‘Burden On Our Beliefs’: Muslim, Christian Parents Rally for Right to Opt-Out from LGBTQ Lessons
New Age Islam News Bureau
10August 2023
Protesters
demonstrate against teaching young children about LGBT relationships at the
Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA
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Europe
• Threats To Mosques Cause Anxiety
Within Germany's Muslim Community
• Two teenagers arrested after arson
attack on Essex Mosque
• Tampa's first Muslim-led resettlement
agency prepares to welcome refugees in September
• Initial Reports That O’Shae Sibley’s
Alleged Killer Is Muslim Are False
• Politicians send messages of support
after arson attack on Mosque in Harlow
• UK acknowledges Yazidi genocide by
Daesh/Islamic State
--------
India
• 'Muslims from Nuh have escaped to
Rajasthan'
• PIL In SC Against Call For 'Social
Boycott of Muslims' In Haryana
• Muslim Side Files Plea to Stop Ongoing
Scientific Survey of Gyanvapi Mosque by ASI
• INDIA Alliance and ‘PDA’ Will Remove
BJP From Power Like Hindu-Muslim Unity Drove Out • British: Akhilesh
• As Haryana’s Panchayats Bar Muslims from
Villages, Minister Says Unlawful, Will Face Strict Action
--------
Pakistan
• District administration urged to
postpone Urs at Bari Imam in respect of Muharram
• PAC exhibits Islamic calligraphic work
of Mufaz Alam
• Court issues notices on Bari Imam
complex plea
-----
Mideast
• Martyrs’ Blood Leads to Emergence of
New Islamic Civilization: Raisi
• Fire breaks out at north Syria camp
housing families linked to Islamic State group fighters
• Erdogan meets with delegation of
Muslim scholars
• Consistent growth in Oman's Islamic
banking
• More than 400 Shia prisoners go on
hunger strike in Bahrain to protest prison conditions
• Türkiye positioned as Islamic banking,
investment hub: Senior executive
--------
Arab
World
• Saudi Creative Program Celebrates 387
Gifted Students From 16 Countries
• King Salman approves holding
international Islamic conference in Makkah on Sunday
• International Holy Qur’an Museum
project inaugurated in Makkah
• Saudi delegation led by investment
minister Khalid Al-Falih concludes visit to Latin America
• King Salman sends message to Ethiopian
PM
• KSrelief chief meets Dutch envoy in
Riyadh
• KSrelief and Britain join forces in
$9.16m donation to aid Sudan
---------
North
America
• US Told Pakistan to Remove Imran Khan from
Power – Intercept
• CAIR-LA, Partners Welcome Recognition
of Muslim American Appreciation Month in Orange County
• 'Moving' Islamic funeral prayers held
for Sinead O'Connor in Ireland
• Biden restricts US investments in
Chinese tech
• Man shot dead by FBI after making
threats against Biden
--------
Southeast
Asia
• Sabah Assembly Passes Bill Recognising
Muslim Marriages That Take Place Out Of State
• Sultan Of Perak: Islam, Medicine Share
a Long-Intertwined History
• DAP promised won’t interfere in
Islamic matters, says Zahid
--------
South
Asia
• NHS Muslim Imam In ‘Propaganda’ Storm
After Pro-Taliban Interview
• Kabul Rejects Claims That Afghans Were
Involved in Attacks in Pakistan
• Afghani surges 4.4% against US Dollar:
Central Bank
• US administration has sent $2.35
billion to Afghanistan post-collapse: SIGAR
• Passport Dept Chief Says 3 New Centres
to Open in Kabul
• MoRR: Over 800 Afghan Immigrants Died
in Various Countries in Past Year
• Rohingya repatriation: Easier said
than done
--------
Africa
• Coup: Top Islamic Clerics Get Tinubu’s
Nod to Mediate in Niger
• Coup: Islamic Clerics Warn Against Use
of Military Action In Niger
• Noor Takaful pledges support for
growth of Islamic insurance
• Supreme Islamic Council Opposes
Sanctions, Military Action in Niger
• Niger Crisis: Islamic Council,
Catholic Bishops Warn Against Military Invasion
• Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque
visits CDS, calls for religious tolerance
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/beliefs-muslim-christian-lgbtq/d/130422
----
‘Burden On Our Beliefs’: Muslim,
Christian Parents Rally for Right to Opt-Out from LGBTQ Lessons
Protesters
demonstrate against teaching young children about LGBT relationships at the
Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA
----
August 09, 2023
GREENBELT, Maryland — More than 100
Muslim and Christian parents rallied on Wednesday arguing that a Maryland
school district’s policy that prohibits them from opting their child out of
LGBTQ lessons violates their religious beliefs and their ability to raise their
kids, the Daily Caller News Foundation observed.
Members of the Muslim, Roman Catholic
and Greek Orthodox Christian faith rallied ahead of oral arguments in the
Mahmoud v. McKnight case, a lawsuit filed by a coalition of parents against the
Montgomery County Board of Education after the school district decided parents
could no longer opt their children out of lessons that discussed books about
preferred pronouns, pride parades and gender transitioning, for the right to
“let kids be kids,” the DCNF observed Wednesday. Carrying signs reading “let
parents parent,” Muslim and Christian parents told the DCNF that the school
board’s policy allows teachers to push a different worldview and ideology on
their children. (RELATED: Muslim Community Revolts Against ‘Sexually Explicit’
Books In Schools, Shuts Down Board Meeting)
“We believe that the state is trying to
impose a particular moral system on our kids,” Kareem Monib, a Muslim parent,
told the DCNF. “That’s what we see. We
cannot allow that to happen, because that will be the end of our [Muslim]
community. Those kids will grow up hating their parents. They’ll grow up
believing that their religion is wrong. In fact, they’ll even believe that
their God is not compassionate, because the way that the other side frames it
is that we’re denying their humanity whereas we do not believe that a person’s
sexual conduct has to do with their identity. That’s just not in our
worldview.”
In November 2022, Montgomery County
Public Schools released a list of LGBTQ-inclusive books that would be
implemented in elementary school classrooms and lessons throughout the school
year, according to a school presentation. Students in pre-kindergarten will
read “Pride Puppy,” a story of a family and their child celebrating Pride Day
that features words such as “intersex,” “drag queen” and “underwear,” and in
fifth grade students will read “Born Ready,” a book that promotes the idea that
“a child-knows-best” when discussing “gender transitioning” and teachers are
encouraged to reinforce a student’s decision to change their gender.
The lawsuit was filed after the school
board alerted parents in March that they would no longer be notifying families
of gender identity lessons and that parents would be unable to opt their
children out of such lessons, the lawsuit, Mahmoud v. McKnight, was filed.
At the rally ahead of the oral arguments
in the Mahmoud v. McKnight case, members of Kids 1st, an association supporting
the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, encouraged Muslim and Christian attendees to stay
push back against the Montgomery County Board of Education until they get the
right to opt-out of lessons, the DCNF observed.
Attendees at the rally carried replicas
of the U.S. Constitution and American flags as well as signs reading “keep the
opt-out” and “do not infringe on our 14th amendment rights,” the DCNF observed.
One individual wore a “Keep America Great” hat.
The Greenbelt Police Department was
called to stop the rally which was taking place in a parking lot across from
the courthouse. The individual who called the police and was present at the
demonstration declined to comment when the DCNF asked who they were and why
they had called the police on the rally.
“We don’t celebrate actions that go
against our faith. We have a certain set of actions, sexual regulations and we
want to teach our kids that this is the correct way to approach sex and sexual
conduct,” Monib told the DCNF. “When the state comes in at an early age and
starts introducing ideas, like transgenderism, or that there are more than two
sexes, or even use terms that our kids can understand, that does create a
burden on our beliefs.”
Dagmawi Lakew, an Ethiopian Orthodox
Christian who immigrated from Ethiopia and is a parent within the school
system, told the DCNF that he came to the United States to escape policies that
the school district is imposing.
“Almost all these people [at the rally]
left their own countries to come here because we don’t have freedom of
religion, freedom of speech and freedom to assemble the way we want,” Lakew
told the DCNF. “We left our countries and our family and came to the United
States because those rights weren’t given to us. And now slowly, but surely,
those rights are literally being stripped away from us.”
After the rally and prior to the oral
arguments in the Mahmoud v. McKnight case, individuals backing the Montgomery
County Board of Education read children’s books such as “When Aidan Became a
Brother,” a story about a girl who believes she is actually a little boy, and
“Who Was Harvey Milk?,” a biography of the first openly gay man to be elected
to public office in California, outside of the courthouse, the DCNF observed.
“I would say that we all belong in
classrooms and all spaces,” Philip Alexander Downey, chief executive of Live In
Your Truth, an LGBTQ activist organization, said at a press conference
following the oral arguments in the Mahmoud v. McKnight case. “When we start
talking about being able to opt out of different identities, I just want to
ask, where does it start and where does it end? Because there are so many
people who unfortunately are uncomfortable around others just because of other
things that happen in our society. We’re trying to teach humanity and how to
treat every single person and individual with respect and that every single
person belongs.”
After nearly three hours of oral
arguments in the Mahmoud v. McKnight case, U.S. District Judge Deborah Lynn
Boardman, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, announced that
she would decide whether she would grant the coalition of parents a preliminary
injunction, blocking the school district’s current policy, by Aug. 28, the
first day of school for students within Montgomery County Public Schools.
“The reason why I’m involved and a lot
of these parents that you see here today are involved is because it has to do
specifically with our children,” Wael Elkoshairi, a Muslim parent speaking on
behalf of the rally attendees, told the DCNF. “I don’t know how to get up on a
podium. I’ve never been trained to do public speaking or to handle press
interviews, but for the sheer fact that we want to protect our children, we
have been learning and we have been adapting to deal with this issue. We’re
just a bunch of parents looking out for our kids. That’s it. We don’t affiliate
with any Republican or Democratic entity.”
Montgomery County Public Schools did not
immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
Source: dailycaller.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/09/muslim-christian-parents-lgbtq-lessons-religious-beliefs-parental-rights-mongomery-county-maryland/
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Muslim Inmates In Russian Prison Report
Abuse By Pork In Meals, Prayer Mat Confiscation, And Forced Head-Shaving, Says
Human Rights Group
Photo: The Insider
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9 August 2023
Muslim inmates held in a penitentiary
situated in Dimitrovgrad within Russia's Ulyanovsk Region are reportedly
experiencing mistreatment and abuse at the hands of prison personnel. Five
convicts from the facility informed human rights activists from the Civic
Assistance Committee (Komitet Grazhdanskoe Sodeistvie) that they have been
subjected to practices including forced head-shaving, confiscation of prayer
mats and religious texts. The NGO highlighted that an attorney working with the
committee conducted interviews with the inmates and subsequently filed a
complaint with Russia’s General-Prosecutor’s Office regarding the identified
violations.
In early June, these Muslim prisoners
were taken to a bathing facility, where hair-cutting equipment is kept. They
were then compelled to trim their beards to a length not exceeding the mandated
9 mm, and their head hair to a maximum of 20 mm. The detainees claim that the
prison staff then removed the length attachments for the shavers, and insisted
that they fully shave their hair and beards. “I refused to do this as it
violates my rights. To which the prison officer replied that he was the law
here,” one of the prisoners told the human rights activists. This reportedly
led to a physical altercation where a Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN)
officer struck the convict on the neck with a shaving machine until he bled. In
an attempt to draw attention to the rights abuses, the prisoner later stabbed
himself between the ribs with a sharpened wire, with the wound extending close
to 7 centimeters deep. He was later hospitalized and underwent surgery. The
Civic Assistance Committee clarified that he was subsequently transferred to a
different correctional facility.
The human rights report also highlights
that prison staff play loud music during prayer sessions. One of the inmates
has raised concerns about the addition of pork to meals, which compels Muslim
prisoners to reject eating altogether.
According to the report, the overall
conditions in the prison are deemed unbearable due to unsanitary cells. Inmates
report issues of dampness, along with the presence of insects such as
cockroaches, spiders, and centipedes.
This isn't the first instance where the
Dimitrovgrad prison has drawn the attention of human rights activists due to
cases of torture. In 2022, The Insider reported on detainees from the same
facility going on a hunger strike as a protest against abuse by the penal
colony's staff.
Source: theins.ru
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://theins.ru/en/news/264119
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UCC, Gyanvapi Polarising Agendas to
Cover Up Price Rise, Corruption: All India Muslim Personal Board
Photo: IANS
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August 09, 2023
Kozhikode: Uniform civil code is a
polarising agenda of the Union government and all sections of society should
see through the agenda of the Sangh Parivar, said All India Muslim Personal
Board spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Illyas.
He was speaking at a conference
organised by the Muslim Personal Board in Kozhikode on Wednesday.
The NGO is organising conferences of
Muslim organisations in various states against the proposed uniform civil code
(UCC). "The board adopted an approach of bringing together all sections of
society on UCC," he said. As part of that, the board organised meetings of
leaders of different religions, he said.
Illyas said the main task of the Muslim
Personal Board was to protect the personal laws, to convince the believers of
the necessity of Shariat, and to strengthen relations with various communities.
The government was bringing out
polarising agendas to also cover up issues such as price rises and corruption.
"But they moved to Gyanvapi (Mosque) because UCC was not making the
desired impact," he said.
Personal Board executive member Hafil
Abdul Shukur Qasimi, board convenor Bahauddin Muhammad Nadvi and others
attended the meeting.
IUML's general secretary P M A Salaam,
Ummer Faizi Mukkam, Secretary of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, Nasar
Faizy Koodathai of Sunni Yuvajana Sangham, leaders of organisations such as
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Samastha Education Board, Kerala Muslim Jamaath, Kerala
Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Markazu Da'wa, Aalami Rabita
Adab-e-Islami, and Mufakkirul Islam Foundation took part in the meeting.
Source: onmanorama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/08/09/ucc-gyanvapi-polarising-agendas-cover-up-price-rise-corruption-muslim-personal-board.html
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KP Counter-Terrorism Department Denies
Existence of Tehreek-i-Jihad, Claims It Is Another Name for Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan
Tehreek-i-Jihad
-----
August 10, 2023
PESHAWAR: The counter-terrorism
department on Wednesday denied the existence of Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan and
claimed that the TJP was an alternative name for the proscribed militant outfit
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
“The TJP is a name used by the banned
TTP. Though the banned TTP disassociated itself from the July 25 suicide
bombing in Ali Masjid area of Khyber tribal district, we [department] have
evidence of its involvement in the blast,” CTD deputy inspector-general Sohail
Khalid told a presser here.
Mr Khalid said that the CTD arrested
Abuzar, facilitator of the suicide bomber, following the explosion from Ali
Masjid area and the department had identified the banned TTP’s associates in
Afghanistan.
He said that the TTP had denied carrying
out the suicide attack but the “technical” evidence available with the CTD
established the involvement of the militant outfit’s shura (advisory body).
The CTD official also said that there
was intelligence about the July 25 attack from sources in the TTP.
He said that the mastermind of the
suicide bombing, Ayub Shah, a resident of Shahkas area of Khyber district, was
currently present in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.
Mr Khalid said that during
investigation, the CTD found out that the suicide bomber had illegally crossed
into Pakistan with the help of Ayub alias Salahuddin alias Umar alias Khalid
Mansoor, a resident of Shahkas, Kashif alias Abu Bakkar, a resident of Landi
Kotal area, who is currently in Afghanistan, and Abdullah Shalmani.
He added that the uniforms of police and
security personnel were recovered by the CTD during raids and that it seemed
that the suicide bomber wanted to target a compound of the police or security
forces.
The official said that another suicide
bomber was “supposed” to reach Peshawar but he couldn’t make it to the
provincial capital.
Mr Khalid said that the militant Islamic
State group’s local affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan Province, was involved in
the Bajaur suicide attack in a JUI-F workers’ convention on July 30 and the
department had arrested several people over it.
He said that the banned TTP and ISKP
were active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The TTP is involved in the last four
bomb blasts in the province,” he said, adding that the militants involved in
attacks on a complex in Bara area of Khyber district and Hayatabad area of
Peshawar have been arrested.
The official said the CTD had traced the
vehicle, which the suicide bomber and his handler hired for Rs1,000 for
reaching the blast site from Sultankhel area of Khyber district.
He added that the driver of the vehicle
had been arrested and was being interrogated.
Mr Khalid said that all those behind the
Ali Masjid suicide attack had been killed.
A statement later issued by the CTD read
that the department arrested eight people after seizing two Kalashnikovs, one
M-4, a suicide jacket, a pistol, rounds, Afghan documents, improvised explosive
device material, Afghan Sim cards, memory cards, jihadi material, and other
important documents.
It said the suicide bomber and his handler
came from near Ali Masjid area and that the CTD recovered a cap, clothes of the
suicide bomber, and ball bearings from there.
Source: dawn.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.dawn.com/news/1769402/kp-ctd-denies-existence-of-tehreek-i-jihad-claims-it-is-another-name-for-ttp
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Turkiye Calls for Preventing 'Heinous
Acts' That Target Islam Under The "Guise of Freedom of Expression"
Photo:
aa.com
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August 9, 2023
Turkiye's National Security Council on
Wednesday called for preventing the acts that target Islam under the
"guise of freedom of expression."
The council said that states that do not
fulfil their responsibilities in preventing "heinous acts" that are
described as hate crimes by the UN and offend nearly 2 billion Muslims are
asked to change their attitudes "as soon as possible" and fight
together against attacks on sacred values, according to a statement by
Turkiye's Communications Directorate.
