Claim On Muslims Making Up 84% Of India's Population by 2041 Is False; Pew Research Centre Predicts 18% By 2050
New Age Islam News Bureau
08 July 2024
·
Claim On Muslims Making Up 84% Of India's
Population by 2041 Is False; Pew Research Centre Predicts 18% By 2050
·
Scripted Video of Women Being Treated by
Islamic Godman in Bangladesh Viral
·
Blow to Marine Le Pen’s Ambition: Antifa and
Islamists Riot in France After *Winning* Second Round of Parliamentary Election
·
Dagestani Mufti Fatwa Against Niqab Not
Obligatory for All Muslims in North Caucasus Republic
·
Gaza Destruction Likely Helped Push Hamas to
Soften Ceasefire Demands, Several Officials Say
India
·
Man vandalises temple in Jammu, claims to have
acted against ‘black magic’ after arrest
·
NIA arrests key accused in J-K narco-terror
nexus case
·
Day after J-K encounters, toll up: 2 soldiers
and 6 militants
·
Delhi eyes on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's
four-day trip to China
·
Attack on army post in Jammu’s Rajouri
district, militant toll rises to 6 in two days
--------
South Asia
·
10 Million SIM Cards Registered as Part of
Islamic Emirate’s Telecommunication Reform
·
Islamic Emirate Announces Key Appointments
Following Supreme Leader’s Decree
·
Islamic Emirate Congratulates Iran on New
Government, Calls for Strengthened Ties
·
‘Our visit to Uzbekistan was full of
achievements’, Azizi
·
Embracing diversity: Afghanistan’s roadmap to
stability
·
Taliban halts local radio station in Laghman,
eastern Afghanistan
·
Afghanistan: Electronic ID Distribution Center
opens in UAE
--------
Europe
·
Keir Starmer Pushes Israel for Ceasefire After
Party Sheds Muslim Votes
·
The UK General Election: Labour’s Shallow
Landslide to Political Islam’s Breakthrough
·
Muslim World League Condemns Israeli Attack on
UNRWA School
·
Rising mosque attacks worry Germany’s Turkish
union
·
Labour's Jess Phillips says opposition
activists 'abused her because they were idiots, not because they were Muslims'
--------
North America
·
Fourth of July violence kills at least 33
across US
·
As US troops leave Niger base, Germany says it
would also end its operation in Niamey
·
US envoy to Japan expresses regret over alleged
sex crimes by military personnel in Okinawa
--------
Mideast
·
Israel accused of sabotaging Gaza ceasefire
proposal
·
Israel says it struck Hezbollah sites in
Lebanon
·
UK’s Starmer uges ‘caution’ on Israel-Lebanon
border
·
Yemeni parties fail to reach prisoner exchange
deal in Muscat
--------
Pakistan
·
PM's Adviser Accuses Jailed Imran of Hatching
Plots in Jail to Spread Anarchy
·
Peshawar High Court Summons Gandapur Over
‘Rising’ Enforced Disappearances
·
MoU signed for empowerment of women in
Balochistan
·
Armed forces should be extended all-out support
in eliminating terrorism: Nawaz Sharif
·
President, PM felicitate Muslim Ummah on new
Islamic year
·
PIA launches special flights for Najaf to
facilitate pilgrims
--------
Arab World
·
Saudi Border Guards Seize 79,700 Narcotic
Tablets in Jazan
·
Saudi-Canadian Business Council Resumes After
5-Year Hiatus
·
Saudi environmental police arrest 3 individuals
for illegal hunting, arson
·
Saudi students switch up a gear in high-octane
F1 finals
·
Beit Hail festival serves up Saudi culinary gem
·
Presidency for Religious Affairs announces 2024
Umrah season plan
·
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strike on UN
school
·
2nd Fruit Festival concludes in Saudi Arabia’s
Baljurashi
·
Saudi university inaugurates education
hackathon
--------
Africa
·
Muslims Demand Probe After 3 Lynched On Child
Trafficking Claims
·
Sudanese political and civil society groups
meet in a bid to end war
·
Rwanda migration deal: “a gimmick that doesn't
act as a deterrent,” new UK PM says
·
LGBT: FG Paying Influencers to Defend Samoa
Agreement – Atiku’s Aide
·
Apply Wisdom, intervenein Kano Emirate Crisis
Now – NNPP Chairman Tells Tinubu
--------
Southeast Asia
·
President Jokowi Calls for Improving Faith,
Piety On Islamic New Year
·
Practice mortar bomb found in empty Merlimau
rental house
·
Security in Penang under control - State police
chief
·
King’s installation: Brunei Sultan’s consent to
grace ceremony underscores close ties
·
PM Anwar urges NGOs, youth movements to reject
corruption, abuse of power
·
Indonesia Says It’s About Time UN Security
Council Take Firm Action Against Israel
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Claim On
Muslims Making Up 84% Of India's Population by 2041 Is False; Pew Research
Centre Predicts 18% By 2050
By -
Nidhi Jacob
8 July
2024
A widely
circulated social media post has claimed that the Institute of World
Demographic Research Institute has predicted that Muslims will make up 84% of
India's total population by 2041. This claim is false. BOOM found that there is
no institute by that name. Besides, available data indicates a declining trend
in growth and fertility rates among all religious groups in recent decades. The
post provides demographic statistics about the Hindu and Muslim populations in
India from 1948 to projected figures in 2041. It cites the "World
Demographic Research Institute" and includes a series of data points with
percentages for Hindu and Muslim populations over different years. The false
claim further says that India’s first Muslim Prime Minister will be elected in
the 2030 general elections. It also urges people to forward the message to at
least ten others as a way to "help in nation building." Archive link
Fact-check BOOM ran a Google search for "World Demographic Research
Institute" and found that no such institute exists. Additionally, BOOM
referred to data from the Census of India and the Pew Research Center to debunk
the claim.
According
to a 2021 report by the Pew Research Center, an American think-tank that
conducts demographic research, it was predicted that by 2050, Muslims would
account for only 18% of India's total population. "In 2050, Hindus are
projected to represent about 77% of Indians, Muslims 18%, and Christians still
2%," the report said. Moreover, in the false post, the population percentage
for Muslims in 2011 is quoted as 22.6% and for Hindus as 73.2%. However, this
is incorrect. According to the 2011 Census data, the population percentage of
Muslims in the country is 17.22 crores or 14.2%, and for Hindus, it is 96.63
crores or 79.8%. In absolute numbers, the Hindu population remains the largest
religious group in the country. In 1951, when the first census of independent
India was conducted, India had a population of around 36 crore people. Of this,
over 84% (more than 30 crore people) belonged to the Hindu community, whereas
only 3.5 crore (9.8%) were from the Muslim community. By 2011, the Hindu
population had increased to 96.6 crore people, and the Muslim population had
grown to more than 17.2 crore people. While the share of Hindus in India's
overall population decreased from 84% in 1951 to approximately 78% in 2011,
they continue to form the majority of the population in the country. India has
yet to conduct the census that was scheduled to take place in 2021.
Declining
fertility rate among religious groups in India India's Muslim community is
projected to grow faster than its Hindu population, increasing from 14.4% in
2010 to over 18% by 2050. However, according to a 2015 Pew Research report,
“Hindus will make up more than three-in-four Indians (76.7%) in 2050. Indeed,
the number of Hindus in India will still be larger than the five largest Muslim
populations in the world’s biggest Muslim countries (India, Pakistan,
Indonesia, Nigeria and Bangladesh) combined.” Moreover, the growth rate has declined
more substantially for Muslims compared to Hindus over the past three decades,
from 32.9% in 1981-1991 to 24.6% in 2001-2011. For Hindus, the growth rate fell
from 22.7% to 16.8% over the same period. Similarly, total fertility rates
(TFR) among all religious groups are reducing. But the most prominent decline
has been among Indian Muslim women, from 4.4 children per woman in 1992 to 2.36
in 2019-21, the latest year for which religion-wise data is available from
India’s National Family Health Survey. Among Hindus it dropped from 3.3
children per woman to 1.94 during the same period.
They
have highlighted that growth and fertility rates are not linked to religion but
education and income levels. States with higher levels of education,
healthcare, and overall socioeconomic development tend to have lower TFRs
across all religious communities. Various claims about the Muslim population
‘explosion’ in India are often created to incite communal tensions in the
country. Previously, the Population Foundation of India had called out
misinformation surrounding the exaggerated population figures among religious
communities. They had emphasized that growth and fertility rates are influenced
not by religion but by factors such as education and income levels. States with
higher levels of education, healthcare, and overall socioeconomic development
generally exhibit lower Total Fertility Rates (TFRs) across all religious
groups.
Source: boomlive.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.boomlive.in/fact-check/fact-check-claim-on-muslims-making-up-84-of-indias-population-by-2041-is-false-25833
--------
Scripted
Video of Women Being Treated by Islamic Godman in Bangladesh Viral
By -
Srijit Das
7 July
2024
A
scripted video of a man touching women inappropriately to diagnose their
illnesses has been circulating online with a false communal claim that it shows
a real incident where an Islamic preacher was treating medical problems of his
followers. BOOM found that the video is scripted and produced by a company
based in Bangladesh; the company claims to raise awareness about such deceptive
practices. In the video a man is shown lying on a bed while several people
approach him seeking blessings. Later, he is seen touching women inappropriately
in an attempt to treat their medical problems. Right-wing influencer Mr. Sinha,
who was previously fact-checked multiple times by BOOM for spreading
misinformation online, shared the video with the caption, "What kind of
idiocy is it? I blame these women for going to such frauds... And if something
goes wrong, everybody will blame the govt.."
The post
has garnered 4.2 million views on the platform at the time of filing this
report, accompanied by comments from several users who believed the video to be
of a real incident.
Fact
Check In the video, BOOM first observed a "Peace TV" watermark, and
the individuals were speaking in Bengali. We ran a related keyword search and
found a Facebook page named 'Peace Tv BD'. We found a longer version of the same
video that was posted on the Peace Tv BD Facebook page on January 30, 2024.
According
to the Facebook page's 'About' section it is a media company based in Barisal,
Bangladesh, with over 1.4 million followers. Additionally, at the end of the
longer video, a message in Bengali appears, warning viewers, "It is our
duty and responsibility to protect ourselves from such babas." A title
card in the video also stated that it was 'directed' by 'Peace Multimedia'.
An
excerpt from the channel's description states, "Mahc Drama TV is The
Largest Islamic Content and Producer organization in Bangladesh. we have
uploaded, Islamic issues, Interviews, educational events, recent news, Short
Film, Islamic Drama, Professional Skill Development Training, Islamic Song,
Movies, Islamic Lecture, Short Natok, Drama If you want to learn about
Educational events, recent news, discussion-criticism, feedback and Islamic
issues, please keep an eye on the Mahc Drama TV channel." Also Read:NEET
2024 Results Ad By Kerala Coaching Centre Viral With Communal Spin
Source: boomlive.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.boomlive.in/fact-check/viral-video-medical-treatment-people-self-styled-godman-claim-online-social-media-25829
--------
Blow to
Marine Le Pen’s Ambition: Antifa and Islamists Riot in France After *Winning*
Second Round of Parliamentary Election
8 JULY
2024
Violence
has broken out on the streets of France following a surprise exit poll
indicating that the New Popular Front, a coalition of far Left activists,
environmentalists, Islamists and socialist has-beens like Francois Hollande, is
heading for victory, dealing a blow to Marine Le Pen’s ambition to form the
country’s next government. Among the NPF’s policies are lowering the retirement
age from 64 to 60, raising the minimum wage, introducing price caps on food,
gas and other essentials, increasing business taxes, restoring the wealth tax
abolished by Macron and hiking up inheritance tax. The Mail has more.
Shocking
footage shows hooded and masked protesters running through the streets,
launching flares and setting France ablaze – after 30,000 riot police were
deployed across France amid high political tension.
Baton-wielding
police were seen racing around to stop outbreaks of violence, including in
Place de la Republique in Paris and at demonstrations in Nantes, Lyon,
Marseille and Rennes.
Firefighters
were seen desperately trying to put flames out with fire extinguishers, while a
riot police officer was seen being dragged away by colleagues after hitting the
floor.
At this
stage, it is not clear who is clashing with police. But it comes after the
second round of polls predicted the hard-Right National Rally (RN) is on track
to come third – having led the race after the first round.
The New
Popular Front (NFP) alliance is on course to have 172-215 MPs with Emmanuel
Macron’s centrists on 150-180 seats and the RN on 115-155, according to
projections by four leading polling firms.
Veteran
Presidential candidate Le Pen’s RN led the race after the June 30th first
round, with opinion polls predicting that she would lead the biggest party in
Parliament, but projections for the party were much lower than anticipated.
The New
Popular Front (NFP) was formed last month, bringing together socialists,
greens, communists and the hard-Left into one camp – but while it leads in the
exit polls, it does not have enough seats for a majority.
The lack
of majority for any single alliance has plunged France into political and
economic turmoil. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he would offer Macron his
resignation on Monday but was ready to serve “as long as duty demands”, notably
in light of the imminent Games.
Some
30,000 riot police – including 5,000 in and around Paris – have been deployed
to “ensure that the radical Right and radical Left do not take advantage of the
situation to cause mayhem”, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
France
now faces the prospect of weeks of political machinations to determine who will
be Prime Minister and lead the National Assembly.
And
Macron faces the prospect of leading the country alongside a Prime Minister
opposed to most of his domestic policies.
In a
sombre speech after the second-round legislative election, Jordan Bardella, the
President of the far-Right RN, denounced the political manoeuvring that led the
National Rally to fall far short of expectations.
