‘I Am Shocked, Never Did Hindu-Muslim’: If I Divide People Into Hindu-Muslim, I Would Be “Unworthy Of Public Life”: PM Modi

New Age Islam News Bureau

15 May 2024

 

PM Modi claimed that he does not politicise affection towards Muslims. "I do not work for a vote bank. I believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he said. (Image: PTI)

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·         ‘I Am Shocked, Never Did Hindu-Muslim’: If I Divide People Into Hindu-Muslim, I Would Be “Unworthy Of Public Life”: PM Modi

·         Dutch Anti-Islam Party On The Verge Of Forming EU’s Latest Hard-Right Government

·         USIP Report: Recalibrating Counterterrorism Strategy Amid US-China and India-Pakistan Concerns

·         Raising Israeli Flag Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque 'Very Disturbing': UN

·         Saudi Cabinet Welcomes UN Resolution Supporting Palestine’s Full Membership

 

India

·         FIR Against TV Anchor In Karnataka For Using Pakistan Flag To Represent Muslims

·         Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Condemns ‘Suppression’ Of Muslim Voters

·         Prioritizing Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia' : Amit Shah Criticizes Mamata Banerjee

·         Muslim law doesn’t bar property transfer deeds: HC

·         Congress Ideology Foreign To The Constitution, Wants To Promote Sharia: Assam CM

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Europe

·         Support for Gaza from Northwest Syria: The "Wage Jihad With Your Wealth" Campaign

·         Oldham social enterprise recognised at British Muslim Awards

·         Islamic State claims attack on army post in northern Iraq

·         Labour vote share down a third in some majority Muslim areas, analysis reveals

·         'I'm Not Muslim - I'm Presbyterian': Teenage Ulster Unionist Jay Basra Responds To Online Racial/Religious Jibes

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North America

·         Islamic State Group Uses ‘Da’wah’ to Gain Support in Mozambique

·         Minnesota AG sues contract-for-deed seller who allegedly targeted Muslim community

·         Florida imam and dentist calls for 'annihilation' of Jews, says Israeli military 'worse than the Nazis'

·         Kuwait: Islamists and the end of Arab democracy

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Mideast

·         Sunni Death-Row Prisoner Khosrow Besharat Executed in Ghezel Hesar, Iran

·         Hundreds of Israeli Colonizers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

·         Israeli forces repeatedly target Gaza aid workers, says Human Rights Watch

·         UN launches probe into first international staff killed by unidentified strike in Rafah

·         Palestinians rally at historic villages in northern Israel

·         Egypt rejects Israel’s denial of role in Gaza aid crisis

·         Daesh claims attack on army post in northern Iraq

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Arab World

·         Saudi FM Reiterates Call For Immediate And Permanent Ceasefire In Gaza

·         Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization meetings begin in Jeddah

·         Prince Sultan University hosts panel on space exploration

·         Saudi Arabia takes part in Netherlands Geospatial World Forum as strategic partner

·         Riyadh forum to combat financial crime and corruption

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Pakistan

·         Pakistan Rejects Anti-Pakistan Rhetoric Of Indian Leadership

·         IHC reserves verdict on Imran Khan's bail plea in £190m reference

·         Army officer martyred, 3 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Zhob: ISPR

·         CTDs lack clarity on militant groups’ dynamics, operational strategies: report

·         Army major martyred, 3 terrorists killed during IBO in Balochistan: ISPR

·         China reaffirms its full support to Pakistan in all areas of cooperation

·         Australia assures continued support for Pakistan's socio-economic development

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South Asia

·         Norwegian Rights Society Hosts Afghan Activists And Taliban Representatives Meeting

·         Iranian FM calls Afghanistan issues ‘complex’, emphasizes ‘multi-layered’ solutions

·         UN Secretary General Condemns Israeli Attack on UN Employee in Gaza Strip

·         Liaison Commission with Afghan Personalities Stresses to Fulfil Commitment

·         Islamic Scholars’ Consultative Summit Ends In Istanbul

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Southeast Asia

·         DAP Trio’s Lawsuit Against PAS MP Heads To Trial After Mediation Hits Dead End

·         Observers Say PM Anwar's Meeting With Hamas Leaders In Qatar Could Provoke West To Act Against Malaysia

·         MBZ Honours President-elect Prabowo With Highest Civilian Award 'Order of Zayed'

·         Selangor has the highest number of sexual crimes cases in Malaysia: Bukit Aman

·         Data leaks reveal over 300 Malaysians listed as property owners in Dubai - report

·         UK Minister John Glen Visits Indonesia to Strengthen Partnership on Digital Transformation

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Africa

·         Libya War Crimes Probe To Advance Next Year: ICC Prosecutor

·         Al-Sunni is surprised that the ICC Prosecutor’s briefing on Libya did not include the Tarhuna crimes file.

·         Africa Made Mistake By Adopting Western Liberal Democracy – Obasanjo

·         President Tinubu Suspends Cybersecurity Levy, Issues Fresh Directive To CBN

·         Five Soldiers Killed, Others Injured As Bandits Invade Military Camp In Katsina

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:     https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindu-muslim-divide-life-modi/d/132323

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‘I Am Shocked, Never Did Hindu-Muslim’: If I Divide People Into Hindu-Muslim, I Would Be “Unworthy Of Public Life”: PM Modi

 

PM Modi claimed that he does not politicise affection towards Muslims. "I do not work for a vote bank. I believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he said. (Image: PTI)

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May 15, 2024

Days after sparking controversy with his remarks about the Congress-led INDIA bloc of Opposition parties backing “infiltrators” and “those with more children”, an indirect reference to the Muslim community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appeared to have backtracked from his remarks, claiming that he did not speak solely to target Muslims but rather addressed every poor family.

Additionally, he said that if he starts dividing people into Hindu-Muslim, he would be “unworthy of public life”.

In an interview with News 18, PM Modi claimed that he does not politicise affection towards Muslims. “I do not work for a vote bank. I believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said.

“I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didn’t mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Don’t let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children,” the Prime Minister said on Tuesday.

PM Modi admitted that his reputation among Muslims was tarnished by his opponents following the 2002 incident during the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat, while he served as Chief Minister of the state.

“This issue is not about Muslims. Irrespective of how supportive individual Muslims are of Modi, there is a wave of thought that dictates to them, ‘do this, do that’. In my house, there are all Muslim families around me. Eid was also celebrated in our house, and there were other festivals in our house. Food was not cooked in our house on the day of Eid. Food used to come to my place from all the Muslim families,” Modi said.

He further added, “When Muharram started, we needed to come out from under the Tajiya, we were taught. I grew up in that world. Even today, many of my friends are Muslims. After 2002 (Godhra), my image was tarnished.”

When asked if Muslims would vote for him in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, he responded, “The people of the country will vote for me,” adding that, “The day I start doing Hindu-Muslim, I won’t be entitled to live in the public domain. I won’t do Hindu-Muslim. This is my pledge.”

Previously, at a public rally in Rajasthan, PM Modi accused the Congress party of aiming to confiscate people’s gold and property and distribute it among those with more children.

Regarding reports of Congress’s alleged intention to redistribute wealth if elected, the Prime Minister claimed that the party would go as far as conducting household surveys and even deprive women of their Mangalsutra.

On Tuesday, PM Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, aiming for a third consecutive term. He aims to secure victory with a substantial margin.

The sitting MP and BJP candidate, PM Modi, submitted his nomination papers at the district magistrate’s office. Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections on June 1.

Source: financialexpress.com

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

https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/i-am-shocked-never-did-hindu-muslim-pm-modi-clarifies-infiltrators-and-those-with-more-children-remarks/3488289/

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Dutch Anti-Islam Party On The Verge Of Forming EU’s Latest Hard-Right Government

 

Chairman of the Dutch Freedom Party Geert Wilders speaks at the third Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, April 26, 2024. The two-day event is hosted from April 25 to 26 by the Center for Fundamental Rights of Hungary for the third consecutive year. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

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WED, 15 MAY, 2024

Anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is on the verge of brokering a four-party coalition in the Netherlands six months after coming in first in national elections.

It opens the prospect that yet another European Union nation will veer towards the hard right weeks ahead of EU-wide elections.

Mr Wilders has said he does not expect to become prime minister himself, because he remains too extreme for his coalition partners, but his Party for Freedom would be the driving force in a four-party coalition.

With hard right and populist parties now part of or leading a half dozen governments in the 27-nation bloc, they appear positioned to make gains in the June 6-9 EU polls.

“I hope we will get there. I think we will get there. I cannot see it going wrong,” Mr Wilders told the broadcaster NOS early on Wednesday after the four parties reached a deal on government financing, the last major stumbling bloc in the talks.

It remains unclear who will become prime minister.

“That is still crucial. If you want a government to succeed, you need a prime minister that unites,” said Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the centrist New Social Contract party.

Outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte’s centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy and the populist Farmer Citizen Movement are also in the coalition talks.

Mr Wilders’ Party for Freedom won 37 seats in the 150-seat lower house of the Dutch parliament, and the four parties combined hold a comfortable majority of 88 seats.

After two decades in the opposition, Mr Wilders seemed to have a shot at leading a nation that long prided itself on its tolerant society, but he has stepped aside in the interests of pushing through most of his agenda.

From Finland to Croatia, hard-line right parties are part of European governing coalitions, and hard right prime ministers are leading Hungary, Slovakia and Italy.

Source: irishexaminer.com

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https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41395459.html

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USIP Report: Recalibrating Counterterrorism Strategy Amid US-China and India-Pakistan Concerns

 

Photo: Khaama Press

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May 14, 2024

In a comprehensive report released by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Tuesday, the Senior Study Group on Counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan has highlighted the urgent need to recalibrate the US counterterrorism strategy amidst growing strategic competition with China and the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The report comes in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in April 2021 and the subsequent rise in terrorist threats in the region.

President Joe Biden’s announcement of the withdrawal underscored counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a critical national security interest. This priority became even more pronounced after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and the discovery of al-Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. However, the escalating strategic competition with China and Russia has since overshadowed counterterrorism efforts on the policy agenda.

The USIP report, the result of extensive deliberations from 2022 to 2023, presents two major conclusions and proposes a recalibrated strategy to address the evolving counterterrorism challenges.

Recalibrating Focus on Counterterrorism

The report argues that counterterrorism should not be perceived as a distraction from strategic competition but rather as a crucial component in protecting the strategic agenda. Terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan still possess the intent and growing capability to target the US and its interests. A successful terrorist attack would not only result in tragic loss of lives but also divert resources and attention from strategic competition, undermining America’s credibility and alliances.

Moreover, terrorist attacks originating from the region could spark dangerous regional crises, particularly between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened terrorist groups, providing them with opportunities to regroup and collaborate. ISIS-K, for instance, presents a growing threat with a reach beyond the immediate region, while the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has re-emerged as a significant regional security threat.

Strategic Options for Revitalizing Counterterrorism Efforts

The USIP study group suggests several strategic options to address the rising terrorism threats without compromising the focus on strategic competition:

Engaging the Taliban: The report recommends publicly pressuring the Taliban to mitigate terrorist threats while maintaining communication channels for counterterrorism exchanges. This approach includes developing a public reporting mechanism to document Taliban compliance with counterterrorism commitments and building dedicated diplomatic and intelligence channels with the Taliban.

Enhancing Military and Intelligence Capabilities: To deter and disrupt terrorism threats, the report suggests increasing military and intelligence resources dedicated to counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This includes improving intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and expanding the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program.

Legal Transparency in Counterterrorism Operations: The report emphasizes the need for greater transparency in legal authorities for counterterrorism operations, ensuring actions are justified and minimizing civilian harm. This involves targeting terrorist groups planning attacks against the US and employing cyber operations to disrupt their communications.

Strengthening Counterterrorism Cooperation with Pakistan: The report calls for enhanced counterterrorism-specific security assistance and intelligence to Pakistan. This assistance aims to reduce the TTP threat, secure long-term airspace access for operations in Afghanistan, and improve the overall counterterrorism relationship with Pakistan.

Preparing for Terrorist Attack Contingencies: The report highlights the importance of improving preparedness for terrorist attacks in the US homeland and overseas, especially in South Asia. This includes enhancing intelligence collection and analysis, providing travel warnings, and securing emergency military operations bases in Central Asia and Pakistan.

The USIP report underscores the necessity of a recalibrated counterterrorism strategy that aligns with the broader strategic competition framework. By implementing these measures, policymakers can better safeguard US interests in Afghanistan and Pakistan while maintaining a sustained focus on addressing strategic competition with China and managing regional tensions between India and Pakistan. The proposed strategy aims to balance counterterrorism efforts with the need to address broader strategic concerns, ensuring a sustainable approach to managing terrorism threats from the region.

While the USIP report provides a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, it notably lacks emphasis on the priorities of the Afghan people, including political solutions and women’s rights. The formation of an inclusive government that integrates various political groups, many of whom are currently in exile in Turkey, Tajikistan, Iran, and Pakistan, is crucial for long-term stability. Additionally, the report does not address the pressing issue of women’s rights in Afghanistan, where women have been deprived of work and education opportunities under the current regime. Addressing these socio-political aspects is essential for creating a holistic and sustainable solution for Afghanistan’s future.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/usip-report-recalibrating-counterterrorism-strategy-amid-us-china-and-india-pakistan-concerns/

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Raising Israeli Flag Inside Al-Aqsa Mosque 'Very Disturbing': UN

 

File photo/Yeni Safak

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14.05.2024

The UN said it was disturbed Tuesday by reports of illegal Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and raising an Israeli flag in the courtyards.

