India’s Secular Fabric Reinforced: First Donation for Ayodhya Mosque from Lucknow University Staffer, Rohit Srivastava
New Age Islam News Bureau
04 October 2020
First Fund contribution for Ayodhya mosque has come
from a member of Hindu community
------
• Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
• Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your
Industry’
• China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger
near New Chinese Embassy Site in London
• Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
• Top Religious Figures from Iran, India Held Live
Webinar On Late Ayatollah Taskhiri
• Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
India
• India’s Secular Fabric Reinforced: First Donation
for Ayodhya Mosque from Lucknow University Staffer, Rohit Srivastava
• Mumbai: New Programme Aims to Increase
Representation of Minorities in Police Force
• Gujarat High Court Grants Relief to Muslim Man
Facing Opposition by Hindu Residents over Residential Plot
--------
Pakistan
• Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
• PM permission to broadcast Nawaz’s speech termed
mistake
• Malik decides not to pursue cases against US blogger
• Ministry takes steps to protect children from abuse
• NAB appeal against Babar’s acquittal to be heard
tomorrow
-------
Arab world
• Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your Industry’
• Egypt’s Al-Azhar Condemns Macron’s Remarks On
'Islamic Separatism And Isolationism'
• Shuaa Rolls Out Three Sharia-Compliant Investment
Funds with $75m of Commitments
• CBUAE and DIEDC join forces to strengthen Islamic
banking sector
---------
Europe
• China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger
near New Chinese Embassy Site in London
• Islamic Jihad Ready to Participate In Palestinian
National Council Elections
• Teacher bids to become Scotland's first female
Muslim MSP in action plan to tackle racists
• Danish Far-Right Activists Stage Koran-Burning Stunt
In Muslim-Populated Neighbourhood
• Brit kids groomed by sick far-right video games
showing Muslims being beheaded
• Former Associate of Oakland’s Your Black Muslim
Bakery Charged with Trying to Allegedly
-------
North America
• Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
• US Journalist Replies to Trump’s Tweet about
Contracting Coronavirus by Posting Martyr Soleimani’s Photo
• CAIR-Minnesota: Muslims Plan To Vote During This Contentious
Election Season, No Matter Who Tries To Stop Them and What Tactics They Use
• Of presidents and health, history is replete with
secrecy and lies
--------
Mideast
• Top Religious Figures from Iran, India Held Live
Webinar On Late Ayatollah Taskhiri
• Senior Lebanese Sunni Cleric Hails Ayatollah
Taskhiri as Role Model of Anti-Colonialism
• Fariba Adelkhah: French-Iranian academic temporarily
released in Iran
-------
South Asia
• Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
• 15 killed, 30 injured in car bomb explosion in
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
• Prominent Afghan Umpire Loses 4 Family Members in
Nangarhar Blast
• Grassroots Units: AL chief riled by inclusion of
tainted faces
---------
Southeast Asia
• Fahmi Fadzil Reiterates Anwar Prepared To Consider
Role for Muhyiddin, With Greater Goal of Setting Malaysia Back On Track
• Hulu Rajang MP denies supporting Anwar to be next PM
• More Than 500 Muslim Students Receive Achievement
Awards from Mendaki In Virtual Ceremony
--------
Africa
• Nigeria: Boko Haram - Military Approaches Cameroon
for Support
• Boko Haram: How terrorists, their hideouts were
destroyed in Borno – Military
• Islamic Leaders Boycott Oduduwa Republic Rally, Gani
Adams Tackles Igboho
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/indias-secular-fabric-reinforced-first/d/123037
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India’s Secular Fabric Reinforced: First Donation for Ayodhya Mosque from Lucknow University Staffer, Rohit Srivastava
Arshad Afzaal Khan
Oct 4, 2020
First Fund contribution for Ayodhya mosque has come
from a member of Hindu community
------
Ayodhya: India’s secular fabric was once again reinforced when a member of the Hindu community made the first contribution towards construction of the mosque complex in Ayodhya on Saturday. The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) constituted by Sunni Waqf Board to build the mosque, library, museum and community kitchen on 5acre in Ayodhya received the first funds to its corpus from an employee of Lucknow University, law faculty, Rohit Srivastava, who donated Rs 21,000. The Trust accepted the cheque at its Lucknow office in presence of IICF secretary, Athar Husain and trustees Mohammad Rashid and Imran Ahmad.