Islamophobic figures or groups have
repeatedly carried out Quran burnings and similar desecration attempts in
Northern Europe in recent months, drawing outrage from Muslim countries and the
world.
The statement came after the National
Security Council met under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
at the presidential complex.
The council also discussed in detail the
course of the Russia-Ukraine war and its possible effects on the region.
"All parties were called upon to
sit at the negotiating table and end the war without delay. It was emphasised
that returning to the (Black Sea) grain agreement would prevent possible
negative effects in needy countries and contribute to food stability," the
statement added.
On July 17, Russia suspended its
participation in the deal, which it signed in July 2022 along with Turkiye, the
UN, and Ukraine to resume grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports which
were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February last year. Moscow
has complained that the Russian part of the agreement was not being
implemented.
Turkiye, internationally praised for its
unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv
and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.
Source: middleeastmonitor.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230809-turkiye-calls-for-preventing-heinous-acts-that-target-islam/
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Europe
Threats to mosques cause anxiety within
Germany's Muslim community
Muslim community leaders have called on
politicians to take a stronger stance against anti-Muslim hatred and right-wing
extremism.
Mosques across Germany are facing an
increase in vandalism, harassment and threats, Muslim community leaders said on
Wednesday.
Kemal Ergun, president of the
Turkish-Muslim group IGMG, said more mosques have received threatening letters
in recent weeks, signed with the neo-Nazi alias “NSU 2.0.”
“We will not get scared, we will not be
intimidated by such threats. But it’s disappointing that in most of the arson
attempts on mosques, which could claim many lives, the perpetrators were not
identified or arrested,” he said.
“NSU 2.0” refers to the National
Socialist Underground, a neo-Nazi terror group uncovered in 2011 that murdered
10 people and carried out bomb attacks targeting Turkish and Muslim immigrants.
'Threat to our society'
According to official statistics, there
were 124 attacks on Muslims in the first three months of 2023, including verbal
and physical assaults, threatening letters, and arson attacks targeting
mosques.
Ergun has called on authorities to
thoroughly investigate such crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
He also called for a stronger stance
against anti-Muslim hatred and far-right extremism.
“Unfortunately, racism is a reality in
Germany. Latest polls show that the racist and fascist political party (the
AfD) has become the second-biggest party in the country.
This alone shows that we are heading
towards a dangerous period,” he said. A new poll last week placed the
anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in second place, ahead of
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats.
Burhan Kesici, chairman of the Islamic
Council for the Federal Republic of Germany, says that politicians from
democratic parties should stand up to right-wing populism and counter their
Anti-muslim messages.
“We expect political authorities to
extend their support to the Muslim community. They should underline in their
public speeches that Muslims are part of this country, and they’re not a threat
to our society,” he said.
Kesici also proposed stronger security
measures by police to protect mosques and Islamic institutions. Over the past
few years, Germany has experienced a rise in racism and Islamophobia, driven by
the propaganda of neo-Nazi factions and the far-right AfD party.
These groups capitalised on the refugee
crisis, seeking to instill fear among immigrants. According to the latest data,
police registered at least 610 anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2022 across the
country.
Some 62 mosques were attacked between
January and December last year, and at least 39 people were injured because of
anti-Muslim violence.
Having a population exceeding 84
million, Germany has the second-largest Muslim community in Western Europe,
trailing only behind France. Of the approximately 5.3 million Muslim residents,
3 million are of Turkish origin.
Source: trtworld.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.trtworld.com/europe/threats-to-mosques-cause-anxiety-within-germanys-muslim-community-14403367
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Two teenagers arrested after arson
attack on Essex mosque
9th August 2023
Two teenagers have been arrested after
an arson attack at Northbrooks Mosque in Harlow, Essex, on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred shortly after
9.30pm but there were no reports of any injuries and the actions of
firefighters meant damage was contained.
Mosque secretary, Jamal Uddin, said
curtains and carpets were damaged in the blaze.
At this stage, the incident is being
treated as racially aggravated arson and is being investigated by Harlow CID.
Two teenage boys have been arrested on
suspicion of arson and were questioned on Wednesday.
And as part of the police response to
the incident, there was a significant policing presence in the area throughout
Wednesday.
“We are absolutely devastated and
shocked,” said mosque secretary Jamal Uddin. “We have been here for a long,
long time and we have never had anything like this happen to us before.”
Mr Uddin said up to 700 people gathered
at the mosque throughout the week and that as many as 300 attended Friday
prayers.
Chief Inspector Paul Austin, Harlow
district commander, said: “I have personally been in consistent contact with
faith and community leaders to ensure our communities feel they are safe and
are being supported.
“There will continue to be a policing
presence in the area throughout today and the coming days and I would encourage
anyone who has any concerns to please speak with those officers; they are there
to help and reassure you.”
And Conservative Harlow Council leader,
Dan Swords, added: “I am shocked and appalled to hear about this incident.
Whatever the motives are for this, we will not tolerate any attacks on our
communities and as a town we stand united.”
If you have any information in relation
to this incident, then please contact Essex Police.
You can let them know by submitting a
report online or by using their Live Chat service. Alternatively you can call
them on 101. Please cite incident 1253 of 8 August.
If you would like to make an anonymous
report you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their
website or by calling 0800 555 111.
Source: 5pillarsuk.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://5pillarsuk.com/2023/08/09/two-teenagers-arrested-after-arson-attack-on-essex-mosque/
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Tampa's first Muslim-led resettlement
agency prepares to welcome refugees in September
Aug 09, 2023
TAMPA, Fla. — For many, escaping a
war-torn country and finding a new home is scary.
"CAIR Florida, we've had an influx
of refugees and asylum cases, and by the grace of God, we've seen a lot of
asylees being granted their asylum cases in a very fast and efficient
manner," said CAIR Florida Chief Executive Director Abdulah Jaber.
A new Tampa resource is making the
transition feel more welcoming to some.
"We're very excited in welcoming
the escalation of the services and the expansion to increase the capacity of
the resettlement in the state of Florida," said Radiant Hands Executive
Director Ghadir Kassab.
Under the Department of State's Bureau
of Population, Refugees & Migration, Radiant Hands is now a federal
resettlement agency. It's also the only Muslim organization, joining Lutheran
Services, Church World Service, and Gulf Coast Jewish Family as the city's
official resettlement agencies.
"These people have been displaced
from their full country, and they're coming into a place that they know nothing
about. They don't know anything about the people. They don't know anything
about the culture and the land. And so being able to have a Muslim organization
or an establishment that's familiar with their heritage, it makes it feel a
little bit more like home," said Chaikirah Parker, founder of the African
American Muslim Alliance of Tampa Bay.
Radiant Hands has spent months training
under Islamic Relief USA and the International Rescue Committee, preparing to
welcome refugees.
"By the end of September, there's
going to be 30 individuals. But for 2024, we're working on 120 individuals, and
the population is coming from all around the globe," said Kassab.
Radiant Hands has helped Muslim
immigrants since 2015 with housing, food, and jobs. The organization even
operates a kitchen and tailor to give those immigrants a chance to make money
from their skills.
As an official federally recognized
resettlement agency, the possibilities for the next wave of Americans is
endless.
"This is one place that people can
call home, and they can be able to be immersed in the culture and in the
society," said Parker.
Source: abcactionnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/tampas-first-muslim-led-resettlement-agency-prepares-to-welcome-refugees-in-september
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Initial Reports That O’Shae Sibley’s
Alleged Killer Is Muslim Are False
August 9, 2023
In the wake of the murder of O'Shae
Sibley on July 29, reports swirled that Sibley’s alleged killer was Muslim, and
that Islam was a motivating factor in his death. But that was false, New York
City officials confirmed this weekend — and in fact, the 17-year-old suspect’s
lawyer now describes him as “a good Christian boy.”
At a press conference held at the site
of Sibley’s murder on August 5, New York City Mayor Eric Adams corrected news
reports, which were based on eyewitness statements, that claimed the group of
assailants told Sibley — a professional dancer and member of the House of
Du’Mure-Versailles — they were Muslims and that his voguing offended them.
Those statements, Adams said, gave “the impression that [the attack] came from
hate from the Muslim community towards the LGBTQ+ community. That was, in fact,
not true.” Adams, who is currently under community pressure to fire the NYPD
officers that killed gay Black man Kawaski Trawick in 2019, told reporters that
both LGBTQ+ and Muslim New Yorkers are “against any level of hate.”
Dmitry Popov, 17, is being tried as an
adult for allegedly stabbing Sibley in the July attack. But his lawyer told the
New York Times this week that he doesn’t know how anyone got the idea that his
client is Muslim. “He’s Christian [...] Somehow they got it confused, he’s not
a Muslim,” attorney Mark Henry Pollard told the newspaper. “I could understand
if there were other friends that were, but he was the only person arrested.” Pollard
further told PIX11 that his client is a “good Christian boy” and has never been
in legal trouble before.
Soniya Ali, Executive Director of the
Muslim Community Center, told the Times that it was not a “surprise or a shock”
that an anti-Muslim narrative was spread in the immediate aftermath of Sibley’s
murder. Islamophobia in the U.S. has escalated dramatically in the decades
since 9/11, but anti-Muslim hate crimes hit new peaks starting with the 2016
election cycle and the political ascendancy of Donald Trump. Still, Ali told
the Times she had not seen any backlash from LGBTQ+ communities after Sibley’s
murder.
At Saturday’s press conference, Ali
stood alongside NYC Center for Black Pride executive director Lee Soldier
Simmons in delivering a message of healing and solidarity.
“We unequivocally condemn the unjust
murder of O'Shae. Such acts are among the greatest forms of injustice one can
commit,” Ali said. “As we stand united against violence, we also stand together
in the pursuit of peace and harmony.”
Source: them.us
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.them.us/story/oshae-sibley-alleged-killer-not-muslim
--------
Politicians send messages of support
after arson attack on Mosque in Harlow
Wed 9th Aug 2023
A NUMBER of senior politicians have
responded to the news of an arson attack on a mosque in Harlow.
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow
Council, said:
“I am shocked and appalled to hear about
this incident. Whatever the motives are for this, we will not tolerate any
attacks on our communities and as a town we stand united. I praise both the
fire service and the police for dealing with this incident so quickly. An
investigation is underway, and arrests have been made.
“This morning I have spoken with the imam
at the mosque to offer our support and express our support for the community.
We will remain in close contact with the police on this matter. Alongside the
policing presence our community safety team will also be carrying out patrols
in the area to provide reassurance at this time.
“I thank those who have already come
forward with information to help the police. Anyone who has information on the
incident should contact the police. You can let them know by submitting a
report on their website or by using the online Live Chat service available
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm. Visit
www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about the website reporting
services. Alternatively, you can call 101. Please cite incident 1253 of 8
August.”
Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, said: “I am
deeply shocked and saddened to hear the reports of a break in and arson attack
at the Mosque on Harbets Road last night.
“I pay tribute to the fire service who
attended so quickly to deal with the fire and to the police who have launched
an investigation for a potential hate crime incident and arrested suspects in
connection with this horrific attack.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the
Imam and the whole Islamic community. Harlow is a welcoming town and there is no place for
hate, discrimination or prejudice in our community and I condemn this abhorrent
attack.
“I have contacted the Mosque this
morning to offer my condolences and offer all possible support to the Islamic
community in Harlow at this time.”
Source: yourharlow.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.yourharlow.com/2023/08/09/politicians-send-messages-of-support-after-arson-attack-on-mosque-in-harlow/
--------
UK acknowledges Yazidi genocide by
Daesh/Islamic State
In August 2023 the UK Government
formally acknowledged the atrocities committed against the Yazidi people by
Islamic State/Daesh (hereafter IS) in Iraq in 2014 as an act of genocide.
The UK recognises four other genocides:
the Holocaust, and those in Cambodia, Srebrenica, and Rwanda.
The UK decision follows a German federal
court of justice ruling against an IS member for genocide in January 2023. This
confirmed a lower court judgment in 2021 which was the first ever conviction of
an IS member for genocide.
This Insight sets out the treatment and
position of the Yazidi people in Iraq and the UK’s policy on acknowledging
genocide.
The Yazidi genocide in 2014
The Yazidis are a religious minority
group, primarily residing in northern Iraq.
In the summer of 2014, IS groups
advanced through Iraq’s northern Sinjar province. The UN reported that upon
their arrival:
Yazidi men and boys over twelve were
separated from women and girls. IS groups executed men and older boys who
refused to convert to Islam.
Yazidi women and children were forcibly
moved to holding sites. In one case, women aged over 60 were executed.
Women and girls were sold as slaves, and
subject to sexual violence.
The total number of Yazidis captured,
killed, and missing is uncertain. In 2017, the UN estimated more than 5,000
Yazidis were killed and 7,000 girls and women were forced into sex slavery. Up
to 81 mass-graves in Sinjar have also been identified.
Current situation for the Yazidis in
Iraq
IS holds little territory. However, in
2021 the UN estimated 200,000 Yazidis remained displaced from their homes and
2,800 women and children were in IS captivity.
Iraq’s Government states that IS actions
against Yazidis, Turkmens, Shabaks, and Christians constitute genocide.
In March 2021, the Iraqi Parliament
voted for the Yazidi female survivor’s law. This introduced a system of
reparations for survivors. However, Human Rights Watch, a non-government
campaigns and investigations group, has warned the law is not being fully
implemented.
The UK Government has supported the
law’s implementation and has also funded care for women and girls from minority
groups who have survived sexual violence in conflict in Iraq.
Accountability for IS crimes
The UN Investigative Team to Promote
Accountability For Crimes Committed By Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant (UNITAD) has identified 2,286 alleged perpetrators of the genocide,
including 188 foreign fighters.
UNITAD has supported prosecutions in
Germany, including the case which led to the January 2023 federal court ruling
on genocide.
As of 2023, the UK has provided £2
million in funding to support UNITAD.
Separately, UK courts have convicted 32
people who had travelled to Syria and/or Iraq as IS fighters for terrorism
offences.
When does the UK recognise genocide?
Genocide is defined in the 1948 genocide
convention (PDF) and refers to acts committed to destroy a national, ethical,
racial or religious group by:
killing members of the group
causing serious bodily or mental harm to
members of the group
deliberately inflicting on the group
conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole
or in part
imposing measures intended to prevent
births within the group, or
forcibly transferring children of the
group to another group.
Each state has its own process for
acknowledging genocide.
The UK Government says its position on
acknowledging genocide: “has always been that determinations of genocide should
be made by competent courts, rather than by governments or non-judicial bodies
[such as parliament].”
The UK Government recognises only the
four actions mentioned above as constituting genocide, in addition to that
against the Yazidis.
The Government has stressed its approach
does not limit it from taking action against perpetrators and from condemning
human rights abuses and other violations.
The House of Commons has resolved that
several other actions constitute genocide, including:
the treatment of Uyghurs and other
groups in Xinjiang, China
the actions of Saddam Hussein against
Iraqi Kurds in 1988
the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1932 to 1933
the IS campaign against Christians,
Yazidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria.
The House has also considered the
treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 to 1916 in a debate in
2015.
The role of courts in UK Government
decisions to acknowledge genocide
For the UK Government, ‘competent
courts’ include international courts, such as the International Criminal Court
and the International Court of Justice, and national criminal courts that meet
international standards of due process.
In the 2015 Commons debate on the
treatment of the Armenians, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister David
Lidington also stressed the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide does not apply
retrospectively. The Holocaust predated the Convention but is recognised
because it is considered to be a “direct catalyst” for the Convention (PDF).
In 2013, during a debate on the actions
against the Iraqi Kurds, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt told the Commons
that international court rulings “often plays an important part” in whether the
UK recognises an act as genocide. He did not elaborate on what other factors
might be considered.
The Government has faced pressure to
amend its approach from both the Lords and Commons, in addition to the Foreign
Affairs Committee.
Among the criticisms raised are that
states accused of genocide may be one of forty countries that are not members
of the International Criminal Court (meaning they are not subject to its
jurisdiction), that a referral to the court for non-member states could be
blocked by a veto of a UN Security Council member, and that the opportunity to
recognise genocides when they are ongoing is missed.
Before the Government’s decision in
August 2023, two regional German courts, in 2021 and 2022, had ruled IS had
committed genocide. Some MPs called for the Government to recognise a genocide
following the rulings.
The Government defends its position as
one which ensures genocide determinations “are above politics, above lobbying,
and above individual political or national interest” and means its references
to genocide are “harder to dismiss by those responsible for genocidal acts.
Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original”
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-acknowledges-yazidi-genocide-by-daesh-islamic-state/
--------
India
'Muslims from Nuh have escaped to
Rajasthan'
August 10, 2023
Saif ul Islam, one of the advocate-members
of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, who visited the
riot-affected areas of Mewat for two-and-a-half days, tells Prasanna D
Zore/Rediff.com about what he and other members of the APCR team discovered in
the region which saw communal violence for the first time in many years at the
end of the 84 Kos Parikrama Yatra which began July 4 with the onset of the
month of Shravan in north India.
APCR, established in 2006, works for the
protection of human rights of the deprived sections of society and include
members who are advocates, journalists and social and human rights activists.
If you talk to the locals of Nuh, they
will tell you that this yatra has been taking place for almost a century now.
The yatra is not something new. But for
the past several decades the route of the yatra would pass through a passage
considered sacred this pathway bypassed the Muslim-majority areas in the
region.
But since 2021, after COVID, the yatra
organisers, under pressure from the Bajrang Dal, changed the route. The
sacredness and the concept of the yatra envisaged igniting awareness about
Hindu temples that dot the Aravali hills in this region.
