In Assam, Over A Thousand Muslim Families Evicted from Railway Land – But Not Their Hindu Neighbours

New Age Islam News Bureau

13 July 2024

Displaced residents of Silbhanga said that they have been targeted for being Muslims. | Rokibuz Zaman

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·         In Assam, Over A Thousand Muslim Families Evicted from Railway Land – But Not Their Hindu Neighbours

·         Western Envoys Criticize South Sudan Security Bill That Could Allow Warrantless Detentions

·         Amnesty International: Over 350,000 Worldwide Demand Taliban to Respect Human Rights

·         Hebron Governor: Israeli Encroachments On Ibrahimi Mosque Removed

·         IHC Mandates Entitled Facilities for Jailed Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

 

India

·         Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Demands Withdrawal Of Order Shifting Students In Unreognised Madrasas To UP Government Schools

·         ‘Knowledge of Islamic Culture’ Required for Technical Assistant — BJP Slams Kolkata’s Aliah University Job Ad

·         UP Ban on Display of Weapons in Muharram Sparks Broader Debate

·         NIA Charge-Sheets Two, Including Libya-Based ISIS Terrorist, For Promoting Anti-India Agenda

·         10 Bangladeshi Nationals, 1 Indian Tout Arrested In Different Parts Of Tripura

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Africa

·         Hundreds of Boko Haram Terrorists, Others Escape from Niger Republic Prison

·         Military Hands Over Rescued 277 Boko Haram Captives to Borno Gov’t

·         Boko Haram importing sophisticated weapons through land borders – Izuagbe

·         Islamic group kicks against Samoa deal, urges FG to withdraw from pact

·         Inmates escape Niger prison that holds militants

·         Displaced by terror attacks, thousands return home in Nigeria

·         Military Operation Frees 277 Women, Children In Northeast Nigeria

·         Terrorists targeting national critical infrastructure – DHQ

·         Terror war: MNJTF troops neutralize two terrorists, as five surrender

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South Asia

·         Norway’s Refugee Council Chief urges diplomat to return for women’s rights in Afghanistan

·         Unidentified attackers assaulted Afghan migrants in Fars province, Iran

·         Former UK minister refrains from disclosing soldiers’ names exposing War Crimes in

·         Afghanistan

·         Operation Al-Aqsa storm causes closure of 46,000 Israeli companies

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Mideast

·         Case Dropped: Deputy PM Not Prosecuted for Saying Jew Hatred Is Part of Muslim Culture

·         Argentina designates Hamas a terrorist group in show of support for Israel

·         Breakaway Turkish Cypriot state needs recognition, leader says

·         Israel ‘Has Pledged to Improve Safety for Humanitarian Workers in Gaza’

·         35 thousand perform Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque

·         Islamic Resistance Targets More Israeli Occupation Soldiers near Lebanon Border

·         Iran president-elect says ready for ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU

·         UN agency for Palestinians says has funds until end of September

·         Iran’s Pezeshkian rejects US pressure, praises Russia, China

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Pakistan

·         IHC to Hear Plea Against ISI’s Call Interception Powers

·         PTI likely to become National Assembly's largest party after Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats

·         Pakistan SC Declares Imran’s PTI Eligible for Reserved Seats for Women, Non-Muslims

·         Pakistan, Azerbaijan agree to enhance bilateral trade, investment

·         Pond of historical gurdwara retrieved in Sialkot

·         Khyber jirga asks TTP to hand over killers of tribesmen

·         Three tribesmen killed in Dera Murad Jamali armed clash

·         Three security men martyred in KP targeted attacks

·         Quetta to suspend internet, cellphone services on Muharram 7, 10

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Arab World

·         Madinah Participates in Quality of Life and UN Habitat Programs

·         How Saudi Arabia’s hunting laws are protecting its wildlife

·         Prince Majid Park blooms with entertainment, culture and fun for Jeddah Season

·         Saudi Embassy in Poland organizes celebration of UN’s adoption of Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day

·         Saudi Water Authority, World Bank sign cooperation agreement

·         Saudi authority is first in world to achieve ISO’s new AI management system certification

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North America

·         Alabama Agrees to Forgo Autopsy of Muslim Inmate Scheduled to Be Executed Next Week

·         CAIR Launches Survey to Assess Maryland Muslim Students’ Experiences in Public Education

·         Terrorism and organized crime rampant in Sahel and spilling into West Africa coastal states, UN says 

·         US Navy pilots come home after months of shooting down Houthi missiles and drones

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Europe

·         Social Media Image Showing ‘Muslims Paying Tribute to Keir Starmer’ Is Not Real

·         Reform voters, including Tommy Robinson, in ‘meltdown’ after party appoints Muslim chair

·         UN shown ‘drone evidence’ of Ukrainian attack on Europe’s largest nuclear plant

·         Zelensky slams ‘crazy’ limits on Russia strikes

·         Russia accuses EU mission of spying in ex-Soviet country

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Southeast Asia

·         It Is Unfair to Describe Judges as ‘Un-Islamic’, Aziz Tells PAS

·         PM Anwar shares views with visiting US preacher Omar Suleiman on engineering Malaysia’s role in global Islamic development

·         Mufti bill: Cabinet informed of Raja of Perlis’ decree - Fahmi

·         Bahlil Denies China’s Monopoly on Indonesian Foreign Investment

·         BMKG: Magnetic Storms Pose No Threat to Indonesia

·         Hacked Government Websites Highlight Risks of Poor Maintenance, Says Expert

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/assam-muslim-families-railway-hindu/d/132700

 

In Assam, Over A Thousand Muslim Families Evicted from Railway Land – But Not Their Hindu Neighbours

Rokibuz Zaman

Displaced residents of Silbhanga said that they have been targeted for being Muslims. | Rokibuz Zaman

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As the sun came out on the morning of July 6, Mamoni Begum laid out her sodden school textbooks to dry on railway tracks in Assam’s Jagiroad.

For close to two weeks now, the Class 10 student and her family members have been living under a tarpaulin sheet, watching helplessly as books and clothes are soaked by the heavy rain.

Surrounding them is the rubble of their former home, which had stood for 40 years on the foothills of the Silbhanga hill near the defunct railway line.

On June 24, the tin-roofed house was among hundreds of other residential buildings demolished by the Morigaon district administration. Around 8,000 people have been turned homeless by the eviction, residents and district administration officials said.

According to the residents, 1,500-odd families had been living in this settlement in Silbhanga village for four decades. District officials said they were evicted as they were “unauthorised encroachers” on railway land.

“We have been living here for three generations,” Mamoni said. “My maternal grandfather lived here. My mother was born in this house. My brothers and I were living here. But now we don’t have any land or place to go.”

A few hundred metres from Mamoni’s house, a cluster of houses, a school, a temple and an ashram stand amid the debris of other buildings.

“Those are the residences of Hindu families. But they are still standing,” said the Class 10 student, pointing to the structures. “The temple and the ashram are also on railway land. Why were they not pulled down?”

Several other residents of the settlement also alleged that Bengal-origin Muslimfamilies had been singled out. Almost all of the houses razed belonged to Muslim families, they said.

While a Kali temple still remains on the land, the houses adjoining it have been brought down. “They flattened the decades-old madrassa and broke the masjid wall but did not touch the Kali Mandir and the ashram,” said 52-year-old Abul Kashem, another resident whose house was torn down.

Monuwara Begum, a 45-year-old physically challenged woman, expressed her anguish at the alleged selective action of the government. “Why does the Assam government deprive and abuse us? Is it because we are Muslims?” she asked.

Many residents also alleged that the demolition was carried out even as the Gauhati High Court issued a stay order on the drive that morning.

Morigaon deputy commissioner Devashish Sharma told Scroll that the drive was stopped in the afternoon, when a hard copy of the court order was given to him.

Congress parliamentarian from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, alleged that the demolition was an instance of the Bharatiya Janata Party government punishing Muslims for not voting for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Several BJP leaders, including the legislator from Jagiroad, Pijush Hazarika, have blamed Muslims for the party’s performance in certain seats.

However, the party denied Bordoloi’s allegation. “Unauthorised encroachers ought to be evicted and there is no connection with voting,” said Bhabesh Kaita, who heads the state unit of the party. “Leaders like Pradyut Bordoloi encourage encroachment and want this place to be a dumping ground for Bangladeshi-origin people. But the BJP will not allow it.”

A quarry and a mill

Forty years ago, the settlement near the Jagiroad town had come up close to a stone quarry and the Nagaon paper mill owned by the Hindustan Paper Corporation.

Both the quarry and mill are now defunct, but in the 1980s, they were an attractive source of employment, residents recalled.

Many families had migrated from areas close to the Brahmaputra in Morigaon and Nagaon districts after losing their homes to floods and erosion by the river and settled on the slopes and in the foothills of the Silbhanga hill.

Mamoni’s grandfather, Jamal Sheikh, for example, moved from Laharighat, 45 km away, to work in the quarry after the land on which their home stood was eroded by the river. He built a tin-roofed house which eventually became home to Mamoni, her three sisters and mother.

“After the river broke us, we built a temporary house on the abandoned and useless railway land on the slopes of Silbhanga hill,” said Julhas Ali Ahmed, another resident of the village. “We lived here for about 40 years.”

“Many of us found work in the stone quarry or as daily wagers in the paper mill,” said 64-year-old Hazrat Ali, one of the residents who came here in 1980.

The mill shut down in 2017. The quarry was closed even earlier, said residents. As work became scarce, many residents migrated to nearby cities and towns. “But we all continued to live here,” said Ali, whose home was brought down in the June 24 demolition drive.

The JCBs roll in

On June 12, North East Railway officials issued formal eviction notices to most of the families, asking them to vacate the land within seven days.

Residents said the officials pasted the notice on several sheds, homes and trees on June 14. The Hindu residents of the settlement said no notices were pasted on their homes.

The notice, seen by Scroll, asked all residents of the area to vacate the railway land, according to the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 as the railway authority had planned to carry out “ developmental activities” in the location.

On June 24, the Morigaon deputy commissioner Devashish Sharma arrived at Silbhanga, along with the district police chief, 200 police and central security personnel and 11 JCBs.

According to the officials, about 1,500 families had been living on 200 bigha or 124 acres of railway land in the Silbhanga area.

Other than the Bengal-origin Muslim residents, close to 80 Hindu families live on the eastern side of the settlement, close to the paper mill, said Sumila Medhi, a 42-year-old woman. Similarly, there are 40-odd Hindu homes near the Shankardev Vidya Niketan school and 60-odd families on the western side near the quarry.

“It is railway land according to land records and the railway track is proof of that,” Sharma told Scroll. “We had orders to clear the land. We could have just started immediately. But we made several announcements from 9 am to 1 pm, asking residents to dismantle the houses themselves. When we saw that some people were adamant, we started demolishing the homes around 1 pm.”

The drive continued for two hours. By then, all Muslim homes in the settlement had been brought down.

Several homes belonging to Hindu, Nepali and Tiwa families were not razed – even when they were standing near the Muslim houses. The Tiwas are a tribe who live in several areas in Assam and Meghalaya.

Asked about allegations of bias, deputy commissioner Sharma told Scroll: “We could not demolish the houses belonging to the majority community in certain portions because before we could reach there, the high court order came and we had to stop it.”

He added that 15-odd Tiwa families had demolished their homes on their own, after hearing the officials’ announcement.

Scroll also found that a couple of Hindu families near the paper mill – on the other side of the quarry – had dismantled their homes themselves voluntarily. Apart from this, not a single Hindu home in the settlement was demolished.

“As they razed our neighbours’ homes, we got frightened and broke the houses ourselves,” said Rinku Rai, in her 40s, who stays in a tin house. “No notice was shared with us. I have heard some Hindu families have got some money as compensation and left the place.”

Anju Bora, a 35-year-old resident, lives in a tin hut not more than 200m from where other Muslim homes stood. “We are afraid that we will also be evicted. But local leaders reassured us that they will not evict us as we were not given notices.”

Anajli Das, an elderly lady of the village, said that several of the evicted Bengal-origin Muslims had arrived at the settlement 40 years ago. “The government should have given some more time to relocate them,” Das said. “Where will these poor people go? There was no alternative given. Nobody has the capacity to buy land.”

The court order

On June 21, a number of Silbhanga residents approached the Gauhati High Court challenging the eviction notice. A few hours before the demolition was carried out, the court began hearing the matter.

Justice Soumitra Saikia stayed the eviction, asking the railways and state government not to proceed with the process until the next hearing.

The court also asked the senior government advocate representing the Morigaon deputy commissioner, Morigaon superintendent of police, Mayong revenue circle officer and officer-in-charge of Jagiroad police station to convey the court orders to the officials “forthwith”.

However, multiple residents told Scroll the eviction continued even after the stay order of the Gauhati High Court.

“The order was passed at 10.30 am,” Gauhati high court advocate Abdur Razzaque Bhuyan, who is representing the petitioners, told Scroll. “But the deputy commissioner did not answer the phone calls from the government advocate or other advocates representing the railways and the revenue department,” he said.

Nijam Uddin, a 48-year-old resident of Silbhanga and one of the petitioners, told Scroll: “I got the soft copy of the court order at 12.37 pm and I showed it to the deputy commissioner. He told me he will only accept the hard copy with the signature of the court.”

Uddin said he also tried to convince the deputy commissioner to talk with the advocate and the government advocate after the court announced the order.

“But he did not agree.” Uddin said the eviction was only stopped after they provided the signed court order after 2 pm.

Sharma, the deputy commissioner, did not contest Bhuyan and Sharma’s accounts. “They came to me and informed me that there is a stay order by the high court,” Sharma said. “But unless and until there is a signed order, we can’t stop. As soon as they handed over the signed court order in person, the eviction was stopped within one minute.”

Nijam Uddin rued that the deputy commissioner did not listen to their pleas. “Many houses would have been saved from demolition and destruction if the deputy showed some empathy and followed the court’s order. Maybe if we were not poor, he would not have allowed the demolition,” he said.

Sharma, however, countered this. He said that “never before in the history of Assam, have 8,000 people been evicted without a single act of violence or protest.” “This was because of the benevolence of the government, which allowed the residents time to remove their belongings before the demolition,” he told Scroll.

Punishment for Lok Sabha results?

Opposition leaders have blamed the BJP for selectively targeting Muslims after the Lok Sabha results in which the party lost the Nagaon parliamentary seat.

Pijush Hazarika, a close aide of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a legislator of Jagiroad Assembly, had campaigned in Nagaon, and pulled out all stops to woo Muslim votes.

After the loss in Nagaon constituency, Hazarika blamed Muslims for not voting for them despite getting the free rice and access to the development schemes. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also alleged that while Muslims benefited from different welfare schemes, “development was not on their agenda when they voted.”

Congress parliamentarian from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, told Scroll that the government is targeting the Muslims with a vengeance as those communities did not vote for them.

“The pattern of religious persecution is similar everywhere and is emerging here as well,” Bordoloi said. “The demolition of Silbhanga Muslim settlement was carried out as the affected people apparently did not vote for the regime. It was part of the BJP’s hate campaign against the Muslims.”

Silbhanga’s residents said that they had heard some local BJP leaders suggesting that they were evicted as they did not vote for the BJP.

“We have heard this. But we are not sure as the BJP leaders did not explicitly say so,” Uddin said. “But it’s not true. Some Muslims did vote for the BJP.”

All photographs by Rokibuz Zaman.

Source: scroll.in

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Western envoys criticize South Sudan security bill that could allow warrantless detentions

12-07-24

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir shakes hands with Pagan Amum Okiech, leader of the Real-SPLM group, at State House in Nairobi, Kenya, on 9 May 2024.

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Copyright © africanews

Brian Inganga/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved

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The U.S. and other Western governments criticized a controversial security bill in South Sudan that would allow the government to detain people without warrants, saying it would undermine open political and civil space ahead of the country’s elections.

The security bill, which passed parliament July 3, has threatened the collapse of ongoing peace talks and prompted fears of arbitrary arrests ahead of the country's first-ever elections on Dec. 22. President Salva Kiir has 30 days to approve or veto the law.

Nine Western envoys, including representatives of the U.S. and Britain, said Wednesday that the signing of the bill would “constitute a significant step away from the opening of political and civic space, which is a prerequisite for genuine and peaceful elections to take place.”

The diplomats said South Sudanese should have the right to participate freely in political and civic expression without fear of arbitrary arrest or intimidation by security personnel.

In a statement issued Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller Wednesday said that the transitional government in South Sudan must act with urgency to create an environment in which the people can express their views openly and without fear.

“Enactment of this law would further degrade political and civic space in South Sudan,” the statement read.

The law has also proved to be a sticking point in talks between the government and opposition groups that were not part of a 2018 peace agreement that ended the five-year civil war in which nearly 400,000 people died.

U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan chair Yasmin Sooka said the security bill should be returned to legislators to “work on amendments that align with the government’s commitment to scrap this institution’s arrest powers, which are systematically abused and unlawful.”

The Commission has reported human rights violations by South Sudanese security agencies that include illegal detentions during which victims have been tortured, with many having died in detention.

“As South Sudan prepares for its first elections since independence, the citizenry must be able to exercise their civil and political rights without fear of retribution,” said commission member Barney Afako.

