India Abstains In UNGA On Resolution Demanding Israel Leave Occupied Palestinian Territory Within 12 Months
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 Sep 2024
India urged the General Assembly to make a genuine effort to strive for peace. (Photo: Bloomberg)
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· India Abstains In UNGA On Resolution Demanding Israel Leave Occupied Palestinian Territory Within 12 Months
· US Senator Accuses Muslim Activist, Maya Berry, Of Supporting Hamas, Hezbollah; Maya Responses, You Have Put The Focus On The Issue Of Hate In Our Country
· Turkey Needs To Acquire Nuclear Arms To Stop Israel, Urges Erdogan’s Chief Fatwa Giver
· IEA’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, Says All Laws Now Based On Sharia
· Saudi Arabia Will Not Recognize Israel Without Palestinian State, Crown Prince Tells Shoura Council
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India
· Former LDF Convener Rejects CPM Leader’s Remarks ‘That Political Islam Has Become A Big Challenge In The State As It Attracts Youths Towards Terror Outfits’
· Kashmir Vote ‘Revenge’: In Phase-I Of Assembly Polls, Voter Turnout Highest In 35 Years
· Union Govt Attempting To 'Infringe' On Jammu And Kashmir Political Executive's Powers: Congress
· J&K polls: BJP allegedly checks voter IDs, PDP accuses police of assault for objecting
· Army officer ‘assaulted inside police station’, Odisha DGP suspends 5 cops
· Outrageous: Israeli envoy confronts Iran's comment on Muslims' 'suffering' in India
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North America
· White House warns against ‘escalation’ in Mideast after Lebanon blasts
· CAIR-Chicago Urges Dismissal of Police Detective who Allegedly Made Anti-Muslim, Racist Posts
· Justice Department Secures Agreement with Indiana County Following Allegations the County Illegally Denied Zoning Approval for Islamic Seminary and Residential Housing
· US says Iran sent info from Trump hack to Biden associates
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Mideast
· IRGC's effective role in the region provokes enemies of Iran, Islam: commander
· New mural in Tehran unveiled celebrating Islamic Unity Week with message of Palestinian solidarity
· Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets Zionist sites
· A historic first: Pezeshkian appoints Kurdish Sunni governor of Iran's Kurdistan province
· Jordan’s king receives delegation from Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza
· Musk’s Starlink launches satellite internet service in Yemen
· 20 killed, 450 injured in second wave of blasts in Lebanon
· Palestinian president in Madrid to thank Spain for support
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South Asia
· Post-August 5 Politics in Bangladesh : BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami Drifting Apart
· Special Forces Personnel Conclude Advanced Sharia Sciences Training
· Supreme Court Announces Resolution of Over 185,000 Civil and Criminal Cases
· Refugees Minister Haqqani and Pakistani Ambassador Discuss Refugee Policies and Border Issues
· Afghanistan Marks First Export of 250 Tons of Potatoes to Uzbekistan
· MoHRA team in Tehran to attend Islamic conference
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Arab World
· Saudi Arabia and Italy share vision for future
· Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen rehabilitates 650 homes in Aden
· Saudi FM heads ministerial committee delegation of Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit
· Saudi, US officials discuss nonprofit sector regulation
· 2025 named ‘Year of Handicrafts’ to showcase Saudi artisan talents worldwide
· Students plant 1,600 trees in Saudi royal reserve
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Africa
· Islamist Armed Groups Terrorize Civilians In Burkina Faso-Human Rights Watch
· Nigeria Will Be A Leading Hub Of $7.7trn Global Halal Market – Shettima
· Yahaya Bello Is Not In Our Custody, He Remains A Wanted Man – EFCC
· Mpox: Focus on one of the worst-affected cities in eastern DRC
· Ghana's opposition NDC stages protests over alleged voter roll irregularities
· Jaiz Wins 2024 Global Most Promising Islamic Bank Award
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Pakistan
· Despite Fazl's Rejection, Asif Says Hope Still Alive For JUI-F Supporting Constitutional Amendment
· Army Public School Attack Survivor Ahmed Nawaz, 14 At The Time, Receives British Empire Medal
· IHC restrains court from issuing verdict in £190m case
· Pakistan, Russia seek more avenues for cooperation
· 3 terrorists killed in Nankana Sahib shootout: Punjab CTD
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Europe
· Dutton Suggests Apology For Calling Lebanese-Muslim Migration A ‘Mistake’ Made To ‘Senior Person’ In Community
· Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities meet to support those struggling in Elmbridge
· Jailed: Asian man posed as far-Right hooligan during Birmingham riots to stir up racial hatred against Muslims
· Dozens arrested as crime message network dismantled
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Southeast Asia
· Thailand Will Indict Ex-Security Personnel Over The Deaths Of 78 Muslim Protesters In 2004
· Malaysia charges man linked to Islamic firm in alleged child abuse scandal
· Malaysia’s halal certification a seal of quality among Islamic countries -- Brazil Ambassador
· Foreign Ministry: Malaysia lauds UN resolution backing ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestine
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/india-unga-palestine-israel/d/133235
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India Abstains In UNGA On Resolution Demanding Israel Leave Occupied Palestinian Territory Within 12 Months
India urged the General Assembly to make a genuine effort to strive for peace. (Photo: Bloomberg)
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September 19, 2024
India on Wednesday abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that demanded that Israel bring an end, “without delay”, to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution, with 124 nations voting in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions, including that by India.
Those abstaining included Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Nepal, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Israel and the US were among the nations who voted against the resolution titled ‘Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’.
The resolution adopted Wednesday demanded that “Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility, and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution.” The Palestinian-drafted resolution also strongly deplored the continued and total disregard and breaches by the Government of Israel of its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions, and stressed that such breaches seriously threaten regional and international peace and security.
It recognised that Israel must be held to account for any violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that it “must bear the legal consequences of all its internationally wrongful acts, including by making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts.”
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-unga-israel-occupied-palestinian-territory-9575009/
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US Senator Accuses Muslim Activist, Maya Berry, Of Supporting Hamas, Hezbollah; Maya Responses, You Have Put The Focus On The Issue Of Hate In Our Country
Maya Berry says over and over that she doesn’t support Hamas
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By KANISHKA SINGH
18 September 2024
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Republican US Senator John Kennedy on Tuesday accused a leading Muslim civil rights advocate of supporting extremism during a Senate hearing on hate incidents in the US, drawing criticism from many rights groups.
“You support Hamas, do you not?” Kennedy asked Arab American Institute executive director Maya Berry, who replied by saying: “You asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country.”
In a follow-up question, the senator asked, “You support Hezbollah, too, don’t you?” He later told her, “You should hide your head in a bag.”
Berry repeatedly said in her responses that she did not support those groups, and added that she found the line of questioning “extraordinarily disappointing.”
Hamas and Hezbollah are both designated as “foreign terrorist organizations” by the US government.
Multiple rights advocates denounced Kennedy.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that a US senator would weaponize the racial identity of a witness and accuse her of supporting terrorism by using an anti-Arab and anti-Muslim trope in a hearing meant to tackle precisely that kind of bigotry,” Council on American Islamic Relations Government Affairs director Robert McCaw told Reuters.
“This harassment is alarming,” Muslim American advocacy group Engage Action said.
The Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee, which organized Tuesday’s hearing, also condemned the senator and called Berry’s response to him “powerful.”
Rights advocates have warned about rising threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the eruption of Israel’s war in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel.
US incidents in recent months include the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Muslim girl in Texas, the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois, the stabbing of a Muslim man in Texas, the beating of a Muslim man in New York, threats of violence against Jews at Cornell University that led to a conviction and sentencing, and an unsuccessful plot to attack a New York City Jewish center.
Source:timesofisrael.com
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-senator-accuses-muslim-activist-of-supporting-hamas-hezbollah/
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Turkey Needs To Acquire Nuclear Arms To Stop Israel, Urges Erdogan’s Chief Fatwa Giver
On September 7, 2024, Hayrettin Karaman is seen addressing the annual convention of the Önder İmam Hatipliler Derneği (Önder Imam Hatip Association), an Islamist group known for its strong support of the Erdogan government.
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September 19, 2024
Hayrettin Karaman, the 90-year-old Islamic jurist and chief fatwa (religious edict) giver for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a prominent ideologue for the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood, has said Turkey must pursue nuclear capabilities to counter Israel and establish deterrence against its adversaries.
In an article published September 8 in the Islamist Yeni Şafak daily, Karaman argued that Turkey’s current efforts are insufficient to stop Israel. He urged that “either the Islamic world must unite and collaborate with China and Russia, or Turkey must move forward by acquiring nuclear warheads and weapons.”
Karaman praised the Erdogan government’s efforts in advancing the defense industry and enhancing Turkey’s conventional warfare capabilities. However, he criticized the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which Turkey is a signatory, arguing that the nuclear powers recognized under the treaty are colonialists seeking to maintain their exploitation through military force.
“If the countries they exploit acquire nuclear weapons, they will no longer be able to continue their oppression,” he added.
Recalling his 1995 trip to Israel and Palestine, Karaman said he personally observed how Jews envision a “Greater Israel,” known as the “promised land” (Arz-ı Mev’ud). He claimed that Jews are advancing toward this goal with support from the West.
The so-called “promised land” conspiracy allegedly extends to parts of southeastern Turkey. President Erdogan has echoed this claim in public speeches, alleging that Israel seeks to annex Turkish territory. Erdogan has also praised Hamas, saying the group defends not only the rights of Palestinians but also those of Turks.
In a speech delivered at a conference in his palace in Ankara on November 10, 2023, President Erdogan publicly raised this conspiracy for the first time.
“A catastrophe, a crime against humanity, is unfolding in front of the entire world. Those [Israelis] seizing the lands the Palestinian people have lived in for thousands of years have created a state [in Israel] with a controversial history of only 75 years. Not content with this, they are also threatening to use nuclear weapons, including our country in their promised land and testing our patience with their technological superiority and oppression,” he said.
Erdogan reiterated this claim in a broader context on November 11, 2023 during a speech in Riyadh at the extraordinary joint Islamic-Arab summit, which was convened to address the Israeli-Hamas conflict. “The expression of unfounded notions about promised lands that pose a threat to the territorial integrity of many countries in the region, including Turkey, is the most explicit evidence of this [aggression],” he stated.
Turkey has openly aligned itself with Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the US and the EU. The country has hosted senior Hamas figures, offering them logistical support, funding and, in some cases, even citizenship. President Erdogan has defended Hamas’s armed fighters, describing them as mujahideen fighting to liberate their lands.
Karaman’s advocacy for Turkey to acquire nuclear weapons carries significant weight, particularly due to his influence among Islamists in the country, including those in key positions within the government-backed defense industry. He is often regarded as the Turkish equivalent of the late Imam Yousef Qaradawi — the Egyptian cleric and spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who famously endorsed suicide bombings.
This is not the first time Karaman has advocated developing nuclear weapons. In an article for the same newspaper on March 16, 2017, he argued, “We need to consider producing these weapons [weapons of mass destruction] ourselves, rather than purchasing them, without delay and regardless of Western warnings and obstacles.”
Karaman is a proponent of portraying Erdogan as the leader of all Muslims, or caliph, and advocates for absolute obedience to the Erdogan regime among Muslims. Many of Erdogan’s followers have come to view him as the anticipated savior and the sole Muslim leader capable of standing up to the West, crusaders and Israel.
In his article for Yeni Şafak on December 25, 2015, Karaman argued that “the presidential system is like the Islamic caliphate system in which the people elect the president [caliph/ruler], then all pledge allegiance [biyat] to him.” He claimed that opposing Erdogan is contrary to Islam and asserted that the Muslim faith mandates believers to support him in elections.
On the eve of the 2017 constitutional referendum that transitioned Turkey from a parliamentary system to an imperial presidency with no checks and balances, Karaman wrote that voting “yes” to approve the new system was a religious obligation (farz) for all Muslims.
One of Karaman’s most provocative statements as a cleric was made when he appeared to condone extrajudicial actions against Erdogan’s political rivals. In a column published on December 19, 2013 he wrote that “… damage to an individual, region, or group is tolerated to prevent harm to the public or ummah. I urge those in politics with common sense and a good heart to remember this fundamental rule and as an example to honor the memory of the martyr Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu with prayers.”
This article was particularly shocking given the context of Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu’s death. A leading nationalist opposition figure, Yazıcıoğlu was killed in a controversial helicopter crash in 2009. There is a widely held belief that his death was the result of a covert operation by elements within the Turkish security establishment, with allegations that Erdogan himself may have approved it.
The radical cleric also endorsed torture and ill-treatment in Turkey in an article published on February 2, 2017. In this piece he argued that “no punishment can be rendered to soldiers who committed lesser crimes while they are fighting.” He was referring to widespread and credible allegations of torture, abuse and ill-treatment in detention centers and prisons following a July 15, 2016 coup attempt and defending the torturers.
His column coincided with reports from international watchdogs, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, which confirmed widespread abuse and torture during that period. Following Karaman’s recommendation, President Erdogan issued a decree granting blanket immunity to those involved in the torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
Karaman is a vocal supporter of the mass persecution in Turkey under the Erdogan regime that led to the dismissal of nearly 150,000 government employees without effective judicial or administrative oversight. The Gülen movement, inspired by US-based liberal Islamic thinker Fethullah Gülen, has been particularly targeted in the widespread crackdown by the Erdogan government.
According to official figures released on July 12, 2024, a total of 705,172 individuals affiliated with the Gülen movement have faced legal action, primarily through detention and arrest, since the July 2016 coup attempt. Among them, 125,456 were convicted on charges related to terrorism and/or the failed coup, which many consider to be fabricated.
The 2016 abortive putsch is widely believed to have been a false flag operation orchestrated by President Erdogan and his intelligence and military chiefs. This plot was used as a pretext to suspend fundamental rights and freedoms, launch mass purges, transition to a presidential system of governance and justify a Turkish military incursion into Syria.
When the Erdogan government faced difficulties with Middle Eastern and North African nations, Karaman directed his criticism at these countries as well. He labeled Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt the “Devil’s Triangle.”
Karaman worked closely with the Qatar-based International Association of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), a Muslim Brotherhood organization, and served as a vice president in 2018. The IUMS is currently led by Sheikh Ali al-Qaradaghi, who has been residing in Turkey and enjoys VIP treatment from the Erdogan government.
Source:nordicmonitor.com
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https://nordicmonitor.com/2024/09/turkey-needs-to-acquire-nuclear-arms-to-stop-israel-urges-erdogans-chief-fatwa-giver/
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IEA’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, Says All Laws Now Based On Sharia
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. | Photo Credit: AP
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September 19, 2024
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has reiterated that the current system is based on the Holy Quran and Sharia, opposed to previous laws that were of European and American origin.
