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Islamic World News ( 1 March 2024, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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SC To Hear Gyanvapi Mosque Panel's Plea Against Allahabad HC Order On Temple Restoration

New Age Islam News Bureau

01 March 2024

A general view of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi (File Photo: PTI)

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· SC To Hear Gyanvapi Mosque Panel's Plea Against Allahabad HC Order On Temple Restoration

· Malaysian Deputy PM : Don't Use Religion As Tool To Achieve Political Goals Even If The Issues Involved Quran, Hadith, Qiyas And Ijtihad

· Al-Aqsa Support Committee Identifies Areas For “You Are Not Alone.. Standing With Gaza” Marches

· UN Experts: Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces Carried Out Ethnic Killings And Rapes That May Be War Crimes

· Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq: Concerned At Future Of Democracy

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India

· Kashmiri Journalist Asif Sultan Booked Under Stringent Anti-Terror Law Released After Five Years In Prison

· Haldwani Violence: Abdul Moid, The Son Of Abdul Malik, The Alleged ‘Mastermind’ Arrested From Delhi

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Southeast Asia

· Abdul Hadi’s Statement Involving Malay Rulers Unethical, Driven By Political Interests: Academics

· Maluku Protestant Church Calls For Prayers For Palestinian Children

· Indonesia Denies Rumours On Its Diplomatic Relations With Israel

· China Envoy In Geneva Reiterates Call For Ceasefire In Gaza

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Mideast

· Israel Marks Over 600 Acres Of Seized Palestinian Land For Settlement Expansion

· Iran, Organization Of Islamic Cooperation Condemn Israel's Attack On Civilians In Gaza

· Israel Is Still Reviewing Access To Al Aqsa Over Ramadan

· UN Official Says Israel's Madness In Preventing UNRWA From Distributing Aid Must Stop

· Israel frees dozens of Palestinians in administrative detention, citing lack of space

· Egypt, UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid To Palestinians In War-Battered Gaza

· Türkiye Followed With Envy As Centre Of Peace, Trust, Stability In Its Region: Defence Chief

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Africa

· “974 Boko Haram Terrorists Killed, 1157 Others Surrendered In February’ – Defence HQ

· Tension In Zamfara As Armed Bandits Attack Mosque, Abduct Worshipers

· ‘Merging Army Varsity With NDA Will Aid Battle Against Boko Haram’

· ‘How Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Can Return To ECOWAS’

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Pakistan

· Nikah-in-Iddat Case: Court Accepts Imran, Bushra’s Pleas Against Conviction

· Pakistan’s Parliament Sworn In As Imran Khan’s Supporters Continue Protests

· Pakistan Will Continue To Provide Moral, Diplomatic Support To Palestinian Brothers: Minister Of Religious Affairs

· IHC To Proceed With Imran’s Pleas, Even If Prosecutor Not Appointed

· £190m NCA Case Chargesheet Says Imran, Bushra Benefitted From Deal

· NA speaker, deputy speaker, PM and President: JUI-F announces boycott of elections

· Pakistan and Denmark special envoys discuss Afghan migrants

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Europe

· ‘Nothing Will Change for Muslims Unless there is a Reckoning with Britain’s Normalised Islamophobia’

· An Imam And Rabbi Confound Stereotypes, Tell Austrian Students ‘Separate Religion From Politics’

· ‘This Is For Gaza’: George Galloway Wins UK Seat After Campaigning Against Israel

· Belgium Repeats Call For Immediate Cease-Fire In Gaza Where Death Toll Tops 30,000

· UK Muslim Charities Facing Debanking Call For Right To Appeal, Fair Policies

· Russia's Lavrov Urges Palestinians To Reunite In Face Of Tragedy In Gaza

· Palestinian Authority Receives $114 Million From Israel, Norway Says

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South Asia

· Afghan Minister: US Violated Doha Deal 1700 Times After Signing

· Respect For Human Rights Key To Expanding Engagement With Taliban: UN Special Rapporteur

· Prince Harry Raises Security Concerns After Al-Qaeda Threats for Killing 25 in Afghanistan

· UN Team In Bangladesh Following Yunus's Case 'Very Closely': UN Chief's Spokesperson

· Bangladesh Govt To Ensure Violence-Free Society For Children: Law Minister

· Lecturing About Democracy Doesn't Suit Fakhrul, Says Awami League GS

· IEA Acting Foreign Minister Engages in Constructive Dialogue with Turkmenistan’s National Leader

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North America

· US Reportedly Prevents UN Security Council Reaction To Gaza Aid Attack

· Pentagon Says 'Civilians Must Be Protected' After Israeli Attack On Palestinians Seeking Aid

· Pentagon: Austin Cites Hamas Casualty Numbers, But Doesn't Stand By Them

· Poll: Majority Of Dems Favour A US President Against Military Aid To Israel

· Aaron Bushnell's Death 'Not In Vain' As He Spotlighted Genocide In Palestine, Friend Says

· Colombia Suspends Israel Arms Purchases After Gaza Aid Convoy Deaths

· Biden Campaign Official Says 'Uncommitted' Michigan Voters Should Remember That Trump 'Wants To Have A Muslim Ban'

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Arab World

· Ansarullah Condemns Occupation’s Crime Against Gazans At Nabulsi Roundabout

· Saudi Arabia Leads Arab Condemnation Of Targeting Of Civilians In Northern Gaza

· President Al-Mashat: Yemeni People Have Become Role Model For Arab & Islamic Peoples , World Free People In Their Support For Gaza

· Saudi Arabia’s Charity Raises Over $1.3bn In Donations Since Launch

· Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Targeting Unarmed Civilians In Northern Gaza

· Surprises Of Yemeni Deterrence Of US, UK Continues Upon Wisdom Of Political Leadership, Mandate Of Yemeni People: Report

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/gyanvapi-mosque-temple-allahabad/d/131830

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SC To Hear Gyanvapi Mosque Panel's Plea Against Allahabad HC Order On Temple Restoration

A general view of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi (File Photo: PTI)

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March 1, 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear an appeal of the Gyanvapi management committee against an Allahabad High Court order which held that lawsuits for "restoration" of a temple where the mosque stands in Varanasi are maintainable.

