‘A Hate Crime’: Delhi HC Orders CBI Probe into Death of Muslim Man Beaten, forced to Sing National Anthem During The 2020 North-East Delhi Riots
New Age Islam News Bureau
24 July 2024
The judge reminded that ‘mob vigilantism and mob
violence do not cease to be so merely because these are perpetrated, not by
ordinary citizens, but by policemen themselves’. | Photo Credit: File photo
----------
·
‘A Hate Crime’: Delhi HC Orders CBI Probe into
Death of Muslim Man Beaten, forced to Sing National Anthem During The 2020
North-East Delhi Riots
·
Sri Lankan Govt to Apologise to Muslims On
Forced Cremation of Covid Victims
·
Citing ‘Radical Islamist Activities’, Germany
Bans Muslim Association Linked to Iran and Shia Denomination
·
Human Milk Bank Concept Facing Cultural,
Societal and Religious Barriers in Malaysia
·
Terrorists In Afghanistan Threat To Regional
Countries, Warns Pakistan
India
·
Kanwariya Mob Vandalises Car, Beats Muslim
Driver Allegedly Over Fake Story of Desecrated Kanwar
·
‘Amarnath, Vaishno Devi Yatras Possible Without
Muslims?’: Omar Abdullah On UP's Kanwar Diktat
·
Soldier killed in heavy gunfight between Army
and militants in J&K’s Poonch
·
Soldier, militant killed in second encounter in
Jammu and Kashmir in 24 hours
·
‘Unparalleled courage’: When head constable
Aashiq Ali saved Shiv bhakt Monu Singh
·
Anti-terror operation underway in J-K’s Kupwara
·
SC's interim stay on kanwar yatra eateries'
directive demotivated Hindu community: VHP
--------
South Asia
·
US Diplomat Urges People Of Afghanistan To
Decide On The Taliban System
·
Wahid Kashifi, A Former Translator for U.S.
Forces In Afghanistan, Extradited To US For Trial, Five Years After Wife Found
Dead In Freezer
·
Islamic Development Bank treats over 17,000
children for severe malnutrition in Kandahar
·
Pakistani troops kill three militants at
Afghanistan border
·
National unity can only be sought through
Islamic system
·
Afghanistan Participates in 28th China Kunming
Fair, Showcases National Products
---------
Europe
·
UK Convicts Radical Islamist Preacher Anjem
Choudary for Leading Proscribed Terror Group, al-Muhajiroun
·
‘I will burn every single mosque’ - Muslim
political group was inundated with racist abuse during election
·
No evidence comments on Islam and Ukraine
attributed to Donald Trump are real
·
Faith no reason to keep brain-damaged Muslim
father on life support, judge rules
·
‘We need to end war ASAP’ – Zelensky
---------
Southeast Asia
·
PM Anwar welcomes agreement between Fatah and
Hamas
·
Indonesia Celebrates Inaugural National Kebaya
Day, Proposes UNESCO Recognition
·
‘Unity in Diversity’: Gov’t Reveals Reason
Behind Pope Francis’ Upcoming Jakarta Visit
·
Singapore partners with UAE and Cyprus to ship
more aid to Gaza
·
Palo Alto Networks: Majority of Malaysian firms
experienced cyber-attack in 2023
--------
Pakistan
·
PTI starts hunger strike against Imran Khan,
other leaders' detention
·
PPP, PML-N take Imran Khan to task over GHQ
protest 'confession'
·
PTI women finalised for Punjab Assembly
reserved seats
·
Pakistan, UK agree to enhance bilateral ties
·
Loss making institutions being privatized to strengthen
country's economy: Aleem
·
PM welcomes Beijing Declaration on Palestine's
Unity govt
·
Punjab CM lauds Germany for swift response to
attack on consulate
--------
Mideast
·
Muslim Independents Seek to Influence New
British Government’s Gaza Policy
·
Palestinian Factions Sign Declaration To End
Divisions After Talks In China
·
What is the human cost of Israel’s relentless
pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza?
·
Iraq bans a Kurdish separatist group and
strengthens its cooperation with Turkiye
·
From Museum to Mosque: Hagia Sophia Grand
Mosque Welcomes 25 Million Visitors In 4 Years
·
No plan for Erdogan to meet Assad in Moscow,
Turkish source says
--------
North America
·
Netanyahu to Face 'Day of Rage' In Washington:
Pro-Palestinian Protesters
·
U.S. Department of Education investigating
Northwestern after anti-Palestinian, Islamophobic complaint
·
U.S. Treasury sanctions 3 in Africa for
financing Islamic State
·
US police arrest hundreds of activists during
Gaza war protest in Congress building
·
Body cam footage shows white US police shooting
unarmed Black woman
·
US convoy transfers missile launch systems from
Iraq to eastern Syria
--------
Arab World
·
Saudi Cabinet Urges Practical Steps To Resolve
Palestine Issue
·
July 21: World’s hottest day since records
began
·
Thriving tree planted by King Faisal a symbol
of Saudi-Pakistani relations
·
GCC secretary general receives newly appointed
Uzbekistan ambassador to Saudi Arabia
·
King Salman oasis hosts global chemistry talent
event
·
Saudi wildlife center celebrates cheetah
conservation milestone
--------
Africa
·
Egypt Reiterates Unwavering Support For
Stability And Security In War-Torn Sudan
·
Anti-Corruption protests erupt in Uganda's
capital, inspired by Kenya
·
Pro- and anti-government protesters clash in
Kenya as police hurl tear-gas cannisters
·
Nigerian lawmakers mediate rift with Africa's
richest man
·
Protest Is Your Right – Atiku Backs Nigerians
·
We Won’t Allow Violence Under Guise of
Replicating Kenya Protests – IGP
·
Uganda deploys army, police as Gen-Z protests
spread
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
‘A Hate
Crime’: Delhi HC Orders CBI Probe into Death of Muslim Man Beaten, forced to
Sing National Anthem During The 2020 North-East Delhi Riots
July 24,
2024
Soibam
Rocky Singh
The
judge reminded that ‘mob vigilantism and mob violence do not cease to be so
merely because these are perpetrated, not by ordinary citizens, but by
policemen themselves’. | Photo Credit: File photo
------------
The
Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of the probe into the death of
23-year-old Faizan, who was beaten up and forced to sing the national anthem by
policemen during the 2020 north-east Delhi riots, from Delhi Police to the
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The
incident dates back to February 2020 when a video clip had gone viral showing
Faizan and four other Muslim men, apparently injured, being beaten up by the
police with batons and forced to sing the national anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’.
Kismatun,
Faizan’s mother, sought a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT)
probe into her son’s death.
Justice
Anup Jairam Bhambhani questioned the investigating agency for failing to
“conclusively identify” the policemen involved in the case even after four
years of investigation. “More than four and a half years have elapsed since.
However, not even one of the policemen involved in the abuse and assault has
been conclusively identified in the course of the investigation so far,” the
judge said.
“It is
extremely important to note that this case presents allegations of gross
violation of human rights, in as much as the unlawful actions of the policemen,
who are yet to be identified, were motivated and driven by religious bigotry
and, therefore, would amount to a ‘hate crime’,” the court said.
Justice
Bhambhani said, “The investigation in the present case has evidently been
tardy, sketchy, and conveniently sparing of the persons who are suspected to be
involved in brutally assaulting the petitioner’s son.”
“What is
worse is that the suspects were entrusted to act as custodians of the law, and
were in a position of power and authority, but seemed to have been driven by
bigoted mindsets,” he added.
In the
33-page judgment, the High Court took note of the existence of two sets of
video footage, one, which shows Faizan alone being encircled and beaten
mercilessly by policemen; and the second, which shows several young men,
including Faizan, lying in an injured state on the road near Kardampuri pulia
and the 66-foota road, and being surrounded and brutally assaulted by
policemen.
The High
Court said “several policemen present at the spot are clearly seen surrounding,
dragging, kicking and striking blows on Faizan and the other young men with
batons/lathis, abusing them, and ordering them to sing the national anthem
while they are lying seriously injured and helpless on the roadside”.
While
the incident happened on February 24, 2020, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police
examined Ms. Kismatun for the first time only on March 18, 2020.
“The
perpetrators of the crime are therefore still at large, though they are all
members of the police force in Delhi,” the judge said.
“In the
present case, apart from the fact that the custodians of the law are themselves
accused of having committed its breach, the perpetrators of the offence are
themselves members of the agency that is investigating them. This situation
does not inspire confidence,” the High Court added.
The
judge reminded that “mob vigilantism and mob violence do not cease to be so
merely because these are perpetrated, not by ordinary citizens, but by
policemen themselves. If anything, the element of abomination gets aggravated
if hate crime is committed by persons in uniform”.
Unanswered
question
The
court said no investigation has been conducted so far in relation to what
transpired at the Jyoti Nagar police station after Faizan was brought there
from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB) Hospital.
It also
questioned why the police would keep Faizan at the police station “for his own
safety at a time when the police were overwhelmed with responsibility because
of the ongoing riots”.
The
court said the police have taken a “very convenient stand” that all CCTV
cameras installed at the police station were malfunctioning at that crucial
time and, therefore, no CCTV footage is available from within the police
station to show the condition of any of the persons who were there at that
time.
It said
the question as to whether anything happened to Faizan when he was kept within
the confines of the Jyoti Nagar police station overnight and until late the
next day, has “remained unacknowledged and unaddressed. That issue appears to
have been brushed under the carpet by the police”.
Detained
for 36 hours
In
August 2020, Amnesty International India, in its report on the north-east Delhi
riots, had highlighted the death of Faizan. The NGO had said that the
23-year-old was allegedly detained by the police for close to 36 hours without
any charge and then handed him over to his mother after his condition
deteriorated.
While
Faizan’s murder case was registered at the Bhajanpura police station on
February 28, 2020, the investigation was later transferred to the Crime Branch
of Delhi Police on March 4, 2020.
Source: thehindu.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/a-hate-crime-delhi-hc-orders-cbi-probe-into-death-of-muslim-man-beaten-forced-to-sing-national-anthem/article68436513.ece
--------
Sri
Lankan Govt To Apologise To Muslims On Forced Cremation Of Covid Victims
23 July
2024
Sri
Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe | Photo: PTI
----------
The Sri
Lankan government on Tuesday said it would formally apologise to the island
nation's Muslim minority community for its controversial cremation policy
adopted during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The
mandatory order taken in 2020 to cremate the bodies of COVID-19 victims, which
denied minority communities, including Muslims, their religious rights, was
later revoked in February 2021 amidst mounting international criticism.
The Sri
Lankan Cabinet in a meeting on Monday approved the proposal to tender an
apology to the Muslim community for the enforced decision made in March 2020,
according to a Cabinet note.
The
Cabinet has decided “to plead the apology on behalf of the Government, from all
the communities”, it said.
The
Cabinet also decided to introduce legislation to prevent a repetition of such
controversial moves.
The note
said the Cabinet also gave nod to a proposed legislation on the burial or
cremation of dead bodies based on religious discretion. Attention has been
drawn to introducing a law, which allows a certain person or relations to
select the burial or cremation of the dead person at their discretion.
The
Muslim community had opposed the policy of forced cremation, and some even left
the bodies of their loved ones in hospital mortuaries. The community members
had said that either they were coerced into allowing cremations or that
occurred without their knowledge. The cremation of bodies is forbidden in
Islam.
Accordingly,
276 corpses of Muslim persons were cremated, until the order was revoked in
February 2021.
The Sri
Lankan government was resisting calls to allow burials citing health concerns.
It cited the opinion of some experts who claimed that the burial of COVID-19
victims would contaminate the water table thereby spreading the pandemic
further.
The
country had also come under intense criticism from rights groups, including the
UN Human Rights Council, over the cremation order. The rights groups said it
failed to respect the religious feelings of the victims and their family
members, especially the Muslims, Catholics and some Buddhists.
The
Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) nations had also appealed in Geneva to
reverse the forced cremation decision.
Source: outlookindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.outlookindia.com/international/sri-lankan-govt-to-apologise-to-muslims-on-forced-cremation-of-covid-victims
--------
Citing
‘radical Islamist activities’, Germany bans Muslim association linked to Iran
and Shiah denomination
24 Jul
2024
The
Islamic Centre of Hamburg operates from the Imam Ali Mosque, one of the oldest
in Germany. — Picture from Facebook/Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg
------------
FRANKFURT,
July 24 — Germany’s interior ministry said today it has banned the association
Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) and its subsidiary organisations, saying it
pursues radical Islamist goals.
The
ministry said in a statement that 53 of the organisation’s premises had been
searched by authorities in eight German states early today, acting on a court
order.
Extensive
evidence from an earlier search of 55 properties conducted in November provided
the basis for today’s ban of the IZH, known in German as Islamisches Zentrum
Hamburg, said the ministry.
“Today,
we banned the Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg, which promotes an
Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany,” said Interior Minister
Nancy Faeser.
She said
she wanted to make clear that “this ban absolutely does not apply to the
peaceful practice of the Shiah religion.”
The IZH
was not available for comment by phone on Wednesday morning, and its website
was not accessible to the public. — Reuters
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2024/07/24/citing-radical-islamist-activities-germany-bans-muslim-association-linked-to-iran-and-shiah-denomination/144833
---------
Human
Milk Bank Concept Facing Cultural, Societal and Religious Barriers in Malaysia
24-07-
2024
Pix for
representational purpose only – FREEPIK
-----------
PETALING
JAYA: International Islamic University Malaysia Family Medicine Department
Assoc Prof Dr Nurjasmine Aida Jamani has said the concept of human milk banks
(HMB) is relatively new in Malaysia and faces several cultural, societal and
religious barriers.
Nurjasmine
Aida, who is also an international board-certified lactation consultant, said
unlike in Western countries where HMB are widely accepted and utilised, Malaysia’s
acceptance is hindered by misconceptions, religious concerns and a lack of
awareness.
“Malaysian
parents recognise the health benefits of breast milk for infants. However, many
women are unaware of the purpose and benefits of HMB, often confusing them with
informal milk sharing among relatives or friends.”
A
cross-sectional study conducted in May last year by the Universiti Malaya
Social and Preventive Medicine Department and led by Dr Kalaashini
Ramachandran, Dr Maznah Dahlui and Dr Nik Daliana Nik Farid surveyed 367
participants to assess the acceptability of HMB.
The
study found 279 new mothers were willing to use milk from known donors while 88
were not. For unknown donors, only 93 were willing and 274 were not.
Regarding
donations, 331 participants were willing to donate milk to known recipients
while 36 were not. For unknown recipients, 191 participants were willing to
donate and 176 were not.
Nurjasmine
Aida said mothers were concerned about the health status of unknown donors and
safety of the milk.
“HMB
involve stringent procedures and protocols to ensure the safety and quality of
donor milk. The protocols include donor recruitment, milk collection, storage,
pasteurisation and microbial testing.
“While
HMB offer a temporary solution for parents who cannot provide sufficient breast
milk, concerns about milk kinship, safety and cultural acceptance are
drawbacks.”
She said
religious beliefs significantly influence attitudes towards HMB in Malaysia and
many Muslim-majority countries.
“For
Muslim women, the issue of milk kinship is a concern. Islamic law requires the
identities of donors and recipients be known and documented to prevent lineage
problems and concerns about incest.
“Proper
documentation and guidelines could address these concerns. Cultural
perspectives also play a role, with some women mistrusting milk donors or
recipients from different ethnic backgrounds.”
She said
milk kinship, which arises from the sharing of human milk, creates a familial
bond that has implications for marriage and other social relationships.
“The
concern is particularly prominent among Muslims as milk kinship results in
permanent marital restrictions. Islamic scholars debate the acceptability of
HMB, leading to resistance within the Muslim community.”
Nurjasmine
Aida said understanding such barriers is crucial to developing strategies to
improve the acceptance and effectiveness of HMB in the country.
“Dispelling
misconceptions through education and awareness campaigns is essential to
gaining broader acceptance.
“The campaigns
should address cultural sensitivities and ethical concerns related to human
milk donation and sharing to promote the use of pasteurised donor human milk
and recruit donors.”
She also
said policymakers should create a clear regulatory framework to ensure safety
and quality standards, making HMB more acceptable to the public and healthcare
providers.
“Most
HMB operate within hospitals, integrating with neonatal and postnatal care
services. Although initial costs are high, the long-term health benefits of
breast milk for premature babies could lead to future savings. Government and
hospital leadership support is crucial in providing the necessary resources and
funding.
“By
learning from the successes of other countries and adopting such strategies,
HMB could become a valuable resource for improving health outcomes of premature
and sick babies.”
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/human-milk-bank-concept-facing-barriers-in-m-sia-HC12766111
--------
Terrorists
in Afghanistan threat to regional countries, warns Pakistan
July 23,
2024
The
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. — AFP/File
-----------
ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad has said that terrorists, who have safe havens in Afghanistan pose a
threat to not only Pakistan but also other neighbouring countries, reiterating
its demand for the Afghan government to take decisive action against the
militant outfits.
"Terrorism
emanating out of Afghanistan is a concern not only for Pakistan but other
neighbouring countries like China, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as
well," Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Representative on
Afghanistan said.
Ambassador
Durrani said while addressing a roundtable discussion on "Pak-Afghan
Relations: Challenges and Opportunities” at the Institute of Regional Studies
(IRS) on Tuesday.
“Pakistan
desires peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said.
Ambassador
Durrani's remarks came as Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks,
especially in KP and Balochistan, since the Taliban returned to power in
Afghanistan in 2021.
A day
earlier, the Pakistan Army killed three terrorists while they were trying to
infiltrate the Pak-Afghan border in the Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Moreover,
two terrorist attacks took place last week, one in DI Khan and the other in
Bannu. Two soldiers and five civilians were martyred in DI Khan while eight
other soldiers were martyred while trying to foil a terrorist infiltration into
the Bannu Cantonment in the wee hours of July 15.
At the
roundtable moot, Ambassador Durrani said that Pakistan sought socioeconomic and
political conditions in Afghanistan that would facilitate the return of over
three million Afghan refugees currently residing in Pakistan.
In a
major development earlier this month, Pakistan extended the stay of legally
residing Afghan refugees in the country by another year, according to an
official statement issued on July 10.
The
federal cabinet approved the extension in the validity of Proof of Registration
(POR) cards until 30th June next year for 1.45 million legal Afghan refugees
and those whose POR cards had expired last month.
Last
year, when the country witnessed a surge in terror-related incidents, the
then-caretaker government in October decided to repatriate illegal refugees
including undocumented Afghans residing in the country.
Ever
since the government commenced the repatriation campaign last year, more than
500,000 undocumented Afghans have gone back from Pakistan so far, according to
UN figures.
Continuing
his call for repatriation of Afghan refugees in today's discussion, the career
diplomat urged the international community, especially the UN Refugee Agency
(UNHCR) to come up with strategies for the dignified return of Afghan refugees
to their homeland.
