elect a majority government to take on Trump.

The Bloc Québécois, a federal party that supports independence and only runs candidates in the predominantly French-speaking province, can't deliver on that, she says.

Supporting the Conservatives is "unthinkable" to Ms Dumont, so this time she will be voting Liberal.

In Montreal, Louis Plouffe is picking up groceries at the city's Jean-Talon market.

He tells the BBC that he thinks the Bloc "defends Quebec's interests well" as an opposition party in Parliament. Still, "it's not being in power", the 65-year-old says, and he wants a government with a strong mandate "ready for the wave that's coming" from the US.

And while Mr Plouffe has reservations about the Liberal leader, he believes Mark Carney has come across as credible and confident in interviews. He too will vote for the party.

"Canadian patriotism is on the rise in Quebec", said Émilie Foster, an adjunct professor in politics at Carleton University. "We prefer to be part of Canada instead of being part of the United States, if we have to choose," she says.

Sébastien Dallaire, a pollster with Léger, puts it this way: "It's hard to say now is the time to talk about Quebec sovereignty, or now is the time to do things specifically to defend Quebec, when clearly there's a national crisis and everybody is staring not at Ottawa as the adversary, but as Washington as the clear opponent."

A recent Léger survey suggests that almost 40% of voters for the Bloc believe an independent Quebec would have less influence than Canada as a whole in dealing with the US.

The Liberals are currently polling at about 46% in the province, with the Bloc a distant second at 25%, slightly ahead of the Conservatives, who have long struggled to gain real traction there.

Quebec can be a wildcard in general elections, and winning the province - which holds 78 seats of the 343 in the House of Commons - can propel a party to power.

The abandonment of smaller parties - like the Bloc, the left-leaning New Democrats or the Green Party - is a trend seen nationwide as Canadians rally around either the Liberals or the Conservatives in the face of a new threat from their neighbour.

Carney, a former central banker for Canada and the UK, is seeking to paint himself as the leader most able to help the country navigate the crisis. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is billing himself as the change candidate who can restore the "Canadian promise".

It has been a remarkable election campaign, one sparked by the resignation of longtime Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then overshadowed by an unprecedented intervention from an American president which transformed the state of the race.

Trump's tariffs are expected to hit Quebec especially hard. The province is one of the biggest suppliers to the US of aluminium, a sector hit by Trump's 25% tariffs. Its significant forestry and dairy industries are also in the president's sights.

Quebec also fiercely protects its identity and its culture as a distinct society, and has twice held referendums on whether to seek independence from the rest of Canada. That's why the US president's repeated digs at Canada's sovereignty has sparked such disquiet here.

Bloc MP Louis-Philippe Sauvé, a former political aide, is fighting to hold on to the seat he won just last September in a special election in the southwest Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun - an upset victory in a district considered a Liberal stronghold.

The riding is historically working-class, and in recent years parts have become some of the trendiest in the city.

Gentrification has brought pressures, and Sauvé tells the BBC during a pause while campaigning that issues like housing, homelessness and immigration all come up as he goes door-knocking, just as they did six months ago.

"That's all still there, but for sure this general election is very much monopolised by challenges posed by the US, the Canada-US relationship," he says. "That's really what everyone's talking about."

He admits some frustration that it's become the "ballot box question".

"Trump won't be president of the United States for eternity," he adds. "The housing crisis will still be a problem in the next few years."

The Bloc's struggles come despite a consensus that party leader Yves-François Blanchet hasn't had many stumbles in the campaign.

His pitch is that the party can be a check on federal powers, warning that Ottawa might sell out provincial interests if push comes to shove in trade and security talks with the US, which are expected to launch shortly after the 28 April election.

And in a number of ways, Carney is also an unusual choice for Quebec voters. Born in western Canada, his French can be shaky - usually a political liability in the province.

Even Trudeau, widely viewed as bilingual, faced scrutiny over his linguistic abilities. Carney has given his own French a six out of 10. Ms Dumont said she would "never" rate him that high.

Carney has also come out against sensitive issues for many Quebecers, including saying that a Liberal government would intervene if a bill that expands French-language requirements in the province were challenged at the Supreme Court.

"I have a hard time explaining the lack of reaction by Quebecers," says Bloc MP Sauvé of Carney's enduring popularity in the province. "It's like there is a Teflon effect."

The Liberal candidate in the riding, Claude Guay - the former CEO of IBM Canada who is taking his first run at politics - says Quebecers have taken notice of things like Trump signing an executive order making English America's official language. (French is Quebec's official language, while Canada is officially bilingual.)

"The threat of the 51st state, for example, really impacts the opinions of people that may have been sovereigntist and they're thinking: 'Well, do we have a better place in Canada?'" he says.

Still, no one suggests that the issue of Quebec sovereignty has been settled. About 30% of Quebecers currently back independence even as some are opting to vote with the Liberals this election.

For Mr Plouffe, the shopper at the Montreal market, however, now is just not the time to take the leap.

"It's not saying it won't happen, and I won't say I won't support it. But we're not ready," he says.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98576z8ln8o

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NFL champion Shannon Sharpe sued for sexual assault

April 24, 2025

Shannon Sharpe, a Superbowl champion and host of a popular podcast, has been accused of sexual assault in a Nevada lawsuit.