Talking to TOI, Rohit Srivastava, said, “I come from a
generation, which is rooted in syncretism, where religious barriers blur. I
don’t celebrate Holi or Diwali without my Muslim friends and they too don’t
celebrate the festival of Eid without me. This is just not about me. This is
the story of crores of Hindus and Muslims in India.”
“Our families never taught us to be misguided in the
name of religion. And I appeal to members of Hindu community to come forward
and donate generously for the mosque to send out a message that Muslims are our
brothers,” Rohit Srivastava added.
Talking to TOI, mosque Trust secretary Athar Hussain
said, “The first contribution for building the mosque came from a Hindu brother
and this exemplifies the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb or Indo-Islamic culture.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/first-donation-for-ayodhya-mosque-from-hindu-lu-staffer/articleshowprint/78470524.cms
---------
Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
Imtiaz Ahmad
Oct 04, 2020
Maulana Fazlur Rehman (front right) reads out a
statement at a press briefing following a meeting of the opposition alliance in
Islamabad on September 20.(AP file)
----
The naming of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) chief Maulana
Fazlur Rehman as head of he newly-formed alliance of opposition parties which
has pledged to unseat the Imran Khan government, has raised eyebrows in
Pakistan’s political circles.
Science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry called
the JUI-F president an ‘extremist Mullah’ after the hard-line Islamist party’s
supremo was picked by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday as its
leader.
“Sad Day for Pakistan An extremist Mullah considered
Close to terrorist groups of Afghanistan is selected to lead opposition
movement against Government. Unlike India where extremists are in Govt, people
of Pak never allowed extremists to lead or mainstream politics,” Chaudhry
tweeted.
Pakistani Muslim League (N) chief and former prime
minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari, Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal were among
the attendees of a virtual meeting of PDM during which Rehman was elevated as
head of the alliance aimed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PDM had announced at its All Parties Conference in
September that it plans to launch its protest campaign from Quetta, Balochistan
in October. The choice of Quetta may have to do with the popularity that Fazlur
Rehman’s party enjoys there. Analysts also say that the party’s street power is
immense.
In 2019, JUI supporters held a sit-in at Islamabad for
several weeks which was called off after army intervention and assurances. The
PDM also plans a similar sit-in if its demands are not met.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamist-party-chief-s-elevation-as-joint-oppn-movement-s-leader-raises-eyebrows-in-pakistan/story-z2fCkZ9KI9GJyzrV8PDovI.html
--------
Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your
Industry’
October 4, 2020
Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi
----
The Secretary-General of the International Union of
Muslim Scholars, Ali Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi, told French President Emmanuel
Macron that Islam “does not bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders of your
industry.”
Al-Qaradaghi confirmed in a tweet on his account on
“Facebook”, Friday, that “the Islamic religion does not go through any crises,”
in response to Macron’s statements in which he claimed that “the Islamic
religion is going through a crisis today in all parts of the world.”
Al-Qaradaghi directed his speech to Macron, saying:
“Mr. President, do not worry about our religion, as he has never relied on the
support of an authority or raised a sword in the face of those who opposed him
to impose his banner.”
He added, “Islam is eternal, existential facts that
have a solution to the intractable problems of the authorities … it is the
religion of God and not a system of government that depends on the mood of the
voters and does not falsify awareness (…) Islam is the constant presence of
reason, proof and protection of mankind.”
And he continued: “Islam is where freedom is good, you
find it good, and where persecution grows despite the nose of tyrants.”