Ambassador
Durrani also noted that the Afghan interim administration’s efforts for poppy
eradication were acknowledged by the stakeholders concerned at the UN Doha
meeting that concluded earlier this month.
The
special representative underscored the need to remove obstacles to the trade
between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as the transit of Pakistani goods to
Central Asia through Afghanistan.
Durrani
also called for expediting regional connectivity projects like the
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and the
CASA-1000 power transmission line from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan
and Pakistan.
The
ambassador urged the government of Pakistan to keep up its crackdown on
smuggling from Afghanistan.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1212604-terrorists-in-afghanistan-threat-to-regional-countries-warns-pakistan
--------
India
Kanwariya
Mob Vandalises Car, Beats Muslim Driver Allegedly Over Fake Story of Desecrated
Kanwar
Omar
Rashid
New
Delhi: A mob of kanwariyas in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar vandalised a car
and thrashed its driver on the alleged pretext that his car had brushed against
the ‘kawad’ (or ‘kanwar’) carried by one of them during their yatra on July 21
and damaged or desecrated it.
However,
it seems, that no ‘kawad’ was damaged by the said car and, according to the
police, the kanwariyas indulged in the violence unprovoked. The Wire has seen
the FIR lodged in the case, in which the police said that the kanwariyas
launched the brutal attack for no reason. The police lodged an FIR against ten
to 15 unknown kanwariyas.
The
kawad refers to the pole carried by kanwariya pilgrims that has containers
fastened to each end. The kanwariyas use the containers to carry Ganga jal
during their annual yatra.
On July
21, violent scenes were caught on camera at the Shri Laxmi Food Plaza located
on the road to Haridwar. A group of kanwariyas, ten to 15 in number, vandalised
a car and thrashed its owner, even in the presence of a few policemen. The
incident was caught on video, which showed the kanwariyas violently tearing the
car apart and even jumping on top of it to damage it.
The
driver of the car ran inside the restaurant to save himself from the mob of
enraged kanwariyas, who also obstructed traffic on the Meerut-Haridwar highway.
The man, one Aquib, was rescued by police. The car is registered in Dehradun,
Uttarakhand.
When
senior police officers reached the spot, the kanwariyas told them that the car
had damaged (khandit in Hindi, to be exact) the kawad carried by one of their
associates around 2 kilometres away from the restaurant towards the Haridwar
side of the highway.
But
Aquib told an independent news media portal called Journo Mirror on July 23
that the allegations that his vehicle brushed against the kanwariyas or blew
horn at them, were false.
An
injured Aquib said he was going to Meerut to drop his brother-in-law when his
car was vandalised by the kanwariyas. In this video, he explained what
happened.
And in
the FIR lodged in the case, sub-inspector Ashutosh Kumar Singh noted that when
the kanwariyas were asked about the particular damaged kawad, they did not
provide any answers. Even upon doing a spot inspection on the Haridwar side of
the kawad route, the police “did not find the kawad of any devotee being
damaged”, said Singh in the FIR lodged in the early hours of July 21 at Chhapar
police station.
Circle
officer Sadar Raju Kumar Sab, speaking to the media a few hours after the
incident, said there was no confirmation of any kawad being damaged.
In the
FIR, Singh said that the kanwariyas “intentionally” stopped the car and
assaulted its driver “for no reason”. They were charged with sections of the
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful
restraint, public nuisance, rioting, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic
and mischief.
The
kanwariyas also blocked traffic on the highway, leading to a long jam, which
caused inconvenience to commuters, especially those travelling towards Delhi in
an ambulance for treatment, said police.
The FIR
said that due to the traffic jam created by the violent kanwariyas, women and
children and the relatives of the sick took to the roads in desperation. They
started to scream and cry for help, and as “chaos” unfolded, this “created an
atmosphere of fear”, said Singh.
The
kanwariyas did not listen to their requests to maintain peace or allow traffic
to function normally, said the police.
Pradeep
Kumar, the owner of the restaurant where this incident unfolded, said one or
two chairs were damaged by the kanwariyas but that he was saved from further
damage by the intervention of the police.
According
to Kumar, some kanwariyas were drinking tea at his restaurant when someone from
the group received a call from another kanwariya who was still on the road. The
kanwariya on the phone allegedly asked the kanwariyas at the restaurant to
intercept and stop a particular car by placing a blockage near the restaurant,
said Kumar.
Since
there were a lot of people, Kumar could not clearly identify the driver but
said he seemed to be alone. The violence lasted 15 minutes, said Kumar, adding
that after the incident, a team of police visited the alleged site where the
kawad was broken along with the kanwariyas but found nothing.
Source: thewire.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thewire.in/communalism/muzaffarnagar-kanwariyas-assault-a-man-and-vandalise-his-car-over-desecration-of-holy-kawad
--------
‘Amarnath,
Vaishno Devi yatras possible without Muslims?’: Omar Abdullah on UP's Kanwar
diktat
Jul 23,
2024
Welcoming
the Supreme Court's interim stay on the controversial Kanwar Yatra order of the
Uttar Pradesh government, ex-Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on
Tuesday sought to know if Amarnath and Vaishno Devi pilgrimages, too, would be
possible without Muslims.
“If the
(Kanwar Yatra) order was meant to keep Muslims away, then for God's sake, tell
me, when the (Amarnath) yatra takes place here (Jammu and Kashmir)…it is not
possible without the Muslims,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.
Elaborating
his point, he also gave the example of devotees who visit the Mata Vaishno Devi
temple.
“The
Amarnath yatris undertake the pilgrimage on the shoulders of Muslims. The people
who take Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims on horses or pithus (porters)…which
religion do they belong to? There, the BJP does not see religion,” the National
Conference vice president added.
Abdullah's
remarks came a day after the Supreme Court paused till July 26, the
widely-criticised diktat of the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, and similar
directives issued in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. The party governs both
Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh as well.
In its
directive, criticised even by BJP allies, Uttar Pradesh ordered eateries and
food stalls on the routes of the annual Kanwar pilgrimage, to display the names
of their owners; the opposition alleged that the saffron party was trying to
effect an ‘economic boycott’ of the Muslim community.
Initially,
the order was issued only by the state's Muzaffarnagar Police; the district
administration made the display of names ‘voluntary’ after massive outrage.
However, chief minister Yogi Adityanath extended the order across the state.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarnath-vaishno-devi-yatras-possible-without-muslims-omar-abdullah-on-ups-kanwar-yatra-order-101721733414637.html
--------
Soldier
killed in heavy gunfight between Army and militants in J&K’s Poonch
July 24,
2024
poonchThe
firing broke out while the Army foiled an infiltration bid by militants from
across the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati area of the district. File photo
An
Indian Army soldier was killed as troops foiled an infiltration bid by
militants from across the Line of Control (LOC) in the early hours of Tuesday
in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said.
Jammu-based
Army PRO Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal said, “Alert troops foiled an infiltration
bid by effectively engaging infiltrating terrorists with effective fire in the
Battal Sector at 3 am”.
During
the heavy gunfight in Krishna Ghati area, Bartwal said, a soldier was injured.
According to sources, the injured soldier was taken to a hospital where he
succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile,
search operations were ongoing, Bartwal said.
This
comes a day after a militant was killed and a soldier and a civilian sustained
minor injuries in a gunfight between Army personnel and militants in Rajouri
district. A group of militants fired on the house of Parshotam Kumar, a village
defence guard (VDG) who was recently decorated, in Rajouri’s Ghunda Khawas
village early Monday.
There
has been a surge in militant activities in Jammu and the security establishment
has often been the target. Militants have carried out several attacks on
security forces, police and civilians, in the last three months during which at
least 10 security personnel, including two officers and seven pilgrims, have been
killed.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/soldier-killed-in-heavy-gunfight-between-army-and-militants-in-jk-poonch-9471347/
--------
Soldier,
militant killed in second encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in 24 hours
Since
the June 9 terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu has seen a
surge in militant activity, with the security establishment often the target.
July 24,
2024
kupwara
attackSecurity forces personnel during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu.
(PTI Photo)
Hours
after security forces had launched an anti-terrorism operation in Jammu and
Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a militant and a non-commissioned officer (NCO)
were killed during the encounter, the Indian Army said on Wednesday.
This
comes barely 24 hours after an Indian Army soldier was killed as troops foiled
an infiltration bid by militants from across the Line of Control in the early
hours of Tuesday in Poonch.
“Based
on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kowut,
Kupwara, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice
on days leading up to 23 July 24,” the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X.
It said
suspicious movement was noticed on Tuesday and the suspects were challenged by
vigilant troops, in response to which terrorists opened indiscriminate fire,
leading to a gunbattle.
Based on
specific input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kowut, Kupwara,
a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on
days leading upto 23 July 24.
On 24
July, suspicious movement was observed and challenged by…
pic.twitter.com/0CHyEU59qh
— Chinar
Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) July 24, 2024
“In the
ensuing fire fight one terrorist has been eliminated and a NCO injured.
Operation is in progress,” the Indian Army shared.
This
comes amid the recent surge in terror in the valley. On Monday, a militant was
killed in gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, according to a
report in The Indian Express quoting officials. Two persons, a soldier and a
civilian, sustained minor injuries in the incident.
In the
ensuing firefight, one terrorist was eliminated and an NCO was injured.
(Visuals
deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/xR57JeykiC
Last
week, moreover, four Army personnel, including a Captain, were killed in an
encounter with a group of militants inside Koti forests in Doda district of
Jammu and Kashmir.
Since
the June 9 terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu has seen a
surge in militant activity, with the security establishment often the target.
At least 10 security personnel have been killed and several others injured in
encounters in Jammu division’s Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts since then.
The
attacks have triggered fear in these regions due to the threat of the presence
of the militants.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kupwara-encounter-soldier-terrorist-attack-9472173/
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‘Unparalleled
courage’: When head constable Aashiq Ali saved Shiv bhakt Monu Singh
Singh,
who was participating in the kanwar yatra, almost drowned while crossing the
river Ganga
Written
by Avaneesh Mishra
July 24,
2024
kanwariya
drowning ganga, ganga river shravan month, ganga river sawan month, ganga
river, Uttarakhand PoliceAli joined the Uttarakhand Police in 2012 as a
constable and joined the SDRF in 2014. Since 2021, he has been posted at this
ghat during every kanwar yatra.
A
routine day for Aashiq Ali – a head constable with Uttarakhand’s State Disaster
Response Force, patrolling Haridwar’s Kangda Ghat during the ongoing kanwar
yatra – took a dramatic turn when he noticed 21-year-old kanwariya Monu Singh
drowning in the river Ganga on Tuesday.
“He was
trying to swing across the river from the other side, but after crossing around
60 meters of the 100-meter-wide stretch, he started drowning in the
fast-flowing stream. I jumped and swam around 40 meters to save him,” said Ali,
whose act was captured by his colleague on video.
This was
just one of the rescues Ali and his team executed on Tuesday.
“Every
year, on average, we save 40-50 kanwariyas here… We have around 500 meters to
cover with just six jawans, but we try our best,” Ali told The Indian Express.
Ali
highlighted the challenge of saving someone in a fast-flowing stream, as the
person often panics and restricts the rescuer’s movements. “We have received
special training for this, with regular courses. The experience we have gained
over the years also helps… I have saved over 100 kanwariyas from drowning since
my deployment,” he said.
Ali
joined the Uttarakhand Police in 2012 as a constable and joined the SDRF in
2014. Since 2021, he has been posted at this ghat during every kanwar yatra.
दिल्लीनिवासीशिवभक्तहरिद्वारस्थितकांगड़ाघाटपरनहानेकेदौरानगंगाकेतेजबहावमेंबहनेलगा।जिसपर #UttarakhandPolice SDRF जवान HC आशिकअलीनेगंगामेंछलांगलगाकरयुवककोसुरक्षितबाहरनिकालाऔरजानबचायी। #KanwarYatra2024 @uksdrf
pic.twitter.com/4jUs9aIGW4
In a
statement, the SDRF said, “During the kanwar yatra at Kangra Ghat, 21-year-old
Monu Singh was swept away by the strong current while taking a bath, putting
him in a perilous situation. Head constable Aashiq Ali, displaying unparalleled
courage, immediately jumped into the river. Braving the fast-flowing water, Ali
managed to bring Monu Singh safely to shore, disregarding his own safety. This
selfless and courageous act by Ali has given a new life to a Shiv Bhakt.
Later in
the day, another 21-year-old, Sandeep Yadav from Gorakhpur, was rescued by Ali
and constable Shivam Singh.
Talking
to The Indian Express, Yadav said, “I have been going on the yatra for the last
five years, but this happened for the first time. Before I jumped into the
river, police and SDRF personnel tried to stop me but I couldn’t hear them. I
had almost crossed the stream when the depth suddenly increased and I could not
swim anymore. I waved my hands, pleading for someone to save me, and saw two people
swimming towards me.
“They saved me. I feel like I have gone through a rebirth. I can never
thank them enough. The Muslim head constable who saved me – he is my brother
from this day,” said Yadav.
During
the course of the day, the SDRF team, including Ali, saved several others –
21-year-old Govind Singh from Rudrapur Kheda, Uttarakhand; 17-year-old Karan
from Sadar Tikona Park, Delhi; Ankit, a 15-year-old from Panipat, Haryana; and
Arun Rathore, a 32-year-old from Jalalpur, Muzaffarnagar.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/unparalleled-courage-when-head-constable-aashiq-ali-saved-shiv-bhakt-monu-singh-9471777/
--------
Anti-terror
operation underway in J-K’s Kupwara
July 23,
2024
Security
forces launched an anti-terrorism operation on Tuesday in the Lolab area of
Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said.
“Security forces have established contact with terrorists near Trimukha
Top, Lolab, Kupwara. Operation in progress,” the Kashmir Zone Police said in a
post on ‘X’.
It was
not yet clear if any casualties have taken place in the initial contact between
the security forces and the terrorists.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anti-terror-operation-underway-j-ks-kupwara-9471521/
--------
SC's
interim stay on kanwar yatra eateries' directive demotivated Hindu community:
VHP
23.07.24
The
Supreme Court's interim stay on the directive for eateries on the kanwar yatra
route to display their owners' names has "demotivated" the Hindu
community, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) claimed on Tuesday.
The
right-wing organisation also hoped that the "basic human rights" of
pilgrims will be "duly understood and protected" in the next hearing
of the matter by the apex court.
The
VHP's reaction came a day after the Supreme Court on Monday imposed the interim
stay on the controversial directives of authorities in Uttar Pradesh and
Uttarakhand seeking eateries on the kanwar yatra route to display their owners'
names, staff and other details.
Issuing
notice to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh,
where the Ujjain municipal body has issued a similar directive, the court,
however, said eateries may be required to display the kind of food they are
serving like they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
In a
statement, VHP secretary general Bajrang Bagda said, "The honourable
Supreme Court has granted an interim stay on the arrangements made by the
government of Uttar Pradesh in respect of disclosure of identity by the owners
or operators of the restaurants and other eateries operating on the route of
kanwar yatris." This has "demotivated the Hindu community, Hindu
pilgrims and the kanwar yatris", he said.
On the
directives, Bagda claimed that these were issued because there have been
several incidents over the past couple of years that have hurt the sentiments
of the Hindu pilgrims who take "great care" of what they eat and
drink to remain 'satvik' according to their dharma and religious practices.
The VHP
is "confident that the basic human right or the statutory rights of every
community, including the Hindu pilgrims and the kanwar yatris, will be duly understood
and protected by the honourable Supreme Court when it hears the case on the
next date," Bagda added.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/scs-interim-stay-on-kanwar-yatra-eateries-directive-demotivated-hindu-community-vhp/cid/2035790
--------
South Asia
US
diplomat urges people of Afghanistan to decide on the Taliban system
July 23,
2024
The U.S.
chargé d’affaires stated that during the Doha meeting, the Taliban told global
representatives that the current situation in Afghanistan reflects what the
people want.
Karen
Decker mentioned that it is now up to the people of Afghanistan to clarify
whether the Taliban’s system is what they want.
However,
the people of Afghanistan have consistently demanded respect for women’s
rights, including education, work, and freedom of movement, as well as an
inclusive government and respect for the country’s diversity. Despite these
demands, the current regime has responded with repressive policies amid
significant criticism.
On
Monday, July 22, Decker emphasized to reporters that the primary concern for
representatives from 25 countries and three regional organizations at the Doha
meeting was the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Decker
noted that throughout the Doha discussions, women’s issues were central, and
all representatives warned that Afghanistan could not succeed by excluding half
of its population.
According
to the U.S. diplomat, Zabihullah Mujahid, a trusted spokesperson of the Taliban
leader based in Kandahar, heard from all representatives that Afghanistan
cannot succeed by sidelining half its population.
At the
meeting, the Taliban emphasized the removal of sanctions and the provision of
development aid.
Decker
indicated that the lifting of sanctions and the release of Afghanistan’s
foreign reserves are among the Taliban’s demands, but the international
community has not responded positively to these requests.
Meanwhile,
Decker affirmed, “We have not yielded to the Taliban’s demands. They want
foreign reserves released, sanctions lifted, and Afghanistan’s UN seat granted
to them, but none of these things have happened.”
She
added that the U.S. consistently highlights the Taliban’s human rights record
in various meetings, stating that Afghanistan cannot join the international
community unless the Taliban fulfills its international obligations.
Among
these obligations, Decker mentioned allowing girls and women access to
education and the right to work.
Decker
responded to criticisms regarding humanitarian aid being sent to
Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, stating that the U.S. does not want to use food
as a weapon.
She
concluded that the complexities of Afghanistan’s issues are profound, and the
UN is considering appointing a special representative to address these
challenges, emphasizing that this appointment remains a strong possibility.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/us-diplomat-urges-people-of-afghanistan-to-decide-on-the-taliban-system/
--------
Wahid
Kashifi, A Former Translator For U.S. Forces In Afghanistan, Extradited To US
For Trial, Five Years After Wife Found Dead In Freezer
July 24,
2024
The U.S.
police have successfully returned Wahid Kashifi, a former translator for U.S.
forces in Afghanistan and father of two, to the U.S. after five years. Kashafi,
who emigrated to the U.S. with his wife, Arezo Kashafi, in 2015, brutally
murdered her in 2019 and fled the country. His trial is scheduled to take place
on July 30 in Spokane, Washington.
According
to the Spokane Police Department, Wahid Kashifi killed his wife, Arezo Kashafi,
in a gruesome manner on May 27, 2019, and placed her dismembered body in a
refrigerator. He then left his one and five-year-old children with a friend in
the city, telling them that Arezo was ill and that he needed to go to work,
promising to collect the children upon his return.