"We will tag this with the main case," a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said.

The plea in the top court was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, the committee which manages the affairs of the Gyanvapi mosque.

On December 19 last year, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed pleas challenging the maintainability of a 1991 suit seeking the "restoration" of a temple at the site where the Gyanvapi mosque stands.

The HC had said that the "religious character" of a disputed place can only be decided by the court.

It had dismissed five related petitions -- on maintainability and also against a survey of the mosque premises -- filed over the years by the mosque committee and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.

The HC had held that the suit filed before the district court is not barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which forbids "conversion" of the "religious character" of a place from what existed on August 15, 1947.

The suit was filed by petitioners seeking the right to worship in the Gyanvapi mosque adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Muslim litigants had challenged its maintainability, citing the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act.

Source: outlookindia.com

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https://www.outlookindia.com/national/sc-to-hear-gyanvapi-mosque-panels-plea-against-allahabad-hc-order-on-temple-restoration

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Malaysian Deputy PM : Don't Use Religion As Tool To Achieve Political Goals Even If The Issues Involved Quran, Hadith, Qiyas And Ijtihad

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today reminded all quarters, especially political leaders, not to use religion as a tool to achieve political goals. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

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01-03- 2024

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today reminded all quarters, especially political leaders, not to use religion as a tool to achieve political goals.

Speaking to the media after launching the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) Mobile Surau 2.0 here today, Ahmad Zahid said that matters related to Islam, Islamic law and fatwa should be off limits when expressing views and opinions on any subject.

“If the issues involved Islamic laws that can be referred to the Quran, hadith, analogical reasoning (qiyas), and consensus of scholars (ijtihad), I don't need to advise any party leader with a religious background to follow that path. However, they should not use religion as a tool to achieve political goals.”

He said this in response to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who expressed deep regret and described as highly inappropriate the recent statement made by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Ahmad Zahid said he appreciated the Sultan’s decree, which can be deemed as a warning not just to the public, but also to political leaders including from UMNO, to not do the same.

Yesterday, Sultan in a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook, expressed deep regret over Abdul Hadi’s statement titled 'Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan' on Feb 20, which was addressed to religious scholars, judges, lawyers, members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, as well as the Malay Rulers.

Sultan Sharafuddin described the statement as highly inappropriate as it lacks decorum from the perspective of Malay culture, which always respects and upholds etiquette when expressing views and advice to the Malay Rulers.

Meanwhile, on the JAWI Mobile Surau 2.0, Ahmad Zahid said the government strongly encourages any company to contribute through endowments (wakaf) for the benefit of the community.

“I hope that more private companies, not just transportation companies, but other companies, can continue efforts to endow buses to be used as mobile surau like this,” he said.

Meanwhile, JAWI, in a statement said that the JAWI Mobile Surau 2.0 is the result of collaboration with the company Konsortium E-Mutiara Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd to modify a double-decker bus, which serves not only as a prayer space but also functions as a mobile religious and outreach activity centre.

The double-decker bus, valued at RM350,000, was donated by Konsortium E-Mutiara, while the modification costs were sponsored by CIMB Islamic Bank and individuals through zakat wakalah amounting to RM200,000.

The JAWI Mobile Surau 2.0 can accommodate up to 35 congregants at a time and features prayer amenities such as carpets, prayer mats, prayer garments (telekung) and a public announcement system.

The passenger section of the bus has been modified into a comfortable prayer and activity space, while the storage area has been turned into water storage for ablution purposes.

Also present at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Chairman of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer, and JAWI director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail. -Bernama

Source: thesun.my

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://thesun.my/local_news/zahid-don-t-use-religion-as-tool-to-achieve-political-goals-DE12161772

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Al-Aqsa Support Committee Identifies Areas For “You Are Not Alone.. Standing With Gaza” Marches

Source : SABA NET ( Yemen )

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[29/February/2024]

SANA'A February 29. 2024 (Saba) - Al-Aqsa Support Committee called for a large mass demonstration tomorrow afternoon, Friday, in Al-Sabeen Square in the capital, Sana’a, in the “You are not alone... Standing with Gaza” march.

Al-Aqsa Support Committee also called for a large mass demonstration in the provinces’ squares in “You are not alone... Standing with Gaza” marches tomorrow, Friday.

In Dhamar province, Al-Aqsa Support Committee designated the squares of the city health office, Doran and Wasab Al-Aali for exit on Friday afternoon, and Atma in the morning, Jabal Al-Sharq and Wasab Al-Safel after prayer.

In Taiz, the committee designated the Great Prophet Square in Al-Jand and Al-Kamb Square in Maqbana as places for the two million people to exit tomorrow afternoon, Friday.

In Al-Dhale' province, the committee identified Amer Street in the city of Damt, Qarin Al-Fahd Market in Qataba, and the city of Juban as places for the two million exits after Friday prayers.

In Lahj, Al-Aqsa Support Committee specified Karsh line, next to customs, as the exit point after Friday prayers.

The committee identified in Al-Jawf Al-Hazm, Al-Moton, Al-Marashi, Al-Anan, Rajuza, Al-Matma, Khub Al-Sha'af, Al-Zahir, Al-Humaidat, Al-Ghail, Al-Masloob, Al-Khalq, and Ruhob as places to go out after Friday prayers.

In Hajjah, the committee identified Houra Square in the city, the squares of Abs, Al-Mahabsha, Mastaba, and the district centers as places to go out tomorrow afternoon, Friday, and Washah in the morning.