An
unprecedented number of candidates who qualified for the runoff stepped aside
to allow an opponent to go head-to-head with the National Rally candidate,
increasing the chances of defeating them.
Despite
projections widely considered disappointing for the anti-immigration,
nationalist party, it still increased its seat count in Parliament to an
unprecedented high, according to polling projections.
“Tonight,
by deliberately taking the responsibility to paralyse our institutions,
Emmanuel Macron… is consequently depriving the French people of any responses
to their daily problems for many months to come,” Bardella said.
Hard-Left
France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, giving his first reaction, called on
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to resign and said the Left-wing coalition
was ready to govern.
“The
French people have voted with a conscience,” said Melenchon, a former
Presidential candidate and one of the main leaders of the NPF. “Our people have
clearly ruled out the worst solution to our problems.”
Melenchon
welcomed “a result that had seemed impossible”, adding: “This evening the RN is
far from having an absolute majority. This is a huge relief for millions of
people who make up the new France.”
Source: dailysceptic.org
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://dailysceptic.org/2024/07/08/riots-in-france-as-election-exit-poll-predicts-left-wing-coalition-win/
--------
Dagestani
Mufti Fatwa Against Niqab Not Obligatory for All Muslims in North Caucasus
Republic
July 7,
2024
Staunton,
July 4 – When Dagestani Mufti Akhmed Abdullayev announced that he would be
issuing a fetwa against women wearing the niqab in the wake of the terrorist
actions in Makhachkala and Derbent, many observers assumed that was the end of
this issue. But in fact, the mufti’s words have had exactly the opposite
effect.
There
are several reasons for this, all of which are now roiling the media in
Dagestan and across the Russian Federation:
First, a
fetwa or legal opinion does not have the force of law either shariat or civil
but is only a recommendation, with the chief enforcement mechanism being the
individual consciousnesses of Muslims
(mk.ru/politics/2024/07/02/popytka-zapretit-nikaby-nachalas-s-dagestana-fetva-vmesto-gosdumy.html).
Second, while the Muslim Spiritual Directorate
(MSD) of Dagestan is nominally in charge of Muslim affairs, its writ does not
run to at least one million believers in that republic and thus won’t be
deferred to by most of them (kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/401554).
And
third, while other Muslim hierarchies in the North Caucasus say they will
follow the Dagestani action, the Makhachkala decision was reached without
consultation or reference to any shariat court decision
(kommersant.ru/doc/6806595).
Many
Russian commentators would like to see the Russian government adopt a law against
the niqab given that the MSDs aren’t going to enforce it. But Moscow may be
reluctant to do so because such an action would likely to be resisted by
migrant workers from Central Asia and make it more difficult for Russia to
attract additions to its workforce.
But even
in Dagestan, there seems little appetite for moving in that direction. Not only
has the mufti indicated that his ban will be a temporary response to terrorist
actions and could be lifted, but Makhachkala has talked about the niqab not being
traditional in the republic rather than as something un-Islamic that must be
banned.
Source: windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/07/dagestani-fetwa-against-niqab-not.html
--------
Gaza
destruction likely helped push Hamas to soften ceasefire demands, several
officials say
July 08,
2024
The
Israeli air and ground offensive has killed more than 38,000 people in Gaza,
and has caused widespread devastation and a humanitarian crisis. (AFP)
--------------
DUBAI:
Several officials in the Middle East and the US believe the level of
devastation in the Gaza Strip caused by a nine-month Israeli offensive likely
has helped push Hamas to soften its demands for a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas
over the weekend appeared to drop its longstanding demand that Israel promise
to end the war as part of any ceasefire deal. The sudden shift has raised new
hopes for progress in internationally brokered negotiations.
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday boasted that military pressure —
including Israel’s ongoing two-month offensive in the southern Gaza city of
Rafah — “is what has led Hamas to enter negotiations.”
Hamas,
an Islamic militant group that seeks Israel’s destruction, is highly secretive
and little is known about its inner workings.
But in
recent internal communications seen by The Associated Press, messages signed by
several senior Hamas figures in Gaza urged the group’s exiled political
leadership to accept the ceasefire proposal pitched by US President Joe Biden.
The
messages, shared by a Middle East official familiar with the ongoing
negotiations, described the heavy losses Hamas has suffered on the battlefield
and the dire conditions in the war-ravaged territory. The official spoke on
condition of anonymity to share the contents of internal Hamas communications.
It was
not known if this internal pressure was a factor in Hamas’ flexibility. But the
messages indicate divisions within the group and a readiness among top
militants to reach a deal quickly, even if Hamas’ top official in Gaza, Yahya
Sinwar, may not be in a rush. Sinwar has been in hiding since the war erupted
last October and is believed to be holed up in a tunnel deep underground.
US
officials declined to comment on the communications.
But a
person familiar with Western intelligence who spoke on the condition of
anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter said the group’s leadership
understands its forces have suffered heavy losses and that has helped Hamas
move closer to a ceasefire deal.
Two US
officials say the Americans are aware of internal divisions within Hamas and
that those divisions, the destruction in Gaza or pressure from mediators Egypt
and Qatar could have been factors in the militant group softening its demands
for a deal. The US officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the
Biden administration’s view of the current situation.
The
Middle Eastern official shared details from two internal Hamas communications,
both written by senior officials inside Gaza to the group’s exiled leadership
in Qatar, where Hamas’ supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, is based.
The
communication suggested that the war had taken a toll on Hamas fighters, with
the senior figures urging the militant’s political wing abroad to accept the
deal despite Sinwar’s reluctance.
Hamas
spokesperson Jihad Taha dismissed any suggestions of divisions within the
group.
“The
movement’s position is unified and is crystallized through the organizational
framework of the leadership,” he said.
The
intelligence official showed The Associated Press a transcript of the communications
in Arabic, but declined to share specific details about how the information was
obtained, or the raw form of the communications.
The
official said the communications took place in May and June and came from
multiple senior officials inside the group’s military wing in Gaza.
The
messages acknowledged Hamas fighters had been killed and the level of
devastation to the Gaza Strip wrought by the Israeli campaign in the enclave.
They also suggest that Sinwar either isn’t fully aware of the toll of the fighting
or isn’t fully communicating it to those negotiating outside of the territory.
It was
not known whether Haniyeh or any other top officials in Qatar had responded.
Israeli
officials declined to comment on the communications. Egypt and Qatar also had
no immediate comment.
Egypt
and Qatar have been working with the United States to broker a ceasefire and
end the devastating nine-month war. After months of fits and starts, talks
resumed last week and are scheduled to continue in the coming days.
A deal
is still not guaranteed. Netanyahu’s office announced over the weekend that
“gaps still remain.” The US officials said they are cautiously optimistic about
the prospects for a ceasefire based on the latest developments, but stressed
that numerous efforts had looked promising only to fall through.
Still,
the sides appear closer to a deal than they have been in months.
Israel
launched the war in Gaza after Hamas’ October attack in which militants stormed
into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and
abducted about 250. Israel says Hamas is still holding about 120 hostages —
about a third of them thought to be dead.
Since
then, the Israeli air and ground offensive has killed more than 38,000 people
in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not
distinguish between combatants and civilians. The offensive has caused
widespread devastation and a humanitarian crisis that has left hundreds of
thousands of people on the brink of famine, according to international officials.
Both
Hamas and Egyptian officials confirmed Saturday that Hamas has dropped a key
demand that Israel commit up front to end the war. Netanyahu has repeatedly
rejected this demand, leaving the talks stalled for months.
Instead,
the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing
negotiations, said the phased deal would start with a six-week ceasefire during
which older, sick and female hostages would be released by Hamas in exchange
for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Talks on a broader deal, including an
end to the war, would only begin during this phase, they said.
Netanyahu
has vowed to keep fighting until Israel destroys Hamas’ military and governing
capabilities, even if hostages are freed.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545521/middle-east
--------
India
Man
vandalises temple in Jammu, claims to have acted against ‘black magic’ after
arrest
July 7,
2024
A temple
was vandalised on the outskirts of Jammu, police said on Sunday, adding that
the perpetrator was arrested within hours of the incident.
The man,
alleged to be responsible for the vandalism and arson at the temple, claimed he
carried out the act on Saturday night after being “annoyed by black magic being
practised by some some members of the community” at the temple, they said.
Arjun
Sharma, a local resident, confessed to his involvement before the magistrate,
solving the case within a few hours of the incident, Jammu (rural) Superintendent
of Police Brijesh Sharma told reporters here.
The SP
said the timely arrest of the culprit has averted a potential flare-up over the
issue.
This was
the second incident of vandalism reported at a place of worship in the past
week in the Jammu region. Earlier, a place of worship was found vandalised in a
village in Reasi district on June 30, with police detaining 43 suspected
persons for questioning.
SP
Sharma said an FIR under relevant sections of law was registered at Nagrota
Police Station after a complaint was received that some idols were desecrated
and mats set on fire by unidentified persons at the temple in Narain Khoo area
late Saturday night.
A police
party along with a team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Crime branch
with sniffer dogs rushed to the scene and rounded up four suspected persons on
the basis of investigation and CCTV footage of the area, the officer said.
Arun
Sharma confessed to his involvement in the incident, the SP said. “The timely
arrest of the culprit averted a certain flare up in the situation. We are
thankful to the people for their positive role and maintaining calm to allow
police to conduct its investigation,” the SP said, adding the accused worked
alone in the incident.
The SP
said the accused claimed that he was “annoyed with “black magic” being
practised by some members there. He also had a personal enmity with the village
‘numbardar’ and a few others, he said.
The
investigation of the case is still at its initial stage and further details
will emerge with the completion of the probe, the SP said.
The SP
appealed to people to not rush to any conclusion in such “sensitive matters” on
social media without getting the version of the police.
Senior
BJP leader and former MLA of Nagrota constituency Devender Singh Rana lauded
the police and the civil administration for taking a serious note of the
incident and reacting promptly to bring the culprit to book.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/man-vandalises-temple-jammu-black-magic-arrest-9438634/
--------
NIA
arrests key accused in J-K narco-terror nexus case
July 7,
2024
The
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested a key accused, who had
been absconding since June 2020, in a narco-terror nexus case of Jammu and
Kashmir linked with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul
Mujahideen.
Syed Saleem
Jahangir Andrabi alias Saleem Andrabi, a resident of Kupwara district, was
carrying a reward for his arrest, the NIA said in a statement.
After
his arrest, Andrabi was subsequently charge-sheeted under various sections of
the NDPS Act, IPC, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, it said.
His
arrest marks a major success in NIA’s efforts to destroy the narco-terror nexus
and dismantle the ecosystem created in India by terrorist organisations based
across the border, the statement said.
The NIA
took over the investigation of the case on June 16, 2020, from the local
police.
The
agency had, during investigation, found that Andrabi was part of a deep-rooted
conspiracy for procuring and selling narcotic drugs and generating funds in
Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India.
The
conspiracy was hatched by drug smugglers in close association with operatives
of banned terrorist outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, based
across the border in Pakistan.
Funds
generated through the narcotics racket were pumped into Jammu and Kashmir by a
network of overground workers (OGW) for promoting terrorist violence, the NIA’s
investigations revealed.
The case
was originally registered at Handwara police station following the arrest of
one Abdul Momin Peer, after his Hyundai Creta vehicle was intercepted by police
and Rs 20,01,000 cash and two kg of heroin were seized.
On
questioning, Peer had led police to the recovery of another 15 kg of heroin and
Rs 1.15 crore cash.
The NIA
has so far charge sheeted a total of 15 accused, through various charge sheets
filed between December 2020 and February 2023, in the case, in which
investigations are continuing, the statement said.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nia-arrests-key-accused-in-j-k-narco-terror-nexus-case-9438842/
--------
Day
after J-K encounters, toll up: 2 soldiers and 6 militants
July 8,
2024
While
two soldiers, including a Para commando, were confirmed killed in separate
encounters which broke out in Chinigam and Modergam villages, both in Kulgam
district of South Kashmir, on Saturday evening, the militant toll rose to six
on Sunday.
The
soldiers who were killed have been identified as Para commando Pradeep Nain,
27, from Jind district of Haryana, and Prabhakar Janjal, 26, from Akola
district in Maharashtra.
“From
the confirmation of bodies, we have reports that six terrorists have been
killed,” Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain told reporters. “This is a
big milestone, a substantial progress. These successes have a lot of meaning in
the security environment”.
“This is
an indication that the security architecture and involvement of people is
leading to the flow of human intelligence and this fight (against terror) will
be taken to its logical conclusion,” he said.
On
Saturday, a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and paramilitary
forces had cordoned off Modergam village following intelligence inputs on the
presence of militants in the area. As the team zeroed in on them, the militants
hiding there opened indiscriminate fire, prompting the forces to retaliate,
security sources said. The Para commando, Pradeep Nain, was killed in the
initial exchange of fire.
While
there was no official word on the identity of the militants, police sources
said both were local residents and one of them had joined the militant ranks
just two months ago. According to sources, the two militants were linked to The
Resistance Front (TRF), which is identified as a shadow outfit of the
Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) by the police.
While
the encounter was on in Modergam village on Saturday, another gunfight broke
out in Chinigam village after the area was cordoned off following similar
intelligence inputs. Four militants and a soldier, Prabhakar Janjal, were
killed in the gunfight.
Police
sources said the security forces failed to locate the militants in Chinigam
during their initial search. When the joint team launched another
cordon-and-search operation, the militants had come out of their hideout and
were in a tin shed, said sources. A gunfight then ensued.