In February, South Sudan acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes protection from arbitrary arrest and detentions, and requires that anyone arrested or detained be brought promptly before a judge.

But the country, which is Eastern Africa’s youngest nation, has a fragile judiciary.

Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández said the “courts lack independence, are chronically under-resourced, and thus unable to protect citizens against arbitrary detentions.”

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/12/western-envoys-criticize-south-sudan-security-bill-that-could-allow-warrantless-detentions/

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Amnesty International: Over 350,000 worldwide demand Taliban to respect human rights

July 13, 2024

Amnesty International reports that over 354,000 people worldwide have signed their petition calling for the Taliban to respect and protect human rights.

This organization called on Friday, July 12th, for continued efforts to hold the Taliban accountable and ensure justice in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International stressed the ongoing advocacy for human rights protection in Afghanistan, citing a powerful demonstration of global solidarity with 354,847 signatures collected urging the current regime of Taliban in Afghanistan to respect and safeguard human rights.

The UN Mission in Afghanistan recently released a report criticizing the Ministry of Virtue and Vice’s record, calling it “a violator of human rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens.” According to UNAMA, Ministry of Virtue and Vice officials have acted arbitrarily at least 1,033 times.

The organization stated, “With the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, we must continue our joint call for accountability and justice in the country.”

Human rights organizations assert that the Taliban has instituted gender apartheid in Afghanistan by excluding women from public life.

Advocates, through the collection of hundreds of thousands of signatures worldwide, are pressing the Taliban to respect human rights and uphold the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, particularly women. Meanwhile, the Taliban considers its policies towards women as an internal Afghan matter and dismisses these demands as interference in their religious affairs.

The contrasting viewpoints from international organizations and Taliban authorities underscore the ongoing complexities and challenges in upholding human rights standards in Afghanistan.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/amnesty-international-over-350000-worldwide-demand-taliban-to-respect-human-rights/

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Hebron governor: Israeli encroachments on Ibrahimi Mosque removed

12 Jul 2024

HEBORN July 12. 2024 (Saba) - Hebron Governor Khaled Dodin on Friday morning announced the removal of the encroachments through which the Zionist enemy authorities attempted to change the features of Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi Al-Sharif on the roof of the courtyard of the Holy Mosque using iron and cement.

The governor thanked all the Palestinian people and their official and civil institutions for their stance, which had an impact in stopping this attack.

He called on the Palestinians to intensify their presence in the sanctuary and pray there, stressing that "it will remain a purely Islamic mosque."

On Thursday morning, the occupation authorities attacked the roof of the courtyard of the Ibrahimi Mosque, in an attempt to Judaize the place, change its features, structure and external appearance, and violate its sanctity.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3348246.htm

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IHC mandates entitled facilities for jailed Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

July 12, 2024

PTI founder Imran Khan with his wife Bushra Bibi. — X/@PTIofficial/File

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ruled that the federal government must extend all entitled facilities to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, while guaranteeing their safety and well-being.

"The federal government must ensure compliance with the guidelines provided by the court," the decision stated. The ruling mandates that all entitled facilities be provided to the former first couple while in jail.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a written verdict, outlining a number of key directives — disposing of a petition filed by Bushra Bibi regarding the provision of facilities and protection of basic rights for the incarcerated PTI founder.

The former prime minister, who was booted out of power via a no-trust motion in April 2022, is up to his neck in a legal quagmire facing charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since losing the premiership.

He has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana case and subsequently in other cases too ahead of the February 8 elections.

Khan was granted relief in the other cases, including the £190 million reference and Toshakhana, and was also acquitted in the high-profile cipher case in July.

However, the former first couple remains behind bars due to the conviction in the iddat (un-Islamic nikah) case only.

The IHC decision spotlights that the petition was filed at a time when both the PTI founder and [his wife] Bushra are serving a sentence in prison.

The issues raised by the petition are not limited to the PTI founder but are of a general nature, the court noted.

"It is incorrect to say that a prisoner has no rights," the decision asserted. "Imprisonment does not mean inhumane treatment. The purpose of imprisonment is the reformation of the prisoner without subjecting them to any physical or mental stress.

"The court has referred to the guidelines provided in the case of Khalid Hussain vs Ministry of Human Rights," the decision said, adding, "The federal government is obligated to enforce these guidelines in all prisons, especially Adiala Jail."

The court observed that the federal government had so far failed to ensure the same. The decision stressed the need for immediate compliance with the provided guidelines in all jails across the country.

"Pakistan is a signatory to numerous international human rights agreements," the court noted, pointing out that the federal government had not taken sufficient steps to implement these agreements.

The IHC disposed of Bushra Bibi's petition with these directives, reinforcing the need for humane treatment and protection of rights for all prisoners.

Khan and his wife were convicted and sentenced to seven years in February for contracting marriage during the former first lady’s iddat period — during which a woman cannot remarry, according to Shariah law.

The court sentence followed the petition filed by Khawar Maneka, Bushra’s former husband.

Late last month, an Islamabad district and sessions court turned down the pleas of the ex-premier and his wife to suspend their seven-year sentences in the iddat case.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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India

 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Demands Withdrawal Of Order Shifting Students In Unreognised Madrasas To UP Government Schools

12 July 2024

Lucknow: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has demanded withdrawal of UP government's recent order directing that all students in unrecognised madrasas and non-Muslim students studying in government-aided madrasas should be shifted to government schools.

The Muslim organisation called the order "unconstitutional".

The then Uttar Pradesh chief secretary, Durga Shankar Mishra, in an order dated June 26 and issued to all the district magistrates of the state, cited a letter of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) dated June 7. The letter...

In the letter issued on June 26, it was also said all the children studying in all such madrasas of the state, which are not recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council, should also be given admission in council schools.

Committees should be formed at the district level by the district magistrates to implement the entire process, it said.

Meanwhile, terming the government order "unconstitutional" and an action violating the rights of minorities, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has demanded its withdrawal.

In a statement issued on Thursday, it said, "Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madni has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Government, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Additional Chief Secret...

"It is known that on the basis of the correspondence of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the UP government has issued instructions on June 26, 2024 that non-Muslim students studying in aided and recognized madrasas shou...

This order will affect thousands of independent madrasas in the state because Uttar Pradesh is the state where there are large independent madrasas, including Darul Uloom Deoband and Nadwatul Ulama, Madni added.

Madni clarified in his letter that NCPCR cannot give instructions to separate the children of aided madrasas on the basis of their religion. This is an act of dividing the country in the name of religion, he said.

Madni also said the UP government should understand that madrasas have a separate legal identity and status as recognised by section 1(5) of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 by exempting Islamic madrasas. Therefore, Jamiat Ulama-e...

UP has approximately 25,000 madrasas. Of these, 16,000 madrasas are government recognised, including 560 government-aided madrasas.

The Supreme Court had on April 5 stayed an Allahabad High Court order, which had declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004, as "unconstitutional".

Hearing a bunch of appeals against the March 22 verdict of the Allahabad high court, a three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the order will would impinge on the future course of ed...

Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council president Iftikhar Ahmed Javed has also reacted to the development and said no student is forced to study in madrasas.

"All the non-Muslim students studying in madrasas are studying with the consent of their parents. In such a situation, forcibly enrolling them or students of unrecognised madrasas in council schools is beyond comprehension," he said.

According to Javed, there are 8,500 unaided madrasas in the state in which around seven lakh students are studying. They are proposed to be sent to the schools of the Basic Education Council, according to the government order, he said.

Source: deccanherald.com

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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/muslim-body-demands-withdrawal-of-order-shifting-students-in-unreognised-madrasas-to-up-govenrment-schools-3103394

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‘Knowledge of Islamic Culture’ Required for Technical Assistant — BJP Slams Kolkata’s Aliah University Job Ad

SREYASHI DEY

12 July, 2024

Kolkata: An advertisement, posted in a news daily, calling for applications from “Indian citizens having knowledge in Islamic culture” for job vacancies at Aliah University in West Bengal has come under attack by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted the ad on his social media handle. “Aliah University invites applications from the Indian citizens having knowledge in Islamic culture in the prescribed pro-forma for regular appointments to the post of Technical Assistant (Grade I) (01 post) in the Department of Electrical Engineering and to the post of Technical Assistant (Grade 1) (01 post) in the Department of Geography (sic),” the job ad said.

Malviya claimed that this was an attempt to “eat into” reservations for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in “minority institutions”.

The university statutes — introduced in 2016 under the Aliah University Act, passed by the West Bengal legislative assembly earlier in 2007 — do not have any reservation provisions.

“What happened to reservation for SC/ST and OBCs in these State funded ‘minority’ institutions? The TMC and I.N.D.I Alliance are eating into reservations meant for the backward classes and giving them off to Muslims (sic),” Malviya posted on X.

“The Congress was the first to remove reservation for SC/ST and OBCs from Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia. Later, requirement to provide constitutionally mandated reservation for the backward classes was done away for all ‘minority’ institutions, even if State funded (sic),” Malviya added.

Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of Vishva Hindu Parishad Vijay Shankar Tiwari posted on X, “Aliah University in Bengal has posted an advertisement for the job of electrical engineer, stating that knowledge of Islam is necessary for the job of electrical engineer. Notably, the Bengal government funds the university. Whose money does the Bengal government have?”

The Aliah University authorities have noted the comments as a first-time objection.

Speaking with ThePrint, Aliah University Registrar Dr. Sk Ashfaque Ali said the job ad follows the 2016 university statutes.

“We have been posting such ads for long. The provisions are under the Aliah University statutes. Nothing is wrong. It is not a mandatory requirement, but we prefer someone who understands the Islamic religion since we deal with first-generation minority students from backward classes and knowing the Islamic culture helps with teaching,” he added.

The statutes define the qualifications for a technical assistant (grade I) in electrical engineering as a BE or Btech (electrical engineering) degree holder with two years of experience as a laboratory technician or technical assistant or a first-class diploma electrical engineering degree plus three years’ work experience.

A technical assistant (grade I) in geography requires a minimum qualification of an honours graduate in geography, with one year of experience as a technical assistant in a postgraduate or undergraduate laboratory (geography) as a preferable academic background, according to the university website.

Schedule II of the statute stated “candidates willing to apply for the post of assistant professors, associate professors, professors should have the sound knowledge of Islamic culture and civilisation” as a note after listing minimum qualifications as prescribed by the UGC (University Grants Commission)/and West Bengal government time to time.

This information is available on the Aliah University website.

According to the registrar, the technical staff comes under the academic staff hired by the varsity.

The Vice Chancellor of Aliah University — IPS (retd) M. Wahab — told ThePrint that he was unaware of the ad, adding that as the V-C, he will ensure only merit is the criteria for any intake in vacant posts.

“The registrar will be able to give a suitable answer, but I can say that only merit is important and the foremost criterion. I have not seen such an ad. All ads pass through the education department before going to the printing press,” he added.

While Mamata Banerjee is in charge of minority affairs and madrasah education, Minister of State of Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Tajmul Hossain told ThePrint that he is unaware of the ad and would need time to gather more information. “There is no question of favouring minority candidates in any way,” he said.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh declined to comment on the issue, adding, “The party doesn’t pay heed to distorted facts by Amit Malviya, who is known for anti-social work and shielding rapists in his party.”

‘Our professors are from other religious backgrounds too’

Aliah University, originally Aliah Madrasah, was founded in 1780 by then British governor-general Warren Hastings at the request of some Muslim gentlemen of then Calcutta and later became the first government educational institution in British India, aiming to educate children of Muslim families in Arabic and Persian languages and Muslim laws to be eligible for jobs in various government departments.

The erstwhile Communist Party of India (Marxist) government, in 2001, formed the madrasah education committee under the chairmanship of eminent educationist and then governor Dr. A.R. Kidwai. In 2002, the committee recommended the development and future excellence of Aliah Madrasah. In 2007, Aliah Madrasah got ‘university’ status, but its campus lay scattered across Kolkata and its suburban Salt Lake areas.

In 2011, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allotted 20 acres of land for a new university campus in New Town. She inaugurated the campus in 2014 while another building was under construction in the Park Circus area in Kolkata, enabling the university to function from two new buildings since 2015.

The stated objective of Aliah University is to promote higher education among the minorities in West Bengal. “Our professors are not just from the minority community but from other religious backgrounds too. There is no question of any discrimination,” said the registrar.

This is not the first time political parties have dragged the university into a controversy. In April 2022, police arrested Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader Ghiazuddin Mondal, an expelled student of the university, for threatening to kill then V-C Mohammed Ali with 20-odd supporters to make him alter the PhD merit list. After a video of the incident went viral on social media, the then governor Jagdeep Dhankar, the ex-officio chancellor of the state-run university at the time, had sought a report from former chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi.

Under Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, M. Wahab, a retired IPS from the Kerala cadre from Bose’s home state, was appointed Aliah University V-C in July last year.

The appointment of an administrator in an academic role sparked outrage across political lines. The issue of who appoints the V-C is now sub judice before the apex court, with the Raj Bhavan and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government fighting the legal battle.

(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)

Source: theprint.in

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UP Ban on Display of Weapons in Muharram Sparks Broader Debate

July 11, 2024

LUCKNOW – The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has stirred a controversy with its recent decision to prohibit display of weapons during Muharram processions across the state. The move has elicited diverse responses from the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh.

In a statement, the chief minister affirmed the government’s stance, emphasising that the display of weapons during religious processions could provoke discord among communities. “There should be no display of weapons in religious processions and events that could potentially hurt the sentiments of people from other faiths,” he said.

Muslims residing in various parts of Uttar Pradesh expressed diverse viewpoints. In Rajdepur, members of the Sunni community, who reside adjacent to a local mosque, voiced strong objections to the ban. They highlighted the long-standing tradition of using chains and occasionally swords during Muharram processions. “These practices have been part of our cultural and religious heritage for centuries,” remarked a resident, underscoring the historical significance of these rituals.

Similarly, residents of Moradabad echoed sentiments of cultural continuity, asserting that such traditions should be respected and preserved. “The government’s sudden interference in our religious practices is unwarranted,” stated another individual, advocating for the maintenance of the status quo in religious observances.

Conversely, in Prayagraj, there was a divergence of opinion within the Muslim community. While some supported the government’s decision as a measure to uphold peace and communal harmony, others perceived it as discriminatory. “The government should apply such rules uniformly across all religions,” asserted a dissenting voice, advocating for parity in regulations concerning religious practices.

Supporting the government’s stance, Maulana Mufti Mohammad Saqib affirmed the necessity of curtailing the display of weapons during Muharram processions. “Yogi Ji’s directive is a step in the right direction to maintain decorum and respect during religious ceremonies,” he affirmed.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s decision has sparked a broader debate on the balance between religious freedoms and public order, resonating deeply within the state’s Muslim community. While proponents argue for preserving cultural traditions, opponents highlight the need for inclusive regulations that apply uniformly across religious lines.

Source: clarionindia.net

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NIA Charge-Sheets Two, Including Libya-Based ISIS Terrorist, For Promoting Anti-India Agenda

12.07.24

The National Investigation Agency on Friday charge-sheeted two men, including a Libya-based ISIS terrorist, for allegedly being part of a conspiracy to promote anti-India agenda.

They had conspired to recruit vulnerable youth to carry out terror attacks at sensitive installations across India, said the anti-terror agency in a statement.

"Mohammed Zoheb Khan, arrested by NIA in February this year following searches at multiple locations, has been charge-sheeted by NIA along with Libya-based Mohammed Shoeb Khan in the conspiracy to promote ISIS' anti-India agenda," it said.

The charge sheet, filed on Friday before an NIA special court here, named the duo as key conspirators in the ISIS terror conspiracy case connected with the "global terror network's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, linked module".

Investigations into the case by the anti-terror agency have revealed a web of anti-India activities involving the two accused.

The NIA, which has been working to dismantle the ISIS network of modules in India, found the two men had taken a pledge of allegiance towards the self-proclaimed Khalifa of ISIS.

The accused, who had planned to flee to Afghanistan or Turkey after executing a series of terror attacks in India as part of the conspiracy, were also found to be actively involved in developing a website for the promotion of the extremist and violent ideology of ISIS, the statement said.

They planned to attract youth from around the world into the ISIS fold through the website, the NIA said.

Investigations further revealed that Mohammed Zoheb Khan, who was recruited by Mohammed Shoeb Khan, had created a WhatsApp group.

He had added more than 50 youths from Aurangabad area to the group with the intent to radicalise and recruit them for furthering the nefarious activities of ISIS in India, the NIA said.

The accused had been sharing videos related to the manufacturing of explosives and fabrication of IEDs.

"They had also prepared a detailed plan of action, which included planning, preparation and execution of terror attacks at multiple places in India and actions to be taken after the execution of attacks," it said.

The accused had conspired to endanger the safety and security of India, its secular ethos and culture, and the democratic systems of governance, NIA investigations had revealed.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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10 Bangladeshi Nationals, 1 Indian Tout Arrested In Different Parts Of Tripura

A huge number of Bangladeshi and Rohingya persons were arrested in Agartala Railway Station and different parts of Tripura in the last few weeks while they were trying to board trains or other vehicles.