In Sa'ada, the committee identified the city and the square of the martyr leader in Al-Marazim, Shaara, Bani Sayyah, Al-Hajla, Barazih, Al-Salem, Al-Jarsha in Ghamr, Qatabir, Bani Bahr, Dhuwaib, Rabu’ Al-Hudud, and Ghafira as places for the two million exit tomorrow morning, Friday, the square of Shada district after Friday prayers, and the center of Munabeh district in the afternoon.

In Ibb province, the committee designated the Grand Messenger Square in the city and the city of Al-Udayn for the two-million exit tomorrow afternoon, Friday, and the city of Yarim in the morning.

In Hodeida, the committee designated Al-Zaidiyah Square, Al-Zahra Junction, Al-Kaden, Al-Salif for the northern districts, Bajil City for the eastern districts, Al-Mina Street for the City Square districts, Beit Al-Faqih and Zabid for the southern districts for the two-million exit tomorrow afternoon, Friday.

In Amran, the committee identified Shaheed Al-Samad Street in the city, Khamer, Al-Sakibat, Suwayr, Kharif, Dhalima squares, Al-Sawda, Maswar, Houth, Al-Madan, Shahara and Bakil Al-Sawad as places for the two million people to go out tomorrow afternoon, Friday, and Al-Amshiyya and the district center in Sufyan and Al-Soud to go out on Friday morning, and Thala’a, Waridah and Hababa squares after Friday prayers.

In Al Mahwit, Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified the city squares and district centers as places for the two million exits after Friday prayers and the center of Al-Tawila District in the morning.

In Al-Bayda, the market square in Al-Bayda, Rada'a, Al-Sawadiya, and the district centers were designated as places for the two million exits after Friday prayers.

In Marib, the committee identified Al-Juba Square for exit tomorrow afternoon, Friday, and Sarwah, Harib Al-Qaramish, Majzar, Badbdah, and Qaniya squares as places for the two million exits in the morning.

In Raymah, Al-Aqsa Support Committee identified the squares of Bilad Al-Ta’im, Al-Jebeen, Kasma, Mazhar, Al-Salafiyah, Al-Jaafariyya and various squares as places for the two million exits tomorrow morning, Friday.

Source: saba.ye

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3309182.htm

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UN Experts: Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces Carried Out Ethnic Killings And Rapes That May Be War Crimes

Residents displaced from a surge of violent attacks squat on blankets and in hastily made tents in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan, on July 30, 2020. Paramilitary forces and their allied militias fighting to take power in Sudan carried out widespread ethnic killings and rapes while taking control of much of western Darfur that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a new report to the U.N. Security Council, obtained Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, by The Associated Press. (Mustafa Younes via AP, File)

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March 01, 2024

UNITED NATIONS : Paramilitary forces and their allied militias fighting to take power in Sudan carried out widespread ethnic killings and rapes while taking control of much of western Darfur that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, United Nations experts said in a new report.

The report to the UN Security Council, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, paints a horrifying picture of the brutality of Rapid Support Forces against Africans in Darfur. It also details how the RSF succeeded in gaining control of four out of Darfur’s five states, including through complex financial networks that involve dozens of companies.

Sudan plunged into chaos in April, when long-simmering tensions between its military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, broke out into street battles in the capital, Khartoum.

Fighting spread to other parts of the country, but in Sudan’s Darfur region it took on a different form: brutal attacks by the RSF on African civilians, especially the ethnic Masalit.

Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias against populations that identify as Central or East African. It seems that legacy has returned, with the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor Karim Khan saying in late January there are grounds to believe both sides are committing possible war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Darfur.

The panel of experts said Darfur is experiencing “its worst violence since 2005.”

The ongoing conflict has caused a large-scale humanitarian crisis and displaced approximately 6.8 million people — 5.4 million within Sudan and 1.4 million who have fled to other countries, including approximately 555,000 to neighboring Chad, the experts said.

The RSF and rival Sudanese government forces have both used heavy artillery and shelling in highly populated areas, causing widespread destruction of critical water, sanitation, education and health care facilities.

In their 47-page report, the experts said the RSF and its militias targeted sites in Darfur where displaced people had found shelter, civilian neighborhoods and medical facilities.

According to intelligence sources, the panel said, in just one city — Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state near the Chad border — between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed.

The experts said sexual violence by the RSF and its allied militia was widespread.

The panel said that, according to reliable sources from Geneina, women and girls as young as 14 years old were raped by RSF elements in a UN World Food Program storage facility that the paramilitary force controlled, in their homes, or when returning home to collect belongings after being displaced by the violence. Additionally, 16 girls were reportedly kidnapped by RSF soldiers and raped in an RSF house.

“Racial slurs toward the Masalit and non-Arab community formed part of the attacks,” the panel said. “Neighborhoods and homes were continuously attacked, looted, burned and destroyed,” especially those where Masalit and other African communities lived, and their people were harassed, assaulted, sexually abused, and at times executed.

The experts said prominent Masalit community members were singled out by the RSF, which had a list, and the group’s leaders were harassed and some executed. At least two lawyers, three prominent doctors and seven staff members, and human rights activists monitoring and reporting on the events were also killed, they said.

The RSF and its allied militias looted and destroyed all hospitals and medical storage facilities, which resulted in the collapse of health services and the deaths of 37 women with childbirth complications and 200 patients needing kidney dialysis, the panel said.

After the killing of the wali, or governor, of West Darfur in June, the report said, Masalit and African communities decided to seek protection at Ardamata, just outside Geneina. A convoy of thousands moved out at midnight but as they reached a bridge, RSF and allied militias indiscriminately opened fire, and survivors reported that an estimated 1,000 people were killed, they said.

The panel stressed that disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians — including torture, rapes and killings as well as destruction of critical civilian infrastructure — constitute war crimes under the 1949 Geneva conventions.

The RSF was formed out of Janjaweed fighters by Sudan’s former President Omar Al-Bashir, who ruled the country for three decades, was overthrown during a popular uprising in 2019, and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for charges of genocide and other crimes during the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s.