Speaking during his tour of northern provinces, Hibatullah Akhundzada criticized previous laws under the former government and said the laws in place now are based on the “Quran, Tigh and Hadith”.
He also said: "The conquest of Kabul is like the conquest of Makkah."
He asked the officials of the Islamic Emirate to name victory day "Fath Day".
The leader of the Islamic Emirate stated that the Doha negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Emirate were conducted based on Islamic Sharia and according to him: "No step of these negotiations has been taken or implemented against the religion."Source:
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Source:ariananews.af
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https://www.ariananews.af/ieas-leader-says-all-laws-now-based-on-sharia/
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Saudi Arabia will not recognize Israel without Palestinian state, crown prince tells Shoura Council
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Pic credit: Reuters)
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September 18, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday that the Kingdom would not recognize Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
During an address to the Shoura Council, he also strongly condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.
“The Kingdom will not stop its tireless work toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the crown prince said.
Prince Mohammed thanked “countries that recognized the Palestinian state in embodiment of international legitimacy,” and urged other countries who had not done so to “take similar steps.”
The Kingdom sought to enhance regional and international security and peace by making efforts to reach political solutions to the crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Ukraine, the crown prince said.
Turning to the Kingdom’s domestic situation, the crown prince said that any achievement made through Saudi Vision 2030’s comprehensive umbrella of various paths was an elevation for the nation, a benefit for the citizen, and immunity from fluctuations and changes for future generations.
“We are proceeding with optimism and confidence in continuing the journey to achieve our targets, according to a comprehensive and integrated approach based on careful review and prioritization,” the crown prince said.
“Our nation has made significant strides during this transformative period. Non-oil activities have reached a new pinnacle, contributing 50 percent of the real GDP last year. This achievement fosters sustainable and inclusive growth, solidifying our economic diversification efforts.
“The Public Investment Fund remains a driving force for investment, while unemployment rates have reached historic lows, declining from 12.8 percent in 2017 to 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2024.”
The crown prince added that while the Kingdom moved forward “on the paths of modernization and diversity,” the country was keen to protect its identity and values, “which are an extension of the journey of our grandfathers and fathers.”
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2571912/saudi-arabia
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India
Former LDF Convener Rejects CPM Leader’s Remarks ‘That Political Islam Has Become A Big Challenge In The State As It Attracts Youths Towards Terror Outfits’
September 18, 2024
Senior CPI-M leader and former LDF convenor EP Jayarajan has rejected the statement of his party colleague P Jayarajan that Political Islam has become a big challenge in the state as it attracts youths towards terror outfits.
Speaking to media persons here, Jayarajan said Kerala is a state where terrorists cannot extend their activities as the state government is vigilant.
“Kerala is a state where terrorists cannot extend their activities. The government here is working with great vigil to create religious tolerance, and to provide happiness and satisfaction for the people. This government will not allow any terrorist activities in Kerala,” said EP Jayarajan.
In an interview to a local media, Jayarajan said the other day that Political Islam has become a big challenge in the state as it attracts youths to terror outfits.
Talking about his upcoming book related to Muslim politics and political Islam, the CPI-M strongman said though only a few youths from Kannur joined terror outfits like Islamic State (IS), the influence of political Islam is a matter of concern and an issue in Kerala.
He said political Islam wields its influence among youths by taking advantage of the social situation following the Babri Masjid demolition. “A few youths from Kannur had joined IS and went to Syria and Afghanistan. Four others joined terror groups in Kashmir and they were killed in an encounter with the Indian Army. We don’t want to exaggerate it. But, youths are being influenced by political Islam,” he said.
Meanwhile, Catholic Church mouthpiece ‘Deepika’ daily welcomed Jayarajan’s remarks. In an editorial published on Wednesday, Deepika said someone like Jayarajan coming to change the face of Islamic extremism gives expectation. Along with this, comes the criticism that the CPI-M cannot see the political Islam as seen by P Jayarajan.
The editorial says Jayarajan’s statement is relevant despite the fact that secular parties have fuelled Islamic extremism and that Jayarajan’s statement conforms to the church’s position.
“Congress and the Left parties in India did not modernise their stances according to the devastation wrought by Islamic extremism globally. This helped the growth of right-wing thinking, politics and communalism in Indian politics. Although the word Islamophobia cannot be dismissed completely, its misuse has grown to the level of political Islam,” the editorial further says.
Stating that those who failed to recognize Islamic extremism did a disservice to secular politics, the editorial said even after ruling for decades, Congress could not fight terrorism.
Christians, who suffer religious persecution the most, have been left out of international reporting. Instead, the perpetrators were portrayed as victims, the editorial says “Christians in the Middle East face genocide-like persecution. There is no doubt about the lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war,” the editorial further says.
The editorial also accused the Kerala media of not writing about Christians who are being killed by Islamic terrorist movements all over the world.
Source:thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/former-ldf-convenor-rejects-cpm-leaders-remarks-on-political-islam-1503344708.html
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Kashmir vote ‘revenge’: In phase-I of Assembly polls, voter turnout highest in 35 years
Muzaffar Raina
19.09.24
The battle-weary youths of Karimabad and other "hot-blooded" villages in south Kashmir have come to understand the true power of “democracy” the tough way.
In the first Assembly elections in a decade, following the 2019 revocation of Article 370, the 16 constituencies of south Kashmir recorded over 50 per cent voter turnout on Wednesday.
Rajpora, of which Karimabad is a part, saw a turnout of 46 per cent. The turnout in 24 constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir that went to the polls in the first phase on Wednesday was 58.85 per cent, the highest in 35 years.
If south Kashmir donned the mantle of azadi after the killing of Hizbul poster boy Burhan Wani in 2016, villages like Karimabad would have been its epicentre. Around 100 people died in the agitation that year and hundreds picked up arms over subsequent years.
The answer to the death of every militant, who fell fighting security forces here, was another youth willing to pick up arms.
The village boasts of a "martyrs' graveyard", where nearly three dozen militants or civilians who died in firing by the forces are buried. And for every protest dispersed by the forces using pellets, bullets and smoke canisters, the answer was more protests.
Dozens were hit by pellets and several were blinded in one eye. The protests abated because of the government's iron-fist policy after the 2019 scrapping of special status.
But the villagers' ordeal never ended. Arrests, harassment and midnight raids continue.
Villagers say more than a dozen youths are in detention under the Public Safety Act. A security camp has come up here to keep a watch over the villagers.
The youths were again on the roads on Wednesday to exact revenge — this time not with stones but with votes.
A stone-thrower, who landed in jail around half a dozen times during the troubled years, told this newspaper at the peak of the protests in 2017 that if a truckload of arms was dropped here, there would be as many hands willing to pick them up.
On Wednesday the youth, whose name is being withheld for his safety, heaped praise on Omar Abdullah, going door to door to ferry voters to the polling booth asking them to vote for the former chief minister.
“There was a time when only old men sided with the NC (Omar's National Conference). But today even the youth are with them here. If the BJP is telling you that people are coming out to vote, courtesy 2019, they are right. But you should also know it is not to vote for them but to vote against them,” he said.
“We want an Assembly that safeguards our rights, gives us relief from non-local bureaucrats, protects us from daily humiliation and offers us jobs.”
An unemployed postgraduate sitting next to him said the village was paying a huge price for its past.
“Not all people participated in those protests but the entire village was persecuted. We have been blacklisted for jobs. Getting private jobs is also difficult. There are no jobs as the new reservation policy gives 70 per cent jobs to 30 per cent of the population,” he said.
In many places, there were long queues of enthusiastic voters waiting for their turn to vote. The anger against the 2019 changes was palpable. They were out to punish not just the BJP but also the PDP, which had joined hands with it for government formation in 2015.
A horrific past
Some families, however, stayed away from the elections.
Zainab Lone was one of them. She lost her elder son, Abid Hussain, an MBA from Bengaluru, to firing by security forces in December 2018.
“My son had a three-month-old daughter from his Indonesian wife. He had gone out to buy milk for his daughter. On the way, an army vehicle (on anti-militancy operations) overturned. They panicked and opened fire on civilians, killing my son and five others,” said Zainab, a retired government teacher.
“Nobody offered us any support. My daughter-in-law left for her home in Indonesia sometime later. She died of a heart attack in 2021. My granddaughter is six and lives with an aunt there. We have got nothing but pain from the government. So why vote?” Lone said.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/kashmir-vote-revenge-in-phase-i-of-assembly-polls-voter-turnout-highest-in-35-years/cid/2048891
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Union Govt Attempting To 'Infringe' On Jammu And Kashmir Political Executive's Powers: Congress
19.09.24
The Congress on Thursday attacked the BJP as Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to Jammu and Kashmir, and accused the NDA government of attempting to infringe on the political executive's powers in the union territory.
With the PM heading to Srinagar and Katra for rallies, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to him.
Why is the Union Government "attempting to infringe" on the J-K political executive's powers, he asked.
In July 2024, the Home Ministry amended the rules under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, giving powers to make decisions on crucial matters such as police and all-India services officers and granting sanctions for prosecution in various cases solely to the Union Government appointed Lieutenant Governor (LG), Ramesh pointed out.
"By curtailing the J&K political executive's policing and administrative powers, the Home Ministry has severely compromised the functioning of the future J&K Government," he said.
If the central government is sincere in giving complete statehood to the people of J&K, then why is it continuing to compromise the to-be state government's powers, he asked.
Ramesh further asked if the Union Government's actions are popular, why do the BJP and its proxies keep getting rejected by the people of J-K.
"When the BJP abrogated Article 370 to much fanfare in 2019, they repeatedly argued that the actions were popular among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the non-biological PM refused to visit J&K after 2019, until the Lok Sabha polls in 2024," he said.
The BJP refused to contest the Lok Sabha elections in the Kashmir Valley, instead implicitly supporting candidates put up by its proxies, he claimed.
"However, all three proxies fared poorly, scoring a zero in the Lok Sabha and securing a lead only in one Vidhan Sabha segment. If the Union Government's actions are popular, why do the BJP and its proxies keep getting rejected by the people of J&K?" Ramesh said.
Why is the Union Government unable to attract investment in J-K, even in lithium mining, he asked.
"The non-biological PM's Government generated considerable excitement and rightfully so about the discovery of nearly six million tons of lithium in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District in Jammu and Kashmir. A year later, however, it has had to scrap two rounds of auctions for rights to mining in the area, after failing to generate enough interest from investors," he said.
Lithium is among the most sought-after minerals of the 21st century, and has a key role in the energy transition, Ramesh noted.
Globally, there has been an investor rush to secure reliable access to lithium mining rights, the Congress leader added.
"It is not financial disinterest that is precluding investors from interest in the lithium reserves in Reasi, it is the failing security situation in the region," he said.
Twelve soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir have been martyred in terrorist attacks in July 2024 alone, and Reasi itself saw a dastardly attack on a civilian bus on June 9, 2024, Ramesh pointed out.
"The repeated message of the non-biological PM and his Ministers since August 5th, 2019, has been that its actions would stabilize the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a fillip to investment in the region. Why then has his Government failed to do so?" he said.
Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. Voting for 24 seats was held in the first phase on Wednesday. Next, polling for 26 seats would be held in the second phase on September 25.
The voting for 40 seats in third phase will be held on October 1 while counting of votes will be held on October 8.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/congress-union-government-attempting-to-infringe%c2%80-on-jammu-and-kashmir-political-executives-powers/cid/2048952
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J&K polls: BJP allegedly checks voter IDs, PDP accuses police of assault for objecting
18.09.24
PDP Kishtwar candidate in J&K Firdous Ahmad Tak on Wednesday accused police of assaulting him after he objected to his BJP counterpart Shagun Parihar's alleged attempt to check the identity cards of women voters at a polling station here.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal said the voting remained unaffected and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident at Bagwan polling station to know the actual facts for taking appropriate action.
The Bagwan polling station is considered to be communally sensitive.
"I came to know from my workers that the BJP candidate had come to the polling station and is intimidating the female voters by checking their identity cards. This is presumed as an attempt by the party to hamper voting.
"I reached there and politely asked her that you are like my sister and daughter as I consider your father as my elder brother and if you have any objection, inform the presiding officer," Tak, a former member of legislative council told PTI.
However, he said, she refused and in the meantime some BJP workers came and tried to disrupt the voting and peaceful atmosphere.
"The police did not act against them for one-and-a-half hours and when I objected, a senior officer pushed me to silence me. When I told him that I am a contesting candidate, he slapped and kicked me in full public view which clearly shows how police are working like BJP agents," he alleged.
BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal blamed the PDP for the "ugly situation" and said "the goons of the party felt frustrated on seeing long queues of the people outside the polling stations indicative of flourished democracy under Modi-led government'.
"The PDP workers tried to browbeat the BJP candidate without any provocation. Such things can be expected from a party which has lost its ground in J&K and does nowhere exist," he said, terming the incident as "unfortunate and undemocratic".
Additional Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kumar Kotwal, who rushed to the scene, said the concerned sector magistrate has been asked to inquiry the incident thoroughly and submit his report so that appropriate action will be taken against the erring persons.
"There was some issue on identity cards which was resolved on time. The sector magistrate is present there and the voting is going on at the polling station peacefully," he said, expressing happiness over 60 percent polling recorded in the district till 1 pm with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-polls-bjp-allegedly-checks-voter-ids-pdp-accuses-police-of-assault-for-objecting/cid/2048816
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Army officer ‘assaulted inside police station’, Odisha DGP suspends 5 cops
Written by Sujit Bisoyi
Updated: September 18, 2024
Odisha police, Army officer assaulted inside police station, Army officer assaulted, Indian army, Indian express news, current affairsA notification issued by Crime Branch additional director general (ADG) Arun Bothra says he took full control over the investigation of the case. A DSP rank officer has been assigned to probe into the incident, said police.
The Odisha police Wednesday suspended five cops for “gross misconduct” following its probe into the alleged “assault” by police on an Army officer and his aide inside a police station in Bhubaneswar.
The police Tuesday ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident after the Central Command of the Indian Army took a “serious view” of the incident.
Sources said the Central command also took up the matter with the state authorities and demanded necessary action. Odisha DGP YB Khurania ordered a Crime Branch probe following intervention of the Indian Army.
On Wednesday, an order by the DGP stated that five personnel of the Bharatpur police station have been suspended with immediate effect: Inspector Dinakrushna Mishra, Sub-inspector Baisalini Panda, Assistant sub-inspectors Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath, and Constable Balaram Hansda.