The
report states that Kashifi left the U.S. on May 28 and traveled to Dubai. At
that time, Wahid Kashafi’s parents were living in Kabul, and it was commonly believed that he
had gone there as well.
The
police report indicates that on May 30, approximately three days after the
murder, Arezo’s friends notified the police of her disappearance and reported
that her husband was not responding to calls. Following this, the police began
a search and identified Wahid Kashafi’s Toyota vehicle at the Spokane airport
that night.
Kashafi
had left his phone in the car with a note. In the note, he provided the phone’s
password and his home address, writing: “There are two videos on the phone that
you should watch and judge accordingly. Regards.”
It
appears that the intended recipient of Kashafi’s note was the police, as he
knew they would discover his car at the airport during the search.
The
Spokane Police Department did not release the videos from Kashafi’s phone but
stated that in one of the videos, he confessed to the murder of his wife.
Efforts by the police to locate Kashafi in 2019 were unsuccessful. The last
known trace of him was in Dubai, but reports from the Spokane police and court
do not specify his destination after Dubai.
Wahid
Kashafi was arrested in October 2022 while leaving a volleyball hall locker
room. Some reports suggest that he traveled to the Netherlands under a false
name in 2021, but prior to that, he had lived in Afghanistan and Iran.
According
to the spokesperson for the Spokane Police Department, after Kashafi left the
U.S., a search for him was conducted across at least three continents, but his
trail went cold in Dubai. The Spokane police expressed their gratitude to the
Dutch police for their cooperation in Kashafi’s arrest, emphasizing their
commitment to finding Arezo Kashafi’s killer and ensuring her voice was not
ignored.
After
his arrest in the Netherlands, Kashafi attempted to remain there with the help
of a lawyer and prevent his extradition to the U.S. However, after two years,
he was eventually transferred to the U.S. on Thursday, July 18.
Wahid
Kashafi is now in custody, and the Spokane Police Department has promised Arezo
Kashafi’s family that justice will be served.
Wahid
Kashafi’s arrest and return highlight the international effort to ensure justice
for Arezo Kashafi and underscore the ongoing need to support and protect those
who collaborate with global forces.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.khaama.com/wahid-kashafi-extradited-to-us-for-trial-five-years-after-wife-found-dead-in-freezer/
--------
Islamic
Development Bank treats over 17,000 children for severe malnutrition in
Kandahar
July 23,
2024
The
Islamic Development Bank reported that over the past year, it has treated more
than 17,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition in Kandahar.
The bank
added that this initiative was financially supported by the King Salman
Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center through clinics operated with UNICEF’s
backing.
According
to the report, these children received therapeutic food packages through these
clinics over the past 12 months.
During
this period, approximately 16,000 therapeutic food packages, valued at over
$953,000, were distributed to children in Kandahar.
The
Islamic Development Bank’s report detailed that the total number of children
who benefited from this treatment program was 17,543, including 9,940 boys and
7,603 girls.
Recently,
Médecins Sans Frontières also announced that last year it treated 10,400
children and 2,416 children under five for malnutrition in the first four
months of this year in Kandahar, Herat, and Helmand.
This
organization’s report painted a grim picture of the situation for children in
Afghanistan, noting that unemployment and poverty among the population have led
to widespread malnutrition among children from affected families.
Despite
these efforts, the ongoing conflict and economic instability in Afghanistan
continue to pose significant challenges to addressing the root causes of
malnutrition. Humanitarian organizations and international agencies face an
uphill battle in their attempts to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable
children in the region.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/islamic-development-bank-treats-over-17000-children-for-severe-malnutrition-in-kandahar/
--------
Pakistani
troops kill three militants at Afghanistan border
July 23,
2024
The
Pakistani military announced that it had neutralized three militants who were
attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
The
incident occurred on Monday, July 22, in the border area of the Dir district in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
In a
statement, the Pakistani military called on the Taliban administration to
prevent militants from entering Pakistan from Afghanistan.
The
statement read: “We expect our neighboring country [Afghanistan] to fulfill its
commitments and prevent terrorists from using Afghanistan’s territory to
conduct terrorist activities in Pakistan.”
Previously,
the Pakistani military had pointed to an attack by forces loyal to Gul Bahadur,
a commander of the Pakistani Taliban, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in
the deaths of eight soldiers. The military indicated that this group is based
in Afghanistan.
The
Pakistani military has warned that it will take necessary actions in response
to threats emanating from Afghanistan. In May of this year, the military
reported the killing of 29 militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The
ongoing cross-border militancy poses a significant challenge to regional
stability and underscores the complex security dynamics in the region.
Continued cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is critical to
effectively addressing these security threats.
International
observers and stakeholders are urging both countries to engage in constructive
dialogue to prevent further escalation and to tackle the root causes of
militancy collaboratively.
The
situation remains volatile, and coordinated efforts will be essential to ensure
long-term peace and security in the border areas.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/pakistani-troops-kill-three-militants-at-afghanistan-border/
--------
National
unity can only be sought through Islamic system
July 24,
2024
It has
been almost 45 years since Afghanistan was burned in the fire of imposed wars,
while in the last three years, Afghans lived peacefully under the rule of the
Islamic Emirate. How could this be done and who should do this for the Afghans?
This is to be noted that only and only in a very simple word, this can be said
that the Afghans are not as naive as to be unaware of the benefits of national
unity and will not accept what others tell them wrong or negative about. This
is why the enemies are trying to interfere in our political, social,
educational and cultural affairs in order to prevent our people away from the
main objective which is the country’s national unity. Remaining uneducated and
illiterate helps the alien’s interferences continue and badly prevents our
nation from realizing the facts about national unity. Most of the factors of
discord in the world nations are connected to foreign interferences on one hand
and the worse idea of not tolerating each other on the other hand. Following
the defeat of Russian forces and their withdrawal from our country, the
Americans moved forward with the aim of occupying Afghanistan. But, they shed
the blood of Afghans unjustly before the eyes of the international community
for twenty years. But, they were also unable to reach their expected goals by
force, so they left Afghanistan unsuccessfully like the former Red Army. Now
that the Islamic Emirate is in full control of Afghanistan, all misfortunes
have ended. The Islamic system knows the wishes and interests of Afghans and
the country better than anyone else because overall security and national unity
are now restored in the country, which was the greatest desire of the nation.
The members and authorities of the Islamic Emirate, without ethnic, cultural or
linguistic differences, look down on their countrymen and have convinced them
that they will never support those who are seeking their material and financial
interests in the disunity of the Afghan nation as fortunately, their demands
have been fulfilled with the resumption of power by the Islamic Emirate, under
which sure security restored and reconstruction and development projects are
kicked off across the country. This is also to be noted that the Islamic
Emirate sees all Afghan citizens as a single nation and provides them with
allout services and invites all Afghans who have left to return home, take part
in the reconstruction of the country and live under the umbrella of the national
unity.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/national-unity-can-only-be-sought-through-islamic-system/
---------
Afghanistan
Participates in 28th China Kunming Fair, Showcases National Products
2024-07-24
KABUL(BNA)
– The 28th China Kunming Import and Export Fair and the 8th China-South Asia
Expo have officially opened in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, featuring
participation from an official delegation of the Islamic Emirate and
representatives from Afghanistan’s private sector.
According
to a press release from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Afghanistan
showcased its products across various sectors, including carpets, handicrafts,
precious and semi-precious stones, saffron, and dried fruits, in 41 booths at
the exhibition.
The fair
features over 81 participants from Afghanistan, alongside exhibitors from more
than 82 countries, displaying their products and innovations for six days.
On the
sidelines of the exhibition, the delegation from the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan, led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, met with Chinese
investors and industrialists, sharing investment opportunities in Afghanistan
and encouraging them to invest in the country.
Source: bakhtarnews.af
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the text of the original Story
https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/afghanistan-participates-in-28th-china-kunming-fair-showcases-national-products/
--------
Europe
UK
Convicts Radical Islamist Preacher Anjem Choudary for Leading Proscribed Terror
Group, al-Muhajiroun
23 July
2024
LONDON —
British radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary, whose followers have been
linked to numerous plots around the world, has been convicted of terrorism
offenses after a trial in London, the capital’s Metropolitan Police said on
Tuesday.
Prosecutors
said the 57-year-old Choudary directed al-Muhajiroun, which was banned as a
terrorist organization more than a decade ago, and encouraged others to support
the group. Choudary denied the charges.
He was
found guilty of directing and being a member of a terrorist organization, as
well as addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organization
after a six-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
Commander
Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said Choudary was
facing “a significant sentence.” He is due to be sentenced on July 30.
He stood
trial alongside Canadian citizen Khaled Hussein, 29, who was arrested on the
same day as Choudary in 2023 when he arrived on a flight at Heathrow Airport.
Hussein was found guilty of membership of a proscribed organization.
“I have
no doubt that these convictions have left communities here in London, but also
right across the UK and beyond, much safer,” Murphy said.
The
joint investigation by the Met Police and Britain’s domestic spy agency MI5 was
assisted by the New York Police Department and Royal Canadian Mounted Police,
who together gathered evidence that Choudary was running and directing
al-Muhajiroun via online lectures with followers based in New York.
Police
said Hussein helped him host the lectures with other extremists and edited
extremist online blogs and publications for Choudary.
Once
Britain’s most high-profile Islamist preacher, Choudary was previously
imprisoned in Britain in 2016 for encouraging support for Islamic State before
being released in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half-year sentence.
Choudary
drew attention for praising the men responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks
on the United States and saying he wanted to convert Buckingham Palace into a
mosque.
Source: timesofisrael.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.timesofisrael.com/uk-convicts-radical-islamist-preacher-for-leading-proscribed-terror-group/
--------
‘I will
burn every single mosque’ - Muslim political group was inundated with racist
abuse during election
23-07-24
A Muslim
political group has described the scale of racist and Islamophobic abuse it
received during the recent general election.
The
Muslim Vote is reporting the offensive messages received to the police in the
hope that the perpetrators will be held accountable.
Among
the messages, seen by The Independent, are serious threats to safety such as
the “burning down” of mosques and correspondence calling staff “vile terrorist
scum”.
“Get out
or die, your choice,” says another.
Speaking
to The Independent, The Muslim Vote coordinator Abubakr Nanabawa, 24, said the
small team within the organisation began receiving an influx of abusive emails
around February, accusing them of trying to undermine democracy and being
unappreciative of British values.
“Since
then, it’s been a steady stream of violent and threatening messages,” he said
which impacted the morale of his colleagues.
“Now,
when you’re a Muslim in politics, you learn to move past or, as much as
possible, ignore the abuse. If you start dwelling on these things, you won’t
have much time to do anything productive during the day.
Nanabawa, who’s based in Gloucestershire,
continued: “These threats can make you feel vulnerable. For a short period, we
even had to turn off our X/Twitter replies; you worry what the consequences
will be for other Muslims who want to be politically involved but will be
frightened when they see the kind of language and demonisation faced by us.”
Gloucestershire
Constabulary have been notified about this abuse.
Mr
Nanabawa described the violent messages as “an assault on the entire Muslim
community”.
“This is
not the democracy we strive for,” he added.
Founded
in December 2023, The Muslim Vote is a political organisation that seeks to
foster engagement in politics among Muslim communities and support candidates who
oppose the Conservative and Labour leadership stances on the Israel–Hamas
conflict, among other policy positions.
It has
seen a groundswell of support within a short space of time, with backing from
18 national Muslim organisations including Muslim Census, Muzz, the Islam
Channel and Prevent Watch.
The Muslim Vote was formed in response to the
drop in support for Labour, among Muslim communities over its handling of
Israel’s attacks in Gaza, and a lack of confidence in the former Conservative
government.
A survey
of Muslim voters found that 86 per cent voted for Labour in the 2019 general
election, however, following Labour’s initial support of recent Israeli
military action in Gaza, a follow-up poll revealed support for the party fell
among Muslims to just 43 per cent saying they would vote Labour in the next
election.
Candidates
endorsed by The Muslim Vote received 462,728 votes in the election and were
elected across four constituencies as independent candidates, according to the
group.
The
abuse against the organisation comes as the independent MP for Leicester South,
Shockat Adam, a Muslim, has reportedly received death threats and was
consequently forced to miss a Commons debate due to safety concerns.
Mr
Nanabawa, himself a former Labour activist, says the group is calling on
political leaders to “condemn this hate unequivocally”, adding: “their silence
is complicity”.
“The
Labour Party needs to focus on trying to win back votes from these communities,
rather than seeing them vilified,” he added.
The
group is also urging the media to “report responsibly and avoid amplifying
divisive rhetoric” which “has an impact” on Islamophobia within society.
This
comes after a landmark study, published in 2020, revealed widescale negative
media reporting about Islam and believers of the faith.
“Once
every five years, we have the opportunity to make our voices heard in a general
election,” Mr Nanabawa said.
“As a
Muslim in Britain, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t.
“You’re
damned if you do participate in democracy...in which case, you’re not embracing
British values. Whereas, if you don’t participate then you’re sectarian and
undermining Britain.”
Source: independent.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/election-abuse-muslim-vote-racism-b2584453.html
--------
No
evidence comments on Islam and Ukraine attributed to Donald Trump are real
23 JULY
2024
Posts on
social media which attribute comments about Islam and Ukraine to Donald Trump
and imply he made them in his Republican National Convention speech are false.
The
claim appears on several platforms, including on X (formerly Twitter), where it
has been shared over 8,200 times, and Facebook—together with a nearly four
minute video clip of the presidential candidate making a speech. In some
examples the posts include a picture of Mr Trump rather than the video.
They
include a supposed quote from Mr Trump, saying: “I will not tolerate Islamic
Terrorism at any cost. The Russia Ukraine war is not a real issue.
“Islamic
Terrorism is the real issue which is spreading like a cancer all over the world
today.” Some of these also add at the end: “~ Donald Trump [sic].”
However,
nowhere in the footage of Mr Trump’s speech from the final night of the
Republican National Convention on 18 July does he make these comments.
While he
does mention Ukraine and Russia in the shorter clip being shared on social
media, he does not say the war was “not a real issue”. He actually said: “Under
President Bush, Russia invaded Georgia. Under President Obama, Russia took
Crimea. Under the current administration, Russia is after all of Ukraine, under
President Trump Russia took nothing.”
He
mentioned Ukraine three other times in the full speech.
One of
those mentions was in the shorter clip, where he also said: “Look at what’s
happening with Ukraine. The cities are just bombed out. How can people live
like that? Where buildings, massive buildings are falling to the ground?”
In the
full speech he also mentioned the “horrible war with Russia and Ukraine”, and
later stated “Russia invaded Ukraine”.
The full
transcript of that speech shows he didn’t say the quotes about “Islamic
Terrorism” either. He did make two references to terrorism generally. In the
short clip, he said: “Viktor Orban, prime minister of Hungary, very tough man.
He said, ‘I don’t want people coming into my country and blowing up our
shopping centres and killing people.’”
Mr Trump
also said: “And terrorists at numbers that we’ve never seen before.”
And Full
Fact has not been able to find evidence that Mr Trump ever made the comments
being attributed to him on social media.
But he
has made many references to “Islamic terrorism” over the years, including
several times on Twitter.
While in
office he introduced a number of executive orders which banned people from
certain majority-Muslim countries from entering the US for 90 days (although
some orders were overturned, the Supreme Court upheld the travel ban in 2018,
which was repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021).
It’s
important to consider whether what you see online is accurate, so you can avoid
sharing misleading information. We have written a number of guides on how to do
this, and have fact checked a number of false or misleading claims about Mr
Trump in the wake of the attempted assassination.
Source: fullfact.org
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://fullfact.org/online/donald-trump-islam-ukraine-terrorism-false-claim/
--------
Faith no
reason to keep brain-damaged Muslim father on life support, judge rules
July 23,
2024
A Muslim
father’s faith is not a reason to keep him in a “persistent vegetative state,”
according to a judge who has ruled that his life support should be switched off
after eight months.
The
66-year-old former chef, who had a history of diabetes and heart disease, was
taken to Whittington Hospital in London last December with severe pneumonia.
He
suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital and although resuscitation was successful,
he suffered multi-organ failure over the next few days and slipped into a coma.
As the
father-of-seven, known as XY in the judgment, emerged from the coma with the
withdrawal of sedation, his medical team said it was clear he was in a
“prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC)”, a term which has historically
been categorised as a “persistent vegetative state”, the court heard.
The
judge, Mr Justice Hayden, said although the latter phrase is often used in
evidence, it brings “great distress” to families and hoped it could be
consigned to the past.
The
Whittington Health NHS Trust asked the Court of Protection, a specialist family
court, to rule that the ventilation and clinically assisted nutrition and
hydration keeping him alive should stop as they were not in his “best
interests”. The man’s children argued that that their father had a greater
level of awareness than the doctors believed, taking videos which they said
showed him making finger movements. They also said their father would not want his
treatment to end.
Although
he still had a capacity for reflex action, doctors told the court the man had
no sentient function, meaning he could not sense anything.
The
family’s case for keeping their father on life support centred on their Muslim
faith. Mr Justice Hayden said the family went beyond the hope “for a degree of
recovery that the medical evidence simply cannot sustain”.
He said:
“They believe in the capacity of Allah to perform miracles. They further
believe that questions of life and death lie entirely in the hands of Allah and
not a doctor or a judge.”
All of
XY’s seven children appeared in court at some stage during the hearing. His
daughter said that the course proposed by the doctors would be contrary to
Islamic faith, as understood by her father.
Mr
Justice Hayden said: “She told me that the Quran decreed that ‘he who kills a
man, kills mankind; he who saves a man, saves mankind’. This is also present in
the Torah and has resonances in the Bible.”
However,
the judge agreed that the “burdensome treatment of the kind contemplated here,
can only be truly ethical where it can achieve benefit for the patient. Here,
the treatment is futile.”
The
court heard that relations between the man’s family and medical staff were
amicable and each respected the other’s opinions.
“They
have, in the most difficult of circumstances, forged a genuine, courteous and
mutually respectful relationship,” the judge said.
However,
the judge concluded that the family’s faith did not allow them an “alternative
view”, namely that their father may already be lost to them at, or around the
time, of the cardiac arrest.
A
consultant in intensive care said the man’s physical existence was being
maintained “solely by medical and nursing intervention”.
They
concluded that the man was “extremely unlikely” to make any progression and
would remain in his present condition. He is also vulnerable to infective
complications generated by the various tubes attached to him, the judge said.
Another
consultant said it was clear that the finger movements seen on the family’s
video recordings “demonstrate a reflex response of no neurological
significance, generated entirely within the spinal cord”.
“The
consensus amongst all the doctors, both the instructed experts and the treating
clinicians, is that XY’s prolonged disorder of consciousness, in consequence of
his profound neurological injury, is irreversible,” the judge said in his
ruling, published on Monday.