According to the panel, the “RSF’s takeover of Darfur relied on three lines of support: the Arab allied communities, dynamic and complex financial networks, and new military supply lines running through Chad, Libya and South Sudan.”

While both the Sudanese military and RSF engaged in widespread recruitment drives across Darfur from late 2022, the RSF was more successful, the experts said. And it “invested large proceeds from its pre-war gold business in several industries, creating a network of as many as 50 companies.”

The RSF’s complex financial networks “enabled it to acquire weapons, pay salaries, fund media campaigns, lobby, and buy the support of other political and armed groups,” the experts said.

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who visited Chad in September, called the report’s findings “horrific” and expressed “deep disappointment” that the UN Security Council and the international community have paid such little attention to the allegations.

“The people of Sudan feel that they have been forgotten,” she said.

In light of the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and the broader region, Thomas-Greenfield demanded that the Sudanese military lift its prohibition on cross-border assistance from Chad and facilitate cross-line assistance from the east. She also demanded in a statement Wednesday that the RSF halt the looting of humanitarian warehouses and that both parties stop harassing humanitarian aid workers.

“The council must act urgently to alleviate human suffering, hold perpetrators to account, and bring the conflict in Sudan to an end,” the US ambassador said. “Time is running out.”

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2469306/middle-east

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Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq: Concerned At Future Of Democracy

Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq

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2024-03-01

LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq has expressed concerns about the future of democracy, urging a national dialogue among political stakeholders to establish a transparent election mechanism in Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Thursday, he said the JI’s Working Committee, which met on Wednesday, has unanimously deemed the Election 2024 as rigged and controversial, vowing to expose it democratically.

Haq had presided over the session of the JI’s Majlise Aamal which discussed election and post-election’s situation and future strategy.

The JI, he said, has already started efforts for holding of national dialogue to save the democracy and in this regard, it hosted a session of the observers and members of civil society.

Haq emphasized the importance of announcing results based on Form 45, asserting that any government formed on a fake mandate would fail to address the country’s crises. The nation demanded the poll results should be announced on the basis of Form 45, he said. He criticized institutions for falling short of the nation’s expectations regarding election impartiality.

Haq called for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, saying the latter has failed to protect the democratic rights of the people of Pakistan. The JI demanded a transparent audit of the 2024 elections through an independent judicial commission inclusive of political party representations, he said.

Haq asserted that the JI’s mandate was stolen in Karachi and results tampered with in other parts of the country, declaring the party’s commitment to never remain silent on the theft of public mandate.

Haq urged the government to provide emergency relief to the rain-affected people of Gwadar.

Appealing to Muslim world leaders, Haq called for tangible steps to aid the people of Gaza, condemning the prolonged Israeli bombings that resulted in a significant death toll. He stressed that only a strong stance from the Muslim world could bring an end to the atrocities committed by Zionist forces.

Source: brecorder.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40291398/ji-chief-says-concerned-at-future-of-democracy

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India

Kashmiri Journalist Asif Sultan Booked Under Stringent Anti-Terror Law Released After Five Years In Prison

29th February 2024

Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan, one of first media professionals booked under a stringent anti-terror law, was released from jail on Tuesday after being incarcerated for over five years.

He was released on Tuesday following a delay of over two months after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed his detention due to procedural lapses.

In a significant development, a Kashmiri journalist who had been detained under a stringent anti-terror law for five years has been released from prison. The release marks the end of a prolonged legal battle and has sparked discussions about the implications of the anti-terror law on freedom of the press and expression in the region.

The journalist, whose name has not been disclosed in the initial reports, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a controversial anti-terror law in India. The UAPA gives authorities broad powers to detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, often raising concerns about potential misuse and violations of civil liberties.

The journalist’s release comes after years of legal proceedings and appeals challenging the grounds of detention and the application of the UAPA in this particular case. The exact details of the charges against the journalist remain unclear, as the nature of the accusations and the evidence presented during the trial have not been fully disclosed.

Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have raised concerns about the use of anti-terror laws to stifle dissent and curb freedom of expression. Critics argue that such laws, while intended to address legitimate security concerns, can be misused to target journalists, activists, and political dissenters. The release of the Kashmiri journalist is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the balance between national security and the protection of civil liberties.

The case also brings attention to the situation in Kashmir, a region with a long-standing history of political unrest and conflict. The media environment in Kashmir has often been challenging, with journalists facing various pressures, including threats, harassment, and arrests. The release of the journalist may prompt a reevaluation of the use of anti-terror laws in the region and their impact on press freedom. ( With Agency Inputs )

Source: muslimmirror.com

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https://muslimmirror.com/eng/kashmiri-journalist-booked-under-stringent-anti-terror-law-released-after-five-years-in-prison/

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Haldwani Violence: Abdul Moid, The Son Of Abdul Malik, The Alleged ‘Mastermind’ Arrested From Delhi

29th February 2024

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Police has arrested Abdul Moid, the son of Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind in the Haldwani violence, officials said.

The arrest of Moid, who is among the key accused in the case, takes the total arrests in connection with the February 8 incidents of stone pelting and arson in Banbhoolpura area of the town to 84, they said.

His father Abdul Malik owned the “illegal” madrassa whose demolition sparked violence in the town prompting authorities to impose a curfew that was lifted entirely after 12 days of gradual relaxation.

Malik was arrested on February 24, 16 days after the Banbhoolpura violence which left six persons dead and over 100 injured, including police personnel and journalists.

A look out notice was issued earlier against the father-son duo and a massive manhunt launched to nab them.

Their properties in the town were also attached earlier.

Malik had vehemently opposed the administration’s action and his wife Safia had gone to the court challenging the Municipal Corporation notice for its demolition.

However, the court did not grant them immediate relief and the structure was demolished, triggering incidents of stone-pelting and arson in the Muslim-dominated Banbhoolpura area.