When you reach Medical Chauraha after
passing through the Aravali Hills, the yatra would reach a huge gate of Shiv
Temple at Nalhar.
But since 2021 the Bajrang Dal changed
the route that would pass through Nuh junction and Jhanda Park, a locality
where mostly Muslims reside. In 2021 too, there was some tension leading to
stone pelting here. But the peace committee in the area immediately took in
their hands and the situation was taken care of.
In 2022, the Muslim community leaders
and locals even offered water and other refreshments to the pilgrims. But after
the mob lynching of Nasir and Junaid (cattle traders from Rajasthan's
Bharatpur) there was anger against Monu Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi in Mewat.
This yatra is mostly undertaken during
the two-month period of Shravan and Shravan is almost over in north India. So,
the yatra went on unhindered and peaceful for more than a month.
But during the fag end of this yatra a
video was circulated on social media that these two would be part of the yatra.
Even when this yatra entered in Nuh there were no clashes.
When the yatra entered Jhanda Chowk,
Bajrang Dal volunteers who were part of this yatra started brandishing knives
and swords and showcasing their martial skills; there is clear video evidence
of these acts; to add to it there were already videos doing the round that Monu
Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi would be participating in this yatra the next day.
Someone from the yatris started
sloganeering hailing Monu Manesar which made the people of Nuh believe that
Monu Manesar was part of the yatra on that day.
The pilgrims are allowed to carry only
earthen pots filled with water, which is part of the customary religious
ritual. Nobody had any permission to carry arms and stop amid a
Muslim-dominated area and brandish them.
The cost of the gun that was fired by a
Bajrang Dal activist from inside the Shiv temple is around Rs 1.30 crore (Rs 13
million). That video is already viral on social media.
It is true that people of Nuh were angry
at Monu Manesar and Bittu Bajrangi over the murders of Junaid and Nasir and in
the heat of the moment there began a clash. Both sides attacked each other.
When I spoke to both Muslims and Hindus
-- and I have their audio-video testimonies -- of the area they told me that
the Muslims who beat the sloganeering activists of the Bajrang Dal were
outsiders.
While the Muslims did bash up these
people they did not use any weapon or arms to attack them. When they (Bajrang
Dal volunteers) realised that they were getting beaten up they resorted to
firing from guns.
People from the yatra ran in different
directions towards Palwal, Sohna, Gurgaon.
As a reaction the cops started randomly
detaining people. Till date, 246 arrests have been made throughout Haryana, out
of which 146 Muslims from Nuh have been arrested.
Why Gurgaon Is Seeing Action Against
Rioters
The very same night, the activists who
had fled towards Gurgaon indulged in violence in the city by burning down a
disputed mosque.
There was a dispute over this mosque
since 2003, but in 2011 the Supreme Court passed an order allowing construction
of this mosque. But Hindutva organisations always had an eye on this structure
as a disputed mosque.
The police commissioner of Gurgaon told
me that the city police filed 23 FIRs and arrested 55 Hindus over violence in
the city.
Gurgaon being the financial capital of
north India, it was imperative that stern action be taken against the culprits
as the city has witnessed huge financial losses due to the violence.
The transportation sector suffered huge
losses with a decline of 28 per cent in just two days after violence began.
Now, in the aftermath of this violence
many companies have asked their employees to work from home and many are
planning to move their offices.
For good, the CP is under pressure to
act against those who participated in violent activities in Gurgaon. But in
Nuh, the situation is very different.
Not only are Muslim homes and shops
being bulldozed but the cops are filing random FIRs even against the people who
died two-three years ago, against those who have moved to neighbouring states
or cities since almost two years to work there.
Scared of such actions many Muslims from
Nuh escaped to the Aravali hills and went into hiding.
Beyond the Aravali hills, on the other
side is Rajasthan. Many people from Nuh have their relatives there. 32 per cent
of Mewat region is in Rajasthan and the rest is part of Haryana.
The dairy farming industry, mostly
dominated by Muslims in Nuh, has suffered the maximum loss because of the riots
and violence here. More than 300 litres of milk has rotten and people here are
just throwing it down the drains.
The womenfolk milch cows and their men
transport it to the markets on their bicycles and scooters. This business is
totally in dumps today as many men engaged in this industry are either under
arrest or have escaped wherever they could find safety.
Source: rediff.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/muslims-from-nuh-have-escaped-to-rajasthan/20230810.htm
--------
PIL In SC Against Call For 'Social
Boycott of Muslims' In Haryana
Aug 9, 2023
NEW DELHI: Alleging that people in
Haryana are being asked to boycott Muslim community and not to give them
employment otherwise they would be called 'gaddar' (traitors), a petition has
been filed seeking Supreme Court intervention to prevent such hate speeches and
social boycott of the community.
An application has been filed by Kerala
resident Shaheen Adbulla on whose plea the apex court had earlier passed
various orders directing the police to be pro-active in preventing hate
speeches and the court had last week also directed the Centre, Delhi and its
neighbouring states to ensure that there was no violence and hate speeches in
NCR region after communal violence broke out in Haryana.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned it
before the Chief Justice of India urging him to list the case for urgent
hearing. The petitioner alleged that hate speeches were made in violation of
apex court's last week order and "more than 27 rallies have been organised
across various states where blatant hate speeches calling for the killing and
social & economic boycott of Muslims have been openly delivered."
"In a video that surfaced on social
media on August 2 a procession by the Samhast Hindu Samaj can be seen walking
through a neighbourhood in Hisar, Haryana in the presence of police officials
issuing warnings to residents/shopkeepers that if they continue to employ/keep
any Muslims after 2 days then their shops will be boycotted," the petition
said.
"It is submitted that such rallies
that demonise communities and openly call for violence and killing of people
are not limited in terms of their impact to just those areas that are presently
dealing with communal tensions but will inevitably lead to communal disharmony
and violence of an unfathomable scale across the country," the petition
said, seeking court's intervention.
SC on August 2 directed the Centre along
with the governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no
untoward incident take place and no one be allowed to make hate speeches to
vitiate the environment in National Capital Region and said that authorities
are bound to take action against people indulging in hate speeches as per the
apex court's guidelines and judgement passed last year.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the
full text of the original
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/pil-in-sc-against-call-for-social-boycott-of-muslims-in-haryana/articleshow/102551999.cms
--------
Muslim Side Files Plea to Stop Ongoing
Scientific Survey of Gyanvapi Mosque by ASI
Aug 10, 2023
The Muslim side has filed an application
to stop the ongoing scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee
argued that the Hindu plaintiffs have not deposited the required expenses for
the survey. The court has scheduled a further hearing for August 17.
The Muslim side on Wednesday filed an
application before the Varanasi district court, seeking an order to stop the
ongoing scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI).
In its application, the Anjuman
Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, argued
that the Hindu plaintiffs have not deposited the expenditure for the survey, as
mandated under the General Rules (Civil).
Section 70 of the General Rules (Civil),
which is applicable to all matters in civil courts subordinate to the high
court, mandates that all expenses to be incurred on a commission are to be
deposited in advance in the court before the commencement of proceedings. The
expenses are to be deposited by the party concerned, which in the present
matter are Hindu plaintiffs — Rekha Pathak, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahoo, Manju Vyas.
“…ASI has not given any written or vocal
information regarding the survey to us (the) defendants so far, neither any
time was determined for it,” the AIMC said in its application.
The committee pointed out that the ASI
first conducted the survey on July 24 and it has been conducting the exercise
daily in the Gyanvapi mosque premises since August 4.
“The proceeding of the survey is against
the rule… We urged the court to pass an order to stop the survey being done by
the ASI in Gyanvapi premises,” Akhlaque Ahmad, counsel for mosque panel, said.
The court posted the matter for further
hearing on August 17.
The Hindu side, however, said they will
file an objection against the application. “We will file an objection against
the application on August 17, which is the next date of hearing,” Subhash
Nandan Chaturvedi, counsel for Hindu plaintiffs, said.
The ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque,
which abuts the Kashi Vishwanath temple, restarted on August 4 after the
Allahabad high court cleared the decks for it the previous day, holding that
scientific investigation was necessary in the interest of justice and would
benefit both parties. The Supreme Court has refused to stay the survey.
On July 21, the Varanasi court ordered
the survey to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a
pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
On Wednesday, the ASI survey continued
for the sixth consecutive day amid heavy security. A 41-member ASI team, led by
agency’s additional director general Prof Alok Tripathi, is involved in the
exercise.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/muslims-seek-court-order-to-stop-asi-survey-of-gyanvapi-mosque-premises-hindu-plaintiffs-accused-of-not-paying-expenses-101691607500049.html
---------
INDIA Alliance and ‘PDA’ Will Remove BJP
From Power Like Hindu-Muslim Unity Drove Out British: Akhilesh
AUGUST 09, 2023
Accusing the BJP of considering people
from the “PDA” – backward (‘pichde’ in Hindi), Dalits and minorities
(‘Alpsankhyak’) – as “Shudras”, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on
Wednesday said the ruling party will be defeated in the Lok Sabha elections
next year.
Yadav said opposition bloc INDIA and
people from the PDA groups will remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from
power in 2024 the way Hindu-Muslim unity drove the British out of the country.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of
a programme organised by the SP here on August Kranti Day, Yadav said,” The
samajwadis (socialists) spent their whole lives promoting the PDA. BJP will
never speak on the PDA because it considers them as “shudras”.
“The government should tell us the
representation of the PDA in all the vice-chancellors being appointed in the
universities of the state,” the former chief minister said.
The INDIA (Indian National Democratic
Inclusive Alliance)’ and PDA alliance will defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok
Sabha polls, Yadav said. The SP is the most valuable member of the opposition
alliance in Uttar Pradesh. The SP chief attended both meetings of the
opposition leaders held in Patna and Bangalore in recent months.
“The way the British were driven out
with Hindu-Muslim unity, in the coming times farmers, youths, businessmen,
mothers and sisters and all Hindu-Muslim brothers will work together to oust
the BJP,” he said.
“Today, only those forces which had
opposed the Quit India Movement are in power,” Yadav said, targeting the BJP.
August Kranti Divas is celebrated to observe the Quit India Movement.
Yadav has coined the new term ”PDA”
referring to backward classes, Dalits and minorities, who constitute more than
half of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh. UP sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha,
which is the most for any state.
On the presentation of a report on the
1980 Moradabad riots in the state assembly, Yadav said, ”Elections have come.
Now such reports will keep on coming.” On the ruling government’s education
policy and employment opportunities, Yadav said, “If you ask them (BJP) about
one thing, they will answer about the other thing. Yesterday, in the House, I
asked the government about the steps it has taken to safeguard the future of
young children. Can their future be better with the new education policy? The
question was not about population.” “But what can the youth expect from a chief
minister who does not know the difference between employment rate and
unemployment rate,” he said.
The SP president accused Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath of not trusting his own ministers and officials, and said that
he rather trusts Deloitte, an American consulting company hired by the state
government for a sum of Rs 300 crore.
Comparing the BJP government with the
East India Company, Yadav said, ”India’s government is gradually becoming a
company. Privatisation is being done in every sector. When big things are sold,
the government is selling community health centres, dairy, small guest houses
and mandis. The government which has not built a single market and a single
district hospital in its entire tenure, can you expect it to fulfil the dreams
seen by the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi?” He added that the dreams that
Mahatma Gandhi and the socialists had for a free India are unfulfilled even
today. ”Today, we stand at the bottom of (indices on) poverty, unemployment and
freedom of the press,” the former chief minister said.
Remembering the martyrs on August Kranti
Day, Yadav said, “We remember all the leaders who participated in the Quit
India Movement on the call of Mahatma Gandhi. At the same time, we also
remember those countless martyrs because of whom we got our freedom.
Source: news18.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.news18.com/politics/india-alliance-and-pda-will-remove-bjp-from-power-like-hindu-muslim-unity-drove-out-british-akhilesh-8530160.html
--------
As Haryana’s panchayats bar Muslims from
villages, minister says unlawful, will face strict action
The instructions were issued by
panchayats in the wake of communal clashes in Nuh on July 31.
Written by Varinder Bhatia
August 9, 2023
Nuh violence demolitionsFive people,
including two home guards, were killed in Nuh and a cleric died in an attack on
a mosque in adjoining Gurugram as the violence spilled over. Authorities razed
dozens of shops, near Shaheed Hassan Khan Mewati Hospital in Nalhar village in
Nuh. Express photo by Gajendra Yadav
Strict action will be taken against
those issuing diktats against Muslims, Haryana’s Development and Panchayats
minister and JJP leader Devender Singh Babli has told The Indian Express, in
light of several gram panchayats signing resolutions to “boycott” members of
the community and barring their entry into the villages.
“I am aware of this issue. At a few
places, some people passed these kinds of resolutions. But I have given clear
instructions to the district administrations of all such places that such an
act is not permissible under the law, and if any person is indulging in issuing
such diktats, strict action shall be taken against such people as per the law,”
Babli said.
The instructions were issued by
panchayats in the wake of communal clashes in Nuh on July 31.
Vikas Yadav, the sarpanch of Sehatpur
village in Ateli block of Rewari district, said, “Out of 43 panchayats of Ateli
block, 30-35 panchayats have signed similar resolutions. I am also president of
the sarpanch association of Ateli block. There was immense resentment among
people of our villages; we did not want any confrontation or disruption of
communal harmony.”
“Our main aim behind signing these
resolutions is that outsiders who come and do business or stay in our villages
should be verified. There could be some anti-social elements among them who
create law and order disruption. Otherwise, there are four-five villages in Ateli
block that are dominated by the Muslim community and they have been staying
here for the last 40-50 years. Nobody has any problem with them. But our main
issue is with street vendors and increased incidents of animal thefts, which is
why we signed such resolutions. Until the atmosphere in Nuh does not get back
to normal, we are avoiding entry of any such persons in our villages to avoid
any confrontation,” he said.
Aftab Ahmed, the Congress MLA from Nuh,
told The Indian Express that “under our constitution and law, such resolutions
are a threat to our federal structure”. “Such activities must be dealt with
stern and severe action to safeguard the Constitution of India and rule of law
in the state as well as in the country. The basic concept of the nation and its
Constitution is being vitiated and disturbed by such acts,” he said.
A letter written by the sarpanch of
Gomla gram panchayat in Mahendragarh, dated August 3 and submitted to the Sub
Divisional Magistrate (Kanina, Mahendragarh), mentions: “In wake of the attack
and atrocities on Hindu brothers in Nuh, entire village Gomla and block Kanina,
district Mahendragarh has unanimously decided that nobody from the Muslim
community shall be allowed to enter our village. No trade, for instance,
road-side vends, sale-purchase of animals, begging, etc shall also not be
allowed with members of Muslim community. People from Muslim community indulge
in roadside vends during day time and steal animals at night. In the wake of
the violence in Nuh, we have taken this decision in the interest of communal
harmony, but no community’s religious feelings shall be hurt with this.” The
letter is signed by a few persons, including sarpanch Ved Prakash, and also
bears a stamp of the Gomla sarpanch.
Talking to The Indian Express, Ved
Prakash however said, “Our main purpose is to check the antecedents of street
vendors or those coming to our village to stay on rent. We do not want to
single out any particular community. We only appealed to the district
administration that the antecedents of all those street vendors or other
persons coming to our village, irrespective of whether he is a Hindu or Muslim,
should be verified. Otherwise, there are 10-15 Muslim families who are working
in the fields in our village and there is no problem with them.”
A similar resolution was passed the same
day by the Bihali gram panchayat, signed by sarpanch Veena Devi and a few
others on her letterhead. This too was submitted to the SDM (Mahendragarh).
Bhavna Yadav, the sarpanch of Jainabad
gram panchayat in Rewari, has also passed the same resolution, which has been
submitted to the police post incharge of Dahina. It states: “Our village
panchayat and all the villagers have decided that no mischievous element or
Muslim community members shall be permitted to put up their roadside vends or
indulge in any business activity in the village… All those who are staying on
rent in the village have been asked to submit their identity-proofs to you so
that you can get those identity-proofs verified. A public announcement in this
regard has also been made across the village.”
Rajbir Singh, Bhavna’s father-in-law who
picked up when The Indian Express called her number, said: “Rewari district
shares borders with Nuh. Our main purpose was to avoid any communal clash in
our village… We shall be lifting this ban in a few days once the situation gets
completely normal in Nuh.”
Sarpanch Narendra Yadav of Chimnawas
gram panchayat submitted a similar resolution to SDM (Rewari), which states
that “people from Muslim community do a recce during the day time in the garb
of roadside vends and indulge in thefts of farmers’ animals in the night”.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nuh-violence-panchayat-heads-issue-letters-banning-muslim-traders-8884222/
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Pakistan
District administration urged to
postpone Urs at Bari Imam in respect of Muharram
August 10, 2023
ISLAMABAD-Any untoward incident during
the upcoming Urs at Bari Imam Shrine cannot be ruled out as a group of local
residents approached district administration and requested to postpone the said
event till the end of the month of Muharram.
Urs is usually held at a dargah (shrine)
and commemorates the saint’s death anniversary. It enables all the devotees to
come together at the same time and mark their attendance at the shrine.
Hundreds of thousands of people used to
flock to the shrine of Bari Imam every year for the five-day Urs in the third
week of May, to pay their tributes to the great Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif
Kazmi but the event could not be organized since 2008 due to security threats
and the renovation of shrine. However, the government has re-constituted a
committee for development and management of Bari Imam Shrine headed by Senator
Ishaq Dar, which in its maiden meeting decided to hold three days Urs on August
15 to 17.