The lawsuit was brought by a woman who alleges Mr Sharpe used his fame to "manipulate, control, subjugate and violate women".

The accuser, who was 19 at the time she met Mr Sharpe in 2023, says in a legal filing that the pair had a nearly two-year relationship, during which time Mr Sharpe was "aggressive" and allegedly raped her.

Mr Sharpe has denied the allegations and said he is the target of a "shakedown".

The suit seeks more than $50 million (£37.6 million) in compensatory and punitive damages.

The accuser is the only person suing, and she does not provide details on her accusation that Mr Sharpe hurt more than herself.

According to the suit, the woman met Mr Sharpe, currently aged 56, in a Los Angeles gym and had a "rocky consensual relationship".

"After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of 'no,'" the complaint alleges.

The woman alleges that Mr Sharpe raped her as recently as January.

In addition, she alleges in the suit that Mr Sharpe insisted on recording some of the sexual encounters, sometimes without her consent or knowledge, shared the videos with his " friends and associates".

Mr Sharpe has 4 million subscribers to his Club Shay Shay podcast, and is reportedly in negotiations on a $100m deal for his network of shows.

"This is a shakedown," he said in a video posted to Instagram late Tuesday, addressing the lawsuit. "I'm going to be open, transparent and defend myself, because this isn't right."

Mr Sharpe then accused the woman's lawyer, Tony Buzbee, of filing a fraudulent lawsuit and threatened to sue for defamation.

Mr Buzbee represented a plaintiff who accused rapper Jay-z of misconduct and ultimately rescinded her allegation. He also worked with several female massage therapists who accused NFL star Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.

"I believe he's going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine," Sharpe said. "That video should actually be 10 minutes or so. Hey, Tony, instead of releasing your edit, put the whole video out. I don't have it, or I would myself."

Last year, Mr Sharpe livestreamed audio of an intimate encounter with his millions of followers on Instagram, and later apologised, saying he had mistakenly turned on the app's "Live" feature.

Mr Sharpe played in the NFL for 14 years and won three Super Bowls. He went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has had a long sports broadcasting career.

Source: bbc.com

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Weinstein used 'unfettered power' to sexually abuse women, rape retrial hears

April 24, 2025

Attorneys delivered opening statements on Wednesday in the New York retrial of Harvey Weinstein, with prosecutors accusing the disgraced film producer of using his immense power in Hollywood to sexually harass and abuse three women.

"The defendant wanted their bodies, and the more they resisted, the more forceful he got," Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey told jurors on Wednesday.

In his third trial in five years, Weinstein is accused of sexually abusing a former television production assistant, an aspiring actress and a model.

The former film mogul has pleaded not guilty, and in court his lawyer sought to cast doubt on the women's claims and credibility.

Attorney Arthur Aidala told the jury the prosecution case would "fall flat on its face" after they heard all the evidence.

"They're going to ask you to make sense of things that just don't make sense," he said.

A court of appeals overturned Weinstein's previous conviction for sex crimes in New York last April, before he was indicted on new sexual assault charges in the state in September.

Last week, 12 jurors - seven women and five men - were chosen to weigh Weinstein's fate.

On Wednesday, Ms Lucey spent an hour delivering an opening statement, telling jurors that three women had fallen victim to the abuse of a "Hollywood gatekeeper" who held "unfettered power for over 30 years in that industry".

The retrial in New York is centred on two women who brought allegations against Weinstein for his 2020 trial, actress Jessica Mann and former TV production assistant Miriam Haley. This time, the trial also includes allegations from former Polish model and actress Kaja Sokola, who has accused Weinstein of assaulting her when she was 16.

On Wednesday, Ms Lucey recounted the three women's stories of assault and harassment, sparing few details. The alleged encounters often involved Weinstein bringing women to his room under the guise of a business meeting, before he allegedly forced himself onto them.

Victims "kept their shame and their pain to themselves" for years because of Weistein's role as a man who "defined the field" of acting and film, Ms Lucey said.

During his hour of opening statements that followed, Weinstein's attorney took a combative approach, accusing the women of having "mutually beneficial" sexual relationships with Weinstein and being motivated by money.

"These women are addicted to that fame," Mr Aidala said. "They want to be heroes."

Mr Aidala argued that Weinstein could not have assaulted the women because they kept in contact with him and sent him friendly messages after the encounters.

Last April, a court of appeals said Weinstein, now 73, did not receive a fair trial in New York in 2020 because the judge overseeing his case allowed testimony from women who made allegations against him for conduct he was never charged over.

Weinstein had been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison after being convicted.

He was also found guilty of rape in a separate trial in California in 2022 and was sentenced to 16 years in that case.

Weinstein has several medical conditions, including cancer and diabetes. In September, he was taken to hospital for heart surgery and has been held in a secure hospital unit.

A judge has approved a request from Weinstein's lawyers to let him stay at the Bellevue hospital in Manhattan when he is not in court.

His lawyers had complained that he was receiving poor medical treatment in unhygienic conditions at the infamous Rikers Island prison facility - which officials have long said they plan to close - though the move has been delayed.

In total, Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct, assault and rape by more than 100 women.

He is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, as he has yet to begin serving his 16-year California sentence.

