India Added 5 Hindus For Every Muslim Since 1950: Business Standard Analysis
New Age Islam News Bureau
11 May 2024
Representative Picture
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·
India Added 5 Hindus For Every Muslim Since
1950: Business Standard Analysis
·
400 Lok Sabha Seats To Construct Temple At
Gyanvapi Mosque Site: Assam CM
·
Candlelight Concerts Return To Riyadh Bringing
A Rich Classical Music Experience To Saudi Audiences
·
UK Police Make Terror Arrests 'As Part Of
Europe-Wide Investigation Into Islamic Extremism'
·
Muslim, Arab American Leaders Dismiss Biden's
Pivot On Israel As 'Too Little, Too Late:' 'Irrevocably At Odds'
India
·
Muslims Donate Land To Build Temple Road In
Jammu And Kashmir
·
Uddhav Master Of INDIA Bloc’s ‘Vote Jihad’: BJP
·
Congress President Criticizes Modi for Focusing
on Hindu-Muslim Issues to Divide India
·
"At Least Don't Fight In Ramadan": PM
Modi Says He Sent Special Envoy To Israel
------
Arab World
·
Saudi Arabia Welcomes UN Vote Backing
Palestinian Bid For Full Membership
·
How building greener homes in Saudi Arabia
could benefit the environment and well-being of homeowners
·
Saudi authorities greet first group of Hajj
pilgrims arriving in Madinah
·
Health professionals discuss technology in
medicine at Tabuk forum
·
Opposites attract as artists explore beauty in
Diriyah exhibition
·
International conference in Korea concludes
with aim to spread Arabic language
·
South African ambassador holds Freedom Day
celebration in Riyadh
--------
Europe
·
Muslim Campaign Launch In Wales Aimed At
Getting People To Vote Against The Tories And Labour
·
Iranian-Born Belgian MP Sounds Alarm Over
Islamist Extremism in Europe
·
Islam Makhachev must break strange Paulo Costa
curse at UFC 302
--------
North America
·
Non-profit Group Wants To Transform An Empty
Blaine Building Into Islamic School And Mosque
·
CAIR-AZ Welcomes Firing of Arizona Professor
for Allegedly Harassing Muslim Woman at Protest, Calls for Arrest
·
Halal meal initiative aims to boost school
lunch participation for Muslim students in Maine
·
Police Arrest Dozens As They Break Up
Pro-Palestinian Protests At Several US Universities
--------
Southeast Asia
·
Report On Malaysia Listed As A State Sponsor Of
Terror By The US Is False - Reuters
·
Police Investigate Defacement Of Mosque Wall
InKuala Kubu Baharu
·
Army to propose cancellation of Black Hawk
lease contract
·
Late Mutang had strong principles, values
towards parliamentary reform - PM Anwar
·
Malaysia ready to strengthen ties with S’pore
under incoming PM Lawrence Wong - Anwar
·
Philippines Invites Saudi Partnerships In Halal
Industry, Renewables
--------
Mideast
·
Kuwait’s Emir Dissolves Parliament, Suspends
Some Parts Of Constitution
·
Hamas says Gaza ceasefire efforts are back at
square one
·
Israeli troops drive further into Rafah as
tanks split city in two
·
Iran’s message resonates with Muslims
·
Democratic Cowardice, GOP Anti-Muslim Hatred
Threaten Historic Court Pick
·
Suspected pirate attack in Gulf of Aden raises
concerns about growing Somali piracy
·
US report criticizes Israel but does not block
arms
--------
Pakistan
·
Pakistan To Taliban: Stop Irresponsible Claims,
Act Against TTP
·
PTI Urges Security Forces To Shun ‘Political
Interference’
·
After SC Ruling, Punjab Assembly Speaker
Suspends 27 Lawmakers On Reserved Seats
·
PM condemns terrorist attack on private school
for girls in North Waziristan
·
Balochistan CM wants more funds for minorities,
women
·
Pakistan, China agree to accelerate
implementation of projects under CPEC
·
Digital transformation key priority for govt to
improve tax collection: Aurangzeb
·
Over a dozen prisoners test HIV-positive at
Peshawar Central Jail
--------
Africa
·
Islamic State Stages Boldest Attack in
Mozambique in Years
·
Mali Talks Propose Junta Rule For Three More
Years
·
Bandits Kill 30 Farmers, Islamic Cleric In
Zamfara
·
Northern town of Macomia under Islamist attack,
President Nyusi says
·
ADF rebels attack health centre in eastern DR
Congo, kill 8 civilians
-----
South Asia
·
Two Periods Jihad’s Goal To Establish Islamic System
In Country, Mawlavi Kabir
·
Several killed in protests in Eastern
Afghanistan: Official
·
Over two million mothers and children
vaccinated last year in Afghanistan
·
Three million children suffer from malnutrition
in Afghanistan: WFP
·
PM for exploring sustainable strategy to
expedite country's development
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/india-hinus-muslim-population/d/132303
-----
India
Added 5 Hindus For Every Muslim Since 1950: Business Standard Analysis
Representative Picture
-----
May 11,
2024
Interpretations
of a recent paper from a government-linked body suggested that the share of the
Muslim population has grown in the country, while the share of the majority
Hindus has fallen between 1950 and 2015.
India
has added around five Hindus for every Muslim since 1950, according to a
Business Standard analysis of the data from the same source as the study -- the
Association of Religion Data Archives.
Interpretations
of an Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) working paper
released recently suggested a significant rise in the Muslim population, even
as the Hindu population has declined.
The
paper itself does not suggest this. It points out that the percentage change of
the relative population share is higher for the Muslim population.
The
EAC-PM study, which analysed the population growth rates of religious
majorities and minorities across countries, concluded that while the share of
the Hindu population in India declined by 7.81 per cent between 1950 and 2015,
that of Muslims increased by 43.15 per cent.
According
to the report, this assessment was worked out by subtracting the change in the
share of religious population between 1950 and 2015, and then further
calculating this difference in the share as a percentage change over the
respective religious population share in 1950.
A more
conventional way of saying the same thing is that the share of Muslims in
India's population rose 4.2 percentage points even as the Hindu population
share fell 6.6 percentage points.
Studies
have pointed out that changes can be explained by differences in fertility,
which in turn is strongly connected to the education levels of women.
The
Hindu population was roughly about 320 million in 1950, which has more than tripled
in the past seven decades.
In
absolute figures, the Hindu population remains the largest religious
denomination in the country. During the same period, the Muslim population has
risen fivefold, from 37 million to 181 million. Among other religious minority
groups in the country, the Christian and Sikh populations have also grown
faster than the Hindu population.
Moreover,
while the share of Hindus in India's total population has declined from 85 per
cent in 1950, they still account for around 78 per cent of the total
population.
The
share of Muslims however, who made up 10 per cent of the total population in
1950, increased to 14 per cent in 2015.
Other
religious minorities in India, including Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and
Buddhists account for more than 5 per cent of the total population in 2015,
slightly higher than the 4.5 per cent share of 1950.
Total
fertility rates (TFR) among Muslim women have seen the sharpest decline in the
three decades after 1992 according to NFHS data. The TFR for Hindu women has
dropped by 1.36 and those for Muslim women by 2.05.
Educational
attainment among Muslim women is likely to lag other religious denominations.
Around 11.4 per cent of Muslim women have completed more than 12 years of
schooling compared to 17.1 of Hindu women and 23 to 24 per cent of Christian
and Sikh women.
Interestingly,
using the same methodology as the EAC-PM study, the fastest-growing religious
population is, in fact, the Buddhists.
The
Buddhist population increased by over 1,600 per cent between 1950 and 2015, the
Christian population by 5 per cent, and the Sikh population 7 per cent,
according to Business Standard calculations.
Source: rediff.com
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https://www.rediff.com/news/report/india-added-5-hindus-for-every-muslim-since-1950/20240511.htm
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400 Lok
Sabha Seats To Construct Temple At Gyanvapi Mosque Site: Assam CM
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. | @himantabiswa/X
------
11-05-24
Assam
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday urged voters to ensure that the
Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government wins at
least 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in order to facilitate the
construction of a temple at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.
On
January 31, a Varanasi court had allowed Hindus to offer prayers in the
basement of the complex after an Archaeological Survey of India report claimed
that a Hindu temple that existed at the site was destroyed in the 17th century
and built over.
Subsequently,
the Allahabad High Court rejected a petition challenging the order.
“We want
to see a temple on the Gyanvapi site,” Sarma told voters during a rally at
Barrackpore in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Friday. “We have to
build Krishna Janmabhoomi [the birthplace of Hindu deity Krishna].”
The
Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition by the management committee of the
mosque complex challenging the Allahabad High Court’s December order on the
maintainability of the lawsuits seeking the “restoration” of a Hindu temple at
the disputed site.
“We also
have to ensure that no Babri Masjid is built again on the Ram Mandir site,”
Sarma also said on Friday.
The Ram
temple in Ayodhya is built on the site of the Babri masjid, which was
demolished by Hindutva extremists in December 1992 because they believed that
it stood on the spot where the Hindu deity Ram was born. The incident had
triggered communal riots across the country.
The Ram
temple was inaugurated in a ceremony led by Modi on January 22.
Sarma
added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been urging the electorate to
ensure 400 seats in the Lok Sabha to the National Democratic Alliance as there
were “many unfinished tasks” that needed to be completed in India, PTI
reported. “We want to bring in the Uniform Civil Code in the country,” he said.
The
uniform civil code, an ideological plank of the ruling BJP, is a proposed
common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all
citizens. Currently, such personal affairs of different religious and tribal
groups – except in Uttarakhand and Goa – are based on community-specific laws,
largely derived from religious scripture.
Sarma
also said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress-led
government in West Bengal would not be able to stop the implementation of the
Citizenship Amendment Act in the state.
The
Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast-track to Indian citizenship for
refugees from six minority religious communities, except Muslims, from
Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the condition that they have lived in
India for six years and have entered the country by December 31, 2014. The Act
was passed by Parliament in December 2019.
On March
11, the Centre notified the rules under the Act, which has been widely criticised
for discriminating against Muslims. The law had sparked massive protests across
the country in 2019 and 2020.
The
chief minister’s statement comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made
similar remarks at rallies in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
On May
7, Modi had claimed that the National Democratic Alliance requires more than
400 seats in Parliament so that the Congress cannot put the “Babri lock” on the
Ram temple in Ayodhya or reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Article
370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of
Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
In the
run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, at least three BJP leaders – Anantkumar
Hegde, Jyoti Mirdha and Lallu Singh – have hinted at major changes to the
Constitution if the Hindutva party gains a majority in both the Houses of
Parliament.
The
Opposition has alleged that the BJP is seeking an overwhelming majority in
Parliament to abolish reservations in government education and jobs, and to
entirely do away with democratic elections.
Source: scroll.in
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://scroll.in/latest/1067748/need-400-lok-sabha-seats-to-construct-temple-at-gyanvapi-mosque-site-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma
--------
Candlelight Concerts Return To Riyadh Bringing A Rich Classical Music Experience To Saudi Audiences
Magdalena Wajdzik, Polish pianist. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
------
May 10,
2024
RIYADH:
Candlelight concerts are returning to Riyadh in three different settings,
bringing a rich classical music experience to Saudi audiences following a
thrilling series in December last year.
The
iconic concerts, supported by the live entertainment platform Fever, have been
held in more than 150 cities across the world, including Dubai, New York City,
London, Singapore and Tokyo.
Running
until the end of June, the shows are held in several places in Riyadh,
including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace. Performers
play music from greats such as Mozart, Vivaldi and Ludovico Einaudi.
In an
interview with Arab News, Magdalena Wajdzik, a Polish pianist who performed in
the Ritz-Carlton ballroom, discussed how Einaudi has inspired her career.
“I have
watched Ludovico Einaudi’s work in movies a long time ago and absolutely loved
the soundtracks. So, I obviously Googled the soundtracks, and I started playing
his music ever since,” said Wajdzik.
The
pianist resides in Dubai and performs in concerts for Fever throughout the
Gulf.
“The
Saudis are eager for this form of art and are really welcoming. It was my first
time playing for a Saudi crowd, and I thought it was fantastic. I really
enjoyed the atmosphere, and I believe the Saudi audience is quite curious,” she
said.
“The
ballroom is just gorgeous. Their location is excellent, and I believe Fever
distinguishes our candlelight concepts by always looking for truly wonderful
sites, such as this ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton.”
The
Candlelight Concerts in December featured hits from British rock band Coldplay
as well the outstanding works of Polish composer Chopin.
Candlelight
concerts held around the world have celebrated works from classical, jazz, pop,
film soundtracks, ballet and more.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2508101/saudi-arabia
--------
UK
Police Make Terror Arrests 'As Part Of Europe-Wide Investigation Into Islamic
Extremism'
The police scene at Grecian Mill in Bolton (Image: MEN)
-----
10 MAY
2024
Three
men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism in raids as part of a
Europe-wide investigation into Islamic extremism, according to reports.
Investigators
have been given further time to interview the three men - aged 35, 36 and 51 -
on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
The
probe is ongoing following raids at addresses in Wigan and Bolton on Wednesday
evening. Sources have told the Manchester Evening News that the arrests were
"significant" and "concerned Islamic extremism".
Greater
Manchester Police has declined to explain the nature of the investigation. In
an update posted on the force's social media channels on Friday night, officers
said North West counter terror cops have been granted a warrant of further
detention for the three men in custody. "This allows officers to keep the
men in custody for a further five days," said the statement.
At the
time of the arrests, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, who holds
responsibility for counter terrorism policing in the North West, said: “This
evening we have executed a number of planned warrants as part of an ongoing
counter terrorism investigation.
“Three
men have been taken into custody for questioning and scenes remain in place as
we conduct further enquiries. Today’s activity has been the culmination of much
detailed planning and we have put measures in place to minimise disruption to
local residents as much as possible.
“I
understand that any time arrests of this nature are made it will cause concerns
and people will naturally have questions. Although we can’t go into specific
details of the investigation at this stage, I want to reassure members of the
public that we do not currently believe there to be any wider threat linked to
today’s activity.
Residents
at one of the addresses police searched, on Crankwood Road in Abram, Wigan,
have described their shock at developments on Wednesday night. A house on the
usually 'quiet' street became the focus of the huge investigation. It came as
numerous scenes were combed by cops as part of the wider operation.
Video
footage captured the moment a suspect was arrested and dragged out of a busy
gym by police.
Speaking
outside his home on Crankwood Road, David Evans - who recently ran in the local
elections - said: "You can only reassure residents so much. It's worrying
with it being suspected terrorism offences. It's the not knowing."
Another
neighbour, who asked not to be named, added: "I'm a bit worried. Nobody
has ever heard of Crankwood. It's so quiet and that's why I like it, because
you feel safe."
Describing
the moment police descended on the street, Mr Evans added: "I saw the
tactical aid unit arrive, a riot van - and it was constant with CID. It was
about half seven."
He said
that just before 10pm, a man with his hood up was led away. People watching
were told to move on. A man, 37, said "I came home last night and there
were two TAU vans, CID, tape was up. There were four to six officers standing
outside. It's not usual for a place like this. We're a tight-knit community. It
gives you some reassurance in the police. At the end of the day, if they were
plotting, they've sorted it."