"We're aware of these reports, which are very disturbing as you know, we always have called for and continue to call for respect for the status quo at all of the holy sites in Jerusalem and we do so again today," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN chief told reporters.

His remarks came after illegal settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex to mark Israel's Independence Day with one holding an Israeli flag.

Since 2003, Israel has allowed illegal settlers into the flashpoint compound on an almost daily basis with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, contending it is the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/raising-israeli-flag-inside-al-aqsa-mosque-very-disturbing-un/3219546

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Saudi Cabinet Welcomes UN Resolution Supporting Palestine’s Full Membership

 

The council also discussed the recent reception of pilgrims arriving for Hajj. (SPA)

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May 14, 2024

RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet welcomed on Tuesday the United Nations assembly's resolution supporting Palestine's full membership, the Saudi State Agency reported.

The council of ministers emphasizing the need to halt Israeli military escalations and violations against civilians and humanitarian workers.

Minister of Information, Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari, reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to global security, active participation in international relief efforts, and advocacy for issues affecting Arab and Islamic nations.

The council also discussed the recent reception of pilgrims arriving for Hajj.

Directives were issued to maintain high standards of procedures and services at entry points in Makkah, Medina, and the Holy Sites.

The council also received a comprehensive briefing on recent diplomatic dialogues with various nations, including discussions between the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the President of Ukraine.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2510056/saudi-arabia

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India

FIR against TV anchor in Karnataka for using Pakistan flag to represent Muslims

The police booked Ajith Hanumakkanavar under Section 505 (2) (creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code

May 14, 2024

The High Grounds police on Saturday registered an FIR against an anchor of a Kannada News Channel for allegedly demeaning the minority community during a news debate over population growth.

Based on a complaint filed by Tanveer Ahmed on Saturday, the police charged Ajith Hanumakkanavar under section 505 (2) (creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code.

On May 9, the channel aired a programme discussing a working paper, “Share of Religious Minorities: a Cross-Country Analysis (1950-2015),“ by members of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. In the graphic plate, the channel used the tricolour to denote the Hindu population and the Pakistan flag to denote the Muslim population.

This led to much outrage on social media, following which the channel, Suvarna News, withdrew the graphic slide from its website and apologised on air. The channel said this had happened due to an oversight. The slide was on air only for a few seconds, and it had been corrected during the live transmission itself.

However, in his complaint, Tanveer Ahmed has alleged that this was deliberate to “humiliate the community’s contribution to the nation”. Going beyond the use of the Pakistan flag to denote the Muslim community, Mr. Ahmed alleged that “statements made by the anchor are clearly divisive, opinionated, intending to create communal hatred as well as ill will against the Muslim community and disrupt the communal harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities”.

Following the FIR, the police have issued notice to Ajith Hanumakkanavar to appear before them for questioning.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/fir-registered-against-tv-anchor/article68170989.ece

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Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Condemns ‘Suppression’ Of Muslim Voters

News Desk: 14th May 2024

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has condemned the disturbing incidents of voter suppression targeting Muslims and other marginalised communities during the recent elections in India.

In an official statement, JIH Vice President Malik Moatasim Khan said, “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind condemns the disturbing incidents of voter suppression targeting Muslims and other marginalised sections.”

During the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7, reports emerged from Uttar Pradesh that police resorted to unprovoked lathi-charge on people in at least four Muslim-concentrated villages and allegedly prevented them from casting their vote, resulting in injuries to hundreds of voters.

The statement further said that in Aliganj in the Farukhabad Lok Sabha constituency as well as in Aonla Lok Sabha constituency, numerous eligible voters were reportedly prevented from casting their vote.

There are also alarming reports of bogus voting in the Rasulabad Assembly segment of the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency, the statement noted.

The JIH Vice President stated, “This heavy-handed police action against innocent voters undermines the basic democratic right of citizens to participate freely in the electoral process. In a democracy, it is essential that every citizen, irrespective of their background or beliefs, be encouraged and facilitated to cast their vote without fear or obstruction.”

“However, the incidents highlighted above represent a troubling trend where Muslims and other marginalised communities are systematically targetted and disenfranchised,” he added.

To ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future electoral phases, the JIH called upon the Election Commission of India to “thoroughly investigate these incidents and take immediate corrective measures”.

Source: siasat.com

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https://www.siasat.com/jih-condemns-voter-suppression-of-muslims-minorities-in-india-3026566/

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'TMC Prioritizing Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia' : Amit Shah Criticizes Mamata Banerjee

May 15, 2024

In a scathing critique of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the TMC leader of abandoning her initial promises to govern for “Maa, Maati, Manush” and instead focusing on “Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia.”

During a rally in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, Shah criticized the TMC for providing financial support to Imams while neglecting Hindu priests and temple custodians. “The TMC was elected on the promise of serving ‘Maa, Mati, Manush.’ However, they are now prioritizing ‘Mullah, Madrasa, Mafia.’ Imams receive an honorarium, but priests and temple keepers receive nothing. While there are no hindrances to Tazia processions, Durga Puja and Kali Puja immersions face regular obstacles. Should this be allowed?” Shah questioned.

Shah also condemned Banerjee for declining an invitation to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, accusing her of appeasing a specific vote bank. “Despite being formally invited, she skipped the Ram temple inauguration to avoid upsetting her vote bank. She prioritizes infiltrators over her own people,” he claimed.

Furthermore, Shah accused Banerjee of spreading misinformation about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He assured the public that the CAA aims to provide asylum and permanent residency to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, not to harm anyone. “Mamata Banerjee is misleading the public about the CAA. I assure you, no legitimate citizen will be affected. The CAA is designed to help Hindu, Sikh, and Jain refugees become citizens,” he stated.

Shah also alleged that the TMC seeks to grant citizenship to infiltrators while opposing the CAA, which benefits oppressed minorities like the Matuas from Bangladesh. “I remind Mamata Banerjee that citizenship is a central government prerogative, not a state matter,” he emphasized.

He reassured the Matua community in Bongaon that they would benefit from the CAA if the BJP gains power in Bengal. “Four phases of polling are complete, with 380 Lok Sabha seats, including 18 in Bengal, already decided. I can confidently say that PM Modi has secured an absolute majority with 270 seats. Our goal now is to surpass 400 seats,” Shah declared.

Addressing the rampant lawlessness and corruption in Bengal, Shah warned that those involved in various scams would face justice. “From ‘cut money’ culture to infiltration, from bomb blasts to harassment by the CM’s nephew’s goons, Bengal is in a state of lawlessness. Only Narendra Modi can save Bengal from further decline. Those involved in scams, including chit fund, teacher recruitment, municipal recruitment, ration, cow, and coal smuggling, will be jailed. No one will be spared,” he asserted.

Amit Shah was campaigning for BJP candidate Shantanu Thakur, who is contesting against TMC’s Biswajit Das for a renewed term in the Lok Sabha from Bangaon. Polling in Bengal is spread across seven phases, with the vote count scheduled for June 4.

Source: newsx.com

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https://www.newsx.com/national/tmc-prioritizing-mullah-madrasa-mafia-amit-shah-criticizes-mamata-banerjee/

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Muslim law doesn’t bar property transfer deeds: HC

May 15, 2024

Bengaluru: Mohammedan law doesn’t bar settlement between the parties for transfer of property, the high court ruled recently.

The court also said Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act-1937 doesn't override Section 2(q) and Article 48 of Karnataka Stamp Act-1957 which provide for the contract of “settlement”, a practice being adopted for transfer of properties.

“The Shariat law, which is believed to be the divine instructions of the Almighty, may not envisage all types of contracts recognised under contemporary law. But that does not mean that a contract entered through a ‘deed of settlement’ is impermissible among the Mohammedans. More importantly, what is not expressly recognised in Shariat law is not necessarily something which is forbidden. It may still be in tune with the philosophy of the Quran,” Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde observed.

The observations came while allowing a regular first appeal (RFA) filed by three grandsons of TA Abdul Jabbar. They had challenged the Jan 11, 2013 order passed by a civil court, ordering fresh partition on the ground that the settlement that their grandfather had struck with them and their father was barred under Mohammedan law. The suit was filed by Jabbar’s two daughters from his third wife. Jabbar had executed three registered settlement deeds on Sept 9, 10 and 13 in 1965. The first settlement was in favour of three appellant-grandsons. In the second settlement, Jabbar executed settlement deeds in favour of TA Abdul Rasheed, son from the first wife, giving him a property in Guddadahalli. The three appellants are Rasheed’s sons. His third wife was given Rs 5,000. The third settlement was made in favour of his minor daughters from his third wife, i.e., the plaintiffs in this case.

Jabbar died in 1968. However, in 1996, the two daughters moved the civil court, challenging second settlement dated Sept 11, 1965. The trial court held there is no concept of transfer by way of “settlement” to settle the properties among the Mohammedans and accordingly, the suit decreed ordering the partition of all properties covered under the second settlement deed. Jabbar’s grandsons argued that the transfer through a “settlement deed” is not expressly barred under the Mohammedan Law. Jabbar’s daughters contended that any transaction that deprives an heir apparent of a right and discriminates among the heirs is forbidden in the Quran.

Justice Hegde noted that the Karnataka Stamps Act is “religion neutral”. Any person competent to contract can execute a deed of settlement in respect of the property, whether movable or immovable, owned by him irrespective of his or her religious faith or belief, he added.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/muslim-law-does-not-bar-property-transfer-deeds-high-court/articleshow/110128696.cms

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Congress Ideology Foreign To The Constitution, Wants To Promote Sharia: Assam CM

14 May 2024

Assam CM Himanta Biswa said, 'our Constitution advocates the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and recognizes complete Kashmir as a part of Indian territory...The basic principles on which the BJP is working are in the constitution...Congress wants to promote Sharia, religion-based reservation... Congress ideologies are foreign to the Constitution...Wherever the Constitution was diluted, it came from the Congress party, never from BJP"...

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

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https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-ideology-foreign-to-the-constitution-wants-to-promote-sharia-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma/videoshow/110121261.cms

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Europe

 

Support for Gaza from Northwest Syria: The "Wage Jihad With Your Wealth" Campaign

May 4, 2024

Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war on 7 October last year, a number of charity initiatives have emerged within the Muslim world under the guise of supporting Gaza in the face of Israel's military campaign. One of the more interesting examples is the "Wage Jihad With Your Wealth" (Arabic: Jahid bi-Malika) campaign. Based out of northwest Syria, the idea of the campaign, as its name suggests, is that donating money is a form of waging jihad. The campaign has received donations from a variety of 'muhajirin' (foreigners who have come to the territories controlled by the insurgents in Syria).

I decided to conduct an interview to learn more about its aims, donations it has received, its position on providing support for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Western university campus protests in support of the Palestinian cause. Any parenthetical insertions in square brackets are my own.

[Click here to continue reading]:

https://www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/support-for-gaza-from-northwest-syria

Source: aymennjawad.org

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https://aymennjawad.org/2024/05/support-for-gaza-from-northwest-syria-the-wage

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Oldham social enterprise recognised at British Muslim Awards

14th May

A social enterprise in Oldham which helps struggling families and migrants has been recognised with a national award.

Upturn, which specialises in helping disadvantaged people find work, won the Community Spirit of the Year at the British Muslim Awards 2024.

Anwar Ali OBE, co-founder of Upturn, said the award is a reminder that "our aims are the same" as he encourages Oldhamers to "remind ourselves of shared values and work together for a better borough and a peaceful world".

He continued: “Most of the major faiths and philosophies are built upon the same tenants of compassion and charity and whilst this is fantastic recognition from the Islamic community, it gives us the opportunity to say again compassion is not exclusive to any one race, gender or sexuality.

"We are all in this together.” 

The non-judgemental enterprise not only has a multicultural workforce but engages with migrants who are new to the area.

Recruitment experts provide advice on education, housing and work, helping people to find work placements while assisting with CVs to help the new residents stand on their own two feet.

Upturn is also about to tour some of Oldham's most disadvantaged areas in a "campervan of hope", offering health, wellbeing and financial support in its new converted VW Buzz van.

Anwar added: “We do not stop and question the whys and wherefores of poverty or their background, we deal with the need, because that is right and will be the basis of a better society where everyone matters.”

Now in its eleventh year, The British Muslim Awards serve as a platform to acknowledge the tireless efforts and dedication of British Muslims who have enriched society.

Upturn beat off challenges from similar organisations across the country, from Falkirk in Scotland to London and Cardiff.

Anwar himself was also celebrated as a nominee in the Social Leader of the Year award category.

He said: "It has probably become a bit trite to say, 'this is not about me', but genuinely the spirit of social enterprise in Oldham is being noticed on a UK level.

"And that is due to not only our superb team, but all the schools, businesses, funders like Children in Need and social enterprises that support Upturn and our borough.

"We do not seek out recognition like this but welcome the kudos it brings for all of those people.”

Source: theoldhamtimes.co.uk

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https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/24318351.oldham-social-enterprise-recognised-british-muslim-awards/

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Islamic State claims attack on army post in northern Iraq

15 May, 2024

Islamic State claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an attack on Monday targeting an army post in northern Iraq which security sources said had killed a commanding officer and four soldiers.

The attack took place between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, a rural area that remains a hotbed of activity for militant cells years after Iraq declared final victory over the extremist group in 2017.

Security forces repelled the attack, the defence ministry said on Monday in a statement mourning the loss of a colonel and a number of others from the regiment. The security sources said five others had also been wounded.

Islamic State said in a statement on Telegram it had targeted the barracks with machine guns and grenades.

