Engineer Rashid's Victory - Did Kashmir's ‘Islamist’ Voters Turn Secular Nationalists In Three Months?
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 Oct 2024
Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid gestures towards crowd during a public rally at Baramulla. Mukhtar Khan/AP Photo
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· Engineer Rashid's Victory - Did Kashmir's ‘Islamist’ Voters Turn Secular Nationalists In Three Months?
· Scottish Mosque Target Of Online Misinformation Claiming “Everyone” Is “Forced To Listen” To An Islamic Call To Prayer
· ‘Humanitarian Disasters’ In Gaza Must End, China Tells Israeli Authorities
· Son Of Top Islamic Cleric Allegedly Raped And Sexually Assaulted 18 Girls In A School Dormitory
· Create ‘Safe Zone Guaranteed By The UN’ For The Displaced People In Rakhine: Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus
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India
· Halting Funding For Madrasas Move To Alienate And Marginalise Muslims: CPI
· Supreme Court Refuses To Take Up Plea Against L-G’s Nomination Of 5 J&K MLAs
· SC dismisses plea by Azam Khan’s Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust against lease termination: ‘clear case of misuse of office’
· Jammu and Kashmir: October 16 oath date for chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah
· To Woo Muslims Ahead Of Bypolls, RLD Plans Minority Convention In Muz’nagar
· Opposition MPs boycott Waqf committee meeting over allegations against Mallikarjun Kharge
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Europe
· Far-Right Danish-Swedish Leader, Rasmus Paludan, Who Burned Copies Of Qur’an Goes On Trial In Sweden
· We Attach Special Importance To Cooperation With Azerbaijan, Says Chairman Of Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly
· Preston primary 'will not become Muslim school' after academy takeover
· Teenager who livestreamed mosque attack detained
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Mideast
· Funeral Service Held In Iraq For Iranian General Killed With Hezbollah Chief
· Netanyahu Vows No Mercy After Deadly Hezbollah Drone Strike
· Islamic Jihad: Beach Massacre Proves Zionist Enmity To Humanity
· Iran condemns EU, UK sanctions on Tehran, denies providing ballistic missiles to Russia
· Israel’s strike on Ain Al-Hilweh camp stirs up grim memories of Lebanon’s Palestinian refugees
· Netanyahu told US Israel willing to strike Iranian military targets, Washington Post reports
· The UN says over 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced in 3 weeks by war
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Southeast Asia
· Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque surprised to be assigned as minister
· ‘Blessings’ From Leaders’ Body Parts And Skipping Friday Prayers: Here’s Why Putrajaya Think GISBH Members Are Religious Deviants
· Johor Islamic council sets up action committee to aid former GISBH followers
· Not just us: Several ASEAN countries also interested in joining BRICS, says PM Anwar
· PM Anwar says govt may take legal action against Bloomberg for ‘dangerous’ claims of influencing MACC investigation
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South Asia
· Over 170,000 Tourists Visit Bamyan’s Historical Sites in Six Months
· Dozens of Historical Artifacts Seized in Kandahar
· Acting Foreign Minister Meets UN Special Representative for Afghanistan
· IOM expresses concern over forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran
· Media reveal Afghan refugees beaten in Turkish Deportation Centers
· Iran plans to deport two million ‘undocumented’ Afghan migrants
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Pakistan
· 10 Cops Suspended For ‘Maltreatment’ Of Women Demonstrators During Karachi Protest
· ANP recommends renaming KP to 'Pakhtunkhwa' during special committee's session
· Govt, JUI-F close to consensus on judicial package: Fazlur Rehman
· Some judges ask a political party to get ready for new elections: Punjab speaker
· PTI defers Islamabad's D-Chowk protest due to SCO summit
· Islamist terrorists kill four, including three policemen, in Pakistan
· PM Li Qiang arrives in Pakistan to bolster CPEC cooperation
· Italian Navy aircraft carrier makes first visit to Pakistan
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Arab World
· Arar Farmers’ Market To Showcase Saudi Produce, Culture
· Riyadh Forum Concludes With More Than 290 Schools Honoured
· Saudi foreign minister meets with WEF chief Klaus Schwab
· Experience global cultures as Riyadh Season launches 3 zones with exciting events
· Foreign Ministry hosts cybersecurity awareness event
· Saudi Civil Defence warns of thunderstorms until Friday
· KSrelief continues water supply, healthcare project in Yemen
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Africa
· Mosque Demolition Will Bring Development Of The Muslim Community – Governor Of Of Taraba State
· Security Personnel Must Take Oath For Ondo Governorship Election – INEC
· President Tinubu Reacts As Super Eagles Return To Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya
· New Nile water sharing accord takes effect as Egypt, Sudan protest
· Bauchi appoints new magistrates, Upper Sharia Court judges
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North America
· Sending A THAAD Air Defence System To Israel Adds To Strain On US Army Forces
· Sean 'Diddy' Combs Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Teenager In New Lawsuits
· Father attends remembrance for 6-year-old Muslim son 1 year after unincorp. Plainfield stabbing
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/engineer-rashid-kashmir-islamist-secular/d/133446
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Engineer Rashid's Victory - Did Kashmir's ‘Islamist’ Voters Turn Secular Nationalists In Three Months?
Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid gestures towards crowd during a public rally at Baramulla. Mukhtar Khan/AP Photo
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4 October 2024
When the results of the parliamentary elections were announced, Engineer Rashid's victory in the north Kashmir constituency of Baramulla came as a surprise to political leaders like National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. Rashid, who was then in Tihar jail on Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act charges, entered the contest very late. But he managed to beat Abdullah and Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone by a huge margin. Rashid got nearly 470,000 votes, while Abdullah trailed at around 268,000 votes and Lone got about 173,000 votes. The margin of victory seemed to have shocked Omar and Lone so much that three months after the defeat, during campaigning for the Assembly elections, Omar refused to call him Engineer saying he is only diploma holder, and Lone went further saying articles appearing in Rashid's name were by ghost writers.
Soon after the defeat in the parliamentary polls, Omar Abdullah shared an article characterising Rashid's win as an Islamist triumph. Omar on June 6 tweeted a paragraph from an article which read: “Rashid’s victory, without doubt, will empower secessionists, and give Kashmir’s defeated Islamist movement a renewed sense of hope. Efforts to draw secessionism back into electoral politics led New Delhi to support the rise of the People’s Democratic Party, and its alliance with the BJP. That, however, ended up empowering violent secessionists, not mainstreaming them—a warning of the unpredictable outcomes of trying to manipulate politics.”
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti's argument, however, was that people had replied to New Delhi’s policy in Kashmir by making Rashid win in north Kashmir.
Three months later, perspectives are different.
On October 8, when the Assembly results were announced, Rashid could retain only one seat out of 16 Assembly segments of north Kashmir.
In the 35 seats contested by his party across the state, he was decisively defeated in 34. The only winner was Rashid’s brother in the Langate constituency, which had previously been Rashid's own constituency. Rashid had been winning there since he began contesting elections in 2008.
During the campaigning, Rashid had referred to the death of Altaf Fantoosh, the late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani's son-in-law, who had been imprisoned alongside him. He also spoke about other separatist figures like Assiya Andrabi, the leader of banned Dukhtarani Milat, and shared his own experiences of suffering during his five years in Tihar Jail.
Despite his lofty rhetoric, Rashid's Awami Ithad Party underperformed.
In contrast, we saw the National Conference emerging as the largest party, winning 42 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The party won 35 seats in Kashmir and seven seats in Jammu’s Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi districts. This indicates that Rashid’s victory, without doubt, didn’t empower secessionists, and didn’t give “Kashmir’s defeated Islamist movement a renewed sense of hope.” It only empowered the National Conference, giving the party a decisive mandate like that of 1977 when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was leading the party. The party has got a mandate from all parts of the Valley and some parts of Jammu. If the party had campaigned on its own in Jammu, without the Congress, it would have performed better than Congress.
If Rashid's win in June was indeed an Islamist triumph, then Omar Abdullah should be a great influential secular preacher who has been able convert people en masse towards his party's secular agenda in three months. Sometimes we are quick to come to judgments on Kashmir and make ourselves believe that we solved a great riddle. But Kashmir is quick and silent in its surprises.
In Kulgam, people have been electing a CPI-M candidate for years. This time, the contest in Kulgam was on ideological lines with Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidate Sayar Ahmad Reshi saying that godless communists have been ruling Kulgam constituency for too long and that it was time to replace them. Reshi lost by 7,000 votes.
One of the main arguments of Omar Abdullah was that if people give a fragmented mandate, BJP along with its like-minded parties would ratify what happened on August 5, 2019. Maybe voting happened on these lines. When Jammu voting for the BJP is not seen as being on religious lines, Kashmiris voting for National Conference is also not a religious vote. Remember the National Conference has representation in all regions and it draws leaders and cadres from all religions and is a known secular party.
When people in north Kashmir voted for Rashid in the parliamentary elections, his son had generated a wave of sympathy for his incarcerated father, who had served as MLA. It was a symbolic and sympathetic vote. Out of jail, Rashid was like any other leader. It did not help that Rashid was projected as a BJP mole during the latest campaign.
Rashid himself might be surprised that while a large number of people came to his rallies where he was narrating his stories from Tihar, it didn’t translate into votes. In these elections, Kashmiris turned up in large numbers for all rallies; from Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari to independent candidate Usmaan Majid, all drew substantial crowds. However, voters ultimately favoured the National Conference.
The people of Kashmir have carried a heavy burden for many years now. In their silence, they hoped to lighten this load by transferring responsibility to someone.
It seems they found Rashid’s shoulders too weak to carry the burden of addressing critical issues like Article 370, the restoration of statehood, unemployment, fears of demographic change, and concerns about land and identity. Now, after the elections, Kashmiris are seen watching international cricket matches at the Bakshi Stadium, cheering for Chris Gayle. They feel a sense of relief, believing it is now Omar Abdullah's responsibility to tackle all other issues. The burden on Omar Abdullah is no small one.
Source:outlookindia.com
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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/did-kashmirs-islamist-voters-turn-secular-nationalistsin-three-months
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Scottish Mosque Target Of Online Misinformation Claiming “Everyone” Is “Forced To Listen” To An Islamic Call To Prayer
At the time of writing, the video had been viewed more than 1.6 million times (Image: Web)
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14th October
By Laura Pollock
A MOSQUE in Edinburgh has been the target of misinformation online with a video going viral claiming “everyone” in Scotland is “forced to listen” to an Islamic call to prayer.
A video was posted on Twitter/X of the Edinburgh Central Mosque, found on Potterrow, which had been dubbed over by an audio file of an Islamic call to prayer. An account called RadioGenoa shared the video to its 1 million followers in early October.
The anonymous page, which shares racist content targeting minority groups, wrote: "In Edinburgh, Scotland, everyone is forced to listen to Islamic call to prayer. This is violence."
At the time of writing, the video had been viewed more than 1.6m times.
Several users on the platform questioned the videos authenticity, however many believed it to be true.
One person wrote, “This is really happening?? I can’t believe it!!”, and others called for the mosque to be “torn down”. The mosque was established in 1998 and is a registered charity.
Scots came to the mosque’s defence, debunking the fake video and recommending the Mosque Kitchen, an Indian and Middle Eastern restaurant, which operates in the building.
The chair of Welfare Scotland Rob McDowall said the “doctored video” only intended to “perpetuate hatred and scorn directed towards Muslims”.
He added: “This is the type of bullsh*t this app perpetuates when it boosts these posts across the platform. There is no loud call to prayer broadcast from this mosque.”
Twitter/X user Cameron Wilson replied to the video: “Bullsh*t, I worked in the area for years and never once heard anything.
“What I did hear was the free food they provided for any religion at this mosque was great and the Mosque Kitchen is incredible. Stop taking news about Scotland from people who have never stepped foot here.”
SNP councillor Finlay MacFarlane also said: “As an alternative to this racist sh*te - why not try out the Mosque Kitchen? Amazing value and increeeedible food!”
Another user posted: “They shouldn’t be able to just tweet out this total lie to a million followers that is right next door to where I went to uni and not once have I ever heard that, it's been dubbed over the video.”
Source:thenational.scot
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https://www.thenational.scot/news/24650911.scottish-mosque-target-online-misinformation-twitter-x/
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‘Humanitarian Disasters’ In Gaza Must End, China Tells Israeli Authorities
The grandmother of Palestinian boy Yaman Al-Zaanin, who lost his life in an Israeli strike on a school-turned shelter, reacts at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. (Reuters)
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October 14, 2024
BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday told his Israeli counterpart that “humanitarian disasters” in Gaza should end, state media said.
“Humanitarian disasters in Gaza should not continue and ... countering violence with violence cannot truly address the legitimate concerns of all parties,” Wang told Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz during a phone call, the Xinhua news agency said.
“The Chinese side believes that renewed conflict and turmoil in the region serves the interests of no one,” Wang added.
Beijing also “hopes that all parties will act cautiously to avoid falling into a vicious circle amid tension between Israel and Iran,” Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.
He called for “immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.”
The war in Gaza has killed, according to the Health Ministry in the territory, 42,289 people, the majority civilians.
The UN has described the figures as reliable.
Polio has re-emerged in besieged Gaza for the first time in 25 years as a result of the war, which has left most medical facilities and the sewage system in ruins.
A second round of a campaign to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza against polio began on Monday as Israeli forces continued deadly operations in parts of the Palestinian territory.
“Today is the first day of the (second round of the polio) campaign, and there is a good turnout because the vaccination convinces people,” said Abu Saleel, an employee of the Gaza Health Ministry, at a medical center in the central city of Deir Al-Balah.
Behind him, health workers administered the vaccine to dozens of children who had come with their families.
The UN agencies for health and children said they were aiming to provide follow-up doses to some 591,700 children under the age of 10 across Gaza in this round of vaccination.
This follows a first round of vaccination implemented from Sept. 1 to 12, hailed as a success by aid agencies.
The latest drive comes amid an escalation of Israeli military operations in central and northern areas of Gaza in recent days, which have already killed and wounded hundreds, according to the Gaza Civil Defense Agency.
The Israeli military has issued a string of evacuation orders there since it began operations on Oct. 6 aimed at preventing Hamas militants from regrouping.
