Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Supreme Court Refuses To Halt Puja of Deities At Vyas Tehkhana
New Age Islam
News Bureau
01 April 2024
Puja started inside 'Vyas Ji
Ka Tehkhana' in February this year
------
·
Gyanvapi
Mosque Case: Supreme Court Refuses To Halt Puja of Deities At Vyas Tehkhana
·
“Incitement
To Racial Hatred”: France Decries ‘Unacceptable Acts’ After Boar Head Placed At
Mosque
·
IEA Will
Adhere to Sharia Despite Pressure From The International Community: Supreme
Court
·
US
Congressman Suggests Bombing Gaza 'Like Nagasaki And Hiroshima', Sparks
Controversy
·
Easter:
Muslim Group Urges Christians To Emulate Jesus’ Leadership Style
---
India
·
IIMC
Refuses Permission For Iftar, Students Decry Religious Discrimination; Call It
‘Islamophobia’
·
Supreme
Court Allows Ongoing ASI Survey Of Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex
·
Imams Injured
In Attack By Hindutva Goons In Maharashtra, UP
·
Gujarat: Post
Taraweeh Prayers, Minor Boy Beaten Up With Sticks
·
TMC's
Nurul Islam Enters Troubled Zone, Vows 'New Sandeshkhali'
-------
Europe
·
Patriarch
Kirill Says West Trying To Set Muslims And Christians In Russia Against One
Another
·
Pope
Francis Calls For Gaza Ceasefire In Easter Address
·
Madrid
only European capital home to Islamic civilization: Spanish academic
·
Muslim
student likened to MP murderer receives financial settlement
·
LGBTQ+
Club Owner Arrested In Russia For 'Extremism'
----
South
Asia
·
Buet
Turning Into Militancy Hub In Guise Of Banning Student Politics: Awami League
General Secretary
·
Iran
Expels Hundreds Of Afghan Migrants, Including 34 Unaccompanied Children
·
‘American
Drones’ seen over Kandahar and other provinces in Afghanistan
·
US
Withdrawal Strengthens ISIS In Afghanistan: Former CENTCOM Chief
·
Call for
Restoration of At-Risk Historical Sites in Helmand
·
Islamic
Emirate Confirms Detention of Two US Citizens
·
Mujahid:
Daesh Name Being Used for Political Aims
·
Oct 28
violence: Nearly 500 BNP men get anticipatory bail from HC
-------
North
America
·
Muslim-American
Comic Calls To Free Gaza Hostages, 'Free Palestine' On SNL
·
Netanyahu,
ahead of surgery, vows Israel will invade Rafah, despite pressure from Ramadan,
---
Africa
·
Ondo
State Islamic Cleric, Oluwafemi Idris, Arrested With Fresh Human Parts
·
Chad
official hails UAE's humanitarian efforts during Ramadan
·
Ethiopia:
Addis Ababa celebrates Ramadan with its grand annual Iftar
·
Nigerians
more religious than godly – Ishaq Oloyede
·
Kebbi Tackles
Imam On Claims Of Political Victimasation
----
Mideast
·
Tens Of
Thousands Rally Against Netanyahu Government In Jerusalem
·
Israel
Cuts 85% Of Budget For LGBTQ+ Tolerance Program In Schools
·
Hamas-run
health ministry says Israeli army withdraws from Al-Shifa
·
Israeli
military says Lebanon strike 'eliminated' a Hezbollah commander
·
Israel
proposes dismantlement of UNRWA in exchange for allowing more aid into Gaza
·
Jordan
will not allow violence, only peaceful protests at Israel embassy: Public
Security Directorate
·
Iraqi
resistance fighters launch attack on ‘vital’ Israeli target
·
Call to
prayer sounds again in Grand Umayyad Mosque, Old Aleppo City after 12
years
-------
Pakistan
·
Pakistani
Court Suspends 14-Year Jail Term Of Imran Khan, Wife In Toshakhana Corruption
Case
·
Police
launch probe into Gujjar Khan church burning
·
Ahead of
Easter, security for 622 churches across Lahore enhanced: CCPO
·
PM
Shehbaz Conveys To Biden Pakistan’s Willingness To Work With US For Int’l
Peace, Regional Prosperity
·
Pakistan ‘unlikely
to break free from IMF support, incomplete PM terms’, says IIF
·
Despite
price hike, free iftar feeds tens of thousands in Karachi
·
Over 300
lawyers support stance of six IHC judges
------
Southeast
Asia
·
Halal Certification
To Protect Muslim Producers, Consumers: Minister
·
Ministry
launches guidebook for reading Braille Al Quran
·
Indonesian
Muslims sign up for tattoo removal ‘to repent’ during Ramadan
·
Retro
Japan: Mosque in Kobe serves as spiritual center, symbol of multicultural
coexistence
-----
Arab
World
·
Saudi
Arabia Detain Over 4,000 For Misconduct At Grand Mosque During Ramadan
·
Saudi Red
Crescent handles over 29k cases in Makkah
·
Islamic
minister’s directive to hold Eid Al-Fitr prayers 15 minutes after sunrise
·
Saudi Red
Crescent Deals with Over 10,000 Emergencies in Madinah So Far in Ramadan
·
Real-Time
Occupancy E-Service in Prophet's Mosque Allows Visitors to Identify Vacancies
throughout the Mosque
·
Saudi
Arabia’s Al-Duwayd Mosque, A Witness to Historical Structures in Najdi
Architecture
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/gyanvapi-mosque-sc-deities-vyas-tehkhana/d/132056
------
Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Supreme Court Refuses To Halt
Puja of Deities At Vyas Tehkhana
Puja started inside 'Vyas Ji
Ka Tehkhana' in February this year
------
APRIL 01, 2024
Supreme Court on Monday refused to halt Hindu prayers
at Vyas Tehkhana in the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, situated in Uttar Pradesh’s
Varanasi. However, the top court ordered status quo on the religious
observances by the Hindus inside the mosque premises.
The bench, however, said that Muslims can enter mosque
unhindered from the northern side to offer namaz while priests of the Kashi
Vishwanath temple trust would take southern entry to perform puja in the
cellar.
The apex court refused to stay the Allahabad High
Court order which had upheld the Varanasi district court’s order allowing
Hindus to perform prayers of deities inside the ‘Vyas Tehkhana’, southern
cellar of Gyanvapi mosque.
The top court bench said bearing in mind the fact that
the ‘namaz’ is offered in Gyanvapi mosque by Muslim community unhindered after
the orders dated January 17 and January 31 (allowing puja inside Tehkhana) and
the offering of ‘puja’ by Hindu priest is confined to the area of ‘Tehkhana’,
it is appropriate to maintain status-quo so as to enable both the communities
to offer worships in the above terms.
The Supreme Court has fixed the plea of the Gyanvapi
mosque committee against nod for Hindu puja in the southern cellar of mosque
for final disposal in July.
Notably, a district court on January 31 ruled that a
Hindu priest could perform prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of
the mosque. Following the court’s order, Kashi Vishwanath Temple nominated a
priest to lead the prayers at Vyas Tehkhana.
Shailendra Kumar Pathak, the petitioner, stated that
his maternal grandfather Somnath Vyas, who was also a priest, led prayers in
the basement until December 1993. He also stated that following the demolition
of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, the puja was discontinued.
The Muslim side countered the petitioner’s claim
stating that the basement was under his grandfather’s control. The petitioner
further claimed that his family had control of the cellar even during the
British rule.
Source:
news18.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.news18.com/india/gyanvapi-mosque-case-in-setback-for-muslim-side-sc-refuses-to-halt-prayers-at-vyas-taykhana-8835712.html
------
“Incitement To Racial Hatred”: France Decries
‘Unacceptable Acts’ After Boar Head Placed At Mosque
French Interior Minister
Gerald Darmanin (2nd R) and Police Prefect of the French Val d'Oise department,
Philippe Court (L) arrive at the Saint-Maclou Cathedral in Pontoise, north of
Paris, on March 31, 2024. (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
------
31 March 2024
France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has slammed
“unacceptable acts” against the Muslim community after a boar head was found
near a mosque in the east of the country.
A prosecutor said a probe into “incitement to racial
hatred” had been opened after worshipers at a mosque in the village of
Contrexeville in the Vosges region discovered the animal’s head on Friday.
Darmanin late Saturday said that two other mosques in
northern France had also been “degraded.”
“This weekend mosques in Valenciennes and Fresnes-sur-Escaut
were degraded. A mosque in the Vosges was also targeted. I firmly condemn these
unacceptable acts against our Muslim compatriots,” he said on X, formerly
Twitter.
The incidents come during the Islamic holy month of
Ramadan, during which believers fast from dawn till dusk and focus on prayers.
Both Islamophobia and antisemitic incidents have been
on the rise in Europe since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war over half a
year ago.
Source:
timesofisrael.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.timesofisrael.com/france-decries-unacceptable-acts-after-boar-head-placed-at-mosque/
---
IEA Will Adhere to Sharia Despite Pressure From The International Community: Supreme Court
Photo: TOLO News
-----
Nazir Shinwari
March 31, 2024
The Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate told TOLOnews
that it will not yield to any pressure from the international community in
implementing Sharia law.
The spokesperson for the court said that the
international community should not launch negative propaganda about the
application of Islamic laws in Afghanistan.
“The Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan in the implementation of Sharia law does not take care about
international or other pressures and does not consider the reactions to be pressure,”
said Abdul Rahim Rashid, spokesperson for the Supreme Court.
According to Abdul Rahim Rashid, the implementation of
Islamic law is the only way to ensure safety, stability, and development in the
country.
He also said the implementation of Sharia law is a
demand of the citizens and he emphasized that they are committed to the
application of all Sharia laws in the country.
“The Supreme Court, which resolves the cases of all
references according to Islamic Sharia, is committed to the implementation of
all Sharia decrees.
It considers the application of Sharia laws in
Afghanistan as the way to ensure security, stability, and development, and to
eradicate all forms of injustice and misfortune,” Abdul Rahim Rashid said.
On the other hand, a number of religious scholars said
the application of Sharia laws in society to be important.
“It is necessary for the Islamic government to pay
attention to the punishment of lashes and execution along with other matters.
All corruption in society is eradicated through the application of punishment
and execution,” said Haseebullah Hanafi, a religious scholar.
After the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in
Afghanistan, the country's Supreme Court has carried out the execution (Qisas)
of five individuals for murder in the provinces of Farah, Laghman, Ghazni, and
Jowzjan, which has been met with reactions from international organizations.
Source:
tolonews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-188084
-----
US Congressman Suggests Bombing Gaza 'Like Nagasaki And
Hiroshima', Sparks Controversy
Republican congressman Tim
Walberg (Image credits: X)
------
Apr 1, 2024
NEW DELHI: Republican congressman Tim Walberg sparked
controversy with his recent comments suggesting that Gaza should be bombed with
nuclear weapons 'like Nagasaki and Hiroshima'. Walberg, who has represented
Michigan's 5th congressional district since 2023, faced backlash for his
remarks made during a gathering with constituents in Dundee, Michigan.
In the recorded clip, Walberg expressed his belief
that the US should prioritize support for Israel over providing humanitarian
aid to Gaza, where conflict has been ongoing. He emphasized on the need for a
swift resolution in favor of Israel, which he hailed as a crucial ally.
“It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima,” Walberg
said in a viral video, “Get it over quick.”
Walberg advocated for extending similar support to
Ukraine, currently in fight with Russian forces since 2022. However, he
emphasized that the objective should be to swiftly dismantle Vladimir Putin's
regime, rather than allocating the majority of US assistance for humanitarian
aid as the conflict persists.
Despite facing criticism for his remarks, Walberg
defended his position, saying that his comments were misconstrued and taken out
of context. He clarified that his intention was to emphasize the necessity for
both Israel and Ukraine to achieve victory swiftly in their respective
conflicts, although he denied advocating for the use of nuclear weapons.
“In a shortened clip, I used a metaphor to convey the
need for both Israel and Ukraine to win their wars as swiftly as possible,”
Walberg said on the clip. “The use of this metaphor, along with the removal of
context, distorted my message, but I fully stand by these beliefs and stand by
our allies”, he further added.
The congressman's controversial remarks have reignited
debates on the appropriate response to ongoing conflicts and the prioritization
of military action over humanitarian aid.
Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-congressman-suggests-bombing-gaza-like-nagasaki-and-hiroshima-sparks-controversy/articleshow/108930175.cms
----
Easter: Muslim Group Urges Christians To Emulate Jesus’
Leadership Style
Chimezie Godfrey
March 31, 2024
The Islamic Counselling Initiatives of Nigeria (ICIN),
has urged Christians and those in leadership positions to emulate Jesus Christ’s leadership style
characterised by humility .
The Executive Director of the organisation, Hajiya
Fatima Suleiman, made the call in her message to felicitate with Christians as
they mark the Easter Celebration.
Suleiman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Sunday that Jesus’ leadership lifestyle was simple, peaceful and reflected
love.
She urged leaders, particularly in Nigeria, to use the
Easter period to reflect on their governance style and make the necessary
adjustments for the progress of the nation.
National growth LS
“We pray that this season will be a period of
reflection for our leaders Christ’s humble leadership.
“He entered the city of Jerusalem with people
spreading palm branches on the road where he rode, symbolising peace, harvest,
serenity, and forgiveness.
“May God put them on the path of leadership and good
governance,” she said.
She said that Jesus in his leadership, implored his
followers to be their brothers’ keepers and to inculcate love as their guiding
principle in all their social interactions.
According to her, if the leadership style were
emulated by Nigerian leaders, it would guide them alright, shore up
development, and Nigeria will be a better place.
She said that Easter should also be a sober period of
reflection for Nigerians, to seek God’s intervention through prayers for the
progress of the nation and an end to its numerous challenges.
“We pray for our leaders to be guided to save our
country and take it to greater heights.
“ Issues of banditry have been on the rise, each and
everyday.
“The government should have the political will to be
able to have security in place to save the citizens of the country.
“ Because the security of lives and property should be
the number one mandate for the leadership of the country, and by extension,
state, local governments and the communities.
“We pray that this season will be a form of reflection
where actions are taken and implemented for a better world for the people of
Nigeria , for better economic living conditions, better security and safety.
“ Affordable food for everyone and also increased
income for all to be able to afford everyday living because people are
suffering,” she said.