A mum
who moved the road five years ago, said: "It's horrible. I normally feel
protected down here, because it's so tucked away. I don't feel safe. There are
a lot of children on this street."
Another
neighbour, who said they had lived on the road for 29 years, added: "I
can't believe it, I'm not happy at all. It's shocking." While a
50-year-old resident, who has lived on Crankwood Road for 28 years, said she
was 'gobsmacked'.
Neighbours
said those living at the property 'kept to themselves, although some reported
hearing arguments from the house. Another neighbour said: "I feel bad. I'm
glad my grandkids aren't here today, because they would have been upset. My
daughter has taken my wife out because it's a bit of a shock. You never know
who's going to come."
On
Wednesday evening, raids were also carried out in Bolton, Great Lever and
Hindley. A police scene remained in place on Thursday at a house on Fairclough
Street in Hindley.
One man,
who spoke to the MEN about the raids, said: "In the year I've been here,
I've never seen police. It's worrying. I've got two kids and I have them over
the weekend. I don't fancy bringing them here."
Source: dailyrecord.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/police-make-terror-arrests-as-32784479
--------
Muslim, Arab
American Leaders Dismiss Biden's Pivot On Israel As 'Too Little, Too Late'
An image of President Joe Biden with the words "Genocide Joe"
is projected on an American flag that hangs from GWU Law School's Lisner Hall
at an encampment at University Yard at George Washington University on May 3,
2024 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
------
May 10,
2024
The New
York Times is putting a spotlight on the "broken relationship"
between President Biden and Muslim leaders in America, even as he embraces a
tougher stance against Israel in its war on Hamas.
"Seven
months into Israel’s war in Gaza, Muslim and Arab American leaders say their
channels of communication with President Biden’s White House have largely
broken down, leaving the administration without a politically valuable chorus
of support for his significant shift on the conflict this week," the Times
began its report Friday.
Biden
made international headlines this week by announcing he would withhold weapons
from Israel if the invasion of Rafah, the densely-populated city in Gaza and
Hamas' last stronghold, is carried out.
Despite
the dramatic pivot against the Jewish state, the Times reported that Biden's
actions in the eyes of Muslim and Arab American leaders are widely seen as
"too little, too late."
"The
president’s announcement is extremely overdue and horribly insufficient,"
Michigan-based activist Abbas Alawieh told the Times. "He needs to come
out against this war. Period. That would be significant."
The Arab
American News publisher Osama Siblani similarly had a tough message for White
House officials, recalling to the Times, "I have told them frankly: ‘Don’t
waste your time anymore unless you have something substantial. This is a waste
of time.'"
Siblani,
who was invited to the White House earlier this year, has been a vocal
supporter of Hezbollah in years past.
It's
been previously reported that top Biden aides have had listening sessions with
Muslim leaders in Dearborn, Mich. and Chicago, where the DNC convention is
being held in August. But until the Biden administration calls for a permanent
cease-fire, Arab American leaders said, as described by the Times, "there
was no need to keep talking."
"By
and large, prominent Muslim and Arab Americans have now concluded that they are
irrevocably at odds with the Biden administration over its foreign policy,
according to interviews with more than a dozen people involved in the talks.
And many of them say they are tired of hearing that they should vote for Mr.
Biden simply because former President Donald J. Trump would be worse," the
Times said.
The
Times warned Biden's faltering ties with the Muslim community "could pose
a significant problem" in his reelection effort, pointing to double-digit
protest results in multiple Democratic primary contests earlier this year
including in Michigan, though Biden aides expressed confidence that voters will
carry him over the finish line as they paint his rival former President Trump
as "the bigger threat."
Notably,
while Biden has a designated White House official as the "liaison to
American Muslim communities," there is currently not a similar role in his
campaign.
In one
meeting with Dearborn leaders, the administration liaison, Mazen Basrawi,
offered an apology for the lack of communication, according to an audio
recording reviewed by the Times. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also
reportedly planning to meet with prominent Arab American groups but has been
"delayed" due to his overseas travels.
Wa’el
Alzayat, chief of the Muslim activist group Emgage, turned down a White House
dinner invitation last month, telling the Times, "We don’t take lightly
the opportunity to meet with the president. But at some point, as organizations
that have turned out the vote largely for Democrats, by expecting us to show up
to these things and not delivering on policy, they’re actually burning
us."
Alzayat
called Biden's pivot against Israel "promising and important" but it
"might be too late for Rafah" as Israel carries on its military
operation.
Arab
American Institute founder and longtime DNC member James Zogby said his most
recent letter to the White House as well as multiple phone calls and text
messages have gone unanswered for months.
"I’ve
never had the feeling of being so shut out as I feel right now," Zogby
told the Times. "And it’s not just me. It’s leadership across the
country."
"We
recognize that this is a painful time for many communities and that people have
strong personal views," White House spokesman Andrew Bates told the Times.
"It’s why the president remains deeply engaged in securing a hostage deal
that would result in an immediate and sustained cease-fire."
Source: foxnews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://www.foxnews.com/media/muslim-arab-american-leaders-dismiss-bidens-pivot-israel-little-late-irrevocably-odds
--------
India
Muslims
Donate Land To Build Temple Road In Jammu And Kashmir
May 11,
2024
Reasi,
Jammu and Kashmir: Sending out a message of religious harmony, two Muslims in
the Reasi district have forward to donate their land for a 500-year-old Hindu
temple that lacked proper accessibility. A road connecting the temple will be
constructed on the land.
Gulam
Rasool and Gulam Mohammad, residents of Kheral panchayat, have donated their
four kanal of land to the panchayat, with an estimated cost of over one crore
rupees, where a 1200-metre road will be constructed with a 10-foot width for
Gupt Kashi - Gouri Shankar temple in Kansi Patta village of Reasi district.
Authorities
said the road will be built soon using panchayat funds.
Gulam
Rasool, a former panchayat member and farmer, said some people tried to create
a rift in society by citing the road issue.
"The
temple didn't have any proper road. Some people had even run a hate campaign
intending to create a rift," he said.
To
protect communal harmony, a meeting of the panchayat members and revenue
officials was held recently. During the meeting, the landowners, Gulam Rasool
and Gulam Mohammad, agreed to hand over some portions of their land for the
road.
Promoted
Listen
to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Meanwhile,
the temple is also getting ready for renovation. The temple owns some more land
in the area. The matter related to the land has been brought to the attention
of District Development Commissioner Reasi.
Source: ndtv.com
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https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/muslims-donate-land-to-build-temple-road-in-jammu-and-kashmir-5636921
--------
Uddhav master of INDIA bloc’s ‘vote
jihad’: BJP
May 11, 2024
Mumbai: City BJP chief Ashish Shelar on
Friday said that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was “vote jihad’s aaka”
(master) and alleged that the INDIA bloc had started a “vote jihad.” BJP
minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said Mahayuti won’t allow Bangladeshi
infiltrators and Rohingyas to do injustice to sons of the soil and they will
not allow South Mumbai to turn into Malvani (in Malad).
Shelar and Lodha were speaking at a
Mahayuti functionaries’ meeting in Parel for the alliance’s Mumbai South
candidate Yamini Jadhav.
“INDIA bloc has floated yet another
‘jihad’. Earlier, we have seen and heard about ‘land jihad’, ‘love jihad’,
‘language jihad’, but now ‘vote jihad’ has started in Mumbai in a big way. And
Uddhav Thackeray is the ‘aaka’ (master) of this ‘vote jihad’. Since Uddhav
Thackeray is sitting right next to anti-national forces, I will appeal to every
patriot of this nation to not vote in favour of Uddhav Thackeray who is wearing
a ‘green chadar’ (blanket),” Shelar said.
Lodha said, “Destroying anti-national
tendencies is essential for our progress, and we will not stop until we do so.
For the development of the country, and specifically for the development of
South Mumbai, Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas should be expelled. The
citizens here, Marathi businessmen, sons of the soil, must receive their
rights. We will not allow Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas to do
injustice to sons of the soil.”
The Mahayuti’s election office in
Girgaon in South Mumbai was inaugurated virtually.
Shelar said, “We are not against any
particular language or religion. From 1950 to 2014, Congress has been in power
for the most period. In this period, while the Muslim population was growing by
5 per cent, the Hindu population was declining by 7.8 per cent. So, to protect
and preserve our nation, we will have to fight against vote jihad.”
Lodha said, “I am responsible for the
skill development department. I will set a target: 10 youngsters from every
ward should get employment every month and should receive necessary training
for that. The problem of redeveloping old buildings in South Mumbai is also
significant, so let’s accelerate the process and provide relief to citizens.”
We also published the following articles
recently
Shah to Telangana voters: Its vote jihad
vs vote for progressAmit Shah rallies for Modi to surpass 400 seats, framing
the election as 'vote jihad vs. vote for development' battle. Highlighting
contrasts between Rahul and Modi, family-only and country's development, and
Chinese versus Bharatiya guarantee.109994114
Its vote jihad vs vote for growth: Union
minister Amit Shah in TelanganaShah urges Telangana to secure 10 seats for BJP,
criticizes Congress, BRS, AIMIM. Vows to end Muslim reservation, redistribute
benefits. Highlights Rahul's unmet promises, warns against triple talaq revival,
praises Modi's governance.109990035
Islamic Jihad commander killed in Rafah,
says Israeli armyAiman Zaarab, top commander of Islamic Jihad Rafah Brigade,
killed in airstrike after leading elite forces during October 7 attack. Hamas
blames Netanyahu for Gaza ceasefire talks deadlock involving Rafah.109852449
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read
the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/uddhav-master-of-india-blocs-vote-jihad-bjp/articleshow/110021201.cms
--------
Congress President Criticizes Modi for
Focusing on Hindu-Muslim Issues to Divide India
May 10, 2024
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
criticized the Prime Minister for his divisive rhetoric, focusing on the
Hindu-Muslim narrative, during an INDIA alliance public meeting. Kharge accused
the Prime Minister of using language not befitting his position and aiming to
divide the country along religious, linguistic, and caste lines. He highlighted
the PM's alleged failure to fulfill job creation promises and accused the
government of neglecting to fill 30 lakh government job vacancies, a move he
believes disproportionately affects SC, ST, and OBC communities.
Kharge also challenged the Prime
Minister's accusations against Rahul Gandhi, questioning why investigations
were not launched against prominent industrialists if such allegations were
true. He condemned the sale of public sector units and national assets under
the current government. The Congress leader reminisced about the contributions
of past Congress governments, including land reforms and the nationalization of
banks.
At the same event, CPM General Secretary
Sitaram Yechury and CPI General Secretary D Raja expressed their concerns about
the future of India. They emphasized the importance of the 2024 elections for
safeguarding the nation's secular fabric. Yechury warned of BJP's intentions to
amend the Constitution to establish a Hindu nation if they secure enough
parliamentary seats. The leaders rallied support for the INDIA alliance in
Andhra Pradesh, where elections are set for May 13, covering both the Assembly
and Lok Sabha seats.
The INDIA alliance, comprising Congress,
CPI, and CPI(M) among others in Andhra Pradesh, aims to challenge BJP's vision
for India in the upcoming elections. Their campaign focuses on preserving
secular values and addressing issues like unemployment and privatization that
affect a broad spectrum of Indian society.
Source: oneindia.com
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"At Least Don't Fight In
Ramadan": PM Modi Says He Sent Special Envoy To Israel
May 10, 2024
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said on Friday that India sent a special envoy to Israel during its war with
the Hamas terror group, to urge them to maintain peace rather than engage in
combat during the month of Ramadan.
In an interview with Republic TV, PM
Modi stressed on Friday that Israel should not fight, at least during the
auspicious month of Ramadan.
"The time when Israel and Hamas
were at war. I sent my special envoy to Israel to explain that Ramadan is going
on. At least don't fight in Ramadan, don't attack anyone," PM Modi said.
"Secondly, I said that during the
month of Ramadan, whatever the people need, India wants to send them, there
should not be any hindrance. So this is our character and when we do this, we
don't brag about it. Sometimes we get success, sometimes we don't. But we are
doing it," he said.
Earlier in March, responding to
international pressure for a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu dismissed the idea of a pause for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,
saying while he would "like to see another hostage release," he
didn't see any "breakthrough in the negotiations ... Without a release,
there's not going to be a pause in the fighting."
On March 7, a Hamas delegation concluded
talks in Cairo without a clear breakthrough. Israel has issued a warning that
if hostages in Gaza are not released before Ramadan, they will launch a
military offensive in Rafah, where over a million displaced people are taking
refuge.
The conflict in Gaza escalated after the
Hamas terror group attacked Israel on October 7, when about 2,500 terrorists
breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and
the seizure of hostages.
Israel has since, characterised its Gaza
offensive as targeting Hamas' infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the
entire terror group while making efforts to minimise civilian casualties.
While speaking regarding the
Israel-Hamas war, PM Modi stated that when the world is choosing sides, we
maintain a clear stance, India stands for peace.
"All the groups in the world. The
community is formed. Almost all the communities want India's presence in some
form or another. So, India is in a good position. As far as the issue of
conflict is concerned, the world is taking the position," he said.
However, adding, "We are the only
ones who have a clear stand, we are not on the side of anyone. We are on the
side of peace," PM Modi emphasised.
"And because of this, the world has
developed trust in us that these are the only people who do not talk about
giving arms (weapons) to anyone and do not talk about fighting anyone," he
stated
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine
conflict, PM Modi also shared an instance, when he met with Russian President
Vladimir Putin and stated, "I had the courage to sit with President Putin
and tell him this is not the time for war. And we are in favour of peace."
"We are not ready to leave the
country's values. We are going to the world with our country, our values, and
our traditions," he added.
In response to the question about
Narendra Modi's role as an acceptable global mediator in global conflict, he is
being invited by the Western Block to the Ukraine peace summit, the G7 summit,
and the annual summit with Russia.
PM Modi replied, "The world knows
what the election results will be and because of that, I have been extended
invitations for June, August, October and September.
Source: ndtv.com
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia welcomes UN vote backing
Palestinian bid for full membership
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed
the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution recognizing that the
State of Palestine, currently an observer state, qualifies for full membership
of the organization.
The 193-member assembly voted
overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution, which also recommended that the
Security Council reconsider the matter “favorably” and grant Palestine most of
the rights and benefits that come with full membership.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said the decision clearly expressed the international consensus on the
inherent rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to
establish an independent state within the framework of a two-state solution.
It added: “While the Kingdom appreciates
the positive position of the countries that voted in favor of the resolution,
it calls on the member states of the Security Council to assume their
historical responsibility and not oppose the international consensus and stand
up to the moral and legal right of the Palestinian people.”
In the vote on the resolution by the
General Assembly, 143 members voted in favor, nine against, including US and
Israel, and 25 abstained.
Source: arabnews.com
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How building greener homes in Saudi
Arabia could benefit the environment and well-being of homeowners
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: The concept of sustainable
living has gained significant traction in recent years as individuals and communities
strive to reduce their environmental impact.
In Saudi Arabia, where rapid
urbanization and economic growth have led to increased energy consumption and
waste, the importance of adopting green living practices cannot be
overstated.
The first thing that people should be
aware of is electricity consumption and energy conservation. By investing in
solar technology, homeowners can reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy
sources and lower their electricity bills in the long run.