In January, Iraqi authorities said that they ambushed Islamic State 32 members, detaining dozens across several provinces which have recently seen a spike in militant activity.

The US military said in December that the Islamic State group had an 'army' of fighters held at detention facilities in Iraq and Syria, both countries IS continues to wage a low-level insurgency in despite being territorially defeated years ago.

Iraq has seen relative security stability in recent years after the chaos of the 2003-US-led invasion and years of bloody sectarian conflict that followed.

Source: newarab.com

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

https://www.newarab.com/news/islamic-state-claims-attack-army-post-northern-iraq

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Labour vote share down a third in some majority Muslim areas, analysis reveals

14 May 2024

Labour lost 33 percentage points of vote share in areas that are majority Muslim in the recent local elections, according to exclusive analysis for ITV News by Number Cruncher Politics.

People across England and Wales went to the polls on May 2 to vote for local councillors, mayors, and police and crime commissioners.

While Labour saw huge gains across the country, causing upset for the Tories as they took control of councils like Hartlepool and Rushmoor, there was a significant drop in support for the party among Muslim voters.

For months it's been clear that the British Muslim community - traditionally Labour supporters - feel unheard and let down by the party over their stance on Gaza.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised by Muslim voters and MPs in his own party for not calling for a ceasefire in Gaza sooner.

After the Hamas attacks on October 7 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military campaign, more than 35,000 people have so far been killed in Gaza.

Events abroad appear to have had a significant impact on how British Muslims voted in local contests, with independent candidates standing against Labour, often on Gaza tickets.

Analysis for ITV News by Number Cruncher Politics looked at the council wards with the highest Muslim populations who voted in the local elections.

The findings showed that in wards with over 70% Muslim representation, Labour lost 39 percentage points of vote share.

Pollster and analyst Matt Singh, who conducted the analysis of local election data for ITV News, said Labour's loss of Muslim support "matters in and of itself, and is something, given Labour's history with the British Muslim community, that Labour will take quite seriously".

He did, however, highlight that as it stands this is unlikely to have a huge impact at the general election, saying: "In terms of its broader electoral impact, it's important to note that the areas where British Muslims are found tend to be the areas that are most strongly Labour."

Not every local council had elections this year, but the contests represented the last big test of public opinion before a general election, with a clear message sent to Labour over the conflict in Gaza.

ITV News went to the West Midlands and Ilford, in London, to speak to local people about how much of an impact Gaza is having on how they vote.

West Midlands

While Labour secured a key victory in the West Midlands Mayoral contest, it was particularly tight, with Labour's Richard Parker beating Conservative Andy Street by only 1,500 votes.

The narrow victory was in part due to independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob, who stood partly on a Gaza ticket and came third, with almost 70,000 votes.

Mr Yakoob, a lawyer known for his TikTok videos and bright yellow Lamborghini, has also been involved in a number of controversies.

Most recently he shared a video which falsely accused a Labour activist of using a racist slur on the doorstep.

Nasir Rafiq, a community leader in Smethwick, said Mr Yakoob was elected because of his stance on Gaza.

"He was able to attract 70,000 votes with no track record in politics whatsoever. It goes to show how much people felt strongly about the Gaza issue", he said.

"I don't think it was about the candidate himself, it's just that people wanted to punish mainstream parties."

Nasir Akhtar, Imam at the Abrahamic Foundation, said: "The greatest impact that we have on our local life actually is the situation in Palestine and Gaza... When something happens in the Middle East, Muslims tend to be on the receiving end over here."

Shabnam Mughal, who attends the mosque, said: "Gaza is everywhere to be seen in everybody's heart... It's a very hard thing to watch, and we do need more influence from the politicians."

In an interview with ITV News, Mr Yakoob said: "I'm not a politician, and I am relatable to the common man... The working class man or woman or people who have been neglected by other politicians."

When asked about why he shared a false video which led to a Labour activist receiving death threats, the lawyer said "if the video has been doctored, then the poor teacher is not the only victim. I am the victim as well".

He refused to answer when asked why he didn't verify the video before sharing it, citing his experience of Islamophobia as the reason he believed the video.

Mr Yakoob said: "When I see something like that captioned as it was, I'm going to automatically think yes because most of the public at that time thought that's what she said."

Our analysis showed that support for Mr Yakoob was highest in areas where votes for Labour fell most sharply.

In Birmingham, the local authority in the West Midlands with the highest proportion of Muslims, support for Mr Yakoob was at 20%, with an 11 point drop in the Labour vote.

Mr Yakoob is now standing to be an MP in the Labour seat of Birmingham Ladywood at the general election, against Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Ilford

As we head towards a general election this year, there are some constituencies where this could all have an impact - like Ilford North.

It's the seat of shadow health secretary Wes Streeting - which he last won in 2019 with a 5,218 majority - but there's an Independent candidate standing against him on a Gaza ticket, who could cause upset for Labour.

Leanne Mohamad is a British-Palestinian activist who says the two main parties "haven't served" people, and that "it's time to return politics back to the people".

She believes Gaza is a big issue for people in Ilford North, saying: "Many people of conscience around the world, and especially here in my community, disagree with Labour's stance on Gaza.

"That's why we are seeing the results we are across the country, and it's why they're trying hard to back track now."

The former youth worker said she's not worried about splitting the Labour vote: "I'm not here to split the vote, I don't want either party to take it. I'm standing to win and that is why I'm in this fight."

Labour acknowledge this loss of support among British Muslims is an issue, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves telling LBC last week that relations with the Muslim community have become "frayed".

Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, and shadow investment and small business minister, said: "We have to recognise that people feel deeply let down, and I understand that."

"We have always had a strong partnership with many sections of the British Muslim community, and as that's become more fragile, and where it still exists, and where it's broken down, absolutely we need to rebuild trust."

While this decline in support for Labour from British Muslims correlates with the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, polling shows there are a number of other issues that are also important to British Muslims.

A recent poll by Savanta showed the most important issues to British Muslims were the cost of living, the NHS, and the economy, followed by Israel-Gaza.

Source: itv.com

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

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-05-14/labour-vote-share-down-a-third-in-some-majority-muslim-areas-analysis-reveals

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'I'm Not Muslim - I'm Presbyterian': Teenage Ulster Unionist Jay Basra Responds To Online Racial/Religious Jibes

14th May 2024

A teenage mixed race man has hit out at the “juvenile” messages he has received since he announced he was standing as a UUP candidate for Mid Ulster.

Whilst some Twitter users have warned of Muslim domination and called for him to leave for Pakistan, Jay Basra was born in Magherafelt General Hospital and is a Presbyterian.

He is a 19-year-old politics is student at Queen’s University Belfast, who also works at Tom Elliott’s constituency office in Dungannon.

He describes himself as Punjabi-British.

Since he announced he was standing as the party’s candidate in Mid Ulster in the next General Election on May 7, he has had a number of racial jibes aimed at him online, with some wondering why a “foreigner” should have a say in Northern Ireland, and others questioning how he can be a unionist given Britain’s imperial history.

He told the News Letter such remarks was “juvenile” – then added that, in fact, he “wouldn’t even expect from a child”.

He said that he joined the UUP upon turning 17, because his family had always been UUP supporters.

His mother is from Cookstown (where he grew up) and his father is from Phagwara in north-west India (not Pakistan); he migrated to Scotland around the late 1990s to work with his uncle, then later moved to Northern Ireland.

Mr Basra said he never gets racial abuse in person, only on Twitter.

When one comment about “Muslims running the show” was put to him, he said: “I’m a Presbyterian.” His home congregation is Orritor, just outside Cookstown.

As for the general election, he said: “I just want to do the best I can for the constituency.

"It’s not as if I was put up as a toke candidate because of my skin colour or anything like that.

"I was fully backed by the association to run as a candidate. It wasn’t as if it came out of nowhere.

"I wanted to run so I could give young unionism a voice as well.

"People always say ‘where are the young candidates within unionism?’ And when you do run, they tell you ‘you’re not old enough’.

"You can’t really win with that kind of double standard.”

SO WHAT ARE THE RACIAL COMMENTS AND WHO MADE THEM?

Here is a breakdown of the comments of a racial/religious nature Mr Basra has received since announcing his candidacy on May 7, often from accounts with only a couple of hundred followers or so (or, in the case of Kevin Walsh, literally one single follower).

These are most of the messages that were in direct reply to things Mr Basra posted:

Funny Logic (@7thTimeCharmer): "Foreigner."

Joe soap (@Joesoap66390242): "You won't win because your not a ni protestant....I'd say that when you grow up and think back...you will understand what I'm saying..the loyalist people hate you because of your colour and race. And we nationalists are ashamed of you..YOU KNOW WHY... You're ancestors are ashamed of you"

Joe Leeds Motd (@JoeCarroll34743): "Reinvigorate unionism..! Ha... Go Reinvigorate the British Empire in Pakistan & India ."

cryptoaccumulator (@Cryptoaccumlate): "You have no business in Ireland. You're not Irish"

Westie (@westie1988ie): "Person with Indian Heritage who celebrates Winston Churchill (the man who starved and genocided Indians) and British Empire who ruled India with an iron fist/Partitioned it He is a member of the UUP, a Party drenched in Fascism, discrimination and use of militias/Paramilitaries"

Kevin Walsh (@KevinWa92476788): "Be careful what you wish for. NI are only inches away from Muslims fmrunning the show"

Shoe (@MacBhranaigh): "Never vote for a foreignor we need to stick together irish and british"

Julius Gaius Caesars (Ghost) (@Double_Speak812): "Are you kidding? Do you hate Ulster that MUCH? This is capitulation to globalism and the destruction of our heritage, culture and traditions. But if he is a proud unionist then why wear a Punjabi? I dont recall in our history many unionists wearing Punjabi's, maybe balaclava's but please don't spin. Either you are a unionist or not? Christian or not? Integration? Im sick of this pageantry with this DEI cancer. Spin it how you like. You are clearly opening the door to more illegal immigrants and foreign interference in our future. Call me a racist all you like. You have failed us. NOW THE WINSOR FRAMEWORK HAS SHAFTED US AND NOW YOU SHOW OFF THIS."

HYPERBOREAN CALIPH(owl) (@emirateofantrim): "Planters welcoming in more planters"

Yan Mac Oireachtaigh (@YanMacNP): "Average unionist Vs Irish Nationalist. Which way Irish man?" - this user is a candidate in Dublin for the National Party, a right-wing fringe outfit, and the tweet showed a picture of himself next to a picture of Mr Basra

Other tweets which were not directly in reply to Mr Basra included:

How's she cuttin (@MacLughaidh): "Another f**king sub continent Brit. When will republicans wake the f**k up."

Chiang Mai Irish (@onthemove555): "We use to sing 'I'd rather be pakí than a hun', not sure in this case. Why do we tolerate pakís input on our national sovereignty, it's mental. Imagine Seamy O'Hara in Pakistani Kashmir advocating for it to join India. How long would he last?"

yah'wha? (@yah_wha): "this browns head is a terrorist atrocity."

Palmarian Crusader (@palmarcrusader): "Why is this Poonjobbie even putting his fat fingers into Irish political affairs? This isn’t England, sunshine."

He also said that he has had “threatening” direct messages, which he has passed on to police.

Source: newsletter.co.uk

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

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/im-not-muslim-im-presbyterian-teenage-ulster-unionist-jay-basra-responds-to-online-racial-religious-jibes-after-announcing-he-is-standing-in-the-next-election-in-mid-ulster-4627990

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North America

 

Islamic State Group Uses ‘Da’wah’ to Gain Support in Mozambique

May 14, 2024

Extremists linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province are notorious for raiding and torching entire towns, beheading civilians and attacking security forces.

However, IS-linked groups are pushing to change their image in an effort to win public support and recruit new fighters, analysts say. Notably, they have increased “da’wah” activities in the provincial districts of Chiure, Macomia, Meluco, Mocímboa da Praia, Nangade and Quissanga, which 300 rebel fighters reportedly captured in March.

Da’wah is an Arabic term that roughly means proselytizing. As Caleb Weiss noted in the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal, it is terror groups often attempt to convert people to their version of Islam and build goodwill in communities — even those they seize.

Recently-released IS photos show the group’s leaders leading prayers and offering food to large gatherings of locals. Children are featured in many of the images.

These activities “are an integral part of the Jihadi state-building project and the release of such propaganda helps provide evidence of a form of governance over a specified area,” wrote Weiss, a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, which works to prevent genocide.

According to Mozambique’s Zitamar News, the da’wah movement is part of an outreach strategy employed since late January, when 30 rebels appeared in Mocímboa da Praia, claiming they were only there to buy food and mobile phones.

They then stayed for several hours in the village of Calugo and said there was no reason to fear them, but they also warned residents not to inform security forces that they were there.

Days later, a group of young insurgents arrived at a gold mine in Meluco. They split the mine workers into groups of Muslims and Christians but said they would not kill them. Instead, they bought food, clothes and other supplies before leaving. Most of the fighters were between 14 and 22, and some were from Kenya, Zitamar News reported.

Several such efforts were reported in the ensuing months.

These tactics help the IS take advantage of poor governance, exploit local grievances and recruit new members — in and outside the country. In Mozambique, the IS has attracted foreign fighters from Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania, according to The Soufan Center, an independent research nonprofit.

The group’s more tactful efforts have emerged as international forces scramble to avoid a security gap as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) leaves Cabo Delgado. The entire mission is expected to depart by July.

The troops are leaving as the IS launches new offensives from their heartland in coastal-central Cabo Delgado into the south, where 27 villages were attacked over a four-week period in February and March, The Associated Press reported.