Police
sources said all the four militants are residents of Kulgam district and had
joined militant ranks in the last three years. According to sources, they were
linked to the banned Hizbul Mujahideen.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kulgam-jammu-kashmir-militants-encounters-9438131/
--------
Delhi
eyes on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's four-day trip to China
08.07.24
Devadeep
Purohit
Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will start a four-day visit to China on Monday
amid expectations about bilateral ties being elevated to a comprehensive
strategic-cooperative partnership, considered the third-highest level of
relationship China confers on other countries.
Hasina’s
fifth visit to Beijing — barely two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi
hosted her — begins at a time Dhaka has been showing signs of a “significant
tilt” towards China.
There is
speculation in Dhaka that the visit would lead to a free trade agreement (FTA),
besides the signing of 20 to 22 MoUs covering multiple sectors and the
formalisation of a $20-billion loan.
New
Delhi will “need to watch the outcome of the visit closely”, said a former
Indian diplomat.
Diplomatic
sources in Dhaka said a lot of preparation had preceded Hasina’s visit, which
comes at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.
A
delegation from China’s EXIM Bank visited Bangladesh last week for discussions
on the proposed $20-billion loan, of which $5 billion will be disbursed in
yuans to facilitate payments for imports from China.
Liu
Jianchao, international department head of the Chinese Communist Party, too
visited Dhaka recently.
“There
is going to be a transition in the Dhaka-Beijing relationship following this
trip. It will be reflected in the joint statement,” a source in Dhaka said.
However,
Obaidul Qader, general secretary of the ruling Awami League and a minister,
tried to put Dhaka’s contrasting relations with New Delhi and Beijing in
perspective.
“India
is a time-tested political friend of Bangladesh, and China is a friend
necessary for Bangladesh to attain its developmental goals,” he said on Sunday.
The
clarification is unlikely to soothe nerves in New Delhi, which realises that
Dhaka’s dependence on Beijing is likely to grow if more finances flow to
Bangladesh from China.
India is
also eagerly waiting to see the contours of the likely FTA. “We give
Bangladeshi products free access to India while we have to pay duties for
market access there. It will indeed be a concern if Chinese goods get
concessions in Bangladesh,” a source said.
Anything
that Dhaka and Beijing do in “the maritime space” or in “defence cooperation”
will also be a concern, he added.
“Take,
for instance, the strategically important Mongla Port, where all the
development was taking place under an Indian line of credit. Now the Chinese
are interested in activities like constructing jetties and a container yard,”
the source said.
“The
Bangladesh defence forces largely depend on China for supplies. We need to
track the course of their defence cooperation.”
One key
concern for India is whether the Teesta crops up during the visit.
While
Bangladesh has been waiting for a water-sharing deal with India for more than a
decade, China reached out to Hasina with a proposal to dredge the river and
create reservoirs and embankments along it around four years ago. During her
recent India trip, Modi too offered assistance for conservation and management
of the trans-boundary river.
Bangladesh
foreign minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday clarified that Teesta was not on the
agenda for discussions with China. But it’s unclear how Bangladesh might
respond
if China brings the matter up.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-eyes-on-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasinas-four-day-trip-to-china/cid/2032189
--------
Attack
on army post in Jammu’s Rajouri district, militant toll rises to 6 in two days
08.07.24
A
militant attack on an army post in Jammu’s Rajouri district injured a soldier
on Sunday even as security forces gunned down two more militants in twin
gunfights in Kashmir's Kulgam, taking the death toll of militants to six in the
past two days.
Two army
soldiers were killed in the two Kulgam gunfights on Saturday. Both the
operations continued on Sunday.
Officials
said one soldier was injured after militants attacked an army post in Rajouri
at Galuthi in Manjakot in the early hours of Sunday. The army retaliated and
the gunfight lasted for half an hour following which the militants fled. The
security forces conducted a search operation in the area.
It is
the fifth militant attack in Jammu in the last one month. Nine pilgrims and a
CRPF jawan were killed and dozens were injured in the previous attacks. Four
militants were also killed in retaliatory operations.
In
Kulgam, the security forces remained busy on Sunday with the two separate
encounters. Four militants and two soldiers were killed on Saturday.
Police
said two militants trapped in Modergam village in Kulgam were killed on Sunday.
One soldier had died in the operation on Saturday.
“There
were two encounters at two separate places. The bodies of six terrorists have
so far been recovered. The killing obviously is a milestone achievement,” Jammu
and Kashmir director-general of police Rashmi Ranjan Swain told reporters on
Sunday.
Four
militants and a soldier died at Chinigam in Kulgam's Frisal on Saturday. There
is the possibility of the presence of more militants there.
Swain
said they would be able to ascertain the identities of the slain militants once
the operations were over. “As the operations continue, further updates are
anticipated,” the DGP added.
Asked
about the possibility of local militants being among the dead, the DGP said
local involvement underscored the complex challenges faced by the security
forces in the region.
Swain
said the ongoing operations signified a concerted effort to dismantle militant
networks and enhance the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The army
identified the two slain soldiers as elite para-commando Lance Naik Pardeep
Kumar and Sepoy Pravin Janjal Prabhakar.
The top
Chinar Corps commander, Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary and the DGP paid
homage to the deceased.
“Chinar
Warriors salute the valour and sacrifice of both bravehearts. We stand in
solidarity with the bereaved families and are committed to their well-being,”
an army spokesman said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/attack-on-army-post-in-jammus-rajouri-district-militant-toll-rises-to-6-in-two-days/cid/2032194
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South Asia
10
Million SIM Cards Registered as Part of Islamic Emirate’s Telecommunication
Reform
2024-07-08
KABUL(BNA):
Officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have
reported that since the implementation of the SIM card regulation procedure, 10
million telecommunication SIM cards have been legally registered.
Enayatullah
Alokozay, the spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology, wrote on his X that 60% of the SIM card registration process in
Kabul has been completed, and the remaining 40% will be completed within the
next few months.
He added
that all telecommunication companies have been instructed to register and
legalize 250,000 SIM cards per month. By completing this mechanism, they can
obtain new SIM cards from the Afghanistan Telecommunication Regulatory
Authority (ATRA).
According
to Alokozay, although the SIM card registration process had previously become a
complex issue in Afghanistan and no effective steps had been taken to resolve
it, this is the first time in Afghanistan’s telecommunication history that all
active SIM cards are being registered and legalized.
It is
worth noting that currently, the number of active SIM cards in Afghanistan
reaches 23 million, and the process of legally registering and recording these
SIM cards continues.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/10-million-sim-cards-registered-as-part-of-islamic-emirates-telecommunication-reform/
--------
Islamic
Emirate Announces Key Appointments Following Supreme Leader’s Decree
2024-07-07
KABUL(BNA):
The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced that several
appointments have been made according to the decree of the esteemed Supreme
Leader.
Zabihullah
Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, wrote on his X
page that according to the decree of the Supreme Leader, Hidayatullah Badri,
former Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, has been appointed as acting Minister
of Mines and Petroleum. Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, former deputy head of the
Afghan Red Crescent Society, has been appointed as acting head of the Disaster
Management Authority.
Additionally,
Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, former acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, has
been appointed as acting head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
Mujahid
also added that Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis, former acting head of the Afghan Red
Crescent Society, has been appointed as acting head of the National
Environmental Protection Agency, and Mullah Nur Ahmad Agha, former first deputy
head of Da Afghanistan Bank, has been appointed as acting head of Da
Afghanistan Bank.
According
to the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Qudratullah
Jamal, former deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, has been appointed as
deputy for financial and administrative affairs at the Ministry of Information
and Culture.
Mawlawi
Ahmadullah Zahid, acting head of the Anti-Economic Corruption Directorate of
the General Directorate of Intelligence, has been appointed as deputy for
industrial and commercial affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Hafiz
Aziz ur Rahman, former acting head of the National Environmental Protection
Agency, has been appointed as deputy head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
Mawlawi
Saaduddin Saeed, deputy for tourism, finance, and administration at the
Ministry of Information and Culture, has been appointed as deputy for finance
and administration at the National Environmental Protection Agency.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-announces-key-appointments-following-supreme-leaders-decree/
--------
Islamic
Emirate Congratulates Iran on New Government, Calls for Strengthened Ties
2024-07-07
KABUL(BNA):
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has
congratulated the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the
election of their new president.
Abdul
Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the ministry, wrote on his X page that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan congratulates the people and government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran on the election of the new government.
Balkhi
added that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan anticipates that with the new
government in Iran, the relations between the two neighboring and Muslim
countries will be further strengthened and expanded in various fields.
In the
second round of the fourteenth presidential election of the Islamic Republic of
Iran, the candidates were Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili, with Masoud
Pezeshkian winning the majority of votes to become the ninth president of the
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iranian
media, reported the country’s election commission that the total number of
votes cast inside and outside Iran was over 30.5 million, with Masoud
Pezeshkian receiving approximately 16.4 million votes and Saeed Jalili
receiving about 13.5 million votes.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-congratulates-iran-on-new-government-calls-for-strengthened-ties/
--------
‘Our
visit to Uzbekistan was full of achievements’, Azizi
July 8,
2024
KABUL:
The Acting Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi after his return from
Uzbekistan to the country, said that his visit to Uzbek country was full of
achievements in various fields. “During my trip to Uzbekistan I visited with
high-ranking officials of that country and we discussed expanding cooperation on
trade and transit and addressing the challenges facing the trade and transit
between the two neighboring countries,” Azizi told the media. “We had previous
trips to Uzbekistan, but in reality, this time was different. The differ ence
was that neighboring countries, especially Central Asian countries, now have
more faith in Afghanistan’s production, economy and trade,” said Azizi. A few
days ago Nooruddin Azizi, at the head of a highranking delegation, had left for
Tashkent to discuss trade and transit issues with the Uzbek officials and
inaugurate the country’s domestic products exhibition in that country. The
Kabul Times
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/our-visit-to-uzbekistan-was-full-of-achievements-azizi/
--------
Embracing
diversity: Afghanistan’s roadmap to stability
July 8,
2024
“Our
homeland is like a nurturing mother, and each of us bears a responsibility to
contribute
to its
progress, development, and prosperity,” affirms a spokesperson for the Emirate.
Afghanistan,
a nation steeped in the diversity of its ethnic groups, stands as a unified
homeland for all its people. Emerging from a tumultuous history, the Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan has consistently upheld its commitment to serving the
noble and resilient Afghan nation. Afghanistan, having freed itself from
foreign domination, has become a haven where people of every ethnic group live
in harmony and share the same goals of prosperity and peace. Amnesty was
declared, a great act of kindness that highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s recent
victory under the leadership of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme
Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This gesture represents the
Emirate’s generosity and its acceptance of each and every Afghan citizen,
offering those who may have wandered from the path of unity forgiveness and a
chance at reconciliation. “Our homeland is like a nurturing mother, and each of
us bears a responsibility to contribute to its progress, development, and
prosperity,” affirms a spokesperson for the Emirate. As Afghanistan enters the
seasons of spring and summer, it faces a golden opportunity for growth and
reconstruction. The fertile ground and favorable weather provide an optimal environment
for infrastructure development, agricultural revitalization, and economic
expansion. It is incumbent upon all Afghans to harness these opportunities
through diligent work and collective effort, laying the foundations for a
prosperous and self-sustaining nation. Indeed, unity and concerted action are
essential as Afghanistan embarks on its journey toward national reconstruction
and prosperity. The Emirate’s commitment to fostering a climate of unity and
collaboration among all ethnic groups is integral to its vision for a cohesive
and resilient nation. Through mutual respect, understanding, and dialogue,
Afghanistan can transcend its past challenges and build a future where every
citizen contributes to a prosperous society. Looking ahead, there is a
collective aspiration that Afghanistan, once ravaged by conflict and adversity,
will transform into a beacon of peace and prosperity in the heart of Asia. The
vision is for Afghanistan to reclaim its historical role as a hub of culture,
trade, and connectivity, contributing positively to regional stability and
global harmony. With dedication and steadfast determination, guided by the
principles of justice and compassion, Afghanistan will emerge stronger and more
united, setting an example for the world as a nation that overcame adversity
through unity, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of its people. Together,
the people of Afghanistan will transform their nation into the most
breathtaking place on earth. Afghans from all walks of life are inspired by this
inspiring vision to come together in their unwavering will to reconstruct,
revitalize, and restore their beloved country’s reputation on the international
scene. Afghanistan’s people are steadfast in their pursuit of a future
characterized by harmony, prosperity, and peace; they are driven by a shared
optimism for a better day. Mukhtar Safi
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/embracing-diversity-afghanistans-roadmap-to-stability/
--------
Taliban
halts local radio station in Laghman, eastern Afghanistan
July 8,
2024
The
Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that Taliban officials have shut down
the private radio station “Kawoon Ghag” in Laghman province and claimed
ownership of all its equipment.
In a
report released on Sunday, July 7th, the center stated that the Taliban forces
closed the private radio “Kawoon Ghag,” which has been active in the province
for about two decades, citing it as “government property.”
According
to the report, the Taliban intelligence forces and representatives from the
local administration and the Department of Information and Culture visited the
media office on June 24 and halted its operations.
Intelligence
forces informed the staff of “Kawoon Ghag” that the building and equipment of
this media outlet belong to the government and are thus being confiscated under
its name.
Yousefzi
Enqelabi, the managing director of Radio Kawoon Ghag, informed the Afghanistan
Journalists Center that the radio station was established in 2005 in Mehtarlam,
Laghman’s central district, with financial support from Internews, an
international organization.
Sources
within Laghman province’s local administration informed the Afghanistan Journalists
Center that the closure of the radio station by intelligence is a temporary
measure, emphasizing that “Kawoon Ghag” is government-owned and plans are
underway to determine its management and restart it soon.