The incident happened on Saturday night when Major Gurvansh Singh of 22 Sikh Regiment, currently posted in West Bengal and his fiancée Ankita Pradhan had gone to the Bharatpur police station to lodge a complaint over alleged assault on them by a group of youths over vehicle overtaking when the couple returned from a restaurant in Bhubaneswar.
According to sources, at the police station there was an altercation between the Army officer and three female officers inside the police station. The police booked the Army officer and arrested Ankita following the incident.
The police alleged that Ankita assaulted the female officers at the police station and threw various documents and items kept on a table inside the police station. Ankita allegedly bit the ear of a woman police officer and tried to twist another, alleged the police.
Police also accused the couple of being intoxicated and as a result not able to properly write their complaint against the “unidentified youths” who allegedly assaulted them.
On Sunday, the police registered a case under Section 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 296 (obscene acts), 324 (2) (committing mischief), 118 (1) (using dangerous weapon), 74 (assaulting or using criminal force on woman), 132 (assaulting public servant), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), 3 (5) (joint criminal liability) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While the fiancée of the army officer was arrested the army officer was let off after being served notice.
The army officer and family members of Ankita accused police of physically assaulting her in police custody. They have also lodged a complaint with the police.
“An incident of manhandling of an Army officer by Police Station, Bharatpur, #Orissa has been reported in media. #IndianArmy takes a serious view of the incident. Necessary action has been taken up with the state authorities,” tweeted the Central Command of the Indian Army.
A notification issued by Crime Branch additional director general (ADG) Arun Bothra says he took full control over the investigation of the case. A DSP rank officer has been assigned to probe into the incident, said police.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-officer-assaulted-inside-police-station-odisha-orders-probe-9573192/
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Outrageous: Israeli envoy confronts Iran's comment on Muslims' 'suffering' in India
18.09.24
Israel's Ambassador to India Reuven Azar, on Monday strongly condemned Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments on the treatment of minorities in India, calling the remarks "ridiculous" and hypocritical.
Azar pointed out that while Khamenei lectures other nations, Iran itself is accused of suppressing freedoms and violating human rights.
"It is really ridiculous that this radical leader is trying to lecture others while he is killing his own population oppressing freedoms like freedom of religion, freedom of speech, human rights that is completely outrageous and we hope Iranian people are going to be free one day from such oppression and tyranny coming from Khamenei," Azar told PTI.
The Iranian leader, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, talked about what he described as "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar and India.
"The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place," he posted on 'X' as part of series of posts on the event.
India on Monday strongly deplored the comments made by Iran's supreme leader on the condition of minorities in India, calling the remarks "misinformed and unacceptable".
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the countries commenting on minorities in India should look at their "own record" before making any observations about others.
Azar briefly touched on the incidents reported in Lebanon on the use of pager blasts all over the country, stating the Israeli government is committed to ensuring the safe return of citizens displaced by recent Hezbollah attacks.
"We are securing a diplomatic solution with the help of the US and other partners," he said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the India Water Week where he noted that the collaboration between India and Israel has become increasingly critical, particularly as India continues to tackle water scarcity and boost agricultural productivity.
"The ties between India and Israel have been expanding, especially in the field of water," Azar told PTI, while highlighting Israel's role as a global leader in water innovation.
Israel offers a comprehensive "bank of solutions" that has had significant impacts on food security and sustainability, according to Azar.
These solutions cover areas such as efficient irrigation systems, water recycling for agriculture and advanced water management networks.
The ambassador also emphasized Israel's presence on the ground in India, with Israeli expertise helping to run 32 Centers of Excellence focused on water management.
These centers, he noted, are playing a crucial role in India's agricultural and urban water sectors.
"We have companies that have started to produce on Indian soil, contributing to India's water management system," Azar said, adding the Israeli investments are reaching more Indian cities and agricultural regions.
Azar further stressed the water collaboration between the two nations is expected to persist and expand in line with India's infrastructure development goals.
"India is making amazing efforts to create more infrastructure to bring water solutions to the population," he stated, adding these solutions are essential to improving access to water for both urban and rural communities.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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North America
White House warns against ‘escalation’ in Mideast after Lebanon blasts
September 18, 2024
WASHINGTON: The White House on Wednesday warned all sides against escalation in the Middle East after two days of blasts in Lebanon, widely attributed to Israel, on hand-held devices targeting militant group Hezbollah.
“We still don’t want to see an escalation of any kind. We don’t believe that the way to solve where we’re at in this crisis is by additional military operations at all,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
“We still believe that the best way to prevent escalation, to prevent another front from opening up in Lebanon, is through diplomacy,” Kirby said.
Iran, which supports Hezbollah, had held back from major retaliation after an attack inside Tehran that killed the visiting political leader of Hamas.
Israel has been engaging in regular skirmishes with Hezbollah since the October 7 attack by Hamas, also backed by Iran’s clerical state.
Asked if Israel was adhering to international humanitarian law in the blasts on pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon, Kirby replied: “As we have said from the very beginning, Israel has a right to defend itself.”
“How they do so matters to us, and we don’t shy away from having those kinds of conversations with the Israelis as appropriate,” he said, without confirming Israeli involvement.
As for the United States, Kirby echoed previous statements denying involvement: “We were not involved in yesterday’s incidents or today’s in any way.
Source:arabnews.com
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CAIR-Chicago Urges Dismissal of Police Detective who Allegedly Made Anti-Muslim, Racist Posts
Ismail Allison
September 18, 2024
The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today urged the dismissal of a police detective over allegedly posting hundreds of social media posts expressing anti-Muslim, racist and bigoted sentiments.
A veteran Chicago police detective is under investigation over posts he reportedly made expressing anti-Muslim and racist sentiments.
“Law enforcement officers pledge an oath to serve and protect all citizens,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab. “If the investigation determines that this detective did in fact make those posts, we urge the department to dismiss him.”
He said that CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Source:cair.com
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Indiana County Following Allegations the County Illegally Denied Zoning Approval for Islamic Seminary and Residential Housing
September 18, 2024
The Justice Department today announced an agreement with Hendricks County (the County), Indiana, to settle allegations that the County violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by twice unlawfully denying zoning approval to Al Hussnain Inc., an Islamic educational organization, seeking to develop a religious seminary, school and residential housing in Hendricks County.
“Animus directed towards the Muslim community masked under the guise of an ordinary zoning restrictions violates the law and runs contrary to the principles of fairness and tolerance that are core in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “Federal law prohibits local governments from making zoning decisions about housing or religious land use on the basis of the religion of the developer or those whom they perceive might live at or worship at the development. The Justice Department will use its authority to stop discriminatory anti-Islamic conduct and hold local governments accountable.”
“Discrimination on the basis of religion has no place in the Crossroads of America,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “This office will steadfastly defend the right of all persons to enjoy housing free from discrimination. This complaint and consent decree demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that people of all faiths are not discriminated against by unlawful local government actions.”
The proposed consent decree, which was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and must still be approved by the court, resolves a lawsuit the United States also filed today. The complaint alleges that the County, facing significant community animus and opposition, denied Al Hussnain’s rezoning applications to develop a mixed-use community containing a residential neighborhood, community center, K-12 religious school, Islamic seminary and dormitories for seminary students at two different locations in the County, citing concerns that lacked a legitimate basis.
The complaint further alleges that Hendricks County repeatedly departed from its own zoning ordinances as well as the county’s processes and procedures for reviewing zoning applications and treated Al Hussnain’s application worse than similar applications brought by non-Muslim developers. The complaint alleges that the County engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination and denied rights to a group of persons because of religion in violation of the FHA and imposed a substantial burden on the Islamic organization’s religious exercise, treated the organization on less than equal terms with nonreligious assemblies or institutions and discriminated against the organization on the basis of religion in violation of RLUIPA.
The consent decree requires Hendricks County to pay monetary damages of $295,000 to Al Hussnain, Inc., a civil penalty of $5,000 to the United States, adopt Fair Housing and Religious Land Use policies, train its officials and employees on the requirements of RLUIPA and the FHA, and establish a procedure for receiving and resolving RLUIPA and FHA complaints.
The FHA prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners’ insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race or color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. More information about the FHA can be found here.
RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious institutions from unduly burdensome or discriminatory land use regulations. In June 2018, the Justice Department announced its Place to Worship Initiative, which focuses on RLUIPA’s provisions that protect the rights of houses of worship and other religious institutions to worship on their land.
Source:justice.gov
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https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-secures-agreement-indiana-county-following-allegations-county-illegally
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US says Iran sent info from Trump hack to Biden associates
September 19, 2024
Iranian hackers distributed hacked information about Donald Trump's electoral campaign to people linked to the Biden campaign, according to the FBI and US intelligence agencies.
US officials now believe that information taken from the Trump campaign was sent in unsolicited emails to people linked to the campaign in late June and early July - before Biden dropped out of the race for president.
There is currently no evidence that the hackers received any reply from any recipients.
In August, officials warned that Iran hopes to "stoke discord" and undermine confidence in US institutions ahead of the November election.
US officials said that Iran had used “social engineering and other efforts” to seek out direct access to both the Democratic and Republican campaigns – a tactic they said had been used by both Iran and Russia in other countries around the world.
Election polls - is Harris or Trump ahead?
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FBI said that “Iranian malicious actors have continued their efforts since June to send stolen, non-public material associated with former President Trump’s campaign to US media organisations".
When contacted by the BBC, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that the hack is proof that Iran was "interfering in the election to help Kamala Harris and Joe Biden because they know President Trump will restore his tough sanctions and stand against their reign of terror".
She said Biden and Harris should outline what happened to the material sent to Biden associates. "What did they know and when did they know it?” Ms Leavitt questioned.
The former president also commented on the hacking on Wednesday, telling supporters that "they [Iran] gave them all the materials because Biden is working with Iran".
Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign, said that the campaign has cooperated with authorities since it was made aware of the hacks.
"We're not aware of any material being sent directly to the campaign," Ms Finkelstein added. "A few individuals were targeted on their personal emails with what looked like a spam or phishing attempt."
Ms Finkelstein added that it condemns "in the strongest terms" any foreign election interference efforts.
The BBC has also contacted the White House for comment.
The FBI statement added that officials have been in contact with the victims of the hack and will continue to investigate in hopes of stopping and disrupting "the threat actors responsible”.
A spokesperson for Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations told CBS - the BBC's US partner - that "Iran neither has any motive nor intent to interfere in the US election; and, it therefore categorically repudiates such accusations".
The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of Trump's security, just days after a second apparent assassination attempt was made against him at his golf course in Florida.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Trump addressed the attempt, saying that "I just have to lead my life".
"You don't want to ever be curtailed because of the crazy people out there," he added.
After Trump was wounded by a gunman during a 13 July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, US officials said that an Iranian threat on Trump's life had prompted additional security measures.
At a packed rally in Long Island in New York on Wednesday - just a few miles away from where he grew up in Queens - Trump said that "God spared my life".
"Not once, but twice," he said to raucous applause from the crowd. "There are those that say he [God] did it because Trump is going to turn this state around. He's going to turn this country around."
Supporters at the rally told the BBC they were angry after learning about the second possible attempt after authorities say gunman was found with a rifle at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida as the former president was golfing.
One supporter at the rally, Dina Glazer, said she blamed Democrats and their rhetoric about Trump for the incidents.
The former president “needs more security, which they haven’t done”, she said.
Another supporter, Michelle Christ, said she feared Trump was in "constant danger".
“Some people think their opinion is the most important,” she said. “But you don’t act on those thoughts” violently, she said.
The crowd at the rally booed as Trump mentioned Springfield, Ohio, which has been rocked by unfounded claims about its Haitian immigrant community. Trump faced criticism for repeating them during the presidential debates.
“Send them back!” One member of the crowd shouted from the back of the arena.
Source:bbc.com
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Mideast
IRGC's effective role in the region provokes enemies of Iran, Islam: commander
September 18, 2024
TEHRAN - The head of Iran's Center for Iran-Iraq War Documentation and Research, General Ramezan Sharif, highlighted the crucial and inspiring role of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on both national and international levels, emphasizing how the force has provoked frustration and hostility among the IRGC's adversaries.
Speaking on the eve of the anniversary of the Sacred Defense—the eight-year Iran-Iraq war—Sharif addressed the Center’s staff, describing the IRGC as a foundational pillar established by the late Imam Khomeini.
He emphasized that the IRGC, alongside other armed forces, has played a pivotal role in defending Iran from both external enemies and domestic threats, while upholding the core values of the revolution.
Sharif attributed the IRGC’s strength to its deep-rooted connection to the people, its adherence to Islamic values, and teachings of Imam Khomeini and the Leader of the Islamic Revol the ution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He underscored the spiritual and moral inspiration drawn from these teachings, which continue to energize the IRGC's mission to protect Islam, Iran, and the Revolution.
Citing the ongoing attempts by Iran's enemies to undermine the IRGC’s standing, Sharif highlighted their use of false narratives to weaken its credibility. However, he insisted that the Iranian public remains supportive, recognizing the IRGC’s role in national defense, security, and public service, particularly in times of crisis, such as during natural disasters.
Sharif also linked the IRGC’s influence to broader geopolitical developments, especially in West Asia.
He pointed to the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation as an extension of the Sacred Defense, crediting the IRGC with inspiring resistance against Zionist forces and supporting the Palestinian cause.
He cited the international backlash against Israeli actions in Gaza as a continuation of the anti-imperialist spirit ignited by Iran’s Sacred Defense.
He concluded by reaffirming the mission of the Center for Sacred Defense Documentation and Research to document and share the history of the Sacred Defense and the IRGC's contributions over the past 46 years.
Source:tehrantimes.com
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New mural in Tehran unveiled celebrating Islamic Unity Week with message of Palestinian solidarity
September 18, 2024
TEHRAN- The latest mural in Enqelab Square, downtown Tehran, was unveiled on Tuesday to commemorate Islamic Unity Week with the slogan "Unity for the Freedom of Palestine."
The mural depicts people from various corners of the world, holding their flags and marching with the slogan "Unity for the Freedom of Palestine" under the shadow of the Mosque of the Prophet (Masjid al-Nabawi), heading towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine.
Last week, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reported that since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, a grim total of 41,226 Palestinians have been martyred. The ministry also stated that an additional 95,413 Palestinians have sustained injuries due to Israeli attacks on the region.
Beginning on October 7, Israel launched what many describe as a genocidal war against the already besieged Gaza Strip. This military escalation followed a significant operation by the Palestinian Hamas Resistance group, which was executed as a response to increasing violence and systemic atrocities inflicted by the Israeli regime on the Palestinian people.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically as Israel has enforced a complete siege on the territory, home to more than two million residents. This blockade has effectively cut off essential resources, including fuel, electricity, food, and water, leading to a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the suffering of Palestinians, who are grappling with severe shortages of basic necessities, medical supplies, and shelter.
