‘400 Hindus Forced To Flee': Bengal BJP Leader Blames After Murshidabad Violence Over Waqf Act
New Age Islam News Bureau
13 April 2025
Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday (PTI)
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• ‘400 Hindus Forced To Flee': Bengal BJP Leader Blames After Murshidabad Violence Over Waqf Act
• Implementation Sharia Laws Help Diminish Crimes, Restore Security: Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan
• Muslim Extremist Convert, Jason Savage, Plotted Terror Attacks In Chilling Video
• Israel Bans Al-Aqsa Preacher From Mosque After He Condemns Gaza War
• Mosques Must Be Build With Pure Intention, Values Not Just For Greatness And Splendour - PM Anwar
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India
• Karnataka Caste Census Report Says Muslim Population Is 18.08 Pc, Recommends 8 Pc Reservation
• First Under Waqf Amendment Act: Illegal Madrassa In MP Demolished Voluntarily
• Murshidabad violence: Over 150 arrested, internet suspended; CM Mamata Banerjee calls meeting
• NIA Probes Dawood Link In 26/11 Plot Through Tahawwur Rana Interrogation
• Tahawwur Rana's 26/11 conspiracy travels beyond India's borders: NIA court
• Karnataka Congress' Appeasement Politics For Muslims Could Lead To Bengal-Like Violence: P C Mohan Amid Waqf Protests
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South Asia
• Bangladesh Religious Affairs Adviser Seeks Imamsand Khatibs’ Role To Stop Dowry
• No Foreign Body Has Right To Interfere In Afghanistan Judicial System: SC Spokesman
• Islamic Emirate Envoy in Islamabad Meets Bangladeshi Ambassador
• Nazari slams U.S. aid bill a tool of pressure on Afghanistan
• Record Tk 91.8mn found in 11 donation boxes of Kishoreganj’sPagla Mosque
• None other than MoRA will be allowed to perform Hajj by state expense: Khalid
• Southeast Bank donates Tk 50 lakh to Khulna University
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Europe
• Anti-Muslim hate crime on rise in Europe since October 2023: EU Islamophobia chief
• Search teams deployed after house explosion
• Green leadership contest must not descend into ‘toxicity’, Patrick Harvie warns
• Defence Digital, Support now part of Armaments group
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Mideast
• ‘This is Just a Beginning’: United States and Iran Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman
• Hamas: Calls to slaughter sacrifices at Al-Aqsa Mosque require response at all levels
• Iranian Leader Khamenei Pressured To Negotiate With US Amid Fears War Could Collapse Ayatollah Regime - New York Times Report
• Syria seeks to sever last Iran-linked networks for smuggling arms and cash
• Israeli Oppression and the Plight of Palestine and Lebanon
• Foreign Minister participates in Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee Meeting on Gaza Developments
• Iran has always supported the oppressed: Ayatollah Hosseini
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Southeast Asia
• Education Ministry pledges full and transparent probe into Johor sports school drowning after family alleges negligence
• CJ’S appointment process: Gov’t open to proposals on improving laws, says Fahmi
• No courtroom needed: Fadillah confident MA63 can be resolved through negotiation
• Putra Heights fire: Health minister says blast victim on ventilator is improving
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North America
• Headscarf Controversy In Turkish Cypriot Schools: A Secular Freedom And A Religious Obligation
• US wants nuclear deal 'as soon as possible but it won't be easy', says Iran after high-stakes talks begin
• Trump signals he’ll skip G20 summit in South Africa over 'land confiscation' and ‘white genocide’
• 7 years after pulling out, why is Donald Trump re-engaging Iran on nuclear deal, and what does Israel want?
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Africa
• Dan Bello And The Implications Of His Diatribe On Islamic Preachers
• Limits on religious freedom under the 2010 Constitution
• How Jordan is Managing Public Debt
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Pakistan
• Balochistan CM Bugti Urges Artificial Intelligence Use For Better Governance, Youth Development
• Govt asks businesses to help bridge trade deficit with US
• Peaceful Protest Held To Express Solidarity With Palestinian People
• Eight Pakistanis killed in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan
• Funeral prayers offered for 2 cops martyred in Nowshera firing
• Over 860,000 Afghans left Pakistan since Sept 2023
• Frustrated BNP turns to MPC amid govt ‘inaction’
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Arab World
• No Scorching Summer Heat Hajj For Next 16 Years, Announces Saudi’s NMC
• From Mohamed Ramadan To Elyanna: The Rise Of Arab Artists At Coachella
• Saudi Arabia, France Chair UN Briefing On Palestinian Cause
• Saudi Arabia to ban entry to Mecca without Hajj permits starting April 29
• Customs Authority Launches Training Program on Governance Principles from Imam Ali's Era
• Saudi Arabia condemns attacks on displacement camps in western Sudan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bengal-bjp-murshidabad-violence-waqf-act/d/135149
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‘400 Hindus Forced To Flee': Bengal BJP Leader Blames After Murshidabad Violence Over Waqf Act
by Aniruddha Dhar
Apr 13, 2025
Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday (PTI)
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Following Murshidabad violence, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari blamed TMC's appeasement politics for rising radicalism and calls for protection for displaced people.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed on Sunday that more than 400 Hindus have been “forced to flee” their houses from Dhulian in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following a violence over the Waqf law that allegedly left three people dead.
Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday (PTI)
Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday (PTI)
Suvendu Adhikari blamed the chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress for its alleged “appeasement politics” which has “emboldened radical elements”.
“More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad driven by fear of religiously driven bigots were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda,” Adhikari wrote in a post on X.
One person in the video shared by Adhikari claimed that his house had been burnt down, and that the police officials did not do anything to help, simply fled the scene.
He further urged the Border Security Force or BSF deployed in the area, along with district and state police to ensure the safe return of the people.
"I urge the Central Paramilitary Forces deployed in the District, the State Police and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus & protect their lives from this jihadist terror. Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough," his post read.
Three people were allegedly killed on Friday night in Murshidabad in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were also torched, and as per police, the situation is now under control.
Attacking the TMC for their appeasement politics, he added, "Religious persecution in Bengal is real. Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order."
Poonawalla accused the state of enabling “state-sponsored, state-protected, and state-encouraged targeted violence against Hindus”. Poonawalla claimed that Hindus are being forced to migrate, with temples vandalised and idols demolished.
“Bengal is burning, and Mamata Banerjee's govt is completely responsible for this. This is state-sponsored, state-protected, State-encouraged targeted violence against Hindus. Hindus are being forced to migrate, and idols in temples are being demolished. We also saw how the saffron flag was taken down. This is happening in the land of Swami Vivekananda. We saw that Hindu houses are being set on fire, and selectively, their shops are being set on fire. The way Hindus are being harassed, Mamata Banerjee should be ashamed that she is still engaged in appeasement...,” he said.
IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat said, "We have to work with them in this situation. The discussions were held on this only. We have sent our five companies to help the police. We are here to help the police, not for independent action. We will act according to the demands of the state police. We hope that peace will be restored here soon." The BSF companies had arrived after Calcutta high Court had ordered the immediate deployment of central forces in the area.
The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17.
Source: Hindustantimes.Com
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Implementation Sharia Laws Help Diminish Crimes, Restore Security: Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan
April 13, 2025
Under the Islamic Sharia law, Hudud refers to the specific punishments prescribed by Allah the almighty in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah for certain major crimes. These punishments form part of a penal system aimed to restore security and stability to the Islamic community, and their implementation deters crimes that threaten the Islamic system’s structure. The Islamic Sharia limits (Hudud) are applied to crimes such as theft, highway robbery, adultery, slander, drinking alcohol, and apostasy and are collectively referred to as Hudud punishments.
