'Ruse For Ethnic Cleansing?' Punjab And Haryana HC Asks, Halts Demolitions In Haryana’s Nuh

New Age Islam News Bureau

08 August 20123

  

Vehicles torched by the mob are being collected at the bus stand in Nuh. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale

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India

• Kerala Minister Saji Cherian Under Fire For Saying He Did Not Hear Prayer Call From Mosques In Saudi Arabia

• Convicts Chasing Bilkis Bano Driven By Bloodthirsty Approach To Hunt, Kill Muslims, SC Told

• Gyanvapi Mosque: Allahabad HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Sealing Of Premises And Ban On Entry Of Non-Hindus

• Calls For An Economic Boycott Are Crushing Us, Say Gurugram Muslim Traders

• Around 5,000 Muslim Vendors Have Left Gurugram, Alleges Hawkers’ Body

• Jammu & Kashmir: SIA to Reopen Cases Into Killings of Hindus, Sikhs, & Muslims in 90s

• Case filed against Bajrang Dal leader after video of call to boycott Muslim traders goes viral in Hisar

• Posters calling for boycott of Muslim traders up in Ghaziabad, 1 detained

• Kerala Minister Slammed For Remarks On Muslim Call To Prayer

• Children proudly say, "Indian Muslims in Kashmir:" British-Arab influencer

• Ghaziabad: Man held for banners calling for boycott of Muslim traders

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Mideast

• Daesh Group Militants Killed 10 Syrian Troops in Raqqa Province

• Settlers storm courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque

• Sisi inaugurates recently renovated Al-Sayeda Nafisa Mosque

• Israel demolishes home of alleged Palestinian attacker

• Multinational force fights stubborn wildfire in Cyprus, including Lebanon, Greece and Jordan

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South Asia

• Young People Hold Book Exhibition in Kabul

• Plan to Reopen Girls' Schools 'Under Discussion': Officials

• Continued Detentions of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Raises Concerns

• Acting Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad Meets Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Leader

• IEA Political Commission Discusses Afghan Delegation’s Visit to Doha

• Security, Public Well-Being Are Basic Obligations of the Islamic Emirate: Deputy PM

• Turkish police arrest 64 illegal Afghan immigrants

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Pakistan

• KP Governor Urges Graduates To Embrace Hard Work, Islamic Values

• Ministers say delayed elections on the cards

• Bilawal faults his elders for turning politics into minefield

• Govt ‘agrees’ on interim premier, name kept under wraps

• FO pins onus on India to ‘shun belligerence’

• Imran taken to Attock to deny rightful facility: PTI

• Toshakhana judge didn’t fly to UK ‘out of the blue’

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Southeast Asia

• PM Anwar Says PAS No Longer ‘Original’, Strayed From Its Founding Struggles Of Fighting For Islam

• Anthony Loke Tells PAS President No Need To See Non-Muslims As Enemies Of Malays

• Islamist Party aiming for clean sweep in Terengganu state polls

• Jokowi Meets OIC, Discusses Indonesia's Position in Global Islamic Development Issues

• Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Dept to be intervener in constitutional challenge to state’s Shariah law

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Africa

• Ministerial Appointment: Again, Islamic Scholars Reject El-Rufai

• Muslim Cleric In Police Net For Allegedly Taking Over Friend’s Wife, Children, N105m With Charms

• Group kicks against two Muslim ministerial nominees from Taraba 

• New constitution in C.Africa opens door for Touadera's third term

• Niger's military shuts down airspace as it warns of an imminent attack

• The HRW accuses Angolan police of extrajudicial killings

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Arab World

• AlUla Royal Commission Receives SAG Award For Outstanding Performance In Using GIS

• Saudi Arabia to open embassy in Costa Rica

• Saudi commission begins work on Modern Urban Heritage initiative

• OIC chief meets Indonesian president in Jakarta

• Riyadh Municipality Launches Architectural Awards

• Riyadh water and infrastructure expo aims to transform Kingdom’s landscape

• China, Germany say Jeddah talks on Ukraine back international efforts to end war

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Europe

• Bosnia Arrest Man Suspected Of Islamic State Attack Plan - Prosecutors

• Amazing scenes as mosque fundraisers welcomed back from trek

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North America

• Muslim American Man Says Airline Bias Case Can't Go To Arbitrators

• Salvation Government Imposes Islamic Dress Code and Segregation of Boys and Girls in Idleb Schools

• Merging Islamic Values with Blockchain Innovations

• US deploys over 3,000 sailors, Marines to West Asia under pretext of maritime security

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/ethnic-cleansing-nuh-haryana-bulldozer/d/130411

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'Ruse For Ethnic Cleansing?' Punjab And Haryana HC Asks, Halts Demolitions In Haryana’s Nuh

 

Vehicles torched by the mob are being collected at the bus stand in Nuh. Photo: Atul Ashok Howale

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New Delhi, 8 August 2023:

The Punjab and Haryana high court stopped the demolition drive in Haryana’s Nuh after communal clashes broke out in the area last week, NDTV reported. The court, crucially, asked if the drive was an “exercise of ethnic cleansing” by the state.

“Apparently, without any demolition orders and notices, the law-and-order problem is being used as a ruse to bring down buildings without following the procedure established by law,” Hindustan Times quoted the bench of Justices Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Harpreet Kaur Jeewan as having said.

Nuh’s deputy commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata asked officials to halt the demolitions following the high court order. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter a week after communal violence in Haryana claimed six lives, injured many and led to a huge loss of property in Nuh and Gurugram, the report said.

According to Hindustan Times, more than 750 buildings were razed in four days. Many of those whose homes were razed claimed that they were not served a prior notice.

The local administration was accused of targeting Muslims by politicians. However, the administration said they were taking action against “illegal constructions” and encroachment and no individual was being targeted.

“Demolition drive against illegal construction is underway and it will continue. Action is not being taken to target anyone. Our motive is to establish peace,” Khadgata was quoted by NDTV as saying.

Hyderabad MP and chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Haryana government saying for the move.”Confidence Building means buildings, homes and medical shops and shanties of one community [Muslims] should be Demolished without following due process to give collective punishment. The @mlkhattar government has usurped the rights of Courts of Law Confidence is being given to people who are ideologically closer to BJP/Sangh,” Owaisi had said in a tweet.

The district administration also drew criticism after they stopped a four-member delegation from Communist Party of India (Marxist) from entering Nuh. CPI(M) MP Binoy Viswam said was quoted by NDTV as saying, “This is the plight of the country today. The reality of the day, the Police are not allowing even us. That means that under this rule, even the freedom of movement is prohibited. Hooligans, goons and fascists can move freely.”

The situation in Nuh has remained tense since the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally last week led to violence in the area which later spread to Gurugram. Internet suspension is still in place in Nuh along with the presence of paramilitary forces on ground, NDTV reported.

Source: thewire.in

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https://thewire.in/communalism/haryana-hc-halts-demolitions-in-nuh-owaisi-accuses-khattar-administration-of-targeting-muslims

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Nuh Communal Violence: In Both Slums and Residential Societies, Gurgaon's Muslims Feel Afraid, Unwelcome

 

Muslims still in Badshahpur slums are packing their belongings. Photo: Tarushi Aswani

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Tarushi Aswani

Gurgaon: Gloomy faces are scattered under Gurgaon’s grey skies. They reflect the ordeal people – particularly Muslims – have been facing in the area since the Nuh communal violence on July 31.

Since then, shops, homes and places of worship belonging to Muslims have been vandalised, set ablaze and looted. The state has responded by demolishing properties and filing a spate of FIRs. Tensions are high and the hate feels palpable. Seeing all of this, the region’s Muslims have either locked themselves inside their homes or fled to Delhi or other locations.

In the Badshahpur area, The Wire visited a cluster of slums inhabited by migrant workers from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. While these workers belong to both Hindu and Muslim communities, Muslim migrant workers have been fleeing these slums ever since the violence began.

The Wire also spoke to Gurgaon’s Muslim residents living in high-rise societies, which have often been touted as signs of ‘development’ in the city.

‘We need to leave’

Four years ago, when Mouni Alam’s husband told her that he had found a job as an electrician at a gated, 15-floor society in Gurgaon’s Sector 70A, she thought it was the chance her family needed to break free from poverty.

But today, she is frantically dialling numbers to connect with her husband back home in Kolkata. Alam has already sent her daughters to a relative, because she believes “they will be safer there”.

For all the migrant workers who live in Badshahpur’s slums, and pay a sum of Rs 2,000 per month for a pigeon-hole tenement, living in this area that lies next to high-rise societies meant being able to earn enough for two meals a day.

After the violence that unfolded on July 31, Alam says, the slum cluster in 70A has seen men dressed in ‘white kurtas’, who cover their faces in ‘white’ arriving and threatening the mixed-community population ‘not to speak to the media’ and ‘remain quiet’.

These men, Alam and other remaining Muslims claim, have threatened to burn Muslims alive in case they decide to stay back. “We have to leave anyhow, this is not the same place anymore, we came here to earn, but we can’t even live here now,” she says.

Manoos Begum is another migrant worker who is agitated because she is being forced to leave a life where she was earning independently. “Either we leave or they burn us, our employers will not stand for us, we only have each other now,” Manoos says sadly.

Lateef, another resident who has been living here for four years now, says that at least 100 Muslim families have escaped the slum cluster in the last seven days. He has seen his Muslim neighbours leave one by one, and is also thinking of leaving soon.

Muslims not allowed

Deepa Mondal from West Bengal’s Malda is another slum resident and a domestic worker in one of the societies in sector 70A. Since August 1, Mondal has been told by her employers that she should not visit the society for work, considering the tense atmosphere. Her employers transferred her wages to her. “Though I am a Hindu, the society I work in has asked Muslim staff to refrain from entering the society. So none of the staff are reporting to work,” Mondal says.

On the other side is Abid*, a resident of one of Gurgaon’s well-known societies. His neighbours, he says, openly threatened him and his family, saying they must leave. Not only has Abid’s family left the society they had called home for more than a decade, but they also had to sell their property in distress and move to a Muslim ghetto for ‘peace of mind’.

Also escaping Gurgaon is Tabrez Khan, who is ready to board his train for Moradabad, leaving behind his wooden cart on which he sold fruits. Khan had a routine of selling fruits outside high-rise societies in Badshahpur. “I have not sold fruits for a week now, and I was called by a society watchman who told me not to come to their society now. I’m leaving because I can’t earn here anymore,” says Khan.

After a sea of stressed Muslims left Gurgaon, Hindu residents of Gurgaon have raised their voice – about the lack of domestic help. A video circulating on Twitter showed residents of Tulip Orange, a society in Gurgaon, lamenting that Muslim staff had fled in fear and this had resulted in housekeeping issues. The Wire also visited this society to speak to the residents, who said that they were stressed out about the situation as there was no staff coming in for housekeeping and garbage disposal. The residents also said that had there been a good population of Hindu workers, their dependence on Muslim workers would have decreased.

But in another residential society, residents have been comforting each other. Saba Khan has seen support from her non-Muslim friends nearby. Khan says that in tough times, her non-Muslim friends have been checking in on her, but she fears for Muslims in Gurgaon’s markets who are deeply scarred and have decided to leave.

“I live in a society where I have always felt safe. We celebrate all festivals and we live peacefully with each other. This time, for the first time in my 23 years, the main gates of our society were shut because of the mob violence taking place in parts of Gurgaon. People are scared. Muslims have closed their shops and are leaving Gurgaon. Section 144 has been imposed and yet large meetings are being held by certain organisations. My question is, why they are not being stopped?” she asks.

Source: thewire.in

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Gyanvapi Mosque, Fifth Day Of Scientific Survey: ASI May Open 'Tahkhana' As Scientific Survey Resumes

 

ASI may open Gyanvapi 'Tahkhana'

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Written by Manzoor-ul-Hassan

August 08, 2023

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed its fifth day of scientific survey at the Gyanvapi Mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Tuesday.

It will reportedly conduct the survey of the remaining parts of three domes and open Tahkhana (basement)—a crucial area—for a detailed survey, including photography and videography.

Meanwhile, the Hindu side petitioners expressed excitement about the progress of the survey so far.

Why does this story matter?

Right-wing Hindu organizations assert that several mosques, including the Gyanvapi Mosque, were built by Muslim invaders after destroying Hindu temples.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is accused of promoting this issue as a reclamation project for Hindus, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

However, some Hindu priests rejected the claims made by the litigants, accusing them of inciting communal tensions.

Hindu side counsel says videography not possible without removing rubble

The fifth day of the survey by the ASI resumed at 8:00am and will end at 5:00pm, said advocate Sudhir Tripathi, representing the Hindu side.

"It seems the survey of the dome has not been completed. Tahkhana is also being surveyed," he told ANI.

"Without removing the rubble, photography, and videography are not possible," he said.

'We are very excited': Hindu petitioner about progress of survey

One of the Hindu petitioners, Rekha Pathak, also said that the Tahkhana might be opened on Tuesday.

"We are very excited about the survey. It has become our routine to get up in the morning and head for duty. That's how we feel," she said.

Meanwhile, heavy security has been deployed at the Gyanvapi Mosque complex amid the ASI survey.

Gyanvapi Mosque survey delayed on Monday

According to the Hindustan Times, the ongoing ASI survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque was delayed for a brief time on Monday due to a large crowd visiting the adjacent Kashi Vishwanath Temple for special sawan prayers before Lord Shiva.

The survey began three hours late at 11:00am and lasted until 5:00pm because a large number of devotees gathered at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Allahabad High Court allowed ASI to continue survey

The ASI's scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque, except for the sealed Wuzukhana area where a shivling was reported to have been found last year, commenced last Friday, after the Allahabad High Court's judgment allowing the exercise.

Last Thursday, the court denied a petition submitted by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court judgment authorizing the survey.

Source: newsbytesapp.com

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Children Recruited To Fight Islamic State In North Sinai By Egyptian Armed Forces And Pro-Government Militias, Report Finds

 

Military forces in North Sinai, Egypt, 1 December 2017 (Reuters)

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8 August 2023

Egyptian armed forces and pro-government militias fighting Islamic State (IS) in North Sinai have recruited children in violation of international law, a rights group has reported.

The UK-based Sinai Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR) said that between 2013 and 2022, children as young as 12 were enlisted, with some under 18 directly participating in hostilities. Others were tasked with spying, sweeping operations, delivering food to military checkpoints and ambushes, and searching for and disassembling explosives, the group found.

The findings, released on Tuesday, come after a months-long investigation by SFHR, partly based on testimonies from the children's relatives, pro-government militia members and a child allegedly enlisted by armed forces.

Wilayat Sina, the IS affiliate in North Sinai, killed some of the children. They included a 17-year-old who was murdered in front of his father with a scalpel and his head then left by a railway crossing in his village. Others were seriously wounded during their work, including several injured by detonating explosives, SFHR said.

Under international law, governments are obliged not to recruit or enlist children under the age of 15. Such recruitment by either a government or armed groups is listed as a war crime in the statute of the International Criminal Court.

SFHR said it is calling on the Egyptian government to: "Immediately halt the recruitment, enlistment, and use of children under 18 as combatants or in military support roles that expose them to danger."

The group also recommends that the UN Security Council refer the conflict in North Sinai to the International Criminal Court to investigate possible war crimes.