UN investigators last week accused Israel of deliberately targeting health facilities and killing and torturing medical personnel in Gaza — prompting fierce criticism from Israel.
Gaza’s sewage system has also been largely destroyed, and human waste, which spreads the polio virus, often collects in the open near dense population areas.
More than 1,000 health workers were mobilized for the new vaccination campaign on Monday, according to the UN Agency for Supporting Palestinian Refugees, also known as UNRWA.
During the first campaign, aid agencies and Israeli authorities negotiated humanitarian pauses during periods when health centers were administering the doses to children.
But on Monday, it was unclear whether such an initiative was in place for the second round of vaccinations.
COGAT, the Israeli military body supervising civilian affairs in Palestinian territories, confirmed that the second round had begun on Monday but did not specify whether a humanitarian pause was planned.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2575278/middle-east
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Son Of Top Islamic Cleric Allegedly Raped And Sexually Assaulted 18 Girls In A School
Dormitory
The An-Nikmah Al Islamiyah Institute in Phnom Penh. (Photo: Khmer Times)
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October 15, 2024
Police are investigating allegations that the son of Cambodia’s top Islamic cleric had raped and sexually assaulted 18 girls in a school dormitory after complaints were lodged online by students which prompted NGOs to reach out.
At least one girl is reportedly pregnant, while others have refused to attend the An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Institute in Phnom Penh, where the dormitory manager and son of Sos Kamri allegedly physically abused six female students and sexually harassed 12 others.
Sok Kamri, director of the Supreme Islamic Centre, defended his son, Sos Haimi, saying he had denied any wrongdoing and claimed rumours of such behaviour were false.
But he supported the investigation into the allegations in pursuit of ensuring justice for the victims.
“I have seen rumours and distribution on social media about the case of girl students being abused at Anniek Mak Phnom Penh, involving my son, Suhaimei, the administrator of the Girls' Boarding School [sic],” he wrote on his Facebook account.
“After receiving this news, I questioned my son several times for the truth and he denied, he didn't act like the rumors [sic]. I support finding the truth to give justice to the victims,” he wrote.
Officials have said the matter is under investigation but declined to comment further, while the An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Institute has issued a statement saying Sos Haimi had been removed from his position after female students complained about abusive language and behaviour.
In a statement, school management said it deeply regretted the incident while urging authorities to investigate.
It also requested action against those spreading false information that could damage the reputation of individuals and the school.
It asked the public not to share articles or images that could lead to misunderstandings and social insecurity, adding that most students were continuing their studies as usual and that only a small number had made a request to remain at home.
“We will publicly release the results when the investigation has been completed,” interior ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak told the online news portal, Cambodianess.
“Some said we are silent regarding this case, but please believe in us as we are working on it.”
Phnom Penh Municipal Police chief Chuon Narin told the Camboja News that his department is working with the anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection unit regarding the matter.
The investigations followed an Oct. 10 complaint by Som Mengly of a scandal involving sexual abuse on a Facebook account which has since been deactivated. The post went viral and a day later Mam Somaly, president of AFESIP Cambodia, urged students to speak out.
AFESIP (acting for women in distressing situations) is an NGO focusing on sexual exploitation and the raping of girls and women. Mam Somaly said she would help the victims find justice, adding: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid my child.”
Source:ucanews.com
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https://www.ucanews.com/news/sexual-abuse-allegations-leveled-at-cambodian-islamic-school/106710
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Create ‘Safe Zone Guaranteed By The UN’ For The Displaced People In Rakhine: Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus
aa.co/File Photo
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Oct 15, 2024
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has proposed creating a "safe zone guaranteed by the UN" for the displaced people in Myanmar's Rakhine State and finding ways to support them.
"This will be the best way to get aid to them," he said when Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur of the UN on the situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, called on the chief adviser at his Tejgaon office yesterday.
Professor Yunus said it could be a "good beginning" to resolving the crisis in Rakhine and that it can prevent thousands of new refugees from entering Bangladesh, according to a statement by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
Andrews said at least 3.1 million people have been displaced in Myanmar, including hundreds of thousands in Rakhine State, where insurgent groups have been fighting against the Myanmar military for years.
He said in recent weeks some 30,000 Rohingyas have fled their homes in Rakhine and entered Bangladesh, which is already hosting more than a million Rohingya people in camps in the country's southeastern coastal district, Cox's Bazar.
Special Rapporteur Andrews appreciated the chief adviser for his three-point proposals on the Rohingya crisis, which were floated on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York last month.
He said the violence in Rakhine state has created an "enormous crisis" in the state, and humanitarian aid is urgently needed for the displaced and starving people, including that of Rohingyas.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus suggested talks with the international community, including ASEAN, over the violence and displaced people in Rakhine.
He also sought support from the Special Rapporteur to expedite the resettlement of thousands of Rohingya refugees to a third country.
The investigations of the International Crimes Tribunal into the atrocities committed against the Rohingya in 2017 and the recent student-led revolution in Bangladesh were also discussed during the meeting.
YUNUS SEEKS MORE TURKISH INVESTMENT
Prof Yunus called for increased Turkish investment in Bangladesh, asserting that the country is now "ready for business" and urging both nations to fully explore the potential of their bilateral ties.
"We should give a big effort," Yunus remarked during a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ramis Sen, at the chief adviser's office in Tejgaon yesterday.
Discussions between the two leaders touched on strengthening cooperation in trade, economy, and defence, as well as addressing the Rohingya crisis and enhancing student exchange programs between the two nations.
Prof Yunus lauded Turkey's humanitarian response to the recent floods in Bangladesh and its ongoing support for Rohingya refugees in the southeast of the country. He also acknowledged the recent visit of a Turkish official delegation aimed at boosting trade and business relations.
In return, the Turkish envoy expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for its solidarity with Turkey during last year's earthquake, when the country sent around 10,000 tents for the victims.
Ramis Sen conveyed an invitation from Ankara for Bangladesh to participate in the upcoming World Halal Summit and a ministerial-level meeting in Istanbul. He also said the presence of a Turkish delegation currently in Bangladesh to explore new business opportunities and support the interim government's reform initiatives.
Another Turkish team, according to the ambassador, had earlier provided humanitarian aid to flood-affected regions in Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Cumilla during recent floods in southeast Bangladesh.
The Turkish envoy further noted that bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at $1.1 billion but stressed there is significant potential for expanding exports from both sides. He stressed the importance of a high-level business delegation visiting Turkey to engage with Turkish business leaders and officials.
The Turkish trade minister is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in December, he added.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www. thedailystar.net /news/bangladesh/news/create-safe-zone-the-displaced-people-rakhine-3727241
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India
Halting Funding For Madrasas Move To Alienate And Marginalise Muslims: CPI
Oct 13, 2024,
T'puram: CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the suggestion to close madrasas will increase Muslim marginalisation. The recommendation by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to halt govt funding for madrasas is part of an agenda to alienate and marginalise Muslims, he added.
The commission is going ahead by following an ideology that declares minority religious groups as enemies of the state. The directive given to state govts on Oct 11 is under the guise of the Child Rights Protection Act 2005.
"History teaches us that fascists worldwide achieve their sinister goals by disguising them under progressive democratic systems," said Viswam.
Across the country, there is a lack of facilities for ordinary children to obtain primary education, both before and after the passing of the Right to Education Act. Therefore, a system emerged where religious educational institutions also provided secular education with govt funding. Today, the NCPCR is misinterpreting this to further communalisation, he said.
Senior Congress functionary Ramesh Chennithala said the NCPCR's recommendation to close madrasas violates the fundamental rights endorsed by the Constitution which grants minorities the right to religious education. The commission is attempting to violate Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, he said.
"Children studying in madrasas also attend regular schools in most states, including Kerala. In this context, demanding formal educational environments in madrasas is impractical. There should be a system to allow those interested in religious education to pursue it alongside formal education. The right to religious education is also guaranteed by the Constitution," Chennithala said.
Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the move against madrasas is dangerous. "Children receive spiritual education from madrasas. Many foolishly say it is religious education. What is taught in Sunday school is not Christianity but the Bible. Anything that needs to be taught should be taught at a young age," he said.
The term ‘religious study class' is incorrect. It should be changed to ‘spiritual study' for all groups, he said.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/cpi-calls-out-ncpcrs-move-to-halt-madrasa-funding-as-marginalization-of-muslims/articleshow/114192603.cms
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Supreme Court refuses to take up plea against L-G’s nomination of 5 J&K MLAs
October 14, 2024
The Supreme Court Monday declined to entertain a plea against the Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor’s expected nomination of five members to the Assembly and asked the petitioner to approach the High Court.
“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India and give liberty to the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional High Court by way of writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India,” said a two-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
The court clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the issue.
The amended Section 15 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, gives the L-G power to nominate two women, two Kashmiri Pandits, and a resident of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) to the 95-member J&K Assembly, 90 of whom are elected.
Appearing for the petitioner Ravinder Kumar Sharma, Senior Advocate A M Singhvi told the bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, that allowing the L-G to nominate the five members would effectively give the Opposition 47 seats, against the 48 seats secured by the National Conference-Congress alliance.
“It’s a basic structure issue. When you have this system of nominating beyond 90… what happens… 48 is my alliance. That’s three above the majority. The total of all the others is 42… If you nominate five… you become 47 and I become 48. You have to only get one more person. You can nullify the elected mandate… a Central government nomination means the person who has won the election can be negated…this is outside of 90,” Singhvi submitted.
He said: “Suppose this five becomes ten tomorrow, by way of an amendment?”
Justice Khanna, however, said that the nominations had not happened yet. He said the petitioner should first approach the J&K High Court.
“If they do something, if the High Court does not give you stay, you can move over here…” said Justice Khanna.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-refuses-to-take-up-plea-against-nomination-of-5-jk-mlas-9620011/
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SC dismisses plea by Azam Khan’s Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust against lease termination: ‘clear case of misuse of office’
by Ananthakrishnan G
October 15, 2024
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, founded by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, challenging the Uttar Pradesh Government’s decision to cancel the lease of government land.
While rejecting the appeal filed by the Trust, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said, “While reading the judgment, it appears that your client was actually the Cabinet minister in charge of the Ministry of Urban Development and he was the minister for Minority Welfare. He got the land allotted to a family trust of which he is the life chairperson. And, the lease initially was in favour of a government institution. That is tagged to a private trust. How can a lease which was for a government institution be given to a private trust?”.
“We do not find any infirmity in the judgement and order of the High Court of judicature at Allahabad dated March 18, 2024. The Special Leave Petition is dismissed,” ordered the bench also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The Trust had challenged the Allahabad High Court order dismissing its plea against the UP Government’s March 31, 2023, decision cancelling the lease.
Appearing for the Trust, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said he is “not disputing any of these” and “there is only one issue that I want to raise”. “The issue is that if they had given me notice and given me reasons, I could have responded because ultimately the matter went to the cabinet. The chief minister took the decision. It is not just that I took the decision. The matter went to the Cabinet. There was a resolution passed by the Cabinet,” said Sibal.
Sibal said, “Notice given in 2019, no reasons given, none whatsoever. And they cancelled in 2023. No reasons given. And the court now supplies all the reasons”.
But the bench did not relent. “Clear case of misuse of the office… Actually, initially, when I started reading, I said, alright, look at the notice, were you given an opportunity? But when you read these facts, what else…,” remarked CJI Chandrachud.
Sibal said that if the allotment was malafide, so was the cancellation. He added, “We were charging Rs 20 fee for 5 per cent of the children.” The senior counsel submitted, “Exams (in the institution) were on March 18 and they took possession on March 14. It’s a not-for-profit organisation… 300 students don’t have a school to go to”.
However, CJI Chandrachud said he had consulted both his colleagues and added, “The facts here are gross”.
Sibal asked, “What about the 300 students who do not have a school to go to?” and urged the court to “at least tell the government to adjust them”. Agreeing to the request, the Supreme Court bench asked the UP Government to look into the matter.
“Responding to the plea of the senior counsel that about 300 students are studying in the school who have not been admitted to any other alternate school, we request the Secretary in the Department of School Education or as the case may be the competent authority of the State of Uttar Pradesh, to look into the above grievance and to ensure that no child is denied admission to a suitable educational institution,” the bench added in the order.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-dismisses-plea-by-azam-khans-maulana-mohammad-ali-jauhar-trust-against-lease-termination-9619638/
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Jammu and Kashmir: October 16 oath date for chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah
Muzaffar Raina
15.10.24
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday invited Jammu and Kashmir chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah to form and lead the government on Wednesday, paving the way for the first civilian dispensation in the Union Territory in six years.
The development came a day after President Droupadi Murmu revoked central rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Was pleased to receive the Principal Secretary to LG Manoj Sinha ji. He handed over a letter from the @OfficeOfLGJandK inviting me to form the next government in J&K,” National Conference leader Omar wrote on X, sharing the letter.
The letter by Sinha said he was pleased to invite Omar to “form and lead the government of Jammu and Kashmir”.
“As separately settled, I shall administer oath of office and secrecy to you and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your council of ministers at SKICC, Srinagar, on October 16, 2024, at 11.30am,” it reads.
The LG’s letter saidOmar enjoyed the support of the Congress, CPM,Aam Aadmi Party and fiveIndependent legislators.
On Sunday, the President’s notification put an end to the second longest spell of central rule, lasting six years and four months between June 20, 2018, and October 13, 2024, in Jammu and Kashmir.
The erstwhile state was placed under governor’s rule in 2018 after the BJP withdrew support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led government. The special status enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir under the now-scrapped Article 370 required the imposition of six months’ governor’s rule, followed by President’s rule.
Jammu and Kashmir is no stranger to central rule. It has been imposed eight times in the last four decades alone. The longest stint lasted for six years and nine months between January 19, 1990, and October 19, 1996, marked by the worst phase of militancy here.
The decision to revoke President’s rule came two days after Omar met lieutenant governor Sinha on Friday evening and handed him support letters. Officials here said Sinha immediately recommended to the central government that President’s rule be lifted.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-october-16-oath-date-for-chief-minister-designate-omar-abdullah/cid/2055504
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To Woo Muslims Ahead Of Bypolls, RLD Plans Minority Convention In Muz’nagar
Oct 15, 2024,
Lucknow: The Jayant Chaudhary-led RLD, an ally of the BJP, plans to organise a grand minority convention in Muzaffarnagar, the district that was rocked by communal riots in 2013 that brought Muslims into abrasive terms with Jats, Gurjars, and Dalits.