The preparations in this regard are
underway and different programs have been scheduled in Bari Imam House — a
residence of Raja Sarfraz Akram, who is also part of the government’s committee
and an influential personality of the capital city.
Meanwhile, a group of local people named
Awam Dost Group led by Tanveer Abbasi approached the Chief Commissioner
Islamabad Noor ul Amin Mengal and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz
Memon for the postponement of said event for a few months.
The group in its application stated that
the selection of time in the month of Muharram is inappropriate and it is also
in contradiction of decades’ long history of Urs at Bari Imam.
“This decision of holding Urs in the
Muharram during the days of Chehlum of Hazarat Imam Hussain (AS) has severely
hurt the feelings of Muslims... This decision also reflects the mindset of the
chairman of committee with regard to having respect to the family of Holy
Prophet (PBUH). This decision is highly condemnable, therefore it is requested
that you, being the Head of Auqaf Department to take up this matter for postponement
of the Urs immediately to control the reaction and resentment,” the request
reads.
The application contended further that
traditionally the Urs had been convened in the month of May every year for five
days and rituals were performed by the Sajada Nasheens families, whose
ancestors had looked after the shrine for about 270 years before the shrine was
taken over by Auqaf in 1960.
The role of Raja Sarfraz Akram is also
questioned and it is stated that he is organizing all the events at his
residence instead of premises of the Shrine while he himself is sending
invitations, which are supposed to be delivered and managed by the Auqaf
department.
It is requested from the district
authorities to postpone the event and re-announce it in May 2024 in a proper
manner by involving all the stakeholders to avoid resentment to amicably defuse
the situation. Sources informed this scribe that there is a long history of
sectarian feud between two sects in the area and the government’s unilateral
decision could create a law and order situation in the capital.
When contacted the Deputy Commissioner
Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon for his comments, he said the instant application
is under consideration and a final decision has yet to be taken.
The organizer of the Urs, Raja Sarfraz
Akram tried to be contacted but he was unavailable for his comments.
Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, or Bari Imam,
was born in 1617AD (1026 Hijra) in village Choli Karsal at District Chakwal. He
received his spiritual knowledge and title from Hayat alMir (Zinda Pir) and is
credited with converting a number of Hindus to Islam. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
Alamgir is also believed to have visited the saint to pay his respects.
Source: nation.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Aug-2023/district-administration-urged-to-postpone-urs-at-bari-imam-in-respect-of-muharram
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PAC exhibits Islamic calligraphic work
of Mufaz Alam
August 10, 2023
Rawalpindi-Punjab Arts Council (PAC) on
Wednesday organized Islamic calligraphy exhibition of Mufaz Alam work. Renowned
calligrapher Rasheed Butt was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony.
While addressing the participants of the
exhibition, Rasheed Butt said that Islamic calligraphy has a very close
relationship with the Quran. Quranic verses and surahs are well used in this
style of calligraphy. In Islam, matters related to writing and writing is given
great importance. For centuries, the main focus of attention of Muslims is the
Kalam of Allah. It is a miracle of the Quran that Muslims were exposed to a
pure art like Islamic calligraphy, he added.
He further said that today’s young
people are entering the field of painting with critical thinking. By following
Quranic teachings, a person gets peace of mind and heart in this world and the
hereafter, without it, human life cannot reach its ascension. Butt said,
“Punjab Arts Council’s promotion of the art of calligraphy is commendable.
After seeing the work of Mufaz Alam, I can confidently say that Islamic
calligraphy has a bright future in Pakistan.”
Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmad said
that writing, reading and listening to the Holy Qur’an is a source of pride for
Muslims. Allah has hidden the solution of all the problems of this world and
the hereafter in the Book of Allah, which can only be used by people who are
thoughtful and read the Holy Quran. Mufaz Alam has beautifully painted the
verses of the Holy Quran on the canvas. It is indeed a gift from my Lord, he
added. More than 50 calligraphies of
Mufaz Alam were placed in the exhibition.
Source: nation.com.pk
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https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Aug-2023/pac-exhibits-islamic-calligraphic-work-of-mufaz-alam
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Court issues notices on Bari Imam
complex plea
August 10, 2023
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has
issued notices seeking responses from nominated parties in a petition opposing
the formation of a committee for the development and management of the Hazrat
Bari Imam Darbar Complex under the leadership of outgoing finance minister
Ishaq Dar.
IHC Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb
heard the petition of Pir Syed Muhammad Ali Geelani, who is the custodian of
the Bari Imam shrine in the capital.
The court sent notice to the other
parties, including the Ministry of Interior, after hearing the preliminary
arguments, asking for a response within two weeks.
Eight private members are part of the
committee headed by Ishaq Dar, as per a notification issued on July 29.
The committee had been reconstituted
following a notification from the ministry.
The private members include General
(retd) Muhammad Afzal Janjua, Hanif Abbasi, Raja Sarfraz Akram, Sohail Iqbal
Bhatti, Gohar Zahid Malik, Inam Rabbani, Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Mian Muhammad
Hanif along with the Islamabad chief commissioner and deputy commissioner as
well as the chairman of the Capital Development Authority, as per the
notification.
Source: tribune.com.pk
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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2430080/court-issues-notices-on-bari-imam-complex-plea
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Mideast
Martyrs’ blood leads to emergence of new
Islamic civilization: Raisi
August 9, 2023
Raisi referred to the spilled blood of
the martyrs as the foundation for the emergence of a new Islamic civilization
based on sacrifice.
such civilization would be built on love
and devotion to God, he emphasized.
Stressing the importance of valuing the
slain Iranian soldiers’ journey, he said, “Anyone who betrays their cause will
not prosper.”
The president also mentioned that the presence
of Iranian forces in any country has always been a source of security, unlike
foreign forces and enemies who bring about insecurity wherever they go.
He concluded his remarks by stating that
the legacy of martyrs is a precious legacy that goes against discrimination and
corruption. Raisi emphasized that what will go on in the country is the
valuable legacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and those who have died for the
God-heeding system.
Vietnam’s top legislator calls Iran’s
achievement despite sanctions inspirational
President Raisi also held a meeting late
on Tuesday with the Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, who
visited Tehran on Tuesday morning.
During the official meeting, Hue praised
the West Asian country of Iran for its resistance against U.S. sanctions.
Hue also told Raisi that Hanoi attaches
great importance to ties with Tehran.
"Vietnam is interested in
developing all-out interactions and cooperation with Iran and enhancing these
relations to the level of regional and international cooperation,” said the top
Vietnamese legislator. He also asserted that the 50 years of friendly relations
between the two countries can lay a good basis for future plans and goals.
For his part, Raisi said Iran has been
able to make great progress in the fields of science, technology, production,
and industry, despite the sanctions that have been imposed upon it.
On ties with Vietnam, the Iranian
president said the two countries have significant room to expand their
cooperation as they can collaborate in various economic and trade fields.
Raisi also received an official
invitation from Hue to visit Vietnam.
Before meeting with Raisi, Hue met with
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The two signed an MOU for
parliamentary cooperation at the end of their meeting. They also announced that
a direct Tehran-Hanoi flight will soon be established.
Hue's trip has taken place on the
occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties
between Iran and Vietnam. It also comes nearly 25 years after NA Chairman Nong
Duc Manh’s Iran visit in 1999, and five years after Speaker of the Iranian
Parliament Ali Larijani visited Vietnam in April of 2018.
Source: tehrantimes.com
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https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487757/Martyrs-blood-leads-to-emergence-of-new-Islamic-civilization
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Fire breaks out at north Syria camp
housing families linked to Islamic State group fighters
August 9, 2023
QAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — A fire broke out
Wednesday in a sprawling camp in northeast Syria housing tens of thousands of
mostly women and children linked to the Islamic State group causing material
damage but no casualties, the camp’s director said.
The Al-Hol Camp holds about 51,000
people, the vast majority of them women and children, including the wives,
widows and other family members of IS militants. Most are Syrians and Iraqis.
But there are also around 8,000 women and children from 60 other nationalities
who live in a part of the camp known as the Annex. They are generally
considered the most die-hard IS supporters among the camp residents.
The camp’s director, Jihan Hanan, told
The Associated Press that the fire broke out in the annex torching 10 tents and
reaching a center for an organization that takes care of children. She added
that a container used by the center was burnt as well.
Hanan said the cause of the fire that
broke out in the early afternoon Wednesday was still unknown. She added that
the local Kurdish police force known as Asayesh brought tanker trucks from
outside the camp to extinguish the fire.
The camp population is down from its
height of 73,000 people, mostly because Syrians and Iraqis who were allowed to
go home. But other countries have largely balked at taking back their
nationals, who traveled to join IS after the radical group seized large parts
of Iraq and Syria in 2014.
Despite the extremist group’s defeat in
Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, IS sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks
in both countries. Over the past years, grisly crimes were committed inside
al-Hol.
Source: apnews.com
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https://apnews.com/article/alhol-syria-fire-annex-islamic-state-6aa8763962ea98bbbc77b27345be41c5
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Erdogan meets with delegation of Muslim
scholars
August 9, 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
met with a delegation from the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) at
the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Anadolu Agency
reported.
The delegation included the
secretary-general of the Dublin-based organisation, Sheikh Ali Mohieddin
Qaradaghi.
The meeting's attendees on the Turkish
side comprised Ali Erbas, the president of the state-run Directorate of
Religious Affairs, and Dr Mohammed Gormaz, the president of the Ankara-based
Institute of Islamic Thought (IDE).
The IUMS is a non-governmental
organisation established in 2004 with the objective of promoting Muslim unity
and advancing Islamic knowledge.
Source: middleeastmonitor.com
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https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230809-erdogan-meets-with-delegation-of-muslim-scholars/
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Consistent growth in Oman's Islamic
banking
09/August/2023
Muscat: The Islamic Banking Entities
(IBEs) in Oman have witnessed consistent and rapid growth since their
introduction in 2012, according to the Central Bank of Oman’s latest Financial
Stability Report 2023.
“As of December, 2022, the growth is
evident in the increase of total assets, which rose by 8.7 percent, reaching
OMR6.4 billion, while conventional banks experienced a decline by 0.6 percent
in total assets,” the report further said.
“The expansion of IBEs’ total assets is
primarily driven by financing activities, with financing and investments both
increasing by 12.2 percent and 12.8 percent, reaching OMR5.4 billion and OMR5.8
million, respectively.”
“On the liabilities side, total deposits
exhibited a similar pattern, recording a growth of 10.9 percent to reach OMR4.9
billion. To meet the funding demand and support the growing asset base,
borrowings witnessed an increase of 14.6 percent, reaching OMR2.8 million,” the
FSR further said.
IBEs play a vital role as
intermediaries. The robust growth in financing has resulted in a slight
increase in the financing-to-deposit ratio, reaching 111.4 percent at the end
of December 2022, compared to 110.1 percent in the previous year.
The sector’s solvency remains robust,
with the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) rising to 16.42 percent as of December
2022, compared to 16.91 percent a year earlier, surpassing the regulatory
requirement of 12.25 percent.
Credit risk, as indicated by asset
quality indicators, remains under control. The non-performing financing (NPF)
ratio increased to 2.1 percent in December 2022, compared to 1.8 percent in
2021. The stage 2 to total finance ratio, although slightly declining from
24.11 percent in 2021 to 23.93 percent in 2022, remains relatively high,
reflecting the banks’ conservative approach to loan restructuring management.
The Islamic banking sector in the
Sultanate of Oman consists of two Islamic banks and five Islamic banking
windows. The sector has been experiencing growth in line with the ongoing
economic conditions, which rebounded after the subsiding of the pandemic.
Islamic banking’s importance is increasing as it steadily captures a larger
market share. In December 2022, Islamic banking accounted for 16.5 percent of
total banking sector assets, compared to 15.3 percent during the same period in
2021.
Source: timesofoman.com
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https://timesofoman.com/article/134613-consistent-growth-in-omans-islamic-banking
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More than 400 Shia prisoners go on
hunger strike in Bahrain to protest prison conditions
August 9, 2023
According to activists and opposition
members, in Bahrain, over 400 political detainees, primarily of the Shia community,
have initiated a hunger strike within the past day, protesting alleged inhumane
conditions at a major prison facility.
Shia Islamist parties have urged the
Bahraini government to release the “460 political prisoners” on hunger strike.
These actions come after the Jau
Rehabilitation and Reform Center in southern Bahrain reportedly reduced
visitation rights and prayer times.
This information was disclosed by Al
Wefaq, a previously dissolved major Shia opposition party, in 2016, with
several of its leaders currently facing terrorism charges by the Bahraini
government.
Hussein al Dehi, deputy secretary of Al
Wefaq, stated in a press release, “Rights are not up for negotiation but are to
be achieved, and the hunger strike of political prisoners in Jau prison
reflects the commitment to basic rights and dignity.”
Abdullah al Saleh, deputy secretary of
the Shia group Al Amal al Islami, vocally demanded the immediate release of the
detainees, highlighting that the issue concerns all Bahrainis.
So far, there’s been no response from
the Bahraini government. Al Wefaq has planned a demonstration in support of the
prisoners.
In the recent past, Shia Imam Mohamed
Sanqur was arrested for discussing the prisoners’ condition at Jau prison
during a sermon.
Bahrain, with a population of about 1.8
million, of which over 70% are Shia, has been the site of numerous protests
since 2011, advocating for political reforms.
Since then, several international
organizations have reported numerous instances of alleged torture, repression,
and political or religious-based imprisonments.
Source: riotimesonline.com
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https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/new-multipolar-world-order/middle-east/more-than-400-shia-prisoners-go-on-hunger-strike-in-bahrain-to-protest-prison-conditions/
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Türkiye positioned as Islamic banking,
investment hub: Senior executive
AUG 09, 2023
Türkiye has consistently shown a
dedication to growing its Islamic finance industry and positioned itself as a
center for participation banking and investments, according to a senior
executive.
“Türkiye has made important
contributions to advancing Islamic banking and luring capital from Islamic
nations,” Yousef Hassan Khalawi, secretary-general of the Islamic Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA), said.
Türkiye has been pitching itself as an
attractive spot for capital from countries with a predominantly Muslim
population, and promoting Islamic finance has been part of government plans to
boost commercial ties with the Gulf and diversify the country’s investor base.
Bridging the East and West makes Türkiye
“an attractive destination for investments from Islamic countries,"
Khalawi told Daily Sabah in an interview.
“Its proximity to Europe, the Middle
East and Asia provides access to a wide range of markets and business
opportunities. Türkiye has actively leveraged this advantage to attract
investments, including those from Islamic countries,” he noted.
Türkiye has come a long way, but there
is always an opportunity for improvement and there are more other steps that
should be taken to promote the country as a leading destination for Islamic
finance, according to Khalawi.
“Türkiye can continue to strengthen its
regulatory framework, promote financial education on Islamic finance, increase
the variety of Shariah-compliant products and services, and strengthen its
engagement with Islamic financial institutions and investors globally to
increase its role in facilitating Islamic finance and luring investments,” he
said.
Türkiye boasts a comprehensive legal and
regulatory framework to support the Islamic finance industry. It introduced the
Participation Banking Law in 1983, which provided a solid foundation for
Islamic banking operations. Its regulatory bodies such as the Banking
Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) and the Capital Markets Board (SPK)
oversee and regulate Islamic financial institutions.
Türkiye has implemented legislative and
regulatory reforms to create a supportive environment for Islamic finance. It
enacted the laws and amendments to its existing legal frames and regulations to
accommodate Sharia-compliant financial products and services, "ensuring a
level playing field for Islamic finance institutions," according to
Khalawi.
Islamic finance in Türkiye has been
predominantly driven by domestic Islamic banks, known locally as participation
banks. The number of participation lenders in the country reached eight as of
May this year.
The banks boasted TL 1.4 trillion ($52
billion) in assets as of May, according to Participation Banks Association of
Türkiye (TKBB) data. They are running a network of more than 1,400 branches across
Türkiye and employ some 18,650 people.
The member banks saw their net
profitability increase by 443% and asset size grow by 65.6% to nearly TL 1.19
trillion as of the end of 2022, according to the association. Their share in
the banking sector reached 8.4%.
Robust market, consumer base
"Türkiye's Islamic banks have
attracted significant investments and performed big numbers to be a model of
excellence to the whole world, as well as catered to the financial needs of the
local population," Khalawi said.
Khalawi, who is also secretary-general
of AlBaraka Forum, said they are looking at the opportunities in Türkiye,
reaffirmed by many major events and programs he says they had dedicated
"to empower the Turkish market with the opportunities, awareness and
developments that required with consideration of the contemporary challenges
and changes."
"We are providing a global platform
and forum for stakeholders from around the world to exchange ideas, share best
practices and explore opportunities for collaboration to contribute to
promoting the Islamic Finance and economics culture by facilitating meaningful
discussions and contributing to the growth and development of the Islamic
finance sector in Türkiye," he added.
Khalawi further stressed several factors
that he said contribute to Türkiye's attractiveness as a destination for
Islamic finance and business development, citing its robust domestic market,
sizeable consumer base and demand for Shariah-compliant financial products and
services.
"Türkiye has a large and dynamic
domestic market, with customers and users from all around the globe. This
sizable consumer base provides significant opportunities for businesses and
investors in various sectors, including Islamic finance. The demand for
Shariah-compliant financial products and services is growing within the
country, which further enhances Türkiye's appeal as an Islamic finance
destination," he explained.
He also referred to historic links,
saying that the Islamic cultural and historical background and heritage of
Türkiye established a strong ground for modern Islamic finance and banking
services.
