Muslim Man Builds Ganesha Temple in Karnataka, Pays Rs 4,000 Salary to Priest From His Pension
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 April 2022
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks Mastermind Hafiz Saeed and
his Son Hafiz Talha Saeed
------
• New Delhi Declares 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks
Mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Son Hafiz Talha Saeed Terrorist
• Co-Existence, Brotherhood And Harmony In Gujarat:
Historic Hindu Temple Opens Gates To Muslims To Break Ramzan Fast
• Afghanistan: Clerics Call On Taliban To Reopen
Girls’ Schools, Says No Legal Justification For Banning Girls
• Turkey Moves Khashoggi Murder Trial To Saudi Arabia
India
• New Delhi Declares 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks
Mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Son Hafiz Talha Saeed Terrorist
• Co-Existence, Brotherhood And Harmony In Gujarat:
Historic Hindu Temple Opens Gates To Muslims To Break Ramzan Fast
• Uttar Pradesh Doctor Booked for 'Converting' Employee to Islam
• Uttar Pradesh: Seer booked for 'rape threat' to
Muslim women in Sitapur
• Cong Leader K Rehman Khan, Condemns Al-Qaida Remark
• Karnataka: Now campaign for banning Muslim drivers
during temple visits
• Karnataka: Karaga festival, symbol of Hindu-Muslim
harmony, being targeted
• Kerala: Muslim man beaten to death by mob over
suspicion of theft
--------
South Asia
• United Nations Assistant Mission in Afghanistan
Urges Taliban to Stop Intimidating Afghan Media Outlets
• Afghan Shia Union reacts to Mashhad stabbing attack
• Mullah Baradar Inaugurates Qashqari Oil Wells in
Sar-e-Pul
• Afghan-Pak border forces on alert after Pak military
chopper shot at
• Journalists call for release of ex-BBC cameraman who
is in Taliban’s custody
--------
Mideast
• Turkey Moves Khashoggi Murder Trial To Saudi Arabia
• Israeli PM gives security forces free rein after
deadly attack
• Thousands gather at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa for first
Friday prayers of Ramadan
• Head of new Yemeni council promises end to war via
peace process
• UN urges ‘restraint’ after Yemen truce violation
charges
• Israeli security forces kill Palestinian youth
behind Tel Aviv attack
• Iran buries second Shiite cleric killed in shrine
attack
--------
Pakistan
• Pakistan Parliament To Try Again On Vote To Oust PM
Imran Khan
• I accept Supreme Court's decision, says PM Imran in
address to nation
• KP opposition submits no-trust motion against CM
Mahmood Khan
• Hafiz Saeed sentenced to 33 years in jail
• IHC stays appointment of law officers made by
minister hours after assuming charge
• JUI-F celebrates SC verdict, holds thanksgiving
rallies in KP
• Two terrorists killed in operation, says ISPR
--------
Southeast Asia
• Ministry Urges Mosques, Musallas To Form Health
Protocol Task Force
• Islamic Affairs Minister: Saudi Govt’s Assurance On Haj
Very Meaningful For Muslims
• Malaysia ranks as top Islamic economy for 9th
straight year
• State ‘basic principles’ of anti-hopping bill, PH
tells govt
--------
Arab World
• Bahrain, UAE Condemn ‘Terrorist’ Shooting In Tel
Aviv
• Quba: Islam’s First Mosque To Expand Tenfold, Says
Crown Prince
• Pentagon says Iran-backed groups behind this week’s
attack in Syria
• New Lebanese parliament will act on IMF deal, PM
adviser says
• Saudi Arabia Increases Hajj Pilgrimage Capacity To
One Million
• Iraqi armed groups link disarmament to US
withdrawal, formation of new gov't
--------
Africa
• 16 Dead In Attack On Burkina Faso Military Post
• Mali accuses West African economic union of ignoring
order to lift sanctions
• Burkina Faso ex-President Roch Kabore released after
over 2 months in detention
• Tunisian court sentences journalist, lawmaker to
prison: Lawyer
--------
North America
• US President Biden Believes Iran’s Quds Force Is
Terror Group: State Department
• Biden receives Turkiye's ambassador at White House
--------
Europe
• Christians, Muslims Must Help Poor, Says Vatican Message
For Ramadan
• France closes 2 more mosques citing 'safety' reasons
• Turkiye's Russia-Ukraine mediation takes centre
stage at recent NATO meeting
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/ganesha-temple-karnataka-priest/d/126761
--------
Muslim Man Builds Ganesha Temple in Karnataka, Pays Rs 4,000 Salary to Priest From His Pension
Rehman used his retirement and gratuity amount and built a small Ganesha temple in the same village but in a different spot. (News18)
------
APRIL 08, 2022
Tension between religious communities is flaring up in Karnataka like a chain reaction. Initially, it was hijab, then came the saffron shawl, temple business and the sale of mangoes. During these testing times, a ray of positivity and hope has emerged in the Chamarajanagar district.
P Rehman from Chikkahole in Chamarajanagar district is a retired gate operator at chikkahole reservoir. In 2018, a few months before his retirement, a Ganesha idol from a nearby small temple went missing. Rehman had seen the temple and the idol for years since it was close to the reservoir he worked at.
The police and people searched for the idol but it was never found. One night, Rehman had a rather strange dream where Lord Ganesha appeared before him and ordered him to build a temple. Startled, he woke up. Somehow, he was unable to brush the dream off his head.
He retired soon after and used his retirement and gratuity amount and built a small Ganesha temple in the same village but in a different spot.
“I retired in 2018 and Ganesha came into my live then. Just like Allah for us, Ganesha is for others. Everyone’s blood is red, I don’t understand the difference here” said Rehman after his visit to the temple.
He has appointed a Hindu priest to perform daily puja and rituals and pays him Rs 4,000 salary from his own pension.
Source: News18
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
New Delhi Declares 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks
Mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Son Hafiz Talha Saeed Terrorist
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks Mastermind Hafiz Saeed and
his Son Hafiz Talha Saeed
------
Apr 9, 2022
NEW DELHI: The Centre declared Hafiz Mohammad Saeed's
son Hafiz Talha Saeed as a designated terrorist under the provisions of the
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The MHA issued a notification and said Hafiz Talha
Saeed was a senior leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and head of the cleric wing
of the terror outfit.
Talha Saeed has been "actively involved in
recruitment, fund collection, planning and executing attacks by LeT in India
and Indian interests in Afghanistan," the notification said.
This comes on the day that Talha's father and the
chief of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to 31 years
in jail by a Pakistan anti-terrorism court.
Talha has been actively visiting various LeT centers
across Pakistan and during his sermons propagating for jihad against India,
Israel, the United States of America and Indian interests in other western
countries, it said.
"The Central Government believes that Hafiz Talha
Saeed is involved in terrorism and Hafiz Talha Saeed should be notified as a
terrorist under the said Act," the notification added.
Hafiz Saeed was the mastermind behind the Mumbai
terror attacks of November 26, 2008, in which 166 people were killed.
He had been declared a terrorist under the same law a
few years ago and is currently serving a jail term in Pakistan on terror
charges.
The Centre had amended the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, 1967 in August 2019, to include the provision of designating
an individual as a terrorist. Prior to this amendment, only organizations could
be designated as terrorist organizations.
Following the amendment, the Ministry had designated
nine individuals as designated terrorists under provisions of the UAPA Act in
July 2020.
By invoking the said amended provision, in September
2019, the Central government-designated four individuals as terrorists, which
included Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafeez Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood
Ibrahim.
Apart from the 26/11 attacks, the LeT has been
responsible for a series of deadly attacks in India, mostly in Jammu and
Kashmir, in which scores of civilians and security personnel have been killed
over the years.
Source: Times Of India
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Co-Existence,
Brotherhood And Harmony In Gujarat: Historic Hindu Temple Opens Gates To
Muslims To Break Ramzan Fast
Muslim Rozedaars break their fast after offering
namaz inside Varanda Vir Maharaj temple premises in Dalvana village. (Express
Photo)
-----
by
Vaibhav Jha
April
9, 2022
“People
must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,”
anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela once said.
Far
away from the doldrums of social media where the “Sirocco” (Garam Hawa) of hate
seems to engulf public discourse in India, a flower of co-existence,
brotherhood and harmony blossomed in Dalvana, an arid village of Banaskantha,
as a historic Hindu temple opened its gates for Muslim Rozedaars to break their
fast Friday evening.
“People
must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,”
anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela once said.
Far
away from the doldrums of social media where the “Sirocco” (Garam Hawa) of hate
seems to engulf public discourse in India, a flower of co-existence,
brotherhood and harmony blossomed in Dalvana, an arid village of Banaskantha,
as a historic Hindu temple opened its gates for Muslim rozedaars to break their
fast Friday evening.
Fifty-five-year-old
Pankaj Thakar, the priest at Varanda Vir Maharaj temple, spoke to The Indian
Express claiming this was the first time that the temple premise was opened for
Muslim brethren to break their fasts.
“The
Varanda Vir Maharaj temple is a historic site in our village. Several tourists
visit it throughout the year. We have always believed in co-existence and
brotherhood. Many times, the dates of Hindu and Muslim festivals clash, and we
ensure that the villagers help in each of them. This year, the temple trust and
gram panchayat decided to invite the Muslim rozedars to our temple premises to
break their fast. We arranged for five to six types of fruits, dates and
sherbet for over 100 Muslim rozedars of our village. I personally welcomed the
Maulana sahib of our local mosque today,” said Thakar.
Speaking
to The Indian Express, 35-year-old Wasim Khan, a businessman from Dalvana,
said, “Our village is known for brotherhood among communities. We have also
worked shoulder to shoulder with our Hindu brothers in their festivals. This
time, the gram panchayat approached both Hindu and Muslim community leaders and
gave them a proposal that we should break our fast this Friday in the temple.
It was an emotional moment for us.”
According
to the 2011 Census, Dalvana has a population of 2,500, mainly comprising
Rajput, Patel, Prajapati, Devipujak and Muslim communities. Muslims consist of
around 50 families usually engaged in farming and business.
Dalvana
Sarpanch Pinkyba Rajput said, “During Ramnavami and Holi festivals, our Muslim
brothers helped us so we thought that this year, we should do the same for
them. Our village is an example of social harmony for the entire country.”
Vadgam
MLA Jignesh Mevani said, “We are living in a highly polarised atmosphere and
hate has become the new normal. But when we get to hear such good stories, it
encourages us and gives us a lot of hope for a better future. I am happy that
the people of my constituency have mutual respect for each other’s faith. It is
the need of the hour.”
Source:
Indian Express
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Afghanistan: Clerics Call On Taliban To Reopen Girls’ Schools, Says No Legal Justification For Banning Girls
Representative Image (Photo Credit: Reuters)
-----
8
April, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], April 8 (ANI): Religious scholars once again called on the
Taliban to reopen all girls’ schools in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul and said
there was no legal justification for banning girls above sixth grade from going
to school.
Scholars
made these remarks at a conference under the name of “National Dialogue of
Afghan Scholars”, according to TOLO news.
“In
light of the guidance of the holy religion of Islam, find a suitable way to
solve the crisis in the country, especially to provide education for girls
above the sixth grade and to provide employment for women,” said Abdul Sattar
Hayat, a member of the Ulema Movement of Afghanistan.