Mr
Justice Hayden said: “XY is, and has been, remarkable man. He has had an
unslakeable thirst for life and a striking generosity of spirit. He was, for
many years, a chef who thoroughly enjoyed his work. He took pride in the
quality of the dishes he prepared.”
He
added: “The food he prepares for his family is a manifestation of his love for
them. He was aware of each of his children’s favourite dishes and would prepare
them, unbidden, when he thought they were needed. His delight in his 13
grandchildren has been every bit as great as that in his children.”
XY’s
“extraordinary generous and kind disposition” was not confined to his family,
the judge said as his local community was central to his life and he was quick
to identify and help those in need. He attended the mosque daily, frequently
five times per day.
The
judge said: “His Islamic faith was profoundly important to him. I sense that
his prayers were for others rather than for himself.
“He also
did important humanitarian work providing water to remote villages in
Bangladesh. It is not without poignancy that one of the central issues in this
case is whether he now should be treated with hydration.”
Medics
told the court that the man’s kidneys had shown signs of recovery and were
“reasonably confident” that he might manage to breathe unsupported for a period
of time, possibly even months, if provided with nutrition and hydration, his
brain function would never recover.
The
judge said: “This is a concept many families struggle with. The damaged cells
are nerve cells (brain cells) known as neurons and neurons cannot regenerate…
The family’s hope that XY could be given further opportunity to ‘recover’ was
entirely forlorn.”
A
consultant in neurological rehabilitation, who wrote three reports into the
man’s care and reviewed the family’s videos, concluded: “The only opportunity
that [XY] is being given is for a prolonged period of dying.”
The
judge said a 2013 case, Baroness Hale in Aintree University Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust v James, provided the clearest explanation of the test when
considering a patient’s best interests.
That
concluded decision-makers must look at the patient’s welfare in the widest
sense, not just medical but social and psychological, which included the nature
of the medical treatment in question, what it involves and its prospects of
success, as well as what the outcome of that treatment for the patient is
likely to be.
“They
must try and put themselves in the place of the individual patient and ask what
his attitude towards the treatment is or would be likely to be; and they must
consult others who are looking after him or are interested in his welfare, in
particular for their view of what his attitude would be,” the 2013 judgment
states.
Agreeing
with the trust’s decision, Mr Justice Hayden said: “There can be no doubt that
from the medical perspective, continuation of the present treatment is contrary
to XY’s best interests.”
The man
is expected to die within weeks following the ruling which the judge made “with
the deepest of sympathy to the family”.
Mr
Justice Hayden said: “I do not believe, from all I have been told, that [XY]
would wish those who he has loved to believe that he was still there with them,
in any meaningful sense, when the awful truth is that he no longer is.”
Nicola
Kohn, for the NHS trust, told the court that medical evidence was “unanimous”
in indicating that XY “can have no meaningful interactions with the world”.
Fiona
Paterson KC, representing the Official Solicitor on XY’s behalf in court, also
agreed in written submissions that treatment should cease, meaning he could “be
allowed a peaceful and dignified death”.
But XY’s
family urged the court to allow treatment to continue, with his son arguing his
father remains “here in spirit”.
Giving
evidence, he said: “He is fighting. He is trying so hard and we believe through
the power of love, support, and medical expertise, he may get better, but even
if he does not get better, if he slowly deteriorates, we can accept that as
well. But I cannot accept you taking him off the machine, knowing very well
that will initiate the beginning of the end.”
He added
that he believed his father would “100 per cent” prefer to live in his current
state if the alternative was death.
However,
in his ruling the judge said the family’s views were “irreconcilable with
medical evidence” and that the belief that XY “would choose his present
situation to afford comfort to them is based on their false premise of what his
situation actually is”.
A
spokesperson for Whittington Health NHS Trust said: “This was an extremely
complex, difficult and upsetting situation and whilst opinions differed, all
parties have the patient’s best interests at the centre of their minds.
“We’d
like to pay tribute to the patient’s family for the conciliatory way they have
engaged in what must have been an upsetting process. We will follow the court’s
decision, working closely with the family as we enter the next phase of this
patient’s care.”
Source: inews.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/faith-no-reason-muslim-father-life-support-judge-3184818?ITO=newsnow
--------
‘We need
to end war ASAP’ – Zelensky
23 Jul,
2024
Ukraine
would like the fighting with Russia to end as quickly as possible to stop the
loss of life, Vladimir Zelensky has said.
The
Ukrainian leader was speaking with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s
secretary of state visiting Kiev. Zelensky thanked the Holy See for a “strong
signal” of support to Ukraine.
“I think
all of us understand that we have to finish the war, as soon as possible of
course, not to lose people’s lives,” Zelensky said in English, according to the
video posted on his Telegram channel.
Last
week, Zelensky told the BBC he hoped to end the “hot stage” of the war “by the
end of this year” and that no one wanted to keep the conflict going “for
another ten years or longer.”
In the
same interview, however, he clarified that his solution was for Ukraine’s
allies in the West to agree on backing his “peace formula” and present it to Russia
as a unified bloc.
The
“peace formula” is a list of Zelensky’s demands first revealed in November
2022, ranging from Russia’s withdrawal from all territories Ukraine claims as
its own – including Crimea and Donbass – payment of reparations, war crimes
trials for the Russian leadership, and Ukraine’s membership in NATO. Moscow has
rejected it as delusional.
A month
before publishing the “formula,” Zelensky also signed a decree banning any
negotiations with Russia so long as President Vladimir Putin remained in power.
Zelensky’s
sudden interest in ending the conflict quickly was a marked change of tone from
March, when Pope Francis urged Kiev to show “the courage of the white flag” and
negotiate with Moscow.
“Our
flag is a yellow and blue one,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba
replied at the time. “We shall never raise any other flags.”
Pope
Francis also made two offers to mediate in the conflict with Russia last year,
only to be rejected by Kiev both times. The last rejection came in June, right
before the Ukrainian grand offensive that ended up being a total failure and
incurring massive casualties.
Zelensky
might be changing his rhetoric because of fears that former US president Donald
Trump could return to the White House and change Washington’s policy of
unconditional support to Kiev, Polish international relations expert Dr. Witold
Sokala said on Monday.
Russia
has repeatedly said it was willing to negotiate the end of hostilities with
Ukraine. Last month, Putin listed a set of terms for a ceasefire, including
Kiev officially giving up NATO aspirations, withdrawing from Russian regions,
and having all Western sanctions on Russia lifted.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/russia/601557-zelensky-war-end-year/
--------
Southeast Asia
PM Anwar
welcomes agreement between Fatah and Hamas
23-07-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the agreement
between Fatah and Hamas, inked in Beijing, which aims to strengthen Palestinian
unity.
In a
Facebook post today, Anwar said the Beijing Declaration represents a promising
step towards achieving Palestinian solidarity, so crucial for realising the
rights of the Palestinian people.
He also
commended the Government of the People’s Republic of China for facilitating
talks between Fatah, Hamas and twelve other Palestinian political factions.
“It is
my sincere hope that this declaration of unity will translate into tangible
results on the ground and withstand future challenges,” he said.
Noting
that international backing is essential, Anwar also urged governments that have
not yet done so to recognise the State of Palestine and support these unity
efforts.
“All
relevant parties must work towards ending the barbaric attacks on the
Palestinians by Israeli forces,” he said.
Anwar
said Malaysia stands ready to actively promote all measures towards that end.
According
to Anadolu Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today announced that
Palestinian factions have pledged to end divisions during their reconciliatory
talks in Beijing.
Wang
hailed the Beijing Declaration signed by the Palestinian factions to form an
“interim national reconciliation government” to govern Gaza after the war,
media reports said.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://thesun.my/local-news/pm-anwar-welcomes-agreement-between-fatah-and-hamas-AC12765063
--------
Indonesia
Celebrates Inaugural National Kebaya Day, Proposes UNESCO Recognition
July 24,
2024
Jakarta.
The 2024 National Kebaya Day celebration marks its inaugural event. As
stipulated in Presidential Decree Number 19 of 2023, National Kebaya Day will
be observed annually on July 24. Additionally, Indonesia, in collaboration with
Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Thailand, has proposed the kebaya
for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Chief
Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto highlighted that the kebaya is
closely associated with women, particularly as a strength in small and medium
industries (IKM) largely operated by women. To support this, the government
provides business loans and training that women can utilize.
"The
kebaya symbolizes the domestic clothing, fabric, and textile industries. This
kebaya industry has 100 percent local content. Many fabrics are produced across
Indonesia using non-mechanical looms with distinctive characteristics," he
said during the opening of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) Expo as
part of the National Kebaya Day 2024 celebration at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, on
Tuesday.
The
government has allocated Rp 270 trillion ($16.64 billion) in microcredit loans
(KUR) for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including those in the
textile and garment industry, which are predominantly female-driven.
"The
total funds provided amount to Rp 270 trillion, and women are encouraged to
access these loans," Airlangga said.
He
explained that the government has prepared loans ranging from zero to Rp 10
million with a very low interest rate of just 3 percent. "Ninety percent
of these loans are accessed by women," said Airlangga.
Additionally,
loans ranging from Rp 10 million to Rp 100 million can be accessed without
collateral at a government-subsidized interest rate of 6 percent. There are
also loans available from Rp 100 million to Rp 500 million.
At the
same event, Kowani Chairwoman Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo expressed hope that the
existence of the kebaya would continue through the commemoration of National
Kebaya Day 2024. This not only preserves culture but also positively impacts
women's businesses and industries. "The kebaya is linked to the struggle,
empowerment, and independence of women," said Giwo.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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the text of the original Story
https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/indonesia-celebrates-inaugural-national-kebaya-day-proposes-unesco-recognition
--------
‘Unity
in Diversity’: Gov’t Reveals Reason Behind Pope Francis’ Upcoming Jakarta Visit
July 23,
2024
Jakarta.
Pope Francis will visit Jakarta in September and according to a diplomat, the
religious leader wants to see how Indonesians can live in harmony despite their
diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
Pope
Francis is scheduled to visit the populous and multifaith Indonesia on
September 3-6. Indonesia officially recognizes six religions, namely Islam,
Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism with Muslims
making up a majority part of the population.
The
country is known for the motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” or “unity in diversity”.
It signifies how people live in harmony regardless of the diverse religions,
cultures, and ethnicities. Indonesia also embraces the state ideology of
Pancasila, which upholds monotheism and national unity, among others. “Gotong
royong” (‘collaboration’) has become a commonly heard principle across the
archipelago.
According
to Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See Michael Trias Kuncahyono, all these
principles lay the foundation for Pope Francis’ first-ever Jakarta trip.
“If you
ask why Pope Francis is visiting Indonesia, I would say that is because he
considers Indonesia to be an example. We have Pancasila, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,
and how it highly upholds ‘gotong royong’,” Michael told a virtual conference
on Tuesday evening.
“We
[Indonesia] have become a good example. We have to admit there may be some
political dynamics, but that is nothing unusual. Compared to other countries,
we are a harmonious society,” Michael said.
The
Vatican's diplomacy is different from those of other countries, according to
Michael. The Vatican does not harbor any economic, political, or militaristic
interests. Michael added: “It is all about humanity, morality, ethics, and
peace -- these are all that the pope has been promoting.”
In June
2022, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo sent a letter inviting Pope Francis to the
country. As many as 184 countries have established diplomatic ties with the
Holy See. Indonesia will become the 66th country to receive Francis' visit since
his papacy began in 2013. Jakarta will be the first stop in Pope Francis’
upcoming Asia-Pacific tour.
This
will be the third time for Indonesia to host a papal visit. In 1970,
then-President Soeharto greeted the visiting Pope Paul VI. Indonesia also had a
visit by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
Please click the following URL to read
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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/unity-in-diversity-govt-reveals-reason-behind-pope-francis-upcoming-jakarta-visit-
--------
Singapore
partners with UAE and Cyprus to ship more aid to Gaza
22 Jul
2024
SINGAPORE,
July 22 — Singapore held a ceremony today to hand over about 300 tonnes of
canned sardines and 1,000 tonnes of rice to Gaza, according to a statement
released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Singapore
will work with the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus to transport the supplies to
Gaza, reported Xinhua.
“We
reiterate our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, as well as the
unconditional, immediate, and safe release of all hostages. We also urge all
parties to allow for the urgent, safe, and unhindered provision of humanitarian
aid to affected civilians in Gaza,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Singapore
has donated supplies worth over S$17 million (RM60 million) to Gaza. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2024/07/22/singapore-partners-with-uae-and-cyprus-to-ship-more-aid-to-gaza/144621
---------
Palo
Alto Networks: Majority of Malaysian firms experienced cyber attack in 2023
24-07-
2024
KUALA
LUMPUR: Global cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks has stated that 78.4
per cent of Malaysian respondents experienced at least one cyberattack in the
past year, with over 55 per cent facing attacks monthly or weekly.
In a
statement today, the company said that based on its “State of OT Security: A
Comprehensive Guide to Trends, Risks, and Cyber Resilience” report released
recently, a quarter of Malaysian organisations had to shut down industrial
operations in 2023 due to successful attacks.
The
report surveyed 1,979 information technology (IT) and operational technology
(OT) business leaders across 23 countries globally, including 51 leaders in
Malaysia, to understand the trends, risks, and cyber resilience strategies
within OT environments.
For this
reason, Palo Alto Networks stated that the collaboration between IT and OT
teams needs to be strengthened to ensure a consolidated approach to
cybersecurity.
According
to the report, 68.6 per cent of respondents stated the relationship between OT
and IT was either siloed or frictional.
This
disparity is attributed to the historical roles of both teams, with IT
traditionally responsible for company-wide security and OT focused on
industrial operations, Palo Alto Networks said.
The
company also recommended that an artificial intelligence-led approach stands at
the forefront of defence, offering unparalleled capabilities to analyse massive
data volumes at speed, as well as identify patterns indicating imminent
threats, even before an attack occurs.
Palo
Alto Networks’ country manager for Malaysia, Sarene Lee said to combat
sophisticated cyber threats, companies also need to secure their cloud
infrastructure and create a zero-trust policy to ensure strong access security.
“By
implementing these safeguards, our industrial sector can better protect its
assets and ensure operational continuity in the face of emerging cyber
threats,” she said.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/local-news/palo-alto-networks-majority-of-malaysian-firms-experienced-cyber-attack-in-2023-CC12767948
--------
Pakistan
PTI
starts hunger strike against Imran Khan, other leaders' detention
July 23,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
After sealing of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) secretariat and detention
of Raoof Hasan and other activists, the former ruling party on Tuesday kicked
off a hunger strike by establishing a camp outside the Parliament House in
Islamabad to demand release of the party founder Imran Khan and other leaders.
The
embattled Imran-founded party has faced back-to-back setbacks in a few days as
its central secretariat in the federal capital was sealed by the authorities
earlier today a day after the party's Information Secretary Hasan was nabbed
along with the other party workers.
A day
earlier, Islamabad police took Hasan into custody from the party's Central
Secretariat for heading a digital media cell and its alleged involvement in running
anti-Pakistan propaganda.
Speaking
to journalists outside parliament, the party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan
said that the hunger strike will be observed daily till 8pm as a token protest
against "injustice" and for the PTI founder's release and the
supremacy of the parliament.
He added
that he conveyed his party’s reservations to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz
Sadiq over "illegal and unconstitutional actions".
The
lawyer-cum-politician said that his party raised voice for the PTI lawmakers
and their families who were being picked up.
"[The]
PTI founder and his wife have been imprisoned for no reason. This camp will
continue till the release of the PTI founder."
Gohar
strongly condemned the sealing of the party’s secretariat in the federal capital.
It is
noteworthy to mention here that the Islamabad administration sealed the PTI's
central office earlier today over "lack of fire and life safety
arrangements".
In a
notice, which was obtained by Geo News, the administration said that the
building lacked up-to-date fire extinguishers, emergency evacuation plan, an
independent power source for the emergency system, and standard electric
wiring.
The PTI
secretariat was sealed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) two months
ago during an anti-encroachment operation in which a portion of the party's
central office was demolished. However, the party office reopened following the
directives of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Another
PTI senior leader and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser said: "Our first demand
is to release the PTI founder, his wife Bushra Bibi and other detainees,
including Hasan and party workers."
He held
the federal government responsible for the recent wave of lawlessness and
inflation across the country.
Qaiser
urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government to immediately resign
over "bad governance and mismanaging the economy".
PTI's
Secretary-General Omar Ayub Khan said that the token hunger strike was being
observed for the release of the incarcerated former premier, PTI Vice Chairman
Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other arrested leaders and workers.
The
opposition leader in the National Assembly censured the Metropolitan
Corporation Islamabad (MCI) for sealing the PTI's central office once again.
Instead of the PTI secretariat, the MCI should seal its own office "where
mice running everywhere", he slammed.
Omar
also demanded the "Form 47" government — a reference to the alleged
manipulation in the February 8 election results — to immediately resign and
announce fresh elections. He added that the PTI wanted free and fair polls to
pull the country out of crisis.
Addressing
the participants of the hunger strike camp, Shibli Faraz said that today's
event was part of the PTI's political struggle. He also announced that the
Imran-founded party will hold a countrywide protest on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Several
PTI lawmakers joined the hunger strike camp including Gohar, Qaiser, Omar,
Faraz, Latif Khosa, Ali Muhammad Khan, Falak Naz Chitrali, Sheikh Waqas,
Senator Humayun Mohmand, Saifullah Abro, Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Sahibzada
Sibghatullah, Mehboob Shah, Sajid Mohmand, Dawar Kundi, and others.
Source: thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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PPP,
PML-N take Imran Khan to task over GHQ protest 'confession'
July 23,
2024
The
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have
lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan over his alleged
confession that he had asked his supporters to protest outside the General
Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi in case of his arrest in May last year.
Talking
to media persons during a hearing of a case inside Adiala jail a day ago, the
former prime minister accepted he had given a call for organising a peaceful
protest outside the military’s headquarters in Rawalpindi, in response to the
"attack" on his Zaman Park residence by law enforcers, prior to his
arrest.
Responding
to the media reports about the party founder’s statement, the PTI leaders have
said that the remarks were wrongly attributed to Khan as he had not said such a
thing.
PML-N
leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in a statement today, said the
"mastermind" of May 9 incidents had finally confessed to the sin of
architecting and facilitating them.
Maryam
termed the PTI an anarchist group, saying its only aim was to harm the state
through mischiefs. She also alleged that Khan's Zaman Park residence served as
a hub for terrorists.
“Zaman
Park remained the training headquarters for terrorists, where training was
imparted to make petrol bombs and to attack the state,” she said.
Referring
to the PTI founder’s injury following which his leg was plastered, she said the
May 9 tragedy was planned during the “drama of tying the leg in plaster for
four months”.