Written by Debraj Deb

July 12, 2024

Bangladesh, Bangladesh illegal immigrants, Bangladesh illegal immigration, Bangladeshi immigrants Tripura, illegal migration, Tripura cross-border activities, Rohingya immigration, Tripura-Bangladesh border, unregistered border areas, Bangladesh human trafficking, Bangladesh border security challengesIn a separate case, seven Bangladeshi citizens, including four women and three men were arrested from the Agartala railway station on Thursday. (Representational Photo/Express Archives)

Ten Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian tout were held from different parts of Tripura, including three from South Tripura district and seven from Agartala Railway Station in West Tripura, on Thursday, authorities told the media on Friday.

Officers of the Border Security Force and Tripura Police on Friday said the arrests in South Tripura, a result of a joint operation, were done at the Sabroom railway station on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, a senior officer said during the preliminary interrogation, the three Bangladeshi nationals revealed the name of an Indian tout. Based on the information, the tout, identified as Thakai Mog, 26, was held from the Doulbari village in Sabroom in a swift operation on Thursday itself.

In a separate case, seven Bangladeshi citizens, including four women and three men were arrested from the Agartala railway station on Thursday.

“They had entered the Indian territory illegally and wanted to board different trains. A specific case has been registered at the Government Railway Police Station in the Agartala railway station and the accused were produced before a local court on Friday with a plea for police custody,” said an officer.

The seven Bangladeshi nationals arrested at the Agartala railway station were identified as Ibrahim Hossain, 24, from Kalaroa district, Safikul Islam, 32, Musamed Salina Begam, 22, (along with her 5-year old son Samim Reze), Md Shimul Hossain, 28, – all from Satkhira district, Nur Nahar Juma, 23, from Pabna district, Taslima Kanum, 24, from Narail and Meenu Khatun, 19, from Khulna district of Bangladesh.

Last week, 25 Rohingya persons, including six women and seven children, were held from two separate places of North Tripura district while they were trying to leave for Hyderabad in search of jobs.

In their preliminary interrogation, the police came to know that the Rohingya entered Tripura via Sonamura in Sepahijala district and Kailasahar in Unakoti district from Bangladesh.

A huge number of Bangladeshi and Rohingya persons were arrested in Agartala Railway Station and different parts of Tripura in the last few weeks while they were trying to board trains or other vehicles.

Tripura shares 856-km long international border with Bangladesh, parts of which are still unfenced due to local disputes.

Source: indianexpress.com

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Hundreds Of Boko Haram Terrorists, Others Escape From Niger Republic Prison

12-07-24

A prison break in Niger Republic has led to the escape of hundreds of detained Boko Haram terrorists and other hardened criminals, including drug traffickers, throwing the country into confusion.

The ugly incident occurred at the high-security Koutoukalé prison near the capital Niamey as the inmates reportedly overpowered guards, seizing weapons and vehicles, and breached the prison’s defences.

The landlocked country has been ravaged by terrorists and in recent times. A coup in the country ousted the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazzoun. This led to an altercation between Niger and ECOWAS, the regional bloc leading to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso pulling out of the sub-regional community.

The authorities in the country have started investigation into circumstances that led to the prison break and how the inmates obtained weapons.

Authorities have also imposed a curfew in the Tillabéri region and placed the River Niger region on high alert. The authorities advised the public to report any suspicious movement that might lead to the recapturing of the escapees.

Source: leadership.ng

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Military Hands Over Rescued 277 Boko Haram Captives To Borno Gov’t

12-07-24

The Nigerian military, on Thursday, handed over 277 women and children rescued from Boko Haram terrorists in three local government areas of Borno State to the State government.

Handing over the rescued captives, who comprised 128 women and 149 children to the State’s Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Theatre Commander of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Waidi, said the victims were rescued during the Military operations at Bama, Dikwa and Monguno local government areas of the state.

He said upon their arrival at the barracks, they were subjected to medical checkups to ascertain their medical condition before they were profiled.

The Theatre Commander, who was represented by the deputy Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. Ken Chigbu, said, “These are people we found out that they were abducted against their will. For us, we considered them as brothers and sisters. And when we saw them in that deplorable condition, we rescued them out for civilisation.

“We thank all stakeholders who have ensured that our brothers and sisters are brought out from the bush. The mandate of the ‘Operation Hadin Kai Joint Taskforce North-East’ is to restore normalcy and socio-economic activities in the region. We have adopted kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to the operations, and what we are witnessing is the larger part of non-kinetic approach.”

He said the command has been in synergy with other components of the Joint Taskforce such as the Navy, Airforce and other security agencies in the operations, adding that what was witnessed was a display of professionalism, and a show that the joint taskforce was operating in adherence to the best practices.

He commended the Borno and Yobe State governments for their support to the Nigerian military in the execution of the war against insurgency.

In her remarks, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Gambo, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Aisha Shettima, appreciated the effort of the Nigerian military in rescuing the victims.

She said the rescued victims would be taken to the state’s rehabilitation centre in Bulunkutu, where they would be given psychosocial support and other relevant activities before they would be reintegrated into the society.

Source: leadership.ng

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Boko Haram importing sophisticated weapons through land borders – Izuagbe

July 12, 2024

Amid the continued insecurity issues with Boko Haram in the Northern part of the country, a senior Consultant and Public Affairs analyst, Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe, has accused the Nigerian Immigration Services, NIS, of lagging behind in their duty of securing Nigeria’s borders.

Izuagbe alleged that officers of the NIS are “sleeping” at the borders while Boko Haram moves sophisticated weapons into Nigeria to enlarge insecurity in the North.

He charged the Nigerian Army Nigeria Air Force to collaborate in wiping out Boko Haram terrorists from the country using drones and modern Command equipment.

Speaking with DAILY POST, the analyst called on President Bola Tinubu to issue a marching order to security agencies to wipe out terrorists in the Northern part of the country.

According to Izuagbe: “When you look along the line, where are our Nigerian Air Force? What are we doing with the drones which are the tools to be used in locating enemy positions and gathering security information? NAF should help the Nigerian Army from the air since terrorists have no air support, we should be on top of it and destroy them. Those protecting them by naming them bandits while they are kidnapping students and residents, yet you call them bandits? They are terrorists.

“I know that if there is a will there’s a way, I’m sure the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has the capacity to give the marching order to the Service Chiefs to go all out and destroy the enemies of Nigeria because the first reason for having a government is the protection of lives and properties.

“Why should the Nigerian Army spare those killing innocent people, wives and children? They brought down NAF in Niger State and till today, nobody has been punished, when some soldiers were killed in the Niger Delta, they invaded the community and raped women and killed people but when NAF was brought down in Niger, nothing has been heard. There should be on reason for using the Army which is to protect the integrity of Nigeria.

“If you go around some of the border areas which I don’t want to mention, you will realize that the Nigeria Immigration Service needs to wake up, it’s the system that should check movement around the border. The Customs are doing their part, they are generating the required revenue for the Federal Government. The immigrants are at the borders sleeping on duty while weapons are crossing the border daily.

“Otherwise, how do Boko Haram get sophisticated weapons into Nigeria if not through the borders? We are disturbed that the systems are in place but they are not working because the people saddled with the responsibility are there while people are crossing the border with bombs and guns. When you arrest some of these people they start negotiating for rehabilitators like the one presently negotiating with the Zamfara State government to be rehabilitated after he had admitted to killing 20 people, how do you explain that?”

The public affairs analyst also called on the Federal Government to turn towards hydroelectricity from dams to generate power in the country.

Izuagbe pointed out that several dams are laying fallow without being used in the country, adding that the government can take advantage to boost the energy sector.

“You cannot do much in an economy without having an adequate supply of electricity and that is why I was encouraged to hear when the president said he was ashamed to know that Nigeria generates 4.5MW of electricity. In fact, it’s a shame because we have many dams lying fallow, some of them were constructed and delivered to the federal Government in 1984 and were ready for use but nobody has used them till now. One of them is the Gororo Dam in Sokoto, Jurara Falls, and about two in Kano that are not generating any electricity.

“People continue to wait for the government to provide everything, all the governors since Obasanjo’s era failed to know that hydroelectricity is one of the cheapest ways of generating power, and power can make the economy grow. If Tinubu can fix the Gororo Dam in Sokoto which holds 42 million cubic litres of water per second, it will help a lot,” he added.

Source: dailypost.ng

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Islamic group kicks against Samoa deal, urges FG to withdraw from pact

12th July 2024

As controversy continues to trail the Samoa Agreement, a group under the aegis of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to withdraw from the agreement as it was signed without consulting relevant stakeholders.

Rising from a one-day meeting on Thursday, the Forum with headquarters in Kano, said the Samoa agreement signed by the Nigerian government without consulting the people, stands condemned and rejected.

A professor of law, Bayero University Kano and a member of the forum. Prof. Shuaibu Zunnurain said though LGBTQ+ is not explicitly written in the Samoa agreement, but said Gay and homosexual rights were enshrined using other terms.

The law professor said the 2018 agreement which had protection of the rights of Gay, Lesbian and transgender was rejected by 30 countries including Nigeria.

He said though the LGBTQ were removed in the new draft, terms like gender, and reproductive rights were actually meant to protect LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, explaining that framers of the 1999 constitution were sensitive enough to use the term sex instead of gender in section 42 dealing with non-discrimination against a person on account of his sex, ethnicity or religion.

He noted that the Samoa agreement has, for example, a provision that says ‘the parties’ reaffirms commitment to achieving gender equality, the full enjoyment of human rights by all’ and that the agreement shall take precedence over national or domestic laws.

Also speaking, a member of the forum, Prof. Babangida Muhammad, said for a long time in Nigeria’s history, Muslims, Christians, North, and South and people from across the political divide were united against the Samoa agreement.

He faulted the Samoa agreement for no concise definition of terms as is usually the case in any law, agreement or academic publication.

Another member of the Forum, Prof. Aminu Sagagi, advised parents to be vigilant and take more than a keen interest in what their children watch on social media saying the + sign in LGBTQ+ could mean something fundamentally contrary to morality, religion, culture and tradition.

The immediate past chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano State chapter, Reverend Father Adeyemo Samuel, said there is nowhere in the Bible that God allows gays or Lesbians.

“Any man that sleeps with a man should be stoned to death immediately,” the cleric said.

While calling on the meeting to say no to the agreement, Samuel said Gender equality also stands for lesbianism and homosexuality.

A lecturer with Bayero University, Kano, Dr Bala Muhammad, recalled how Reverend Idowu Fearon, as secretary of the Anglican Church rejected the ordination of a gay Bishop in London, saying Exit clauses in agreement like Samoa may make it difficult for countries to leave.

The meeting called on the Nigerian government to withdraw from the agreement because it is in conflict with political, economic, religious and cultural rights of Nigerians

Source: punchng.com

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Inmates escape Niger prison that holds militants

12-07-24

Niger's interior ministry says search units are on alert after inmates escaped from the high-security Koutoukale prison on Thursday, July 11. This prison houses Islamist militants.

The ministry did not specify how many prisoners escaped or how they managed to do so. Koutoukale prison is located 50 kilometres northwest of Niamey, the capital of Niger. In 2016 and 2019, attempts to break out of this facility were stopped.

The prison holds detainees from Niger's conflict with armed groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State, as well as suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Local authorities have imposed an overnight curfew in Tillaberi, the urban commune in the same region as the prison. No further details were provided.

Niger and its neighbouring countries in the central Sahel are at the forefront of battling a growing jihadist threat. This threat has been increasing since 2012 when al-Qaida-linked fighters first seized parts of Mali.

The insurgencies have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced over 3 million people, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in some of the world's poorest countries.

Source: africanews.com

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Displaced by terror attacks, thousands return home in Nigeria

11.07.2024

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria

Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by terror attacks have started returning to their homes in Nigeria, Anadolu has learnt.

People had fled parts of Nigeria following attacks by terror groups Boko Haram and regional Daesh/ISIS group.

However, with government and civil society efforts to ensure security and livelihood, the displaced people have begun returning to their homes after nine years.

Governor Babagana Zulum of northeastern Borno State said the return of the displaced people was possible due to "significant" progress in fight against terrorism.

Some 300,000 people have returned to their homes in the state, he added.

According to the UN, 2.7 million people have been displaced by the ongoing Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria in 11 years, most of whom sought refuge in neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Mohammed Kusha, regional director of a non-governmental organization Grassroots Initiative for Strengthening Social Resilience (GISCOR), confirmed to Anadolu that in past two months over 40,000 people had returned to their homes in Rann area of the Borno state. 

New start of life

Kusha said that those who returned to their homes in the Rann region had previously sought refuge in Cameroon

For rehabilitation of the returnees, Kusha said that one third of the houses set ablaze by Boko Haram have been built by the government.

He added that with the cooperation of GISCOR and the government, the returnees have started to learn trade and skills in order to live a new life.

Boko Haram, which has been present in Nigeria since the early 2000s, has killed more than 20,000 people across the country in mass terrorist attacks since 2009.

Since 2015, the Boko Haram terrorists have also been carrying out attacks in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced from their homes due to the attacks organized by Boko Haram and ISWAP, the West African branch of the terrorist Daesh, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the northeast of Nigeria. 

*Writing by Serdar in Istanbul

Source: aa.com.tr

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Military Operation Frees 277 Women, Children In Northeast Nigeria

July 12, 2024

About 277 women and children were rescued from Boko Haram and ISWAP controlled teritories in Borno State, North East Nigeria, following recent extensive military operations around Bama, Dikwa, and Monguno towns in the state.

On July 10, during a brief ceremony at the military barracks in Maiduguri, the state capital, the military handed over the people it had saved from danger to state government officials.

Major General Ken Chigbu, Deputy Theatre Commander and a leading figure in Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing joint military counterinsurgency operation, addressed the media at the handover. He explained that the rescues were part of two separate missions – Desert Sanity-3 and Lake Sanity-2 – aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves in the desert and lake regions of Borno State.

He further revealed that 128 of the rescued were women and young ladies who identified as mothers to the 149 children found with them.

Major General Chigbu stated that during operations near the towns of Bama, Dikwa, and Monguno, our troops were able to free these women and children. The missions, he added, targeted areas where insurgents were known to hide, leading to the successful liberation of the captives.

According to Chigbu, the rescued women and children were victims of Boko Haram terrorism who were held against their will in the location where they were discovered.

Most of the rescued women who came out with children whose ages ranged from six months to ten years old shared their traumatic experiences.

Hadiza, a 21-year-old woman, recounted her abduction from Michika in Adamawa State at the tender age of 11.

“It was ten years ago that I was taken to the bush after they attacked Michika. They later forced me to marry one of them, and I gave birth to these two children. They killed the man I was married to some months ago,” she revealed. 

“I had my family in Michika, but I don’t know if they are still there. My father died during the attack ten years ago, and I later learned that my mother also passed away.”

Another survivor, 19-year-old Maryam Abdullahi, spoke of her ordeal in Jangu, a hamlet near Bama. She was forced to stay behind when her community was overtaken by terrorists, and her family fled to the Pulka IDP camp.

“Life was hellish for me out there in Jangu after I was held back. I was forced to marry one of them, who was an ordinary member, and he was recently killed,” she said. “I’m happy that I am out of that place now. I hope to reunite with my family members, especially my father, who I learned is now at the IDP camp in Pulka.”

Following the formal handover, the rescued women and children received hijabs and refreshments. They were then transported by military trucks to a government rehabilitation centre, where they received necessary care and support.

Zuwaira Gambo, Borno’s Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, who received the victims on behalf of the Borno government, commended the military for their successful rescue operation.

“The rescued women and children will be brought to a specialised centre to receive various services such as mental health and psychosocial support, family tracing for reunification, livelihood programs, and other related services.

“Our objective is to offer comprehensive support to aid their recovery from the traumatic experiences and assist in their reintegration into their communities. We appreciate the military’s role in rescuing these women and children. Their courage and commitment have not only saved lives but also restored hope to families, ” she said.

This latest rescue follows a similar operation over a month ago, where the military freed 350 people from insurgent groups in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest.

Source: humanglemedia.com

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Terrorists targeting national critical infrastructure – DHQ

12-07-24

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says its intelligence has uncovered plans by the Boko Haram Terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to attack the nation’s critical infrastructure.

The Director of  Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said that the military and the security agencies responsible for securing critical infrastructure and facilities had emplaced measures to forestall the attacks.

“We are aware of some of the plans to target some critical infrastructure in the country.

”Accordingly, we have emplaced measures to forestall such plans because some of such plans have been frustrated,’’ he said.

Buba called on citizens to support the military in their fight against terrorists by fishing out collaborators living among them in their communities.

According to him, these terrorist are the enemy that must be fought and defeated.

He said that troops were confronted by a vicious enemy that were constantly trying to kill citizens or had killed citizens.

“In this fight, citizens must understand that, we must never compromise on security, otherwise everyone’s security will be compromised.

”This is a situation that cannot be over emphasised for us to live in safety and security.

”The military is doing what is needed by forcing the terrorist to pay a price for every act of aggression against citizens of the country.

“We recognise and have included this as part of our strategy to win the war.

“Overall, we have no choice but to fight for the safety and security of our citizens, to safeguard our nation and preserve our way of life as a people,’’ he said.