“The
duty and responsibility of the Islamic system toward the sisters (girls) are to
ensure their security, and the second step is to facilitate the field of work
and education for them,” TOLOnews quoted Farzana Obaidi, a teacher of a Madrasa
(Religious school).
Issuing
a resolution, clerics ask the Islamic Emirate to find a way for girls and women
in the country to lead a normal life.
Girls’
schools were scheduled to reopen across Afghanistan after months of closure,
but the Taliban announced that secondary schools and high schools for girls
would remain closed until further notice. This decision was met with strong
domestic and international reactions.
The
Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women’s
rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the
economic crisis and restrictions.
Earlier,
dozens of female students in Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul took to the
streets demanding the Taliban regime withdraw its decision to ban girls from
attending school above the sixth grade.
Chanting
the slogans of “education is our absolute right,” the protestors called for the
reopening of schools for girls in grades 7-12 across Afghanistan, Tolo News
reported.
According
to HRW, women and girls are blocked from accessing health care as well. Reports
suggest that women and girls facing violence have no escape route. Allowing
girls into schools and other educational institutes has been one of the main
demands of the international community. The majority of countries have refused
to formally recognize the Taliban amid worries over their treatment of girls
and women and other human rights issues. (ANI)
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Turkey Moves Khashoggi Murder Trial To Saudi Arabia
Turkey Moves Khashoggi Murder Trial To Saudi Arabia
------
April
9, 2022
Ahead
of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a Turkish court has
ruled to halt the trial of Saudi suspects over the killing of dissident
journalist Jamal Khashoggi and transferred it to Saudi Arabia.
Khashoggi,
who was a prominent critic of Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, was
brutally murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
The
Turkish government back then had called for an international trial in the
high-profile murder case.
The
court suspended Khashoggi’s trial in absentia of 26 Saudi nationals accused of
murdering him inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
The
Turkish justice minister said a red notice had been issued for 26 suspects, 20
of them were asked to be extradited to Turkey, however the court's request was
rejected, and Saudi Arabia demanded the case be transferred to Riyadh.
The
case will be transferred to Saudi Arabia however it is seen by many as if it
will be closed.
Saudi
officials say the case is already closed and those involved have been
convicted.
Khashoggi’s
fiancé Hattice Cengiz, speaking to reporters in front of the courthouse, said
she would appeal against the decision.
Many
believe the drastic change in Turkey’s stance is due to Ankara’s bid to restore
its relations with Saudi Arabia.
Turkish
officials had previously said that Khashoggi, a known critic of the Saudi
regime, was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in an operation
approved by the highest-ranked officials in the kingdom.
Khashoggi’s
trial intensified the friction between Ankara and Riyadh, but it seems now
President Erdogan is looking for a warm welcome during his upcoming visit to
the kingdom.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
https://en.abna24.com/news//turkey-moves-khashoggi-murder-trial-to-saudi-arabia_1246159.html
--------
India
Uttar
Pradesh Doctor Booked for 'Converting' Employee to Islam
APRIL
09, 2022
A
doctor has been booked for allegedly converting his employee to Islam, police
said on Friday. A youth, Ramraj Yadav, belonging to Itwa police station area,
alleged that he used to work in a private clinic where one Dr Farooqui Kamal
forced him to convert to Islam in 2019. He said he was made to recite the
verses of the Quran and his Aadhaar card was made in the name of Karam Hussain,
they said.
He
also alleged that he had tried to meet the government officials and the police
but failed to get justice, they added. On the complaint of Yadav, the doctor
and two other persons were booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of
Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act as well as for cheating, police said.
Superintendent
of Police Yashveer Singh said the youth has accused a resident of Dumariaganj
of converting him to another religion, following which a case was lodged. In
the investigations so far, it has come to light that the youth worked for
two-three years with Dr Kamal, he said.
Source:
News18
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Uttar
Pradesh: Seer booked for 'rape threat' to Muslim women in Sitapur
Apr
8, 2022
LUCKNOW:
Sitapur police on Friday lodged an FIR against seer Mahant Bajrang Muni in
connection with a viral video clip in which he purportedly made provocative
comments and allegedly issued “rape threat” to Muslim women.Superintendent of
police, Sitapur, RP Singh said an FIR had been lodged against Bajrang Muni on
charges of sexual harassment through words, gesture or act intended to insult
the modesty of a woman, uttering words with deliberate intent to hurt the
religious feelings of any person. “A probe has been ordered under a DySP rank
officer,” Singh said.
“Bajrang
Muni is the manager of Kamaal Sarai Sangath in Khairabad. He was transferred
here about one-and-a-half years ago. He has made several controversial remarks
in the past too,” another police officer said.
Meanwhile,
the National Commission for Women (NCW) also took cognizance of the speech and
sought the arrest of the accused. “NCW has taken a serious note of the incident
and condemns the statement made by the accused. Chairperson Rekha Sharma has
written to the UP DGP to immediately intervene and lodge an FIR against the
accused. NCW has also sought the arrest of the accused at the earliest,” the
NCW tweeted on Friday.
"The
NCW has come across a Twitter post enclosing video of a priest Bajrang Muni threatening
to kidnap and rape Muslim women while addressing a gathering in Sitapur
district of Uttar Pradesh. It has been reported that police personnel were also
present at the location; however, none of them stopped him from making such an
outrageous statement against women," a statement from the NCW says.
"NCW
has also sought his arrest at the earliest. The Police should not be a mute
spectator in such incidents and appropriate measures must be taken by them to
curb people from using such outrageous language for women," the statement
added.
Rekha
Sharma later told ANI, "Women are their target, whether it is Hindu
threatening Muslims or Muslims threatening Hindus. Though we're taking such
complaints again and again and taking them up with the police, it seems cases
aren't decreasing".
Action
against the seer came almost a week after his hate speech went viral on social
media. A police officer said that in the video, Bajrang Muni was heard
threatening to rape Muslim women if a single Hindu woman was harassed.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Cong
Leader K Rehman Khan, Condemns Al-Qaida
Remark
Apr
9, 2022
Mandya/
Hassan: Senior Congress leader and former chairman of Rajy Sabha, K Rehman
Khan, on Friday condemned al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri’s statements on the
condition of Muslims in India.
Speaking
to reporters in Mandya, Khan said terrorist organisation al-Qaida has nothing
to do with Indian Muslims, who are the citizens of this country. “I condemn
Zawahiri’s statements. We don’t have any business with al-Qaida. Not even a
single Muslim would betray our country,” he said.
He
accused the state government of disturbing peace by issuing statements about
emotional issues like halal meat and hijab. “BJP ministers, especially home
minister Araga Jnanendra, is issuing provocative statements. CM Basavaraj
Bommai has remained silent despite the ministers issuing provoking statements,”
he said.
He
urged Bommai to take immediate steps to create secure atmosphere as minority
people are living in fear. He accused pro-Hindu activists of vitiating the
atmosphere by creating controversies.
Meanwhile
in Hassan, law and parliamentary affairs minister J C Madhuswamy on Friday
disapproved of communal issues in the state.
Referring
to issues related to halal meat ban and hijab, he told reporters: “In my view,
these are unnecessary issues. We are human beings living in the same country.”
He
denied that RSS is behind hijab and halal controversies. “If Bajrang Dal
leaders speak about the issues, how can we hold RSS responsible?” asked
Madhuswamy.
Legislators
who have never become ministers should be given opportunity and elevated as
ministers, which will be good for the party, he felt.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Karnataka:
Now campaign for banning Muslim drivers during temple visits
8th
April 2022
Bengaluru:
After seeking a ban on halal, Muslim traders in temples and religious fairs,
the Hindu organisations have now started another campaign asking Hindus not to
engage Muslim drivers and Muslim-owned transport companies when they go for
temple tours and pilgrimages.
Prashanth
Bangera of Bharatha Rakshana Vedike on Friday made an appeal to Hindus not to
take Muslim drivers with them when they go for temple trips and pilgrimages. He
had also given out a call to not to use vehicles owned by Muslim transport
companies.
He
urged that all Hindu organisations should support his call and bring awareness
among the people in this regad. Sri Ram Sena lent its support to this call.
Meanwhile,
Pramod Muthalik, founder of Sri Ram Sena has urged that Muzrai department
should issue notice to the Muslim merchants and vendors in famous Savadatti
Yallamma pilgrimage center in Belagavi district of north Karnataka.
He
maintained that if the shops were not vacated, Sri Ram Sena activists would
meet Muzrai Minister Shashikala Jolle and demand to vacate them.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Karnataka:
Karaga festival, symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony, being targeted
8th
April 2022
Bengaluru:
Controversy is brewing around the historical Karaga festival celebrated in
Bengaluru, seen as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony, as Hindu organisations
intensified their campaign to end the 300-year-old ritual of the Karaga
procession visiting a dargah.
However,
the Karnataka police on Friday gave a strict warning to the Hindu groups that
any attempt to disrupt the Karaga festivities would be dealt with ruthlessly.
The
Karaga festivities will begin on Friday evening. Muslim religious leaders have
visited the temple already in this regard and as per the tradition extended an
invitation for the Karaga procession to arrive at the Mastaan Saab Dargah for
worship.
Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Central, M.N. Anuchet on Friday stated that the
festivities will take place as per the decision of the Temple Utsava
(festivities) Committee. If anyone tries to disrupt or indulges in activity to
cause a disturbance strict action will be taken against them.
He
said that to ensure the peaceful conduct of the Karaga festival, CCTV cameras
have been installed, 450 police personnel will be deployed and 38 senior
officers would monitor the police arrangements. A call will be taken on
increasing the number of policemen as per the situation.
Karaga
Utsava Committee Chairman Sathish has reiterated his stand that there will be
no change in the rituals of the Karaga festival and there is no question of
dropping the ritual of visiting the dargah of a Sufi saint.
Hindu
activists have intensified their online campaign that the procession should not
be taken to the dargah. They have questioned why should the Karaga procession
go to a dargah?
Rishi
Kumar, Swami of Kali Math, stated that the dargah where the Karaga procession
goes was originally a temple. Karaga festivities have a history of thousands of
years. Before the dargah was built here, it was the Bheemalingeswara temple. He
said there are ample proofs in the dargah to prove that it was a Hindu temple
earlier.
The
Karaga festival is held at Shri Dharmarayaswamy temple in Bengaluru and it is
celebrated for 9 days. Just after dusk on Karaga Day, a priest dressed in
female attire leads a colourful procession. Hundreds of members of the
thigalars, a warrior community, including children will take part in the
procession flashing swords. Women and devotees carry earthen pots on their
heads.
The
priest carries a flower-bedecked pyramid and leads the procession which visits
the tomb of an 18th century Muslim saint at the Mastaan Saab dargah. The Karaga
festival is celebrated each year to mark the return of Draupadi in the form of
Adishakthi.
The
priest carrying the Karaga, the symobol of Adishakthi, will take three rounds
of pradakshina (the rite of circumambulating in a clockwise direction) inside
the dargah. The Muslim community members will worship the Karaga deity. People
from all castes take part in the festivities.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Kerala:
Muslim man beaten to death by mob over suspicion of theft
8th
April 2022
A
27-year-old man was beaten to death by a mob in Kerala’s Palakkad district in
the early hours of Friday on allegations of motorbike theft.