As tensions continue to escalate, the plight of the Palestinian population in Gaza remains dire, drawing international attention and raising urgent calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to alleviate the catastrophic conditions they face.
The Islamic Unity Week refers to a ceremony held every year both by Sunnis and Shia. Shia tradition holds that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was born on the seventeenth day of the lunar month of Rabi' al-Awwal. On the other hand, according to Sunni tradition, he was born on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal. The event is held between two dates of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Marked first time in Iran in the mid-1980s and based on the decree of the late Imam Khomeini, the Muslims around the world observe Islamic Unity Week between these dates.
Source:tehrantimes.com
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Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets Zionist sites
18 Sep 2024
Beirut - Saba:
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, led by Hezbollah, launched intensive attacks on military sites of the Zionist enemy army in northern occupied Palestine, using appropriate weapons, and achieved confirmed hits.
The Lebanese Resistance said in separate statements that it targeted the headquarters of a reconnaissance force from the Golani 631 Brigade in the Ramot Naftali barracks with drone squadrons and hit the targets accurately.
Source:saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3373336.htm
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A historic first: Pezeshkian appoints Kurdish Sunni governor of Iran's Kurdistan province
2024-09-18
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the appointment of Arash Zerehtan as the governor of Kurdistan province in western Iran, making him the first Kurdish Sunni to hold this position in the country.
The new governor's appointment is part of the government's efforts to fulfill its promises of strengthening national unity and solidarity, regardless of ethnicity, sect, or race, according to the Arabic website of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Dr. Zerehtan, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly representing the city of Marivan, who holds a Ph.D. in international economics and has served as a member of parliament in the 11th term, will replace the current governor, Esmail Zarei Koosha, following a proposal from the Minister of Interior and approval by the Cabinet. He also previously worked as the executive director of the Red Crescent Society in Kurdistan province.
Notably, the Sunni community in Iran is the second largest after the Shiite one, representing the largest religious minority in the country. Statistics indicate that Sunnis make up between 8-10% of the population, with some reports estimating the figure to be 20% of the total population of approximately 90 million people.
Most Sunnis are concentrated in Sistan and Balochistan in southeastern Iran, and in Kurdistan province in the west, bordering Iraq's Kurdistan Region.
Source:shafaq.com
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https://shafaq.com/en/World/A-historic-first-Pezeshkian-appoints-Kurdish-Sunni-governor-of-Iran-s-Kurdistan-province
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Jordan’s king receives delegation from Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza
September 18, 2024
AMMAN: King Abdullah II received a delegation from the ministerial committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on developments in the Gaza Strip at Al-Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan headed the delegation, which discussed regional developments with King Abdullah during the meeting — also attended by Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and other officials attended the meeting, during which King Abdullah stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Jordanian royal warned of the impact of the war on Gaza and the dangers to regional stability and security of Israeli attacks and violations in the West Bank.
King Abdullah also stressed the important role of the committee in communicating the stance of Arab and Muslim countries to the international community, as well as pushing for international action to stop the Gaza war and create a political environment to achieve a comprehensive peace on the basis of a two-state solution.
Source:arabnews.com
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Musk’s Starlink launches satellite internet service in Yemen
SAEED AL-BATATI
September 18, 2024
AL-MUKALLA: Elon Musk said that his Starlink satellite internet provider will begin offering services in Yemen, eliciting enthusiastic reactions in the war-torn country, where the internet penetration rate is very low.
In a post on his social media platform, Musk said on Wednesday that the Starlink internet is now accessible in Yemen, sharing a post from the company that depicted Yemen in blue on its availability map as the sole Middle Eastern country in which the company will provide its services.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced earlier this month that the Starlink satellite internet would be officially launched in the country after the government signed a deal with the company, putting an end to the Houthi militia’s longstanding monopoly on Yemen’s telecommunications sector.
The government-run Public Telecommunications Corporation in the southern port city of Aden confirmed the launch of the Starlink service in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
“The Starlink service has been officially launched in the Republic of Yemen … Get ready for an unparalleled Internet experience,” the Yemeni said.
The Houthis, who militarily took power in Yemen a decade ago, have taken control of state-run landline and mobile providers, which generate billions of Yemeni riyals in revenue each year.
Yemen’s government has been able to end the Houthis’ monopoly on the internet and mobile sectors, establishing Aden Net, an internet company that provides 4G internet services to government-controlled areas.
TeleYemen, the Houthi-controlled company, is Yemen’s sole provider of landline, mobile and satellite internet services.
According to DataReportal, an online researcher, figures from online advisory company Kepios showed that 17.7 percent of Yemen’s 34.83 million population was connected to the internet in January 2024, with the internet penetration rate increasing by 2.2 percent between January 2023 and January 2024.
“For perspective, these user figures reveal that 28.67 million people in Yemen did not use the internet at the start of 2024, suggesting that 82.3 percent of the population remained offline at the beginning of the year,” DataReportal said in a report in February.
Yemenis, who have long complained about poor internet access in the war-torn country, reacted positively to Starlink’s announcement.
Akram Saleh, a Yemeni journalist, said that Starlink’s services will reach isolated and remote areas in Yemen, forcing Yemeni internet companies to improve their services and lower their prices.
He said that high-speed internet access in Yemen would result in social and economic transformation.
“In Yemen, having access to fast internet means experiencing significant social and economic transformations. Educational and professional opportunities will increase as high-speed internet becomes more widely available,” Saleh said on Facebook.
Despite welcoming the launch of Starlink’s services in the country, other Yemenis, such as political analyst Yasser Al-Yafae, expressed concern that the cash-strapped country would be deprived of the huge revenues from the mobile and telecom sector that would go to Starlink, causing Yemeni internet companies to shut down and that Starlink’s “unmonitored” internet services would provide Yemenis with access to “indecent” online content.
“As reliance on satellite internet services such as Starlink grow, local businesses may struggle to compete, jeopardizing their market future,” Al-Yafae said on X.
At the same time, the US Embassy in Yemen congratulated Yemenis on the start of the Starlink service.
“Congratulations to #Yemen on becoming the first Middle Eastern country with full #Starlink satellite internet access! This milestone demonstrates how technology can unlock new opportunities and drive progress,” it said on X.
Source:arabnews.com
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20 killed, 450 injured in second wave of blasts in Lebanon
NAJIA HOUSSARI
September 18, 2024
BEIRUT: Explosions in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon were apparently a second wave of detonations of electronic devices, state media said on Wednesday.
The report said walkie-talkies and even solar equipment were targeted a day after hundreds of pagers blew up.
At least 20 people were killed and 450 were wounded, the Health Ministry said.
A Hezbollah official told the Associated Press that walkie-talkies used by the group exploded.
Lebanon’s official news agency reported that solar energy systems exploded in homes in several areas of Beirut and southern Lebanon, wounding at least one girl.
The new blasts hit a country thrown into confusion and anger after Tuesday’s pager bombings, which appeared to be a complex Israeli attack targeting Hezbollah members that caused civilian casualties, too.
At least 12 people were killed, including two children, and about 2,800 people were wounded as hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded wherever they happened to be — in homes, cars, at grocery stores and in cafes.
Wednesday’s blasts caused fires, injuries and a state of hysteria because some of the devices were being carried by security personnel during the funeral ceremonies for the victims of the pager explosions on Tuesday.
Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut and several areas in the south and the Bekaa Valley.
Many were injured outside hospitals where the wounded from Tuesday’s bombings were being treated. Several of the wounded were transferred to Baalbek hospitals.
Some devices exploded with their carriers in front of the American University Hospital in Beirut.
Four cars containing devices exploded in the town of Aabbassiyeh in the south, three people were injured when a device exploded in a car in Jdeidet Marjeyoun, and parked cars exploded in Nabatieh because there were wireless devices in them.
Ambulances rushed everywhere, and Hezbollah supporters went out on motorcycles searching for victims after abandoning all their communication devices.
The Lebanese Army Command asked citizens “not to gather in places witnessing security incidents to make way for the arrival of medical teams.”
According to initial information, the devices that exploded on Wednesday are Icom V82 models, bought in the deal for pagers last spring.
Panic increased when information circulated on social media about the explosion of solar panels connected to internet devices. There were also claims that computers exploded.
Hezbollah member in a video clip that showed a room with shrapnel damage, said: “This was because of the device’s battery. I removed it from the device and put it aside. Look what happened.”
Footage showed fires in residential apartments in the southern suburbs of Beirut and in the south, and casualties during funeral ceremonies after their devices exploded.
The Axios website reported that “Israel blew up thousands of wireless communication devices used by Hezbollah elements in a second wave.”
In the first wave of bombings, it appeared that small amounts of explosives had been hidden in the thousands of pagers delivered to Hezbollah and then remotely detonated.
The reports of further electronic devices exploding suggested even greater infiltration of boobytraps into Lebanon’s supply chain.
It also deepens concerns over the attacks in which hundreds of devices exploded in public areas, often with many bystanders, with no certainty of who was holding the rigged devices.
Source:arabnews.com
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Palestinian president in Madrid to thank Spain for support
September 18, 2024
MADRID: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet Thursday in Madrid with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in his first visit to the country since it formally recognized a Palestinian state in May.
Abbas is stopping in Madrid at Spain’s invitation before heading to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, according to an official in his office.
Sanchez will meet with Abbas on Thursday, the Spanish premier’s office said Wednesday, but the details of the program for the rest of the Palestinian president’s visit is not yet known.
Abbas is also due to be received by Spain’s King Felipe VI according to the official in his office, but the royal palace, contacted by AFP, has not confirmed this meeting.
His visit comes after Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, on May 28 formally recognized a Palestinian state comprising the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Israel condemned their decision, saying it bolsters Hamas, the militant Islamist group that led the October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip.
Spain’s leftist government then announced that a first bilateral summit between Spain and Palestine would be held before the end of the year, and the first Palestinian ambassador to Spain presented his credentials on Monday to Spanish King Felipe VI.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the recognition of a Palestinian state is “not against anyone, least of all Israel,” but the move led to a further deterioration in ties between the two countries.
He has been one of the most outspoken critics in Europe of Israel’s Gaza offensive since the start of the conflict.
The October 7 attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has so far killed at least 41,226 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Sanchez vowed this month to continue to “pressure” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the global stage over the war in Gaza, especially at the International Criminal Court, which in May requested an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and his defense minister.
Spain, along with other nations, has joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice in which Pretoria has accused Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
“We are going to strengthen our ties with the Palestinian state,” Sanchez said, adding that Madrid hoped “to sign several collaboration agreements” with the Palestinian state at the bilateral summit later this year.
Last week, Madrid hosted a gathering of representatives from European and Arab nations to discuss how to advance a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The international community must take a decisive step toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” Sanchez said at the time.
Source:arabnews.com
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South Asia
Post-August 5 Politics in Bangladesh : BNP, Jamaat-e-IslamiDrifting Apart
Sep 19, 2024
The taunts and barbs leave little room for doubt that the 33-year-old ties have soured. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have differed in private and in public on various issues, including reforms and election timeframe.
BNP has made it known that it wants elections after a reasonable set of reforms. Its long-time ally Jamaat on the other hand has made it clear that it is willing to wait and allow Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government more time.
Experts say they have not previously seen such opposing views, that too in public, by the two parties that formed electoral alliance on multiple occasions in the past and even fought side by side to topple Hasina for years.
According to them, the two parties do not need each other anymore after the political changeover, as their "common political rival" Hasina is no longer in the scene.
BNP leaders say the rift between the two allies surfaced when Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman in a statement on August 26 alleged that BNP has already "grabbed 80 percent of the power".
"They [BNP] don't even need an election. They have grabbed whatever there is to grab – from footpath to begging business," Shafiqur had said.
Earlier on August 11, Dhaka City North unit member secretary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the youth front of BNP, Rabiul Islam Nayan, allegedly led a mob that tried to take control of Islami Bank's main branch in Motijheel. Jamaat, which allegedly wanted to establish its dominance over the first Shariah-based bank in Bangladesh, was upset by this, according to Jamaat insiders.
The gap between BNP and Jamaat appears to have widened centering also on appointments in key government posts, as both parties seek to solidify their control over various institutions.
BNP leaders say the interim government removed pro-Awami League people from different government positions, educational institutions, banks and insurance companies. Many of these posts have been given to pro-Jamaat men.
The differences became visible soon after Prof Yunus's address to the nation on August 25, where he did not mention the election timeframe.
In his reaction the next day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the chief adviser failed to address the election issue.
On the same day, the Jamaat chief said the nation will not accept any political party's demand for an election at a time when hundreds of people are still lying on hospital beds from injuries sustained during the July uprising.
As if in a direct response, Fakhrul told a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office on August 28 that those who do not have public support and cannot run government have different thoughts about election. "Those who cannot afford to win are against elections," he said.
Although both parties are in favour of reforms, BNP wants a reasonable level of reforms to some institutions, while Jamaat supports sustainable reforms, according to sources in the two parties.
Multiple Jamaat leaders said they want to allow the interim government more time for the sake of their own preparations for the election. They also said they are likely to join polls on their own. Before that, they want to "brighten the party image" through extensive social work. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal party matters.
Talking to The Daily Star on August 28, Mirza Fakhrul said Jamaat is no longer their ally and that BNP is making preparations to run in the election on its own.
Saiful Alam Khan, a member of Jamaat's central executive council, denied that there are any strains in the relations between the two parties.
"The two political parties have their own perspectives and opinions, and they will speak on the basis of their opinions. That does not mean that a tense situation has been created between us," he told The Daily Star.
BNP and Jamaat became political allies in 1991, when they formed government for the first time after the fall of HM Ershad, an autocrat.
In the 1991 election, BNP won 140 seats out of the 300 and needed 11 more to form government. Jamaat, which bagged 18 seats, extended its unconditional support to BNP.
BNP formed an electoral alliance with Jamaat in 1999, and the two parties went to the polls under a common banner, and eventually formed an alliance government in 2001.
BNP and Jamaat participated in the 2008 election under the four-party alliance banner and lost heavily to Awami League.
From 2013 to 2015, they launched a joint movement against the AL government.
The relations developed some cracks over seat sharing before the 2018 election, when Jamaat was first given 25 seats, which was later revised down to 22 seats.
As Jamaat lost its registration with the Election Commission in 2018, its candidates participated in that election with BNP's electoral symbol.
In 2022, the two parties officially broke up their alliance, and started a separate yet simultaneous movement against the AL government.