The ICIN official expressed confidence that adopting
love as Christ taught would make Nigeria overcome its challenges.
She wished the Christians a happy celebration.(NAN)
Source:
newsdiaryonline.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://newsdiaryonline.com/easter-muslim-group-urges-christians-to-emulate-jesus-leadership-style/
---
India
IIMC Refuses Permission For Iftar, Students Decry
Religious Discrimination; Call It ‘Islamophobia’
01.04.24
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in
New Delhi has been accused ‘Islamophobia’ by students after the institution
recently refused permission for an Iftar party.
The crux of the matter revolves around the
administration’s alleged denial of permission for an Iftar party on the campus
premises, while readily granting permissions for Hindu festivals such as
Diwali, Saraswati Puja, and Holi, sparking debate over religious inclusivity in
the institution.
It is alleged that the students tried to convince the
authorities, but in vain. They also pointed out the ‘hypocrisy’ exhibited by
the university when it comes to celebrating Hindu festivals such as Deepawali,
Saraswati Puja or the recent Holi festivals.
The brewing discontent unfolded when a group of
students, both Muslim and non-Muslim, approached the Dean of Students’ Welfare
(DSW) on March 15, submitting a formal application seeking authorisation for
the Iftar party. Their hopes were dashed as their request was summarily
dismissed without any explanation offered.
Undeterred by the initial setback, the students
persisted in their request for permission, only to be directed to higher
authorities, namely the Additional Director General (ADG) or Director General
(DG), for further recourse. Despite their earnest appeals, their efforts met
with staunch resistance, leaving them feeling marginalized and excluded.
The controversy arose when a group of students at IIMC
sought permission to organize an iftar gathering during the holy month of
Ramadan. The iftar, a traditional meal to break the fast observed by Muslims at
sunset, was intended to foster communal harmony and understanding among
students from diverse backgrounds.
However, the administration of IIMC reportedly denied
the students’ request, citing unspecified reasons. This decision drew immediate
criticism from the student body, with many alleging that it amounted to
religious discrimination and infringed upon their rights to practice their
faith freely.
In response to the denial, students organized peaceful
protests on campus, demanding an explanation from the administration and
calling for greater religious tolerance within the institution. Social media
platforms were also abuzz with discussions surrounding the incident, with users
expressing solidarity with the affected students and condemning any form of
discrimination.
Amidst allegations of double standards, the students
were warned against framing the denial as religious discrimination in any
public discourse, further exacerbating tensions. Questions were raised about
the administration’s apparent willingness to embrace Hindu festivities while
displaying reluctance towards Muslim practices.
The students alleged that Hindu festivals are
celebrated with pomp and show while evident discrimination is shown towards
Muslim festivals.
However, an audio recording accessed by the online
news portal throws light on the discussion that took place between the
students, deputy registrar and the ADG. They argued that given the present
political atmosphere in the country, it is in the best interest not to conduct
a non-Muslim festive event. ( With Agencies Inputs )
Source:
muslimmirror.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://muslimmirror.com/eng/iimc-refuses-permission-for-iftar-students-decry-religious-discrimination/
---
Supreme Court Allows Ongoing ASI Survey Of
Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex
APRIL 01, 2024
Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the
“scientific survey” in the disputed spaces of Bhojshala and Kamal Maula Masjid
of Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra
issued notices to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, Archaeological Survey
of India and others on the plea filed by Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society
challenging the March 11 order of the MP High Court on scientific survey.
“Issue notice returnable in four weeks. In the
interim, no action should be taken without the leave of this court on the
outcome of the ordered impugned survey,” the bench said, adding that “It is
made clear that no physical excavation should be taken which will change the
character of the premises in question.”
A person associated with the survey had last week said
that soil and stones, which were collected during the digging process, are
being preserved by the ASI.
Ashish Goyal, who represents the Hindus and also
accompanies the ASI team during this process, had told news agency PTI that the
survey is being conducted without any break using new scientific methods,
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Global Positioning System (GPS), carbon dating
in addition to excavation at the site.
He also noted that videography and photography are
also being carried out on the premises.
“It is an eternal truth that Bhojshala was built by
Raja Bhoj. The inscriptions, pillars and each piece of Bhojshala reveal that
this is a Hindu structure,” Goyal said.
The ASI team, comprising more than a dozen members,
began its survey on the controversial complex March 22. This came after Madhya
Pradesh High Court’s March 11 order directing ASI to carry out within six weeks
a “scientific survey” of the Bhojshala complex– a medieval-era monument that
Hindus believe is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and the Muslim
community calls Kamal Maula Mosque.
The court observed that the nature and character of
the complex need to be “demystified and freed from the shackles of confusion”.
Source:
news18.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.news18.com/india/supreme-court-asi-survey-disputed-space-bhojshala-kamal-maula-mosque-complex-dhar-madhya-pradesh-8835555.html
---
Imams injured in attack by Hindutva goons in
Maharashtra, UP
31st March 2024
In two separate incidents in Maharashtra and UP, imams
were attacked by Hindutva goons. In both incidents, the imams were grievously
injured.
An imam from Maharashtra’s Jalna district was
allegedly assaulted and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by unidentified Hindutva
goons while he was reading Quran. When he refused, they cut his beard.
The incident occurred on March 24 in Jalna’sAnwa
village. According to local reports, the imam named Zakir SayyedKhaja was
reading the Quran in the mosque when at around 7:30 pm, a group of Hindutva
goons with their faces covered entered the mosque premises and threatened him
with dire consequences if he refused to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
When the imam did not adhere, three men took him
outside and beat him up. the imam alleged he was attacked with a chemical-laced
cloth which rendered him unconscious.
He was rescued by a few Muslims who had come for the
Isha prayers. On regaining consciousness he noticed his beard had been cut off.
The imam is currently undergoing treatment at the
Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
(previously known as Aurangabad).
On information, police registered a case against the
unidentified individuals under Sections 452 (trespassing after preparation for
hurt, assault), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 34 (criminal
act by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal
Code (IPC). Investigations are currently underway.
UP Imam attacked, police turns blind eye
In a similar incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar
district, an imam named Mohammad Kamran was subjected to a hate crime attack by
a group of Hindutva people on March 26.
The attackers filed a fake police complaint using a
woman who alleged that her house was under attack by Muslim men.
In a video interview with a local news channel, Kamran
who hails from Gorakhpur, said he had been leading prayers at a mosque in
Kushinagar for the last six years. “I have never encountered anything like this
before. On March 28, I was having tea at a nearby stall when suddenly I was
attacked,” he said.
Identifying a few of his attackers, Kamran says,
“Durgesh, Sunil, Pramod and a few more persons launched an attack from behind.
They hit me with sticks on my shoulder, hand and head severely. After people
made noise, they ran away.”
Kamran accuses the UP police of conducting one-sided
investigation. “The police have refused to register our complaint. On March 28,
they booked me along with 15 other Muslims, including three minors, residing
near the mosque,” Kamran alleges.
According to a news channel, two FIRs were lodged –
one against the Hindutva goons who attacked and the other against the Muslims.
In the first FIR filed against the Hindutva attackers,
sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional
insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC were invoked. While
as, in the the second FIR against the Muslims, apart from Sections 147, 323 and
504, sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 352 (punishment for
assault or criminal force otherwise than a grave provocation) and 452
(house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault and wrongful restraint)
were also added.
According to Kamran, many Muslim men have fled
Kushinagar in order to evade arrest.
Source:
siasat.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.siasat.com/imams-injured-in-attack-by-hindutva-goons-in-maharashtra-up-3001677/
--
Gujarat: Post Taraweeh prayers, minor boy beaten up
with sticks
31st March 2024
A 12-year-old Muslim boy was allegedly beaten with
sticks by unidentified Hindutva workers in Gujarat’s capital city of Ahmedabad.
The child is currently under treatment.
According to reports, the child named Sufiyan was
strolling along the Dudheswar riverfront after the Taraweeh prayers when he was
attacked with sticks on his head by unidentified people.
Sufiyan was wearing a skull cap at the time of the
attack.
He was rushed to the local SVP hospital for treatment.
It is unclear if a police complaint has been filed by the child’s family.
The copy will be updated once there is a response from
the police.
Two weeks ago, foreign Muslim students, for offering
Taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramzan, were attacked inside the
hostel premises of the Gujarat University. The incident created a furore among
the international student community. Videos of the incident surfaced online.
The students alleged that the mob chanted Islamophobic
and Hindu religious slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and carried various weapons
such as knives, cricket bats, and stones to attack them. Five students from
Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Sri Lanka, and two African students were
reportedly injured.
The Gujarat police arrested five persons in connection
with the attack.
Source:
siasat.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.siasat.com/gujarat-post-taraweeh-prayers-minor-boy-beaten-up-with-sticks-3001529/
----
TMC's Nurul Islam enters troubled zone, vows 'new
Sandeshkhali'
Apr 1, 2024
SANDESHKHALI: Trinamool Congress Basirhat candidate
Haji Nurul Islam on Sunday stepped into Sandeshkhali's volatile zone,
canvassing support for the party, attacking opposition and promising to make a
"new Sandeshkhali".
The campaign rally started at the Abhijan Sangha
ground in Sandeshkhali block-II and crossed areas like Trimohini Bazar,
Jeliakhali, Bermajur, Kaharpara and Patrapara, where massive protests and
subsequent violence had erupted earlier.
After the rally, Nurul held a street-corner meeting at
Trimohini Bazar, which had become the epicentre of the unrest. "Some BJP
and CPM leaders deliberately tried to instigate you to spread violence. But we
will build a new Sandeshkhali with a lot of developments here. We believe that
all of you are always with us," Nurul said.
"All the allegations against Trinamool are false
and baseless. No woman in Sandeshkhali was sexually harassed or tortured. Some
Trinamool leaders here were falsely implicated by BJP-sponsored central
agencies. We, the Trinamool Congress soldiers, fight to protect the modesty of
women across Bengal," he claimed.
Nurul was accompanied by hundreds of Trinamool
supporters, led by Sandeshkhali MLA SukumarMahata.
"Thousands of local people joined our rally. The
Sandeshkhali issues were deliberately created by opposition parties, but they
could not harm our party even a little to malign its image. Instead, we have
consolidated and united more over these false issues. We confidently believe
that even Sandeshkhali's people are always with Trinamool to engage themselves
in Mamata Banerjee's tireless efforts for the development of Bengal," he
said, adding that he would definitely win the polls by huge margin.
Sandeshkhali, which had given TMC a 39,685-vote lead
in the 2021 assembly polls, has been left polarised by TMC-dominated
Sandeshkhali block I and a strong opposition base in pockets of Sandeshkhali
block II, where its leaders are behind bars. BJP candidate Rekha Patra, among
the women who lodged FIRs against the local TMC leaders, is also from
Sandeshkhali block II.
Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/tmcs-nurul-islam-enters-troubled-zone-vows-new-sandeshkhali/articleshow/108928768.cms
----
Europe
Patriarch Kirill Says West Trying To Set Muslims And
Christians In Russia Against One Another Just As It Did In Yugoslavia in 1990s
– OpEd
April 1, 2024
Paul Goble
The Crocus City Hall terrorist attack is the latest
example of the West’s longstanding effort to set Russia’s Christians and
Russia’s Muslims against one another, Patriarch Kirill says, an effort that
resembles the one that led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia but can’t be
allowed to have that result in the case of the Russian Federation.
Speaking to the World Russian Popular Assembly, the
Russian churchman said that the West hopes it can use Russia’s domestic
problems with immigrants against Russian unity
(nazaccent.ru/content/42017-patriarh-kirill-zayavil-chto-vragi-rossii-pytayutsya-stolknut-dve-tradicionnye-religii-v-strane.html).
What occurred, Kirill continued, was an attempt to
“divide people on a religious basis” and set them in “conflict with one
another,” something that “we cannot allow to happen in Russia” where the basic
mass of believers in both these faiths share a common “worldview” and “moral
position.”
“Our task, of course,” the Russian patriarch said, “is
to preserve with all our might the unity of the Russian world,” a task that
requires vigilance because such Western efforts to promote discord can have
serious consequences as was the case in the former Yugoslavia more than two
decades ago.
Source:
eurasiareview.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.eurasiareview.com/01042024-patriarch-kirill-says-west-trying-to-set-muslims-and-christians-in-russia-against-one-another-just-as-it-did-in-yugoslavia-in-1990s-oped/
---
Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Easter
address
MARCH 31, 2024
Pope Francis made renewed calls on Easter Sunday for
an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages in a
peace-focused address marking the most important day on the Christian calendar.
Francis presided over Mass in a packed St Peter's
Square, and then delivered his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the
world) blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis, 87, has been in poor health in recent weeks,
forcing him on repeated occasions to limit his public speaking and cancel
engagements as he did on Good Friday, skipping at short notice a procession at
Rome's Colosseum.
However, he took part normally in other Holy Week
events leading up to Easter, and appeared in relatively good spirits at
Sunday's Mass. Easter celebrates the day in which the faithful believe Jesus
rose from the dead.
Popemobile goes for a spin
After the service, the pontiff took to his open-topped
popemobile to tour the square and the avenue connecting the Vatican to the
River Tiber and greet the tens of thousands of people who had lined up to see
him.
Francis has repeatedly deplored the death and
destruction in the Gaza war.
"I appeal once again that access to humanitarian
aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the
hostages seized on last October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire in the
Strip," he said on Sunday.
"How much suffering we see in the eyes of
children, the children have forgotten to smile in those war zones. With their
eyes, children ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction? War
is always an absurdity and a defeat," he added.
Source:
jpost.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-794525
---
Madrid only European capital home to Islamic
civilization: Spanish academic
SenhanBolelli
01.04.2024
Madrid remains the only Islamic civilization-oriented
capital in Western Europe, although many people first think about Cordoba or
Granada when Spain’s Al-Andulus era from the years 711 to 1492 is mentioned.
Of the 2 million Muslim tourists who visit Spain each
year, a large number travel to the southern region of Andalusia, home to relics
from the Islamic era such as the Alhambra Palace, Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral,
Alcazar Palace, and Medina Azahara.
But just 75 kilometers (nearly 47 miles) from Toledo,
which served as the most significant northern city during that time despite its
ancient Roman origins, Madrid holds importance in Islamic history, in both name
and historical relevance.