Apart from the three FIRs lodged initially, a fresh case was registered by the police against six persons including Malik and his wife Safia charging them with criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a dead man’s name for illegal plotting, construction and transfer of land, the police had said.

Source: siasat.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.siasat.com/haldwani-violence-son-of-mastermind-arrested-from-delhi-2984807/

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Southeast Asia

Abdul Hadi’s Statement Involving Malay Rulers Unethical, Driven By Political Interests: Academics

29-02- 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s (pix) statement in his article titled ‘Ketinggian Islam Wajib Dipertahankan’ (Islam’s sanctity must be defended) on Feb 20, which among others, was addressed to the Malay Rulers, has been described as unethical and driven by political interests.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Institution of Malay Rulers Chair fellow Mujibu Abd Muis said in a statement that Abdul Hadi’s remarks, which also touched on the interests of the Malay and Islamic communities as well as the Federal Constitution, merely sought to portray as if only his party was championing the matter.

“Here he is, championing something that is actually not an issue at all, but is being championed conceptually for political mileage, even though it has been clearly enshrined in the constitution since independence that Islam cannot be questioned.

“In fact, efforts to uphold the Islamic principles and strengthen all institutions related to Islam have often been carried out by the Malay Rulers, including after the establishment of the MKI (National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs),“ he told Bernama today.

Earlier, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, through a post on the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page today, expressed deep regret over the cynical statement of the Marang MP.

Sultan Sharafuddin remarked that it was a statement that was highly inappropriate and lacked cultural refinement from the perspective of Malay culture, which always respects and upholds decorum when expressing views and advice to the Malay Rulers.

Further commenting on this, Mujibu stated that Abdul Hadi’s statement involving the Malay Rulers was not surprising, considering that the political figure had previously engaged in similar actions towards the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

“In the past, he did the same thing, (continued to give lectures) even though at that time Sultan Mizan expressed his regret, issuing a prohibition against those without religious authority from giving lectures in mosques under the supervision of the Terengganu State Government, but he defied it,“ he said.

Echoing Mujibu’s sentiments, Geostrategist and Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR), Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, opined that Abdul Hadi was still maintaining a narrative based on race and religion, as seen in several past election campaigns, in order to garner support from the Malay community.

“I don’t see where the logic of his thinking is, as an old-timer, who is also called an ‘ulama’, to come out with a statement touching on the Malay Rulers.

“So his statement is very disappointing, especially considering that he knows the position of the Malay Rulers in safeguarding the interests of all Muslims regardless of political affiliation. The Federal Constitution also protects the sanctity of Islam, so there’s no need to link PAS’s political interests with our monarchy institutions,“ he said.

Azmi stated that if Abdul Hadi had any suggestions or issues regarding Islamic affairs and the Federal Constitution, it would be better to voice them in Parliament in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Dr Jazimin Zakaria, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Kedah, said that Abdul Hadi’s action of dragging the Malay Rulers into the political platform was highly inappropriate.

“The position of the Malay Rulers is sensitive, and our political climate is currently unstable, so making statements on such platforms (PAS News website through the ‘Minda Presiden PAS’ column) will only open the door for others to criticise the special position of the Malay Rulers,“ he said. -Bernama

Source: thesun.my

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://thesun.my/local_news/abdul-hadi-s-statement-involving-malay-rulers-unethical-driven-by-political-interests-academics-IH12159441

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Maluku Protestant Church Calls For Prayers For Palestinian Children

February 29, 2024

Ambon (ANTARA) - The Commission of Children and Youth of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM) called for prayers for children in war-torn Palestine to live in peace and lead a happy life like others their age.

This prayer call is made in the framework of the World Children's Prayer Day (HDSA) held annually by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI).

“This year's HDSA was held for Palestine. HDSA worship activities are annual activities carried out at the GPM Rumah Tiga Ambon Congregation," Chairman of the GPM Children and Youth Commission of Desa Rumah Tiga Semy Papilaya stated in Ambon, Thursday.

Some 600 children, in the age bracket of three to 15 years, participated in the activity with caregivers, supervisors, and commissions.

They presented a performance of history, culture, natural resources, geographical location, and the condition of the state of Palestine this year in the form of a parade.

"From this activity, we show our love and concern in Palestine for our friends in the World Children's Prayer Day Celebration," he remarked.

Papilaya noted that in future, concern for Palestine will be followed up by raising funds through the GPM Congregation's humanitarian program.

"Of course, we will involve children. At least through prayer and concrete actions, we can provide hope and positive change for children in need around the world, including in Palestine," he added.

In this vibration of joint prayer, the children made their own Palestinian flag attributes and wore colored clothes that matched with the color of the Palestinian flag.

Sunday School children also demonstrated the Dabke dance as a typical Palestinian dance form and conducted parades while carrying Palestinian ornaments, such as bread, wine, watermelon, oranges, eggplants, olive trees, gazella gazelles, as well as sand, bricks, and gold as the main source of livelihood in Palestine.

In addition, the children played the Ukulele while singing the song "God Love All Children in the World."

The worship was made lively through the peaceful message conveyed in the parade themed "Love brings Peace."

Children are taught to live in love with one another in the family environment and school, including towards society and also strangers, so as to create peace for all parties.

Source: antaranews.com

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Indonesia Denies Rumours On Its Diplomatic Relations With Israel

March 1, 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana emphasized that circulated news in foreign media, stating that Indonesia had plans for official diplomatic relations with Israel, is false.

"The information is completely incorrect," Dwipayana stated in a short message on Thursday (February 29).

His statement was a response to the news published by jewishinsider.com media saying that Indonesia had plans to establish official diplomatic relations with Israel.

Dwipayana said the Indonesian President Joko Widodo did not send any special envoy to talk to Israel.

In terms of foreign affairs policy, President Jokowi assigns the foreign affairs minister and no others.

"The president's official is represented by the statements and stance of the foreign minister," he stated.

On February 26, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to address the fatal human rights violations committed by Israel against Palestinians.