According to Thaer Qasem, senior energy
engineer at SETS Saudi Arabia, a leading multidisciplinary engineering and
consulting firm, Saudi Arabia’s residential sector consumed more than 47
percent of the total electricity produced in 2022.
Home cooling accounts for the largest
share of that residential consumption and may reach up to 70 percent of that
share, while lighting and other household appliances account for the rest.
“When designing or buying a new home, it
is important to consider the insulation levels of walls and windows,” Qasem
told Arab News. “The choice of building orientation can also increase natural
light and help reduce heat absorption.
“To add value to your home, you may want
to consider incorporating renewable energy systems like solar thermal units to
heat domestic water and PV systems to generate electricity.
“Other techniques include purchasing
equipment with a high-energy efficiency label and setting the AC temperature to
at least 23 C.”
He added: “Smart home appliances and
tools also provide excellent tools for conserving energy, allowing us to better
monitor and control our usage and energy efficiency.”
Integrating smart home technology for
monitoring and controlling energy usage allows residents to optimize their
energy consumption and identify areas where efficiency can be improved.
Proper insulation, sealing, and the use
of efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems are also
essential in preventing energy waste and maintaining a comfortable indoor
environment, especially during the sweltering summer months.
Similarly, using recycled glass in
countertops or tiles not only diverts waste from landfills but also reduces the
energy required to produce new materials.
Also, selecting building materials with
low volatile organic compounds can help maintain good indoor air quality, which
is particularly important in a region like Saudi Arabia where individuals spend
a significant amount of time indoors due to extreme temperatures.
By choosing green building materials,
homeowners can not only lower their energy consumption and carbon footprint but
also create healthier living spaces for themselves and their families.
Khalid Al-Harbi, an architect based in
Riyadh, said a common misconception around sustainability is that it relies
solely on the energy systems, equipment, and material choices used in the
building. However, he believes a good design is an efficient design.
“A well thought out architectural design
that studies the needs of the users and considers the environmental factors
will significantly reduce the cost and energy use of the building,” Al-Harbi
told Arab News.
“Through studying the solar orientation
of the sun in both summer and winter, we can decide on the most efficient
placements of the windows and the shading systems needed such as exterior
screens, outdoor shades, curtains, and so on, throughout the building.”
He continued: “We must also understand
how the users will use the building and consider their need for natural
lighting, as well as their privacy. We manage to achieve a good balance between
maximum amount of natural light and privacy by incorporating inner courtyards,
skylights, and windows with screens.”
Clay walls have emerged as a popular
choice for eco-conscious homeowners due to their numerous benefits, including
natural insulation properties, humidity regulation, and sustainability.
According to Adam Weismann, founding
director of Clayworks and Claymoon, a business that has participated in
numerous projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea International Airport
and the King Faisal Cultural Center, clay is a sustainable, non-toxic
alternative.
“From a sustainability perspective, clay
has a very minimal carbon footprint because it is a pure substance with no
chemicals,” Weismann told Arab News.
“Additionally, from a toxicity
perspective, there is nothing that clay can truly release into the atmosphere.
Thus, using it is a highly healthy and beneficial solution.”
Saudi Arabia is renowned for its clay
houses, which fit seamlessly with the Kingdom’s natural aesthetic. Traditional
architecture has long used sun-dried clay blocks, which remain cool during hot
weather and release heat during the late hours when the temperature drops.
“Since not everyone lives in a large
home, apartments can also use clay walls and ceilings,” said Weismann. “Paint
would be completely omitted and clay would typically be used instead. It has
all the advantages of that, including helping to absorb toxins.
“However, on a broader level, simply
considering the materials you’re using and what you’re doing creates a small
safe haven inside a larger apartment building where perhaps not as much thought
was put into the materials.”
Weismann also proposed using clay under
flooring with clay boards, which could be fitted with pipes carrying cool
water, as an environmentally friendly alternative to air conditioning.
“Consequently, the building is being
cooled by the cold water you are pushing through. That’s something I’d really
like to explore in Saudi Arabia because I believe it would be beneficial for an
eco-friendly home or apartment,” he added.
In addition to using sustainable materials,
implementing energy-efficient strategies is key to creating eco-friendly homes
in Saudi Arabia.
One effective approach is the
installation of solar panels or solar water heaters to harness the abundant
sunlight in the region and generate renewable energy for household needs. Saudi
Arabia has an abundance of solar energy due to its hot climate.
“However, a government incentive is
needed to push people towards incorporating solar panels in their homes,” said
Al-Harbi. “Many countries offer subsidies to their citizens where they help
with 30-70 percent of the cost of solar systems.
“The incentive programs are usually done
with tax credits, lowering bills, low interest loans, etc. We’re confident that
these types of programs will soon be implemented in the country.”
Part of the battle will be changing
consumer behavior. Qasem believes raising awareness among families, including
children, is essential to make effective energy savings.
“Various easy methods make a big
difference,” he said. “Turning off lights and AC when not needed, closing the
windows and doors to conserve energy, using the washing machine at full
capacity only, and using sunlight to your advantage are just a few.”
When it comes to constructing
eco-friendly homes in Saudi Arabia, the choice of building materials plays a
crucial role. Opting for sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled glass,
and reclaimed wood can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of a
home.
For instance, bamboo is a fast-growing
renewable resource that can be harvested without causing deforestation, making
it an ideal alternative to traditional hardwoods.
According to Al-Harbi, what makes a
material sustainable is its abundance in nature and the size of its carbon
footprint — the amount of energy and carbon emissions required to produce and
transport it.
“While bamboo is a much more sustainable
material, the use of local materials might be a more eco-friendly option,” said
Al-Harbi.
“We are hoping that with the industrial
boom the country is going through, we will see more local factories that
produce recycled materials — glass, aluminum, and plastics — and eco-friendly
building materials like glass wool, made of recycled plastics, and sheep wool
insulation.
“We would also benefit from finding innovative
solutions to reuse materials from buildings that were recently demolished,
instead of all the materials going to a landfill.”
Another aspect to consider is water
efficiency. Water scarcity is a pressing issue in Saudi Arabia, making its
conservation a critical aspect of green living.
Adopting water-efficient practices such
as installing low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances can
significantly reduce household water consumption.
“Most of the water conservation
solutions come from increasing the awareness of the users to how much water
they’re using,” said Al-Harbi.
“Metering devices that monitor the
consumption of water might be very informative to the residents about how much
water they’re using. Of course, using water-efficient fixtures and appliances
will also help with reducing the water consumption as well.”
These simple upgrades not only help
conserve water resources but also lower water bills for homeowners. Investing
in rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation and non-potable water needs can
further reduce reliance on municipal water sources.
By capturing rainwater and using it for
landscaping or other non-drinking purposes, homeowners can contribute to water
conservation efforts and reduce the strain on local water supplies.
Choosing drought-resistant plants for
landscaping reduces the need for irrigation, promotes biodiversity, and
enhances the overall sustainability of the home, while also preserving precious
water resources for future generations.
By incorporating green building
materials, energy-efficient strategies, and water conservation techniques,
individuals can contribute to sustainability efforts and create healthier, more
efficient living spaces.
However, Al-Harbi believes achieving a
fully “sustainable building” is extremely difficult and rare. He said:
“Unfortunately, the materials and technologies we currently have in Saudi
Arabia, as well as the codes and zoning restrictions, do not allow us to design
green homes yet.”
As the demand for sustainable practices
continues to grow, it is essential for homeowners in Saudi Arabia to prioritize
eco-friendly choices in their homes to mitigate environmental impact and
promote a more sustainable future.
Embracing green living guidelines in
homes in Saudi Arabia is not only beneficial for the environment but also for
the well-being and finances of homeowners.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi authorities greet first group of
Hajj pilgrims arriving in Madinah
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of
Religious Affairs has welcomed the first batch of pilgrims who arrived in
Madinah at the Prophet’s Mosque to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi Press
Agency reported on Friday.
The pilgrims were greeted with gifts,
copies of the Qur’an, and guidance booklets in their languages.
Deputy Head of Religious Affairs at the
Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi, said that the presidency was
keen to enrich the religious experience of pilgrims, create an atmosphere of
religious worship, and make their journey of faith a success.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs said
it aims to develop its religious services with initiatives targeting pilgrims
using technology, digitization, modern media, artificial intelligence, and
translation, as per the aspirations and directives of the Saudi leadership.
Source: arabnews.com
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Health professionals discuss technology
in medicine at Tabuk forum
May 10, 2024
The first Tabuk International Forum for
Health Promotion concluded on Thursday at the King Salman Armed Forces Hospital
in the northwest region, with the participation of more than 18 speakers from
various medical fields and related sectors.
The forum discussed treatment methods
for diabetes, the technical uses of mobile phones to promote health, and the
role of education, in addition to telemedicine and the importance of clinics,
and the latest medical developments in tackling obesity.
It discussed human health rights, drug
health standards, and modern drainage techniques, as well as water and food health
standards.
It also focused on safety measures for
the quality of work life and ways to avoid burnout. The conference concluded
with a discussion on the latest methods in combating addiction, the effect of
drugs on individuals and society, and the role of smoking cessation clinics and
education on addiction and its causes.
Source: arabnews.com
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Opposites attract as artists explore
beauty in Diriyah exhibition
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: In Shashai Studio’s latest
exhibition, “Delicacy of Dualities,” seven artists and one creative studio from
the Kingdom explore the theme “intricate dance of opposites”.
The exhibition in Diriyah’s Jax District
showcases a series of thought provoking artworks and installations from artists
Nada Al-Ali, Maan Alabbadi, Nouf Alsharif, Rasha Saddiq, Abdullah Al-Bugami,
Eida Alzahrani, Ahmad Haddad, and Makhtut Studio.
Each artist tells a profound and personal
story, including Al-Bugami, who dedicated his three artworks to the powerful
duality of woman and man.
In some traditional and conservative
societies, such as parts of Saudi Arabia, some women may choose to wear the
burqa, a cultural garment that covers the entire body and includes a mesh
screen to cover the face.
Women who practice this tradition choose
to cover themselves in front of everyone, including their husband and family
members.
“The burqa is considered the identity of
the badu woman. Some people may see it as something that is quiet or sad,
because it is black, but I decided to portray my aunt, who is in her 70s and I
have never seen her face,” he said.
“One time, I accidentally saw her face
and I could not recognize her. But, with that being said, behind the covering,
when I greet her, I feel a deep and profound sense of love and belonging.”
One of Al-Bugami’s artworks is handwoven
using the sadu sewing technique, an ancient skill made famous by Saudi women in
the north of the Kingdom. It is characterized by its bright colors and
intricate weaving, and is registered on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural
heritage.
Sadu is usually performed by women, but
Al-Bugami chose it as his medium to portray the sense of woman in his work.
“The pattern in the middle is an old
design used in the past, and I decided to depict this pattern as if it
resembles a woman. I decided to put the design in the middle because she is the
foundation of the home; she is the most important part. I could not put the
design in a corner, otherwise the home won’t be balanced.”
Al-Bugami has worked on a series of
artworks that reflect his views on the vital role of women in life.
“For a while I have been working on a
concept that depicts things within humanity that complete one another, such as
the man and woman, life and death, Adam and Eve ... I have worked on this
project using charcoal, acrylic, and sadu.
“Life is man and woman; what would a man
do without a woman and what would a woman do without a man? You can’t have one
thing without the other. We have to have the duality of both, like night and
day.”
The exhibition is curated by Khayria
Refaat, who said in a statement: “This exhibition exemplifies the power of
artistic collaboration and the ability of artists to create profound
narratives. ‘Delicacy of Dualities’ invites viewers to question and explore the
boundaries of perception while discovering the hidden beauty within the dance
of opposites.”
Source: arabnews.com
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International conference in Korea
concludes with aim to spread Arabic language
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: The international conference,
Challenges and Prospects of Teaching Arabic Language and Literature, concluded
on Friday in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
Held over two days at Hankuk University
of Foreign Studies, the event was organized by the King Salman Global Academy
for Arabic Language in cooperation with the Korean Association of Arabic
Language and Literature and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Wosheemi,
secretary-general of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language,
emphasized the center’s commitment to strengthening its strategy and objectives
in promoting the Arabic language worldwide.
He highlighted the center’s ongoing
efforts to enhance Arabic language education in Korea by implementing courses,
publishing books, and organizing lectures.
Al-Wosheemi expressed the center’s
aspirations for the international conference to serve as a platform for
reaching global audiences, establishing communication channels, and drawing
upon diverse global experiences in teaching Arabic as a second language. He
further emphasized the center’s dedication to unifying scientific references
internally and externally in the Arabic language and its sciences.
Dr. Jong Wha Lee, president of the
Korean Association for Arabic Language and Literature, provided a historical
overview of the Arabic language in Korea, mentioning the establishment of
several departments, the oldest dating back to 1965.
He also discussed the rapidly evolving
language education landscape with the advent of artificial intelligence. He
intends to develop a plan for revitalizing Arabic language instruction through
collaboration with organizations in Arab countries, he said, as well as
exchanges among Arabic language specialists to explore various approaches to
ensuring effective teaching methodologies.
The conference’s sessions addressed six
key themes: Modern methodologies in teaching Arabic as a second language;
preparing teaching materials for Arabic as a second language; measurement and
evaluation in the context of teaching Arabic as a second language; means and
techniques for teaching Arabic as a second language; the current state of
Arabic language teaching in Korea; and language planning for teaching Arabic
and other languages in Korea.
Source: arabnews.com
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South African ambassador holds Freedom
Day celebration in Riyadh
May 10, 2024
RIYADH: Mogobo David Magabe, South
Africa’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, hosted a Freedom Day celebration on
Thursday in Riyadh’s Cultural Palace.
Freedom Day is celebrated annually on
April 27 in South Africa to commemorate its first democratic election on that
day in 1994, an event that signaled the end of official racial segregation in
the country. The embassy in Riyadh decided to hold the 30th anniversary
celebrations after Ramadan.
“This is a very important day because of
the relationship that South Africa shares with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in
several areas,” Magabe told Arab News. “Since 1994, our diplomatic ties, which
this year turn 30, have grown substantially.
“Saudi Arabia is a regional power that
is presenting itself as a gateway into the market and GCC countries,” the
ambassador continued. “South Africa is also a gateway into the continent of
Africa and the two friendly nations play a very important role.”
Magabe highlighted numerous visits made
by South Africa’s leaders to the Kingdom, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s
visit in October 2022, when he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During that visit, the two sides signed
multiple Memorandums of Understanding, to a value exceeding $15 billion, and
also agreed to explore areas of joint cooperation in the fields of energy,
petroleum and petrochemicals, and electricity and renewable energy such as
solar and wind.
At the celebrations on Thursday, Magabe
gave a speech highlighting the historical ties between the two countries and
areas of cooperation including trade, investment, and tourism. Mayor of the
Riyadh Region, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, was the guest of
honor.
Following Magabe’s opening remarks and
the cutting of the cake — performed by the ambassador and the mayor of Riyadh —
guests had the opportunity to sample multiple products and dishes from South
Africa.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Muslim campaign launch in Wales aimed at
getting people to vote against the Tories and Labour
11 May 2024
Martin Shipton
A campaign aimed at persuading Muslims
and others not to vote for Tory or Labour general election candidates who have
backed Israel’s invasion of Gaza is having its Welsh launch on Saturday May 11.