The
incident occurred at 1:45 am on Friday, following which the accused, hailing
from Pallasena and Kollengode villages, attempted to escape the crime scene.
However, they were caught by residents and handed over to the police.
Three
accused, Guruvayurappan, Maneesh, and Surya have been taken into custody by the
police in connection with the case.
The
incident occurred when the accused were returning from Mundur Kummatti Festival
at a nearby temple, local media reported.
Local
media house MediaOne TV quoted a witness, Binu, from the scene who claimed that
at least 15 people were brutally beating Rafeeque. The postmortem report
pointed toward a head injury that lead to Rafeeque’s death.
Source:
Siasat Daily
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.siasat.com/kerala-muslim-man-beaten-to-death-by-mob-over-suspicion-of-theft-2304950/
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South Asia
United
Nations Assistant Mission in Afghanistan Urges Taliban to Stop Intimidating
Afghan Media Outlets
09
Apr 2022
United
Nations Assistant Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed concern over the
situation of media and journalists in Afghanistan adding that the Taliban have
not decreased the arbitrary arrest of Afghan journalists.
UNAMA
has said that the Taliban do not allow the detained journalists and media
workers to make contact outside during their time in the Taliban’s custody.
The
Assistant Mission has in particular mentioned Bismillah Watandost who was in
the custody of the Taliban for ten days and was not allowed to make contact
with his family or anyone outside.
Watandost
is a local journalist in Kandahar province who was arrested by the Taliban but
the motive behind the incarceration is not clear yet.
UNAMA
has said that Watandost has been freed but other journalists have been taken to
the Taliban’s jails now.
Earlier,
the Taliban arrested three journalists and media workers in Kandahar province
who were then released.
It
comes as Afghanistan’s Independent Journalists Association has expressed
concern over the spike in violations against the Afghan journalist adding that
114 cases of violations against the journalists have been recorded in the past
seven months.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/unama-urges-taliban-to-stop-intimidating-afghan-media-outlets-548756/
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Afghan
Shia Union reacts to Mashhad stabbing attack
April
9, 2022
Afghanistan’s
Union of Shia Muslim Scholars has strongly condemned the Tuesday stabbing
attack at Imam Reza (AS) Shrine in Mashhad which led to the martyrdom of two
clerics and the injury of another.
The
stabbing attack took place on Tuesday at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in
the northeastern city of Mashhad. The assailant was arrested immediately after
the attack that targeted three clerics.
Hojat-ol-Islam
Aslani succumbed to his wounds on the scene and was laid to rest on Thursdaay.
Hojat-ol-Islam Daraei also passed away on Thursday in hospital.
Takfiri
terrorists are trained in a manner that they do not adhere to any Madhhab and
nation and do not recognize any sanctity, the Muslim union said in a statement
on Thursday.
Such
attacks aim to manifest Islam which is a religion of mercy and compassion as a
“dark and horrifying” religion, he said.
It
also slammed an attack by a grenade on Pul-e-Khisti mosque in Kabul which
injured eight worshippers.
The
intelligence arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the
province said in a statement that the identity and nationality of the assailant
have been determined.
It
added that an investigation is underway to shed light on the incident,
cautioning against any speculation before the results are out.
Source:
ABNA24
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://en.abna24.com/news//afghan-shia-union-reacts-to-mashhad-stabbing-attack_1246156.html
--------
Mullah
Baradar Inaugurates Qashqari Oil Wells in Sar-e-Pul
09
Apr 2022
Mullah
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the first deputy prime minister of the Islamic Emirate,
inaugurated the Qashqari oil wells in Sar-e-Pul province.
Mullah
Baradar said that 200 tons of oil will be extracted daily from the Qashqari
wells, and the income generated through this will be spent on the
reconstruction and renovation of various parts of the country.
“We
are here to inaugurate this project, it is a resource for all of Afghanistan,”
said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, First Deputy PM.
The
First Deputy Prime Minister added that the Islamic Emirate is making efforts to
use the country's mines.
Meanwhile,
the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says that the extraction of oil from these
wells has not been entrusted to the company, but will be extracted by the
Islamic Emirate.
According
to the ministry, the Qashqari Block has ten oil wells, and the amount of oil
extracted from it will reach up to two hundred tons per day.
There
are currently 9 oil wells operating here.
“We
have not signed a contract yet. The Islamic Emirate is extracting the oil
itself,” said Shahabuddin Delavar, acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum.
“Our
master plan has not been implemented yet, many people came and bullied us and
used the names of the people of Sar-e-Pul…,” said a tribal elder.
By
extracting oil from Qashqari wells, the Islamic Emirate will reportedly earn up
to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a day.
Economists
say that the use of the country's oil fields will have an important role in the
economy and self-sufficiency of the country.
“Undoubtedly,
the launch of such well-known projects, which can contribute to the Afghan
economy between $100,000 and $150,000 a day and also produce 200 tons or more
of oil per day, will create great hope for the people of Afghanistan,” said
Hamidullah Yalani, an economist.
Source:
Tolo News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://tolonews.com/business-177482
--------
Afghan-Pak
border forces on alert after Pak military chopper shot at
Apr
08, 2022
Afghan
forces led by Taliban Emirate forces and Pakistani forces are reportedly on
high alert along the Durand Line in Nimroz province of southwestern Afghanistan
after a Pakistani military chopper was shot at earlier this week, according to
Afghanistan’s TOLONews channel.
The
shooting and the reported injury to a senior Pakistan army officer are
reflective of the increasing discordance between the Taliban and the Pakistan
army over the contentious Durand Line.
Not
only is the Taliban keen to define the Durand Line as the international border
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it is also understood to be distancing
itself from its erstwhile mentors in Rawalpindi. That the Taliban is not keen
to toe the Pakistani line is evident from the increasing attacks of
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Pakistan’s army from bases in Afghanistan.
The
TTP is very clear that it wants to convert Pakistan into the Islamic Emirates
like Afghanistan, something that the Pakistan army under General Qamar Javed
Bajwa is totally opposed to.
The
shooting incident cited by TOLONews on Friday is reported to have taken place
on April 7 when the military helicopter came under fire, reportedly from Zakir
village along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Chagai district in northwest
Balochistan. Initial reports indicated that a senior Pakistan military officer
was in the plane and sustained some injuries.
On
Friday, TOLOnews put out a video in which, it said, Afghan forces were seen
heading to Zakir village in Chahar Burjak District.
A
Kabul-based news agency later reported that the army officer hurt in the
chopper incident was an army general.
Journalist
Hashim Wahdatyar tweeted that the Taliban received demands from the Pakistan
miltary to hand over the personnel behind the chopper attack but the request
was firmly turned down.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Journalists
call for release of ex-BBC cameraman who is in Taliban’s custody
9
April, 2022
Kabul
[Afghanistan], April 9 (ANI): Former BBC cameraman Peter Jouvenal is still in
Taliban’s custody, according to a media report citing his colleague who is
calling for the photographer’s release.
Jouvenal,
who has German and British citizenship, was detained in Kabul by the Taliban,
The Frontier Post reported on Friday.
The
cameraman is said to be still in Taliban’s custody.
According
to the media reports, the detained photographer’s friend David Loyn recently
said the Afghan government had freed two Britons and one American, but Peter
remained in their custody.
Reports
say that Jouvenal often stayed with Jalaluddin Haqqani, father of the current
Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani. In 1997l, he was the cameraman for a
CNN interview with Osama bin Laden in eastern Afghanistan.
Peter
returned to Afghanistan as a businessman after the Islamic Emirate was taken
over by the Taliban last year.
The
Foreign Office made it clear that there could be no normal relations with the
Taliban government while British citizens were being held in jail.
Quoting
Loyn, who also served as former BBC correspondent, The Frontier Post reported:
“I do not understand why he is being held. He came to Afghanistan to try to
help the country rebuild. If the Taliban arrest investors they will find it
very hard to have normal relations with other countries.”
Peter
Bergen, a security analyst with CNN, also stressed the prompt release of
Jouvenal.
He
said for the sake of the holy month of Ramazan, the Afghan government should
free Jouvenal as gesture of goodwill, it reported further.
Source:
The Print
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Mideast
Israeli
PM gives security forces free rein after deadly attack
April
9, 2022
TEL
AVIV: Israel’s premier on Friday gave security agencies “full freedom” of
operation to curb surging violence, after the latest deadly attack saw a
Palestinian gunman kill two men in a popular nightlife area.
“There
are not and will not be limits for this war,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
said, speaking hours after the attack in Tel Aviv.
“We
are granting full freedom of action to the army, the Shin Bet (the domestic
security agency) and all security forces in order to defeat the terror,” he
added, in a public address in the Israeli coastal city.
The
Palestinian movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Islamic
Jihad group praised the attack but have stopped short of claiming responsibility.
Mahmud
Abbas says killing of civilians will aggravate situation
Earlier
on Friday, Israeli police said they had shot dead a Palestinian gunman who
killed two Israeli men and wounded over a dozen others when he opened fire on a
street of busy bars and restaurants crowded on a Thursday evening.
Some
1,000 heavily armed police and army troops fanned out across Tel Aviv hunting
for the perpetrator for hours, as locals hid in restaurant kitchens and in
their homes.
Israeli
Defence Minister Benny Gantz, speaking alongside Bennett, said officers had
made “around 200 arrests”, adding that “if necessary there will be thousands”.
The
two Israeli men killed were named as Tomer Morad and Eytam Magini, both 27 and
childhood friends from the city of Kfar Saba, the mayor Rafi Saar said, who
called them “our best sons”. Magini was due to celebrate his engagement on
Friday evening, Lia Arad, the mother of his fiancée, told Israeli public TV.
“They
were supposed to celebrate their engagement party tonight, Eytam’s cousins organised
it in this house where we are now sitting in mourning,” Arad said.
Morad
was an avid fan of the Hapoel Tel Aviv Basketball Club, which said in a note of
condolence it sent “a warm and loving hug”. The two friends are to be buried on
Sunday.
Special
forces confronted the attacker in the old city of Jaffa, the historic Arab
district of Tel Aviv, “eliminating the terrorist by exchange of fire”, police
commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said. Israel’s Shin Bet agency named the assailant
as Raad Hazem, 28, from Jenin in the north of the Israeli-occupied West Bank,
where last week Israeli forces killed three in a raid.
Palestinian
Authority president Mahmud Abbas condemned the attack, saying “the killing of
Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads to a further deterioration of the
situation”, the official Wafa news agency reported.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684112/israeli-pm-gives-security-forces-free-rein-after-deadly-attack
--------
Thousands
gather at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa for first Friday prayers of Ramadan
08
April ,2022
Tens
of thousands of Muslims flocked to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first
Friday of Ramadan for noon prayers, which passed peacefully despite concerns
about a repeat of Israeli-Palestinian violence that erupted during the Muslim
holy month last year.
From
early morning, residents of cities such as Bethlehem and Ramallah in the
occupied West Bank lined up at Israeli checkpoints to visit Al-Aqsa.
After
two years of COVID restrictions, Israel has allowed some Palestinians from the
West Bank who hold a travel permit to enter Jerusalem.
