Hindu-Muslim Scuffles Lead to Heightened Communal Tension in UK's Leicester after A Group Led A March Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 September 2022
Leicestershire Police.
Photo: Video screengrab
----
• Darul Uloom Deoband Decides Not To Oppose the Survey
of Unaided Madrasas In UP To Debunk Allegations of Promoting Extremism and
Receiving Illegal Foreign Funds
• Twitter Is a Major Hub of Anti-Muslim Propaganda in
India: Study by Islamic Council of Victoria
• Taliban Makes USD 200 mn Annually by Indulging in
Criminal Activities inside Pakistan
• Canadian Human Rights Chief Forced To Resign Over
Islamophobic Comments
Europe
• Community leaders call for calm after Hindu-Muslim
violence in UK city
• Armenian 'radicals' storm Azerbaijan's Embassy in
France
• YPG/PKK supporters distribute terror propaganda at
cultural festival in Netherlands
• UK invitation to Saudi MBS for Queen's funeral draws
harsh criticism
• European court urges France to repatriate
Daesh-linked family in Syria
--------
India
• Govt to Set Up Panel to Study Status of Scheduled
Castes Converts to Christianity and Islam
• Yati Narsinghanand booked for call to blow up
madrasas, Aligarh Muslim University
• Tradition of keeping Muslim in puja panel continues
• Gyanvapi case: Mosque committee seeks 8 weeks to
prepare for hearing
• 'We Will Definitely Show Our Papers': Why Muslims In
Jharkhand Are Celebrating New Domicile Policy
--------
Pakistan
• New COAS to be installed through ‘set traditional
way’: Asif
• Rallies in Swat, Parachinar demand peace, action
against terrorists
• Punjab MPA Khalil Tahir Sandhu to move SJC against
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial
• Pakistan PM Shehbaz, brother Nawaz agree on
conducting next elections at stipulated time
• Saudi confirms rollover of $3 billion deposit for
one year: State Bank of Pakistan
• Fighting to uphold, strengthen democracy since Gen
Zia’s martial law: Fazl
• Selection of army chief must not be politicised:
Asif
--------
North
America
• Somali militia beheads insurgents after battle,
witnesses say
• US Secretary of State to meet chairman of Yemeni
presidential council
• US Muslim group presents award to Turkish first lady
for her humanitarian efforts
• Türkiye expects US's cooperation in fight against
PKK/YPG, FETO: Erdogan
--------
South
Asia
• Foreign Exchange Auction; Taliban Sells $11 Million
• The Taliban, US Exchange Prisoners: Acting Foreign
Minister
• Afghanistan sees sharp rise in deaths as Taliban
struggle to take on ISIS, NRF
• Rohingya killing near Bangladesh-Myanmar border
raises Dhaka security concerns
• Taliban to Ban TikTok and PubG Apps in Afghanistan
• Afghan Envoy at UN Signs Condolence Book for Late
British Queen
--------
Southeast
Asia
• What Rakyat Want: ILHAM Center Focuses On Malay
Muslim Wishes
• A GTA-Led Government Will Reflect Malaysia's Multicultural
Society, Says Dr M
• AGC appeals Maria Chin’s leave to challenge Shariah
proceedings
--------
Arab
World
• Kurdish Forces End 3-Month Operation against ISIS
Supporters in Syria’s Al-Hol Camp
• Turkey strikes Syria regime outpost, kills three:
War monitor
• Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed meets King Charles at
Buckingham Palace in London
• Russian jets strike terrorist positions in Syria’s
militant-held Idlib region: Defence ministry
• Biggest illegal US military base in Syria comes
under intense rocket attack: Reports
--------
Mideast
• Yemen Separatists Seize Al-Qaeda Stronghold in Abyan
• Hamas: Palestinians must keep firm on Israel’s
settlement expansion
• Turkey’s Erdogan targets joining of Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation: Media
• Human Rights Chief: Iran Seriously Following Up UN
Rapporteur Report on Impacts of US Sanctions
• Iranian Police Say Death of Mahsa Amini Was
‘Unfortunate’
• Iran’s President Raisi repeats call for nuclear deal
guarantees ahead of UN visit
• Iran’s Khamenei appears in public after reports of
‘critical’ health
• Abbas to use UN speech to rally support for Mideast peace-making
• 26 PKK/YPG terrorists neutralized within, beyond
Türkiye’s borders
• 108 Yemenis killed by mines, cluster bombs, other
war remnants since truce: Report
--------
Africa
• Tunisia to Question Ennahda Leader on Terrorism
Accusations
• Tunisia expects to reach loan agreement with IMF in
coming weeks: Cenbank governor
• Protesters in Niger call for departure of French
troops
Compiled by New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/hindu-muslim-leicester-uk-communal/d/127982
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Hindu-Muslim Scuffles Lead to Heightened Communal
Tension in UK's Leicester After A Group Led A March Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’
Leicestershire Police.
Photo: Video screengrab
----
September 19, 2022
New Delhi: Leicester city in the United Kingdom has
seen an escalation of scuffles and communal tension leading to the arrest of
two in an area which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, British
media outlets have reported. BBC has called it a “large-scale disaster.”
The disturbances first began after the India-Pakistan
Asia Cup cricket match of August 28. The latest episode has led to community
leaders and police calling for calm.
On Saturday, September 17, a group led a march
chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ through east Leicester, a community leader named
Rukhsana Hussain, told The Guardian. A woman who had witnessed Saturday’s
disturbances was quoted by BBC as having said that there were “people wearing
balaclavas or with masks over their faces, and with hoods pulled up.”
“They were throwing bottles and all sorts,” a local of
Belgrave Road in the eastern part of Leicester, Majid Freeman, told The
Guardian. “They were coming past our mosques, taunting the community and
physically beating people up randomly,” he is additionally quoted as having
said.
Freeman said that in response, young Muslims led a
march. “‘We can’t trust the police, we’re going to defend our community
ourselves’,” is what they thought, he said.
One Drishti Mae, who is described as a former
chairperson of a national Hindu organisation, is quoted by the newspaper as
having said that the recent unrest was unprecedented but that it was Hindus who
were being targeted and harassed. She described Hindus as a “first-generation
migrant community.”
The Guardian report notes that leaders of the Muslim
community, Hindu and Jain temples, and community organisations in Leicester
have all promised to work to get to the bottom of what caused the march on
Saturday.
“We need calm – the disorder has to stop and it has to
stop now. There are some very dissatisfied young men who have been causing
havoc,” Suleman Nagdi, of the Leicester-based Federation of Muslim
Organisations told BBC.
Leicestershire police has been releasing frequent
tweets, the latest of which says the situation is now calm. Earlier, its
temporary chief constable Rob Nixon had released a video message urging peace,
noting that this was an “unusual occurrence” for such a culturally diverse
place.
“We are aware of a video circulating showing a man
pulling down a flag outside a religious building on Melton Road, Leicester,”
police also noted, adding that the matter will be investigated.
One of the Guardian reporters Aina J. Khan later
tweeted a long thread in which she essayed her experience reporting the story
and the comments she received from men purportedly aligned with the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh.
“The interview got heated when another man, an RSS
member, accused me of bias when I shared concerns about yesterday’s impromptu
marchers chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” a Hindu chant appropriated by extremists in
India, that has now become synonymous with anti-Muslim hatred,” Khan wrote.
Eventually, she tweeted in the thread, she was accused
of being “a member of the Taliban, an extremist, playing the victim card” and
of not “scrutinising Pakistan’s treatment of its minorities and fixating on
India’s treatment of its minorities, of ignoring how Muslims are raping
everyone.”
Khan also tweeted a video showing her audio recording
the three men seen loudly speaking to her on the above topics. Khan wrote in
the thread that she was also filmed and that had she not been visibly Muslim
she would not have been treated like this.
“There is no doubt these men were not representative
of the Hindu community,” she added.
Source: The Wire
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Darul Uloom Deoband Decides Not To Oppose the Survey
of Unaided Madrasas In UP To Debunk Allegations of Promoting Extremism and
Receiving Illegal Foreign Funds
Darul Uloom / File photo
----
Piyush Srivastava
| Lucknow
19.09.22
The Darul Uloom Deoband has decided not to oppose the
survey of unaided madrasas ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government but use it
to debunk allegations that these Islamic schools promote extremism and receive
illegal foreign funds.
A convention of the 250-odd madrasas that the Darul
Uloom has countrywide, held at Deoband in Saharanpur district on Sunday, asked
the about 50 madrasas affiliated to the 156-year-old Sunni seminary in Uttar
Pradesh to cooperate with the survey teams.
It also asked these madrasas to get their records in
order before the government charges them with any offence, reflecting fears
that the survey might be used to shut down some of these schools on the pretext
of funding irregularities.
“A narrative has been created in recent years that
madrasas are producing anti-national elements and engaging in all sorts of
wrongdoing,” Arshad Madani, a leader of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a leading
organisation of Islamic scholars, told reporters after the meeting.
“We now have an opportunity to frustrate the design of
the anti-Islamic and anti-madrasa forces by proving that we are clean.”
Madani, a Darul Uloom alumnus who had been invited to
the convention, added: “We have asked the madrasa managements in the state to
check their land records. If they are on government land, gram sabha land or
forestland, they must demolish the building themselves before the government
does.
“If someone has donated them the land, they should
recheck whether the donor gave them a clean piece of land. We will not help any
madrasa or mosque if it has been built on government or disputed land. It’s
anyway haram (prohibited in Islam) to use land that’s not in the name of a
masjid or madrasa or the madrasa’s owner.”
Madani denied the allegation from some BJP leaders
that madrasas have been promoting terrorism.
“Someone may come to my house or yours, or to a masjid
or a temple, and stay there if nobody knows their reality and if the security
agencies allow them to move freely,” he said.
“It’s not me or you or the religious places that are
responsible — the law agencies must do their job honestly and without malice
against any religion.”
Madani said the Darul Uloom had urged “all madrasas in
the state to ensure they teach schoolchildren free, which should include their
education, stationery, clothes and food”.
The Yogi Adityanath government recently asked district
magistrates to form teams and survey all the state’s 15,000 unaided madrasas.
The survey began last week. The Darul’s about 50 madrasas in the state are all
unaided.
Sunday’s convention was held on the grounds of the
Masjid Rashidiya near the Darul Uloom. Reporters were denied entry but the
seminary put up chairs and tables at a designated area outside the premises
where Madani addressed the media.
Darul Uloom vice-chancellor Abul Qasim Nomani had on
September 6 said the convention would be held on September 24, but it was later
advanced.
Nomani had said the proposed survey was “alarming in
the given situation when Islamic institutions are under attack”.
Source: Telegraph India
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/darul-uloom-deoband-ready-for-madrasa-survey/cid/1887462
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Twitter Is a Major Hub of Anti-Muslim Propaganda in
India: Study by Islamic Council Of Victoria
Syed Ali Mujtaba
19th September 2022
Twitter has grown to be a major hub for the spread of
anti-Muslim propaganda which has a disastrous impact on the Muslim minority
communities around the world.
This is revealed by the Turkish Radio and Television
Corporation (TRT) Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. TRT World quoted a study
done by the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) – the apex Muslim body in the
Australian state of Victoria. ICV study has found that the US, the UK, and
India contributed a staggering 86% of anti-Muslim content on Twitter.
The ICV investigation revealed that there were at
least 3,759,180 Islamophobic posts during a three-year period made on Twitter
between 28 August 2019 and 27 August 2021.
Researchers from the ICV identified FOUR key themes
that normally ran on Twitter playing upon its Islamophobic content. First, the
connection between Islam and terrorism, second, the portrayal of Muslims as sexual
assaulters, third, Muslim immigrants are displacing white people in the West
and Hindus in India, and fourth, the labeling of Halal as an inhumane practice.
Twitter spreading Islamophobic content in India
The ICV researchers hold India’s ruling party; the BJP
responsible for inciting anti-Muslim prejudice in the country. “The BJP has
actively normalized hatred towards Muslims in India to such an extent that
55.12% of anti-Muslim hatred tweets originate on Twitter in India,” says ICV
researchers, as quoted by TRT world.
ICV further ascribed the spike in anti-Muslim
sentiment on Indian Twitter accounts to laws that discriminate against Muslims
and deny them citizenship.
The ICV researchers conclude that there is a direct
link between online hatred and offline hate crimes in India. “Social media
companies like Twitter must take responsible action to halt anti-Muslim hate
Tweets,” the ICV researcher suggested.
Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He
can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com
Source: Siasat Daily
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
https://www.siasat.com/twitter-is-a-major-hub-of-anti-muslim-propaganda-in-india-study-2415859/
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Taliban makes USD 200 mn annually by indulging in
criminal activities inside Pakistan
Representative Image
-----
18 September, 2022
Islamabad [Pakistan], September 18 (ANI): Taliban has
been making around USD 200 million every year by indulging in criminal
activities in Pakistan, including extortion, media reports said.