Weiss wrote that he believes the group’s southern expansion will continue, “leading to even more da’wah events to solidify its control and, more importantly, public relations with the local communities.”

More than 100,000 people, including more than 61,000 children, have fled the group’s southern expansion, according to the United Nations. An estimated 72 children were reported missing after recent attacks, Albertina Ussene, the Nampula provincial government’s director of gender, children and social action, told the Lusa news agency.

Piers Pigou of the Institute for Security Studies said the recent mass displacements showed how fragile security in Cabo Delgado remains.

“The government acknowledges that only a handful of insurgents can generate widespread uncertainty,” Pigou told The Associated Press. “This will not change unless communities have far greater belief that the security forces will be able to provide the required stability.”

Rwanda, which is not a SADC member state, has pledged to send more troops to Cabo Delgado as SAMIM leaves. Rwanda already has about 2,500 Soldiers and police personnel in the Ancuabe, Mocímboa da Praia and Palma districts.

Over a one-week period in late April and early May, Mozambican and Rwandan troops conducted joint operations against terrorists in the dense forests of the Nampula district and on small islands along the Lurio River, the country’s second-largest river.

“They [terrorists] have been hiding in these forests since they were dislodged by RSF [Rwanda Security Forces] and Mozambique forces from Catupa forest [in Cabo Delgado province’s Mocamia District] last year,” Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson, told Rwandan newspaper The New Times. “They keep moving southwards as they get dislodged.”

About 300 troops from Tanzania, a SADC member, are expected to remain in Cabo Delgado under a separate bilateral security agreement, according to Zitamar News.

Source: adf-magazine.com

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

https://adf-magazine.com/2024/05/islamic-state-group-uses-dawah-to-gain-support-in-mozambique/

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Minnesota AG sues contract-for-deed seller who allegedly targeted Muslim community

by Jessica Lussenhop

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a home seller who allegedly targeted the East African Muslim community for real estate deals that authorities called “predatory and deceptive.”

The lawsuit alleges that Chadwick Banken and six of his limited liability corporations broke state and federal laws, including Minnesota’s laws against religious discrimination, by using transactions known as contracts-for-deed to sell homes at higher prices than warranted and on worse terms to Muslim buyers.

Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, said in an interview that while the complaint focuses on Banken, the case is intended to send a message to others engaged in similar practices.

“He’s not the only one, but he’s one of the worst that I’ve seen,” Ellison said. “When people can’t pay back, they’re out of their house, and they’re out of their money. I can’t think of anything more financially devastating to a family than that.”

Banken did not respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit, filed in Hennepin County district court, follows a ProPublica and Sahan Journal investigation in 2022 that identified a rising market in Minnesota for contract-for-deed home sales, particularly in the Somali community. Many buyers in the East African Muslim community avoid paying or profiting from interest because of their religious principles, and investors have been offering them deals as an “interest free” way to purchase a house.

But buyers told the Sahan Journal and ProPublica that they signed contracts they didn’t understand and would not be able to pay off. The lawsuit said Banken used inflated home prices, abnormally high down payments and six-figure balloon payments due at the end of short contracts to push buyers into default and to ultimately retain ownership of the property.

The ProPublica-Sahan Journal story featured Abdinoor Igal, a long-haul trucker who bought a home from Banken in suburban Lakeville in 2022 and is described in the lawsuit as “purchaser 2.” Officials confirmed that Igal was purchaser 2, and Igal said he has spoken with the attorney general’s office several times. 

Igal said he walked away from his house this past winter after making about $170,000 in payments. He slept in his truck for months after sending his wife and children to live in Kenya. He said the lawsuit was news he’d been waiting to hear.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I can’t even believe how I’m feeling.”

The attorney general’s actions follow a push at the state Legislature to rewrite Minnesota’s contract-for-deed law. The bill would outlaw the kind of property “churning” that Banken is accused of in the lawsuit, and it provides a number of new protections and ways to recoup losses from a contract-for-deed deal gone wrong. It is currently included in an omnibus bill awaiting final approval at the Legislature.

The lawsuit alleges that Banken has sold hundreds of homes in contracts-for-deed deals in the last six years. It also reveals new details about his practices. The name of one of Banken’s six limited liability corporations, Slow Flip LLC, is actually a useful term for the predatory practice, the lawsuit alleges: Buyers submit exorbitant down payments and agree to large monthly installments that they will eventually default on, and then Banken takes the home back and “flips” it to a new purchaser.

According to one email from Banken’s business to a real estate agent, the ideal buyers are described as people with “low credit scores” or a “recent bankruptcy/foreclosure.” Banken also allegedly insisted that buyers enter contracts using their business names to create the false impression in court that he was evicting commercial tenants rather than families from their primary residence. None of Banken’s contracts disclosed the true total cost of the homes or the balloon payments, both in violation of federal Truth In Lending Act requirements, according to the lawsuit.

The contracts, according to the lawsuit, contained monthly interest payments in excess of the market rate, and the down payment, monthly payments and total price of the home went up if the purchaser was Muslim. Ellison said this was particularly galling, given that Banken markets his business as helpful to a community that has been shut out of the traditional home purchasing market.

“He’s not helping,” Ellison said. “What he’s really helping himself to is their money that they probably have mopped floors and pushed brooms for. … He’s setting people up to fail. His conduct is predatory, deceptive. And we hope to bring a stop to it.”

Ellison said buyers should reach out to his office if they feel they’re in a predatory contract-for-deed and that there may be options for restitution in the future.

Igal said that while he is excited to hear that there may be consequences for Banken, defaults and evictions are ongoing, affecting some of his former neighbors. And he is still struggling to put his family’s lives back together.

“My kids, the smallest one, 4 years, she called me and asked me, ‘Daddy, when am I coming?’ And I told her I’m making some money, but I don’t know when,” he said. “It’s not something I can describe.”

Source: sahanjournal.com

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

https://sahanjournal.com/news-partners/minnesota-attorney-general-sues-contract-deed-seller-chadwick-banken/

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Florida imam and dentist calls for 'annihilation' of Jews, says Israeli military 'worse than the Nazis'

May 14, 2024

An antisemitic-laced video has emerged of a Florida imam calling for the annihilation of Jews and describing the Israeli military as being "worse than the Nazis."

The video, which was live-streamed to Facebook on April 26, shows Florida Imam Dr. Fadi Kablawi making the remarks during a sermon at Masjid As Sunnah An Nabawiyyah in North Miami.

"Oh Allah, support our oppressed brothers in Palestine. Oh Allah, annihilate the tyrannical Jews. Oh Allah, annihilate them, for they are no match for you," Kablawi can be heard saying in the sermon, according to a translation by MEMRI TV, the media arm of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

"Oh Allah," Kablawi continued, "annihilate the brothers of apes and pigs. Oh Allah, demonstrate upon them the wonders of your might. Oh Allah, cut off their seed. Oh Allah, break up their fellowship. Oh Allah, disperse them and rend them asunder."

The original video was posted to the Facebook page of the mosque, with a shortened version then uploaded MEMRI TV. The video comes amid a wave of antisemitism on college campuses.

Kablawi, who has his own dental practice in the Sunshine State, then went on to blast the Israeli army for its ongoing war in Gaza and accused it of trafficking organs. The war began after thousands of Hamas-led terrorists infiltrated southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, slaughtering more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking some 240 people hostage. 

"[Israel's army] is the most immoral army, Nazis, they are worse than Nazis and I apologized to the Nazis last week because these people have been proven to be worse than the Nazis," Kablawi is heard saying in English.

He then went on to make accusations of organ trafficking.

"They steal the skin of the Palestinians. It is not enough that they stole their land, now they steal their skins," Kablawi says in English. "Organs missing, from children, from adults, organs are missing. Go and find who is behind organ trading in this country or in this world."

He then expanded on his accusations, saying that Israel did the same to people in Haiti.

"Go ask the Haitians, when they had the earthquake, what happened there with these Israeli organizations going under [the guise] of medical help," Kablawi says. "Ask them, those who know. The guy will come limping into their tents for treatment, he will be carried out dead, organs missing."

"All that is because there is no God for these people. All that because these people look at you as nothing but a mistake, or at best, you were created for their service. That’s what they believe," he insists. "That’s what they say. That’s what they believe, and we don't spread propaganda."

Fox News Digital reached out to Kablawi for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Kablawi’s comments provoked sharp criticism from Florida state Representative Randy Fine, who wrote a letter to Dr. Jose R. Mellado, chairman of the Florida Board of Dentistry, requesting Kablawi's dental license be suspended and an investigation into his practice be launched.

"Muslim terrorists are in our midst and one is practicing dentistry courtesy of the people of Florida," Fine, who is chair of the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee, wrote in the May 13 letter.

"North Miami, where dentist Kablawi practices, contains many Jewish residents, none of whom could be considered safe in Imam Kablawi's dental chair, where he could personally implement what he is asking Allah to do."

"Practicing medicine in Florida is a privilege – not a right – and as the Chairman of the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee, I call on you to immediately suspend Dr. Kablawi's license and commence a thorough investigation into his practice. The lives of some of Florida's Jews could hang in the balance."

Fine went on in the letter to cite other instances of Kablawi’s antisemitic behavior, noting that the vast majority of Jews in Florida are Zionists. 

"On March 8, in another sermon broadcast live, Dentist Kablawi stated, ‘Oh Allah, bring annihilation upon the accursed Zionists,’" the letter reads.

Fine also wrote that a month after the Oct. 7 attacks that Kablawi stated in a sermon, "Oh Allah, show us the black days that you inflict upon the Jews."

Source: foxnews.com

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

https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-imam-dentist-calls-annihilation-jews-israeli-military-worse-nazis

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Kuwait: Islamists and the end of Arab democracy

Hussain Abdul-Hussain

All Arab countries that witnessed change between 2004 and 2011 saw Islamists climb the ladder of democratic election to take over government – after which in most cases they succeeded in pushing away the ladder to stay in power indefinitely and reshape the state in their image, mainly through social engineering. Tunisia and Egypt managed to escape the Islamist trap. On Friday, Kuwait, too, trounced its Islamists – and with them its parliamentary system.

After the US led Kuwait’s liberation from Saddam Hussein’s army, in 1991, the Sabah family transformed the country from an emirate to a state. The social contract was renegotiated, and a hybrid system emerged that allowed for a free press and the democratic election of the National Assembly but kept the last word for the emir. Kuwait came close to being a constitutional monarchy.

For a myriad of reasons, the Kuwaiti democracy meant endless bickering and a paralyzing stalemate, forcing the emir to dissolve the National Assembly and call for early elections at an unusually high frequency, sometimes twice a year. Every time Kuwait elected its representatives and formed a cabinet, the gridlock returned.

Kuwait has among the largest oil reserves in the world. With a population of a million or so, it was expected to compete with Dubai and Abu Dhabi in terms of growth and attraction. Yet, the democratic gridlock inhibited growth, and the once-shiny Kuwait City became shabby and backward compared with its oil-rich peers.

One of the main problems of the Kuwaiti democracy was its Muslim Brotherhood, whose lawmakers undermined the government at every turn.

Operating under the name Social Reform Organization, Kuwait’s Islamists have no government program beyond social engineering. They raised hell over Kuwait’s decades-old gender-mixed marathon race. Every year, they make a fuss about the Christmas tree at Kuwait City’s main mall – the Avenues. When the US ambassador to Kuwait wished Jews a happy Hannukah, the Islamists launched a social media storm, demanding the expulsion of the ambassador, unaware that statements of sovereign ambassadors could not be bound by Kuwaiti preferences.

Kuwaiti Islamists have been so dominating of public life that they won Kuwait City the epithet “Kandahar on the Gulf,” after the Afghani city that is known for being a hotbed of Islamist radicals.

On Friday the country’s emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah, not only dissolved the National Assembly; he also disbanded it by suspending some articles of the constitution. The emir promised to fix the system and restore it within four years.

While everyone hopes Sheikh Mishal will succeed, people are not holding their breath waiting for the speedy return of democracy now that it has become synonymous with Islamist tyranny.

What went wrong? How could change in seven Arab countries transform autocracy into Islamist tyranny? In Iraq we blamed America. In Lebanon we thought it was Iran. But in Tunisia and Kuwait there has been no foreign intervention whatsoever.

The answer, in all seven Arab democracy experiments, is that there are essential prerequisites for democracy that have not been fulfilled yet – first and foremost the spread of liberty.

Installing a democracy in a society without a tradition of liberty is like allowing an unlicensed driver to take a car for a spin. Chances of crash are high.

The failure of democracy in Arab lands is not a denunciation of democracy itself, which remains the best system that unleashes the most creativity, and therefore economic growth. However, the Arab majority has little to be unleashed and a lot to be learned.

Ask any average Arab today about their favorite system of government and they will answer, without hesitation, that Arab monarchies have fared better than elected governments. With Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain racing to transform their economies into knowledge-based ones, liberal economics might help anchor liberty.

Economic growth creates groups of citizens with vested interests in maintaining peace and the rule of law. From there on, liberal democracy stands a chance. Such has been the path to democracy in South Korea, even though each country is different.

This is the lesson we did not learn in Iraq. We assumed that knocking out the regime and allowing Iraqis space, coupled with their enormous oil rent, would transform the country into a democracy. Instead, the vacuum was filled by Islamism and a democracy emerged – but a non-liberal one, an Islamist democracy where elections are held routinely but the rule of law is always absent.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Follow Hussain on X @hahussain

Source: fdd.org

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Mideast

 

Sunni Death-Row Prisoner Khosrow Besharat Executed in Ghezel Hesar, Iran

May 15, 2024

On May 15, 2024, Sunni prisoner Khosrow Besharat was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj after enduring over 14 years of imprisonment.