In the July uprising against Hasina's 15-year rule, both parties lent support and joined the movement, but separately.
Talking to The Daily Star, several mid-ranking BNP leaders said the differences with Jamaat essentially centre around politics of power and policy.
"This is not a conflict; it is rather a difference over beliefs and policies. And this difference is permanent. Jamaat is dreaming of assuming state power and then fulfill its desire," a BNP leader said, asking not to be named.
Asked about the differences between BNP and Jamaat, Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman of government and politics department at Jahangirnagar University said, "It's obvious. BNP and Jamaat came closer to face Awami League though their ideologies were different. But after the fall of the Awami League government, there is no need for them to stay together."
According to him, BNP and Jamaat are the main beneficiaries of the student movement that forced Hasina to flee to India.
"Both parties are now busy with their own political calculation. So they are keeping distance for their own interest now," he said.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/health/news/dengue-claims-6-lives-day-3706136
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Special Forces Personnel Conclude Advanced Sharia Sciences Training
2024-09-18\
KABUL(BNA): A total of 947 personnel from the Special Forces Division of the Ministry of National Defense have successfully completed a four-month training program in Sharia Sciences at the division’s advanced academy.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the graduation ceremony featured remarks from scholars and instructors who highlighted the critical role of Sharia education for military personnel. They provided essential guidance on adherence to principles and operational readiness.
The graduates reaffirmed their commitment to defending and preserving the Islamic system, pledging to apply the knowledge acquired during the training in their service to the nation.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Supreme Court Announces Resolution of Over 185,000 Civil and Criminal Cases
2024-09-18
KABUL(BNA): The Supreme Court of Afghanistan has announced that in the past year, the country’s courts received over 250,000 civil and criminal cases, with 185,591 of these cases successfully resolved.
During a press briefing at the Government Media and Information Center, officials from the Supreme Court outlined key achievements and activities of the judiciary for the fiscal year 1402 under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Mufti Atiqullah Darwish, Chief of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court, delivered remarks on the critical role of justice in society. He emphasized that justice is the fundamental mechanism to curb disorder and injustice, ensuring the protection of the oppressed and fostering peace within the community.
He further elaborated that out of 250,762 civil and criminal cases referred to Afghanistan’s courts over the past year, 203,478 cases were filed with the Primary Courts. Of these, 151,852 cases have been resolved, while 51,626 remain under review.
Similarly, the Appellate Courts received 34,762 cases, resolving 26,870, with 7,892 still pending. The Supreme Court itself handled 12,522 cases, of which 6,869 have been settled, while 5,653 are still in progress.
Among the resolved cases, 8,005 were related to narcotics, and 3,373 pertained to women’s Sharia-based rights. Additionally, the country’s courts executed 179,818 legal documents during this period.
Mufti Darwish also highlighted that, under the directive of His Excellency the Supreme Leader of IEA, during the past year’s Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations, 2,304 prisoners were released from Afghan prisons. Another 1,920 inmates were granted sentence reductions by the relevant authorities.
It was also noted that the High Council of the Supreme Court held 38 sessions in the fiscal year 1402, during which 191 different issues were addressed, and necessary decisions were taken.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Refugees Minister Haqqani and Pakistani Ambassador Discuss Refugee Policies and Border Issues
2024-09-18
KABUL(BNA): The Acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriations, Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, met today at his office with Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan.
According to a press release from the Ministry, during the meeting, Haqqani highlighted the challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He urged the neighboring country to respect the principle of neighborliness and to refrain from forcibly expelling or mistreating refugees.
Minister Haqqani also called for the development of a joint and comprehensive policy regarding refugees, aiming to ensure their future is secure and that they are not sacrificed for political purposes.
Additionally, Haqqani addressed various issues at the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings and requested the facilitation of smoother transit.
In response, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani affirmed that a stable and progressive Afghanistan benefits both Pakistan and the region. He suggested that issues should be resolved through mutual discussions.
Nizamani further emphasized that refugees are like brothers and sisters, and addressing their concerns is both a religious and ethical responsibility. He promised to present these issues to his leadership and take decisive steps towards their resolution.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Afghanistan Marks First Export of 250 Tons of Potatoes to Uzbekistan
2024-09-18
KABUL(BNA): Local officials in Balkh Province have announced the inaugural export of 250 tons of potatoes from Balkh to the joint market between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
Qari Amir Mohammad Muttaqi, Head of the Department of Industry and Commerce in Balkh, reported that the potatoes were transported to the joint market without phytosanitary treatment to streamline trade and facilitate the entry of Afghan products into international markets.
Muttaqi emphasized that this milestone will bolster trade relations and provide significant encouragement to Afghan traders.
Additionally, Asadullah Asadi, Head of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment, noted that future exports to the joint market will be carried out at the discretion of traders without the requirement for phytosanitary treatment. He highlighted that Afghanistan currently exports a range of products to Uzbekistan, including fresh and dried fruits, saffron, aromatic spices, and pressure cookers.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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MoHRA team in Tehran to attend Islamic conference
Ahmad Sohaib Hasrat
19 Sep 2024
KABUL (Pajhwok): A delegation of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs (MoHRA) has travelled to Iran to attend the 38th International Islamic Unity Conference.
MoHRA wrote on its X handle the delegation, headed by Deputy Minister Maulvi Aziz Rahman Mansour, was visiting the neighbouring country following an official invitation from Tehran.
The conference, which started on September 14 in Tehran, would continue till Sept. 21. Issues facing the Islamic world are being discussed at the conference.
Scholars, researchers and leading personalities from different Muslim countries are participating in the event, the ministry concluded.
Source:pajhwok.com
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia and Italy share vision for future
LAMA ALHAMAWI
September 18, 2024
RIYADH: Italy and Saudi Arabia share similar visions for the future, according to the president of the Lombardy region.
Attilio Fontana and his delegation expressed confidence in the potential for stronger cooperation during their visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
They aimed to explore new opportunities with Saudi officials and engage with Italian companies at the Interior Design and Furniture Exhibition in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“I believe that between Italy and Saudi Arabia, it’s possible to work very heavily together. And I think that we can engage,” Fontana told Arab News.
“The important thing … in Italy and in Saudi Arabia, is a view of the future, a vision of the future that is very similar. So, on this object, we can work together.”
Highlighting the significance of Italian participation at the exhibition in Riyadh, Fontana said: “You know, I believe that it’s very important for our entrepreneurs to know this merchant (Saudi Arabia) and to have the possibility to come here and to export because your country is very similar to our region.”
Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci also attended the exhibition.
“Italy is the second (largest) number of exposures in the firm, which means that there is a huge potentiality for stronger collaboration,” he said. “It looks very interesting and very promising; a lot of new companies are coming from Italy.”
“A big group of companies was also present last year in the past editions and the fact that Italians are increasing their numbers means it is very significant to us,” the ambassador said.
Baldocci underlined the importance of Fontana’s visit to Riyadh for Saudi-Italian cooperation: “It is very important; Lombardia is a model, a significant model also for Italy and Europe.
“We can establish strong collaboration in many fields, bilateral on both sides, so there would be advantages for the Italian side and Saudi side; it’s a win-win situation.”
Asked about sectors for growing partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Italy, he said: “I see many areas of technology, from high technology to fashion, design, automotive.
“On the cultural field, there is a highway of collaboration between Lombardia in Italy and Saudi Arabia, and in many other sectors too,” he said.
The president of Lombardia and the ambassador of Italy toured the exhibition areas and met Italian company representatives during the exhibition.
Among the more than 78 Italian companies present at the exhibition were Chairs and More, AMG, ArcaHorn, MIDJ, Vigano, Zanetto, and many others.
Discussing the many Italian companies showcased at the exhibition, Romano Baruzzi, director of the Riyadh office of the Italian Trade Agency, said: “All of the sectors are represented.”
Baruzzi said that while many Italian companies were already active in the Saudi market and had established local partnerships, several were still seeking to explore new avenues for growth in their collaborations.
“It’s a good opportunity if you consider that this is the fourth edition in terms of growth and the presence of companies; it’s a very big number,” he said.
Baruzzi said that some of the feedback he had received from Italian companies indicated that they were aware of the continuing expansion of Riyadh.
“I think we can offer very good opportunities for the Italian companies here,” he said.
Fontana, along with his delegation, will hold multiple sideline meetings with Saudi officials in culture, fashion, technology and innovation during the visit to the Kingdom.
The INDEX exhibition, focusing on interior design, takes place from Sept. 17-19 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition Center, welcoming local and international participants to showcase the latest innovations in design.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen rehabilitates 650 homes in Aden
September 18, 2024
RIYADH: The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen’s “Decent Housing” project has benefited nearly 900 families by rehabilitating 650 housing units in Aden’s Al-Mualla and Khor Maksar districts.
A tripartite partnership between SDRPY, Alwaleed Philanthropies and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), the project has also contributed to building the capacity of workers in the housing, construction and building sectors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
A ceremony was held at SDRPY’s Riyadh-based headquarters to celebrate the conclusion of the project, which aims to improve the living conditions of families in Yemen’s Aden governorate.
Alwaleed Philanthropies’ Secretary-General Princess Lamia bint Majed Al-Saud, Supervisor-General of the Program Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber, and Minister of Public Works and Roads Salem Al-Abboudi attended the celebration.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Waed Badhib, UN-Habitat’s Chief of Staff Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Regional Representative Rania Headeya participated via video link.
The Decent Housing project, the first of its kind in the housing sector in Yemen, aims to provide suitable living conditions for Yemeni families. It also offers thousands of job opportunities and hundreds of training opportunities, deepening the impact of such projects that contribute to sustainable development.
SDRPY has implemented development projects and initiatives in essential and vital sectors, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, and the development and support of the Yemeni government’s capabilities, across 14 Yemeni governorates.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi FM heads ministerial committee delegation of Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit
September 18, 2024
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan headed the ministerial committee delegation of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit which on Wednesday discussed developments in the Gaza Strip.
Held in Amman, Jordan, the meeting reviewed efforts to support the recognition of the Palestinian state and the urgent need to implement the two-state solution in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative.
It was attended by Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Palestine Mohammed Mustafa, along with other officials.
Source:arabnews.com
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Saudi, US officials discuss nonprofit sector regulation
September 18, 2024
RIYADH: A delegation from Saudi Arabia’s National Center for the Nonprofit Sector recently visited the US Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC.
The visit featured workshops and discussions on governance, legislation and nonprofit sector regulation, facilitating an exchange of expertise and best practices between the two countries.
The Saudi delegation, led by Yahya Almosteh, vice president of legal affairs, legislation and regulations at the center, met with IRS Global Operations executive director Mary Hammond and her team.
Key topics included IRS best practices in nonprofit regulation, tax exemption and compliance.
Established in 2018 as part of Vision 2030’s National Transformation Program, the center aims to organize and expand nonprofit organizations, enhance their social impact, and streamline government efforts in licensing, supervision and coordination.
Source:arabnews.com
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2025 named ‘Year of Handicrafts’ to showcase Saudi artisan talents worldwide
September 18, 2024
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Culture has announced 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” recognizing the cultural and artistic significance of this tradition in Saudi society.
The initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to celebrate Saudi artisans’ creativity and showcase their talents globally.
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan expressed appreciation for the Cabinet’s decision and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Saudi cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Badr said: “At the Ministry of Culture, we work to instill pride in the national identity and all the tangible and intangible cultural elements associated with it.
“This is one of the goals of the National Cultural Strategy under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, which places national identity and Saudi culture among its ambitious objectives.”
The “Year of Handicrafts” will serve as a platform to honor this essential component of national identity, celebrating its cultural and artistic value.
Prince Badr added: “Saudi handicrafts reflect the creativity of Saudi society through weaving, handmade artifacts and artistic innovations passed down through generations.
“Among these are pottery, traditional clothing, ceramic utensils, leatherwork, copperwork, tailoring, dyeing, blacksmithing, gold and jewelry crafting, and other handmade creations by Saudi artisans.”
The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy.
This will be achieved through events organized with partners to highlight the cultural, historical and economic importance of handicrafts.
Since 2020, the ministry has celebrated an annual “cultural year” to honor key elements of Saudi culture.
The “Year of Arabic Calligraphy” was celebrated in 2020 and extended into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kingdom celebrated 2022 as the “Year of Saudi Coffee,” 2023 as the “Year of Arabic Poetry,” and 2024 is the “Year of the Camel.”
The “Year of Handicrafts” in 2025 promises to celebrate the artistry and heritage that form the core of Saudi identity, ensuring that this invaluable legacy is preserved and shared globally.
Source:arabnews.com
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Students plant 1,600 trees in Saudi royal reserve
September 18, 2024
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has completed the second phase of a school-based initiative aimed at raising environmental awareness and encouraging community involvement, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In the second phase of the initiative, it expanded its reach to 1,300 students across all grades — up from the 500 students involved in the first phase — and included five school complexes where students planted 1,600 native trees and seedlings.
The initiative aligns with the authority’s broader goals of increasing vegetation cover, educating young people, and promoting sustainable practices, in line with the 2030 strategic targets for royal reserves and the Saudi Green Initiative.
It includes interactive projects and volunteer opportunities for students and is designed to inspire young people to become environmental stewards.
The participants’ volunteer hours are recorded on the National Volunteer Portal affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
By caring for these plants, students will develop a deeper connection with their environment, the SPA reported.
Source:arabnews.com
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Africa
Islamist armed groups terrorize civilians in Burkina Faso-Human Rights Watch
By Rédaction Africanews
The Human Rights Watch group has warned about the ever-increasing cases of attacks on civilians by the Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso.
The rights group further said that the armed groups have massacred villagers, displaced people, and Christian worshipers.
They claim the group has killed at least 128 civilians across Burkina Faso since February 2024 in attacks that violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.
The two main Islamic groups linked to Al-Qaeda, the Support of Islam and Muslims and the Islamic State control large swathes of land and have been fighting with the Burkina forces since they entered the country in 2016.
“We are witnessing an incredibly concerning surge in Islamist violence in Burkina Faso. The Islamist armed groups’ massacres of villagers, worshipers, and displaced people are not only war crimes, but a cruel affront to human decency,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The leaders of the Islamist armed groups should immediately end these deadly attacks on civilians.”
From May to July, Human Rights Watch interviewed 37 people, including 31 witnesses to attacks on civilians. Human Rights Watch wrote to the Burkina Faso justice minister on June 26 and the country’s ambassador to the United States on July 30, sharing research findings and requesting responses to specific questions. The justice minister responded to Human Rights Watch on August 28.