On the
PTI’s claim that it had called for a peaceful protest, she queried what kind of
peaceful protest it was, wherein more than 200 military installations were
vandalised.
“Pakistan
Air Force planes were set on fire, corps commander's house was burnt and
martyrs' memorials were defiled.
“Writing
a letter to the IMF is part of this big conspiracy to make Pakistan default.
Conspiracies to wave ciphers and desecration of martyrs' memorials are part of
all this,” she said.
Moreover,
the Punjab CM demanded strict action against the miscreant and anarchic group
saying it was a “necessity for national security and national interests”.
She also
alleged the PTI of alienating friendly countries from Pakistan, saying its
leaders used foul language against leadership of the friendly countries.
Maryam
said the same party attacked the parliament, PTV, and Prime Minister House in
2014 as well as caused the Chinese president to postpone his visit.
Meanwhile,
PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman termed Khan’s admission of committing the
felony of May 9 as a confessional statement.
“Finally,
Imran Khan has admitted that he gave the call for protest outside the GHQ,” she
said demanding the former PM to seek apology from the nation.
She said
the confession to giving call for attack on institutes was not sufficient, Khan
should seek apology for his crime.
The PPP
leader said he continuously held the government and state institutions
responsible for the violent protests. He even targeted sensitive institutes in
a bid to evade his arrest, she maintained.
Additionally,
the politico lambasted the incarcerated PTI founder for curtailing others'
facilities in jail during his tenure and enjoying “every facility” himself.
Rehman
said he was giving interviews in foreign journals by meeting the party leaders,
while claiming that they had been kept in a "terrorist cell".
“In the
past, no leader has been given video link and interview facilities from jail.
Has Imran Khan forgotten his fascism in the past? Those who snatched facilities
from the jails of opponents are asking for facilities for themselves today.
While today they have every facility in the jail,” she said.
It is
pertinent here to mention that the former premier has been embroiled in a
series of cases for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, triggered after
his arrest in a graft case, which saw several military and state installations
including the Lahore Corps Commander's residence being vandalised.
The
then-government as well as the one incumbent ruling party has time and again
blamed the PTI founder and the party's senior leadership for engineering
"organised" attacks on military installations.
Despite
securing relief in some cases, the ex-PM still faces as many as 12 cases
related to the May 9 incidents which are being heard by an Anti-Terrorism
Court.
Of the
12 cases, five cases had been registered at Sarwar Road Police Station, three
cases lodged at Gulberg Police Station, and one case each at Race Course,
Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town police stations.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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PTI
women finalised for Punjab Assembly reserved seats
July 24,
2024
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly finalised the list of its
candidates for the seats reserved for women in the Punjab Assembly.
The list
has been prepared after the recent Supreme Court verdict in favour of the party
for getting the reserved seats on the basis of the general seats won by the
candidates with its support in the Feb 8 vote.
It is
learnt that the PTI has prepared a list of 35 women candidates, including
recently released social media activist Sanam Javaid and incarcerated central
Punjab chapter president Dr Yasmin Rashid. However, it may claim only 24 women
reserved seats in the provincial house.
The
final approval of the list will be given by the founder chairman Imran Khan.
Yasmin,
Sanam among candidates
Other
women leaders included in the Punjab Assembly list are: Tayyaba Ambreen, Naheed
Niaz (Okara), Abida Raja (north Punjab women wing head); Saira Raza (north
Punjab general secretary), Azra Naseem (west Punjab general secretary), Qurban
Fatima (ex-south Punjab president), Farah Agha (ex-MPA and Rawalpindi dist
head), Firdous Rahna (ex-MPA and women wing VP), Sadia Ayub, Ayesha Bhutta,
Neelam Iftikhar Rao (Sahiwal chapter head), Sara Ali Syed, and Tanzeela Imran
(Lahore women wing chief).
Rukhsana
Raza Bano, Ruqia Bibi (Rajanpur dist president), Safia Javed (recommended by
Moonis Elahi), Aminah Badar, Bushra Saeed (DG Khan), Amira Azhar, Aqsa Asim
(Chiniot dist president), Shehla Mumtaz Niazi (Mianwali), Maimoona Kamal
(Islamabad), Shireen Nawaz, Syeda Fatima Haider, Tehmina Riaz, Nelofer Ahmad
Malik (Jhelum), Maryam Kulsoom (daughter of Mahmoodur Rasheed), Adeeba Nazar,
Saima Noreen, Syeda Hina, Parveen Zaman, Shahmeen Shahid (recommended by Hammad
Azhar), and Mrs Bilal Warraich.
Almost
all the nominees have either been part of the May 9 protest or have performed
‘security’ duty at Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan, reveals the comments
given about each of those on the list.
In May,
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan had suspended 24 women and three
minority MPAs elected on reserved seats and barred them from joining house
proceedings after the Supreme Court had suspended the Election Commission of
Pakistan’s verdict to allocate reserved seats to parties other than PTI/Sunni
Ittehad Council.
Meanwhile,
the PTI has also prepared a list of 14 nominees for the reserved seats for
women from the Punjab quota in the National Assembly.
They
are: Women’s wing president Kanwal Shauzeb, general secretary Rubina Shaheen,
ex-north Punjab president Seemabiya Tahir, Farkhunda Kokab, Aaliya Hamza,
interim Punjab president Shahnaz Tariq, general secretary Punjab Dr. Misbah
Zafar, Rubiya Jameel, Rehana Dar, Khadija Shah, Dr Nosheen Hamid, ex-governor
Umar Cheema’s wife Rabia Sultan Cheema, Farah Agha and Firdous Rehana.
Source: dawn.com
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Pakistan,
UK agree to enhance bilateral ties
July 23,
2024
Pakistan
and United Kingdom have agreed to work together to enhance bilateral
cooperation and to remain engaged in the run-up to the Commonwealth Heads of
Government meeting in October.
An
understanding to this effect came at a telephone conversation between Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and newly elected
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of
the United Kingdom David Lammy.
On this
occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed desire to work with Foreign
Secretary Lammy on tackling climate change, creating opportunities for young
people, and boosting trade and investment.
He
underlined the importance Pakistan accords to its relations with the United
Kingdom including in the context of the Commonwealth.
Ishaq
Dar congratulated David Lammy on his appointment as the British Foreign
Secretary and expressed hope that the new government in the United Kingdom
would continue the positive momentum in Pakistan-UK ties.
The two
Ministers lauded the positive contributions of British Pakistanis towards
reinforcing the cordial relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
On his
part, Foreign Secretary Lammy congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Dar on
Pakistan's election to the UN Security Council and reaffirmed the support of
the United Kingdom for Pakistan during its term.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Loss
making institutions being privatized to strengthen country's economy: Aleem
July 24,
2024
Minister
for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan has said loss making institutions are being
privatized to strengthen the country's economy.
Talking
to the French Ambassador Nicolas Galle in Islamabad, he said these institutions
have the potential to earn profit and perform better.
Abdul
Aleem Khan expressed the government's commitment to complete Karachi to Sukkur
motorway. He said the road network to
China and Central Asian countries will be completed to promote trade in the
region.
The
French envoy expressed his country's interest in investing and business
activities across various sectors in Pakistan.
They
also discussed various proposals for enhancing bilateral trade between the two
countries.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/24-07-2024/loss-making-institutions-being-privatized-to-strengthen-countrys-economy-aleem
--------
PM
welcomes Beijing Declaration on Palestine's Unity govt
July 23,
2024
Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the Beijing Declaration among leading
Palestinian groups to unite and form an interim unity government.
In a
post on social media platform X, he particularly applauded the People's
Republic of China for securing this important diplomatic success.
He said
that for long the people of Palestine have seen nothing but pain and suffering
and today's agreement ignites hope that lasting peace can be achieved.
The
Prime Minister stressed the world to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian
people and urge Israel to end its brazen violence that has destroyed Gaza and
killed around forty thousand innocent Palestinians during the last ten months.
He said
that Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and
reiterates its call for a two-state solution that creates an independent state
of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and Al Quds as its capital.
Shehbaz
Sharif said that unity among Palestinian factions is essential for a strong and
effective voice for peace, justice and statehood. He said that we stand with
the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/23-07-2024/pm-praises-chinas-role-in-palestinian-unity-agreement
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Punjab
CM lauds Germany for swift response to attack on consulate
July 24,
2024
Punjab
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed gratitude to German authorities for
their swift response to attack on Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt.
Talking
to German Ambassador Alfred Grannas in Lahore today, she expressed hope that
those responsible for the attack will be brought to justice and stressed need
of preventing such incidents in future.
Ambassador
Alfred Grannas commended Punjab government's efforts in creating conducive
environment for foreign investment.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/24-07-2024/punjab-cm-lauds-to-germany-for-swift-response-to-attack-on-consulate
--------
Mideast
Muslim
independents seek to influence new British government’s Gaza policy
23 July
,2024
The
British Labour Party won a landslide victory in the UK parliamentary elections
on July 4 with a comfortable majority of 140 seats in the national parliament
in Westminster. The Labour leader and new prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer,
insists that his government is committed to bringing meaningful and lasting
change to the country, after 14 years of rule by the Conservative party. But
what if any change will there be to British policy on the Middle East, and
specifically toward the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza?
For all
the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
In a
phone call following his election victory, Starmer told Israeli Prime Minister
Netanyahu that he looked forward to deepening the “close relationship” between
Britain and Israel and cooperating to deter what he called “malign threats.”
Starmer has also announced a strategic review of Britain’s defence policy, led
by the former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, who made clear that
Britain saw Israel’s mortal enemy Iran as one of these malign threats,
alongside China, Russia and North Korea.
But
Starmer balanced his support for strategic cooperation with Israel with a call
for a full ceasefire in the Gaza war, going beyond the “humanitarian pause”
advocated by the previous British government. Starmer also told Netanyahu that
the Palestinian Authority (PA) needed to have the financial means to operate
effectively if there was to ultimately be a two-state solution - a direct
rebuke to the Israeli government, which has brought the PA to the brink of collapse
by withholding millions of dollars in tax revenues in its bid to prevent the
emergence of a Palestinian state.
This
message of strategic cooperation with Israel accompanied by criticism of the
current government’s policies was one that new British Foreign Secretary David
Lammy also sought to convey on his first international visit to Israel and the
Palestinian territories on July 14.
Lammy’s
tone during his visit to Israel was notably more critical than that of the
previous British government. While former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had talked
of Israel’s right to defend its security and defeat the threat from Hamas,
following its atrocity on October 7, Lammy made no mention of Hamas. He said he
was in Israel to “push for a ceasefire,” insisting that the “horrendous” loss
of life in Gaza had to stop. He did meet families of some of the over one
hundred Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, however, and promised to do
everything he could to bring them home. But since Britain is not part of the
ongoing hostage release talks it is hard to see what such a promise might mean.
Nor is it in a position to exert real influence over either side in the Gaza
conflict. Given this, it might appear strange that Lammy should choose to make
his first visit as foreign secretary to Jerusalem and Ramallah rather than to a
European capital. But the main reason the issue of Israel and Gaza figures so
prominently in Labour thinking lies closer to home.
While
Labour trounced the Conservatives in the July 4 parliamentary election, it
actually won no more votes nationwide than it had in the 2019 election, when
Labour went down to its worst defeat since the 1930s. The reason it won this
time was the collapse of the Conservative vote. And under the UK’s
“first-past-the-post” electoral system a majority for one of the two major
parties means it will form the government. The votes that the Conservatives
shed went not to Labour, but to smaller parties and independent candidates. One
of the reasons for this was a grassroots campaign to make the Gaza war an
electoral issue in Britain.
The four
million Muslim citizens of Britain account for around six percent of the
electorate. In 2019, around eighty percent voted Labour. But this time many
British Muslims turned away from Labour and opted instead for independent
Muslim candidates, encouraged by a pressure group called the Muslim Vote (TMV),
which called for a boycott of Labour MPs who had failed to call for an
immediate ceasefire..
And it
worked. Four independent Muslim candidates have now won seats in parliament
which Labour had fully expected to win, sometimes unseating leading Labour
figures and Muslim Labour candidates.
The
emergence of independent MPs, backed by organizations promoting a platform
appealing to a narrow section of the electorate risks introducing a divisive
sectarianism into British politics. But, pernicious or not, there is no denying
that this electoral strategy proved remarkably successful in this election.
Though small, this group of four Muslim MPs is likely to form a vocal pressure
group on the Labour government on foreign policy issues, particularly relating
to Israel and the Palestinians. And these groups have shown they are able to
mobilize at grassroot level in traditional Labour strongholds with large Muslim
populations and successfully campaign against Labour MPs on what they see as
“Muslim” issues.
In the
face of sectarian politics, the challenge for this Labour government and for
the other major parties in British politics is to espouse policies that appeal
to voters irrespective of their religious, cultural or social background. When
dealing with tortuous foreign policy issues like the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, which Britain has limited influence to end, this is difficult,
especially when groups with extreme and separatist agendas seek to exploit it
for electoral ends.
Labour
is therefore walking a tightrope in formulating its Middle East policy. British
officials have announced that Labour will restore funding to UNRWA, which
Britain and other countries suspended after reports that the agency’s staff had
taken part in the October 7 pogrom in Israel. On the other hand, Labour is
reportedly rethinking its previous support for the decision by the chief
prosecutor at the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the
Israeli prime minister and defence minister, as well as senior Hamas figures,
over the Gaza war.
We are
unlikely to see any fundamental changes in British policy on Israel, Palestine
and the Gaza war. This, despite appearances, is not a priority issue for the
new Labour government, though managing the strong feelings about it in sections
of the British electorate clearly is.
Source: english.alarabiya.net
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https://english.alarabiya.net/views/2024/07/23/muslim-independents-seek-to-influence-new-british-government-s-gaza-policy
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Palestinian
factions sign declaration to end divisions after talks in China
July 24,
2024
Various
Palestinian factions including rivals Hamas and Fatah agreed to end their
divisions and form a national unity government during negotiations in China
that ended Tuesday, according to Chinese state media. The Beijing Declaration
was signed at the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among the
factions held in China’s capital from July 21-23, state broadcaster CCTV said.
Senior Hamas official Hussam Badran said the most important point of the
Beijing Declaration was to form a Palestinian national unity government to
manage the affairs of Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
has said his goal is to destroy the Iran-backed Hamas group and opposes it having
any role in a post war Gaza administration. A total of 14 Palestinian factions
including the leaders of Fatah and Hamas also met with the media, with China’s
Foreign Minister Wang Yi present, CGTN said in a social media post. The
agreement marks a diplomatic coup for Beijing and its growing influence in the
Middle East, after it brokered a breakthrough peace deal between longstanding
regional foes Saudi Arabia and Iran last year. Badran praised Chinain a
statement for its significant effort to host the talks and reach such a
declaration. “This declaration comes at an important time as our people are
facing a genocidal war, especially in the Gaza Strip,” the statement quoted
Badran as saying. He said the agreement was an “additional positive step toward
achieving Palestinian national unity.” Badran said a national unity government
would manage the affairs of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, oversee
reconstruction, and prepare conditions for elections. This was the position of
Hamas, which it called for and proposed since the first weeks of the battle.
“This creates a formidable barrier against all regional and international
interventions that seek to impose realities against our people’s interests in
managing Palestinian affairs post-war,” said Badran. Rival factions Hamas and
Fatah first met in Beijing in April to discuss reconciliation efforts to end
around 17 years of disputes, the first time a Hamas delegation was publicly
known to have visited China since the war in Gaza began. The long-feuding Palestinian
factions previously failed to heal their political disputes after Hamas
fighters expelled Fatah from Gaza in a short war in 2007. Chinese officials
have ramped up advocacy for the Palestinians in international forums in recent
months, calling for a larger-scale Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and a
specific timetable to implement a two-state solution. Alarabiya
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/palestinian-factions-sign-declaration-to-end-divisions-after-talks-in-china/
---------
What is
the human cost of Israel’s relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in Gaza?
July 23,
2024
LONDON:
Israel’s military has killed dozens of Palestinian civilians and wounded hundreds
more, including children, in its relentless pursuit of Hamas commanders in
Gaza, despite designating many of its areas of operation as “safe zones.”
Palestinian
health officials said on Monday that 16 civilians were killed in eastern Khan
Younis under Israeli shelling, even after Israel issued new orders to evacuate
some neighborhoods to keep the civilian population away from areas of combat.
This
latest bloodshed followed Israel’s July 13 airstrike on Al-Mawasi camp, another
designated safe zone in southern Gaza, which killed at least 90 Palestinians
and wounded 300 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel
said the target of this strike was Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ military wing,
the Al-Qassam Brigades, as well as Rafa Salama, commander of the group’s Khan
Younis Brigade, whom Israel believes was a mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023,
Hamas-led attack.
Denying
reports of his death, a Hamas official told the AFP news agency following the
strike that Deif was “well and directly overseeing” operations, but he provided
no proof for the claim.
Meanwhile,
Daniel Hagari, the spokesman for the Israeli military, has said “there are
increasing signs that we succeeded in the elimination of Mohammed Deif.”
Speaking
to Al-Arabiya TV channel on Friday, he said: “Rafa Salama was certainly
eliminated; Mohammed Deif and Salama sat side by side during the strike. Hamas
is hiding what happened to Deif.”
Herzi
Halevi, Israel’s chief of the general staff, has also accused Hamas of
“concealing the results” of the strike on a west Khan Younis compound, where
both Deif and Salama were purportedly hiding.
Regardless
of whether the strike on Al-Mawasi was successful or not, the attack on an area
packed with civilians drew global condemnation, with observers accusing the
Israeli military of violating international humanitarian law.
Josep
Borrell Fontelles, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and
security policy, wrote on the social media platform X: “Wars have limits
enshrined in international law; end can’t justify all means. We condemn the
violation.”
He
added: “Once again we call for access to independent investigations and
accountability, and for an end to the appalling situation of innocent civilians
in Gaza.”
On the
day of the attack, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israel’s
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi
Hanegbi “to express our serious concern about the recent civilian casualties in
Gaza.”
The
deadly Al-Mawasi strike was not the first incident since the conflict began on
Oct. 7 in which the Israeli military has been accused of disregarding the
safety of civilians and violating international humanitarian law in the pursuit
of Hamas commanders.
In the
fighting since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, at least 38,900 Palestinians,
including more than 13,000 children, have been killed, according to the UN
Human Rights Office. The proportion of the dead who were combatants is a matter
of dispute.
The
Israeli army’s bombing campaign, which Israeli officials say is aimed at Hamas
and not civilian targets, has also destroyed medical, sanitation, and
educational infrastructure across the Palestinian enclave.
Last
month, in an operation that rescued four hostages, the Israeli military killed
and injured hundreds of Palestinians in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee
camp in central Gaza.
The
Israeli military said there were “under 100” Palestinian casualties but was
uncertain how many of them were “terrorists.”