The
Afghanistan Journalists Center has expressed concern over the forced cessation
of “Kawoon Ghag” radio activities and has urged for this media outlet’s swift
and unconditional reopening.
The
closure of “Kawoon Ghag” radio by the Taliban authorities marks a concerning
development in the media landscape of Laghman province.
This
action raises broader questions about press freedom and the ability of
journalists to operate independently in Afghanistan under the new regime.
The
future of media plurality and free expression in Laghman province remains
uncertain following the closure of the “Kawoon Ghag” radio station.
Since
the Taliban assumed control in Afghanistan, more than half of the media outlets
have been shuttered. The situation has been particularly dire for journalists,
with over 90 per cent of female journalists losing their jobs and more than
half of male journalists facing the same fate.
This
crackdown on media freedom has exacerbated the already severe humanitarian
crisis in the country, leaving many journalists without livelihoods and threatening
the flow of independent information to the public.
Meanwhile,
the closure of media outlets and the loss of jobs among journalists, both male
and female, reflect a troubling trend under Taliban rule. The impact extends
beyond economic hardship, posing a significant challenge to press freedom and
the dissemination of critical information during a period of profound national
crisis.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-halts-local-radio-station-in-laghman-eastern-afghanistan/
--------
Afghanistan:
Electronic ID Distribution Center opens in UAE
July 7,
2024
The
National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan has announced the
opening of an electronic ID distribution center in the United Arab Emirates.
According
to a press release on Sunday, July 7, the authority inaugurated the center in
Abu Dhabi.
Previously,
the authority had dispatched a working group to distribute electronic IDs in
the UAE.
The
authority also emphasized plans to commence electronic ID distribution in Iran
and other countries shortly.
Badraddin
Haqqani, the Taliban ambassador to the UAE, also expressed readiness to
cooperate further during the center’s inauguration.
According
to statistics from the National Statistics and Information Authority, they have
distributed electronic IDs to 3,124,000 individuals in Afghanistan since the
year 2023.
Earlier,
in the year 2021, an electronic ID distribution center was established in Abu
Dhabi.
Meanwhile,
establishing the electronic ID distribution center in the UAE marks another
step toward modernizing identity documentation and enhancing administrative
efficiency domestically and internationally.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-electronic-id-distribution-center-opens-in-uae/
--------
Europe
Keir
Starmer pushes Israel for ceasefire after party sheds Muslim votes
7th
July, 2024
Keir
Starmer has pushed with Israel’s Prime Minister for a ceasefire in Gaza in one
of his first international phone calls since assuming office.
The new
Prime Minister “set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire” to Israel’s
Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call this morning, a Downing Street statement has
confirmed.
Starmer
also said that he looked forward to “further deepening” relations between the
United Kingdom and Israel during the call.
In a
subsequent call with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister
said that statehood was an “undeniable right” for the Palestinian people.
It comes
after many Labour candidates faced assertive challenges from independents
standing on a pro-Palestine platform, with frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth being
among the most high profile party figures to lose his seat to such an
independent.
Other
constituencies including Ilford North and Birmingham Ladywood – represented by
cabinet members Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood – saw their Labour incumbents
narrowly hold on in the face of pro-Palestine independent challengers.
Keir
Starmer drew fierce criticism following an LBC interview last autumn when he
seemed to suggest Israel had a right to withhold power and water supplies from
Gaza amid Israel’s military operations following the October 7 Hamas terror
attacks.
He later
said he had only referred to Israel’s right to defend itself and that its
retaliation to the Hamas attacks must follow international law.
Source: labourlist.org
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://labourlist.org/2024/07/general-election-results-2024-gaza-prime-minister-israel-muslim-votes/
--------
The UK
General Election: Labour’s Shallow Landslide to Political Islam’s Breakthrough
8 July
2024
Labour
won a landslide victory – on a historically low share of the vote. Starmer’s
party won 411 seats, out of 650, on just under 34 per cent of the vote. Such
are the peculiarities of a reduced turnout and, more importantly, the British
first-past-the-post electoral system when one side of the political spectrum is
divided. Labour in fact got fewer votes in 2024 (9.7 million), than it did
under Jeremy Corbyn in either its 2017 loss (12.9 million) or its cataclysmic
defeat in 2019 (10.3 million). Such are
the peculiarities of the British first-past-the-post electoral system when one
side of the political spectrum is divided. (It is no reason to reject the
British electoral system, but that is an argument for another day).
The
Conservatives should take little comfort from the shallowness of Labour’s
victory. The Tories are down to 121 seats, losing 251 MPs – the worst defeat in
the history of the modern party. There is clearly little or no public
enthusiasm for Starmer’s Labour. But the result is a decisive rejection of the
Conservatives’ record. The party talked tough on immigration whilst presiding
over an explosion in numbers. It also succeeded in trashing its reputation for
economic confidence. As a result, British voters decided to inflict a
punishment beating on the party.
The
British Right needs to find a way of reuniting. Without doing so they are
doomed to opposition. The split between a Nigel Farage-led party (first Ukip,
then Brexit, now Reform) and the Conservatives comes at a heavy price. Reform’s
vote share was 14 per cent, over 4.1 million votes, but only won 5 seats –
their votes were just too broadly spread across the country. What their vote
did do was lose the Tories many more seats than they would otherwise have done;
they would still have lost but not been totally walloped. The Tory losing
margin was less than the Reform vote in over 100 seats. To just add the two
parties’ vote share together is simplistic nonsense. All the votes would not
have switched from one to the other, but it certainly lost the party dozens of
extra seats.
Post-Brexit,
the Faragist/Conservative split is about personalities, not policies. Yes,
Farage supporters are appalled at the Tory government’s failures on
immigration, but so are most Tory members, indeed even many MPs. Pre-Brexit,
when the Tory leadership supported EU membership, there was a clear ideological
wedge. Now that all Conservatives at least publicly espouse the Brexiteer
cause, that is much less true today. But personality driven divides are no
easier to heal.
The
polls got it wrong. Pre-election polls showed that Labour enjoyed a 20 percentage
point lead over the Tories. In fact the lead turned out to be a ten point lead.
This won’t receive the attention it deserves – after all they predicted a
landslide Labour victory, and that is precisely what happened. But if the
pollsters don’t do better, in future elections, which are much tighter, they
will predict the wrong result and end with egg on their face.
The
Tories may have come up with a winning, or at least loss ameliorating, trick
towards the end of the campaign. The Conservatives did something very peculiar
for a government towards the end of an election campaign. Minister after
minister basically stated they were heading for defeat, but Labour needed to be
deprived of a “super majority.” In constitutional terms, talk of “super majorities”
is nonsense in the UK. No legislation needs special majorities to be passed.
Winning by two is as good as winning by 172, Labour’s actual majority. But the
tactic may have worked to some extent. It may have meant that some people
returned to the Tories on the basis that they would be punished enough and
others did not turn out to vote, as the government was going to change anyway.
But it may have made the difference between winning 121 seats, as they did, and
81 seats, as many if their MPs feared.
A separatist,
Islamic politics has emerged in Britain. Reform’s challenge to the Tories
reformed millions of column inches in every British newspaper and hours of
coverage on the BBC. The challenge to Labour in heavily Muslim seats by George
Galloway’s Workers Party and independents standing on a “solidarity with Gaza”
platform got much less attention. (I did write about it for Brussels Signal…)
Sadly, my prediction proved to be well founded. Whilst Galloway lost his seat,
to widespread astonishment, four such Muslim independents won seats from
Labour, even defeating a member of the Labour shadow cabinet. Another 3 came
very close to pulling off similar coups. If one includes the re-elected Jeremy
Corbyn in this group of MPs (his constituency is less Muslim and his message
against Starmer’s Labour was wider, but still very Gaza focussed), their group
is as large as that of Reform in the new House of Commons. It remains to be
seen if this phenomenon will be repeated in future elections when the Gaza
conflict will be less prominent. If it is, then the emergence of separatist
Islamist-hued politics in the UK is surely the most depressing, and potentially
far-reaching, outcome of this long election.
Source: brusselssignal.eu
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://brusselssignal.eu/2024/07/the-uk-general-election-seven-essential-takeaways-from-labours-shallow-landslide-to-political-islams-breakthrough/
--------
Muslim
World League Condemns Israeli Attack on UNRWA School
JUL 08, 2024
The
Muslim World League (MWL) condemned on Sunday Israel for attacking a United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) school where
displaced civilians in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip were
sheltering.
In a
statement, MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim
Scholars, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, on behalf of the MWL and its
global academies, entities, and councils, denounced the horrific and ongoing
barbaric crimes against civilians and civilian facilities.
These
actions are a blatant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and
norms, he stressed, underlining the urgent need for the international community
to respond to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian
territories by putting an end to systematic crimes being committed against
innocent civilians.
Source: english.aawsat.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5038034-muslim-world-league-condemns-israeli-attack-unrwa-school
--------
Rising
mosque attacks worry Germany’s Turkish union
07 July,
2024
The
secretary-general of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DİTİB) is
calling on the German public and politicians to take action on the rising
anti-Muslim attacks on Turkish mosques in the country.
The
DITIB oversees over 800 mosques in Germany, home to the largest Turkish
diaspora in Europe.
Eyüp
Kalyon says these attacks range from threats to burning the Holy Qu’ran and the
malicious delivery of pork to mosques, which is forbidden to eat in Islam.
While
these incidents have been reported to the police, authorities have been accused
of not paying enough attention to them and even denying the issue.
The
DITIB also reported an increase in hate mail. The organisation said it had
received at least 17 emails and letters containing hateful and threatening
material.
“They
try to damage our mosques, to challenge Muslims (to counter the attacks). The
DİTİB swiftly reports such attacks to the police….But we are worried. It scares
Muslims here, especially children. We expect the German politicians to view
this as serious and tackle it,” Kaylon told Anadolu Agency.
In 2023,
CLAIM, a network of NGOs monitoring Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred,
recorded 1,926 anti-Muslim incidents – marking a 114 per cent rise.
While
mosques in Germany reported an increase in Islamophobic-related vandalism,
harassment and threats throughout 2023, Kaylon pointed out the attacks have
increased even further since Israel’s war on Gaza.
Incidents
of targeting Muslims have increased, as well as well as 90 attacks on Islamic
religious sites, cemeteries and other institutions.
Most
attacks on individuals consisted of verbal abuse and were aimed at women. There
were also four attempted murders.
CLAIM
also reported a survey showing one in two Germans hold Islamophobic views.
The rise
in Islamophobia in Germany comes as the far-right Alternative for Germany
(AfD), which states in its program that Islam does not belong in Germany, has
jumped to second place in polls over the past year, prompting mainstream
parties to talk tougher on migration and on Islamic migration in particular.
Source: newarab.com
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--------
Labour's
Jess Phillips says opposition activists 'abused her because they were idiots,
not because they were Muslims'
7 July
2024
Ms
Phillips told LBC's Lewis Goodall that it was "too simple to say"
that the abuse she suffered was sectarian, after she beat Workers Party
candidate Jody McIntyre by fewer than 700 votes.
Mr
McIntyre was running on a platform that focused on the war in Gaza, which has
seen tens of thousands of people die. Ms Phillips herself quit the Labour
Shadow Cabinet to vote for a ceasefire.
She said
the recent election was the worst she had ever stood in, with she and her team
having been abused, threatened and intimidated by opposition activists. One of
her activists even had the tyres of her car slashed.
Sadiq
Khan was abused when he came to campaign in her seat, with Workers Party
activists screaming invective about his mother, Ms Phillips said.
She told
Lewis that she didn't suffer abuse from local people, with whom she had
"lots of really lovely conversations", even when they disagreed on
policy.
But she
added: "What was brought into my seat - I have to say, most of them
weren’t from Yardley, just to be completely clear - was horrible lies,
division."
She said
that there were "people threatening people on polling stations [and]one of
my activists had her tyres slashed…
"These
people weren’t ashamed of what they were doing, they were doing it and filming
it and putting it on the internet.
Ms
Phillips added that "when Sadiq Khan came, men wearing masks,
shout[ed]…stuff about Sadiq Khan’s mother. They’re not ashamed, they’re putting
it on the internet to incite other people to do the same."
Asked
whether the abuse was sectarian, Ms Phillips said that was "too
simple" an explanation.
She
added: "People want desperately for me to announce that the people
shouting at me and barracking me were Muslim men.
"The
fact that they were men is quite significant to me - the fact that they were
Muslim is not significant because there are Muslim people in my constituency
who didn’t behave like this.
"These
people were idiots. They didn’t do it because they were Muslim - they did it
because they were idiots, and they wanted something for themselves, and they
used a terrible tragedy to get that."
The head
of the Muslim Council of Britain praised Ms Phillips "for how well she has
handled this awful and unacceptable abuse, rising strongly above it."
Zara
Mohammed added: "Despite wider attempts to frame this as Muslim
sectarianism, and stoke divisions, Jess rightly asserts that this behaviour
does not represent Muslim communities."
Birmingham
Yardley was one of a number of seats where Labour were pushed to the edge in
areas with high Muslim populations, with the war in Gaza playing a big role.
Labour's
Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth even lost his seat to an independent
candidate.
Shockat
Adam, an independent candidate who has focused his campaigning on Gaza, won
14,739 votes to Mr Ashworth's 13,760 - a margin of just 979 votes.
Ms
Phillips' victory comes against a candidate who wrote in a WhatsApp group that
he felt the trans community is a "danger to society".
Speaking
after her victory, Ms Phillips described the campaign as the "worst
election I have ever stood in" as she was drowned out by chants of 'Free
Palestine'.