Source: vanguardngr.com

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Terror war: MNJTF troops neutralize two terrorists, as five surrender

12-07-24

In continuation of Operation Lake Sanity 2 to dislodge ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, troops engaged in a firefight with the terrorists, resulting in the neutralization of two fighters.

He said, “As part of Operation Lake Sanity 2, troops of Sector 3 of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) successfully carried out a covert operation on 8 July 2024, targeting a terrorist hideout in Kwatan Dowoshi, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the operation, the troops engaged in a firefight with the terrorists, resulting in the neutralization of 2 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters.

“The operation led to the destruction of the terrorist hideout and the recovery of several items, which include:7 AK-47 rifle magazines, 148 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 4 magazine carriers, 172 tax/levy receipts for farmers and fishermen, 2 Baofeng radios, and a large quantity of assorted drugs.

“Additionally, on 11 July 2024, in the Task Force Wulgo, comprising combined Cameroonian and Nigerian troops, 5 Boko Haram/ISWAP members surrendered.

“The surrendering individuals are identified as Babagana Ali, 25 years old; Modukau Abatcha, 20 years old; Alhaji Bako, 27 years old; Muhammad Bataye, 18 years old; and Babagana Mohammed, 15 years old.

“These individuals emerged from Tunbouma Village and Kutungulla Village in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State and are currently undergoing further investigation.

“The Force Commander, Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, commended the troops of Sector 3, Task Force Wulgo, and the hybrid forces for their bravery. He called on other remaining terrorists to lay down their arms and surrender.”

Source: vanguardngr.com

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South Asia

 

Norway’s Refugee Council Chief urges diplomat to return for women’s rights in Afghanistan

July 13, 2024

The head of Norway’s Refugee Council has urged foreign diplomats to return to Afghanistan to secure women’s rights, girls’ education, and protection for minorities.

Jan Egeland stated that humanitarian groups in Afghanistan are facing budget shortages and are under immense pressure.

Earlier, Hugh Billy, head of a British government oversight body, stated that for Britain to support Afghan women and monitor the effectiveness of its aid in Afghanistan, it must maintain diplomatic presence in the country.

In response to Hugh Billy’s remarks, the head of Norway’s Refugee Council wrote on Friday (22 Cancer) on his X account that Britain and other global donors should return their diplomats to  Kabul.

Hugh Billy said that the absence of Western countries in  Kabul has made the work of relief agencies more difficult.

The head of Norway’s Refugee Council affirmed Hugh Billy’s statements: “Diplomats should return and join us here in the fight for women’s rights, girls’ education, and protection of minorities.”

Jan Egeland has stated that NATO abandoned 40 million Afghan civilians in 2021, and now humanitarian groups are “very alone, facing budget shortages, and under excessive pressure.”

Martin Hartberg, director of Norway’s Refugee Council, praised Britain’s humanitarian aid report and urged a sustained presence in Afghanistan to support women, girls, and women-led businesses facing labor and financial challenges.

With the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, Western diplomats left the country.

Amid dire humanitarian and human rights crises following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Martin Hartberg’s call for sustained aid and presence underscores ongoing challenges. Despite widespread criticism, efforts to support vulnerable populations remain crucial amidst the country’s evolving situation.

Source: khaama.com

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Unidentified attackers assaulted Afghan migrants in Fars province, Iran

July 13, 2024

Several Afghan migrants in Iran reported that a group of unidentified individuals attacked their workplace in Dorudzan village, Marvdasht County, Fars Province, during the night with “sticks and knives.”

According to the report, at least six Afghan workers were injured in this attack.

According to these migrants, the assailants took away their cash and phones after the attack.

Images and videos circulated on social media show several injured individuals lying on the ground with bloodied and wounded bodies on a farm.

According to these images, ambulances were dispatched to the scene to transport the wounded.

The migrants said that “Lats” attacked their workplace on the night of July 11. According to these migrants, the “Lats” attacked with knives, sticks, and needles.

They urged Iranian authorities to arrest the perpetrators of this incident and interrogate them.

Afghan migrants said the injured from this incident are hospitalized at Marvdasht Hospital in Shiraz.

Iranian authorities have not commented on this incident so far.

This is not the first time Afghan migrants in Iran have been attacked. According to reports, Afghan migrants in various regions of Iran have been subjected to mistreatment and beatings over the years, with perpetrators not being held accountable.

Many Afghan refugees face severe violations of their human rights in host countries, including forced deportations, harassment, and inadequate protection.

Despite international obligations to safeguard refugees, reports indicate instances where Afghan refugees are forcibly returned to Afghanistan, often facing unsafe conditions upon their return.

Furthermore, these refugees frequently encounter harassment and discrimination, exacerbating their vulnerable situation in Iran.

The lack of adequate human rights protection for Afghan refugees is a significant concern. Neighbouring countries, including Iran, Pakistan and Turkey countries, often fail to provide sufficient legal and social protections, leaving refugees vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and arbitrary detention.

The international community has called for greater adherence to human rights standards and comprehensive support mechanisms to ensure the safety and well-being of Afghan refugees globally.

Source: khaama.com

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Former UK minister refrains from disclosing soldiers’ names exposing War Crimes in Afghanistan

July 13, 2024

Johnny Mercer, former British Cabinet minister, stated he would not disclose the names of soldiers who exposed unlawful killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan, even if sentenced to prison.

According to Sky News, Mercer made this statement after pressure from Charles Heyman, head of an independent inquiry into Afghanistan.

Mercer could face imprisonment for refusing to disclose the soldiers’ names as demanded by the inquiry commission. Earlier, Mercer revealed that some former UK special forces officers disclosed “horrific” events of killings of men and children during their deployment in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

A commission was established in 2023 to investigate allegations of unlawful killings by the British Army’s Special Air Service in Afghanistan, termed “massacres of civilians.” Additionally, a “public inquiry” panel set up by the UK government gave Mercer until July 25 to submit the requested names to the commission.

The chair of the inquiry commission had previously warned that Mercer’s refusal, without valid justification, could lead to criminal charges of imprisonment or fines.

Mercer has previously refrained from naming these soldiers, accusing courts of “continual misjudgment in handling these issues with dire consequences for veteran soldiers.”

Amid legal proceedings and ethical debates surrounding the disclosure of sensitive military information, Johnny Mercer’s stance underscores broader challenges in reconciling transparency with military service obligations.

The outcome of this case not only impacts the individuals involved but also raises significant questions about accountability, justice, and the handling of wartime atrocities in the context of international law and human rights.

Source: khaama.com

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Operation Al-Aqsa storm causes closure of 46,000 Israeli companies

July 13, 2024

Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, initiated on October 7 of last year, has significantly impacted the Israeli economy, leading to the closure of 46,000 companies. This substantial economic disruption has been widely acknowledged by Israeli media, highlighting the severe consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Reports from Israeli media have detailed the extensive economic damage caused by Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. Shihab News, referencing various Israeli sources, revealed that thousands of businesses across Israel have been forced to shut down due to the operation. The Israeli newspaper Maariv specifically reported that since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, 46,000 Israeli companies have closed. The economic impact is expected to worsen, with predictions indicating that the number of closed companies could reach 60,000 by the end of the year. This alarming projection underscores the prolonged economic strain caused by the conflict. The continuous military operations and resulting instability have created an environment where businesses are unable to sustain operations, leading to widespread economic fallout. Adding to these internal economic challenges, Israel is also facing increasing pressure from global boycott campaigns. The Wall Street Journal has reported a rise in international boycott movements against Israel, which have gained momentum following the recent military actions in Gaza. These campaigns are intensifying the economic pressures on the Israeli economy. The Wall Street Journal noted that these global boycott efforts are exacerbating Israel’s existing economic difficulties. The international response to Israel’s actions in Gaza includes calls for economic sanctions and divestments, which are further straining Israeli companies. The growing support for these boycott campaigns reflects widespread condemnation of Israel’s military operations and an effort to apply economic pressure as a form of protest. Israeli media have openly acknowledged the heavy economic toll of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. Reports from various sources within Israel have painted a grim picture of the current situation, highlighting the extent of the economic disruption. This acknowledgment indicates a recognition of the severe impact the conflict has had on the nation’s economy. The closure of 46,000 companies represents a significant blow to the Zionist Israel economy, affecting multiple sectors and resulting in job losses and reduced economic activity. The ripple effects of these closures are likely to be felt throughout the economy, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being particularly vulnerable. The projected increase in closures to 60,000 by the end of the year suggests a prolonged period of economic hardship. Operation Al-Aqsa Storm has severely impacted the Israeli economy, resulting in the closure of tens of thousands of companies and increasing economic pressures through international boycott campaigns. The acknowledgment of these challenges by Israeli media underscores the gravity of the situation. As the conflict continues, the economic outlook for Israel remains bleak, with significant implications for businesses and the broader economy. The global community’s response, particularly through boycott campaigns, highlights growing condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and adds to the economic strain. Addressing these challenges will require significant efforts to manage both internal economic disruptions and external pressures as Israel navigates the complex aftermath of the ongoing conflict. Mashal Noori

Source: thekabultimes.com

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Mideast

 

Case dropped: Deputy PM not prosecuted for saying Jew hatred is part of Muslim culture

12 JULY 2024

The group insult case against Deputy Prime Minister Mona Keijzer has been dropped, the lawyer representing the complainants told NU.nl. She won’t be prosecuted for saying that “hatred of Jews is almost part of the culture” in countries where Islam is the dominant religion. She made that statement on Sophie & Jereon on May 17th, before being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning.

Keijzer apologized for the statement after criticism from other guests on the talk show, but a group of lawyers and a historian with a Muslim background still pressed charges against her. They believe that a Cabinet member cannot be allowed to get away with such statements with nothing more than a quick apology after criticism.

The complainants are disappointed that the case was dropped but don’t feel like they achieved nothing. “The Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed that Keijzer made unsubstantiated statements in the program and therefore behaved irresponsibly,” lawyer Reinout Sterk told NU.nl, speaking on behalf of the complainants. “That behavior can create a breeding ground for intolerance and undermine respect for the equality of others.”

Historian Kasim Tekin, who was involved in the charges, said he was not surprised by the dismissal. “Unfortunately, it has become quite normalized to make strong statements about Muslims,” he told the newspaper. “This has to do with the fact that society is not aware of what such statements do to Muslims. Unfortunately, this apparently also applies to the OM.”

A spokesperson for the OM said that Keijzer made her statements in the context of the “public debate” and that prosecuting her for that would violate freedom of expression. “A politician has more room to say things,” the spokesperson explained.

The OM did add that Keijzer’s statements were unnecessarily insulting to a group of people because of their race and religion and that she did not take sufficient responsibility for preventing her statements from inciting intolerance. According to the OM, Keijzer is “in principle” guilty of punishable group insult.

Source: nltimes.nl

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Argentina designates Hamas a terrorist group in show of support for Israel

July 13, 2024

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Argentina designated Hamas a terrorist organization Friday and ordered a freeze on the financial assets of the Palestinian group, a largely symbolic move as President Javier Milei seeks to align Argentina strongly with the US and Israel.

Announcing the decision, Milei’s office cited the militant Palestinian group’s cross-border attack on Israel last Oct. 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage, in the deadliest assault in Israel’s 76-year history.

The statement also mentioned Hamas’ close ties to Iran, which Argentina blames for two deadly militant attacks on Jewish sites in the country.

The move comes just days before the 30th anniversary of one of those attacks, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. It killed 85 people and wounded hundreds more in the worst such attack in Argentina’s modern history.

The other attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, in 1992, killed more than 20 people. Argentina’s judiciary has accused members of Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of carrying out the two attacks.

Friday’s announcement professed Milei’s “unwavering commitment to recognizing terrorists for what they are,” adding that “it’s the first time that there is a political will to do so.”

The US, European Union and several other countries long put a terrorist designation on Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip before its current war with Israel.

Previous left-leaning Peronist governments in Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, have maintained friendly ties with Israel but also voiced support for Palestinian statehood.

Since coming into office in December, Milei has set himself apart from even Israel’s closest allies in his vocal support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A huge swell in global pressure has left Israel deeply isolated over its military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, displaced over 80 percent of the territory’s people and triggered a humanitarian disaster.

“Argentina must once again align itself with Western civilization,” Milei’s office said Friday.

For his first state visit as president earlier this year, Milei flew to Jerusalem in a show of support for the Israeli government and promised to move his nation’s embassy to the contested capital — drawing praise from Netanyahu and ire from Hamas.

Source:

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Although raised a Roman Catholic, Milei says he has a deep spiritual connection with Judaism.

Source: arabnews.com

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Breakaway Turkish Cypriot state needs recognition, leader says

July 13, 2024

NICOSIA: The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus hopes to end its international isolation, its leader Ersin Tatar told AFP in an interview, as the Mediterranean island marks fives decades of division.

“Every day, we are working for recognition,” said the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which Turkish Cypriot leaders declared in 1983 but which is recognized only by Ankara.

“Turkish Cypriots have been (put) under a lot of disadvantages — embargoes, isolation,” Tatar said in the interview conducted on Thursday.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Turkiye’s invasion of the north, five days after a coup orchestrated by the junta then in power in Athens sought to unite the whole island with Greece.

The invasion’s aftermath effectively divided the island along ethnic lines, with some 170,000 Greek Cypriots fleeing the north to be replaced by some 40,000 Turkish Cypriots displaced from the government-held south.

But international recognition has always eluded the Turkish Cypriots, with knock-on effects on the northern economy.

All flights to northern Cyprus have to make at least a stopover in Turkiye, hampering the development of large-scale tourism.

The rejection of a UN peace plan by Greek Cypriot voters in a 2004 referendum meant Cyprus entered the European Union that year still a divided island, with Turkish Cypriots denied the full benefits of membership.

“I would very much hope to see a resolution from the United Nations Security Council saying that we do recognize the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus,” Tatar said.

“Greek Cypriots are obviously having a bigger part of the cake. Tourism is prospering, their economy is prospering,” he added.

UN-backed efforts to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation have been at a standstill since the last round of talks collapsed in 2017.

The Turkish Cypriot leadership says that with the UN-backed reunification talks dead, a two-state solution is the only forward.

Greek Cypriot leaders say they remain committed to the UN-backed process.

The United Nations, whose peacekeepers patrol a buffer zone behind the former front line between the two sides, is pressing for talks to resume between the leaders of the two communities.

“All I want is concerted efforts to find a practical, fair, just and sustainable settlement. But on an equal basis, a sovereign equal basis,” said Tatar.

For Tatar, “1974 was a turning point for Turkish Cypriots, a new hope,” said the leader, who was a 13-year-old pupil at the English School in Nicosia at the time and on holiday in London when he heard the news.

Citing violence and discrimination against the minority community in the decade leading up to the invasion, he insisted Turkish troops landed to “protect the Turkish Cypriots.”

A controversial treaty between Britain, Greece and Turkiye that accompanied the island’s independence in 1960 gave the three powers the right to intervene to guarantee the island’s constitution.

The treaty also outlawed partition and the union of any part of the island with Greece or Turkiye.

“This is why we call it Turkish intervention as a result of the right given to Turkiye by the 1960 agreement,” Tatar said.

He said the Turkish troop contingent in northern Cyprus — around 40,000 soldiers, according to the United Nations — was a “deterrent force” that had “ensured that we had peace on the island.”

Despite the many challenges, “what we have achieved is basically to develop our state from nothing to a consolidated state with all the functions and faculties that you would have in any modern state,” Tatar said.

Source: arabnews.com

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Israel ‘Has Pledged To Improve Safety For Humanitarian Workers In Gaza’

July 12, 2024

ASHDOD: The head of the US agency overseeing American humanitarian assistance worldwide said she has received Israeli pledges to allow aid workers to move more quickly and safely throughout the war-battered Gaza Strip.

In an interview, Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development, said that Israel has also taken new steps to increase the flow of aid through its port of Ashdod, just north of Gaza.

The move could give donors a new option for delivering aid as the US shutters its troubled maritime pier off Gaza’s coast.

Nine months into the war in Gaza, the announcement marked a small victory for international efforts to increase aid deliveries to the territory’s desperate civilians.

The Israeli offensive launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack has plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis. Over 80 percent of the territory’s 2.3 million people have been displaced, with most now living in squalid tent camps.

International experts say hundreds of thousands are on the brink of famine.

“We have not seen the kind of humanitarian system to this point that has allowed humanitarians to move efficiently and safely to the degree that we need,” Power said.

“This week and through this visit, we have secured an agreement.”

“My whole career has been working in and around conflict areas,” said Power, a former war correspondent and US ambassador to the UN.

“I have never seen a more difficult conflict environment for humanitarians to work in.”

The UN says that since May, the amount of aid reaching Gaza to distribute has fallen to some of the lowest levels of the war. Israel says it places no limits on the entry of aid into Gaza.

But tons of supplies have piled up on the Gaza side of Israeli-controlled border crossings because the UN says it is unable to collect them for distribution.

Israel blames the bottleneck on UN logistical failures.

But UN and other aid officials deny that, saying that permit requirements from the military limit access to the site and that Israeli military operations against Hamas make it too dangerous to move around. Also, criminal gangs inside Gaza have looted aid trucks, adding another challenge for aid workers.