The convention is proposed to be organised in the bypoll-bound Meerapur constituency, amid broad indications that the BJP may spare the seat for RLD, which won it in the 2022 assembly polls. The seat was won by SP-backed RLD candidate Chandan Chauhan, whose election to the Lok Sabha from Bijnor necessitated a bypoll.
RLD minority wing state general secretary (organisation) Aatir Rizvi said the objective of the convention, expected to be convened soon after the announcement of the election notification, would be to consolidate the Muslim community, which was otherwise being discreetly swayed by the opposition's propaganda. He said the convention would be addressed by Jayant and other senior leaders.
Political experts said by organising this convention, RLD may well be aiming at building bridges with the Muslim community while consolidating its broader support base, possibly making a concerted effort to bring together Jats, Gurjars, Dalits, and Muslims, especially after the 2013 riots strained these relations.
RLD plans to organise a similar convention on Oct 20 in Etah, where SP's Devesh Shakya defeated BJP's sitting MP Rajeev Singh, the son of former CM Kalyan Singh, in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.
Meerapur has around 30% Muslim, a perceptibly large voting bloc, which can swing the electoral fortunes of any political outfit.
In 2022, when RLD was an ally of SP, Chauhan defeated BJP's Prashant Chaudhary by a margin of around 27,000 votes. This was not the case in 2017 when the seat was won by BJP's Avtar Singh Bhadana by a wafer-thin margin of 193 votes.
Bhadana then defeated SP's Liyakat Ali, even as RLD candidate Mithilesh Pal (the party was not a part of any alliance) cornered over 22,700 votes.
The RLD then contested 277 assembly seats but managed to win only Chhaprauli, from where party candidate Sahendra Singh Ramala emerged victorious. He too later switched over to BJP, leaving the RLD in a quagmire.
Maintaining that Muslims were the core vote bank of the RLD, Rizvi said the party believed in cobbling up "all castes and communities" into one larger bloc.
"There has been no change in our strategy while addressing our key electoral constituents," he said.
The RLD chief has been holding 'sadbhavana sammellan' (communal harmony conventions) in the communally sensitive west UP region. The campaign was given a booster dose just ahead of the 2022 assembly elections when RLD forged an alliance with the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party. RLD, however, snapped its alliance with SP and became part of NDA after PM Narendra Modi announced Bharat Ratna for Jayant's grandfather and former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Rizvi said the party was working in close coordination with the BJP. At the same time, the party has deputed UP minister and MLA from Purkazi (Muzaffarnagar) Anil Kumar in Meerapur to consolidate the party's position in the constituency.
Source:indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/rld-targets-muslim-voters-with-minority-convention-in-muzaffarnagar-ahead-of-bypolls/articleshowprint/114227619.cms
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Opposition MPs boycott Waqf committee meeting over allegations against Mallikarjun Kharge
14.10.24
Several Opposition MPs on Monday boycotted a meeting of the parliamentary committee examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill alleging that the panel is not functioning in accordance with rules, after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was accused by a deposer of being involved in Waqf land scams.
The lengthy meetings of the Joint Committee of Parliament have been marked by the exchange of heated words between its BJP and Opposition members, and things turned especially stormy on Monday as the latter questioned the rationale behind calling members of Hindu groups for deposition on a law concerning Muslims.
Opposition MPs walked out in protest against the submission of Anwar Manippady, a former chairman of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation. He is also a former Karnataka BJP vice-president.
Manippady named several Congress leaders from Karnataka, including Kharge and Rehman Khan, and others for their alleged involvement in embezzling Waqf properties.
The opposition MPs cited rules regulating the parliamentary committees' proceedings to claim that "unproven allegations" against "high dignitaries" cannot be made at the meetings of these panels. Manippady, they said, also made an appeal to Muslims not to oppose the Bill, which too was out of line.
An opposition MP said allegations cannot be levelled against someone who is not there to defend himself.
The chairperson of the committee, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagdambika Pal, however, overruled their objections and allowed the deposition to continue.
A BJP member said the deposition was relevant to the Bill as Manippady's claims pertained to Waqf properties.
Opposition MPs, including Gaurav Gogoi and Imran Masood of the Congress, A Raja of the DMK, Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, Samajwadi Party's Mohibbullah and Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, stormed out of the meeting and expressed strong sentiments against its proceedings.
The committee is not functioning in accordance with rules and regulations, Sawant told reporters.
The opposition members held a separate meeting later to decide their next course of action. They are expected to write to the Lok Sabha speaker on Tuesday over the panel's functioning.
The committee had called several organisations and activists associated with Hindu causes for deposition, a move that drew protest from the opposition members. They raised objections to Hindu organisations being called to express their views, contending that they have no say in Waqf issues, which concern Muslims.
Sources in the ruling BJP, however, said these organisations and activists have been raising the issue of how the Waqf law impacts non-Muslim properties, including those belonging to temples. They must have a say when the committee has decided to hold such an extensive consultation, they added.
The sources said Owaisi has written to Pal over the invitation sent to Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, alleging that these organisations follow extremist ideologies. These organisations' stated goal is to install a "Hindu rashtra" and they have openly "pursued violent means and made calls for insurrectionary activities against the Union of India," the Hyderabad MP has alleged in his letter to Pal.
Others called for deposition by the committee included lawyers Vishnu Shankar Jain and Ashwini Upadhyay and "Mahant" Sudhirdas Maharaj of the Kalaram temple in Maharashtra's Nashik.
Mehmood Madani of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also appeared before the committee. His organisation has been opposed to the proposed amendments in the Waqf Bill.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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Europe
Far-RightDanish-Swedish Leader, Rasmus Paludan, Who Burned Copies Of Qur’an Goes On Trial In Sweden
14 October 2024
A far-right Danish-Swedish politician who burned copies of the Qur’an in Sweden has gone on trial charged with incitement against an ethnic group.
Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the Danish political party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), is the first person to go on trial in Sweden in relation to Qur’an burnings.
He refused to attend Malmö district court as proceedings began on Monday, saying his life would be in danger if he went to the southern Swedish city. Instead, he appeared by video link from an undisclosed location in Sweden.
Paludan, 42, is charged with two counts of incitement against an ethnic group and one count of insult in relation to gatherings held in Sweden in 2022.
In April of that year, Paludan held a public meeting that was followed by riots in Swedish cities including Malmö, Landskrona, Linköping and Örebro during the Easter weekend. At the meeting he made several statements that the prosecutor alleges were incitement against an ethnic group.
At another meeting, in September 2022, Paludan is accused of racially motivated verbal attacks on “Arabs and Africans”. For this he is charged with insult, a crime that under Swedish law is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to six months. Paludan denies all the charges.
Taking the stand remotely, Paludan said: “I am a critic of Islam and criticise Islam. Not Muslims.” He added: “I want to criticise ideas not people.”
In the summer of 2023 a string of Qur’an burning protests in Sweden, including outside parliament, prompted domestic debate over Sweden’s exceptionally liberal freedom of expression laws. It also led to a diplomatic row between Sweden and Muslim countries.
Paludan’s burning of the Qur’an outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm in January 2023 is widely thought to have slowed Sweden’s passage to Nato membership.
Vilhelm Persson, a law professor at Lund University, said Paludan’s trial had “a fundamental significance” in that it was the first case to be tried in connection to burning of the Qur’an. But he said the fact that the trial was being heard in a district court meant it had limitations. In order for it to set legal precedent, it would need to be heard in the Swedish supreme court.
The prosecutor’s office said on Monday: “Today, October 14, the main hearing starts in Malmö district court in the case where a 42-year-old man has been charged with two counts of incitement against an ethnic group and an insult. The events took place in April and September 2022 in Malmö.”
The senior prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg said in August: “My assessment is that there are sufficient reasons to bring charges and now the district court will hear the case.”
Source:yahoo.com
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/far-leader-burned-copies-qur-135554546.html
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We attach special importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan, says Chairman of Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly
14.10.2024
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Chairman of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, expressed his country’s interest in enhancing ties with Azerbaijan, saying that the country attaches special importance to these relations as he met with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, in Geneva, Switzerland.
He urged to make an extensive use of opportunities for economic cooperation, transport, and regional communication, pointing out the importance of cooperation in the 3+3 format.
The Azerbaijani parliamentary speaker emphasized that both countries and peoples share common historical, cultural and religious values, highlighting the development of relations across various domains.
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said Azerbaijan places great emphasis on ensuring peace, security and cooperation in the region, with the country pursuing a peaceful policy.
The sides noted the fruitful bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ legislative authorities within several international parliamentary organizations.
The discussions also revolved around the Parliamentary Conference to be held on the margins of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan this November. The sides also stressed the significance of the parliamentary collaboration in multilateral platforms with respect to climate change.
During the conversation, the two also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
Source:azertag.az
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https://azertag.az/en/xeber/we_attach_special_importance_to_cooperation_with_azerbaijan_says_chairman_of_iranian_islamic_consultative_assembly-3228710
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Preston primary ‘will not become a Muslim school’ after academy conversion
By Paul Faulkner
14th Oct 2024,
An education charity set to take over a primary school in Preston has moved to quash any suggestion it will become a faith-based institution in the wake of the change.
It emerged last week that Eldon Primary School is poised to join the Star Academies chain, which has a number of Muslim faith schools - including two in Preston - amongst the almost 40 facilities it runs across England.
The Lancashire Post understands that unsubstantiated rumours had since begun to swirl amongst parents that the Plungington school would also now shift to adopt a Muslim ethos - with some families even enquiring at other schools about the availability of places for their children.
However, the Blackburn-based academy group has now confirmed that Eldon will join its “network of non-faith community schools”. When it comes to religious education (RE), that means it will continue to operate in the same way it does currently as a local authority-run school - having no particular religious character, but giving its pupils a broad overview of the main religions in the UK.
A letter to parents and guardians from the now former chair of governors at the school - announcing its conversion to an academy following an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating - included a section titled: “Muslim-faith based academy trust to take over Eldon”.
Abu Patel highlighted Star Academies’ two existing Preston schools - the primary-aged Olive School and the secondary Eden Boys' School, both of which are run as Muslim faith establishments.
More than half of Eldon’s 250 pupils are from an ethnic minority or migrant heritage, the Post has been told by a source with knowledge of the make-up of the school.
Faith schools are allowed to select pupils on the basis of their religion, although anyone can apply for a place - and both of the Star facilities in Preston say they welcome applications from families of “all faiths and none”, in any case.
A spokesperson for Star Academies told the Post: “The Department for Education has identified Star Academies’ community school division as its preferred sponsor for Eldon Primary School.
“Once approved, the school will join Star’s national network of non-faith community schools – a strong family of schools which are committed to educational excellence, character development and community service.”
RE in local authority-run schools without a religious character and non-faith-based academies - as Eldon is about to become - must “reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain”, according to education legislation.
There is no national curriculum for RE, with each local area having its own ‘standing advisory council on religion education’ to determine exactly what is taught in council-controlled schools. .
Non-faith academies can choose to adopt the locally-set syllabus or develop one of their own - provided it meets the requirements laid down in law about the type of religious education that must be offered.
Lancashire County Council, which is currently responsible for Eldon Primary, was also approached for comment.
Source:lep.co.ukv
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https://www.lep.co.uk/education/preston-primary-will-not-become-a-muslim-school-after-academy-conversion-4823235
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Teenager who livestreamed mosque attack detained
14/10/2024
A man who livestreamed and yelled encouragement to a gang intent on attacking a mosque during a night of disorder has been detained for 15 months.
Brandon Welch, 18, shouted racial slurs as he filmed the violence in Darlington on 5 August, Teesside Crown Court heard.
He was part of a group of 30 white men clashing with about 60 Asian men in the Gladstone Street area, the court heard.
Welch, of Warkworth Way in Darlington, admitted violent disorder.
Prosecutor Rachel Masters said a social media post had been circulating during the day, encouraging anti-immigration protestors to gather in the area that night.
At about 21:30 BST, violence between the large groups broke out, with Durham Police officers attacked with missiles while trying to calm the situation and keep the groups apart.
Ms Masters said the white men were attempting to get to a mosque on North Lodge Terrace, but the Asian men were stopping them.
Welch livestreamed events on TikTok and, in between asking people to follow his account, shouted racial slurs at the opposing group, the court heard.
He also yelled support for the English Defence League (EDL) as well phrases including "go on lads" and "let the town burn", Ms Masters said.
'Serious violence'
Welch went on to shout abuse at police officers and encouraged a group to attack a car, with all of his activity captured on his own livestream, the court heard.
In a statement read to the court, Durham Police Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said the disorder had caused devastation to the community and cost the force more than £200,000.
In mitigation, John Nixon said Welsh knew he had acted in an "appalling way" and caused "great fear", but he was genuinely remorseful.
Judge Francis Laird KC said Welch's group were chanting "racist and far-right slogans" and carried out "serious acts of violence".
He said Welch was at the "forefront" of the disorder which had caused public outrage.
The judge said the attack was racially aggravated but mitigation for Welsh included his young age, immaturity, "chaotic home life" and previous good character.
Source:bbc.com
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Mideast
Funeral service held in Iraq for Iranian general killed with Hezbollah chief
October 15, 2024
KARBALA, Iraq: The funeral procession for Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforoushan, who was killed in an Israeli air strike alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, began in Iraq on Monday, an AFP photographer saw.
Nilforoushan, a top commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force foreign operations arm, was killed on September 27 alongside Nasrallah in the strike on south Beirut.
The Guard Corps said on Friday that Nilforoushan’s body had been recovered from the site of the strike on the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.
His body was taken from Beirut to the central Iraqi city of Karbala, considered holy by Shia Muslims.
There it was taken to the shrine of Imam Husayn where a representative of Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, led funeral prayers before a massive crowd.
Mourners chanted “death to Israel” and brandished the flags of Iran, Hezbollah and the Iraqi Shia Kataib Hezbollah armed group.
The funeral cortege then moved on to the nearby Al-Abbas shrine before leaving for another Shia holy city, Najaf.