In the terminology of the Islamic Sharia, Qisas implies taking the life of the murderer. If anyone has killed someone unjustly, then Qisas is to kill him against the murdered.
The literal meaning of Qisas is to follow, to track, and to trace someone by the guardian of the murdered person to kill him in retaliation for the murder he/she committed to ensure justice and equality in the Islamic society.
In line with the resolution of the Supreme Court and the approval of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, Shaikh Hebatullah Akhundzada, four people who had committed murder earlier were hanged in public in some provinces of the country. To ensure more transparency, deep investigations have been conducted into their cases by the three courts, with the Supreme Court referring their files to the leader for final approval. The leader then ordered an extraordinary exploration to ensure justice as under the holy Islamic Sharia, one who has illegally killed another should be killed in retaliation to the murdered person, to ensure justice and save life. “In qisas, there is (saving) life for you…,” a verse of the holy Quran says.
The Islamic Emirate Leader, in frequent and separate meetings with the country’s authorities, including the provincial governors, emphasized the need for the full implementation of the Islamic Sharia Hudud to ensure security, justice, and safety of the people all over the country.
The Islamic system never takes permission from any other organizations and never bows to pressure from the so-called human rights groups, in its way to implement the Islamic sharia laws, but rather calls any actions by them a clear interference in the country’s internal affairs, a move that has already been denounced by the people and government of Afghanistan, as implementing the sharia law eye-catchingly diminishes crimes and helps restore security in the country.
During the past twenty years of the so-called democratic regimes, hundreds of innocent people have been killed by criminals, thieves and bullies, but as the then regimes did not implement Hudud (the sharia limits), no one was taken to law or if the criminals were arrested and detained or taken to the court, they would soon be released by the intervention of warlords, strongmen and government officials. This was why the number of murderers, thieves, highway burglars, kidnappers, and other criminals had increased, and the then governments’ approval rating had strongly plummeted.
They lost their trust and credibility among the people and ultimately fled Afghanistan once the Islamic system loomed, taking over power in the country.
So, the most important thing that must be paid attention to by the law enforcement organs of the Islamic Emirate is that they should unbiasedly, transparently, deeply, and honestly do their jobs and investigate all criminal cases whenever and wherever a suspected act or a suspected person is reported to the security organs, as it is what highlighted from the concept of the orders and advises of the Islamic Emirate Leader.
Source: Thekabultimes.Com
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https://thekabultimes.com/implementation-sharia-laws-help-diminish-crimes-restore-security/
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Muslim Extremist Convert, Jason Savage, Plotted Terror Attacks In Chilling Video
By Lucinda Herbert
13-04-2025
Chilling footage shows a Muslim convert who dubbed himself 'Lone Wolf' carrying out reconnaissance trips as he plotted terror attacks in Birmingham.
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In the clip above, Jason Savage, 35, can be heard carrying out reconnaissance on a book store and mosque he intended to "flatten."
Savage, from Small Heath in Birmingham, referred to himself online as 'Lone Wolf' before being found guilty of plotting terror attacks on police buildings and military targets.
A court heard the 35-year-old also watched "barbaric" Islamic State videos. On the day of his arrest in March, Savage said in a voice note to a friend he would “see him in paradise” and believed the activity he was planning would result in him not surviving.
He denied preparation of terrorist acts and went on trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Peter Ratliff, prosecuting, had told the court how Savage converted to Islam some time during the 2010's.
Mr Ratliff said: "The prosecution suggest the defendant subscribed to the extreme and violent interpretation of the Salafi movement of which the terrorist groups Al Qaeda and Islamic State are visceral examples."
He said not far from where Savage lived was a Salafi mosque and book store which were associated with a Muslim cleric whose approach to the Salafi movement was entirely at odds with that of the defendant.
He added: "One of those he was in contact with was, unbeknownst to him, an online undercover officer – a law enforcement official who went by the name of Abdul – who was able to capture communications with the defendant – including multiple ‘voice notes’ the defendant sent and ‘Abdul’ was able to retain.
"He referred how the mosque on Wright Street needed ‘flattening’; how the Madkhalis were to be ‘hunted down’. On March 9 2024 the defendant changed his ‘status’ on WhatsApp to ‘Lone Wolf’."
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst said: “Many arrests that are carried out for terrorism suspects are pre-planned however the arrest of Savage was one conducted in a street during an evening as we had become increasingly concerned around his behaviour.
“Thanks to these quick actions to protect the public, there is no doubt that we stopped a dangerous individual carrying out an attack that would have caused injuries and potentially also fatalities.”
Source: Www.Expressandstar.Com
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Israel bans Al-Aqsa preacher from mosque after he condemns Gaza war
12 April, 2025
Muslims gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in Jerusalem [Getty]
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Israel has banned Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Muhammad Salim from entering the compound for a week after he condemned Israel’s war on Gaza during his Friday sermon.
Israeli police officers arrested and interrogated Sheikh Salim at a police station in occupied East Jerusalem after Friday prayers, witnesses told Turkish news agency Anadolu.
An official from the agency that oversees the Al Aqsa compound told Anadolu that Israeli authorities could extend the entry ban.
Source: Www.newarab.Com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-bans-al-aqsa-preacher-mosque-condemning-gaza-war
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Mosques Must Be Build With Pure Intention, Values Not Just For Greatness And Splendour - PM Anwar
12/04/2025
BUKIT MERTAJAM, April 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the construction of a mosque should be based on pure intention and correct appreciation of Islam, not for the purpose of showing off greatness and splendour.
The Prime Minister said mosques that are developed with good and proper foundations will fur her strengthen the faith and piety of Muslims thus uniting the society in the country. "Building a mosque is everyone's responsibility... It is the base for us
to learn to pray, payzakat, learn the principles of religion. The Islamic institution ust be associated with assistance as well as concern for the community. "The al-Quran mentions that there are mosques founded because
of piety to Allah SWT, its values are pure, bringing unity in the community, sculpting faith, taking care of the community and not to show greatness and splendour.
“… but if the intention (the construction of the mosque) is not right, the journey does not bring Islamic appreciation and good understanding, then the mosque can become a place of damage," he said at the launch of the CherokTok Kun Bawah Mosque
Reconstruction Ceremony, here today. Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Human Resources Minister and Bukit
Source: Www.bernama.Com
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https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2411932
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India
Karnataka caste census report says Muslim population is 18.08 pc, recommends 8 pc reservation
April 13, 2025
The controversial caste census report submitted by the Backward Classes Commission to the Congress-led government in Karnataka has pegged the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 per cent and recommends 8 per cent reservation for the community, sources confirmed on Sunday.
The caste census report was submitted to the state cabinet on Friday (April 10), and the state government is convening a special cabinet meeting on April 17 to decide on the report’s recommendations. However, no official statement has been issued to the media regarding the report’s contents. Nonetheless, details presented in the cabinet meeting have surfaced in the public domain.
Furthermore, sources confirmed that the caste census report recommends increasing the total reservation to more than 75 per cent in Karnataka. The survey estimates the population of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at 4.18 crore, Scheduled Castes (SCs) at 1.09 crore, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at 42.81 lakh.