"This historical legacy, combined
with the country's commitment to preserving Islamic traditions, makes Türkiye
an attractive destination for Islamic finance and business development. It
creates a sense of familiarity and cultural affinity for investors and
businesses from Islamic countries."
Policies, incentives
The Turkish government has over the
years implemented a range of policies and initiatives to attract Islamic
finance and business development.
Khalawi said these include providing
incentives for foreign investors, creating favorable business regulations, and
facilitating ease of doing business. He also cited government agencies and
institutions that were established to support and promote Islamic finance, such
as the TKBB and the Türkiye Wealth Fund (TWF).
The support and facilitation of the
operation of the Islamic economic system, particularly Islamic finance and
banking, in Türkiye is greatly aided by the financial infrastructure, according
to Khalawi.
"Türkiye has a well-developed
infrastructure for Islamic finance. It has a robust network of participation
banks and Islamic financial institutions that offer a wide range of
Shariah-compliant products and services. The presence of these institutions,
along with a supportive legal and regulatory framework, creates a conducive
environment for Islamic finance and attracts investors and businesses looking
to engage in Shariah-compliant activities," he noted.
He stressed the established
infrastructure and the country's readiness are offering diverse investment
opportunities across various sectors, including real estate, agriculture,
industry, technology, infrastructure, energy, tourism and manufacturing.
"These sectors present attractive
prospects for Islamic finance and business development. Türkiye's commitment to
infrastructure development and investment in strategic industries further
enhances the investment landscape for Islamic finance institutions and investors,"
he added.
'Premier location'
Khalawi highlighted that strong
infrastructure and market flexibility bring openness to the market and
products, which attract customers, entrepreneurs and investors from all around
the world.
"This particular point is coming
from the quality of the products and the premium geographical location with a
relatively low level of trade barriers, facilitating the import and export of
goods and services," he said.
"By making the most of these
elements, Türkiye maintains its position as a desirable location for the growth
of Islamic finance and commerce, strengthening its links with other Islamic
nations and luring foreign investment from all over the world."
According to Khalawi, Türkiye's legal
formation has created an open environment for establishing and promoting
Islamic finance and banking institutions by establishing country-based
participation banks, offering a wide range of Shariah-compliant financial
products that are founded on the understanding of the finance aspects and
Shariah matters.
He said the country has recognized the
importance of financial education and awareness in promoting Islamic finance.
He cited the government's initiatives to increase awareness and understanding
of Islamic finance among the public, businesses and investors. This includes
organizing seminars, workshops and training programs to disseminate knowledge
about Islamic finance principles and practices.
"These actions show Türkey's
dedication to advancing Islamic banking and establishing itself as a premier
location in this industry," Khalawi said.
"Türkiye has made significant
progress toward attracting Islamic finance and establishing itself as an
Islamic finance hub by enacting supportive legislation, encouraging the
expansion of participation banks, expanding the Sukuk market, forging
international alliances, raising financial awareness, and investing in
infrastructure."
Source: dailysabah.com
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https://www.dailysabah.com/business/finance/turkiye-positioned-as-islamic-banking-investment-hub-senior-executive
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Arab
World
Saudi creative program celebrates 387
gifted students from 16 countries
August 10, 2023
RIYADH: A total of 387 talented students
from 16 Arab countries concluded their participation in the ‘Arab Talents’
initiative organized by a Saudi foundation, state news agency SPA reported.
Through the initiative, the King
Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or
Mawhiba, aims to empower talented students from Arab states and improve their
skills.
Students participated in activities
across various fields including engineering, physics, medical, chemical, and
biological sciences, mathematics, and astrology over a period of three weeks.
The ‘Arab Talents’ initiative, organized
as part of Mawhiba’s 2023 Creativity Program, focuses on discovering talents
from an early age and honing their skills as the ‘leaders of change’ in the
Arab world, Amal Al-Hazzaa, Mawhiba secretary-general, said in a statement.
Participants came from Saudi Arabia,
Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Qatar,
Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Yemen.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2352671/saudi-arabia
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King Salman approves holding
international Islamic conference in Makkah on Sunday
August 09, 2023
JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Salman has approved holding an international Islamic conference in
Makkah on Aug. 13 and 14 (Muharram 26 and 27).
Around 150 eminent Islamic scholars,
muftis, religious leaders, and thinkers from 85 countries around the world will
participate in the conference. Heads of Islamic associations and sheikhdoms as
well as academics from a number of international universities will also be
participating in the two-day event.
The conference, with the theme of
“Communication with the departments of religious affairs, ifta, and sheikhdoms
in the world and the like,” will be organized by the Ministry of Islamic
Affairs, Call and Guidance.
The conference will discuss topics such
as moderation, extremism, decadence, extremism, terrorism, tolerance and
coexistence among peoples in its seven working sessions.
The conference aims to strengthen the
links of communication and integration between the departments of religious
affairs, ifta and sheikhdoms in the world to achieve the principles of
moderation and to foster the values of tolerance and coexistence among peoples.
It is also to highlight the role of
these principles in emphasizing the need to adhere to the Holy Qur’an and the
Sunnah of the Prophet, in addition to serving Islam and Muslims, promoting
Islamic unity among Muslims, fighting ideas of extremism, and protecting
societies from atheism and disintegration.
The conference will demonstrate the
Kingdom’s unique experience in propagation to God, spreading the principles of
mercy and preserving values in construction, renaissance and progress in various
fields while building the society.
The conference would focus on seven
major topics. The first of which is the efforts of the departments of religious
affairs, fatwas, and sheikhdoms in the world and the like in serving Islam and
Muslims and promoting Islamic unity. Secondly, bolster communication and
integration between reality and aspirations while the third is exerting efforts
to promote the values of tolerance and coexistence among peoples. The other
topics are adhering to the teachings of the Holy Book and the Prophet’s Sunnah;
spreading moderation in the Qur’an and the Sunnah; strengthening the efforts of
the departments of religious affairs, fatwas, and sheikhdoms in the world and
the like in combating extremism and terrorism, and continuing efforts to
protect society from atheism and decadence.
The organization of the conference comes
as part of the ministry’s efforts to perpetuate the approach of moderation
through constructive cooperation with international religious leaders, in order
to contribute to reducing acts of violence and feelings of hatred among the
peoples of the world
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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International Holy Qur’an Museum project
inaugurated in Makkah
August 09, 2023
MAKKAH — Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa, secretary
general of the Muslim World League (MWL) and chairman of the Association of
Muslim Scholars, inaugurated the International Holy Qur’an Museum project at
the MWL headquarters in Makkah.
Several senior officials of MWL,
scholars and international scientific personalities under the umbrella of MWL
attended the opening ceremony.
In his opening speech, Dr. Al-Issa
announced the plans to open permanent international branches of Qur’an museum
for non-Muslims in various countries around the world.
“Studies have been carried out by the
Agency of the MWL for the Service of the Holy Book and the Sunnah about the
idea of this pioneering project, which is the first of its kind, in view of its
content and objectives. The launch of this project is from inside the
headquarters of MWL in Makkah, where the first revelation of the Holy Qur’an
was revealed and Qiblah of world Muslims is situated,” he said.
The MWL chief emphasized that MWL is one
of the blessed gifts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Islamic world, and
that the Qur’an museum is also added to the league’s Islamic work in the light
of its vision, mission, goals and values, starting from its cradle of Makkah.
He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for what they have done and are offering to
Islam, Muslims and the entire humanity.
Sheikh Al-Issa said that any visitor to
the MWL headquarters can view the exhibits displayed at the museum. It is also
possible for all others, who want to visit the permanent international branches
of the museum to be established all around the world, to see and understand
everything that is related to the Holy Book.
“The museum, especially its
international branches, aims to introduce Qur’anic values and wise rulings
contained in the verses of the Holy Scripture. The museum will include the
contents of the scientific miracles of the Holy Qur’an, which are supported by
authentic scientific facts,” he said while emphasizing that another major
highlight of the museum is that it contains definitive clarifications about the
most frequent inquiries being made about the Holy Qur’an by non-Muslims. “This
will be through preparing the answers in advance, or receiving inquiries later
by visitors, or answering through the advanced means of communications. The
answers will be delivered either instantly by scholars and researchers working
in each branch, or through various scientific committees according to the
subject of queries,” he clarified.
The MWL chief said that the museum
includes documented testimonies of the most prominent non-Islamic international
personalities, who aired their impressions about the Holy Book, that would
contribute to the Holy Qur’an’s credibility and influence in them.
Highlighting the salient features of the
international branches of the museum, Sheikh Al-Issa said that most of its
international branches will be meant for non-Muslims, and modern technology
will be used in the presentation in their respective languages. He also pointed
out that the MWL’s initiative is in view of the attempts being made to
misrepresent some of the given clarifications for the Qur’anic texts by some
unscrupulous guys. “The MWL monitored a number of inquiries made about the Holy
Qur’an and the given answers. But a number of ignorant and malicious people
employed these inquiries to inflate them with offensive contexts through
various portals,” he said while emphasizing that the museum will highlight the
sublime values promulgated by the Holy Book by removing all the misgivings and
combating the malicious campaign.
Sheikh Al-Issa explained that the museum
will include a historical account of the manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an, and
global contributions to its service, as well as a review of the most important
outputs of conferences, forums, lectures and literature related to the Holy
Qur’an and its sciences.
“The total number of university
scholarly theses, monitored by MWL related to sciences of the Holy Qur’an up to
this date, stood at around 15,000. Based on the complete extrapolation and
careful tracking that were made, we do not know whether there are any other
books that have ever been subjected to such meticulous studies and research as
the Holy Qur’an,” he said.
The MWL chief said that the Department
of Affairs of the Global Council of Sheikhs of Readers, under the Muslim World
League, participated in the preparation of the museum project. He noted that
the museum will have an advisory body that includes a number of senior scholars
of the Islamic world, led by members of the Supreme Authority of the Makkah
Document. “The museum’s major missions and tasks include organize conferences,
forums, and lectures around the world, as well as to hold meaningful and
fruitful dialogues, publish research, studies and introductory pamphlets,
including answers to inquiries, and the encyclopedia of values in the Holy
Qur’an, including the position on non-Muslims, and present the correct meanings
of the Holy Qur’an so as to clear the any suspicions,” he said.
“We know that there are other
exhibitions and museums on the Holy Qur’an, but this museum is unique by its
internationalism through its branches around the world. It is also
distinguished from others by two other things, namely its content and
objectives that took into account contemporary transformations, especially its
recent records,” he added
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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Saudi delegation led by investment
minister Khalid Al-Falih concludes visit to Latin America
August 10, 2023
RIYADH: A Saudi delegation comprised of
top government officials, national companies and private sector representatives
led by investment minister Khalid Al-Falih have concluded their tour of Latin
America.
The high-level official tour of seven
Latin American nations between July 31 and August 9 was an extension of earlier
investment ministry-led visits to a number of Caribbean and Latin and South
American countries ‘with the aim of building bridges of communication’, state news agency SPA reported.
During the delegation’s Brazil swing,
Al-Falih said that green energy and food security were two of the main sectors
in which Saudi Arabia was interested in investing in the country.
Al-Falih, who spoke duirng the
Brazil-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum, also cited the financial, automotive,
agricultural, transport and logistics, infrastructure, ecotourism and
entertainment sectors as other areas of interest.
In Argentina, the investment minister
met with foreign minister Santiago Cafiero where they discussed cooperation and
joint business initiatives. They also signed two agreements, one concerning the
promotion of direct investments, and the other on geological cooperation.
In Chile, the Saudi delegation engaged with
local counterparts to explore and amplify mutual financing possibilities and an
agreement was signed to boost cooperation between both parties to facilitate
direct investments.
Source: arabnews.com
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King Salman sends message to Ethiopian
PM
August 09, 2023
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent
on Wednesday a verbal message to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali
concerning bilateral relations and ways to boost joint cooperation.
The message was conveyed by Ahmed bin
Abdulaziz Kattan, adviser at the Royal Court, during a reception hosted by the
prime minister in Addis Ababa, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Kattan and the prime minister discussed
ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields and regional and
international developments.
Saudi ambassador to Ethiopia Fahd
Al-Humaidani attended the meeting.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief chief meets Dutch envoy in
Riyadh
August 09, 2023
RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah,
supervisor-general of Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief, met the Dutch ambassador
to the Kingdom, Janet Alberda, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh on
Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed
matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief efforts.
Alberda praised KSrelief for assisting
people around the world.
KSrelief has implemented 2,402 projects
worth more than $6.2 billion in 92 countries, in cooperation with 175 local,
regional and international partners since its inception in May 2015.
According to a recent KSrelief report,
the countries that have benefited the most are Yemen ($4.2 billion), Syria
($372 million), Palestine ($370 million) and Somalia ($256 million).
KSrelief’s programs cover food security,
health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education and telecommunications.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief and Britain join forces in
$9.16m donation to aid Sudan
August 09, 2023
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief
and the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office on Tuesday signed
a joint $9.16 million agreement to support Sudan.
The two sides will each contribute $4.58
million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support the regional
emergency response to the humanitarian crisis in the country.
The funding aims to provide support for
health, protection, and food security — while achieving the common goal of an
effective humanitarian response — and alleviate the urgent humanitarian needs
of those affected in Sudan.
The agreement was signed virtually by
Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the royal court adviser and head of KSrelief, and Andrew
Mitchell, the British minister of state for development and African affairs, in
response to the humanitarian appeal of the ICRC in Sudan.
Al-Rabeeah said: “The assistance
provided by the Kingdom through the center reaffirms the keenness of the
government, King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to stand by the
brotherly Sudanese people. It also aims to mitigate the effects of the
difficult crisis that Sudan is currently witnessing.”
Mitchell said that the joint project
confirmed the depth of the partnership between the two countries in the
humanitarian field, which helped alleviate human suffering in several countries.
The President of the ICRC Mirjana
Spoljaric Egger said that the funding would help the organization to provide a
neutral and impartial response to the victims of the crisis, which would allow
the committee’s teams to respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs
of the population.
She indicated that the donation had come
at the appropriate time as the ICRC and many other humanitarian actors faced a
restrictive financial environment amid growing humanitarian needs worldwide.
The agreement comes within the framework
of the humanitarian and relief projects provided by the Kingdom through
KSrelief, in cooperation with international agencies, to help reduce the
suffering of the Sudanese people.
Source: arabnews.com
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North
America
US told Pakistan to remove Imran Khan
from power – Intercept
9 Aug, 2023
The US State Department pressured
Pakistan to remove its popular prime minister, Imran Khan, last year over the
latter’s neutrality regarding the conflict in Ukraine, The Intercept reported
on Wednesday, citing a secret diplomatic cable obtained from a Pakistani
military source. The cable documents a meeting between US State Department
officials and Pakistan’s ambassador to the US on March 7, 2022.
“People here and in Europe are quite
concerned about why Pakistan is taking such an aggressively neutral position”
on Ukraine, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central
Asian Affairs Donald Lu warns his Pakistani counterpart in the cable, blaming
the PM alone for the offending policy.
While Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan
attempts to correct the American, pointing out that Pakistan’s position on
Ukraine is shared across the government, Lu counters that it is the PM’s
behavior that is the problem, but that “if the no-confidence vote against the
Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington.”
“Otherwise, I think it will be tough
going ahead,” he threatens, adding that Europe will follow the US’ lead in the
“isolation of the prime minister.” Ambassador Khan reflects in his notes that
the threat seems to be coming directly from the White House and suggests a
strong diplomatic response.
Khan, who apparently obtained a copy of
the cable in the weeks following the meeting, pointed at the US as the director
of his ouster after he was removed following a no-confidence vote last April –
just as Lu had suggested.
His successor, Shehbaz Sharif, admitted
the cable existed and that some of its messaging was inappropriate, but stopped
short of acknowledging its confirmation of Khan’s claims.
Washington has categorically denied
pressuring Islamabad to remove Khan. While the document obtained by The
Intercept does not technically constitute a direct order, it attaches
strongly-worded threats to noncompliance, hints at rewards for obedience, and
confirms both were viewed as coming directly from President Joe Biden.
Immediately following Khan’s ouster,
Pakistan reversed its neutrality on Ukraine, demonstrating its fealty to
Washington by supplying copious amounts of weapons to Kiev. Its military was
reportedly rewarded with a defense pact covering “joint exercises, operations,
training, basing and equipment.”
While polls have suggested Khan would
easily win an election were he permitted to run again, he was sentenced to
three years in prison last week on corruption charges, blocking him from
contesting elections expected to take place this year. He has been charged with
numerous crimes since his ouster, from insulting state officials to terrorism,
and last month it was announced he would be prosecuted under the Official
Secrets Act for revealing the contents of the cable documenting the conspiracy
to oust him.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/581067-us-pressured-pakistan-khan-ouster/
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CAIR-LA, Partners Welcome Recognition of
Muslim American Appreciation Month in Orange County
August 9, 2023
(LOS ANGELES, CA – 8/9/2023) – The
Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-LA), along with Afghan American Muslim Outreach, Institute of Knowledge,
Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic, and the Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California, today welcomed a proclamation from the County of Orange,
Calif., recognizing August as Muslim American Appreciation Month.
The proclamation, which recognizes the
invaluable contributions of American Muslims to the county, was introduced by
O.C. Board Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento and supported by Supervisors Doug
Chaffee, Donald Wagner, and Katrina Foley.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Policy Manager
Basha Jamil said:
“This proclamation represents a
heartfelt acknowledgment of the countless contributions made by American
Muslims to the growth, prosperity, and unity of Orange County and highlights
its commitment to fostering a society built on understanding, cooperation, and
compassion. By recognizing Muslim American Appreciation Month, Orange County is
not only celebrating our past achievements but also paving the way for a future
of continued collaboration and progress.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to O.C.