SFHR has called on other governments "to hold Egypt accountable to its international commitments related to enlisting children in armed conflict.

"Policymakers in the US and Western capitals should weigh these actions against foreign aid, especially military aid, to ensure that funds are not complicit in these practices," the report says.

Cost of North Sinai conflict

Egyptian armed forces have fought Wilayat Sina in North Sinai since 2013, during which it has attacked security forces and civilians.

In 2015, a pro-government militia, made up of tribes from the area, started fighting in support of Egyptian authorities.

The conflict has severely impacted soldiers and civilians, although it is difficult to gauge the full picture as journalists have often been barred from the area.

Human Rights Watch has said that, between 2013 and 2020, more than 100,000 of North Sinai’s 450,000 residents were displaced or left the region. In addition, at least 12,530 buildings were demolished and 6,000 hectares of farmland were closed off.

SFHR reported earlier this year that at least 59 schools had been demolished or attacked, and 37 turned into military bases, leaving a generation of pupils out of school. The deteriorating situation in the region, particularly its economic decline, has driven child recruitment, SFHR said.

In some cases, the army and militias promised children fuel and food, or the possibility of returning to villages from which they had been displaced, the report says.

"The army and militias used this strategy, particularly with children who descend from long marginalized families that did not belong to any of the Sinai tribes.

"The children found in their collaboration with the army a chance to acquire power and privileges by getting close to army officers."

Two children were promised membership cards of the Sinai Fighters Association, which one resident told SFHR was understood to bring “a sort of impunity and power”.

Teen targeted by Islamic State

Relatives of Jaseer al-Batin said he was informally recruited by Egyptian authorities when he was 12. For the next four years, he was tasked with spying in his neighbourhood in the town of Sheikh Zuweid.

At 16, officers told him to deliver food to military sites in his own car in exchange for “a nominal salary” and fuel or food for him and his family.

In November 2019, he was killed by an explosive device, likely planted by Wilayat Sina, that blew up his car, SFHR said.

Sharing a video of his funeral on Facebook, the Sinai Tribes Union, one of the largest pro-government militias in North Sinai, wrote that he was "martyred [while] delivering water to conscripts and state institutions."

One child from the village of Bir Abid told SFHR that his uncle had persuaded him to start working for the Egyptian army in 2018.

At first, the boy, whose identity has not been disclosed for his own safety, was tasked with delivering food to security checkpoints. But two years later, his uncle said he could "participate in war."

"I was afraid. I was only 17, but my uncle and an officer trained me [to shoot] for almost two months," the boy told SFHR. "When I learned, I wanted to participate so I quit school."

Middle East Eye has contacted the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

Source: middleeasteye.net

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https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-children-fight-north-sinai-report

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Taliban Stresses On Implementation Of Sharia Law: ‘Restructuring Afghanistan’

 

People walk through a market with old Taliban flags flown above in a town in a remote region of Afghanistan.(AP)

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Aug 08, 2023

 The Taliban is stressing the need for the implementation of Sharia in the nation, Tolo News reported.

Taliban-appointed Acting Interior Minister of Afghanistan Sirajuddin Haqqani while speaking to a gathering of religious clerics, tribal elders and local officials in Laghman, said that the current Jihad in the country is to implement Sharia law.

“We perform Jihad today by implementing Sharia and ensuring the government endures, and by reconstructing the country,” he said, as per Tolo News.

Tolo News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul.

Meanwhile, Zalmai Afghanyar, a political analyst, said: “The ministers of the interior and defence are responsible for assuring the people about the security and borders of Afghanistan. They should motivate the Islamic Emirate’s forces on the borders. Also, the recent activities of Pakistan and Iran have caused security concerns. These are some of the purposes of this visit.”

Taliban wants to fully impose their interpretation of Sharia Law, including potential public executions, amputations and flogging, a move experts fear will lead to a further deterioration of human rights in the impoverished country.

Taliban’s hardline implementation of the doctrine when the group was last in power from 1996 to 2001 included violent punishments, such as public executions, stoning, floggings and amputations.

After seizing power last August, the Taliban attempted to project a more moderate image to gain international support, but in the months since, the group has clamped down on rights and freedoms.

Women in Afghanistan can no longer work in most sectors and require a male guardian for long-distance travel, while girls have been barred from returning to secondary school.

The security situation in the country has also deteriorated since the group’s takeover last year, with the nation growing increasingly isolated and impoverished.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/restructuring-afghanistan-taliban-stresses-on-implementation-of-sharia-law-101691468696464.html

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India

Kerala minister Saji Cherian under fire for saying he did not hear prayer call from mosques in Saudi Arabia

Saji Cherian later clarified that his comment stemmed from wrong information and he was only trying to underline the people’s love for other communities and religious harmony in Saudi Arabia

Written by Shaju Philip

August 7, 2023

Saji CherianSenior CPI(M) leader and Kerala Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian (left) was on the receiving end following controversial remarks about the Constitution. (File Photo)

Senior CPI(M) leader and Kerala Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian has once again landed in a controversy after saying he did not hear the call to prayer from mosques in Saudi Arabia when he recently visited the country.

He later clarified that his comment stemmed from wrong information and said he only tried to underline the people’s love for other communities and religious harmony in Saudi Arabia.

Cherian, who was last year forced to quit as a minister in the wake of his alleged statements against the Constitution, made the controversial comment during a function in Kochi on Sunday. “I thought extremists were living there… (with) extreme religious beliefs… But I was surprised to learn that there is no call to prayer from mosques. When I asked the person accompanying me about this, he told me that prayers are held inside the mosques. If the call to prayer is heard outside, they (mosques) would face the consequences. As per their faith, they have the right to make the call to prayer. But, if it is heard outside (the mosque), it is a public nuisance,” he said.

The minister, who also holds the portfolio of fisheries, said, “…Whereas here (in Kerala), the mic is used to unleash God everywhere. In Saudi, everyone has the right to pray. But all have to abide by the rules. Is the majority community there (Saudi) attacking anyone? There is a democratic situation.”

After his comments came under criticism, Cherian on Monday came up with an explanation on his social media pages. “Some people are spreading yesterday’s speech without understanding my intention. What I learned from my fellow traveller in Saudi was the moderate approach of the people in religious ceremonies and people’s love for other communities and religious harmony. My statement that I did not hear the call to prayer was wrong information. Please clear the misunderstanding,” he said.

Congress state vice president V T Balram said CPI(M) leaders holding constitutional posts, one after another, are making comments that would destroy the state’s communal harmony. “After inflicting damage to society, Cherian would withdraw his comment. This would only help the BJP further their agenda,” he said.

In July last year, Cherian made controversial observations about the Constitution, which led to his exit from the Cabinet. He was reinstated six months later. While speaking at a party function in Pathanamthitta, he had said, “Constitution endorses the exploitation and loot of the common people. I would say the Constitution has been written in such a manner as to ensure that the maximum number of people are looted. What the British prepared, Indians penned down. Over the last 75 years that it has been implemented, I would say this is a Constitution that ensures the exploitation of the maximum number of people in the country.”

Source: indianexpress.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-minister-saji-cherian-saudi-arabia-remarks-8880810/

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Convicts chasing Bilkis Bano driven by bloodthirsty approach to hunt, kill Muslims, SC told

07th August 2023

NEW DELHI: The convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case and murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots chased her with a "bloodthirsty approach" to hunt Muslims and kill them, the Supreme Court was told on Monday.

Commencing arguments on the plea challenging the remission granted last year to all the 11 convicts, advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing for Bilkis Bano, submitted she was brutally gang-raped while she was pregnant and her first child was smashed with a rock to death.

"She kept pleading that she is like a sister to them as she knew all of them. They were from around the area. It was not a spur-of-the-moment incident. The convicts were chasing Bilkis with a bloodthirsty approach to hunt Muslims and kill them. They raised slogans - 'these are Muslims, kill them'. The high court has taken note that the crime committed by them was rare, uncommon and driven by communal hatred," Gupta told a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan.

The lawyer told the court the convicts were released on August 15, 2022, following remission of sentence and Bilkis came to know about it when she saw the celebrations outside the jail as they came out.

Opposing the remission granted to the convicts, Gupta said the CBI had opposed the premature release of the convicts saying a wrong message will go out to the society at large as the crime is of such a nature that it cannot be pardoned.

The hearing will resume on Tuesday.

The top court had fixed August 7 for the start of the final hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the remission granted last year to all the 11 convicts in the case.

On May 9, the top court directed the publication of notices in local newspapers, including in Gujarati and English, against the convicts who could not be served notices.

The top court had on May 2 deferred the hearing after some of the counsel for the convicts raised objections about not being served notices on the pleas challenging the remission granted to them.

The Centre and the Gujarat government had told the court they were not filing any plea for a review of the court's March 27 order asking for the production of the original records with regard to the remission granted to the convicts.

The Gujarat government had raised preliminary objections with regard to the petitions filed in the matter other than the one by Bilkis Bano, saying it will have wide ramifications as every now and then third parties will approach courts in criminal cases.

The top court had on April 18 questioned the Gujarat government over the remission granted to the 11 convicts, saying the gravity of the offence should have been considered before showing leniency, and wondered if there was any application of mind.

Asking for reasons for the premature release of the convicts, the top court had also questioned frequent parole granted to them during their incarceration.

"It (remission) is a kind of grace, which should be proportional to the crime," it had said.

Terming Bilkis Bano's gang rape and the murder of her family members a "horrendous" act, the apex court had on March 27 asked the Gujarat government whether uniform standards, as followed in other murder cases, were applied while granting remission to the convicts.

Besides Bilkis Bano's petition, several other PILs including one by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, independent journalist Revati Laul, and former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma have challenged the remission.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has also filed a PIL against the remission.

Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing the horror of the communal riots that broke out after the Godhra train-burning incident.

Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/aug/07/convicts-chasing-bilkis-bano-driven-by-bloodthirsty-approach-to-hunt-kill-muslims-sc-told-2602892.html

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Gyanvapi mosque: Allahabad HC dismisses PIL seeking sealing of premises and ban on entry of non-Hindus

08 Aug 2023

Amid the ongoing survey of Gyanvapi mosque, the Allahabad High Court, on Tuesday, rejected a PIL seeking a direction to seal the premises and ban entry of non-Sanatanis to protect Hindu signs.

The Allahabad HC allowed the withdrawal of the Public Interest Litigation(plea) seeking a direction to the UP Government to seal the entire Gyanvapi mosque, according to LiveLaw.

In the PIL, the petitioners had requested to seal the entire premises without conflicting with the Varanasi Court's July 21 order. The PIL plea, which sought a ban on entry of non-Hindus at the disputed site, was moved by Chief of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh (VVSS), Jitendra Singh Visen, Rakhi Singh, and others through advocate Saurabh Tiwary.

Source: livemint.com

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Calls For An Economic Boycott Are Crushing Us, Say Gurugram Muslim Traders

August 08, 2023

SAMRIDHI TEWARI

It has been a week since Abdul Hossen* opened his meat shop in Gurugram’s Sadar Bazar.

After pulling down the shutters on August 1, a day after the VHP rally in Haryana’s Nuh district, Mr. Hossen says he was thinking of reopening his shop over the weekend.

However, he adds, Sunday’s Mahapanchayat by local Hindu community members in the city’s Tigra village, where calls were made to boycott Muslim-run businesses, came as a shocking reminder that “I could be their next target”.

“How is it that a group of people can organise such an event, where they abuse us, while the police and the government stay silent?” Mr. Hossen said.

He incurs a loss of ₹1,500 each day his shop remains shut.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Nitish Aggarwal said that action is being taken against those disturbing law and order and patrolling has been intensified in the area.

“We have initiated several confidence-building measures to instil a sense of security among the residents,” Mr. Aggarwal added.

Another meat shop owner in Sadar Bazar’s Jakub Pura, Faraz Ahmad*, said, “As a result of the vilification of our community on television channels every day, our neighbours have stopped talking to us. How could a mahapanchayat be allowed to take place despite Section 144 [of the CrPC] being in force?” Mr. Ahmad said.

Imran*, a 24-year-old vegetable vendor who was getting ready to leave the busy marketplace for his home in Gurugram, said, “We barely make enough to sustain ourselves. Now, we are being told not to rent spaces or engage in any kind of business. We are migrant workers. If we are not allowed to earn a living, we won’t be able to survive.”

(*Names changed to protect identity)

Source: thehindu.com

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Around 5,000 Muslim Vendors Have Left Gurugram, Alleges Hawkers’ Body

By Abhishek Behl

Aug 08, 2023

Most of the vendors from the minority community hail from places such as Meerut, Aligarh, Bijnor, Moradabad, Mainpuri, Muzaffarnagar, Etawah in Uttar Pradesh and Nuh district, and a majority of them have returned to their hometowns due to alleged threats

The hawkers’ association in the city has estimated that at least 5,000 street vendors from the Muslim community, who sold fruits, vegetables, fast food and other items across major markets and roads, have either left Gurugram or stopped their daily business in the aftermath of the communal violence that hit Nuh, Sohna and Gurugram on July 31.

Most of the vendors from the minority community hail from places such as Meerut, Aligarh, Bijnor, Moradabad, Mainpuri, Muzaffarnagar, Etawah in Uttar Pradesh and Nuh district, and a majority of them have returned to their hometowns due to alleged threats and sporadic acts of violence that took place in Sohna, Badshahpur and Sector 70A, the hawkers’ association said.

A few vendors who are continuing with their business amid fear, said threats, intimidation and fear of violent attacks had ensured the exodus of Muslim vendors to either Delhi and Noida, where their relatives stay or to their villages in the neighbouring states.

Rajender Saroha, general secretary, Dron Rehri Patri Feri Committee, Gurugram, said the ground situation is worrisome and the Muslim vendors are scared after last week’s communal flare-up.

“There are around 40,000 vendors across Gurugram and around 40% of them belong to the Muslim community. Many of them have already left the city or have stopped operating from the markets due to fear of attacks from fringe groups. We have been trying to help them, but they are still afraid. Many were threatened and asked to leave the city immediately,” Saroha added.

As per the data collected by the hawkers’ association, there are around 16,000 registered vendors who are recognised by the municipal corporation, but the actual number of vendors is around 40,000. They operate in almost all parts of the city but are prominent in places such as Sadar Bazar, Palam Vihar, MG Road, Sohna Road, Badshahpur, sectors 14, 23, 46, 49, 64, 65, 70A, 72 and 74, villages such as Fazilpur, Darbaripur, apart from most areas in Old Gurugram. A number of vendors also operate around major medical establishments such as Medanta Hospital and Fortis Hospital in Sector 44.

“There are usually over 100 vendors on MG Road alone, who sell fast food and other assorted items and almost half of them belong to the Muslim community. On Monday, there were only 30 to 40 vendors as most of the Muslims have returned to their villages out of fear,” said Balram Kumar, a vendor on MG Road.

HT did a spot check and visited major roads such as MG Road, Major Sushil Aima Marg in Palam Vihar and Sadar Bazar on Monday and found that the number of street vendors has reduced considerably.

Mukesh Pradhan, a commission agent in Sadar Bazar, said fruit business was down by almost 50% as a majority of the fruit sellers and juice vendors are Muslims. “We employed three workers from Nuh but were forced to send them home as there was tension in the area. The fruit loaders are also majorly from the Muslim community and most of them have returned to their hometowns in UP,” he said.