The latest attack saw at least 100 villagers and soldiers killed in central Burkina Faso during a weekend attack on a village by al-Qaida-linked jihadis in late August.
About half of Burkina Faso is outside of government control as the country has been ravaged by increasing jihadi attacks, encircling the capital. The jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people.
The violence contributed to two coups in 2022. Still, the military junta that promised to end the attacks has struggled to do so, even after seeking new security partnerships with Russia and other junta-led, conflict-hit countries in Africa’s Sahel region.
At least 4,500 people, an average of 19 daily, have been killed this year in attacks by armed groups in the country, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Burkina Faso’s junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore — who activists say was drafting critics to join the army as punishment — has also been requesting civilians to assist the military in security efforts. A civilian task force, Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), is already working closely with the military.
The trenches being dug in the Barsalogho commune are among the several that authorities urged civilians to help create in areas the jihadis are seeking control of.
The jihadis are becoming more successful because of a lack of efficient air cover and intelligence by security forces. They are also active because of ineffective control of areas bordering Mali and Niger, two countries also struggling with violent attacks, according to Nasr. Human rights abuses committed by the country’s security forces and VDP have also led more people to join the jihadis, he said.
Source:africanews.com
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Nigeria Will Be A Leading Hub Of $7.7trn Global Halal Market – Shettima
19 September 2024
By Udeze Ekene\
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria would become the number one hub of opportunities in the global halal economy.
He said the nation’s economic and demographic size puts it in a vantage position to map out a vibrant investment sector for the global halal economy projected to reach a market value of $7.7 trillion by 2025.
A Halal economy refers to the global market of products and services that conform to Islamic law (Shariah).
Senator Shettima stated this on Wednesday, during the Halal Economy Stakeholders Engagement Programme held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He noted that Nigeria must first reassess its weaknesses and prioritize its strengths to achieve this economic feat.
“For Nigeria to become a hub of opportunities in the global halal economy, we must prioritize our strengths and reassess our weaknesses. Today’s engagement provides a platform for us to collaborate with key international organizations.
“This will allow us to develop a comprehensive halal ecosystem and agree on strategies that will position Nigeria as a top halal exporter, targeting high-value markets,” he said.
The Vice President commended the private sector for its immense contributions to driving the halal economy, particularly in the financial sector, even as he encouraged all stakeholders to partner with the administration of President Bola Tinubu in delivering the halal ecosystem.
According to his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima stated, “To ensure this, we must attract international investment by showcasing the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s halal sector through investor summits, roadshows, and business matchmaking events.
“The expansion of regional trade, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), also provides us with a pathway to become a leading supplier of halal goods and services across Africa.
“Therefore, we must increase public awareness through strategic orientation campaigns, specialized training programmes, and deeper engagement with the global market to elevate the visibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s halal ecosystem.”
Describing halal as an economy that accommodates all actors and stakeholders, VP Shettima noted that the halal market holds vast potential that aligns with the overarching agenda of President Tinubu.
“Nigeria’s economic and demographic size gives us a unique advantage in developing a vibrant halal investment sector.
“With the global halal economy projected to reach a market value of $7.7 trillion by 2025, this opportunity is not only recognized by Muslim-majority countries but also seized by non-Muslim nations, which have become leading exporters of halal products. They understand that the halal ecosystem is designed to meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability preferred by specific consumers.
“This alignment with ethical principles and rigorous standards provides a compelling avenue for investment and commerce and reinforces our commitment to fostering a dynamic halal economy in Nigeria,” he added.
He further noted that the lack of clarity and understanding surrounding compliance with investments in the halal economy had stifled vast potential in savings, business ventures, and investments.
He, however, expressed delight that in an era of knowledge and enlightenment, more Nigerians are now getting rid of outdated concerns and are, instead, embracing the need to have a say in how their money is invested.
“They seek secure products and services that align with the principles of transparency and ethical certainty, free from interest-driven practices. We must, however, note that Nigeria has already embraced the halal economy.
“We have flourishing financial institutions that offer profit-sharing and investment opportunities that resonate with the expectations of savers and investors, regardless of their faith. The remarkable success of Islamic finance instruments, such as Sukuk, which have funded infrastructure projects across the country, is a testament to the widespread appeal of halal finance.
“As Islamic banks continue to penetrate international markets, we are inspired to position ourselves as leaders in this growing sector, ensuring that Nigerians fully explore the opportunities it provides,” the former Borno State governor said.
While speaking the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated that “Nigeria’s domestic spending on Halal products and services reached approximately 107 billion dollars in 2022.
“This sector is projected to grow at a rate of 10.7%, reaching 180 billion dollars by 2027. This positions Nigeria as the 8th largest domestic Halal economy globally and the second largest in Africa.”
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, explained that “Halal products are not just for Muslims. There are over 125 products that are produced in the Halal way. This presents a huge opportunity for rapid growth and improved competitiveness, enhancing our ability to export.”
He noted that the government is collaborating with international bodies such as the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and Halal Product Development Company, Saudi Arabia (HPDC) to ensure Nigerian Halal products meet global standards.
In a keynote speech, the Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, emphasized the D-8’s economic significance based on its statistics, saying with a combined population of 1.16 billion people and a GDP of $4.92 trillion in 2023, the D-8 holds substantial economic potential.
He said the organization, which Nigeria is a member, has also advanced trade facilitation through the Preferential Trade Agreement and is working to boost intra-trade to $500 billion by 2030.
“To do that, one of our programmes is to deepen our trade in the Halal industry and for this purpose, we have established the D8 Comprehensive Strategy on Tourism and the Crescent Moon Initiative.
“Currently, the intra-trade among the D-8 Members stands at US$146 billion. This does not reflect the true potential of a market with 1.16 billion people,” Imam said.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/09/19/nigeria-will-be-a-leading-hub-of-7-7trn-global-halal-market-shettima/
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Yahaya Bello Is Not In Our Custody, He Remains A Wanted Man – EFCC
18 September 2024
By Oladipo Abiola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) has denied having the embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in its custody.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, Bello is not in the custody of the anti-graft agency and remains a wanted man.
The EFCC added that the subsisting warrant of arrest for Bello over an alleged ₦80.2billion money laundering charges remains in place.
“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.
“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.
The position of the anti-graft agency differs from an earlier statement from Bello’s media office, which claims the former Governor honoured the EFCC invitation after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies, asserting that he has “nothing to hide.”
This development comes after a history of resistance from Bello, who had previously evaded multiple EFCC invitations and faced a dramatic scene at his Abuja residence.
The EFCC had even obtained a warrant for his arrest, but intervention from his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, had staved off immediate action.
Bello currently faces a 19-count alleged money laundering charge, with his trial adjourned until September 25.
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/09/18/yahaya-bello-is-not-in-our-custody-he-remains-a-wanted-man-efcc/
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Mpox: Focus on one of the worst-affected cities in eastern DRC
By Rédaction Africanews
Fear and contagion are spreading in Kamituga, eastern DRC, the epicenter of the current mpox outbreak. It is where the newest variant of the virus was discovered last year.
Inside the Kamituga general hospital, Diego looked on as health workers tended to his young son, Emile.
"I had a lot of ignorance because I didn’t believe that children could get this disease. I thought it was only for adults, and I didn’t know that there were children here getting treated. When I saw children here, I was scared.”
Regarded as South Kivu province's commercial hub, the gold mining town of Kamituga, of some 300,000 people, attracts miners, sex workers and traders who are constantly on the move.
Since the outbreak began, nearly 1,000 people in Kamituga have been infected and at least eight have died, including four children.
Covered in lesions, 2-year-old Emile watched silently as healthcare workers poured water over him to lower his temperature.
Symptoms
According to the WHO, common symptoms include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.
The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications.
Kamituga, one of the hardest hit towns in the province, has an average of five new cases daily at the Kamituga hospital, which is regularly near capacity, yet health officials say the virus is more widespread than what’s being documented, with a lack of access to rural areas and the inability for many to seek care.
Clad 1-b is wreaking havoc in eastern DRC is infecting people faster and more easily than previous epidemics.
A doctor with the NGO that manages the mpox response in the Kamituga general hospital, describes the most affected group.
“The majority of cases are young people, from 14-year-olds to 35-year-old adults. You also have kids under five years old who are unfortunately affected,” Dally Muamba says.
Getting an mpox vaccine can help prevent infection. It is recommended for people at high-risk of getting mpox.
DRC has received over 200,000 vaccine doses in recent weeks and announced that vaccination rollout will start in October.
Authorities say 3 million doses are needed to end the outbreak in the vast country.
Source:africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/09/19/mpox-in-one-of-the-worst-affected-cities-in-eastern-drc/
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Ghana's opposition NDC stages protests over alleged voter roll irregularities
By Rédaction Africanews
Ghana’s biggest opposition party held nationwide protests in regional capitals across the country Tuesday demanding an audit of the voter roll for the general election set for December.
Millions of supporters of the National Democratic Congress party, the country’s main opposition party, participated in the protests, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, an NDC member of parliament, said in a live broadcast on TV3. Those numbers could not be independently verified but protests were held in all 16 regional capitals of Ghana, including the capital Accra.
“We are not asking for a big favor from the electoral commission, we are demanding our right to free and fair elections," Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, the chairman of the NDC told party members before the protest march in Accra.
The NDC claims that nearly 300,000 anomalies have been discovered, including illegal transfers of voters’ names and the removal of names from the register without their knowledge.
"This independent audit, we say that let the UNDP facilitate it. Is it too difficult? It is difficult because the EC has something to hide," said Omane Boamah, the NDC director of elections.
Ghana has held peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections for nearly two decades. The general election on Dec. 7 will be the ninth consecutive election since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992.
But allegations of voter roll irregularities this year have created concerns about a possible democratic backslide.
The NDC alleges it detected thousands of unauthorized transfers and erasures of voter names on the voter roll for upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
The electoral commission said the opposition party's call for a forensic audit was “misguided” during a press conference last week.
The NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, rallied the crowd, stressing the need for urgent action and a thorough audit of the electoral process to prevent a democratic backslide.
"If you tend to be peace-loving and you are condoning wrongdoing, you are the one who is brooding conflict in this country. That is why we are ready to fight against the element that will disturb our democracy," said Nketia.
Presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana are held concurrently every four years. Current President Akufo-Addo is stepping down this year after his second and final four-year term.
Former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who lost in the 2016 and 2020 elections will face off with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party in this year’s election
The protest march in Accra ended with the presentation of a petition to the parliament and the electoral commission. The petition calls for a bipartisan probe into the conduct of the Electoral Commission, an independent forensic audit of the voters register, and the immediate publication of the audit's findings once conducted.
Source:africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2024/09/18/ghanas-opposition-ndc-stages-protests-over-alleged-voter-roll-irregularities/
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Jaiz Wins 2024 Global Most Promising Islamic Bank Award
2024-09-19
Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s pioneer Non-Interest Bank, has emerged the global Most Promising Islamic Bank in 2024.
The Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) yesterday announced Jaiz Bank the overall winner in this category over two other nominees of equal pedigrees, during the Global Islamic Finance Summit (GIFS) and awards ceremony in the picturesque Republic of Maldives.
GIFA’s Chairman, Professor Humayon Dar, said “The GIFA Awards Committee evaluated several institutions within the same category and, after a rigorous assessment based on multiple factors outlined in the GIFA methodology, selected Jaiz Bank Plc for this distinguished recognition.”
He also asserted that the Bank was recognised for reinforcing its leadership position as a financial institution that stands out in terms of exceptional growth potential, innovation, and financial performance.
Receiving the Award, the Managing Director/CEO of Jaiz Bank Plc, Haruna Musa (Ph.D, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of the Bank.
He also acknowledged the significance of the award, remarking that “it is a vital milestone in realizing the Bank’s strategic vision, emphasizing that the recognition aligns with Jaiz Bank’s goal of becoming one of Africa’s leading non-interest financial institutions within the next five years.
The MD/CEO recalled that the Bank had won GIFA’s Most Improved Islamic Bank Award in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Meanwhile, the Global Islamic Finance Awards is famous for having the most prestigious accolade in the Islamic finance industry, highlighting excellence and innovation across the sector globally.
Source:leadership.ng
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https://leadership.ng/jaiz-wins-2024-global-most-promising-islamic-bank-award/
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Pakistan
Despite Fazl's rejection, Asif says hope still alive for JUI-F supporting constitutional amendment
September 18, 2024
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed on Wednesday that hopes are still alive for the government to gain support from opposition party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl for the proposed constitutional amendments while calling its chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman "a shrewd politician".
“Maulana Fazl is a shrewd politician,” said Asif while speaking on Geo News programme Capital Talk, and hoped that the ruling alliance would find a way out.
He was referring to proposed constitutional changes — which allegedly included the potential extension in the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and judges’ retirement age — that have become a challenge for the coalition government to pass in parliament as it lacked a two-thirds majority.
Elaborating on the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) tireless efforts on the legislation, the defence czar said that the government allies “are on the same page” and “meetings are being held with [the Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman] Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on a daily basis”.
The defence minister said that the coalition government was seeking to evolve broader consensus on the proposed constitutional amendments.
Commenting on the latest developments, “Path of us and Maulana Fazl is not different. We went through a difficult time together and the cleric stood firmly,” said Asif while recalling the former multi-party coalition — Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — which successfully ousted then premier Imran Khan from office via a no-trust motion in 2022.
“Fazl is a shrewd politician [...] we would definitely find a resolution,” said Asif expressing hope that the government will address the JUI-F chief's concerns in the coming days.
Terming the constitutional changes part of the “Charter of Democracy” between the PML-N and the PPP, Asif claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had also signed the pact in 2006 which also includes the establishment of a constitutional court.
Advocating the constitutional court to reduce the pendency of cases, the ruling PML-N leader said that burden on the country’s courts is continuously increasing with nearly 2.7 million pending cases.
The ruling coalition left no stone unturned to woo the ‘fate-decider’ Fazl, with leaderships of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) holding a flurry of meetings with the cleric, but to no avail.
The former PDM head earlier in the day completely rejected the draft of the "controversial" constitutional package, aimed at making changes to Pakistan’s judicial and parliamentary systems.
Slamming the amendments after meeting the major opposition party — PTI — leadership at a luncheon today, the cleric said that “it would have been the biggest breach of nation's trust” if they accept those changes.
Two days ago, the government had confirmed that the amendments were "postponed indefinitely" after the JUI-F supremo didn't concede to the government's strenuous efforts to support the new legislation amid strong opposition from the Imran-founded party which termed it an “individual-specific legislation”.
To pass the constitutional amendments, the government is short of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate.