Daniel Gil-Benumeya Flores, a professor of Arab and
Islamic studies at Madrid's Complutense University, told Anadolu that Islamic
Madrid began in the mid-eighth century, around 150 years after the
establishment of Al-Andalus.
"Madrid was part of Al-Andalus, the Muslim
territory of the Iberian Peninsula, for 250 years. Even after being conquered
by Christians, it still had a Muslim minority for another 500 years. So there’s
a historical Islamic presence in Madrid spanning approximately 700 years,"
he said.
Underlining that the city back then was sparsely
populated, Flores added: "It was not really of great importance.
"Madrid's importance mainly stemmed from being a
frontier city, thus in a territory where there were frequent wars, frequent
battles, especially between Al-Andalus troops and troops from the northern
Christian kingdoms."
"But administratively, Madrid belonged to Toledo.
It was a city within the region or district of Toledo," he said.
Named after Arabic 'Magrit'
Flores said the modern name Madrid originates from the
Arabic word "Magrit" during the Al-Andulus era.
On theories on the name’s origin, such as its
resemblance to the Arabic word for riverbed and its potential connection to
North Africa's Barbaria region, he said it came from the Latin
"matrice" and Arabic "magrit," meaning a place where
abundant water sources converge.
Remnants of Muslim Madrid in haze
The professor said little is known about Madrid from
that era, and archaeological remains of Muslim Madrid are few and far between.
"There are very few remains from Muslim Madrid,
and the responsibility for that lies in Madrid being the capital," he
said.
"When Madrid became the capital, which was in the
16th century, it became the capital of the largest empire of its time and also
the empire that presented itself as the defender of Christianity or the
Catholic faith against Islam, which at that time was mainly embodied by the
Ottoman Empire, against the Protestant Reformation and paganism in the case of
the American colonies,” he explained.
"So, it felt odd, uncomfortable, that the capital
of such a large empire with such symbolic value had an Islamic origin.
Therefore, during the 16th and 17th centuries, practically all of medieval
Madrid was destroyed.”
Flores added that despite the need to carry out
excavations in Madrid, there have been no systematic efforts to do so.
The park in the city center, named after Emir Muhammed
I, the founder of Madrid in the Andalusian Islamic era in the years 852-886, is
currently closed to the public due to concerns of potential vandalism.
Flores highlighted the significance of walls uncovered
during construction in the 1950s near Almudena Cathedral, where King Felipe VI
of Spain got married.
The walls represent the only officially recognized
remains from the Andalusian Islamic era, he said.
Saying he believes the park has considerable remains,
Flores lamented a lack of funding and permission for archaeological research
since its conversion to a park in the 1990s.
The construction of Madrid's walls had begun in the
late eighth century, with additions made in the 10th century during attacks by
the Kingdom of Asturias.
Flores described the walls as formidable structures,
originally 12-15 meters (29-49 feet) high and made of flint stone – a rare
choice for that era but also found in Madrid's residential buildings.
He stressed that the nearby Royal Collections Gallery
likely conceals important remains, although they are not accessible to the
public. Similarly, Flores said remains were discovered beneath the Italian
Culture Institute, but were covered up.
Madrid as only European capital of Islamic origin
politically uncomfortable
The Spanish scholar said: "There are places where
remains of walls have been found, remains of water conduits. In the cemetery,
for example, graves have been found in two or three points, but of course, the
total extent of the cemetery is unknown."
Flores also decried how the current approach to urban
planning does not allocate funding for archaeological excavation.
"The fact that Madrid has an Islamic origin, in
fact, it is the only current European capital that has an Islamic origin, is
still a bit politically uncomfortable in some sectors," he said.
Spain is currently home to more than 2.4 million
Muslims, with approximately 300,000 living in Madrid.
Source:
aa.com.tr
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/madrid-only-european-capital-home-to-islamic-civilization-spanish-academic/3180445
----
Muslim student likened to MP murderer receives
financial settlement
31st March 2024
A Muslim student lab assistant has received a financial
settlement from his former employer, Micropathology Ltd, after a manager
likened him to the man who murdered David Amess MP.
Micropathology Ltd, based in Coventry, sacked Waqas
Rai, 23, without notice on December 31, 2021.
Months after his dismissal, Mr Rai’s former manager
gave a university lecture which was recorded and uploaded online.
In the recording, the manager could be heard openly
discussing the reasons for Mr Rai’s dismissal and saying he thought he had been
“radicalised.”
In later correspondence with the university, the
manager explicitly compared Mr Rai to “the man who killed the MP in Southend,”
saying his “very intelligent” but “totally passive” behaviour was an indication
that he had been radicalised.
Sir David Amess MP was killed in 2021 by Ali Harbi
Ali, who was convicted of murder and the preparation of terrorist acts.
Mr Rai’s discrimination claim against his former
employer was taken to an employment tribunal by lawyer Asif Timol of Fairmont
Legal, based in Bolton, but the parties settled before a final hearing.
Waqas Rai said: “I couldn’t believe it when I first
heard what was said about me in the recording. I just felt so angry and
confused.
“It has really affected my mental health and made me
feel anxious about continuing to work in the industry. Every time I join a new
institution or start a new job, I feel like I’m always going to be paranoid
about what people think. I worry I’m not able to be myself because of what
people might be thinking about me.
“I hope that sharing my experience can help prevent it
from happening to others in the future, but to anyone who’s been treated like I
have, I want to say that there is help out there. I’d like to thank my lawyer
and the Equality and Human Rights Commission for their support.”
David Amess MP. Pic: UK Parliament
While the settlement does not contain an admission of
liability on the part of Micropathology Ltd, they have published a public
statement regarding the case and committed to carrying out equality and
diversity training.
The manager, who has not been named, said: “On behalf
of both myself and Micropathology Limited, I accept that the circumstances
surrounding the recording and subsequent transmission of what I thought was a
private conversation with a third party individual was entirely regretful.
“In that conversation I referred to Mr Rai by name,
which I acknowledge was entirely avoidable. I also regret any offence that the
recording and later publication of the recording caused Mr Rai, or indeed any
other individual who was presented with that recording.
“I would like to assure Mr Rai, that my comments to
that third party individual and my subsequent comments made to the third party
who brought the publishing of the recording to my attention, were not motivated
by Mr Rai’s race or religion neither of which I knew. I can understand if it
was construed this way but this was not my intention.
“I acknowledge that Mr Rai and any other individual
who heard my comments to the third party, or read my subsequent email
communications, were not to know, or be reasonably expected to know, the
concern I expressed for the Claimant at the time of his departure from
Micropathology. It was not communicated to me whether student welfare support
or the university followed up with this.
“I accept that there are lessons to be learned from
this experience, and this is why the Board and I are committing to a review of
Micropathology Ltd policies and procedures. I, together with other senior
staff, will also arrange for training on equal opportunities issues in the New
Year. The Micropathology Board will also seek direction and recommendations
from the Ethics Committee and I will accept and adopt those recommendations.
“I regret any upset, offence or distress caused and I
would like to wish Mr Rai all the best in his future endeavours.”
The Equality and Human Rights Commission provided
funding and assistance with the case and Mr Rai was also supported by the
Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) – an independent charity supporting people
affected by Islamophobia.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality
and Human Rights Commission, said:? “The manner of Waqas’s dismissal, and the
comments subsequently made about him in an attempt to justify it, are totally
unacceptable. Everyone has the right to go to work without worrying they’re
going to be treated differently because of their race or religion.
“On this occasion the comments were shared publicly,
but it doesn’t matter whether they were made in a lecture hall, a laboratory,
an office or even in an email – discrimination should not be tolerated
anywhere.
“As Britain’s equality watchdog, we will continue to
use our unique powers to uphold the law and prevent discrimination in the
workplace.”
The claimant lawyer Asif Timol of Fairmont Legal said:
“Some terms have been so weaponised, especially with the current political
climate that the implication as a Muslim, can have a huge impact.
“This case has had a significant impact on my client,
but I hope the settlement will help heal the damage caused.”
Source:
5pillarsuk.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://5pillarsuk.com/2024/03/31/muslim-student-likened-to-mp-murderer-receives-financial-settlement/
---
LGBTQ+ club owner arrested in Russia for 'extremism'
Apr 1, 2024
NEW DELHI: The owner of an LGBTQ+ club in the Russian
city of Orenburg was arrested for "extremism," the OVD-Info rights
group said Sunday.
He was detained three days ago at a Moscow airport and
has been remanded in custody with two of his employees.
Prosecutors accuse him of conspiring with supporters
of the "international LGBT movement," as Russia authorities describes
it.
Police arrested the art director and administrator of
the Pose club earlier this month in a raid on the club during a drag show.
If found guilty, they face up to ten years in jail.
Crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia
It is the first criminal case of its kind since Russia
added the "international LGBT movement" to a list of extremist and
terrorist organizations.
The move was in line with a ruling by Russia's Supreme
Court last November that LGBTQ+ activists should be designated as extremists.
There has been a growing crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in
Russia.
President Vladimir Putin has long promoted family and
"traditional values," asserting that LGBTQ+ activism represents a
Western assault on "traditional Russian values."
In 2013, Russia passed a law banning the
"propaganda" of "non-traditional sexual relations" aimed at
minors.
The legislation was considerably extended at the end
of 2022 and now bans all forms of LGBTQ+ content in the media, on the internet,
in books, and films.
Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/lgbtq-club-owner-arrested-in-russia-for-extremism/articleshow/108938199.cms
---
South
Asia
BuetTurning Into Militancy Hub In Guise Of Banning
Student Politics: Awami League General Secretary
Mar 31, 2024
Awami League General Secretary ObaidulQuader today
said the government will investigate whether Buet was being transformed into a
hub of militancy under the guise of banning student politics.
"In the guise of banning student politics, Buet
is being turned into a factory of militancy and dirty politics. If this is
indeed the case, the government will have to take action," said Quader.
He made these remarks during a meeting with the
leaders of Awami League's Chattogram division at the Dhaka district AL office
in Tejgaon.
Buet students cancel today’s sit-in; BCL holding
counter programme at Shaheed Minar
"Our leader Sheikh Hasina has zero tolerance for
all forms of misconduct, injustice, and corruption. We are committed to
upholding this principle. We did not show any leniency in the case of the
killing of Abrar [Fahad] at Buet. Can I not visit Buet simply because I am
involved in politics? What kind of law is this? What kind of policy is
this?" asked the AL general secretary.
Addressing the AL leaders of the Chattogram division,
Quader said, "The upazila election is approaching, and you are all aware
of the leader's instructions.
"You must act with utmost responsibility. Any
conflicting statements from our leaders will only spread confusion within the
party. You will not be allowed to express whatever comes to your mind," he
added.
ObaidulQuader further said, "If we, as ministers
and MPs, refrain from interference, we can achieve the objectives that our
leader, AL President Sheikh Hasina, has envisioned for the polls.
"Many Awami League leaders today gather at tea
shops and speak against the party. Such behaviour should be avoided. The
upazila elections will be conducted fairly, allowing people to vote freely. Do
not misuse your authority here," warned Quader.
Quader pointed out that BNP leaders like Moin Khan
advocate for the restoration of democracy today. Some BNP leaders call for the
restoration of democracy, while others advocate for the boycott of Indian
products.
"All the issues raised by BNP were rejected in
the elections. Now, their new agenda is anti-India. BNP is spreading lies. When
BNP left power, Bangladesh's reserves stood at three and a half billion
dollars. Now, they mock our reserves. Currently, our reserves exceed 21 billion
dollars," stated ObaidulQuader.
Awami League presidium member Mosharraf Hossain
chaired today's discussion meeting.
Presidium member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya,
Joint General Secretaries Hasan Mahmud and Mahbub ul Alam Hanif, Organisational
Secretary Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Agricultural Affairs Secretary
FaridunnaharLaili, Finance Affairs Secretary Wasika Ayesha Khan, and Office
Secretary BiplabBarua were among those present at the meeting.
Protest at Buet: DB observing whether any banned
organisations involved
The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police
is observing whether any banned organisation is involved in the protests at
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, the DB chiefm made these
remarks today while addressing queries from journalists at his office on Minto
Road.
Yesterday, five pro-Awami League students of Buet
alleged that the banned outfit Hizb-ut Tahrir, and Islami Chhatra Shibir, the
student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, are capitalising on the student protests
against politics on the campus.
In response to these claims, the DB chief said,
"We are monitoring the situation with our team on the ground. The incident
is under investigation, and appropriate legal action will be taken."
He said no one has been arrested so far in connection
with the protest.
Source:
thedailystar.net
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/buet-turning-militancy-hub-guise-banning-student-politics-quader-3578871
---
Iran expels hundreds of Afghan migrants, including 34
unaccompanied children
Fidel Rahmati
April 1, 2024
The Ministry of Migrants and Repatriates of the
caretaker Administration announced that 1,521 Afghan migrants and 34
unaccompanied children have returned to the country voluntarily and
involuntarily.
The ministry, on Sunday, said on its social media
platform X that these migrants entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala
border crossing in Herat province.
According to the Ministry of Migrants and Repatriates,
these children have been referred to the War Child organization to find their
families.
Previously, Iranian media reported, citing a spokesman
for the Tehran Municipality, that a plan has been initiated to gather “illegal
Afghan” child labourers and waste pickers, and they are planned to be collected
from the city and returned to Afghanistan.
This is while the exact number of Afghan child
labourers in Tehran is not clear, with most of them reportedly being under 15
years old.
It is worth mentioning that the process of deporting
and detaining Afghan asylum seekers from countries like Iran, Pakistan, and
Turkey has increased in recent months.
At the same time, according to a member of the Tehran
City Council, there are approximately 70,000 child labourers in the city, of
which 80% are foreigners.
Source:
khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/iran-expels-hundreds-of-afghan-migrants-including-34-unaccompanied-children/
---
‘American Drones’ seen over Kandahar and other
provinces in Afghanistan
Fidel Rahmati
April 1, 2024
Media outlets reported that drones were seen in
Badakhshan, Panjshir, Kunar, Laghman, and Kandahar skies.
The Residents of these provinces said that Drones have
been seen in the skies of these provinces, including Badakhshan, Panjshir,
Kunar, Laghman, and Kandahar.