But
tensions are again high in the city holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims. A
Palestinian gunman shot dead two people at a Tel Aviv bar on Thursday, the
latest in a string of deadly attacks in Israel.
“We
thought they (Israel) won’t let us enter due to the last escalation, but thank
God everything is ok,” said Hussein Abayat from Bethlehem. “Al-Aqsa is the most
valuable thing we have, we do everything in our power to visit it and the rest
is up to God.”
Israeli
forces are on high alert across the country and there will be “no restrictions”
in their fight to “eradicate terror,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
said in a statement.
Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Thursday’s attack while cautioning against
“continuing the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the provocative
actions of extremist settler groups,” the Palestinian WAFA news agency
reported.
Days
before the start of Ramadan, far-right Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir toured
the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount, in a move seen by
Palestinians as a provocation.
Al-Aqsa
Mosque, which sits atop a plateau in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, is one
of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East conflict.
Last
year saw nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police during the
fasting month. Threats of Palestinian displacement in East Jerusalem and police
raids at Al-Aqsa Mosque helped ignite an 11-day Israel-Gaza war that killed
more than 250 Palestinians in Gaza and 13 people in Israel.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Head
of new Yemeni council promises end to war via peace process
09
April ,2022
The
head of Yemen’s new presidential council said on Friday he would end the
seven-year-long war via a peace process, in his first speech since power was
delegated to the body by the country’s president this week.
“The
leadership council promises the people to end the war and achieve peace through
a comprehensive peace process that guarantees the Yemeni people all its
aspirations,” Rashad Al-Alimi said in the televised speech.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
President
Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is based in Riyadh, delegated power to the council
and dismissed his deputy on Thursday, amid UN-led efforts to revive peace
negotiations.
Alimi,
who has close ties with both Riyadh and major Yemeni bloc the Islamist Islah
party, said in his speech the council would work to deal with “challenges in
all areas of Yemen without discrimination, without exception.”
The
war has killed tens of thousands, devastated the economy and pushed Yemen to
the brink of famine. The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi
Arabia and Iran. The Iran-backed Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system
and foreign aggression.
Riyadh
has urged the council to negotiate with the Houthis under UN auspices “for a
final and comprehensive solution.”
There
was no immediate Houthi response to Alimi’s speech.
Houthi
chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam responded to the formation of the council
on Thursday by calling the move a farce and a “desperate attempt to restructure
the ranks of mercenaries to push them towards further escalation.”
Saudi
Arabia announced $3 billion in financial aid to the Yemeni government after
Hadi’s announcement.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
UN
urges ‘restraint’ after Yemen truce violation charges
08
April ,2022
The
United Nations on Friday urged Yemen’s warring parties to exercise “restraint”
after they traded accusations of violations of a UN-brokered ceasefire.
“I
am following very closely the latest developments in #Marib and urge all
parties to show restraint and their continued commitment to the truce as
promised to Yemenis,” tweeted Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen.
A
Yemeni military source told AFP that loyalist forces had “repelled a Houthi
attack” in southern Marib, the government’s last stronghold in the north of the
country.
“The
Houthis are taking advantage of the ceasefire to strengthen their military
presence” around the strategic city, said the source, speaking on condition of
anonymity.
On
Tuesday, the government accused the Iran-backed Houthis of endangering the
truce with “military deployments, the mobilization of troops and vehicles, and
artillery fire and drone attacks.”
The
government has been locked in conflict with the Houthis, who control the
capital Sanaa and most of the north.
A
fragile truce since last Saturday - the first day of the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan - has largely held, offering a glimmer of hope in the conflict which
has triggered what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israeli
security forces kill Palestinian youth behind Tel Aviv attack
Said
Amouri
08.04.2022
JERUSALEM
Israeli
media outlets quoted the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) as saying
on Friday morning that they killed a Palestinian youth who carried out a
shooting attack evening on Thursday in Tel Aviv city, killing two people and
wounding nine others.
The
official Kan channel reported that the Palestinian youth who was killed was
holed up inside a mosque in the city of Jaffa, adjacent to Tel Aviv.
The
channel indicated that joint forces of the Shin Bet and the police clashed with
the Palestinian youth, a resident of the West Bank before he was killed.
Quoting
the Shin Bet, Kan added: "It became clear from the initial investigation
that the perpetrator is called Raad Fathi Hazem, 28, belongs to Jenin refugee
camp, and he has no security precedents and does not belong to any
organization."
Evening
on Thursday, the Israeli police announced the killing of two Israelis and the
wounding of nine others, including serious injuries, in a shooting on the
lively Dizenkov street in the center of Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile,
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered on Friday to restrict movement
to and from the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank, from which the
attacker came.
"The
prime minister has directed that the terrorist's surroundings be examined and
take appropriate action against anyone who assisted him or knew of his violent
intent," Bennett's office said in a statement.
It
added that Bennet ordered to keep Al-Jalama crossing closed until further
notice, with a view to "restricting movement to and from Jenin."
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran
buries second Shiite cleric killed in shrine attack
April
09, 2022
TEHRAN:
Iran on Friday buried a second Shiite cleric killed in a suspected jihadist
attack at a revered shrine in the country’s north, state television reported.
Sadegh
Darai, a middle-ranking cleric, died on Thursday from wounds sustained in the
stabbing attack earlier this week in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city.
Another
cleric, Mohammad Aslani, also died in the knife attack, while a third, Mohsen
Pakdaman, is in stable condition in
hospital, state television said.
The
assailant struck on Tuesday — Iran’s third day of the holy fasting month of
Ramadan — as large crowds of worshippers had gathered in the courtyard of the
shrine of Imam Reza, one of the most revered figures among Shiites.
Darai
was buried in a plot reserved for “martyrs” in the sanctuary’s courtyard, next
to Aslani, who was buried Thursday.
Local
media outlets have identified the assailant as Abdolatif Moradi, a 21-year-old
Sunni extremist and ethnic Uzbek who had entered Iran illegally via the
Pakistani border a year ago.
They
said authorities had arrested six suspected accomplices, including the chief
suspect’s two brothers.
Official
news agency IRNA said the three victims were involved in religious and
charitable activities in Mashhad, a city home to more than 3 million people.
President
Ebrahim Raisi has blamed the knife attack on the influence of US-based
“takfiri” groups — a term used for Muslims who brand others as apostates,
condemning them to death, and usually referring to Sunni extremists.
Interior
Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Thursday denounced a “hateful terrorist operation” and
warned that those promoting “takfiri” ideology would be “severely punished.”
The
stabbings on Tuesday followed a separate attack targeting clerics earlier this
week.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2059626/middle-east
--------
Pakistan
Pakistan
parliament to try again on vote to oust PM Imran Khan
Apr
9, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's parliament will vote on Saturday whether to remove Imran Khan as prime
minister, days after he blocked a similar attempt, potentially adding to
political and economic uncertainty in the nuclear-armed country.
Ahead
of the vote that Khan is widely expected to lose, the former cricket star vowed
to "struggle" against any move to replace him, the latest twist in a
crisis that has threatened political and economic stability in the South Asian
nation of 220 million people.
Khan
acted unconstitutionally last Sunday in blocking a no-confidence vote and
dissolving parliament, the country's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, ordering
parliament to reconvene.
Lawmakers
return to parliament's lower house around 10:30 a.m. (0530 GMT). The vote
brought by opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, the front-runner to replace Khan,
is the fourth point on the day's agenda.
The
prime minister, 69, who surged to power in 2018 with the military's support,
recently lost his parliamentary majority when allies quit his coalition
government. Opposition parties say he has failed to revive an economy battered
by Covid-19 or fulfil promises to make Pakistan a corruption-free, prosperous
nation respected on the world stage.
The
opposition and some analysts say Khan has fallen out with the military, a
charge he and the military deny. The army has ruled the state for half its
75-year post-colonial history, and no prime minister has completed their full
five-year term.
The
prime minister, who enjoyed widespread popular support when he took office,
said late on Friday he was disappointed with the court ruling but accepted it.
He had called an election after dissolving parliament.
But
he said he would not recognise any opposition government that replaced him.
"I
will not accept an imported government," he told the nation in a
late-night address, suggesting the move to oust him was part of a foreign
conspiracy and calling for peaceful protests on Sunday. "I'm ready for a
struggle."
Khan
opposed the US-led intervention in Afghanistan and has developed relations with
Russia since becoming prime minister. He has accused the United States of
supporting a plot to oust him, without offering evidence of his claim, which
Washington has dismissed.
As
the turmoil continued, Pakistan's rupee hit all-time lows on Thursday and
foreign exchange reserves tumbled. The central bank raised its benchmark
interest rate by 2.5 percentage points, the biggest hike since 1996.
If
Khan loses the no-confidence vote, the opposition will put forward a candidate
for prime minister.
Source:
Times Of India
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
I
accept Supreme Court's decision, says PM Imran in address to nation
April
8, 2022
Prime
Minister Imran Khan in an address to the nation on Friday said he accepts the
Supreme Court's verdict issued a day ago.
He
also vowed to not accept what he termed as an "imported government"
and called on the nation to come out on Sunday (April 10) after Isha prayers to
hold peaceful protests.
"I
am saddened by the verdict, but I accept it," the premier said at the
start of his address.
He
said the deputy speaker prorogued the assembly and set aside the no-confidence
motion in light of Article 5 of the Constitution.
"There
was foreign interference in Pakistan's no-confidence. I wanted the SC to at
least look at it. It was a very serious allegation that a foreign country wants
to topple the government through a conspiracy."
The
premier said he was at least expecting a probe by the SC.
"The
SC could have at least asked for and looked at the document to gauge whether
we're speaking the truth. I was a bit disappointed because this is a very big
issue and there was no discussion on it in the SC."
PM
Imran said he was also saddened at the haste with which the court made its
decision.
He
said open horse-trading and "buying and selling of consciences of
lawmakers" was going on in the country. "Every child knows the price
at which consciences are being sold."
"What
kind of democracy is this? Which democracy in the world allows this
(horse-trading)? And the biggest forum for justice, the judiciary, we expected
it to take suo motu action if nothing else."
He
added that "politicians are not sold this way even in banana
republics".
He
lambasted PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in the
National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, claiming that they had "begun
horse-trading" in Changa Manga 30 years ago and the country's politics had
worsened since then.
Even
lawmakers elected on reserved seats were selling their consciences, he said,
adding that those seats were a "gift" from the party.
The
premier lamented that the spectacle that was taking place at the moment was a
"huge setback" for his dream of seeing Pakistan become a great
country.
He
said he had asked people to come to the PTI's power show titled Amr Bil Maroof
(enjoin the good) — held on March 27 — because he wanted to tell them it was
their responsibility to stop "evil".
"I
say to my nation, you have to save yourselves from this foreign conspiracy. If
you do not stand against this, no one will come to save you."
'Threat
letter'
Moving
on to a document — that he had first shared in the March 27 rally that
purportedly contained details of a "foreign conspiracy" to oust his
government — Prime Minister Imran said he wanted the public to see it but could
not share it as it would "expose Pakistan's secret code" that was
used for conveying messages by missions abroad.
Detailing
the contents of the cipher, he said Pakistan's ambassador to the US had met an
American official who said that the prime minister should not have gone to
Russia.