Pakistan People’s Party Senator Mustafa Nawaz Kokhar
claimed that a high-ranking Pakistani government official revealed in a meeting
of the National Security Committee of the National Assembly that the Afghan
Taliban have been generating around USD 200 million annually through various
illegal means, reported The News International.
In a tweet, PPP Senator wrote, “Aren’t (Taliban) they
hand in glove with the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan).” In a similar
commentary earlier, PPP Senator Kokhar said that dozens have been killed by the
TTP in Swat, Kurram and other places.
Sunni Muslim groups, the Deobandi Tehereek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP), and the rival Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) that represents
the Barelvis are fomenting sectarian violence across Pakistan.
A just-published study by the Brussels-based
International Crisis Group (ICG) on September 5 said that this could grow with
the current political acrimony and economic stress which threatens the vast
region around Pakistan, reported Islam Khabar.
Titled “A New Era of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan
Asia Report” it predicts that the TLP, recognized by the Election Commission of
Pakistan as a political party despite its record of violence, could consolidate
its political clout and threaten the mainstream political discourse during the
elections, as of now due in the summer of 2023.
The report reinforces the conclusion reached by
security experts earlier that the TTP, TLP, and other militant groups have
become affiliates of the Islamic State Province of Khorasan (ISPK) that have
grown out of the tribal belt that straddles Afghanistan and Pakistan to other
provinces.
“These two groups are very different and responsible
for some of the country’s worst inter-communal bloodshed. Sectarian militancy
thus extends across the spectrum of Sunni Islamist groups. Muslim minorities,
particularly Shias, are deeply vulnerable. Vigilantism is a danger as
hardliners mobilise around allegations of blasphemy to gain political clout,”
said the report.
Sectarian violence is rising and spreading across
Pakistan, feeding domestic terrorism and hatred in the region around and the
report holds all state institutions responsible for the competitive activities
of the Sunni Muslim groups, reported Islam Khabar.
Of the two, the TTP, responsible for 83,000 deaths
since 2008, has been defying the Pakistani state and operating with impunity
from the Afghan territory with tacit help from the Taliban, the new rulers and
ideological comrades.
“The rise of a local Islamic State franchise and the
growing influence of a hardline and violent protest movement known as “Labaik”
that draws support mostly from Pakistan’s Barelvi majority, open a new chapter
in the country’s sectarian violence, which until recently was driven largely by
Deobandi groups,” the report says.
While the Pakistan government is struggling to tame
the TTP, it has been mollycoddling the TLP, also using it to fight the
‘nationalist’ groups who demand justice and jobs.
The study seriously faults the Pakistani
counter-terrorism approach as mostly reactive, when it should be proactive,
because all institutions, from the politicians and the army to the police and
the judiciary, are compromised, reported Islam Khabar.
“Pakistan’s counter-terrorism approach has achieved
short-term successes but neglected long-term strategies to deny civic space to
violent sectarian outfits. Government policy has often amplified rather than
tamped down sectarian rhetoric. Several senior serving and retired
counter-terrorism, intelligence and regular law enforcement officials rightly
contend that, in the past, the state has prematurely declared victory over such
groups,” added the report.
Moreover, the ICG study names mainstream political
parties that have covert links with and support from the sectarian bodies whose
storm-troopers are used to settle rival political scores and spread fear and
mayhem, especially during elections.
From time to time, public forums and even the floors
of National and provincial assemblies, are used to spew venom against religious
and ethnic minorities, reported Islam Khabar. (ANI)
Source: The Print
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Canadian Human Rights Chief Forced To Resign Over Islamophobic
Comments
The human rights
commission chief for Canada’s western province of Alberta has been removed over
Islamophobic comments he made in 2009.
-----
17 September 2022
The human rights commission chief for Canada’s western
province of Alberta has been removed over Islamophobic comments he made in
2009.
Collin May, a lawyer from Calgary, was forced to
resign after a number of Canadian community organizations called for his
removal.
May was appointed to a five-year term as chief of the
Alberta Human Rights Commission in July after having served as a member since
2019.
On Monday, the National Council of Canadian Muslims
(NCCM) and nearly 30 other community groups sent a letter to Justice Minister
Tyler Shandro calling for May's resignation after his Islamophobic comments
resurfaced in July.
That year, in a book review, May said Islam was
"not a peaceful religion misused by radicals" and instead was
"one of the most militaristic religions known to man."
In their letter, the NCCM and other groups said May
had agreed to a dialogue with the Muslim community, but later declined dates to
meet and then also sent letters threatening to sue those criticizing him.
"In a time where brazen attacks on Muslims in
Alberta have been growing, specifically targeting Black Muslim women wearing
hijab, Mr. May's decision to threaten to sue his critics, while simultaneously
suggesting outreach with Alberta's Muslim communities, has been extraordinary
and shocking," the groups said.
"This behavior cannot be countenanced from the
Chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission."
On Monday, Shandro asked May to resign, according to
Canadian news outlets.
Said Omar, the NCCM's advocacy officer, also said in a
statement, “We can't have the normalization of Islamophobia and racism in human
rights works.” Omar thanked Shandro’s decision.
May was removed following an order issued by Shandro
late on Thursday. The commission's website shows May's term as chief ended this
month, but has not commented, announced, or given a reason for the former
chief's resignation.
The Alberta Human Rights Commission has now placed Evaristus
Oshionebo as the new acting chief of the commission.
May had resisted the resignation, with his
Toronto-based lawyer Kathryn Marshalll telling Canadian media on Thursday
morning that he would "not be resigning his position."
On Friday, his lawyer said May will be taking legal
action for what she described as his “unjust, unexplained and outrageous
termination.”
Hate crimes against Muslims across Canada jumped by 71
percent in 2021, according to a report released by the government agency
Statistics Canada last month.
The study found the number of recorded attacks against
Muslims increased from 84 incidents in 2020 to 144 in 2021. In 2019, a total of
182 incidents targeting Muslims had been reported.
Experts in Canada previously told the Middle East Eye
that while the country is seen by the outside world as a haven for
multiculturalism, Canada has witnessed decades of anti-Muslim rhetoric both
from politicians and the media.
Last year, in reports published by the NCCM, it was
suggested that the federal government take measures to combat Islamophobic
actions, including a budget to support families affected by violence against
Muslims.
The group also called for Canadian provinces to ensure
their anti-racism directorates were well resourced and for municipalities to
fund community-based efforts to tackle Islamophobia.
Source: Press TV
Please click the following URL to read the text of the
original story:
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Europe
Community leaders call for calm after Hindu-Muslim violence in UK city
19
September 2022
Muslim
and Hindu community leaders have called for calm after young men clashed with
each other on Saturday in Leicester, a city in central UK.
Tensions
remained high on Sunday with the police saying it have increased its presence
on the streets and started snap checks to stop youngsters from getting into
more further confrontation.
People
took to social media on Saturday evening sharing footage and pictures of a mob
chanting "Jai Shree Ram" (Victory to Lord Rama) slogans as it marched
through Belgrave Road, the centre of the Asian community in the city. TRT World
wasn't able to independently authenticate the footage.
In
the videos shared on social media, dozens of masked men can be seen marching as
police officers try to keep the them in line.
Some
people in the midst of a mob gathered on Belgrave Road hurled glass bottles at
Muslim counter-protesters, Anadolu Agency reported.
Muslim
leaders have asked community members to stop sharing unverified videos and news
on social media, which can create more confusion.
A
large number of police were dispatched to increase security, authorities said.
"Violence
and disorder will not be tolerated in our city. Dispersal and stop and search
powers are in place and are being used. We are calling for calm and telling
everyone to return home. Only share information that has been checked and is
true," the police department said in a tweet.
The
police also dispelled a rumour circulating on social media that a mosque had
been attacked.
In
a later statement, the police announced that the situation in the east of
Leicester was under control, that people were dispersed, and investigations
were underway.
A
cricket passion goes wild
Tensions
have been high since August 28 when India defeated Pakistan in a cricket match
during the Asia Cup. The match was played in the UAE, but the bitterness of the
two arch rivals played out on the streets of Leicester when Indian supporters
took to streets chanting anti-Pakistan slogans.
Source:
Trt World
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Armenian 'radicals' storm Azerbaijan's Embassy in France
Beyza
Binnur Donmez
18.09.2022
French
Armenian supporters stormed the building of Azerbaijan's Embassy in France,
according to video footage shared in a tweet by the Azerbaijani ambassador on
Sunday.
“Armenian
radicals living in France attacked the building of the Azerbaijani Embassy in
Paris," Rahman Mustafayev said on Twitter.
"But
let's leave the Armenian barbarians aside. Mr. Emmanuel Macron does not protect
embassies and ignores our fundamental requirements for our security, which is a
shame for France," Mustafayev added.
Footage
shows tens of Armenian supporters trying to kick and punch the entrance of the
building and using a barricade to break the door while carrying Armenian flags
on their backs.
Azerbaijan's
Foreign Ministry also condemned the "criminal acts" by the Armenian
community.
"We
strongly condemn the criminal actions of the radical Armenian groups and expect
the institutions responsible for preventing such provocations in the respective
countries to approach their duties responsibly," the ministry said in a
statement.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/armenian-radicals-storm-azerbaijans-embassy-in-france/2688221
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YPG/PKK
supporters distribute terror propaganda at cultural festival in Netherlands
Abdullah
Asiran
18.09.2022
Supporters
of the YPG/PKK terror organization in the Netherlands distributed terror
propaganda at a so-called cultural festival.
Supporters
of the terror group gathered in Landgraaf in the Limburg region and spoke against
Türkiye and chanted slogans.
Carrying
rags symbolizing the YPG/PKK and its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, they demanded
Ocalan's release.
Although
the PKK is on the EU's terror list, it is noteworthy that its supporters can
freely demonstrate in the Netherlands and clothing symbolizing the terror group
and Ocalan are not prohibited.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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UK
invitation to Saudi MBS for Queen's funeral draws harsh criticism
18
September 2022
The
UK’s invitation to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed Bin
Salman, to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral has ignited a wave of protests
and criticism from Saudi dissidents and human rights groups.
A
CIA report concluded that the crown prince had ordered the murder and
dismemberment of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in
Istanbul in 2018. Both the Saudi government and the prince denied the
allegations.
The
late journalist’s fiancée, Hatice Gengiz, said the UK's invitation is a stain
on the memory of the Queen and that the Saudi prince should be denied the
opportunity to seek legitimacy and normalization by attending her funeral.
She
also called for him to be arrested when he lands in London, though she doubted
this would happen.
A
London-based pressure group, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), also said the
occasion would give Bin Salman another chance to “whitewash” his human rights
records.
The
group estimates that since the start of the disastrous war in Yemen eight years
ago, Britain has sold the Saudi-led coalition fighting there more than 23
billion dollars worth of arms.
Meanwhile,
other activists criticized the UK's decision to invite leaders such as MBS and
King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa of Bahrain but to exclude Syrian and Venezuelan
leaders.
Ever
since MBS became crown prince in 2017, scant political freedoms have
disappeared with stiff prison sentences handed down to critics of government,
even just for social media posts.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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European
court urges France to repatriate Daesh-linked family in Syria
17
September 2022
The
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has called on France to repatriate two
French citizens who joined the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria, saying
Paris has violated human rights.
Reports
said on Saturday that one of the women died in Syria and her two children are
currently being held in a detention camp north of the Arab country.
The
two women traveled to Syria to join the ranks of the terror group and had
children there.
The
second woman currently lives along with her child in the Al-Roj camp in
northeastern Syria, run by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an
alliance of mainly US-sponsored Kurdish forces fighting against Damascus in
northern and eastern Syria.
France
has so far refused to take action to repatriate the family members.
According
to the ECHR’s ruling, France’s refusal to send home the woman and children
constituted a violation of their rights to “enter the territory of the state of
which (one) is a national.”
The
grandparents of the children have argued that their grandchildren, who have
been prevented from reentering France, are facing inhumane living conditions in
the SDF-run camps they live in.
The
French Foreign Ministry and Presidency have rejected the grandparents’ initial
appeal given that the “individuals concerned had deliberately left to join a
terrorist organization.”
The
ECHR says France’s refusal to repatriate its citizens violates Protocol No. 4
of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that nationals must
not be prevented from entering their home state.
“The
verdict is long overdue. France, as well as the other 60 countries with
citizens unlawfully detained and left behind in camps and prisons in Northeast
Syria, must now take urgent action,” said Beatrice Erikson, the founder of
Repatriate the Children Sweden.
Innumerable
foreign individuals who used to be members of Daesh and their families remain
inside SDF-run detention centers north of Syria, namely the infamous Al-Hawl
camp and the Al-Roj camp.