The Taliban spokesperson, in response to the flight of
these drones, accused America of “violating” Afghanistan’s airspace.
Zabihullah Mujahid has told the media that the Taliban
have repeatedly protested against America’s “violation” of Afghanistan’s
airspace.
Media outlets cited Mr Mujahid as saying, “These
aircraft are undoubtedly associated with America, flying over the airspace of
some neighbouring countries and coming to Afghanistan, and everyone should
understand their responsibilities in this regard and stop the trespassing.”
American drones believed to have come from Pakistan
were sighted in several Afghan provinces, sparking concerns over violations of
Afghanistan’s airspace. The Taliban condemned these flights, accusing the US of
encroaching on Afghan sovereignty.
This comes amid a devastating explosion that rocked
Kandahar last week, causing significant casualties and destruction. The incident
has heightened tensions in the region, with authorities scrambling to
investigate the source of the blast amidst fears of further violence.
Amidst the chaos, there has been a concerning rise in
ISIS operations across the country. The group has intensified its attacks,
targeting both civilians and security forces, posing a grave threat to
stability and security in Afghanistan. Efforts to counter ISIS’s resurgence are
underway, but the situation remains precarious.
Source:
khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/american-drones-seen-over-kandahar-and-other-provinces-in-afghanistan/
---
US withdrawal strengthens ISIS in Afghanistan: Former
CENTCOM Chief
Fidel Rahmati
April 1, 2024
The former commander of US Central Command warned of
ISIS’s “strong desire” to attack the United States and other foreign powers.
Kenneth F. McKenzie, on Sunday, March 31st, in an
interview with NBC News, attributed the withdrawal of US forces from
Afghanistan to the expansion of ISIS-Khorasan Province in Afghanistan and
cautioned against the increased global threats posed by this group.
McKenzie believes that instead of a complete
withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the United States should have kept
some of its forces in Afghanistan. He referred to President Biden’s statements
regarding the ability to monitor Afghanistan remotely, saying, “In Afghanistan,
we have almost no ability to monitor the country.”
The general regarded the absence of US forces in Afghanistan
as a boon for ISIS and other militant groups, adding, “Unfortunately, we’re no
longer putting pressure on them, so they’re free to gain power, plan, and
coordinate.”
Former CENTCOM commander also referred to ISIS’s
infiltration methods, which involve online methods or recruiting and training
fighters for extremist actions.
US officials have repeatedly warned about the
widespread presence and activities of ISIS-Khorasan Province in Afghanistan.
Earlier this month, a senior Republican senator called for an attack on the
positions of this group in Afghanistan.
Previously, Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti,
reported, citing its sources, that the attackers who stormed the Crocus City
Hall in Moscow were recruited through the “Voice of Khorasan” channel,
affiliated with ISIS-Khorasan, on Telegram.
Mr. McKenzie, referring to the ISIS-Khorasan attack in
Moscow, in which at least 140 people were killed in three attacks, said it was
one of the dangers of extremists who could organize significant operations.
Source:
khaama.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/us-withdrawal-strengthens-isis-in-afghanistan-former-centcom-chief/
---
Call for Restoration of At-Risk Historical Sites in
Helmand
Baryali Ansari
April 1, 2024
Residents of Helmand express concern over historical
site deterioration, seek government intervention.
Residents of Helmand are expressing their concerns
over the potential collapse of historical sites within the province, urging for
reconstruction efforts by the interim government.
They point out that most historical sites have been
put at risk of destruction due to past conflicts, natural disasters, and
neglect by authorities, with Qala-e-Bost, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi's palace, and
the sites of ZaminDawar, Sarawan, and Amir Kror being notable examples.
Afghanistan is culturally rich, yet due to historical
conflicts, many of its historical and ancient sites across the nation have been
damaged or are under threat of destruction.
Adam Khan, a resident of Helmand, told TOLOnews,
"In the era of Mohammad Daoud Khan, this site attracted many tourists, and
it was enjoyed by the local populace for its beauty."
Saifuddin, another resident of Helmand, remarked,
"During the previous administration, efforts to restore this historic site
began but were halted again with the resurgence of conflict."
Abdul Wahid, a resident of Helmand, stated,
"Qala-e-Bost, once a beautiful site, is now ruined. It needs to be
restored so tourists can visit and a positive image of this place can be
portrayed."
However, officials from the Helmand Directorate of Information
and Culture have indicated that with budget allocation, they would proceed with
the restoration of the province's historical sites.
Sultan Mohammad Hanif, head of the cultural department
of the Helmand Directorate of Information and Culture, commented, "We have
established a protection security unit to protect encroached historical sites.
So far, we have managed to liberate many historical locations from encroachment
and remain committed to preserving the nation's historical treasures into the future."
According to the Helmand Directorate of Information
and Culture, Qala-e-Bost, Sultan Mahmud's palace, and the sites of Sarawan,
ZaminDawar, Bolan Pir Sabz, and Mukhtar are among the province's significant
historical and ancient landmarks, with some dating back thousands of years.
Source:
tolonews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://tolonews.com/arts-culture-188095
---
Islamic Emirate Confirms Detention of Two US Citizens
NaweedSamadi
March 31, 2024
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic
Emirate, told TOLOnews that two American citizens and some other foreign
nationals are currently detained by the caretaker government.
Zabihullah Mujahid said these foreign nationals have
been arrested for legal violations in the country and he said that every
foreign citizen wanting to travel to Afghanistan must consider the laws of the
Islamic Emirate.
"I think there are two Americans, and the reasons
for their visit are not clear yet; but whatever the reasons, anyone coming to
Afghanistan is obliged to observe the laws of Afghanistan. Anyone who gets an
Afghan visa means they agree to follow our laws," he said.
Recently, two American national security officials
told NBC News that two US citizens are being held by the caretaker government.
According to these officials, Ryan Corbett and another
individual, whose details have not yet been disclosed, are being held
"without reason" by the security forces of the Islamic Emirate.
"What are the charges against those who have been
arrested? If the charges are very serious, it may necessitate their trial in
Afghanistan, which is very unlikely. Another possibility is that these
individuals might be exchanged for someone the Taliban wants," said Rashid
Qutbzada, an international relations analyst.
"American citizens detained in Afghanistan will
be dealt with according to their crimes, and then it's a matter of government
to government," said Hadi Qurishi, a military affairs expert.
Previously, the spokesperson for the U.S. State
Department had stated in a press briefing that the detention of American
citizens in Afghanistan is a significant obstacle to positive engagement with
the Islamic Emirate.
Source:
tolonews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-188082
----
Mujahid: Daesh Name Being Used for Political Aims
MitraMajeedy
March 31, 2024
The Islamic Emirate said that Daesh is in a state of
retreat in Afghanistan and lacks the ability to recruit.
The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, rejecting
claims about the activities of the Daesh from Afghanistan, said that these
claims are made to exaggerate Daesh.
“Some entities use the name of Daesh, the title of
Daesh, and exaggerate Daesh for their political objectives. And some
intelligence circles might convey incorrect information to some countries and
some media institutions, which leads to misunderstandings,” Zabihullah Mujahid
added.
However, the South China Morning Post has claimed in a
report that Daesh cells have used Afghan soil to launch attacks on targets in
Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey.
The report also stated that the terrorist attacks by
Daesh, conducted through its Khorasan branch this year, indicate a shift in
their strategy.
"Daesh cells, using Afghanistan as a base and
Turkey as a logistical center, have closely cooperated with various national
and regional branches to carry out deadly attacks on four countries this
year," the report reads.
“If terrorist groups like Daesh and other terror
groups attempt to expand their influence in Afghanistan, combating terrorism
and terror groups is one of the responsibilities of the caretaker government of
Afghanistan according to the Doha Agreement,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, a
political analyst.
“Their donors want Daesh to become global and frighten
the entire world through Daesh to achieve their objectives,” said Zakiullah
Mohammadi, a university lecturer.
The United States Department of State had previously
called on the Islamic Emirate to honor its Doha agreement commitment to
counter-terrorism.
Source:
tolonews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-188083
----
Oct 28 violence: Nearly 500 BNP men get anticipatory
bail from HC
Mar 31, 2024
Around 500 local BNP leaders and activists from Dhaka,
Chattogram, and Narayanganj secured six weeks' anticipatory bail from the High
Court today in 33 cases filed over the violence in BNP's grand rally in Dhaka
on October 28 last year.
The HC also directed the accused to surrender before
the trial courts concerned after bail period.
Two separate benches granted them bail after hearing
70 petitions filed by the accused seeking bail.
The accused persons had been on the run after the
cases were filed on or before October 28 last year.
The HC bench of Justice Abu TaherMdSaifur Rahman and
Justice ShahedNuruddin granted bail to 30 BNP men from Chattogram following two
bail petitions, their lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon told The Daily Star.
He said the HC bench of Justice Md Iqbal Kabir Lytton
and Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman granted bail to 16 BNP leaders and activists from
Mohammadpur area in Dhaka following six separate bail petitions filed by the
accused.
The bench led by Justice Md Iqbal Kabir Lytton granted
bail to around 450 BNP leaders and activists from different upazilas of
Narayanganj including Fatullah, Siddirdanj, Sonargaon, Rupganj, Araihazar and
Narayanganj Sadar after holding hearing on 25 bail petitions, their lawyer
Mahbubur Rahman told this correspondent.
The lawyer said the cases have been filed for
politically harassing his clients and they are involved in the politics of BNP.
Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Md Monirul Islam
told The Daily Star that the HC bench led by Justice Iqbal Kabir Lytton today
dealt with nearly 300 bail petitions, but refused to grant bail to many accused
persons on different grounds including the gravity of their offences.
Source:
thedailystar.net
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/oct-28-violence-nearly-500-bnp-men-get-anticipatory-bail-hc-3579226
----
North
America
Muslim-American comic calls to free Gaza hostages,
'free Palestine' on SNL
MARCH 31, 2024
Muslim-American comedian Ramy Youssef called for a
free Palestine and for the hostages in Gaza to be freed in part of his
monologue of Saturday Night Live.
The actor of Egyptian descent, who created and starred
in Hulu’s Ramy, appeared in his first stint as host of the weekly comedy show
shortly after leading a group calling for a ceasefire while wearing red-handed
pins at the 2024 Oscar ceremony.
The monologue started by noting that “this is an
incredibly spiritual weekend. We’re in the holy month of Ramadan, tomorrow is
Easter, and yesterday, Beyoncé released a new album. There’s just so many
religions celebrating all at once.”
Shortly after noting that he was celebrating "the
Ramadan one," he elaborated on the holiday.
“I love Ramadan because I love hanging out with
Muslims,” he said. “We’re so loving, and I feel like people don’t know that
about us. They know all these other things. But man, we love to love, and we’re
so free with it.”
Ramy Youssef’s monologue on SNL tonight. He called for
the hostages to be freed and for Gaza and the Palestinians there to be freed
from Hamas as well. pic.twitter.com/Gv1HUDP3ix
Calling to 'free Palestine'
He discussed the upcoming US election before pushing
on to his main topic - a free Palestine and freeing the captives.
He discussed the suffering in Gaza based on a phone
call from a friend with family there. “He goes, ‘Ramy. They’re suffering. I
don’t know where half of them are. I don’t know what to do. Please pray for
them. It’s the only thing we can do,'” Youssef quoted.
“So that night,
I go to pray, and my prayers are … complicated. I’ve got a lot to fit in. My
God, please, please help Ahmed’s family. Please stop the suffering. Stop the
violence. Please. free the people of Palestine. Please.”
He then called for the freedom of the captives -
before making a comment about a friend's dog in a "custody battle" -
almost delegitimizing the request for hostage freedom.
“And please free the hostages, all of the hostages,
please,” he added, to more loud applause. “And while you’re at it, I mean, you
know, free Mr. Bojangles. I mean he is, he’s a beautiful dog. I’m praying for
that dog.”
Source:
jpost.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-794530
---
Netanyahu, ahead of surgery, vows Israel will invade
Rafah, despite pressure from Ramadan, US
Bradford Betz
March 31, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., joins ‘Fox News Sunday’ to
discuss the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war, arguing that
their recent support has been ‘disgusting.’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of
surgery for a hernia on Sunday, vowed that Israel would invade Rafah, despite
twin pressures from Ramadan and Washington.
Netanyahu, 74, said he had approved the IDF’s
"operational plan" for Rafah, saying the force was "prepared for
the evacuation of the civilian population and for the provision of humanitarian
assistance."
"This is the right thing both operationally and
internationally," he said. "This will take time but it will be done.
We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there for one
simple reason: There is no victory without entering Rafah and there is no
victory without eliminating the Hamas battalions there."
The comments came after the Israeli leader met with
the families of the hostages still in Gaza. He rejected accusations that he was
delaying their release.
"Those who say I am not doing everything to
return the hostages are wrong and misleading, and those who know the truth and
still repeating this lie are causing unnecessary grief to the families of the
hostages," he said.
Netanyahu alleged that Israel has "relaxed"
its position in negotiations while Hamas has "hardened" theirs.
"Despite all the difficulty involved,
negotiations must be conducted calmly and with level-headed
determination," he said. "This is the only way to return
hostages."
Netanyahu has kept a full schedule throughout Israel's
nearly six-month-long war against Hamas. A hernia was discovered during a
routine checkup, but his doctors have said he is otherwise in good health.
Doctors acknowledged last year that he had concealed a long-known heart problem
after they implanted a pacemaker.
Israeli society was broadly united immediately after
Oct. 7, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people during a cross-border attack and
took 250 others hostage. Nearly six months of conflict have renewed divisions
over the leadership of Netanyahu, though the country remains largely in favor of
the war.
Thousands of Israelis gathered outside the parliament
building in Jerusalem on Sunday, marking the largest anti-government
demonstration since the war began. They urged the government to reach a
cease-fire deal to free dozens of hostages held by the Hamas militant group in
Gaza and to hold early elections.
Roughly half the hostages in Gaza were released during
a weeklong cease-fire in November. But attempts by international mediators to
bring home the remaining hostages have failed. Talks resumed on Sunday with
little expectation of a breakthrough.
Netanyahu has said there can be no victory without a
military ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than half
of the territory's population of 2.3 million now shelters after fleeing
fighting elsewhere.
Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry said Sunday that more
than 32,000 Palestinians have been
killed since the start of the war. The ministry's count does not differentiate
between civilians and fighters, but it has said that women and children make up
around two-thirds of those killed.