Source: Www.Thestatesman.com
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First Under Waqf Amendment Act: Illegal Madrassa In MP Demolished Voluntarily
Apr 13, 2025
BHOPAL: An illegally constructed madrasa was voluntarily demolished by its operators in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, marking the first such action after the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in Parliament. Administrative officials said they had issued notices to the operators following a complaint from BJP president VD Sharma from a local resident belonging to Muslim community.
Officials said that the operator took action himself in the light of the newly passed legislation before local administration could initiate action to raze it.
The madrasa had been operating illegally for the past 30 years in Panna's BD Colony. Despite multiple notices issued over the years, the operator failed to comply.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Murshidabad violence: Over 150 arrested, internet suspended; CM Mamata Banerjee calls meeting
Apr 13, 2025
NEW DELHI: Amid unrest in West Bengal's Murshidabad, 12 more people were arrested in connection with violence, taking the total number to over 150. No new incident of violence has been reported yet after five companies of BSF were deployed in the Muslim-dominated district.
The move came after Calcutta high court on Saturday ordered the "immediate" deployment of Central forces in the area. IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat, said that BSF would coordinate with state police to restore peace in the region. He added that more forces would be added if needed.
"We have to work along with them in this situation. The discussions were held on this only. We have sent our five companies to help the police. We are here to help the police, not for independent action. We will act according to the demands of the state police. We hope that peace will be restored here soon. If the police need more companies, we will provide them. BSF is ready for all situations," he said.
The violence in West Bengal's Muslim-dominated Murshidabad erupted in the wake of the amended Waqf law. At least 3 people were killed and over 150 were arrested in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, raids were conducted at several places in West Bengal.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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NIA probes Dawood link in 26/11 plot through Tahawwur Rana interrogation
Apr 13, 2025
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its ongoing probe into Tahawwur Rana's involvement in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, is focusing on the network of people who helped plan the conspiracy.
Rana was questioned for the second day in a row as investigators try to understand how the large-scale attack was planned and who all were involved. NIA is also directing its effort to examine the possible links of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
As sources informed PTI news agency, the NIA is dissecting dozens of phone calls between Rana and Headley, using them to piece together the larger conspiracy that spanned continents. Investigators believe these conversations hold vital clues to the operational details of the attacks, and to those who worked behind the scenes.
One of the leads includes a person based in Dubai, believed to have met Rana on Headley’s request. Investigators think this man knew about the attack plans. They are also checking if this "mystery man" was connected to Dawood Ibrahim or his criminal network known as D-Company, which is based in Dubai, as sources told IANS news agency.
The agency is also looking into Rana’s possible ties with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which carried out the attacks. NIA officials believe the planning for the 26/11 attacks may have started as early as 2005.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Tahawwur Rana's 26/11 conspiracy travels beyond India's borders: NIA court
Apr 13, 2025
NEW DELHI: Acknowledging that Tahawwur Hussain Rana was one of the first accused to be arrested in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, an NIA court stated that the agency has enough material reflecting a prima facie case and his potential role.
Granting Rana's 18-day custody to NIA late Friday evening, additional sessions judge (NIA) ChanderJit Singh observed that his sustained custodial interrogation was required to unravel the deep-rooted conspiracy in the matter.
"There is enough material to say that allegations in the present matter pertain to the safety and security of the nation. The material produced on record reflects that the conspiracy in question travels beyond the geographical border of India, and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple cities of India, including the national capital, were sought to be identified. Thus, to reach the root of the matter and to unearth the facts in the matter which are laid in a deep-rooted conspiracy, a sustained custodial interrogation is required," the judge said in the order. Since Rana is the first accused apprehended in the case, "the investigation agency (NIA) should get a fair chance to thoroughly investigate the matter so as to present before the court complete facts in a holistic manner," the court said.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Karnataka Congress' appeasement politics for Muslims could lead to Bengal-like violence: P C Mohan amid Waqf protests
13 April 2025,
Sharing a video purportedly showing Hindus fleeing Dhulian, Murshidabad after protests against the Waqf Act in West Bengal turned violent, BJP MP P C Mohan said, "What’s happening in Murshidabad is a direct result of the West Bengal government’s dang...
"Karnataka Congress's appeasement tactics, like 4 per cent Muslim reservation in government contracts, could lead to the same fate. Wake up, Hindus!" Mohan wrote in a post on X.
What’s happening in Murshidabad is a direct result of the West Bengal State Govt’s dangerous politics of appeasement, forcing Hindus to flee. Karnataka Congress's appeasement tactics, like 4% Muslim reservation in govt contracts, could lead to the sa...
Amid protests in West Bengal, several BJP leaders shared videos of people claiming to have been displaced due to the agitation, while decrying the law-and-order situation under the Mamata Banerjee government.
Source: Www.deccanherald.com
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South Asia
Bangladesh Religious Affairs AdviserSeeks Imamsand Khatibs’ Role To Stop Dowry
12 Apr 2025
DHAKA, April 12, 2025 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain has said imams and Khatibs have opportunity to raise their voices against dowry in various forums and they should utilise the scope.
“Imams and khatibs should play a responsible role in curbing the menace of dowry,” he said while exchanging views with the registrars of Muslim Nikah (marriage) at LGED Bhaban in Chattogram today, a press release of the ministry said.
“Giving and taking dowry is a crime. Dowry is a curse of the society. Imams and Khatibs should speak out to discourage dowry. Khatibs, Imams or Qazis have the opportunity to speak in various forums. They should unilise the scope,” Dr Khalid said.
Additional District Magistrate Mahbubul Haque and LGED Executive Engineer Mohammad Hasan Ali, among others, spoke on the occasion while president of the forum Qazi Syed Mohammad Abu Sayeed was in the chair.
Source: Www.bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/262605
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No Foreign Body Has Right To Interfere In AfghanistanJudicial System: SC Spokesman
By Ariana News
April 12, 2025
The spokesperson for the Supreme Court, Abdul Rahim Rashid, on Saturday issued a statement in response to remarks by the United Nations Human Rights Office, stating that no foreign authority has the right to interfere in the Sharia, religion, or judicial system of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).
The UN Human Rights Office had earlier described the implementation of Qisas (retribution) against four individuals in the provinces of Badghis, Nimroz, and Farah as being contrary to human dignity.
According to the statement from the Supreme Court, the public execution of four individuals was carried out based on the clear rulings of Sharia, credible evidence, the confessions of the murderers, and to reform society, uphold justice, and prevent crimes.
Source: Www.Ariananews.af
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Islamic Emirate Envoy in Islamabad Meets Bangladeshi Ambassador
2025-04-12
KABUL(BNA): Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, the acting head of the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, met with Iftikhar Hussain Khan, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Pakistan, to discuss bilateral relations.
The Afghan embassy reported that discussions covered:
• Historical and religious commonalities between Afghanistan and Bangladesh
• Economic ties
• Legal services, including visa facilitation for Afghans traveling to Bangladesh and vice versa
• Other unspecified matters of mutual interest
Source: Www.Dbakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-envoy-in-islamabad-meets-bangladeshi-ambassador/
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Nazari slams U.S. aid bill a tool of pressure on Afghanistan
April 12, 2025
KABUL: Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy said the other day that a new bill that passed a vote in the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and is heading to Congress, which concerns aid to Afghanistan is a tool of pressure on the Islamic Emirate. Speaking to TOLOnews, Nazari said “The recent bill is aimed at pressuring the Islamic Emirate and has a political approach. The Islamic Emirate has not benefited from U.S. aid and has no role in the aid process.”