“I love
my seat was a marginal seat, I think marginal seats make better members of
Parliament,” she continued.
Ms
Phillips was forced to shout at the protesters, before demanding they be removed.
Mr
McIntyre is alleged to have sent the messages in a local community WhatsApp
group.
The
messages, uncovered by LBC, appear to refer to a discussion which has taken
place, resulting in a message from Mr McIntyre saying “I honestly think the
trans community are a danger to society… but we can have different views”.
The
candidate wrote "So you believe that if a person 'identifies' as a certain
sex they literally become that sex?? Or should I say he believes. I honestly
think the trans community are a danger to society."
On
Crowdfunder Jody McIntyre describes himself as a “Birmingham resident” who was
“shocked and dismayed to discover that… Jess Phillips is a member of Labour
friends of Israel… This is unconscionable”.
Workers
Party candidate James Giles said: “Both the Muslim and LGBT community have been
marginalised over many years.
"MPs,
and by extension candidates for MP, have a duty to show leadership and bridge
divides between communities. That’s the sort of MP I aim to be if elected in
Hodge Hill.
"I
hope Jody will also reflect on his comments, and work diligently to bridge
those divides in Yardley, where people are in urgent need of real change."
The
Workers Party declined to comment on Mr McIntyre's comments.
Source: lbc.co.uk
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https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/jess-phillips-opponent-activists-abused-idiots-not-because-muslims/
--------
North America
Fourth
of July violence kills at least 33 across US
06 July
2024
US
shootings and other violence have left dozens of people dead during
Independence Day events, marking one of the nation’s deadliest times of the
year.
US media
on Saturday cited authorities as saying the extended 4th of July weekend had
left at least 33 people dead.
In Chicago,
11 people were killed and 55 others wounded, prompting the Mayor to declare “a
state of grief”.
The
shooting incidents and other violence during the holiday “left our city in a
state of grief,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
“We are
devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief
and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities
impacted by these recent events,” Johnson said.
Shortly
after midnight Friday, 8 people were wounded in Chicago’s Little Italy
neighborhood.
Another
shooting after about 90 minutes in the city’s Austin neighborhood injured six.
A mass
shooting on Thursday killed two women and an 8-year-old boy, the Chicago
Sun-Times reported.
At Lake
Michigan beach in Chicago, frequent violent incidents prompted officials to
close it early each night through the holiday weekend as a precaution. The 31st
Street Beach has been the scene of recent stabbings and shootings.
In
California, two people were killed and three others injured at Huntington Beach
less than two hours after a fireworks show ended, police said. Authorities
arrested a suspect after responding to reports of an assault with a deadly
weapon Thursday night.
In
Niles, northeastern Ohio, police said a 15-year-old male was in custody after a
23-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday night at a Fourth of July party at a
residence.
Also, a
10-year-old girl was fatally shot in a Cleveland neighborhood, police said.
In
Philadelphia on Thursday night, a 19-year-old male was killed and six others
were wounded in a drive-by shooting.
In the
Boston area, 3 shooting incidents occurred following the city’s Fourth of July
celebrations, leaving one man dead.
In
another shooting, a 17-year-old male suffered a stomach wound on Thursday night
in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
A woman
said to be on her way to a Fourth of July party was found shot dead in her car
early Friday in Connecticut.
Six
males in Albany, New York, were wounded in a mass shooting at a large gathering
at a home around 12:15 a.m. Friday.
In
another shooting early Friday outside a nightclub in Tampa, 4 people were
wounded after an altercation broke out between them.
In
Queens, New York, an 8-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in an apartment in what
police described as a domestic dispute. A 20-year-old man who held a knife to
his 43-year-old father’s throat was shot dead by police.
A
shooting in High Point, North Carolina, left one person dead. Police said the
victim was identified as Keith S. Lynch, 32, of High Point.
Shootings
at two St. Louis-area Fourth of July gatherings left two men dead and five
others injured, two in critical condition, police said.
In West
Virginia, Charles Speer, 42, of Kermit, died early Friday after being shot
multiple times following a physical altercation at the home of another man,
state police said.
And a
road-rage incident led to the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old man in Taneytown,
Maryland, according to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Earlier
Thursday, a police officer serving a warrant in Cleveland and an armed person
making threats in Yellowstone National Park were among those killed in other
shootings.
Historically,
the 4th of July, America’s Independence Day, is one of the nation’s deadliest
days of the year.
In 2023,
multiple shootings around the holiday left more than a dozen people dead and
over 60 wounded.
In 2022,
seven people died in a mass shooting at a 4th of July parade near Chicago.
Source: presstv.ir
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--------
As US
troops leave Niger base, Germany says it would also end its operation in Niamey
July 08,
2024
NIAMEY,
Niger: US troops have completed a withdrawal from their base in Niger’s capital
of Niamey and will fully depart from Agadez in the north before a September 15
deadline set by the country’s military rulers, both countries said Sunday.
Niger’s
military leaders scrapped a military cooperation deal with Washington in March,
after seizing power in a July 2023 coup.
The
United States had around 650 soldiers in Niger as part of anti-jihadist
missions in several Sahel nations of West Africa, including a major drone base
near Agadez.
“The
defense ministry of Niger and the US Defense Department announce that the
withdrawal of American forces and equipment from the Niamey base 101 is now
completed,” the two countries said in a statement.
A final
flight carrying US troops was due to leave Niamey late Sunday.
The US
presence had stood at around 950 troops, and 766 soldiers have left Niger since
the military ordered their departure, AFP learned at a ceremony at the base
attended by Niger’s army chief of staff Maman Sani Kiaou and US General Kenneth
Ekman.
“American
forces are now going to focus on quitting air base 201 in Agadez,” the
statement said, insisting that the withdrawal would be completed by September
15 as planned.
Niger
had already ordered the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial
power and traditional security ally, and has strengthened ties with Russia
which has provided instructors and equipment.
On
Saturday, Germany’s defense ministry also said it would end operations at its
air base in Niger by August 31 following the breakdown of talks with military
leaders.
A
similar shift has taken place in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are
also ruled by military leaders and faced with violence from jihadist groups.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545396/world
--------
US envoy
to Japan expresses regret over alleged sex crimes by military personnel in
Okinawa
July 08,
2024
TOKYO:
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel expressed regret on Saturday for the
handling of two cases of sexual assaults allegedly committed by American
military personnel on Okinawa, which have again stoked resentment of the heavy
US troop presence on the strategic island in Japan’s far southwest.
The
issue broke out late last month, triggering an uproar over reports that two
American service members had been charged with sexual assaults months earlier.
Both
cases were first reported in local media in late June. In one arrest made in
March, a member of the US Air Force was charged with the kidnapping and sexual
assault of a teenager, and while in May a US Marine was arrested on charges of
attempted rape resulting in injury. Further details about the alleged victims
were not released.
Okinawa
police said they did not announce the cases out of privacy considerations
related to the victims. The Foreign Ministry, per police decision, also did not
notify Okinawa prefectural officials.
The
cases are a reminder to many Okinawans of the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl
by three US service members, which sparked massive protests against the US
presence. It led to a 1996 agreement between Tokyo and Washington to close a
key US air base, although the plan has been repeatedly delayed due to protests
at the site designated for its replacement on another part of the island.
Emanuel
said he deeply regretted what happened to the individuals, their families and
their community, but fell short of apologizing. “Obviously, you got to let the
criminal justice process play out. But that doesn’t mean you don’t express on a
human level your sense of regret.”
“We have
to do better,” he said, adding that the US military’s high standards and
protocols for education and training of its troops was “just not working.”
Emanuel
said the US may be able to propose measures to improve training and
transparency with the public at US-Japan foreign and defense ministers’
security talks expected later this month in Tokyo.
On
Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the Japanese authorities
would do their utmost to provide more prompt disclosures of alleged crime
related to US military personnel on Okinawa while protecting victims’ privacy.
The
cases could be a setback for the defense relationship at a time when Okinawa is
seen increasingly important in the face of rising tensions with China.
Some
50,000 US troops are deployed in Japan under a bilateral security pact, about
half of them on Okinawa, where residents have long complained about heavy US
troop presence and related accidents, crime and noise.
Emanuel
commented on the issue while visiting Fukushima, on Japan’s northeast coast.
Earlier
Saturday, the ambassador visited the nearby town of Minamisoma to join junior
surfers and sample locally-caught flounder for lunch, aiming to highlight the
safety of the area’s seawater and seafood amid ongoing discharges of treated
and diluted radioactive water from the tsuamni-ruined Fukusima Daiichi nuclear
power plant.
China
has banned Japanese seafood over the discharges, a move Emanuel criticized as
unjustified.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545386/world
--------
Mideast
Israel
accused of sabotaging Gaza ceasefire proposal
July 07,
2024
LONDON:
Israel has been accused of trying to sabotage a US-backed ceasefire proposal by
adding new conditions after initially accepting the plan, Israeli news outlets
reported on Sunday.
Recent
days had seen an increase in optimism for a Gaza ceasefire, with reports
indicating that Hamas had provisionally approved a new phased deal proposal.
Egyptian
officials and Hamas representatives noted that the Palestinian militant group
conceded a key demand for Israel to commit to a permanent end to the war before
any cessation of hostilities, Reuters and the Associated Press reported.
Two
Hamas officials told Reuters they were now waiting for Israel’s response.
However,
David Barnea, the chief of the Mossad foreign intelligence service, who was
sent over the weekend to Qatar where talks are being held, reportedly presented
mediators with a list of new conditions.
Haaretz,
citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that these new Israeli
demands could delay negotiations by “at least three weeks” and it was uncertain
if Hamas would agree to them.
“Hamas
has already agreed to the latest position presented by Israel,” the source told
Haaretz. “But in Friday’s meeting, Israel presented some new points it demands
that Hamas accept.”
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire from opposition parties, the
media, and families of Israeli hostages, who accuse him of sabotaging efforts
to reach a ceasefire and secure the hostages’ release for his political gain.
As a
potential agreement nears, Netanyahu has shown a pattern of pulling back from
hostage negotiations. In recent months, he has been accused of hindering
progress toward ending the war through public statements, covert
communications, or by restricting the negotiating team’s authority.
Over
38,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, have been
killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, as the war marks its
ninth month.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545196/middle-east
--------
Israel
says it struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon
July 07,
2024
JERUSALEM:
Israel’s military said in a statement early on Monday it launched multiple air
and artillery strikes overnight on what it said were Hezbollah military targets
in Lebanon.
The
strikes came after the militant group said on Sunday it had launched its
“largest” air operation, sending explosive drones at a mountaintop Israeli
military intelligence base in the annexed Golan Heights.
It is
the latest incident among escalating cross-border exchanges of fire that have
triggered global alarm.
Hezbollah,
an Iran-backed Hamas ally, has traded almost daily fire with Israeli forces since
the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the
Gaza Strip.
Announcing
“the largest operation” carried out by its aerial forces, Hezbollah said in a
statement that its fighters sent “multiple, successive squadrons of drones to
target the reconnaissance center” on Mount Hermon.
The
Israeli military said an explosive drone “fell in an open area in the Mount
Hermon area” but there were “no injuries.”
Attacks
as well as rhetoric have escalated in recent weeks, spurring fears of an
all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah which last went to war in 2006.
The
Lebanese movement said the drone attack was part of its “response” to the
killing of an operative in a strike Saturday deep into east Lebanon around 100
kilometers (60 miles) from the border.
The
Mount Hermon attack targeted intelligence systems, “destroying them and
starting a major fire,” Hezbollah said.
Israeli
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited troops on Mount Hermon earlier on Sunday,
his office said.
In two
additional statements, the military said its air defenses “successfully
intercepted” several “aerial targets” that crossed from Lebanon after sirens
sounded in the Golan Heights area.
Israel
seized the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and later annexed it in a move
largely unrecognized by the international community.
The
Israeli strike on Saturday killed “a key operative in Hezbollah’s Aerial
Defense Unit,” the military has said.
Throughout
Sunday, Hezbollah announced four more attacks on Israeli military sites across
the border with barrages of rockets as well as some guided missiles. Israeli
authorities reported four wounded.
Gallant,
in a video from Mount Hermon, said that “even if there is a ceasefire” in Gaza,
“we will continue fighting and doing everything necessary to bring about the
desired result” in the campaign against Hezbollah.
The
cross-border violence has killed at least 497 people in Lebanon, mostly
fighters but also including 95 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
On the
Israeli side, at least 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according
to the authorities.
Tens of
thousands of residents have been displaced from the border areas in both
southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
UK’s
Starmer uges ‘caution’ on Israel-Lebanon border
July 07,
2024
LONDON:
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday called on all sides to exercise
“caution” on the border between Israel and Lebanon, in his first telephone
conversation since he was elected with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.
Starmer
told his counterpart the “situation on the northern border of Israel was very
concerning, and it was crucial all parties acted with caution,” a spokesperson
for his 10 Downing Street office said.
Lebanon’s
Hezbollah movement on Sunday fired another 20 rockets at northern Israel,
leaving one person injured there, the latest cross-border attacks launched in
solidarity with Hamas.
Hezbollah
has traded near daily fire with the Israeli army across Lebanon’s southern
border since its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel last year, triggering
the war in Gaza.
Discussing
the conflict, the prime minister reiterated his condolences for the mass loss
of life during the October 7 attacks, the spokesperson said.
“He then
set out the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and
an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians.”
In his
conversation with Netanyahu, Starmer added that it was also “important to
ensure the long-term conditions for a two-state solution were in place,
including ensuring the Palestinian Authority had the financial means to operate
effectively.”