Israel has disputed these figures, saying that more
than one-third of the dead are militants, and it blames Hamas for civilian
casualties because the group operates in residential areas.
Fox News' Yael Rotem-Kuriel and The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter
covering crime, political issues, and much more.
Source:
foxnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-ahead-surgery-vows-israel-invade-rafah-despite-pressure-ramadan-us
----
Africa
Ondo State Islamic Cleric, Oluwafemi Idris, Arrested
With Fresh Human Parts
31 March 2024
The Ondo State police command has arrested an Islamic
cleric, Oluwafemi Idris, for unlawful possession of fresh human parts.
According to a police source who spoke with Vanguard,
the suspected ritualist was arrested in a town, in the Akoko area of the state.
A statement released by the spokesperson for the state
command, FunmiOdunlami, in Akure, said that police detectives got Intel on the
activities of the suspect from a reliable source.
Odunlami added that the suspect, also known as Alfa
kept the human parts in his house and intends to use it for ritual purposes.
According to him “the Police swung into action and
apprehended the suspect.
“A search was conducted in his house at Akoko and the
following human parts were found in his possession: human hands, three kidneys,
three hearts, spine and tongue.
“The suspect claimed he is an Islamic cleric and some
of the human parts were supplied by his friend an Alhaji who is also a cleric
and one Samuel Kutelu while he supplied one BabatundeKayode ( an Oluawo) 3
human heads.”
Odunlami added that “Oluawo and BabatundeKayode have
been arrested.”
She added that “Effort is on to arrest the other
cleric who he claims sourced the human parts for him.”
Source:
naijanews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2024/03/31/ondo-islamic-cleric-arrested-with-fresh-human-parts/
---
Chad official hails UAE's humanitarian efforts during
Ramadan
01.04.24
The UAE humanitarian team is carrying out its Ramadan
programme in the Chadian city of Amdjarass. They are distributing Ramadan
rations to Sudanese refugees and the local community. Additionally, they are
visiting villages and towns near the city to evaluate residents' needs and
offer humanitarian aid.
This comes in implementation of the directives of the
wise leadership to respond to urgent humanitarian calls and extend a helping
hand to the most needy groups.
The team comprises the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC),
the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and The
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation. The team works in cooperation with the
UAE Aid Coordination Office in Chad.
As part of its Ramadan campaign, the team distributed
6,000 food baskets, 500 relief bags, and living supplies to a number of
villages in Amdjarass.
The Ramadan baskets include basic food items such as
rice, flour, sugar, oils, grains, baby milk, dates, and other essential family
needs, while the relief bags contain Kitchen utensils, household equipment,
carpets, and other living materials that contribute to meeting the needs of
families.
Mohammed Idris, Director of the Amdjarass
Municipality, praised the UAE's humanitarian efforts through its continuous
initiatives to support Sudanese refugees and the local community in Chad.
He pointed out that distributing Ramadan ration and
food baskets to poor villages will greatly contribute to alleviating the
suffering of needy families.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), he
added that the distribution of food baskets, relief bags, and essential
supplies reached numerous villages and towns surrounding Amdjarass,
significantly benefiting the residents.
Dr Salem Al Ameri, the Head of the UAE Field Hospital
in Chad, said that since its establishment on July 9, 2023, the hospital has
treated around 20,000 patients, including men, women, and children from
Sudanese refugees and the local community, averaging 80 patients per day. The
hospital has performed simple, moderate, and complex surgeries in specialities
like orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and general surgery.
He highlighted that the field hospital remains open
during Ramadan to offer medical assistance to Sudanese individuals affected by
their country's current situation, supporting Chad and easing the humanitarian
challenges caused by the influx of refugees.
Source:
gulftoday.ae
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2024/03/31/chad-official-hails-uae-humanitarian-efforts
----
Ethiopia: Addis Ababa celebrates Ramadan with its
grand annual Iftar
01.04.24
Ethiopian Muslims gathered in large numbers in the
country's capital, Addis Ababa, for the annual Grand Street Iftar, the meal
that Muslims have when they break their fast in Ramadan.
Preparations for the event unfolded throughout
Wednesday and members of the community broke bread together later on thursday,
celebrating the communal spirit of Ramadan.
Muslims around the world are observing the holy month
with worship, charity and dawn-to-dusk fasting.
Organizers of the mass iftar anticipated a large
turnout, mirroring the event's growing popularity over the past four years.
Hikma Sani, a 17-year-old participant and volunteer
coordinator, emphasized the importance of the spirit of community during
Ramadan and the responsibility to support each other during the month of
fasting.
The exact date of the Grand Street Iftar depends on
the sighting of the crescent moon, but it often falls on the 17th day of the
holy month.
This specific date holds special meaning for Ethiopian
Muslims, as it marks the 7th century victory of Prophet Muhammad and his
followers in the Battle of Badr, explained Abubeker Ahmed, a respected Islamic
scholar and Grand Street Iftar coordinator.
The date also coincides with Ethiopia's triumph over
the Italian army at Adwa in 1896, when Ethiopian Muslim warriors bravely fought
while observing the Ramadan fast, Ahmed said.
The mass iftar offers participants a communal
experience as they share a meal featuring traditional Ethiopian dishes such as
injera bread, stews and vegetables.
Attendees come together to share food, prayers and
conversation.
To some, the Grand Street Iftar it's a symbol of
interfaith harmony, reflecting Ethiopia's history of coexistence between
Muslims and Christians.
FuadMuhdin, a journalist and father of two, has
attended the annual iftar gathering four times. He said the peaceful atmosphere
year after year showcases the Muslim community's love for peace.
The event drew a large crowd, including prominent
figures, government officials, religious leaders and people from all walks of
life.
Source:
africanews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/04/01/ethiopia-addis-ababa-celebrates-ramadan-with-its-grand-annual-iftar/
---
Nigerians more religious than godly – Ishaq Oloyede
1st April 2024
AbiodunNejo
The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation
Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has described Nigerians as religious people, who
are not necessarily godly.
According to him, many Nigerians shun hard work but
turn to prayers, thinking being religious will guarantee them results.
Oloyede called on Nigerians to harness the vast
endowment of the country to turn its situation around.
He said Nigerians should, for instance, exploit the
country’s agricultural potential, noting that Nigeria was endowed with vast
arable land, water and weather suitable for different crops across different
regions.
The JAMB Registrar made the call in a lecture, titled,
“Duties of Muslim Citizens in National Development,” which he delivered on
Saturday in IkoleEkiti, Ekiti State during the First Aare Sulaiman
AfolabiOgunlayi Ramadan Lecture organised by a House of Representatives member,
Akin Rotimi.
Oloyede, who was represented by the Provost, Federal
College of Education, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Rafiu Adebayo, said, “Religion if used as it is, we can
solve our problems.
“We are too religious and we are not that godly. We
are in love with prayer but we don’t know the difference between prayer and
hard work.
“Too many prayers without work is part of our problems
in Nigeria. Let us make the best use of our endowments.”
Oloyede, while noting the South-West’s endowment with
and the North with groundnut pyramid, said it was lamentable that “Nigeria
abandoned our endowments and relied on oil as a source of income after the
discovery of oil.”
The don, however, said religion had had a positive
impact on the nation’s socio-economic development.
He said, “It is until we unite and bury ethnic
bitterness, that is when we will get it right. Religion would have solved our
problems properly but we did not utilise it very well,” he asserted.
The lecture organiser, Rotimi, said it was to
celebrate Ogunlayi, who is the National Vice President, Ansar-ur-Deen Society
of Nigeria, for his contributions to the growth and development of religion and
politics in the state and country.
The lawmaker called on political actors across the
country to honour and celebrate patriotic citizens while they are still alive.
In his reaction, the honouree, Ogunlayi, praised the
lawmaker for the gesture, saying, “In most cases, people are recognised only
when they are no more, but we thank God that this recognition is coming when
I’m still alive.”
Source:
punchng.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://punchng.com/nigerians-more-religious-than-godly-ishaq-oloyede/
----
Kebbi Tackles Imam On Claims Of Political
Victimasation
Mar 31, 2024
Haruna Usman
Commissioner, ministry for religious affairs, Alhaji
Muhammadu Sani Aliyu, has distanced the Kebbi State government from the claim
of the chief Imam, of Wala Jumuat Mosque, BirninKebbi, AlhajiRufai Ibrahim that
he was relieved of his job because he belongs to the PDP.
Briefing journalists in BirninKebbi, the commissioner
stated that the chief imam voluntarily resigned for reasons best known to him,
though confirmed that his anger may nor be unconnected with the welfare done to
all imams of jumuat mosque by Idris led government, which the now former chief
imam claimed was shortchanged.
Shading more light on the controversy surrounding his
resignation, Aliyu said his allegations of under payment was untrue after
investigations by the committee and DSS where he took the matter too.
He further stated that, Idris has never meddle into
any religious or any issue as there are relevant bodies concerned where
complaints can be channeled too ” we do not have hand in it and it has no
political inclination, he resigned and the local appointed his deputy to take
over pending the appointment of the new chief imam.
However, the chief imam of the mosque,MalamRufai
Ibrahim who could not be reached was heard in a video circulating on social
media that the person who brought the money threatened him over the phone when
he demanded why the money was brought incomplete hence his reason to report the
matter to the police and DSS.
Source:
independent.ng
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://independent.ng/kebbi-tackles-imam-on-claims-of-political-victimasation/
---
Mideast
Tens of thousands rally against Netanyahu government
in Jerusalem
April 1, 2024
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Jerusalem
on Sunday against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and against exemptions
granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from military service, in scenes
reminiscent of mass street protests last year, Reuters reported.
Protest groups, including some that led the mass
demonstrations that rocked Israel in 2023, organised the rally outside
parliament, the Knesset, calling for a new election to replace the government.
The protesters also want a more equal share in the burden
of army service that binds most Israelis. Around 600 soldiers have been killed
so far since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 and the ensuing war in Gaza, the
military’s highest casualty toll in years, read the report.
Israel’s N12 News said it appeared to be the largest
demonstration since the war began. Haaretz and Ynet news sites said it drew
tens of thousands of people.
Netanyahu’s cabinet has faced widespread criticism
over the security failure of the Hamas attack on southern Israel in which 1,200
people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage to Gaza.
“This government is a complete and utter failure,”
said 74-year-old Nurit Robinson, at the rally. “They will lead us into the
abyss.”
Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave has aggravated
a longstanding source of friction in society that is also unsettling
Netanyahu’s coalition government – exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish
seminary students from service in the country’s conscript military.
With a March 31 deadline looming for the government to
come up with legislation to resolve a decades-long standoff over the issue,
Netanyahu filed a last-minute application to the Supreme Court last week or a
30-day deferment.
In an apparent accommodation, the Supreme Court gave
government officials until April 30 to submit additional arguments. But, in an
interim ruling, it also ordered a suspension of state funding for seminary
students who would be liable for conscription from Monday, Reuters reported.
Protesters were waving blue and white Israeli flags and
chanting “elections now”.
At a news conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said he
was confident a solution will be found. He also said that holding an election
at the height of war, when he said Israel was so close to victory, would
paralyse the country for months.
In Tel Aviv, some families of hostages and their
supporters, blocked a main highway, protesting against what they described as
Netanyahu’s failure to return their loved ones.
Source:
ariananews.af
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.ariananews.af/tens-of-thousands-rally-against-netanyahu-government-in-jerusalem/
---
Israel cuts 85% of budget for LGBTQ+ tolerance program
in schools
APRIL 1, 2024
DARCIE GRUNBLATT
Israel’s Education Ministry announced Sunday it is
cutting 85% of the “Tolerance Program” budget, a program which aims to convey a
message of tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community in Israel, Channel 13
reported.
The program's budget will drop from 3 million NIS to
300,000 NIS in the 2024 budget. As a result, 4,200 workshops will be canceled,
and 145,000 students will not be exposed to the content taught in them, despite
the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ violence and hate speech in Israel.
MorNahari, CEO of the 'Hoshen - education and change'
organization (Hoshen), which conducts a significant portion of the workshops
that were canceled due to budget cuts, sent a letter to Education Minister
YoavKisch asking for a solution before the Passover holiday and the start of
the matriculation exams.
“The workshops of Hoshen for tolerance education are
the Ministry of Education's way to provide safe and secure spaces for LGBTQ+
youth and to combat LGBTQ+phobia, violence, and hatred from schools. They
assured us that there would be no harm to the LGBTQ+ community, and now AviMeoz
received a budget of 25 million shekels (!!) while tolerance education in
schools is at risk of complete elimination. We will continue to act until every
student is protected and safe exactly as they should be. We call on Education Minister
YoavKisch not to abandon LGBTQ+ youth and to restore the budget even before the
Passover holiday,” Hoshen stated in an Instagram post.
Hoshen was established in 2004 in order to advance
tolerance towards the subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity,
eradicate homophobia in Israeli society, and to train professionals to work
with the LGBTQ+ community, according to its website. It began as part of The
Aguda, Israel’s LGBTQ+ Task Force, but has become an independent organization.
Its programs mainly include workshops where students
meet volunteers from the LGBTQ+ community who tell them their personal stories,
how they discovered their sexual orientation, and how they came out to the
public.
Previous funding issues
In 2019, the Education Ministry delayed the transfer
of funds to LGBTQ+ organizations operating in schools, which primarily affected
Hoshen.
The Education Ministry began including the
organization’s activities in the budget in 2016 in a regulation entitled
“Education for Tolerance.”
Schools, mainly through educational networks, receive
funds to purchase activities from Hoshen as part of the budget. The regulation
specifies that "gender-sensitive education, and addressing 'rainbow
families' (children raised in LGBTQ+ families), is an additional aspect of
recommended approaches in educational institutions from compulsory education to
grade 12."
Israel saw a record number of 3,309 instances of
violence and hate speech directed at members of the LGBTQ+ community in 2022,
according to The Aguda’s 2023 report. A report for 2023 data has not yet been
released. This is an 11% rise from the number of instances in 2021.
Source:
jpost.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-794666
---
Hamas-run health ministry says Israeli army withdraws
from Al-Shifa
Apr 1, 2024
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Monday the
Israeli military had withdrawn tanks and vehicles from the complex housing the
besieged territory's main hospital, Al-Shifa, days after the launch of a major
operation on the site.