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a bill that has been forwarded to the U.S. Congress for further review to develop a strategy to prevent countries and NGOs from financially assisting the Islamic Emirate. In response to the U.S. aid suspension, Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also stated that conditioning humanitarian aid on political criteria is surprising.
Since the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the West has consistently imposed various pressures on the system under different pretexts.
However, despite these pressures and challenges, the Islamic Emirate has maintained its stance, emphasizing sovereignty, self-governance, and the right to determine its internal affairs without foreign interference.
Source: Thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/nazari-slams-u-s-aid-bill-a-tool-of-pressure-on-afghanistan/
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Record Tk 91.8mn found in 11 donation boxes of Kishoreganj’sPagla Mosque
12 Apr 2025
A record-breaking collection of Tk 91.8 million has been found in the 11 donation boxes of the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj.
“This is the highest amount collected so far,” said Fouzia Khan, deputy commissioner (DC) of Kishoreganj and president of the Pagla Mosque management committee.
The boxes were opened at 9am, 4 months and 11 days since the last count, in the presence of the deputy commissioner and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury.
Of them, 286 students from Pagla Mosque Madrasa and Al JamiatulImdadia, along with 80 officials and staff from Rupali Bank, were involved in sorting and counting the money.
Source: Bdnews24.com
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https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/d843d9ce5299
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None other than MoRA will be allowed to perform Hajj by state expense: Khalid
12 Apr 2025,
CHATTOGRAM, April 12, 2025 (BSS) - None other than the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) to be involved in Hajj management will be allowed for performing Hajj by state expense this year.
“This is a record breaking decision as we are still strict on the decision by turning down all pressure,” Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain made the remarks while briefing newsmen after a function here today.
Speaking at the meeting as the chief guest, Dr. Khalid also said that “dowry is a social curse. So, demanding or taking dowry is same criminal offence”.
The adviser called upon all including religious leaders, Imam and Khatib of mosques, marriage registers to motivate and aware people against dowry culture.
Source: Www.bssnews.net
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https://www.bssnews.net/news/262601
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Southeast Bank donates Tk 50 lakh to Khulna University
Apr 12, 2025
Southeast Bank PLC has provided financial support worth Tk 50 lakh to Khulna University under its special corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund for conducting research activities.
Nuruddin MdSadeque Hossain, managing director of the bank, handed over the cheque to Prof Md Noor Un Nabi, treasurer of the university, at a function on the university campus premises in Khulna recently, said a press release.
Earlier, Southeast Bank also provided similar financial assistance to Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University in Agargaon, Dhaka; Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University in Gazipur; Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Chattogram; Sylhet Agricultural University; Habiganj Agricultural University; and Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University.
Source: Www.Thedailystar.net
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Europe
Anti-Muslim hate crime on rise in Europe since October 2023: EU Islamophobia chief
DamlaDelialioglu
13.04.2025
The European Commission's coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred said on Saturday that racism and Islamophobia are seemingly on the rise in a number of member states.
“We know that since the 7th of October (2023), in particular, anti-Muslim hate crime has increased, for instance, by 140% in Germany,” Marion Lalisse told Anadolu during Türkiye’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum, referring to the day Palestinian group Hamas carried out an attack, followed immediately by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which over the last year-and-a-half has killed over 50,000 people and left most of Gaza in ruins.
Lalisse added: “Obviously, you can have views about religions, about politics, but you cannot incite to hatred against a group of individuals who are fully parts of Europe, integral components of our society."
“I think that we have, unfortunately, a normalization of anti-Muslim narrative, and narrative that is in the media, in the social media, doesn't remain only words,” she said.
Source: Www.Aa.com.tr
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Search teams deployed after house explosion
Dan Martin
13-04-2025
A search has begun to account for residents after a house was destroyed in a gas explosion.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said specialist urban search and rescue teams were deployed on Sunday morning, after a terraced property was destroyed in John Street in Worksop.
"Three fire engines remain on scene at this incident, with fire crews working alongside specialist urban search and rescue teams to account for all local residents."
Source: Www.Bbc.tr
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjewldqd1glo
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Green leadership contest must not descend into ‘toxicity’, Patrick Harvie warns
PA Media
03-04-2025
Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie has warned party members not to let the fight to succeed him descend into “factionalism and toxicity”.
Harvie, who was making his final conference speech as Scottish Green co-leader, told supporters that this is “what our party deserves as we debate our own future”.
Amid reports that some Green activists are concerned about the party’s MSPs “hoarding power”, Harvie used his address to the conference in Stirling to hit out at the “small minority of members have taken to anonymous leaks, smears, insults”.
Harvie, who hopes to return as an MSP again after the 2026 Holyrood election, made a direct appeal to party members to call out any such behaviour in the upcoming leadership contest.
Source: News.stv.tv
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Defence Digital, Support now part of Armaments group
By Craig Langford
April 13, 2025
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that key arms of its procurement and support apparatus—including Defence Digital and Defence Support—will be drawn into the newly created National Armaments Director (NAD) Group as part of the UK’s sweeping Defence Reform agenda.
In response to written questions from James Cartlidge MP, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle reiterated that while the precise staffing and structural changes are still being refined, the NAD Group will serve as an overarching body coordinating the UK’s defence delivery and support functions.
Eagle stated that the new framework aims to “cut waste, boost British growth and jobs, and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.”
Source: Ukdefencejournal.org.uk
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https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/defence-digital-support-now-part-of-armaments-group/
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Mideast
‘This is Just a Beginning’: United States and Iran Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman
April 12, 2025
began on April 12 in Oman. The Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, negotiated with representatives from the United States administration headed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, with both parties remaining in separate rooms for approximately two hours. However, Araghchi and Witkoff reportedly met face-to-face as they exited the meeting venue — marking the first direct contact between U.S. and Iranian officials since the start of President Trump’s term. Further talks are scheduled for next week, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman EsmaeilBaghaei later stating that “this is just a beginning.”
Where the Parties Stand: Speaking on Iranian state television later on April 12, Baghaei said, “The objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear — we have only one goal, and that is to safeguard Iran’s national interests … and … importantly for us, the lifting of the sanctions.” U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in March that the United States’ position in negotiations is that Iran must verifiably relinquish all aspects of its nuclear program, including its missile program, weaponization efforts, and uranium enrichment activities. An April 9 editorial in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Javan newspaper stated that Iran would immediately end negotiations with the United States if “any discussion of Iran’s missile program” is tabled.
Trump Letter to Khamenei : Trump sent a letter to the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on March 5 giving Tehran 60 days to reach a nuclear deal with the United States. In the interim, Trump has stated that while “doing a deal would be preferable,” military action remains an option if negotiations fail. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be a bombing … the likes of which they have never seen before,” the president warned on March 30. Speaking after the Oman meeting, Araghchi downplayed the encounter as a “brief initial conversation, greetings and polite exchanges,” adding: “Both sides, including the Americans, have said that their goal is also to reach an agreement in the shortest possible time. However, that will certainly not be an easy task.”
Source: Www.fdd.org
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Hamas: Calls to slaughter sacrifices at Al-Aqsa Mosque require response at all levels
12 Apr 2025
Gaza – Saba: The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, stated that the calls by the so-called "Temple" groups to slaughter sacrifices at Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute an incitement to religious war and require a response at all levels.
Harun Nasser al-Din, a member of the movement's Political Bureau and head of al- Quds Affairs Office, explained in a press statement reported by Quds Press on Saturday that "the so-called Temple groups' incitement calls for Zionist settlers to impose the slaughter of sacrifices inside the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the so-called Jewish Passover holiday constitutes an incitement to religious war against Islamic sanctities and an insistence on the policy of systematically targeting the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque."