"The
ambassador tried to tell that [the trip] was already planned and there was a
consensus. He (the US official) knew a no-confidence [motion] was coming. He
said if Imran Khan is saved from it, then Pakistan will have to face
consequences. See the arrogance [in his saying that] if the sitting prime
minister is not removed, Pakistan will be damaged.
"And
then he (US official) said that if [Imran Khan] loses, Pakistan will be
forgiven. He did not even say that if [I] lose and whoever comes next, we will
first see what he does and then forgive him which means he knew who was coming
[to power] and had gotten his achkan sewn."
The
prime minister termed the US official's remarks an insult to 220 million people
of Pakistan, asking why the nation gained independence from the British if this
is the way it was going to live.
He
also shared that American diplomats had allegedly met PTI lawmakers a few
months ago.
"It
is necessary for all of us to decide whether we want to live as an independent,
sovereign nation or be slaves like this," he said, claiming that the US
knew of Shehbaz's plan to come to power because of his messaging of 'beggars
can't be choosers'.
Shehbaz
had said the country had to do slavery because it was indebted, the premier
said, asking who had put the country under debt when the opposition parties had
been in power for the last 30 years.
'West
knows Imran Khan cannot be controlled'
Prime
Minister Imran said the West knew him the best and had a profile on him,
claiming that they wanted to remove him because of his opposition to drone
strikes and the Iraq war and his "consistent" stance that there was
no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
"When
[those who say] beggars cannot be choosers were in power, who demonstrated and
held sit-ins [against drone strikes]? Imran Khan. They (the West) know Imran
Khan has no stolen money or property or bank accounts abroad which means he
cannot be controlled. It is necessary to remove [me] because [I] cannot become
[their] puppet.
"All
this drama is being done to remove one man."
The
premier again asked the country to decide what kind of Pakistan they wanted.
PM
vows to not accept 'imported govt'
During
his address, Prime Minister Imran vowed to not accept an "imported
government", saying he would instead go to the public.
"The
public brought me and I will [stand] with them. Choose people through
elections. What kind of democracy is this?" he asked.
Criticising
the opposition parties, he said they all called each other thieves in the past
and initiated corruption inquiries. "Now they are all gathering together
to get power by any means," he said, adding that once in power, the
opposition would disband the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and end corruption
cases.
"They
(the opposition) have never played with neutral umpires. Their biggest fears
are EVMs (electronic voting machines) and overseas Pakistanis' voting. They
will end [voting for overseas Pakistanis] and appoint their own bureaucrats,
fix the match, and then contest elections. If they are democrats, [they should]
announce elections and see who the public votes for."
He
appealed to the nation to come out after night prayers on Sunday (April 10) to
protest against the "imported government", advising however, to
refrain from causing damage to property.
"You
have to protect your sovereignty. This is your responsibility," he said,
vowing that he would stand with the people and not accept the "imported
government" under any condition.
Praise
for Indian foreign policy
Prime
Minister Imran said he knew India better than other politicians and expressed
sadness that Pakistan did not have good relations with it because of its
"RSS ideology and what happened in Kashmir".
He
praised India's "independent" foreign policy, saying no superpower
had the courage to tell the neighbouring country to change its foreign policy.
"They (India) are saying they will import Russian oil because it is better
for their people despite the sanctions [on Russia]."
He
said he had the "same problem". The premier elaborated that he was
not against any one or any country but he put the 220m people of Pakistan first
and then looked at what other states were saying.
I
cannot sacrifice my people for any other nation, he said, adding that this was
what happened when those in power had decided to involve Pakistan in the US war
on terror. "When you [collaborate] with someone for money, they do not
respect you. They (the US) did not appreciate Pakistan and imposed
sanctions."
The
premier said the country had to try to lift its people out of poverty and it
could only do that if it did not enter into any war.
"I
want to tell my youth, your future is your own hands. The country's sovereignty
is in your hands. No army or foreign power can protect democracy, it is the
nation that does so. This attack on our sovereignty, if you do not take a stand
against it today, whoever comes into power will look at what the superpowers
want and act accordingly."
He
called on the nation to stand with its leadership for an independent foreign
policy, explaining that it would need to make the US understand that Imran Khan
was "not anti-America" and that Pakistan wanted to maintain good
relations with all countries.
"We
are not a nation to be used as a tissue paper. We do not want a one-sided
relationship with anyone. When European Union ambassadors gave a statement
against protocol asking Pakistan to condemn Russia [over its invasion of
Ukraine] ... can they say that in India? Do they have the courage?"
'Will
continue to fight till last ball'
Yesterday,
the apex court had in a 5-0 unanimous verdict set aside the April 3 ruling of
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri in which he dismissed the no-trust
motion against the premier and also reversed the dissolution of the NA by the
president on the PM's advice.
As
the opposition celebrated, the prime minister took to Twitter to announce that
he had summoned a meeting of the federal cabinet for today and would also
address the nation.
He
said a meeting of the PTI's parliamentary committee would also be convened
today and that he would "continue to fight for Pakistan till the last
ball".
'Speaker's
ruling contrary to Constitution'
The
apex court, in its short order, ruled that the deputy speaker's ruling was
"contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect".
It
ruled that President Dr Arif Alvi's decision to dissolve the NA was also
"contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect",
noting that the prime minister could not have advised the president to dissolve
the assembly as he is facing a no-confidence motion.
"It
is further declared that the [National] Assembly was in existence at all times,
and continues to remain and be so," the short order said.
The
court's verdict restored the prime minister and his cabinet in their position.
"In consequence of the foregoing, it is declared that the prime minister
and federal ministers, ministers of state, advisers, etc stand restored to
their respective offices," the office said.
The
court also ordered for the NA session to reconvene on Saturday (tomorrow) no
later than 10:30am, saying that the session cannot be prorogued without the
conclusion of the no-trust motion against PM Imran.
The
saga
The
joint opposition had submitted a no-confidence motion against the premier with
the NA Secretariat on March 8.
In
the days to follow, the country's political landscape was abuzz with activity
as parties and individuals changed alliances and the PTI and opposition were
seen trading barbs and allegations alongside intensifying efforts to ensure
their success in the no-confidence contest.
Eventually,
major allies of the ruling PTI — Balochistan Awami Party and Muttahida Qaumi
Movement-Pakistan — deserted the government and joined the opposition ranks
which led to PM Imran losing his majority in the lower house of parliament.
It
was expected that if voting on the motion went ahead as scheduled on April 3,
PM Imran would be ousted from office. The joint opposition, meanwhile, had
nominated Shehbaz Sharif as their candidate for the top post.
But
before voting could go ahead, the deputy speaker, who was chairing the session,
in a shock ruling, dismissed the no-trust motion, terming it contradictory to
Article 5 of the Constitution, which mandates loyalty to the state.
According
to the deputy speaker, the no-confidence motion was part of a foreign
conspiracy to oust PM Imran, evidence of which had been seen by the National
Security Committee and the federal cabinet in the form of a 'threat letter'
sent to Pakistan through its ambassador in a foreign country.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
KP
opposition submits no-trust motion against CM Mahmood Khan
Mohammad
Ashfaq
April
9, 2022
PESHAWAR:
In the already charged political atmosphere in the country, opposition parties
in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday submitted a notice for a
no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, apparently in an
attempt to preempt the dissolution of the provincial assembly.
The
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is the single largest party in the 145-member
house with 94 members, while 51 legislators sit on the opposition benches.
The
no-confidence notice was submitted by a group of opposition lawmakers to the
assembly’s secretary Kifayatullah Afridi at his office.
The
provincial assembly is already in session and the speaker has adjourned the
sitting to May 10. The ongoing session has been summoned by the government.
The
motion submitted to the assembly secretariat states: “We beg to move that leave
may be granted under sub-rule (1) of rule 18D of the Provincial Assembly of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules to move a resolution
of no-confidence against the Chief Minister under Article 136 of the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.
The
proposed resolution submitted by the opposition members read: “Whereas Mr
Mahmood Khan has ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the
members of this assembly as the chief minister, it is hereby resolved that Mr
Mahmoood Khan shall stand ceased to hold the said office.”
Those
who submitted the notice include Sardar Hussain Babak, Khushdil Khan and
Shagufta Malik of the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Peoples Party MPA
Nighat Orakzai, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) MPA Mian Nisar Gul and
Baluchistan Awami Party’s Bilawal Afridi.
The
notice carried the signatures of 36 lawmakers of the joint opposition,
including 17 of the MMA, 12 of the ANP, six of the PPP and one of
Jamaat-i-Islami.
Before
submitting the notice, the opposition parties held a meeting at the chamber of
the opposition leader during which strategy for the no-confidence motion was
discussed. Opposition leader Akran Khan Durani couldn’t attend the meeting
because of his engagements in Islamabad.
After
the meeting, ANP’s parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak also handed over a
letter to the assembly’s secretary, reminding the latter that supremacy of the
Constitution and implementation of the law of land were the responsibility of
every citizen.
“We
believe that the proceedings of the KP Assembly will be run under the
Constitution, law and rules of business,” the letter stated, adding that some
unconstitutional and unlawful steps in the National Assembly as well as in Punjab
Assembly had created political crisis.
PTI’s
chief whip in the KP Assembly Shaukat Yousafzai, in a video message released to
the media, termed the opposition’s move of no-confidence a joke.
“How
51 members of the opposition will defeat the ruling party having support of 94
members,” he wondered. The PTI would not allow horse-trading as it was a strong
force in the province, he declared.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684135/kp-opposition-submits-no-trust-motion-against-cm-mahmood-khan
--------
Hafiz
Saeed sentenced to 33 years in jail
Wajih
Ahmad Sheikh
April
9, 2022
LAHORE:
An anti-terrorism court awarded a combined sentence of 33 years imprisonment to
Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on Friday in two cases of terror
financing registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
Judge
Ejaz Ahmad Buttar handed down the guilty verdict in two FIRs from 2019 under
various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997.
In
one of the cases, the judge awarded five-year imprisonment each under sections
11-H (2), 11-I, 11-J(2), and 18 months jail under section 11-F(2) of the ATA.
In
the other case, the judge awarded a five-year sentence each under sections
11-N, 11-I, 11-J(2) and an 18-month jail term under section 11-F(6) of the ATA.
The
judge imposed a collective fine of Rs340,000 on Hafiz Saeed in both cases.
All
the sentences will run concurrently.
Judge
Ejaz Buttar observed that the prosecution had established the charges of terror
financing against the JuD chief and his role in collecting funds for terrorist
activities.
“The
evidence presented by the prosecution against Hafiz Saeed and Al Dawatul
Irshad, an outlawed organisation, was tangible and convincing.”
Several
leaders of the JuD, including Hafiz Saeed, are already under detention since
July 2019. They had been convicted on the basis of FIRs registered by the CTD
on charges of terror financing. Trial proceedings in several others are
pending.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684132/hafiz-saeed-sentenced-to-33-years-in-jail
--------
IHC
stays appointment of law officers made by minister hours after assuming charge
Malik
Asad
April
9, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday stayed the appointment of dozens of
law officers in BS-20 and BS-21 made by law minister Fawad Chaudhry.
Mr
Chaudhry, who was given the additional charge of the ministry a day before the
voting on no-confidence motion, prepared a summary to denotify assistant
attorneys general, deputy attorneys general and additional attorneys general
across the country and moved another summary to appoint law officers to replace
them.