The
Al-Hawl camp is located on the southern outskirts of the town of al-Hawl in
Syria’s energy-rich Hasakah province, where US occupation forces and its allied
militants are actively present. Thousands of foreigners from more than 60
countries currently live in Al-Hawl’s “migrant sector.”
Iraq
has recently begun to repatriate citizens from Al-Hawl, albeit at a slow rate.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/17/689399/France-ECHR-Syria-Daesh-SDF-US-repatriation-
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India
Govt
to Set Up Panel to Study Status of Scheduled Castes Converts to Christianity
and Islam
By
Shyamlal Yadav
September
19, 2022
In
a move with far-reaching implications, the Centre is all set to constitute a
national commission to study the social, economic and educational status of
members of Scheduled Castes, or Dalits, who converted to religions other than
Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, The Indian Express has learnt.
The
proposal to set up such a commission is being actively discussed at the Centre,
and a decision is likely to be taken soon, it is learnt.
Sources
in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT) said they have given the green signal for such a move. It is
learnt that consultations on the proposal are currently ongoing among the
ministries of Home, Law, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Finance.
The
move to set up such a commission assumes significance in the wake of several
petitions pending before the Supreme Court seeking SC reservation benefits for
Dalits who converted to Christianity or Islam.
The
Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, under Article 341 stipulates that
no person professing a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism
can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste. The original order under
which only Hindus were classified as SCs was amended in 1956 to include Sikhs,
and in 1990 to cover Buddhists.
On
August 30, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a Supreme Court Bench headed
by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and also comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and
Vikram Nath, that he would place on record the Government’s stand on the issue
raised by the petitioners. The Bench granted the Solicitor General three weeks’
time and listed the matter on October 11.
“Solicitor
General submits that he would like to place on record the current position/
stand on the issue in question which deals with the prayer for extension of
claim of reservation from Dalit communities to other religions other than the
ones specified. On his request, three weeks’ time is granted. Learned counsels
for the petitioners/ appellants state that they will file a response if any,
within a week thereafter,” the bench stated.
The
Indian Express has learnt that the proposed commission may have three or four
members with its chairman holding the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister — and a
possible timeframe of well over a year to submit its report.
Apart
from mapping the changes in status and situation of Dalits who have converted
to Christianity or Islam, the proposed commission will also study the impact of
adding more members to the current SC list.
The
issue is limited to Dalits since there is no religion-specific mandate for STs
and the OBCs. “The rights of a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe are
independent of his/her religious faith,” states the DoPT website. Besides,
following the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, several Christian
and Muslim communities have found place in the Central or states’ lists of
OBCs.
Among
the key benefits available to the SC community is 15 per cent reservation for
direct recruitment in Central government jobs with 7.5 per cent for STs and 27
per cent quota for OBCs.
The
question of SC reservation benefits for Dalits who converted to mainly to
Christianity or Islam have come up before earlier governments, too.
In
October 2004, the then UPA Government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh constituted
the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by
former Chief Justice of India Justice Ranganath Misra, to recommend measures
for the welfare of socially and economically backward sections among religious
and linguistic minorities.
In
May 2007, the Ranganath Misra Commission submitted its report, recommending
that SC status be completely delinked from religion and be made
religion-neutral like STs. The then UPA Government did not accept the
recommendation on the grounds that it was not substantiated by field studies.
Separately,
a study commissioned by the National Commission for Minorities in 2007
concluded that Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims need to be accorded SC
status. That finding, too, was not accepted on the grounds that it was based on
minuscule sample sizes that could have led to unreliable estimates.
Source:
Indian Express
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Yati
Narsinghanand booked for call to blow up madrasas, Aligarh Muslim University
September
19, 2022
Controversial
preacher Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has been booked for a statement where he
allegedly called for the demolition of madrasas and the Aligarh Muslim
University using "gunpowder".
On
Sunday, Yati Narsinghanand was in Aligarh to attend a program of the Hindu
Mahasabha. Speaking about the ongoing survey of unrecognised madrasas by the
Uttar Pradesh government, Yati Narsinghanand said there should not be an
institution like a madrasa.
"All
the madrasas should be blown up with gunpowder, just like China does. All
students of madrasas should be sent to camps so that the virus called Quran
should be removed from their brains," Yati Narsinghanand could be heard
saying in a video.
Yati
Narsinghanand further said that just like the madrasas, the Aligarh Muslim
University (AMU) should also be blown up and its students should be sent to
detention centers and their brains should be treated.
This
is not the first time that Yati Narsinghanand has been booked for hate speech.
He was arrested earlier in the Haridwar hate speech case last year. The seer
was later released.
Yati
Narsinghanand was recently booked for making controversial remarks against
Mahatma Gandhi. In a video that went viral, Yati Narsinghanand could be heard
saying that “Mahatma Gandhi was responsible for the murder of one crore Hindus”
and other things.
YATI
NARSINGHANAND ATTACKS RAHUL GANDHI
Speaking
at the program in Aligarh, Yati Narsinghanand also hit out at the Congress's
Bharat Jodo Yatra, calling it a "joke".
"Rahul
Gandhi is with the jihadis. He could not win in Uttar Pradesh and went to
Kerala and contested from Wayanad," Yati Narsinghanand said.
Source:
India Today
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Tradition
of keeping Muslim in puja panel continues
19th
September 2022
KOLKATA:
Setting up an example of brotherhood in Jalpaiguri in north Bengal, organisers
of a Durga Puja give their Muslim neighbour berth in the puja committee as
joint secretary. The tradition of including a Muslim person in the committee
has been maintained for decades.
The
committee also organises fishing competitions in a local waterbody before the puja
and the money is distributed among the 200 Muslim families as puja bonus. The
organisers wait for their minority neighbours to join them for bringing the
idol of the goddess. The Muslim families participate in the festivity by
donating fruits and distributing prasad among devotees.
Balapara,
a non-descript pocket in Jalpaiguri is an example of communal harmony. The area
is inhabited by 800 Hindu families and 200 families of minority family. This year, Fayzul Islam is the joint
secretary of the puja committee. “We also join the festival. Like any other
Hindu. We also feel the mood of the festival. We also buy new clothes on the
occasion of Durga Puja and our children and family members share the joyous
moments with others in same spirit,” said Islam.
Asim
Roy, the other joint secretary of the committee, said, “I have been witnessing
how all Muslim families get involved in the festival from my childhood. Here,
we not only respect each other’s religious beliefs but also participate in all
festivals organised by the Hindus and the Muslims.”
In
Balapara, there is a mosque also. Babul Mohammad, Imam of the mosque, said, “We
started enjoying the environment of the festival. When we see the empty pandal
after immersion, we feel sad like our Hindu neighbours.”
Mohammad
pointed out that Islam never said that the Muslims cannot get involved in puja
festivals as it says all religions are equal.
Moinul Mohammad, a resident of the village, said his family donates
fruit and sweet for the puja every year. “My son Ayush performs dance with
dhunuchi (clay bowl filled up with coconut husks) during the prayer sessions
every year,” he added.
Source:
New Indian Express
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Gyanvapi
case: Mosque committee seeks 8 weeks to prepare for hearing
Sep
19, 2022
The
management committee of Gyanvapi mosque has filed an application in Varanasi
district court, seeking eight weeks’ time to prepare for the next hearing in
the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex case, lawyers familiar with the development
said.
Last
week, the Varanasi district court had fixed September 22 as the next date for
hearing in the case. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) — which
controls the 17th century Gyanvapi mosque — on Saturday filed an application,
saying it needed time to prepare before the next hearing.
The
district court on September 12 ruled that it will continue to hear a petition
by five Hindu women seeking daily worship of Hindu deities, whose idols are
located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi complex, saying the petition was not
barred under any existing laws. Besides, district judge AK Vishvesha on
September 12 also dismissed the petition by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid
Committee (AIMC) — which controls the 17th century Gyanvapi mosque — that
argued the Hindu women’s plea violated the Places of Worship (Special
Provisions) Act, 1991, and two other laws.
“We
need time for preparation. Hence, we have moved an application seeking eight
weeks’ time for the next hearing,” said Mohammed Tauhid Khan, counsel for the
Anjuman committee.
The
court would take up the application on September 22 itself, Khan said.
After
the district court’s order, the mosque committee had said it will challenge the
order in Allahabad high court. On September 14, the lawyers representing the
Hindu plaintiffs in the case had filed a caveat in the high court.
Source:
Hindustan Times
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'We
Will Definitely Show Our Papers': Why Muslims In Jharkhand Are Celebrating New
Domicile Policy
Abhik
Bhattacharya
19
SEP 2022
Since
the time of the Partition, Indian Muslims have inadvertently faced the burden
of discrimination and reparations every time issues pertaining to domicile,
belonging and aboriginality are evoked in part of the country. The latest
example is the preparation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam
which was perceived by many as a communally charged and antagonistic step
toward the Muslims and even led to nation-wide protests.
So,
when the Jharkhand Government gave its nod to the domicile policy on the basis
of 1932 land survey, a few questions naturally cropped up - what would happen
to the Muslims of the state? Do they have land records here or are they
infiltrators? These presumptive discussions nevertheless gained strength in the
backdrop of communal turmoil that the state has been bearing for the last few
months.
The
violent protests of Muslims in Ranchi on June 10 against the former BJP
spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comment on Prophet Muhammad strengthened certain
communal elements in the state. The rumors about Bangladeshi ‘ghuspetthiyas’
(infiltrators) soon started floating in the regional media. BJP MP Nishikant
Dubey’s proclaiming in Parliament that Jharkhand had become an abode for
millions of Bangladeshi infiltrators and that the Soren government was promoting
‘Islamization’ on August 9 made matters worse.
However,
in contrast to all the presumptions and allegations, the Muslims in the state
are in forefront of all the pro-domicile processions. Not only that, while
speaking to the Outlook, one of them said, “We have been staying here for
centuries. After so long, we will get the recognition of being Jharkhandi. It
is, for us, much more than getting jobs in government sectors”.
These
celebrations and attributions to centuries of belongingness made us look into the
archives. How far can we trace the Muslims back? Are there references in
British accounts regarding the presence of Muslims in this region? Did they
participate in the independence movement? The following is a journey through
the body of archives to trace the Muslims of Jharkhand to its early days.
Muslim
Traces in Gazetteers and Archives:
Bihar
Governor R R Diwakar in his 1952 book ‘Bihar Through Ages’, point out that
Muslims have been staying in this region for at least 800 years. They gradually
got mixed with the Adivasis and the exchange of lifestyle and culture
continued. While working on Munda languages German Jesuit Linguist Father
Hoffman even found the presence of Arabian and Persian words. Though such early
presence of Muslims could not find further mention, Ranchi District Gazetteer
written by Macpherson and Hallet in 1917 noted their presence during Sher
Shah’s period. “During this period there must have been a considerable
immigration of Muhammadans into the country, as villages composed entirely of
Muhammadans are found scattered over the district”, he noted.
In
another district Gazetteer compiled by N Kumar, we found that Muslims mostly of
weaver caste started coming to this locality from Biharsharif and Gaya during
the early nineteenth century. Their migration was a result of the promotion of
British cotton goods and the decline of indigenous weaving tools in the region.
Another
reason for Muslim settlement was an invitation from local feudal lords. The
continuous Adivasi uprisings made the landlords insecure and they wanted
military support from the Muslims of Bihar and up the country to tame the
insurgents. However, the military adventurers were very few in numbers and
couldn’t contribute much to the development of Muslim population.
The
first mosque in Ranchi known as Handewala Mosque was however founded by a
practitioner of law Nadir Mian in Upper Bazar. Bari Masjid also called the
Jumma Masjid was founded in 1867. The traces of Muslims in Upper Bazar locality
of Ranchi could be attributed to this period of time.
Another
significant account of early presence of Muslims could be found in a survey of
Ranchi city conducted during 1960-1962 by L P Vidyarthi and historian J N Basu.
They found that Muslim ‘Gowala’ (Gaddis) castes have been staying in Doranda,
Ranchi for more than two hundred years. In reference to the early traces of
Muslims they note, “tribals were the original inhabitants and among the
non-tribals, the Muslims were the first early settlers in the Ranchi area”.
Muslims
of Ranchi during the Independence Movement
While
the question of belonging is more about emotion than the papers, to miss out
one’s presence in the struggle for independence amounts to negating her the
rights to history/ histories. The presence of Maulana Abul kalam Azad in Ranchi
though definitely played a big role in the consolidation of Muslims, there are
other instances as well where Muslims took the leadership of the movement in
the state.
When
the Britishers celebrated the fall of Ottoman Empire, there were Muslims in
Ranchi who denied celebrating victory of the colonizers. Kamta Chaube in her
book Muslims and freedom Movements in India notes, “On December 14, 1919, a
band of Muslims paraded through Baazar and explained the grievances the Muslims
had against the Government and requested all people to boycott the peace
celebrations. The Madrasa at Ranchi didn’t observe 13th December as a holiday.