Source:thenews.com.pk
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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1231569-despite-fazls-rejection-asif-says-hope-still-alive-for-jui-f-supporting-constitutional-amendment
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Army Public SchoolAttack Survivor Ahmed Nawaz, 14 At The Time, Receives British Empire Medal
By Abubakar Saddiq
September 18, 2024
PESHAWAR: Army Public School (APS) attack survivor Ahmed Nawaz was honoured with the British Empire Medal by King Charles III in recognition of his exceptional services to youth worldwide.
Ahmed's unfaltering commitment to combating extremism through his powerful and compelling personal story has been instrumental in inspiring and raising awareness among his peers worldwide.
At least 141 people, including 132 children and nine staff members of the school, were killed in the broad daylight attack on the military-run school in Peshawar on December 16, 2024, in an assault by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgents. At least 500 pupils aged between 10 and 20 years old were inside the building when the attack started.
Pakistan has long been used to militant attacks but the cold-blooded massacre of so many children left the nation deeply scarred and the survivors continue to struggle with the trauma even to date.
"This medal is a source of pride for the families of the martyrs of the attack, its survivors and fellow country people," Ahmed told Geo News after receiving the accolade from King Charles III.
When the TTP militants attacked the APS, Ahmed, who was 14 at the time, somehow managed to stay alive by pretending to be dead. He suffered serious injuries to his arm and was flown to England, where he was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for special treatment.
Having lost his brother, Haris, in the massacre, Ahmed has since emerged as a strong voice against extremism and terrorism and tours schools around the United Kingdom, sharing his experience in a bid to prevent students from being radicalised.
He said this award — a result of his passionate campaigns for young people across the globe over the past five years — was a statement to the terrorists who attacked education in the APS incident.
The award-winner took to his Instagram account and shared the happy news with an insightful caption which reads: “I am immensely honoured to share that HM King Charles III (@theroyalfamily) has awarded me the prestigious Hon. British Empire Medal (BEM. The BEM is one of the highest civilian honours awarded in the UK. This accolade is a testament to my unfettered determination & a recognition of my years of service empowering young people worldwide.”
Speaking to Geo News, his father Muhammad Nawaz said: "My priority has always been that if one wants to invest then they should invest in their children. I invested in my children, which in the form of Ahmed Nawaz is a source of honour for me and the nation."
He added that parents should invest in their children instead of growing business, "as your children will bring change in the society tomorrow."
Additionally, earlier in July, Ahmed was also honoured with the prestigious Princess Diana Award for his humanitarian efforts.
Source:thenews.com.pk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1231574-aps-attack-survivor-ahmed-nawaz-receives-british-empire-medal
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IHC restrains court from issuing verdict in £190m case
Malik Asad
September 19, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday restrained the accountability court from pronouncing its verdict in the £190 million corruption reference against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
A division bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued the restraining order while hearing Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi’s petitions.
Through their petitions, the two had sought acquittal of the offence while relying upon amendments in the National Accountability Ordinance introduced by then-PDM regime in 2022.
The high court, however, asked the trial court to continue its proceedings in the case.
On Wednesday, the trial court adjourned the proceedings without any progress as the defence counsel was not available for cross-examination of the last prosecution witness.
Talking to journalists after attending proceedings of the £190m corruption case at Adiala Jail, Mr Khan said the government was adamant in its plan to adopt the constitutional amendments and working to gather the support needed in the National Assembly and the Senate to get the amendments passed.
Referring to adjournment of the NA and Senate sessions without the constitutional amendments being tabled, he said the government could not win the match despite the “active involvement of four umpires”.
The former prime minister alleged that the government was bringing the constitutional amendments to “benefit three umpires” — the chief justice of Pakistan, chief justice of IHC and the Election Commission of Pakistan — to protect the “fraud” elections.
In response to a question if the proposed constitutional amendments had been reversed, Mr Khan said the government wants to table the amendments at any cost and is making efforts to get two-thirds majority in parliament for the purpose.
Mr Khan urged all the political parties, including the JUI-F of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to stand with democracy. He further said that after all their attempts to crush the PTI had failed, they planned the May 9 incident.
The ex-premier said that the Feb 8 election was an eye-opener for the forces who wanted to eliminate the PTI as the party secured a landslide victory even without a proper contest.
Mr Khan said he survived two assassination attempts and was facing 140 cases prior to the May 9 riots, adding that those who removed the CCTV footage were responsible for the violent protests.
The incarcerated leader said he was deliberately dragged by law enforcement personnel on May 9, 2023 to incite his followers to violence and lamented that the CCTV footage of his arrest was also stolen from the premises of the IHC.
He expressed the hope that the upcoming chief justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah would fix his petition to ascertain the facts. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif was defeated by PTI’s jailed leader Yasmin Rashid, but he managed to get 74,000 bogus votes.
He questioned as to why the election tribunals are dysfunctional despite a lapse of eight months.
Mr Khan said the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report had revealed that then-military ruler Gen Yahya Khan compromised the democracy to retain powers, adding that the country was likely to face the same situation.
He alleged that the government was trying to end the rule of law which is directly linked with foreign investment, adding that investors would not come to the country unless there was rule of law.
He said political stability was also interlinked with economic stability.
He alleged that police had started arresting PTI workers to sabotage the upcoming Lahore jalsa and urged people to attend the rally scheduled for later this week.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1859714/ihc-restrains-court-from-issuing-verdict-in-190m-case
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Pakistan, Russia seek more avenues for cooperation
Baqir Sajjad Syed
September 19, 2024
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through increased trade, energy cooperation, regional connectivity and stronger defence ties.
This commitment was expressed during a joint press conference by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, following delegation-level talks at the Foreign Office.
During the discussions, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and explored ways to enhance it by building on the positive momentum in their relationship over the past two decades. Mr Dar highlighted a significant milestone in bilateral trade, announcing that trade between the two countries had reached $1 billion in the last fiscal year.
He hailed the expanding partnership, emphasising that cooperation with Russia remained a central priority for Pakistan’s foreign policy. “Pakistan-Russia relations have come a long way, and we are committed to strengthening this relationship based on trust and mutual respect,” Dar said.
Both sides expressed a shared vision for boosting trade, with discussions focusing on overcoming logistical hurdles and dealing with sanctions against Russia for increasing trade volume.
Energy cooperation
Mr Dar pointed to energy cooperation as an essential avenue for growth, stating that Pakistan had initiated talks with Russia on energy purchases, particularly LNG and oil, as early as 2022. Both leaders underscored the potential for further energy collaboration.
Connectivity emerged as a critical topic in the talks, with plans to develop rail and road networks to improve trade routes between Pakistan and Russia. The Russian deputy prime minister emphasised the importance of enhancing regional infrastructure through the North-South Transport Corridor and linking it with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This integrated connectivity can potentially facilitate trade between Pakistan, Russia and Central Asia, through existing infrastructure and new routes via Afghanistan and Iran.
Mr Overchuk offered cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which is an economic union of five member states comprising Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
He said he had discussed with the Pakistani delegation the possibility of having a free trade agreement between Pakistan and EAEU. “This is something that we would certainly be willing to also discuss in greater detail in the months to come,” he maintained.
Mr Dar expressed interest in the possibility of negotiating FTA between Pakistan and EAEU.
Cultural, educational exchanges
With the upcoming Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum set to take place in Moscow on Sept 30 and Oct 1, both sides appeared optimistic that these engagements will give further impetus to bilateral cooperation. “We are expecting representatives of many companies from both Pakistan and Russia to join together and discuss how they can do business,” the Russian deputy PM said, calling the forum a unique opportunity for enhancing trade.
Mr Dar highlighted increased collaboration between Pakistani and Russian universities, while the Russian deputy PM spoke about initiatives to promote the Russian language in Pakistan and enhance educational links.
Looking ahead, both sides have a busy diplomatic calendar.
The Russian prime minister is expected to visit Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting next month. Additionally, the ninth session of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economy, Science and Technology is scheduled to take place in Russia by the end of the year.
Experts from both sides will meet on Thursday for in-depth discussions on these proposals.
Meeting with army chief
Meanwhile, Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, in his meeting with the Russian deputy PM, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing defence ties with Russia.
“Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen security and defence cooperation in multiple domains,” the ISPR said, adding that the two also discussed regional security dynamics, and bilateral cooperation.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1859729/pakistan-russia-seek-more-avenues-for-cooperation
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3 terrorists killed in Nankana Sahib shootout: Punjab CTD
Imran Gabol
September 18, 2024
Three terrorists were killed and two escaped during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Nankana Sahib, CTD spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The terrorists had opened fire on the CTD team, the spokesman said, adding: “In the exchange of fire, three terrorists were killed by the firing of their [own] comrades, while two [others] escaped.”
The CTD said it recovered three grenades, three detonators, safety fuse wire, two rifles, bullets and explosives from the terrorists.
“A search operation to arrest the escaped terrorists is underway,” said the spokesperson, adding that CTD teams had set up a picket near Motorway Nankana Interchange A and the process of identifying the slain terrorists was underway.
The spokesperson said that the terrorists were planning to launch a major attack on Lahore.
Pakistan has experienced an increase in terrorist attacks as a total of 59 such incidents occurred countrywide in August compared to 38 attacks in the previous month, according to a digital database maintained by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think-tank.
Last week, CTD Punjab arrested nine terrorists following 71 IBOs across the province.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were killed on Friday during an operation carried out in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1859585/3-terrorists-killed-in-nankana-sahib-shootout-punjab-ctd
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Europe
Dutton suggests apology for calling Lebanese-Muslim migration a ‘mistake’ made to ‘senior person’ in community
Paul Karp and Andrew Messenger
19 September 2024
Peter Dutton has suggested his claim he apologised for remarks about “Lebanese-Muslim” migration being a “mistake” was based on a conversation with just one “senior person” in the community.
The opposition leader has come under renewed scrutiny for his 2016 comments due to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald noting that, despite having claimed in 2023 to have apologised, community leaders cannot recall him having done so.
In November 2016 Dutton, then the immigration minister, told Sky News’s Andrew Bolt that “the reality is that Malcolm Fraser did make mistakes in bringing some people in the 1970s and we’re seeing that today”.
Dutton then doubled down in question time, claiming Fraser should not have let people of “Lebanese-Muslim” background into Australia by citing as evidence a small cohort of individuals who have been charged with terrorism offences.
Related: Peter Dutton’s comments on Palestinians fleeing Gaza ‘bad for cohesion and harmony’, envoy says
In 2023, when asked by Annabel Crabb on the ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet if it was a racist remark, Dutton replied: “You know they’re comments that I shouldn’t have made. I’ve apologised for that.”
Five leaders of Australia’s Lebanese Muslim community interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald reportedly said they have no recollection of Dutton making that apology.
Asked about the apology on Thursday, Dutton told reporters in Brisbane: “Look, there are a couple of leftwing journalists who are obsessed on this issue, it’s not something I’ve got a further comment on.”
“I had a conversation, and I’ve had that discussion. I’m not going to betray that conversation with a senior person who was in the community at the time, the Sydney Morning Herald can obsess about that all they like.”
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Dutton declined to answer a follow-up question, saying only “I’ve made my comment”.
In August, amid fierce debate about Dutton’s call for a pause on Palestinians coming to Australia to flee the Gaza conflict, Anthony Albanese told parliament that Dutton “always looked to divide”.
“He said that Lebanese migration was a mistake under the Fraser government, and then he said he apologised for it.
“It’s just that he apologised to Annabel Crabb, not to anyone in the Lebanese community. He hasn’t yet apologised to Africans in Melbourne, for when he said that people couldn’t get out.”
The leader of the house, Tony Burke, said Dutton “wanted to go after Palestinians”. “But before that, it was Africans, it was Lebanese, it was Muslims,” he told the House of Representatives.
“Granted, he hasn’t tried to declare war on every migrant community. He did stand up for white South African farmers. We remember that.”
Burke’s comments referred to past controversies when Dutton claimed in 2018 that Victorians were “scared to go out to restaurants” because of “African gang violence” and the 2016 remarks about Australian Muslims of Lebanese background.
In 2018 Dutton suggested white farmers were being persecuted and should receive fast-tracked humanitarian visas from a “civilised country”.
Guardian Australia contacted Dutton for comment.
Source:yahoo.com
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https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dutton-suggests-apology-calling-lebanese-070009668.html
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Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities meet to support those struggling in Elmbridge
18 September 2024
Representatives from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities met with Elmbridge Borough Council on 10 September 2024 to discuss food poverty and hear from local organisations on what support is currently available to those struggling in our community.
Hosted by the council at the Hersham Centre for the Community, representatives from the Surrey Minority Ethic Forum and Walton and Hersham Foodbank provided insight into the challenges faced by our communities in relation to food poverty. The event also heard how Elmbridge is the ninth most unequal borough in England*, meaning the gap between those with and those without is very stark.
Speakers at the event included Adam Chalmers, Chief Executive of Elmbridge Borough Council, Rabbi Kath from the Northwest Surrey Synagogue and Sarfaz Ali, General Secretary of the Molesey Islamic Cultural Centre. Discussions ranged from the very real, daily challenges being faced by many to feed themselves and their families to upcoming celebrations for Mitzvah Day and Islam Giving Day.
Margaret Hicks, Chair of the Elmbridge Multi-Faith Forum: “There is so much that unites our communities, and to bring different faiths together from across Elmbridge in an event like this helps to raise awareness of both the issues and barriers. We had some great discussions that have brought about tangible actions aimed at improving the lives of our residents.”
Councillor Gill Coates, Portfolio Holder for Community Care, also attended the event: “We know there are people in our borough facing great hardship and challenges, especially children, and that in work poverty is sadly rising. Through grant funding we are providing essential financial resources to help many charities and groups who are supporting our residents, but it is also important that we continue to build strong relationships across all parts of our community to ensure support is directed where it is needed most.”
Source:elmbridge.gov.uk
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https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/news/2024/christian-jewish-and-muslim-communities-meet-support-those-struggling-elmbridge
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Jailed: Asian man posed as far-Right hooligan during Birmingham riots to stir up racial hatred against Muslims
By Emma Walker
18th Sep 2024,
The chef posted numerous 'vile' messages on Telegram in a group chat with more than 12,000 members just hours before violence erupted in the city.
An Asian man who stirred up racial hatred against Muslims after posing as a far-right hooligan online during the summer riots has been jailed for more than two years.
Ehsan Hussain, 25, used a fake identity of a 'white' person called 'Chris Nolan' calling for disorder in Birmingham as riots spread across Britain.
A court heard he called for disorder in the Alum Rock and Bordesely Green areas and incited racial violence in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
He urged people to “conquer Alum Rock" and wrote “Birmingham first! We need to take back whats ours”.