Power said her talks with the Israelis focused heavily on improving the system by which humanitarian groups and the military coordinate safe passage.

Throughout the war, humanitarian groups complained that the system was not working.

In one instance early this year, the Israeli military struck an aid convoy of World Central Kitchen, killing seven workers from the international charity.

Israel called the incident a tragedy and punished five officers.

Power said that for deliveries by the pier, a system was set up where the Israeli and US militaries and the UN could communicate more closely and immediately over the location of humanitarian workers.

She said the Israeli government had now agreed to extend that system across Gaza.

“Having a system lined up where those aid workers can convey their coordinates, their movements to the (Israeli army), and know that they are going to be safe in making those deliveries, that has not been an assurance that they have had throughout this conflict,” she said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military or COGAT, the military body in charge of coordinating aid into Gaza. Power said it would take time to implement the changes, but the US is pushing for improvements “not a month from now, but a week from now.”

Power spoke after touring the Ashdod port, about 30 km from Gaza.

She said Israel is increasing its scanning capacity at the port to inspect goods bound for Gaza, which can then be delivered by truck through nearby Israeli crossings.

As the US prepares to shut down the temporary maritime pier, she said she expected Ashdod to play a bigger role in aid deliveries.

“I think there will be a maritime part of the humanitarian solution over time that will get bigger and bigger,” she said. “It will probably flow through this port.”

During the visit, Power also announced that the US pledged $100 million in new assistance to the Palestinians. USAID said the money would assist the UN’s World Food Program and help deliver “lifesaving humanitarian aid across Gaza.” Altogether, the US has donated $774 million to the Palestinians since the war began last October.

Power said the only way to improve conditions in Gaza dramatically would be through a cease-fire.

She blamed Hamas for holding up a deal and urged the militant group to accept the latest proposals being floated by international mediators.

“Hamas must accept the terms of the cease-fire, and then we will be in a position to flood the zone with humanitarian support on a scale that is just not possible when you have fighting,” she said.

Source: arabnews.com

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35 thousand perform Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque

12 Jul 2024

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS July 12. 2024 (Saba) - Thousands of Palestinian citizens performed Friday prayers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, in light of the strict military measures imposed by the Zionist enemy authorities on access to the mosque.

The Islamic Endowments Department in Quds estimated that about 35,000 citizens performed Friday prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Zionist enemy forces deployed their checkpoints in the Old City and at the Lions' Gate coinciding with the arrival of citizens to perform prayers, and prevented a number of young men from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Since the start of the comprehensive Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Quds, in October 2023, enemy forces have tightened their procedures at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City, and sometimes prevent citizens from occupied Quds or Palestinians from the 1948 territories from entering the mosque to perform prayers.

It also prevents tens of thousands of citizens from the West Bank governorates from entering Quds through its military checkpoints surrounding the city.

Source: saba.ye

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Islamic Resistance Targets More Israeli Occupation Soldiers near Lebanon Border

July 12, 2024

In solidarity with the people of occupied Palestine and the resistance in the Gaza Strip and amidst Zionist aggression on several villages in South Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon persistently targeted on Friday Israeli occupation soldiers and sites near the Lebanese-Palestinian borders.

Hezbollah’s Military Media released consecutive statements outlining the attacks and their outcomes:

The first statement affirmed that the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted, at 08:50 am on Friday, July 12, 2024, the reconnaissance equipment at the newly established center for war collection and surveillance teams in Al-Metula settlement with guided missiles, hitting them directly and destroying them.

The second statement maintained that the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted, a group of “Israeli” enemy soldiers while they were conducting fortification and reinforcement works in the vicinity of Hanita site with rocket weapons.

The third statement mentioned that the fighters of the Lebanese Brigades for Resisting the “Israeli” Occupation targeted, at 5:20 pm on Friday, July 12, 2024, Ruweisat Al-Qarn site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rocket weapons, hitting it directly.

The fourth statement emphasized that, in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on the steadfast southern villages and safe houses, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted, on Friday, July 12, 2024, the headquarters of the Infantry Battalion of the 769th Eastern Brigade in the Ramim Barracks with artillery shells, hitting the target directly.

In response to the aggression of the “Israeli” enemy against the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, especially in the town of Kfar Kila, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted on Friday, July 12, 2024, a building used by the “Israeli” enemy soldiers in Al-Metula settlement with appropriate weapons, according to the fifth statement.

In response to the aggressions of the “Israeli” enemy against the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, especially in the town of Kfar Kila, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted on Friday, July 12, 2024, a building used by the “Israeli” enemy soldiers in Misgav Am settlement with appropriate weapons, the sixth statement indicated.

Hezbollah Military Media released a media which mourns the Islamic Resistance fighter Ali Hasan Nahle who embraced martyrdom all the way to Al-Quds.

In support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in solidarity with their brave and honorable resistance, the Islamic Resistance carried out a number of operations against “Israeli” army positions and deployments along the Lebanese-Palestinian border on Thursday, July 11, 2024, as follows:

1. The Islamic Resistance fighters launched an aerial attack by a squadron of assault drones on the newly established headquarters of the artillery battalion of the 146th Division south of Kabri, targeting command centers and the positions of fire management teams and artillery batteries, hitting them directly and causing casualties, in response to the artillery shelling and airstrikes affecting our steadfast people and villages.

2. At 11:21, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established technical equipment at Al-Malkiya site with appropriate weapons, hitting it directly.

3. At 11:55, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of “Israeli” enemy soldiers in the vicinity of Hanita site with rocket weapons, hitting them directly.

4. At 13:05, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established reconnaissance equipment at Hadab Yarin site with appropriate weapons, hitting it directly.

5. The Islamic Resistance fighters targeted two buildings used by “Israeli” enemy soldiers in Shtula settlement with guided missiles, hitting them directly, causing fires and resulting in casualties inside, in response to “Israeli” aggressions on the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, especially in the towns of Al-Jibbin and Ramya.

6. At 16:56, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the deployment of “Israeli” enemy soldiers in the vicinity of Zar’it barracks with a heavy Burkan missile.

7. The Islamic Resistance fighters targeted two buildings used by “Israeli” enemy soldiers in Misgav Am settlement with appropriate weapons, hitting them directly, in response to “Israeli” aggressions on the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, especially in the towns of Yarin and Tayr Harfa.

8. At 19:45, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted Al-Ramtha site in the occupied Lebanese hills of Kfar Shuba with rocket weapons, hitting it directly.

9. At 19:45, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted Zibdeen site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rocket weapons, hitting it directly.

Source: english.almanar.com.lb

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Iran president-elect says ready for ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU

July 13, 2024

Tehran: Iran’s president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian said he looks forward to improved relations with Europe, even though he accused the continent of reneging on commitments to mitigate the impact of US sanctions.

“Despite these missteps, I look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with European countries to set our relations on the right path, based on principles of mutual respect and equal footing,” Pezeshkian wrote late Friday in the English-language Tehran Times newspaper.

Source: arabnews.com

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UN agency for Palestinians says has funds until end of September

July 13, 2024

UNITED NATIONS: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Friday it had enough funds to continue operating through September, following a pledging conference for the embattled body where UN chief Antonio Guterres pleaded for help from donors.

“We have worked tirelessly with partners to restore confidence in the agency,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said, after several nations withheld funding following Israeli allegations in January that a number of UNRWA’s employees participated in the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Lazzarini said new pledges of funds would help ensure emergency operations until September.

Guterres had pleaded with donors to fund the embattled UN agency, warning that Palestinians would lose a “critical lifeline” without UNRWA.

“Let me be clear — there is no alternative to UNRWA,” he said.

“Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse in Gaza — somehow, appallingly, civilians are being pushed into ever deeper circles of hell,” Guterres added.

According to Guterres, 195 UNRWA staff members have been killed in the war, the highest death toll for staff in UN history.

The US Congress has barred further funding for UNRWA. President Joe Biden’s administration has instead directed funding for Palestinian civilians to other bodies while saying that UNRWA is uniquely equipped to distribute aid.

The war started with Hamas’s October attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Israel responded with a military offensive that has killed at least 38,345 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Source: arabnews.com

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Iran’s Pezeshkian rejects US pressure, praises Russia, China

July 13, 2024

DUBAI: The United States should realize that Iran will not respond to pressure, President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement published on Saturday, in which he also highlighted his country’s friendship with China and Russia.

Pezeshkian, a relative moderate who beat a hard-line rival in elections, also reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, adding that Tehran would expand ties with neighbors and engage with Europe.

“The United States...needs to recognize the reality and understand, once and for all, that Iran does not — and will not — respond to pressure (and) that Iran’s defense doctrine does not include nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said in the statement, titled “My message to the new world” and published in the daily Tehran Times.

Pezeshkian, a 69-year-old heart surgeon, has pledged to promote a pragmatic foreign policy, ease tensions over now-stalled negotiations with major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear pact and improve prospects for social liberalization and political pluralism.

However many Iranians are skeptical about his ability to fulfil his campaign promises as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not the president, is the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic.

“China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times. We deeply value this friendship.

“Russia is a valued strategic ally and neighbor to Iran and my administration will remain committed to expanding and enhancing our cooperation,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran would actively support initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

“The Iranian people have entrusted me with a strong mandate to vigorously pursue constructive engagement on the international stage while insisting on our rights, our dignity and our deserved role in the region and the world.

“I extend an open invitation to those willing to join us in this historic endeavour,” Pezeshkian said. (

Source: arabnews.com

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Pakistan

 

IHC to hear plea against ISI’s call interception powers

July 13, 2024

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday admitted a petition for regular hearing filed by six Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) members challenging the federal government’s decision to empower the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to intercept calls and messages.

The petitioners — Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Abid Shahid Zuberi, Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, Munir Ahmed Kakar, Tahir Fraz Abbasi, and Abid Saqi — argued that the notification dated July 8, 2024, is ultra vires the Constitution and the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Act, 1996. They contended that wiretapping or intercepting calls could only be made after due process was followed, as prescribed under the Fair Trial Act, 2013.

Advocate Zuberi pointed out that the rules for interception and wiretapping calls have not been framed under the Telecom Act of 1996, despite the federal government’s admission of the same. He also drew parallels with a similar situation in 1998, which led to the Supreme Court’s judgement in the case of Benazir Bhutto and others vs. the President of Pakistan and others.

The court sought a report from the respondent authorities and adjourned further hearing till a date to be fixed by the registrar’s office.

Similar request referred to LHC chief justice for constitution of a larger bench

The federal government had authorised the ISI to intercept calls and messages through a statutory regulatory order (SRO) issued on July 8, citing national security concerns.

Section 54 of the Act that deals with national security states: “In the interest of national security or in the apprehension of any offence, the federal government may authorise any person or persons to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication system.”

The petitioners argued that this move was a violation of citizens’ privacy and ultra vires the Constitution.

While hearing the audio leaks case, Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC had framed questions to be answered by the relevant stakeholders. The court asked if the constitution or statutory law empowers the executive, and in the present case the federal government, to record or monitor phone calls or telecommunication between private citizens, and if so, [under which] supervisory and regulatory legal regime such recording or surveillance can take place.

The federal government, apparently in response to the questions framed by Justice Sattar in the audio leaks case, empowered the ISI to “intercept calls and messages” in a bid to legalise the surveillance.

Larger bench recommended

On the other hand, a similar petition was moved before the Lahore High Court (LHC) by an MPA from Jhang, retired major Ghulam Sarwar, pleading that the impugned notification allowing the ISI to tap phone calls was a serious invasion of an individual’s privacy.

Justice Farooq Haider recommended a larger bench to hear a petition challenging the federal government’s move, noting that important legal questions had been raised in the petition. Subsequently, he sent the file to the LHC chief justice with a request to constitute a larger bench on the matter.

According to the petition, it was a settled law that the exercise of unbridled power and discretion was unconstitutional. The interception/tapping of phone calls in such an unstructured manner constituted a violation of freedom of expression and speech, the petitioner argued, adding that anything that was arbitrary or excessive would be held to be outside the parameters of reason. While arguing that the impugned notification in the name of national security conferred unchecked and arbitrary powers on the executive that were of the broadest latitude, the petitioner asked the LHC to set aside the impugned notification for being unconstitutional and also order the federal government to formulate the rules for exercising the powers delegated under Section 54 of the Telecom Act.

Source: dawn.com

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PTI likely to become National Assembly's largest party after Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats

July 12, 2024

Basking in the landmark victory after the Supreme Court's verdict in the reserved seats case earlier today (Friday), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) looks forward to playing a major political role in parliament, as the opposition alliance is expected to grow to a strength of 120.

In an unexpected legal victory for the main opposition party, the top court ruled that the party of incarcerated Imran Khan is eligible for the allocation of seats reserved for women and minorities.

The decision has not only paved the way for the PTI's return to parliament, which was kicked out of the February 8 polls owing to the ECP's December 2023 ruling but has also increased the pressure on the coalition alliance by changing the composition of the National Assembly.

The PTI is expected to emerge as the largest party in the National Assembly as the number of Imran Khan-led party is likely to soar to 109 after it gets 23 reserved seats.

With the majority seats of the PTI in the lower house of the legislature, the ruling coalition led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will continue to occupy the simple majority with the strength of 209 members. The PML-N has a total of 108 members.

The opposition alliance in the National Assembly will surge to a strength of 120 after the PTI gains the seats reserved for women and non-Muslim minorities. Currently, the combined opposition, including the PTI, has 97 members. At present, the PTI has 86 members in the lower house, with 84 on board with the Suni Ittehad Council (SIC) and two independents — Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omar Ayub Khan.

Additionally, there are 68 members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the NA and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has eight members while BNP-Mengal, MWM and PkMAP have one each in the lower house.

Meanwhile, the MQM-P has 21 members in the National Assembly and a minority seat remains suspended.

A timeline of reserved seats saga

The reserved seat issue first emerged after over 80 PTI-backed independent candidates emerged victorious in the February 8 elections and subsequently joined the SIC in a bid to claim seats reserved for minorities and women.

The SIC then approached the ECP on February 21 seeking allocation of reserved seats. However, the PTI suffered a setback after the electoral body, citing the party's failure to submit its list of candidates, denied allocating the reserved seats to the SIC via its 4-1 majority verdict on March 4.

In the verdict, the ECP said it extended the deadline to submit a priority list for the reserved seats of women, and the SIC, before the February 8 polls, did not submit the required list which was "mandatory".

The electoral body's verdict cited Article 51(6), saying the article clearly stated the reserved seats would be allocated to the political parties who contested elections and won general seats based on a "proportional representation system".

While rejecting the plea of SIC, the ECP accepted applications of the opposing parties and decided that the seats in the National Assembly would not remain vacant and would be allocated by a proportional representation process of political parties on the basis of seats won by political parties.

The electoral body said the SIC could not claim the share in the reserved seats for the women "due to non-curable procedural and legal defects and violations of mandatory provisions of the Constitution".

The party then approached the PHC on March 6, which upheld the electoral body's decision on the matter in its March 14 ruling.

Subsequently, on April 2, the SIC moved the SC seeking to set aside the PHC verdict and the allocation of 67 women and 11 minority seats in the assemblies.

The allocation of reserved seats holds significance as the PTI-backed independent candidates, who make up the majority of the opposition benches, lost as many as 77 reserved seats in NA and provincial assemblies due to the PHC's verdict.

It is to be noted that the PHC verdict allowing the allocation of reserved seats to the ruling coalition comprising the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and others, led to them securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

In the National Assembly, the PML-N was allocated 14 seats and the PPP and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) were given five and three additional seats, respectively.

The move propelled the PML-N's number in the lower house to 123, and PPP to 73, whereas the PTI-backed SIC number stood at 82.

In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the JUI-F was given 10 seats, the PML-N was allocated seven, whereas the Awami National Party got one reserved seat.

In Punjab, the PML-N got 23, the PPP secured two, whereas the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) got one reserved seat each.

Meanwhile, in the Sindh Assembly, the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement were allocated two and one seats, respectively.

A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Mansoor, Justice Minallah and Justice Mazhar, took up the SIC's plea on June 6 and suspended PHC's verdict as well as the ECP's decision on the said issue.

Following the SC's decision to suspend the ECP order, the coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the lower house.

A 13-member full-court bench, constituted on May 31, then took up the issue and held a total of nine hearings on the crucial matter — the first hearing being conducted on June 3.

The SIC's plea, however, was opposed by both the federal government and the electoral body.

In its submission to the court via Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, the government urged the apex court to reject the SIC's plea stressing that the reserved seats for minorities and women could be given to a political party which contested the polls and won at least one seat besides providing a list of candidates based on the total number of seats it won as per the law.

Meanwhile, the ECP also adopted a somewhat similar argument contending that the party is not eligible to get reserved seats as it did not submit the list of candidates before the January 24 deadline.

Furthermore, the PML-N also submitted its written arguments before the court that the SIC is not entitled to the reserved seats as it neither contested the February 8 polls nor provided the list of candidates.

It also argued that the party didn't win a single seat, which as per the written submission, was necessary to qualify for the allocation of reserved seats.