Source: Www.Saba.ye
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Iranian Leader Khamenei Pressured To Negotiate With US Amid Fears War Could Collapse Ayatollah Regime - New York Times Report
April 12, 2025
Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was strongly advised by senior officials to engage in negotiations with the United States in order to avert a potential war that could threaten the regime’s survival, according to a New York Times report published Friday.
The report, which cites two senior Iranian officials, aimed to explain why the conservative Iranian leader eventually changed his mind and approved negotiations with the Trump administration on Tehran’s covert nuclear program.
“If Iran refused talks or if the negotiations failed, the officials told Mr. Khamenei, military strikes on Iran’s two main nuclear sites, Natanz and Fordow, would be inevitable,” the Iranian officials reportedly stated.
The Iranian regime has been seriously weakened by a faltering economy and the severe blows Israel has delivered to its aerial defense system and its regional terror proxies – Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Source: Wallisrael.Com
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Syria seeks to sever last Iran-linked networks for smuggling arms and cash
By LOVEDAY MORRIS
April 12, 2025
HAWSH AL-SAYYID ALI, Syria — From the front seat of a black GMC truck, Maher Ziwani, the Syrian army commander overseeing this stretch of the border with Lebanon, radioed ahead to check the safety of the dirt track stretching to the frontier. But before he got a response, Syrian fighters on a motorbike sped past his window, shouting a warning. “Hezbollah, Hezbollah!” one yelled. “Hezbollah shot one of our guys!” A car followed, its interior smeared with blood. A patrol had come under fire, soldiers said. In recent weeks, Syrian government forces have been trying to choke off smuggling routes that cross the rugged 233-mile border with Lebanon. These routes are the last vestiges of the “land bridge” — a network traversing the breadth of Syria — used by Iran and its allied militias to ferry weapons, cash, drugs and fuel. These had helped prop up the ousted government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and represented vital support for the regime’s powerful ally, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, including in its confrontation with Israel. Today, it’s a dramatically different picture after Islamist militants overthrew Assad in December, dealing a major setback to Iran’s regional power and largely cutting it off from Hezbollah. From the border smuggling hubs like Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, still smoldering from clashes when Ziwani visited last month, to the abandoned Shiite Muslim militia bases in the war-ravaged cities of Qusayr and Palmyra to the east, waypoints once used by Iran and its proxies are in tatters. A recent reporting trip by Washington Post journalists to these once-vital nodes in the smuggling network found abundant evidence of a hasty exit. With its regional influence shattered, however, Iran has now started looking beyond its traditional allies, including to Sunni Muslim extremist groups, in efforts to maintain supply lines and destabilize the new government, headed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, security officials in Europe and the region have warned. This is among the many challenges for Sharaa as he tries to cope with the meddling of rival outside powers and unite Syria.
Source: Www.Stripes.Com
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Israeli Oppression and the Plight of Palestine and Lebanon
Dr Muhammad Tayyab Khan Singhanvi
April 13, 2025
The ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine and Lebanon is a long-term issue that has jeopardized peace in the Middle East for decades. Israel’s continuous airstrikes on Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, along with numerous human rights violations, demolition of homes, killings of women and children, and destruction of essential facilities, have shaken the global conscience.
Lebanon, which has frequently been the target of Israeli attacks, is resorting to political and military resistance for its survival. This study presents an analysis of Israeli atrocities in Palestine and Lebanon in the context of historical, political, human rights, and international law perspectives, along with a detailed examination of the roles of global powers, the silence of the United Nations, and the practical apathy of the Muslim world.
The Palestinian issue is not merely a territorial dispute but a struggle for the identity, survival, and freedom of a nation. The establishment of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of millions of Palestinians, many of whom still live as refugees in various parts of the world. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine, which aimed to divide the territory into two states: one Jewish and one Arab. This division was rejected by Arab countries and Palestinians, labeling it unjust, resulting in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel not only occupied the land allocated to it but also seized additional Arab territories, an event referred to by Palestinians as “Nakba,” or catastrophe.
Since 2006, the Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade, leading to severe shortages of basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, electricity, and educational resources. Israel conducts large-scale military operations in Gaza every few years, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. In 2023 and 2024, Israeli bombings devastated hospitals, schools, residential buildings, and refugee camps in Gaza. Reports indicate over 50,000 Palestinians killed (among them 60 percent women and children), over 75,000 injured, 1.5 million displaced, and over 90% of buildings destroyed. These figures clearly indicate that Israeli actions are not only military but equivalent to targeting civilians, which constitute war crimes under international law.
Source: Www.pakistantoday.com.pk
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Foreign Minister participates in Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee Meeting on Gaza Developments
12 Apr 2025
Antalya, Apr. 12 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit regarding developments in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting was held at the invitation of HakanFidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye and was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Indonesia, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the State of Palestine, as well as the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, along with the committee’s ongoing efforts to engage with countries around the world to restore a ceasefire agreement and ensure its full implementation, leading to an end to the war on Gaza, de-escalation, and breaking the cycle of violence.
Source: Www.Bna.bh
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https://www.bna.bh/en/news?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2bDgs7Kr4t3D0LuoVJCIMKCqU%3d
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Iran has always supported the oppressed: Ayatollah Hosseini
Apr 12, 2025,
TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) – Ayatollah SeyyedMojtaba Hosseini, the representative of the Supreme Leader in Iraq has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the oppressed nations in the world, while it has never initiated war.
Ayatollah SeyyedMojtaba Hosseini, the representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, made the remarks in his calls at the holy Najaf Seminary where he emphasized Iran's justice-seeking and peace-seeking positions. "The Islamic Republic has always been the defender of the oppressed and has never initiated war," he said.
Ayatollah Hosseini in his address to the classroom, pointed to regional and global developments, emphasizing the Islamic Republic's abidance by moral, justice-seeking, and peace-seeking principles.
Source: En.Mehrnews.com
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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/230467/Iran-has-always-supported-the-oppressed-Ayatollah-Hosseini
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Southeast Asia
Education Ministry pledges full and transparent probe into Johor sports school drowning after family alleges negligence
13 Apr 2025
TAIPING, April 13 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) has pledged a full and transparent investigation into the death of a 16-year-old student who drowned at a Johor sports school last November, after the boy’s family alleged negligence earlier this month.
Muhammad Zulfan Iqbal Zaiful, a Form Four student and under-16 football player at SekolahSukanTunkuMahkota Ismail (SSTMI), died during a school activity. His family lodged a formal complaint on April 6, calling for accountability.
Education Minister FadhlinaSidek noted that the ministry’s Integrity Unit is conducting an internal investigation, alongside a formal inquiry by the authorities.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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CJ’S appointment process: Gov’t open to proposals on improving laws, says Fahmi
13 Apr 2025
TAPAH, April 13 — The government is open to considering any proposals for improving existing laws, including those involving the appointment process of the Chief Justice, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also the government spokesman, said the government acknowledges the views expressed by various parties, including concerns over the Prime Minister’s role in the appointment of the Chief Justice.
“The government is open to receiving all kinds of views on how to improve the current laws, whether relating to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) or other matters.