Board Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento for championing this proclamation and
demonstrating unwavering leadership in acknowledging the contributions of
American Muslims. We also extend our appreciation to Supervisors Doug Chaffee,
Donald Wagner, and Katrina Foley for their invaluable support. This
collaborative effort exemplifies the spirit of inclusivity, diversity, and
mutual respect that defines our county.”
Orange County joins the cities of
Anaheim and Los Angeles in recognizing Muslim American Appreciation Month.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest
Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the
understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower
American Muslims.
END
Source: cair.com
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'Moving' Islamic funeral prayers held
for Sinead O'Connor in Ireland
09 August, 2023
Islamic funeral prayers were held for
Sinead O’Connor on Tuesday ahead of her burial in Ireland.
The prayers, which were held in a
private ceremony, were led by Shaykh Dr Umar al Qadri, chief imam of the
Islamic Centre of Ireland.
“The funeral was obviously private (for)
the family and it was a very moving ceremony and I think it really reflected
the beautiful personality of Sinead. It was very spiritual and it reflected her
Irish identity as well as her Muslim identity," al Qadri told the PA news
agency.
“So I was with the members of the Muslim
community and we performed the Janazah prayer, which is the Islamic funeral
prayer, over Sinead,” he added.
Al Qadri had also been involved in
O'Connor's conversion to Islam in 2018, when she changed her name to Shuhada'
Davitt, and later to Shuhada Sadaqat.
Hundreds lined the route of the cortege
on Tuesday as it passed along the seafront in Bray, 20 kilometres (13 miles)
south of Dublin, where the singer had lived for 15 years.
U2 singer Bono, Ireland's President
Michael Higgins and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar were among those attending the
service, while activist and pop star Bob Geldof was part of the cortege.
Al Qadri later shared his eulogy to the
singer, who he described as a "beloved daughter of Ireland".
"May God give our pure-hearted
sister Sinead the beatific vision of that infinite face through which the
heavens and the earth are lit. May she be granted the STATION of the Muslim
name she chose for herself, Shuhada, the martyrs and witnesses of God’s Grace
and Beauty," he said.
"May her light continue to shine
and grace the land of Ireland that she loved so dearly, and may she find the
peace of God that she sought so earnestly."
Source: newarab.com
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Biden restricts US investments in
Chinese tech
10 Aug, 2023
President Joe Biden has signed an
executive order limiting US investments in Chinese technology companies,
labeling the People’s Republic a “country of concern,” while claiming it seeks
to exploit American business.
The White House announced the move in a
statement on Wednesday night, saying the order requires US firms to notify the
Treasury Department about certain investments in Chinese tech, while some
transactions will be prohibited outright.
“This program will seek to prevent
foreign countries of concern from exploiting US investment in this narrow set
of technologies that are critical to support their development of military,
intelligence, surveillance, and cyber-enabled capabilities that risk US
national security,” it said, claiming officials would maintain Washington’s
“longstanding commitment to open investment.”
The order applies to Chinese companies
working with “sensitive technologies,” including artificial intelligence,
semiconductors, and quantum computing. On the American side, the policy will
largely target private equity and venture capital investment firms looking to
do business overseas.
China’s Ministry of Commerce later
weighed in on the new rules, voicing “serious concern” while stating that it
“reserves the right to take measures” in response.
“We hope the US side respects the laws
of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, does not
artificially obstruct global economic and trade exchanges and cooperation and
does not put up obstacles for the recovery and growth of the world economy,”
the ministry said.
Biden’s executive order built upon previous
export controls on advanced computer chips, and went as far as to declare a
national emergency to confront Beijing’s “rapid” technological advancements,
claiming they pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat to the national
security of the United States.”
The decision comes amid a tit-for-tat
trade row between the US and China, with the White House previously taking
action against other Chinese firms, including telecom giants Huawei and ZTE
Corp. Officials in Beijing have repeatedly denounced US trade and tech policy
since Biden took office, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stating
that Washington has “politicized, instrumentalized and weaponized tech issues,
and sought to thwart other countries’ technological advancement.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/581074-biden-china-tech-investment/
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Man shot dead by FBI after making
threats against Biden
10 Aug, 2023
US federal agents have fatally shot a
Utah man accused of making threats against President Joe Biden and other public
figures, the FBI said, just hours before the commander in chief arrived in the
state for an official visit.
The shooting unfolded early Wednesday
morning as FBI agents attempted to serve a search and arrest warrant at the
Provo, Utah home of Craig Deleeuw Robertson, who was identified in court
documents obtained by several media outlets. The man was wanted on three
federal charges, including making threats against the president and law
enforcement, as well as interstate threats.
Robertson had “intent to kill, at a
minimum, [Manhattan District Attorney Alvin] Bragg and President Joe Biden,”
the government said in its filing, adding that the suspect had made online
threats toward Biden as recently as Monday.
In that internet post, Robertson
allegedly said “I hear Biden is coming to Utah,” declaring that he was
“cleaning the dust off the M24 sniper rifle.” He also addressed the FBI, the
court documents said, stating “you still monitoring my social media? Checking
so I can be sure to have a loaded gun handy in case you drop by again.”
According to two unnamed law enforcement
sources reached by the Associated Press, Robertson was armed at the time of the
shooting, while the charging sheet stated he owned multiple firearms.
The FBI said it is reviewing the
incident, noting that its Inspection Division would be involved in the probe.
No agents were injured during the shooting.
In addition to Biden and Bragg, the
suspect was alleged to have mentioned a long list of other politicians and
officials online, among them Vice President Kamala Harris, US Attorney General
Merrick Garland, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and New York Attorney
General Letitia James. He identified himself as a “MAGA Trumper,” and posted
threats against officials overseeing court cases involving the former
president, the charging documents said.
Law enforcement was initially tipped off
about the man last March by Donald Trump’s own social media venture, Truth
Social, after Robertson allegedly made threats about Bragg on the platform. His
account has since been suspended, according to AP.
Not long after Robertson’s deadly
encounter with federal agents, President Biden touched down at Roland R. Wright
Air National Guard Base for a one-day visit to Salt Lake City, around 45 miles
(72km) north of Provo. Though the White House has not confirmed where Biden
would stay for the trip, the Salt Lake Tribune reported stepped up security
measures near a hotel in downtown Salt Lake City later on Wednesday evening.
Source: rt.com
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Southeast
Asia
Sabah assembly passes Bill recognising
Muslim marriages that take place out of state
09 Aug 2023
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 9 — Muslim couples
who marry outside of Sabah will now be recognised by the state following
amendments passed in the state assembly today.
State Islamic Religious Affairs Minister
Datuk Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif said that the amendments to the Islamic Family Law
Enactment 2004 was a practical move that benefited those who married in other
states or abroad.
“Couples must register their marriage
within six months from the date of their return to Sabah.
“The marriage will be on record based on
state laws after their registration, as long as it does not contravene any
Shariah laws.
The amendment will allow the couple
freedom to conduct their akad nikah in any district in Sabah or Malaysia
without being restricted to the bride’s residence, as previously required.
“However, it is still subject to the
approval of the Registrar of Marriages, Divorces and Reconciliations for
Muslims, a Shariah judge or authorities of the respective state,” he said
during his speech when tabling the amendments.
The Bill was debated by 12 assemblymen,
who expressed support for the amendments and hope that it would help the
authorities look at reducing divorce cases in the state.
According to the Shariah Department statistics,
there were 3,037 divorce cases in Sabah.
Also, out of the 4,503 divorces
nationally between a foreigner and a Malaysian in 2014 and 2016, 1,067 were in
Sabah.
Sekong assemblyman Alias Sani said most
divorce cases involving Malaysians and foreigners were because husbands had
failed to provide financial support, were in prison, addicted to drugs,
physically violent or had left their wives and children behind to return to
their home country.
“As for the main contributing factors to
the overall divorce crisis affecting Muslim couples, particularly Malaysians,
are financial issues, emotional stress, lack of self-control or cases of
unequal partnership or marriages of unequal social status,” he said.
Kunak assemblyman Norazlinah Arif also
highlighted the need to tackle the issue of “kampung marriages” between
undocumented foreigners and locals.
She said such marriages caused problems
for the state over the children’s legal status.
Source: malaymail.com
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Sultan Of Perak: Islam, Medicine Share a
Long-Intertwined History
10-08- 2023
KUALA LUMPUR: Islam and medicine share a
long and fruitfully intertwined history, and many of the core foundations upon
which scientific and medical practices are still based originated with Muslim
scientists, said Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah (pix).
His Royal Highness said medieval Islamic
scholars introduced the concept of control groups in medical experiments, for
example, building on the knowledge of their Greek counterparts.
“Perhaps most significantly, it was the
work of medieval Muslim doctors and scientists that led to the development of
hospitals as we recognise them today,” Sultan Nazrin Shah when gracing the
launch of the book titled ‘Islam and Biomedicine’, here today. The book is
edited by Malaysia’s own Oxford Muslim theologian Datuk Dr Afifi al-Akiti in
collaboration with physician Dr A.I. Padela from the University of Chicago.
Sultan Nazrin Shah said he sees ‘Islam
and Biomedicine’ as a strong testament to humanity, and to the unique
contribution, humans can and must still make, even as Artificial Intelligence
(AI) expands and accelerates in the years to come.
“In its consideration of such
fundamental questions about the nature of human life, ‘Islam and Biomedicine’
also intersects in significant ways with an even more recent – and no less
seismic – development on the world stage,” he said.
The Sultan also commended all involved
in the publication of the book and for contributing to a collection which is,
at once, a brilliant and timely intervention in the modern world, and the
continuation of a long intellectual tradition.
“I am, moreover, proud to celebrate this
project initiated by Datuk Dr Afifi, a world-renowned scholar in his own right
who has contributed so much to contemporary Islamic thought and scholarship,
yet always grounded in his Malay Islamic roots.
“The world needs more collaborative and
interdisciplinary efforts like this, and I hope this important book paves the
way for future joint projects between the ulama, the religious
scholars of Islam, and the modern
scientists and medics,” said Sultan Nazrin Shah. -Bernama
Source: thesundaily.my
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DAP promised won’t interfere in Islamic
matters, says Zahid
Wednesday, 09 Aug 2023
PASIR PUTEH, Aug 9 — Deputy Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said DAP has given its commitment that
the party will always respect the religion of Islam as enshrined in the
Constitution.
He said the matter was stated by DAP
secretary-general Anthony Loke during the formation of the unity government,
which comprises Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN) and coalition
partners from Sabah and Sarawak.
“Allah has destined the combination
between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and me representing Umno and BN
and assisted by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari
Abang Openg, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and
Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“Anthony Loke, although he is from DAP,
has made a pledge in front of us that DAP will never interfere in Islamic
matters in Malaysia because DAP fully respects the position of Islam as
enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution,” he said.
He said this at a media conference after
attending the “Pemimpin Bersama Masyarakat” (Leaders Meet the People) programme
at the Perumahan Nelayan Tok Bali here today.
Also present were Umno secretary-general
Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Pasir Puteh Umno Division chief Datuk Zawawi
Othman. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South
Asia
NHS Muslim Imam In ‘Propaganda’ Storm
After Pro-Taliban Interview
09/08/2023
An NHS Muslim chaplain filmed praising
the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan has risked becoming a “propaganda tool”,
experts have claimed.
In an interview with the Taliban’s
state-owned TV channel RTA, Suliman Gani, an imam from South London who works
at the St George’s hospital in Tooting, said that he was “very impressed” by
the Taliban government.
Gani’s visit to Afghanistan, which
involved meetings with Taliban ministers, was exposed by this broadcaster last
week.
A statement from the Taliban’s Supreme
Court claimed that the delegation of imams - who travelled with charity Human
Aid & Advocacy - praised the new government in Afghanistan as a “role
model” as a “Shariah-based system.”
The statement added that the British
delegation “expressed that British Muslims are very happy with the rule of the
Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan and pray for its survival.”
Gani and other members of the delegation
did not distance themselves from the comments when questioned by this
broadcaster.
But GB News can now reveal a range of
positive comments about the Taliban’s government made directly by members of
the delegation.
Al-Gani told the host of a “special
interview” on state TV that it was his second visit to the war-torn country,
describing the experience as “very special.”
He continued: “Afghanistan now is
prospering in the sense that there is peace … I think this is the most critical
point for the people living in Afghanistan.”
Gani compared the “mercy” of the Taliban
after they defeated the previous government to the prophet Mohammed, adding:
“The most important is to safeguard and protect our Deen [an Islamic term for
the Muslim compliance with divine law], our way of life, our Iman, and I think
Afghanistan is now another unique opportunity."
The imam, whose NHS trust serves over 3
million people, said: “Now that there is a new government in place, I think …
what we have witnessed, the different ministers, the organisation, the
experience, the mistakes that they had learned from previously. I think many of
those have been addressed and now we see things are in the right direction.
“So, for me I found it very organised, I
am very impressed.”
Another member of the delegation called
on Western countries to end their sanctions on the Taliban government.
Controversial cleric Haitham Al-Haddad
said: “We have a message to the entire world: That, first of all, they need to
engage more with the authorities of Afghanistan and the Afghani people. So
engagement is so important. The second point is to end these economic
sanctions, really that has to come to an end.”
Earlier in the programme, Al-Haddad said
that Taliban ministers were “very soft” and “very gentle.”
He added: “I really congratulate the
Afghan people for having such authorities [the Taliban].”
Al-Haddad went on to say that “you
cannot separate” between the Afghan people and the authorities.
His comments come as resistance from
Afghans against the authorities continues to rage on in pockets throughout the
country.
Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the
Henry Jackson Society think tank, told GB News: “The Taliban are an entirely
despicable organisation whose heavily chronicled human rights and gender abuses
speak for themselves.
"Anyone who might have offered
views on contemporary Afghanistan should speak to the victims of Taliban policy
rather than its instigators, else they risk becoming propaganda tools in
support of a regime entirely antithetical to British values.”
Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, a former Afghan
refugee who fled Taliban rule in 1999 and claimed asylum in Britain, told GB
News: “Following the recent visit of Tobias Ellwood MP to Afghanistan, we knew
it would improve the confidence of others to engage with the Taliban.
"The visit of an NHS chaplain is
not the only case. We also are aware of a UK Imam travelling to Afghanistan
recently to meet with the Taliban.”
He added: “My worry is about the British
reputation as a whole, a country that always was the champion of democracy in
the world.
“Now, some of its citizens, through
their visits to Afghanistan, may cause long-term damage to British values.”
Tory MP and chair of the Commons Defence
Committee Tobias Ellwood drew criticism last month when he praised the
“game-changing” rule of the Taliban after a visit to Afghanistan.
An article in the Spectator by
Afghanistan expert David Loyn described Ellwood as the Taliban’s “useful
idiot.”
The delegation of British imams referred
positively to Ellwood’s visit in their interview with the Afghan state
television network.
A senior source within St George's hospital
said: "Good grief. This is quite amazing when you consider that he works
for the UK government and is paid by the taxpayer."
The source, speaking on condition of
anonymity, added: "How does the Taliban treatment of homosexuals tally
with the Trust's LGBTQ+ policy and statements?"
St George’s University Hospitals NHS
Trust Foundation was contacted for comment.
Gani and Al-Haddad were contacted for
comment.
Source: gbnews.com
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https://www.gbnews.com/news/nhs-muslim-pro-taliban-interview-imam-propaganda
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Kabul Rejects Claims That Afghans Were
Involved in Attacks in Pakistan
Following claims of Pakistani officials
that Afghans are involved in terrorist attacks, the Islamic Emirate on
Wednesday once again denied these allegations.
The Islamic Emirate's spokesman,
Zabiullah Mujahid, said in a statement that Pakistan should manage its security
situation carefully and find a solution for it in their own territory.
Mujahid added that Afghanistan does not
want war in any country, especially in neighboring countries, and said that
Afghanistan's soil will not be used against other countries.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
strongly rejects these allegations and insists that Afghanistan is a country
that has come out of a long-lasting war and it does not want to threaten the
security of any country, especially neighboring countries,” the statement said.
The statement reads: “During the year
1444, 18 Pakistani members of Daesh, who were carrying out explosions and
attacks in our territory, were killed and dozens of them were captured alive in
different areas of Afghanistan, all the documents and evidence are with us. It
should be noted that, instead of blaming Pakistan, the government of
Afghanistan has strengthened its security measures.”
Meanwhile, Riaz Hussain Pirzada,
Pakistan's minister of Human Rights, said in an interview with Pakistani media
that those who are fighting in Pakistan do not come from Afghanistan.
“These are the individuals who were
allowed to enter by our own people during the previous government under the
streamlined process. I have faith in the Afghan leadership’s sincerity--their
relationship with Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and Pakistan,” Pirzada said.
Analysts have various views about the
claims of Pakistani officials.
"The unfair charge against the
Afghan people in the recent attacks in Pakistan has once again proven (Pakistan's)
hostility against the Afghan people. However, the whole world is aware that
Pakistan has been supporting and fostering terrorism for decades,” said Najib
Rahman Shamal, a political analyst.
This comes as previously the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Pakistan claimed that three Afghan citizens were involved in
the deadly attack on a military base.
Source: tolonews.com
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184566
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Afghani surges 4.4% against US Dollar:
Central Bank
August 10, 2023
On Wednesday, Afghanistan’s central bank
officials announced that the Afghani (AFN) had experienced a noteworthy
strengthening of 4.4 per cent against the US dollar over the last year.