He continued: “Our religion does not go through a
crisis and it will not pass, because Islam is not a human industry in order to
fear atrophy and depression, it is Islam and it is enough to breathe despite
the machinations of others, and despite Islamophobia … We are not afraid of our
religion and we do not need, Mr. President, whoever sees us in the presence of
a crisis.”
And he added, “Rather, we say to you: The future is
the religion of Islam, and we are in fear for the future of societies that make
the religions and sanctities of others legitimate targets. We are in fear of societies
from authorities addicted to making their enemies.”
He said, “We have compassion on a ruler who is still
in crisis and the specter of religious wars, who lives in its middle ages and
we are in the twenty-first century.”
He explained, “If (there is) a real crisis, it is due
to the double standards of some Western politicians, and we will inform you,
noting that those who lead the reins of power in the Arab and Islamic world in
most countries are those who you created, or was a coup that you blessed by
reaching judgment on the skulls of innocent people.”
And he continued, saying, “Mr. President Macron: You
are in a crisis, a crisis of moral, humanitarian and political setback, and
Islam cannot bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders who created crises with
your sponsorship.”
These were the details of the news After Macron’s
attack on Islam … a harsh response from Al-Qaradaghi.
https://en.abna24.com/news//influential-sunni-scholar-al-qaradaghi-harshly-responses-to-anti-islamic-remarks-of-french-president_1075500.html
---------
China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger near
New Chinese Embassy Site in London
By Angela Dewan
October 3, 2020
The Secretary-General of the International
Union of Muslim Scholars, Ali Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi, told French President
Emmanuel Macron that Islam “does not bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders of
your industry.”
------
China's decision to move its British embassy from
London's upmarket West End to the less glitzy east could have been a
heart-warming tale of homecoming. The new mission will be built at the former
Royal Mint, just a stone's throw from the city's original 19th century
Chinatown.
Just behind the former Royal Mint are the residential
streets of Tower Hamlets, where four in 10 residents are Muslim, the highest
proportion than in any other borough in the United Kingdom. Some there say the
embassy isn't welcome until Beijing stops its alleged mistreatment of Muslims
in China.
China is believed to have detained up to 2 million
Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in internment camps in the far-western
region of Xinjiang, according to the US State Department. Beijing says it's
providing vocational training and helping to deradicalize segments of the
population to combat alleged Islamic terrorism and violence in the region.
"I'm very perplexed as to why the People's
Republic of China would want to be on the edges of a neighborhood that is so
multi-ethnic, multi-religious. The Muslim community has a large base
here," said Mo Rakib, a Muslim resident who is active in community
affairs.
"The Muslim community is very linked with each
other, regardless of what part of the world we're from. There's always a
feeling of affinity from one community to the other based on shared values and
shared faith. And that's no different for the Uyghur community."
Some local opposition councilors say that they too are
concerned about the implications of embassy's move and want the issue debated
at council meetings. But they don't outright oppose the mission coming into
their neighborhood.
What's playing out at this borough and its council
isn't so different from what's happening in the UK's national government, as
well as those of many other democracies, for that matter -- striking the right
balance between reaping the economic benefits of working with China and
criticizing it for rights abuses is difficult.
Tower Hamlets is one of the most deprived boroughs in
London. Its mayor, John Biggs, has welcomed the Chinese mission as "a vote
of confidence" in the borough as an "open and dynamic place to live
and work," according to local reports.
Rabina Khan was one of several local councilors who,
at a council meeting Wednesday, tried to introduce an emergency motion --
usually reserved for urgent matters -- on China. It was rejected due to time
constraints, the mayor's office told CNN, adding it would discuss the issue at
the next meeting in November.
The motion calls on the council to send a letter to
Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming expressing its concerns over the country's
treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims, as well as its clampdown on
pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
"What we want is to send a message to China that
if they move here, they need to be aware that our borough -- in all of its
diversity -- is a place where we're very proud to stand up for human
rights," Khan said.
Biggs said in a statement to CNN that Tower Hamlets
was "open and tolerant" but also wants "to be good partners and
support good relationships."