Efforts
toward a truce are continuing with US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators hoping to
halt the worst-ever Gaza war, which has caused mass civilian casualties and
devastated the coastal territory.
The
spokesperson said the prime minister also spoke by phone to Palestinian
president Mahmud Abbas.
Starmer
told Abbas that his “longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a
peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of
Palestinians.”
The
October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people,
mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The
militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, including 42
the military says are dead.
In
response, Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 38,153 people in
Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the
Hamas-ruled territory.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545316/middle-east
--------
Yemeni
parties fail to reach prisoner exchange deal in Muscat
July 07,
2024
AL-MUKALLA:
Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthis have failed to
strike a fresh prisoner exchange deal, crushing Yemeni families’ hopes of
seeing their detained relatives released.
Officials
from the two sides declared on Saturday night that the UN-brokered discussions
in Muscat had ended without reaching an agreement on a new prisoner arrangement.
The UN
Yemen envoy, Hans Grundberg, announced the end of the dialogue in Muscat,
saying that the talks achieved “a significant breakthrough” when the Yemeni
government and the Houthis agreed to release prominent politician Mohammed
Qahtan, a point of contention between the two sides.
The
government and militia agreed to meet again to approve the names of detainees
set for release.
“Thousands
of Yemenis are waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Despite the
positive progress, much more needs to be done, and faster, to provide relief to
the suffering families,” Grundberg said in a statement.
Despite
accusing the Houthis of attempting to derail the prisoner swap talks, Majed
Fadhail, a spokesperson for the government delegation, also spoke of “some
breakthroughs” in issues concerning war prisoners and forcibly disappeared
people.
The
government had agreed with the Houthis to return for a “supplementary” round of
talks in two months, he added.
Last
week, the Yemeni government and Grundberg expressed confidence about the
negotiation progress after the Houthis agreed to exchange Qahtan for 50 of
their inmates, removing a key impediment to the discussions.
In a
post on X, Abdulkader Al-Murtada, head of the Houthi National Committee for
Prisoners’ Affairs, said that during the discussions, the militia settled its
dispute with the Yemeni government over the release of Qahtan and swapped
prospective names of prisoners for release, citing “time constraints” as the
reason for the termination of the talks.
The
latest round of UN-sponsored negotiations between the Yemeni government and the
Houthis started last Sunday in the hopes of reaching a fresh jail exchange
agreement to ease the suffering of hundreds of war prisoners and abducted
civilians.
It comes
as the Yemeni government accused the Houthis of assaulting the Sanaa home of
Ahmed Ahmed Ghaleb, the governor of Yemen’s central bank in Aden.
Central
bank chief's home ransacked
According
to the official news agency on Saturday, armed Houthi fighters stormed Ghaleb’s
residence in Sanaa and removed those inside, apparently in response to the
governor’s recent actions against Sanaa’s banking institutions.
Ghaleb
recently sanctioned numerous banks for refusing to move their offices from
Houthi-held Sanaa to government-controlled Aden.
He also
ordered the removal of banknotes printed before 2016 that are extensively used
in Houthi territory.
Since
seizing power in Yemen more than a decade ago, the Houthis have seized the
homes and other assets of hundreds of Yemeni politicians, journalists, human
rights advocates, military and security personnel, attorneys and others who
have challenged their harsh policies.
Meanwhile,
Yemen’s Ministry of Endowments and Guidance said on Saturday that all stranded
Yemeni pilgrims have returned home after the Houthis permitted a Yemenia
Airways jet to fly them from Jeddah to Sanaa.
Hundreds
of Yemeni pilgrims were trapped in Saudi Arabia when the Houthis seized three
Yemenia aircraft at Sanaa airport and prevented them from flying to Saudi
Arabia to bring back pilgrims.
A Yemeni
government official told Arab News that the standoff with the Houthis over the
capture of Yemenia planes has not ended and that the Houthis have once again
seized the Yemenia plane that carried pilgrims and have refused all mediations
to release the aircraft.
The
Houthis claim they will administer Yemenia Airways, repair the aircraft and
reorganize flights from Yemeni airports, including those held by the
government.
The
Yemeni government accused the Houthis of “hijacking” the flights and
compounding the agony of Yemenis who are left unable to travel as a result of
the aircraft seizures.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2545211/middle-east
--------
Pakistan
PM's
AdviserAccuses Jailed Imran of Hatching Plots in Jail to Spread Anarchy
July 07,
2024
Prime
Minister's Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah has accused
incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan of “conspiring
to spread anarchy in the country” by illegally using the jail facility as his
party’s "political office".
Sanaullah,
speaking on Geo News programme 'Naya Pakistan,' said that the deposed prime
minister was not permitted by the court to hold political meetings in the
Adiala jail.
"PTI
founder is not allowed to make such plans to create chaos while sitting in the
jail," he said, adding that evidence available with authorities concerned
solidifies the claims of such planning underway in the jail.
The PM's
aide, however, said that the government has no audio or video evidence of the
planning "but those who are responsible and performing duties there have
them".
The
former interior minister's statement came after the leaders of the former
ruling party said they were denied permission to meet the party's incarcerated
founder in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail despite waiting for a few hours outside the
facility earlier this week.
Commenting
on the former ruling party's planned rally in Islamabad, the PML-N senior
leader was of the view that the Imran-founded party's decision to hold a power
show in Muharram was inappropriate. "The PTI wants to create political
chaos via a public rally," he added.
However,
he termed the revocation of permission to the PTI for the Islamabad rally
"an administrative decision" and refuted the government's influence
in the move.
It is
noteworthy to mention here that the PTI called off its Islamabad rally earlier
today after the revocation of its NOC for the power show in Tarnol by the
federal capital's chief commissioner.
Later,
the PTI leaders approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking a contempt of
court proceeding against the Islamabad administration over the denial of the
rally's permission.
Sanaullah,
in today's show, further claimed that the foreign elements supported PTI in
staging May 9 riots last year to create chaos in the country.
"Enemy
countries want to spread anarchy in Pakistan through the PTI," he added.
During
the May 9, 2023, protests triggered by the PTI founder's arrest, the miscreants
targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House and the
General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 "Black
Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
Sanaullah
further said that evidence regarding PTI receiving foreign aid could be made
public if the federal cabinet made any decision in this regard.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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Peshawar
High Court summons Gandapur over ‘rising’ enforced disappearances
July 7,
2024
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court has taken exception to the “growing incidence of
enforced disappearances” in the province, especially by the police and
counter-terrorism department, and ordered chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear
before it on July 22 to report on the measures taken by his government to
address the issue.
The
order came from Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim during the hearing into a habeas
corpus petition by resident Hazrat Nabi against the “illegal detention” of his
brother, Abdul Said. The petitioner also accused the police of demanding a
ransom of Rs7 million for the release of the detainee.
Advocate
Malik Sarfaraz Khan appeared for the petitioner and insisted that on June 10
2024, Abdul Said was apprehended by the station house officer of the Zaida
police station in Swabi district from Gulberg Super Market in Peshawar though
he wasn’t involved in any criminal case.
Asks
chief minister about steps taken to address issue
He added
that the detainee was in the illegal custody of the SHO, who demanded Rs7
million from the petitioner as “ransom” to free the detainee.
The
lawyer requested the court to issue orders to the provincial inspector general
of police and other relevant police officers to produce the detainee before it.
He
contended that the detainee was a law-abiding citizen, whose illegal detention
was against the constitutional provisions guaranteeing his fundamental rights.
“Unfortunately,
not only in this case but in so many other cases, this court has noted that on
one hand cases of ‘missing persons’ are alarmingly increasing day by day,
particularly in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but on the other, the
aggrieved parties are levelling allegations of such disappearances against the
police officials, including those of the CTD, and that for the release of such
missing person(s), the police officials and CTD officials are demanding a huge
ransom from the family members of the missing person(s),” the bench observed.
It
declared that the examination of the “flow of the cases of missing persons,
particularly allegations against the police and CTD,” the court was left with
no option but to summon the chief minister to give details of the steps taken
by his government for checking enforced disappearances.
Scores
of cases of “enforced disappearances” are pending with the high court with
families accusing law-enforcement agencies of taking away their members and not
revealing their whereabouts.
In one
case, the disappearance of four brothers of a leading business family here was
challenged in the court.
A female
member of the family claimed that her brothers — Mohammad Nasir Alkozai, Usman
Alkozai, Abdul Waris Alkozai and Zahir Alkozai — were kidnapped from their
house in Peshawar’s Hayatabad Township on Feb 28 by people wearing police
uniforms. She also produced CCTV footage of the “kidnapping” in the court.
While
the petition is pending with the high court, the police have expressed
ignorance about the incident.
Source: dawn.com
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MoU
signed for empowerment of women in Balochistan
July 8,
2024
QUETTA:
The provincial chapters of the Commission on the Status of Women and Human
Rights Commission of Pakistan; MHM Technical Working Group and Forum for
Dignity Initiatives have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote
gender equality, women’s health, basic rights and empowerment in Balochistan.
Under
the agreement, the bodies will work together to provide equal opportunities for
women, raise awareness about their rights, and implement laws and policies
related to their empowerment, according to a press release.
Speaking
at the MoU signing ceremony, Uzma Yaqoob of Forum for Dignity Initiatives,
Fauzia Shaheen, Dr Tahira Kamal Baloch and Farukhanda Orangzeb emphasised the
need for practical implementation of laws and policies related to women’s
rights.
They
stressed the need to ensure gender equality, which requires active
participation of the government and other segments of society.
They
noted that education and health are provincial subjects, and improving
administrative structures at the provincial level can help address most population-related
issues.
No
society can progress without women’s education, but unfortunately, the literacy
rate among women in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, is alarmingly low,
the speakers lamented.They urged the government and non-governmental organisations
to take immediate action to address this issue.
Source: dawn.com
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Armed
forces should be extended all-out support in eliminating terrorism: Nawaz
Sharif
July 06,
2024
Apparently
referring to the opposition parties criticism of the newly-launched
counterterrorism drive — Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday urged all stakeholders to back armed forces
and security forces' efforts in eliminating terrorism from the country.
"[The]
issues which were countered seven years ago have now become a serious crisis,
again," Nawaz said in a meeting with PML-N Parliamentary Leader in the
Senate Irfan Siddiqui in Murree today.
Without
naming anyone, the former prime minister said that some elements behind
"instability" and "defamation" of the country abroad were
not interested in [fortifying] democracy.
He
demanded all stakeholders to show firm support to the security institutions to
eliminate the menace of terrorism.
The
PML-N's top leader made the statement after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
decided to organise an all-parties conference (APC) take all stakeholders into
confidence on the newly launched anti-terrorism operation — a reinvigorated and
re-energised national counter-terrorism drive following a spike in terrorist
attacks.
The
federal cabinet last week approved the launching of the counter-terrorism
operation following the National Action Plan's Central Apex Committee's
recommendations to turn up the heat on militants targeting Pakistan — which
would be focused on intelligence-based operations instead of large-scale
military action.
Regarding
the scope of the new operation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also revealed in
a recent interview with the Voice of America (VoA) that Pakistan could target
terrorist hideouts across the border in Afghanistan to target outlawed
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant outfits for carrying out
attacks in the Pakistani territory.
However,
opposition parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat-e-Ulema
Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and others have voiced concerns
over the military operation, demanding that parliament must be taken into
confidence before taking any such decision.
Incarcerated
PTI founder Imran Khan announced a day ago that his party would participate in
the PML-N government-sponsored APC and “hear what the government has to say”.
The PTI
founder, while noting that his party has reservations over the new
anti-terrorism action, said it would "only lead to further
instability" in the country.
In response
to criticism, the top military brass a day earlier denounced the undue
criticism against the newly launched anti-terrorism operation, stating that the
"vision" was being misrepresented deliberately for “vested
interests”.
"Forum
noted with concern the unwarranted criticism by some quarters and deliberate
misrepresentation of the vision, only for furthering their vested
interests," the ISPR had said following Corps Commanders’ Conference
(CCC).
Source: thenews.com.pk
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President,
PM felicitate Muslim Ummah on new Islamic year
July 08,
2024
President
and Prime Minister have expresses best wishes for nation and Muslim Ummah on
advent of new Islamic year today.
In a
message on the advent of new Islamic year 1446 Hijrah, President Asif Ali
Zardari has stressed upon the nation to nurture qualities of affection,
forbearance and tolerance by shunning all differences and play role for
strengthening of national unity and interfaith harmony in the country.
He
felicitated the nation on the arrival of new Islamic year and prayed for the
peace, stability, progress and prosperity of the county.
The
president said that Muharram-ul-Haram signifies special importance in the
Islamic history. President Zardari said that Muharram-ul-Haram reminds us of
the unprecedented sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his faithful
companions and gives a lesson for the real objective of struggle in life which
is linked with sacrificing everything in the path of religion.
The
president said this month gives us lesson to stand against forces of cruelty
and evils by raising standards of righteousness while facing ordeals of life.
In his
message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the nation to work towards
building a society that upholds the principles of social justice, equality and
compassion.
He
expressed his best wishes for the entire Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah.
He
prayed that this new year may prove to be a year of peace, stability, progress
and prosperity for the country and the Muslim Ummah.
The
Prime Minister also prayed that darkness of oppression on the people of India's
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine will disappear and the dawn
of peace and harmony will illuminate the lives of our Muslim brothers and
sisters with progress and prosperity.
The new
Islamic year also reminds us of those moments in history when the family
members of the Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed their lives under the
leadership of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and became immortal in the battle of
right and wrong.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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PIA launches special flights for Najaf to facilitate pilgrims
July 07, 2024
Pakistan International Airlines has launched special flights for Najaf to facilitate pilgrims during Muharram.