But
almost a quarter of the 142 killed in the operation were women and children,
Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat told BBC Arabic’s “Gaza Today” show, adding that
250 others were injured.
Expressing
“profound shock” at the impact on civilians in Nuseirat, UN spokesman Jeremy
Laurence said the Israeli forces’ actions “seriously call into question whether
the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution … were upheld.”
In
March, the Israeli military mounted a raid on Gaza’s largest medical facility,
Al-Shifa Hospital, where it claimed Hamas fighters and other Palestinian
militants were hiding.
Some
3,000 people were sheltering in Al-Shifa at the time of Israel’s raid, Gaza’s
Hamas-run Health Ministry said. At least 1,500 Palestinians, including 13
children and 21 patients, were killed in the two-week raid, according to the
Euro-Med Monitor, a nongovernmental organization headquartered in Geneva.
Israeli
officials said that “over 200 terrorists” were killed in and around Al-Shifa,
as well as hundreds detained, including several Hamas and Palestinian Islamic
Jihad operatives.
It has
been impossible to independently verify the reported numbers due to a lack of
reporting access to Gaza.
Between
July 8 and 12, Israel attacked six schools operated by the UN Relief and Works
Agency, killing dozens of civilians sheltering in the area, before reportedly
razing the UN agency’s headquarters in Gaza City on July 15.
Israel
has accused local staff at UNRWA of participating in the Oct. 7 attack on
southern Israel, prompting the UN agency to launch an internal investigation
and several major donors, including the US, to suspend funding for its
operation in Gaza and throughout the region.
UNRWA
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called Israel’s attack on his agency’s
Gaza headquarters “another episode in the blatant disregard of international
humanitarian law.”
In a
post on X, he said: “UN facilities must be protected at all times. They must
never be used for military or fighting purposes. Every war has rules. Gaza is
no exception.”
In a
separate post, Lazzarini stressed that “schools must never be used for fighting
or military purposes by any party to the conflict.”
Warning
that “all rules of war have been broken in Gaza,” he said: “The blatant and
constant disregard of international humanitarian law continues unabated.”
Israel
has consistently denied accusations that it targets civilian infrastructure,
accusing Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups of using tunnels under
Gaza’s hospitals to mount attacks and conceal weapons, thereby using the
population as human shields.
Commenting
on Israel’s conduct, a New York-based international lawyer, who asked to remain
anonymous, told Arab News that in the Gaza war, “international law remains
relevant as a framework for accountability and justice by providing mechanisms
to hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes, genocide, and other
atrocities.”
The
International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals accused of war
crimes, has made an attempt to hold “both parties to the conflict” accountable
for alleged war crimes.
Israeli
officials believe the ICC is likely to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant within the next
two weeks, Israeli media reported on July 17.
Karim
Khan, ICC chief prosecutor, filed an application in May for arrest warrants
against two Israeli and three Palestinian individuals suspected of war crimes
and crimes against humanity.
Hamas
commander Deif was among the Palestinians listed in the ICC’s arrest warrant,
alongside Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, and Yahya
Sinwar, head of the Islamist movement in Gaza.
The
arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant accused them of using starvation
as a tool of war, extermination, and deliberately attacking civilian populations,
alongside other war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Khan
said he had “reasonable grounds” to believe the five men bore “criminal
responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the
war in Gaza.
The
decision caused anger among the Hamas leadership, in Israel, and even in the
US. US President Joe Biden described the move as “outrageous,” saying there was
“no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas.”
Hamas
said the ICC’s prosecutor was “equating the victim with the executioner” and
demanded the withdrawal of the allegations against its leaders.
The New
York-based international lawyer said that although international law and
ongoing developments “create a foundation for addressing atrocities and
fostering a more just and peaceful world,” its enforcement “can be inconsistent
and subject to political influence.”
On July
19, the UN’s International Court of Justice at The Hague declared Israel’s
occupation and annexation of the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza
Strip, the West Banks and East Jerusalem, to be “unlawful” in a landmark
ruling.
Stating
that Israel’s discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians violate the
prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid, the ICJ also ordered Israel to
end its occupation of the Palestinian territories “as rapidly as possible.”
Israel
has since Oct. 7 also mounted dozens of raids on the West Bank and East
Jerusalem, killing at least 500 Palestinians, 143 of them children, according
to UN figures.
The
ICJ’s recent ruling, however, is a non-binding advisory opinion that was sought
by the UN General Assembly in 2022, preceding the Israeli onslaught on Gaza and
not directly linked to it.
Responding
to the ruling, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement saying: “The Jewish people
are not occupiers in their own land — not in our eternal capital Jerusalem, nor
in our ancestral heritage of Judea and Samaria (the occupied West Bank).
“No
decision of lies in The Hague will distort this historical truth, and
similarly, the legality of Israeli settlements in all parts of our homeland
cannot be disputed.”
In
December last year, South Africa brought a case against Israel before the ICJ,
alleging it had committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ
issued a provisional ruling in January, modified in May, ordering Israel to
“immediately halt its military offensive” and urging Hamas to release the
hostages immediately and unconditionally.
Regardless,
Israel has continued to bomb Rafah and other parts of the Gaza Strip where well
over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltered, while Hamas is believed to
still hold 116 hostages.
No
amount of legal wrangling has brought the conflict closer to resolution.
Diplomats
and region watchers continue to call on both sides to accept an immediate
ceasefire, to exchange hostages and prisoners, and to actively pursue a
solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the
creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2555226/middle-east
--------
Iraq
bans a Kurdish separatist group and strengthens its cooperation with Turkiye
July 23,
2024
IRBIL,
Iraq: The Iraqi government announced Tuesday an official ban on a Kurdish
separatist group which has been engaged in in a long-running conflict with
Turkiye.
Turkiye
has been seeking greater cooperation from Baghdad in its fight against the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has waged an
insurgency against Turkiye since the 1980s and is banned there.
The
order issued July 14 and published Tuesday by the Department of Administrative
Affairs at the Iraqi Parliament said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani had
issued instructions for the PKK to be described as the “banned Kurdistan
Workers’ Party” in all official correspondence. It was the clearest statement
from the Iraqi government on the group’s status to date.
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Iraq in April for the first time in more
than a decade. At the time, Erdogan said he and Sudani had “consulted on the
joint steps we can take against the PKK terrorist organization and its
extensions, which target Turkiye from Iraqi territory.”
Iraq has
not followed Turkiye’s lead in designating the PKK a terrorist group but has
put it on its list of banned organizations.
The PKK
has maintained bases in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. In
recent months, Turkiye has built up its troops in northern Iraq and has
threatened an offensive to clear PKK forces from the border area.
Turkiye
often launches strikes against targets in Syria and Iraq that it believes to be
affiliated with the PKK. Baghdad has complained that the strikes are a breach
of its sovereignty, but earlier this year, the two governments issued a joint
statement saying that the “PKK organization represents a security threat to
both Turkiye and Iraq.”
The
Turkish defense ministry said Tuesday that four suspected PKK militants were
killed in an air offensive in northern Iraq, including one who was allegedly on
a list of militants most wanted by Turkiye.
The
ministry identified the man as Yusuf Kalkan and said he was wanted for
membership in a terror organization as well as for founding and directing a
terror group.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2555186/middle-east
--------
From
museum to mosque: Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque welcomes 25 million visitors in 4
years
23.07.2024
The
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a major attraction for residents and tourists in
Istanbul, has attracted 25 million visitors in the four years since it was
reopened for worship.
Hagia
Sophia, which served as a church for 916 years until the conquest of Istanbul,
and as a mosque from 1453, functioned as a museum for 86 years after a decision
in 1934.
Türkiye's
Association for the Protection of Historical Monuments and Environment had
filed a lawsuit requesting the annulment of the Council of Ministers' decision
to convert Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum.
The case
ended July 10, 2020, with the 10th Chamber of the Council of State unanimously
annulling the Council of Ministers' decision that was dated Nov. 24, 1934,
paving the way for Hagia Sophia to be reopened for worship.
Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the decree to reopen Hagia Sophia for
worship on the same day.
The
president's decision to transfer Hagia Sophia to the Presidency of Religious
Affairs and reopen it for worship was published in the Official Gazette.
Hagia
Sophia Grand Mosque was reopened for worship with a ceremony attended by
Erdogan and the first Friday prayer in 86 years on July 24, 2020.
Istanbul
Deputy Mufti Ahmet Akturkoglu told Anadolu that the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
is one of the most important symbols of the conquest of Istanbul.
Akturkoglu
noted that it served Muslims for centuries after the conquest.
"Since
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was reopened for worship on July 24, 2020, it has
welcomed approximately 25 million visitors over four years. We continuously
host many local and foreign visitors at Hagia Sophia Mosque," he said.
Akturkoglu
also said people from all over the country and different countries, Muslims and
non-Muslims, visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
"It
is one of the important historical sites that attract everyone's interest.
Depending on the season, Hagia Sophia Mosque receives an average of around
50,000 visitors daily. Annually, our visitor numbers reach approximately 6 - 7
million."
Akturkoglu
added that, in addition to daily prayers, various events are organized at the
mosque under the auspices of the Istanbul Mufti's Office.
"For
example, we have Hagia Sophia lectures, Sahih al-Bukhari lectures, guidance
lessons, knowledge lessons on Saturdays and Sundays, special programs conducted
on the nights of religious observances, and the graduation ceremonies of our
Quran memorization students, which we carry out in collaboration with the
Ministry of National Education's memorization project. We hold graduation
ceremonies at Hagia Sophia twice a year," he said.
50 staff
members assist visitors at mosque
Akturkoglu
said that people come to convert to Islam and officials perform an average of
one or two conversion ceremonies at the mosque daily.
He said
they provide guidance and ceremonial services at Hagia Sophia.
"We
have 50 staff members here as personnel of the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
Some of them help visitors adhere to mosque etiquette and guide the
congregation during prayer times. Additionally, we have mosque guides who
provide religious guidance and explain the cultural and religious aspects of
Islam and Hagia Sophia, especially to foreign tourists," he said.
Source: aa.com.tr
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/from-museum-to-mosque-hagia-sophia-grand-mosque-welcomes-25-million-visitors-in-4-years-/3283383
--------
No plan
for Erdogan to meet Assad in Moscow, Turkish source says
July 24,
2024
MOSCOW:
A newspaper report that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will meet Syrian
President Bashar Assad in Moscow next month is incorrect, a Turkish diplomatic
source said.
Turkiye’s
Daily Sabah newspaper cited an unidentified source as saying that such a
meeting could take place in August in Moscow, with Russian President Vladimir
Putin as a mediator.
The
diplomatic source, speaking to a group of journalists on Monday after the
report appeared, said there was no plan for an Erdogan-Assad meeting in August
in Moscow.
Turkiye
has long been one of the main backers of Assad’s opponents in the Syrian civil
war which began in 2011, while Russia is one of Assad’s main battlefield
allies, having helped him restore control over most of Syria.
Assad’s
government has restored diplomatic relations with some Arab states that were
severed during the war, but Damascus remains at odds with Ankara, which still
protects some anti-Assad rebels in Syria’s northwest.
Erdogan
said earlier in July he would extend an invitation to Assad “any time” for
possible talks to restore relations, and Putin could help facilitate the
contact. Assad said he would meet Erdogan only if they could focus on core
issues including a pullout of Turkish forces from Syrian territory.
Asked
about the report of a potential meeting in Moscow between Assad and Erdogan,
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not confirm any specific plans but said
Russia would like to see improved relations between the two countries.
“The
issue of facilitating the organization of certain contacts between Turkish and
Syrian representatives at various levels is really on the agenda.
“Many
countries, and of course Russia as a country that plays a significant role in
the region, are interested in helping the two countries to establish relations.
This is very important for the whole region.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2555251/middle-east
--------
North America
Netanyahu
to face 'day of rage' in Washington: Pro-Palestinian protesters
23 July
2024
Pro-Palestinian
protesters in the United States have warned the visiting Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu that he will witness a "day of rage" in
Washington, DC.
Netanyahu,
who arrived in the US on Monday for a 3-day visit, is scheduled to speak in the
US Congress on Wednesday, and meet in the White House with US President Joe
Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. He is due to meet Republican
presidential nominee Donald Trump, as well.
Pro-Palestinian
protest organizers say thousands of demonstrators will rally against Netanyahu
in Washington to show solidarity with Palestine, staging a "day of
rage" march over the Israeli forces months-long genocidal war on the
besieged Gaza Strip.
Rights
groups and social media frequenters react to Biden’s decision to cancel his
re-election bid, saying the US president will be remembered by how he
facilitated the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Protest
organizers said the pro-Palestinian protesters would be making political
statement against Netanyahu and the criminal Israeli war machine.
"War
criminals like Netanyahu are not welcome" in the United States, said Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US
Campaign for Palestinian Rights and a chief organizer.
Another
organizer from Michigan, who did not give their name, said "more people
are willing to get arrested this time" compared to previous protests.
Jinan
Deena, a Palestinian-American from the Washington area, said she and other
pro-Palestinians were "gearing up for a day of rage" to show
solidarity with Gazans by protesting against Netanyahu's US visit.
"To
know [Netanyahu] is going to be sharing air with us in our own city... it's
like a slap in the face," she said.
"All
the protests have shown a tone of rage, but this time is definitely
different," Ayah, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, told
the BBC. "It is our enemy, our primary enemy, they are inviting into the
White House."
Reem
Assil, a member of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, said she was
travelling from California to protest against the deaths of family members and
other civilians in the "mass slaughter" in Gaza.
"The
idea of the man responsible for these atrocities being allowed to come here,
channels my rage," she said.
"I've
lost over 40 members of my family and work through grief every day to remain
committed to showing up for my people. This is a huge moment."
In
January, an estimated 400,000 people gathered in Washington to protest against
the Israel regime's war on the defenseless Palestinian people.
Meantime,
Netanyahu faces criminal charges at the International Court of Justice over the
Israeli forces mass slaughter of the Palestinians and the illegal occupation of
their land.
The
chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in May applied for an
arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Israel
has killed over 39,000 Palestinians, most of them women, children, and
adolescents, in Gaza since October.
The
regime launched the campaign of death, destruction and genocide after it was
caught off-guard by Operation Al-Aqsa Storm into the occupied territories.
Israel
has been enforcing a near-total siege on the coastal territory, which has
reduced into a trickle the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water
into the Palestinian territory.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/07/23/729944/Netanyahu-Facing-Day-Rage-Protest-US-Washington
--------
U.S.
Department of Education investigating Northwestern after anti-Palestinian,
Islamophobic complaint
July 24,
2024
CHICAGO
(CBS) -- The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Northwestern
University in response to a complaint from Palestinian and Muslim students—who
say the school created a hostile environment and failed to protect them from
threats and discrimination.
Palestine
Legal, an independent legal organization that defends Palestine advocacy, filed
the Title VI complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil
Rights on behalf of four students in April. Two are Palestinian American, and
two were targeted for their association with Palestinians, the complaint said.
CBS News
Chicago obtained a copy of the complaint, which accuses professors of making
racist and insensitive comments to the students. Those students said the
remarks created a hostile environment that enabled others to target them due to
their identities and their solidarity with Palestine. This is the first time
the students have spoken publicly about their experiences.
"I
want to point to this environment of fear and hostility that Northwestern has
cultivated," said Aasiyah Wasif, a Pakistani and Muslim-American law
student, who's part of the complaint. "The fear was so pervasive, and the
hostility was so pervasive."
Allegations
of racism
The
complaint was specifically filed against the Northwestern Pritzker School of
Law, but also accuses the university more broadly of failing to support
Palestinian students impacted by Israel's war in Gaza. Some of the incidents
described in the complaint happened even before October.
Northwestern
University did not respond to several requests for comment from CBS News
Chicago about the allegations, including questions about the professors accused
of discrimination.
According
to the complaint, in September of 2023, a team of students was working on a
legal project on campus. A Palestinian Muslim student represented in the
complaint was there.
The
student zoomed in on an image for others to see. When she did, she said,
"I'm going to blow this up on the computer to show you."
That's
when—in front of the other students—a professor replied, "Someone who
looks like you probably shouldn't go around saying they're going to blow things
up," according to the complaint.
In another
incident in January of this year, the complaint said that same professor
compared the displacement of Palestinian victims in Gaza to a "two-week
vacation." The Palestinian-Muslim student was there, and at that point had
learned 130 members of her family in Gaza were killed by the Israeli military,
the complaint said.
The
students also said the environment worsened in the months after the war in Gaza
began, causing them to miss class because they felt unsafe.
Wasif,
who will soon be a third-year student at the law school, said she was also
there when the comment by the professor was made in January—and the environment
became so hostile she decided to drop out of that legal clinic.
"I
think it shows that they don't care about their Muslim students," she said
of the university. "They don't care about their Palestinian students, and
I think that program is there just to draw us in so that they can tokenize off
of us, without actually supporting us."
Another
student represented in the complaint, who requested anonymity for fear for her
safety, said she also witnessed discriminatory comments targeting her
Palestinian and Muslim peers. It was an event on campus, held in April by a
Northwestern Law professor, that prompted her to go to the university's Office
of Civil Rights to express her concerns.
She
attended the event, which was called, "An American-Israeli Perspective on
the Israel-Hamas War: The Israeli Mood, Do the Palestinians Want Peace, and
What the Future Might Hold." She said several Palestinian and Muslim
students also attended.
During
the 47-minute talk, the student said the professor made harmful and disparaging
comments about Palestinians. CBS News Chicago reviewed a video recording of the
talk and confirmed the comments that concerned the student, including several
remarks characterizing Palestinians as inherently violent and hateful toward
Jews. Twice during the talk, the professor said, "Palestinians don't want
peace."
In
another comment, he said, "The West Bank mood is very different than the
Israeli Arab mood. Blame Hamas and the [Palestinian Authority] for educating
children to hate Jews."
One of
the topics the professor discussed was the civilian death toll in Gaza, and
whether Israel is doing enough to allow sufficient aid into the area. The Gaza
Health Ministry said the Israeli military has killed more than 38,000
Palestinians since October. On July 9, UN experts declared famine has spread
across the entire Gaza Strip, citing the deaths of children who were only
months old.
During
the event, the professor said: "It is hard to be sympathetic to a people,
most of whom would slaughter you without a second thought, and take videos of
themselves doing it. Many Gazan families raised their children to slaughter
Jews."
And at
another point in the event, the professor described the protests against the
war in Gaza—including at Northwestern—as supporting "the Hamas goal to
kill or evict the Jews from Israel."
"To
say Palestinians don't want peace and Palestinians want hate for the Jews—these
are comments that are absolutely incorrect," the anonymous student told
CBS News Chicago. "It's what's perpetuating Palestinian hate both inside
the school, and out of it. To see a professor at Northwestern Law making
comments at an event that's supposed to be, supposedly, educational in some way
is absurd."