Nilforoushan’s body is due to be sent to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad, according to Sepah news agency, which is affiliated to the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Another funeral ceremony is due to take place in Tehran’s Imam Hossein Square on Tuesday, while Nilforoushan then will be buried in his home town of Isfahan in central Iran, Sepah said.
On October 1, Iran fired some 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killings of Nasrallah, Nilforoushan and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in late July.
Israel said it carried out the Beirut strike but did not comment on Haniyeh’s death in Tehran, where he had attended the inauguration of the Islamic republic’s new president.
Israel has vowed to retaliate for the Iranian missile attack, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant saying the response would be “deadly, precise, and surprising.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2575299/middle-east
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Netanyahu vows no mercy after deadly Hezbollah drone strike
October 14, 2024
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday vowed to hit Hezbollah without mercy, a day after the Iran-backed Lebanese group’s deadliest strike on Israel since the start of the war in late September.
Hezbollah’s drone attack on an Israeli base killed four soldiers on Sunday, while volunteer rescuers said another 60 people were injured.
“We will continue to mercilessly strike Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon — including Beirut,” Netanyahu said on a visit to the base near Binyamina, south of Haifa.
Hezbollah said it launched the “squadron of attack drones” in response to Israeli attacks, including one last week that Lebanon’s health ministry said killed at least 22 people in central Beirut.
Since Israel on September 23 escalated its bombing against targets in Lebanon the war has killed at least 1,315 people, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, though the real toll is likely to be higher.
Prior to Netanyahu’s comments, new air strikes had already occurred against targets around Lebanon, including one in a northern Christian-majority village which killed at least 21 people on Monday, according to the health ministry.
Hezbollah said on Monday around midday that it had launched rockets at a naval base near Haifa before a further “big rocket salvo” in the early evening at the northern Israeli town of Safed.
Its fighters were also “engaged in violent clashes” in the Lebanese frontier village of Aita Al-Shaab, and were fighting elsewhere as well, it said.
Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel in the early evening, including in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv, the military said, after it earlier reported the interception of two drones approaching from Syria.
After almost a year of tit-for-tat exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli forces over the Lebanon border, Israel intensified its strikes against targets in Lebanon late last month before sending ground troops across the frontier.
Israel wants to push back Hezbollah in order to secure its northern boundary and allow tens of thousands of people displaced by rocket fire since last year to return home safely.
Hezbollah says its strikes are in support of Palestinian militants Hamas who attacked Israel on October 7 last year, triggering the ongoing war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
The International Organization for Migration said last week it had verified 690,000 people displaced by the war in Lebanon.
Israel’s deadly air strike on the village of Aito in northern Lebanon on Monday marked a departure from the usual pattern, being located in a mostly Christian area and far from areas usually bombed.
Israel has focused its firepower mostly on Hezbollah strongholds in Shiite Muslim-majority areas, including in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
An AFP photographer in Aito said the strike levelled a residential building. Body parts were scattered in the rubble.
In the southern border town of Marjayoun, civil defense chief Anis Abla told AFP his rescue teams were exhausted.
“Our rescue missions are becoming more and more difficult, because the strikes are never-ending and target us,” he said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross’s regional director, Nicolas Von Arx, appealed for the protection of ambulances and other health facilities and personnel.
“Attacks on health facilities are deeply worrying,” he said.
Israel faced new criticism over injuries and damage sustained by the UN peacekeeping force which has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978 after a previous Israeli invasion.
Netanyahu on Monday said Israel’s military “is doing its utmost to prevent such incidents” and repeated his request that the peacekeepers “get out of harm’s way.”
UNIFIL has refused.
Prime Minister Simon Harris of Ireland, which has troops in the UNIFIL mission, on Monday told Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a phone call that UNIFIL has “a clear mandate from the Security Council, and that it must be allowed to carry out its functions unimpeded,” Harris’s office said.
The Hamas attack on Israel last year which triggered war in Gaza resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
The number includes hostages killed in captivity.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, 42,289 people, the majority civilians. The UN has described the figures as reliable.
Since the Gaza war began hundreds of Palestinians have also been killed in the occupied West Bank. On Monday Palestinian officials said Israeli forces killed two more during a raid. Israel said it was “looking into the reports.”
In Gaza, despite escalating Israeli military operations in central and northern areas, the second round of a polio vaccination campaign for hundreds of thousands of children began on Monday.
With the war there, and in Lebanon, showing no sign of abating, fears of even wider regional conflict have seen Iran, which backs Hezbollah and Hamas, engage in diplomatic efforts with allies and other powers.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met a senior official from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement in Oman, his latest stop on a regional diplomatic tour.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned of “a regional war that will be costly for everyone,” during a meeting with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday.
Israel is still weighing its response to an October 1 missile attack by Iran, the latest of two it has carried out against Israel this year.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2575289/middle-east
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Islamic Jihad: Beach Massacre Proves Zionist Enmity To Humanity
14 Oct 2024
Gaza - Saba:
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine has condemned the Israeli army's recent massacre against children under ten, noting that "it is evidence of the Zionist entity's enmity to humanity."
The movement said the international community's disregard for these violations has allowed the Nazi entity to confront UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon and threaten UNRWA.
The movement claims the failure of international institutions and American pressures allow the Zionist entity more time to carry out ethnic cleansing.
Source:saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3383614.htm
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Iran condemns EU, UK sanctions on Tehran, denies providing ballistic missiles to Russia
October 15, 2024
TEHRAN: Iran condemned new EU and British sanctions on Tehran and denied providing ballistic missiles to Russia, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, said in a post on X on Tuesday.
The European Union agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on seven people and seven organizations, including airline Iran Air, for their links to Iranian transfers of ballistic missiles to Russia.
The listings also include Saha Airlines and Mahan Air and Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari.
At the same time, Britain added nine new designations under its Iran sanctions regime.
Last month, the United States, citing intelligence it said had been shared with allies, said Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran for its war in Ukraine.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson denied on Tuesday his country provided ballistic missiles to Russia.
“Some European countries and the UK have unfortunately claimed without evidence that Iran has militarily intervened in this conflict which is totally refuted,” Baghaei said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Baghaei condemned the fresh sanctions saying that imposing new sanctions by the European Union and the UK on Iranian individuals and entities goes against international law.
Also facing sanctions under the EU move are prominent officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and the managing directors of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries and Aerospace Industries Organization.
The sanctions include an asset freeze and a travel ban to the European Union.
Source:arabnews.com
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Israel’s strike on Ain Al-Hilweh camp stirs up grim memories of Lebanon’s Palestinian refugees
ANAN TELLO
October 15, 2024
LONDON: Israel’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon has not left the country’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, Ain Al-Hilweh, unscathed, dredging up grim memories of previous attacks and convulsions of violence in the nation’s camps.
On Oct. 1, an airstrike, which leveled four buildings and killed at least five people, marked the first time Ain Al-Hilweh had been targeted since October last year when cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah began.
The strike was reportedly aimed at the home of Munir Al-Maqdah, a commander in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades — a coalition of armed groups associated with Fatah, one of the major Palestinian political parties. Early reports indicated that Al-Maqdah was not home at the time, and his condition and whereabouts remain unknown.
Located 3 km southeast of the coastal city of Sidon, Ain Al-Hilweh occupies approximately 170 acres, or 688,000 square meters. According to UN figures, it is the most densely populated camp in Lebanon, housing more than 55,000 people as of 2023.
The camp was established by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1948 to shelter refugees, most of whom escaped northern Palestine after the Nakba — the mass displacement of Palestinians following the Arab-Israeli war.
Since its establishment, Ain Al-Hilweh has frequently been a target of Israeli assaults and a battleground for regional rivalries, including between Palestinian factions.
“In a nutshell, Ain Al-Hilweh is the largest camp with an ongoing battle for its control,” Nadim Shehadi, a Lebanese economist and political adviser, told Arab News.
Jasmin Lilian Diab, director of the Institute for Migration Studies at the Lebanese American University, said Ain Al-Hilweh “has long been a focal point for Palestinian resistance.”
She told Arab News: “The camp has evolved into a symbol of Palestinian resilience and resistance, not only against Israeli occupation but also in the broader struggle for Palestinian rights and self-determination.
“The significance of Ain Al-Hilweh lies in its role as a base for various Palestinian political factions and militant groups, including Fatah and others aligned with different political ideologies and resistance.”
In 1974, Israeli jets bombed seven Palestinian camps and villages in south Lebanon, including Ain Al-Hilweh, which suffered the heaviest bombardment. The bombing came in retaliation for an earlier attack by the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine on a school in Maalot, northern Israel.
Less than a decade later, in 1982, during the second invasion of Lebanon, Israel pounded the camp with airstrikes, leaving it almost fully destroyed. The attack took place following an attempt on the life of the Israeli ambassador in London.
Diab said the camp was “a target of Israeli military operations, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, due to its association with the Palestine Liberation Organization and other militant groups that carried out attacks against Israel.
“The camp has also been a staging ground for armed resistance, drawing attention from both Israeli and Lebanese authorities,” she said.
Israel had justified its invasion of Lebanon in the 1980s on the grounds that Palestinian fighters operating near Israel’s northern border needed to be eliminated. However, after conducting its operations in the border region, Israeli troops advanced all the way to Beirut.
In the aftermath of the invasion, Yasser Arafat, the then-leader of the PLO, was forced out of Beirut. Likewise, more than 2,000 Syrian troops pulled out of the capital, having been stationed there since 1976, when President Hafez Assad intervened to prevent the defeat of his Maronite Christian allies in the civil war.
“After the Israeli invasion and the evacuation of Yasser Arafat from Beirut, there was a gradual attempt by pro-Syrian Palestinian factions to take over and get rid of what was left of Fatah and the PLO,” said Shehadi.
“Syria was finishing the job started by Israel of eradicating the PLO and later, it seems that Hezbollah took over that job. The red line between Syria and Israel was at Zahrani just south of Sidon, below which no Syrian presence was tolerated.
“The War of the Camps was part of the (broader) battle for Syrian control (in Lebanon), leading to pro-Syrian factions gaining control north of Saida (Sidon), while Fatah and the PLO sought refuge in camps south of Saida, mainly in Rashidieh and Burj El-Shemali.”
The War of the Camps, which took place from 1985 to 1988 during the Lebanese civil war, was an extension of the political struggle between Syria and the PLO. Syria and its Lebanese ally, the Amal movement, sought to disarm Palestinian camps to prevent another Israeli invasion.
After Israeli forces began a phased withdrawal from Lebanon in February 1985, Amal took over West Beirut that April. Amal then besieged and later attacked the Palestinian camps in Beirut, including Sabra, Shatila, and Burj El-Barajneh.
Amal, supported by the government of President Assad, demanded that Palestinian camps relinquish their weapons and hand over security responsibilities to its ranks.
In 1986, the conflict in Beirut spilled over into Tyre and Sidon, where Amal also besieged the Palestinian refugee camps of Rashidieh, Mieh Mieh, and Ain Al-Hilweh and cut off aid, including food and medicines.
Seeking to pressure Amal to lift the siege on Rashidieh, Palestinian guerrillas attacked and captured the town of Maghdouche, an Amal stronghold close to Ain Al-Hilweh. The fighting intensified between Amal and Palestinian groups despite international calls for a ceasefire.
“Ain Al-Hilweh plays a crucial role in the complex relationship between Israel, Lebanon, and Palestinian factions, as well as in the broader Arab-Israeli conflict,” said Diab of the Institute for Migration Studies.
“The camp has also been implicated in regional rivalries, with different Palestinian and Islamist groups receiving backing from various state and non-state actors, further complicating its internal politics and drawing in regional powers.
“In this sense, Ain Al-Hilweh represents not only a physical space of resistance but also a microcosm of the larger Palestinian struggle for statehood, refugee rights, and regional geopolitical contestations.”
Notorious for its lawlessness, Ain Al-Hilweh was not only the site of conflicts with external parties but also a frequent hotspot for clashes between the various armed factions within the camp. “Over the years, it has been a point for internal conflicts between these factions,” said Diab.
In 1990, Fatah, then led by Arafat, gained control of the camp after three days of fighting with the Abu Nidal Organization, which had split from Fatah in 1974.
After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, which engulfed the Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus, thousands of Palestinians fled to Lebanon, many of them cramming into Ain Al-Hilweh.
By March 2014, more than 52,000 Palestinians displaced from Syria had sought shelter in Lebanon, according to UN figures.
With even more armed groups now residing in the camp, violence returned in 2017, when Palestinian factions and a Daesh-affiliated militant group, Fatah Al-Islam, engaged in fierce clashes.
Violence between the camp’s Fatah fighters and extremists broke out again in July 2023 and continued until September of that year, claiming at least 30 lives, leaving hundreds injured, damaging infrastructure, and forcing thousands to flee.
Palestinian officials had said street battles started after an unknown gunman tried to kill an Islamist militia leader, known as Mahmoud Khalil, but instead killed one of his companions.
On July 30, 2023, a top Fatah commander in the Palestinian National Security Forces, Abu Ashraf Al-Armoushi, and three of his companions were reportedly slain by Islamist militants.
As the fighting in the camp intensified and stray bullets hit residential buildings in Sidon, commandos from the Lebanese Army were deployed near the camp’s entrance.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the clashes and called on “the Palestinian leadership to cooperate with the army to control the security situation and hand over those meddling with security to the Lebanese authorities.”
He also blamed outside forces for their “repeated attempts to use Lebanon” as a battleground for settling scores “at the expense of Lebanon and the Lebanese.”
The violence nevertheless resumed in September, with at least 10 people killed during five days of intense fighting.
Today, as Israel ramps up its assault across Lebanon, residents of the 12 official Palestinian camps in the country fear renewed violence — both from the outside and from within.
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon already experience extreme poverty and face severe restrictions on their movement, employment opportunities, and rights to education and healthcare.
More attacks on the camps, which could trigger fresh bouts of internal turmoil, are likely to worsen their predicament.
Source:arabnews.com/
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Netanyahu told US Israel willing to strike Iranian military targets, Washington Post reports
October 15, 2024
WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the United States that Israel is willing to strike Iranian military targets and not nuclear or oil ones, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing two officials familiar with the matter.