Owais Ali, a fruit vendor, who operated in the city told HT on phone that he had left for his village in Uttarakhand after violence broke out in Badshahpur. “I was not feeling safe after the attacks and left for my village. We are poor people and can’t afford to get in trouble,” he said.

Another vendor, identified as Anis, said he had been running his business in Gurugram for the last 10 years, but never saw such a grim situation before. “We have been working peacefully and earning our livelihood. I have decided to stop work for a few days to remain safe,” he said, adding that a majority of coconut sellers were also from the minority community, and they had left for their respective homes.

In Badshahpur, 95% of the vendors are from the minority community and most of them have also left. “Most of the vendors left after a few shops were vandalised in the main market following the Nuh incident,” said Saroha.

The locals, meanwhile, alleged that apart from the communal conflagration in Nuh, another reason for the attack on Muslims was that there is a feeling among youth that that entire street vending trade has been monopolised by them and there is no economic opportunity left for them.

Saroha, however, denied this allegation and said the only reason for the targeted violence was communal polarisation as most of the local Hindu residents in the city are well off, and don’t need to ply street carts to earn a living.

The members of the hawkers’ association said they have asked the authorities to intervene and prevent people from leaving the city. “There is a need to take corrective measures and establish law and order on a priority basis,” said Keshav, a street vendor, who said that not only Muslims, but even Hindu vendors were suffering because of the communal strife.

Due to the violence, the operation of vends has been restricted in most of the areas, and business is bad for all of us, Keshav said. “The communal strife has impacted our business,” he added.

The Gurugram district administration, when asked about the matter, said the situation is getting normalised and strict measures have been taken to curb violence and arson attacks by miscreants.

“We have reached out to people and asked them not to panic as the situation is very much under control. Regular flag marches were conducted by police and paramilitary forces in the vulnerable areas, and I visited these areas myself,” said Gurugram deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav.

Yadav said Section 144, which was imposed in the city has also been revoked and it signals return to normalcy. “Cases have been registered against hooligans and paramilitary forces are on the ground around the clock to prevent any untoward incident”, he added.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/communal-violence-in-gurugram-causes-muslim-street-vendors-to-flee-or-stop-business-101691435202935.html

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Jammu & Kashmir: SIA to Reopen Cases Into Killings of Hindus, Sikhs, & Muslims in 90s

AUGUST 08, 2023

The investigation agencies are set to restart a probe into the killings of prominent individuals who were assassinated by terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir in the 90s when the armed insurgency broke out in the Valley.

Sources told News18 that the cases have been identified and will soon be investigated where people will also be urged to come forward. The move comes after the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) launched a probe into the murder case of retired Judge Neelkanth Ganjoo, a Kashmiri Pandit, who was assassinated on November 4, 1989, by terrorists.

Agencies had blamed the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) outfit for the killing but no arrest was made in the case.

“A few more cases are being re-opened. Approximately 10 cases which include that of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims," a source privy to the development told News18.

“This is being done to unearth the larger criminal conspiracy behind these killings," the source added.

SIA has published a public notice in local newspapers asking people familiar with facts or circumstances of the murder case of the retired Judge to come forward and share any account of events.

Earlier this year in May, the SIA arrested two residents of Srinagar who were allegedly involved in Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq’s murder in 1990 at his Nigeen residence.

According to the SIA, they were absconding since May 21, 1990, and had gone underground. The agency said that the duo was hiding in Nepal and Pakistan among other places before surreptitiously returning back to Kashmir a few years ago.

In September 1968, then Judge Neelkanth had sentenced JKLF ideologue and co-founder Maqbool Bhat to death, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 1982. Maqbool was sent to death for the murder of police CID inspector Amar Chand in 1966. The former judge, after retirement, was killed by JKLF terrorists in 1990. Bhat, on the other hand, was hanged on 11 February 1984 in Tihar Jail in Delhi.

In order to unearth the larger criminal conspiracy behind the killing of retired Judge, Neelkanth Ganjoo, three decades ago, the SIA, through a communique, has appealed to all persons familiar with facts or circumstances of the murder case to come forward and share any account of events which has direct or indirect bearing on the investigation of the case.

Source: news18.com

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Case filed against Bajrang Dal leader after video of call to boycott Muslim traders goes viral in Hisar

August 07, 2023

SAMRIDHI TEWARI

A case has been registered against a Bajrang Dal leader in Hansi, Hisar, after a video of a mob shouting slogans and asking Muslim vendors to leave the town went viral.

In the video, the crowd can be heard shouting anti-Muslim slogans even as policemen are seen walking alongside.

The Superintendent of Police, Hansi, Maqsood Ahmed, said a case against Krishna Gurjar, belonging to Bajrang Dal and others was registered under Sections 147, 149, 153, 505 (2), and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. No arrests have been made yet, he added.

Reacting to this development spokesperson of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Vinod Bansal, said that Bajrang Dal has not given any call for such a boycott. However, he was not aware if any local level outfit had done such a thing, he added.

In the video, the mob is seen walking in the area where Rahul Jain, a trader, has his shop.

He told The Hindu, “In our locality, there are no Muslim shopkeepers and traders. I don’t know why those slogans were raised.”

Mr. Jain, who kept himself away from the mob and continued working, said, “At a time when communal tension has gripped Haryana, one should be talking about peace, and not incite further violence.”

In Rewari district, around 85 kilometre from Gurugram, a letter signed by Bhavna Yadav, sarpanch of Jainabad panchayat, was circulated informing the local police that it has been decided to not allow “Muslims or miscreants” to conduct any business activity or hawking in their area.

Rajveer Singh, Ms. Yadav’s father-in-law told The Hindu that the move was temporary and was aimed at “containing the law and order” in the area.

When asked what disturbance has been caused by Muslim hawkers, he didn’t respond.

“It’s not a permanent ban, they are allowed to reopen their shop after a week, while no Muslim families live in this village, hawkers come to sell their produce, we’ve just restricted their movement for the time being,” Mr. Singh said.

A delegation comprising CPI MP Binoy Viswam, AITUC general secretary Amarjit Kaur, CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar and CPI Haryana secretary Dariyao Singh Kashyap visited the violence-hit areas of Haryana and said they are seeing “alarming levels of polarisation and hatred”.

They said, “The content of the letter submitted to Rewari police is shocking. While asking the local police authorities to not allow Muslims or miscreants to do any hawking in the panchayat area, it also equates them to burglars and cattle-thieves.”

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/case-filed-against-bajrang-dal-leader-after-video-of-call-to-boycott-muslim-traders-goes-viral-in-hisar/article67169692.ece

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Posters calling for boycott of Muslim traders up in Ghaziabad, 1 detained

By Peeyush Khandelwal

Aug 07, 2023

The Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad held a protest outside the Nandgram police station after a man was detained for allegedly putting up the posters

The members of several Hindu hardline outfits on Monday staged a protest outside the Nandgram police station in Ghaziabad while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa after the police picked up one of their members for allegedly putting up banners and posters, calling for the boycott of Muslim traders, late Sunday night.

The police said several banners and posters were put up in Nandgram locality near Atal Chowk, Maharana Pratap Chowk and also near a farm house. They added that the posters read, “Samaan bhai se khareede, bhaijaan se nahi (purchase items from bhai (Hindu honorific) and not from bhaijaan (Muslim honorific))”.

The police suspect that the banners and posters are a fallout of the communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh alst week. On August 2, members of Hindu outfits Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal took out marches in Ghaziabad to protest against the communal clashes in Nuh between groups of Hindus and Muslims, that left six dead and over a 100 injured.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from villages in and around Gurugram in Haryana gathered in large numbers and called for the economic and social boycott of Muslims.

The Ghaziabad police on Monday said they have removed the banners and posters from the Nandgram area and filed two FIRs under stringent Indian Penal Code sections 147 (rioting), 153a (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc,), 295 (destruction, damage, or defilement) and 298 (words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings).

The police said the first FIR named one Nitin Chauhan and five to six unnamed others while the second FIR also named Chauhan and several other persons operating social media accounts.

The second FIR was filed under IPC sections 153a, 295a, 298 and the provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly circulating\messages online calling for the economic boycott of Muslims.

Both FIRs were filed suo motu by the police on Monday.

“We have filed these FIRs after the posters and banners were put up at several places and also spread on social media. These have been removed as part of maintaining law and order. We have detained one person in this connection for questioning. Our teams are active in the area and keeping a close watch. We will not allow any deterioration of law and order,” said Nipun Agarwal, deputy commissioner of police (city).

Neeraj Bajrangi, city convener, Bajrang Dal, said, “The protest was against the detention of a person who was forcibly taken away by the police from his house late Sunday night. We demand the immediate release of the man and also action against police who misbehaved at his house.”

“The posters and banners did not signify any specific community, etc.,” he claimed.

The office bearers of VHP said their supporters were also part of the protest.

“The banners mention no name of any organisation and the person detained by the police should be let off and they should scrap the non-bailable and stringent IPC sections against Nitin Chauhan,” said Alok Garg, city president of the VHP.

The DCP said that the police will look into allegations of misbehaviour by policemen who went to detain Chauhan.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news/hindu-hardline-outfits-protest-after-police-detain-member-for-boycott-banners-against-muslim-traders-101691428120628.html

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Kerala Minister Slammed For Remarks On Muslim Call To Prayer

August 7, 2023

Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan, who has come under criticism on social media for his recent remarks about the Muslim call to prayer, on Monday appealed to the people to "clear the misunderstanding" about it. Addressing a programme here on Sunday, the minister had said that he had not heard prayer calls being made in mosques in Saudi Arabia, where he had visited recently, as they were restricted to the premises of the places of worship themselves.

As he faced severe criticism on social media from various quarters for his comments, Cheriyan backtracked and said his statement was based on wrong information he had received during his recent tour to the Gulf nation, and appealed to the people to "clear the misunderstanding" caused by it.

In a Facebook post, the minister also alleged that some people were spreading parts of his speech without understanding his intention.

Source: oneindia.com

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https://www.oneindia.com/india/kerala-minister-slammed-for-remarks-on-muslim-call-to-prayer-3603769.html

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Ghaziabad: Man held for banners calling for boycott of Muslim traders

By Peeyush Khandelwal

Aug 07, 2023

Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) members reciting Hanuman Chalisa on Monday staged a protest outside Ghaziabad’s Nandgram police station demanding the release of a person held for allegedly putting up banners and posters calling for a boycott of Muslim traders late on Sunday.

Police said that banners and posters put up in Nandgram locality and near a farmhouse were removed and that two cases were filed under Indian Penal Code’s Sections 147 (rioting), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race), 295 (damage or defilement of a place of worship or an object held sacred with intent to insult religion) and 298 (words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings).

“We filed the cases after the posters and banners were put up at several places and also spread on social media. These have been removed for maintaining law and order. We have detained one person [Sagar Chauhan] for questioning. Our teams are active in the area and keeping a close watch. We will not allow any deterioration of law and order,” said deputy police commissioner (city) Nipun Agarwal

Bajrang Dal’s Ghaziabad convener Neeraj Bajrangi said the protest was held against Chauhan’s detention. He claimed Chauhan was forcibly taken away from his house late Sunday night. “Police also misbehaved with women of his family. We demand his immediate release and action against police officers who misbehaved.” He added the posters and banners did not mention any specific community.

Agarwal denied Bajrangi’s allegations.

VHP Ghaziabad president Alok Garg said they told police that they should find the people who have put up the banners and posters. “The banners mention no names...[Chauhan] should be let off and they should scrap the non-bailable and stringent sections involved against him.”

On August 2, VHP and Bajrang Dal took out marches in Ghaziabad following the communal violence in Haryana.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news/bajrang-dal-and-vhp-protest-in-ghaziabad-for-release-of-detained-person-in-muslim-traders-boycott-case-101691404880481.html

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Mideast

 

Daesh Group Militants Killed 10 Syrian Troops in Raqqa Province

August 08, 2023

BEIRUT: Daesh group militants killed 10 Syrian troops and pro-government fighters in the former extremist stronghold of Raqqa province, a war monitor said Tuesday.

“Daesh attacked positions and checkpoints belonging to the regime... setting fire to military vehicles and prefabricated houses,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Six soldiers were also wounded in the Monday evening attack, with some in critical condition, said the British-based monitor, which relies on a wide network of sources inside Syria.

Government troops control rural areas in the south and east of Raqqa province, while Kurdish fighters control the rest.

The city of Raqqa was the center of the Daesh group’s brutal “caliphate” until their ouster in 2017.

Last week, Daesh announced the death of its leader Abu Al-Hussein Al-Husseini Al-Qurashi, who it said was killed in clashes in northwestern Syria.

In March 2019, Daesh lost the last territory it held in Syria to a Kurdish-led counteroffensive backed by a US-led coalition, but extremist remnants continue to carry out deadly attacks from hideouts in the vast Syrian desert.

Targets have included civilians as well as government troops and pro-Iranian and Kurdish-led fighters.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351426/middle-east

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Settlers storm courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque

[07/August/2023]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS Aug. 07. 2023 (Saba) - Dozens of Zionist settlers renewed on Monday the storming of the courtyards of the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque from the side of Mughrabi Gate, under heavy protection from the Zionist enemy's police.

Palestine Today Agency reported that the settlers carried out provocative tours in the courtyards of al-Aqsa, received explanations about the alleged "temple", and performed Talmudic rituals in the Bab al-Rahma area, east of the mosque.

The enemy police deployed its elements since Monday morning in the courtyards of al-Aqsa and at its gates to secure the settlers’ incursions, imposed restrictions on the entry of worshipers to al-Aqsa, checked their identities, and detained a number of them at its external gates.

Source: saba.ye

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Sisi inaugurates recently renovated Al-Sayeda Nafisa Mosque

Tuesday 8 Aug 2023

During his speech, President El-Sisi stated that Egypt is committed to developing the mausoleums of the Al-Bayt (Prophet Muhammad's family) and the surrounding areas in order to restore Historic Cairo.

El-Sisi was joined at the inauguration by Sultan Mufaddal Saifuddin, the leader of the Bohra community in India, for whom he expressed his appreciation to for helping to renovate and restore Islamic shrines in Cairo, including the Al-Sayeda Nafisa Mosque.

The president also highlighted the sultan’s role in renovating the Al-Hussein Mosque, which opened last year.

On Monday, El-Sisi bestowed the Nile Sash on Saifuddin in appreciation for his ongoing support of cultural, charitable, and social causes in Egypt.

Saifuddin donated EGP 10 million to the Long Live Egypt (Tahya Misr) Fund between 2014 and 2018.

Sayeda Nafisa (145-208 Hijra) is the granddaughter of Imam Hassan, the son of Caliph Ali ibn Abi Taleb, and the great-granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad.

She was bestowed with the honorific title Nafisat Al-Elm (“the possessor of precious knowledge”) for her spiritual and religious wisdom.

Source: english.ahram.org.eg

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Israel demolishes home of alleged Palestinian attacker

August 08, 2023

NABLUS: Israel’s army said Tuesday it demolished the home of a Palestinian accused of killing a soldier and his brother in the occupied West Bank, which has seen months of violence.

Clashes occurred during the overnight operation to destroy the residence of Abdel-Fatah Khroushah in Askar camp, in the city of Nablus, the military said.