He acknowledged, however, that he and the community
were concerned about China's rights record, "in particular the appalling
treatment of the largely Muslim Uyghurs," and that it was right to
challenge the Chinese government on the issue.
Any problems with the embassy plans could prove
troublesome for China's international image. At a ceremony to hand over the
site to the Chinese mission in 2018, Ambassador Liu said he hoped the embassy
would become a London landmark and that the new premises should be a symbol of
China's current role and influence in the world.
Demonstrators on Thursday gathered in dozens of cities
around the world to protest China's treatment of certain groups in the country,
including Uyghurs, Tibetans and people in Hong Kong.
One of the organizers, Rahima Mahmut from the World
Uyghur Congress in London, said countries were choosing trade over human
rights.
"It's very obvious that trade relationships are
being prioritized, not just in the UK. We see this in African countries and
China's neighboring countries that are already trapped in debt to China. And
Turkey too. Turkey was the country that we Uyghurs always felt we could rely on
or seek refuge in," said Mahmut, a Uyghur who left Xinjiang in 1997.
Turkey is increasingly relying on China to dig itself
out of debt. It was previously one of the few Muslim-majority countries to have
criticized China's actions in Xinjiang, early last year denouncing the camps as
a "great shame for humanity." It has since softened its tone toward
Beijing, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party voted against launching
a probe into the alleged abuse against Muslims in China.
The UK took some action against China following its
implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which has stifled a
pro-democracy movement in the former British colony. Westminster opened a
pathway for citizenship for Hong Kong residents with the right to a British
National Overseas passport, which includes potentially 3 million Hong Kongers.
The UK has also condemned China several times over the
camps in Xinjiang, including at the recent UN Rights Council meeting, where the
Foreign Office's junior minister Tariq Ahmad called on Beijing to allow a UN
team "unfettered access" to Xinjiang to investigate allegations of
abuse there.
But activists like Mahmut say they want so see the UK
go further and impose sanctions on the people and organizations running the
camps in Xinjiang.
In a recent letter to a British MP, Foreign Secretary
Dominic Raab said the government was "carefully considering" new
designations on its sanctions list in regard to China over the National
Security law and postponement of elections in Hong Kong. The Liberal Democrats,
one of several opposition parties, is calling for more sanctions in relation to
the treatment of Uyghurs as well.
As is the case with many of China's trade partners,
there is reluctance in the UK to confront Beijing over rights. China is the
UK's sixth-biggest export market. That's a rapid rise from 26th place in 1999.
China has shown that it's not afraid to wield retaliatory
economic tools in response to political pressure, as it did in the case of
Australia, imposing tariffs of 80% on barley imports soon after Prime Minister
Scott Morrison led calls for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, which was
first reported in central China late last year. Beijing said that the tariffs
were in response to Australia selling the grain too cheaply.
The strongest response against China this year has
come from the US, which has issued sanctions over Beijing's treatment of Muslims
in Xinjiang, while its House of Representatives last week passed a forced labor
bill that would effectively ban imports from the region if it becomes law.
There are calls by opposition parties in the UK to do
the same, but Steve Tsang, director of the School of Oriental and African
Studies' (SOAS) China Institute in London, said the US may struggle to get its
usual allies to follow its lead.
"What would be useful is if countries, not just
in Europe, but if all countries that care about human rights and ethical
trading insist they will stop working with companies operating in Xinjiang
unless they can independently verify the supply chain conditions," he
said.
"But the Trump administration has discredited
itself in terms of moral leadership. I mean, who believes Donald Trump when he
says he defends human rights?"
While Tsang does see the public growing more
interested in the Uyghur issue, he says more evidence needs to come out about
the alleged abuse in Xinjiang to really galvanize a public response that will
force governments to confront China more aggressively.
In Tower Hamlets, councilors are mulling how to
welcome the opportunities the new embassy will bring to their neighborhood
while sending a clear message to Beijing that it does not approve of rights
abuses.