The ministry said dozens of bodies had been found at
the complex, where an AFP journalist and eyewitnesses saw tanks and vehicles
pulling out.
The Israeli military did not immediately confirm any
pullout.
Eyewitnesses said dozens of air strikes and shells had
hit the area around the complex.
The Hamas government media office said the Israeli air
strikes had provided the withdrawing vehicles with a cover of fire.
The army launched its operation March 18, and has
described it as a "precise" one targeting Hamas militants it accused
of operating from the complex.
It has previously said 200 militants had been killed
in fighting in and around Al-Shifa.
The army has also released footage it claimed showed
weapons and money seized from Al-Shifa that had been used by Hamas and another
militant group, Islamic Jihad.
Hamas has denied operating from Al-Shifa and other
health facilities.
"Dozens of bodies, some of them decomposed, have
been recovered from in and around the Al-Shifa medical complex," the
health ministry said in a statement.
The Israeli military "withdrew from the Al-Shifa
medical complex after burning down the complex buildings and putting it
completely out of service", it said.
"The scale of the destruction inside the complex
and the buildings around it is very large."
An AFP journalist on the scene said several buildings
inside the complex had been damaged, with some areas showing damage from fire.
A doctor told AFP more than 20 dead bodies had been
recovered, and that some bodies had been crushed by withdrawing vehicles.
With hundreds of thousands of Gazans displaced by the
war, hundreds had been seeking refuge at the Al-Shifa complex prior to the
operation.
Israeli troops had first raided Al-Shifa in November,
but said militants had since returned.
Deadly air strikes pounded other areas of the Gaza
Strip early Monday, while fighting raged in several flashpoints located across
the territory.
At least 60 people died in Gaza during the night, the
health ministry said on Monday.
The war erupted when Hamas carried out its
unprecedented attacks on Israel, which resulted in about 1,160 deaths in
Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official
figures.
Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least
32,782 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health
ministry.
Palestinian militants also seized around 250 Israeli
and foreign hostages. Israel believes about 130 remain in Gaza, including 34
who are presumed dead.
Source:
thedailystar.net
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/israels-attack-on-palestine/news/hamas-run-health-ministry-says-israeli-army-withdraws-al-shifa-3579541
---
Israeli military says Lebanon strike 'eliminated' a
Hezbollah commander
March 31, 2024
JERUSALEM: An air strike in Lebanon
"eliminated" a Hezbollah missile unit commander on Sunday, Israel's
military said, with Israel and the Iran-backed group exchanging near-daily
cross-border fire for months.
The Israeli Air Force "struck a vehicle in the
area of Kunin in Lebanon in which Ismail al-Zin was located," the military
said. "Al-Zin was a significant commander in the Anti-Tank Missile Unit of
Hezbollah's Radwan Forces."
Hezbollah, which has a powerful arsenal of rockets and
missiles, has exchanged regular fire with Israeli forces since its ally,
Palestinian militant group Hamas, carried out an unprecedented attack on
southern Israel on October 7, triggering war in Gaza.
Earlier Sunday, a Lebanese military source said an
Israeli drone strike killed a person in a car in Kunin, without saying if that
individual was a civilian or a fighter.
The village of Kunin is about 10 kilometres (six
miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border.
The strike came two days after the Israeli military
said they had killed the deputy head of Hezbollah's rocket unit in a strike on
southern Lebanon.
Friday's strike in the town of Bazuriyeh killed Ali
Abdel Hassan Naim "one of the leaders for heavy-warhead rocket fire and
responsible for conducting and planning attacks against Israeli
civilians", the army said at the time
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant later toured the
army's northern command and said the military would keep up its operations
against Hezbollah.
"We will make them pay a price for every attack
that comes out from Lebanon," he said.
Also on Friday seven Hezbollah fighters were killed by
an Israeli strike in Syria, according to a Britain-based war monitor.
Israel did not comment on that report, but at the
northern command Gallant added: "We have turned from the ones who are
repelling Hezbollah to the ones who are chasing them. We reach all the places
that Hezbollah is present."
Cross-border fire since the start of the Israel-Hamas
war in Gaza on October 7 has killed at least 348 people in Lebanon, mostly
Hezbollah fighters, and at least 68 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
The fighting has displaced tens of thousands in
southern Lebanon and in northern Israel, where the military says 10 soldiers
and eight civilians have been killed.
Hezbollah says it is targeting Israel in support of
Hamas.
Hamas's October attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths
in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official
figures.
Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel's retaliatory campaign
has killed at least 32,782 people, mostly women and children, according to the
health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
Source:
brecorder.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40296514/israeli-military-says-lebanon-strike-eliminated-a-hezbollah-commander
---
Israel proposes dismantlement of UNRWA in exchange for
allowing more aid into Gaza
April 01, 2024
LONDON: Israel has proposed to the UN the
dismantlement of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA,
and suggested transitioning its responsibilities and staff to a new entity in
exchange for allowing more food aid deliveries into Gaza, the Guardian reported
on Sunday.
The proposal was presented by Israel’s Chief of the
General Staff Lt. Gen. HerziHalevi in discussions with UN officials in Israel
earlier in March. These officials then relayed the proposal to UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday, sources familiar with the
discussions told the Guardian.
UNRWA, the main humanitarian organization operating in
the Palestinian territories since 1950, was not involved in the talks because
the Israel Defense Forces have refused to deal with it. This is on the basis of
unverified claims that some of the agency’s staff participated in the Oct. 7
attacks on Israel.
The IDF has yet to substantiate these claims, which
have prompted a suspension of $450 million in funding from 16 major donors. This
funding freeze comes at a critical time as Israel’s blockade is driving 2.3
million residents of Gaza to the brink of famine.
The proposal details the transition of 300 to 400
UNRWA staff to either an existing UN agency, like the World Food Programme, WFP,
or a newly established organization focused on food distribution in Gaza.
The plan includes the eventual transfer of more UNRWA
employees and assets, though it remains unclear who would manage the new entity
or ensure the security of its operations.
Tamara Alrifai, the agency’s director of external
relations, highlighted concerns that the proposed new entity’s limited scale
would undermine effective aid distribution in Gaza, emphasizing UNRWA’s
extensive infrastructure and human resource capabilities.
“This is no criticism of WFP, but logically if they
were to start food distribution in Gaza tomorrow, they’re going to use UNRWA
trucks and bring food into UNRWA warehouses, and then distribute food in or
around UNRWA shelters,” she told the Guardian.
“So they’re going to need at a minimum the same
infrastructure that we have, including the human resources.”
UNRWA is by far the largest aid organization in Gaza,
employing 13,000 people when the war broke out, 3,000 of whom are still
working. In addition to distributing food, the agency is a major employer in
Gaza, providing education and critical medical services as the enclave’s
healthcare system crumbles.
“It’s not just food. We have seven healthcare centers
now running in Gaza, we give 23,000 consultations every day, and we have
administered 53,000 vaccines since the war started. So that in itself is an
entire field that no other agency right now can offer,” Alrifai said.
“It’s great that we’re focusing on food because of the
famine, and we are raising the alarm about malnutrition, but UNRWA is so much
more than food distribution.”
Some UN officials see the Israeli plan as an attempt
to portray the UN as unwilling to cooperate if there is famine in Gaza, which
humanitarian organizations have warned is impending.
Others in the UN, several aid agencies, and human
rights organizations see the Israeli proposal as the result of a long-running
campaign to eliminate UNRWA.
“If we allow this, it is the slippery slope to us
being completely managed directly by the Israelis, and the UN directly being
complicit in undermining UNRWA, which is not only the biggest aid provider but
also the biggest bastion of anti-extremism in Gaza,” one UN official told the
Guardian. “We would be playing into so many political agendas if we allowed
this to happen.”
The US has privately endorsed Israel’s proposal to
integrate the functions of UNRWA into other UN agencies. However, this
initiative has faced opposition from various donors and UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres, who has consistently supported UNRWA.
During a visit last week to a refugee camp in Jordan,
Guterres emphasized the importance of UNRWA, adding that it would be “cruel and
incomprehensible” to stop its services to Palestinians.
UNRWA’s authority and continuation are sanctioned by
the UN General Assembly, which is the only body with the power to determine the
agency’s destiny.
Several UN aid officials assert that only UNRWA has
the resources and trust of ordinary Palestinians to deliver food aid to Gaza.
And that attempting to create a new aid organization for political reasons in
response to Israeli demands amid its relentless bombardment of Gaza would be
disastrous.
“It is outrageous that UN agencies like WFP and senior
UN officials are engaging in discussions about dismantling UNRWA,” former UNRWA
spokesperson Chris Gunness told the Guardian. “The General Assembly gives UNRWA
its mandate and only the General Assembly can change it, not the
secretary-general and certainly not a single member state.”
Source:
arabnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2486126/middle-east
---
Jordan will not allow violence, only peaceful protests
at Israel embassy: Public Security Directorate
April 01, 2024
AMMAN: Jordan’s government will allow peaceful
protests at Israel’s embassy in Amman but not violence and damage to public
property, its security directorate said on Sunday.
The warning was issued by Jordan’s Public Security
Directorate in the wake of clashes between the police and protesters on
Saturday, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Thousands of Jordanians gathered near the embassy for
the seventh consecutive night to call for an end to the country’s peace treaty
with Israel amid its brutal war on Gaza.
The Public Security Directorate stated that some
protesters had verbally and physically abused PSD officers, and damaged public
property on Saturday and during previous demonstrations.
Demonstrators blocked roads and tried to be in “direct
contact” with security officers, the PSD stated.
A video circulating on social media showed police
officers dragging a female protester away, which the PSD stated it would
investigate.
The PSD stated that its officers exercised “utmost
restraint,” particularly toward female demonstrators. However, “a number of
people were arrested” because they were violent.
Officers had acted with the “utmost discipline and
professionalism,” the PSD stated.
It added: “The Public Security Directorate will
continue its professional work in maintaining community security and peace and
enabling citizens to express their opinions in accordance with the laws.
“It will also continue its work in implementing and
enforcing the law against anyone who attempts to transgress, or incite by
action or word against security personnel.”
Source:
arabnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2486211/middle-east
---
Iraqi resistance fighters launch attack on ‘vital’
Israeli target
01 April 2024
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says its fighters have
launched an attack on a key Israeli target in the occupied territories in
support of Palestinians, who are subjected to a genocidal war in Gaza.
“The fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq
targeted a vital target in our occupied territories on Monday morning, using
appropriate weapons,” the Iraqi umbrella group of anti-terror factions
announced in a statement.
The group didn’t give more details on the targeted
area.
The statement noted that the attack came “in support
of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the
usurping entity against civilian Palestinians, including children, women and
the elderly.”
The attack was confirmed by the Israeli army, which
said soldiers identified a “suspicious aerial target that entered Israeli
territory from the east” which impacted “in the Eilat Bay [The Gulf of Aqaba]
area.”
According to the report, the attack damaged a
building. Sirens went off in the city but there was no interception by air defenses,
it said.
The statement did not specify what had been launched
against the city of Umm al-Rashrash, also known as Eilat, but media reports
said it was a drone attack.
Eilat has come under repeated missile and drone attack
from Yemen during Israel's almost six-month-old war on Gaza. In November,
Israel said a group in Syria had launched a drone that hit the port city.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq on Monday vowed to
proceed with its retaliatory operations until Israel stops its genocide in
Gaza.
The coalition has been staging many such attacks on
Israeli targets since the occupying regime launched a genocidal war on Gaza in
October.
The group said on Sunday that it struck a “vital”
Israeli military facility lying far north in the occupied territories.
It specified the whereabouts of the target as the
village of Eilabun, saying the facility was hit with “a barrage of drones.”
Israel unleashed its war on Gaza on October 7 after
the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm
against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities
against the Palestinian people.
The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a “complete
siege” on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the
more than two million Palestinians living there.
Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime
has killed 32,782 Palestinians and injured nearly 75,298 others.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has also struck major
American military bases in Syria and Iraq amid anger over the US support for
Israel’s onslaught on Gaza.
Source:
presstv.ir
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/04/01/722857/Iraqi-resistance-fighters-attack-Israel
---
Call to prayer sounds again in Grand Umayyad Mosque,
Old Aleppo City after 12 years
1 April? 2024
Aleppo, SANA- Maghrib Azan (call to prayer) has
sounded again in the Grand Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo City, announcing the return
of life to this religious and historical hub after 12-year hiatus, and that
came follwoing its cleansing of terrorism and its rehabilitation.
That came during a Ramadan Iftar banquet Sunday that
brought together 1,400 residents of the neighborhoods of Aleppo City and the
workers and craftsmen who have contributed to the rehabilitation and
construction of this archaeological landmark.
The banquet came as part of the “Share in Goodness”
campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in cooperation
with the Syria Trust for Development and the Union of Charitable Societies in
Aleppo, according to what the Director of Social Affairs and Labor in Aleppo,
Ahmed Hamza, said.
In a statement to a SANA correspondent, Hamza stressed
the importance and significance of this banquet and its specialty for the people
of old Aleppo, as it gathered them in this great religious edifice and gave
them the joy of hearing the sound of the call to prayer, which they were
deprived of for years, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.
The banquet included religious chanting, in which the
artist Tayseer Idris participated, and religious chants from Mawlawiyah.
Source:
sana.sy
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://sana.sy/en/?p=328217
----
Pakistan
Pakistani court suspends 14-year jail term of Imran
Khan, wife in Toshakhana corruption case
April 1, 2024
A Pakistani high court on Monday suspended the 14-year
sentence given to former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in
the Toshakhana corruption case.
The two were sentenced in the case by an Islamabad
accountability court on January 31, days before the general elections.
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended
their sentence in the Toshakhana case.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said appeal against the
punishment would be fixed for hearing after Eid holidays.
In the Toshakhana corruption case, the 71-year-old
former cricketer-turned-politician is accused of retaining expensive state
gifts they received during his tenure as Pakistan’s premier.
Under the rules governing Toshakhana – a Persian word
meaning “treasure house” – government officials can keep gifts by paying a
price for them but first the gift should be deposited. Khan and his wife either
failed to deposit the gift or got it for a low price by allegedly using their
authority.