The flights operation called "Operation Ashura" is designed to provide a seamless travel experience for pilgrims during this significant period of religious observance.
The return flights are set to begin on the 20th of this month to bring pilgrims from Najaf.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Arab World
Saudi border guards seize 79,700 narcotic tablets in Jazan
July 08, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Border Guards have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 79,700 narcotic tablets in the southern Jazan region.
Land patrols in Al-Dair sector in the region intercepted the drugs and transferred them to the appropriate authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi authorities urge members of the public to report any information connected to drug smuggling or related activities.
Reports can be made by contacting emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern regions or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom. Additionally, reports can be submitted to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control hotline (995) or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa. All reports will be handled with utmost confidentiality.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi-Canadian Business Council resumes after 5-year hiatus
July 08, 2024
RIYADH: The Federation of Saudi Chambers has announced it will resume its business council with Canada following a five-year hiatus, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Duleim has been appointed chairman of the Saudi-Canadian Business Council, with Abdullah bin Salem Al-Yami and Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Ahmed serving as his deputies.
Al-Duleim said the council would rekindle economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi environmental police arrest 3 individuals for illegal hunting, arson
July 08, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi authorities have arrested three citizens for violating the Kingdom's environmental laws, including two for illegal hunting of wildlife and one accused of arson, the Special Forces for Environmental Security (SPES) announced on Sunday.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the SPES said its field patrols arrested Ahmed Suleiman Maqbool Al-Sharari and Zahir Dhaif Allah Muslim Al-Sharari for hunting without a license inside the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR).
The duo were caught in possession of a firearm and live ammunition and a rabbit that they caught, according to SPES.
"Regular procedures were taken against them and they were referred to the competent authority" for further investigation, it said.
SPES said that the penalty for using firearms while hunting without a license is a fine of 80,000 riyals ($21,300), and the penalty for hunting during seasons and times when hunting is prohibited is a fine of 5,000 riyals ($1,330), and the penalty for hunting wild rabbits is a fine of 18,000 riyals ($4,790).
Covering an area of 130,000 square kilometers, KSRNR is Saudi Arabia's largest natural reserve. Located in the Kingdom's north near the border with Jordan, it is known for its geographic and heritage diversity, and rare monuments dating back to about 8,000 BC.
In the arson case reported separately by SPA, the SPES said the arrested citizen — the identity was not mentioned — was found to have set fire to vegetation cover in the northwestern province of Hail.
The agency noted that the penalty for setting fire to vegetation cover lands is a fine of up to 3000 riyals ($799).
SPES called on the public to help protect the environment by reporting violations to the following hotlines:
• 911 in the regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province
• 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi students switch up a gear in high-octane F1 finals
July 07, 2024
DHAHRAN: Dhahran was the big winner in the Saudi segment of the F1 in Schools National Championships powered by Aramco, with teams claiming first and fourth places in the competition held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, at the weekend.
The 2024 national champion title went to Dhahran’s Shaheen, second place to Al-Ahsa’s Venture, third to Riyadh’s Clad, and fourth — an additional award added for the first time — to Dhahran’s Oryx.
Winners will represent Saudi Arabia in a global competition due to take place in the Kingdom later this year.
The F1 in Schools competition is a globally recognized educational program that challenges students to design, build, and race miniature F1 cars. This year’s theme was “Overtake the Impossible.”
Maha Abdulhadi, head of F1 in Schools at Ithra, said in a statement: “With a shared commitment to serving as an incubator of education and youth empowerment, Ithra and F1 in Schools offer young people the knowledge and experiential spaces to develop their ambition and skills to create a bright future for themselves and their country.
“We are excited to host these promising young students, their families and visitors from across the country as the competition shifts gears.”
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13.
Eight simulators will allow those over the age of 15 to test drive an F1 vehicle in real time. A VR experience also offers visitors an authentic taste of high-speed action.
On Saturday, students cheered when they saw their faces appear on screen during a “Day in the Life of F1 in Schools” video segment.
The ceremony also celebrated trainers and judges who had flown in from around the world, as well as local judges.
Students from different schools worked in groups for the past six months, developing prototypes under the supervision of 38 professionals.
Participating students, all 15 or 16 years of age, were expected to use a STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning program, which combines both hard and soft skills.
Students were able to explore topics ranging from physics and aerodynamics to design, manufacturing, branding and graphics. They were also taught marketing and leadership skills, how to use social media effectively, and how to create a financial strategy.
This year, 120 students were split into 20 teams, with each team working out of a local hub. The cities of Dhahran, Al-Ahsa, Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah returned this year, while Abha was added for the first time.
To demonstrate Ithra’s commitment to local culture, folk dancers from each of the six represented cities performed together on stage, while images of students working on their F1 projects were displayed in the background.
Ithra first partnered with F1 in Schools in 2021, and has been running the national level competition in Saudi Arabia, spearheading the launch of several learning hubs across the Kingdom to facilitate the training and development of students as part of the F1 challenge.
In 2023, Ithra hosted the country’s first F1 in Schools national finals, with 16 teams competing.
Andrew Denford, the founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, noted at the time that girls made up 68 percent of the participating students. Three of the teams went on to represent Saudi Arabia at that year’s world finals in Singapore, with the Oryx team from Dhahran winning the Innovative Thinking Award.
A large percentage of girls also took part in the competition this year, competing for 12 awards in categories ranging from fastest car and verbal presentation to sustainability.
In continuing with Ithra’s promotion of recycling, workshops created molds of cars by melting plastic bottle caps in a designated lab. Molds made specifically for F1 in Schools will be available all week.
Under the library’s escalator, a car made of 90 percent recycled or repurposed components, including 5,000 water bottles, steel and acrylic sheets, was placed on display. At least 12 people took about 1,500 hours to create the 120 kg vehicle.
The 10-day series of events will include interactive activities, as well as a paper car-making workshop, mixed reality pit garage, car Lego station, and talks with F1 experts.
Speaking at the award ceremony, David Howes, director of communication and events for F1 in Schools, said: “Having worked for F1 Esports since 2004, I’ve witnessed our global community grow from four countries to 62 today, and it really is an honor to be here in Saudi Arabia, not only to witness a national title, but to witness a world-class event, and most importantly, to see world-class teams competing.”
The fourth Formula 1 in Schools is now open for applicants. Students who qualify can apply via the Ithra website, where a full schedule of this week’s activities is also on view.
Source: arabnews.com
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Beit Hail festival serves up Saudi culinary gem
July 07, 2024
RIYADH: The third annual Beit Hail Festival, themed “Our Home is Your Home ... Oh, My Beloved,” is a showcase of the region’s rich culinary traditions, with Hail’s renowned klaija dessert taking center stage this year.
The traditional pastry, deeply rooted in Saudi heritage, has captivated visitors with its diversity of shapes and preparation methods.
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Umm Mohammed, a 55-year-old klaija artisan, said: “I began at just 7 years old, using charcoal for baking ... over 45 years, I have refined my techniques and I am constantly innovating.”
According to Umm Mohammed, the secret to klaija’s distinctive flavor lies in each maker’s proprietary spice blend, combined with staple ingredients like flour, sugar and cardamom.
Fellow klaija expert Umm Badr, with two decades of experience, highlighted the importance of continuous practice in perfecting the art of making the baked good.
“This craft evolves over time,” she said. “Klaija-making has become a significant source of income for participating families.”
Umm Badr has been a regular fixture at the region’s heritage and tourism festivals, where her creations have garnered widespread acclaim.
Source: arabnews.com
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Presidency for Religious Affairs announces 2024 Umrah season plan
July 07, 2024
MAKKAH: The Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Two Holy Mosques launched the 2024 Umrah season plan, one of the largest of its kind in the presidency’s history.
The aim is to enrich the experience of Umrah pilgrims and visitors and create a devotional atmosphere through hundreds of religious enrichment initiatives and programs during the Umrah season, as well as attract thousands of volunteers to the Two Holy Mosques.
During the launching of the plan at his office, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the presidency, said the plan aims to promote the points of strength during the Umrah season while maximizing the concept of serving, caring and focusing on the pilgrims.
It seeks to enhance the integrative roles within the Umrah system and coordinate with all government authorities and partners.
He said the presidency is in the process of launching smart religious robots that will provide services to the pilgrims at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strike on UN school
July 07, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Sunday an Israeli strike on a UN-run school where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering.
On Saturday, the Gaza health ministry said 16 people were killed in a strike on a school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA that was sheltering displaced people in Nuseirat, in central Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of Israel’s systematic targeting of civilians. It also demanded an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, aid facilities, and relief workers.
It highlighted the necessity of activating international accountability mechanisms regarding the ongoing Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and international legitimacy resolutions.
Source: arabnews.com
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2nd Fruit Festival concludes in Saudi Arabia’s Baljurashi
July 07, 2024
AL-BAHA: The second Fruit Festival concluded on Saturday in Baljurashi, Al-Baha region, with the participation of several government entities, associations, and the Culinary Arts Commission.
Fahd Al-Zahrani, director of the local branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that more than 20 exhibitors and productive families participated in the festival, showcasing various unique products and goods based on the region’s abundance of fruit crops.
The festival, which spanned three days, attracted over 5,000 visitors and featured numerous guidance and awareness workshops, as well as more than 10 entertainment activities.
The three-day event attracted over 5,000 visitors and featured numerous guidance and awareness workshops, as well as more than 10 entertainment activities.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi university inaugurates education hackathon
July 07, 2024
RIYADH: King Khalid University officially inaugurated the second edition of the Innovation in Education Hackathon on Sunday, July 7 in Abha.
During the ceremony, Prof. Saad bin Mohammed bin Dajam, the university’s acting president, stated that King Khalid University aims to enhance the quality of education and campus life, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to shape the future of education.
Dr. Adel Al-Sarei, deputy dean for e-learning, during his address emphasized that among the key objectives of the hackathon are boosting innovation and sustainability in education, leveraging modern technologies, enhancing educational outcomes, and promoting collaboration and community partnerships.
The hackathon aims to address challenges involved in the development of a smart educational system and personalized learning using AI, as well as the enhancement of educational experiences in scientific and technical fields. It also aims to encourage collaboration among students and their active participation in the educational process.
Al-Sarei pointed out that the expected outcomes of the hackathon include creating initial models for innovative solutions, improving the learning experience, implementing AI-based applications, as well as developing the participants’ skills and raising awareness of the importance of e-learning.
Source: arabnews.com
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Africa
Muslims demand probe after 3 lynched on child trafficking claims
08 July 2024
The Muslim community in Western region has called for the arrest of people behind the lynching of their relatives.The group said their loved ones were travelling from Nairobi to Uganda when they were mistakenly killed over child trafficking allegations on Friday.
Those who survived are receiving treatment at Life Care Hospital in Bungoma.
Speaking to the media at the hospital on Saturday, Abdirahim Aden said the family members were attacked by rowdy locals at Emukhwaye village, Butere constituency in Kakamega county.
But the victims got lost on their way.
Aden said they were attacked on claims of being kidnappers as locals raised concerns over high numbers of children getting lost in the area.
“I was shocked after receiving a distress call that our people have been attacked and lynched by irate villagers on allegations of child trafficking,” he said.
The victims were not in any way involved in the vice, he added.
Aden said the vehicle they were travelling in was torched and three people died, while five were critically injured.
“During the occurrence of the bizarre event, the police was able to arrive at the scene and rescue those in hospital, but the vehicle had already been torched by an angry mob who thought the travellers were child traffickers,” Aden added.
The driver of the vehicle, which was hired, was among those who died on the spot.
Aden called on the relevant authorities to investigate the matter for the affected families to get justice.
Farah Abdirahman, a Muslim leader, condemned the incident saying the perpetrators should be charged for taking law into their hands.
“Even if they suspected that the group was on a child trafficking mission, they should have alerted the police to come and deal with them and if possible take them to court but what they did to our people was unacceptable,” he said.
Abdirahman also said the victims were innocent and shouldn't have died such a painful death.
Chief Julius Kiptoo explained that kidnappers had tried abducting a Grade 8 pupil at Mulwanda primary school.
Others screamed, attracting a crowd that attacked the suspects’ car, as the pupil managed to escape.
The registration number of the suspects' vehicle was KCQ 386 Q.
He said none of the suspects had been identified.
The bodies were moved to a private mortuary in Butere as police launch investigations.
Source: the-star.co.ke
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Sudanese political and civil society groups meet in a bid to end war
07-07-24
Sudanese political and civil society groups met on Saturday in Egypt to discuss ways to end the war engulfing Sudan.
The warring parties, however, didn’t take part in the Egypt-sponsored conference.
Sudan descended into chaos in April last year when simmering tensions between the country’s military and a notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.
The devastating conflict has killed more than 14,000 people and wounded 33,000 others, according to the United Nations, but rights activists say the toll could be much higher.
It created the world’s largest displacement crisis with over 11 million people forced to flee their homes.
International experts warned last month that 755,000 people are facing famine in the coming months, and that 8.5 million people are facing extreme food shortages.
Saturday’s gathering was the latest effort to end the war in Sudan.
It has been hosted by the Egyptian government in the New Administrative Capital, a mega city east of Cairo.
Previous efforts, including US-Saudi-mediated talks between the military and the RSF failed to end the fighting.
“Any real political solution to the crisis in Sudan must be based on a purely Sudanese vision emanating from the Sudanese themselves,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said in his opening speech.
Many Sudanese groups attended the conference including an alliance of pro-democracy political parties and groups led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
Also attended were some leaders of Sudanese rebel groups, including Malik Agar of the Sudan Revolutionary Front and Gibril Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement.