Practically all students attended their classes wearing black badges on their
arms”.
The
presence of the local Muslims in the non-cooperation movement could also be
found in Letters from Mr. Whitty, Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi to I.F. Lyall,
Commissioner of Chotonagpur, dated February 24, 1921. Noting the overwhelming
impact of Muslim leadership, they pointed out Md. Yusuf, Md. Ishak, Md. Alim
and Ali Jan Suudagar were the major leaders of the non-cooperation movement
between November 1920- February 1921.
The
address of Usman, then the head Maulavi of Anjuam Islamia Madrassa (founded by
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad) on February 1, 1921, in a general meeting was noted
especially in Police reports for his influence not only on Muslims, but rather
on different Adivasi communities. The role of the Momin conference of Jharkhand
region is also well noted. They were the first Muslim organization to oppose
the Muslim league’s claims of partition.
These
scattered references throughout the archives and literature may help us to
understand why the Muslims are celebrating the domicile policy. At a time when
the very existence of Muslims is confined to a few pieces of paper, documents,
and identity cards, tracing them back in a state known for its Adivasi identity
is an effort to look back at our histories in a different way.
Source:
Outlook India
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Pakistan
New
COAS to be installed through ‘set traditional way’: Asif
September
19, 2022
LONDON/ISLAMABAD:
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said that the appointment of the army
chief would take place on the same pattern that was being practiced for years
and that the consultation process would begin in November.
“The
appointment of the army chief will be in accordance with the Constitution and
the law,” the defence minister said while talking to media persons outside
PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif’s London residence where he arrived accompanying Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Premier
Shehbaz is in London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Asif
said that the army chief’s loyalty was with the country and he was not under
any politician, adding that he also had his loyalty to his institution.
“He
(army chief) is the one who commands 700,000 officers who are ready to
sacrifice their lives on his call,” Asif said, adding that his position should
not be made a part of any controversy, especially a political one.
Asif
said that the defence ministry and the GHQ would consult on the appointment of
the next chief of army staff by October-end and after that the decision will be
made.
The
defence minister said that the appointment of the next COAS was a routine
matter and it was for the first time in history that PTI Chairman Imran Khan
was raising a ‘hue and cry’ over the issue. “The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and
Imran Khan want institutions to intervene.
“Imran
proposed postponing the appointment until after the general election and grant
an extension [to Gen Bajwa],” the defence minister said.
Asif
also told the media persons that he would prefer Nawaz to come home
immediately. However, he added that it should be ensured that the PML-N supremo
should be granted justice for the injustices he faced back home.
The
minister said his government was not “running away” from elections. “We want
polls to be held under the Constitution and the law.”
Asif
said Imran had been giving similar statements when he had just one seat in
parliament.
Source:
Pakistan Today
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Rallies
in Swat, Parachinar demand peace, action against terrorists
September
19, 2022
SWAT/PARACHINAR/MOHMAND:
Streets of busy Mingora Bazaar echoed with slogans ‘we want peace in Swat’ as
hundreds of protesters gathered to condemn the recent terror incidents and
demand action to stop resurgence of terrorists in the valley on Sunday.
The
protesters comprised a large number of youths, elders, lawyers, transporters,
traders, doctors and students, who held banners and placards inscribed with
slogans against the terrorists and seeking peace.
The
protest was organised by Swat Qaumi Jirga and Swat Olasi Pasoon. Apart from
civil society and peace activists, leaders of all the political parties except
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf addressed the gathering.
Activists,
including Zahid Khan, Brigadier retired Saleem Khan, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Sher
Shah Khan, Akhtar Ali, Ayub Asharey, Dr Khalid Mahmood, Idrees Bacha, Sardar
Yousafzai, Wakeel Khan, Mukhtiar Khan Yousafzai, Umar Ali Yousafzai, and others
spoke on the occasion.
They
said they had a one-point agenda to demand peace in Swat. They said they won’t
allow another wave of militancy sweeping their valley. They said they demanded
peace from the state, and if it failed to do so, they would rise and take
action for peace in their land. They vowed to not allow terrorists and
extremists regroup in Swat.
Protest
sit-in planned in Mohmand against targeted killing, extortion
The
protesters said they had witnessed worst terrorism from 2007 to 2009 when the
militants challenged the state’s writ and caused a lot of bloodshed and fear,
taking many people’s lives and destroying businesses and properties, and
displacing hundreds of others.
They
asked the people if they spotted any suspected element in their areas they must
come out of their houses and take action against them. They also asked law
enforcement agencies to refrain from registering FIRs against peaceful
protesters.
The
protesters also questioned the silence of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and the
elected representatives over the matter, and demanded that the government take
action against terrorists immediately.
Meanwhile,
the residents of Kurram tribal district organised another peace walk in Sadda
town on Sunday against militancy.
People
from all sects and tribes participated in the march. The marchers, carrying
white flags, passed through different roads and bazaars of the town.
Earlier,
residents of central Kurram had organised a peace walk from Parachamkani to
Parachinar.
Mir
Afzal Khan Turi, Rafeeullah Chamkani and Tufail Shaheen led the walk.
Addressing the participants, they said Kurram valley needed peace and
stability.
They
said people of Kurram would no more tolerate presence of miscreants in their
area. They said six personnel of law enforcement agencies had been martyred or
wounded in acts of terrorism during last two weeks.
They
said a large number of families had vacated their homes due to lawlessness.
Separately,
members of a jirga in Safi tehsil of Mohmand district announced a sit-in
outside of Mohmand Rifles gate, against worsening law and order, targeted
killing, extortion and enforced disappearances.
The
peace march will start from Safi and reach district headquarters, Ghalanai,
where the participants would stage a sit-in.
The
jirga has requested all the elders, political and religious leaders and
students to participate in the protest.
Source:
Dawn
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Punjab
MPA Khalil Tahir Sandhu to move SJC against Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata
Bandial
September
19, 2022
LAHORE:
Former provincial health minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Khalil
Tahir Sandhu has announced moving the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against
what he says violation by the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) of the code for
the secrecy of the Judicial Commission proceedings.
“The
chief justice violated the code by making public the audio containing
conversation of various participants of a meeting of the SJC held for the
elevation of high courts’ judges to the Supreme Court. I, as a lawyer, shall
move the Supreme Judicial Council against this act within a couple of days,” Mr
Sandhu said in a statement here on Sunday.
He
said that the CJP is supposed to be the top watchdog of human rights and
custodians of official secrets. But the incumbent chief justice made public the
audio clips containing comments of the attorney-general and the law minister
about some judges.
Source:
Dawn
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Pakistan
PM Shehbaz, brother Nawaz agree on conducting next elections at stipulated time
Sep
19, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his brother Nawaz Sharif, the
Pakistan Muslim League-N supremo, agreed on holding the next general elections
at the stipulated time, local media reported.
The
Sharif brothers held a meeting in London where the two talked about the next
general elections, Geo News reported citing sources.
The
brothers also agreed that the present coalition government will complete its
constitutional term.
The
Pakistan PM, who is in London to attend the state funeral of late Queen
Elizabeth II, held a three-and-a-half hours-long meeting with Nawaz Sharif and
discussed a range of issues concerning the country.
Meanwhile,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, who has repeatedly demanded the
next general election, said that he cannot wait any further and will "call
on the public" if his demands were not met.
Both
the leaders deliberated over making changes to the Punjab government during the
meeting and to that end, the name of Hamza Shehbaz, among other possible
candidates, was considered for the post of the province's chief minister,
reported Geo News citing sources.
A
discussion related to important appointments in November was also held during
the meeting, the sources said.
Despite
being present in London, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif and Minister for
Communication and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb did not participate in this
important meeting, according to Geo News.
Earlier
this month, while speaking during a public rally in Faisalabad, the former
Prime Minister had called out the government, saying that it was delaying the
elections to appoint an army chief of its own and that if a "patriotic
chief of army staff comes in, he will not spare the incumbent rulers."
Lamenting
the impact of floods in Pakistan, the former prime minister said that the 2010
floods and the current ones had caused immense devastation, particularly in
Sindh.
He
said that the economic fallout of the floods will be witnessed during the
winter season. "Tell me (...) do they have a solution? Exports are
falling, loans are rising, remittances are falling (...) your capacity to give
loans is shrinking."
Source:
Times Of India
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Saudi
confirms rollover of $3 billion deposit for one year: State Bank of Pakistan
Sep
18, 2022
ISLAMABAD:
The State Bank of Pakistan on Sunday said Saudi Arabia has confirmed the
rollover of a USD 3 billion deposit for one more year.
The
deposit was set to mature on December 5, the SBP tweeted, adding that the
amount was placed with the central bank as part of its foreign exchange
reserves.
"Saudi
Fund for Development (SFD) has confirmed a rollover of $3bn deposit maturing on
5 Dec22 for one year. Deposit is placed with SBP and is part of its forex
reserves. This reflects the continuing strong and special relationship between
KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Pakistan," the bank tweeted.
The
agreement for the deposit was originally signed in November 2021 with an aim to
improve the SBP's foreign exchange reserves.
Saudi
Arabia had agreed to revive its financial support to Pakistan in October 2021,
including about USD 3 billion in safe deposits and USD 1.2 billion worth of oil
supplies on deferred payments.
Source:
Times Of India
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Fighting
to uphold, strengthen democracy since Gen Zia’s martial law: Fazl
September
18, 2022
KARACHI:
Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)
President Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said they had been struggling to
uphold and strengthen democracy in the country since the martial law imposed by
Gen Ziaul Haq.
He
stated this while addressing a reference held to remember Sardar Attaullah
Mengal (late) and his struggle for democracy, law and justice, and Balochistan
here on Sunday.
Minister
for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch, Minister for Planning, Development
and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and others were also spoke on the occasion.
While
paying rich tributes to Attaullah Mengal, the PDM chief said they would have to
contemplate on how to make the country prosperous for the future of the young
generation. “We have to make and implement comprehensive polices irrespective
of political damages to steer the country on the path to the development and
prosperity.”
He
said some politicians played a considerable role in sapping democracy in the
country for their own gains. However, he added, the remaining politicians were
committed and serious in pulling the country out of authoritarianism and
oppression.
Maulana
said all the politicians had to work jointly for the supremacy of law and
strengthening of democracy in the country.
He
said the previous government of PTI froze the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC).
The
PDM chief said the country was experiencing an unprecedented situation of
monsoon rains and floods. The country had all resources which should be
utilized for facilitating people and protecting their rights.
Planning
Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Attaullah Mengal was a man of political wisdom, who
did politics of principals and vision.
He
said, “We have to play our part for the supremacy of the constitution, and make
the economy of the country strong and stable.”
He
said the federal government desired to solve the issue of missing persons
permanently.
The
minister also pledged to establish new universities in every district of
Balochistan.
Balochistan
National Party (BNP) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal said his father Attaullah
Mengal had struggled and rendered sacrifices all his life for democracy,
justice and Balochistan. “I am totally ineffectual if compared to the
contributions of my father to Balochistan and Pakistan.”
The
BNP chief said politics was considered a crime in the time of his father and
now it had become a fashion.
He
said that the country only could develop and prosper if institutions play their
part within their limits and jurisdictions.
Source:
Pakistan Today
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Selection
of army chief must not be politicised: Asif
Atika
Rehman
September
19, 2022
LONDON:
As speculation around the appointment of the next army chief grows, Defence
Minister Khawaja Asif told reporters in London on Sunday that the appointment
“should not be politicised as it hurts the institution”.
Mr
Asif is in London accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is in the
United Kingdom to attend the state funeral of the Queen on Monday (today), upon
the invitation of the UK government.
PM
Sharif, according to media reports, paid a visit to elder brother and PML-N
supremo Nawaz Sharif and the two discussed several issues, including the time
of general elections as well as a possible change of PTI-PML-Q coalition
government in Punjab.
The
Sharifs agreed that despite being under pressure, the PDM government would
complete its constitutional term and the next general election “should be held
at the stipulated time”.
The
meeting deliberated on removing the Punjab government, led by the opposition
PTI and PML-Q, and considered the name of Hamza Shehbaz, among other
candidates, for the post of chief minister. The matter of important
appointments due in November also came under discussion.
Shehbaz,
Nawaz discuss change in Punjab govt; agree to hold polls on ‘stipulated’ time
The
Sharifs had a three-hour meeting at Hussain Nawaz’s office in Stanhope House.
The meeting, the brothers’ second in London since Mr Shehbaz became PM, was
also attended by former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Mr Shehbaz’s son
Suleman.
According
to reports, Khawaja Asif and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum
Aurangzeb did not participate in the meeting.
In
response to a question, Khawaja Asif said: “It will be unfortunate if the army
chief’s appointment is politicised by the opposition.