She made the statement at the High-Level Segment of the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

"I conveyed that we must not stay silent about the suspension of funding to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), while funds to support war crimes in Gaza continue to flow," she emphasized.

On January 25, she walked out of the UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate regarding Palestine while Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was delivering his speech at the meeting.

At the meeting, Marsudi conveyed Indonesia's rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state after the war ends.

"Indonesia strongly rejects this statement. This statement is unacceptable. This confirmed Israel's ultimate goal to wipe Palestine from the world map," she remarked.

Source: antaranews.com

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China Envoy In Geneva Reiterates Call For Ceasefire In Gaza

Mar 1, 2024

TEHRAN, Mar. 01 (MNA) – Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, on Thursday reiterated China's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

As the Gaza Strip is facing an unparalleled humanitarian crisis, an immediate ceasefire is the urgent demand of the global community and a fundamental necessity for achieving peace, Chen said while elaborating on China's position on the situation between Palestine and Israel at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Xinhua reported.

China is calling on Israel to allow humanitarian organizations to have the resources they need to conduct rescue missions in Gaza and to properly enforce the interim measures and directives from the International Court of Justice, Chen said.

Chen emphasized that China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and strongly opposed the forced transfer of the Palestinian people and the occupation of Palestinian territory.

The two-state solution is the general consensus of the international community and a realistic way to ultimately realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, Chen said, urging all countries to make unremitting efforts to this end.

Source: mehrnews.com

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Mideast

Israel Marks Over 600 Acres Of Seized Palestinian Land For Settlement Expansion

29 February 2024

Israel plans to seize hundreds of acres of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank to expand a settlement. It is viewed as one of the regime’s biggest land-grab schemes.

The regime’s authorities on Thursday appropriated several tracts of land near the settlement. The territory would now be designated as part of the Maale Adumim settlement, east of al-Quds.

The tracts amount to 2,640 dunams, or 652 acres. The West Bank, including East al-Quds, is among the territories Israel captured in 1967.

Much of the international community deems the settlements illegal. On February 24, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington deemed the West Bank settlements inconsistent with international law.

The Palestinian Authority has called on all countries to put individuals tied to settler organizations or companies investing in settlement construction across the occupied Palestinian territories on their terror lists.

The United Nations has already published a list of companies with business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Palestinians have called for serious international intervention to force the regime to stop the settlement expansion.

Tension hangs in the air in an occupied West Bank village nestled amid rolling hills and olive groves. Out of nowhere, a deafening roar of helicopter blades resonates there, exacerbating tensions.

The UN is concerned about the surging violence perpetuated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, terming it “terrorism” against the Palestinians.

Acts of violence by Israeli settlers against the Palestinians and their property are a daily occurrence throughout the West Bank.

The regime has escalated its acts of aggression against the Palestinians across the West Bank since early October 2023, when it began the campaign of death and destruction in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In its latest report, the UN said around 400 Palestinians, including at least 100 children, have been killed in the West Bank since.

Source: presstv.ir

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Iran, Organization Of Islamic Cooperation Condemn Israel's Attack On Civilians In Gaza

Esra Tekin and Ekrem Biceroglu

01.03.2024

Iran and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued separate statements Thursday condemning Israel's firing on civilians awaiting humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, killing dozens.

"More than 100 Palestinian citizens who were waiting in line to receive humanitarian aid on Al-Rashid Street in Gaza were martyred, more than 800 people were injured due to the barbaric attack by the Zionist Regime," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on X.

"The wound of Gaza will not be erased from the memory of the free people of the world, and the shame of supporting and remaining silent towards the mass killing and genocide of Palestinians by the criminal Zionist regime will be evident on the foreheads of the false champions of #HumanRights in the #UnitedStates and #Europe," Kanaaini added.

In a statement, the OIC said it "condemns in the strongest terms the continued massacres and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation army, the latest of which was the heinous massacre against Palestinian citizens who were waiting for aid trucks at the Nabulsi roundabout near Al-Rashid Street in Gaza City, which led to the martyrdom and injury of hundreds of them."

It also urged the global community to "urgently" halt the Israel's "crimes of genocide," ensure the international safeguarding of Palestinian civilians, and guarantee the timely delivery of essential supplies and continuous urgent humanitarian aid for them.

Also, Al-Azhar Univeristy in Egypt called Israel’s targeting of Palestinians gathered to receive aid in the Gaza Strip a "stain on humanity" in a written statement.

It called on the international community to "awaken from an unprecedented slumber in history" to stop the Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

Early Thursday, Israeli forces shelled a crowd of Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid south of Gaza City at the "al-Nabulsi Roundabout" area, killing at least 112 Palestinians and injuring 760 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry.

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people.

At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Israel Is Still Reviewing Access To Al Aqsa Over Ramadan

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Israel is reviewing possible curbs on access to Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem over the upcoming Ramadan fasting month, a government spokesperson said after media reports that the far-right minister for police might be overruled on the issue.

Al Aqsa, Islam's third-holiest shrine, is a focus of Palestinian statehood hopes. The site is also revered by Jews as a vestige of their two ancient temples. Israeli controls on access have often stoked political friction, especially during Ramadan.

Limiting entry at the holy site

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said last week there would be a quota for members of Israel's 18% Muslim minority who wish to take part in peace prayers at Al Aqsa.

That would compound the clampdown Israel has already placed on Palestinians since the Hamas' cross-border rampage from the Gaza Strip on October 7, codenamed "Al Aqsa Flood," which triggered the ongoing Gaza war.

But Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV reported on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would overrule Ben-Gvir.

"The specific issue of prayer on the Temple Mount, in Al Aqsa, is currently still under discussion by the cabinet," Government Spokesperson Avi Hyman said in a briefing on Thursday.

He added that a final decision would take security and public health, as well as the freedom of worship, into account.

A Ben-Gvir spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

On Wednesday, Ben-Gvir posted on X that any attempt to override his authority would amount to a "capitulation to terror" and urged Netanyahu to deny the Channel 12 report.