During the operation, several “violent riots were instigated which included rock hurling and tire burning,” it said in a statement.

“In addition, explosive devices were hurled, and live fire was shot at the forces, who responded with riot dispersal means.”

The army had accused Khroushah of shooting dead Halel Menachem Yaniv and his brother Yagel Yaakov Yaniv in February as they drove through the West Bank town of Hawara.

Israeli forces killed Khroushah, 49, during a raid the following month.

Palestinian news agency Wafa said Israeli forces had entered Nablus during the night to destroy the third-floor home of Khroushah.

Witnesses told AFP soldiers had clashed with Palestinians, some of them armed, as they entered the city.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said six Palestinians were wounded, including one by live ammunition.

Israel regularly demolishes the homes of Palestinians it accuses of deadly attacks on Israelis, arguing that such measures act as a deterrent.

Human rights activists say the policy amounts to collective punishment, as it can render non-combatants, including children, homeless.

Since early last year, deadly violence has rocked the northern West Bank, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups where Israel has stepped up military operations.

The area has seen a spate of attacks on Israelis as well as attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian communities.

Violence this year linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has killed at least 212 Palestinians, 28 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides.

They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants as well as civilians and, on the Israeli side, three members of the Arab minority.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, the territory is home to nearly three million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351431/middle-east

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Multinational force fights stubborn wildfire in Cyprus, including Lebanon, Greece and Jordan

August 08, 2023

NICOSIA, Cyprus: A multinational force is helping Cyprus fight stubborn wildfires in the summer heat, with Israel joining Lebanon, Greece and Jordan in sending aircraft to fight a blaze that has scorched miles of mountainous terrain, officials said Monday.

Israel said two “Air-Tractor” firefighting aircraft, ground crews and wildfire experts along with six tons of flame retardants were on their way to the island nation, adding to the 20 tons of material that Greece is sending.

Lebanon is pitching in with a pair of helicopters, while two Greek Canadair aircraft have been dispatched to help douse the fire in the mountains about 11 miles (17 kilometers) north of the coastal town of Limassol. Jordan has sent three aircraft of its own, including two Super Puma helicopters and a Russian-made Mi26 helicopter.

The multinational effort is battling a blaze that according to Agriculture and Environment Minister Petros Xenophontos scorched around 3.2 square miles (8.5 square kilometers) of land.

Xenophontos said the fire had been largely contained overnight but had rekindled along several areas Monday, forcing air and ground crews to again mobilize. He said crews would remain at the scene for as long as needed to counter any flare-ups.

“Fires are here, climate change exists and unfortunately it won’t go away,” Xenophontos told reporters at a fire coordinating hub near the fire.

Justice Minister Anna Koukkides-Procopiou told reporters late Monday that firefighting aircraft would again operate early Tuesday as a precautionary measure to snuff out any potential pockets of fire because of concerns over rekindling in some areas.

Fire Department spokesman Andreas Kettis had earlier posted on the platform known as X, formerly Twitter, that ground crews were working to hem in the blaze by building firebreaks.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou tweeted on X that he has given instructions for an initial estimate of the damage to private and state-owned property.

Officials said the residents of three villages have returned to their homes after being instructed to evacuate as a precaution.

Gregoriou, who surveyed the area by helicopter along with the country’s fire chief, told state broadcaster CyBC that “hundreds” of fire fighters, including volunteers, managed to contain the fire overnight because winds had died down considerably.

The fire started Friday, but authorities said a day later it had been contained.

Xenophontos said the fact that the fire reignited “is something that concerns us” and would be looked at by officials over the next few days. He downplayed suggestions that it may have been the work of arsonists, saying that strong winds were lashing the spot where the fire is believed to have reignited.

Some firefighters who have been on the front lines have been relieved to rest up for any possible fires elsewhere on the island, the minister said.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351341/middle-east

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South Asia

 

Young People Hold Book Exhibition in Kabul

A group of young people in Kabul held a book exhibition called "Smart Way" to strengthen the reading culture.

Young people said that they intend to encourage citizens, especially young people, to read books by launching such programs.

“We held it to create a culture for the youth of our society to read books, books are entertainment for them,” said Sharifa Hesar, an organizer.

“The purpose of holding this exhibition is to strengthen the culture of reading among young people,” said Farhad Malik Zada, an organizer.

Meanwhile, some visitors at the exhibition told TOLOnews that economic challenges, lack of jobs, and high usage of social media are the reasons that people don’t study enough.

However, visitors said holding such exhibitions were effective in strengthening the culture of reading.

“We asked the young people to buy and read books in this hard situation where schools and universities are closed, and there are no work opportunities for them,” said Nayema, a visitor.

“Here our youth gathered in one place to buy and sell books and study, and this gives us a better motivation to build our homeland,” said Faisal, a visitor.

The Ministry of Information and Culture also expressed concern about the diminishing of book culture, saying that the importance of the culture is recognized in the world, but not in Afghanistan.

“All over the world reading culture exists, but unfortunately in Afghanistan, young people are not reading books,” said Muhajir Farahi, deputy of the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Booksellers in Kabul and the provinces have repeatedly expressed concern about the stagnation of the book-selling market in the last two years.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184545

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Plan to Reopen Girls' Schools 'Under Discussion': Officials

Officials at the Academy of Science of Afghanistan said that a plan for the reopening of schools for girls above grade six is being discussed by Islamic Emirate officials.

Speaking at a press conference of the organization’s annual activities, the officials of the Academy of Science of Afghanistan, said that at least 46 projects of scientific research have been completed.

“The issue to which you have referred is a general issue. The Islamic Emirate has been considering this issue now and they are trying to find a solution for it,” said Rafiullah Niazai, head of the Secretariat of the Academy of Science of Afghanistan.

This comes as schools for female students beyond grade six have remained closed for more than 680 days.

He also said that at least 100 research projects are underway.

“At least 83 conferences about scientific research have been held. Six seminars of scientific research have been held. At least 33 books in various fields have been published,” Niazai said.

The deputy head of the Academy of Science of Afghanistan, Amir Jan Saqib, said that they are working to improve the capacity of academic areas in the country.

He also called on the academics who left the country to return.

 “Afghanistan also needs academics. The employees of the Academy of Science who were here before the Islamic Emirate came to power, still have their duties. We call on those who left the country to return to the country,” Saqib said.

Based on the figures of the Academy of Science of Afghanistan, in 1402, 30 books, articles and texts will be translated to Pashto and 50 types of books, articles and texts will be translated to Pashto.

Source: tolonews.com

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Continued Detentions of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Raises Concerns

Afghan refugees in Pakistan expressed concerns over continued detentions by the country’s police.

They said that the Pakistani police ask them for bribes after they are arrested.

“The refugees who lack visas in Pakistan are being detained by the police. Some of these refugees have been returned to Afghanistan and some are being released based on money,” said an Afghan refugee in Pakistan.

 “In recent times, the Pakistan police have been treating the Afghan refugees with improper conduct and they even search the houses of the people,” said an Afghan refugee in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s consul in Karachi, Abdul Jabar Takhari, said that more than 40 Afghan refugees have been released from prisons in Sindh province of Pakistan.

Takhari said that the refugees have been arrested due to a lack of legal documents.

“Around 44 Afghans were released from various prisons in Sindh province of Pakistan and they have been taken to the country via Chaman,” he said.

This comes as refugee rights activists called on the Islamic Emirate to implement a policy supporting Afghan refugees abroad.

“The Afghan refugees are living in critical conditions in Pakistan and they are facing an uncertain destiny and are in danger,” said Mohammad Khan Talibi, a refugee's rights activist.

Based on the statistics of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MRR), around 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, nearly 3 million in Iran and more than 1 million other Afghan refugees are settled in other world countries.

Source: tolonews.com

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Acting Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad Meets Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Leader

2023-08-07

KABUL (BNA): Acting Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shekib, in a meeting with Mawlana Fazl-ur- Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema Islam in Pakistan, has shared his sympathies over the recent tragic incident in that country that left scores of the party members killed and injured.

According to a statement from the Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad, the acting Afghan envoy to Islamabad conveyed the condolences of the Islamic Emirate to the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam regarding the recent attack on a gathering of the party in that country that resulted in the death of a number of its members.

In the meeting, the acting ambassador expressed his condolence for the incident and discussed strengthening bilateral relations and several other related issues, the statement said.

This comes as an explosion last week targeting the meeting of Jamiat Ulema Islam Pakistan left several members of the party killed and wounded.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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IEA Political Commission Discusses Afghan Delegation’s Visit to Doha

2023-08-07

KABUL (BNA): Members of the Political Commission of the Islamic Emirate in a meeting discussed the visit of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate to Doha and the outcome of their negotiations with foreign representatives.

A statement released by Prime Minister Office, the meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of IEA for Political Affairs Mawlavi Abdul Kabir and the members of that commission.

The meeting focused on recent political developments in the country and the outcome of the negotiations of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate to Doha with representatives of different countries.

Leaders of Islamic Emirate during the meeting also made decisions regarding some crucial national issues.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Security, Public Well-Being Are Basic Obligations of the Islamic Emirate: Deputy PM

2023-08-06

KABUL (BNA): Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs in a meeting with Mufti Sheikh Habibullah Samangani and Inamullah Samangani, said that providing security, education, health, transportation, and enhancing public livelihood are the basic obligations of the government.

According to a statement, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs met with Sheikh Habibullah Samangani and Inamullah Samangani, two local representatives from Samangan province.

Habibullah Samangani talked about the social, security, and economic state of the people of Samangan province, describing the province’s current situation as sound and stable, thanks to the efforts of the security forces of the Islamic Emirate

He also mentioned some concerns and challenges that still exist in fields such as transportation, education, and health, and called government authorities to take steps to address them.

Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mawlave Abdul Salam Hanafi, for his part, stated that providing security, enhancing public well-being, education, health, and transportation are basic human rights and are among the key responsibilities of the Islamic Emirate.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Turkish police arrest 64 illegal Afghan immigrants

August 7, 2023

According to Turkish officials on Sunday, 64 Afghan refugees in Arzantan City who had entered Turkey illegally were detained.

These illegal Afghan immigrants were the most recent in the growing number of arrests of people with similar offences after they were found hiding in a truck containing electronic devices.

This incident occurred on the Arzanjan-Arzum highway, which has been identified as a route for smuggling illegal immigrants.

According to the Turkish authorities, the truck’s driver was Iranian. The detained migrants were then promptly sent to a facility.

Earlier in June, Turkish authorities deported over 138 Afghan immigrants to their home country as part of its efforts to tackle illegal immigration.

Turkish authorities have promised to continue extradition operations as a sign of their commitment to defending their borders and addressing the concerns of illegal immigration.

The recent deportation of 138 Afghan asylum seekers by Turkey has aggravated the situation of Afghan immigrants already seeking refuge in surrounding countries. Iran and Turkey have stepped up their deportation efforts and adopted measures to cut down on illegal immigration due to their immigration issues.

The General Directorate of Migration said that 68,290 of the 124,441 illegal immigrants deported by Turkey in the previous year were Afghan asylum seekers.

The General Directorate of Migration reports that Turkey deported 68,290 Afghan citizens, 12,511 Pakistanis, and immigrants from other countries in the past year. The Turkish government’s migration service said this year it would deport more undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, including 227 citizens of Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in August 2021, thousands of Afghans have immigrated to surrounding nations out of fear of being persecuted, killed, or physically harassed.

Source: khaama.com

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Pakistan

 

KP governor urges graduates to embrace hard work, Islamic values

AUGUST 8, 2023

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali on Monday attended the 4th BS Convocation of the University of Peshawar as a Chief Guest.

The Governor distributed degrees to 500 male and female students completing Bachelor of Science in various disciplines, including Social Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Management and Information Sciences, Islamic Studies, Computer Science, and Disaster Management.

He also presented gold medals to 34 students who secured prominent positions. Congratulations to the Governor for his academic achievement, and to the students, parents, and faculty members who participated in the ceremony. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Jahan Bakht, along with faculty members, parents, and students, were also part of the event.

In his address, Governor Ghulam Ali expressed appreciation for the parents who overcome difficulties to educate their children. He emphasized the availability of better facilities for current students and the importance of knowledge and research in the 21st century.

The Governor encouraged students to work diligently in their respective fields and play a role in promoting Islamic values and knowledge while combating the spread of hatred on social media.

He emphasized the importance of hard work, the promotion of Islamic values and knowledge, and the responsible use of social media to spread love instead of hatred. The Governor also highlighted the need to address issues faced by universities and suggested offering degrees that cater to market demands for employment opportunities. He highlighted the need to address challenges faced by universities and suggested offering degrees that align with market demand for employment opportunities. He also emphasized the responsibility of individuals to resolve issues and contribute positively to the nation’s progress.

Search operation conducted in different areas of Tank to maintain law & order: Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Tank Haji Nasir Khan along with other police officers and Quick Response Force (QRF) conducted a search and strike operation in different areas of the city in order to maintain law and order situation.

The SP conducted this operation in line with the directives of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Abdul Ghafoor Afridi as part of efforts to maintain peace and ensure adequate measures aimed at ensuring the protection of the lives and properties of citizens.

On this occasion, the SP was accompanied by DSP Headquarters Abdul Rasheed Khan, DSP Rural Chan Shah, Shaheed Mureed Akbar (SMA) Police Station SHO Abdul Alee Khan Kundi and QRF. The operation was conducted in Tank City, Kor, Garah Pathar, Dabara, Sheikh Market and Garah Shehbaz areas against criminals and anti-social elements.

He checked Wana road, DI Khan road, Bypass road and Station road during patrolling. He also visited Sadar Kachhari, Sub Jail, Police Station SMA and different check posts in the limits of City and SMA Police Stations.The SP reviewed the overall law and order situation and the performance of the police. He asked the police officers and personnel concerned to perform their duties honestly and courageously to protect the lives, property and honour of the citizens besides ensuring their own safety.

He asked them to ensure the use of bulletproof jackets and helmets during duty in view of the current situation. Moreover, he said, the unnecessary use of mobile phones should be avoided. He also directed the police personnel to cooperate with people of the area and behave with them politely.

Source: dailytimes.com.pk

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Ministers say delayed elections on the cards

August 8, 2023

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif have both stated that there is a possibility of a delay in holding the next general elections.

The government has announced that assemblies will be dissolved on August 9, following which elections should be held within 90 days of the end of the assemblies’ tenure.

However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on August 1 that elections would be held on the basis of the latest census. Although some of the ruling allies, including the PPP, had opposed holding the polls under the fresh census, the Council of Common Interest (CII) on Saturday had approved the results of the 2023 digital census.

A day after the CCI ratified the census, making it almost certain that general elections may not be held this year due to the compulsory need for fresh delimitations, the federal government shifted the responsibility of conducting polls to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) within the next three months.

The ECP had in the recent past declared that conducting polls on fresh delimitation was not possible and that the exercise would require four to six months. The commission is expected to decide the time frame for fresh delimitation of constituencies later today.

Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’ on Tuesday morning, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that 2023 was not the election year. When asked if 2023 was the year when elections would be held, the minister said, “It is an absolutely straightforward answer — no.”

When one of the hosts commented that the upcoming caretaker setup had “acquired an unconventional significance as the one to get the role might stay for more than three months”, Sanaullah insisted that there was nothing extraordinary about it.