The Muslim Vote campaign is calling for
candidates to support policies including freedom for Palestine; an end to
Islamophobia and discrimination across healthcare, education, media,
employment, justice and political systems; and major increases in funding to
the NHS, housing and economic regeneration in the poorest constituencies in the
UK.
The event, entitled Be the Change We
Need, will begin at 5pm in the Temple of Peace in Cathays Park,
Abdul-Azim Ahmed, Secretary General of
Muslim Council Wales, said: “Anyone with a heart, Muslim or not, will have been
horrified at Israel’s most recent onslaught against Gaza, one which continues
to this day. Horrifying too is the defence some politicians have put forward
for Israel’s actions, and the reluctance to call – at a bare minimum – for a
ceasefire.
In the next eight months, there will be
a general election. The Muslim Vote is a campaign that is coordinating across
the UK to ensure that politicians realise there is a political cost to
defending the indefensible. Mainstream Muslim groups across Britain are
supporting the campaign, and the Muslim Council of Wales is one of them.”
Onslaught
Sumayya Ahmed of The Muslim Vote in
Wales said: “The mainstream parties have failed us on every level. It is time
we unite to drive genocidal MPs out and ethically viable MPs in. Government
funding seems scarce when it comes to our NHS, education and other public
services, yet ample when supporting the Israeli genocidal onslaught against an
indigenous population in Palestine. Come to the South Wales Community Group
meeting to find out how you can be at the heart of that change. This is a call
for all groups to mobilise and reclaim our democracy and freedoms.”
Arising out of dissatisfaction with the
way many politicians responded to atrocities in Gaza, and a sense that the
“Muslim Vote” was being taken for granted, the campaign in South Wales says it
is also attracting support from many non-Muslims, supporting its goal to elect
politicians who stand for global justice, first class public services, and an
end to poverty and racism in Britain. Many of the organisations involved in
recent city protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza are backing the event
including Cardiff Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stand
Up For Palestine, and Black Lives Matter.
Among the speakers at the meeting will
be former Plaid Cymru MS Bethan Sayed, whose talk is entitled Influencing and
Campaigning: the best strategic approaches to activate sleeping communities.
Keir Starmer
While many Muslims and others have been
angered by the UK Government’s support for Israel, and its failure to condemn
unequivocally the killing of Palestinian civilians, mainly women and children,
there has been equal condemnation of Labour, whose leader Sir Keir Starmer said
in an interview with LBC that Israel had the right to withhold power and water
from civilians in Gaza after the terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians by
Hamas. Later Sir Keir claimed that he had been answering a different question.
The number of Palestinians killed in
Gaza is estimated at around 35,000. Labour MPs did not support an SNP motion in
the Commons calling for a ceasefire.
At the end of February the Rochdale
by-election was won by veteran left-winger George Galloway, standing for the
Workers’ Party of Britain on a pro-Palestine manifesto. The Labour candidate
had been disowned by his party after the contents of a recording was published
by the Daily Mail in which he backed a conspiracy theory that Israel had
allowed the October 7 killings to go ahead, giving them the green light to
invade Gaza.
Asked whether the Muslim community would
be asked not to vote for Labour as well as the Conservatives, Ms Ahmed said
people were angry with both parties and that was the implication.
Muslim-specific
She said: “There are other candidates to
vote for, including Independents and Plaid Cymru, but at this meeting we won’t
be endorsing any in particular. We will however be encouraging people to go to
hustings meetings in the run-up to the general election, and even to organise
such meetings, so the candidates can be questioned. Some of the issues we will
be raising are Muslim-specific, but others have a wider interest for the whole
community, including improving the health service and education. The two main
parties are letting people down, we believe. We want candidates to be judged on
their responses to our concerns.”
According to the 2021 Census, the Welsh
constituency with the highest proportion of Muslims was Cardiff Central with
11.5%. Its current MP is Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, who has had
demonstrators outside her office because of her failure to vote for a Gaza
ceasefire. New constituency boundaries will operate at the general election
because of the reduction in the number of MPs elected in Wales from 40 to 32.
* The public meeting – Be The Change We
Need – will be held between 5pm and 8pm on Saturday May 11 at the Temple of
Peace, King Edward VII Ave, Cardiff CF10 3AP.
Source: nation.cymru
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Iranian-Born Belgian MP Sounds Alarm
Over Islamist Extremism in Europe
Belgian MP and human rights advocate
Darya Safai has raised alarms regarding the surge of Islamist extremism across
Europe.
Safai, who has Iranian roots, took to
her X profile to post a video of a recent Islamist demonstration in the German
city of Hamburg.
Over 1,000 people participated in the
rally, which featured calls for the establishment of a caliphate.
“Many Iranians who fled Islamists in
Iran and went to live in Germany write on their social media: ‘We fled the
Islamists and came to Germany to be allowed to live. Where should our children
flee to now?’,” Safai tweeted.
The demonstration was linked to the
extremist group “Muslim Interactive”, which Germany's domestic intelligence
services classify as an extremist organization.
Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said
that any criminal acts would be prosecuted.
"It is quite clear that all
Islamist activities must be tackled using the possibilities and options of our
constitutional state," Scholz said.
“They proclaim during the rally that a
caliphate is the solution. The world needs to wake up before this gets out of
hand,” Safai's post about the rally concluded.
Long before the current war in Gaza,
authorities in Europe have been warning of a rise in Islamist terrorism on the
continent.
In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
has denounced the rise in extremism, emphasizing the transformation of peaceful
protests into scenarios marked by intimidation and violence.
"Islamist extremists and far-right
groups are spreading a poison that is extremism," Sunak declared in a rare
speech this year.
Since 2014, Europe has endured over 20
fatal Islamist attacks, notably in France, the UK, Belgium, Germany, Russia,
Spain, and Istanbul.
These attacks, inspired by groups like
ISIS and al-Qaeda, have often involved radicals radicalizing through personal
contact or online channels.
Estimates suggest tens of thousands of
radicals and jihadists reside in Europe, financing their activities through
crime. The defeat of ISIS several years ago, however, hasn't ended Islamist
violence in Europe. According to Israeli reports, thousands of Hamas sleeper
cells are operating in Europe today.
Source: iranintl.com
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Islam Makhachev must break strange Paulo
Costa curse at UFC 302
May 10, 2024,
UFC 302 features a highly anticipated
championship bout between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. But a strange
Paulo Costa curse could haunt Makhachev.
The UFC returns to Newark, New Jersey on
June 1, with an exciting fight card for fans. It features one current champion,
a slew of title contenders, and multiple future MMA superstars throughout.
Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight
champion, is set to battle Poirier in the main event as the former interim
champion takes his third crack at winning undisputed gold in the octagon.
However, Paulo Costa, who will fight
Sean Strickland in the UFC 302 co-main event, may have a say in the night’s
final matchup.
In a recent social media post, one X
user highlighted an alarming statistic regarding Costa fight cards. Every time
the Brazilian shares a card with a champion, that champion goes on to lose
their fight.
Other than every single champion losing,
all of those events have one thing in common: Paulo Costa’s inclusion on the
fight card.
Now, with Makhachev vs Poirier as the
lone title fight at UFC 302, the trend could very well continue on June 1.
Poirier is fresh off a dominant knockout
victory at UFC 299 against Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis and believes Makhachev
is “underestimating” him.
The number one contender has promised to
throw everything at the champ, as he said: “I’m going to put my hands on this
guy. This guy is my last shot. Let’s go.”
Makhachev remains confident, although it
will be over eight months since the last time he fought in the octagon. Still,
the lightweight champion knows precisely what he wants to do against Poirier.
“He will try to get me in a guillotine
[choke]. I will defend the guillotine,” Makhachev claimed. “I will give him a
couple of punches. He will give his back, then I will finish.”
Source: dexerto.com
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https://www.dexerto.com/mma/islam-makhachev-must-break-strange-paulo-costa-curse-at-ufc-302-2709850/
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North America
Nonprofit group wants to transform an
empty Blaine building into Islamic school and mosque
MAY 10, 2024
A nonprofit looking to open a mosque and
private school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade has its
sights set on an empty building in Blaine.
The East Blaine Community Center, a
nonprofit, recently bought the defunct Minnesota School of Business building on
the west side of I-35W near Lexington Avenue for $4 million, said Mark Evenson,
with the real estate firm Avison Young.
The nonprofit is now asking the city to
rezone the property at 3680 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE. to allow for the East
Blaine Mosque and Academy, and will bring its request to the Blaine Planning
Commission on Tuesday.
"We are pretty optimistic about our
chances and what the mosque and school can do to serve Blaine and the Islamic
community in the north metro," said Chris Heinze, an attorney representing
the nonprofit. "It's pretty basic. There is no legal reason this should
not pass."
The three-story building has been vacant
since 2017and sits on property zoned as a "planned business district"
(PBD). It's surrounded by land included in the Lexington Ridge and Pheasant
Ridge business parks. The city in 2006 approved a code amendment allowing
Minnesota School of Business to build a 46,800-square-foot building on the
campus.
At the time, the PBD did not allow for a
post-secondary school. The city amended the code to allow the for-profit
school, saying it supported Blaine employers, would improve the community and
business environment, would add value to the business park and would set the
standard for land use and architecture, a city staff report said.
Last year, the City Council on consensus
decided not to rezone the area or change city ordinance to allow for an
elementary school in the business park. A mosque would be allowed on the site,
but not an elementary school, according to current zoning regulations.
Plans call for the mosque to occupy the
first floor and have room for up to 300 people during worship services. The
upper two floors would house the school, which would initially open in
September with a projected enrollment of 60 students in kindergarten through
grade 2. Additional grades would be added in subsequent years, with a maximum
of 25 students per grade level until it reaches full capacity, according to
attorneys representing the nonprofit.
In arguing for the city to rezone the
property to "development flex," the nonprofit's attorneys say the
school would fit in with the purpose of that designation, which allows for
greater flexibility in land use while continuing to protect the interests of surrounding
properties.
"It would not be detrimental to
future land uses in surrounding areas," the attorneys wrote in a letter to
Blaine City Planner Sheila Sellman.
Heinze said Blaine has several Christian
schools but no Islamic schools, even as the Muslim population has grown,
especially in the northern suburbs.
"They want a place where their
children can get an education grounded in Islamic culture," Heinze said,
explaining why the nonprofit chose Blaine. He added, "it's a nice
building" that won't need a lot of construction, and the new use will
eliminate an eyesore along the freeway.
Source: startribune.com
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https://www.startribune.com/nonprofit-group-wants-to-transform-an-empty-blaine-building-into-islamic-school-and-mosque/600365073/
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CAIR-AZ Welcomes Firing of Arizona
Professor for Allegedly Harassing Muslim Woman at Protest, Calls for Arrest
May 10, 2024
The Arizona chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and
advocacy organization, today welcomed the firing of Professor Jonathan Yudelman
from Arizona State University (ASU) for allegedly harassing and assaulting a
Muslim woman in a hijab during his participation in a pro-Israel protest near
campus. CAIR-AZ also called on law enforcement authorities to arrest him.
Yudelman was fired after allegedly
subjecting a Muslim woman to derogatory remarks and harassment during his
participation in a pro-Israel protest near campus.
In a statement, CAIR-AZ Executive
Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We thank ASU for terminating Mr.
Yudelman and urge law enforcement to place him under arrest for his alleged
harassment of a Muslim woman. In recent months, we’ve seen a surge in intimidation
and attacks targeting Muslims and others who are standing up to oppose the
Israeli government’s genocide of the Palestinian people and our government’s
complicity in it. Law enforcement should make it clear that such intimidation
and attacks will not be tolerated.”
She noted that CAIR-AZ previously called
for Yudelman’s arrest and termination.
Source: cair.com
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Halal meal initiative aims to boost
school lunch participation for Muslim students in Maine
May 10, 2024
Schools in states across the country,
including Maine, have made major efforts since the pandemic to expand student
access to nutrition at little or no cost, citing its connection to learning
outcomes. But some Muslim students say they still eat less at school or skip
lunch altogether, because many cafeteria meals don’t meet their religious
dietary guidelines. Now, a handful of public schools in southern Maine are
trying to change that.
This story was translated into several
languages as part of Maine Public News Connect. Click on the tabs below to
select a language.
During a lunch period last week at
Westbrook High School, senior Saif Al Taai was considering the options. There
was pizza, a salad bar, cheeseburgers and the day's main dish: two versions of
a sloppy Joe, one prepared with beef and the other with halal-certified
chicken.
"They said that there’s sloppy Joe
but it's like halal available. So I don't know what that is but I have to check
it out," he said. "If not, I might just go back over to where the
cheeseburgers are."
Al Taai said he follows Islamic dietary
guidelines. That forbids certain foods, such as pork, and requires that meat be
raised and slaughtered in specific ways. Until these halal options, including
the sloppy joe and cheeseburger, became available recently, Al Taai said he
usually could only have a salad or a tuna sandwich.
Sometimes, Al Taai said he’d skip lunch
altogether.
"So I might just stay hungry for a
little bit," he said.
Al Taai wasn’t the only Muslim student
skipping meals. Senior Fatimah Alshuwaili said she rarely spent her lunch
periods in the cafeteria when she first got to high school.
"It's your time to kind of like eat
and socialize with your friends," she said. But she said it was tiring to
constantly field questions about why she couldn't eat the same cafeteria foods
as her peers.
"You have to kind of explain,
again, 'I can't have this and this and this and that,'" Alshuwaili said.
And that was concerning for school nutrition
director Mary Emerson.
"Because we know a child who is
hungry is not a child who is learning," she said.
Emerson teamed up with school districts
in Portland and South Portland, which are also home to significant Muslim
student populations, to put halal meals on the menu.
She said the biggest change involved
meat. Halal chicken and beef must be sourced, stored and prepared separately,
and are more expensive.
Other meals, such as the fish sandwich
and the veggie burger, would have to be vetted for nonhalal ingredients. After
more than a year of recipe development, grant writing and taste-testing,
Westbrook High School officially launched its halal meal program last month.
Emerson said hers is one of the first
school districts in the country to receive third-party halal certification, in
this case from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America. She hopes
that the outside vetting will help build trust.
"For the parents and the students
to have confidence in the food that we are able to prepare and say it is halal
and truly be halal," Emerson said.
Schools in Portland and South Portland
are also serving halal meals. Chef and consultant Khadija Ahmed has been
leading and coordinating the multidistrict effort through the Halal School
Meals Network.
Ahmed said across those districts, about
20% of students aren’t eating full school meals. She said this program aims to
chip away at that number, and eventually expand into more schools.
"So having more participation is
the goal," Ahmed said. "The goal is to make sure that everyone is
equitably fed."
While the focus is on halal meals, Ahmed
said she wants this program to be a part of a larger shift toward more local,
high-quality ingredients and made-from-scratch meals.
"Every parent should be caring
about what their kids are eating, and should be demanding that we offer our
kids the best quality of food we have out there," she said.
At Westbrook High, senior Fatimah
Alshuwaili said she now spends her lunch periods in the cafeteria with the rest
of her classmates.
She said her friends will tell her,
"'Oh, look, the options you can have are here now.' So I'm just like,
'Yeah I know, I can go with you guys and stand in line!'"