The decision by his accusers to come forward, and his subsequent conviction in New York, galvanised the #MeToo movement against sex abuse by powerful men.

Speaking to jurors on Wednesday, Ms Lucey said the movement had allowed the three women to come forward in the criminal case against Weinstein after they "suddenly realized they were not alone".

Before the allegations against him emerged, Weinstein and his brother Bob were among Hollywood's ultimate power players.

Weinstein co-founded Miramax film studio, whose hits included Shakespeare in Love, which won best picture at the Academy Awards, and Pulp Fiction.

His films have received more than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 wins.

The former film mogul has also faced a number of civil lawsuits, including from a group of women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape and reached a $19m (£14.2) settlement with him in 2020.

Source: bbc.com

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Southeast Asia

 

Establish non-Islamic Religious Affairs Advisory Board to strengthen national unity: G.Gunaraj

24-04- 2025

PETALING JAYA: The government should seriously consider the establishment of a Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Advisory Board at the national level to manage issues concerning non-Islamic places of worship and religious sensitivities in a more structured, systematic, and inclusive manner, said G.Gunaraj.

In issuing the proposal, the Sentosa assemblyman said the creation of such a board would complement the roles of existing mechanisms at the state level, such as the Five Religions Committee (RIBI), which currently serves as a communication channel between religious communities and the government, resolves interfaith issues harmoniously, organises joint programmes, and provides policy advice on unity.

“Ideally, a national-level advisory board working closely with RIBI would not only strengthen enforcement efforts on matters concerning places of worship, but also help resolve long-standing issues faced by non-Islamic communities — including the use of terms that are misleading and offensive,” he said in a statement.

He referred to the usage of terms such as “illegal temple”, which he described as inaccurate both legally and culturally.

“Many are unaware that numerous non-Islamic places of worship are in fact legally registered and possess complete documentation. However, when terms like ‘illegal temple’ are used purely based on the physical structure without considering historical context or actual legal status, they create unfair and negative perceptions towards the religion,” he stressed.

Gunaraj also emphasised the need for an approach based on understanding and mutual respect in addressing issues surrounding places of worship and land zoning.

The proposed Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Advisory Board, he said could play an important role in:

Coordinating the registration of non-Islamic places of worship;

Mediating issues related to land and zoning;

Providing guidelines and advisory services to religious organisations;

Formulating more inclusive policies and frameworks to ensure justice for all religious communities.

“The use of terms such as ‘unregistered structure’ or ‘building without approval’ is more accurate, professional, and respectful of all sensitivities.

However, we need a specialised institution with the expertise and authority to offer guidance and advice on these matters,” he added.

As a follow-up, Gunaraj also urged the National Unity ministry, particularly through the Interfaith Harmony Division (BKAPA), to further strengthen its role in unity education and advocacy.

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/establish-non-islamic-religious-affairs-advisory-board-to-strengthen-national-unity-g-gunaraj-BC13994533

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Indonesia’s Largest Muslim Group Defends Halal Rules Against US Criticism

Wahyu Sahala Tua, Heru Andriyanto

 April 23, 2025

Jakarta. Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has urged the government to stand firm on halal certification requirements for imported goods, despite recent criticism from the United States.

NU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf said Indonesia has a duty to protect its Muslim-majority population from consumer products, food, and beverages that do not comply with halal standards.

“The United States may voice its concerns, but we have the sovereign right to implement regulations that protect our people,” Yahya said during a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He stressed that halal certification is a legitimate and necessary policy in a country where the majority of citizens are Muslim. “It’s completely reasonable for the public to demand halal regulations, and the government must respond to those aspirations,” Yahya added.

He also noted that several Muslim-majority countries enforce even stricter halal regimes than Indonesia.

The remarks come after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) included Indonesia’s halal requirements in its latest report on foreign trade barriers. The USTR categorized Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification as a “technical barrier to trade” for US exports.

Yahya dismissed the US critique as being driven purely by trade interests, without acknowledging the religious values behind Indonesia’s regulations.

“They’re free to sell products here -- as long as they meet our regulations. Products without halal labels can still be sold, but they can’t be marketed as halal. It’s that simple,” he said.

According to the USTR, Indonesia now requires halal certification for a broad range of goods, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, biological and genetically engineered products, consumer goods, and chemicals.

The regulations are based on Law No. 33/2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which mandates that all business processes -- such as production, storage, packaging, distribution, and marketing -- adhere to halal standards.

The USTR report criticizes Indonesia for finalizing many implementing regulations without first notifying the World Trade Organization (WTO) or seeking input from stakeholders, as required under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

“Indeed, over the past five years, Indonesia has demonstrated a pattern of notifying Halal Law implementing measures to the WTO only after they have already entered into force,” it said. 

The report also raised concerns about a decree issued by the Religious Affairs Ministry, which expanded the range of products requiring halal certification. In addition, the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) has issued separate regulations on the accreditation of foreign halal certifiers and conformity assessments.