He went on to reiterate that under the Constitution, another general election could not be held on the 2017 census results as they had been accepted “provisionally for a single time”.

Emphasising that it was required by the Constitution to carry out the delimitation process after a census was notified, Sanaullah said, “The caretaker government, while fulfilling this constitutional requirement, will carry out the delimitation process.”

The minister noted that the process takes around 120 days so there was nothing about the elections being delayed by “many months”. “As soon as this constitutional requirement of delimitation is completed, then after that, God-willing, elections will be held,” he said.

Talking about the names under consideration for the role of the caretaker prime minister, Sanaullah said they were all “respected names and discussions were under way”.

“No name has been locked till now. Even if it is [decided], till today evening or tomorrow … there are more chances that it will be locked tomorrow,” he said.

Sanaullah had stated the same while speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ last night. “I cannot predict the future but if 90 days have turned into 120 days, there is a clear constitutional argument present for it,” he said.

The minister said that under the Constitution, two elections could not be held on the results of the 2017 census, adding that the previous census was approved “provisionally”.

“According to the Constitution, if the census has been notified, delimitation is necessary after that. So on this basis, delimitation is to be conducted,” Sanaullah said.

“So these are constitutional requirements, which are being implemented according to the Constitution. It is not the case that the 90-day [limit] has gone to 120 days without any reason,” he said.

Khanzada then pointed out that in an earlier statement, Sanaullah had insisted that a new census was not needed.

To this, the minister replied, “Even today, I say that if this census had not been notified unanimously by national consensus, then the elections that were to be held within 90 days were to be held on the existing delimitation.”

The PML-N leader said it was a “huge blessing” that all parties concerned had accepted the 2023 census after their concerns had been heard and addressed.

In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson that was aired last night, the defence minister said that elections were “due in November”.

He also pointed out that the National Assembly was set to be dissolved by Wednesday (August 9) evening, adding that under the Constitution polls would be held within 90 days.

“Ninety days in the deadline. One cannot go beyond 90 days. But under some conditions, the election commission has the power to delay it, because of some election problem or census problem or electoral role problem, for a month or two but not beyond that,” he said.

When asked whether the approval of the 2023 census would result in an election delay, Asif said: “I cannot speculate at the moment but it is a possibility. I won’t rule that out.”

Anderson then pointed out that the approval of the census came the same day that PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested in a graft case and wondered if the two developments were connected.

“No, they’re not at all connected. The census controversy was going on for the last many, many months. And we had to create a consensus between all the provinces of Pakistan so that the results are accepted by all the provinces,” Asif said.

“The delay was because of this controversy, Otherwise, the result of the census has absolutely no connection with Imran Khan’s conviction,” he said.

At the end of his interview, Asif reiterated that elections will be held in November. “I do believe that elections will be held in November. But you asked me if there is a possibility of delay: There is a possibility of a delay but not more than a couple of months on technical grounds, and no ulterior motive in that,” he said.

Source: dawn.com

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Bilawal faults his elders for turning politics into minefield

August 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD: In his parting remarks on the floor of the current National Assembly, Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari implored his father, Asif Ali Zardari, and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to take decisions that will make politics easier for the younger generation, which he said was losing hope in the country’s future.

The foreign minister’s remarks came as hasty legislation continued on Monday, with the assembly rushing through seven new laws, including controversial changes to the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari indirectly expressed displeasure over the policies of his elders, saying he had asked his father that they should make decisions in a way that makes politics easier, and not difficult for him and Maryam Nawaz, who is widely believed to be Nawaz Sharif’s heir apparent in national politics.

“[Asif] Zardari sahib and Mian [Nawaz Sharif] sahib should take decisions which would make politics easier for me and Maryam Sharif, instead of making it difficult,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said while delivering his farewell speech.

“It seems that our elders have decided that whatever they suffered in their 30-year-long political career, they want us to suffer in the same way over the next 30 years.”

He urged all political parties to focus on the youth which had lost trust in the politicians.

Almost 65 per cent of the country’s population was below the age of 30 and “we should not rob them of their hopes.”

Mr Bhutto-Zardari stressed the need for dialogue among all political parties and state institutions either to devise a new charter of democracy or adhere to the one signed by his mother, Benazir Bhutto, and Mr Sharif in London in May 2006.

There was a need to make other institutions a part of this dialogue to decide how they would be run. “It should be decided whether Wapda would be run by its federal minister or a chief justice of the Supreme Court.”

“We need to settle on the rules of games and decide which code of conduct we are to follow, the premise of which should not only be limited to interactions among political parties but also with institutions,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari added.

The PPP leader recalled his first stint as a member of National Assembly and the “historic” occasion when opposition and treasury members swapped seats in April last year, following the successful no-confidence motion against the then prime minister Imran Khan.

He said it was for the first time that the nation saw a prime minister being removed through a constitutional procedure.

He continued that the state institutions should function within their domains.

“History will be the judge of whether we were successful in our efforts or not,” he said while admitting the incumbent government “somehow failed” to keep institutions within their domain during their 16-month stint.

Amendments to Official Secrets Act passed

On Monday, the assembly also passed the modified Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, after its approval from the Senate a day ago.

The bill was earlier passed by the assembly. However, the Senate made some changes in the law before approving it, thus necessitating a second approval from the NA.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the house that the Senate has made two amendments to the law.

The government has removed two controversial clauses from the law, including one giving intelligence agencies the power to search and arrest suspects without warrants.

In the second amendment, Mr Tarrar said, the act “unintentionally” committed had been removed from the list of offences.

Earlier on Sunday, the Senate amended clause 5 of the bill, which earlier stated: “[A] person may be presumed to have been in communication with enemy or a foreign agent if he has, either within or without Pakistan visited the address of a foreign agent or consorted or associated with enemy or a foreign agent…”

Following the amendments, the word “knowingly” has been added to this clause which will now read “…if he has either within or without Pakistan ‘knowingly’ visited the address…”

Last week, the bill encountered strong opposition from both sides in the Senate and was consequently referred to the relevant standing committee of the House for further deliberation.

Along with the amendment to Official Secrets Act, the assembly also passed the National Commission for Minorities Bill, 2023; the Federal Prosecution Service Bill, 2023; the Pakistan International Airline Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding (Amendment) Bill, 2023] and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

During the brief joint sitting of the two houses, the lawmakers also passed the Trade Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Trade Dispute Resolution Bill, 2023.The National Assembly will meet again on Tuesday (today) at 5pm.

Source: dawn.com

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Govt ‘agrees’ on interim premier, name kept under wraps

August 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD: With only one day left to go before the dissolution of the incumbent National Ass­embly, the ruling coalition seems to have evolved a consensus on the name for the caretaker prime min­ister’s slot, but it is keeping their identity a secret, ostensibly to save the nominee from controversy.

The prime minister and the opposition leader can consult on the matter for three days, even after the dissolution of the assembly. In case a consensus is not reached, then the matter is referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz is also expected to meet National Assembly Opposition Lea­der Raja Riaz on Tuesday or Wednesday to “finalise” the name for the slot.

Sources claimed that a decision on the caretaker has been “finalised”. How­ever, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, during an appearance on a TV channel, claimed that no name has been finalised so far.

He claimed a politician, who was not associated with any political party, could also become the caretaker PM.

Separately, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said during a TV appearance that the PPP had not shared any names with the premier so far. However, insiders say that the PPP has shared three names for the coveted post with the prime minister.

Meetings with MQM, PPP leaders

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with MQM leadership and PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani. MQM delegation led by Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui proposed the name of Governor Kamran Tessori for the caretaker prime minister, said a press release issued by the MQM headquarters.

The members of the delegation thanked the prime minister for addressing their party’s reservations on the seventh digital census and for the incorporation of their suggestions.

Earlier, the prime minister met former prime minister and incumbent Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his son Ali Musa Gilani. On the occasion, the prime minister said without the support of allies, the government could “never have done the difficult task of reviving the country’s economy alone”.

Speculation

Amid reports that Dr Hafeez Sheikh could become the caretaker prime minister, Mr Sanaullah said the name of Dr Sheikh’s has not been agreed upon.

As speculations grow, the former finance minister is said to be the strongest contender. Mr Sheikh is one of the technocrats who is believed to be acceptable to all mainstream political parties and his name is always considered whenever an interim government is installed in the country.

He was first brought into government by military dictator Pervez Musharraf as privatisation minister, then served as finance minister in the PPP (2012-13) and PTI governments (2020-21) too. He also had been a member of the Senate from 2003 to 2006, 2006-2012, and then again from 2012 and 2018.

Source: dawn.com

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FO pins onus on India to ‘shun belligerence’

August 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Days after India blamed Pakistan for not creating a conducive environment for talks, the Foreign Office, in its rejoinder has put the onus on New Delhi for creating an environm­ent for dialogue and peace in the region.

Addressing the weekly press briefing on Monday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said dialogue was important between Pakistan and India in an environment which is “free of coercion and free of belligerence that India continues to demonstrate in the region”.

She was replying to a query about PM Shehbaz Sha­­rif’s recent remarks that Pak­istan was ready to talk to its neighbour “provided that the neighbour is serious to talk [on] serious matters … because war is no more an option”.

Replying to Mr Sharif’s statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said an “environment free of terror and hostility” is necessary to restart talks.

Ms Baloch emphasised that Pakistan believed in a peaceful neighbourhood and wanted peace with all its neighbours on mutual respect and in conformity with international law. “The comments of the prime minister reaffirm this position,” she said. “We also believe dialogue is important between Pakistan and India in an environment which is free of coercion and free of belligerence that India continues to demonstrate in the region. We believe the ball is in India’s court to create an environment for peace and dialogue”.

On the treatment of minorities in India, the FO spokesperson expressed concern that there was “an alarming increase” in the targeting of minorities in India.

“We are concerned about the recent developments and communal and ethnic violence in Mani­pur. And recently there was a burning of mosque in Gurugram which also resulted in the killing of the Imam.”

Ms Baloch added that Hindu supremacist organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are engaged in violent acts against Indian Muslims to terrorise them which was a “matter of serious concern”.

In response to a question about Pakistan’s cricket team visit to India, the FO spokesperson said: “We expect India as the host to provide full and complete security to our team. Our deep concerns about the security of Pakis­tan’s Cricket Team are being conveyed to the ICC and the Indian authorities. At this point, these concerns are being conveyed through our cricket auth­­orities. We will continue to monitor the situation and would determine if some other channels of communication are also in order.”

She said, “Pakistan’s constructive and responsible approach contrasts with that of India which has repeatedly politicised sports by refusing to send its cricket team to Pakistan for Asia Cup or denying visas for Pakistan’s Blind Cricket Team,” she said.

On the issue of the involvement of Afghan nationals in the Zhob attack, Ms Baloch said the FO has been in contact with Afghanistan embassy and authorities.

“We have shared with them the discovery that we have made with regard to the identity of terrorists who were involved in attack … We have reiterated on several occasions that the Afghan soil should not be used to foment terrorism against Pakistan,” she said when asked about Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Muja­hid’s tweet that Pakistan should talk through diplomatic channels rather than going to the media on this issue.

In her last briefing before Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s tenure as foreign minister expires, the FO spokesperson disclosed he undertook 36 visits during his 15 months as the chief diplomat.

She said some of the visits were for participation in multilateral conferences like UNGA and other UN-related activities and some were as part of PM’s delegation. “So these numbers are not as clear cut as you would expect.”

“[W]e have focused on rebuilding of ties and restoring trust with key capitals and reinvigorating substantive engagement with traditional partners. There has been an effort to expand our diplomatic footprint, retake our space in the global discourse on important issues and reassert Pakistan’s presence at the multilateral stage,” she said.

Source: dawn.com

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Imran taken to Attock to deny rightful facility: PTI

August 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chair­man Imran Khan on Mon­day filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking transfer from Attock jail to a better class in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi.

The former prime minister also sought permission for regular visits by his legal team, family members, physician Faisal Sultan and political aides to the jail.

The plea said the PTI chairman was moved to Attock with the intent to deny him fundamental rights as “A-Class facilities are available in Adiala Jail, where the respondents have provided A and B-Class facilities to equally placed persons; still in disregard of Article 25 of the Constitu­tion, the petitioner has been discriminated against”.

“The lodging of the petitioner at Attock jail has not been authorised under any warrant or law and as such required to be set at naught,” it added.

However, the IHC registrar’s office raised administrative objections to the pet­i­tion filed by the legal team of Mr Khan. As per these objections, the petition was not duly signed by Mr Khan, his wakalatnama (power of attorney) was signed by a lawyer and it was not attested by the superintendent of Attock jail.

The petition cited the int­erior secretary, the Islam­abad chief commissioner, and the superintendents of Adiala and Attock jails as respondents. The petition stated that Mr Khan “is from an affluent family… gra­duated from Oxford Uni­v­e­rsity, UK, and the most cel­ebrated captain of Pakis­tani cricket team during the eighties and nineties”.

It stated that Mr Khan was arrested following his conviction in a fake and manipulated complaint. His warrant of commitment was issued in the name of SP Adiala Jail; however, he was shifted to Attock jail by the order of the Punjab government, and it has yet to be ascertained under which provision of law he was being kept in the said prison.

The petition stated that Mr Khan has been kept in a 9x11 feet cell with an annexed “dirty” bathroom and has been denied access to his lawyers, family members, personal doctor, political aides and other relevant individuals. The legal team visited the jail for executing the power of attorney, but they were denied access even to reach the dungeon, it added.

“Keeping in view the petitioner’s social and political status, his education and his being accustomed to a better living style, the petitioner was entitled to A-Class facilities in jail.”

Separately, a five-member medical team of the Punjab health department examined the PTI chairman on Sunday. According to the head of the medical team, Dr Jawad Elahi, the PTI chairman’s condition was completely fine.

‘Distressing conditions’

On Monday, PTI chief’s lawyer Naeem Haider Panjotha after a meeting with the former prime minister claimed that the former premier was being kept in “distressing conditions” in prison. He was facing a paucity of facilities as per his entitlement, he said while talking to reporters outside the jail. The lawyer had visited the prison to get his power of attorney and other documents signed.

The meeting between Imran Khan and his lawyer lasted for an hour and 45 minutes.

The lawyer claimed that Imran Khan was not allowed to meet or talk to anyone over the phone. “I am the only person who has met him since the arrest.” “I asked Khan sahib about the situation in jail after his arrest. He said he is being kept in a dark, small, C-Class, chakki wala [manual labour] room. He said there is an open washroom there, which does not have a shower. Khan sahib said there was an open washroom, without any doors or walls, and rainwater entered his cell last night. He said the jail has flies in the morning and insects in the evening,” Mr Panjotha said.

‘Imran to lead PTI’

In a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, looking after the affairs of the party in the absence of the chairman, said Imran Khan will remain the head of the party ‘come what may’.

“Imran Khan has planted the PTI and being a founder he will always remain the head and fatherly figure for the party. Currently, Mian Shehbaz Sharif is the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, but the party is being run by Nawaz Sharif [as its supreme leader],” he said during the presser flanked by PTI legal team members Shoaib Shaheen, Naeem Panjutha and others.

“The purpose of the meeting was to get the power of attorney signed for legal purposes and filing of applications. Members of the federal cabinet have been lying by claiming that ‘B-Class’ [facilities] has been given to Mr Khan,” he said, adding that the former premier was not given the protocol he was entitled to.