Alshuwaili has advocated for halal meals
since she was a freshman. And with just a month to go before graduation, she
said she feels Muslim students are now being treated equally
Source: mainepublic.org
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Police arrest dozens as they break up
pro-Palestinian protests at several US universities
May 11, 2024
NEW YORK: Police made dozens of arrests
as pro-Palestinian protest encampments were dismantled Friday at the University
of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, hours after
police tear-gassed demonstrators and took down a similar camp at the University
of Arizona.
Philadelphia and campus police at Penn took
action around daybreak to remove protesters from an encampment in place for
more than two weeks. School officials said protesters were given warnings and
the chance to leave without being detained. About 33 people, including faculty
members and seven students, were among those arrested and charged with
trespass, the school said.
Protest camps have sprung up across the
US and in Europe in recent weeks as students demand their universities stop
doing business with Israel or companies that support its war efforts.
Organizers seek to amplify calls to end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza,
which they describe as a genocide against the Palestinians. The top United
Nations court has concluded there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza — a
charge Israel strongly denies.
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, police in
riot gear arrived at MIT around 4 a.m., encircled the camp and gave protesters
about 15 minutes to leave. Ten students who remained were arrested, the
university’s president said. A crowd outside the camp began chanting
pro-Palestinian slogans but was quickly dispersed.
At the University of Arizona in Tucson,
campus police in riot gear fired tear gas at protesters late Thursday — the day
before the school’s main commencement ceremony — before tearing down an
encampment that included wood and plastic barriers. The school said police
vehicles were spiked, and rocks and water bottles were thrown at officers and
university staff. Two people were arrested, a university spokesperson said.
Friday night’s commencement will go forward, university President Robert
Robbins said.
And at New Mexico State University in
Las Cruces, police arrested 13 people Thursday night after they refused to
leave a damaged and vandalized building. The charges ranged from misdemeanor trespass
to felonies including battery on a peace officer, school spokesperson Amanda
Bradford said. The building, Hadley Hall, was cleared and open Friday.
Protesters at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison agreed Friday to permanently dismantle their 2-week-old
encampment and not disrupt graduation ceremonies this weekend, in return for
the opportunity to connect with “decision-makers” who control university
investments by July 1. The university agreed to increase support for scholars
and students affected by wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Graduates from Pomona College in
Southern California will have to travel 40 miles (65 km) for their commencement
ceremony Sunday, as administrators seek to avoid a current encampment. The
college said it will provide transportation to the venue, a historic theater in
Los Angeles. In April, protesters entered an administration building and police
arrested 20 people.
The protest movement began nearly three
weeks ago at Columbia University in New York City. Some colleges nationwide
cracked down immediately, while others tolerated the demonstrations. Some
recently started calling in the police, citing concerns about disruptions to
campus life and safety.
The Associated Press has recorded at
least 75 instances since April 18 in which arrests were made at US campus
protests. Nearly 2,900 people have been arrested at 57 colleges and
universities. The figures are based on AP reporting and statements from schools
and law enforcement agencies.
Arizona State University on Friday
confirmed that it had placed its campus police chief on paid administrative
leave pending a review of “complaints filed related to his actions” two weeks
ago when an encampment was removed and police made more than 70 arrests during
a pro-Palestine rally on the campus in Tempe.
The school said it was reviewing actions
surrounding the establishment and removal of the encampment. Local news outlets
reported earlier that ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson had been placed on
leave after he had been seen out of uniform cutting and removing tents during
the protest. The school told ABC15 Arizona earlier he had left a meeting to
respond to the rally.
Although their encampment was cleared
after two weeks, demonstrators at George Washington University vowed Friday to
keep up their protest campaign.
Police arrested 33 people on Wednesday
while ousting the initial encampment. The next night, a crowd of chanting
demonstrators returned to the university about five blocks from the White
House, setting up tents while a large Metropolitan Police Department force
assembled. After multiple warnings to disperse, protests leaders ended the
demonstration around midnight. One person was arrested for throwing water at a
police officer.
The move at MIT came several days after
police first attempted to clear the camp, only to see protesters storm past
barriers and restore the encampment, which includes about a dozen tents in the
heart of the campus in Cambridge.
Before removing the encampment, MIT
earlier in the week started suspending dozens of students, meaning they’re
barred from academic activities or commencement.
Protesters insist they will keep
demanding MIT cut all ties to the Israeli military. The encampment was up for
weeks and especially angered Jewish students, who held counterprotests nearby.
“This is only going to make us stronger.
They can’t arrest the movement,” said Quinn Perian, an undergraduate student
and organizer for MIT Jews for Ceasefire. “MIT would rather arrest and suspend
some students than they would end their complicity with the genocide going in
Gaza.”
MIT President Sally Kornbluth, in a
letter confirming Friday’s arrests, wrote that her responsibility is “to make
sure that the campus is physically safe and functioning for everyone ... and
that everyone feels free to express their views.” The encampment, she wrote,
“increasingly made it impossible to meet all these obligations.”
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Southeast Asia
Report On Malaysia Listed As A State
Sponsor Of Terror By The USIs False - Reuters
11-05- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: A news report attributed
to Reuters that Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to be listed by
the United States as a state sponsor of terror is false.
“Any claims that Reuters reported that
Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to be listed by the United
States as a state sponsor of terror are false,” the news agency posted on its X
platform (formerly known as Twitter).
Reuters said it did not report this, in
response to a news article that has been widely circulated, especially on
WhatsApp, an instant messaging service provider.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local_news/report-on-malaysia-listed-as-a-state-sponsor-of-terror-is-false-reuters-ID12440668
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Police Investigate Defacement Of Mosque
Wall InKuala Kubu Baharu
KUALA LUMPUR:
The police are currently investigating
an incident where the wall of a mosque in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor, was
defaced with words insulting Islam.
Selangor Police chief Datuk Hussein Omar
Khan said they received a report regarding the incident from a member of the
mosque’s committee at 9 am today.
“We have initiated an investigation
under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which deals with uttering words, sounds,
gestures, and so forth with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings
of any person.
“An investigation is also being
conducted under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief,“ he said
when contacted by Bernama.
Earlier, a photo of a graffiti-covered
wall of a mosque in Kuala Kubu Baharu circulated on social media. It has been
reported that the mosque has already repainted the wall.
Source: thesun.my
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Army to propose cancellation of Black
Hawk lease contract
11-05- 2024
PORT DICKSON: The Malaysian Army (TDM)
will propose the cancellation of the Black Hawk helicopter lease contract to
the Ministry of Defence due to delays in the delivery of the first of four
helicopters.
Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Muhammad
Hafizuddeain Jantan said the army urgently required the capabilities of these
assets to facilitate operational tasks and training for its personnel, but the
contractor had failed to fulfill its commitment as per the agreement.
“If by May they still fail to meet this
obligation, then TDM will take firm action by proposing to the ministry the
cancellation of the Black Hawk lease contract, so that we can move forward. It
is an urgent necessity, and we are firm with our decision,“ he told reporters
after attending a passing-out parade of young soldiers at the Army Basic
Training Centre (Pusasda) here today.
On April 16, Muhammad Hafizuddeain
reportedly said that the army would take further action if the appointed
contractor failed to deliver the first Black Hawk helicopter by the end of last
month.
He was quoted as saying that TDM hoped
the contractor could make the delivery of one of four Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black
Hawk helicopters leased for the use of the Army Air Corps.
The parade saw 1,498 soldiers complete
their training for the 199/2023 session.
Source: thesun.my
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Late Mutang had strong principles,
values towards parliamentary reform - PM Anwar
11-05- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
today said that the country has lost a leader who was very serious in
parliamentary reform efforts with the demise of Senate president Senator Datuk
Mutang Tagal.
The Prime Minister said that although
Mutang had quit politics a long time ago, his determination to elevate the
dignity of Parliament, including the Senate, to greater heights could be seen
as soon as he was appointed to hold the office of Senate president last
February.
“(As soon as he was appointed) he began
holding serious discussions on parliamentary reform with the Dewan Rakyat
Speaker (Tan Sri Johari Abdul). I took him as someone who had strong principles
and good moral values.
“We have indeed lost a Senate president
who was able to elevate the dignity of the Senate and proposed a reform in our
parliamentary system,” Anwar told reporters when met at the Nirvana Centre here
today.
Anwar arrived at the memorial centre at
noon to pay his last respects to Mutang who died at the National Heart
Institute (IJN) yesterday.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local_news/late-mutang-had-strong-principles-values-towards-parliamentary-reform-pm-anwar-GD12440767
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Malaysia ready to strengthen ties with
S’pore under incoming PM Lawrence Wong - Anwar
10-05- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is ready to
continue strengthening relations with Singapore under its incoming prime
minister Lawrence Wong, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a Facebook post today, Anwar said
Malaysia’s readiness reflects the positive sentiment expressed by Singapore’s
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who hopes to see the close relationship between
the two countries continue to flourish under Wong’s leadership.
Anwar said that Singapore’s hope was
conveyed by Lee when he received a phone call from his Singaporean counterpart
after the inauguration of the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Nexus 2024.
“PM Lee officially informed me that he
will be handing over the reins to Lawrence Wong next week and expressed his
desire to see the close Malaysia-Singapore relationship continue to thrive
under the new leadership.
“I welcome PM Lee’s wish and am ready to
continue strengthening Malaysia-Singapore relations under Lawrence’s
leadership,“ he said.
Anwar added that he had the opportunity
to invite Lee and his wife, Ho Ching, to visit Malaysia soon.
According to Anwar, both he and his
wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, highly value the close personal
relationship with Lee and Ho Ching.
“Our conversations in every meeting are
always grounded in a friend-to-friend approach.
“All the best, my friend. May a bright
future continue to await Malaysia and Singapore, God willing,“ he said.
Wong, who is currently Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance, will take over as Singapore’s Prime Minister
from Lee on May 15.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local_news/malaysia-ready-to-strengthen-ties-with-s-pore-under-incoming-pm-lawrence-wong-anwar-KE12439892
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Philippines invites Saudi partnerships
in halal industry, renewables
May 10, 2024
MANILA: The Philippines says it is open
to expanding partnerships with Saudi Arabia in its top priority sectors,
including renewable energy and the halal industry.
The use of renewable energy was
announced as the main issue in the country’s climate agenda during President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first state of the nation address in 2022.
Renewable energy contributes about 30
percent to the Philippines’ energy mix, which is dominated by coal and oil. The
government seeks to increase it to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040,
and make renewables more accessible to the public.
“Given the Kingdom’s role in the supply
of conventional and renewable energy, the Philippines is open to possible
partnerships in the field of renewables,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique
Manalo told Arab News this week.
An agreement to enhance cooperation in
the field was reached in October, during President Ferdinand Marcos’ visit to
the Kingdom at the invitation of Saudi Crown Mohammed bin Salman.
A business delegation accompanying the
president signed investment agreements collectively worth more than $4.26
billion with Saudi business leaders.
“With Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional
business and political hub, we wish to increase investments,” Manalo said.
“Further, amidst the region’s changing
landscape and economic diversification initiatives, we aspire to expand our
partnership in the fields of agriculture, tourism and the halal industry.”
In January, the predominantly Catholic
Philippines — where Muslims constitute about 10 percent of the almost 120 million
population — launched its Halal Industry Development Strategic Plan to tap into
the global halal market, which is estimated to be worth more than $7 trillion.
The plan aims to double the industry’s
output in the next four years, create 120,000 new jobs and attract $4 billion
in investments by 2028.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2507906/world
--------
Mideast
Kuwait’s emir dissolves parliament,
suspends some parts of constitution
May 10, 2024
LONDON: Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Meshal
Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, on Friday ordered parliament dissolved and suspended some
articles of the country’s constitution for a period of not more than four
years, pending a “revision of the democratic process in its entirety.”
During a speech broadcast on state TV,
the ruler said: “Kuwait has undergone challenging times that left repercussions
on all aspects of life and created negative reality.
“We, as entrusted with looking after
this state and its people, had to offer counseling and guidance once and again
in order to get out of these conditions with the least possible losses.”
Sheikh Meshal said Kuwait faces
“unimaginable, unbearable difficulties and impediments,” and that some people
had “attempted resolutely to shut down every way out of the bitter reality.”
He added: “We were left with no option
other than taking this hard decision to rescue the country and protect its
higher national interests and resources of the nation.”
The Emir and the country’s cabinet will
assume the powers of the National Assembly, state news agency KUNA reported.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2508066/middle-east
--------
Hamas says Gaza ceasefire efforts are
back at square one
May 11, 2024
CAIRO: The Palestinian militant group
Hamas said on Friday that efforts to find a Gaza Strip truce deal were back at
square one after Israel effectively spurned a plan from international
mediators, and the White House said it was trying to keep the sides engaged “if
only virtually.”
Hamas said in a statement it would
consult with other Palestinian factions on its strategy for talks to halt seven
months of war triggered by its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Hours earlier, the United Nations warned
that aid for Gaza could grind to a halt in days after Israel seized control
this week of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a vital route for
supplies to the devastated Palestinian enclave.
Despite heavy US pressure, Israel has
said it will proceed with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where
more than 1 million displaced people have sought refuge and Israeli forces say
Hamas militants are dug in.
Israeli tanks captured the main road
dividing the eastern and western sections of Rafah, effectively encircling the
eastern part of the city in an assault that has caused Washington to hold up
delivery of some military aid.
The White House said that it was
watching “with concern,” but the Israeli operations appeared to be localized
around the shuttered Rafah crossing and did not reflect a large-scale invasion.
“Once again, we urge the Israelis to
open up that crossing to humanitarian assistance immediately,” said White House
national security spokesman John Kirby.
Israel’s plan for an all-out assault on
Rafah has ignited one of the biggest rifts in generations with its main ally.
Washington held up a weapons shipment over fears of massive civilian
casualties.
In a report to Congress, President Joe
Biden’s administration on Friday said it was reasonable to assess that Israel
had used US arms in instances “inconsistent” with international humanitarian
law.
However, the administration said it
still found credible and reliable Israel’s assurances that it will use US
weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Indirect diplomacy has failed to end a
war that health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say has killed almost 35,000
people since the Oct. 7 attack. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 253
taken hostage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies.
Ceasefire talks in Cairo broke up on
Thursday with no agreement.
Hamas had said it agreed at the start of
the week to a proposal by Qatari and Egyptian mediators that had previously
been accepted by Israel. Israel said the Hamas proposal contained elements it
cannot accept.
“Israel’s rejection of the mediators’
proposal through the amendments it made returned things to the first square,”
Hamas said in Friday’s statement.
“In the light of (Israel Prime Minister
Benjamin) Netanyahu’s behavior and rejection of the mediators’ document and the
attack on Rafah and the occupation of the crossing, the leadership of the
movement will hold consultations with the brotherly leaders of the Palestinian
factions to review our negotiation strategy.”
“Hamas did not suspend nor withdraw from
the negotiations; the occupation (Israelis) turned against the mediators’
proposal,” a senior Hamas official, Khalil Al-Hayya, said in comments to Al
Araby TV published by Hamas.
Kirby said the end of the talks — which
CIA Director William Burns was helping mediate — was “deeply regrettable,” but
the US believed the differences were surmountable.
“We are working hard to keep both sides
engaged in continuing the discussion, if only virtually,” he said.