This positive development follows a
substantial 10.4% decline in the value of Afghani during the previous year.
Hidayatullah Badri, serving as the
acting head of the central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank, highlighted this progress
while presenting the national accountability report. He revealed that bank
customers nationwide can now withdraw up to $600 weekly and $2,000 monthly from
their respective bank accounts.
Badri emphasized, “The officials of Da
Afghanistan Bank have adeptly upheld the integrity of the Afghan currency by
implementing prudent policies. The bank has been dedicated to enhancing banking
services and is actively fostering the growth of Islamic banking within the
country.”
According to reliable sources within the
central bank, the average inflation rate within the country has notably
decreased from 12% to a commendable 6%.
“Da Afghanistan Bank has effectively
managed its operations within the constraints of limited currency reserves and
successfully met the currency requirements of the market,” remarked Ahmad Javad
Sadad, the head of monetary policy at Da Afghanistan Bank.
Da Afghanistan Bank officials have
initiated comprehensive evaluations of banking institutions, currency
exchanges, and financial entities to standardise the banking sector.
Ahmed Zahir Nasirzai, who heads the
department responsible for non-banking financial institutions, announced a
pivotal shift in exchange companies’ operations.
“Exchange companies will now conduct
their transactions for citizens through electronic systems, adhering to international
standards,” Nasirzai stated.
Additionally, officials from Da
Afghanistan Bank unveiled plans for an ongoing initiative to collect and
replace worn-out banknotes throughout the country. This move responds to
repeated grievances voiced by citizens regarding the prevalence of worn and
dilapidated banknotes circulating within the markets.
However, a recent evaluation of
Afghanistan’s central bank, financially supported by the United States, has
revealed significant concerns. The assessment, conducted by a US watchdog,
highlights the lack of autonomy that the bank maintains from the Taliban
administration, along with insufficient measures to prevent money laundering
and the financing of terrorism.
According to the latest quarterly report
presented to the US Congress by the US Special Inspector General for
Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), critical deficiencies have been identified
in the central bank’s management, referred to as Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB).
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghani-surges-4-4-against-us-dollar-central-bank/
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US administration has sent $2.35 billion
to Afghanistan post-collapse: SIGAR
August 9, 2023
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
in August 2021, the U.S. has appropriated over $2.35 billion, the U.S. Special
Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction 9SIGAR) report said.
“The U.S. government has appropriated
more than $2.35 billion in 2022 and 2023 funding for Afghanistan reconstruction
programming since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021,” the
report said.
SIGAR’s quarterly report to the U.S.
Congress states, “Taliban interference in humanitarian assistance is the main
barrier to beneficiaries accessing aid in 2023 … there were 110 access
incidents related to Taliban interference in April 2023 alone.”
SIGAR released its findings last month,
indicating that since 2021, the Taliban has received considerable taxpayer
funds.
The SIGAR report also noted that the
Biden administration had more funds available for projects in
Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
However, the Taliban officials denied
the interference in the aid process, saying that “We deny the SIGAR report. The
interim administration has no interference in the distribution of aid. We have
accurate monitoring on the distribution of assistance to Afghanistan,”
according to Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy.
The U.S. Department of State earlier
mentioned that the de facto authorities are interfering in the aid process.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/us-administration-has-sent-2-35-billion-to-afghanistan-post-collapse-sigar/
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Passport Dept Chief Says 3 New Centers
to Open in Kabul
Abdul Karim Hasib, the director of the
General Directorate of Passports, said in a special interview with TOLOnews
that three passport distribution centers will be established in Kabul in the
next three months.
Hasib said that the establishment of
passport distribution centers in Kabul is intended to make it easier for
residents to get passports.
"We are planning to completely
solve the passport problem in two or three months. New passports are coming
based on contracts, and two to three centers will be established in Kabul,”
Hasib said.
He stressed that the amount of
corruption in the process of obtaining a passport has now fallen to its lowest
level, and so far around 200 persons involved in forgery, corruption, and those
who were receiving bribes have been detained.
"The forgeries have completely
ended. We arrested about two hundred individuals who were illegally taking
money from people for helping to get a passport and handed them over to
judicial institutions,” Abdul Karim Hasib said.
The director of the General Directorate
of Passports further stated that serious attention is being paid to the
distribution of passports for medical patients and students.
According to Hasib, the earnings from
passports in the previous year totaled 4.8 billion afghani.
"We collected 4,821,000 afghanis
for passports in a year,” the director of the General Directorate of Passports
said.
Hasib mentioned the need to make the
passport distribution process easier, as many citizens have complained about
difficulties in getting a passport.
Source: tolonews.com
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184564
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MoRR: Over 800 Afghan Immigrants Died in
Various Countries in Past Year
The Ministry of Refugees and
Repatriation (MoRR), said that more than eight hundred Afghan immigrants died
in various countries in the past year, and nearly two thousand others were
injured.
MoRR reported that close to 3,000 more
people who intended to leave the country through smuggling routes had been
saved and brought back.
Officials of the Ministry of Refugees
and Repatriation (MoRR), said more than seven million Afghan residents are
migrants in other nations and another three million are internally displaced.
"In the last year, 952,589 Afghan
immigrants from Pakistan, Iran, and other nations returned to their country.
Around 3,281,000 returning households received financial and food assistance
this year in collaboration with partner organizations,” said Mohammad Arsalah
Kharoti, the deputy minister of Refugees and Repatriations.
According to the deputy minister of
Refugees and Repatriations, 4,000 Afghan immigrants have been brought back to
the country from prisons in Pakistan and Iran.
"With the joint efforts of
immigrants attachés and the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, about 3,000 Afghan
refugees who were imprisoned in Pakistan and 1,000 prisoners who were
imprisoned in Iran have been released from prisons, and efforts are underway to
free other prisoners," Kharoti added.
Abdulmutallab Haqqani, the spokesperson
of the MoRR, asked countries to not treat Afghan immigrants inappropriately.
"It is obvious that Afghan refugees
who have relocated to a peaceful, safe location do not create unrest there or
engage in such activities. We ask all our neighboring countries to respect
their rights in accordance with international law,” Haqqani said.
Officials of the Ministry of Refugees
and Repatriation said that they also provided over 60,000 returnees electronic
ID cards and over 19,000 individuals with work opportunities.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-184571
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Rohingya repatriation: Easier said than
done
Aug 9, 2023
The recent indication by Chinese Special
Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, that the Rohingya may be taken back to
their own villages should come as a welcome news for both the one million or so
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and for the host country itself. The majority
of the refugees have been stranded here since the 2017 attacks by Myanmar's
state forces which led to the killing of more than 24,000 Rohingya Muslims and
exodus of more than 700,000 victims.
While Bangladesh has tried its best to shelter
the vulnerable and unprotected refugees, their living conditions in the
sprawling camps in Cox's Bazar have not been ideal. Starting from unhygienic
sanitation conditions, to lack of economic opportunities forcing some refugees
into illegal activities (including prostitution), to subpar security measures
resulting in regular infighting between groups and killings of Rohingya leaders
(including the brutal assassination of Mohib Ullah by criminals linked to the
Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army), the Rohingya have been surviving in dire
conditions. To add to this, the recent monthly food aid slash by the World Food
Programme (WFP), first from $12 to $10 per person in March 2023, and then from
$10 to $8 (effective from June 1), has made life even more difficult for the
refugees. On its part, the WFP has cited declining global aid for refugees.
Indeed, foreign aid for the Rohingya has dwindled over time.
Between 2017 and 2019, international
humanitarian assistance accounted for 73 percent, 72 percent, and 75 percent,
respectively, of the funds needed to sustain the Rohingya. In 2022, this
plummeted to 49 percent of the amount required. As of June 2023, against a
yearly Joint Response Plan appeal of $876 million, only 24 percent could be
assured. This has added pressure on Bangladesh and, coupled with its ongoing
economic ailments, made it difficult for the country to support the lives and
livelihoods of the million refugees.
The Rohingya are also desperate to
escape these squalid living conditions and the restrained life of the camps.
Every year, an increasing number of hopeless Rohingya refugees are paying human
traffickers in search of livelihood opportunities abroad. And, inevitably, many
of them are perishing in the merciless seas. According to the United Nations,
in 2022 alone, more than 348 Rohingya refugees fell victim to deadly sea
voyages. In fact, out of desperation, many of the refugees are now willing to
go back to Myanmar even without any assurances from the Myanmar junta of their
safety. To this end, demonstrations have also been taking place. According to
an Al Jazeera report, one placard read: "No more refugee life. No
verification. No scrutiny. No interview. We want quick repatriation through
UNHCR data cards. We want to go back to our motherland." The same report
also quoted a protester as saying that they will have to "steal food for
survival" if things keep going south.
But the question remains: even if they
go back to their homeland, what exactly is awaiting them there? Most of their
villages have been razed to the ground by the Myanmar military, even before the
military takeover in 2021. As early as 2019, it was reported by the BBC that
the villages were being cleared to make space for military and government
infrastructure. Since 2017, more than 400 villages have reportedly been
cleared. In the process, the Myanmar military has also renamed some of the
places to remove any trace of the Rohingya belonging there.
The issue of the Rohingya's citizenship
also remains disputed. While the Rohingya – as people of Myanmar – should be
given citizenship, the Myanmar regime is still suggesting that they will only
be provided with a National Verification Card (NVC), at least for now.
To put the Rohingya's citizenship issue
into context: for decades, the predominantly Buddhist Myanmar population has
nurtured an exclusionist approach towards the Muslim Rohingya and other
minority groups. This surfaced prominently after General Ne Win grabbed power
in 1962. After the coup, all attempts previously made to recognise Rohingya's
citizenship, including official documents and any such guideline to make
citizenship inclusive in the 1948 constitution, were rejected by the regime,
resulting in the Rohingya's statelessness.
Later, in the 1974 Myanmar constitution,
the ethnic groups lost their recognition. And the Citizenship Law of 1982
ensured that the Rohingya lost all claim to Myanmar citizenship, in any form
(full, associate, or naturalised), although their existence in Myanmar could be
traced back to before 1823. The 1982 law stated that only children of the
"national races" will be considered full citizens of the country, and
the Rohingya certainly did not fall under the category. Now, citing this
infamous and controversial law, Myanmar is trying to deny the Rohingya their
right to citizenship in their motherland.
There is also the unresolved issue of
guaranteeing the safety of Rohingya once they go back to their country. One
might recall how the 1978 military operation against the Rohingya, termed
Operation Dragon King, forced more than 200,000 Rohingya to flee Myanmar. Ever
since then, thousands of Rohingya have fallen victim to the nefarious genocidal
and ethnic cleansing drives of the Myanmar military, even during the so-called
democratic regime of Aung San Suu Kyi.
What guarantee is there that the
Rohingya will not be subjected to slow, covert killing by the same military
junta, after their return to Myanmar? Without legislative measures or a formal
written guarantee – to Bangladesh and international bodies such as the UN and
other global players with influence over the Myanmar junta – ensuring the
security of the Rohingya post-repatriation, it would be highly irresponsible on
the host country's part to agree to the repatriation of the refugees.
As Bangladesh had suggested in 2017, to
stop the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Rohingya population and other
minority groups, UN-monitored "safe zones" could be created in
Myanmar. Perhaps even UN peacekeepers, consisting of troops from neighbouring
countries – Bangladesh, India and China, who are well aware of geopolitical
realities and the historical sensitivities involved – could be deployed to
protect the minority civilians in these safe zones. They could be tasked with
monitoring and observing peace processes in post-conflict areas, providing
security to civilians and UN personnel, apart from other responsibilities. As
per standard international protocol, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for
Refugees should be given free access to the returnees and the repatriation
document outlining every essential detail should be reviewed and signed by the
UNHCR.
China deserves thanks for assuming a
leadership role in driving the repatriation discussion with Myanmar, and the
Bangladesh government's positive response in this matter should also be
appreciated. However, we urge the Chinese and Bangladeshi governments to ensure
the rights and security of the Rohingya population in Myanmar before their
repatriation. And any such repatriation should be conducted under complete
international monitoring and as per standard protocol. Myanmar's ruling junta
must also be urged to be considerate of the current realities and give the
Rohingya their right to citizenship and a dignified life in Myanmar.
It is in the interest of the greater
Asian region that the Rohingya be helped to return to their homeland, where
they belong. And all of us must work together to ensure this.
Tasneem Tayeb is a columnist for The
Daily Star. Her Twitter handle is: @tasneem_tayeb
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/politics-climate-change/news/what-our-new-climate-envoy-can-do-bangladesh-3389421
--------
Africa
Coup: Top Islamic clerics get Tinubu’s
nod to mediate in Niger
AUGUST 10, 2023
By Chesa Chesa
Leaders of major Islamic groups in
Nigeria on Wednesday met with President Bola Tinubu and got his approval to
negotiate with top Muslim groups in neighbouring Niger Republic where military
officers ousted the democratically elected President of Niger Republic, Mohamed
Bazoum.
Bazoum is still held in detention by the
military high command in Niger.
The clerics (Ulama), who are opposed to
war with the Nigerien military, as threatened by the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS), said that apart from the dire consequences of armed
conflict, they are enjoined by their religious faith and the Quran to seek
mediation in cases like this.
Sheikh Bala Lau of Izalla group and
Sheikh Abdurahman Ahmad of Ansar ud Deen, flanked by leaders of other sects,
addressed State House correspondents after their meeting with Tinubu.
According to Shekh Lau: “We thank Allah
that He gave us the opportunity to meet with Mr. President and the delegation
of Ulama from here in Nigeria met with Mr. President on the issue of Niger
Republic. We want to find a lasting solution, we want peace and harmony to
reign, not only in Nigeria, but in the sub-Saharan region and in globe as well.
“The Ulama advised Mr. President that we
want peace and reconciliation. If anything happens between you and your
neighbor, the holy Quran commands you to reconcile, so we want reconciliation.
“That’s why we are here and our able
leader and President accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to
talk to our brothers in Niger Republic, the scholars also there on how we can
come together and bring a lasting solution to this problem.
“That is why we are here and Insha
Allah, by the grace of Allah, we’re optimistic that Allah will do it for us and
we’ll find a lasting solution to this issue.”
Sheikh Ahmad added: “The President, like
he said, welcomed our intervention and he has promised that if we could also
talk to the people on the other side, for them to be ready to give concession,
then ECOWAS that he’s Chairman of will also be ready.
“Other than that, the President deplored
coup d’etat in the Sahel region and as a democrat himself, he said he would do
everything to ensure that there is democracy, justice, freedom and peace in the
subregion.
“We as the Ulama are also committed to
peace and justice and the government will be enabling the Ulama to mediate as
it is appropriate. This is why we are here and it is a mission accomplished
because the President responded positively and in turn he has given us
assignment to also mediate to ensure reconciliation between the warring
factions in Niger.”
Meanwhile, former Emir of Kano, Sanusi
Lamido Sanusi, who was in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic, earlier in the day
and met with the military officers, returned home and headed straight for the
State House, Abuja to brief Tinubu.
Asked by journalists how his visit to
Niger went, Sanusi simply said “fine”, but declined to speak to the press after
his meeting with the President.
The flurry of meetings at the State
House with the President came ahead of a scheduled emergency meeting of heads
of ECOWAS counties in Abuja the following day, Thursday.
They followed other pleas and warnings
by several prominent Nigerians and groups, including the Senate, which have
called for dialogue, instead of armed conflict to resolve the situation in
Niger Republic.
Source: authorityngr.com
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--------
Coup: Islamic clerics warn against use
of military action in Niger
As the Economic Community of West
African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government meet on Thursday to decide
on the action to be taken against the military junta that overthrew the
democratically elected government in the Republic of Niger, Islamic clerics
have warned against the use of military action in bringing back President
Mohamed Bazoum
Recall that the ECOWAS Heads of State
and Government had about a week ago given an ultimatum to the military junta
that sacked the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
The military junta led by the head of
Presidential Guards, Abdourahamane Tchiani, took over after a coup that overthrew
President Mohamed Bazoum, on 26 July 2023.
The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government
headed by President Tinubu in a meeting in Abuja issued a seven-day ultimatum
to the military junta in Niger Republic to reinstate Bazoum as democratically
elected President or face a range of stiff sanctions.
The Extraordinary Session of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, in its resolution,
recognised Bazoum as the legitimate President of the nation.
The regional body also threatened to impose
land border closures and no-fly zone conditions on Niger Republic should the
military coup masterminds fail to heed its ultimatum.
It also tasked all Chiefs of Defense
Staff of the member-states to proceed for an emergency meeting to strategize on
effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore
constitutional order to office.
However, the Islamic clerics after
meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, warned
against military action in Niger and advocated for diplomacy.
In an interview with Journalists in the
Hausa language after the meeting with President Tinubu, Professor Khalid
Abubakar Aliyu, Secretary General of Jamaatu Nasrul Islam (JNI), said that the
meeting discussed the proposed military action in Niger.
Professor Aliyu said they were invited
by President Tinubu based on their positions as clerics and they respectively
honoured the invitation.
He said, “Our visit also serves as
working (official) visit. We discussed on important matters relating to our
dear country and we gave our advise on good leadership, we discussed on subsidy
removal and we gave our own advice on that too and we told him we wish he had
had this consultation before subsidy removal so that its implementation would
have been smooth devoid of all this hardship.
“Regarding Niger issues we told him our
stand which is dialogue. Diplomacy is the best option, military intervention
will not yield the desired outcome. We do not support military intervention, we
are emphasising the use of diplomacy.