Source:
indianexpress.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistani-court-jail-term-imran-khan-wife-toshakhana-corruption-case-9244831-9245008/
---
Police launch probe into Gujjar Khan church burning
April 01, 2024
Shakeel Anjum
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has ordered a
high-level investigation into the burning of a church in Gujjar Khan, Home
Office sources told this correspondent.
The area police have not yet lodged a first
information report (FIR) of the case.
Investigators said the church was built on the
National Highway Authority (NHA) property a long time ago. The NHA authorities
built a 12-Marla building on the Kaliam Road some 25 years ago and shifted the
church there.
They said the Gujjar Khan church remained vacant for
over 12 years. The Christian community elders initiated the Sunday services at
the Kaliam Road church around 10 years back without any controversy. A
preliminary investigation report has been submitted to the Home Office Punjab
without revealing the involvement of any specific group or person.
Regional Police Officer (RPO), Rawalpindi Region,
Babar SarfarazAlpa, when contacted to obtain his version about the occurrence,
said, “The police recovered nothing yet except that the fire erupted due to
short circuit. However, the police have not given up the probe.” The
investigators have collected forensic evidence and examined, but have got no clue
so far, the RPO concluded.
Dr Majeed Abel’s, Executive Secretary of Presbyterian
Church of Pakistan, said the authorities should unearth and reveal the what
happened to the church, demanding those responsible be dealt with in accordance
with the law.
Source:
thenews.com.pk
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1174506-police-launch-probe-into-gujjar-khan-church-burning
----
Ahead of Easter, security for 622 churches across
Lahore enhanced: CCPO
2024-04-01
LAHORE: Police has implemented top-notch security
arrangements for 622 churches across the city on the occasion of Easter.
Additionally, security has been provided for recreational spots.
This was told by Lahore Capital City Police Officer
Bilal Siddique Kamyana here on Sunday. He informed that field officers remained
present in the field for monitoring security at churches and recreational
areas.
The CCPO Lahore underlined that effective measures
were taken to ensure smooth traffic flow around churches and recreational
venues. Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit, and Elite Force teams continued
effective patrolling around the churches.
Bilal Siddique Kamyana highlighted that Lahore Police
carried out patrolling and surveillance duties with a sense of duty to protect
the lives and property of citizens on Easter.
Nadeem Kamran, Bishop of Lahore, Church of Pakistan,
appreciated the Lahore Police for performing their security duty with complete
responsibility at Christian places of worship and other events. He expressed
gratitude to the Lahore Police and CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana for providing
excellent security for the Christian places of worship, he concluded.
Meanwhile, CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana presides
over an important meeting on security arrangements for Martyrdom Day of Hazrat
Ali.
The Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana
presided over an important meeting regarding security arrangements for the
Martyrdom Day of Hazrat Ali at his office. During the meeting, a comprehensive
review of security measures, including peacekeeping efforts and security
arrangements was discussed. It was briefed that the central procession of
Hazrat Ali’s Martyrdom Day will commence from Mubarak Haveli to culminate at
Karbala Gamay Shah.
Speaking at the meeting, the CCPO Lahore expressed
determination to provide robust security for the events and processions of
Youm-i-Ali. Bilal Siddique Kamyana emphasised that Islam teaches religious
harmony, unity, and brotherhood. He urged religious scholars to promote
tolerance and understanding. He also stressed the need to effectively manage
the checking of participants in processions through the cooperation of
organizers.
The meeting highlighted that mourners will be allowed
to join the procession after a thorough three-tier security check through
walk-through gates and metal detectors. The CCPO Lahore directed strict
monitoring of suspicious individuals, stuffs, and vehicles by police officers
and personnel. Bilal Siddique Kamyana instructed supervisors to ensure the
effective implementation of security checks on SOPs (Standard Operating
Procedures) during the processions of Youm-i-Ali.
The CCPO Lahore emphasized continuous coordination
with religious scholars, organizers, and procession license holders.
Instructions were issued for the implementation of security, traffic, and
parking arrangements for Youm-i-Ali.
It was further briefed that CCTV cameras will
continuously monitor the mourning processions, and lady police officers will be
deployed for the security and checking of female mourners. CCPO Lahore Bilal
Siddique Kamyana instructed CTO Lahore to maintain smooth traffic flow during
Youm-i-Ali according to a comprehensive operational plan. Dolphin Squad, Police
Response Unit, and Elite Forces teams were tasked with ensuring effective
patrolling around mourning processions, majalis, and imambargahs.
He emphasised that maintaining law and order is the
foremost responsibility of the Lahore Police and the Lahore Police is fully
alert for the maintenance of law and order on the eve of Youm-i-Ali. DIG
(Security) Kamran Adil, DIG (Operations) Syed Ali Naseer Rizvi, DIG (Organized
Crime Unit) Imran Kishwar, Chief Traffic Police Officer Amara Athar, SSP
(Operations) Syed Ali Raza, SSP (Admin) Atif Nazir, SSP (Investigation) Anoosh
Masood Chaudhry, SP (Security) Abdul Wahab, and Divisional SPs (Operations)
also attended the meeting.
Source:
brecorder.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40296565/ahead-of-easter-security-for-622-churches-across-lahore-enhanced-ccpo
---
PM Shehbaz conveys to Biden Pakistan’s willingness to
work with US for int’l peace, regional prosperity
March 31, 2024
Abdullah Momand
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday responded to
US President Joe Biden’s letter and said Pakistan was willing to work with the
United States on the shared targets of international peace and regional
security.
Biden had written to felicitate PM Shehbaz on Friday,
assuring that Washington would continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle “the
most pressing global and regional challenges”. In his first communication with
the new administration, the US president had noted that the “enduring
partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of
our people — and people around the world”.
Interestingly, Biden had not had a similar
communication with former prime minister Imran Khan when the US president
assumed office.
In his response to the US president’s letter today,
released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said: “Pakistan is willing
to work with the US towards a common goal of global peace and security and
development and prosperity of the region.”
He said Pakistan attached “key importance” to its
relations with the US, adding that the two countries were jointly working
together on important initiatives regarding energy, climate change,
agriculture, health and education sectors.
PM Shehbaz said that cooperation in the energy sector
and Green Alliance Framework initiative between the two countries was welcome.
Experts had noted that Biden’s letter did not
congratulate PM Shehbaz for assuming power or winning the election.
At a recent Congressional hearing, senior US diplomat
Donald Lu had been asked whether Washington recognised the new government in
Pakistan.
The question, posed by Representative Tim Burchett,
was based on allegations of rigging and reports of irregularities in the recent
February 8 elections. US lawmakers and the State Department have repeatedly
called for a thorough probe into the claims, while Lu suggested that the
Election Commission of Pakistan may want to “re-do” some of the contests.
However, in his response at the time, Lu had clarified
that the “US does not go around recognising new governments”, rather it just
worked with the regime in power at the time.
Last month, a cohort of US Democratic lawmakers had
written to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging them to refrain
from recognising the new government in Pakistan until allegations of election
rigging were thoroughly investigated.
Source:
dawn.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1824870/pm-shehbaz-conveys-to-biden-pakistans-willingness-to-work-with-us-for-intl-peace-regional-prosperity
---
Pakistan ‘unlikely to break free from IMF support,
incomplete PM terms’, says IIF
April 1, 2024
KhaleeqKiani
ISLAMABAD: On its way to missing targets in the
current financial year, Pakistan’s biggest challenge now is fiscal
consolidation and reforms amid a weak coalition government and political
instability stemming from accusations of electoral fraud, the Washington-based
Institute of International Finance (IIF) has said.
On the other hand, exchange rate, monetary policy,
energy subsidies and state-owned enterprises (SOE) reforms are unlikely to be a
barrier to the new IMF programme on the back of good progress on all these
fronts over the past year, said the IIF, a global association of financial
institutions comprising the world’s largest commercial and investment banks,
insurance companies and investment management firms.
“The biggest challenge will come from fiscal
consolidation,” the IIF said, noting that this was an area of particular
importance, as large fiscal deficits have led to public debt increasing from
55pc of GDP in the fiscal year 2009-10 to 79pc in 2022-23.
“New estimates now show an overall fiscal deficit of
8.1pc of GDP and a primary deficit of 0.2pc of GDP,” the IIF said. This
coincided with a Ministry of Finance report stating that the seven-month fiscal
deficit increased to 2.6pc of GDP (Rs2.721 trillion) from 2.3pc of GDP
(Rs1.974tr) last year, although the contained primary expenditures helped in
improving the primary surplus to Rs1.939tr from Rs945 billion last year.
Global financial body calls fiscal consolidation,
reforms amid weak coalition, political instability ‘biggest challenges’
The IIF noted that historical precedence, along with a
politically weak government, meant that risks were tilted to the downside.
There is a high chance that the Rs9.4tr tax-revenue target will be missed,
while further expenditure and significant subsidy cuts will be difficult, the
IIF said. The IIF forecasted “a primary deficit of 0.3pc.
‘Turbulent politics to add to risks’
“Turbulent, unstable politics will add to the risks
facing Pakistan,” the IIF said. Fraught elections characterised by the
suspension of cellular service during the elections, a large delay in releasing
results, mass protests, a deadly bombing, and failure to allocate reserved
seats to PTI-backed independents have exasperated tensions within the country.
“It is clear that Imran Khan is the most popular
politician in Pakistan. This puts him at odds with the powerful military,” it
said.
The report anticipated the tensions between the two
sides to continue escalating, most likely leading to another round of heavy
military crackdown on PTI-backed politicians and supporters. Added to this is
the weak nature of the coalition government.
“The PPP seems reluctant to sign on to politically
costly reforms. Without their support, it is hard to see a way forward for the
PML-N, which could hinder or prolong negotiations with the IMF,” the IIF said.
It said the historical precedence did not bode well
for either the government or a new IMF programme. “To date, no prime minister
[in Pakistan] has ever finished their five-year term, while Pakistan is
currently in its 23rd IMF programme since 1958. A horrible track record that
shows no signs of being broken any time soon”, it observed.
“Close to $90bn in public debt is set to mature in
FY24, a large part of which is expected to be rolled over,” the IIF said.
This delicate financing picture makes a new IMF
programme all the more imperative, especially considering that countries that
have previously aided Pakistan with official lending — such as Saudi Arabia,
the UAE, and China— are now making financing contingent on an IMF programme.
Source:
dawn.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dawn.com/news/1824970
---
Despite price hike, free iftar feeds tens of thousands
in Karachi
2024-04-01
KARACHI: As the sun begins to fade in holy month of
Ramadan, volunteers start fixing traditional delicacies and drinks on scores of
tables at different points of Karachi’s main University Road.
Although prices of basic commodities are skyrocketing
yet the megacity is witnessing free Iftar stalls along major roads and streets.
However there is a visible decline in this tradition if compared to such
activities of last few years.
This year at five places at least people arranged the
free Iftar but the quality of food offered was somewhat lesser.
Generous donors, market associations, welfare
organisations and people belonging to various groups set up their Iftar stalls
at major streets and markets including I IChundirgar Road, M A Jinnah Road,
Shahre-e-Faisal, Shah Wali-Ullah Road, Abul Hassan Isphahani Road and
University Road,
People belonging to different walks of society set up
free roadside Iftar stalls to facilitate passers-by without any discrimination
of cast and creed.
Many volunteers hand packets of food and bottles of
water and juice also to commuters.
About two decades ago a few individuals started the
tradition of roadside free Iftar stalls in Karachi which has now become a
strong culture. However, the high cost of food items and continuously reducing
purchasing power have started impacting this tradition.
Some people making arrangement of Iftar say that
prices of fruits and other food items have increased tremendously and they fail
to get sufficient quantity of fruits and edible items at affordable price and
make Iftar arrangement at a larger scale.
Source:
brecorder.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40296553/despite-price-hike-free-iftar-feeds-tens-of-thousands-in-karachi
---
Over 300 lawyers support stance of six IHC judges
2024-04-01
ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented move, more than 300
members of the legal fraternity from across the country have joined hands,
putting their weight behind the six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC)
and calling upon the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the alleged meddling
into judiciary’s affairs by the state’s intelligence agencies under Article
184(3) of the Constitution, and rejecting the related inquiry panel formed by
the federal government.
In a public statement issued Sunday, the lawyers
called the Pakistan Bar Council, as well as, all bar associations to call a
convention of lawyers across Pakistan on an urgent basis to decide on a
collective course of action to strengthen the independence of judiciary.
Saqib Jillani, the son of former chief justice of
Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, the head of the federal government’s
newly-formed panel tasked to probe the alleged interference of intelligence
agencies in judicial affairs, is also one of over 300 signatories of the public
statement that includes several prominent lawyers.
Ex-CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to head commission
probing IHC judges’ allegations
“Any inquiry into the matter undertaken under the
purview of the federal government violates the very principles that the inquiry
seeks to protect and uphold. We note that any such inquiry commission and its
proceedings would be entirely wanting in credibility,” read the public
statement.
“We endorse the resolutions passed by the Islamabad
High Court Bar Association, the Islamabad Bar Association, the Sindh High Court
Bar Association, the Pakistan Bar Council, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council
and the Balochistan Bar Council to the extent that they resolve to uphold the
principle of independence of judiciary, express solidarity with the six judges
of the Islamabad High Court, commend their courageous action and demand
appropriate action to uphold such principles.”
They unequivocally condemned the events narrated in
the IHC letter considering that this narration has been endorsed by six judges
of a constitutional court, the same cannot be disregarded. The said narration
clearly discloses criminal intimidation, torture, and illegal surveillance of
the judges and their family members by operatives of intelligence agencies who
report to the executive, the statement noted.
They called upon the apex court to take cognizance of
the matter in its jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution “as
this issue eminently relates to public interest and to the enforcement of
fundamental rights.”
The lawyers also called upon the SC to constitute a
bench comprising of all available judges to hear the matter and for the
proceedings to be telecast live for public consumption.
The lawyers requested the Supreme Judicial Council, to
lay down, in accordance with Article 209(8) of the Constitution, the guidelines
and the SC, in coordination with all respective high courts, set up transparent
institutional mechanisms “so that any attempt at undermining the independence
of judiciary may be reported and dealt with effectively and transparently, so
that no one may cast any aspersions on the independence of the judiciary in the
future.”