EXPLOSIONS AND GUNFIRE
Residents described almost constant
explosions and gunfire east and northeast of Rafah on Friday, with intense
fighting between Israeli forces and militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Hamas said it ambushed Israeli tanks
near a mosque in the east of the city, a sign the Israelis had penetrated
several kilometers from the east to the outskirts of the built-up area.
Israel has ordered civilians out of the
eastern part of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands of people to seek shelter
outside the city, previously the last refuge of more than a million who fled
other parts of the enclave during the war.
Israel says it cannot win the war
without assaulting Rafah to root out thousands of Hamas fighters it believes
are sheltering there. Hamas says it will fight to defend it.
Supplies were already running short and
aid operations could halt within days as fuel and food stocks get used up, UN
aid agencies said.
“For five days, no fuel and virtually no
humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip, and we are scraping the bottom of the
barrel,” said the UNICEF Senior Emergency Coordinator in the Gaza Strip, Hamish
Young.
Aid agencies say the battle has
threatened hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.
“It is not safe, all of Rafah isn’t
safe, as tank shells landed everywhere since yesterday,” Abu Hassan, 50, a
resident of Tel Al-Sultan west of Rafah told Reuters via a chat app.
“I am trying to leave but I can’t afford
2,000 shekels ($540) to buy a tent for my family,” he said. “There is an
increased movement of people out of Rafah even from the western areas, though
they were not designated as red zones by the occupation.”
Israeli tanks have sealed off eastern
Rafah from the south, capturing and shutting the only crossing between the
enclave and Egypt. An advance on Friday to the Salahuddin road that bisects the
Gaza Strip completed the encirclement of the “red zone” where they have ordered
residents out.
The Israeli military said its forces in
eastern Rafah had located several tunnel shafts, and troops backed by an air
strike fought at close quarters with groups of Hamas fighters, killing several.
It said Israeli jets had hit several
sites from which rockets and mortar bombs had been fired toward Israel.
The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly
backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognizing it as
qualified to join and recommending the UN Security Council “reconsider the
matter favorably.”
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
Israeli troops drive further into Rafah
as tanks split city in two
May 11, 2024
JEDDAH: Israeli troops pushed further
into Rafah in southern Gaza on Friday as its tanks split the city in two and
encircled the eastern half.
The Israeli forces faced fierce
resistance from Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, and battles also resumed in
northern Gaza, where Hamas has regrouped after being forced out earlier in the
war. Four Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting there.
Israel’s move into Rafah has been short
of the full-scale invasion that it threatened. The US and other Israeli allies
are deeply opposed to a major offensive, and Washington has threatened to hold
back arms to shipments to Israel.
But the heavy fighting has shaken the
city and spread fear that a bigger assault is coming.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees
said more than 110,000 people had fled Rafah, and families who had already
moved numerous times during the war were doing so again.
“The full invasion hasn’t started and
things have already gotten below zero,” said Raed Al-Fayomi, a refugee in
Rafah. “There’s no food or water.”
Those fleeing erected new tent camps in
Khan Younis, which was half destroyed in an earlier Israeli offensive, and the
town of Deir Al-Balah.
The charity Project Hope said there had
been a surge in people from Rafah seeking care for blast injuries, infections
and pregnancies in its clinic in Deir Al-Balah.
“People are evacuating to nothing. There
are no homes or proper shelters for people to go to,” said the group’s Gaza
team leader in Rafah, Moses Kondowe.
UN aid official Georgios Petropoulos
said humanitarian workers had no supplies to set up in new locations.
“We simply have no tents, we have no
blankets, no bedding, none of the items that you would expect a population on
the move to be able to get from the humanitarian system,” he said.
The fighting in Rafah has left crucial
nearby aid crossings inaccessible, and food and other supplies were running
critically low, aid agencies said.
The World Food Program will run out of
food for distribution in southern Gaza by Saturday, Petropoulos said.
Aid groups have said fuel will also be
depleted soon, forcing hospitals to shut down critical operations and bringing
to a halt trucks delivering aid across south and central Gaza.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2508206/middle-east
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Iran’s message resonates with Muslims
May 11, 2024
Iran’s leadership has been a direct
beneficiary of the months-long war in Gaza. With every missile that Israel
fires on Gaza, every US veto of a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution, and
every arrest of an anti-war protester on American university campuses, Iran’s
rejection of the US-dominated world order gains more credibility in the Muslim
world. The ruling clerical regime in Iran has built its foreign policy on the
pillar of anti-Americanism, rejecting what it frames as the “injustice” of US
domination and “bullying” of other countries.
Washington’s continued support for
Israel’s war on Gaza in the face of an increasing international backlash has
only reinforced this narrative. While the US has tried to backtrack and signal
that humanitarian considerations should guide Israel’s conduct of the war, the
damage to US credibility has been done. Many around the world – and
specifically in Muslim countries – do not see the belated US warnings to Israel
as genuine. And Tehran’s message of antiAmericanism is resonating with large
segments of the public in the Muslim world. In one regional opinion survey in
late October, for instance, just 7 per cent of respondents said the US had a
positive impact on the war, compared to 40 per cent who viewed Iran’s role as
positive.
And in December, the highly respected
Arab Barometer reported that approval ratings for the Iranian supreme leader,
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had surpassed those of the Saudi crown prince and
Emirati president. This change in Iran’s standing in the region is being
watched with concern by the political elite in the neighbourhood. Iran’s image
has been further enhanced by the fact it is the only Muslim state to attack
Israel against the backdrop of public outrage over the war in Gaza. The Iranian
missile and drone attack on Israel on April 13 was calibrated to achieve two
key objectives. First, Iran’s leaders sought to preserve the country’s image as
the selfappointed head of the “axis of resistance”, comprised of its proxies in
the region – Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and other militia
groups in Iraq and Syria.
Iran also wanted to demonstrate the
effectiveness of its deterrence model, which is based on the threat of
retaliation against Israeli aggression through its proxy actors and expanding
missile and drone technology. Coming two weeks after the Israeli attack on its
diplomatic mission in Damascus, Iran could not afford to outsource its response
to its proxies. While Iran was clearly not ready to start a war with Israel,
not responding in-kind to the Israeli attack would have made it look weak and
seriously diminished its standing among its allies and proxy groups. But Iran’s
leaders sought to minimise the damage and mitigate the risk of escalation by
warning Israel of its attack in advance through intermediaries.
This way, Iran could save face without
getting embroiled in an all-out war. Iran’s second objective was to demonstrate
to the world that it has the drone and missile technology to hit back at
Israel, if it chooses. For more than a decade, Iran has showcased its missiles
during annual military parades to support its claim it can hit Israel if
threatened. Its attack last month involved more than 300 drones and missiles. Notwithstanding
the fact the damage was minimal, the attack was proof Iran now has the capacity
to inflict pain on Israel. Israel’s limited response to Iran suggests that war
has been averted, much to the relief of neighbouring countries. But the long-term
implications are more favourable for Iran. This show of strength has likely
helped its rejectionist foreign policy find receptive ears in the Muslim world
and beyond. When Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Pakistan on April 23,
for example, he was greeted like a celebrity. This was ironic as, earlier this
year, Iran and Pakistan had engaged in titfor-tat aerial attacks. The two
countries agreed to boost bilateral trade to US$10 billion a year, about five
times the current level. They also released a joint statement calling on the UN
Security Council to take action against Israel, saying it had “illegally”
targeted neighbouring countries and foreign diplomatic compounds. Chinese
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also offered a message of support to Iran, saying:
China noted Iran’s statement that its action was restrained and was an act of
self-defence in response to the attack on its embassy. The implications of a
more emboldened Iran for the region are severe. The Iranian authorities feel
vindicated by the events of the last seven months. This means their antiUS and
anti-Israel rhetoric will remain staunch as ever. Iran’s drone and missile
research and development programme is also likely to receive a boost. And
Iran’s support for its network of proxies and allies will remain firmly in
place, as this enables the Iranian leadership to project power beyond its
borders and retain its deterrence capability. None of this bodes well for
Iran’s neighbours. An ideologically energised Islamic regime in Iran would be
less accommodating to regional concerns, particularly those aired by
governments that have already normalised relations with Israel (such as the
United Arab Emirates and Bahrain), or are believed to be heading in that
direction (Saudi Arabia). Moreover, the political credibility of many Arab
leaders has suffered in the eyes of their citizens due to their perceived
ineffectiveness in supporting the Palestinians in Gaza. Iran’s leaders did not
plan the series of events that started with the Hamas attacks on Israel on
October 7. In fact, they were just as surprised by Hamas’ actions as the
Israeli intelligence agencies. But they are the obvious beneficiary of the turn
of events. The United States and Israel are gifting Iran and its message of
defiance enormous appeal, well beyond the imagination of Iranian authorities.
(The writer is Convenor of the Middle
East Studies Forum (MESF), and Acting Director the Alfred Deakin Institute for
Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University. This article was published on
www.theconversation.com)
Source: thestatesman.com
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--------
Democratic cowardice, GOP anti-Muslim
hatred threaten historic court pick
When Adeel Mangi appeared before the
United States Senate Judiciary Committee in December, the hearing should have
been uneventful. But instead, Senate Republicans turned it into an anti-Muslim
spectacle.
Mangi has been nominated for a seat on
the powerful Philadelphia-based US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
His resume is stellar and checks all the
traditional boxes for judicial nominees from Democratic and Republican
administrations alike. He's highly educated, with law degrees from both Oxford
University and Harvard Law School. And he has spent his entire career working
at a prestigious white shoe corporate law firm in New York.
The Senate hearing should also have
showcased the historic nature of his nomination. Mangi is a Muslim American
and, if confirmed, would be the first Muslim American federal appellate court
judge (and the third Muslim American federal judge overall) in the United
States.
It's an important milestone and just the
latest step forward in the Biden administration's laudable efforts to rebalance
the federal bench to better reflect the nation's diversity.
What happened
I watch nearly all Senate Judiciary
Committee nomination hearings. You rarely learn much about the nominees themselves
or their views on legal issues, but you can learn a lot about the committee
members by their questions and the manner in which they treat the nominees.
Last October for example, during a
hearing for Oregon district court nominee Mustafa Kasubhai—another Muslim
American who had served as a state and federal magistrate judge for more than
15 years—Senator Ted Cruz of Texas offered a poem that the nominee had written
decades ago while in law school as evidence of his supposed Marxist beliefs.
Mangi's December 2023 hearing featured
similar grandstanding. The timing of his hearing is important to note. A week
before, several prominent university presidents testified before the
Republican-led House Education Committee about their efforts to combat
anti-Semitism on campus.
The hearings went disastrously for the
university presidents, whose answers failed to convey how seriously they took
the problem in the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel.
By the end of the week, one president
had resigned and the others remained under fire (a second would resign a few
weeks later). It was a major win for Republicans against so-called
"liberal elite" institutions.
The following week, Senate Republicans
trotted out the same disingenuous playbook at Mangi's hearing. They focused on
Mangi's service as an advisory board member to Rutgers Law School's Center for
Security, Race and Rights.
The center co-sponsored an event marking
the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which featured as a speaker a
person who had previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge involving
Palestinian Islamic Jihad organisation.
The center did not pick the speaker, and
Mangi was unaware of the event and did not attend it. As an advisory board
member, he had no oversight or governance power, and did not "provide
advice or approval on specific events, lectures, or workshops."
Nevertheless, Cruz asked Mangi if he
condemned "the atrocities of the Hamas terrorists." Senator Tom
Cotton of Arkansas asked Mangi if he believed that "Zionist settler colonialism
was a provocation that justified Hamas's atrocity against Jews in Israel."
And Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana asked Mangi if this event was how he
"celebrate(d) 9/11."
In all cases, Mangi—who was answering
these questions in front of his children—kept his cool and condemned terrorism
and any purported justifications for it, and called the October 7 attacks
"a horror involving the deaths of innocent civilians."
Stoking anti-Muslim sentiments
It should come as no surprise that
Republicans are openly stoking the fires of anti-Muslim hatred for political
gain.
The Republican Party's standard-bearer
and 2024 presidential nominee, Donald Trump, banned Muslims from entering the
United States weeks into his first term. In his effort to win again, Trump has
taken to echoing Nazi leader Adolf Hiter and other fascists, saying repeatedly
that immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country."
It's also hard to take Republican
concern about rising anti-Semitism seriously, given their lockstep support of Trump's
candidacy. New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik—the face of the
House Committee's crusade against anti-Semitism—is one of Trump's staunchest
allies.
It apparently does not matter that Trump
said during his presidency that there were "very fine people, on both
sides" of the Charlottesville neo-Nazi march in 2017, or that he took a
meeting at Mar-a-Lago with white nationalist and anti-Semite Nick Fuentes.
It also doesn't seem to matter that more
than 15 Jewish advocacy groups, including the American Jewish Committee and the
Anti-Defamation League—have endorsed Mangi's nomination.
To their credit, both the White House
and Mangi have fought back against these baseless attacks.
Mangi called them "categorically
false, misinformed, and mistaken." The White House condemned the
"uniquely hostile attacks" against Mangi "because of his Muslim
faith," and reiterated that Mangi "represents the best of America,
and when confirmed, Mr. Mangi will not only make history — he will make an
outstanding judge."
Time running out
Unfortunately, the bad-faith,
dog-whistle attacks appear to be working.
At least three Democratic
Senators—Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Joe Manchin of
West Virginia—have publicly opposed the nomination on the flimsiest of grounds.
As much as Republicans are to blame for perpetrating this smear campaign, so
too are the Democrats who have fallen for it.
And so in this election year, the White House
finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Mangi's nomination is historic
and he is exceptionally well-qualified for the post.
If confirmed, he would evenly balance
the 14-member Third Circuit, which currently has seven judges appointed by
Republicans and six appointed by Democrats.
But given the opposition, confirmation
is far from guaranteed. And time is running out.
If the White House sticks with Mangi on
principle, it risks handing the seat to a potential Republican administration
and Senate in 2025. If the White House pulls the plug and nominates someone
else, it may be seen as caving to anti-Muslim hatred.
Whatever happens, the treatment of Adeel
Mangi by Republicans and Democrats alike has already left a stain on the Senate
and the federal judiciary.
Source: trtworld.com
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--------
Suspected pirate attack in Gulf of Aden
raises concerns about growing Somali piracy
May 11, 2024
DUBAI: A European naval force detained
six suspected pirates on Friday after they opened fire on an oil tanker
traveling through the Gulf of Aden, officials said, likely part of a growing
number of piracy attacks emanating from Somalia.
The attack on the Marshall
Islands-flagged Chrystal Arctic comes as Houthis have also been attacking ships
traveling through the crucial waterway, the Red Sea, and the Bab Al-Mandeb
Strait connecting them.
The assaults have slowed commercial
traffic through the key maritime route onward to the Suez Canal and the
Mediterranean Sea.
The pirates shot at the tanker from a
small ship “carrying weapons and ladders,” according to the British military’s
UK Maritime Trade Operations Center, which oversees Mideast shipping routes.
The pirates opened fire first at the
Chrystal Arctic, whose armed onboard security team returned fire at them, the
UKMTO said.
The pirates then abandoned their attempt
to take the tanker, which continued on its way with all its crew safe, the
UKMTO said.
Hours later, the EU naval force in the
region known as Operation Atalanta said a frigate operating in the region
detained six suspected pirates.
The frigate seized the pirates, given
“the unsafe condition of their skiff” and said that some had “injuries of
varied severity.”