Source:arabnews.com
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The UN says over 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced in 3 weeks by war
October 15, 2024
BEIRUT: More than 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced in the past three weeks, a top official with the UN children’s agency said Monday, warning of a “lost generation” in the small country grappling with multiple crises and now in the middle of war.
Israel has escalated its campaign against the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group, including launching a ground invasion, after a year of exchanges of fire during its war with Hamas in Gaza.
The fighting in Lebanon has driven 1.2 million people from their homes, most of them fleeing to Beirut and elsewhere in the north over the past three weeks since the escalation.
Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director for humanitarian actions, has visited schools that have been turned into shelters to host displaced families.
“What struck me is that this war is three weeks old and so many children have been affected,” Chaiban told The Associated Press in Beirut.
“As we sit here today, 1.2 million children are deprived of education. Their public schools have either been rendered inaccessible, have been damaged by the war or are being used as shelters. The last thing this country needs, in addition to everything else it has gone through, is the risk of a lost generation.”
While some Lebanese private schools are still operating, the public school system has been badly affected by the war, along with the country’s most vulnerable people such as Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
″What I’m worried about is that we have hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian children that are at risk of losing their learning,” Chaiban said.
More than 2,300 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes, nearly 75 percent of them over the last month, according to the Health Ministry. In the last three weeks, more than 100 children were killed and over 800 were wounded, Chaiban said.
He said displaced children are crammed into overcrowded shelters where three or four families can live in a classroom separated by a plastic sheet, and where 1,000 people can share 12 toilets. Not all of them work.
Many displaced families found have set up tents along roads or on public beaches.
Most displaced children have experienced so much violence, including the sounds of shelling or gunshots, that they cower at any loud noise, Chaiban said.
Then there is “evacuation orders upon evacuation orders. We’re at the beginning, and already there’s been a profound impact,” he said.
The escalation has also put over 100 primary health care facilities out of service, while 12 hospitals are either no longer working or partially functional.
Water infrastructure has also come under attack. In the last three weeks, 26 water stations providing water to almost 350,000 people have been damaged, Chaiban said. UNICEF is working with local authorities to repair them.
He called for civilian infrastructure to be protected. And he appealed for a ceasefire in Lebanon and in Gaza, saying there needs to be political will and a realization that the conflict cannot be resolved through military means.
“What we must do is make sure that this stops, that this madness stops, that there’s a ceasefire before we get to the kind of destruction and pain and suffering and death that we’ve seen in Gaza,” Chaiban said.
With so many needs, he said, the emergency response appeal for $108 million in Lebanon has only been 8 percent funded three weeks into the escalation.
Source:arabnews.com
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Southeast Asia
Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque surprised to be assigned as minister
October 15, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar admitted to being surprised when invited to the residence of President-elect Prabowo Subianto and offered a ministerial position in the upcoming cabinet.
"I was very very surprised. I did not expect it, and I was surprised. I never imagined it," Nasaruddin Umar told reporters here on Monday.
Umar said he had not discussed earlier about the ministerial position with Prabowo or anyone in the Gerindra Party.
However, on Monday, at around 6 p.m. local time, he received an invitation from Prabowo's aide to come to Kartanegara.
Prabowo then sought Umar's help in the next cabinet.
"I never expected it. Never imagined it. I just work professionally at Istiqlal and at the university as a lecturer," he remarked.
Umar is still reluctant to speak at length about the ministerial position offered by Prabowo. However, he ensured that his duties would not veer from his daily activities in the religious field.
"I think it is not far from my daily life. He (the president) will explain later," he remarked.
Nasaruddin Umar was one of the several other figures, including Prasetyo Hadi, Sugiono, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Natalius Pigai, Yandri Susanto, Fadli Zon, and Saifullah Yusuf, who were summoned to Prabowo's residence.
Nusron Wahid, Maruarar Sirait, Abdul Kadir Karding, Wihaji, Teuku Riefky Harsya, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Arifatul Choiru Fauzi, Yassierli, Satryo Soemantri, Tito Karnavian, Zulkifli Hasan, Bahlil Lahadalia, and Abdul Mu’ti were also invited to Prabowo's residence.
Source:antaranews.com
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‘Blessings’ from leaders’ body parts and skipping Friday prayers: Here’s why Putrajaya think GISBH members are religious deviants
15 Oct 2024
By Zaf Seraj
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has confirmed that GISBH members continue to adhere to the deviant teachings of the late Ashaari Muhammad, also known as “Abuya.”
Investigations by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) revealed that the group subscribes to teachings beyond worshipping Ashaari.
These include allegedly obtaining ‘blessings from God’ through unusual rituals involving personal items of the company’s leaders, such as used tissues and the remains of blood from cupping.
“Jakim presented the findings to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI),” Mohd Na’im told Parliament today.
“This legal opinion has been approved by the MKI chairman and will be presented to the Council of Rulers.”
The minister said that the government aims to rehabilitate GISBH members and guide them back to mainstream Islamic teachings.
He added that zakat (tithe) funds would be channelled toward supporting these efforts.
Source:malaymail.com
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Johor Islamic council sets up action committee to aid former GISBH followers
14 Oct 2024
By Ben Tan
JOHOR BARU, Oct 14 — The Johor government, through the Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ), has established an Islamic Issues Action Committee to assist former members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) and their families.
State Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the committee has developed several proposals to help former GISBH members, alleged to have been involved in deviant teachings.
He said five programmes have been proposed to aid in the recovery and well-being of these individuals.
“Among the programmes is one focused on reinforcing the Islamic faith, shariah compliance, and moral restoration.
“This is in addition to programmes addressing marriage, livelihood assistance, family counselling, and dakwah,” he said in a statement tonight.
Mohd Fared said MAINJ, as the religious authority, remains committed to guiding the former members towards the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Sunni Islam) and ensuring the continued preservation of Islamic principles.
He was commenting on efforts by the Johor government to rehabilitate and support the welfare of former GISBH members, following revelations by police that they are believed to be practising deviant teachings.
Mohd Fared added that MAINJ will provide a monthly stipend to assist these individuals and ensure their children’s education is secured.
“They share the same faith as us, and accepting them with compassion will strengthen Muslim unity in Johor,” he said.
He explained that the committee will convene whenever necessary to address Islamic religious issues that may challenge faith, shariah, or morality.
“This includes aspects of shariah law that could threaten community peace,” he added.
The establishment of MAINJ’s Islamic Issues Action Committee was approved during a special council meeting yesterday.
The permanent committee was set up under Section 7(1), Section 6, and Section 27 of the Islamic Religious Administration Enactment (Johor) 2003.
On September 23, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said about 10,000 GISBH members, including children, are believed to still be practising teachings linked to the banned Al-Arqam movement.
He said this was based on the discovery of the prohibited Aurad Muhammadiah book and religious recitations or “zikir” that underpin the faith and worship of the cult’s leader, Ashaari Muhammad.
GISBH has been under media scrutiny for its alleged involvement in various criminal activities, including child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and promoting Islamic deviancy linked to the Al-Arqam movement, which was banned in 1994.
In the fourth phase of investigations, police seized numerous publications related to the Al-Arqam movement.
Source:malaymail.com
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Not just us: Several Asean countries also interested in joining BRICS, says PM Anwar
15 Oct 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Several Asean countries have shown interest in joining the BRICS grouping after Malaysia expressed its intention to be part of the economic bloc, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said Asean has no intention of becoming an arena for the power struggles of major powers, and the bloc will maintain its focus on the regional economy with dialogue partners to ensure relationships between member countries will not be jeopardised.
He said this in the Dewan Rakyat today during the Minister’s Question Time.
“Economic fundamentals will be the main criteria or yardstick, and we don’t want Asean to be an arena for the power struggles of major powers.
“In the past, it was the (struggle between) the United States (US) and the Soviet Union. Now, it is between the US and China.
Source:malaymail.com
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PM Anwar says govt may take legal action against Bloomberg for ‘dangerous’ claims of influencing MACC investigation
15 Oct 2024
By Yiswaree Palansamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said legal action against Bloomberg is under consideration, following the news agency’s report alleging his interference in the MACC investigation, which he claims tarnishes his reputation and misrepresents his commitment to fighting corruption.
This follows a recent report alleging that MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki instructed his officers that Anwar had directed investigations into former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his sons Mokhzani and Mirzan, as well as former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.
“As we all know, this is the second time that Bloomberg has made a dangerous allegation,” Anwar said.
He added: “Firstly, involving the prime minister and the King, on the issue of approval to build a new casino, which turned out to be an allegation that was overboard, as it was never raised by the Cabinet or by the King.”
“The second one is the report on September 26 that was referenced by Pasir Mas, on the order to the MACC,” he added.
To date, the prime minister said that legal actions are being looked into, as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have received the report and have taken several actions, including having Bloomberg representatives and several related individuals (investigated) on October 1 and October 11.
“However, since this is under police investigation, I leave it to PDRM to investigate and for the Attorney General (AG) to take appropriate actions,” Anwar said.
He clarified that his earlier statement was general in nature, including his comments in Parliament urging the MACC, PDRM and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to combat corruption rigorously and without compromise.
He emphasised that this directive was broad and not related to specific cases, as agencies must operate without fear or favour.
Anwar was responding to a question by Pasir Mas MP, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, on whether the government is prepared to take legal action against Bloomberg for allegedly tarnishing his reputation in the fight against power abuse and corruption.
Last week, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said Bloomberg would be summoned for an investigation following its report.
Source:malaymail.com
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South Asia
Over 170,000 Tourists Visit Bamyan’s Historical Sites in Six Months
2024-10-14
BAMYAN(BNA): Over 170,000 domestic and foreign tourists have explored the ancient sites and natural landscapes of Bamyan in the past six months. Mawlavi Safiullah Raed, head of the Information and Culture Department of Bamyan, shared this remarkable statistic with the Bakhtar News Agency.
Mawlavi Raed emphasized that the department, in collaboration with local authorities, has been actively working to enhance facilities aimed at attracting a diverse range of visitors. Key initiatives include ensuring the safety of tourists, closely monitoring hotel accommodations, and restoring ancient artifacts.
One of the standout projects is the construction of a specialized hotel in Band-e Amir, Afghanistan’s first national park, which aims to provide a comfortable stay for tourists enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty of the area.
The efforts to bolster tourism not only reflect a commitment to preserving Bamyan’s rich heritage but also highlight the potential for economic growth through increased visitor engagement.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Dozens of Historical Artifacts Seized in Kandahar
2024-10-14
KANDAHAR(BNA): Security officials at the Spin Boldak border have intercepted a significant attempt to smuggle historical artifacts.
In a recent operation, authorities recovered 156 pen works and 13 metal works, all of which are believed to hold considerable cultural and historical value.
The artifacts, which were in the process of being smuggled out of the region, will be handed over to the National Museum of Afghanistan for identification and restoration.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/acting-foreign-minister-meets-un-special-representative-for-afghanistan/
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Acting Foreign Minister Meets UN Special Representative for Afghanistan
2024-10-14
KABUL(BNA): Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, engaged with Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan. The discussions focused on critical aspects of the UN’s ongoing activities in the country.
During their conversation, Otunbayeva and Minister Muttaqi exchanged valuable insights regarding upcoming UN meetings related to Afghanistan. Both officials underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to address the pressing challenges faced by the nation.
The meeting reflects the UN’s commitment to facilitating dialogue and fostering international support for Afghanistan during this pivotal time.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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IOM expresses concern over forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran
By Fidel Rahmati
October 15, 2024
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed concern over the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran, reporting that 60% of all returnees from this country were deported involuntarily.
In a report released on Monday, October 14, the IOM noted an unprecedented rise in the number of Afghan migrants returning to their homeland, both forcibly and voluntarily.
According to the report, 60% of Afghan returnees from Iran were forced to return, while 40% returned voluntarily.
The IOM further stated that from January 2023 to July of this year, at least 1.7 million Afghan migrants have returned from Iran, with the majority being forced returns.
The organization has called for the immediate cessation of forced deportations of Afghan migrants from Iran.
According to the report, 841,521 Afghan returnees from Iran have received assistance from the IOM.
In recent months, there has been an increase in the deportation and return of Afghan migrants from both Iran and Pakistan.
Most recently, Ahmad Reza Radan, the Commander of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, announced that the country is determined to deport two million “illegal” Afghan migrants.
The ongoing forced deportations of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries like Iran and Pakistan highlight the severe humanitarian crisis faced by displaced individuals.
With rising numbers of forced returns, international bodies like the IOM urgently call for interventions to protect the rights and well-being of these vulnerable populations.
Source:khaama.com
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Media reveal Afghan refugees beaten in Turkish Deportation Centers
By Fidel Rahmati
October 14, 2024
According to findings from Politico, Spiegel, and other media outlets, Afghan and Syrian refugees in Turkish deportation centers have been subjected to abuse and mistreatment.
These reports indicate that while the centers were funded by the European Union, European officials have ignored the poor conditions within them.
The media findings reveal that Turkey, using resources and equipment provided by the European Union, has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan and Syrian refugees.
At least €213 million from the EU budget was spent to construct and renovate 30 deportation centers in Turkey. Refugees in these centers face overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, abuse, and torture.
Many Afghan and Syrian refugees are reportedly forced, often violently, to sign documents for their “voluntary” return.
Refugees have reported being beaten and held in freezing rooms for up to 12 hours. They also claim that Turkish authorities have ignored their basic human rights.
Investigations show that these refugees have little to no access to legal counsel or contact with their families.
Despite widespread evidence of human rights violations in Turkish deportation centers, senior European Union officials have repeatedly overlooked these issues.
The situation for Afghan refugees in Turkey is dire, with reports of torture, harassment, and serious human rights abuses adding to their struggles.
Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, these refugees face an uncertain future, lacking proper protection and enduring harsh treatment in Turkish detention facilities.
Source:khaama.com
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Iran plans to deport two million ‘undocumented’ Afghan migrants
By Fidel Rahmati
October 14, 2024
Iran’s chief of police, Ahmadreza Radan, announced that the country’s police are determined to deport two million “illegal” Afghan migrants by the end of this year.