“Jail has been made practically a no-go area and ways to jail have been blocked. We have decided to take up the issue with the apex courts,” he said.

Speaking about general elections, Mr Qureshi said since it has been decided that the National Assembly would be dissolved on Aug 9, therefore the PTI demanded elections to be held within 90 days.

“I would say maximum it should take 120 days to hold general elections,” he said, adding that the PTI was also considering challenging the extended tenure of the caretaker governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Meanwhile, the PTI core committee denounced the government for keeping the party chairman incarcerated in “deplorable conditions”.

In a separate statement, the Election Commission of Pakistan said no meeting was held by the commission to discuss the removal of PTI chairman from his party position.

Source: dawn.com

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Toshakhana judge didn’t fly to UK ‘out of the blue’

August 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Addressing the mystery surrounding the departure of judge to the UK hours after convicting PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case on Saturday, the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) record shows Humayun Dilawar was shortlisted for a training course in London over two months ago, in May.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Dilawar was one of the initial nominees for the training, but his name was dropped when his visa was not approved. However, he was able to attend the course on the basis of a private visa and after another nominee failed to get his visa on time.

The University of Hull nominated eight officers of the Islamabad Judicial Service (IJS), including an officer of the Supreme Court, for judicial training on human rights and rule of law on May 25.

The training sessions were scheduled to be held from Aug 5 to 13. Initially, ADSJs Abida Sajjad and Huma­yun Dilawar; civil judges Ayesha Shabbir, Saqib Jawad, Sanam Bukh­ari, Samia Iqbal, and Rizwanuddin Qureshi; and Hasan Riaz, an SC officer, were shortlisted for the course. The nominations were approved by the IHC’s administration. However, due to some processing error both the ADSJs and civil judges Jawad, Qureshi and Shabbir couldn’t obtain visas.

On June 21, the varsity nominated four other judges from IJS and one officer from KP Judicial Service. They were District and Sessions Jud­ge Kamran Basharat Mufti, ADSJs Zeba Chaudhary and Sayyed Faizan Hai­der, Civil Judge Suhaib Bilal, and Farah Attaullah, DSJ from KP.

The IHC approved these nomina­tions. Meanwhile, ADSJ Dilawar applied for visa and ex-Pakistan leave for a private visit to the UK, and this time he was granted the visa.

When he informed the university about it, they kept him on the waiting list.

It was pure chance that ADSJ Haider’s visa got delayed and due to shortage of time the university again nominated ADSJ Dilawar since he had a valid visa.

Source: dawn.com

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Southeast Asia

 

PM Anwar says PAS no longer ‘original’, strayed from its founding struggles of fighting for Islam

Tuesday, 08 Aug 2023

PASIR MAS, Aug 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PAS is no longer an ‘original’ party as it has strayed from its founding struggles of fighting for Islam.

Anwar said that PAS has now ‘mixed up’ not only with Bersatu, but also Gerakan which had previously challenged the hudud law constitutionality.

“Now (Gerakan) is a friend of PAS... (before this) Gerakan challenged the constitutionality of the hudud law,” he said when delivering a talk at the Chetok state constituency near here last night.

He said Perikatan Nasional (PN) also fielded 20 candidates from Gerakan, including in Malay areas in Penang.

According to Anwar, PAS accused the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition of betraying Islam despite various allocations channelled by the Unity Government for the development of Islam.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also asked people of Kelantan to vote wisely in the state election on August 12.

Despite heavy rain and flooded field, more than 2,000 people attended the talk.

Meanwhile, at the Jelajah Perpaduan Madani ceramah at the Kota Lama state constituency, the prime minister said the Unity Government is more concerned with solving the problems of the people, such as eradicating hardcore poverty.

“We prohibit our ministers to acquire shares, government contracts or steal the people’s money... and if there are any who do that, we show them the door.

“We must have feelings and a conscience to help and solve any problems affecting the people,” he said.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said he has also instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to immediately resolve the issue of damaged school toilets and dilapidated clinics nationwide. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Anthony Loke tells PAS president no need to see non-Muslims as enemies of Malays

By Soo Wern Jun

Monday, 07 Aug 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today reminded PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to stop looking at the Chinese in the country as if they are enemies to the Malays.

He said likewise the Malays are not enemies to the non-Malays.

“Malays losing power? They say this because of the non-Malays. Today, the PAS president said that the state election is jihad and that they want to fight. Fight who?

“We are all Malaysians, right? There is no problem, we are together. I am a candidate even though I’m Chinese, in front of me the voters are Malays, does it mean that I am your enemy?” Loke asked in a video uploaded on his TikTok account today.

His remarks came after Hadi’s claims in a Facebook post that Muslims are obligated to vote as it is akin to “jihad” or a holy struggle when other ethnic groups threaten the political dominance of the majority group in Malaysia.

“Are you my enemy? There is no need.

“Why do we have to be enemies with each other? Today we bring collaboration in the government to being good (for all),” he added in the video.

With the six state elections just around the corner, Hadi had again urged Malay Muslims to vote for their own group to keep Muslims in power in the country.

He reportedly said that when Muslims are in a position where they have to compete with the other races that are challenging the political force of Muslims, then voting is a fardhu ‘ain jihad that becomes mandatory for every Muslim to perform.

Fardhu ‘ain refers to obligatory acts that must be performed by each Muslim, rather than observing it as a community.

These usually include pillars of faith such as prayer and fasting, but can also include charity and for some ensuring compliance with the Islamic code.

While “jihad” is popularly associated with war or armed struggle, it can refer to any effort driven to conform to Islamic teachings.

Before this, Hadi had insisted that only Malay Muslims should lead, rule, and administer a pluralistic society that includes non-Muslims after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim asserted that the stability of a government relies more on its policies rather than its ethnic composition.

He later told non-Muslims to just let the majority ethnic group continue to hold the reins of the country, and non-Muslims should be grateful that they have been given “a place” in this country through the jus soli citizenship policy that he claimed would not be afforded everywhere else.

Most recently, the PAS president said the unity government is not fit to lead because it is “dominated” by minorities, a claim that has been debunked several times.

Last month, the police said they were investigating Hadi for remarks that allegedly touch on race, religion, and royalty — commonly known as the 3R sensitivities.

Source: malaymail.com

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Islamist Party aiming for clean sweep in Terengganu state polls

KUALA TERENGGANU – The federal opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition led by the fundamentalist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) is eyeing a clean sweep of all 32 seats in the conservative East Coast state of Terengganu at the Aug 12 state elections.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government – comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) – is fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds. In the November 2022 general elections, Mr Anwar’s coalition did not win a single federal parliamentary seat in Terengganu.

PAS is Terengganu’s incumbent ruling party.

“PAS is strong here. If you look at the last election, PAS took all the seats. Everyone says Umno has no chance,” said a 49-year-old food trucker who wanted to be known only as Pak Lan. Umno is BN’s lynchpin party.

Pak Lan’s food truck is located at a park near the massive Terengganu drawbridge, built at a cost of nearly RM250 million (S$74 million) and an iconic symbol of the state that is one of the poorest in Malaysia, yet rich with oil.

Terengganu PAS election director Ariffin Deraman told The Straits Times: “Our target is 32 seats. It is not just rhetoric, we have the data (to support this).”

During the November general elections, PAS won all eight Parliamentary constituencies in the state.

“If you break down the (November) results by state constituencies, we only lost in one state seat and by a very thin majority,” said Mr Ariffin, adding that this time they hope to win that seat.

“The PN wave is still strong. We don’t see any major changes so far,” he said, referring to a surge of support for PAS in November, making it the biggest bloc of MPs in Parliament.

He is confident, despite the lack of any major rallies by PAS here. It is opting instead to hold smaller-scale events in villages and live streams on social media.

Campaigning for all parties was also muted while the state observed a five-day mourning period for Sultan of Terengganu Mizan Zainal Abidin’s mother, who died on Aug 3.

“We are focusing on campaigning in the state seat areas. We have nightly events in every seat but on a small scale,” said Mr Ariffin.

For both sides of the political divide, campaigning has been quiet and low-key in Terengganu, a swing state that has switched several times between PAS and BN in the past few years.

In the 2018 elections, PAS won 22 state assembly seats in Terengganu, while BN won 10.

It could prove to be a challenge for Umno to win seats in Malay-majority areas because it has aligned itself with Mr Anwar’s PH coalition, which counts the Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP) as an ally. DAP is often used as a bogeyman to whip up Malay support.

A voter from Besut district who wanted to be known only as Syaza told ST: “I want a leader who prioritises Islam because we are Muslims.”

One of the issues plaguing the state government is the legacy of white elephant projects left behind by the former Umno administrations.

Terengganu is only one of four Malaysian states with oil and gas deposits offshore.

The federal government channels back to Terengganu so-called “oil royalty” funds that were used by the previous state administrations to build “mega” projects.

With each new Umno chief minister, along came a new “mega” project. But every time a new project was announced, the last one would end up becoming a white elephant.

Before the current PAS chief minister, Terengganu saw a change of chief ministers three times between 2004 and 2018 due to Umno infighting, which also caused it to lose control of the state in 2018.

PAS has been working on reviving some of the abandoned projects, including building a bridge at Poh island near Kenyir Lake, which was officially opened in June. A hotel is expected to be completed there in September.

Terengganu receives royalty funds amounting to RM1.5 billion annually, which is a huge boost to its state coffers.

Mr Ariffin said the federal government under Mr Anwar has been paying the state the oil royalty in monthly instalments. He did not disclose the amount paid each month.

“We hope that starting from September, the government will give the state the money in full,” he said.

He said the PAS state government has fulfilled all of its promises under the 2018 election manifesto, and hence there should be no reason for voters to switch. These include providing free water for the poor, building more religious schools, and increasing Malay reserve land.

As part of its manifesto for the upcoming state elections, PAS has promised to provide interest-free motorcycle loans for those earning less than RM4,000, grants for youth entrepreneurs, and cash aid for farmers and fishermen.

“We have a good Menteri Besar who runs an excellent administration. He is educated and takes measures to help the people, not for personal gain. So we don’t have any problems with the state government. I am satisfied with it,” said financial officer Sumayyah Ibrahim, 44.

Source: straitstimes.com

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Jokowi Meets OIC, Discusses Indonesia's Position in Global Islamic Development Issues

8 August 2023

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomed the Secretary-General (SG) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha in the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Monday, August 7, 2023. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the meeting discussed four main agendas related to Indonesia's position on global Islamic development issues, including the Quran-burning incidents in Sweden and Denmark.

Minister Retno said Jokowi and Hissain both condemned the Islamophobic incidents of Quran burning. "President Jokowi appreciated OIC's endeavor to hold a special fashion of OIC'S foreign ministerial meeting, which I personally attended," said Retno when met at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday, August 7, 2023.

The second agenda referred to the educational access for Afghanistan women, and the importance of humanitarian aid from other countries, including Indonesia.

"During the meeting, also discussed Indonesia's plan to send polio vaccines to Afghanistan as previously agreed with Afghan authorities," she said.

Retno added that the OIC SG was appreciative of Indonesia's efforts, including the active role of Indonesian Islamic scholars in OIC Islamic scholars' visits. "A second Islamic scholar visits from OIC has been planned for this year, with the participation from Indonesia," said Minister Retno.

The third agenda is related to Rohingya refugees entering Indonesia's territory and Cox Bazar, Bangladesh. "The OIC SG hopes for Indonesia to continue to voice Rohingya's concerns in ASEAN forums," she added.

Lastly, the OIC SG hoped Indonesia will increase scholarships for students from African countries.

Source: en.tempo.co

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Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Dept to be intervener in constitutional challenge to state’s Shariah law

Monday, 07 Aug 2023

 KOTA BARU, Aug 7 — The Kelantan government takes seriously the constitutional challenge filed by a lawyer and her daughter over the state Shariah law and has instructed the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEIK) to act as an intervener in the proceedings of the case in the Federal Court.

Caretaker Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the case involved questioning the power of the state legislative assembly to formulate the Shariah criminal law under the State List, Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

“The state government on Thursday (August 3) has acted and instructed the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department, as an interested party in safeguarding the implementation of Islamic law in Kelantan, particularly in relation to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019, to act as an intervener in the case.

“This is because the case will have a very big impact on the interests of Islam, the Shariah Law and the Kelantan government as a whole,” he said in a statement here today.

Ahmad also called on Muslims and Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state to play their respective roles in protecting the state’s Shariah law.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, in a statement, called on state religious authorities, statutory bodies relating to Islam and religion-related NGOs to involve themselves in the proceedings of the court case filed by lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid against the Kelantan government either as an intervener, watching brief or amicus curiae (friend of the court).

Nik Elin Zurina and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman filed a constitutional challenge regarding the 20 provisions contained in the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 which they claimed are invalid as there are federal laws covering the same offences.

The duo contends that the power to legislate on criminal matters belongs exclusively to Parliament, with state assemblies only given the right to enact laws concerning the Islamic faith.

They went directly to the Federal Court as it has exclusive jurisdiction to decide such questions, based on Article 128(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution.

For such constitutional challenges under the Article 4(4) route, it can only start if a Federal Court judge grants leave or permission.

On September 30 last year, Federal Court judge Datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat heard arguments by lawyers for the two women and the Kelantan government, before deciding on the same day to allow the two women to commence their court challenge. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Africa

 

Ministerial Appointment: Again, Islamic Scholars Reject El-Rufai

By Hassan Ibrahim

Mon, 7 Aug 2023

The Coalition of Quranic Memorisers and Reciters has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to swear in former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai as minister in the interest of justice, fairness, peace and stability of the country.

The Director of Education Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation who addressed journalists in Bauchi on behalf of the clerics, Sheikh Sidi Aliyu Sise, asked Tinubu to tread with caution and not to swear in unjust politicians with questionable character.

He said the nomination of El-Rufai and his screening by the National Assembly was injustice to Qur’anic memorisers and reciters.

The cleric said, “Now the ball is in the court of Mr President, as Nigerian leader, he should look in to the country with the eyes of Justice, he should look in to the plight of the oppressed, not to succumb to pressure to swear in El-rufa’i a man who oppressed Almajirai under his leadership when he was a governor.”

Niger: El-Zakzaky speaks against military action

Ministerial Screening: ‘Take a bow my brother’, Akpabio defers petition against El-Rufai

“We demand for justice as a result of injustice, harassment, trauma, and difficulties encountered by our disciples, teachers and many Qur’anic Scholars, when he evacuated our innocent pupils from the House of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in Kaduna to unknown destination,

“We want to know our offence, that is why we demand for justice from the federal Government because swearing in Elr-ufa’i as minister, we will take it that you are in support of the injustice we suffered in his hand when he was a Governor of Kaduna.

“Now that El-Rufa’i is out of office, we demand for justice rather than for the government to contemplate making him a minister. Any government that prides itself on carrying all along with justice and fairness should not be seen to patronise the likes of the former governor of Kaduna State. We hope that President Tinubu will come out clean on the El-Rufai issue, by ensuring justice to the people he oppressed when he was a Governor, at that time he had immunity and we don’t want to heat the tension in the interest of peace considering the large followers of Maulana Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi,” he added

Source: dailytrust.com

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Muslim Cleric In Police Net For Allegedly Taking Over Friend’s Wife, Children, N105m With Charms

Aug 8, 2023

LAGOS  – A 43 years old Muslim cleric, Alhaji Afeez Uthman Imolayo, who was arrested by detectives from Zone 2 Police Command, La­gos, confessed to using spiritual means to take over his friend’s wife, children, over N105 million and several landed properties in Lagos.