“But
it doesn’t matter. As an institution, the army has its own sanctity (taqaddus),
as does the process to appoint a new chief. It should not become the subject of
debate because it hurts the institution.”
He
further said: “The chief’s loyalty is with his country and then his
institution. Army chiefs are not affiliated with any politician. His position
and personality should not be made controversial”.
Mr
Asif’s remarks were a veiled reference to the controversy stirred by the
remarks recently made by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who in an interview had hit
out at the ruling coalition by claiming they want to appoint ‘their favourite’
as chief to ‘save themselves from corruption cases’.
His
remarks were construed by the military as ‘defamatory’ and as an attempt to
undermine the army’s leadership.
“I
appeal to all politicians and the media to stop making this into a discussion.
Like in the past, two or three weeks prior to the appointment the process
starts, and the chief is appointed,” he said.
Relief
for flood survivors
Talking
to reporters, the prime minister said friendly countries were extending
assistance for the flood victims, adds APP.
He
said relief goods were being brought by aeroplanes, trains and ships, adding
that people of Pakistan were also giving donations and the federal and
provincial governments were performing their roles in relief and rehabilitation
of the flood-hit people.
The
coalition government had allocated Rs70 billion and was giving Rs25,000 each to
the affected families through the Benazir Income Support Programme, he said.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1710868/selection-of-army-chief-must-not-be-politicised-asif
--------
North
America
Somali
militia beheads insurgents after battle, witnesses say
September
18, 2022
MOGADISHU:
A government-allied Somali militia killed at least 45 Al-Shabab fighters and
beheaded some of them, three witnesses said on Sunday, as citizens in central
regions of the country increasingly take up arms against the insurgents.
The
beheadings followed a battle in the Hiran region of Hirshabelle State, where
there has been significant fighting this month between Al-Shabab and newly
expanded militias allied with the federal government.
Al-Shabab,
an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has been fighting Somalia’s weak central
government since 2006. It wants to implement a strict interpretation of Sharia
law.
Al-Shabab
has increasingly burned houses, destroyed wells, and beheaded civilians in the
Hiran region, residents say; that, combined with its demands for taxes amid the
worst drought in 40 years, has pushed more residents to take up arms.
“Al-Shabab
is not strong, it just burns people, beheads people and put their heads in the
streets just to terrorize,” said Ahmed Abdulle, a Hiran elder.
“Now,
we are doing the same: We have ordered the beheading of Al-Shabab fighters,” he
told Reuters.
Videos
widely shared on Telegram showed at least two beheaded alleged Al-Shabab
fighters and dozens more dead bodies in fatigues and red-and-white checked
scarves. Some of the dead appeared to have died in battle.
Three
witnesses to the beheadings said they were real. Seven other residents,
including Abdulle, said family members had been present and confirmed the
deaths to them.
“Al
Shabab put us in hell ... So our people decided to liberate themselves ... My
daughter is also fighting in the frontline, she has an AK-47 on her shoulder,”
resident Halima Ismail said.
Fighters
have retaken 10 villages from Al-Shabab in recent weeks, elder Hassaan Farah
said.
Residents
in nearby Galmudug state are also taking up arms.
“This
week, we have recaptured nine villages,” said Ahmed Shire, the Galmudug
information minister.
“It
is a big revolution by Galmudug state.”
On
Saturday, the federal government sent troops to reinforce Galmudug fighters,
the Somali National News Agency said.
Earlier
this month, Al-Shabab militants killed 18 civilians and destroyed food aid
trucks. In August, they killed more than 20 people in a hotel siege.
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2165036/world
--------
US
Secretary of State to meet chairman of Yemeni presidential council
19
September, 2022
US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet the Yemeni Chairman of the
Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi on Monday in New York, the
State Department said on Sunday as world dignitaries arrive for the UN General
Assembly.
Yemen
has been split by a seven-year-old war pitting an Arab coalition against the
Iran-backed Houthi militia. The Houthis largely hold the north and the
internationally-recognized government is based in the south.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
US
Muslim group presents award to Turkish first lady for her humanitarian efforts
Servet
Gunerigok
19.09.2022
NEW
YORK
Turkish
first lady Emine Erdogan received an award Sunday in New York City from a
leading Muslim coalition for her humanitarian efforts.
Erdogan
was honored with the "Outstanding Humanitarian Award" during a
ceremony organized by the US Council for Muslim Organizations, a coalition of
national, regional and local Muslim groups.
Five
more Muslim women were each given the "Outstanding Achievement Award"
for their work in science, the empowerment of women's role in society,
journalism and the COVID-19 response.
"I
am happy to be with you on the occasion of this very meaningful award ceremony.
I accept this award on behalf of my country, which is the conscience of the
world," said Erdogan in her remarks at the ceremony.
"Our
religion tells us that the best competition among people is to compete in good
deeds. In this sense, our record is full of examples of a charity race that
astonishes people," she said.
Erdogan
recalled that Türkiye continued to be the most generous nation according to the
Global Humanitarian Assistance Report 2022, saying "we have worked to be
the first ones" to reach locations to aid those in need regardless of
their religion, language or race.
She
said Türkiye is continuing its humanitarian aid not only via the bilateral
level with nations but also through the UN and disbursed $7.7 billion in aid to
122 countries including Syria, Somalia and Palestine in 2021.
Türkiye
is also working to meet the medical needs of those in need in “fragile” areas,
said Erdogan, citing hospitals built in Sudan, Somalia and Bangladesh.
"Türkiye's
humanitarian aid experience is much more than a foreign policy," she said.
Erdogan
helped national projects encourage girls' and women's education, launched
health care projects for children, women and refugees, and initiated the
"Zero Waste" project in 2017 to highlight climate change and
pollution.
The
first lady said the number of refugees in the world exceeds 100 million with
the Ukraine war, which the report marks as a "dramatic milestone."
"As
you know, our lands throughout history have been a safe haven for people
fleeing war and persecution. We have opened the doors of this shelter to our
Ukrainian brothers and sisters as well," she added.
The
first lady also traveled to Myanmar in 2012 and visited Rohingya refugee camps
in Bangladesh in 2017 despite the challenging situation back then.
Erdogan
has also been in support of women's empowerment in Africa. She visited more
than 20 African nations between 2014-2020 including Algeria, Ethiopia, Somalia
and Tanzania.
The
first lady believes that if women become stronger, then families and children
will too.
Other
Muslim awardees
Aisha
al-Adawiya, the founder of Women in Islam, Inc., an organization of Muslim
women that focuses on human rights and social justice, was awarded for her
activism in human rights and social justice. She received her award from
Erdogan.
Ayesha
Mustafaa, who has served as editor of the Muslim Journal weekly newspaper since
January 1989, was awarded for enhancing the role of women in society.
Dr.
Uzma Syed, who is chair of the COVID-19 Task Force at Good Samaritan Hospital
Medical Center in New York, received the award for her COVID-19 pandemic
response.
Tahani
Amer, the program executive for the Earth Science Division in the Science
Mission Directorate at NASA, was awarded for her contribution in science.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Türkiye
expects US's cooperation in fight against PKK/YPG, FETO: Erdogan
Servet
Gunerigok
19.09.2022
NEW
YORK
Türkiye
expects the US to act in cooperation with it in the fight against terrorist
groups such as the PKK/YPG and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO),
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday.
"We
expect our American friends to act in cooperation in our fight against the PKK,
YPG and FETO in a manner befitting the spirit of alliance," Erdogan said
at a dinner event organized by the Turkish American National Steering Committee
(TASC) at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Erdogan
said Turkish authorities have been "meticulously" working with their
US counterparts to bring FETO leader Fethullah Gulen and the group’s members to
Turkish justice.
The
president stressed that Türkiye will continue to fight against the FETO,
PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorist groups, adding: "We will remove the dark
shadow of terror from our region.”
FETO
orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Türkiye, in which 252 people
were killed and 2,734 injured.
Ankara
accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state
through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military,
police and judiciary.
-
Resolving issues between Türkiye, US
The
president said he hoped to resolve the issues between Türkiye and the US
"on the basis of common interests" while developing cooperation with
Washington.
Erdogan
said there is no issue between the US and Türkiye that can't be resolved as two
strong partners and allies for 70 years, adding that both nations are together
in NATO.
"Be
it funding, be it land forces, Türkiye is one of the top five most important
partners that provide this support" in NATO, said the Turkish president.
"Therefore, Türkiye's position should be well understood, well-known, and
decisions and steps should be taken accordingly."
Erdogan
also said that Türkiye and the US have similar stands on many regional and
global issues despite differences on issues about Ankara's national security,
adding that he and US President Joe Biden have agreed to strengthen the
friendship and cooperation between their nations.
Ukraine
war
Turning
to Russia's war in Ukraine, Erdogan said Türkiye will continue efforts to end
the war through diplomacy and eliminate its regional and global impacts.
"The
Istanbul Agreement, which was achieved as a result of our efforts with the UN
to export Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea, is the most concrete example of
these efforts," said the Turkish president.
"We
want to translate the positive climate we have achieved here into a cease-fire
and then lasting peace," he added.
Türkiye,
the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume
grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which were paused after the
Russia-Ukraine war began.
-
Hatred against Muslims
The
president noted that there has been an increase in hate speech, Islamophobia
and prejudices against Muslims around the world, saying the Turkish-American
community and Muslim Americans are sometimes subjected to such attacks.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
South
Asia
Foreign
Exchange Auction; Taliban Sells $11 Million
By
Saqalain Eqbal
18
Sep 2022
The
Taliban-run Central Bank of Afghanistan stated that an auction to sell $11
million will take place on Sunday.
The
Central Bank of the caretaker government of the Taliban has scheduled an
auction for Sunday, September 18, to sell roughly 11 million dollars in order
to retain the Afghani currency’s purchasing power relative to the US dollar.
Banks,
money exchange dealers, and other competent parties, including licensed money
services organizations, are invited to take part in the auction, according to a
statement from the Central Bank of Afghanistan, also known as Da Afghanistan
Bank (DAB).
The
auction winners’ obligation to settle their accounts is also highlighted in the
statement of DAB.
Dollar
packages were previously auctioned for sale as a result of the Afghani
currency’s prior depreciation against the dollar, and for the past year since
the dollar was introduced injected into the market, the dollar rate has
remained largely balanced.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/foreign-exchange-auction-taliban-sells-11-million-57478/
--------
The
Taliban, US exchange prisoners: Acting foreign minister
19
September, 2022
The
Taliban’s acting foreign minister on Monday said the group had released
American engineer Mark Frerichs in exchange for the US freeing a senior Taliban
figure on Monday.
Acting
foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told journalists at a media conference in
Kabul that they had exchanged Frerichs at Kabul Airport on Monday morning and
in return received Haji Bashir Noorzai, who had been held for decades in US
custody after facing drug charges.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/19/The-Taliban-US-exchange-prisoners
--------
Afghanistan
sees sharp rise in deaths as Taliban struggle to take on ISIS, NRF
Sep
17, 2022
With
both the principal challengers to the Taliban regime – the National Resistance
Front (NRF) and Islamic State-Khorasan Province (Da’esh) – intensifying
operations, the security situation deteriorated through August in Afghanistan.
Despite the Taliban's claims that Da’esh does not physically exist in
Afghanistan and does not pose a threat, the group had claimed responsibility
for deadly attacks on mosques, schools, and cars.
Since
the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August, the country has been mired
in violence. The adverse situation is likely to persist as there have been no
signs of the Taliban consolidating its dominance in the near future.
According
to the data, Afghanistan recorded 366 terrorism-linked fatalities in August,
registering a sharp increase of 50 per cent from 244 in July. There were 367
deaths in June and 391 in May. Thus, after registering a drop for two
consecutive months, overall fatalities increased again in August. This cyclical
trend has continued since March 2020, although there has been a significant
diminution since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
There
were 77 civilian fatalities in August as against 68 in July, up 13.23 per cent.
On August 17, at least 21 persons, including a prominent cleric Mullah Amir
Mohammad Kabuli, were killed and another 33 were injured in a suicide attack at
Abu Bakar Mosque located in the Kher Khanna neighbourhood of police
district-17, Kabul city. The attack was not claimed by any group, but bore
strong Da’esh signatures. The spike in fatalities is largely accounted for the
losses suffered by the Taliban on the ground.
The
internal rift within the Taliban continues to hurt the regime in its struggle
for consolidation and its fight against domestic adversaries. On August 27,
three Taliban members were killed due to internal conflict in the Tala Wa
Barfak District, Baghlan Province. On August 21, one person was killed and one
injured as a result of internal strife within the Taliban in Panjshir Province.
On August 17, the Afghan ministry of defence claimed to have killed Hazara
fugitive rebel commander Maulvi Mehdi Mujahid, who had split from the Taliban
and launched a Hazara resistance in Balkhab district, Sar-e Pul Province.