Radan made the statement on Sunday, October 13, during a ceremony in Mashhad, stating that arrests of “illegal” Afghan migrants in Iran have increased.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Radan added that since the announcement of the deportation plan, both the number of voluntary surrenders and the arrests of undocumented foreign nationals have risen.
He had previously mentioned that the Islamic Republic aims to expel around two million “illegal foreign nationals” from Iran by the end of the current year.
The Iranian government has intensified its pressure on Afghan migrants, imposing strict limitations on their work and activities in most major cities.
Iran’s interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, urged Afghan migrants living in Iran to “return to their country and work to rebuild it.”
However, due to the dire conditions in Afghanistan, including increased poverty and unemployment following the Taliban’s return to power, many Afghans are fleeing their homeland for Iran and other neighboring countries.
Amid this humanitarian crisis, the forced deportation of Afghan refugees adds to their plight. Struggling with extreme poverty and lacking opportunities, Afghan migrants are caught between the challenges of living as refugees in hostile environments and the bleak prospects of returning to a war-torn and impoverished homeland.
Source:khaama.com
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Pakistan
10 Cops Suspended For ‘Maltreatment’ Of Women Demonstrators During Karachi Protest
By Web Desk
October 14, 2024
KARACHI: As many as 10 police officers have been suspended for the "maltreatment" of women protesters during Sunday’s demonstrations held in Karachi to condemn the extra-judicial killing of blasphemy suspect Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar.
According to an order issued by South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, five men and five women officers, including an Eidgah Station House Officer (SHO), were suspended "due to high-handedness and maltreatment towards women at Press Club".
The order stated Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Zone has been directed to undertake departmental proceedings against the suspended police officers and report action taken within 14 days.
The suspended officials, as per DIG South, were identified with the help of CCTV footage.
The development came a day after the police manhandled peaceful protesters of the "Sindh Rawadari March" outside the Karachi Press Club, demonstrating against the killing of blasphemy suspect amid imposition of Section 144.
Around a week ago, the civil society had announced holding the SRM at Teen Talwar to condemn last month’s extrajudicial killing of Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar in Mirpurkhas. He was accused of sharing blasphemous posts on social media.
Their march on Sunday was in protest against the lack of action against the police officials involved in the doctor’s killing, and the increasing trend of religious extremism in Sindh.
Members of the civil society as well as human rights defenders and activists condemned the act of police brutality towards demonstrators, blaming that the violence was being committed at the behest of the Sindh government.
The use of police force to disperse the protestors was later also condemned by several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) politicians including senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman, who apologised for the violence on behalf of the party.
"We are a democratic party and rights of citizens have to be protected and respected even if they were in violation of todays 144. I have spoken on the phone from Islamabad to many who were mistreated, and apologised, and appreciate their understanding," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Rehman added: "Because this is important. Many of us are sorry and shamed. Will inform the leadership as well."
Meanwhile, Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also condemned Sindh Police's action that unfolded on October 13.
"We all condemn & we are all disgusted and ashamed of the violent treatment against peaceful protesters."
Bakhtawar added that the home minister has ensured probe and action will be taken against all those involved in such "unprovoked, inexcusable & unjustifiable brutality".
Home minister takes notice of police brutality
Moreover, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has summoned a report from Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon regarding the incident.
The home minister stressed the importance of a fair and transparent investigation into the violence against women and journalists during the protest. He directed that a high-level committee be formed to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The proposed committee will consist of the DIG West, DIG Special Branch, and the SSP. The home minister further instructed that the committee must submit its findings within three days.
Additionally, Lanjar has ordered that details regarding the suspension of the involved officers should be sent to his office immediately.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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ANP recommends renaming KP to 'Pakhtunkhwa' during special committee's session
By Waqar Satti
October 15, 2024
The Awami National Party (ANP) has tabled a proposal before the special parliamentary committee to change Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's name to "Pakhtunkhwa", sources told Geo News on Monday.
The ANP submitted the proposal to change KP's name to "Pakhtunkhwa" — a longstanding demand of the Pakhtun nationalist parties — during the crucial in-camera session of the committee established to debate the contentious 26th constitutional amendment.
Lawmakers belonging to PML-N, PPP, PTI ANP, and others as the special committee comprising opposition and treasury benches’ members.
The sources said that the proposal was not rejected by any political party during the session.
Two days ago, ANP KP President Aimal Wali Khan interacted with journalists and claimed that all political parties were on the same page to change KP's name to Pakhtunkhwa.
Elaborating on his point of view, the politician had said: "Khyber is our district and our Pass and we value it, but a district’s name is linked to the province’s name."
"We don’t have any problem with it, however, since we were given an [Pashtun] identity so we should not be identified as KP or KPK," he added.
Claiming a full consensus on the recommendation, Khan went on to say: "Therefore, I think Khyber should be removed and bring in only Pakhtunkhwa for which we are all agreed," he added.
The North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) was officially renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April 2010 in the 18th Amendment passed during the rule of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Centre.
Back then, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not an ideal new name for the erstwhile NWFP at that time but many Pakhtuns under the leadership of the nationalist ANP in and outside the province spontaneously celebrated the name-change, as it was a hard-won victory.
However, the finalisation of NWFP's new name in agreement with then parliamentary constitutional committee was a result of a compromise.
The treasury and opposition lawmakers are holding back-to-back sessions to evolve a consensus on the proposed constitutional package.
Amid the ongoing consultation process, progress was seen today as Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — considered the last man standing in the way of the much-touted constitutional amendments — hinted at closing in on a consensus with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
During his interaction with journalists in Tando Allahyar, Fazl, who had been an ally of the ruling coalition, said that the government was ready to remove the contentious points from the proposed draft of the constitutional amendment bill.
The government had attempted to present the bill to amend the Constitution last month, but its allies as well as members from the opposition benches vehemently opposed the proposal, forcing the ruling party to begin a consultation process.
The treasury benches have 211 members against the opposition's 101 MNAs, meaning that the government needs 13 more votes to get the bill passed from the assembly.
Subsequently, the total strength of the ruling benches stands at 54 as the government is short of nine votes in the Senate to pass the judicial package.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Govt, JUI-F close to consensus on judicial package: Fazlur Rehman
By Web Desk
October 14, 2024
After weeks-long negotiations and multiple sittings, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — considered the last man standing in the way of the much-touted constitutional amendments — on Monday hinted at closing in on a consensus with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.
The constitutional package, among other things, aims to set up a federal constitutional court and fix the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for three years.
The government had attempted to present the bill to amend the Constitution last month, but its allies as well as members from the opposition benches vehemently opposed the proposal, forcing the ruling party to begin a consultation process.
During his interaction with journalists in Tando Allahyar, Fazl, who had been an ally of the ruling coalition, said that the government was ready to remove the contentious points from the proposed draft of the constitutional amendment bill.
“We had rejected the government’s [initial] draft [about constitutional tweaks],” he said, adding, “The things we rejected have been withdrawn.” The JUI-F leader was of the view that the government’s proposed amendments would weaken the judiciary and undermine human rights.
After fresh changes, both the parties are now near to reach a consensus, he added.
“We are not in the assembly to pass a law against the interest of the people,” said the JUI-F leader.
Stressing the need for national consensus over the matter, Fazl said he would hold meetings with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and the leadership of PTI.
"Why is the government in such a hurry?" said the JUI-F leader, citing that the 18th Amendment took nine months to pass the parliament.
Responding to a question, the JUI-F chief urged the PTI to defer its protest until the conclusion of the forthcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16.
JUI-F proposals
Meanwhile, Maulana Fazl has shared his party’s draft of the Constitution (26th Amendment) Bill, 2024 with the media wherein the JUI-F has proposed the elimination of all kinds of Riba on the state level and in all private institutions by January 1, 2028.
The draft of the constitutional amendment also contained proposed amendments on the establishment of constitutional benches in the Supreme Court and high courts and re-appointment and extension in services of services chiefs.
For amendment in Article 38 of the Constitution, the JUI-F has proposed substitution of clause (f) which says that the state shall eliminate all kinds of Riba on the state level and in all private institutions by January 1, 2028 and shall introduce the Islamic Monetary System free from all kinds of Riba.
As per addition in Article 70 (1) of the Constitution, it has been proposed that on laying a bill in either of the Houses, a copy shall immediately be forwarded to the Council of Islamic Ideology by the secretariat of that House for consideration and opinion.
Similarly, as per an amendment in Article 115, a bill presented to the provincial assembly, not the money bill, the same shall be sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology for consideration and opinion.
The JUI-F also wanted to add clause 5 in Article 243 on the appointment and re-appointment of service chiefs. It says the appointment, re-appointment, extension in service, or removal as services chiefs shall be by the laws relating to armed forces but once appointed then the re-appointment, or an extension in service is made, the same shall not be altered unless such question is placed before special committee of the both the houses.
The JUI-F draft also proposed the establishment of a constitutional bench in the Supreme Court having five senior-most judges, including the chief justice.
It also proposed the establishment of the constitutional bench in each high court having three senior-most judges, including the chief justice.
The matters decided by the constitutional benches of the high courts relating to disputes about the interpretation of law shall be heard and decided by the Constitutional bench of the apex court.
The JUI-F draft also proposed to repeal the 19th Amendment and restoration of the 18th Amendment, to the extent of appointment of judges.
Nawaz, Bilawal discuss constitutional tweaks
Earlier today, the PML-N president and the PPP chairman, over the phone, contemplated the current political situation particularly the efforts around proposed constitutional amendments.
The two leaders have established contact twice in three days; once they held a meeting on Thursday and then talked over the telephone on Sunday.
Bilawal briefed Nawaz on the progress made between the JUI-F and PPP on the constitutional tweaks. Consensus on the 26th constitutional amendment among the political parties also came under discussion in a conversation between the two leaders.
On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s senior leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser talked with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the phone.
In a post on ‘X’, Qaiser said Fazl supported the PTI’s demand to provide medical facilities to former prime minister Imran Khan in jail and give him access to a personal physician.
The PTI leader said the JUI-F chief had requested the PTI to defer the demonstration on October 15 owing to the SCO summit.
“There is a harmony between the two parties on most points of the constitutional amendment draft of JUI-F, and a meeting of the two parties will be held on October 17 for further consideration of the draft,” he noted.
The former NA speaker said that he had assured the JUI-F supremo that his suggestions would be put before his party leaders and then they would be informed about the party’s decision.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Some judges ask a political party to get ready for new elections: Punjab speaker
October 15, 2024
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan claims that some judges are asking a political party to get ready for new elections.
“There is evidence that certain august members of the judiciary are encouraging a political party to prepare for elections,” he said, airing the ruling PML-N ‘fears’ that post-Justice Qazi Faez Isa Supreme Court may nullify the Feb 8 vote.
Speaking at a press conference at the old assembly building here on Monday, Khan claimed having evidence in the form of documents and verdicts that showed how a certain political party was benefited in the past. “I have evidence that why a few articles of the constitution were suspended to benefit a party,” he said.
In a reference to the July 12 Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats, he said the court had demolished the foundation of the Election Commission’s constitutional decision of not allocating electoral symbol to a party that failed to hold intra-party polls for four years only to avert submitting details of its foreign funding and the apex court bench gave the verdict only on assumptions.
The speaker admitted that there had always been politics in the judiciary in past but it should come to an end now, whether its beneficiary is he or his opponents.
“There was lopsidedness in the court of [former] chief justice Umar Ata Bandial as a specific five-man bench would take up all important cases. There was lopsidedness in the [another ex-CJP] Saqib Nisar’s court.”
Responding to a query, he said that he was dissatisfied with the way the government was taking up cases against the PTI.
He said that had he been in the government, he would have instituted cases against former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri for fraud in the house, would have applied Article 6 (sedition case) to ex-prime minister Imran Khan and then president Arif Alvi for dissolving the National Assembly though a no-confidence motion was pending against the prime minister.
He told a questioner that the PTI was protesting on a foreign agenda. Recalling the party’s sit-in back in 2014 when the Chinese President was due to visit Islamabad, he said now when the Shanghai Cooperation Conference was taking place from Tuesday (today), the party was again out to stage a sit-in. The two incidents could not be a mere coincidence.
The speaker questioned whether a province has the right to launch an assault on the federal capital with cranes and an armed police force.
He expressed his frustration over being required to convene assembly sessions every 14 days on opposition requisition with the single agenda of discussing law and order in the province. Each time, the opposition would raise only the issue of arrest of its MPAs, he added.
He said if any MPA is involved in a law and order situation, the state has the right to take action against him, however, issuing production orders for jailed MPs is the right of the voters he is representing in the house.
Source:dawn.com
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PTI defers Islamabad's D-Chowk protest due to SCO summit
By Haider Sherazi
October 15, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has suspended its D-Chowk protest due to the two-day SCO summit scheduled to begin from today (Tuesday), party chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on late Monday.
The decision was taken by the PTI’s political committee in a meeting on Monday in which majority of participants urged to withdraw the protest call for Tuesday in view of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting on October 15-16, insiders said.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed the development saying that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi formally contacted his party to ensure medical examination of the party founder on Tuesday morning.
He added that his party postponed its peaceful protest following Naqvi's assurance.
Pakistan is hosting the major diplomatic event bringing together top leaders from approximately eight countries, including two of the world's leading nuclear powers, China and Russia.
Among others, the dignitaries set to attend the SCO moot include Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar — the first visit by an Indian FM in nearly a decade.
However, the protest call given by the Imran Khan-founded party drew much criticism from the federal government and its allies, as well as business and economic experts, urging the PTI leadership to reconsider and postpone their decision.
Earlier today, the former ruling party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram revealed the condition placed before the coalition government to call off its protest, demanding to allow Khan’s sisters and doctors to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail citing concerns over party founder’s health.
Meanwhile, the party has also written a letter to the Ministry of Interior requesting a meeting to be scheduled with the former prime minister. "PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and Hamid Raza should be allowed to meet the PTI founder."
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had rejected the PTI’s proposal while its ministers warned of strict action against anyone trying to disturb the law and order situation in the federal capital during the SCO moot.
However, the federal government, as per sources privy to the development, accepted PTI’s condition to conduct medical examination of jailed Khan.
It was learnt that a team of doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) would visit Adiala Jail on Tuesday morning to examine the former prime minister. Additionally, Khan’s private physician would also be permitted to meet him, the sources added.