As reported by HRANA earlier, he was moved to solitary confinement 14 days ago to await his execution. On May 13, he had his final family visit.

In the same legal case, Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, and Anvar Khezri were also executed in the same prison. Khezri was executed today, May 15, 2024.

The case stems from the assassination of Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, in September 2008. In January and February 2010, Besharat and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection with the killing.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, Besharat’s sentence was initially overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then reassigned to Branch 15 of the same court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Besharat and six other defendants. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld their death sentences on February 3, 2020.

Source: en-hrana.org

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Hundreds of Israeli Colonizers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

 MAY 15, 2024

On Tuesday, hundreds of illegal Israeli colonizers invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, while police restricted Palestinian worshipers from entering the Islamic holy site.

Media sources said that hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the full protection of occupation police, raised the Israeli flag, and performed Talmudic rituals.

According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem (Silwanic), a total of 526 illegal Israeli colonizers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and raised the flag of the occupation state.

Israeli police increased security procedures at the holy site, preventing Palestinian Muslim worshipers from entering the compound, while inspecting their ID cards.

Later, occupation police closed the Lions Gate (Bab Al-Asbat), denying citizens entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while allowing illegal settlers to roam the courtyards with police protection.

It was added that the police also closed the Damascus Gate (Bab Al-Amoud) for a period of time, assaulted a young man there, and increased security measures around the Old City of Jerusalem.

In related news, Israeli forces invaded, on Tuesday night, the Shu’fat refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, fired tear gas canisters at citizens’ homes, while local Palestinian youths lit fireworks in protest to the invasion.

Source: imemc.org

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Israeli forces repeatedly target Gaza aid workers, says Human Rights Watch

May 14, 2024

JERUSALEM: Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that Israel had repeatedly targeted known aid worker locations in Gaza, even after their coordinates were provided to Israeli authorities to ensure their protection.

The rights watchdog said that it had identified eight cases where aid convoys and premises were targeted, killing at least 15 people, including two children.

They are among more than 250 aid workers who have been killed in Gaza since the war erupted more than seven months ago, according to UN figures.

In all eight cases, the organizations had provided the coordinates to Israeli authorities, HRW said.

This reveals “fundamental flaws with the so-called deconfliction system, meant to protect aid workers and allow them to safely deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance in Gaza,” it said.

“On one hand, Israel is blocking access to critical lifesaving humanitarian provisions and on the other, attacking convoys that are delivering some of the small amount that they are allowing in,” Belkis Wille, HRW’s associate crisis, conflict and arms director, said in Tuesday’s statement.

HRW highlighted the case of the World Central Kitchen, a US-based charity who saw seven of its aid workers killed by an Israeli strike on their convoy on April 1.

This was not an isolated “mistake,” HRW said, pointing to the other seven cases it had identified where GPS coordinates of aid convoys and premises had been sent to Israeli authorities, only to see them attacked by Israeli forces “without any warning.”

Source: arabnews.com

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UN launches probe into first international staff killed by unidentified strike in Rafah

May 15, 2024

NEW DELHI: The United Nations has launched an investigation into an unidentified strike on a UN car in Rafah on Monday that killed its first international staff in Gaza since Oct. 7, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary General said.

The staff member, a retired Indian Army officer named Waibhav Anil Kale, was working with the UN Department of Safety and Security and was on route to the European Hospital in Rafah along with a colleague, who was also injured in the attack.

Israel has been moving deeper into Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million people had sought shelter, and its forces pounded the enclave’s north on Tuesday in some of the fiercest attacks in months.

Israel’s international allies and aid groups have repeatedly warned against a ground incursion into Rafah, where many Palestinians fled, and Israel says four Hamas battalions are holed up. Israel says it must root out the remaining fighters.

In a statement on Monday after Kale’s death, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated an “urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages,” saying the conflict in Gaza was continuing to take a heavy toll “not only on civilians, but also on humanitarian workers.”

Palestinian health authorities say Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza since Oct. 7 has killed more than 35,000 people and driven most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people from their homes.

His deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday the UN has established a fact-finding panel to determine the responsibility for the attack.

“It’s very early in the investigation, and details of the incident are still being verified with the Israeli Defense Force,” he said.

There are 71 international UN staff members in Gaza currently, he said.

In its only comment on the matter yet, India’s mission to the UN confirmed Kale’s identity on Tuesday, saying it was “deeply saddened” by his loss.

Israel, which launched its Gaza operation after an attack on Oct. 7 by Hamas-led gunmen who killed some 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to its tallies, has ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah.

The main United Nations aid agency in Gaza, UNRWA estimates some 450,000 people have fled the city since May 6. More than a million civilians had sought refuge there.

Source: arabnews.com

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Palestinians rally at historic villages in northern Israel

May 15, 2024

SHEFA-AMR: Thousands of people took part Tuesday in an annual march through the ruins of villages that Palestinians were expelled from during the 1948 war that led to Israel’s creation.

Wrapped in keffiyeh scarves and waving Palestinian flags, men and women rallied through the abandoned villages of Al-Kassayer and Al-Husha — many holding signs with the names of dozens of other demolished villages their families were displaced from.

“Your Independence Day is our catastrophe,” reads the rallying slogan for the protest that took place as Israelis celebrated the 76th anniversary of the proclamation of the State of Israel.

The protest this year was taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, where fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has displaced the majority of the population, according to the United Nations.

Among those marching Tuesday was 88-year-old Abdul Rahman Al-Sabah.

He described how members of the Haganah, a Zionist paramilitary group, forced his family out of Al-Kassayer, near the northern city of Haifa, when he was a child.

They “blew up our village, Al-Kassayer, and the village of Al-Husha so that we would not return to them, and they planted mines,” he said, his eyes glistening with tears.

The family was displaced to the nearby town of Shefa-Amr.

“But we continued (going back), my mother and I, and groups from the village, because it was harvest season, and we wanted to live and eat,” he said.

“We had nothing, and whoever was caught by the Israelis was imprisoned.”

Palestinians remember this as the “Nakba,” or catastrophe, when around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the war that led to the creation of Israel.

The descendants of the 160,000 Palestinians who managed to remain in what became Israel presently number about 1.4 million, around 20 percent of Israel’s population.

Many of today’s Arab Israelis remain deeply connected to their historic land.

At Tuesday’s march, one man carried a small sign with “Lubya,” the name of what was once a Palestinian village near Tiberias.

Like many other Palestinian villages, Al-Husha and Al-Kassayer witnessed fierce battles in mid-April 1948, according to historians of the Haganah, among the Jewish armed groups that formed the core of what became the Israeli military.

Today, the kibbutz communities of Osha, Ramat Yohanan and Kfar Hamakabi can be found on parts of land that once housed the two villages.

“During the attack on our village Al-Husha, my father took my mother, and they rode a horse to the city of Shefa-Amr,” said Musa Al-Saghir, 75, whose village had been largely made up of people who immigrated from Algeria in the 1880s.

“When they returned to see the house, the Haganah forces had blown up the village and its houses,” said the activist from a group advocating for the right of return for displaced Arabs.

Naila Awad, 50, from the village of Reineh near Nazareth, explained that the activists were demanding both the return of displaced people to their demolished villages within Israel, as well as the return of the millions of Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank, Gaza and other countries.

“No matter how much you try to break us and arrest us, we will remain on our lands,” she insisted.

Source: arabnews.com

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Egypt rejects Israel’s denial of role in Gaza aid crisis

May 15, 2024

CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign minister on Tuesday accused Israel of denying responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after his Israeli counterpart said Egypt was not allowing aid into the war-torn territory.

Israeli troops on May 7 said they took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing to Egypt as part of efforts to root out Hamas militants in the east of Rafah city.

The move defied international opposition and shut one of the main humanitarian entry points into famine-threatened Gaza. Since then, Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel aid access through the Rafah crossing.

Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, said in a statement that “Egypt affirms its categorical rejection of the policy of distorting the facts and disavowing responsibility followed by the Israeli side.”

In a tweet on social media platform X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had said, “Yesterday, I spoke with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock about the need to persuade Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow the continued delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Katz added that “the key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends.”

Shoukry, whose country has tried to mediate a truce in the Israel-Hamas war, responded that “Israel is solely responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe that the Palestinians are currently facing in the Gaza Strip.”

He added that Israeli control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing and its military operations exposes “aid workers and truck drivers to imminent dangers,” referencing trucks awaiting entry to Gaza.

This, he said, “is the main reason for the inability to bring aid through the crossing.”

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he is “appalled” by Israel’s military escalation in Rafah, a spokesman said.

Guterres’ spokesman Farhan Haq said “these developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation,” while also criticizing Hamas for “firing rockets indiscriminately.”

Since Israeli troops moved into eastern Rafah, the aid crossing point from Egypt remains closed and nearby Kerem Shalom crossing lacks “safe and logistically viable access,” a UN report said late on Monday.

Source: arabnews.com

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Daesh claims attack on army post in northern Iraq

May 15, 2024

BAGHDAD: Daesh claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an attack on Monday targeting an army post in northern Iraq which security sources said had killed a commanding officer and four soldiers.

The attack took place between Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, a rural area that remains a hotbed of activity for militant cells years after Iraq declared final victory over the extremist group in 2017.

Security forces repelled the attack, the defense ministry said on Monday in a statement mourning the loss of a colonel and a number of others from the regiment. The security sources said five others had also been wounded.

Daesh said in a statement on Telegram it had targeted the barracks with machine guns and grenades.

Iraq has seen relative security stability in recent years after the chaos of the 2003-US-led invasion and years of bloody sectarian conflict that followed.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab World

 

Saudi FM reiterates call for immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza

May 14, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reiterated its call on Tuesday for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the continuous entry of adequate aid into the territory.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting for Arab League foreign ministers in Manama, the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said a reliable and irreversible path to a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was needed.

The minister said the Kingdom had worked, in cooperation with friendly countries, to exert all efforts to mobilize international support to stop brutal Israeli attacks and limit the repercussions of the war in Gaza.

Prince Faisal added that continuous Israeli aggression and violation of all international laws and norms in the absence of international accountability measures has exacerbated the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and exposed the inability of international institutions to maintain international peace and security.

The minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts and full support for achieving peace in Yemen. He emphasized the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution through dialogue and consultation between the Yemeni parties.

Prince Faisal also stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving the security and safety of the Red Sea region, ensuring freedom of navigation, and preventing further crises in the region.

Regarding Sudan, the minister expressed the Kingdom’s concern about continued military operations there and the resulting humanitarian suffering.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s call for a return to dialogue in order to reach a political solution that spares civilians the horrors of war.

He said the solution to the crisis is a political one that respects the sovereignty and unity of Sudan and its national institutions.

Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of achieving security and stability in Syria and respecting its sovereignty, territorial unity, and Arab identity.

Source: arabnews.com

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Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization meetings begin in Jeddah

May 15, 2024

JEDDAH: Ministers and other representatives from 22 Arab nations gathered in Jeddah on Tuesday for the start of the 121st session of the Executive Council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization. The two-day session concludes on Wednesday and will be followed on Friday by the organization’s General Conference.

During the meetings, hosted by the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, the participants will discuss important topics, initiatives and proposals related to knowledge sharing, scientific advancement, and innovation within the framework of the work of the organization, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the opening session, Hani Al-Moqbel, chairperson of ALESCO’s Executive Council, expressed deep concern about the ongoing crisis Palestinians face as a result of the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

He unequivocally condemned and rejected a senseless and brutal conflict that has claimed the lives of countless civilians, including women, children and the elderly, and denounced as unacceptable the destruction by the Israeli military campaign of hospitals, religious sites, schools, cultural institutions and other infrastructure.

The council, led by its Saudi presidency, expressed its strong condemnation of the continued aggression, occupation and forced displacement in Gaza. Al-Moqbel said that such expressions are not merely procedural or symbolic, they represent a forward-thinking approach to fostering Arab unity, upholding core principles and bolstering shared values. In this way, he added, Arab nations can effectively tackle challenges and overcome hurdles on their paths to advancement.

Mohammed Walad Amar, the director general of ALECSO, highlighted the organization’s commitment to the promotion of the cultural heritage of Arab countries on the global stage. In keeping with this vision, he said, ALECSO has worked with several countries with the aim of securing recognition of more of their cultural treasures on the highly esteemed UNESCO World Heritage List.

As an example of its active engagement in these efforts, he noted that ALECSO took part in the UNESCO Culture and Education Ministers’ Conference in the UAE in February.

Other topics discussed on the opening day included challenges that Arab nations face in the fields of education, culture and science, innovative potential solutions to the problems, and ways to forge new partnerships that can broaden the horizons of education and thinking.

Source: arabnews.com

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Prince Sultan University hosts panel on space exploration

May 14, 2024

RIYADH: Delegations from NASA and the Saudi Space Agency visited Prince Sultan University on Tuesday to engage with students on the future of human missions in space.

A panel session titled “Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars,” brought together NASA administrator Bill Nelson and Saudi astronauts Rayannah Barnawi, Ali Al-Ghamdi and Mariam Fardous, to discuss their own experiences in space.

They also debated the future of human missions in space and encouraged the university’s students to be part of the Kingdom’s aspirations in the space field.

Mohammed Al-Tamimi, CEO of Saudi Space Agency, and Ambassador of the US to the Kingdom Michael Ratney, were also present at the reception.