Source: jpost.com

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https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-789627

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UN Official Says Israel's Madness In Preventing UNRWA From Distributing Aid Must Stop

[01/March/2024]

GAZA March.01. 2024 (Saba) - Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini has confirmed that Israel's insanity prevents the agency from distributing humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

Lazzarini said, according to al-Mayadeen TV, that the death toll in the Gaza Strip, which has exceeded 30,000 since the start of the aggression, has reached “unprecedented numbers.”

He also pointed out that the martyrs in the Gaza Strip today were “desperately trying to obtain life-saving humanitarian aid.”

Earlier, Thursday morning, Lazzarini said that the Israeli occupation is preventing aid from reaching the northern Gaza Strip, calling for a “ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.”

Lazzarini added in a statement that “there is not enough animal feed for people to eat in northern Gaza,” while a man-made famine looms on the horizon.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3309236.htm

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Israel frees dozens of Palestinians in administrative detention, citing lack of space

01.03.2024

The IDF and Shin Bet said Thursday night that some 40 Palestinian suspects held under administrative detention had been released, saying the move was aimed at freeing up space “for detainees of a higher threat level.”

The statement noted the released suspects had been slated to be freed in the coming month.

Administrative detention is a controversial tool whereby Palestinian terror suspects and, more rarely, Jewish terror suspects, are detained without charge or trial. The tool is typically used when authorities have intelligence tying a suspect to a crime but do not have enough evidence for charges to stand up in a court of law.

The detentions must be renewed by a military court every six months, and prisoners can remain in jail for years under the mechanism. Israel says administrative detention is a tool that helps keep dangerous terrorists off the streets and allows the government to hold suspects without divulging sensitive intelligence. Critics say the policy denies prisoners due process.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir railed at the release, claiming they were not, in fact, freed due to overcrowding.

“[They were released] because of the direct order of the Shin Bet head as a ‘gesture’ ahead of Ramadan,” the far-right politician alleged.

Ben Gvir said the Israel Prisons Service, which is under his authority, “has no judgment on the matter.”

He also fumed at Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar because the release took place on the same day two Israelis were killed in a terror shooting in the West Bank and a day after the extension of a settler activist’s administrative detention.

“It is worrying that on the day that two Jews were murdered, the head of the Shin Bet chooses to pay tribute to the murderers,” he wrote.

Activists estimated in February that the number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails had swelled to around 9,000, from about 5,200 before Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, when terrorists from Gaza invaded southern Israel and slaughtered about 1,200 people, most of them civilians in their homes and at a music festival, and kidnapped 253.

Israeli prison authorities announced a state of emergency after October 7 to prevent the potential involvement of inmates in further unrest.

Popular Palestinian station Radio Ajyal has since been inundated with messages from prisoners’ relatives reporting tough restrictions on detainees, including the denial of visitations and phone calls.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club advocacy group said visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross have also stopped. Both the ICRC and Israel declined to comment, but Israel has previously said that ICRC visits were suspended until Hamas allows the Red Cross access to the hostages in Gaza.

While some Palestinians are detained without known charges, the most common grounds for arrest range from online calls for violence to alleged terrorist activity.

Palestinian-American Samaher Esmail, who was detained after posting terror-related content on social media, was also released on bail on Thursday after three weeks of imprisonment. Her arrest made waves in the international community due to her dual citizenship, with her son Suliman Hamed, who lives in New Orleans, raising awareness of her situation on social media as well as mainstream news media.

Esmail’s lawyer charged that Israeli forces beat her during the arrest, did not give her time to put on her hijab and her Israeli interrogator did not ask properly if Esmail wanted an attorney present.

It was not clear if Esmail was counted among those released Thursday or whether her release on bail was a separate matter.

Source: timesofisrael.com

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-frees-dozens-of-palestinians-in-administrative-detention-citing-lack-of-space/

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Egypt, UAE Airdrop Humanitarian Aid To Palestinians In War-Battered Gaza

Ahmed Asmar

29.02.2024

Egyptian and Emirati planes airdropped humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Egypt’s military on Thursday.

Military spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez said dozens of tons of humanitarian aid and relief supplies were dropped “to ease the severe humanitarian crisis” in northern Gaza.

He said the humanitarian assistance included food, medicine and other essential supplies.

Jordan said early Thursday that it had carried out two operations to airdrop humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with Oman and Bahrain.

Similar operations were carried out by Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar and France earlier this week.

Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and over 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Türkiye Followed With Envy As Centre Of Peace, Trust, Stability In Its Region: Defence Chief

Mustafa Talha Öztürk

29.02.2024

Türkiye is followed with envy as the center of peace, trust and stability in its region, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Thursday.

"Türkiye is a country at the center of regional and global developments due to its geopolitical location. Our country, which has made significant breakthroughs in the military and diplomatic fields in recent years with the strategic foresight of our president, has begun to assume a playmaking role in its region and the world, further strengthening its international position," Guler said while visiting Turkish troops in the European Union Peacekeeping Mission (EUFOR) in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo.

"Türkiye has become an indispensable part of negotiation tables and security architecture with its solution proposals in critical regions and geographies and its contributions to peace and stability," he said.

Guler said Türkiye attaches great importance to the preservation of peace, security and stability in the Balkans.

"We are in close cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with whom we have deep-rooted ties of friendship and brotherhood and which is one of our important partners in the Balkans," he said.

Guler is on a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina where he met EUFOR Commander Maj. Gen. Laszlo Sticz and NATO Sarajevo Commander Brig. Gen. Pamela McGaha.

Source:

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Africa

“974 Boko Haram Terrorists Killed, 1157 Others Surrendered In February’ – Defence HQ

Goodness Adaoyiche

March 1, 2024

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that troops in various theatres of operation across the country killed no fewer than 974 terrorists while 1,157 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists surrendered to the military in February.