"None of the members of SIC contesting for the reserved seats filed their nomination papers let alone with the mandatory requirement of filing them with the list," it said, adding that since the nomination papers were never filed, the same were never scrutinised and none was held eligible to contest the elections.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Pakistan SC declares Imran’s PTI eligible for reserved seats for women, non-Muslims

Jul 13, 2024

ISLAMABAD: In a major legal win for jailed former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday declared his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party eligible for allocation of seats reserved for women and non-Muslims in the national and provincial legislatures, increasing pressure on PM Shehbaz Sharif’s weak coalition government.

The apex court’s 8-5 majority judgment has not only paved the way for PTI’s return to parliament but has also increased the pressure on the coalition alliance by changing the composition of the National Assembly. PTI was kicked out of the Feb 8 polls owing to the Dec 2023 ruling of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The PTI-backed candidates had contested and won the Feb 8, 2024 elections as independents after their party was stripped of its election symbol of cricket bat. After the polls, they had joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) party to claim a share of reserved seats as independents were not eligible for the extra seats. The electoral body, however, ruled that the SIC was not entitled to claim the reserved seats “due to having non-curable legal defects and violation of a mandatory provision of submission of party list for reserved seats.”

The commission had decided to distribute the seats among other parliamentary parties, with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) becoming major beneficiaries with 16 and five additional seats in the National Assembly.

Friday’s verdict, however, nullified the Peshawar high court’s order wherein it had upheld the election regulator’s decision denying the reserved seats to the SIC. The top court also declared the ECP’s ruling to be ultra vires to the constitution, without lawful authority and of no legal effect.

“It is declared that lack of denial of an election symbol does not in any way affect the right of a political party to participate in an election,” the court order said, adding that PTI was and is a political party.

It further stated that the elected members of PTI could not be declared independents or candidates of the SIC and gave the PTI 15 days to submit its list of candidates entitled for reserved seats to the election commission.

ECP, the order said, should then publish the list of reserved seats of the candidates on its website within seven days.

“The seats allocated to the PTI after this stage will be considered as their seats. Once the PTI gets its seats in parliament, it will be eligible for the reserved seats,” said the ruling.

PTI spokesman Raoof Hassan lauded the SC for “breaking the barriers of intimidation”. “This is only the beginning of a long haul till we reach the final destination when Imran Khan shall take over as the Pakistan PM,” he said.

The governing coalition still has well over 200 members of the 336-member lower house of parliament but the judgment has effectively denied a two-third majority to them that they were hoping for. Khan’s party strength stood at 84 in the National Assembly before the decision and is expected to rise to over 100.

Under Pakistan’s election rules, parties are allocated 70 reserved seats – 60 for women, 10 for non-Muslims – in proportion to the number of seats they win. This completes the National Assembly’s total strength of 336 seats.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Pakistan, Azerbaijan agree to enhance bilateral trade, investment

July 13, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan and Azerbaijan on Friday affirmed their commitment to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity, defence and people-to-people linkages.

These topics were discussed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, at Aiwan-i-Sadr.

Welcoming President Ilham Aliyev, President Zardari said that both countries enjoyed excellent relations and had a great scope of further improving ties in various areas of mutual interest.

He underlined the need for more regular engagements between the people and businessmen of Pakistan and Azerbaijan to cement bilateral ties.

President Zardari meets Ilham Aliyev; delegations from two sides discuss cooperation in oil and gas sector

He highlighted the importance of Gwadar port, suggesting that Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan could benefit from it for promoting regional trade, connectivity and tourism, besides bringing shared economic prosperity to the region.

Mr Zardari welcomed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, adding that the MoUs would give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science and technology, law and justice, and culture.

On his part, President Ilham Aliyev said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoyed a high frequency of people-to-people exchanges and both the countries needed to promote business-to-business relations for enhancing economic relations.

He stated that Pakistan and Azerbaijan could also explore the possibility of working together in the renewable energy sector.

Later, President Zardari also hosted a banquet in honour of President Ilham Aliyev and members of his delegation, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, parliamen-tarians, diplomats, and journalists, at the President’s House.

Bilateral trade

On the side lines of the visit, a high-level official delegation of Azerbaijan held meeting with federal Minister for Petroleum and Water Resources Dr Musadik Malik to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Dr Musadik Malik welcomed the Azerbaijan delegation, led by Azerbaijan Minister for Energy Parviz Shahbazov, and gave a detailed presentation on the investment opportunities in Pakistan.

He said that Pakistan aimed for diversified markets in the region and partner-

ing economic corridors stretching from Central Asia to Europe.

He highlighted the vast investment opportunities in mines and minerals, particularly gold and copper in Pakistan.

During the meeting, cooperation in oil and gas sector was also discussed. Dr Musadik said that Pakistan was a huge demand centre for energy and both countries could also together leverage the IT potential, especially artificial intelligence, machine learning and the human resource training.

The Azerbaijan side expressed its keen desire to begin working on proposals presented by Pakistani side for enhancing trade and, in this regard, resolved to strengthen working groups between the two countries.

Mr Shahbazov thanked Pakistan side for the detailed briefing on the investment opportunities. He underlined the importance of holding working groups meetings at an early date.

Both sides agreed to appoint focal persons, short list projects and present them to the leadership at an early date for their approval.

Source: dawn.com

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Pond of historical gurdwara retrieved in Sialkot

July 13, 2024

NAROWAL: The district administration of Sialkot has retrieved a pond and land adjacent to the historical Gurdwara Babey Di Beri on the Zafarwal Road after 77 years.

The land was occupied by the influential Hijra family since the Partition. A joint operation was conducted against the occupiers by the district administration, municipal committee, revenue department and the police.

The influential family had built a cattle pen and shops on the land while a political party had built its office and the local people had also constructed some houses on the land of the Sikh community, according to Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Muhammad Iqbal. The special team demolished the shops, political party office, cattle pen set up on the land.

The district administration has ended the illegal occupation of eight kanal and 18 marla land of the pond belonging to the Sikh community, said the district administration spokesperson Syed Waqar Javed. He told Dawn that Maharaja Ranjit Singh had constructed the current building of the gurdwara and the pond. He said that after the partition of India in 1947, the pond was closed and later local people occupied its land.

Muhammad Iqbal said the land retrieved from the mafia would be handed over to the Auqaf Department. He said strict legal action would be taken against the employees of the Auqaf Department found involved in the illegal occupation.

The Sikh community thanked the district administration for handing over the land to them.

Source: dawn.com

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Khyber jirga asks TTP to hand over killers of tribesmen

July 13, 2024

KHYBER: A jirga of the Bar Qambarkhel tribe here on Friday rejected an apology of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the killing of two tribesmen and demanded the militant outfit hand over the suspected killers for punishment.

The jirga, which was held in Tirah, condemned the TTP’s involvement in the recent violent acts in the region. It demanded that the militant organisation surrender the assailants for punishment according to Sharia.

The participants complained about the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the valley.

The jirga also decided to expel the locals found affiliated with militant groups from the area and torch their houses.

The decision came after the TTP issued an apology for the “mistaken” killing of the two tribesmen in the area during an attack on a local elder’s vehicle on July 10.

On Friday, spokesman for the TTP Mohammad Khurasani issued a statement, insisting that the outfit’s armed men encountered Malik Zahir Shah, his nephew, a guard, and a resident in the Saransar area of Bar Qambarkhel, leading to an exchange of fire.

Meanwhile, the police in the Khyber tribal district have urged all those who were named in a recent threatening letter of two little-known militant groups to adopt extra measures for their protection against possible attacks.

On July 9, Lashkar Al-Jihad and Ghazwaul Hind issued a statement accusing 24 people, including serving and retired police officials, four journalists and some tribal elders, of spying for security and intelligence agencies in the region.

The militant outfits threatened to kill them all. Most of those men have gone into hiding, while the others demanded extra measures by police for their security.

Source: dawn.com

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Three tribesmen killed in Dera Murad Jamali armed clash

July 13, 2024

DERA MURAD JAMALI: Three tribesmen were killed in an armed clash between two groups in Dera Murad Jamali area of Nasirabad district on Friday.

According to police, the cause of the armed clash between two groups of the Rad tribe was an honour issue.

Police said some armed men of one group opened fire on a their rival group’s member, identified as Dur Muhammad, near Pat Feeder Canal area. He jumped into the canal to save himself, but could not survive and drowned.

After receiving information about the attack, armed men of his group attacked the house of their opponents in Manjodhori area, triggering a heavy exchange of fire which continued for half an hour.

The firing left two people, one each from both sides, dead.

Local police rushed to the area after receiving the information about the clash and shifted bodies of the victims to Dera Murad Jamali hospital where the deceased were identified as Nazeer Ahmad and Abdul Haleem.

“The cause of armed attack was honour killing issue which sparked the armed clash,” a senior police officer told Dawn. He said police are trying to arrest the people involved in the firing.

Source: dawn.com

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Three security men martyred in KP targeted attacks

July 13, 2024

LAKKI MARWAT/KHYBER/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Five people, including three security men, lost their lives in different incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday and Friday, according to officials.

In Janikhel town of Bannu district late on Thursday night, two Frontier Constabulary men were martyred in a targeted attack.

A police official who confirmed the incident said armed assailants opened fire on soldiers who had come to their native area on leave.

“It is an incident of target killing,” he said, adding that the attackers escaped the area after the incident.

FC personnel and cop were on leave in their native areas; two bodies recovered from South Waziristan

Police have launched a search operation to arrest the attackers.

The deceased were identified as Akhtar Ali, 32, and Sulaiman, 33. Their bodies were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Bannu.

In another attack, Constable Israr Ahmad embraced martyrdom when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at him near Khan Kalim Stop in Bar Qambarkhel area of tehsil Bara, according to local police.

The martyred constable was on his way home to spend the holidays.

The police have initiated a search operation in the area and established additional checkpoints in different parts of Bara to arrest the assailants.

Later, the funeral of Constable Ahmad was offered at the Police Training Centre, Shah Kas, and was attended by local police officials, relatives, and locals.

Two bodies discovered

Two men also lost their lives in separate incidents in Lower and Upper South Waziristan districts.

Officials said that Haider Khan Meh­so­­od, who was abducted on Thursday night from the Upper South Waziristan district, was shot dead by unknown persons.

Upper South Waziristan District Police Officer Malik Habib told Dawn that the victim was kidnapped by unknown armed persons from the limits of Sararogha police station in the Litta area.

He said the victim’s body was handed over to his relatives, and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

In the Birmal Tehsil of Lower South Waziristan district, a bullet-riddled body was found in the drain.

The victim was later identified as Musa Khan Ada Khel Wazir hailing from the Landi Doag area of the tehsil.

According to police sources, the victim was shot before his body was dumped.

The attacks have been reported days after four army personnel were martyred in exchanges of fire with terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Waziristan districts on Tuesday, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Source: dawn.com

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Quetta to suspend internet, cellphone services on Muharram 7, 10

July 13, 2024

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Meer Zia ullah Langau on Friday said the internet and cellphone services would remain suspended in Quetta on Muharram 7 and 10 from 6am to 12am midnight.

Additionally, the provincial government has imposed Section 144 in seven districts as it ramps up security measures in Muharram.

Muharram began on July 8 with the sighting of the lunar month's crescent in Pakistan.

Faithful hold processions and majalis across the country in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings amid tight security, with thousands of law enforcers deployed to ensure security.

During his visit to review security arrangements in various areas of the metropolis, Langov said 8,000 security personnel would be deployed in Quetta on the day of Ashura, 10th Muharram.

Meanwhile, five Quick Response Force platoons of Pakistan Army would remain on standby.

Whereas, the home minister said that the cellphone services would be suspended in Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad and Usta Muhammad districts on Muharram 9 and 10.

The provincial government has also banned pillion riding and imposed Section 144 from Muharram 1 till 10 in seven districts.

It was the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order situation in the city, stated Langov, apprising media that security arrangements regarding Muharram had been completed.

On the other hand, the federal government on July 8 approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) across the country as a security measure during Muharram.

According to a notification issued by the interior ministry, the government has sought the deployment of the military to maintain law and order.

The notification states that the details of troop deployment, which will be enforced for an indefinite period, will be finalised with the authorities concerned.

Additionally, the notification stated: "The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders."

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Arab World

 

Madinah participates in Quality of Life and UN Habitat programs

July 12, 2024

NEW YORK: The Madinah Region Development Authority took part in the “Quality of Life Initiative to Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals”, an event organized by the Quality of Life Program — one of the initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 — and the UN Human Settlements Program.

The event was held on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at UN headquarters in New York from July 8 to 18.

Participants included Nava Guerrero, the mayor of Queretaro, Mexico, and Abdulrahman bin Hassan Ibrahim, executive director of data and innovation at the MDRA.

He drew attention to Madinah’s efforts in localizing sustainable development goals and its selection as one of the first five cities in the global Quality of Life Index initiative. He also highlighted Saudi authorities’ efforts to localize sustainable development goals.

Madinah achieved the gold level in the SDG Cities program, awarded by UN-Habitat. This makes Madinah the first Saudi city, the first in the Arab world, and the third globally to receive this recognition.

UN-Habitat is a program that works for a better urban future by contributing to the development of socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements and ensuring adequate shelter for all.

Source: arabnews.com

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How Saudi Arabia’s hunting laws are protecting its wildlife

July 12, 2024

RIYADH: Though far from the wild tundra of Alaska and the wide grasslands of South Africa, Saudi Arabia still offers hunters and falconers an engaging hunting experience. Hunting has been a popular activity in the country for many years, attracting both locals and tourists.

However, hunting can also have a severe negative impact on native wildlife. Overhunting in the past led to the serious decline of many species, from the Arabian leopard to the ibex and oryx.

In recent times, along with a multitude of other eco-friendly measures, the Kingdom has implemented strict rules and regulations governing animal hunting to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations and protect endangered species.

Hunting laws and regulations

In Saudi Arabia, individuals who wish to engage in hunting must first obtain necessary permits from the authorities. There are two main types of hunting permits available — recreational permits for personal use and commercial permits for hunting activities conducted for profit.

Certain hunting practices are strictly prohibited, such as using automatic weapons, hunting during breeding seasons, and targeting endangered species. Bag limits and size restrictions are also in place for different game species to prevent excessive hunting and maintain healthy population levels.

Furthermore, safety regulations, such as wearing appropriate hunting gear and practicing firearm safety, are enforced to protect both hunters and the surrounding environment.

Violators of these laws can expect fines and the confiscation of their hunting equipment, with hunting without a license using firearms costing rule-breakers $21,300. Poaching or hunting protected species can lead to substantial fines and even imprisonment.

Law enforcement and monitoring

These laws and regulations are enforced by Saudi Arabia’s Special Forces for Environmental Security, or SFES. Using modern technology and social media, SFES has enhanced its outreach, enabling it to intervene in illegal activities such as hunting, logging, and the sale of wild animals, thereby safeguarding the country’s rich biological diversity.

Patrol activities have been initiated across various provinces to ensure the adherence to conservation laws, reflecting a proactive approach to wildlife management. This month, the SFES announced the arrest of two Saudi citizens for hunting without licenses inside the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve.

The SFES also enforces the Kingdom’s other environmental laws, including illegal logging and grazing of livestock in prohibited areas.

Protected species and environmental havens

Various types of animals are protected under special laws, including endangered species such as Arabian leopards, Arabian wolves, and the terrestrial birds known as houbara bustard. Through the implementation of hunting regulations, the country has witnessed the revival of populations of endangered species such as the famed Arabian oryx.

Abdulmajeed Al-Dhaban, executive vice president of operations at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve, praised the Kingdom’s strict hunting laws and highlighted the central role they play in the protection of the natural environment of the region.

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve, established in 2018, is a more than 91,000 sq km eco-tourism reserve dedicated to protecting the more than 180 plant and 60 animal species living within its borders

The reserve is also governed by a comprehensive set of regulations covering beekeeping, entry and transit, grazing, visiting and camping, recreational activities, and sustainable fishing.

“By establishing these integrated guidelines, we aim to strike a careful balance between preserving the reserve’s delicate ecosystems and allowing controlled public access and use. Our goal is to safeguard the natural wonders of this protected area while also facilitating responsible enjoyment and appreciation by the local community and visitors,” Al-Dhaban told Arab News.

The reserve was used for a groundbreaking conservation program — the reintroduction of the Arabian oryx, which had been extinct in the wild since 1972. Since its establishment in 2021, the program has reintroduced hundreds of oryxes back into their natural habitat.

Community engagement

Saudi Arabia has also engaged in joint conservation projects with entities such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

However, those in the Kingdom dedicated to conservation stress the need for a community-based approach, with Saudi Arabia’s own citizens getting involved.

“At the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority, we’re deeply committed to cultivating environmental awareness and engaging the community in our initiatives,” Al-Dhaban said.

“Our goal is to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection through a diverse array of beneficial projects. We firmly believe that empowering the community to participate in these efforts is key to making a lasting, positive impact.”

The authority’s main priority is to sustain the preservation for future generations through initiatives, projects, and events organized throughout the year with the participation of individuals from all age groups.