According to the USTR, these rules impose redundant paperwork, complex auditor requirements, and rigid scope-to-auditor ratios that are driving up compliance costs and delaying the accreditation process for US exporters.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesias-largest-muslim-group-defends-halal-rules-against-us-criticism

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Umno: DAP can't alter Islam, Malay rights even with two-thirds majority

Apr 23, 2025

DAP will not be able to amend the Federal Constitution involving the position of Islam and the Malays even if it has 148 seats in Parliament, said Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

He emphasised that any constitutional amendment involving the position of Islam and the Malays - namely Articles 3 and 153 - requires the consent of the Conference of Rulers.

Source: malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/741218

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A message too far: Unity minister demands action over racist remark by delivery rider

23 Apr 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — Sending insulting and racist messages via food delivery applications should be subject to legal action, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

Referring to a report involving a teacher who received such a message from a food delivery rider, Aaron said such behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“The Ministry of National Unity views this incident seriously, as it not only violates the values of courtesy and decency in our society but also threatens racial harmony.

“Delivery companies are urged to take stern action against the individual involved and to tighten their employee codes of conduct,’’ he said in a statement today.

He also called on all Malaysians to continue nurturing mutual respect and understanding towards one another.

“There is no place in this country for any form of discrimination, hatred, or racism.

‘‘I believe this incident was the act of an individual and does not reflect society as a whole, but we all share the responsibility of building a more inclusive, peaceful, and united nation,’’ he said.

Earlier, a news portal reported that a teacher had lodged a police report alleging that she received an offensive message from a rider via the food delivery app. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/23/a-message-too-far-unity-minister-demands-action-over-racist-remark-by-delivery-rider/174251

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Arab World

 

Head of Saudi National Center for Meteorology elected regional chair of global organization

April 23, 2025

JEDDAH: Ayman Salem Ghulam, the CEO of the Saudi National Center for Meteorology, was elected on Wednesday as the World Meteorological Organization’s regional chairperson for Asia.

He was chosen during the 18th session of the WMO’s Regional Association II — Asia by representatives of member states and bodies specializing in meteorology and climate services.

After his selection was confirmed, Ghulam highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to efforts to improve meteorological and climate services, and address urgent environmental challenges in Asia and worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Kingdom plans to introduce training programs and professional qualifications for people working in the field, and improve forecasting and monitoring infrastructure to benefit all members of the WMO, he added.

The Saudi National Center for Meteorology, which uses advanced atmospheric and climate-monitoring technologies for weather research and forecasting, was established in 2019. The World Meteorological Organization is a specialized UN agency responsible for promoting international cooperation on weather and climate-related activities.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598208/saudi-arabia

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Saudi ambassador to UK voted MENA diplomat of the year

April 23, 2025

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, has been named “Diplomat of the Year” for the Middle East and North Africa at a ceremony in London.

Prince Khalid was voted for by fellow diplomats representing more than 180 missions accredited to the UK, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The award, run by London-based “Diplomat Magazine,” recognizes ambassadors and diplomats who have made outstanding contributions to diplomatic work in the UK.

Prince Khalid was presented with the award during the magazine’s annual ceremony at London Hilton on Park Lane on Tuesday. The event was attended by ambassadors and high commissioners from more than 90 countries.

Source: arabnews.com

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UN competition calls on Saudi startups using AI in travel

WASAN ALMAKHLAFI

April 23, 2025

RIYADH: A Riyadh-based UN tourism official has called on companies to take part in a competition spotlighting startups using AI in the tourism sector.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge runs until Friday and aims to recognize companies that are using AI to improve user experience and sustainability.

“The tourism sector is undergoing a rapid transformation, with artificial intelligence at the forefront, reshaping how we travel, experience destinations and operate within the industry,” said Samer Al-Kharashi, director of the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh.

The competition calls on entrepreneurs who are “integrating AI solutions into their tourism businesses.” It aims to “identify and support start-ups driving innovation with AI technologies that enhance experiences and contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.”

Al-Kharashi said: “This initiative is part of UN Tourism’s broader mission to innovate and lead digital transformation, drive growth through improved operations and impact; collaborate across sectors; and shape the future of a smarter, more resilient tourism sector.”

Startups that reach the final stages will gain access to a global network of mentors and industry leaders. Winners will pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day and join an acceleration program at SPARK, the innovation hub of Les Roches. Support also includes connections to more than 90 venture capitalists and institutions across 150-plus countries, as well as potential pilot opportunities and additional backing from Plug and Play.

Al-Kharashi noted the importance of engaging entrepreneurs from the Middle East, saying that the regional office was “committed to recognizing and advancing the region’s innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and ensuring that local entrepreneurs are actively engaged in shaping the future of global tourism.”

He also pointed to the Kingdom’s strategic positioning. “Saudi Arabia, under its Vision 2030 initiatives, has placed a strong emphasis on adopting digital solutions ... This competition aligns directly with the Kingdom’s broader objectives, offering a platform for the younger generation, particularly AI enthusiasts and start-ups.”

Examples of AI integration in Saudi tourism include NEOM’s use of the Arena OneBrain system, which combines “the Large Human Behavior Model” and a real-time adaptation engine to create hyper-personalized travel experiences. “These innovations ... exemplify Saudi Arabia’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the tourism sector,” Al-Kharashi said.