Assistant
Attorney General Intizar Khokhar and others filed a petition in the IHC
requesting the court to set aside the summary.
The
petitioners alleged that Mr Chaudhry was given the additional charge of the
ministry for a single day, however, he started inducting blue-eyed lawyers as
law officers.
Fawad
Chaudhry had moved summary to denotify dozens of attorneys, and then another to
appoint law officers in their place, petition says
Talking
to Dawn, Assistant Attorney General Atiq Siddiqui, a leader of Insaf Lawyers
Forum, said the prime minister had assigned the law ministry to Mr Chaudhry at
a crucial juncture but the latter misused his authority.
According
to him, the process to denotify about 91 law officers had been initiated and Mr
Chaudhry had convinced the prime minister over the new appointment on flimsy
grounds.
Interestingly,
the acting law minister completed almost all the codal formalities i.e.
approval from the federal cabinet, prime minister and the president, and was
about to notify these appointments when Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC
on the petition of the law officers summoned the original record.
Additional
Attorney General Qasim Wadud along with Owais Numan Kundi, additional
secretary; and Aftab Ahmed, section officer, Ministry of Law and Justice;
contended in the court that the case to denotify law officers in the entire
country as well as the appointment of new law officers in terms of Central Law
Officers Ordinance 1970 had already been approved through the summary forwarded
to the prime minister, which was further approved by the president of Pakistan.
Mr
Wadud, however, said the new appointments had not been notified so far.
On
the other hand, counsel for the petitioners contended that in these peculiar
circumstances the summary moved to the prime minister and further to the
president for approval regarding dispensation of services of the law officers
at various stations was based on mala fide as the minister and law secretary
were well aware that the resolution of no-confidence against the prime minister
was likely to be taken up.
But
the summary had been processed without any consultation with the attorney
general for Pakistan, hence processed deliberately to accommodate blue-eyed
persons on political consideration.
When
Justice Kayani asked the additional attorney general to point out the reasons
put forward in the summary before the prime minister, which was forwarded to
the president for his approval, he placed a single document comprising three
lines initiated by solicitor general without any reasons.
He
observed: “This aspect prima facie justified the grounds raised by the
petitioners’ side, adding that “at this stage, this court is not in a position
to adjudicate upon the question of pleasure as to whether the government is
ready to retain or dispense with the services of law officers, especially when
there is political turmoil in the country created due to the no-confidence
motion against the prime minister”.
Justice
Kayani issued an interim order and maintained the status quo.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
JUI-F
celebrates SC verdict, holds thanksgiving rallies in KP
April
9, 2022
PESHAWAR:
On the appeal of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur
Rehman, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl workers organised “thanksgiving rallies”
across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to celebrate the Supreme Court’s verdict of
denouncing the dissolution of the National Assembly.
The
JUI-F said in a statement in Peshawar that rallies were taken out in Malakand,
Hazara, central and southern districts of the province, including merged tribal
districts, after the Friday prayers.
In
Peshawar, the JUI-F workers took out a rally in the city. Maulana Meskeen Shah
and other party leaders led the rally.
Speaking
on the occasion, Maulana Meskeen Shah said that the JUI-F’s four years long
struggle had borne fruit.
PDM
chief praised for uniting opposition
He
alleged that National Assembly deputy speaker had abrogated the Constitution
and levelled allegations of high treason against leaders of the opposition parties.
He demanded action under Article 6 of the Constitution against those who were
involved in this unconstitutional act.
In
Bajaur, a large number of JUI-F workers and students of various seminaries
attended a rally in front of the press club in Khar.
Holding
party flags, the JUI-F workers praised the Supreme Court for dismissing the
National Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling to reject the opposition parties’
no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The
JU-F leaders termed the Supreme Court verdict historic, bold and as per
aspirations of democratic people of the country. They said that such a judgment
was imperative to end the political crisis created by Prime Minister Imran
Khan.
JUI-F
district chapter head Maulana Abdur Rasheed, deputy district head Said Badshah
and several others addressed the rally.
The
speakers also paid tribute to the opposition leaders and especially to the PDM
president for his remarkable job to unite the main opposition parties for
ousting the prime minister from his office through a vote of no-confidence.
Meanwhile,
leaders of various political and religious parties welcomed the Supreme Court
verdict to suspend the National Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling to reject the
vote of no-confidence motion against the PM.
In
Mohmand, a “thanksgiving rally” was held in Mian Mandi Bazaar on Friday under
the leadership of JUI-F district chief Maulana Mohammad Arif in which local
leaders and workers participated.
Addressing
the rally, the speakers praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his struggle for the
supremacy of the Constitution.
In
Swabi, JUI-F leaders said during a rally that the PTI leaders should be held
accountable for putting the country into a serious crisis.
The
workers gathered at the Karnal Sher Khan Chowk after Friday prayers where they
were addressed by JUI-F central deputy chief Maulana Fazal Ali.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684104/jui-f-celebrates-sc-verdict-holds-thanksgiving-rallies-in-kp
--------
Two
terrorists killed in operation, says ISPR
Saleem
Shahid
April
9, 2022
QUETTA:
Two suspected terrorists belonging to a banned outfit have been killed in a
heavy exchange of fire with security forces in the Singi area of Mashkey in
Awaran district.
According
to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday,
security forces conducted an operation on information about the presence of
terrorists in the Lebanon Singi area near Mashkey between the night of April 7
and 8.
Security
forces seized illegal arms and ammunition, which were intended to be used for
disrupting peace and security in the area.
Two
security personnel martyred in Awaran gunfight
During
the operation, Lance Havaldar Raj Wali Khan and Sepoy Usama Khan embraced
martyrdom, while one officer got injured in the exchange of fire.
The
ISPR said when troops started taking positions in the area, the terrorists
tried to escape from their hideout and opened fire on the security forces.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1684124/two-terrorists-killed-in-operation-says-ispr
--------
Southeast Asia
Ministry
urges mosques, musallas to form health protocol task force
09
Apr 2022
Jakarta
(ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has asked mosque and musalla
(prayer room) administrators to form a COVID-19 health protocol task force
during Ramadan to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
“Mosques
and musallas must have a team that will handle COVID-19 prevention (efforts),”
director of Islamic religious affairs and Shariah development at the ministry,
Adib, said during a talk on ‘Prevent Transmission, Ramadan Worship Activities
Remain Safe,’ which was accessed online from here on Friday.
The
formation of COVID-19 task forces in mosques and musallas is part of efforts to
prevent COVID-19 transmission from increasing since the pandemic situation in
the country is currently under control, he added.
The
task forces’ role will be to disseminate the importance of health protocol
implementation, as regulated in Circular Number 8 of 2022 regarding Guidelines
for the Implementation of Worship Activities during the 2022 Ramadan and Eid
al-Fitr, Adib explained.
“It
is expected there would be a team that would socialize the importance of
wearing masks, washing hands,” he said.
Parents
must also educate their children on the importance of following the health
protocols, he added.
He
emphasized that all parties’ awareness of the importance of health protocols
must be improved jointly because the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended yet.
Even
though the government has relaxed restrictions on worship activities during the
Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the community must follow the regulation of
public activity restrictions (PPKM) in their respective region, he added.
Places
of worship in regions with Level 1 PPKM are allowed to open at 100-percent
capacity by implementing COVID-19 health protocols, he noted.
Source:
Antara News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Islamic
affairs minister: Saudi govt’s assurance on Haj very meaningful for Muslims
09
Apr 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR, April 9 ― The certainty in performing the Haj this year as granted by
the Saudi Arabian government is very meaningful to all Muslims, said Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad.
He
said the assurance of performing the Haj has shone more brightly following the
announcement by the Saudi government.
“The
actual Haj quota for Malaysia will be conveyed by the Saudi Arabian government
to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) soon.
“Continue
to pray, be patient and focused on performing the Ramadan obligations and pray
hard that we can be Allah's guests later,” he said in a post on Facebook today.
The
Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah, in a statement today, announced that a million
pilgrims aged under 65, both domestic and foreign, will be allowed to perform
the haj this year.
However,
pilgrims must have had Covid-19 vaccinations approved by the Saudi Health
Ministry and will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of
the time of departure.
Idris
said this piece of news was truly elating to Muslims who have been waiting
patiently for two years to perform the Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam.
Source:
Malay Mail
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Malaysia
ranks as top Islamic economy for 9th straight year
April
9, 2022
SINGAPORE
-- Malaysia ranked first among 81 countries and regions in the Global Islamic
Economy Indicator for the ninth straight year, thanks to its thriving market
for Islamic finance and a range of halal products and services.
The
indicator, published in the annual State of the Global Islamic Economy Report
by U.S.-based DinarStandard, compares economies worldwide in terms of market
size, innovation and their regulatory landscape as it pertains to Islamic law.
Malaysia
led decisively over second-ranked Saudi Arabia, earning top scores in terms of
halal foods, Islamic finance, Muslim-friendly travel and media as well as
recreation. The Southeast Asian country also stood in the top 10 for
pharmaceuticals and modest fashion and cosmetics.
Malaysia
scored especially high in Islamic finance, benefiting from a 20% jump in the
value of funds compliant with Islamic law. In the media sector, educational
animated series "Omar & Hana" has been a major hit.
With
an estimated population of 1.9 billion, the Muslim world logged an 8.9% rise in
consumer spending for 2021 to around $2 trillion, while Islamic financial
assets grew 7.8% to $3.6 trillion, the report said. It forecast Muslim spending
to reach $2.8 trillion by 2025.
Indonesia
remained fourth in the overall rankings. The country saw an upswing in Islamic
fintech, such as digital financing for retail customers and smaller businesses.
Singapore jumped to seventh from 15th, making strides in Islamic-friendly
fashion and travel.
The
report said demand for halal pharmaceuticals has grown amid the coronavirus
pandemic.
Source:
Nikkei
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Malaysia-ranks-as-top-Islamic-economy-for-9th-straight-year
--------
State
‘basic principles’ of anti-hopping bill, PH tells govt
April
8, 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) wants the government to declare the basic principles
of the anti-hopping bill in the special Dewan Rakyat sitting scheduled for
April 11.
The
PH presidential council reiterated its stance that the passing of the
anti-hopping bill in Parliament is one of the key conditions in the memorandum
of understanding (MoU) signed between the coalition and Putrajaya last
September.
“We
understand the need to first pass the amendment to Clause 10 of the Federal
Constitution to enable the tabling of the anti-hopping bill. We will support
the amendment.
“But
we also want the minister responsible for tabling the constitutional amendment
to state clearly in the Dewan Rakyat the basic principles of the anti-hopping
bill that is to be tabled and passed at the next special sitting.
“It
is very clear that PH will not compromise on this matter,” the council,
comprising PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP
secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and Upko president Madius Tangau, said.
It
added that the draft of the anti-hopping bill must be expedited.
“This
was emphasised by the MoU steering committee which met yesterday and also
conveyed by the opposition leader (Anwar) in his subsequent meeting with Prime
Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“We
also urge the prime minister to express his commitment that the anti-hopping
bill will be tabled for approval in Parliament in the near future,” it said.
It
said the date of the second special sitting needed to be fixed and announced in
Parliament on April 11.