One of them, Andrew Wood, suggested a symbolic gesture
to show support for people who have challenged Beijing, such as the student
protesters of Tiananmen Square in 1989, or the people of Taiwan seeking formal
independence from China.
"There is a little lane near the embassy site
that doesn't have a name. We're wondering if we could call it Tiananmen Road or
Taipei Road. It might be just one way of sending a message that governments
have to look after all their people."
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/03/europe/china-london-embassy-uyghurs-uk-gbr-intl/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent%29
--------
Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
By Blake Apgar
October 3, 2020
Before protesters spilled into the streets to declare
Black lives matter, Imam Fateen Seifullah was quietly at work.
Outside the view of cameras, Seifullah and his congregation
at Las Vegas’ oldest mosque, Masjid As-Sabur, set out to improve the lives of
people living in the Historic Westside, taking action to a historically Black
neighbourhood that was being left behind.
Seifullah knows the everyday struggles of the Historic
Westside, the struggles that go unseen outside the shadows of downtown. He sees
the food insecurity. He knows the stress on parents who worry how they would
pay for the technology that was given to their children for school if something
happened to it.
Seifullah knows street activity because he lived it
when he was younger. He was introduced to the culture as a child in Los
Angeles, and was involved in dealing drugs later in Las Vegas.
“I wouldn’t say that I was a gang member, but I was
engaged in every aspect of the life at one time, you might say,” he said. “So I
know what it’s like to be a victim and a participant of street activity.”
Seifullah did two stints in prison for drug-related
crimes, he said. Originally from a Christian background, Seifullah was
introduced to Islam in prison.
“Growing up, he was really, you know, a knucklehead,”
said Michael Elliott, a longtime friend who works at Seifullah’s store,
Soulfully Scented.
But after his second time in prison, Seifullah made a
commitment to change, walking the long spiritual path to where he is today.
Now, he means so much to people in the Historic Westside as a community leader,
Elliott said.
Seifullah sees his services now as a way to pay his
debt to God and society for the harm he caused when he was younger.
Seifullah thinks it may have been destiny that brought
him to religious leadership. His grandfather is a deacon, and his two older
brothers are preachers. Islam, he said, called on him to be less of a
liability.
Seifullah has made good on his word to be an asset. He
and his wife helped Eric Chester reinvent himself, Chester said.
As a teenager in the 1990s, Chester said, he committed
a murder that could have landed him life in prison. After 17 years behind bars,
he said, he was released.
“When the world had thrown me away for the decision
that I had made, they embraced me,” he said.
Chester, a Historic Westside resident, said Seifullah
and his wife helped him start his own business. They’ve also had him work a
homeless initiative and let him help with a tutoring program for kids. Chester
is still doing community service with the imam and running a business where he
sells fashion accessories such as purses and wallets.
In the 1990s, drugs and gang activity were out of
control in the neighborhood, Seifullah said. So the mosque began an initiative
to clean up the Historic Westside and close down drug houses.
After becoming the imam of Masjid As-Sabur in 1999,
however, Seifullah realized the efforts were not enough and started providing
more services.
Masjid As-Sabur helps people get food and provides
assistance for utilities and rent. It offers tutoring for children in the
neighborhood and performs outreach to let neighbors know services are
available.
The mosque also helps both children and adults with
reading, and offers computers to help people complete applications.
Seifullah has also been involved in an effort to
bridge the divide between the community and the Metropolitan Police Department.
After nearly a decade of collaboration in Metro’s community policing efforts,
Seifullah said the mosque is close to a partnership with the police. Close, he
emphasized.
Police had to change their mentality, but so did
Seifullah’s congregants by looking beyond law enforcement uniforms.
Stretch Sanders, a prominent racial justice activist,
said he met Seifullah at a protest in 2016 and the two hit it off. Sanders
later saw Seifullah and his mosque pay rent for people and shut down drug
houses.
Sanders, who considers Seifullah a mentor, said
Seifullah has also joined in protests against police brutality on Fremont
Street.