AI is also being applied in environmental maintenance. “Red Sea Global introduced an AI-powered beach-cleaning robot ... capable of detecting and removing debris as small as one cubic centimeter,” Alkharashi said. He added that this shift toward “behind-the-scenes efficiency” reflected broader trends in AI-driven tourism innovation.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598142/saudi-arabia

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Saudi, Tunisian officials discuss humanitarian efforts

April 23, 2025

RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief, met with Tunisia’s President Kais Saied in the capital, Tunis.

The two officials discussed humanitarian and relief issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saied lauded the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, highlighting the two nations’ exceptional medical professionals.

He further commended the Saudi Arabia program for the separation of conjoined twins.

The KSrelief chief also held a meeting with Tunisia’s Minister of Health Dr. Mustapha Ferjani to discuss humanitarian issues, the SPA reported.

Ferjani lauded the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to help people worldwide.

Since its launch in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,400 projects worth more than $7.9 billion across 106 countries, in partnership with more than 311 organizations.

Source: arabnews.com

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Environment Week unites Saudis for a sustainable future

April 23, 2025

Riyadh: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority organized a volunteer trip for more than 550 students to plant more than 3,000 seedlings during Environment Week.

The initiative encourages positive environmental behavior among students, raises early age awareness, and fosters individual and collective responsibility for protecting the environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held annually from April 20 to 26, Environment Week focuses on environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The 2025 theme, “Our Environment is a Treasure,” reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to conserve natural resources.

The reserve supports sustainability and environmental education. It has planted more than 3 million seedlings, dispersed more than 4 tonnes of seeds and restored 700,000 hectares of land.

At the Environment Week event in Sakaka, the authority is highlighting its achievements, including habitat restoration, seed dispersal and wildlife conservation.

These efforts include reintroducing 1,455 animals and recording 177 new births, including endangered species such as the sand gazelle, Arabian oryx and mountain ibex.

The authority’s exhibition pavilion showcases the biodiversity of the reserve, home to more than 350 wildlife and 290 bird species.

It also highlights initiatives to protect ecosystems, support sustainability and engage the community in conservation efforts.

During Environment Week in Jeddah, government, private, and nonprofit entities showcased initiatives to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainability.

The National Center for Environmental Compliance highlighted the public’s role in environmental protection, compliance with regulations and reporting violations.

The Vegetation Cover Development Foundation, established by the Ministry of Environment and the National Center for Vegetation Cover, presented nine initiatives aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative. These focus on environmental protection, energy transition and sustainability.

Separately, the Islamic Arts Biennale hosted an interactive workshop on Jeddah’s coral reefs, featuring academics from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

The workshop explored the ecological and historical significance of coral reefs, threats like bleaching, and scientific efforts in reef restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Organized to connect art with environmental issues, the event aimed to foster dialogue between the arts and sciences while promoting awareness of sustainability in line with Vision 2030.

As part of Environment Week, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Umluj, along with partner agencies and volunteer divers, organized a seabed cleanup at Duqm Beach.

The campaign aimed to raise awareness about marine conservation by removing debris to protect coastal wildlife and ecosystems.

Volunteer divers and authorities collaborated in underwater cleanups, highlighting the impact of joint environmental efforts.

The initiative supports Vision 2030 goals of promoting sustainability and encouraging public responsibility for environmental protection.

In Riyadh, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification took part in the Environment Week exhibition alongside public and private sector entities.

The center launched nationwide awareness campaigns featuring interactive booths, educational activities, volunteer opportunities and greening efforts to promote public engagement in environmental protection.

Its initiatives focus on restoring degraded land, conserving biodiversity, managing rangelands and parks and addressing violations like unregulated firewood collection. These efforts aim to build a resilient vegetation ecosystem and support sustainability goals.

The Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a Public Investment Fund subsidiary, also took part in the event.

Through its subsidiaries, the company showcased its role in supporting a green and circular economy in line with Vision 2030, focusing on waste diversion, emissions reduction and advanced recycling technologies.

The group manages companies specializing in recycling, treating various types of waste and producing soil improvers, contributing to the Kingdom’s broader sustainability efforts.

Source: arabnews.com

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Together, we are building a future of shared prosperity: US charge d’affaires

April 23, 2025

RIYADH: Celebrating 249 years of American independence, the US Embassy in Riyadh hosted a reception on Tuesday with the theme “America the Beautiful.” 

Charge d’Affaires Alison Dilworth welcomed government officials, business leaders, academics and cultural figures to an evening that highlighted the enduring friendship between the US and the Kingdom.

Dilworth focused on the significance of the occasion, highlighting the natural beauty of both nations, as well as their shared interests and their dynamic people-to-people ties. 

“It is my great honor to welcome all of you tonight to the US Embassy to mark America’s 249th birthday,” she said.

“Although our Independence Day is officially celebrated on July 4th, here in Riyadh we gather in the spring to enjoy evenings as beautiful as this one taking in the beauty that both our nations are proud to share.”

Drawing on her personal experiences across the Kingdom, Dilworth highlighted Saudi Arabia’s distinctive landscapes and warm hospitality. 

“From the turquoise waters of the Red Sea to the roses of Taif and the green mountains of Abha, Saudi Arabia’s beauty is unforgettable — and it’s the generosity of the Saudi people that makes these places truly special.”