The
university's Office of Civil Rights said it determined the professor's speech
did not violate the university's discrimination policies, according to the
student and records reviewed by CBS News Chicago.
"[Students
and professors] feel emboldened to make Islamophobic or anti-Palestinian
comments," she said. "They feel almost empowered by the lack of
accountability to keep on making those same comments and continue with their
treatment."
The
student also accused Northwestern of enforcing double standards when condemning
hate on campus. She cited the university's advisory committee on
"Preventing Antisemitism and Hate on Campus." In a statement on Nov.
13, 2023, the university announced the creation of the committee to combat
antisemitism and "other forms of hate," the email said, and included
one mention of hate directed toward other groups, including students of
Palestinian heritage.
"Anti-Palestinian
hate and Islamophobia are afterthoughts because they're not even named in the
title, but antisemitism is," she said.
The
student continued: "Sweeping that all under this one descriptor of 'all
other forms of hate' is a disservice to discrimination Palestinian and Muslims
are facing. It's disheartening to say the very least. It's something we see in
our personal lives or in the news that happening every single day. We keep
fighting for just mere visibility – for those instances to actually be
addressed. It's hard to come to this conversation when you have to describe why
it's bad. You hope everyone understands anti-Palestinian discrimination is
harmful and hateful."
Social
media threats
Before
the encampment at Northwestern began in May, several protests had already taken
place inside the university, including in the law school.
Wasif
said her commitment to pursuing a career in law was a key factor that prompted
her participation in some of these protests on campus, calling for Northwestern
to divest from Israel.
"When
you're scrolling through videos of children who've had their limbs blown off...
it mobilizes you," Wasif said "This is a human rights issue, and I'm
a law student, and we are pursuing a career in which we are meant to uphold the
rule of law. What's happening in Gaza is a violation of various international
laws, and has been. And the genocide that is taking place is a combination of
the system of impunity that's been in place for decades. So to me, it was a no
brainer to be speaking out about what is happening."
But
Wasif, and other students who are part of the complaint said the discriminatory
comments from professors emboldened other students to "dox" those who
were part of Palestine solidarity protests on campus.
"On
the one hand, we have students who have contributed to our doxing, and on the
other hand, we have professors who are making comments about displaced
Palestinians as vacations," Wasif said.
That
includes an incident in November of 2023, when she and several students held a
silent protest on campus and said other law students followed them, recorded
them without their consent and made comments that made them fear for their
safety.
The
complaint said the identities and personal information of the protesters were
also shared online, in addition to threatening social media posts.
"The
truth is: our enemies don't deserve a quick death," said one of the posts
cited as an exhibit in the complaint. "Gracing them with our bombs is an
act of mercy."
"It's
clearly done to intimidate us and to silence us and to harm us," Wasif
said. "It's to contribute to the harm that's already been done to us.
There's no reason that our personal names and our personal information
should've been released on the internet, and to do it in such a public way and
to amass more views and more support or more hate towards us."
Civil
rights investigations
Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on
race or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal funding.
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is responsible for
enforcing Title VI by investigating complaints of discrimination.
The
complaint filed by Palestine Legal said Northwestern had a duty under the law
to support the students and ensure they have equal access to services on
campus. It also said Northwestern and its law program "has permitted an
environment of anti-Palestinian racism that has denied these students equal
access to campus life on the basis of their national origin or their perceived
national origin."
"This
has disrupted their academic focus and instilled fear in them," the
complaint continued. "Some of the students have been so traumatized and so
in fear of retaliation that they wish to remain anonymous, even in seeking
support from the Department of Education."
It also
said the university was slow to respond and "no concrete actions were
taken" when students expressed safety concerns via email and in meetings
with administrators about the threats from other students.
"The
failure of the university to remedy the harm caused by these hateful postings
sends a troubling message that such anti-Palestinian racism is tolerated within
the institution," the complaint said.
The U.S.
Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into
Northwestern's law school on June 21, according to its website. The Department
said it does not comment on pending investigations.
If an
investigation finds a violation of Title VI, and the university does not
voluntarily comply, the Department of Education could initiate court proceedings
to terminate a program's federal funding.
Palestine
Legal has filed eight similar complaints against university across the country
in the last year, including one against University of Illinois Chicago last
September. Four of their complaints in other cities have prompted the federal
government to open investigations. The organization is comprised of lawyers
that provide litigation services and defend students and others against
suppression related to supporting Palestine.
The
Office for Civil Rights recently opened a federal investigation into another
complaint filed by Palestinian students against UIC in 2022.
"The
common thread that we see all across the US is that there are students, there's
Palestinian students, people who look like they're Palestinian or Palestine
allies, who are just being targeted for their activism," said Rifqa
Falaneh, an attorney and legal fellow with Palestine Legal. "They're
speaking out against the genocide, and as we see, it's not being taken well by
these universities."
Wasif
and the other students in the complaint said they hope the federal
investigation leads to systemic changes at Northwestern.
"What
we want out of this," Wasif said, "is for the administration and for
other individuals who have harmed us to be held accountable."
Source: cbsnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/federal-civil-rights-complaint-northwestern-discriminating-palestinian-muslim-students/
---------
U.S.
Treasury sanctions 3 in Africa for financing Islamic State
JULY 23,
2024
July 23
(UPI) -- The Treasury Department announced on Tuesday it is sanctioning three
individuals involved with the Islamic State as key financiers and "trusted
operatives."
Named in
the sanctions are two South Africans -- Abubakar Swalleh and Zayd Gangat -- and
Hamidah Nabagala, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are accused
of enabling Islamic State activities in the DRC, Mozambique and Somalia, along
with terrorist cells in South Africa.
The
Treasury said the announcement was made as part of the Counter ISIS Finance
Group 20th meeting on Tuesday which focuses on disrupting the financial network
of terrorist groups such as the Islamic State.
"Today's
action underscores the crucial work of the Counter ISIS Finance Group and the
importance of effective information sharing among coalition countries to target
ISIS's facilitation networks," Brian E. Nelson, the Treasury's under
secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
"While
we have made considerable progress over nearly 10 years since the establishment
of this working group, we must remain vigilant because ISIS continues to
develop new financial methods."
State
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller praised the announcement in a separate
statement, saying the group, which has more than 80 member countries, is making
a difference in hampering the Islamic State's cash flow.
"These
individuals are key financiers and enablers of ISIS activities across central,
eastern and southern Africa," Miller said. "They serve as critical
links between far-flung ISIS operations, allowing ISIS leadership to leverage
each affiliate's capabilities to undermine peace and security in the
region."
Source: upi.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/07/23/2631721756163/
--------
US
police arrest hundreds of activists during Gaza war protest in Congress
building
24 July
2024
A
US-based Jewish peace group says Capitol police have arrested hundreds of
Jewish activists protesting against Washington’s military support for Israel
inside a congressional office building, as the occupying regime’s genocidal war
against the Gaza Strip continues apace.
The demonstrators
gathered inside the Cannon House Office Building on Tuesday to urge an end to
weapons transfers to Israel , as they chanted slogans and carried banners
reading "ceasefire now" and
"let Gaza live.”
The
protesters were dressed in red T-shirts bearing the phrases "not in our
name" and "Jews say stop arming Israel."
Jewish
Voice for Peace, which organized the protest, wrote on social media, "For
the past 9 months, we've witnessed countless horrors in Gaza, committed in our
names and funded” by our regime.
Tuesday’s
demonstration comes a day before Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is
scheduled to deliver a speech to Congress.
Protests
are planned to coincide with Netanyahu's visit to the US, during which he will
meet President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican
presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The
activist group further noted that 400 people took part in the demonstration,
adding that the protesters were arrested after US Capitol Police started a
crackdown and broke up the rally inside the building.
"We
told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They
did not stop," the police said, stressing, "Demonstrating inside the
Congressional Buildings is against the law."
Israel
launched the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023 after the Palestinian resistance
movement Hamas waged a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against
the occupying entity.
Tel Aviv
has also imposed a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting off fuel, electricity,
food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.
The US,
Israel's major ally, has been providing military support to the regime. The
administration of US President Joe Biden has defended its arms transfers to
Israel, reasserting its commitment to the regime's security despite the
genocidal war that has killed over 39,000 Palestinians, most of them women,
children, and injured more than 90,000 others.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/07/24/729959/US-Capitol-police-arrest-protesters-Jewish-activists-Jewish-Voice-for-Peace-demand-end-militray-support-
--------
Body cam
footage shows white US police shooting unarmed Black woman
23 July
2024
Bodycam
video from the Illinois State Police Department captured the moment a deputy
shot a Black woman during a call for help at her home.
Sean
Grayson, 30, fired three shots, striking Sonya Massey one time in the face as
she ducked for cover behind a kitchen counter separating the two, according to
court documents. The shooting followed a verbal exchange about a pot on the
stove.
Massey,
a mother of two teenagers, had called police regarding a suspected intruder in
her Springfield home, said Ben Crump, the prominent US civil rights lawyer
representing the family.
It is
the latest in a running list of high-profile police killings of Black people,
including George Floyd, Trayvon Martin and Roger Fortson, that Crump has
counseled.
The
now-former Illinois sheriff's deputy pleaded not guilty to murder on July 18,
according to court documents, one day after he was fired, arrested and charged
in the fatal shooting.
A grand
jury indicted Grayson, who is white, on five charges, including three counts of
murder in the first degree, one count of aggravated battery and one count of
official misconduct. He was arraigned in Illinois' Seventh Judicial Circuit
Court on Thursday and pled not guilty to all charges. He was jailed until his
next court date on August 26.
According
to the indictment, Massey had placed a pot of possibly hot water on the counter
on Grayson's instructions. Grayson was in the living room when he then drew his
firearm and threatened to shoot Massey in the face, prompting her to put her
hands in the air, say, "I'm sorry," and duck for cover behind a
counter separating the two.
Grayson
moved closer, yelled at Massey to put the pot down and opened fire, the
document said. He then activated his body camera, though his partner's camera
was activated upon arriving on the scene. He is twice her size, according to
court files.
Grayson
did not render aid and discouraged the other deputy not to provide help. The
second deputy, who was not named, stayed by Massey until medics arrived. She
was pronounced dead at St. John's Hospital.
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/07/23/729936/Sean-Grayson
--------
US
convoy transfers missile launch systems from Iraq to eastern Syria
23 July
2024
The US
military has reportedly dispatched truckloads of ammunition and logistical
equipment to Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, as Washington steps up
attempts to further plunder oil reserves and natural resources in the Arab
nation.
Local
activist Khaled al-Hasakawi said a US military convoy carrying four
self-propelled surface-to-air Avenger missile systems entered the Syrian
territories on Monday through the illegal al-Waleed border crossing, and headed
towards the US-run airfield near the city of Rmeilan.
He added
that Avenger provides mobile, short-range "air defense" protection
for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying
fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters, is loaded with FIM-92 Stinger
missiles, and has an operational range of 443 kilometers (275 miles).
Hasakawi
further noted that one of the short-range air defense systems was later
transferred to the illegal US military base at Kharab al-Jir Airport in the
northeastern city of Hasakah, while the rest were shifted to al-Shadadi base,
as well as US military installations at al-Omar oil field and Conoco gas field
in neighboring Dayr al-Zawr province.
The
report comes as the US military had earlier dispatched a convoy of 40 vehicles
carrying arms and logistic supplies to areas controlled by the allied Kurdish
People's Protection Units (YPG) militant group.
The US
has tried to justify its illegal military presence in eastern Syria by
persistently claiming that its troops are there to prevent a resurgence of the
notorious Daesh terrorists, widely believed to have been trained and supplied
by American forces and a despotic Arab regime allied with Washington.
Damascus,
meanwhile, has repeatedly blamed Washington for deliberately waging an economic
war on Syria by controlling 90 percent of the country’s oil resources and its
finest agricultural lands, while imposing brutal sanctions on the country and
preventing the import of everything from medicines and food to emergency energy
supplies.
Syrian
authorities, however, have also expressed confidence that Damascus will soon
restore their control over all of its occupied territories. They have further
urged the country’s ethnic Kurds – who have trusted the American pledge of
protection against Daesh terrorists – that Washington would soon abandon them
after plundering the nation’s resources.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/07/23/729908/US-dispatches-short-range-air-defense-systems-from-Iraq-to-eastern-Syria--Report
--------
Arab World
Saudi
cabinet urges practical steps to resolve Palestine issue
July 23,
2024
RIYADH:
The Saudi cabinet, chaired by King Salman on Tuesday, discussed ongoing efforts
by the Kingdom to end the war in Gaza and support peace efforts in Yemen.
The
Cabinet called on the international community and influential parties to take
responsibility and help de-escalate tensions in the region in order to bring
about security and stability.
The
Council of Ministers also expressed support for the International Court of
Justice’s advisory opinion on the illegality of the Israeli presence in the
occupied Palestinian territories over the past 57 years.
The
Kingdom emphasized the need for practical and credible steps toward a just and
comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, in line with the Arab Peace
Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.
The
Council also reviewed the latest developments in the national economy, noting
stable inflation rates that remain below global targets due to the strength of
the Kingdom’s economy and effective measures against rising global prices.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2554856/saudi-arabia
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July 21:
World’s Hottest Day Since Records Began
July 24,
2024
MAKKAH:
Last Sunday was the hottest day measured globally since records began in 1940,
climate scientists said on Tuesday.
The
global average surface air temperature on July 21 was 17.09C, just above the
previous record of 17.08C registered on July 6, 2023. “The Earth has just
experienced its warmest day,” said the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the
EU’s climate monitor.
Service
director Carlo Buontempo said: “We are now in truly uncharted territory and as
the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in
future months and years.”
Despite
the global heat spike, meteorologist Abdulaziz Al-Hussaini told Arab News that
temperatures in Saudi Arabia were within their normal annual range. “Observers
of Saudi weather patterns are not seeing anything out of the ordinary, even as
other nations like Japan report record-breaking temperatures,” he said. “June
was actually hotter than what we have experienced in July so far.”
Another
weather expert, Walid Al-Haqeel, said that while both June and July had
elevated temperatures worldwide, July was notably hotter with more
high-temperature days.
Comparing
with previous years, he said, “2022 and 2023 had similar heat patterns, but
this year there were more hot days, especially in southern Europe, parts of
America, the Middle East, Turkey, Bosnia, and Azerbaijan.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Thriving
tree planted by King Faisal a symbol of Saudi-Pakistani relations
July 23,
2024
MAKKAH:
In the heart of Islamabad’s International Friendship Garden, a tree stands as a
living testament to the enduring bond between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The
Sapium sebiferum, or Chinese tallow tree, was planted by King Faisal during his
1966 visit to Pakistan.
The
tree’s presence in Shakarparian, as the garden is known locally, has inspired a
wave of goodwill. Across Pakistan, streets, neighborhoods, mosques, and
universities now bear the names of Saudi monarchs, reflecting the deep-rooted
affection between the two countries.
The
garden, home to trees planted by various world leaders, bursts into bloom each
spring. Yet, for many Pakistanis, King Faisal’s tree, as it is locally known,
holds special significance. It stands as a living reminder of the shared
history and mutual respect between the two nations.
King
Faisal was among the first guests to plant a tree in this garden, which
blossoms with flowers in spring and has become a destination for tourists from
around the world.
Dr.
Salma Hawsawi, professor of ancient history at King Saud University, told Arab
News: “The Sapium sebiferum tree holds an exceptional place and importance,
connecting Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It represents a model of international
bonding for nearly 58 years, since the era of King Faisal.”
The
“warmth and enthusiasm” displayed during the state visits are telling, she
noted. “They reveal the deep-rooted connection and mutual respect that have
grown between our nations over the decades.
“These
trees, with their vibrant green hue, have long symbolized hope and prosperity,”
Hawsawi explained. “Their robust root systems serve as the foundation for
branches, leaves, and fruits. King Faisal laid down the primary foundation.”
The tree
is known for its quick growth which “perfectly encapsulates the dynamic
expansion of our bilateral ties,” she added, elaborating on how this natural
metaphor extends to various facets of the countries’ partnership.
“We have
witnessed this accelerated growth in our strategic partnerships, knowledge
exchange programs, cultural dialogues, economic investments, and efforts toward
political stability and peace. Trees embody growth, prosperity, stability, and
continuity. These qualities are deeply ingrained in the multifaceted
relationship between our two nations,” Hawsawi concluded.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2555121/saudi-arabia
--------
GCC
secretary general receives newly appointed Uzbekistan ambassador to Saudi
Arabia
July 23,
2024
RIYADH:
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi on
Tuesday in Riyadh received the recently appointed Ambassador of Uzbekistan to
the Kingdom Nodirjon Turgunov.
The
parties looked at ties between the GCC and Uzbekistan, and relations between
the GCC and Central Asia, and ways to enhance them, the Saudi Press Agency
reported.
They
also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and
political issues of mutual concern.
Al-Budaiwi
wished the ambassador success in his new duties.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
King
Salman oasis hosts global chemistry talent event
July 23,
2024
RIYADH:
The King Salman Science Oasis hosted 333 talented individuals from 90 countries
who participated in the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad 2024.
This
event was organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for
Giftedness and Creativity in partnership with the Ministry of Education and
King Saud University.
The
program is in Riyadh from July 22 to July 30, the Saudi Press Agency reported
on Tuesday.
During
their visit, participants were immersed in a rich learning experience,
exploring the history of chemistry in the Kingdom and its crucial role in the
industry’s development.
They
also delved into the petrochemical industry’s contributions to innovation and
entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, gaining valuable insights and knowledge.
The
students toured an exhibition showcasing research priorities, development and
innovation in the Kingdom, focusing on energy and industry-related
technologies.
They
also interacted with 13 researchers from the King Abdulaziz City for Science
and Technology, who provided insights into areas such as refining,
petrochemicals, hydrogen, nuclear sciences, advanced materials, electronics,
semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, future energy and mining.
At the
end of their visit, students participated in making Taif perfume as part of
their experience at the King Salman Science Oasis.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2555106/saudi-arabia
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Saudi
wildlife center celebrates cheetah conservation milestone
July 23,
2024
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife has announced a major breakthrough
in its cheetah conservation efforts, with the birth of four cubs and the
completion of a comprehensive national strategy.
The
announcement came during a session held by the center on Tuesday to introduce
the cheetah, and outline efforts for its reintroduction. This initiative is
part of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy within the National Cheetah
Reintroduction Program, launched last year under the auspices of the minister
of environment, water and agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, who is also
chairman of the center.
The
center’s CEO, Dr. Mohammed Qurban, said: “The official launch of the National
Cheetah Conservation Strategy and the announcement of the birth of four cheetah
cubs signifies an important achievement in our conservation efforts. This
strategy reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring a sustainable future
for wild cheetahs in their natural habitats in the Kingdom.”