Interior Minister Naqvi also informed the PTI leadership regarding the government’s decision.
It is noteworthy to mention here that the Imran Khan-founded party had launched a series of protests for the "independence of the judiciary" — as the government aims to introduce constitutional amendments — and for the release of its founder jailed at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for more than one year.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Islamist terrorists kill four, including three policemen, in Pakistan
By REUTERS
OCTOBER 14, 2024
Islamist terrorists stormed a northwestern Pakistani district police office on Monday, killing three policemen and a civilian before police shot and killed all five attackers.
Provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat told Reuters that the attack on the complex, which houses both the district police headquarters and a residential complex, lasted for hours before all the five suicide bombers were killed.
The attackers killed three police officers and a civilian employed at the complex, he said.
The incident occurred in district Bannu, which borders the restive North Waziristan tribal region on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Taliban Pakistan claims responsibility
Islamist militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, a spokesperson for the group said.
Bannu is about 350 km (217 miles) from Pakistan's capital Islamabad, which is under strict security lockdown due to the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday ahead of a regional leaders' meeting this week.
Source:jpost.com
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PM Li Qiang arrives in Pakistan to bolster CPEC cooperation
By Web Desk
October 14, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday arrived in Rawalpindi for a four-day visit to Pakistan, during which he will engage in discussions on a range of mutual interests with Pakistani officials.
The Chinese dignitary is visiting Pakistan — ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit — on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and will stay here from October 14-17.
In a statement after arrival, the premier said: "As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was greeted with the warm hospitality of the Pakistani side and impressed by the profound brotherly friendship between our peoples."
"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I wish to convey cordial greetings and best wishes to the friendly Pakistani government and people."
He mentioned that Pakistan is an important developing country, an emerging market, and a major Muslim country. It is also, he said, China's all-weather strategic cooperative partner and an ironclad friend.
"China is now further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernisation on all fronts through high-quality development. Pakistan is also committed to its reform and development endeavour," added PM Li.
Earlier, expanding on the Chinese PM's visit, the FO had said that the dignitary and his counterpart PM Shehbaz will lead respective delegations to comprehensively discuss all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation (CPEC).
Expanding on the Chinese PM's visit, the FO said that the dignitary and his counterpart PM Shehbaz will lead respective delegations to comprehensively discuss all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation (CPEC).
The Chinese premier would also call on President Asif Ali Zardari and hold meetings with parliamentary leaders and the country's senior military leadership.
PM Li's visit comes as several top foreign leaders will be convening in Islamabad for the Heads of Government meeting — the supreme decision-making body of the SCO which meets once a year and decides upon all the important issues of the organisation.
The dignitaries set to attend the SCO moot include Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar — the first visit by an Indian FM in nearly a decade.
The SCO comprises China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus along with 16 more countries, which are affiliated as observers or "dialogue partners".
The high-level moot will be held with strict security measures in place as the government has announced a three-day public holiday in Islamabad, with schools and businesses shut, and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces deployed.
Pakistan Army troops will be responsible for the security of the capital's Red Zone, which will house most of the meetings and is also home to parliament and a diplomatic enclave, according to the interior ministry.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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Italian Navy aircraft carrier makes first visit to Pakistan
Shazia Hasan
October 15, 2024
KARACHI: The Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group, composed of the aircraft carrier Cavour and the frigate Alpino, arrived in Karachi on Monday and will be anchored there until Wednesday.
The third ship of the Italian Navy to bear the name of the Italian statesman Camillo Benso di Cavour, the aircraft carrier Cavour is a 27,800-tonne COGAG ship measuring 244 metres in length with a 40-metre beam.
Meanwhile, ITS Alpino is a 6,700-ton frigate with an overall length of 144 metres and a 19.7-metre beam. Cavour has an interesting history, including deployments in the Persian Gulf and circumnavigating the African continent.
In 2021, the ship integrated with the UK Carrier Strike Group. The Carrier Strike Group has been deployed in the Indo-Pacific region since June 1, 2024.
During a press conference aboard ITS Cavour on Monday, Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Marilina Armellin said, “This is the fourth visit by any Italian ship to the port of Karachi, as three frigates have visited here previously.
However, this is the first time our aircraft carrier has come to Pakistan. The bond of friendship between Rome and Islamabad is growing ever stronger.“
She added that both countries have agreed to broaden and diversify their bilateral and multilateral relationships.
“The presence of the Italian Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific region testifies to Italy’s commitment to deepening cooperation with valued partner countries such as Pakistan, ensuring the security of international maritime routes.
Italy considers Pakistan a strategic partner for the security of the region.
Defence plays a key role in our bilateral relations. Our country has been a loyal participant in the Aman Exercises, and our defence industries have always been present at the IDEAS fairs.
This year, I will join them, along with a delegation from our Ministry of Defence, for the next edition of IDEAS coming up in November,“ she said.
“And it doesn’t end there. In December, our iconic sailing ship, the Amerigo Vespucci, will also dock here in Karachi,” she added.
“We have a large Pakistani community in Italy. Trade between our two countries currently amounts to two billion dollars, but there is potential for improvement. Data shows it could even increase to five billion dollars,” she said.
Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri of the Italian Navy spoke on the occasion, stating that the first operational campaign of the Italian Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific region is a strategic initiative of Italian Defence to promote defence capabilities in the area.
“The dynamics of defence in the Indo-Pacific region can affect free trade of goods and services, as well as overall trade relations with the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.
“The deployment of the Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific region allows Italian Defence to strengthen and consolidate strategic protection with viable capabilities well beyond the usual area of operations. Controlling the sea and keeping maritime lines and communication open is crucial,” he stressed.
The Commanding Officer of the Carrier Strike Group, Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, said he was glad to be working with Italy’s allies. “Our presence here sends a strong message of cohesion with our allies and like-minded partners,” he said.
Source:dawn.com
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Arab World
Arar farmers’ market to showcase Saudi produce, culture
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: The Culinary Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Northern Borders Region Municipality, will hold a farmers’ market from Oct. 17 to 19 in Al-Musaidiyah Park in Arar.
The market aims to support farmers and workers in the culinary sector by showcasing the region’s agricultural produce and distinguished gastronomic offerings, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Local produce, including dates, vegetables, and fruits, famous in the Northern Borders region, will be on display at the market.
An area will be dedicated to families working in the cottage industry where they can present notable dishes and beverages of the area, incorporating local produce.
There will also be accompanying activities, such as live music performances and children’s events, including face painting.
Through this event, the commission seeks to support the farmers’ market as a venue that contributes to the marketing of national products, both locally and globally, providing farmers with the opportunity to sell their products directly to consumers.
This initiative is part of the commission’s efforts to promote the sustainability of local production and develop all aspects of the culinary arts.
Source:arabnews.com
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Riyadh Forum Concludes With More Than 290 Schools Honoured
WAAD HUSSAIN
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Education and Training Evaluation Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, concluded the National Forum for School Excellence, also known as Excellence 2024, in Riyadh on Monday.
The forum, which celebrated over 290 schools for their achievements, highlighted Misk Schools as the first to receive accreditation under new national evaluation standards.
The event, which was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan and commission chairman Khalid Al-Sabti, showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Participants included educational leaders, university deans, and company representatives, as well as principals and directors of schools from across Saudi Arabia.
At the forefront of the event was Misk Schools, which became the first institution in the country to receive accreditation from the commission.
Steffen Sommer, director general of the academic institute, told Arab News: “This accreditation reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff and students.
“We are proud to set a new standard for educational excellence and look forward to continuing our journey of growth and innovation.”
Nada Al-Hegali, girls’ school principal at Misk, spoke to Arab News about the challenges faced during the process, saying: “The challenge was relocating to a new campus amid the accreditation process.”
Al-Hegali went on to describe how the team provided invaluable support, and the students showed their resilience during the move.
The Excellence 2024 forum recognized schools based on results from external evaluations. Public, private, and international schools were all recognized for their contributions to raising educational standards.
The event also saw the signing of accreditation agreements between the commission, through its excellence center, and 18 schools, further cementing the importance of collaboration in driving the Kingdom’s educational reform.
Al-Benyan spoke of his optimism about the future of Saudi education, noting that the forum would serve as a catalyst for schools to embrace competition and excellence.
He added: “These recognitions are not just an acknowledgment of past achievements but a push for continued improvement in our education system.”
Al-Sabti echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the importance of external evaluation in fostering a culture of quality.
He added: “The Excellence 2024 forum provides a national platform to strengthen the principles of educational excellence, ensuring that Saudi schools continue to align with international standards.”
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward fulfilling Vision 2030, the recognition of over 290 schools not only highlights the progress made so far, but also sets the stage for future improvements.
Schools like Misk, with its focus on innovation, are paving the way for others to follow.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi foreign minister meets with WEF chief Klaus Schwab
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday received Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported.
The officials discussed opportunities to boost cooperation and topics of common interest.
Source:arabnews.com
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Experience global cultures as Riyadh Season launches 3 zones with exciting events
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2024 has announced the opening of three zones for the public: Boulevard World, Boulevard City, and Al-Suwaidi Park. These zones will host a series of weeks dedicated to communities.
Boulevard World will open its doors to the public daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. This season has seen several updates, including a 30 percent increase in zone size and the addition of five new zones: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel.
With 22 zones representing various cultures worldwide, it boasts 300 restaurants and cafes and more than 890 shops, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The zones representing Egypt, Spain and Italy in Boulevard World have also been upgraded with 21 new activities suitable for different age groups, including theatrical performances and showcases from several countries, enhancing their appeal as an entertainment destination.
On Saturday night, the season’s opening was held at the Kingdom Arena with boxing matches, musical performances by hip-hop moguls Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and Ciara. A member of the audience was selected to win a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, presented by General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh.
This year, Boulevard City at Riyadh Season introduces new entertainment experiences, such as PUBG Mobile, where visitors can join a team and engage in immersive laser battles, competing to be the last one standing.
Visitors can also dive into the mysterious and exciting world of Detective Conan, where they become detectives in an effort to solve puzzles, uncover crime secrets, and find hidden treasures. This experience includes multiple stages filled with interactive challenges that require critical thinking and analysis.
Fans of family adventures and fantasy can embark on imaginative journeys with Bluey and Bingo World.
The Five Nights at Freddy’s experience returns for horror enthusiasts with a new, more thrilling, and challenging version. Visitors will confront high levels of fear as they attempt to survive the dangers surrounding them within the eerie shopping center.
These new experiences make Boulevard City an unmissable destination within the Riyadh Season events this year, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in exceptional adventures that blend excitement, fantasy, and horror.
Al-Suwaidi Park, one of Riyadh Season 2024’s most attractive destinations, spans 140,000 sq m and will host events from 4 p.m. to midnight. The series of community-dedicated weeks starts with Indian Week.
Indian Week will feature performances by renowned artists, impressive shows, traditional Indian cuisine, and opportunities to purchase clothing reflecting India’s rich cultural diversity.
Source:arabnews.com
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Foreign Ministry hosts cybersecurity awareness event
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Authority, held an exhibition in Riyadh to promote cybersecurity awareness.
Under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the event featured six interactive stations educating visitors on cybersecurity threats and safety tips.
Visitors could test their cybersecurity knowledge and learn about safe online practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently signed strategic agreements with the Saudi Information Technology Co. to enhance its cybersecurity.
Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, assistant minister for executive affairs, and Majed Al-Mazyad, governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, attended the signing.
Three contracts were signed in Riyadh, with Saad Al-Aboudi, CEO of the Saudi Information Technology Co., in attendance.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the ministry’s cybersecurity system, aligning with the Kingdom’s goals in this sector.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms until Friday
October 14, 2024
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued a warning that there will be thunderstorms in several regions of Saudi Arabia until Friday.
The Makkah region is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by flash floods, hail and strong winds, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Taif, Maysan, Adham and Al-Ardiyat are particularly at risk, while Turabah may have light rainfall.
The Riyadh region will also be affected, with light to moderate rain forecast for Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Sulayyil, Al-Aflaj, Hawtah Bani Tamim and Al-Kharj.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Baha, Asir, Jazan and Najran, while the Eastern Province may experience light showers.
The Civil Defense has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash floods, including valleys, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
Members of the public should stay updated on the latest weather conditions through various media channels.
Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes offering relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.
Source:arabnews.com
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KSrelief continues water supply, healthcare project in Yemen
October 15, 2024
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its water supply and environmental sanitation project in Yemen, providing drinking and non-potable water to residents in stricken areas
At the Al-Khawkhah District of Hodeidah Governorate, the relief agency pumped 266,000 liters of non-potable water and 140,000 liters of drinking water during the week from September 11 to 17, state news agency SPA reported.
Twenty-four transfers were also carried out to remove waste from internally displaced persons camps, five operations were carried out to dry sewage water, 80 swamps were drained and eight emergency bathrooms were maintained.
In the Razih district of Saada governorate, about 23,400 liters of potable water were also distributed to residents during the mentioned period.
On the healthcare side, internal medicine experts saw 69 patients; infectious-diseases doctors treated 35 patients; emergency services attended to 23 cases while reproductive health doctors attended to seven patients. More than 60 nursing care patients were also attended to while 134 individuals have been provided with medicines.
Meanwhile, KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society group to implement a program for children involved in conflict particularly in Marib Governorate and Seiyun in Hadhramaut Governorate.
The program will directly benefit 460 children, parents and members of community. The effort aims to reintegrate of youngsters with the provision of a safe shelter, in addition to psychological, social, health and educational support.
Ahmed Al-Baiz, KSrelief’s Assistant General Supervisor, earlier met with Abdallah Alwardat, the UN World Food Programme’s Global Partner Countries Division Director, to discuss collaborative efforts to bolster food security for countries and populations in need worldwide.
Source:arabnews.com
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Africa
Mosque Demolition Will Bring DevelopmentOf The Muslim Community –Governor Of Of Taraba State
October 14, 2024
By Great Ozozoyin
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has clarified that the proposed demolition of the Central Mosque in Takum local government council of the state is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting development and improving the welfare of the Muslim community.
The governor made the clarification, on Monday through his Special Adviser on Muslim Religious Matters, Hussaini Isma’il, in Jalingo, the state capital.