She also noted the deep cultural and personal connections that tie both nations: “I often meet Saudis who fondly recall their time in the US — hiking through Yellowstone, surfing in California, or enjoying Chicago’s skyline. These experiences are a testament to the strong bonds between our peoples.”

The evening also celebrated key areas of growing cooperation between the US and Saudi Arabia, including commerce, energy, innovation, artificial intelligence, entertainment and space. 

“Together, we are building a future of shared prosperity,” Dilworth said, adding: “I expect we will soon see even more brave and talented American and Saudi astronauts looking down at America the Beautiful from outer space.”

The celebration served as a reminder of the enduring friendship between both nations and a shared vision for a prosperous future.

Source: arabnews.com

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Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim

April 24, 2025

RIYADH: Over 30 endangered animals have been released into Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve under the Kingdom’s rewilding program, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The release included 20 Arabian sand gazelles, five Arabian oryx, four wild hares, three steppe eagles, and a black kite, according to the National Center for Wildlife.

The NCW, in collaboration with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, maintains a breeding center in the reserve.

Also, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification reported the birth of an Arabian oryx in Qassim National Park.

The birth was documented by a team from the NCVC, allowing specialists to study the behavior of this endangered native species, according to a separate SPA report.

Saudi Arabia is a global leader in protecting the Arabian oryx. Since the 1970s it has collaborated with international organizations to save the species from extinction.

Efforts have included establishing reserves such as the Mahazat As-Sayd and Uruq Bani Ma’arid, implementing captive breeding programs, and supporting gradual reintroduction.

Source: arabnews.com

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Riyadh pavilion showcases Saudi literary, cultural diversity at Argentina book fair

April 23, 2025

RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched the Riyadh pavilion at the 49th Buenos Aires International Book Fair in Argentina.

Running from April 22 to May 12, the event features the Kingdom’s capital as guest of honor, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Riyadh’s selection highlights the city’s growing role in the global cultural scene, as well as its commitment to fostering dialogue, embracing diversity, and using culture as a bridge for human connection and knowledge exchange.

Saudi delegation includes representatives from the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Heritage Commission, and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

The King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, and King Fahad National Library are also taking part.

The Riyadh pavilion boosts Saudi cultural presence in Latin America, presenting the capital as a model of civilization aligned with Vision 2030. It features diverse literary and cultural content, including Spanish translations to foster cross-cultural understanding.

The launch was attended by Literature Commission CEO Abdullatif Alwasel, Buenos Aires Chief of Government Jorge Macri, Minister of Culture Gabriela Ricardes, and Fundacion El Libro President Christian Rainone.

During the fair, the Heritage Commission will highlight the richness of Saudi cultural heritage through global promotion and awareness efforts.

Its program includes live artisan demonstrations, panel discussions, and displays of archaeological replicas, along with publications documenting the Kingdom’s cultural legacy.

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language is showcasing recent publications, including scientific books and research journals, emphasizing its role in enhancing linguistic knowledge.

It also highlights its work in language planning, computational linguistics, education, and cultural initiatives, alongside digital projects and tools.

The academy promotes Arabic publishing in new regions, encourages cultural and linguistic diversity, and fosters collaboration with communities interested in Arab culture.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi forces join ‘Desert Flag’ air drill in UAE

April 23, 2025

RIYADH: Saudi defense forces have joined contingents from 10 other nations in the “Desert Flag” joint air exercise in the UAE, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces are among units taking part in the exercise, which will continue for several weeks at Al-Dhafra Air Base.

Other countries participating are Qatar, Bahrain, Turkiye, the US, France, South Korea, the UK, Australia, India, and Germany.

Commander of the air force contingent, Lt. Col. Pilot Faisal Al-Marwani, said preparations were carried out in line with approved safety standards for military exercises.

Al-Marwani added that the Saudi Air Force deployed six F-15C fighters with full crews to exchange military expertise in realistic combat scenarios, enhance readiness, and strengthen international partnerships.

He said that the exercise includes various air maneuvers, such as defensive and offensive counter-air operations, close air support, and combat search and rescue.

The objectives include exchanging expertise in planning and execution, improving combat readiness, and strengthening ties with participating forces.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Detained Ingush imam accused of supporting terrorism publicly declares innocence

by Elizaveta Chukharova

23 April 2025

Muhammad Tamaskhanov, an imam from Nazran, who was previously detained on suspicion of concealing information about a member of an armed group, publicly rejected the charges brought against him, claiming he had become a target due to his religious activities, including mosque construction and public support for an anti-drug movement.

On 10 April, two imams were detained in Ingushetia — Muhammad Tamaskhanov and Magomed Sultygov. Investigative authorities accused them of failing to inform law enforcement that Khazir Ganiev, an alleged member of Amirkhan Gurazhev’s group which had attacked traffic police checkpoints, had attempted to contact them. The imams were later released on the condition that they not leave the area.

Tamaskhanov declared his innocence during a sermon posted on his YouTube channel on 18 April.

‘Before Allah, I declare — I am clean. I am not guilty of anything. Everything they accuse us of is a lie. Whatever happens to me — I say this openly’, he said in the Ingush language. A translation of the sermon was published by the independent Russian media outlet Caucasian Knot.

The video shows a large number of worshipers attending the sermon to show their support.