It was not immediately clear if those
injured suffered gunshot wounds from the exchange of fire with the Chrystal
Arctic.
The EU force declined to elaborate “due
to the security of the operations.”
Once-rampant piracy off the Somali coast
diminished after a peak in 2011. That year, there were 237 reported attacks in
waters off Somalia.
Somali piracy in the region at the time
cost the world’s economy some $7 billion — with $160 million paid out in
ransoms, according to the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group.
Increased naval patrols, a strengthening
central government in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, and other efforts saw the
piracy beaten back.
However, concerns about new attacks have
grown in recent months.
According to the International Maritime
Bureau, five incidents were reported off Somalia in the first quarter of 2024.
“These incidents were attributed to
Somali pirates who demonstrate mounting capabilities, targeting vessels at
great distances from the Somali coast,” the bureau warned in April.
It added that there had been “several
reported hijacked dhows and fishing vessels, which are ideal mother ships to
launch attacks at distances from the Somali coastline.”
In March, the Indian navy detained
dozens of pirates who seized a bulk carrier and took its 17 crew hostage.
In April, pirates release 23 crew
members of the Bangladesh-flagged cargo carrier MV Abdullah after seizing the
vessel.
The terms of the release are not
immediately known.
These attacks come as the Houthi
campaign has targeted shipping since November as part of their pressure
campaign to stop the Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip.
Source: arabnews.com
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--------
US report criticizes Israel but does not
block arms
May 11, 2024
WASHINGTON: A long-awaited State
Department report on Friday criticized Israel’s use of US weapons in the Gaza
war but did not find enough evidence of violations to block shipments.
The report said it was “reasonable to
assess” that Israel has used weapons in ways inconsistent with international
humanitarian law but that the United States could not reach “conclusive
findings.”
The report had been held up for several
days by debate within the State Department and was finally released after
President Joe Biden publicly threatened to withhold certain bombs and artillery
shells from Israel if it goes ahead with an assault on the packed city of
Rafah.
The report does not affect that
decision, with the White House reiterating on Friday that it was concerned
about Israeli military action around Rafah, where some 1.4 million Palestinians
have taken shelter.
Biden, responding to critics within his
Democratic Party concerned by the toll on civilians in the Gaza war, had in
February issued a memorandum known as NSM-20 that asked countries that receive
US military aid to make “credible and reliable” assurances they are complying
with human rights laws.
Israel — which launched a war against
Hamas after the militants staged the deadliest ever attack on the country on
October 7 — made assurances to the United States and “identified a number of
processes for ensuring compliance that are embedded at all levels of their
military decision-making,” said the public version of the report, which was
submitted to Congress.
“The nature of the conflict in Gaza
makes it difficult to assess or reach conclusive findings on individual
incidents,” it said.
“Nevertheless, given Israel’s
significant reliance on US-made defense articles, it is reasonable to assess
that defense articles covered under NSM-20 have been used by Israeli security
forces since October 7 in instances inconsistent with its IHL obligations or
with established best practices for mitigating civilian harm,” it said,
referring to international humanitarian law.
The report also said that while the
Israeli Defense Forces have “the knowledge, experience and tools” to minimize
harm, “the results on the ground, including high levels of civilian casualties,
raise substantial questions as to whether the IDF is using them effectively in
all cases.”
But despite some “serious concerns,” the
report said that all countries receiving US military aid had made assurances
credible and reliable enough “to allow the provision of defense articles
covered under NSM-20 to continue.”
A US official described the report as a
snapshot and said the State Department was still monitoring the use of weapons.
The other recipients of US military aid
covered by the report were Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Ukraine.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2508201/middle-east
--------
Pakistan
Pakistan to Taliban: Stop irresponsible
claims, act against TTP
May 10, 2024
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Pakistan deemed the Taliban’s claims regarding ISIS activities in Pakistan as
“irresponsible” on Thursday.
The ministry’s spokesperson stressed
that the Taliban should focus on taking effective actions against terrorist
groups based in Afghanistan instead of making such statements.
Recently, Pakistan and the Taliban have
been exchanging mutual accusations of supporting militant groups. These
allegations have escalated tensions between the two sides, reflecting ongoing
concerns about regional security and stability.
The Pakistani military disclosed on
Tuesday, that a suicide attack targeting five Chinese engineers in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa was planned by an Afghan in Afghanistan. This announcement has
added another layer of complexity to the strained relations between the two
countries.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense
spokesperson described the Pakistani army’s claim as “irresponsible and far
from reality” in a statement on Wednesday. He attributed the claim to the
“weakness of Pakistan’s security agencies.”
For the first time, Enayatullah
Khwarazmi from the Taliban accused the Pakistani government of supporting ISIS,
stating that “ISIS has entered Afghanistan from Pakistani soil and has been
used against our land from their territory.” This serious allegation has
further soured relations.
However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs spokesperson refuted this claim on Thursday, May 9, labelling it as
“unfounded and irresponsible.” This ongoing exchange of accusations underscores
the deep-seated mistrust between the two.
According to the Express Tribune, Mumtaz
Baluch reiterated Pakistan’s stance, highlighting that there is substantial
evidence linking recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan to the militant
presence in Afghanistan. Baluch emphasized the connectedness of these events,
urging for effective actions against the militants.
She reiterated Pakistan’s call for the
Taliban to take effective measures against terrorist groups within Afghanistan,
aiming to demonstrate that these groups do not find a safe haven or hiding
place in the country.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-to-taliban-stop-irresponsible-claims-act-against-ttp/
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PTI urges security forces to shun
‘political interference’
May 11, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The PTI core committee has
said the recent press conference by the director general of Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR) was “unconstitutional and illegal”.
In a rejoinder to the press conference
in which Maj Gen Ahmed Sharif linked dialogue with PTI to a “public apology”,
the PTI core committee said security agencies should end “the absurd tradition
of interfering in politics”.
According to an official announcement by
the PTI’s central media department, the party’s top leadership also
“unanimously rebuffed” the ISPR DG’s demand for an apology.
The forum said a “propaganda” was
underway against the PTI under the guise of a “false flag operation” on May 9,
2023.
Ayub decries action against peaceful
protesters
The PTI also “condemned” the action by
the government against what it called “nationwide peaceful protests” against
the “May 9 false flag operation” on Thursday. It alleged state oppression and
fascism was employed to “usurp people’s basic political right to protest”. The
committee decried the ongoing “politics of revenge” and what it called
“attempts to crush and dismantle” PTI under “the guise of the May 9 false flag
operation” and said such actions should be stopped.
The committee members also condemned the
alleged interference by ECP’s in the nominations of election tribunals judges
by the Lahore High Court chief justice and termed it “criminal and totally
unacceptable”.
Actions against peaceful protesters
Meanwhile, speaking at a news conference
on Friday, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan lambasted Punjab police action
against “peaceful” PTI protesters on Thursday.
The “fascist and mandate-less
governments in the Centre and Punjab” were standing on crutches and their days
were numbered, Mr Khan told a presser. He said when intelligence agencies
meddle in political and judicial affairs, it erodes rule of law.
Source: dawn.com
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--------
After SC ruling, Punjab Assembly speaker
suspends 27 lawmakers on reserved seats
May 10, 2024
The ruling alliance suffered a major
blow in Punjab as 27 of its lawmakers on reserved seats were suspended by the
provincial assembly's speaker on Friday in light of the Supreme Court's verdict
earlier this week.
After reading out the top court's
verdict in the provincial legislative assembly, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad
Khan suspended the memberships of 27 lawmakers who had been allocated reserved
seats for women and minorities.
Twenty-three out of 27 lawmakers
belonged to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) whose number of seats
in the House has been reduced to 203.
Subsequently, two lawmakers of the
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) faced suspension, as well as one each from the
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
The speaker suspended memberships on 24
reserved seats for women and the other three for minorities.
The suspended Members of the Provincial
Assembly (MPAs) representing minorities in the Punjab Assembly include Tariq
Masih Gul, Waseem Anjum and Basro Jee.
The suspended women MPAs include
Maqsoodan Bibi, Robina Nazeer, Salma Zahid, Kanwal Noman, Zeba Ghafoor, Saeeda
Samreen Taj, Sheher Bano, Amna Perveen, Syed Sumera Ahmed, Uzma Butt, Afshan
Hussain, Shagufta Faisal, Nasreen Riaz, Sajida Naveed, Farzana Abbas, Maria
Talal, Tasheen Fawad, Abida Bashir, Saadia Muzaffar, Faiza Momina, Amira Khan,
Samiya Ata, Rahat Afza and Rukhsar Shafiq.
SC's verdict on reserved seats
Earlier this week, the apex court
suspended the PHC's verdict on the reserved seat while accepting the Sunni
Ittehad Council's (SIC) plea against the high court's ruling.
The Election Commission of Pakistan
(ECP) had rejected the party's plea depriving it of reserved seats.
A three-member bench headed by Justice
Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar
Minallah announced the verdict.
Barring the members, who have taken oath
on the reserved seats, from casting their votes in legislation, the top court
said that it would hear the case on a daily basis from June 3.
Furthermore, the court noted that the
said issue only concerns the additional reserved seats allotted to the
political parties later on.
Prior to the nullification, a
five-member PHC bench, headed by Chief Justice Ibrahim Khan, and comprising
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Justice Ijaz Anwar, Justice Arshad Ali and Justice
Shakeel Ahmad had rejected the SIC's petition against ECP's decision depriving
it of reserved seats in March.
In response, the SIC had moved the apex
court last month urging the top court to allot the party 67 women and 11
minority seats in the national and provincial assemblies and set aside the PHC
ruling.
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
PM condemns terrorist attack on private
school for girls in North Waziristan
May 10, 2024
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a private school for girls in
North Waziristan.
In a statement today, he directed for
prompt identification of the culprits involved in this incident and taking them
to the task.
The Prime Minister instructed the
immediate reconstruction of the destroyed part of the school at government
expense.
He said the nefarious designs of
terrorists to create hurdles in the way of girls' education will not be allowed
to succeed.
Shehbaz Sharif said terrorist elements
creating hurdles in the education of nation's daughters will be brought to
justice.
He said the government is applying all
its energies to educate talented daughters of Pakistan and provide them equal
opportunities for development.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Balochistan CM wants more funds for
minorities, women
May 11, 2024
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister
Sarfraz Bugti has ordered authorities concerned to review the structure of the
Balochistan Investment Committee and stressed the need for allocating more
funds for welfare of minorities, women and the underprivileged sections of
society.
He was presiding over a meeting to
review productivity and efficiency of the Endowment Welfare Funds of different
sectors of the provincial government.
The meeting was informed that there were
25 Endowment Welfare Funds worth Rs108 billion and due to this investment, Rs8
billion was earned annually by the provincial government.
The meeting was informed that Benazir
Bhutto scholarships along with general scholarships have been approved for
minorities, transgender persons and children of martyrs.
Mr Bugti stressed the need for investing
Endowment Welfare Funds on successful projects to provide maximum benefit to
under-privileged sections of society.
He said students of Balochistan
interested in scientific research will be facilitated by the government to do
PhD in top 20 universities of the world.
He said the government is trying its
best to bring back out-of-school children to educational institutions of the
province.
The chief minister said that most
parents of rural areas want to educate their children, but due to long
distances, their children cannot go to schools and suggested providing two to
four vehicles to every union council to facilitate the out-of-school children.
Source: dawn.com
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Pakistan, China agree to accelerate
implementation of projects under CPEC
May 10, 2024
Pakistan and China have agreed to
accelerate implementation of projects under CPEC in different sectors.
The understanding was reached during
meeting of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal with Vice Chairman
National Development and Reform Commission of China Zhao Chenxin in Beijing on
Friday.
The two sides agreed to implement
Industrial Cooperation Framework Agreement and develop an Action Plan for the
modernization of industry, mines and mineral sectors.
They also resolved to prioritize
cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and agriculture modernization in the
second phase of CPEC.
They vowed to enhance connectivity of the coastal city of Gwadar by
constructing Eastbay Expressway to fully harness the potential of its port and
industrial
Both sides also discussed enhancing road
and highway infrastructure cooperation by signing four MoUs for launching
technical studies on D.I Khan-Zhob Road, Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Manshehra
Motorway, Babusar Tunnel and Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway.
They agreed to hold the next round of
CPEC's Joint Coordination Committee before the Prime Minister's upcoming visit
to China.
On the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal conveyed
Pakistan's interest in diversifying its energy mix through transition towards
clean and renewable energy.
He sought China's continued cooperation
and support for the early implementation of the Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydel
Power Projects.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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Digital transformation key priority for
govt to improve tax collection: Aurangzeb
May 10, 2024
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has
said digital transformation is a key priority for the government to improve tax
collection for promoting sustained economic growth.
He said this while chairing a high-level
meeting in Islamabad on Friday, following the signing of the contract by the
global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, for the digitalization of the
tax system.
The meeting was attended by officials
from the Ministry of Finance, Federal Board of Revenue, Karandaaz and the
consulting firm.
The digitalization of the tax system is
a pivotal step towards modernizing tax collection which will enhance
transparency and revenue growth.
FBR Chairman Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana
emphasized FBR's commitment to enhance revenue collection via leveraging
technology to modernize its operations. He highlighted this project is a
significant step towards achieving FBR's goals of transparency and efficiency
to better serve the people of Pakistan.
CEO of Karandaaz Pakistan Waqas ul Hasan
expressed confidence that this collaboration will help FBR in defining and
implementing its digital strategy.
He highlighted that the experience, the
contracted firm brings for this assignment would contribute to realizing the
broader vision of the Pakistan Digital Stack initiative. He also thanked the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for providing financial assistance for this
project of critical importance.
Source: radio.gov.pk
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--------
Over a dozen prisoners test HIV-positive
at Peshawar Central Jail
May 10, 2024
At least 16 prisoners of Peshawar
Central Jail were diagnosed with HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses) after the
latest blood screening session, raising risks of the spread of the life-threatening disease
among other inmates.
Peshawar Central Jail Superintendent
Muhammad Waseem Khan told Geo News that over a dozen prisoners tested positive
for HIV after blood screening. He also claimed that the affected inmates were
"drug addicts" who had been separated from other prisoners.
The senior officer further said that
"3,400 prisoners are currently present at the central jail". The
HIV-positive inmates were being given medical treatment and counselling
sessions, he added.
Several surveys conducted by prisoners’
welfare and human rights organisations spotlighted the lack of adequate
healthcare facilities, the issue of overcrowding, and outdated bail laws,
resulting in creating grave risks of spreading diseases and deaths in Pakistani
jails.
'Overcrowding, inadequate health
facilities'
In March 2023, Human Rights Watch (HRW)
released a 55-page report titled A Nightmare for Everyone: The Health Care
Crisis in Pakistan's Prisons which documented rampant inadequacies in the
country's prison healthcare, while also mentioning the consequences for 88,000
people who account for the total prison population.
The report cited severe overcrowding in
Pakistani jails which is a result of the country's "outdated and
discriminatory bail laws", as most inmates are "yet to be tried or
convicted".
"Pakistan has one of the world’s
most overcrowded prison systems, with cells designed for a maximum of three
people holding up to 15. Severe overcrowding has compounded existing health
care deficiencies, leaving inmates vulnerable to communicable diseases and
unable to get medicines and treatment for even basic health needs, as well as
emergencies," the rights watchdog had stated.