National
Resistance Front expanded operations
On
August 26, urging Afghans to unite against the Taliban, National Resistance
Front commander Khalid Amiri said protesting only in virtual space would not
end the Taliban’s rule. He added that the Taliban were a terrorist organisation
and criticism and condemnation were not enough to stop its oppression. He
supported sanctions against the Taliban, for regional and international
security.
The
head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, Ali
Maisam Nazary, asserted that the front’s operations had expanded over the past
year and the group was currently fighting against the Taliban in six provinces
of the country, with 4,000 well-equipped and trained forces. These provinces
were Panjshir, Kapisa, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Takhar and Parwan.
Da’esh
killed 45 Taliban fighters in 12 attacks
In
August, Da’esh claimed 12 attacks killing 45 and injuring 120 Taliban
fighters/Shia minorities in Kabul, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Between
January 1 and August 30, Da’esh has claimed 130 attacks in Afghanistan.
In
the propaganda domain, Da’esh released a number of publications, continuing
with its rhetoric against the Taliban, Pakistan, China, and India, as well as
other neighbouring and regional countries cooperating with the Taliban.
On
August 7, Da’esh published the 2nd Persian edition of a book titled
“Characteristics of Khwariji Taliban” highlighting the differences between the
Islamic State and the Taliban. The book underlined that the Taliban, by
introducing ‘un-Islamic and Shia practices’ in Afghanistan, were the real
Khawarij (renegades) and, since the Taliban were protecting countries like
Pakistan, Iran and India, it was necessary to counter the regime in
Afghanistan. Da’esh also claimed to be on the “right side”, as it had launched
attacks against Shias and “infidel” countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
US
refused to release foreign reserves
Citing
the lack of confidence in safeguards and monitoring to manage assets
responsibly, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West
disclosed on August 15 that the Joe Biden administration had decided not to
release any of the USD 7 billion of Afghan foreign reserves. It has also
decided to suspend talks with the Taliban over the funds after the killing of
al Qaeda leader Zawahiri in Kabul.
On
August 28, Afghan Taliban's minister of defence Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob said American
drones were entering Afghanistan's airspace from Pakistan.
Meanwhile,
UNSC members failed to reach a consensus over extending the exemption to the
travel ban on proscribed Taliban leaders. The failure of the Taliban to form an
inclusive government, restore women’s rights and allow girls’ education, were
cited by some members as reasons for not extending the exemption. The Taliban
reacted strongly and warned the west against violating the ‘Doha Agreement’.
Crackdown
on women continues
Source:
Hindustan Times
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Rohingya
killing near Bangladesh-Myanmar border raises Dhaka security concerns
September
18, 2022
DHAKA:
A series of violent incidents near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border has turned
deadly with at least one Rohingya teenager killed, as Dhaka summoned Myanmar’s
ambassador on Sunday amid rising security concerns.
Although
Bangladesh is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, the country
has been hosting and providing humanitarian support to 1.2 million Rohingya
people, most of whom fled neighboring Myanmar during a military crackdown in
2017.
A
majority of the refugees live in Cox’s Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh,
but around 5,000 people have been staying in a makeshift camp on a strip dubbed
no-man’s land on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, also known as Zero Point.
The
teenager was killed on Friday night, Bangladeshi officials said, making it the
first recorded fatality in Bangladesh following a series of violent incidents
over the last month that have involved mortar shells being fired from Myanmar.
“We
have already beefed up the patrolling and intelligence activities across the
border with Myanmar,” Lt. Col. Faizur Rahman, Border Guard Bangladesh
operations director, told Arab News.
“We
have sent a strong protest over the latest situation in the border areas.
Measures have been taken on the diplomatic front also to send strong protest in
this regard.”
Rahman
said border guards in Myanmar were carrying out an investigation to find out
the source of the shells.
“We
know that fights are going on there against the separatist groups,” Rahman
added. “Now it’s their responsibility to get information about that and to take
care of it.”
Naypyidaw’s
envoy to Dhaka has so far been summoned four times in recent weeks over the
border incidents, which have stoked fear among the Rohingya in the area.
“We
are all in a frightening situation,” Dil Mohammed, a Rohingya leader in
no-man’s land, told Arab News.
He
said the sound of mortar shells exploding had occurred regularly, adding that
the incident on Friday had also injured at least five people from his
community. “Now we are afraid that the situation may get worse at any moment.”
Salma
Ferdous, the administrative head of Naikhongchari region near the
Bangladesh-Myanmar border, described the situation as tense.
“People
are panicking over there and afraid of leaving their homes due to the mortar
shelling from the other side of the border,” she said.
For
years, the Rohingyas have been caught in the crossfire between Myanmar’s
military and the Arakan Army, an armed group fighting for self-determination
for ethnic minorities in Rakhine state.
Though
an informal ceasefire was introduced in late 2020 after intense fighting that
began in 2018, the International Crisis Group warned in June that “rising
tensions” between the two parties “may lead to renewed combat.”
Retired
air commodore and security analyst Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, who is based in
Dhaka, told Arab News: “We are naturally worried.”
He
said there was potential for more conflict that could pose “a threat to
Bangladesh” unless the international community “urges the Myanmar government to
ensure a peaceful situation inside their border and also ensure the rights of
the smaller minorities.”
Choudhury
pointed out that Dhaka must not only strengthen its border security but make a
show of forces, such as conducting exercises close to the border.
“We
can show that beside diplomatic efforts we are also worried about our
security,” he added.
The
conflict near the border and the Rohingya people caught at its midst is an “old
problem” that has been ongoing for a long time, retired major general and
security analyst, Helal Morshed Khan, told Arab News.
“The
Rohingya people are depressed, they are suppressed, they are deprived by the
overall policy created by the Myanmar government,” Khan said. “As a result,
just like anywhere else, suppressed people fight it out, and they do have their
own armed group.”
Khan
noted that any solution for the situation must consider their depression and
suppression, adding that the possibility of the fighting escalating near the
border would depend on the “Rohingya freedom fighters.”
Source:
Arab News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2164906/world
--------
Taliban
to ban TikTok and Pubg apps in Afghanistan
18
Sep 2022
Taliban
is going to ban TikTok and Pubg applications in Afghanistan within next 3
months times, the Ministry of Telecommunication announced on Saturday.
The
Ministry of Telecommunication in a meeting with the representatives of the
security sector and a representative from the Sharia law enforcement
administration has decided to ban both TikTok and Pubg applications in
Afghanistan within a 90 days period of time.
According
to the decision made in the meeting, TikTok must be banned within a month time
from now and Pubg should be banned within next 90 days.
The
decision has been shared with the telecommunication and internet service
providers across the country to implement it within the announced schedule.
Afghanistan
is the 3rd country after Pakistan and India that is going to ban Pubg, a
popular gaming application.
Pubg
is a battleground online gaming application with the most players around the
world among the children and teenagers.
Studies
and surveys indicated that most users of TikToks are girls and most users of
Pubg are boys.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/taliban-to-ban-tiktok-and-pubg-apps-in-afghanistan-87943/
--------
Afghan
Envoy at UN Signs Condolence Book for Late British Queen
By
Saqalain Eqbal
18
Sep 2022
At
the UN headquarters, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the Chargé d’Affaires of Afghanistan’s
Permanent Mission, signed the book of condolence for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth
on behalf of the Afghan people.
He
tweeted on Sunday, September 18, that he had extended his sympathies and
condolences to the British royal family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Britain’s
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday, September 8th, and f ollowing the
news of her passing, world leaders released statements in which they offered
their sympathies to the British royal family and the country’s people.
The
late British Queen’s body will be visited by world leaders today in London, the
capital of England, as they pay their respects.
Queen
Elizabeth II’s burial is scheduled for Monday and is expected to draw hundreds
of world dignitaries, including presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens,
emirs, and others.
Only
six countries are not the Queen’s funeral guest list in any capacity:
Venezuela, which does not have diplomatic ties with the UK, Afghanistan, which
is currently ruled by the Taliban, Myanmar, where the military seized power in
a coup last year.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-envoy-at-un-signs-condolence-book-for-late-british-queen-67548/
--------
Southeast
Asia
What
rakyat want: ILHAM Center focuses on Malay Muslim wishes
19
Sep 2022
THE
inaugural collaboration of three research firms with five of the country's
leading media organisations to conduct the “Suara Rakyat Malaysia Menuju PRU15”
(Malaysian Voices: On the Road to GE15) survey is a good starting point in
sharing people’s feedback and other findings on the 15th General Election
(GE15).
ILHAM
Centre's executive director Hisommudin Bakar says the centre is very pleased to
have the opportunity to be directly involved in the collaboration, which will
reveal the true wishes and hopes of voters for GE15.
"This
is the first time we have been involved in a project of this kind. It is also
the first time in history that three research firms are working directly with
the media, unlike before when many studies were done individually among research
firms," Hisommudin tells Sinar Premium.
The
survey is a collaboration between Media in Arms – an alliance of five media
organisations – and three research firms: Ilham Centre, Centre for Malaysian
Chinese Studies and O2 Research.
Media
in Arms comprises Star Media Group’s English daily The Star, Chinese newspaper
Sin Chew Daily, Malay daily Sinar Harian, local news broadcaster Astro Awani
and Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban, which teamed up to offer readers diversified
and in-depth content.
This
multilingual, multi-platform and reader-focused initiative aims at examining
the opinions of Malaysians regarding the coming GE15.
Each
research firm will conduct the survey with its own methodology – via online or
face-to-face interviews – from Sept 19 to
Oct
9.
According
to Hisommuddin, the three research firms involved are also focusing on specific
segments of the population for the survey.
"We
at the ILHAM Center were given the task of researching the sentiments and hopes
of the Muslim Malay voters in particular: What they want in politics and a
better future for Malaysia.
"Similarly,
O2 Research and the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies have their own target
segments.
"These
segments are specific and more in-depth, and if all of them are connected and
publicised through the five media organisations involved, it will definitely
have the best impact, especially in raising the awareness of voters on playing
their role and fulfilling their rights in the country's democratic
process," he adds.
He
explains that the ILHAM Center has maintained the conventional methodology in
conducting “Suara Rakyat Malaysia Menuju PRU15” survey, which is to use survey
forms and face-to-face interviews with respondents.
"There
are research firms that use a hybrid methodology and are completely online, but
we at ILHAM Center continue to use face-to-face research methods in the field
and the sample of this survey will be taken in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and
Sarawak.
"We
are targeting around 1,500 to 1,800 samples throughout Malaysia to represent
the findings and make accurate readings of the ground," he says, adding
that the presentation of the results of the survey is expected to be completed
on Oct 15.
Regarding
the set of questions that will be asked in the survey, Hisommudin said, in
general, the three research firms share the same set of questions apart from
some specific segments or their respective niche focus.
"The
objective of this survey is for us to see and unearth what are actually the
sentiments and true wishes of the voters towards politicians, political
parties, the national system, the economic system... What issues need to be
resolved, need to be made into policies and policies to fulfill their wishes.
Source:
The Star
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
A
GTA-led government will reflect Malaysia's multicultural society, says Dr M
19
Sep 2022
PETALING
JAYA: Should the newly-launched Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition win the
upcoming general election, the government it establishes will reflect
Malaysia's multiracial society, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic).
The
Parti Pejuang Tanah Air chairman and GTA head said although its membership is
limited to Malays, it will be fair to all races.
"GTA
has been established for voters, especially Malays.
"People
who are tired of politics and the instability of the country since the Sheraton
Move will be able to choose a Malay party other than Umno," he said in a
statement on Monday (Sept 19).
Dr
Mahathir added that politicians in GTA have never been charged in court or been
in jail before.
"GTA
also has many experienced leaders and intends to establish an independent
government that respects the rule of law and the Federal Constitution," he
said.
Dr
Mahathir also said many Malaysians are tired of politics and not interested in
voting.
However,
he claimed that if they do not come out to vote, those who will make trips to
voting booths will be mostly those who have been paid off by the corrupt.
"The
effect is that the corrupt party will win. If that party becomes the
government, the damage to the country will continue," he added
He
also said that there was poor voter turnout for the Melaka and Johor state
polls, with 50% not voting.
"The
problem is that voters who reject bribes have no choice... voters need to have
an option other than what is available," he said.
In
August, Dr Mahathir announced the new political movement, which will have an
exclusively Malay membership.
GTA
plans to field candidates in 120 seats, with its main focus on Malay-majority
seats in the peninsula.
Source:
The Star
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
AGC
appeals Maria Chin’s leave to challenge shariah proceedings
September
15, 2022
KUALA
LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has filed an appeal against the
High Court’s decision to allow Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah to
challenge the Shariah High Court’s decision over the committal proceedings
against her.
The
contempt proceedings was brought against Maria for her criticism of the Shariah
High Court’s decision in imposing a jail term on Emilia Hanafi, who is the
former wife of businessman SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin.