In an interview with Arab News, Nelson highlighted the importance of space missions. “When we go into space, we have to invent and create new things and that helps us advance our standard of living here on the earth,” he said.

“One of the good examples that I gave in the speech today is the camera in your cell phone, that was developed by NASA. It’s a camera on a chip … there are so many technological outgrowths and spinoffs from our developing space technology.”

Nelson said that there would be further developments in the near future in pharmaceutical research and zero gravity on the International Space Station.

“There are going to be some major breakthroughs, and already have been on developing drugs, for the cure of diseases. So, there’s a lot of excitement in the future,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has already achieved a high-calibre position in the space industry, he said.

Ahmed Yamani, president of Prince Sultan University, said that it had established a new college of space and aviation with the cooperation with the Saudi Space Agency and Al-Tamimi.

“We went through the process of the initiating this college, which is really based on what we already have … we have a program, aviation management, that was established with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.”

Yamani said that the university was already building the foundation of the space and aviation program with “external consultants that are working with us on both department and both programs. So, we want to definitely touch on the latest and the update updated programs in these areas.”

During his visit to the Kingdom, Nelson also met Munir Eldesouki, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the space sector.

Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency Abdullah Al-Swaha held talks with Nelson in the presence of Al-Tamimi, and they discussed strategic partnership in the field of space to serve humanity.

The Saudi Space Agency is responsible for developing and growing its space sector with a focus on supporting economic growth, stimulating innovation and scientific research.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi Arabia takes part in Netherlands Geospatial World Forum as strategic partner

 May 14, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information is serving as a strategic partner in the Geospatial World Forum, a global event with more than 300 speakers specializing in geospatial information.

Themed “Geospatial Transition: Powering the World Economy,” the four-day forum is taking place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, until May 16.

GEOSA represents the Kingdom at home and abroad in the geospatial sector.

The Rotterdam forum provides a platform to exchange knowledge and unveil smart solutions provided by geospatial information, and includes more than 55 pavilions showcasing the latest technology in the sector.

During the opening session, Mohammed Al-Sayel, president of the authority, said in a speech that geospatial information is playing an important role in decision-making within the rapidly growing Saudi economy.

The authority is collaborating with the World Bank to conduct studies on the economic impact of geospatial information in the Kingdom, he added, highlighting work with international organizations concerned with geospatial information management specifications, standards and governance.

Al-Sayel said that the Kingdom, represented by GEOSA, has contributed to the development of geospatial information management globally by hosting the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence in Riyadh. The center allows experts to exchange expertise and knowledge within the geospatial information management sphere.

The Kingdom has built and maintained national geospatial infrastructure according to the best international practices, he added, in addition to working on developing national capabilities in the sector.

During a session titled “Geospatial Transition Driving Economic Value in Various Sectors,” GEOSA spokesperson Fatma Al-Shammari said that the Kingdom is undergoing a “significant transition” in various developmental fields, with major projects benefiting from advanced geospatial technologies to achieve national targets.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Kingdom, represented by GEOSA, took part in an accompanying exhibition with its main pavilion as a strategic partner, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s national geospatial infrastructure to visitors and introducing the most prominent development projects in the country.

The exhibition covered hydrographic surveying, national geodetic infrastructure and map production.

Source: arabnews.com

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Riyadh forum to combat financial crime and corruption

May 14, 2024

RIYADH: The inaugural Arab Forum of Anti-Corruption Agencies and Financial Intelligence Units begins Wednesday in Riyadh, hosted by the Presidency of State Security.

It brings together key stakeholders from the Middle East and North Africa to combat financial crime, money laundering, and terrorist financing through enhanced cooperation and capabilities.

The two-day forum aims to establish impactful collaboration among Saudi agencies, counterpart organizations, and regional and international bodies to combat financial crime effectively, according to the forum’s website.

Recognizing the need for a multi-faceted approach, the forum focuses on cooperation across borders, sectors, and disciplines to combat corruption.

Through international collaboration, elevating local institutional integrity, and engaging citizens, the forum aims to tackle corruption and financial crime challenges effectively.

Leveraging private sector efforts, deploying technology for transparency, and addressing root causes of corruption are also part of the agenda.

The event will feature 75 speakers from 25 countries, including Sheikh Ahmed Al-Thani, head of Qatar Financial Information Unit; Samya Abou Sharif, director of the Jordanian Anti Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Unit; Dr. Raed Radwan, head of the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission; and Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute.

By uniting government agencies, law enforcement bodies, financial intelligence units, civil society organizations, and the private sector, the forum harnesses collective wisdom and expertise against financial crime.

The forum also facilitates networking, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building, fostering partnerships and concrete initiatives for progress in anti-corruption efforts.

Source: arabnews.com

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Pakistan

 

Pakistan rejects anti-Pakistan rhetoric of Indian leadership

May 14, 2024

Pakistan has rejected the anti-Pakistan rhetoric from various Indian leaders amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.

Responding to media queries regarding a series of Pakistan-related remarks made recently by the Indian Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and other cabinet members, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a statement today, said we are witnessing an alarming surge in anti-Pakistan statements from Indian leaders.

She said we out rightly reject the irresponsible statements, which cover a wide array of topics including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, state of bilateral relations, and nuclear capabilities.

The spokesperson said regrettably, these statements reflect an unhealthy and entrenched obsession with Pakistan and reveal a deliberate intent to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains. These also signify a desperate attempt to deflect attention from mounting domestic and international criticism.

She said the bravado and jingoism exhibited by Indian leaders expose a reckless and extremist mindset. This mindset calls into question India's capacity to be a responsible steward of its strategic capability. On the other hand, the purpose of Pakistan's strategic capability is to safeguard its sovereignty and defend its territorial integrity. Pakistan has also clearly demonstrated its resolve to defend itself in the past, and would not hesitate to do so in the future should the Indian side choose to embark on a misadventure.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said just a few months ago, we exposed details of India's campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistani soil. India's continuous emphasis on its readiness to take aggressive actions within Pakistan constitutes a tacit admission of guilt.

Regarding the inflammatory rhetoric about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Spokesperson reiterated that historical facts, legal principles, moral considerations, and ground realities refute India's baseless claims. She said Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally-recognized disputed territory, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly mandate a plebiscite under UN auspices for its final determination. No amount of inflated Indian statements can change this reality. India should, therefore, focus on implementing these resolutions instead of indulging in fantasies of grandeur.

The spokesperson urged Indian politicians to cease dragging Pakistan into their domestic politics for electoral gains and to handle sensitive strategic matters with the utmost caution. She called upon the international community to take note of Indian leadership's belligerent rhetoric, which poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability.

The vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia can only be realized through the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, and a shift from confrontation to cooperation.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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IHC reserves verdict on Imran Khan's bail plea in £190m reference

May 14, 2024

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Tuesday reserved its verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's bail petition in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) settlement reference.

The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.

National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) special prosecutor Amjad Parvez said while presenting his arguments that the money should have come to the Government of Pakistan.

In its order, the Supreme Court mentioned that the money belonged to the state of Pakistan.

“The amount declared by the Supreme Court was wrongly sent to its account.”

Meanwhile, he added, the Asset Recovery Unit told the prime minister that it was their success in securing this money.

“According to the documents, the money could not have been transferred without the permission of the National Crime Agency,” Pervez said.

Addressing the NAB special prosecutor, the IHC chief justice asked if the money he referred to was proceeds of crime.

Justice Jahangiri, addressing Pervez, remarked: “You don't have any documentation of this, it's all verbal talk. You were earlier asked if you have the order of freezing or de-freezing [the accounts]. You said you don't have any of those documents.”

The NAB lawyer was questioned about evidence of out-of-court settlements by both the judges.

“What will you say about the money transferred before the note given to the prime minister?” asked Justice Jahangiri.

“This money was transferred after the confidentiality deed,” replied the NAB prosecutor, adding that the PTI founder was the head of the Assets Recovery Unit.

It is not written in the confidentiality deed that the money will be deposited in the Supreme Court's account, remarked Justice Jahangiri.

“This confidentiality deed was a huge fraud,” Pervez responded.

The IHC judge then asked how was the deed related to PTI founder.

A public servant cannot accept a gift from a person whose case is pending with him, said NAB counsel.

He also added that “458 kanals of land were purchased and transferred to the name of Zulfi Bukhari.”

The judge asked who transferred the land.

“The land was bought from private people and transferred in the name of Zulfi Bukhari. This happened during Asset Recovery Unit's correspondence with NCA,” the prosecutor said.

He added that Al-Qadir Trust did not exist when the land was transferred.

The chief justice asked when was the trust registered, responding to which the NAB lawyer said that the story of the trust is “very interesting”.

“The whole story is interesting, what is not interesting,” said Justice Jahangiri.

Interacting with journalists in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail a day earlier, the PTI founder said that Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had seized the amount after finding it “suspicious transactions” but not “money laundering”.

During the PTI government, the NCA seized assets worth £190 million from a property tycoon.

“If the case goes on in the civil court, the money will not return to Pakistan for another five years,” he said, adding that a private party and the UK’s NCA had demanded not to disclose the agreement.

£190 million settlement case

The PTI chairman is facing corruption charges of billions of rupees in a case also involving a property tycoon.

Khan — along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders — are facing a NAB inquiry related to a settlement between the PTI government and the property tycoon, which reportedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.

As per the charges, Khan and other accused allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion — £190 million at the time — sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government as part of the agreement with the property tycoon.

They are also accused of getting undue benefit in the form of over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.

During the PTI government, the NCA seized assets worth 190 million pounds from the property tycoon in Britain.

The agency said the assets would be passed to the government of Pakistan and the settlement with the Pakistani property tycoon was “a civil matter, and does not represent a finding of guilt”.

Subsequently, then-prime minister Khan got approval for the settlement with the UK crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement.

It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon.

Subsequently, the Al-Qadir Trust was established in Islamabad a few weeks after the PTI-led government approved the agreement with the property tycoon.

Zulfi Bukhari, Babar Awan, Bushra Bibi, and her close friend Farah Khan were appointed as members of the trust.

Two to three months after the cabinet’s approval, the property tycoon transferred 458 canals of land to Bukhari, a close aide of the PTI chief, which he later transferred to the trust.

Later, Bukhari and Awan opted out as the trustees. That trust is now registered in the name of Khan, Bushra Bibi and Farah.

NAB officials were earlier probing the alleged misuse of powers in the process of recovery of “dirty money” received from the UK crime agency.

Following the emergence of "irrefutable evidence" in the case, the inquiry was converted into an investigation.

According to the NAB officials, Khan and his wife obtained land worth billions of rupees from the property tycoon, to build an educational institute, in return for striking a deal to give legal cover to the property tycoon’s black money received from the UK crime agency.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Army officer martyred, 3 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Zhob: ISPR

May 14, 2024

An army officer was martyred and three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an IBO in the district’s general area of Sambaza and “effectively engaged” the terrorists, adding that three were subsequently “sent to hell”.

The ISPR said weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them.

“During the intense exchange of fire, leading his troops from the front, Major Babar Khan, 33, resident of District Mianwali, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said.

It added that a sanitisation operation was being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists present in the area.

“Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR concluded.

Last month, three terrorists were killed by security forces in an IBO in Balochistan’s Pishin District.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 — marking a record six-year high.

KP and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84pc of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations.

Source: dawn.com

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CTDs lack clarity on militant groups’ dynamics, operational strategies: report

May 15, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Provincial counterterrorism departments (CTDs) lack clarity on militant groups’ dynamics, connections and operational strategies, apart from facing issues related to coordination, funding and intelligence gathering.

While CTDs have established their own specialised intelligence units and analysis wings to study militant behaviour, they often lack skills to process data effectively and remain largely dependent on premier intelligence agencies.

These were some of the key findings of the research report, ‘Pakistan’s Evolving Militant Landscape: State Responses and Policy Options’, released by Islamabad-based think tank Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) on Tuesday.

The report says that funding issues plague CTDs except in Punjab, whose counterterrorism department has adequate funding.

It recommends Pakistan establish a robust implementation mechanism for national extremism and security policies, including the revised National Action Plan (NAP).

The study says Pakistan should pursue critical shifts in foreign policy, prioritising peace with neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and India. Talking about the security problems, it says that the deteriorating bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, coupled with a lack of meaningful state-to-state engagement, pose significant challenges for the former in addressing terrorist violence and border insecurity.

The report points out that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue has emerged as a major source of tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The data suggests that Pakistan’s decision to repatriate illegal Afghan refugees was influenced by the Afghan Taliban’s apparent indifference towards TTP attacks within Pakistan.

“Ultimately, resolving bilateral challenges hinges on Pakistan’s sustained engagement with the Taliban-led interim government in Kabul,” the report said, adding that the civilian government must take ownership of the Afghan policy, with input from both parliament and security agencies.

The research notes that there was a need for a multi-dimensional and all-inclusive approach to address the complexities of Pakistan’s extremism challenge.

To deal with the problem of unrest in Balochistan, the report recommends that there is a need to reduce the appeal of insurgent ideology and causes among the Baloch people, and that can be done by winning the hearts and minds of the people.

As the Baloch insurgents and even the TTP tend to exploit the issue of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the province to win public support and recruits, the government needs to evolve a plan or policy to manage this particular issue amicably and in accordance with the law so that people do not fall for militants’ narratives.

Since August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a significant surge in terrorist attacks and consequent casualties, says one of the findings. Terrorist violence has been rapidly increasing and intensifying in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces, with several major attacks also reported in Punjab and Karachi, says another finding.