“The Cabinet also takes note that a court case has been filed challenging the JAC Act itself. So the Cabinet will examine the matter,” he said at a press conference after visiting the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) in Air Kuning here today.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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No courtroom needed: Fadillah confident MA63 can be resolved through negotiation
13 Apr 2025
KUCHING, April 13 — Negotiations between the federal and state governments regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) can be resolved amicably without the need to bring the matter to court for legal interpretation, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri FadillahYusof said.
“As far as Sarawak is concerned, we will not bring this matter to court because we have two options. If it cannot be resolved at the highest leadership level, the final option is to take the matter to court for (legal) interpretation, not for dispute resolution.
“We are trying to avoid this (going to court). We are trying to reach an agreement at the federal and state levels and agree to find a solution through negotiations without needing to refer to the courts,” he said during the Executive Dialogue in conjunction with the ‘JiwaKomuniti Madani dan Media’ programme here today.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Putra Heights fire: Health minister says blast victim on ventilator is improving
13 Apr 2025
PUTRAJAYA, April 13 — The condition of a man who was seriously injured in the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, on April 1 is improving, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said that based on medical monitoring, the 21-year-old man, who is still dependent on a ventilator, has shown signs of progress at a private hospital.
“He is intubated but improving; now on inotropes, which are also showing better response,” he said at a press conference after launching the World Physical Activity Day (WOPAD) celebration, held in conjunction with the Car-Free Day initiative in Putrajaya today.
On the status of other victims receiving medical treatment, Dzulkefly said that as of yesterday, 30 people were still being treated at both public and private hospitals.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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North America
Headscarf Controversy In Turkish Cypriot Schools: A Secular Freedom And A Religious Obligation
By Alper Ali Riza
13 April 2025
The headscarf controversy in Turkish Cypriot schools after a regulation governing school dress was changed to authorise schoolgirls to cover their heads raises human rights issues the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) addressed in a number of cases, even if the underlying issue in the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus TRNC” is political.
The cases before the ECtHR have been primarily from France, the country of Laïcité (Laiklik in Turkish), and Turkey where it was formally transplanted in 1937 shortly before Kemal Ataturk died, surreptitiously uprooted by President Erdogan and his religious AKP party in the 21st century.
Laïcité is a form of assertive secularism in which the state is religion neutral – the diametrical opposite of the Caliphate and the Catholic Pope. It holds that religion is a private matter between the individual and his or her faith and that the outward manifestation of religious belief in state institutions is strictly forbidden and the state stands guard of the separation of government and politics from religion and vice versa.
Laïcité was introduced in Turkey incrementally by Kemal Ataturk after he established the Turkish Republic in 1923. It involved the abolition of the Caliphate, sharia law and religious courts; removal of Islam as the state religion; closure of Islamic schools; and a ban on wearing religious clothes in public spaces like schools, universities, government offices, parliament and the courts. It culminated in the formal adoption of Laïcité into the Turkish constitution in 1937 that with the change from the Arabic to the Latin alphabet and early voting rights for women westernised Turkey in the image of its founder Ataturk and gave birth to Kemalism.
Prior to the arrival on the scene of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2003, many in Turkey felt that the assertive secularism of the military elite was unrepresentative of the whole of Turkish society, particularly in the countryside. There was a need for corrective reform, more to refine Kemalist Laïcité than abandon it altogether.
Unfortunately it was perceived as elitist and associated with military rule and did not evolve across the whole of society in Turkey as it had done in the much smaller more westernised Turkish Cypriot society where it thrived partly owing to British secular influences.
Source: Cyprus-mail.Com
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https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/04/13/headscarf-wearing-a-secular-freedom-and-a-religious-obligation
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US wants nuclear deal 'as soon as possible but it won't be easy', says Iran after high-stakes talks begin
Apr 13, 2025
The US is seeking a nuclear accord quickly, according to Iran's statement following exceptional discussions on Saturday, whilst US President Donald Trump warns of potential military intervention if negotiations fail.
The discussions were led by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran diplomat who helped craft the 2015 agreement, and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. These talks represent the highest-level nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US since the previous agreement's termination.
Araghchi engaged briefly with Witkoff, a property developer, during the otherwise indirect meeting in Oman, and announced that talks would continue next Saturday. "The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides," Araghchi informed Iranian state television, as quoted by AFP.
"I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation... Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever," he continued.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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Trump signals he’ll skip G20 summit in South Africa over 'land confiscation' and ‘white genocide’
Apr 13, 2025
US president Donald Trump has signalled he will skip the G20 summit in South Africa due to “land confiscation” and “ white genocide.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide is the primary topic of conversation?"
"They are taking the land of white farmers, and then killing them and their families. The media refuses to report on this. The United States has held back all contributions to South Africa. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!" he said.
Trump’s social media post included video clips of Julius Malema, leader of the small far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), speaking about land occupation and calling killing a “revolutionary act.”
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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7 years after pulling out, why is Donald Trump re-engaging Iran on nuclear deal, and what does Israel want?
Apr 13, 2025
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, April 7, 2025, that Washington and Tehran would begin talks over Iran's nuclear programme in Oman. Oman has acted as a mediator between the West and Tehran in the past. The two countries met in Muscat on Saturday, April 12, to explore the possibility of a new nuclear agreement.
Iranian state television said on Saturday that Iran and the United States will hold another round of talks next week regarding Tehran's nuclear program. This came at the end of their first meeting since Donald Trump returned as president. According to Iranian state TV, US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi "briefly spoke" with each other — the first direct contact between the two sides since the Obama administration. Iranian state media mentioned the face-to-face conversation, indicating the talks were proceeding in a positive direction.
The White House issued a statement on Saturday afternoon saying the discussions were "very positive and constructive," but also noted that the issues involved "are very complicated."
In 2018, President Trump withdrew the US from an earlier nuclear deal involving Iran and other world powers and reimposed economic sanctions. This move was strongly opposed by Iran.
Iran is not allowed to have nuclear weapons because it is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which it signed along with most other countries. This agreement allows countries to use nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes, like energy, medicine, and agriculture. It strictly prohibits the development of nuclear weapons.
Although Iran says its nuclear programme is only for civilian use, many countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are not fully convinced. Concerns grew in 2002 when Iran was discovered to have secret nuclear facilities, which violated the NPT. This led to suspicion that Iran might be working toward building nuclear weapons, even though it continues to deny those claims.
Moreover, countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States worry that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, it could lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and, consequentially, more instability in the already turmoiled region.
The US and its allies also see Iran as a threat because of its support for groups like Hezbollah and its opposition to Western influence in the region. Giving Iran access to nuclear weapons could make it harder to contain its regional power.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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Africa
Dan Bello And The Implications Of His Diatribe On Islamic Preachers
Rayyanu Bala
13 April 2025
I had never paid much attention to Dan Bello or his activities on social media – until he launched his so-called exposé against our renowned Islamic preacher and leader of Jama’atuIzalatul Bid’ah WaIqamatus Sunnah, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau.
Sheikh Bala Lau is not only a respected religious leader but also a businessman. Long before he began his preaching journey, those who knew him could attest to his success in business. He built his fortune independently, well before stepping into the limelight as a preacher.
Given this background, Dan Bello’s accusations against Sheikh Bala Lau are hardly surprising to discerning minds. What is truly shocking, however, is that Bello – who claims to be a Muslim – would choose to target such a revered Islamic figure in such a public and disparaging manner. Sheikh Bala Lau, like all humans, is not without faults. But matters concerning his personal life and actions are ultimately between him and Almighty Allah.
The level of disrespect being shown toward religious leaders today is deeply concerning. It reflects a troubling decline in our collective morality.