The DHQ disclosed that 466 hostages were freed from terrorists’ captivity in February 2024.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, gave the figures on Thursday during a briefing on the military’s activities across the different theatres of operation in the country.

Buba said 8.9 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.06 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 18,950 litres of dual-purpose kerosene and 45,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirits, among other items, were also recovered within the same period.

Buba said the troops recovered 1,573 assorted weapons, 23,345 assorted arms and ammunition within the month.

He listed the recovered weapons to include 640 AK-47 rifles, 248 locally-fabricated guns, 93 pump-action guns, 168 Dane guns, 15,120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,102 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 512 rounds of 9mm and 2,132 live cartridges.

In the North-East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 242 terrorists, arrested 57 suspected terrorists, and rescued 42 hostages during the period.

Buba said 1,157 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to troops in the month.

He said the troops recovered 198 AK-47 rifles, 61 fabricated, 30 Dane guns, 45 assorted arms, 3,692 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,854 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 339 rounds of ammunition during the period.

In the North-Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven killed 31 terrorists, apprehended 187 suspects and rescued 19 hostages as well as a cache of arms.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke eliminated 100 terrorists, apprehended 67 suspects and rescued 53 hostages during the month.

In the North-West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 345 terrorists, apprehended 80 suspects and rescued 289 hostages in the month.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 150 terrorists, apprehended 161 suspects, rescued 44 hostages and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

In the South-South, Buba said troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 359 suspected oil thieves and impounded 8.9 million litres of crude oil, 1.06 million litres of AGO, 18,950 litres of DPK and 45,940 litres of PMS.

He added that the troops also recovered 79 assorted weapons and destroyed 316 wooden boats, 3,859 rounds of ammunition and 246 illegal refining sites within the month.

In the South-East, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 106 terrorists, apprehended 69 suspects and rescued 19 hostages.

Source: politicsnigeria.com

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Tension In Zamfara As Armed Bandits Attack Mosque, Abduct Worshipers

Jerry Wright-Ukwu

February 29, 2024

Armed bandits have reportedly attacked a mosque in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nigeria.

According to a resident of the town, Abubakar Tsafe, the assailants parked their motorcycles on the outskirts of the city and entered in native attire to avoid detection.

He told Channels Television that during the attack, the bandits surrounded the mosque and abducted an unspecified number of worshipers.

The incident has raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara State, where criminal elements frequently carry out violent acts, including abductions and attacks on communities.

In response to the situation, members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, also known as Askarawa, have been mobilized to rescue the kidnapped victims.

The guards, led by the Commander, Retired Colonel Rabiu Yandoto, are reportedly conducting operations in the bush to locate and secure the release of the abductees.

The Zamfara State Police Command has not officially confirmed the incident.

Source: politicsnigeria.com

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‘Merging Army Varsity With NDA Will Aid Battle Against Boko Haram’

March 1, 2024

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has urged the Federal Government to reconsider merging the Army University at Biu in Borno State with the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.

The governor also urged the government to allow the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to remain as it is, instead of being a department in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Zulum said these while addressing reporters yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

He said the Army University at Biu, which is a conventional university, should be allowed to remain so or be handed over to the Ministry of Education to continue in that capacity, if the Army was not interested in having a university.

According to him, the university has been playing a critical role in the education of students in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State, where education was seriously affected by over a decade due to insurgency.

“This university is very important to the people of Borno State and the northeast in general. I am appealing to the President to look into this issue.

“Secondly, I want to make a case for the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, which has a very important role to play at this material time when the Federal Government is looking towards promoting food security.

“NCAM is the only centre saddled with the responsibility of fabricating agricultural tools and implements in Nigeria,” Zulum said.

The governor expressed the hope that a technical committee would be set up to review some of the measures taken.

Source: thenationonlineng.net

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‘How Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Can Return To ECOWAS’

Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

March 1, 2024

Auniversity teacher, Prof. Amadu Sesay, has called on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to employ tact to convince Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to return.

Sesay, former head of International Relations at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said those countries can be approached by seasoned diplomats to retrace their steps.

The don, author of The Politics of Regional Integration in West Africa, said by lifting sanctions, which it imposed on the three for military takeovers, ECOWAS put paid to the threat of use of force being used to compel them to return to civilian rule.

Sesay, told reporters yesterday that emphasis has shifted to the search for diplomatic solutions leading to an acceptable resolution.

He urged ECOWAS leaders to look for credible emissaries to drive diplomatic engagements acceptable to all.

Sesay said: “I hope ECOWAS will look within its Committee of the Wise to choose those to drive diplomatic engagements to provide pathways for return of the three.

“This is a delicate and time-consuming endeavour.The outcomes are also unpredictable, and no one should expect quick fixes because ECOWAS is made up of sovereign states. It has no supranational powers as European Union.

“Tact and patience are of utmost importance, especially at this stage of engagements.

“We should remember that the three countries made it clear they had taken sovereign decisions, which implies that national ego, pride, and prestige are already at stake.”

He said ECOWAS leaders’ decision to lift sanctions, even when the three had yet to make concessions, especially on their threat to quit ECOWAS, was “right and realistic.”

Sesay, however, said the decision also implied a sign of weakness on the part of ECOWAS and a tacit admission that it had not achieved the results, as well as their negative fallout on all sides.

“ECOWAS is not a supranational body, it cannot compel compliance with its decisions as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso actions demonstrated.

“What lifting of sanctions also implies is that the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, once the backbone of ECOWAS’ strategy, is no longer realistic.

“Neither is it enforceable in the political and socio-economic conditions in member states and in the region.

“It remains to be seen how ECOWAS will fill the gap to promot democracy and good governance after that.

“I hope the action will not lead to dramatic democratic and governance reversals in the region,” he said.

Source: thenationonlineng.net

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https://thenationonlineng.net/how-mali-burkina-faso-niger-can-return-to-ecowas/