“Experts believe that Pakistan’s counterterrorism and extremism frameworks are outdated, failing to address evolving threats. Despite successful operations from 2009 to 2019, violence reduction led to complacency, allowing radicalisation to persist and threats to mutate,” it added.

The report says no one has yet claimed responsibility for the heinous attack resulting in the tragic deaths of five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in the Besham area of Shangla on March 26, 2024.

The report went on to say that firstly, in the wake of recent tensions sparked by Pakistani airstrikes against TTP and affiliates’ hideouts in Afghanistan, it was widely anticipated that the TTP would retaliate with a major, high-profile attack within Pakistan. Indeed, targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan invariably elevates the profile of an attack and thrusts the issue into the international spotlight, thus bringing more pressure on Pakistan.

Secondly, the TTP’s denial lacks credibility, given its recent pattern of avoiding claims for attacks perpetrated by itself or its affiliates, including Tehrik-e-Jihad Pakistan, Ansar al-Jihad, and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.

Thirdly, the entire area where the attack occurred (Kohistan and Swat) falls under the influence of the TTP and its affiliates, making it challenging for other groups to operate and organise logistics for such a significant attack. Finally, the TTP remains a key ally of anti-China groups such as TIP and Uyghurs, further underscoring its potential involvement.

However, it may never claim such attacks due to possible pressure from the Afghan Taliban government, which may not be able to annoy China because of the diplomatic and economic support the latter has been extending to Afghanistan.

The second scenario involves the potential involvement of IS-K, which has been actively seeking to solidify its presence and operations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond in recent times, the PIPS report added.

Source: dawn.com

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Army major martyred, 3 terrorists killed during IBO in Balochistan: ISPR

May 15, 2024

Security forces have killed three terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Sambaza area of Zhob District in Balochistan.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the killed terrorists.

However, during intense exchange of fire, Major Babar Khan while fighting gallantly embraced martyrdom.

Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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China reaffirms its full support to Pakistan in all areas of cooperation

May 15, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has expressed his country's full support to Pakistan in all areas of cooperation including economy, trade and investment.

He was talking to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing today.

The Chinese Vice Premier reaffirmed the importance of fast-track implementation of CPEC projects for mutual prosperity and development.

The two sides agreed to sustain the growing momentum of Pakistan-China relations in all areas of cooperation and to further deepen iron-clad Pakistan-China friendship.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed condolences and outrage on the Shangla attack on 26th March and assured zero tolerance for perpetrators. He lauded the services of the fallen Chinese workers.

Ishaq Dar noted the progress made by CPEC in energy and infrastructure and expressed the confidence at the positive dividends under Phase-II in the fields of industry, agriculture and mineral development.

Connectivity through Khunjerab border crossing and a simplified visa regime were also discussed in the meeting.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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Australia assures continued support for Pakistan's socio-economic development

May 15, 2024

Australia has assured continued support for socio-economic development of Pakistan. 

The support was expressed by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins during his meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad.

They discussed bilateral matters and to strengthen the longstanding relations between Pakistan and Australia.

The Finance Minister welcomed the Australian High Commissioner and underscored the long-standing mutual relations between Australia and Pakistan.

Neil Hawkins extended his felicitations to Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on his appointment as the Finance Minister.

The Minister highlighted that Pakistan greatly values the relation with Australian Government and emphasized on the need to work together to further enhance and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries especially in the areas of economic cooperation and trade.

During the course of discussion, the Finance Minister apprised the Australian High Commissioner of the various initiatives being undertaken by the Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

While underscoring the need for digitalization, it was highlighted that the services of Mckinsey and Company have been engaged for digitalization of the tax system.

The Finance Minister further spoke of the resolve of government to privatize various State-Owned Enterprises and also apprised the High Commissioner on the likely investments from Saudi Arabia and Qatar and the need to focus on the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Australian High Commissioner briefed the Finance Minister on the engagements of the Australian Government with Agriculture Universities in Pakistan with a view to maximize production in the agriculture and livestock sectors.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/14-05-2024/australia-assures-continued-support-for-socio-economic-development-of-pakistan

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South Asia

 

Norwegian Rights Society hosts Afghan activists and Taliban representatives meeting

May 15, 2024

The Human Rights Research Society in Norway has announced a two-day meeting between members of Afghan civil society, including civil activists and the Taliban representatives.

The session, held in Oslo, the capital of Norway, on Tuesday, May 4, has invited Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan.

The Human Rights Research Society in Norway stated on its “X” page that this meeting will address topics such as the future of the Doha talks, humanitarian aid, increased protection opportunities for at-risk Afghans, and discussions on Richard Bennett’s future report.

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett tweeted that he was inspired by his meeting with Afghan civil activists, particularly women activists.

During this session, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights has also addressed women’s and children’s rights.

Simultaneously, reports indicate that this meeting has faced criticism from other social activists and human rights advocates in Oslo and other European cities. They argue that Taliban representatives should not be given the opportunity to gain recognition, and they are calling for the recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

While complete details of the participating members of Afghan civil society have not yet been determined, some media outlets have reported that figures like Fatima Gilani, Kavon Kaker, Asila Wardak, Momena Yari, Haris Sighani, Abdulqayum Sajjadi, former parliament representative, former negotiator General Ansari, Engela Ahmadi, Karim Amin, senior member of the Islamic Party, and Qaraman Kakar, Faiz Mohammad Osmani, make up the Afghan civil society.

On the other hand, Najibullah Motmaen, Qazi Saeed Mashk Alam, Matiullah Mohammadi, Jafar Mahdavi, Saleh Mazari, Sayed Younus Agha, Hadi Zaker, and Fayaz Zaland represent the Taliban at this session.

Source: khaama.com

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Iranian FM calls Afghanistan issues ‘complex’, emphasizes ‘multilayered’ solutions

May 14, 2024

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, described Afghanistan’s issues as “complex” during a meeting with the head of UNAMA and emphasized the need for what he termed “varied and multilayered solutions.”

In a statement released by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday, May 12, it was noted that Roza Atambayeva, the UN Deputy Secretary-General’s Representative for Afghanistan, met and discussed with Dr. Amir Abdollahian.

According to the statement, citing Iran’s Foreign Minister, “The continuation of targeted interventions by the United States in Afghanistan’s internal affairs will further complicate the situation in this country.”

He stated, “Afghanistan’s problems are complex, so we need to focus on varied and multilayered solutions.”

This meeting comes on the eve of the third Doha Conference, which follows the first and second Doha conferences focused on Afghanistan’s situation and hosted by the UN.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement mentioned that Roza Atambayeva and Amir Abdollahian discussed the “upcoming third Doha Conference in Qatar” and exchanged views.

Simultaneously, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s Ambassador and Special Representative of the President for Afghanistan Affairs, also called for special attention from the UN to the realities of Afghanistan and the region at the “Third Doha Conference on Afghanistan.”

The date of the third Doha Conference and its agenda have not been determined yet, but the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan by the UN, tasked with resolving Afghanistan’s issues, will be among the key components of this conference.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/iranian-fm-calls-afghanistan-issues-complex-emphasizes-multilayered-solutions/

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UN Secretary General Condemns Israeli Attack on UN Employee in Gaza Strip

2024-05-14

KABUL(BNA): Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, condemned the attacks on UN personnel in response to the loss of one of the organization’s employee.

Guterres shared a poignant message on his X page, expressing profound sadness over the tragic loss of a UN employee and the injury of another in Gaza due to an attack on a UN vehicle.

He strongly condemned all attacks targeting UN personnel and reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Additionally, emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

In accordance with his findings, since the start of Israeli regime attacks on Gaza, more than 190 UN personnel have lost their lives.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/un-secretary-general-condemns-israeli-attack-on-un-employee-in-gaza-strip/

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Liaison Commission with Afghan Personalities Stresses to Fulfill Commitment

2024-05-14

KABUL (BNA): The Liaison Commission with Afghan personalities says that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to the agreements made with individuals who have returned to the country through this commission.

This commission, by publishing a clarification message regarding the arrest of Allah Gul Mujahid, the former representative of Kabul people in the Wolesi Jirga administration, has written on its X page that Allah Gul Mujahid is accused of the murder of a person named Qari Saeedullah and has been detained for this reason.

The mentioned commission adds that Qari Saeedullah was martyred on 9th of Hoot month, 1402, in Sarobi, and the detained individuals accused of his murder claimed to have carried out the act at the request of Allah Gul Mujahid in exchange for money.

The statement states that this matter will be fairly reviewed in the courts of the Islamic Emirate, and the security commander of Kabul says he is detained not for his past actions but due to murder.

The Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities stated, since Allah Gul Mujahid has returned to the country through the Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities, the Commission clarifies that it is committed to the agreements made with the returning individuals, and the decree of Supreme Leader of IEA is being implemented. Returnees, like other Afghans, are accountable under the law for matters of human rights.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Islamic scholars’ consultative summit ends in Istanbul

May 15, 2024

The Consultative Summit of Islamic Scholars ended after discussions on ways to address the challenges and threats facing the Muslim Ummah and humanity, with the issue of a three-page resolution.

According to reports, the conference began three days ago in Istanbul, Turkey, and ended on Tuesday, May 14.

Ministers and representatives from Islamic countries, as well as scholars from the Islamic world, deliberated on strategies to overcome challenges and threats confronting the Muslim Ummah and humanity.

Reports indicate that the current situation, including the unity of the Islamic Ummah and adopting a unified stance on common issues, remained a focal point of comprehensive discussions during the conference.

Noor Mohammad Saqib, Acting Minister of Information, Hajj, and Religious Affairs represented Afghanistan at the conference.

This gathering occurred against the backdrop of escalating conflict in Gaza, with over 35,000 casualties, mostly women and children, due to intensified warfare by Israel.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan grapples with its own humanitarian crisis following the Taliban’s assumption of power, exacerbating the country’s longstanding challenges. The situation underscores the pressing need for collective efforts to address humanitarian concerns across conflict-ridden areas.

Source: khaama.com

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Southeast Asia

 

DAP trio’s lawsuit against PAS MP heads to trial after mediation hits dead end

15 May 2024

GEORGE TOWN, May 15 — The defamation suit by DAP’s Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, and Teresa Kok against Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad will go to trial after a mediation session today failed to reach any resolution.

The Penang State Court Mediation Centre scheduled the session between the plaintiffs and defendants at 11am today, which ended after two hours.

Datuk Sankara Nair who represented the DAP trio said both parties could not agree on a settlement.

“We have attempted to reach a settlement but, unfortunately, we couldn’t meet midway and as such the matter will go for trial,” he told reporters at the Penang High Court premises after the mediation session ended.

He said the mediation session was mandated by the courts, and they have complied by attending it.

“We cannot reveal details of what was discussed,” he added.

However, he said the plaintiffs would remain open to offers to settle between now and the start of the trial on September 2.

He said the defamation suits by the three plaintiffs have been consolidated so the hearing will be for a joint suit by the trio against Siti Mastura.

The suit was initially filed separately by Kit Siang, his son and DAP chairman Guan Eng, and Seputeh MP Kok as plaintiffs on November 27 last year.

The suit was filed over a speech by Siti Mastura at a political rally during the Kemaman by-election campaign period.

The three plaintiffs accused Siti Mastura of making a defamatory remark against them, linking them to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, as well as Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew.

The Penang PAS Muslimat deputy chief claimed that Kit Siang, Guan Eng, and the latter's wife Betty Chew had ties to Chin Peng and Lee.

She also mentioned other DAP leaders, including Kok, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming, and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.

In her statement of defence filed in January, Siti Mastura argued that the allegations she made were based on truth and facts.

She claimed her allegations were based on facts obtained from the book Bahan Kempen, Komunikasi Barisan Nasional (Campaign Material, Barisan Nasional Communications).

She also claimed that the contents in the book were authentic.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/15/dap-trios-lawsuit-against-pas-mp-heads-to-trial-after-mediation-hits-dead-end/134484

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Observers Say PM Anwar's Meeting With Hamas Leaders In Qatar Could Provoke West To Act Against Malaysia

15 May 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Malaysia is risking sanctions from Western countries that are known to be critical against those it sees as being friendly with Hamas, the Palestinian political party they label as terrorists, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported today.

The Hong Kong newspaper cited several international relations observers saying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Hamas leaders during his recent visit to Qatar might provoke further scrutiny from the US and potentially lead to punitive actions against the South-east Asian nation.

University of Nottingham Malaysia foreign policy and security expert Julia Roknifard said while Malaysia has been consistent about its long-standing policy on Hamas, it was unwise to provoke the West.

“Rather than deliberately provoking anyone, Malaysia still wants to play that active role in settling the conflict and be seen in the leadership role of sorts as this mediator between the parties as a remote nation without a direct interest in the conflict or its resolution,” she was quoted as saying.

Anwar’s visit to Qatar two days ago, and his subsequent meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and its former chairman Khaled Mashal came a week after the US Treasury Department sent envoys to Kuala Lumpur to flag its concerns that the Palestinian party is raising funds through Malaysia.

Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior vice-president Jonathan Schanzer told SCMP that US lobby groups felt the Malaysian government was “playing a dangerous game”.

“Attention from the US government over alleged illicit money flows is often a precursor to harsher measures if remediation is not quick and clear,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the US Treasury Department visit.

“The Malaysian government’s open embrace of Iran and Hamas has not only led to the assassination of several Hamas operatives on Malaysian soil. It may soon lead to sanctions or other punitive measures.”

The US Treasury Department has already imposed sanctions on four Malaysia-based companies it accused of helping Iran’s production of drones last December.