Source:
brecorder.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40296582/over-300-lawyers-support-stance-of-six-ihc-judges
----
Southeast
Asia
Halal certification to protect Muslim producers,
consumers: Minister
April 1, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is pushing for the
certification of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) products with the
objective of protecting Muslim producers and customers, Cooperatives and Small
and Medium Enterprises Minister TetenMasduki emphasized.
"The goal of halal certification is to protect
Muslims, both as consumers and producers," he remarked in Jakarta on
Monday.
Masduki noted that his side would coordinate with
various parties, including the Trade Ministry and the Halal Product Guarantee
Organizing Agency (BPJPH) of the Religious Affairs Ministry, for discussion on
determining October 2024 as the deadline for the certification, which he deemed
difficult to achieve.
"Hence, I suggest that we take measures to
accelerate, such as by making a 'green path' for MSMEs whose raw materials are
essentially halal, meaning they will be allowed to make
self-declarations," he pointed out.
That way, he said, MSME actors, especially those
offering food products, can obtain halal certificates without the need to
undergo long procedures.
Masduki placed emphasis on food and beverage MSMEs
since they have been dominant among other types of MSMEs in Indonesia.
"I believe we need to remind ourselves that the
goal of the halal certification is to protect Muslims from forbidden products.
In fact, the majority of our MSME actors are Muslims," he remarked.
Head of the Halal Registration and Certification
Center of the BPJPH SitiAminah stated that all food and beverage products,
including those offered by MSMEs, must possess certificates of halal before
October 18, 2024.
To that end, she said, the BPJPH and other relevant
stakeholders will continue to facilitate MSMEs to acquire halal certificates
for free, under applicable terms and conditions.
Source:
antaranews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.antaranews.com/news/309714/halal-certification-to-protect-muslim-producers-consumers-minister
---
Ministry launches guidebook for reading Braille Al
Quran
April 1, 2024
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs
(Kemenag) launched a guidebook for reading the Braille Al-Quran intended for
people with visual disabilities to make it easier for them to understand or
learn it.
"This is a learning model for those with special
needs in the field of vision, so that they can easily learn the Quran from the
Quran written in Braille," Secretary General of the ministry M. Ali
Ramdhani stated in Jakarta, Monday.
The launch of this Braille Al Quran reading guide
coincides with the Ramadhan Show with the theme "Al Quran For All"
held at the office of the ministry in Jakarta on April 1-3, 2024.
Ramdhani highlighted that the ministry is keen to
ensure that the Quran is accessible to all parties, without exception. This
indicates that the ministry is an agency that provides inclusive services to
the people.
According to the secretary general, the ministry had
presented the Braille Al Quran and its guidebook not only for Indonesian
Muslims but also for the Muslim community worldwide.
"Because sign language and braille are reading
methods that apply internationally," he remarked.
Head of Research, Development, Education, and Training
of the ministry, AmienSuyitno, stated that the Braille Al Quran has been
printed and distributed for a long time but not many people know how to read
it.
Hence, it is hoped that the launch of the Braille Al
Quran guidebook would provide wider access and reduce the illiteracy rate of
the Al Quran in Indonesia.
"We already have two models, there is a hard copy
model, and then a soft copy model on Android. We can see both later in the
Pusaka (application)," he stated.
He remarked that the guidebook, which is called
Iqro'na, was prepared at the request of the public to the government to make a
Braille Al-Quran learning method book for people with visual disabilities.
"Just like people who have the Qiroati method,
Iqra, and many other methods," he pointed out.
In its preparation, he said, the ministry involved
experts and practitioners, such as the Indonesian Blind Association, Yaketunis
Yogyakarta, WyataGuna Bandung Penantun Foundation, and several other
institutions.
"Iqro'na is prepared as easy as possible to learn
and is completely arranged, starting from the introduction of hijaiyah letters
to ghorib reading," Suyitno stated.
Source:
antaranews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.antaranews.com/news/309723/ministry-launches-guidebook-for-reading-braille-al-quran
----
Indonesian Muslims sign up for tattoo removal ‘to
repent’ during Ramadan
APR 01, 2024
JAKARTA – Mr Bima Abdul Sholeh, 32, sat calmly as a
doctor armed with a laser pointer zapped tattoos from his face at an event in
Jakarta being held by a charity organisation during the holy month of Ramadan
to give practising Muslims an opportunity to “repent”.
Like him, more than a hundred Indonesians have signed
up for tattoo removal procedures being conducted free of charge by the Amil
Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organisation, during Ramadan, which
in 2024 falls in early March to April.
“Ramadan is the perfect momentum for this programme.
To erase the tattoos is a form of worship to Allah,” said Mr Raja Zamzami, the
coordinator of the event, which is in its fourth year.
“These people realise they want to repent... leave
their past lifestyles and mistakes.”
Tattoos are considered forbidden in Islam because they
count as physical mutilation of the skin.
While many of Indonesia's 220 million Muslims,
predominantly Sunnis, practice a more moderate form of Islam, tattoos are still
seen in a negative light due to the association with rough street lifestyles.
“At some point, I thought ‘what’s the use of this
(rough lifestyle)? There’s no end to it’. I decided to repent,” Mr Bima said,
as he prepared to pray in his apartment after one of his removal sessions.
Mr Bima is removing tattoos from his body and face
after leaving behind his former life, details on which he preferred to keep
private.
“I stopped doing bad things,” he said.
Ms NilaNovian, 24, who was having a small tattoo of an
initial in silver on her forearm removed, said that for her, erasing it was
“more about avoiding negative public stigma”. REUTERS
Source:
straitstimes.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/indonesian-muslims-sign-up-for-tattoo-removal-to-repent-during-ramadan
----
Retro Japan: Mosque in Kobe serves as spiritual
center, symbol of multicultural coexistence
March 31, 2024
KOBE -- A mosque in Kobe's Chuo Ward has been a
spiritual center for Muslims and a symbol of multicultural coexistence in this
cosmopolitan city for nearly 90 years.
With its onion-shaped dome and minarets, the Kobe
Muslim Mosque is a unique structure in the city's Kitano area, where many
Western-style buildings remain. Built in 1935, it is said to be the oldest
existing mosque in Japan. It was funded mainly by Indian traders and completed
by Czech architect Jan Josef Svagr and construction company Takenaka Corp.
It is a reinforced concrete structure with three
floors above ground and one below. The prayer hall is carpeted, and a
chandelier hangs from the ceiling. On the center wall is a mihrab indicating
the direction of Mecca, and to its right is a platform called a minbar, where
religious leaders preach. Five services are held daily, and on Fridays, the
Islamic holy day, believers from all over the Kansai region come to pray.
Nonbelievers are also welcome to tour the mosque's interior.
The building was spared major damage in the great air
raid on Kobe during World War II and the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, and
served as an evacuation center.
(Japanese original by Takao Kitamura, Osaka Photo
Department)
Source:
mainichi.jp
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240329/p2a/00m/0et/021000c
---
Arab
World
Saudi Arabia detain over 4,000 for misconduct at Grand
Mosque during Ramadan
March 31, 2024
Khitam Al Amir
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has confirmed it arrested over
4,000 individuals since the start of Ramadan for engaging in negative behaviour
within the Grand Mosque.
Additionally, authorities have identified and shut
down 35 fraudulent firms attempting to deceive foreigners with fake Umrah trip
offers.
These actions are part of a coordinated efforts by the
Ministry of Interior and the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Authority to
ensure security and provide a peaceful and comfortable experience for the
pilgrims.
Pray in hotel prayer rooms
In response to the increased crowding observed during
Ramadan, a period when millions of believers from around the globe gather in
Saudi Arabia for Umrah, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has made recommendations
to alleviate congestion.
The ministry has encouraged worshippers to pray in
hotel prayer rooms instead of the Grand Mosque to reduce crowding, especially
during the last ten days of the holy month.
To further manage the influx of pilgrims during
Ramadan, the Saudi government announced early in the month a regulation to
prevent individuals from performing Umrah more than once during Ramadan.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasized that this
measure aims to reduce congestion and noted that performing Umrah once during
the holy month would suffice, offering multiple benefits for the wider
community.
Source:
gulfnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-detain-over-4000-for-misconduct-at-grand-mosque-during-ramadan-1.101953655
---
Saudi Red Crescent handles over 29k cases in Makkah
March 31, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Red Crescent Authority medical teams
deployed in the Makkah region have addressed 29,427 emergency cases in the holy
capital in the first 19 days of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Most cases involved health issues and traffic
accidents, according to the authority, and were reported primarily in Makkah
with 21,444 cases, followed by Jeddah and Taif with 5,426 and 2,557 cases,
respectively.
The authority operates 38 emergency centers in the
holy capital staffed by doctors, specialists, and technicians who work around
the clock.
The authority also possesses an ambulance fleet
equipped with the latest technology, comprising several buses and vehicles
fully equipped to handle various emergency cases. Additionally, they use
ambulances, four-wheel-drive vehicles, golf carts, motorcycles, bicycles, and
scooters.
Individuals can request ambulance services by calling
997 or using the Asefne app to report emergencies, send distress calls, and
track the status of reports.
The app also allows ambulance teams to pinpoint the
caller’s position and access information about nearby medical facilities,
emergency contact numbers, and other relief agencies, ensuring timely assistance.
Source:
arabnews.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2485821/saudi-arabia
---
Islamic minister’s directive to hold Eid Al-Fitr
prayers 15 minutes after sunrise
March 31, 2024
JEDDAH — Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and
Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh has issued directives to all branches of
the ministry in various regions of the Kingdom to hold Eid Al-Fitr prayers, 15
minutes after sunrise according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar.
In a circular sent to the ministry branches, the
minister instructed that Eid Al-Fitr prayers shall be offered at open prayer
grounds as well as in all mosques except in those mosques that are adjacent to
prayer grounds, in addition to mosques in some towns and village centers that
are not used to hold Eid prayers.
Al-Sheikh highlighted the importance of making early
preparations for holding Eid Al-Fitr prayers in the designated prayer grounds
and mosques with ensuring all the required services, including maintenance,
cleaning and operation, are in place so that worshipers can perform their
rituals in full ease and comfort.
The minister issued the directive within the framework
of the support that the ministry receives from the wise leadership for the care
of the houses of God to provide all the services they need so that worshipers
can perform their rituals in an atmosphere of spirituality and piety.
Source:
saudigazette.com.sa
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/641678/SAUDI-ARABIA/Islamic-ministers-directive-to-hold-Eid-Al-Fitr-prayers-15-minutes-after-sunrise
---
Saudi Red Crescent Deals with Over 10,000 Emergencies
in Madinah So Far in Ramadan
01 Apr, 2024
Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) in Madinah has
dealt with 10,297 emergency calls so far in Ramadan, of which, 4,730 entailed
transporting patients to nearby medical facilities for necessary treatment.
According to SRCA Madinah branch Director General Dr.
Ahmed Al-Zahrani, the calls received during that period were related to medical
issues, traffic accidents, and various other concerns. The dedicated SRCA staff
and their well-equipped ambulances worked efficiently to respond promptly to
the calls.
According to Al-Zahrani, 6,312 volunteers dedicated a
total of 40,810 hours to providing emergency services alongside the SRCA's team
at the Prophet's and Quba mosques.
He emphasized that individuals may request ambulance
services by dialing 997 or using the "Asefne" app, which also enables
users to report emergencies, make distress calls, and track the progress of
their reports. Furthermore, it enables ambulance crews to pinpoint the caller's
location and access information about nearby medical facilities, other relief
agencies, and emergency contact numbers.
Source:
alriyadhdaily.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://alriyadhdaily.com/article/1988448f5a3340c2bc36a8775c57df92
---
Real-Time Occupancy E-Service in Prophet's Mosque
Allows Visitors to Identify Vacancies throughout the Mosque
01 Apr, 2024
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of
the Prophet's Mosque called on visitors to the mosque to take advantage of the
"occupancy status of prayer halls" service during the last ten days
of the holy month of Ramadan. This service enables visitors to know available
and vacant sites for prayer.
The service "occupancy status of prayer
halls" is one of the most important services available in Arabic, English
and Urdu. It allows visitors to the Prophet's Mosque to know the capacity
status throughout the mosque before praying in it. Visitors can instantly see
the capacity of the places designated for prayer in 12 locations inside the
Prophet's Mosque and in the eastern, western, and northern expansions. Women
can know the capacity of prayer places on the eastern and western sides inside
the mosque and in the eastern, western and northern courtyards, the new western
courtyards, and the roof. The service shows the beneficiary the status of
prayer halls in four colours: "available", "semi-busy",
"busy", or "unavailable".
It contributes to the smooth entry and exit of
worshipers throughout the Prophet's Mosque and courtyards, as well as
activating field operational plans to organize crowds during peak times.
The service is available via the following link:
Source:
alriyadhdaily.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://alriyadhdaily.com/article/305e18f1305e4ac4a9dcd304b2ba7cab
---
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Duwayd Mosque, A Witness to
Historical Structures in Najdi Architecture
1 April 2024
The historic Al-Duwayd Mosque in the archaeological
village of Al-Duwayd in Saudi Arabia is considered one of the oldest mosques in
the region, spanning an area of 137.5 square meters, the Saudi Press Agency
said on Monday.
The mosque is located 20 kilometers east of
Al-Uwaiqila Governorate, in the northern border region of Saudi Arabia.
The architecture of Al-Duwayd Mosque, constructed
seven decades ago, is distinguished by the Najdi architecture, which features
clay construction techniques and uses natural materials to withstand the local
environment and the hot desert climate.
The southern side of the mosque’s walls has small
windows arranged in a strip line to allow sunlight and reduce cold during the
winter, with a low-height ceiling to maintain warmth in the winter.
The historical importance of the mosque is referred to
its location in the village of Al-Duwayd, one of the oldest villages and
important historical sites in the northern border region. It encompasses about
200 wells that were a water resource for the people living in the desert, and
was a meeting point for the merchants of Najd, Iraq and the Levant about seven
decades ago.
The village includes the oldest civil airport
established in the northern border region and one of the oldest airports in the
Kingdom, with its ruins still remaining today.
Source:
english.aawsat.com
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://english.aawsat.com/culture/4942971-saudi-arabia%E2%80%99s-al-duwayd-mosque-witness-historical-structures-najdi-architecture
---
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/gyanvapi-mosque-sc-deities-vyas-tehkhana/d/132056