Hussain, of Yardley, Birmingham, previously admitted distributing threatening and abusive material intended to stir up racial hatred.
On Wednesday, he was jailed for two years and four months at Birmingham Crown Court.
Sentencing, Judge Melbourne Inman KC said: "Sadly this is one of a number of cases that the courts have had to deal with arising from the civil unrest following the very tragic events of Southport that occurred on July 29.
"A number of people used that tragedy as an opportunity to sow hatred which lead to towns and cities up and down the country to be disfigured by racist violence, intimidation and damage."
He said Hussain had used a chat group which was "populated by those who held extreme right wing and racist views whose purpose was to encourage hatred."
The judge added during his posts he had used "vile racist language" and it was at a time when people were using "copy cat excuses for violence."
Peter Grieves-Smith KC, prosecuting, said: "On August 5 this year police became aware of a series of screen shots obtained from a Telegram chat group that was called Southport Wake Up.
"The purpose of the chat site was to try and incite organised violence in the West Midlands area, focusing on the Alum Rock area of Birmingham."
He said there was also focus on the Bordesley Green area and that was because they both had a high Muslim population.
Mr Grieves-Smith said the chat group used by Hussain had 12,500 members and there had been about 4,600 people online at the time, which he would have been aware of.
At one point during the messaging, in which he referred to "smelly scum bags", Hussain said: "It is all about the kids. We are doing it for the kids."
Mr Grieves-Smith said "This is the defendant with others stirring the pot."
The prosecutor said on August 5 there was widespread disorder in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham.
There was a gathering of males outside an Islamic centre with some people wearing balaclavas and surgical masks.
Some of the mob moved on to Heartlands Hospital where disruption was caused, doctor's surgeries had to be closed and there was also severe traffic disruption.
At one point a bus was stormed with a group running up the stairs and at 8pm there was an unprovoked attack on a Skoda which had its windows broken.
Mr Grieves-Smith said: "The consequences, the prosecution say, of all this sort of dialogue that was intended to stir up trouble and intended to stir up violence.
"There was also an attack on a male outside a pub and then upon the pub itself.
"This violent disorder happened within hours of this defendant posting these messages."
Rag Chand, defending, said "This was, on any view, a colossal collapse of common sense and reason by this defendant. He is desperately remorseful.
"His actions demonstrated an immaturity below his actual age.
"The messages were limited to a finite period, a short period. It could not be described as particularly sophisticated.
"He used his own mobile phone which was registered to him and he made n o attempts to dispose of it or conceal it.
"The offending was quite out of character."
Chief Superintendent Richard North, from West Midlands Police, said afterwards: “This has been an excellent but complex investigation.
“We would like to thank members of the public for alerting us to these posts which was crucial at a time when we were seeing lots of rumour, speculation and misinformation online; we know this can be extremely harmful to all of our communities.
“We do not tolerate violence in our towns and cities, or tolerate those who use social media to encourage such violence.”
Source:birminghamworld.uk
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Dozens arrested as crime message network dismantled
19 Sep, 2024
Hayley Halpin
More than 50 people have been arrested as part of a major international investigation which dismantled an encrypted communication platform.
The platform, known as Ghost, was used to facilitate a wide range of criminal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, instances of extreme violence and other forms of serious and organised crime.
Europol and Eurojust, together with international law enforcement, worked together to carry out the operation.
Over the course of the investigation, 51 suspects were arrested, including 38 in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada and one in Italy belonging to the Italian Sacra Corona Unita mafia group.
Europol also said a number of threats to life were prevented and a drug laboratory in Australia was dismantled.
Weapons, drugs and over €1m (£842,270) in cash were also seized globally so far, the body added.
Ireland's day of action
In Ireland, Gardaí (Irish police) seized a total of €15.2m (£12.8m) worth of cocaine and 42 suspected encrypted devices.
They had been investigating four identified organised crime groups and support networks based in the Dublin and eastern region.
On Monday, more than 300 gardaí searched 27 premises.
Representatives from Europol, Australian Federal Police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation were also in Ireland in support of the ongoing operation.
During these searches, investigating gardaí seized:
€300,000 (£252,795) in cash
Two cryptocurrency keys (contents under investigation)
42 suspected Ghost ECC encrypted devices
126 other mobile devices
27 laptops
200 plus SIM cards
Six Rolex watches
One 2021 Range Rover Jeep
They also intercepted an articulated truck in the south-east of the country on Monday.
Following a search of the truck, gardaí recovered 100kg of cocaine in a deep concealment.
This cocaine, subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland, is valued at €7m (£5.8m).
Five men, aged in their 30s, 40s and 50s, have been arrested in relation to this part of the operation.
What is the Ghost platform?
In a statement on Wednesday, An Garda Síochána said the Ghost platform had gained traction among criminal organisations due to its advanced security features.
Users could purchase the solution without any personal information.
The solution used three encryption standards and offered the option to send a message followed by a specific code that results in self-destruction of all messages on the target phone.
This allowed criminal networks to communicate securely, evade detection, counter forensic measures, and coordinate their illegal operations across borders.
Worldwide, several thousands of individuals used the tool, which has its own infrastructure and applications with a network of resellers based in several countries.
On a global scale, around a thousand messages are being exchanged each day via Ghost.
As servers were found in France and Iceland, the company owners were located in Australia, and financial assets were located in the United States, a global operation against the phone service started.
Further arrests to the 51 already made are anticipated in the global investigation.
'They know no boundaries'
Europol's executive director Catherine De Bolle said that the organisation has "made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks think they are, they can't evade our collective effort".
"Law enforcement from nine countries, together with Europol, have dismantled a tool which was a lifeline for serious organised crime," Ms De Bolle said.
Speaking at Europol Headquarters in The Hague, An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, said his officers' involvement "demonstrates Ireland's ongoing commitment and capacity to operate at an international level targeting transnational organised crime groups which cause so much harm and misery not just in Ireland but in countries across the world".
"Transnational organised crime group networks know no boundaries and do not respect any international borders or rules of law," he said.
"It takes a network to defeat a network and today's announcement is clear indication of the power of law enforcement networks in degrading and dismantling the activities of these criminal networks.”
When asked, on BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, about how Northern Ireland may be affected by this Justin Kelly said ''So far our investigations have only identified four criminal organisations all of which are based between Dublin and the east coast of Ireland and the network facilitators are all based in the Dublin area.''
"The fact such devices have not surfaced in the UK or NI is something to be thankful for, as there is no doubt they would have appeared very shortly," he added.
In terms of these crimes extending into NI and the rest of the UK, he said the activity would "definitely" impact NI.
''People involved in drug trafficking don’t recognise any borders...drug trafficking does occur on an all-island basis. Drugs will be imported through NI for the southern market just as much as they're imported through Ireland for the NI market.''
Source:bbc.com
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Southeast Asia
Thailand will indict ex-security personnel over the deaths of 78 Muslim protesters in 2004
September 18, 2024
ByJINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI
BANGKOK -- Eight former state security personnel accused of responsibility for the deaths of 78 Muslim protesters who were arrested in southern Thailand in 2004 will be indicted on murder charges, the prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday.
The case earned special notoriety because of the manner in which the victims died. They were arrested, had their hands tied, and were loaded onto trucks, stacked like firewood. By the time the vehicles reached an army base where they were taken to be detained, 78 had died of crushing or suffocation.
The long-delayed legal action in connection with what is known as the Tak Bai massacre came just over a month before the statute of limitations expires on the case. Even though the suspects have been indicted, the charges can still expire if none of those named appears in court before an Oct. 25 deadline.
The deaths occurred shortly after a Muslim separatist insurgency erupted in Thailand’s southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, the only ones with Muslim majorities in the Buddhist-dominated nation.
Muslim residents have long complained they are treated like second-class citizens in Thailand, and separatist movements have been periodically active for decades. Heavy-handed crackdowns have fueled the discontent. Fighting continues to this day, but at a lower level.
On Oct. 25, 2004, thousands of protesters gathered at the police station in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district to demand the immediate release of six Muslim men who had been detained several days earlier. The detainees, members of an official village defense force, were accused by police of handing over weapons to insurgents, but reporting them stolen.
After the protest turned violent, around 1,300 protesters were rounded up by soldiers and forced to lie on top of each other in 25 trucks before they were transported to a military camp in neighboring Pattani province, two hours’ drive away. When they reached the destination, officials reported 78 people had died. Autopsy results revealed suffocation was the cause of death. Seven others had been shot dead during the protest.
The officials facing murder charges are mostly the drivers of the trucks, but also the commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Chalermchai Wirunphet, said Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General.
“Although the eight suspects … did not wish the victims to have died, getting only 25 trucks to transport more than 1,000 protesters is too crowded to be an appropriate way to transport people,” Prayuth told a news conference. “The defendants’ action could be expected to result in the victims being suffocated to death.”
The case does not involve the seven shot dead during the protest.
In a related legal proceeding in April, the victims’ families filed a lawsuit accusing seven soldiers and officials of murder, attempted murder and unlawful detention. One of those indicted was Pisal Wattanawongkiri, commander of the 4th Army Region at the time of the incident and now a lawmaker for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, who enjoys parliamentary immunity from arrest.
The Narathiwat Criminal Court has already accepted that case but none of the accused have yet shown up to hear the charges, which would likewise expire on Oct. 25 under the statute of limitations.
Prayuth said the Attorney General's Office received the case from police investigators in April this year, and had done their best to expedite the process, resulting in the indictment decision last week. When asked why there was such a delay before the case was handed to them, Prayuth declined to comment, saying it was a police affair.
Source:abcnews.go.com
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https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thailand-indict-security-personnel-deaths-78-muslim-protesters-113807862
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Malaysia charges man linked to Islamic firm in alleged child abuse scandal
SEP 18, 2024,
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - A Malaysian man, who authorities say is linked to an Islamic conglomerate accused of running charity homes where children were allegedly abused, was charged with criminal intimidation in court on Wednesday, a court document sighted by Reuters showed.
Mohamad Riza Makar, 39, pleaded not guilty to allegedly threatening a woman who used to work for the conglomerate to withdraw a police report, according to a charge sheet sighted by Reuters and confirmed by a police investigator.
State news agency Bernama reported that Mohamad Riza, a businessman with three wives and 10 children, was released on bail of 10,000 ringgit ($2,360). If convicted of the criminal intimidation charge, he could face jail time of up to two years, a fine or both.
Mohamad Riza and his lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment after the hearing. A representative for the company, Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) Holdings, did not respond to a request for comment.
Last week, police rescued over 400 children during raids on 20 charity homes the authorities have said are owned by GISB. Many children showed signs of sexual abuse and neglect, police have said.
GISB has said it did not manage the shelters and has denied accusations of widespread abuse, although its chief executive acknowledged on Saturday that "one or two" cases of sodomy occurred at the homes.
Mohamad Riza is the second figure linked to the GISB investigation to be charged in court. A 19-year-old girl was charged last week with child abuse in connection with the case, Bernama reported.
GISB has been linked to Al-Arqam, a religious sect banned by the government in 1994. The firm has acknowledged the link but now describes itself as an Islamic conglomerate based on Muslim principles. REUTERS
Source:straitstimes.com
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Malaysia’s halal certification a seal of quality among Islamic countries -- Brazil Ambassador
BERNAMA
19-09- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s halal certification has been very much valued among Brazilian exporters as it allows them to export their halal products to several Muslim countries more easily.
Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Ary Norton De Murat Quintella said Malaysia has stronger requirements for halal certification than most Islamic countries.
“The requirements that Malaysia have are more stringent than the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).
“When you are able to export (halal products) to Malaysia, it a sealed of quality that you receive to export to all other Islamic countries. Brazilian exporters value that very much and they all want to export to Malaysia,” he said in The Nation programme entitled “Malaysia-Brazil Relations and the Role of BRICS in the Global South” produced by Bernama TV on Wednesday.
According to Quintella, Brazil has a significant Muslim community of about 1.5 million and the halal industry is very strong and compatible with Malaysia’s.
“Brazil concentrates its halal exports on animal protein. The first time I went to the opening of The Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in 2022, I learned that Malaysia’s halal sector is not just limited to animal protein.
“At the opening of MIHAS (2024), it is clear that Malaysia’s requirements (for halal certification) are valued by other Muslim countries,” he said, adding that Brazil’s halal industry adheres to the respective rules of each Muslim country it exports to.
“We follow the Malaysian rules when we export (to Malaysia). In the Gulf region, we follow their rules. Each market has its own rules,” he added.
On Tuesday, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia and Brazil will enhance collaboration to tap the global halal market which is anticipated to generate US$3 trillion next year.
Kurup said agricultural trade between the two countries has been on an upward trend, reaching RM6.4 billion in 2023.
“Brazil is already a leading exporter of halal meat products to Muslim-majority countries, and Malaysia is recognised globally for its robust halal certification system managed by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). By aligning our respective strengths, we can expand our research and reach in the global halal market,” he said
Meanwhile, on Brazil-Malaysia bilateral investment, Quintella said this is on the discussion table with a lot of opportunities for mutual investment.
“Malaysian firms in the oil and gas sector and renewable energies are already huge investors in Brazil, not only Petronas, but also Sapura and Yinson Holdings Bhd.
“They’re very important investors in Brazil’s energy sector. For that reason, Malaysia is now one of the main energy providers in Brazil. At the same time, the biggest Latin American investment in Malaysia is by a Brazilian firm,” he said.
Brazil is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner in Latin America. In 2023, total trade between Malaysia and Brazil was valued at RM17.46 billion, a 4.0 per cent rise from RM16.86 billion recorded in 2022.
Source:thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/local-news/malaysia-s-halal-certification-a-seal-of-quality-among-islamic-countries-brazil-ambassador-ED13017223
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Foreign Ministry: Malaysia lauds UN resolution backing ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestine
19 Sep 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — Malaysia welcomes the United Nations’ (UN) decision to implement the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Malaysia and 123 Member States voted in favour of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution entitled “Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel’s continued presence in the OPT”.
The ministry said the resolution adopted at the 10th Emergency Special Session of UNGA, on September 17, gives effect to the ICJ ruling of July 19, 2024.
Among others, it emphasises the collective responsibility and legal obligations of all States and International Organisations to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and calls for justice for the Palestinians, it added.
“Malaysia urges the international community to implement the Resolution in its entirety and without delay, for the Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination, safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as pursue socioeconomic development.
“The resolution affirms Malaysia’s position on this long-standing issue,” the statement read.
The Foreign Ministry said Malaysia stands firm on her principled position that the Palestinians deserve their own independent and sovereign state, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/india-unga-palestine-israel/d/133235