Imolayo was paraded by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Police Command on Monday and also admitted to having be­witched the friend into changing his children’s names as well as land documents into his.

In his confessional statement to the police, the suspect admitted having received N105m from his friend, Animashaun Oluwase­gun.

He equally confessed to having compelled his friend to change the name on his Ameri­can International Passport and social security number from his original name to his own.”

Paraded with the suspect is his wife and three others.

AIG Mohammed Ali during the parade noted, “On July 17 2023 Mr. Animashaun Oluwase­gun also known as Afeez Uthman brought a petition of criminal conspiracy, compelling action by intimidation, obtaining by false pretence, threatening to kill, suspected ritualist, stealing, criminal charms and conducted to cause breach of peace against one Alhaji Afeez Uthman Imole Ayo and Alhaja Mushirafat Kekelomo Salaam female, Sa­heed Ajayi Uthma Temidayo Rashmon and others at large.

The AIG said the petition was referred to the anti-piracy Unit for discrete investigation and that a team of operatives led by SP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi O/C Anti-Piracy swung into action and apprehended five suspects in connection with the alleged crime and one white Toyota Ven­za 2009 model, one Ashuk Leland bus with registration number JJJ933YD and various landed properties were recovered.

According to him, the suspect, Afeez Uthman Imole Ayo, 43, con­fessed to being an Islamic Cleric and founder of Amaaniyat – UR-Rahman global congregation.

The AIG said, “The suspect abducted the petitioner’s wife and children for more than 10 years and subsequently changed the complainant’s wife and chil­dren’s names to his personal name through the help of his wife, Alhaja Mushirafat Kikel­omo Salaam, for extortion pur­poses. He then converted all the petitioner’s properties to his own personal use, claiming that God directed him to do so.”

The AIG added, “It was God that opened the petitioner’s eyes 10 years after when he realized what he is doing and got himself together, relocated from the USA where he is based, and put up the petition. It is my humble advice to both Muslim and Christian faithful to be careful with who­ever is called Pastor and Alfa to be careful because all that glitters is not gold. On the confession of the wife of the suspect confessed to the falsification and alteration of the birth documents papers of the complainant’s children by changing the children’s birth identities to Alhaji Afeez Uth­man’s name without the com­plaint’s consent.

She also admitted to having received over $17,000 US equiv­alent to N11.817 million. The herbalist, Oyedokun Amos, 65, usually assists the suspect to pre­pare charms for his customer he knew the suspect over 15 years ago and they became friends and business partners.

He said the investigation re­vealed that the suspect met the complainant at a crusade ground in Lagos after which they became friends.

“The complainant is based in the USA and became close to the suspect about 16 years ago. While they were friends the complainant started to send the suspect some money to help him carry out a project. But rather the suspect converted the complainant’s entire savings z amounting to over N105 million.

“As if that was not enough, he took over the man’s wife, chil­dren, and two cars. He also went as far as changing the man’s wife and children’s names into his. The names on their traveling documents were also changed.”

Source: independent.ng

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Group kicks against two Muslim ministerial nominees from Taraba 

By  Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

07 August 2023

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to cede the two ministerial slots from Taraba State to the Muslim community seems not to have gone down well with the Christian community.

In a statement, yesterday, Taraba State Concerned Christian Youths saw the nomination of two Muslims from the state as ministers by the President as a “deliberate act against the Christians, who are the majority in the state.”

The statement signed by the chairman, Dr. Adi Allahkyauta, urged the President to do the needful by replacing one of the nominees with a Christian. Arguing that even when prominent Christian politicians in the state sacrificed a lot for Tinubu to emerge as President, he still went ahead to sideline Taraba Christians in his selection of ministers.

Describing the move as a “deliberate act of marginalisation,” the cleric urged the President to “listen to the voice of Concerned Christian Youths as he did in the case of Kano” in which he replaced Maryam Shatty.

The group noted that the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is a Christian, who “sacrificed a lot to see the President emerge.” The two ministerial nominees, who the group said are both Muslims, are the former acting governor, Senator Abubakar Danladi and Alhaji Uba Maigeri.

Source: guardian.ng

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New constitution in C.Africa opens door for Touadera's third term

Voters in the perennially restive Central African Republic overwhelmingly approved a draft constitution that paves the way for Faustin Archange Touadera to seek a third term as president, the national poll body said Monday.

One of the poorest and most troubled countries in the world, the landlocked nation has been gripped by conflict and political turmoil for most of its history after independence from France in 1960.

Touadera's rivals say he wants to remain "president for life" -- under the increasingly visible protection of private Russian mercenary group Wagner, which first deployed to the CAR in 2018.

Voters cast 95.27 percent of their ballots in favour and 4.73 percent against, with a turnout of 61.10 percent in the July 30 referendum, National Election Authority president Mathias Morouba said.

These "provisional" results must be ratified by the constitutional court, which is scheduled to publish the definitive outcome on August 27.

The new constitution would extend the presidential mandate from five to seven years and abolish the two-term limit.

There are no longer obstacles to prevent the 66-year-old head of state from seeking the presidency a third time in 2025. If elected, he could spend 16 years at the helm.

The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and civil society organisations, as well as by armed rebel groups.

The opposition complained about the lack of an up-to-date electoral register and said institutions tasked with guaranteeing a free and fair vote were not independent.

Government officials have cajoled and threatened referendum opponents, Human Rights Watch says, and authorities also banned an opposition rally in the capital in a bid to keep a lid on hostility to the poll.

"It's a comedy... we've all seen that people didn't go out to vote and it doesn't reflect the will of the Central African people", said Crepin Mboli-Goumba, coordinator of the BRDC opposition coalition.

Touadera was first elected in 2016 as the country, with French and UN help, emerged from a civil war that spiralled along sectarian lines following a coup.

In 2020 Touadera won a second five-year term, after a vote interrupted by several incursions by armed rebel groups. He also had to overcome allegations of fraud.

The Constitutional Court in September 2022 dealt a humiliating blow to Touadera, scrapping the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting the new constitution.

The court's president, Daniele Darlan, was then targeted in violent verbal attacks by Touadera supporters and in January this year was forcibly retired.

Since December 2020, hundreds of Wagner fighters and Rwandan troops have been deployed to face an offensive led by an alliance of the country's most powerful rebel groups, which have found themselves pushed into rural areas.

Source: africanews.com

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Niger's military shuts down airspace as it warns of an imminent attack

 Niger’s mutinous soldiers closed the country’s airspace and accused foreign powers of preparing an attack, as the junta defied a deadline to restore the ousted president.

Niger’s state television announced the move on Sunday night, hours before West African regional bloc ECOWAS had demanded that the coup leaders reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face military force.

In his televised address, coup spokesperson, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said "The National Council for the Safeguard of the Country is launching a vibrant appeal to its youth, the noble sons and daughters of our country, that they be ready to defend our country."

The July 26 coup, in which mutinous soldiers installed Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of state, adds another layer of complexity to West Africa’s Sahel region that’s struggling with military takeovers, spreading Islamic extremism and a shift by some states toward Russia and its proxy, the Wagner mercenary group.

An ECOWAS delegation was unable to meet with Tchiani, who analysts have asserted led the coup to avoid being fired.

Now the junta has reached out to Wagner for assistance while severing security ties with former colonizer France.

Algeria and Chad, non-ECOWAS neighbors with strong militaries in the region, have said they oppose the use of force or won’t intervene militarily, and neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso — both run by juntas — have said an intervention would be a “declaration of war” against them, too.

It was not immediately clear on Sunday what ECOWAS will do next.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/07/nigers-military-shuts-down-airspace-as-it-warns-of-an-imminent-attack/

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The HRW accuses Angolan police of extrajudicial killings

Angola's police have allegedly killed over a dozen activists since January, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Monday, urging the government to swiftly probe reports of abuse and rights violations.

The country's law enforcement authorities have also been accused of the arbitrary arrests and detention of hundreds, the NGO said in a statement.

Angolan law enforcement authorities including police, state security and intelligence services "have been implicated in unlawful killings of at least 15 people", HRW said.

Political activists, artists and protest organizers were the main targets of the "alleged rights violations", which HRW has condemned.

"Angolan authorities should urgently act to end abusive police policies and practices and ensure that there is justice for victims and their family members," Zenaida Machado, senior Africa researcher at HRW said in the statement.

Although the government has attempted to improve law enforcement, criminal prosecutions against police officers who commit these violations remain rare, HRW said.

The arrests are more frequent in the oil-rich northern province of Cabinda, close to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the last six months, HRW has interviewed 32 people across the country including victims and their relatives, witnesses and security sources.

In one instance men who identified as criminal investigation service members held a group of young men in custody "whose bodies were found three days later at a hospital morgue,".

A friend of the victims, who were known for participating in anti-government protests, said that police had been monitoring the group.

Angola's ruling party, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), has denied HRW's claims.

"Investigations are already underway," party spokesman Rui Falcao told AFP.

"However, we find it strange that those calling for the necessary investigations already have conclusions and are passing judgment," Falcao said.

According to the HRW the country's leading opposition, UNITA, said it had documented over 130 cases of people being killed by security forces during protests since 2017.

On Saturday, thousands of people called for Angola's President Joao Lourenco to step down during a rally in the capital organized by UNITA to commemorate its late leader.

The oil-rich southern African nation has experienced a wave of protests since the government cut subsidies for petrol in June.

The move was aimed at curbing government spending, as the economy suffers from a slide in oil prices that has weakened the local currency, the kwanza. But it resulted in unpopular sharp fuel price hikes.

Source: africanews.com

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Arab World

 

AlUla Royal Commission receives SAG award for outstanding performance in using GIS

August 07, 2023

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has received a SAG award at the Esri conference in California for outstanding performance in using geographic information systems.

The annual Esri conference in the US is one of the most significant global events for geographic information systems.

Hundreds of sectors gather to showcase their technical capabilities through the development of GIS, whether at the level of planning, organization or in improving services.

RCU won the award for its excellence in mapping and analytics techniques, leadership in using and developing system inputs, and achievement of international standards in the field, a commission statement said.

“The award highlights the efforts of the RCU, AlUla governorate and its partners in using the GIS, analyzing various data, addressing challenges, and organizing geographical interdependence according to the technical method to achieve the objectives of the commission in promoting and developing multiple services and achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, to achieve the vision of AlUla and in line with the Saudi Vision 2030,” the statement said.

RCU is working on employing systems, including GIS, to develop a work platform between the various sectors as part of its strategy to contribute to providing and improving outputs through technical solutions.

Since its inception, the commission has begun to form a geographic information systems unit to link various services according to a technical system that responds to multiple inputs of spatial analysis of services and facilities to raise the quality of work, evaluate it, forecast all future challenges, and provide innovative solutions within several areas such as situation and impact analysis, orientation assessment, planning and municipal administration.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351071/saudi-arabia

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Saudi Arabia to open embassy in Costa Rica

August 08, 2023

SAO PAULO: Saudi Arabia will send a technical team to Costa Rica later this month to take care of details concerning the establishment of an embassy in San Jose.

The two nations resumed diplomatic relations eight years ago, and have since engaged in high-level exchanges between authorities.

The embassy announcement was made on Monday during a meeting between Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih and Costa Rica’s ministers of foreign relations and foreign trade.

Al-Falih’s visit is part of his tour of Latin American countries, accompanied by a large delegation of Saudi businesspeople.

Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre said: “Saudi Arabia’s weight in the global sphere is undeniable. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner for Costa Rica, with which collective actions are also planned in favor of the environment, development and cooperation.”

Andre met with Al-Falih in February during a visit to the Middle East. On that occasion, they created the Saudi-Costa Rica Business Council with the intention of improving bilateral trade.

In June, Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica signed a memorandum of understanding to promote commercial relations.

Improving diplomatic and commercial ties with Arab nations is an important step for Costa Rica, which for more than two decades had little exchange with the Arab world due to former President Luis Alberto Monge’s decision to move the nation’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1982.

“Monge had been an ambassador to Israel. He just decided to move the embassy, and all relations with Arab countries were broken,” said Carlos Cascante Segura, a professor of foreign relations at the University of Costa Rica.

In 2006, Costa Rica decided to transfer its embassy back to Tel Aviv, gradually resuming ties with Middle Eastern countries.

“Over the past decade, Costa Rica re-established connections with Turkiye, Qatar and the UAE. Saudi Arabia, the most important partner in the Middle East, is a central part in that process,” Cascante Segura said.

Sergio Moya Mena, who heads the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Costa Rica, told Arab News: “Costa Rica and the UAE became very close over the past few years. At the same time, the nation had the clear political goal of building up its relationship with Saudi Arabia.”

Costa Rica mainly exports agricultural products such as bananas and coffee to Saudi Arabia, along with medical equipment.

“The Saudis are interested in investing in infrastructure, energy and tourism in Costa Rica,” Moya Mena said.

In February, Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi promised during a meeting with Andre that he would work to publicize Costa Rica as a tourism destination for Saudis.

The Central American nation is well-known for its work to protect the environment and for ecotourism.

Bryan Acuna, an expert in foreign relations and the Middle East, told Arab News that Costa Rica has become “an important destination for medical tourism and it may draw Saudi tourists — as well as tourists from other parts of the Middle East — who want to take care of their health.”

He said the country has been trying to get access to different markets in the Arab world in recent years, and hopes to attract much-needed investment.

“There have been talks concerning potential investments from the UAE in ports. The Saudis are expected to invest in water infrastructure, agriculture and other areas,” Acuna added.

Earlier this year, Costa Rica and the UAE discussed possible investments in electricity production.

Some social segments have been pushing for broad reform in Costa Rica’s transportation sector, which is mainly powered by non-renewable energy. Foreign funding will be needed.

Cascante Segura said the country has serious infrastructural problems, with no major works being done over the past 25 years.

“San Jose’s airport is from the 1960s and needs to be modernized,” he added. “There are several opportunities to expand the Atlantic coast’s port infrastructure. There’s also the need to intensify clean energy production.”

He said Costa Rica has been making an effort to diversify its funding sources, and Middle Eastern nations can play a role in that regard, especially when it comes to logistics.

During a press conference after the meeting with Andre and Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Tovar, Al-Falih was asked by journalists if Saudi Arabia would be interested in investing in the construction of a dry canal connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific — an old plan in Costa Rica as an alternative to the Panama Canal.

Al-Falih said he was not familiar with the project, but Saudi Arabia is aware of the new needs generated by the increase in international commerce and is ready to collaborate. “We want to be an active participant in creating diversity and resilience for global trade,” he added.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi commission begins work on Modern Urban Heritage initiative

August 07, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has kicked off the first phase of its plan to preserve the country’s important landmarks and buildings.

The commission’s Modern Urban Heritage initiative was initially launched in November 2022. The plan now is to develop a national strategy for the program, according to reports.

The commission will document and classify the areas that need protection and work out plans for their rehabilitation, investment and management.

The initiative’s timeline will cover 60 years of the Kingdom’s architectural development.

The commission has stated that for a building or landmark to be included in the National Architectural Heritage Register, they have to conform to at least four of eight criteria.