The imam stated that security service representatives had told him the real reasons for his persecution: opening a new mosque in Nazran, holding a religious debate with theologian Akraman Bekov, and supporting  an anti-drug civil movement.

According to Tamaskhanov, after the debate with Bekov, which took place in November 2024, his mosque gained popularity, while ‘other mosques — we won’t point fingers — began to empty’. He believes this provoked dissatisfaction among parts of the religious establishment.

He also mentioned difficulties encountered during the attempted construction of a mosque in the Tsentr-Kamaz neighbourhood, which was halted after a series of complaints.

‘We started building it, but some people began filing complaints, and the construction was stopped,’ said Tamaskhanov.

The anti-drug movement that Tamaskhanov is publicly associated with is engaged in combating drug distribution in Ingushetia. Despite criticism of the activists’ methods, including cases of vigilante justice, the movement enjoys support among some of the population. The Head of Ingushetia’s Ministry for National Policy acknowledged the importance of their work, noting that drug addiction is one of the region’s most destructive social problems.

Earlier, an open letter was published on the Telegram channel Serdalo_Ingushetii on behalf of religious and public figures from the region, which expressed outrage at the actions of security forces who allegedly used violence during Tamaskhanov’s arrest.

‘They broke into his home, threw him to the floor, handcuffed him, and took him to a security centre in the city of Magas. Using illegal interrogation methods, they demanded he confess’, the statement read.

There has been no public statement in support of Sultygov, nor has he made any public comments.

According to the investigation, in August 2023, Khazir Ganiev, allegedly a member of an international terrorist organisation banned in Russia, approached the imams requesting assistance. The Investigative Committee claims that the suspects, aware of his criminal activity, failed to report it to the authorities.

Khazir Ganiev was killed in a shootout with security forces in November 2023. Law enforcement claimed he was an accomplice of Amirkhan Gurazhev, one of the leaders of the Islamic State. In March 2024, Gurazhev and five of his associates were killed during a special operation in Karabulak.

Source: media.org

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'Pope was brother, I will be at funeral' - Rome mosque imam

23 April 2025

The imam of Rome's Great Mosque said Wednesday that he would attend Pope Francis's funeral in St Peter's Saturday saying the late Argentine pontiff had been his "brother".

 "I confirm my participation in the funeral of Pope Francis.

It is our desire to be there and we will certainly be there", said Nader Akkad.

 "For me he was a friend and a brother.

For all of us he meant a lot. Pope Francis is 'our' Pope. He was able to conquer our hearts", said the imam.

Source: ansa.it

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Caucasus Muslims Office chairman to advocate for peace in Spain

23 April 2025

On April 24, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade will travel to the Kingdom of Spain for an important diplomatic visit to participate in the roundtable discussion aiming to promote peace.

The visit comes at the invitation of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Pashazade will participate in the inaugural event of a collaborative initiative by the UN Alliance of Civilizations and "Religions for Peace," titled "A Call for Peace, End of Wars, and Respect for International Law." The event will take place in the historic town of Guernica, Spain on April 25-26, commemorating the 88th anniversary of the tragic bombing of the town during the Spanish Civil War.

The roundtable discussion and memorial event aim to promote peace, advocate for the respect of international law, and further condemn the destructive impacts of war. Religious leaders from various faiths will join the gathering to voice their support for these critical global messages. 

Earlier, the international interreligious conference "2025 Year of Islamic Peace in Belgium and Europe" was held in Brussels with prominent religious and cultural figures.

Azerbaijan was represented at the event by a delegation led by Pashazade.

As part of the conference, the Azerbaijani delegation met with Walter Beke, a member of the European Parliament and head of the Asian Countries Group, as well as Belgium’s Minister of Health. Azerbaijan’s deep-rooted multicultural traditions and its commitment to fostering interfaith harmony were highlighted at the event.

Source: caliber.az

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Dublin's Islamic Cultural Centre shuts 'until further notice' following 'troubling incident'

ByLaura Lyne

24 APR 2025

Dublin's Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh has been closed until further notice following a "troubling incident".

The centre, which has been open since 1996, has been shut following the incident over the weekend. Dublin Live understands that gardai were called to the scene to break up a disagreement that took place at the centre.

RTE reports that it occured as a result of "internal issues" at the centre. A notice has been posted onto the gates of the building which has been padlocked shut.

The notice says: "We regret to inform you that, following the deeply troubling incident that took place on April 19, 2025 - an unprecedented and distressing attack on our Mosque, Centre, and members of the Board - we have no choice but to temporarily close the Mosque and Centre to the public.

"This decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and wellbeing of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School. The closure will remain in effect until we are able to:

"This is a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of our Mosque and Centre. We ask for your continued support and prayers as we work toward recovery and renewal during this difficult time."

The Clonskeagh centre is one of the largest in the country for Ireland's Muslim population. Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadr of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Cultural Centre Ireland in west Dublin has called the closure and incident "a moment of deep reflection" for Ireland's Muslim community.

In a statement on social media, he said: "I pray that this becomes an opportunity for renewal, a chance to restore this sacred house of Allah to its rightful purpose: a beacon of unity, knowledge, and mercy for all in Ireland. When the doors of the masjid reopen, may it be under a leadership that embodies the true spirit of Islam; justice, compassion, and inclusivity."