Former Malaysian envoy to Canada Dennis Ignatius said that Anwar’s open display of support for Hamas was pushing Malaysia away from its long-standing image as a moderate Muslim-majority country and into uncharted territory.

“If we are going to find common cause with the likes of Hamas, we had better get used to acerbic comments being thrown at us,” Dennis said on his personal website on April 30.

“We can’t expect to hold on to our so-called moderate Islamic country image if we embrace the likes of Hamas, ” he was quoted as saying.

Anwar has acknowledged that his visit and meeting with Ismail and Khaled was causing anxiety among allies and other Malaysians but justified his action as supporting peace efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Citing Qatar as an example, he said the peninsular Arab country had used its good ties with Hamas in negotiations with Israel, which resulted in the release of 109 captured Palestinians.

Malaysia has been seen as a consistent supporter of Palestinian causes.

Hamas leaders Haniyeh and Mashal have visited Malaysia in recent years and were hosted by two-time former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/15/observers-say-pm-anwars-meeting-with-hamas-leaders-in-qatar-amid-us-scrutiny-of-financial-ties-could-provoke-west-to-act-against-malaysia/134450

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UAE’s MBZ HonoursPresident-elect Prabowo With Highest Civilian Award 'Order of Zayed'

May 14, 2024

Jakarta. President-elect Prabowo Subianto announced Tuesday that he had gotten Emirati highest civil decoration when he recently met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

According to Prabowo, the Emirati president --also known by his initials MBZ-- had given him the “Order of Zayed” in recognition of his efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s ties with the UAE. This award is the highest civil decoration in the UAE. World leaders including China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have received the Order of Zayed.

“On this occasion, I was honoured with the 'Zayed Medal’, which recognizes the good bilateral relations between Indonesia and the UAE,” Prabowo revealed on his official Instagram account.

Prabowo was visiting Abu Dhabi following an invitation by MBZ himself.

Prabowo today still serves as Indonesia’s defense minister. According to a ministerial press statement, Prabowo told MBZ that he wanted to see bilateral relations flourish across all sectors, including on defense. The press release, however, did not go into details on what sort of defense cooperation that Indonesia was seeking to have with the UAE.

Indonesia has enjoyed close ties with the UAE under the outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s leadership. Last year, the Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force, thus opening the doors to greater trade volume.

Past interactions between Jokowi and MBZ have shown that they are close. MBZ has renamed a street in Abu Dhabi after Jokowi. Not to mention the Joko Widodo mosque in the UAE capital. Jokowi’s hometown Surakarta is also home to the $20 million Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This mosque is a gift from the UAE to the Indonesian leader. Indonesia has also renamed the Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll road after MBZ.

Vice President-Elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka came with Prabowo on this Abu Dhabi trip. During the visit, Prabowo also introduced Gibran as Indonesia’s next vice president to MBZ. Gibran is Jokowi’s eldest son.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/uaes-mbz-honors-prabowo-with-highest-civilianaward-order-of-zayed

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Selangor has the highest number of sexual crimes cases in Malaysia: Bukit Aman

15-05- 2024

PETALING JAYA: Selangor recorded the highest number of cases involving sexual-related offences in the country for the past three years.

Bukit Aman sexual, women and child investigation division principal assistant director Siti Kamsiah Hassan said among the recorded cases include molestation, incest, child pornography and sexual communication.

She said the statistics were based on the state’s high population in comparison to other states..

“Selagor’s location which borders other states such as Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Pahang is a contributing factor to the crime statistics followed by Johor.

“The wider internet connectivity, population density and economic factors also drive the increase of sexual crimes,” she told Sinar Harian following a dialogue session with the people at the Selangor police contingent headquarters, today.

Siti Kamsiah further said 90% of sexual crimes involve locals.

“There are cases involving foreigners. For instance, molest cases at petrol stations and at public transport hubs involve foreigners who have settled down here.

“While there are also cases involving tourists, in terms of percentage, locals remain the highest of offenders,” she said.

She said most offenders behind sexual crimes and their victims were often known to each other.

“Anyone can potentially become the victim as most offenders are known to them as their family members, friends or teachers.

“It is difficult to gauge a sexual crime offender through their looks or character, or their manner in attracting or gaining their victims’ trust,” she said.

According to her, the B40 group are among the highest category involved in sexual offences based on recently obtained statistics.

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local_news/selangor-has-the-highest-number-of-sexual-crimes-cases-in-malaysia-bukit-aman-PC12455219#google_vignette

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Data leaks reveal over 300 Malaysians listed as property owners in Dubai - report

15-05- 2024

PETALING JAYA: Over 300 Malaysians have been identified as owners of more than 500 properties at the gulf city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) according to recently leaked data to a journalism consortium.

According to Malaysiakini, who is part of the Dubai Unlocked consortium, the Malaysians involved have purchased properties in the world’s tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa, and at least six properties located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah artificial islands.

The artificial islands are known to be where the Beckhams as well as Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan have been reported to own holiday homes.

The online portal has also identified the Malaysians as notable individuals who were prominent business owners or corporate players, and noted that no politician or known proxy was in the list.

However, Malaysiakini is currently withholding the identities of notable owners pending their comments due to legal purposes.

It is learnt from the 500 properties linked to Malaysians, more than 300 are classified as residential properties by economists at the EU Tax Observatory and Norway’s Centre for Tax Research, who worked on the leaked data separately.

Furthermore, economists reportedly estimated the residential properties owned by Malaysians alone as per the leaked data would be worth US$160.9 million (RM710 million) in 2022.

The economists’ analysis notably omitted non-residential properties such as shops, offices and labour camps, due to data quality concerns for non-residential properties.

As such, when taking into account other properties not included in the leaked data, the economists estimated that Malaysian-owned residential properties are worth a total of US$320 million (RM1.5 billion) city-wide.

It is learnt that the property data leaked was derived from more than 100 datasets, the majority derived from the Dubai Land Department as well as publicly owned utility companies, between 2020 and 2022.

The report further stated that the data was obtained by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC that researches international crime and conflict.

The data includes the listed owner of each property, as well as other identifying information such as date of birth, passport number and nationality. In some cases, the data captured renters instead of owners.

It was then shared with Norwegian financial outlet E24 and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which coordinated an investigative project with dozens of media outlets from around the world.

The Dubai Unlocked collaboration includes 74 media outlets in 58 countries, including Malaysiakini.

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local_news/data-leaks-reveal-over-300-malaysians-listed-as-property-owners-in-dubai-report-EC12454617

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UK Minister John Glen Visits Indonesia to Strengthen Partnership on Digital Transformation

 May 13, 2024

Jakarta. UK Minister for Cabinet Office John Glen arrived in Jakarta on Monday for talks with senior government officials on strengthening partnership on health, digital transformation, and education as part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries,

Glen will meet Communications and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi to discuss the bilateral partnership on digital and education, as well as Deputy Minister Scenaider Siahaan of the National Development Planning (Bappenas) and senior representatives from the Health Ministry and to discuss partnership on the health and development sectors.

"This year, we celebrate our 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Our joint work with Indonesia on future technologies, including the digital transformation of its business, health, and education sectors, has gone from strength to strength,” Glen said in a statement.

“As one of the largest economies in the region, Indonesia remains an increasingly important partner for the UK in tackling climate change, countering disinformation and wider global challenges,” he added.

During his two-day visit, Glen will also meet with the Deputy ASEAN Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, and members of the ASEAN Secretariat "to share experience of public service modernization and efficiency".

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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Africa

 

Libya war crimes probe to advance next year: ICC prosecutor

May 15, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The International Criminal Court prosecutor probing war crimes committed in Libya since 2011 announced Monday his plans to complete the investigation phase by the end of 2025.

Presenting his regular report before the United Nations Security Council, Karim Khan said that “strong progress” had been made in the last 18 months, thanks in particular to better cooperation from Libyan authorities.

“Our work is moving forward with increased speed and with a focus on trying to deliver on the legitimate expectations of the council and of the people of Libya,” Khan said.

He added that in the last six months, his team had completed 18 missions in three areas of Libya, collecting more than 800 pieces of evidence including video and audio material.

Khan said he saw announcing a timeline to complete the investigation phase as a “landmark moment” in the case.

“Of course, it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to require cooperation, candor, a ‘can do’ attitude from my office but also from the authorities in Libya,” he added.

“The aim would be to give effect to arrest warrants and to have initial proceedings start before the court in relation to at least one warrant by the end of next year,” Khan said.

The Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC in February 2011 following a violent crackdown on unprecedented protests against the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.

So far, the investigation opened by the court in March 2011 has produced three cases related to crimes against humanity and war crimes, though some proceedings were abandoned after the death of suspects.

An arrest warrant remains in place for Seif Al-Islam Qaddafi, the son of the assassinated Libyan dictator who was killed by rebel forces in October 2011.

Libya has since been plagued by fighting, with power divided between a UN-recognized Tripoli government and a rival administration in the country’s east.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2510386/middle-east

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Al-Sunni is surprised that the ICC Prosecutor’s briefing on Libya did not include the Tarhuna crimes file.

2024-05-14

New York, May 14, 2024 (LANA) - Libya's representative to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Al-Taher Al-Sunni, expressed his surprise that the briefing of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Libya did not include the Tarhuna crimes file.

Al-Sunni said in his speech following the briefing of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Libya on Tuesday before the Security Council, “We noticed that the Tarhuna crimes file was completely dropped from the cases under investigation, and we regret the failure to reveal those involved and issue arrest warrants against them,” pointing out that the situation in Libya It cannot be viewed in isolation from the volume of foreign interventions.

Al-Sunni asked: Should we wait until the end of next year to obtain results and issue arrest lists?

The Libyan delegate to the UN Security Council added in his speech, “We understand from the court’s report that it will work for more years without knowing the end of its term and without referring to Libya’s approval for that.”

Source: lana.gov.ly

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https://lana.gov.ly/post.php?id=307359&lang=en

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Africa Made Mistake By Adopting Western Liberal Democracy – Obasanjo

15 May 2024

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said African countries made a mistake by adopting the Western liberal democracy introduced by the Europeans.

Obasanjo said this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the House of Representatives promoting a bill to reintroduce the parliamentary system of government.

The former president said the liberal democracy introduced by the West to African countries is not synchronised with the continent’s value system.

Obasanjo asserted that there is nothing in liberal democracy that is African and called on the countries on the continent to come up with the type of democracy that suits them.

He said: “Let me go back to the beginning, where we got it wrong — the Western liberal democracy, that is what the Europeans have.

“When you look at Western liberal democracy, it is a product of their history. A product of their culture. A product of their way of life.

“I have looked into most African languages; Western democracy has what they call loyal opposition. What is opposition in African languages?

“Enemy. Western democracies called oppositions ‘loyal’ because the oppositions are loyal to the monarchy. That’s where their loyal democracy began. They used to have monarchies.

“There is nothing in liberal democracy that is African. We ruled ourselves before the advent of colonialism. We had empires and striving kingdoms. We did not rule ourselves as opposition.

“What is in it for us? I don’t know, but you can give it. For lack of an appropriate word, let us call it afro-democracy. That is where we have to begin.”

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/05/15/africa-made-mistake-by-adopting-western-system-obasanjo/

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President Tinubu Suspends Cybersecurity Levy, Issues Fresh Directive To CBN

14 May 2024

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the suspension of the controversial cybersecurity levy.

This was disclosed to newsmen during a press briefing on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

 He explained that the President directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to temporarily halt the enforcement of the 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy and to review the methods for its application.

The Minister said Tinubu ordered the suspension following deliberations by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), adding that the policy is under review.

“The position of the government is that that policy has been suspended. It has been put on hold. That is the position of the government for now. It is undergoing some form of review. It was reiterated in council (FEC meeting) yesterday. You know that today’s council (meeting) is a continuation of the council meeting of yesterday,” Idris said.

“So, I can tell you that the cybersecurity levy has been put on hold. It is being reviewed by the government.”

Naija News recalls there was massive uproar and rejection from Nigerians following the CBN directive to all financial institutions, including commercial, merchant, non-interest banks, payment service banks, and mobile money operators, mandating the implementation of a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions.

The CBN had mandated financial institutions to start deductions within two weeks from the date of the circular and remit the accumulated levies monthly to the National Cybersecurity Fund (NCF), which is administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/05/14/breaking-president-tinubu-suspends-cybersecurity-levy-issues-fresh-directive-to-cbn/

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Five Soldiers Killed, Others Injured As Bandits Invade Military Camp In Katsina

14 May 2024

Armed bandits have stormed a military camp in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, resulting in the death of five soldiers while 11 others were injured.

Naija News reports that the attack, which occurred around 2 pm on Sunday, also claimed the lives of several civilians and a local vigilante member.

According to a military internal memo seen by The Leadership, over 200 heavily armed terrorists, led by notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aleiru, stormed the Yar Malamai village military camp.

The memo reads: “Terrorist attack on military camp causing grievous hurt and death of military personnel.

“A member of the local vigilante group, identified as 30-year-old Aliyu Tukur, was among those killed.

“Supol Faskari and his team responded promptly to the scene, engaging the bandits in a fierce battle, supported by Air Force components. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we suffered significant losses.

“The battle, lasting over two hours, forced the military to pull back the remaining forces to a safer location, about 25 kilometres away, due to the heavy casualties incurred. The bandits also suffered heavy casualties but have succeeded in removing them away from the scene.

“The aftermath saw the terrorists returning to Yarmalamai village, burning houses and escalating the violence, although specific casualty figures from the subsequent attack remained unconfirmed.“

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/05/14/five-soldiers-killed-others-injured-as-bandits-invade-military-camp-in-katsina/

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