“The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority is keen to raise awareness among young people and children of the importance of preserving the purity of nature and promoting their sense of responsibility from a young age toward the environment, wildlife and innate organisms, the attack on which is contrary to religious values and human principles. A simplified awareness-raising content is provided that explains the importance of preserving wildlife and flora and the individual’s responsibility toward the environment,” Al-Dhaban said.

Throughout the year, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority organizes numerous events such as the Zubaida Trail Winter Festival and celebrations of holidays such as Eid Al-Adha, all of which include many activities that integrate environmental awareness, education, and recreation for the whole family.

One of the authority’s most recent projects, launched in May in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, is a tree-planting initiative with the participation of primary school students.

“This was not the first time that the reserve had organized afforestation and seedling farming initiatives with the participation of community volunteers, as the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve has so far grown more than 600,000 trees,” Al-Dhaban said

Ecotourism

As Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry grows under the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, so too does the ecotourism trend in the country.

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority supports productive families and entrepreneurs through interactive initiatives aimed at developing job skills, which in turn enable the protection of the natural environment, biodiversity, and environmental balance, the promotion and preservation of community heritage, and the revitalization of ecotourism.

Connecting with animals and their habitats is a vital aspect of fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and wildlife, promoting environmental conservation, and enhancing personal well-being through interaction with nature.

In Saudi Arabia, some preservation efforts have taken a unique approach by opening resorts within these habitats. Under the guidance of the Sustainable Tourism Global Center, announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the COP26 conference in 2021, Saudi firms aim to build high-end resorts and lodges to promote eco-friendly adventures and agritourism.

These resorts offer a blend of luxury accommodation and immersive wildlife experiences, allowing guests to appreciate the power and beauty of Saudi Arabia’s diverse natural environments — and hopefully, fostering a sense of care about their preservation for generations to come.

Source: arabnews.com

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Prince Majid Park blooms with entertainment, culture and fun for Jeddah Season

July 12, 2024

JEDDAH: The highly anticipated Jeddah Season 2024 has officially launched with the opening of Prince Majid Park, the season’s first free zone. The park, the largest in Jeddah, promises a wide range of entertainment for all ages, from exhilarating shows to captivating cultural experiences.

Visitors enter a whimsical world, beginning in flower land, where flower-themed characters dressed in costume greet guests with smiles and offer photo opportunities. The centerpiece of the zone is a magnificent fountain, its cascading water dancing to music and creating a breathtaking visual spectacle.

Next, art land offers a haven for budding artists and art enthusiasts, where children can unleash their creativity in workshops, crafting candles and engaging in various art projects. Skilled artists display their creativity and talent in dedicated booths, offering visitors the opportunity to have their portraits painted. Exhibitions by local artists provide a platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange.

“It’s incredibly enjoyable to share my art with the visitors,” said Mohammed Salim, an Egyptian artist, as he sketched a visitor’s portrait. “There are so many of us here, creating live drawings and paintings, either capturing the faces of the people who come by or working from images they bring us. It’s a wonderful way to showcase our talents and connect with people on a very personal level.”

Little friend land is a paradise for young adventurers, where children can immerse themselves in a world of Lego, unleash their imagination with whiteboards and paper, and enjoy a variety of engaging activities.

Likewise, festival land is a vibrant hub for shopping, dining and games, where visitors can browse through a selection of shops, indulge in culinary delights at the food court, and enjoy live musical performances at the mini-stage.

The main stage at Prince Majid Park transforms into a hub of entertainment, hosting four shows daily, with performances ranging from dazzling circus acts with breathtaking acrobatics to electrifying DJ sets that will leave audiences in wonder. For those seeking a tranquil escape, wood land offers a labyrinth game and a lush green area. 

Adding to the festive atmosphere, parade shows burst on to the scene every half hour, creating a whirlwind of energy and excitement. Each show lasts 30 minutes, adding a vibrant layer to the park’s atmosphere. A show by stilt walkers, with participants dressed in colorful costumes, adds a touch of eccentricity with three daily shows.

For those seeking a break from the festivities, the park offers a spacious play area with swings and slides, ensuring fun for children of all ages.

“I’ve never seen a park quite like Prince Majid Park,” said Najm Fatima, a local resident. “It’s a vibrant explosion of colors, laughter and entertainment. It’s a place where everyone can find something to enjoy, whether you’re an art enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or just looking for a relaxing day out.”

Her friend, Sarah, said: “The kids are having a blast, especially with the stilt walkers and the Lego building area. It’s truly a place for families to make memories together.”

Mohammed Ali said that he had never seen children so enthralled by art as he watched a group of children excitedly sketching alongside him. “Their energy at Prince Majid Park is infectious, reminding us that art and performance can bring joy and wonder to people of all ages,” he said.

Prince Majid Park goes beyond entertainment, providing a vibrant center for the community. This grand celebration of Jeddah Season 2024 promises a memorable experience, offering attractions that cater to all tastes and interests.

While entry to the park is free, visitors still need to book ticket online through the Saudi Events app.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Embassy in Poland organizes celebration of UN’s adoption of Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day

July 12, 2024

WARSAW: The Saudi Embassy in Poland organized a cultural and educational event to celebrate the UN’s adoption of Nov. 24 of every year as World Conjoined Twins Day, an initiative by the Kingdom to raise awareness of these human conditions, celebrate achievements in the field of separation surgeries and introduce the Saudi Program for Conjoined Twins Separation.

The event was attended by Polish officials and parliamentarians, the Polish twins Daria and Olga Kolacz, the president and students of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Promoting Cultural and Educational Dialogue in Janikowo, Poland, and the city’s deputy mayor, as well as a number of media personnel and diplomats.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Water Authority, World Bank sign cooperation agreement

July 11, 2024

RIYADH: The Saudi Water Authority, represented by its President Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, signed a cooperation agreement with the World Bank as part of the Saudi Ministry of Finance’s technical cooperation program with the international institution.

The agreement aims to benefit from the authority’s expertise in developing the water sector and from its know-how in managing water resources by reducing operational costs.

It also aims to invest the accumulated research and engineering expertise to enhance water security through knowledge transfer.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi authority is first in world to achieve ISO’s new AI management system certification

July 11, 2024

RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence has become the first organization in the world to achieve the International Standards Organization’s 42001:2023 certification for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ISO standard, which was introduced in December last year, is the first of its kind for AIMS. It provides guidance on addressing the challenges posed by AI, such as ethical values, transparency and continuous learning.

It also defines a systematic approach for managing risks and opportunities, and for achieving a balance between innovation and governance in organizations that adopt AI technologies in their work.

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, the president of SDAIA, said he was proud of the accreditation and that it represents recognition of the implementation by the authority of appropriate standards and practices related to management of AI, and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation for excellence in the field of data and AI.

He added that the authority’s progress and successes would not be possible without the continuing support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is chairman of its board of directors.

This support enables the organization to serve as a national reference point for data and AI, he added, and to regulate, develop and manage the implementation of these technologies in ways that ensure they are properly governed and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the field.

Source: arabnews.com

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North America

 

Alabama agrees to forgo autopsy of Muslim inmate scheduled to be executed next week

July 12, 2024

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has agreed to forgo an autopsy on a Muslim death row inmate, scheduled to be executed next week, who said the post-mortem procedure would violate his religious beliefs.

Keith Edmund Gavin had filed a lawsuit against the state seeking to avoid the autopsy, which is typically performed after executions in Alabama. The Alabama prison system in a Friday statement said it had agreed to forgo the autopsy.

“No autopsy will be performed on Keith Edmund Gavin. His remains will be picked up by the attending funeral home,” the Alabama Department of Corrections said in an emailed statement.

Gavin, 64, is set to be executed July 18 by lethal injection at a south Alabama prison.

Gavin filed a lawsuit last month asking a judge to block the state from performing an autopsy after his execution. His attorneys did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

“Mr. Gavin is a devout Muslim. His religion teaches that the human body is a sacred temple, which must be kept whole. As a result, Mr. Gavin sincerely believes that an autopsy would desecrate his body and violate the sanctity of keeping his human body intact. Based on his faith, Mr. Gavin is fiercely opposed to an autopsy being performed on his body after his execution,” his attorneys wrote in the lawsuit filed in state court in Montgomery.

His attorneys said they filed the lawsuit after being unable to have “meaningful discussions” with state officials about his request to avoid an autopsy. They added that the court filing is not an attempt to stay the execution and that “Gavin does not anticipate any further appeals or requests for stays of his execution.”

William Califf, a spokesman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, said earlier this week that “we are working on a resolution” in the case.

Gavin was convicted of capital murder for the 1998 shooting death of William Clinton Clayton Jr. in Cherokee County in northeast Alabama. Clayton, a delivery driver, had stopped at an ATM to get money to take his wife to dinner when he was shot, prosecutors said.

A jury voted 10-2 in favor of the death penalty for Gavin. The trial court accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced him to death.

Source: thestar.com

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CAIR Launches Survey to Assess Maryland Muslim Students’ Experiences in Public Education

July 12, 2024

The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the launch of its 2024 School Climate Survey for Muslim students attending Maryland public schools.

“The safety and well-being of our children in schools is a top priority,” said CAIR’s Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi. “Participating in this survey will help us recognize and bridge the gaps in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.”

The survey is designed to assess and gather data on the experiences of Muslim students in Maryland public schools to better understand and address issues related to Islamophobia, bullying, and discrimination in the school environment.

The insights gained will help inform policy recommendations and initiatives to create a more supportive and equitable educational environment for Muslim students.

The survey is part of CAIR’s ongoing efforts to create a safe and inclusive educational atmosphere for all students.

Key Objectives of the Survey:

Understand Experiences: Gather data on the experiences of Muslim students regarding discrimination, bullying, and inclusivity.

Identify Challenges: Identify specific challenges faced by Muslim students in public schools.

Policy Recommendations: Develop data-driven policy recommendations to improve the school climate for Muslim students.

Raise Awareness: Increase awareness about the issues faced by Muslim students among educators, policymakers, and the broader community.

CAIR is America’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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Terrorism and organized crime rampant in Sahel and spilling into West Africa coastal states, UN says

July 13, 2024

UNITED NATIONS: Terrorism and organized crime by violent extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Daesh are a “pervasive threat” in Africa’s volatile Sahel region and are spilling over to West Africa’s coastal countries, the top UN envoy for the area warned Friday.

Leonardo Simão, the UN special representative for the Sahel and West Africa, said the focus on combating terrorism has had limited effect in stopping rampant illegal trafficking in the Sahel and the effort needs more police.

“It’s drugs, it’s weapons, it’s human beings, it’s mineral resources, and even food,” Simão said after briefing the UN Security Council.

According to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ new report on the Sahel and West Africa, hundreds of people have been killed in the first half of 2024 alone in terrorist attacks, many of them civilians..

The vast majority of deaths occurred in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, whose ruling military juntas in March announced a joint security force to fight terrorism, though the force has yet to begin operations. The three countries are increasingly cutting ties with the US military and allying with Russia on its security challenges.

Last week, the three juntas doubled down on their decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States, the nearly 50-year-old regional bloc known as ECOWAS, following the creation of their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September.

Simão did not comment on the countries’ international alliances, but said their withdrawals from ECOWAS will be “harmful to both sides.” He lauded ECOWAS for taking a’ “vigorous approach” to engaging with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and urged the countries to maintain regional unity.

He called for the UN’s continued support of the Accra Initiative, a military platform involving Burkina Faso and nearby coastal countries to contain the spread of extremism in the Sahel. He also said the Security Council should pursue financing regionally led police operations.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed support for ECOWAS and UN efforts in West Africa and the Sahel and said the Security Council “must also step up.”

Thomas-Greenfield urged increased funding and the appointment of a UN resident coordinator in the region, saying a UN presence is critical to support UN development efforts “as well as ensuring the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance.”

Russia’s deputy ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, countered that international security efforts amount to an “attempt to continue imposing new colonial models” on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. She accused Western donors of limiting assistance for “political reasons.”

“Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are conducting an uncompromising and coordinated fight against terrorist groups and they are achieving success and stabilizing their territories,” Evstigneeva said.

The region’s deadliest terrorist attacks this year took place in Burkina Faso, where the militant terrorist groups Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, and the Daesh claim “extensive swaths” of territory, Guterres said in the report. In February alone, major terrorist attacks killed 301 people, including a single assault that claimed 170 lives.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there were 361 conflict-related deaths in Niger during the first three months of 2024, a significant increase from 250 over the same period last year.

Guterres encouraged the “accelerated implementation” of remaining security agreements, including recent plans for a counterterrorism center in Nigeria and the deployment of an ECOWAS standby force to help eradicate terrorism.

The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have ended long-standing foreign military partnerships in recent years.

In 2022, France withdrew its troops from Mali over tensions with the junta, followed by a military withdrawal from Niger at the government’s request..

The UN ended its 10-year peacekeeping mission in Mali in December 2023 at the junta’s insistence. It had been the deadliest UN peacekeeping mission, with more than 300 personnel killed.

The US military is set to conclude its withdrawal from Niger, also at the junta’s request, by Sept. 15.

Guterres said regional insecurity “continues to impact negatively on the humanitarian and human rights situation.”

The report said 25.8 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria need humanitarian assistance this year. Those four countries had more than 6.2 million people internally displaced and 630,000 refugees in April. In addition, 32.9 million people faced food insecurity.

Guterres said humanitarian agencies lack adequate funding, having received only 13 percent of the $3.2 billion needed for 2024. “Without additional funding, millions of vulnerable people will be left without vital support,” he said in the report.

Source: arabnews.com

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US Navy pilots come home after months of shooting down Houthi missiles and drones

July 13, 2024

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia: US Navy fighter pilots came home to Virginia feeling relieved Friday after months of shooting down Houthi-launched missiles and drones off Yemen’s coast in the most intense running sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II.

F/A-18 Super Hornets swooped over waiting families in a low formation before landing at their base in Virginia Beach. Dressed in green flight suits, the aviators embraced women in summer dresses and kids carrying American flags. Some handed red roses to their wives and daughters.

“We’re going to go sit down on the couch, and we’re going to try and make up for nine months of lost time,” Cmdr. Jaime Moreno said while hugging his two young daughters, ages 2 and 4, and kissing his wife Lynn.

Clearing the emotion from his voice, Moreno said he couldn’t be prouder of his team and “everything that the last nine months have entailed.”

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group, which includes three other warships, was protecting merchant vessels and allied warships under fire in a vital Red Sea corridor that leads to the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain in what they say is a campaign to support the militant group Hamas in its war the Gaza against Israel, though they frequently have targeted ships with no clear links to Israel or its supporters, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

The US and its allies have been fighting back: One round of fire in January saw F/A-18s from the Eisenhower and other ships shoot down 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis.

US Navy sailors have seen incoming Houthi-launched missiles seconds before they are destroyed by their ship’s defensive systems. Officials in the Pentagon have been talking about how to care for the sailors when they return home, including counseling and treatment for possible post-traumatic stress.

Cmdr. Benjamin Orloff, a Navy pilot, told reporters in Virginia Beach on Friday that most of the sailors, including him, weren’t used to being fired on given the nation’s previous military engagements in recent decades.

“It was incredibly different,” Orloff said. “And I’ll be honest, it was a little traumatizing for the group. It’s something that we don’t think about a lot until you’re presented with it.”

But at the same time, Orloff said sailors responded with grit and resilience.

“What’s impressive is how all those sailors turned right around — — and given the threat, given that stress — — continued to do their jobs beyond reproach,” Orloff said, adding that it was “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

The carrier strike group had left Virginia in mid-October. Its deployment was extended twice because of the importance of having a powerful carrier strike group, which can launch fighter jets at a moment’s notice, in the volatile region.

The months of fighting and extensions placed extra stress on roughly 7,000 sailors and their families.

Caitlyn Jeronimus, whose husband Keith is a Navy lieutenant commander and pilot, said she initially thought this deployment would be relatively easy, involving some exercises with other NATO countries. But then Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and plans changed.

“It was going to be, if you could call it, a fun deployment where he’s going to get lots of ports to visit,” Jeronimus said.

She said the Eisenhower’s plans continued to change, which was exacerbated by the knowledge that there were “people who want to harm the ship.”

Jeronimus leaned on counselors provided by the Navy.

Her two children, aged 5 and 8, were old enough to understand “that daddy has been gone for a long time,” she said. “It was stressful.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Social media image showing ‘Muslims paying tribute to Keir Starmer’ is not real

12 JULY 2024

An image has been shared on social media with the caption: “Muslims pay tribute to Keir Starmer outside Number 10,” but this is not a genuine photo.

The image supposedly shows rows of people on prayer mats outside Number 10 Downing Street with the suggestion this is related to Sir Keir Starmer being elected as the UK Prime Minister following the election on 4 July.

The image was shared both before and after the general election took place.

However, there are multiple visual clues that suggest the image is inauthentic, and most likely created using artificial intelligence (AI).

To start, two figures in the front row are warped so that feet appear instead of heads, while the hands of other figures—although they’re in the right place—are misshapen and without any details or texture, such as fingers. 

The image also shows a red-brick property next door to Number 10. But images from Google Street View show that the neighbouring properties are all the same colour brick as Number 10, and there’s only one window separating the neighbouring door on one side, while there’s no door on the other side, contrary to what the social media image shows.