The
AGC filed the notice in the Court of Appeal on Sept 9 because it was not
satisfied with the High Court’s overall decision on Aug 22.
Senior
federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly, who represented the AGC, confirmed the
matter.
On
Aug 22, judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh allowed Maria’s leave application for
a judicial review after ruling that she had not challenged any part of the
Islamic law that falls within the jurisdiction of the shariah court but she was
challenging the jurisdiction of the court over the committal proceedings
against her.
The
application to initiate the committal proceedings was filed by SM Faisal
following Maria’s comment which questioned the court’s decision in imposing a
seven-day jail sentence on his ex-wife for rescheduling the visitation rights
given to him.
Meanwhile,
SM Faisal’s lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader, when contacted said during the online
case management today, the court set Nov 2 to hear his client’s application to
intervene in the judicial review.
Maria,
65, filed the application on March 3 last year, naming religious affairs
minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious
Council (MAIWP) and federal territory shariah judiciary department as the first
to third respondents.
Maria,
among other things, applied for the High Court to quash the action and decision
of the Shariah High Court on Oct 14, 2019, which she claimed had wrongly
allowed the committal order and for a show cause notice to be issued on her, as
it was against the provisions of the Federal Constitution and violated Rule 52 of
the Rules of Court 2012 and the Syariah Court Civil Procedure (Federal
Territories) Act 1998.
On
Dec 4, 2020, Maria was ordered to show cause in the committal proceedings as to
why she should not be charged with contempt of court for criticising the Shariah
High Court’s decision.
Source:
Free Malaysia Today
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab
World
Kurdish
forces end 3-month operation against ISIS supporters in Syria’s al-Hol camp
17 September,
2022
Kurdish
forces in northeast Syria on Saturday announced the end of a three-week
operation against ISIS supporters inside the overcrowded and increasingly
lawless camp of al-Hol.
They
arrested more than 200 people, including dozens of women, discovered tunnels
used by extremists and seized an arsenal of weapons.
The
internal security forces of the area’s semi-autonomous Kurdish administration
carried out the massive sweep of the camp, which houses tens of thousands of
relatives of suspected ISIS members.
The
number of murders inside the camp had risen recently, as had fears that al-Hol
was becoming the hub from which the terrorist organization was planning its
resurgence.
“The
operation was launched following the increasing crimes of killing and torture
committed by ISIS,” a Kurdish statement said.
The
UN says more than 100 people have been murdered since the start of 2021 in
al-Hol, which lies in a remote area near the border with Iraq and is home to
Syrian and Iraqi families, as well as around 10,000 of others, mostly women and
children, originating from further afield.
The
Kurdish security forces said ISIS had relied heavily on women and children in
al-Hol, most of whom had been there for more than three years, to spread the
group’s extremist ideology.
The
last rump of the organization’s once-sprawling governate was retaken in March
2019.
The
families of suspected ISIS fighters were herded into al-Hol, a detention camp
which Kurdish forces are tasked with guarding and running.
Many
countries, such as France which was among the biggest purveyors of foreign
fighters to ISIS, have been reluctant to repatriate their citizens.
Kurdish
forces said they made a total of 226 arrests, uncovered 25 “tunnels and
trenches,” confiscated assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade and 25 hand
grenades.
The
internal security forces also said they freed two women from Iraq’s Yazidi
minority who were being held by female ISIS followers inside the camp, as well
as four other women who were found chained.
Among
the other discoveries were many communication devices used to coordinate with
ISIS cells outside al-Hol, organize money transfers and plan attacks, the
statement said.
The
Kurdish authorities reiterated their call on foreign countries to repatriate
their nationals, arguing the world had “underestimated the seriousness of the
threats in the camp.”
“We
also call on the relevant international parties to note the organic
relationship between the Turkish intelligence services and ISIS cells,” it
said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Turkey
strikes Syria regime outpost, kills three: War monitor
18
September, 2022
Turkish
raids in northern Syria on Sunday struck outposts operated by the Syrian army
and Kurdish-led forces, killing three, a Britain-based war monitor said.
The
raids near the Kurdish-held border town of Kobane targeted positions of the
Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said.
The
three casualties were wearing Syrian army uniform, according to the monitor.
Several
other fighters were wounded, some in critical condition, according to the
Observatory, which relies on a wide network of sources inside Syria.
The
strikes were preceded by cross-border shelling from near Kobane against Turkish
forces, according to the monitor.
Last
month, the Syrian government said it would respond to direct attacks by Turkey
against its forces.
The
warning came after a Turkish raid on a regime outpost near Kobane killed at
least three troops in mid-August, according to the official SANA news agency.
Turkey
has launched a series of cross-border offensives targeting Kurdish forces and
the ISIS terrorist group since 2016, but such operations have rarely resulted
in the killing of Syrian regime fighters.
Ankara
has stepped up its attacks in Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria since a July 19
summit with Iran and Russia failed to green-light a fresh offensive against
Kurdish fighters viewed by Ankara as terrorists.
Regime
forces have deployed in areas controlled by Kurdish fighters near the border
with Turkey as part of agreements intended to stem a fresh Turkish operation.
Last
week, the UN’s Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria said that “another
Turkish ground operation” remains a threat in Syria’s north, amid “continued
mobilization and fighting” between Turkish and Turkish-backed forces and
Kurdish-led opponents.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Dubai
ruler Sheikh Mohammed meets King Charles at Buckingham Palace in London
19
September, 2022
Dubai
ruler and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
met with Britain’s King Charles on Sunday to offer condolences on the passing
of Queen Elizabeth.
The
leaders met at Buckingham Palace in London and Sheikh Mohammed paid his
respects on behalf of the UAE, highlighting the significant role the monarch
played in supporting and consolidating the strong historic ties between the
United Kingdom and the UAE.
“Today,
I met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. We conveyed the condolences of the
people of the United Arab Emirates on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and
their wishes for success in his new royal duties, and the continued wishes of
the British people for progress and prosperity,” the Dubai ruler tweeted late
Sunday.
Sheikh
Mohammed also expressed the hope that the relationship between the two
countries will continue to grow deeper and stronger in the years ahead to serve
the peoples of both countries as well as to strengthen regional and
international peace, security and stability, the official Emirates News Agency
WAM reported on Monday.
The
UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also spoke with King Charles on the
phone on Sunday during which he congratulated the monarch on his ascension to
the throne, wishing him success in his duties as king.
Since
Queen Elizabeth’s passing earlier this month, hundreds of thousands of people
from across the world have traveled to London to pay their respects to the late
Queen at her lying-in-state in Westminster Hall, London.
Several
mourners waited in a queue for over 24 hours to pay their respects.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Russian
jets strike terrorist positions in Syria’s militant-held Idlib region: Defence
ministry
19
September 2022
The
Russian Defense Ministry says the country’s fighter jets have carried out a
series of airstrikes on the positions of the members of the Takfiri Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist outfit in Syria’s northwestern province of
Idlib, killing dozens of terrorists in the process.
Deputy
head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, Major General Oleg
Yegorov, said the air attacks destroyed three camps of the terrorists in Sheikh
Yousef village, which lies in the Armanaz sub-district of the province.
He
added that weapons depots and warehouses of the militants were destroyed as a
result. More than 45 militants, including field commanders Bilal Saeed and Abu
Dujan al-Diri, were also killed.
Yegorov
noted that the slain terrorists were involved in attacks on Syrian troops and
civilians in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
They
also took part in organized terrorist attacks on government-controlled
territories across Syria.
The
development took place more than a week after Russian fighter jets killed the
leader of the so-called Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad terrorist group, Sirajuddin
Mukhtarov, in an airstrike against a militant camp in Idlib province on
September 8.
Yegorov
said at the time that Mukhtarov was responsible for organizing terror attacks
on Syrian government forces and civil infrastructure facilities.
He
added that more than 20 high-ranking HTS terrorists were also killed in the
aerial attack.
Yegorov
noted that the terrorists were in charge of “combat training of militants, and
organizing the financial and administrative activities” of their comrades.
Russia
has been providing Syrian forces with crucial military assistance in the
ongoing battles against militants across the conflict-plagued Arab country.
Source:
Press TV
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Biggest
illegal US military base in Syria comes under intense rocket attack: Reports
18
September 2022
The
US's biggest illegal military base in Syria has come under rocket attack, hours
after another installation housing American forces was similarly targeted with
projectiles.
Syria's
al-Watan daily reported the attack on Sunday, identifying the target as the
US's outpost in the al-Omar Oilfield in the eastern Syrian Province of Dayr
al-Zawr. The paper said the incident saw multiple rockets being fired against
the facility.
Columns
of smoke and fire began to billow from the base following the attack, the daily
said, adding that American copters were seen loitering over the outpost in the
immediate aftermath of the attack.
Reporting
from the area, a correspondent with the Russian Sputnik news agency's Arabic
service described the rocket fire as "the most intense" attack to
ever target the facility.
The
rockets struck sensitive spots across the outpost, the reporter said, noting
that several massive explosions had rung out throughout the installation during
the incident.
The
US forces have been actively involved in Syria under the guise of fighting the
Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh.
Washington
has extended the troops' presence in Syria since 2017, although, the Arab
country and its allies defeated the terror outfit that year.
Numerous
reports and regional officials have, meanwhile, pointed to the US’s role in
transferring Daesh's elements throughout the region and even airlifting
supplies to the group.
The
US military has stationed forces and equipment in northeastern Syria, with the
Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in
the area from falling into the hands of Daesh's remnants.
Damascus,
however, maintains that the deployment is aimed at plundering the country's
rich oil and mineral resources, and says it reserves the right to expel the
American troops through appropriate means.
Earlier
in the day, rockets were fired against a military facility housing US
occupation forces in the Hasakah Province, which neighbors Dayr al-Zawr,
Sabereen News, a Telegram news channel associated with Iraqi anti-terror
forces, reported.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/18/689453/Syria-United-States-base-attack
--------
Mideast
Yemen
separatists seize al-Qaeda stronghold in Abyan
Shukri
Hussein
18.09.2022
SANAA,
Yemen
Yemen’s
separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) said Sunday its forces captured
a major stronghold for al-Qaeda terrorists in the southern Abyan province.
STC
spokesman Mohammad al-Naqeeb said southern forces brought under control
al-Qaeda stronghold in Mudiyah district, east of the provincial capital
Zinjibar.
He
said the camp was used by al-Qaeda terrorists to launch attacks in Zinjibar
city.
Al-Naqeeb
said two STC soldiers, including a senior commander, were killed during the
attack to seize the camp.
On
September 6, at least 22 soldiers from the STC-affiliated Security Belt Forces
were killed in an attack by al-Qaeda terrorists in Abyan. Following the attack,
STC forces launched a military operation to cleanse Abyan from terrorist
organizations.
Military
headquarters in Abyan come under frequent attacks, usually attributed to
al-Qaeda, which is active in the mountainous areas on the outskirts of Ahwar
and Al-Mahfad districts, east of Zinjibar city.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-separatists-seize-al-qaeda-stronghold-in-abyan/2688206
--------
Hamas:
Palestinians must keep firm on Israel’s settlement expansion
18
September 2022
Hamas
has called on the Palestinians to ramp up resistance against the Israeli
occupation and stand up to the regime’s forces and settlers by all means available
to fight settlement expansion.
Fawzi
Barhoum, the spokesman of the resistance movement, said in a statement on
Sunday that the Tel Aviv regime had fenced a large swath of land in Khirbet
Ihmir in the Jordan Valley community of al-Farisiya to “annex the area to be
later used for colonial settlement expansion.”
“Such
a move is a crime added to the repeated Israeli violations against the
Palestinian lands, people, and holy sites,” the Hamas official said.
Barhoum
said the regime’s “non-stop policy of displacement and ethnic cleansing of the
Palestinian people will not succeed in wiping out the historical features of
Palestine. Neither will it deter our people from continuing their freedom
struggle until liberation and return.”
The
Israeli regime continues to press ahead with its settlement expansion and land
grab policies across the occupied Palestinian territories despite international
outcry.
Most
of the international community considers Israeli settlement construction
illegal under international law.
Nearly
700,000 Israelis live in illegal settlements built since the 1967 occupation of
the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds.
The
UN Security Council has in several resolutions condemned the regime’s
settlement projects on the occupied Palestinian land.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/18/689451/Palestine-Israel-Hamas-settlement-Khirbet-Ihmir-
--------
Turkey’s
Erdogan targets joining of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Media
17
September, 2022
President
Tayyip Erdogan said he was targeting membership of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) for NATO-member Turkey, broadcaster NTV and other media said
on Saturday.
He
was speaking to reporters after attending the SCO summit in Uzbekistan before
heading to the United States.
“Our
relations with these countries will be moved to a much different position with
this step,” Erdogan said.
When
asked if he meant membership of the SCO, he said, “Of course, that’s the
target.”