PH
said the people’s trust in the electoral process and parliamentary democracy
would be restored when the anti-hopping bill was tabled and passed.
Under
the MoU, the anti-hopping bill was supposed to be tabled during the first Dewan
Rakyat meeting of this year, which ended last month.
Two
days ago, law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the tabling of the bill
had been deferred again because the Cabinet had not agreed to tabling it on
April 11.
It
was reported that the government wanted to iron out pertinent matters like the
definition of party-hopping and also to amend the Federal Constitution before
tabling the bill.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Bahrain,
UAE condemn ‘terrorist’ shooting in Tel Aviv
08
April ,2022
Bahrain
and the UAE on Friday condemned the attack that took place in Tel Aviv late on
Thursday, describing it as a “terrorist” operation and offering condolences to the
families of the victims.
The
UAE “strongly condemns the terrorist attack,” the UAE Embassy in Israel said on
Twitter, and offered its condolences to the “families of the victims of this
dreadful act.”
Bahrain
also condemned the “terrorist operation” and offered its condolences to the
families of the victims and the Israeli government.
“We
reiterate the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position that opposes all forms of terrorism
and violence no matter the motives and the justifications,” the foreign
ministry said in a statement.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Quba:
Islam’s first mosque to expand tenfold, says crown prince
April
08, 2022
MAKKAH/JEDDAH:
Madinah’s Quba Mosque, the first place of worship built by Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him), will increase tenfold in size, Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman has announced.
In
2018, the crown prince ordered the restoration of 130 historical mosques, which
forms part of the government’s national revitalization program.
The
crown prince believes in the importance of these ancient mosques, for their
rich religious, social, cultural and architectural significance.
The
structure will undergo the largest development in its history, expanding to
50,000 square meters.
Named
after King Salman, the project aims to increase the mosque’s capacity to 66,000
worshipers.
Its
current praying area is 5,000 square meters, with the building and facilities
taking up 13,500 square meters. It has a total capacity for 20,000 worshipers.
The
crown prince said the plan would ensure the mosque can cater for large numbers
of worshipers during peak seasons.
It
will preserve the architectural style of the mosque and other monuments close
to it.
Shaded
courtyards will be constructed on four sides, which will connect to prayer
areas that are not structurally attached to the current building.
The
crown prince said the revitalization would heighten the devotional and cultural
experience for visitors.
It
would further solve overcrowding and enhance the safety of worshipers. In
addition, the road system would be revamped to provide easier access to the
mosque.
As
many as 57 sites, including wells, farms and orchards, are to be developed or
rehabilitated as part of the project.
The
crown prince praised King Salman for his commitment to these preservation
initiatives, which forms part of the goals and objectives of Vision 2030.
During
his visit to Madinah, the crown prince prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque,
including at the Rawdah, an area between the Sacred Chamber (known as the
Prophet’s house), and the Prophet’s minbar (or pulpit).
He
was accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Salman, governor of Madinah, and several
senior officials.
He
also visited and prayed at Quba Mosque.
At
Taiba Palace in Madinah later, the crown prince met with prominent scholars and
leaders, and a group of citizens who came to greet him.
Quba
Mosque is located 5 kilometers south of the Prophet’s Mosque. It was the first
place of worship in the history of Islam, and constructed in 1 A.H. (622 A.D).
It
is believed that Prophet Mohammed used to frequently pray in Quba Mosque,
especially on Saturdays. He also urged his companions to do so.
There
is a Hadith about the mosque, with the Prophet reported to have said: “Whoever
makes ablutions in this house and offers one prayer therein, will be rewarded
the equivalent of one Umrah.” This is why the mosque remains of considerable
religious and historical importance to Muslims.
The
mosque was renovated during the eras of both caliphs Othman bin Affan and Omar
ibn Al-Khattab. The latter was the first to add a minaret to the structure.
A
number of benefactors over the years have renovated the mosque, including in
1057, 1177, 1293, 1355, 1462 and 1503. This includes several times during the
Ottoman era, the last of which was during the reign of Sultan Abdul Majid.
During
the Saudi era, Quba Mosque, along with other houses of worship, were regularly
revitalized. In 1968, its northern side was expanded, and then in 1985 King
Fahd ordered several enlargements, while maintaining the building’s
historically significant architectural features.
Abdul
Haq Al-Uqbi, an architect who specializes in mosque architecture in Madinah,
welcomed the King Salman development project, which he said would not only
increase the capacity for worshipers but also ensure that its cultural and
religious significance would be enhanced.
An
additional positive element was that the entire Quba complex and surrounding
area would be revitalized. This forms part of the “exceptional” urban regeneration
program that the government has embarked on throughout the country. Many
visitors would now be able to learn more about the 57 historically significant
locations around the mosque, he said.
Dr.
Hamza Al-Muzaini, a writer and academic, agreed that the expansion was of
considerable social and cultural importance, and was fitting for the city of
Madinah, which is a center of such symbolism and history for Muslims around the
globe.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2059121/saudi-arabia
--------
Pentagon says Iran-backed groups behind this week’s attack in Syria
08
April ,2022
The
US military has assessed that at least one of the two attacks this week that
targeted US forces in Syria and Iraq was carried out by militia groups linked
to Iran, a Pentagon official said Friday.
“It’s
certainly a tactic that has been used by these militia groups, militia groups
that are supported by Iran. It’s right out of their playbook,” Pentagon Press
Secretary John Kirby said when asked about the attack in Syria. “I think our
working assumption would be that that’s the case here, but we want to do the
forensics and do it properly.”
Early
Friday morning, US air defense systems in Iraq shot down an armed drone that
was entering Al-Asad Air Base.
No
injuries were reported.
The
latest attack came less than 24 hours after the US Central Command said at
least four US service members were being treated for “possible traumatic brain
injuries” in a separate incident.
Coalition
forces at the Green Village in Syria “received 2 rounds of indirect fire that
struck two support buildings,” according to a statement from the US Central Command
on Thursday.
Iran
and Iran-backed militias have routinely targeted US forces in the region and
have publicly stated their belief that they could drive the US out of the area.
Meanwhile,
the Biden administration is engaged in indirect talks with Tehran to revive the
2015 nuclear deal.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
New
Lebanese parliament will act on IMF deal, PM adviser says
08
April ,2022
A
set of reforms the IMF wants Lebanon to enact before approving a funding deal
for the country will largely be left for a new parliament to study, an adviser
to the prime minister said on Friday, suggesting little may be done before a
May 15 national election.
The
IMF announced the draft funding deal on Thursday, but said its board would not
decide on whether to approve it until Beirut enacts a batch of reforms
including measures which ruling factions have long failed to deliver.
An
IMF agreement is widely seen as the only way for Lebanon to start emerging from
what the World Bank has described as one of the world’s worst ever financial
collapses - and the deepest crisis since Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war.
Many
analysts have expressed renewed doubt that Lebanon’s fractious parties can
deliver reforms they have long been unwilling or unable to agree, even as
Lebanese leaders have hailed the IMF deal and vowed to make it succeed.
The
parliamentary election is seen as another complicating factor. After the vote,
a new government must be agreed - a process that usually takes many months.
Nicolas
Nahhas, a senior lawmaker and adviser to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, noted
there were only a few weeks left before the election and MPs were busy
campaigning.
“This
wasn’t meant to be done in a few weeks and nobody serious would say it should
be done in that time frame,” he said of the reforms, adding that parliament
could possibly approve a capital control law and budget law before the vote.
“The
agreement is a kind of benchmark of what should come after elections. So, after
elections, parliament will start studying quickly these actions and then we
shall see how we go forward.”
Before
the agreement goes to the IMF board, the Fund said the authorities had agreed
to complete measures including cabinet approval of a bank restructuring that
recognizes and addresses large losses in the sector, while protecting small
depositors and limiting their recourse to public resources.
Lebanon’s
political and financial elite have been at odds over such a plan for two years,
particularly the issue of how to distribute some $70 billion of losses between
banks, the state, and depositors.
Central
bank chief Riad Salameh told Reuters he hoped the IMF terms would be met, that
the central bank had “cooperated and facilitated” the IMF mission and that the
deal would “contribute to the unification of the exchange rate.”
State
collapse
Goldman
Sachs said the reforms were economically and politically challenging, “but none
more so in our view than the restructuring of the local banks.”
“The
distribution of losses between the government, bank shareholders and depositors
is a politically challenging question and is unlikely to be resolved easily [or
quickly,] in our view,” it said in a note.
The
deal was a “significant step forward,” but more of a carrot “than a promise of
near-term financial assistance.”
Mike
Azar, an expert on Lebanon’s financial crisis, said the deal lacked details,
including any solutions, and would be sold to voters as a “victory when in
reality it’s a non-binding statement of intentions accompanied by nothing
tangible.”
“It
is unfortunate that the IMF agreed to hand the government a hollow victory just
ahead of elections.”
Donors
want Beirut to address the root causes of the crisis, including state waste and
corruption, before releasing aid.
The
United States welcomed the deal, urging Beirut to enact reforms. France called
it “an important first step.”
Kuwait
and Saudi Arabia, once a major donor to Lebanon, on Thursday said their envoys
would return to Beirut, marking a thaw in ties that have been strained by the
influence wielded in Beirut by the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Speaking
after a meeting with President Michel Aoun, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai
linked the IMF deal to the return of the Gulf envoys, saying the steps
“complete each other.”
“This
all feeds into the same place because they always said they would stand with
Lebanon,” he said.
Andrew
Tabler, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the two
developments reflected the same thing.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Saudi
Arabia increases Hajj pilgrimage capacity to one million
09
April ,2022
Saudi
Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside
the country to participate in this year’s Hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic
restrictions forced two years of pared-down pilgrimages.
The
Hajj ministry “has authorized one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic,
to perform the Hajj this year,” it said in a statement.
Usually
one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people took
part in 2019.
But
after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Kingdom’s authorities
allowed only 1,000 pilgrims to participate in an effort to prioritize the
health of the pilgrims.
The
following year, the Kingdom upped the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated
residents chosen through a lottery.
Saturday’s
announcement said this year’s Hajj will allow vaccinated pilgrims under age 65.
Those
coming from outside Saudi Arabia will be required to submit a negative COVID-19
PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.
The
government wants to ensure pilgrims’ safety “while ensuring that the maximum
number of Muslims worldwide can perform the Hajj”, the statement said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Iraqi
armed groups link disarmament to US withdrawal, formation of new gov't
Ali
Jawad
08.04.2022
BAGHDAD
Iraq's
Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary forces on Friday said the armed factions would
hand over their weapons after a new government is formed and US forces withdraw
from the country.
Iraq
has been experiencing a political crisis since the results of the parliamentary
elections were announced at the end of last year.
Disagreement
among political groups in parliament has led to a deadlock, preventing the election
of a new president and the formation of a government.
Shia
cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement, whose party won the
last parliamentary elections, said recently that disarming Shia factions not
supervised by the state would be key in including a group of Shia parties known
as the Coordination Framework in a new coalition government.
The
Coordination Framework is an umbrella of Shia parties pushing al-Sadr to accept
their participation in the next government, based on a sectarian quota system.
Al-Sadr has, however, insisted on forming a "national majority"
government.