Another clue is that the house numbers on the neighbouring doors do not appear to be genuine numbers—AI often struggles to correctly generate letters and numbers.

Moreover, Full Fact could find no evidence of there being any such event outside Number 10. We’ve contacted Number 10 for comment, and will update this article if we receive a response.

You can read our guide to AI-generated images and videos for more information on how to spot artificially generated content.

Source: fullfact.org

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Reform voters, including Tommy Robinson, in ‘meltdown’ after party appoints Muslim chair

 2024-07-12

This isn’t what you would call a ‘good look’ for a party determined to prove it isn’t a hot-bed for Islamaphobia and discrimination. A leadership restructuring over at Reform HQ has caused an almighty backlash among some of the party’s supporters.

Habib out, Yusuf in – Reform change party leadership line-up

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Ben Habib would be replaced as Deputy Leader by Richard Tice. As you’d expect, Habib – who failed to win a seat as an MP at this election – was none too pleased by the news.

Taking to his Twitter/X account, the outspoken politician openly lashed-out at the decision, revealing that he has ‘long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes’. That wasn’t the only big change, however.

Who is Zia Yusuf, the new chair of Reform?

Reform leader Nigel Farage confirmed that Zia Yusuf, a multi-millionaire donor to the party and a self described ‘British Muslim patriot’, had been appointed as party chair. Senior colleagues rushed to congratulate Yusuf… but others aren’t so happy.

Tommy Robinson blasts ‘disappointing’ changes

Scores of voters who supported Reform last week have posted their disapproval on social media. Perhaps the most profile of the lot is none other than Tommy Robinson. Despite publicly backing Mr. Farage, it seems the EDL founder is having second thoughts.

And yes, it solely comes down to the fact that Yusuf is a practicing Muslim.

“Most people supported Reform because of their concerns with Islamisation. How can anyone have faith that they will tackle it when their main funder and now chairman is a follower of Islam? What a disappointment!”

“There are five Reform MPs. I guarantee not one of them will question Islam and its teachings in Parliament . They will talk against immigration, but like the rest of the coward MPs, none of them will discuss the elephant in the room.” | Tommy Robinson

But wait, it gets worse…

Who remembers the priest that used to be on GB News? Well, another ‘Robinson’ – of the Calvin variety – also got his collar in a twist, echoing the sentiments raised by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon on Friday. His Tweet was equally as unhinged.

“Just when Reform started to gain momentum, Farage selects a ‘Mohammedan’ to chair his party. Islam is incompatible with British values. This is a Christian country. Does Reform stand for Christian values or diversity and inclusion” | Calvin Robinson

Source: thelondoneconomic.com

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UN shown ‘drone evidence’ of Ukrainian attack on Europe’s largest nuclear plant

12 Jul, 2024

Russia has urged the UN not to support Ukraine’s claims to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the largest such facility in Europe, accusing Kiev of launching strikes that frequently jeopardize the safety of the plant.

Speaking at a UN General Assembly meeting on Thursday, Russia’s deputy representative to the organization, Dmitry Polyansky, displayed a Ukrainian drone that allegedly hit the plant earlier this year. He said that attacks on the station by Kiev’s forces are “regular and numerous.”

“The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi formulated [principles] for ensuring safety at the Zaporozhye NPP,” Polyansky said, referring to the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“One of these principles – the prohibition of attacks on the plant – is regularly violated by Ukraine, as the agency experts at the [site] have the opportunity to verify. There is enough evidence of this – I have in my hands the wreckage of a Ukrainian UAV that attacked the Zaporozhye NPP on April 7,” the Russian diplomat stated.

Polyansky urged the assembly not to support the Kiev-pitched resolution, which demands the return of the plant to Ukraine’s control and the withdrawal of Russian troops and personnel from the site. The aim of the resolution is “to try to promote the false Western narrative about the source of threats to nuclear facilities in Ukraine,” the Russian diplomat argued.

“If Kiev were truly interested in ensuring nuclear security, it would not regularly carry out reckless attacks on the Zaporozhye NPP... This is the only real threat to nuclear facilities in Ukraine that exists today,” Polyansky stated. He claimed that by calling for Russia to abandon the plant, Kiev’s Western backers are simply trying to “smuggle in their own political agenda” unrelated to the facility’s safety.

The Zaporozhye NPP has been targeted multiple times since Russia took control of the plant in the early weeks of the Ukraine conflict. Kiev considers the facility to be illegally occupied, but has staunchly denied attacking it, placing the blame on Russia. Zaporozhye Region is among four former Ukrainian territories which voted to join Russia in 2022.

The IAEA maintains an observer mission at the site and has condemned the strikes on the station, but has declined to attribute blame for them, arguing that “indisputable evidence” is needed to establish who is responsible.

The 193-member UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted the resolution supporting Kiev’s claims to the plant with 99 votes in favor, nine against, and 60 abstentions. However, the resolution is not legally binding.

Source: rt.com

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Zelensky slams ‘crazy’ limits on Russia strikes

12 Jul, 2024

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky on Thursday lashed out at Kiev’s foreign backers for their reluctance to lift the remaining limitations on the use of Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes inside Russia.

Kiev already has the greenlight from several Western states to hit “legitimate” targets inside Russia with their weapons, as well as a concession from Washington to strike beyond Russia’s border near the city of Kharkov. However, Zelensky has been pushing for the strike range to be extended – a prospect Moscow has warned would constitute an escalation of the conflict.

Speaking at a press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, Zelensky claimed that allowing Kiev to launch unlimited long-range strikes inside Russia is crucial for “having Ukraine on the map” and not allowing Moscow to “attack half of the planet.”

“If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save our country and to defend it, we need to lift all the limitations,” Zelensky stated. He cited week’s tragedy at the Okhmatdet children’s hospital in Kiev, which Ukraine has claimed was hit by a Russian missile. Moscow has insisted that the facility was hit by a Ukrainian air-defense missile.

“That is a crazy question why we can’t answer and attack these… military bases from where these guided bombs from jets or missiles came, targeted us and killed our children,” Zelensky argued.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Kiev is deliberately using tragedies in its PR campaigns ahead of important international events to demand more support from the West. Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, claimed that Kiev’s Western supporters saw the hospital tragedy as a “perfect gift” to justify escalation of the conflict.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday reaffirmed the limits on how Ukraine can use American-supplied weapons, arguing that it “wouldn’t make sense” to allow Zelensky to strike deep inside Russia.

“We have allowed Zelensky to use American weapons in the near border regions of Russia. If he had the opportunity to strike Moscow, strike the Kremlin, would that make sense? No, it wouldn’t,” Biden said at a press briefing in Washington.

The UK, which has a ban on using its long-range Storm Shadow missiles to hit targets deep inside Russia, has also apparently distanced itself from earlier statements by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The premier on Wednesday signaled he was loosening restrictions on how the missiles are used, saying “it is for Ukraine to decide how to deploy [them].” However, according to a report by The Telegraph citing Downing Street, UK government policy “had not changed” regarding the deployment of the long-range missiles, and the limitations remain in place.

Source: rt.com

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Russia accuses EU mission of spying in ex-Soviet country

12 Jul, 2024

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has claimed that the EU mission in Armenia may be acting as a front for intelligence-gathering activities. He also alleged that NATO is covertly using Brussels’ presence in the country to gain a foothold in the South Caucasus region.

Last November, Yerevan signed off on an agreement stipulating the status of the EU mission on its border with Azerbaijan, which the Armenian parliament ratified in March 2024.

Speaking to RIA Novosti on Friday, Galuzin said that Russia views “the EU mission’s activities in Armenia negatively.”

“There is every reason to assume that Westerners are gathering intelligence on Russian facilities as well as all of Armenia’s neighbors,” the deputy foreign minister alleged. He pointed out that the EU mission personnel in Armenia are sending their reports directly to Brussels, apparently leaving even the host country in the dark about their contents.

Russia has a military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, located in the northwest of the country, not far from the Turkish border. The air force component of the Russian contingent is stationed in the capital, Yerevan.

According to the diplomat, the EU is seeking to establish itself in the South Caucasus region to the detriment of such neighboring nations as Russia, Iran, and Türkiye.

The official noted that Canadian representatives joined the mission back in April, despite the country not being a member of the EU. Given that Canada is part of NATO, Galuzin conjectured that its presence in Armenia de facto means that the US-led military bloc is attempting to increase its influence in the region.

The deputy foreign minister expressed concern over the prospect of the EU mission becoming permanent even though it has not tangibly improved the tense situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

According to the description on the mission’s website, it is “tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground, contributing to human security in conflict-affected areas and supporting the confidence building between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” The initiative, which was launched at the Armenian government’s request, has a two-year mandate and includes observers from 23 EU member states and Canada.

Last month, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that his country would pull out of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Yerevan has repeatedly called the bloc’s usefulness into question, arguing that it failed to come to Armenia’s rescue during its military standoffs with Azerbaijan during the past four years over the long-disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In September 2023, the Azerbaijani military conducted an offensive in the region that resulted in the dissolution of the self-declared Armenian breakaway state of Artsakh. Baku’s move was followed by a mass exodus of local militiamen and ethnic Armenians.

The Kremlin insists that the Armenian government itself recognized Azerbaijani sovereignty over the territory.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/russia/600925-russian-fm-eu-mission-armenia-spying/

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Southeast Asia

 

It is unfair to describe judges as ‘un-Islamic’, Aziz tells PAS

July 13, 2024

The judiciary was only following the laws of the land when it overturned the ban on gambling activities in Kedah.

Thus, according to Tebing Tinggi MP Abdul Aziz Bari, it is inappropriate and unfair that the state Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor presents himself as a champion of Islam and the High Court judge is against religion.

“PAS should remember that whatever the policy…

Source: malaysiakini.com

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/711725

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PM Anwar shares views with visiting US preacher Omar Suleiman on engineering Malaysia’s role in global Islamic development

13 Jul 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday spent time meeting famous American preacher Dr Omar Suleiman at his residence.

In a post on Facebook today, Anwar said in the meeting, they exchanged views on the development of Islam in the United States and the western world.

“We also discussed efforts to engineer Malaysia's strategic role in conveying a comprehensive Islamic message," he said.

Dr Omar Suleiman is currently in Malaysia for a short visit to deliver a lecture in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Also participating in the meeting were the prime minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Anwar's family members. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/07/13/pm-anwar-shares-views-with-visiting-us-preacher-omar-suleiman-on-engineering-malaysias-role-in-global-islamic-development/143555

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Mufti bill: Cabinet informed of Raja of Perlis’ decree - Fahmi

12-07- 2024

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today informed the Cabinet about the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail’s decree expressing disapproval of using the name of the Conference of Rulers to support the Mufti (Federal Territory) Bill, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

Fahmi, who is also the spokesperson for the Unity Government, said that the Prime Minister would look into the decree before referring it to the Conference of Rulers meeting next week.

“All of this (the decree and views) will serve as guidelines for us to ensure that the bill achieves its original purpose and intent,” he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting here.

Fahmi was responding to a news portal report that Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin had decreed against using the name of the Conference of Rulers to support the bill, which was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, on July 2.

The decree was reportedly made through Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who then posted it on Facebook.

Yesterday, Anwar reportedly said that the details related to the bill might be referred to the Conference of Rulers next week and that, for now, the bill is at a discussion stage to be refined by experts.

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local-news/mufti-bill-cabinet-informed-of-raja-of-perlis-decree-fahmi-HF12715525

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Bahlil Denies China’s Monopoly on Indonesian Foreign Investment

July 13, 2024

Jakarta. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia recently denied claims of China having a monopoly on foreign investments in Indonesia.

Government data showed that China has consistently been among Indonesia’s top foreign investors. Chinese participation in many of the country’s major projects sparked concerns if Beijing’s influence had been growing too strong. According to Bahlil, Indonesia has been inclusive in the foreign direct investment (FDI) that they accepted into the country

“Speaking of which countries are investing in Indonesia, all this time, people have been saying that it [our foreign investor] has always been China, China, China, and China. And we see these statements in Whatsapp groups which have the most hoaxes,” Bahlil told a conference at Jatinangor’s Public Administration Institute on Thursday.

“It is not true that [our foreign investments] are being monopolized by a certain country,” Bahlil said.

Singapore remained unmoved from the first spot of Indonesia's foreign investor rankings over the past five years, with Singaporean FDI totaling $15.4 billion in 2023. Indonesia drew $4.2 billion in Singaporean investments in the first quarter of 2024. But again, Bahlil claimed that a large part of the Singaporean investments belonged to Indonesian entrepreneurs who had put their money in the close neighbor. Many Indonesian businessmen had been treating Singapore as a financial hub.

China and Hong Kong have consistently been fighting for the second spot. China claimed the second position in 2023 as Chinese investments totaled $7.4 billion. Followed by Hong Kong at $6.5 billion. Hong Kong, however, beat China in the first quarter of 2024 by around $20,000 lead.

Indonesia is also attracting investments from other countries as well.

European countries had been struggling to enter Indonesia’s top 10 FDI source countries. But the Netherlands secured the 8th place in 2022 and 2023, investing around $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. Swiss cracked the top 10 in 2021, during which it invested around $590 million, according to Bahlil.

The US --whose ties with China have soured-- has also been maintaining its position in the top 10, placing 6th ($3.3 billion) in the 2023 ranking. Washington even rose to the 4th place in the Q1-2024 data, as American investments totaled $1.1 billion.

“We are very inclusive to all investors. We are not putting one country first. Anyone can invest here as long as they comply with the existing regulations in Indonesia,” Bahlil said.

Indonesia attracted Rp 401.5 trillion (around $24.9 billion) in combined domestic and foreign investments in the first three months of 2024. This is equivalent to 24.3 percent of what Indonesia targeted for the year, which amounted to Rp 1,650 trillion.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/business/bahlil-denies-chinas-monopoly-on-indonesian-foreign-investment

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BMKG: Magnetic Storms Pose No Threat to Indonesia

July 13, 2024

Jakarta. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has assured the public that there is no need for concern over the magnetic storm currently affecting Earth this past week.

Magnetic storms can generally disrupt television networks, communications, navigation systems, and satellite operations such as the global positioning system (GPS).

“People don’t need to worry because this Earth magnetic storm phenomenon does not impact Indonesia,” said Setyoajie Prayoedhie, Acting Head of BMKG’s Center for Technical Seismology and Geophysics in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Prayoedhie, this is because Indonesia is located along the equator, protected by a strong magnetosphere belt.

Additionally, the disturbances detected in Indonesia due to the magnetic storm have been minor. This is supported by BMKG’s observations from four geomagnetic observatories across Indonesia from July 5-11.

Prayoedhie explained that during this period, the highest magnetic activity occurred on July 8, with a small magnetic storm recorded at the Tondano Observatory.

Magnetic storms, also known as geomagnetic storms or solar storms, are temporary disturbances caused by solar wind shocks or clouds of magnetic fields interacting with Earth's magnetic field.

Magnetic storm status was recorded at the Tondano, Manado, and Tuntungan Medan observatories, with a maximum K-index of 6 and a maximum A-index of 33.

Meanwhile, at the Serang Banten and Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara observatories, the maximum K-index was 5 and the maximum A-index was 23.

In conclusion, BMKG’s analysis indicates that this magnetic storm phenomenon will have a greater impact on countries located in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/bmkg-magnetic-storms-pose-no-threat-to-indonesia

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Hacked Government Websites Highlight Risks of Poor Maintenance, Says Expert

July 12, 2024

Jakarta. Cybersecurity expert Alfons Tanujaya has called for a decisive response from the government to online gambling operators who have hacked government websites in retaliation for the crackdown on online gambling.

“If this is a form of resistance because the government is cracking down on online gambling, it must be confronted. Online gambling has been highly destructive to society,” Alfons told Beritasatu.com on Friday.

He explained that recent hacks on several government websites were due to inadequate website maintenance.

“Indiscipline in website maintenance can trigger attacks on government websites. Security gaps that should be regularly maintained and updated are left unpatched, leading to hacks and defacement,” he explained.

As the founder of IT consultancy firm Vaksincom, Alfons applauded the government’s efforts to eradicate online gambling and encouraged continued effective measures against it.

The government has established an Online Gambling Eradication Task Force, blocked IP addresses hosting online gambling from Cambodia and the Philippines, and taken action against online gambling operators within Indonesia.

Additionally, the government has engaged with Google to form a collaborative platform to combat online gambling and conducted SMS blasts with educational messages.

“SMS blasts are part of digital and financial literacy efforts for the community, which will have a long-term impact if accompanied by other literacy activities. They won’t produce immediate results,” Alfons said.

Several central and local government websites were hacked on Thursday, in what appears to be a retaliatory attack against the government's crackdown on gambling apps and websites.

A page on the Religious Affairs Ministry's website displayed a message promoting an online gambling app until it was replaced with an "under repair" notification.

Similar attacks targeted the municipal government websites of Tulungagung and Malang in East Java, as well as a state vocational school in Depok, West Java.

Muhammadiyah University in Lampung and Piksi Ganesha Polytechnic also had their websites compromised by gambling apps.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/hacked-government-websites-highlight-risks-of-poor-maintenance-says-expert

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