Qurban
added that the birth of the cubs was especially important given the cheetah’s
absence from the Arabian Peninsula for more than four decades.
“Our
recent discovery of ancient cheetah mummies in northern Saudi Arabia
underscores the region’s historical role as a prime cheetah habitat,” he said.
Qurban
said that this discovery would fuel the determination to reestablish cheetah
populations, “guided by an integrated strategy designed in accordance with best
international practices.”
He said:
“The current remaining distribution of cheetahs worldwide is limited to 9
percent of their historical range, with only 7,100 in existence among 34
different groups in the wild.”
The
center also unveiled its multi-phase National Cheetah Conservation Strategy
during the briefing session. The plan outlines a series of critical steps aimed
at reestablishing a viable cheetah population in Saudi Arabia.
The
strategy begins with the creation of specialized breeding facilities and
rewilding centers, identifying protected areas that offer suitable habitats for
the reintroduced cheetahs, preparing for reintroduction, community partnership
in the protection program, and finally, reintroduction and establishment of a
self-sustaining breeding population.
The
announcement reflects Saudi Arabia’s leading role and success in efforts to
enhance environmental balance through the conservation of endangered species,
their captive breeding, and reintroduction. The center said that only 15
percent of cheetahs born in the wild could breed in captivity, and of this
group, only 20 percent continued to reproduce.
The center’s
research team, in collaboration with global experts, has recently disclosed
pivotal findings from its comprehensive cheetah research, offering new
perspectives on the species’ presence in the Arabian Peninsula. The study,
which examined the chronological age of specimens and identified cheetah
subspecies, provided a fresh look at the cultural and historical significance
of these big cats in the region. The findings are set to recalibrate current
conservation strategies. By correcting long-held misconceptions and providing
region-specific data, the study allows for more targeted and effective
conservation efforts.
The team
has successfully pinpointed the timeline of the cheetah’s extinction in the
region and extracted crucial genetic information from historical specimens. The
scientists have identified the specific subspecies of the Arabian cheetah,
comparing its genetic sequence with those of cheetahs currently housed in the
center’s facilities and populations worldwide. The findings support the center’s
ongoing efforts to breed and reintroduce cheetahs to their native habitats in
Saudi Arabia.
The
Kingdom is ramping up its commitment to cheetah conservation, employing a
multi-faceted approach that combines scientific research, innovative strategies
and collaborative partnerships.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2554946/saudi-arabia
--------
Africa
Egypt
reiterates unwavering support for stability and security in war-torn Sudan
July 23,
2024
Egypt’s
foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, pledged his country’s continued support for
the stability and security of Sudan, during a meeting on Tuesday with his
counterpart from the country, Hussein Awad.
Abdelatty
said Egypt would spare no effort to help its “Sudanese brothers overcome the
political, security and humanitarian challenges resulting from the ongoing war”
in the nation.
He
highlighted the outcomes of a conference in Cairo on July 6 and 7 attended by
Sudanese political factions and civil groups, the most important of which were,
he said, recognition of the need to preserve state institutions, to provide
relief and humanitarian support to Sudan and neighboring countries, and to
ensure ownership of the political process remains with the Sudanese people.
He also
reviewed the progress of development projects undertaken by Egypt in Sudan, and
pledged his country’s continuing commitment to such initiatives along with its
determination to respond to the nation’s humanitarian needs.
Abdelatty
stressed the important need for donor countries and organizations to accelerate
the fulfillment of pledges made during conferences in Geneva and Paris, in June
2023 and April 2024 respectively, of support for Sudan and neighboring countries
hosting Sudanese refugees, support for the UN’s humanitarian response plan in
the country, and to help bridge existing financing gaps.
He also
discussed with Awad regional initiatives that have been proposed to help
address the crisis in Sudan, and the important and pivotal role neighboring
countries are playing, especially Egypt, which Abdelatty said was making
strenuous efforts to help Sudan at this important time.
Other
topics for discussion included wider bilateral ties and ways in which
coordination between the countries might be enhanced, along with regional
issues of mutual interest, including the situation in the Horn of Africa, the
war in Gaza, security in the Red Sea, the situations in Libya, the Sahel and
the Sahara region, and the Renaissance Dam built by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile
upstream of Sudan and Egypt.
Awad
thanked the Egyptian government for the facilities and services it has provided
to the Sudanese people since the start of the crisis in his country.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Anti-Corruption
protests erupt in Uganda's capital, inspired by Kenya
23-07-24
Ugandan
security forces on Tuesday arrested dozens of people who tried to walk to the
parliament building to demonstrate against high-level corruption in protests
that authorities say are unlawful.
Police
and the military deployed heavily in various parts of Kampala where small
groups of protesters had gathered. Some campaigners were roughed up by police
as they were forced into trucks. The police frequently use force to break up
demonstrations by opposition leaders and others.
The
protests are organized by Ugandans who hope to emulate efforts by people in
neighbouring Kenya, whose street action recently forced the president to
dismiss almost his entire cabinet after widespread opposition to a contentious
tax proposal.
Ugandans
have been provoked by mounting allegations of corruption against the parliament
speaker, Anita Among, who has rejected calls for her resignation. The
anti-corruption campaign started with revelations online of allegedly irregular
expenditure by the office of the speaker and others close to her.
Source: africanews.com
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--------
Pro- and
anti-government protesters clash in Kenya as police hurl tear-gas cannisters
23-07-24
Anti-government
protesters in Kenya’s capital clashed with a pro-government group on Tuesday,
leading to the burning of a motorcycle that belonged to people who were voicing
their support for the president.
The
pro-government group took to the streets of Nairobi on motorcycles on Tuesday
morning ahead of a planned demonstration by anti-government protesters.
The
anti-government group lit bonfires in the suburb of Imara Daima along the
highway that leads to Kenya’s main airport, which was to be the site of Tuesday’s
demonstrations. Airport officials asked travellers to arrive early due to
extensive security checks and flight services were continuing as usual.
Elsewhere,
police hurled tear gas cannisters at protesters who had blocked another major
road that leads to the airport.
Kenya’s
anti-government protests entered their fifth week, having started as calls for
legislators to vote against a finance bill that proposed new taxes. President
William Ruto declined to sign the controversial bill and has dismissed almost
all of his Cabinet ministers, but protesters have continued calling for his
resignation.
At least
50 people have died and 413 others have been injured in the protests since June
18, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Police last
week banned protests in Nairobi citing the lack of clear leadership to
coordinate with police to ensure safety and security.
The
court issued an order suspending the police ban on protests. Kenya’s
constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest and police are given
advance notice in order to provide security.
Police
in the past have been accused by activists and civil society groups of violence
toward demonstrators.
Former
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned on July 12 and the acting
police head Douglas Kanja on Tuesday reiterated that the country’s main airport
was a “protected area” and “out of bounds to unauthorized persons.”
“Any
person who breaks the law will be dealt with swiftly, firmly and decisively by
the law,” Kanja said.
Opposition
leader Raila Odinga, who earlier had called for talks, denied allegations that
he had been bribed to join Ruto in forming a broad-based government and
expressed his support to protesters, providing a list of demands that he said
must be met by the government before dialogue.
The
opposition is demanding that families of the killed protesters be compensated
and that charges against those arrested during protests be dropped.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/23/pro-and-anti-government-protesters-clash-in-kenya-as-police-hurl-tear-gas-cannisters/
--------
Nigerian
lawmakers mediate rift with Africa's richest man
23-07-24
On
Monday, Nigerian legislators launched a probe into the reported importation of
polluted fuel into the nation, in a bid to resolve disputes between Africa's
wealthiest man Aliko Dangote's oil refinery and the regulatory body.
The
chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, revealed that the legislative committee
conducting the probe is investigating allegations of the "unregulated
issuance of licenses and the purported lack of international standard
laboratories" associated with the contaminated products in Abuja.
The
President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, defended his
actions stating, “If I knew what we are going to get into, I wouldn’t have even
started it at all... and that is why right from the beginning we launched 31
projects, all concurrently... but we are in the middle of the sea, if we stop
swimming we sink, the only option is just to continue swimming no matter how
tired you are.”
The
committee urged the parties in Nigeria’s petroleum sector to reduce tensions
that have been heightened in recent weeks by allegations from the regulator
that Dangote was trying to monopolize the market and that his refinery’s
products are of poor quality.
Dangote
claimed that the mafia in the oil industry is more dangerous than the mafia
involved in drugs.
He
emphasized that while you may have some knowledge of your opponents in the drug
trade, the oil mafia operates in secrecy both internally and externally.
He
expressed his certainty that they may even have insiders aiding them in their
operations.
Dangote
also lamented the fact that Nigeria has been struggling with fuel queues since
1972, calling it a national shame.
The
largest refinery in Africa, located in Lagos, has a capacity of 650,000 barrels
per day.
Despite
being hailed as a game-changer by officials, the $19 billion facility has faced
a slow start since opening over a year ago.
Due to
challenges in sourcing crude oil locally, the refinery has had to rely on
imports from other countries, highlighting Nigeria's struggles with oil theft
and corruption.
The
refinery's senior executive has also alleged that international oil companies
in Nigeria are scheming to cause the refinery to fail.
Devakumar
Edwin, a vice-president of Dangote Industries, claimed that the companies are
either intentionally demanding an exorbitant premium or stating that crude is
not available.
Farouk
Ahmed, the chief executive of the regulatory agency, expressed concerns about
Dangote's request to suspend or stop the importation of petroleum products,
citing potential market monopoly.
However,
Dangote refuted these claims and welcomed lawmakers to inspect the plant where
its products were tested.
He also
clarified that he did not receive any incentives from the Nigerian government
for the refinery and announced the cancellation of plans to invest in the steel
industry.
The
origin of the dispute between Nigerian authorities and Dangote, whose companies
dominate various markets, remains unclear.
This
conflict emerged after President Bola Tinubu succeeded Muhammadu Buhari, a
close ally of Dangote, following last year's presidential election.
Analysts
warn that such disputes could deter foreign investments and destabilize
Nigeria's economy.
Nigerian
economist Bismarck Rewane criticized allegations of low-quality products from
the refinery, deeming them baseless without evidence or consumer complaints,
suggesting deeper underlying issues.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/23/nigeria-launches-probe-into-alleged-importation-of-contaminated-fuel/
--------
Protest
Is Your Right – Atiku Backs Nigerians
23 July
2024
Former
Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to exercise their
rights to protest against economic hardship in the country.
The
former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate said the
Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) guaranteed citizens the right to
protest peacefully.
In a
statement on Tuesday, Atiku Abubakar said the accusation and threat from the
Presidency that some persons were behind the protest was an exercise in
futility.
Recall
that Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo
Onanuga, had accused former presidential candidate of the Labour Party – Peter
Obi, and his supporters of being responsible for the August slated protest.
There
have also been other indirect threats from the Presidency to Nigerians
concerning the protest tagged “End bad Governance”.
Atiku,
in his reaction, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to
protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts.
Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the
right to peaceful assembly and association.
“Chasing
shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an
exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of
Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness
brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.”
Nigeria’s
former vice president, also, recalled that President Tinubu, his supporters and
his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) led a protest in 2012 against the
government of former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
Atiku
warned the federal government that any attempt to suppress the rights of
citizens to protest in August would be seen as direct affront to Nigeria’s
democracy.
“It is
deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves
leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a safe and
secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed
rights to peaceful protest.
Any
attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct
affront to our democracy,” Atiku said.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/07/23/protest-is-your-right-atiku-backs-nigerians/
--------
We Won’t
Allow Violence Under Guise Of Replicating Kenya Protests – IGP
23 July 2024
Speaking
at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, during a strategic meeting with
top police officers, Egbetokun emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian Police
Force to prevent any violent demonstrations.
Last
month, Kenya experienced significant unrest as young citizens protested against
policies they deemed anti-masses.
These
demonstrations, which targeted the parliament and other strategic locations,
resulted in substantial reforms, including a cabinet reshuffle.
In
Nigeria, various groups are mobilizing for a protest-themed #EndBadGovernance.
This movement seeks to address grievances related to the country’s economic and
political landscape.
Egbetokun,
during his address to Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of
Police (AIG), and Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG), advised those
planning the protest to abandon the idea. He stressed that the police force
would not tolerate any form of violence.
He
referenced the traumatic experiences of the police during the #EndSARS
protests, highlighting the ongoing recovery from those events.
Egbetokun
said, “Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and
should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect
properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or
tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.
“We
will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities
unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national
critical infrastructure and assets again.
“Before
concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national
importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social
media, in the past few weeks.
“Some
groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been
strategising and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land
under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.
“While
the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our
constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence
or disorder.
“As a
nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather
dastardly consequences. The last #EndSARS protest led to one-tenth destruction
of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport
infrastructure, and the loss of several lives.
“Tales
of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a
well-intentioned exercise. Rather than lead to any positive outcome, EndSars
merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.
“Indeed,
we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated
psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these
protests.”
Fielding
questions from journalists, Egbetokun also said that measures are in place to
ensure that any hoodlums attempting to disguise themselves as protesters will
be apprehended.
He
stated, “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group
succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and
dissolving Nigerians.
“Consequently,
I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to
hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of
protests. Do not worry.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/07/23/breaking-we-wont-allow-violence-under-guise-of-replicating-kenya-protests-igp/
--------
Uganda
deploys army, police as Gen-Z protests spread
JULY 22
2024
Ugandan
police deployed heavily around Kampala City on Monday to forestall planned
protests by the youth against corruption in government.
In what
reflects methods used by their counterparts in Kenya, where the youth,
popularly referred to as Gen-Z, pushed President William Ruto to drop the
controversial Finance Bill, 2024 and sack the Cabinet, the Ugandans have been
mobilising online, particularly on social media.
Party leaders
arrest
Meanwhile,
security agencies on Monday deployed at junctions and roundabouts leading to
and from the city centre, including Busega on the Kampala-Masaka highway, and
Constitutional Square, which was akin to a makeshift barracks.
The
National Unity Platform headquarters in Makere-Kivulu, where the party was set
to hold a press briefing, was cordoned off by the Army and police, and the
party Vice-President Lina Zedriga was arrested and bundled into a police
vehicle.
A car
belonging to another party leader, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, was
towed by the police while he was still behind the wheel.
The
police spokesperson termed the arrests “a precautionary move” ahead of planned
anti-government protests on Tuesday.
“We
cannot surrender this country to such reckless processions. Whenever we have
reliable intelligence that certain activities are likely to disrupt order, we
heighten our deployment. NUP called everyone from all walks of life. We are
saying the longer you take to recognise the rights of others, the longer you
will not enjoy your rights too,” Kituuma Rusoke said.
On the
social media platform, X, NUP party leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine
confirmed the siege on his party headquarters.
“They
have turned the National Unity Platform headquarters into a military barracks.
Several leaders have been violently arrested. They have now blocked the roads
leading to the office. All because they are scared of the people. And, yes,
when we lose our fear for them, they will lose their power over us,” said Bobi
Wine.
Youth
mobilise
Bobi
said his party supports the protest, even though he disassociated his movement
from organising it.
“The
effort by the regime to clamp down and make it look like an NUP initiative is
meant to weaken it because they want to make it appear like a partisan matter,”
said Bobi. “The #AntiCorruptionProtests as we know them are organised by the
young people of Uganda regardless of their age, religion, tribe or political
affiliation!”
“But we
support them with all our might because we are #PeoplePower and we absolutely
believe in the Power of the People. We support every effort to protest against
injustice, corruption and misrule,” he added.
Museveni
warnings
President
Yoweri Museveni warned protesters that they would be "playing with
fire" if they press ahead with plans to stage a march to parliament on
Tuesday.
In a
televised address, the President said: "We are busy producing wealth… and
you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow
you to disturb us."
Like his
Kenyan counterpart Ruto, Museveni accused the protest organisers of
"working with foreigners" to cause chaos in Uganda.
On
Saturday, the President had warned the youth against the protests, alleging
they were sponsored by foreigners.
"Some
elements, some of them from the opposition, are always working with the
foreigners to foment chaos in Uganda – riots, illegal demonstrations, illegal
and inconsiderate processions, etc. These people ... should check themselves or
we shall have no alternative but to check them," he said.
The
police refused to permit the march, but the protesters said they did not need
permission to picket.
"We
don't need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our
constitutional right,” said one, Louez Aloikin Opolose.
In a
mobilisation that has taken over a month, the group, which identifies itself as
youth affiliated to no party, no religion, no tribe and with no leadership,
sought permission from the police, which was declined, with security officers
warning the organisers not to disrupt business.
A
message to all police units in the country released last week ordered high
alertness and preparedness ahead of Tuesday's demonstration after President
Museveni warned that demonstrators would not be allowed to proceed with their
plans.
The
Kampala planned protests if they take place, will be a part of a wave gathering
momentum on the continent as African youth move to the forefront in seeking
changes in the way their states are run.
In
Ghana, youth have been planning similar protests.
Kenyan
protests
In
Kenya, the Gen-Z protesters were on Monday raring for the weekly Tuesday
marches to push President Ruto to effect sweeping governance changes, even as
others said he should resign.
Read:
Kenya rocked by protests
But,
speaking on Sunday in Bomet in the South Rift region, President Ruto said
“Enough is enough” about the protests that have claimed more than 50 lives
across the country, the majority blamed on the police.
“I want
to promise it is going to stop. Enough is enough!” he said.
The
Kenyan leader on Friday unveiled a new Cabinet of “the first” 11 members, six
of whom were retained from the previous Cabinet, something that angered those
opposed to him.
“We will
protect life, we will protect property, we will stop the looters, we will stop
the killers, we will stop the mayhem, we will stop anarchy because Kenya is a
democracy and we want a peaceful, stable nation. Our issues are resolved using
democratic means,” the President said.
But in a
defiant move, the youth said they would #OccupyEverywhere on Tuesday and
Thursday.
The
decision to retain some of the cabinet secretaries has angered a majority of
the citizens, who accuse him of recycling the people they want out.
Calls
for dialogue
The demonstrations
initially started as a protest against the Finance Bill in June which the
president eventually shelved after protesters stormed Parliament on June 25
when it was passed.
“They
said we should not pass the Finance Bill, and I dropped it. Then I called them,
and they said they didn’t want to come for talks with me. They told me to go to
X [spaces], and I went there, but they ran away,” the president said.
“Then
they told me to call for a national dialogue, I have called for dialogue, and
now they have refused. They are still saying they are faceless, formless. I
have given everyone a chance to say whatever they want. I cannot continue like
this. The country is much more important than any group of people. We must come
together as a nation, protect our nation, and ensure that Kenya is a democracy.
Anyone who has issues should use the front door and tell Kenyans what they
want.”
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
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