“When we intervened in Liberia how did
we get out of the mess. Look at what is happening in Libya, we should try as
much as we can to avoid that scenario. Niger has all the tendencies of becoming
Libya if we are not careful.”
On the assurance given to them by the
President, he said, “We are on the same page. He is not insisting on military
intervention too. All peaceful means will be followed and exhausted.”
Further asked whether they are worried
that ECOWAS position may strain long good brotherhood between Nigeria and Niger
Republic, the cleric said:
“Nigeria and Niger are just like two
brothers, we share border, culture, family, languages and even religion.
Definitely we have to trade with caution and solve the issue amicably.”
It will be recalled that President
Tinubu had on Tuesday directed the acting governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,
CBN to invoke financial restrictions against entities or individuals that have
any link with the military junta.
President Tinubu had on Sunday evening
met with the Northern Governors, whose states are sharing boundary with Niger
Republic at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
Although the agenda of the meeting was
not made public, a presidency source said it was part of consultations by the
President on the situation in Niger.
The governors in attendance were Ahmed
Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Malam Buni (Yobe), Idris Nasir
(Kebbi) and Dr Dikko Radda (Katsina).
It was gathered that the Northern elites
have kicked against any military might against the military juncta following
what would be the consequence of such action on Nigeria.
The meeting according to a presidency
source was convened to get input from the northern Governors as the seven day
ultimatum for the military to reinstate the overthrown President has expired.
Recall again that some of resolutions
read by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, at the Abuja summit
include the “call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President
Mohamed Bazoum as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger and for
the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Reject any form of resignation that may
purportedly come from His Excellency, President Mohamed Bazoum; considered the
illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and hold the
authors of the attempted coup that are solely and fully responsible for the
safety and security of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum, as well as
members of his family and government.
“In the event the Authority’s demands
are not met within one week, take all measures necessary to restore
constitutional order in the Republic of Nigeria.
“Suspension of all commercial and
financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Asia. Freeze all
service transactions including energy transactions.
“Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger
in Aqua Central Bank. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state
enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of measure from all
financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions,
particularly EBID”, he said.
President Tinubu had via a memo to the
senate asked for approval for military action as agreed by ECOWAS.
But the Senate rejected the request but
rather asked Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West
African States, ECOWAS, and other leaders of the region to tread with caution
in addressing the political quagmire in Niger Republic.
Rising from a closed door session that
lasted close to two hours to discuss the letter written to the Senate on Friday
by President Tinubu on the decisions taken by the regional body, the Senate
asked ECOWAS and its leaders to strengthen political and diplomatic options and
other means with a view to resolving the political crisis in Niger Republic.
Source: vanguardngr.com
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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/coup-islamic-clerics-warn-against-use-of-military-action-in-niger/
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Noor Takaful pledges support for growth
of Islamic insurance
By Rosemary Iwunze
The management of Noor Takaful Insurance
Ltd has said that they intend to create an ecosystem of knowledge sharing and
policy recommendations to support the growth of Takaful and Islamic finance
initiatives in Africa.
Chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance
Limited, Muhtar Bakare, disclosed this at a two-day conference with the theme
“Leveraging Technology to Build on the Opportunities of Takaful &
Non-Interest Finance in Africa” held in Lagos.
Delivering his welcome remarks at the
occasion, Bakare explained that the decision to organize the conference was
borne out of the commitment to deepen understanding and increase awareness
about Takaful while also resolving the long-standing socio-economic
contradictions on the African continent, notably the issue of mass poverty in
Africa.
Speaking at the event, special guest of
honour, His Royal Highness, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, expressed delight at
the steady growth of Islamic finance in Nigeria.
Sanusi noted that there is a need for
practitioners to see technology as a big enabler in advancing the Takaful model
and non-interest finance in Africa. He also harped on the need for industry
players to collaborate on the best way possible to improve regulations.
In his keynote address, Deputy
Commissioner for Insurance who represented the Commissioner for Insurance,
National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Sabiu Abubakar stated that the
Commission is trying its best to support operators in promoting the growth of
Takaful in Nigeria with market-friendly regulations.
In his remarks, the Guest Speaker and
former Commissioner, National Insurance Commission, Mohammed Kari, noted that
though the penetration of non-interest finance is still relatively low in
Africa, there is a huge market potential that needs to be tapped.
Kari stated that leveraging advanced
technology such as chat GPT, blockchain has the potential to enhance
transparency, reduce fraud and streamline processes in Takaful and Islamic
finance operations.
Source: vanguardngr.com
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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/noor-takaful-pledges-support-for-growth-of-islamic-insurance/
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Supreme Islamic Council Opposes
Sanctions, Military Action In Niger
Aug 10, 2023
LAGOS / ABUJA – The Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has opposed a raft of sanctions and
military intervention in Niger Republic following the resistance of the junta
to restore constitutional order in the West African country.
In a statement by Prof. Salisu Shehu,
NSCIA Deputy Secretary-General, on Wednesday, the council called on the
Federal Government of Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) to tread the path of dialogue rather than resorting to military
intervention in Niger Republic.
Niger’s junta has rejected the latest
diplomatic missions from West African countries aimed at restoring
constitutional order after a July 26 coup, resisting pressure from the United
States and the United Nations to come to the negotiating table.
Heads of state from the ECOWAS are
meeting today in Abuja to discuss their standoff with the junta, which defied
an August 6 deadline to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The NSCIA, led by the Sultan of Sokoto,
Muhammad Abubakar, said it is understandable that the leadership of both ECOWAS
and Nigeria must preserve and protect democracy by discouraging forceful
take-over of power through military coup d’état, it strongly implores the
Federal Government and, by extension, the leadership of ECOWAS, to continue to
tread the path of dialogue.
“This is because violence does more harm
than intended good in any circumstance. Should violence break out in Niger, it
is the helpless and hapless masses, who have already been devastated and
impoverished by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world economy that
would pay the very costly price, not the coup plotters.
“The coup, which has attracted several
reactions and different degrees of sanctions from nations and supranational
institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),
has socio-economic negative implications for both Nigerians and Nigeriens,
especially as we share common history and borders”, the statement noted.
The council said it observed with dismay
that although the military junta in Niger has remained defiant, ECOWAS has
just lately further imposed more stringent sanctions against Niger Republic.
It noted that it is well known that such
kinds of economic sanctions are counter-productive and eventually end in
futility.
“It is the masses that do suffer the
pains and difficulties of the sanctions, while the junta that seizes power
takes control of state resources and begins a life of indulgence. The council,
therefore, calls on ECOWAS and, in particular, the Nigerian government, to
retrace their steps in this regard to avoid correcting wrong with another.
“While Nigeria spearheads the imposition
and heaping of sanctions on Niger, it should be reminded of the thousands of
Nigerian refugees to whom Niger has provided succour and a safe abode for
several years now.
“This is undoubtedly an act of good
neighbourliness, rare hospitality and kindness that should not be reciprocated
with measures that would cause disaffection, breed hate and hostility and
aggravate the sufferings of the downtrodden people across both sides of the
borders.
“It is pertinent to state here that
Nigeria has not gotten away with its own intractable issues and challenges of
insecurity and violence that have been causing death incessantly, displacing
millions and destroying livelihood in states that share borders with Niger.
The Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and the banditry in the North-West
have not been subdued. Given this situation, it would not only take a dance on
the precipice to embark on a military expedition at this material time but
would also smack of ingratitude to a neighbour that had consistently remained
faithful in helping and supporting us in our fight against those extreme groups
and criminal gangs”, Shehu said.
Shehu said the council has consciously
and keenly followed the reactions that have trailed the rather belligerent
stand of the ECOWAS and its resolutions, noting that it can be asserted
without fear of contradiction that Nigerians are very much united against
military intervention in Niger.
Southern, Mid-Belt Leaders Ask Tinubu To
Address Niger Crisis Peacefully
Similarly, the Southern and Middle Belt
Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to address the Niger
crisis peacefully and urgently.
The group in a statement on Wednesday
signed by Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark, leader; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader,
Afenifere; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Worldwide; Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President, Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel
Ibok Essien, National Chairman, PANDEF, noted that it observed that for the
past two weeks, the nation and the entire global community have been
confronted with the complications from the disturbing events of the
unconstitutional change in government, in neighboring country, the Republic of
Niger.
“We also note the position of the
Senate, who in their response to Mr. President’s letter, likewise suggested
that peaceful means should be used to settle the problem, instead of engaging
in a fratricidal war.
“Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s active
involvement in censuring the coup and the need to bring sanity back to our
neighboring country is also because President Bola Tinubu is the current
chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State. The burden of resolving
this crisis, which has happened around us, therefore, seems to have fallen on
him.
“As leaders of four of the country’s six
main socio-cultural groups, Afenifere from the South- West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo from
the South-East, PANDEF from the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum, we have
also taken active steps to follow the events and also listen to the views being
expressed by Nigerians, both in our parts of the country and the rest of the
nation, even by people at the grassroots level.
“We observe that no other issue
concerning Nigeria’s relations with its neighbours, and the rest of the world,
has recently attracted so much interest and concern from virtually all areas.
“We, therefore, want to make suggestions,
which we think the government should take seriously.
“We join all Nigerians, and the rest of
the world, to condemn the military coup which occurred in Niger on 26th July
2023, overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Mohamed
Bazoum.
“This is in particular because, after
many years of instability and the history of attempted and successful military
coups, Mohamed Bazoum was the first president to peacefully inherit power from
another democratically elected president.
“Since we know that military governments
have also taken power in neighbouring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso, the
addition of Niger to the list for such a breach of national constitutions,
just on the other side of our border, is very uncomfortable and definitely
cannot be allowed to stand.
“It is, therefore, necessary that
concerted efforts should be put in place to ensure that democracy is restored
urgently in the Republic of Niger and that the new military leader, Tchiani,
and his cohorts, are made to abdicate the power, which they seized by force.
“Nonetheless, as important as the
restoration of democracy is to Nigeria, the ECOWAS, and the global community,
we advise President Tinubu to realise that his primary responsibility is to the
peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, all actions of our
government should therefore focus on how Nigeria can play its roles and
obligations without getting stuck in the crisis in Niger.
“This is why we commend the president
for taking moves to follow up negotiations and political contact using the
former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Sultan of Sokoto.
“This process should be accelerated,
using other sources both within Nigeria and our neighbouring countries that
can be of benefit to the cause. The information available to us shows that
there are other personalities in Nigeria and international figures who can also
be used to intervene in the matter.
“We discourage the temptation to adopt
military means to force the illegal government out of power. From our judgment,
such a move will be resisted sternly by forces both within Niger and Nigeria.
It is important to note that several of our Nigerian communities in the
extreme north do not see Niger as mere neighbours but enjoy a lot of
traditional and cultural ties. In those border areas, there is no difference
between a Nigerian and a Nigerien.
“There are tenable concerns that if war
comes, normal lives will be disrupted in the border communities, insecurity
will increase, and there will be an influx of refugees. From our previous
experience of wars, in Chad, such refugees do not stop at the border areas but
penetrated the farthermost points in Nigeria and became a source of concern to
all of us.
“Back in Niger, the people seem to perceive
the military government as liberators due to the state of poverty and hunger.
ECOWAS intervention, even if supported, could, therefore, be highly resisted
all across the country,” the statement added.
Sanusi Meets Niger Republic’s Military
Junta
Meanwhile, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, the
14th Emir of Kano, has met with the top coup leader in Niger Republic, former
presidential guard head Abdourahamane Tchiani.
This is coming after Niger’s junta
rejected latest diplomatic missions from West African countries aimed at
restoring constitutional order after a July 26 coup, resisting pressure from
the United States and the United Nations to come to the negotiating table.
On Wednesday, footages of Sanusi, whose
Tijjaniya sect has a large following in Niger, went into circulation.
Sanusi, the former Central Bank of
Nigeria’s (CBN) governor, is the Khalifa of the sect in West Africa.
It was gathered that the meeting that
focused on way out of the quagmire in the country was held in Niamey.
Heads of state from the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet today to discuss their
standoff with the junta, which defied an August 6 deadline to reinstate ousted
President Mohamed Bazoum.
Sanusi, Muslim Clerics Meet Tinubu, Urge
Caution Ahead ECOWAS Summit
Again, former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu
Sanusi, and other influential Muslim clerics thronged the Presidential Villa,
Abuja, on Wednesday, in connection with the crisis brewing in the Republic of
Niger.
The Islamic clerics comprising of Ulama
across the federation hinged their visit on the need to caution President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu to thread carefully in resolving the impasse in Niger.
They advised the president who had on
Tuesday imposed additional financial sanctions on the junta in Niger to explore
peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Their visit came ahead of the
extraordinary ECOWAS summit scheduled for the nation’s capital today.
Sheikh Bala Lau, who had a brief
interaction with State House correspondents, said, “The delegation of Ulama here
in Nigeria met with Mr. President on the issue of Niger Republic. We want to
find a lasting solution. We want peace and harmony to reign not only in
Nigeria, but in the sub-Saharan region and globally. So, the whole Ulama
advised Mr. President that we want peace and reconciliation.
“Always if there is anything that
happens between you and your neighbour, the Holy Quran commands you to
reconcile. So, we want reconciliation. That’s what we’re here and our able
leader and president accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to
talk to our brothers over there in Niger Republic, the scholars as well on how
we can come together and bring a lasting solution to this problem.
“That is why we’re here. And insha Allah
by the Grace of Allah, we’re optimistic that Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala will do
it for us and find a lasting solution to this issue”.
Sheikh Abdurrahaman Ahmed corroborated
when he said, “The president, like he said, welcomed our intervention. And he
has promised that if we could also talk to the people on the other side, for
them to be ready to give concession then ECOWAS, that he is chairman of is also
ready.
“Other than that, the president deplored
coup d’etat in the Sahel region, and, as a democrat himself, said he will do
everything to ensure that there is democracy, justice, freedom and peace in the
sub-region.
“We as Ulama are also committed to
peace and justice, and the president will be enabling the Ulama to mediate as
it is appropriate. So this is why we’re here. And it is a mission
accomplished, because the president responded positively and in turn he has
given us an assignment to also mediate to ensure reconciliation between the
warring factions in Niger Republic.
“So, we pray for peace, not only in
Nigeria but also in the sub-region and in the world, because that is the only
thing that can ensure developments. Thank you very much”.
In the meantime, former Emir of Kano,
Muhammadu Sanusi, said he came to brief the president on the details of his
personal discussions with leaders of Niger.
“We’ll continue to do our best to bring
the two parties together to improve understanding. This is the time public
diplomacy, it’s not a matter that we leave to governments, all Nigerians, all
Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a
solution that works for Niger that works for Nigeria and a solution that works
for humanity”.
Asked to confirm if he took the
initiative by himself or whether he was mandated by government, he responded
saying, “No, I was not sent by the government. Government officials were aware
I was going, but it was my personal initiative, using my personal contacts to
get there and I will continue to do my best. It is my duty as a leader to do
that”.
Source: independent.ng
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Niger Crisis: Islamic Council, Catholic
Bishops Warn Against Military Invasion
More organisations, including Islamic
leaders and Christian leaders, have voiced their support for a peaceful
approach to resolving the crisis in Niger Republic following the military coup
d’état that ousted President Muhammed Bazoum.
Yesterday, both the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Catholic Bishops in West Africa urged
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and, in particular,
President Bola Tinubu to avoid military action in Niger due to the ugly
consequences of armed conflict on the ordinary people.
The apex Islamic body, headed by the
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, advised ECOWAS and President
Tinubu to retrace their hard stance against the Republic of Niger.
The NSCIA, which gave the admonition in
a statement issued by its deputy secretary-general, Prof. Salisu Shehu,
yesterday, said such hard stance, including economic sanctions, are
counter-productive and will eventually end in futility.
According to the NSCIA, both Nigerians
and Nigeriens share common history and borders; therefore, imposing more
stringent sanctions against Niger will have negative socio-economic
implications – more pain and difficulties for the suffering masses – while the
junta, with control of state resources, can live in comfort.
The Council observes with dismay that
although the military junta in Niger has remained defiant, ECOWAS has just
lately further imposed more stringent sanctions against it. But it is well
known that such kinds of economic sanctions are counter-productive and eventually
end in futility. It is the masses that do suffer the pains and difficulties of
the sanctions while the junta that seizes power takes control of state
resources and begins a life of indulgence. The Council therefore, calls on
ECOWAS and in particular, the Nigerian Government to retrace their steps in
this regard to avoid correcting wrong with another,” NSCIA’s statement read in
part.
Source: leadership.ng
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Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque
visits CDS, calls for religious tolerance
August 9, 2023
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque,
Sheikh Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Magari has Wednesday paid a courtesy call to the
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa at the Defence
Headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the Chief
Imam commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for their contribution to
nation building, while congratulating the CDS on his well deserved appointment
and promotion by the Commander in Chief Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu.
Sheikh Professor Magari also called for
religious tolerance as well as peaceful co-existence among different groups in
Nigeria. He added that a peace Building Centre has been established to train
Islamic clerics on promotion of peace.
Responding, the CDS thanked the Chief
Imam for the visit and applauded him for his efforts in preaching the
importance of peace in the country. General Musa also acknowledged the roles of
religious leaders towards building inter-faith tolerance regardless of
affiliation, adding that this will promote peaceful co-existence among
Nigerians.
The CDS further noted that unity and
tolerance are crucial values required to ensure peace and tolerance in a
multi-religious society like Nigeria. Highlight of the visit was presentation
of a souvenir by the CDS to his guest.
Source: newsdiaryonline.com
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URL:
https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/beliefs-muslim-christian-lgbtq/d/130422