"In
principle, this (al-Sadr's) proposal was approved," Falih Al-Fayyadh, head
of the Hashd al-Shaabi, said in an interview with the local Al-Sharqiya TV
network.
Al-Fayyadh
said the factions want a new government and the withdrawal of US forces from
the country in exchange for handing over their weapons.
The
Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Forces, is an official institution
operating under the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
Iraq and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
Recent
months saw a spate of attacks targeting US-led coalition convoys in central and
southern Iraq.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Africa
16
dead in attack on Burkina Faso military post
James
Tasamba
09.04.2022
KIGALI,
Rwanda
At
least 12 soldiers and four civilian army volunteers were killed Friday in an
attack on a military post in northern Burkina Faso, according to the army.
A
complex attack targeted the Namissiguima military detachment in Sanmatenga
Province, Centre-Nord region, at around 5 a.m., it said in a statement.
“The
provisional toll shows 12 soldiers and four army volunteers were killed, as
well as 21 soldiers wounded,” it said, adding that reinforcements have been
deployed to secure the area.
Northern
Burkina Faso has witnessed terror attacks since 2015, in which more than 1,000
people have been killed and over 1 million displaced, according to official
data.
The
West African country has been ruled by a military junta since January following
a coup that ousted President Roch Kabore.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/16-dead-in-attack-on-burkina-faso-military-post/2559130
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Mali
accuses West African economic union of ignoring order to lift sanctions
James
Tasamba
07.04.2022
KIGALI,
Rwanda
The
transition government in Mali accused the West African Economic and Monetary
Union (UEMOA) of ignoring a court order to lift sanctions on Thursday.
UEMOA
instructed all financial institutions under its umbrella to suspend Mali in
January after the junta delayed elections intended to steer the country back to
constitutional order after coups in 2020 and 2021.
The
measures were announced in conjunction with sanctions imposed by the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which froze state assets, closed its
borders and suspended non-essential financial transactions.
ECOWAS
relied on UEMOA tools to impose the sanctions.
The
junta repeatedly appealed in vain for a lifting of the sanction and filed a
legal complaint with a UEMOA court in February.
Last
month, the court suspended the sanctions by the eight-nation body but that
order has yet to be executed.
“The
government notes with regret that despite being notified twice by Mali and the
court, the order was not executed yet it is not subject to appeal,” the junta
said Thursday. “The government strongly denounces this attitude which
constitutes a flagrant denial of justice and is at odds with the requirements
of the rule of law which impose respect for legal decisions.”
The
government has said the sanctions have inflicted significant human and social
tolls on the people of Mali and those from sub-regional countries.
There
has been a disagreement between ECOWAS and Malian leaders about the period of
the transition.
The
bloc has suggested 12 to 16 months.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Burkina
Faso ex-President Roch Kabore released after over 2 months in detention
James
Tasamba
07.04.2022
KIGALI,
Rwanda
Burkina
Faso’s former President Roch Kabore was released from detention Wednesday after
being under house arrest for more than two months following a military coup,
the government said.
Lt.
Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba led a group of soldiers who deposed Kabore in
January. Following the coup, Kabore was detained and later resigned on Jan. 24.
“The
government of Burkina Faso informs the public that after consultations started
a little more than three weeks ago, the former president of Burkina Faso will
return to his home in (the capital) Ouagadougou on April 6,” the transitional
government said in a brief statement.
Measures
will be taken to ensure his safety, it added.
The
regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last month had
expressed “deep concern over the continued detention of Kabore since the coup,
despite several calls for his unconditional release.”
The
bloc had demanded the release of Kabore “no later than March 31, 2022, beyond
which it threatened to impose individual sanctions on the transitional
authorities.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Tunisian
court sentences journalist, lawmaker to prison: Lawyer
Alaa
Hammoudi
08.04.2022
TUNIS,
Tunisia
A
Tunisian military court on Friday ruled to sentence journalist Amer Ayyad and
lawmaker Abdul Latif Al-Alawi to prison, said the defendants' lawyer.
Ayyad
will serve four months in prison while Al-Alawi was slapped with a three-month
prison term, lawyer Samir Dilou said on Facebook, without clarifying the
charges placed against the two.
Tunisian
authorities are yet to comment on the ruling.
The
judgment is preliminary and subject to appeal.
Ayyad
was released on Nov. 25 last year by the Tunisian authorities after having
being detained for seven weeks on charges of conspiring to change the structure
of the state.
Meanwhile,
the military court in Tunis ordered on Oct. 3 last year the arrest of Al-Alawi,
a lawmaker of the Dignity Coalition, for participating in a TV program hosted
by Ayyad.
Tunisia
has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since July 25, 2021 when
President Kais Saied dismissed the government, suspended parliament, and
assumed executive authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup.”
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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North America
US
President Biden believes Iran’s Quds Force is terror group: State Department
08
April ,2022
US
President Joe Biden believes Iran’s Quds Force is a terrorist organization, a
State Department official said Friday.
The
latest remarks come after the top US military general, Gen. Mark Milley, said
earlier this week that he did not support removing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
Corp (IRGC) from the US terror blacklist and voiced his belief that the Quds
Force was a terror group.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“I’d
say that the President shares the chairman’s [Gen. Milley] view that IRGC-Quds
Forces are terrorists, and beyond that, we aren’t going to comment on… topics
in the nuclear talks,” Deputy State Department Spokesperson Jalina Porter said.
Iran
is demanding that the US remove the IRGC’s terror designation as part of a new
nuclear deal, which the Biden administration has been adamant on reaching.
Speaking
to lawmakers this week, Gen. Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were
asked about their personal views on whether the IRGC was a terror group or not.
Austin
refused to comment and Gen. Milley made his opinion heard. Although Milley was
asked about the IRGC, he said the IRGC-Quds Force was a terrorist organization.
It
is unclear whether he made the distinction on purpose or whether the US is
considering removing the IRGC and leaving the IRGC-Quds Force designated.
Asked
by Al Arabiya English for updates on the nuclear deal talks in Vienna, Porter
said there were no updates.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Biden
receives Turkiye's ambassador at White House
Michael
Hernandez
08.04.2022
WASHINGTON
President
Joe Biden received Turkiye's US envoy, Hasan Murat Mercan, at the White House
this week, the embassy announced Friday.
Mercan
was received by the US president on April 4. A photo of Mercan shaking hands
with Biden in the Oval Office was posted on his personal Twitter account, and
on the account of the Turkish embassy in Washington.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/biden-receives-turkiyes-ambassador-at-white-house-/2558980
--------
Europe
Christians,
Muslims must help poor, says Vatican message for Ramadan
April
09, 2022
Aware
of God's bounty and gifts, Christians and Muslims are called to share those
gifts with others, said the leaders of the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue.
God's
"generosity fills our hearts with gratitude toward him and, at the same
time, encourages us to share his gifts with our brothers and sisters who are in
any kind of need," the Vatican officials said.
In
a message wishing Muslims a peaceful and fruitful month as they fast during
Ramadan and a joyful celebration of Eid al-Fitr when Ramadan is over, the
officials focused on the importance of sharing, especially during the
coronavirus pandemic.
The
message was signed Feb. 18, before Ramadan began, by Cardinal Miguel Ángel
Ayuso, council president, and Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kankanamalage, council
secretary. The Vatican released the message April 8, seven days after the
Ramadan fast began.
"The
poverty and precarious situations in which many people find themselves because
of the loss of employment and the economic and social problems related to the
pandemic make our duty of sharing ever more urgent," the council's message
said.
Sharing
is not limited to material goods, it added. "Above all, it involves
sharing one another's joys and sorrows, which are part of every human
life."
Source:
UCA News
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France
closes 2 more mosques citing 'safety' reasons
Esra
Taskin and Alaattin Dogru
08.04.2022
PARIS
Two
mosques in northern France have been closed allegedly on grounds that the
mosque buildings were not safe for hosting the prayer congregation, local media
reported.
The
mosques were closed by the Tourcoing city administration.
A
security commission inspected the buildings of the Salman al-Farisi Mosque and
the Clinquet Mosque belonging to the Read in the Name of Your Lord Foundation
and issued a report noting that the two mosques were not suitable for hosting
the congregation, according to La Voix du Nord daily.
Based
on the report, Mayor Doriane Becue ruled to close two of the five mosques in
the city until further notice.
Eric
Denoeud, deputy mayor of Tourcoing and in charge of security affairs in the
municipality, claimed that during the checks carried out in the mosques, some
deficiencies in terms of security were detected in the buildings.
He
noted that the two places of worship will remain closed until necessary
renovations are done.
The
decision was taken despite the insistence of the local Muslim community that it
would not be appropriate to close mosques during the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan.
In
August 2021, France’s highest constitutional authority approved a controversial
“anti-separatism” law that has been criticized for singling out Muslims,
striking down just two of its articles.
The
bill was passed by the National Assembly in July, despite strong opposition
from both rightist and leftist lawmakers.
The
government claims that the law is intended to strengthen France's secular
system, but critics believe that it restricts religious freedom and
marginalizes Muslims.
The
law has been criticized for targeting France's Muslim community – the largest
in Europe, with 3.35 million members – and imposing restrictions on many
aspects of their lives.
It
allows officials to intervene in mosques and associations responsible for their
administration as well as control the finances of Muslim-affiliated
associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It also restricts the
educational choices of Muslims by making homeschooling subject to official
permission.
Under
the law, patients are also prohibited from choosing their doctors based on
gender for religious or other reasons.
France
has been criticized by international organizations and NGOs, especially the UN,
for targeting and marginalizing Muslims with the law.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-closes-2-more-mosques-citing-safety-reasons/2559097
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Turkiye's
Russia-Ukraine mediation takes center stage at recent NATO meeting
Nazlı
Yüzbaşıoğlu
08.04.2022
At
this week's two-day NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Turkiye stood
out with its role in facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine amid
the ongoing war.
The
Russia-Ukraine war was at the top of the agenda at the meeting, which ended on
Thursday, with the attending top diplomats discussing more measures to exert
pressure on Moscow and support Kyiv.
During
the meeting, NATO countries agreed to boost support for Ukraine and other
regional partners under pressure, as well as to accelerate cooperation with
partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
Assistance
to Ukraine in the area of cyber security and providing the country with
equipment to help protect it from chemical and biological threats were also
some of the points discussed in Brussels.
The
foreign ministers also evaluated NATO's Strategic Concept that will guide the
military alliance over the next 10 years.
As
part of the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with his
counterparts to discuss the current state of the Russia-Ukraine war, Turkiye's
efforts to bring the parties together to end the war, and bilateral relations.
Cavusoglu
met with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss as part of his bilateral contacts
to discuss economic ties between the two countries, defense industry
cooperation, and the situation in Ukraine.
Speaking
at a press conference following the meeting, Cavusoglu said Turkiye welcomed
the UK's recent move to lift export restrictions on the defense industry.
Cavusoglu
also met with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio to discuss steps to revive
the Eurosam SAMP/T air defense system project.
Later,
the Turkish official discussed bilateral ties and the latest developments in
Ukraine with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly.
They
agreed to overcome problems with export licenses by exchanging letters.
The
Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage,
with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions
on Moscow.
At
least 1,611 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,227 injured, according
to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/ganesha-temple-karnataka-priest/d/126761