These eight criteria are categorized under aesthetics, culture, history, science, technology, rarity, spatial context, and current status of the site.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351156/saudi-arabia

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OIC chief meets Indonesian president in Jakarta

August 07, 2023

RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha met Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Monday.

The two reviewed bilateral relations and ways to build upon them, critical topics on the OIC’s agenda, current regional and international issues, and the OIC’s role in promoting joint Islamic action.

The Indonesian president affirmed his country’s full support for the OIC and its initiatives in service of the Islamic world and its people.

He also expressed appreciation for the OIC’s endeavors in dealing with the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and the burning of the Qur’an, stressing the need to support these efforts to address this phenomenon.

For his part, Taha praised the vital role played by Indonesia in supporting the activities of the OIC in pursuit of its objectives aimed at strengthening the bonds of Islamic solidarity between member states.

He also touched on several issues of priority for the organization as well as Indonesia, such as conditions in Sudan and Niger, the Rohingya, the Palestinian cause, and the right to education for women and girls in Afghanistan.

The two sides also discussed current developments in the Sahel region and the importance of supporting educational, developmental, and agricultural projects there.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351136/saudi-arabia

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Riyadh Municipality launches architectural awards

August 07, 2023

JEDDAH: Riyadh Municipality recently launched a series of awards for architectural creativity for both individuals and institutions.

Three winners will be awarded under each category, “Architecture Award” and “Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Award.”

Through these awards, Riyadh Municipality aims to foster healthy competition, raise awareness of the importance of high-quality design, and promote remarkable projects.

Architects, planners, urban designers, and experts are encouraged to participate by registering and submitting their projects built in Riyadh within the last five years.

Eligible for submission through the awards’ online portal are residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings; housing, landscape, and urban design projects; and healthcare, sports, entertainment and transportation facilities. 

A maximum of five entries are accepted from the same applicant.

Registrations began on Aug. 6 and will continue until Oct. 12 followed by a four-week evaluation conducted by a distinguished panel of experts and university professors.

Source: arabnews.com

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Riyadh water and infrastructure expo aims to transform Kingdom’s landscape

August 07, 2023

RIYADH: The inaugural Saudi Water Expo, to be held with the second Saudi Infrastructure Expo next month from Sept. 11 to 13 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, will convene 200 exhibitors, local and international suppliers and manufacturers to transform the Kingdom’s infrastructure landscape.

Organized by dmg events and the Saudi Contractors Authority, the three-day expo will serve as a crucial meeting point for government bodies, major projects, developers, consultants, architects, utilities service providers, tech giants and procurement professionals.

“As the sole exhibition dedicated to the water industry, (the) Saudi Water Expo will drive water projects forward and feature the latest in desalination plants, water management, water supply solutions, water technology, drainage systems, sewage water technology, water treatment, soil protection, recycling, and drilling technology,” dmg events told Arab News.

Water scarcity is a stark reality in the Gulf region. As freshwater makes up a very small fraction of the available water, sustainable availability of potable water is a high priority.

The organizer said Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is propelling a momentous transition towards a sustainable future, prioritizing infrastructure and urban planning as key components of its transformative goals.

The expo will be an exclusive high-level gathering of thought leaders, industry experts and practitioners focused on delivering the ambitious Vision 2030 and catalyzing a transformational shift in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and water landscape.

“Building upon the resounding achievements of the previous year, Saudi Infra Expo is bigger, better and more impactful this year, representing a score of infrastructure sectors and building on the success of its first event in 2022,” said Muhammed Kazi, vice president of construction at dmg events.

In support of the Kingdom’s plans for $80 billion worth of water projects in line with Vision 2030’s national water strategy, Saudi Water Expo will host leading companies in the sector and showcase their products and services.

Among those present will be the Saudi-based National Water Works Co., a company specializing in designing, supplying, installation and providing after-sales services for complete water pumping systems, and Al-Watania for Industries Co., a leader in packaging products and building materials.

Over 200 companies will be exhibiting from 22 countries including Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Jordan, the US, the UK and Malaysia under product sectors, including urban connectivity, utilities, smart technology, desalination, water technology and waste management, among others.

This year’s expo will host eight national pavilions, from Egypt, China, the UAE, Qatar, Italy, Turkiye, Germany and India respectively.

Local companies such as Abdullah Al-Jared Trading Co., a company specializing in the manufacturing of water pumps; Samnan Holding Group, active in the field of water sector products; and Al-Rawaf Contracting Co., specializing in general contracting, construction and infrastructure development, will be showcasing innovative products and services.

Prominent names from Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and water landscape will also debut at this year’s event, including Al-Bawani, ENGIE, TASNEE, Saudi Pan Kingdom Co., WhiteHelmet and Enowa by NEOM.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351066/saudi-arabia

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China, Germany say Jeddah talks on Ukraine back international efforts to end war

August 07, 2023

BEIJING: China and Germany on Monday have praised the recent international talks in Saudi Arabia on resolving the Ukraine crisis, with the Chinese foreign ministry saying the talks helped “consolidate international consensus.”

China’s Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, “had extensive contact and communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis... listened to all sides’ opinions and proposals, and further consolidated international consensus,” the foreign ministry said in a written statement carried by Reuters.

A German government spokesperson said that the conference was a successful meeting because it showed the willingness of the international community to work towards ending the war in Ukraine.

“Germany will also continue to engage actively including in this process,” the spokesperson said at a regular news conference in Berlin according to Reuters.

Senior officials from some 40 countries took part in the Jeddah talks that ended on Sunday.

A senior Ukrainian official said Monday the talks had dealt a “huge blow” to Russia, and that the participants agreed to hold another meeting of political advisers within about six weeks.

The participating countries, including the US, China and India met for discussions that Ukraine and its allies hope will lead to agreement on key principles for a peaceful end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The participants agreed on the importance of continuing international consultation and exchanging views to pave the way for peace.

They also expressed the importance of benefiting from the positive opinions and proposals that were discussed during the two-day meeting.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Bosnia arrest man suspected of Islamic State attack plan - prosecutors

Mon, 7 August 2023

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - A 43-year-old man has been arrested in Bosnia on suspicion of having links with Islamic State militants and of planning to attack Muslims from other traditions and one of their mosques, prosecutors said on Monday.

The man from the central town of Zenica had been convicted in the past of other crimes related to terrorist activities and fighting in Syria, the statement from Bosnia's state prosecutor's office read.

It did not say whether he denied the charges and did not give any details of any lawyer representing him.

The man was suspected of communicating digitally with Islamic State backers and of asking for instructions on how to build an explosive device that could be detonated by a phone, the statement read.

It said he was suspected of planning to attack Islamic scholars that preached against militants and reported on militant activities to Bosnian authorities.

Bosnia's state court has tried and convicted 46 people who have returned from Syria or Iraq in recent years. A total of 241 Bosnian adults and 80 children moved to Syria and Iraq from 2012-2016, according to Bosnian intelligence.

The man was detained on Friday, according to a spokeswoman for the State Investigation and Protection Agency.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bosnia-arrest-man-suspected-islamic-154118014.html

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Amazing scenes as mosque fundraisers welcomed back from trek

Shuiab Khan

Tue, 8 August 2023

A group of dedicated walkers raising money for their mosque were welcomed back to Blackburn with garlands.

Fifty volunteers from 'Team Buraq' took on a gruelling walk to Mount Snowdon and arrived back in Blackburn to huge cheers and fireworks.

Friends and family had gathered at the Roomali - At The Woodlands Restaurant, on Preston New Road, to meet the group.

The team have been raising thousands for the new Islamic Education Centre just off Davenport Road in the town. They are hoping to raise the final amount in the coming year before the mosque finally opens. All the money to build the mosque has been raised by donations and through fundraising efforts such as this.

Over the past few years, the group has taken part in a series of sponsored walks and cycles and the effort to build the mosque has been an inspiring community effort which has involved people of all ages and backgrounds.

One of the youngest volunteers was Ibrahim Tabassam, 18, who had raised £6,265. In total more than £60,000 was pledged to fundraisers, on this, their most recent challenge.

Tabassam Zabier who took part in the trek and has been helping to manage the fundraising alongside volunteers said the team were delighted again.

He said: “It is not easy asking people to take part in sponsored walks and challenges but we are inspired by how people are coming to help our cause over and over again.

“These fundraising efforts have brought people together and it was a wonderful to see people giving up their free time to help again.”

Organisers wished to thank the Romali restaurant for hosting the evening at a very shortly notice and Zahid and Shaid the owners of  S-line Travel for providing the coaches for free.

Teeam Buraq was formed three years to help lead the fundraising.

Tabassam who was one of the co-founders of the group said: "We are still fundraising and still behind our eventual target and we will keep going.

"But it has been a great achievement all involved and eveyone who is part of Team Buraq deserves huge credit for their efforts."

The new Islamic Education Centre, which was established in the eighties will replace the old mosque which is too small for the people living in the area. The centre will include a funeral area as well as modern classrooms for children.

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/amazing-scenes-mosque-fundraisers-welcomed-040000437.html

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North America

 

Muslim American Man Says Airline Bias Case Can't Go To Arbitrators

August 7, 2023

A Muslim American man urged Michigan's justices to let the courts hear his discrimination case against his ex-boss, GoJet Airlines LLC, saying state employers shouldn't be able to use their employment.

Source: law360.com

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https://www.law360.com/employment-authority/articles/1708359/muslim-man-says-airline-bias-case-can-t-go-to-arbitrators

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Salvation Government Imposes Islamic Dress Code and Segregation of Boys and Girls in Idleb Schools

August 8th, 2023

The Ministry of Education within the Salvation government operating in Idleb has issued a directive aimed at private educational institutions. This directive enforces several Sharia-based regulations, urging strict adherence to these guidelines.

Issued on Sunday, August 6th, the directive comprises seven key points:

Eliminating any unlawful drawings and images displayed on school premises.

Mandating students in primary and secondary education stages to adhere to modest Islamic attire.

Requiring female staff members to wear appropriate Islamic clothing.

Instituting a complete segregation of male and female students within primary and secondary education stages.

Prohibiting students from carrying mobile phones.

Preventing the promotion of inappropriate music and performances that contravene Sharia standards on social media platforms affiliated with educational institutions, as well as during school events both on and off-campus.

Discouraging the adoption of trends or fashions that contravene religious teachings and cultural norms, such as excessive use of makeup, revealing clothing, and other similar practices, as outlined in the directive.

The Salvation government had previously enforced gender segregation among university students, scheduling separate days for males and females to attend classes. Moreover, some colleges have established distinct departments for each gender.

Overseeing the educational sector, the Ministry of Education in the Salvation Government operates alongside education directorates, sharing responsibilities. The ministry is currently led by Muhammad Nazir al-Qadri, who assumed the position in late May.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

Source: syrianobserver.com

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https://syrianobserver.com/news/84451/salvation-government-imposes-islamic-dress-code-and-segregation-of-boys-and-girls-in-idleb-schools.html

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Merging Islamic Values with Blockchain Innovations

August 7th 2023

How Islamic Finance Meets Blockchain

Ever thought of a world where owning a home doesn’t mean drowning in interest? Venture into an intriguing blend of time-honored ethics and cutting-edge technology. This fusion promises a transparent and ethical path to home ownership, appealing to everyone, irrespective of their religious or philosophical beliefs.

Ahmed’s Quest for an Ethical Home

Introducing Ahmed, a passionate home-seeker with a twist in his tale. Rooted deeply in his Islamic faith, he avoids interest-based transactions, termed as riba in Islamic finance. This principle makes traditional mortgages a no-go zone for him. Puzzled and intrigued, he muses, “In this age of innovation, isn’t there a modern yet ethical alternative to own my dream home?”

The Blockchain Revolution & The Magic of Smart Contracts

This is where Bilal, Ahmed’s tech-savvy buddy, steps in. With enthusiasm, he unravels the mysteries of blockchain. Describing it as a transparent digital ledger, he emphasizes its trustworthiness. Every transaction, once recorded, is set in digital stone. But the crown jewel? Smart contracts. Bilal explains them as self-executing digital agreements. They automatically carry out tasks when certain conditions are fulfilled, eliminating the need for intermediaries and ensuring utmost transparency.

Demystifying Tokenized Real Estate

A Slice for All: Bilal offers a vivid analogy: “Think of a grand chocolate cake. Instead of one person devouring it all, imagine many people owning a piece.” This concept, termed tokenized real estate, divides property ownership into manageable digital slices or tokens. Here’s the beauty of it: A consortium can purchase a property and then sell these tokens to prospective buyers like Ahmed. As time progresses, Ahmed can acquire more tokens, gradually becoming the sole owner of the property.

NFTs

Beyond Tokens, The Digital Seal of Authenticity: But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Bilal delves into NFTs or Non-Fungible Tokens. These aren’t just digital tokens; they’re unique digital authenticity seals. While tokens represent a fraction of property ownership, NFTs ensure that each property is distinct and unparalleled in the digital realm.

Beyond Borders

Ethical Home Ownership for the Global Citizen: This visionary model isn’t exclusive to Ahmed or those of the Islamic faith. It’s a pioneering blueprint for anyone yearning for a transparent, ethical means of owning property. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the serene landscapes of Oslo, this approach offers a Shariah-compliant pathway (in harmony with Islamic principles) to home ownership, devoid of interest and full of trust.

Conclusion

A New Dawn in Home Ownership: For Ahmed, the distant dream of owning a home ethically is now a tangible reality. This narrative paints a future where age-old values seamlessly intertwine with modern technology, crafting an ethical, transparent avenue to home ownership. In this reimagined world, everyone can find a sanctuary they can truly call home regardless of their cultural or religious background. A Shariah-Compliant Home Ownership for the 21st Century.

Source: hackernoon.com

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https://hackernoon.com/merging-islamic-values-with-blockchain-innovations

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US deploys over 3,000 sailors, Marines to West Asia under pretext of maritime security

Monday, 07 August 2023

The US Navy has deployed more than 3,000 sailors and Marine forces to West Asia under the pretext of protecting ships and vessels crossing the main waterways in the strategic region.

The US Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) made the announcement on Monday, saying the forces from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) had arrived in West Asia.

“Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 50) and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) entered the Red Sea after transiting from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

“Bataan ARG/26th MEU units bring to the region additional aviation and naval assets, as well as more US Marines and Sailors, providing greater flexibility and maritime capability to US 5th Fleet.”

The statement said the amphibious assault ship can carry more than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, in addition to several amphibious landing craft.

The US Navy claimed the deployment was made following a call by the Department of Defense for additional troops after “recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations.”

The US Navy accused Iran of “attacking, seizing or attempting to seize” nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the region over the past two years.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has over the past years foiled several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers in the strategic Persian Gulf region and other high seas.

The IRGC’s Navy confiscated more than 50 million liters of smuggled fuel, mainly diesel, in various missions last year.

Back in April, Iranian forces seized two tankers in the span of a week in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, one of them over a judicial complaint by a private plaintiff and the other over a maritime accident with an Iranian fishing craft.

In recent years, the US navy has several times seized Iranian-controlled tankers and shipments of oil en route to other countries, citing its own sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

Iran says it views US military vessels lurking in the waters of the Persian Gulf as a threat to its security and a source of tension and instability in the region.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/07/708526/US-sailors-Marine-West-Asia

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