Source: dublinlive.ie

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Muslim graves desecrated at Carpenders Park cemetery

23RD APRIL

Hertfordshire police say they are confident that the desecration of Muslim graves at a North London cemetery was a religiously motivated act.

Officers were informed on April 13 of ‘widespread damage’ to 85 grave plaques in Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, all of which were in an area reserved for Muslim burials. Many of those affected marked the resting place of babies and young children.

Members of the Muslim community in Brent have said the crime has caused "real pain". Police have now revealed that, while they are continuing to investigate all lines of enquiry, they are now officially treating the "terrible crime" as an Islamophobic act.

On April 15, the head of Hertfordshire Constabulary's local policing command, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, said: “During the initial stages of our investigation we explored several hypotheses as to how the damage may have occurred and for this reason, we had to be mindful of the words used to describe the incident in the public domain.”

He added: “However, now our inquiry has progressed we are confident that sadly, this was a religiously motivated act. We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously.”

The investigation team has said it will continue to liaise with Brent Council, which owns the cemetery site off Oxhey Lane, as they work to identify the families whose loved ones’ graves have been targeted. The council has confirmed that it will reinstate the damaged name plaques once the police have finished their investigation.

Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt visited the cemetery on Monday, April 14 to talk to grieving families, who he said are "understandably in shock".

He said: “Hertfordshire police are investigating, and have confirmed that they are treating this as an Islamophobic hate crime, in which 85 Muslim graves were disgracefully targeted.

He added: “There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London – a city where everyone is welcome, and where our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Brent Council continues to work closely with the Police and with the families affected to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The police have been working with the chair of the Hertfordshire Association of Muslim Police, Sergeant Irfan Ishaq, to assist with communication to the county’s Muslim community. Sergeant Ishaq said: “Our focus remains identifying the families of those whose graves have been affected so we can provide support and advice, and our partners at Brent Council are assisting us with this.”

He added: “Given the number of graves involved, and the fact that many of the families affected may no longer live locally, we anticipate that this will take some time as we continue to be sensitive and respectful in our work. We recognise that news of this crime will not only impact the Muslim community, but those from all walks of life. There will continue to be a police presence in and around the cemetery to reassure our community and provide advice where needed.”

Source: thisislocallondon.co.uk

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Court overturns French decision to cut funding to biggest Muslim school

Juliette Jabkhiro

23 April 2025

Paris (Reuters) - An administrative court on Wednesday overturned France's decision to cut government funding to the country's biggest Muslim high school in 2023, in what rights groups say is part of a wider crackdown on Muslim schools.

Private school Averroes, the first Muslim high school to open in mainland France in 2003 in the northern city of Lille, had 800 pupils in 2023 and had been under contract with the state since 2008. Pupils follow the regular French curriculum, and are also offered religion classes.

At the end of 2023, the government's local representative known as the 'prefecture' said the school had administrative and financial problems and some teaching did not align with French republican values, therefore public funding was to be cut.

In its Wednesday ruling, the Lille administrative court said the prefecture didn't provide sufficient evidence that the school was failing to comply with French republican values. Other failings for which the prefecture did have evidence, such as refusing a surprise inspection, did not give sufficient grounds to justify ending its contract with the school.

"It's a victory for the rule of law," the high school said in a statement on Wednesday. "Averroes is a high school aiming for excellence and will now be able to continue its work with its pupils serenely."

As a result of the ruling, the high school's contract with the state will be automatically reinstated, Paul Jablonski, a lawyer for Averroes, told Reuters. He added he hoped the prefecture would not appeal the ruling.

The Lille prefecture didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Source: yahoo.com

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Hajj pilgrims warned over spate of fraud crimes targeting Muslims

23 APR 2025

Muslims are being warned to only book their Hajj pilgrimage via the official website after several people lost their life savings to fraudsters. The annual pilgrimage, which Muslims are expected to complete at least once in their lifetime, sees worshippers fly to Saudi Arabia for five or six days of religious rites.

But fake websites and phoney travel agents have been taking advantage of people. Last year, Action Fraud was made aware of fraud cases totalling more than £150,000 in combined losses.

Now, Action Fraud and City of London Police have issued a joint warning to pilgrims nationally. Commander Umer Khan, from City of London Police, said many people had lost their life savings by Hajj scammers.

He said: “The impact of Hajj-related fraud can be devastating as many use their life savings to embark on this spiritual pilgrimage. That’s why it’s vital we urge British pilgrims, including those making the journey this summer, to stay alert to criminals looking to take advantage and rob them of the experience of a lifetime.

“We recommend only using the official Nusuk website to book your Hajj, as criminals will try to lure you off the site. Avoid paying via cash as this is a key sign of a fraud - protect yourself by paying with a credit card if you can and keeping a paper trail.

"If you’re in doubt, refer to FCDO Travel Advice or the Nusuk website for further information. Anyone who has been affected by Hajj fraud should report to Action Fraud.

"The more information we have, the better it will help us build a wider intelligence picture of the issue and help prevent criminals looking to exploit the faith and trust of communities across the UK.” To report Hajj-related fraud, visit the Action Fraud website or call 0300 123 2040.

Source: leicestermercury.co.uk

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https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/hajj-pilgrims-warned-over-spate-10127514

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