In a statement, the Governor stressed that the decision has been well-received by many within the community, as it aligns with the state’s efforts to foster progress and unity.
He also warned the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria, KYN, against politicizing the situation for personal gain, urging them not to distract the Muslim community in Takum.
“Any demolition that occurs is aimed at promoting the development and welfare of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Takum and beyond.”The statement read.
The Governor who also announced that the initiative has been welcomed by the community, dispelled the rumours surrounding the demolition, calling them baseless.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Muslim population, urging citizens to continue supporting the administration through prayers and cooperation.
Kefas emphasized his administration’s vision of building a more prosperous and inclusive state for all residents.
The governor’s clarification follows concerns raised by the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria, KYN, on Saturday, who raised alarm over the state’s urban development plans, which allegedly include the demolition of the Central Mosque.
According to the Kuteb Yatso Nigeria, KYN, the mosque is considered a key religious site for the local Muslimin Takum community.
But Governor Kefas reiterated that any demolition carried out will be in the best interest of the Muslim community, both in Takum and across the state.
“To all Muslim brothers and sisters across Nigeria, especially in Taraba and Takum local government councils, I encourage you to disregard any baseless rumours. This administration is dedicated to supporting the Muslim community here and throughout the state,” the Governor stated.
Source:dailypost.ng
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Security Personnel Must Take Oath For Ondo Governorship Election – INEC
15 October 2024
By Richard Ogunsile
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that security personnel assigned to the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State are required to take an oath of neutrality.
Naija News reports that security operatives have faced several allegations of partiality in previous elections.
Amid anxiety for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo, INEC stated that the security officers, who will be sourced from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Army, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others, must perform their electoral duties in a manner that serves the interests of the nation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Akure, the state capital, on Monday, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, indicated that the commission has initiated training for security personnel involved in the election, with a total of 11,799 individuals selected from various security units and formations within the state.
She emphasized that this training is essential for fostering collaboration between the commission and security agencies to ensure the protection of voters and the conduct of a peaceful election.
“To ensure a secure electoral environment before, during, and after the November 16 governorship election, INEC has commenced the Election Security Personnel (ESP) training. This programme is designed for all categories of security personnel to be deployed at various stages of the election.
“A total of 11,799 of them are going to undergo a three-day training for the exercise. This training aims to equip our security agents with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the unique challenges that may arise before, during, and after the election.
“These security personnel who would be taking part in the conduct of the election would take an oath of loyalty and neutrality, and it is part of the electoral act to do it,” she said.
Babalola confirmed that INEC is fully prepared to conduct a transparent election in the state and announced that the electoral commission is set to provide the official voter register to the political parties.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner stressed that the total number of newly registered voters in the state, which amounts to 2,053,061, will be disclosed to the political parties today, in accordance with Section 10 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/10/15/security-personnel-must-take-oath-for-ondo-governorship-election-inec/
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President Tinubu Reacts As Super Eagles Return To Nigeria After Ordeal In Libya
14 October 2024
By Oladipo Abiola
President Bola Tinubu has warmly welcomed the Super Eagles back to Nigeria after their harrowing ordeal in Libya.
According to a statement on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu warmly welcomes the safe return of the players.
The Nigerian leader described the happening in Libya as unsportsmanlike and inhumane and called for collaborative efforts to prevent a future occurence.
While expecting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who violated the rules of sports engagement as enshrined in the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations, President Tinubu commended the coordination between the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in handling the debacle.
The full statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu, deeply moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at a Libyan airport, warmly welcomes their safe return to Nigeria.
“The harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities prompted the Nigerian Football Federation to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
“President Tinubu expects the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s Statutes and Regulations.
“The President commends the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of our players.
“President Tinubu applauds the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
“The Nigerian leader recognises football’s unifying power in bringing nations and people together and views the treatment of our citizens as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he deeply appreciates.
“He fervently calls on all lovers of the round-leather game and administrators to unite and work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/10/14/president-tinubu-reacts-as-super-eagles-return-to-nigeria-after-ordeal-in-libya/
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New Nile water sharing accord takes effect as Egypt, Sudan protest
14 October 2024
Known as the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), the treaty aims to ensure equitable utilization and sustainable management of the world's longest river.
Several upstream countries have long argued that the downstream states of Egypt and Sudan had been unfairly allocated greater rights over the river Nile by colonial-era agreements.
Seven countries including Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have endorsed the CFA, which became effective on Sunday, October 13.
Cairo and Khartoum have rejected it.
In a statement Sunday, the Nile Basin Inititaive (NBI), a grouping of riparian states said that the CFA aims to rectify historical imbalances in access to the Nile’s waters.
“The CFA recognizes the legitimate needs of all Nile Basin states and commits us to the equitable sharing of these waters in a manner that promotes sustainable development. This agreement represents hope for the future, where each country can grow and prosper without depriving others of the same opportunity,” the NBI statement read.
The Nile River has long been a focal point of geopolitical tension in eastern Africa, particularly between Egypt and Ethiopia.
The friction rose when Addis Ababa built a large hydro power project on the Blue Nile, which Cairo said would hurt its water security.
Source:africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/10/14/new-nile-water-sharing-accord-takes-effect-as-egypt-sudan-protest/
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Bauchi appoints new magistrates, Upper Sharia Court judges
October 14, 2024
By Timi Owolabi
The Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has approved the appointment of seven magistrates and upgraded seven Lower Sharia Court judges to the position of Upper Sharia Court judges.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Secretary of the commission, Dr. Ibrahim Danjuma, announced the names of the newly appointed magistrates as Sadiq Mohammed Abubakar (Chief Magistrate II), Aminu Umar (Chief Magistrate II), Sani Maigari Isah (Senior Magistrate), Bintu Umar Mustapha (Senior Magistrate I), Abdullahi Adamu Sarki, Ha’inatu Ahmed and Mohammed Sani Yakubu (Senior Magistrate I).
Also announced were judges promoted from Lower to Upper Sharia Court positions, including Hafizu A. Nuhu, Abdullahi Tijjarni, Umar Zakari Yakubu, Dr. A.S. Adam Bello, Nuhu Idris Mohammed, Isa Mohammed Bauchi, and Ibrahim Ibrahim Water.
The statement also revealed disciplinary actions taken against five staff members including Rabiu Idris Shall, Principal Registrar, who was dismissed for various offenses, including willful absenteeism, misconduct, and failure to follow lawful instructions, all in violation of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations, 2023.
The JSC also approved the compulsory retirement of Saleh Ahmed Fanti, Chief Magistrate of Darazo Magistrate Court, for gross misconduct and failure to deliver judgments within the statutory period.
Furthermore, the commission removed Hamza Mato Zungur from his position as an Upper Sharia Court judge, converting him to the registrar cadre due to misconduct related to tampering with case matters.
Similarly, Mukhtar Muhammad Bello (Sharia Court Judge, Gadau) and Mohammed Ismail (Upper Sharia Court Judge, Gumau) received warning letters, and their promotions deferred by one year.
The Bauchi JSC emphasised its commitment to ensuring that the judiciary operates with integrity and efficiency, focusing on justice and public service.
Source:dailypost.ng
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North America
Sending A THAAD Air Defence System To Israel Adds To Strain On US Army Forces
October 14, 2024
WASHINGTON: The deployment of a US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel and roughly 100 soldiers to operate it will add to already difficult strains on the Army’s air defence forces and potential delays in modernizing its missile defense systems, Army leaders said Monday.
The service’s top two leaders declined to provide details on the deployment ordered by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin over the weekend. But they spoke broadly about their concerns as the demand for THAAD and Patriot missile batteries grows because of the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas militants.
“The air defense, artillery community is the most stressed. They have the highest ‘optempo’ really of any part of the Army,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said, using a phrase meaning the pace of operations. “We’re just constantly trying to be as disciplined as we can, and give Secretary Austin the information he needs to accurately assess the strain on the force when he’s considering future operational deployments.”
Wormuth said the Army has to be careful about “what we take on. But of course, in a world this volatile, you know, sometimes we have to do what we have to do.”
The Pentagon announced the THAAD deployment Sunday, saying it was authorized at the direction of President Joe Biden. US officials said the system will be moved from a location in the continental United States to Israel and that it will take a number of days for it and the soldiers to arrive. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of troop movements.
The move adds to what have been growing tensions within the Defense Department about what weapons the US can afford to send to Ukraine, Israel or elsewhere and the resulting risks to America’s military readiness and its ability to protect the nation.
“Everybody wants US Army air defense forces,” Gen. Randy George, Army chief of staff, said Monday as he and Wormuth took questions from journalists at the Association of the US Army’s annual conference. “This is our most deployed formation.”
The decision to send the THAAD came as Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, when it fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel. Israel already has a multilayered air defense system, but a Hezbollah drone attack on an army base Sunday killed four soldiers and severely wounded seven others, underscoring the potential need for greater protection.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. The Sunday drone attack was Hezbollah’s deadliest strike since Israel launched its ground invasion of Lebanon nearly two weeks ago.
Since the THAAD deployment only involves about 100 soldiers, it won’t add a tremendous amount of additional strain on air defense forces, Wormuth said at the conference.
But it adds to the pace of their deployments. Since the frenetic pace of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has subsided, the military has tried to ensure that service members have sufficient time at home to train and reset between deployments.
Shrinking that so-called dwell time can have an impact on the Army’s ability to keep good soldiers in the force.
“They’re very good, but obviously deploying for a year and coming back for a year and deploying for a year — it’s tough to do for anybody,” George said.
He said the Army is looking at a range of ways to limit the impact on recruiting and retention, including growing the force and modernizing the systems so that it takes fewer soldiers to operate them.
But the repeated deployments makes it difficult to get the systems into the depots where they can be upgraded.
As a result, Wormuth said, Army leaders are trying to make their arguments as clear as possible when combatant commanders go to Austin and ask for another Patriot system in the Middle East or another one for Ukraine.
“We need to be able to bring these units home to be able to go through that modernization process,” she said. “So we’re trying to lay that out for Secretary Austin so that he can weigh those risks — essentially current versus future risks — as he makes recommendations to the president about whether to send the Patriot here or there.”
Source:arabnews.com
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexually assaulting teenager in new lawsuits
15 Oct 2024,
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing new allegations of rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault after a series of fresh lawsuits were filed on Monday.
At least six lawsuits were filed in New York federal court by two women and four men. They include allegations that span from 1995 to 2021.
The unnamed accusers allege some of the assaults happened at Mr Combs' parties, which were attended by major celebrities and music artists.
Lawyers for Mr Combs denied the allegations, saying in a statement to the BBC that he "has never sexually assaulted anyone - adult or minor, man or woman".
One of the accusers said he was 16 when he attended one of the parties in the Hamptons in 1998. In the lawsuit, he describes being thrilled to get an invitation to Mr Combs' party, which became a premier A-list annual event for celebrities.
The accuser said he saw countless celebrities and music artists as he walked around, and ran into Mr Combs while he was on the way to the bathroom. He said he started talking to Mr Combs about breaking into the music industry when they went to somewhere more private.
The accuser alleges that during their conversation, Mr Combs abruptly ordered him to undress.
The lawsuit includes a photo of the pair together at the party with the teen's face blurred out.
According to the lawsuit, Mr Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star". The rapper told the teen he could make anyone a star and the teen had the right "look", the lawsuit states.
Another lawsuit filed on Monday includes allegations by a woman who claims Mr Combs raped her in a hotel room in 2004 when she was a 19-year-old college student.
According to the lawsuit, she met the music mogul at a photoshoot, where he then invited her and a friend to attend a private party at his hotel. Once they arrived, the lawsuit alleges that Mr Combs "fondled, molested, and ultimately raped her” despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.
Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the accusers, said he is representing more than 100 people who plan to sue the rapper on allegations of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.
Mr Buzbee said that some of the alleged victims include children. He said the lawsuits are being brought under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to file older claims.
"We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves, and will work to see that justice is done," Mr Buzbee said in a statement after filing the lawsuits Monday.
"We expect to be filing many more cases over the next several weeks naming Mr Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings."
The lawsuits are the latest of more than a dozen that have been filed against Mr Combs recently, accusing the music mogul of assaults, rape and sexual extortion.
He has denied all civil and criminal claims against him.
Mr Combs is facing federal criminal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. A judge last week tentatively scheduled his trial to begin on 5 May 2025.
Mr Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since his 16 September arrest. His lawyers have argued for his release until the trial, citing the jail’s “horrific” conditions.
A New York federal judge denied their request for bail, arguing that Mr Combs was a “serious flight risk”.
Source:.bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2eklxx9y1ro
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Father attends remembrance for 6-year-old Muslim son 1 year after unincorp. Plainfield stabbing
ByEric Horng WLS logo
October 15, 2024
CHICAGO (WLS) -- One year later, the death of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi in the south suburbs continues to have an impact on many people in the Chicago area.
President Joe Biden is among those marking this somber milestone and Wadee's father is among those gathering on Chicago's Northwest Side for a remembrance that is scheduled to begin Monday night.
Wadee died after being stabbed more than two dozen times on October 14th, 2023 at his home near Plainfield. His mother was critically wounded in the attack.
The Muslim family's landlord, Joseph Czuba, who prosecutors say was angered by Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel last year, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and hate crime charges. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.
"We're never going to forget what happened. We're never going to forget the atmosphere that was created that still lingers today," said CAIR Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.
Dozens of people gathered at Settler's Park in Plainfield to honor Wadee and grieve as a community on Sunday.
For Monday evening's remembrance, ABC7 is told Wadee's father, Odai Alfayoumi, specifically requested an intimate gathering at Chicago's Muslim Community Center and has told supporters that he does not want his son's memory politicized in any way.
He sat down with ABC7 after the remembrance on Monday evening. Speaking in Arabic, the father said he is filled with sadness, but still feels his son's presence and hears his voice.
In a statement, Biden said, in part, "On this day, let us all take steps that honor Wadee's memory and reaffirm together that there is no place for hate in America, including hatred of Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims."
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing that Wadee death was the result of a hate crime.
Wadee's father urged people of all faiths to see the humanity in others.
In his grief, he said, it has brought him joy to know so many people all around the world have seen his son in their own children.
Source:abc7chicago.com
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/engineer-rashid-kashmir-islamist-secular/d/133446