Source: Leadership.Ng
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https://leadership.ng/dan-bello-and-the-implications-of-his-diatribe-on-islamic-preachers/
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Limits on religious freedom under the 2010 Constitution
by WILLY MUTUNGA
13 April 2025
For the last month, Muslims from all over the world have engaged with the spirituality of fasting. As a Muslim who has been both a Protestant and a Catholic, and who also practices the African traditional religion of the Akamba people of Kenya, I have experienced the spirituality of fasting.
The values of fasting are grounded in humanity: in fasting one internalizes what it is to be poor and hungry; how to struggle against addictions and live a healthy life; that fasting is not feasting; and to comply with dictates of the Muslim faith.
Source: Www.Guardian.co.tt
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https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-04-13-limits-on-religious-freedom-under-2010-constitution
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How Jordan is Managing Public Debt
Apr 12,2025
Reducing public debt and it is cost on the economy can be achieved in three main ways. First, by improving economic growth. When the economy grows, production increases and government revenues go up. Second, by reducing the budget deficit. The deficit, meaning the gap between government spending and revenues, is the main reason governments borrow money. So, reducing the deficit helps limit the need for more debt. Third, by replacing high-interest debt with cheaper loans. This means borrowing at lower interest rates, which reduces the overall cost of debt on the government.
The Jordanian government has already started to take steps in this direction. Usually, governments borrow by issuing bonds and treasury bills, which come with interest payments. In 2025, Jordan will spend about JD2.2 billion on interest payments, which is 17.6 per cent of all government spending. This creates a heavy burden, especially on capital spending, which is only JD1.468 billion this year, just 11.7 per cent of the total budget.
To deal with this challenge, the government looked at ways to manage debt that is due soon. In 2025, Jordan must repay $1 billion in Eurobonds, with payments due on June 29 and July 7. Another Eurobond is due in 2026. The usual solution would be to borrow again from international markets, but interest rates are high, around 7.75 per cent, which would only add to the cost of debt and increase the pressure on the economy and budget.
Instead, the government found lower-cost financing options. Over the past five months, it secured concessional loans from friendly countries and issued new financial instruments, such as Islamic Sukuk (an Islamic financial certificate), with lower interest rates. This allowed the government to use extra liquidity in Islamic banks and create new, cheaper funding methods. These steps helped reduce the cost of repaying the 2025 Eurobond by 40 per cent, saving around $40 million each year. Over five years, this means savings of about $200 million.
Source: Jordantimes.com
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https://jordantimes.com/opinion/raad-mahmoud-al-tal/how-jordan-managing-public-debt
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Pakistan
Balochistan CM Bugti Urges Artificial IntelligenceUse For Better Governance, Youth Development
Saleem Shahid
April 13, 2025
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Saturday stressed the importance of leveraging modern technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance transparency, efficiency and performance in governance, financial management and youth development initiatives.
Chairing a high-level consultative meeting of the Information Technology Department in Quetta, CM Bugti endorsed a series of proposals aimed at integrating advanced digital tools into provincial systems.
Key among them was the use of AI to assess students’ cognitive abilities under the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) scholarship programme.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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Govt asks businesses to help bridge trade deficit with US
Khalid Hasnain
April 13, 2025
LAHORE: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has urged the business community to share ideas and proposals to enable the government in ending trade deficit with the United States in light of duties imposed by the Trump administration.
“There is a relief in US tariff for 90 days. But the 10pc base tariff has already been enforced. Though this issue [imposition of tariff] exists at the moment, the real issue is the trade imbalance which needs to be resolved with your [business community’s] views, suggestions and ideas,” the minister said while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Saturday.
“By seeing our exports, now we will have to increase our imports too. As you say we may import wheat and other items to end the trade imbalance. For this, I would request you to give us your ideas and proposals about how to increase our exports and more importantly the imports from America for this purpose,” he said, adding that since the US is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, the business community should come forward and help government face these challenges professionally.
Mr Aurangzeb said the government would be sending a high-power delegation to the US for having constructive engagements with the relevant authorities there in this regard. The delegation would have representation from the business community as well, he assured.
Talking about privatisation of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the minister said as many as 24 SOEs have been handed over to the privatisation commission. Similarly, a committee headed by him is also looking into the affairs related to rightsizing of the ministries and their attached departments.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1903848/govt-asks-businesses-to-help-bridge-trade-deficit-with-us
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Peaceful protest held to express solidarity with Palestinian people
April 13, 2025
HYDERABAD - The Central Zone of Jamaat-e-Islami here on Saturday organized a peaceful protest demonstration to express solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people. Led by Acting Nazim Central Zone Syed Saim Hussain, the protest demonstration was participated by children, youth, elders and people from different walks of life. Acting Nazim Central Zone Syed Saim Hussain, Nazim Islamic Jamiat Talaba Central Zone Haseeb Siddiqui, Deputy Nazim Central Zone Muhammad Saleem Khan, Advocate Moeed Sheikh and Hafiz Tahir Qureshi addressed the participants on the occasion. Syed Saim Hussain said in his speech that the solution to the problem of Israel and Palestine was not in the two-nation theory.
Those who oppose this theory while living in Pakistan have forgotten the clear position of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who said that Israel is a legitimate state and Pakistan will never recognize it, he said.
He said that few days ago, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, declared raising voice in favor of Palestine as the top priority, but it is regrettable to say that no practical step has been so far taken by the government. The silence of the rulers is regrettable and condemnable, he added.
Source: Www.Nation.com
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Eight Pakistanis killed in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan
Saleem Shahid
April 13, 2025
QUETTA: Unidentified armed men killed eight Pakistani workers in the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan, who were working at a workshop, on Saturday, officials said.
The Iranian authorities confirming the killing of the Pakistani nationals said that the tragic incident took place in a village of Meharistan district in the morning.
“All the eight Pakistani who were killed belong to Bahawalpur city of southern Punjab,” the Iranian officials said, adding that they were staying at a workshop where they used to dent, polish, paint and repair cars.
According to reports, unknown armed men barged into the workshop sometime in the night and after tying their hands and feet opened indiscriminate firing and killed them.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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Funeral prayers offered for 2 cops martyred in Nowshera firing
Umar Bacha
April 13, 2025
Funeral prayers were offered in Peshawar on Sunday for two police constables who were martyred during firing on their vehicle, officials said.
The incident took place when armed drug smugglers opened fire on the Excise Intelligence Bureau (EIB) mobile squadron GT Road in the Taro Pabbi area of Nowshera in the early hours of the day, Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Nabeel Khan confirmed to Dawn.com.
As a result, constables Iftikhar and Mujahid were martyred. The vehicle’s driver, Shabbir, also lost his life in the attack. Sub-Inspector Farooq Bacha was injured and has been hospitalised.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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Over 860,000 Afghans left Pakistan since Sept 2023
Umer Farooq
April 13, 2025
PESHAWAR: Over 860,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since September 2023, with more than half a million entering Afghanistan through border crossings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the government and UN data.
In the second phase, which began earlier this year, registered Afghan refugees carrying the Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) were asked to leave Pakistan by April 1.
According to the data released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), from Sept 15, 2023, to April 5, 2025, 861,763 Afghans have returned to their country.
Around 2,475 had ACC and were residing legally in Pakistan. Of them, some 2,125 left the country voluntarily, while 350 were deported through the Torkham border in KP.