The organisation had documented accounts
of 54 people which include former prisoners in Islamabad, Sindh, and Punjab,
women and juveniles, counsels of detainees and convicted inmates, advocacy
organisations focused on prisoner rights and prison health officials.
It had also found that women were the
most vulnerable inmates in Pakistan's jails, as they suffer from an added layer
of "patriarchal societal attitudes, lack of independent financial
resources, and abandonment by families", which contribute to their
difficulties as prisoners.
The human rights watchdog's Associate
Asia Director Patricia Gossman had said that the country's prison system
requires "urgent and systemic reforms"
The global human rights organisation had
urged the country’s provincial and federal governments to "urgently adopt
measures to bring health care in its jails and prisons in line with
international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules".
Source: thenews.com.pk
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--------
Africa
Islamic State Stages Boldest Attack in
Mozambique in Years
May 11, 2024
Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked
the town of Macomia in Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado province, in what is
their boldest target in more than three years. The government said its army
successfully repelled the attack after 45 minutes of fighting.
The violence is the latest in a string
of attacks since December. It signals an escalation in unrest just as the
Mozambican government is pushing for TotalEnergies SE to resume development of
a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project that it froze in 2021 after
insurgents raided the nearby town of Palma, killing more than 800 people.
The rebels attacked Macomia before dawn
on two fronts, two people with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be
identified as they’re not authorized to speak to the media. Portuguese news
agency Lusa reported that more than 100 fighters were involved in the attack,
citing people it didn’t identify. Mozambican government forces captured one of
the attackers who later died in custody, and injured a leader, who escaped,
according to a statement late Friday.
Macomia — about 100 miles south of where
TotalEnergies plans to build its gas-export facility — is strategic as it’s
situated along the main highway connecting the provincial capital of Pemba with
the north. It’s also where hundreds of soldiers from South Africa have been
based since they were sent to help Mozambique fight the insurgency in 2021, as
the biggest part of a regional deployment.
The South African National Defence Force
is set to withdraw its troops from Mozambique by July 15, according to the
regional bloc of which it forms part.
Rwanda also sent more than 2,000
soldiers and police to Mozambique as part of a separate bilateral deal, and
they will remain to help the government, according to Mozambican President
Filipe Nyusi.
This article was generated from an
automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamic-state-stages-boldest-attack-in-mozambique-in-years-101715405227653.html
--------
Mali talks propose junta rule for three
more years
MAY 11 2024
Participants in Mali's national dialogue
on Friday recommended extending the military-led transition to democracy by
three years and allowing junta leader Assimi Goita to stand in the eventual
election.
The country has been under military rule
since a coup in 2020, and tensions have risen over the junta's failure to stick
to a promised timeline for the return to constitutional rule.
Months-long nationwide consultations,
which were boycotted by many of the opposition, culminated on Friday with a
host of recommendations including the extension of the transition to five years
from two, effectively prolonging the junta's rule to 2027.
The substantial delay is likely to
deepen concerns about democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa, where
there have been eight coups over the past four years.
On the security front, participants in
the consultations advised the authorities be open to dialogue with Islamist
armed groups and engage with all Malian armed movements.
On the Sahara Desert's southern fringe,
Mali has been plagued by violence since 2012, when Islamist militants hijacked
an uprising by the Tuareg groups who complained of government neglect and
sought autonomy for the desert region they call Azawad.
The deep insecurity, economic hardships,
election delays, and the authorities' recent move to limit political activities
have stoked frustration with the junta in some quarters.
An alliance of political parties and
civil society organisations formed in April and refused to participate in the
national dialogue.
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
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Bandits Kill 30 Farmers, Islamic Cleric
In Zamfara
May 10, 2024
Bandits unleashed a wave of violence on
farming communities in Zamfara State, claiming the lives of at least 30 farmers
and an Islamic cleric.
The attacks were said to have occurred
in Gidangoga village, Maradun Local Government Area (LGA), and Bilbis village,
Tsafe LGA.
According to sources, the bandits first
struck in Maradun LGA, attacking Gidangoga village, where farmers were
preparing their lands for the wet season.
A renowned Islamic cleric, Mallam
Makwashi Maradun Mai Jan Baki
was brutally killed while working on his
farm.
He was known for reciting the Quran
during Ramadan Tafsir at Maradun First Jumuat Mosque. .
His two children remain missing after
the attack.
The bandits also attacked Bilbis village
in Tsafe LGA, leaving 20 civilians dead.
Sources reported that the farmers were
attacked while clearing their fields
It was also gathered that a district
head, Alhaji Murtala Ruwan Bado, of Garbadu in Talata Marafa Emirate, narrowly
escaped a bandit attack in the evening along Mayananchi road.
The affected have called on communities
authorities to take swift action to ensure justice and protect their lives.
Source: PRNigeria
Source: greenbreporters.com
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--------
Northern town of Macomia under Islamist
attack, President Nyusi says
May 11, 2024
Mozambique's army is fighting Islamist
insurgents who launched a major attack on the northern town of Macomia on
Friday morning, President Filipe Nyusi said in a televised address.
The town is in Cabo Delgado, a gas-rich
northern province where Islamic State-linked militants started an insurgency in
2017. Despite a large security response, there has been a surge in attacks
since January this year.
"Macomia is under attack since this
morning. Fire exchange still continues," he said at around 1000 GMT,
adding that the militants initially withdrew after about 45 minutes of
fighting, but then regrouped and came back.
Friday's attack appeared to be the most
serious militant attack in some time. Local media reported that a large number
of fighters were involved, and many residents had fled.
A regional force from the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) which deployed in Mozambique in 2021
started withdrawing last month as its mandate ends in July.
Nyusi said that attacks can take place
in such periods of transition, and that he hoped the SADC forces would be able
to step in and help. It was unclear if they were still deployed in the area or
involved in the fight.
Rwanda has also deployed troops to
Mozambique to help fight the insurgency.
The offensive comes as French oil
company TotalEnergies is seeking to restart a $20 billion liquefied natural gas
terminal in Cabo Delgado that was halted in 2021 due to the insurgency. That
project is some 200 kilometres north of Macomia, the town under attack.
ExxonMobil, with partner Eni, is also
developing an LNG project in Northern Mozambique and said last week that it was
"optimistic and pushing forward" as the security situation had
improved.
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
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ADF rebels attack health centre in
eastern DR Congo, kill 8 civilians
MAY 10 2024
At least eight civilians died on
Thursday in an attack on a health centre in eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo, according to media reports that cited locals.
The attack was carried out in DRC's
North Kivu Province.
Locals said the attack was carried out
by the Allied Democratic Forces militia (ADF) which pledged loyalty to the
Islamic State group in 2019.
"For now, we have a toll of eight
dead, including the sick and the accountant at the health center," Beni
territory civil society leader Omar Kalisia told reporters.
One nurse was missing, and a house was
set on fire, Kalisia said.
In late 2021, the DRC and neighboring
Uganda launched a joint military operation against the ADF. To date, that
effort has been unsuccessful.
Prior to Thursday's attack, there was
another which was carried out on May 3 on a camp for displaced people in the
same province. There was also a bombing on May 7 in a village in a neighboring
province.
DRC's Social Affairs Minister Modeste
Mutinga Mutushayi was in Goma, a city in the country's eastern region, where he
said the toll from the attack on the camp for displaced people had risen to 35
people killed, with an additional 37 people injured.
Authorities estimated that the initial
death toll was nine people.
Mutushayi was in Goma with a delegation
from the capital, Kinshasa, investigating the attack.
The US blamed the assault on nearby
Rwanda and the M23 rebel group, which Washington says has ties to Kigali.
President Paul Kagame's administration
vehemently denies those accusations.
Authorities say M23 rebels were
responsible for a May 7 bombing in South Kivu which killed seven people and
injured six more.
The rebel group, which is mainly led by
Tutsis, recommenced its armed campaign in the DRC in 2021 and has taken control
of large swathes of territory since then.
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
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--------
South Asia
Two periods Jihad’s goal to establish
Islamic system in country, Mawlavi Kabir
May 11, 2024
KABUL: The Deputy Prime Minister for
Political Affairs of the Islamic Emirate Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, addressing a
public meeting in the country’s northeastern province of Panjshir, said that
the goal of the two periods of Jihad was to end the occupation and establish an
Islamic system in the country. The gathering was attended by a number of
high-ranking government officials and locals, scholars, Mujahidin and elders,
Arg said in a statement the other day. Mawlavi Kabir asked the residents to
encourage their sons living in neighboring countries to return home as the
Islamic Emirate has no enmity with anyone, according to the statement. “There
is currently no space for ethnic and linguistic discrimination as well as
hypocrisy in Afghanistan and everyone should work together for the country’s
construction, development and prosperity,” the statement quoted Mawlavi Kabir
as saying. The deputy PM according to the statement, went on as saying that the
IEA’s political and commercial relations with the world are secure and the
government is committed to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan
and is doing its best to gain selfsufficiency soon. Meanwhile, the provincial
scholars expressed pleasure in good local governance and good services of the
relevant officials and announced their full support and cooperation with the
current Islamic system, the statement added. “The people were tired of the
corrupted and failed officials of the previous government and no one will
support them. We do not want the repetition of anarchy, violence, insecurity
and corruption in the country,” the statement quoted the scholars as saying.
They asked the leadership of the Islamic Emirate to pay enough attention to the
implementation of development projects and provide the people with job
opportunities in the province. The Kabul Times
Source: thekabultimes.com
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--------
Several killed in protests in Eastern
Afghanistan: Official
May 11, 2024
Arafat Mohajer, the Taliban’s head of
information and culture in Nangarhar, claimed that during protests along the
Torkham-Jalalabad route, one Taliban member and several people were killed.
According to several residents and
Taliban officials in Nangarhar province, protests began after the Taliban told
inhabitants to leave their homes and area, stating that the lands belong to the
government.
However, protesters in the area claim to
have legal documents.
Taliban officials claim that these
properties are government-owned and were seized by people years ago. However,
local residents say the properties are owned by nomads who have legal
documents.
Meanwhile, some protesters have stated
that the Taliban have ordered the demolition of their personal homes.
According to the reports from native
residents, at least three people, including a woman, were killed and four
others were injured due to direct Taliban gunfire at the protesters. The head
of information and culture claimed that after the group tried to reclaim
government lands from people, chaos ensued, and the violence resulted in the
death of a member of their group.
This Taliban official confirmed that
“several of the land grabbers were also killed.” However, he did not explain
the exact number of casualties during the protests.
Previously, the death toll was reported
to be three.
The Taliban have killed these protesters
while, last Friday and Saturday, they also shot dead at least two residents of
the districts of Dara-e-Im and Argo in Badakhshan province.
This led to unprecedented protests
against the Taliban in Badakhshan. This occurs as, since the Taliban’s takeover
in Afghanistan, people are less likely to demonstrate for their rights. In the
past nearly three years in Afghanistan, Taliban fighters have mostly shot at protesters.
Source: khaama.com
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Over two million mothers and children
vaccinated last year in Afghanistan
May 10, 2024
The Ministry of Public Health of
Afghanistan announced that over two million mothers and children in the country
have received various vaccinations.
The ministry recently announced that it
plans to vaccinate children under five who were previously excluded from the
COVID-19 vaccination in the next four years.
According to the Ministry of Public
Health, more than two million mothers and children in the country have been
vaccinated so far, and this process is ongoing.
However, Abdul Wali Haqani, the Deputy
Minister of Health Services, stated: “Approximately 1.6 million targeted
children, which is 81 percent, have been vaccinated, and 794,098 mothers, which
is 91 percent, have received the tetanus vaccine.”
It is worth mentioning that officials in
this ministry have made these statements concurrently with the vaccination
immunization week.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
the battle against polio remains a critical public health challenge. These two
countries are among the last in the world where polio continues to be endemic.
Efforts to eradicate the disease have
been hampered by various obstacles including political instability, logistical
barriers, and resistance from local populations due to misinformation about the
vaccine’s safety and intentions.
Source: khaama.com
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Three million children suffer from malnutrition
in Afghanistan: WFP
May 10, 2024
The World Food Programme has recently
published statistics showing that currently, three million children in
Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition.
On Friday, May 10, the organization
announced on its social platform X that the World Food Programme can only
support one of every three children.
The World Food Programme has emphasized
that the reduction in aid in Afghanistan directly affects the children there.
The organization adds that addressing their situation requires sustainable
financing.
Previously, the health section of the
United Nations had reported that the number of women suffering from
malnutrition in Afghanistan last year reached 1.2 million.
Mona Sheikh, the head of nutrition at
the World Food Programme, had earlier stated that the number of women suffering
from malnutrition is expected to increase this year. She also mentioned that
the number of children suffering from malnutrition in the country this year
will reach 3 million, but only 1.6 million will receive assistance.
While the World Food Programme has
released these statistics, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
(UNAMA) says that 23.7 million people will need immediate humanitarian aid in
2024.
The agency announced that despite the
reduction in conflicts, the people of Afghanistan still have a serious need for
humanitarian aid. The agency’s statement mentions that out of the 23.7 million
people who need humanitarian assistance, 5.9 million are women, and 5.4 million
are men.
Source: khaama.com
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PM for exploring sustainable strategy to
expedite country's development
11 May, 2024
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked
the engineers to take the pro-people, pro-environment, cost-effective, suitable
and sustainable strategy and plans to quicken country's development.
"Devise the strategy through
discussion to foster the country's development so we can take the country
forward towards prosperity," she said while addressing as the chief guest
the 61st convocation of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
IEB Dhaka Centre organised the programme
with the main theme "Engineering and Technology for Smart Bangladesh"
on IEB headquarters premises here.
The prime minister asked the engineers
to take environment friendly plans to protect Bangladesh from the adverse
impact of the climate change.
"We should keep in mind that we
always have to face drought, flood and flow-tide," she said.
She also called upon the engineers to
take sustainable, cost-effective and suitable plans to benefit the country and
its people.
"We have to take plans in such a
way from which the people will get benefit, the country will get return or
income and off- course, the plans will be suitable for Bangladesh," she
added.
The premier called for not taking any
plan for "only the purpose of construction and commission".
"I will not approve if any such
plan come to me. I will only take into consideration the benefit of the country
and its people," she said.
Sheikh Hasina reiterated her cal to the
engineers not to take any such plan for development which requires filling
water bodies such haor, beel and ponds.
"If necessary, we will build
expressway. The vehicles will ply the expressway while vessels under the
expressway," she said.
Recalling the engineers' contribution to
the country's development, she said her government will consider the logical
demands of engineers after scrutiny.
The prime minister also handed over
awards including gold medal and certificates to different levels of engineers,
centre, sub-centre, engineering division and graduates of AMIE examination.
IEB President Eng Md Abdus Sabur, its
General Secretary Eng SM Monjurul Haque Monju and IEB Dhaka Centre Chairman Eng
Mohammad Hossain and its General Secretary Eng Md Nazrul Islam, also spoke at
the function.
An audio-visual presentation on the
contribution of the engineers to country's development as well protection of
its environment was screened as theme song marking the IEB's 61st was played at
the function.
Source: daily-sun
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https://www.daily-sun.com/post/747674
--------
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/india-hinus-muslim-population/d/132303