Representatives of the Arab League, African Union, United Nations and European Union as well as other countries also attended.
Source: africanews.com
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Rwanda migration deal: “a gimmick that doesn't act as a deterrent,” new UK PM says
08-07-24
The first deportation flights bound for Rwanda from the UK will eventually not take off.
The former British Prime Minister had vowed they'd leave the UK by early July but the downfall of his party at the latest election has upset his plans.
All was ready in Rwanda to welcome the deported asylum-seekers, though.
Speaking on Saturday (Jul. 6), newly elected PM Keir Starmer said the asylum and migration plan that was first signed in 2022 was never effective.
"It has never acted as a deterrent. Almost the opposite, because everybody has worked out, particularly the gangs that run this, that the chance of ever going to Rwanda was so slim, less than 1%, that it was never a deterrent. The chances were not going and not being processed and staying here. Therefore, being paid for accommodation for a very, very long time. It's had the complete opposite effect. And I'm not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don't act as a deterrent.".
The Rwanda plan provided that the asylum applications of some migrants crossing the English Channel to reach Britain would be processed in Rwanda.
The Conservatives presented the deal as "a significant deterrent" so that people would stop crossing the English Channel to reach the UK.
The controversy surrounds the deal was also its cost, the UK government's spending watchdog National Audit Office revealed in March that up to $190, 000 would be paid for each person sent to Rwanda over a five-year period.
Rwandan Gatete Ruhumuliza consultant regrets the ditching of the plan.
"All we know is that because we were all once refugees ourselves, we cannot mistreat refugees. I was born in exile, my mother and father were born in exile, our president today was raised in exile, he left when he was four or five. There is hardly any Rwandan intelligentsia or people who have not experienced exile. This is an issue close to our heart.”
Had the application of migrants deported to Rwanda been unsuccessful, they could have stayed in the eastern African nation.
About 29,000 migrants crossed the British Channel in 2023.
Kigali is yet to react to the ditching of the plan.
Source: africanews.com
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LGBT: FG Paying Influencers To Defend Samoa Agreement – Atiku’s Aide
8 July 2024
Special Adviser on Media (Broadcast) to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Abdul Rasheeth has alleged that the federal government recruited some social media influencers to defend the Samoa Agreement.
Rasheeth said he received numerous phone calls from some influencers who confided in him that a Northern aide to President Bola Tinubu was “distributing money and recruiting many people” to defend the Samoa Agreement.
Atiku Abubakar’s aide said the influencers were been recruited and paid to defend the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) alleged to be included as one of the conditions in the $150 billion loan deal signed by the federal government.
On his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Rasheeth wrote, “I received numerous phone calls from several influencers about a Northern Tinubu Media Aide who was widely distributing money and recruiting many people to defend the LGBTQ deal.”
Recall that the federal government through the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, had refuted claims that Nigeria has to give the LGBTQ community room to express their sexual orientation choice as one of the conditions for the loan agreement.
Also, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Saturday said reports on Samoa Agreement, particularly on the LGBTQ clause were false.
Mohammed Idris said reports on the Samoa agreement were based on hearsay and wrong information.
Source: naijanews.com
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Apply Wisdom, Intervene In Kano Emirate Crisis Now – NNPP Chairman Tells Tinubu
7 July 2024
The Chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Hashimu Dungurawa, has told President Bola Tinubu that his silence on the Kano Emirate crisis is no longer golden and may cost him the 2027 presidency.
To this end, he urged President Tinubu to take action and ensure the deposed Emir, Ado Bayero, is banished from Kano.
Dungurawa made the call while speaking to newsmen in his Lugard House office, on Sunday.
According to the NNPP chairman, the ongoing Emirate crisis is already giving the President bad names, and it is time for him to take action.
“Your perceived stance on the ongoing Kano Emirate tussle would surely work against you in the 2027 presidential polls because if you think you can use it to secure grounds in Kano, when the chips are down it will dawn on you that you have made costly mistakes,” Dungurawa said.
The NNPP Chairman also hinted that the party would present Rabiu Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate in 2027, arguing that the former Kano State Governor has what it takes to win the polls.
“We are going to field Kwankwaso as our party’s presidential flag-bearer in 2027, because for now, he stands as the only person who will make it to the Presidency and he stands the chances of becoming the next President God willing,” he added.
Source: naijanews.com
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Southeast Asia
President Jokowi calls for improving faith, piety on Islamic New Year
July 7, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo encouraged Muslims to make the most of the current Islamic year of 1446 to improve their faith and piety to the Almighty God.
His remarks were conveyed through his official Instagram account on the occasion of the 1446 H Islamic New Year, as observed here on Sunday.
"Let us welcome the 1446 Islamic year by improving our faith and piety to Allah SWT," he stated.
Through his Instagram post that has amassed more than 41 thousand likes by Sunday afternoon, Jokowi expressed hope that peace, happiness, and success will be abundant in the current Islamic year.
"Happy Islamic New Year. I hope our steps will be blessed by Him," the president said.
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, was established in 622 CE to commemorate the Hijrah --the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.
The Religious Affairs Ministry's 2024 Indonesian Islamic Calendar declared the first day of the 1446 Islamic year to fall on Sunday, July 7. According to a joint ministerial statement passed earlier this year, Islamic New Year's Day is declared a public holiday.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has urged all Muslims in Indonesia to mark the 1446 H Islamic New Year by reflecting on self-evaluation and self-improvement.
"At this valuable moment, let us all strengthen our gratitude to God for his countless blessings. Let the Hijrah inspire us to continuously improve ourselves and contribute meaningfully to our nation and religion," Qoumas said in a statement on Saturday (July 6).
Source: en.antaranews.com
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Practice mortar bomb found in empty Merlimau rental house
08 Jul 2024
JASIN, July 8 — A 60-millimetre Practice Inert mortar bomb was found in an unoccupied rental house in Taman Bukit Tembakau, Merlimau, last Saturday.
Jasin district police chief DSP Ahmad Jamil Radzi said the practice bomb, confirmed to be non-explosive, was discovered by a 30-year-old man who is a neighbour of the house owner.
He said the man was asked by the 65-year-old female house owner to clean up personal belongings left behind by the previous tenant about seven months earlier.
“During the process, the man discovered an object that looked like a mortar bomb and sent a picture of the device to the house owner, who then filed a police report at 7.58 pm on the same day.
“Acting on the report, officers from the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) rushed to the house at 8.45 pm and confirmed the discovery of the mortar bomb,” he said in a statement here today.
The bomb was then taken to the Melaka IPK for disposal.
According to Ahmad Jamil, the single-storey terrace house was previously rented to a man working in the state since 2022 before he left the house in January this year.
The premises had not been rented to anyone else for nearly seven months.
He added that the house owner had not been in contact with the tenant since then, and the police are currently tracing the man to assist in further investigations. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Security in Penang under control - State police chief
08-07- 2024
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang police have assured that security and public order in the state are under control.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, in an exclusive interview with Bernama, said no serious crimes have occurred in Penang because they prioritise addressing security-related issues.
“...so there is no procrastination or carelessness in handling these matters (security).
“I see the duty of looking after Penang as a trust. I place special focus on completing and carrying out security tasks, and so far, the state’s security is well under control,” said Hamzah, who has been serving as the Penang police chief for nearly three months.
He made this statement when asked to comment on the security situation in Penang, particularly in light of perceptions of a high number of crime cases in the state.
With 36 years of service in the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Hamzah expressed confidence that he would be able to carry out the duties and tasks entrusted to him effectively.
“Although I’ve only been in Penang for three months, I’ve been with PDRM for 36 years. Policing has been a part of my life for a long time,” he said.
Previously serving as deputy director at Bukit Aman’s Internal Security and Public Order Department, Hamzah was appointed as Penang police chief on April 22.
He replaces Datuk Khaw Kok Chin, who was appointed as the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director on March 25.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/security-in-penang-under-control-state-police-chief-EM12693070#google_vignette
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King’s installation: Brunei Sultan’s consent to grace ceremony underscores close ties
08-07- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim to Brunei to personally present the Instrument of Royal Invitation for the Installation of His Majesty as the 17th King of Malaysia this July 20 to Brunei Sultan, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, underscores the close relationship between the neighbouring countries.
Istana Negara Grand Chamberlain Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini said Sultan Ibrahim’s visit to Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on June 25 portrayed the unique and strong bond forged between the heads of state.
Azuan Effendy, who accompanied His Majesty on the visit, described the meeting as beautiful and special which was conducted in a cosy atmosphere.
“...even though Brunei is not part of Malaysia, the fraternity among the Malay Rulers led Sultan Ibrahim to consent to a visit to Brunei and personally present the invitation letter to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
“The audience and the presentation of the Instrument of Invitation uses specific honorifics in the palace language, but (during the meeting) His Majesty referred to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as ‘abang’ (elder brother), while the Brunei Sultan addressed Sultan Ibrahim as ‘adik’ (younger brother). It is truly extraordinary,” he told Bernama recently.
Azuan Effendy said during the meeting, the Sultan of Brunei expressed gratefulness and delight over Sultan Ibrahim’s visit, adding that the Brunei Ruler stated the intention to attend the ceremony even though he would be occupied with various programmes as Brunei celebrates His Majesty’s 78th birthday on July 15.
“His Majesty (Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah) said he would rearrange official events planned to attend and show support for Sultan Ibrahim’s Installation Ceremony,” he said.
On the Instrument of Royal Invitation, Azuan Effendy said it was specially made from goatskin and presented to Malay rulers and Yang di-Pertua Negeri, as well as foreign royalties requesting them to grace the installation ceremony, which is the traditional practice.
“The words remain unchanged, handwritten in Jawi script using the Malay language and placed in a special capsule before being presented by the delegation to the respective invitees,” he added.
Sultan Ibrahim took the oath and signed the instrument of office as the 17th King on Jan 31.
Source: thesun.my
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PM Anwar urges NGOs, youth movements to reject corruption, abuse of power
08-07- 2024
IPOH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and youth movements in the country to heed the government’s call to reject corruption, abuse of power and oppression.
Anwar said that Prophet Muhammad (SAW), with strong faith, belief and morals, defended rights and upheld justice by rejecting corruption, oppression and bribery within society.
He said the country will progress and develop if the people emulate these qualities, understand the true meaning of ‘hijrah’ (to emigrate), and wake up from their slumber to uplift their dignity.
“Hijrah means leaving behind outdated practices and ‘syirik’ (the sin of ascribing a partner or rival to Allah in Lordship), practices of injustice, oppression and rampant slander. Only by doing this will we change, and I believe Pertubuhan Lima Generasi (PLG) Malaysia will have the same spirit that we will save our nation and our people.
“I happen to belong to the older generation, but when defending our rights and sovereignty, I don’t care. You can criticise and condemn me as much as you want, throw me in jail, (but) I get out and continue fighting!” he said at PLG’s launching ceremony last night.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, state Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi and PLG president Datuk Abdullah Ghani Kassim were also present for the event.
Anwar said Malaysians could not be complacent as the country was now competing to develop, so everyone needed to be equipped with knowledge, raise their understanding of justice and unite to make Malaysia a great country.
“We need investment, digital, artificial intelligence, poverty eradication and its conditions (are) there needs to be leadership from youth, PLG, national political leaders who reject tyranny and stop power abuse for self-enrichment.
“I guarantee that with the power invested in me, I will ensure PLG or silat gayung or any other machinery will be strengthened in lifting our country to become great,” he said.
The Prime Minister, therefore, said that he wanted everyone to stop fighting and use the spirit of hijrah as it was time for them to rise as one and to show that they are knowledgeable, conscientious, hard-working people capable of upholding justice for the country and its people.
“We need this spirit among the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, and Kadazan youth; this is our country, and we will save our country. This is the time and moment that we rise and save our country,” he said.
At the event tonight, Anwar also presented donations from PLG Malaysia to five students in the state who excelled in their examinations - two students who scored four As in their Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) Term 1 2024, a student who scored four As in their STPM Term 2 2024 and two students who achieved excellent scores for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023.
Source: thesun.my
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Indonesia Says It’s About Time UN Security Council Take Firm Action Against Israel
July 8, 2024
Jakarta. Indonesia once again urged the UN Security Council to take firm action against Israel, saying that the Israeli attack on a UN-run school in Gaza should have been the body’s wake-up call.
Indonesia also demanded the same thing from countries supporting Israel, although Jakarta does not say who they are specifically referring to.
Israeli forces over the weekend had launched an airstrike on Al-Jaouni school in central Gaza. The school was sheltering displaced Palestinian families. Palestinian officials reported that the attack had killed 16 people, while Israel claimed that the attack was targeting militants. In a foreign ministerial statement, Indonesia strongly condemns “the barbaric attack”.
“Israel continues to commit atrocities and violate international law, causing civilian casualties to continue to rise,” the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said Monday.
“Are such atrocities still not enough for the UN Security Council and countries supporting Israel to take firm actions against Israel?” the ministry added.
Since the Gaza war escalated in Oct. 2023, the people of the Palestinian enclave had to endure countless violence and attacks. The UN Security Council recently passed a US-sponsored resolution that called for a three-phase ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This resolution is long overdue after the UN’s premier decision-making body saw the US -- Israel’s key ally -- vetoing ceasefire proposals in the past.
President-elect Prabowo Subianto not long ago said Indonesia would stand ready to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza if requested by the UN. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his country would work with Indonesia on the peacekeeping mission. Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour said that now might not be the time for such plans, as the main focus now was to end the war. However, Palestine will keep the option open, according to Mansour. Hamas recently announced it was against the idea of having foreign forces in Gaza.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/claim-muslims-india-population-research/d/132659