As per the official data, apart from ACC holders, some 2,433 Afghan nationals, who had been residing illegally and without any documentation in Pakistan, also left on Friday.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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Frustrated BNP turns to MPC amid govt ‘inaction’
Saleem Shahid
April 13, 2025
QUETTA: The Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) has decided to convene a multi-party conference (MPC) on Monday amid a deadlock in negotiations with the government, which refused to allow the party’s long march — launched from Wadh to demand the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, chief organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, and other women activists — to enter Quetta.
Speaking to reporters at the sit-in, which has now entered its third week, BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced on Saturday evening that the MPC would take place at the sit-in site, and invitations had been sent to leaders of various political parties.
He said the MPC would discuss the demands of the long marchers and address other serious issues faced by Balochistan, adding that the conference would also determine a future course of action in light of the government’s lack of seriousness regarding the province’s concerns.
Mr Mengal reiterated that the BNP-M’s primary demand was the release of arrested women political activists, including Mahrang Baloch. “If the government had accepted our demand, we would have ended the sit-in and returned,” he said. He added that three rounds of talks had been held with the government, but none resulted in any meaningful resolution, reflecting the government’s indifference.
He accused the state of being disinterested in resolving Balochistan’s issues, claiming that the province was facing its fifth militar operation. “The people who went to the mountains were once protesting peacefully on these roads,” Mr Mengal said, adding that when the government responds to grievances with enforced disappearances and the dumping of bodies, it leaves the people with no options.
He criticised parliament, calling it a “rubber stamp” where women legislators are being coerced into voting for constitutional amendments through the abduction of their sons and husbands. “Earlier, there was kidnapping for ransom; now it’s kidnapping for constitutional amendments,” he remarked.
He also accused major political parties of having no genuine concern for the people of Balochistan, claiming that they were complicit in looting the province’s resources and stealing the public mandate through collaborations with the establishment.
Source: Www.Dawn.com
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Arab World
No scorching summer heat Hajj for next 16 years, announces Saudi’s NMC
13 Apr 2025
Saudi Arabia’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC) has announced that the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will be the last to take place during the intense summer heat for the next 16 years, as the Islamic calendar gradually shifts the annual event into cooler months.
Beginning in 2026, the pilgrimage will move into spring and then winter due to the Islamic lunar calendar’s annual drift of approximately 10 days. Hajj is expected to fall in the spring from 2026 to 2033, and in winter from 2034 to 2041, before returning to the summer in 2042.
The shift offers relief to millions of pilgrims who have faced soaring temperatures in recent years. During the 2024 pilgrimage, temperatures in Mecca reached between 46 and 51 degrees Celsius, leading to more than 2,700 heatstroke cases in a single day and several heat-related deaths, according to official figures.
Source: Www.Gulftoday.Ae
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From Mohamed Ramadan to Elyanna: the rise of Arab artists at Coachella
Saeed Saeed
April 12, 2025
This year’s Coachella festival in California is shaping up to be another momentous edition for the Mena music scene, with three Arab artists performing during the two-weekend event, running to Sunday and April 18 to 20.
While many eyes and ears will be fixed on sets by global heavyweights such as Green Day, Lady Gaga and Post Malone, a glance further down the bill reveals a vibrant Arab presence set to showcase their sound to their largest international audiences yet. They join a steadily growing contingent of performers – hailing from Palestine to Bahrain to Saudi Arabia – who have graced Coachella stages in recent years, reflecting a regional music scene as deep as it is diverse.
As one of the Arab world's biggest pop stars, it's only fitting for Mohamed Ramadan to perform at one of the world's most influential music festivals – even if his name appears near the bottom of the main stage bill. Nonetheless, this marks a career milestone for the Egyptian artist. After establishing himself as a leading man in blockbuster films and television series, Ramadan pivoted into a fully fledged pop star. Expect a high-energy set that serves as an introduction to his vibrant style of Arabic pop, featuring tried-and-tested anthems such as Number 1 and Mafia.
After getting 40,000 people jumping at Riyadh’s 2022 Soundstorm festival, performing at Coachella doesn’t seem like much of a stretch for the Saudi–Bahraini DJ. That confidence is reinforced by her rising profile on London’s club circuit – including a standout Boiler Room set in 2023 – where she blends electronic beats with Arabic percussion and melodies.
One of North Africa’s most promising EDM talents, Ahmed brings a well-rounded skill set to the decks – an accomplished player on the piano, guitar and drums. His 2022 EP Anchor Point, with its vibrant mix of deep house and Afro house, has racked up more than 10 million streams on Spotify, with superstar DJ Tiesto featuring the title track on an episode of his Club Life radio show. Spins will perform a back-to-back set with UK dance music pioneer Pete Tong.
Source: Www.Gulftoday.Ae
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Saudi Arabia, France chair UN briefing on Palestinian cause
Arab News
April 12, 2025
RIYADH: The permanent representatives of Saudi Arabia and France to the UN, Abdulaziz Al-Wasel and Jerome Bonnafont, co-chaired a briefing for UN member and observer states at the UN headquarters in New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The session “discussed preparations for the upcoming high-level international conference on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian cause and the implementation of the two-state solution, which is scheduled to be held in June under the joint chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France,” the SPA stated.
In his remarks, Al-Wasel stressed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the “cornerstone for achieving security and stability in the region,” adding that the Kingdom’s support for the two-state solution is a “longstanding and unwavering position.”
Al-Wasel also announced the formation of several working groups to address key issues related to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. He called on member states to contribute their visions and proposals to support preparations for June’s conference.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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Saudi Arabia to ban entry to Mecca without Hajj permits starting April 29
April 13, 2025
Dubai: Saudi Arabia announced sweeping new entry restrictions for Mecca, barring individuals without Hajj permits from entering or remaining in the holy city starting later this month, in a bid to regulate the upcoming Hajj season and safeguard the security of millions of pilgrims.
According to the Ministry of Interior, beginning April 29, 2025, only holders of official Hajj visas will be permitted to enter or stay in Mecca.
Expatriates without a valid Hajj permit will be prohibited from entering the city starting April 23, corresponding to 25 Shawwal 1446 in the Islamic calendar.
Source: Gulfnews.Com
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Customs Authority Launches Training Program on Governance Principles from Imam Ali's Era
12 Apr 2025
Sana'a -Saba: A training program commenced on Saturday at the Customs Cultural Institute of the Customs Authority, featuring lectures by SayyedAbdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi based on the lessons from the era of Imam Ali, as imparted by Malik al-Ashtar.
At the program's opening, Faisal al-Thawab, Director of the Customs Cultural Institute, underscored the significance of comprehending and internalizing the principles and foundations of that historical era, which provide a framework for institutional work in any position of responsibility.
Dr. Ali Abdulmalik, coordinator of the National Center for Capacity Building, emphasized the value of the program's themes, which aim to draw parallels with negative phenomena and practices prevalent in contemporary times. He commended the Customs Authority's leadership for their cooperation in implementing the program.
Source: Www.saba.ye
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Saudi Arabia condemns attacks on displacement camps in western Sudan
April 13, 2025
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has condemned and strongly denounced the recent attacks on displacement camps near the city of El Fasher — specifically the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps — in western Sudan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.
The attacks resulted in numerous deaths and injuries in a clear breach of international law and international humanitarian law, the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its rejection of such violations and emphasized the urgent need to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian and relief workers. The Kingdom also stressed the importance of adhering to the commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration, which aims to safeguard civilians in Sudan.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596839/saudi-arabia
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/bengal-bjp-murshidabad-violence-waqf-act/d/135149