Turkey
is currently a dialogue partner of the SCO, whose members are China, Russia,
India, Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Amid
bilateral discussions at the summit, Erdogan had talks with Russian President
Vladimir Putin and Erdogan said Turkey and Russia had reached a deal resolving
a dispute over a nuclear power plant being built at Akkuyu in southern Turkey.
NTV
reported Erdogan as saying that the Turkish contractor IC Ictas had been
reinstated in the project, confirming comments by two sources to Reuters on
Friday.
Last
month, the Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, which is running the
project, terminated its contract with IC Ictas over what it called “numerous
violations.”
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Human
Rights Chief: Iran Seriously Following Up UN Rapporteur Report on Impacts of US
Sanctions
2022-September-18
Qaribabadi
explained the importance of Douhan’s report on the effects of unilateral US
sanctions on the Iranian people.
He
noted that the UN special rapporteur has clearly stated that unilateral
sanctions have affected the Iranian people’s political, social, economic and
human rights aspects and have created international responsibility for
sanctions.
The
judiciary official emphasized that Iran will seriously follow up the results of
Douhan’s report so that the destructive and negative effects of sanctions on
the people of Iran are truly expressed.
Douhan
has recently confirmed in a report the negative impacts of harsh sanctions on
the Iranian people, and invited the UN to come up with mechanisms of
compensation, remedy and redress for victims of the unilateral coercive
measures (UCMs).
Douhan
paid an 11-day visit to Iran in May, meeting with the country's human rights
officials and members of nongovernmental organizations. The visit was aimed at
gathering information on the impact of sanctions in order to hold countries
imposing such unilateral measures to account.
In
2018, the United States began to unilaterally reimpose sanctions against Iran
after former President Donald Trump's administration abandoned the 2015 nuclear
agreement and launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against
Tehran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever”
sanctions.
Washington
has insisted that sanctions on Tehran do not affect the trade of humanitarian
items and food. However, strict bans on banking transactions involving Iran
have made it impossible for the country to access critically needed medicine
and medical equipment over the past years.
Iranian
authorities say the Unite States has been bullying companies in Europe and
other parts of the world to make them stop trading with Tehran.
Source:
Fars News Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iranian
police say death of Mahsa Amini was ‘unfortunate’
19
September, 2022
Iranian
police called on Monday the death of Mahsa Amini an “unfortunate incident” that
they do not want to see repeated, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Amini
was a 22 year-old woman who fell into a coma and died following her arrest in
Tehran by the morality police last week, sparking protests across the country
by Iranians angered by the treatment of women by the country’s security forces.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran’s
President Raisi repeats call for nuclear deal guarantees ahead of UN visit
19
September, 2022
Tehran
would be serious about reviving a deal on its nuclear program if there were
guarantees the US would not again withdraw from it, Iranian President Ebrahim
Raisi said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Last
month, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran needed stronger guarantees from
Washington for the revival of the 2015 deal and urged the UN atomic watchdog to
drop its “politically motivated probes” of Tehran’s nuclear work.
Speaking
to the CBS show 60 Minutes in a interview conducted last Tuesday, Raisi said,
“If it’s a good deal and fair deal, we would be serious about reaching an
agreement.”
In
his remarks ahead of a visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York
this week, Raisi added, “It needs to be lasting. There need to be guarantees.
If there were a guarantee, then the Americans could not withdraw from the
deal.”
He
said the Americans had broken their promises on the deal, under which Tehran
had restrained its nuclear program in exchange for relief from US, European
Union and UN economic sanctions.
“They
did it unilaterally. They said that, ‘I am out of the deal.’ Now making
promises is becoming meaningless,” he said.
“We
cannot trust the Americans because of the behavior that we have already seen
from them. That is why if there is no guarantee, there is no trust.”
The
US network described the interview with journalist Lesley Stahl as Raisi’s
first with a Western reporter.
“I
was told how to dress, not to sit before he did, and not to interrupt him,”
Stahl said.
During
months of talks with Washington in Vienna, Tehran demanded US assurances that
no future US president would abandon the deal as former President Donald Trump
did in 2018.
The
deal appeared near revival in March.
But
indirect talks between Tehran and Washington then broke down over several
issues, including Tehran’s insistence that the International Atomic Energy
Agency close its investigation into uranium traces found at three undeclared
sites before the pact is revived.
There
has been no sign that Tehran and Washington will manage to overcome their
impasse but Iran is expected to use the UN General Assembly to keep the
diplomatic ball rolling by repeating its willingness to reach a sustainable
deal.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Iran’s
Khamenei appears in public after reports of ‘critical’ health
17
September, 2022
Iran’s
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attended a religious ceremony in Tehran on
Saturday, state media reported, making his first public appearance following
reports about his health situation.
The
supreme leader’s website released photos of him walking and waving to the
crowd.
On
Friday, citing unnamed sources, the New York Times reported that Khamenei underwent
surgery last week after falling “gravely ill.”
Khamenei
“had surgery some time last week for bowel obstruction after suffering extreme
stomach pains and high fever,” the NYT reported.
Khamenei’s
condition was considered “critical last week, but has improved, and he is
currently resting,” the report said, adding: “His doctors are monitoring him
around the clock and remain concerned that he is still too weak to even sit up
in bed.”
Iranian
authorities did not comment on the report.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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--------
Abbas
to use UN speech to rally support for Mideast peacemaking
Awad
al-Rujoub
18.09.2022
RAMALLAH,
Palestine
Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the 77th session of the UN General
Assembly on Friday to rally support for the Middle East peacemaking, the
country’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
"Abbas'
speech will constitute an important historic landmark on the road to thwart and
topple the expansionist colonial plans of the occupying state and its denial of
the just and legitimate national rights of our people," the ministry said
in a statement.
It
said the Palestinian leader will urge the international community "not to
miss the peace opportunity" for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict.
The
ministry called for compelling Israel "to engage in real peace process
leading to an end of the occupation of the land" of Palestine.
In
1993, the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel signed
the Oslo agreement, which gave Palestinians a form of civil rule, but
negotiations failed to complete the agreement and lead to a Palestinian state.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
26
PKK/YPG terrorists neutralized within, beyond Türkiye’s borders
Ahmet
Gencturk and Merve Berker
18.09.2022
Türkiye
"neutralized" 26 PKK/YPG terrorists within and beyond the country’s
borders, sources and officials said on Sunday.
In
two separate drone strikes carried out by the National Intelligence
Organization (MIT) in northern Syria, at least five terrorists, including
senior operative Mehmet Gurbuz who was wanted with a red notice, were
“neutralized,” said the sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on
speaking to the media.
In
another successful operation, two of the three terrorists cornered by police
special forces were neutralized in the Yuksekova district of Türkiye's Hakkari
province, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted.
Another
terrorist, who was trying to escape from the scene, was held, he added.
Meanwhile,
the National Defense Ministry said in a statement that seven more terrorists
were "neutralized" in operations Claw-Lock and Claw-Tiger zones in
northern Iraq.
Türkiye
launched Operation Claw-Lock in April to target PKK terrorist hideouts in
northern Iraq's Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions, near the Turkish
border.
It
was initiated after Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle to root out terrorists
hiding in northern Iraq and plotting cross-border attacks in Türkiye.
Separately,
Turkish forces targeted 12 PKK terrorists in Türkiye's southern regions of
Sanliurfa and Suruc in an anti-terror operation, the ministry said.
Unfortunately,
during the operation, Turkish soldier Ismet Aybek was killed, while another got
injured.
The
ministry expressed condolences to Aybek’s family, Turkish forces and the
nation, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded personnel.
Turkish
authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question
surrendered or were killed or wounded.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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--------
108
Yemenis killed by mines, cluster bombs, other war remnants since truce: Report
19
September 2022
A report
says at least 108 Yemeni civilians have been killed by landmines, cluster
bombs, and other fatal remnants of the Saudi-led war since April, when a
UN-brokered truce came into effect in the impoverished Arab country.
The
Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC), a human rights body based in the
capital Sana'a, provided the information on Sunday.
As
many as 216 others, it added, had also been wounded during the period by the
same causes.
The
coalition invaded Yemen in March 2015 to return a Riyadh-friendly government
back to power. It has fallen short of the objective so far, while killing
around 13,000 Yemenis and creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The
United Nations-mediated ceasefire came into force on April 2, and has been
extended twice ever since. Many reports, though, have blamed the invading
coalition for numerous violations of the agreement.
The
YEMAC said Yemen was in need of proper supplies that could help it carry out
bomb disposal operations throughout the country.
The
truce has ordered that the Yemeni authorities be provided with the required
means that could help them dig up the unexploded devices. The Saudi-led
coalition was, however, preventing their provision amid an all-out siege that
it has been enforcing on Yemen since starting the war in 2015, the report
added.
As
part of its efforts to implement the siege, the Saudi-led coalition has been
preventing the country from exporting its oil, despite Sana'a's heavy
dependence on crude sales' revenues. Yemeni officials say the coalition has so
far impounded at least 12 tankers laden with overseas-bound oil.
The
Saudi-led coalition has also been found culpable for destroying thousands of
water provision facilities, including dams, and contaminating Yemen's water
supplies.
Source:
Press TV
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Africa
Tunisia
to question Ennahda leader on terrorism accusations
Adel
Thabeti
18.09.2022
TUNIS,
Tunisia
Tunisian
authorities on Sunday summoned Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi and his deputy
for questioning on terrorism accusations.
“Ghannouchi
and Ali Laarayedh will appear before the anti-terror unit on Monday to answer
accusations of sending Tunisians to hotspots” overseas, Riadh Chaibi, a
political adviser to Ghannouchi, told Anadolu Agency.
There
was no comment yet from the Tunisian authorities on the report.
On
Wednesday, Tunisian authorities arrested Habib Al-Louz, a former
parliamentarian and senior Ennahda leader, for questioning on similar charges.
On
Tuesday, the private Radio Mosaique, citing informed sources, said that
judicial authorities have given permission to the relevant security body to
take necessary measures to investigate the case with "involved
politicians, former security officials, lawyers and heads of charity
organizations."
According
to local media, arrest warrants were issued against three former security
officials, former parliamentarian Reda al-Jawadi, businessman Mohamed Frikha
and cleric Sheikh Bechir ben Hasan.
The
Ennahda party termed the warrants as “random arrests" aimed at defaming
the image of the party and its figures.
Tunisia
has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that aggravated the country's
economic conditions since last year, when President Kais Saied ousted the
government and dissolved parliament.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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Tunisia
expects to reach loan agreement with IMF in coming weeks: Cenbank governor
18 September,
2022
Tunisia
expects to reach a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in coming
weeks on a loan of between $2 billion and $4 billion over three years, the
central bank governor said on Sunday.
Tunisia,
which is suffering its worst financial crisis, is seeking to secure an IMF loan
to save public finances from collapse.
“The
size is still under negotiation, and I think it will be between $2 billion and
$4 billion, we hope to reach a staff level deal in coming weeks,” Marouan
Abassi told Reuters.
The
government and the powerful UGTT labor union last week signed a deal to boost
public sector wages by 5 percent a step that may ease social tensions. But they
did not announce any further agreement on reforms needed for an IMF bailout.
Abassi
said the wage deal was an important step for negotiations with the IMF and will
give a clear view of wages’ weight in GDP in coming years.
“It
will give us a clear vision about the wage mass that is expected to decline in
the coming years,” he added.
Fitch
Ratings said on Friday that Tunisia’s wage agreement raises the likelihood of
an IMF deal.
Abassi
said the possible deal will open doors for bilateral financing, including with
Japan and Gulf countries.
“We
have advanced talks with Saudi Arabia about bilateral financing,” he added.
The
IMF has signaled it will not move forward with a bailout sought by Tunis unless
the government brings on board the UGTT, which says it has more than a million
members and has previously shut down the economy in strikes.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Protesters
in Niger call for departure of French troops
Fatma
Esma Arslan
19.09.2022
DAKAR,
Senegal
Hundreds
of Nigeriens took to the streets of the capital Niamey on Sunday to protest
against the presence of French troops in the country.
During
the protest, which was organized by civil society organizations operating under
the umbrella of the M62 movement, they marched from Toumo Square to the
National Assembly.
Protesting
the cost of living at the same time, they chanted slogans against the French
army stationed in Niger.
Carrying
Russian flags, the protesters also held banners saying “French army get out.”
In
August this year, France pulled the last of its troops out of Mali, bringing
the country's Operation Barkhane to an end.
"This
day at 1.00 p.m. (1300GMT), the last detachment of the Barkhane force present
on Malian soil crossed the border between Mali and Niger," said a press
release by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, announcing the end of the
nine-year military presence with 2,400 soldiers stationed in the North African
country.
France
then made Niger its new hub for its troops, with close to a thousand soldiers
based in Niamey.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/protesters-in-niger-call-for-departure-of-french-troops/2688363
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