Seifullah said the Historic Westside needs more
educational support, after-school support and tutoring programs, as well as
more work-related training. It needs redevelopment and someone who is
interested in filling the lots that dot the neighborhood. It needs a sustained
effort from the government.
He said some elected officials have claimed they don’t
get enough community participation to move ideas forward. But the imam said
it’s a lot to ask for community participation when people are trying to keep
the lights on and put food on the table.
Seifullah, however, isn’t done helping. As long as
there are vacant lots and economic woes in the neighborhood, there is still
work to do.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/mosque-leader-a-real-life-hero-in-las-vegas-historic-westside-2136697/
----------
Top religious figures from Iran, India held live
webinar on late Ayatollah Taskhiri
Source : Taghrib News
October 3, 2020
Senior political officials, religious figures and Shia
and Sunni scholars attended in an international webinar organized by Welayat
Foundation in collaboration with the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic
Schools of Thought.
Sheikh Hamid Shahriari, secretary general of World
Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in this webinar related on
the moral characteristics and efforts of the late scholar, Ayatollah Mohammad
Ali Taskhiri.
He referred to the senior scholars who had taught
Ayatollah Taskhiri, his support for the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the
issue of Palestine.
The senior cleric also lauded the advisor of Supreme
Leader as an icon of resolution and assiduous scholar who spent his entire life
to promote Islamic teachings as well as the writings he left on fiq'h and
Islamic unity translated to several languages.
Sheikh Shahriari referred to the seminaries and
universities which have made use of guidelines by Ayatollah Taskhiri.
He hailed the former secretary general of World Forum
for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought as a committed advisor for the
Supreme Leader and a role model for jihad (struggle for the Almighty God).
Maulavi Is'haq Madani, advisor of Iran's president in
Sunni affairs, Maulana Seyed Shamim-ul-Hasan from Banaras, Ali Chegini, Iran's
ambassador to New Delhi, Sheikh Mahdi Mahdavipour, representative of the
Supreme Leader in India, professor Akhtarul Wasey, vice chancellor of Maulana
Azad University in Jadhpur, Mehdi Alizadeh Moosavi, university professor,
professor Ghulam Yahya Anjum from the faculty of Islamic studies from Hamdadr
University in New Delhi were among the participants to the webinar broadcasted
live on Welayat TV on September 30, 40th day after demise of Ayatollah Mohammad
Ali Taskhiri.
Iranian prominent Islamic unity figure, Ayatollah
Mohammad Ali Taskhiri (1944-2020) spent over five decades of his life for
promoting Islamic teachings and unity among Muslims. Top cleric passed away due
to heart disease on August 18 and his body was laid to rest in the holy shrine
of Lady Masoumeh (AS) in Qom.
https://en.abna24.com/news//top-religious-figures-from-iran-india-held-live-webinar-on-late-ayatollah-taskhiri_1075211.html
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Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
By Mohammad Arif Sheva
04 Oct 2020
KABUL, Afghanistan – Chairman of the High Council for
National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah is due to travel to India on October
6, according to sources, after he has wrapped a three-day visit to Islamabad
Thursday.
This would be his first visit to Delhi on his position
as HCNR chairman, representing the Afghan government in talks with the Taliban,
which started in September in Doha.
Abdullah is expected to meet top leadership of India
to seek support for the intra-Afghan talks, which India always maintained
should have been “Afghan-led” and “Afghan-owned”.
During the inaugural ceremony of intra-Afghan talks on
September 12 in Doha, the Indian delegation said, “Our friendship with
Afghanistan is strong and unshaken, we have always been good neighbours and
will always be so,” as local media quoted. “Our expectation is that the soil of
Afghanistan should never be used for any anti-India activities.”
https://www.khaama.com/abdullah-to-visit-india-oct-6-after-wrapping-3-day-trip-to-pakistan-98765/
--------
India
Mumbai: New Programme Aims to Increase Representation
of Minorities in Police Force
Anju Maskeri
04 October, 2020
Every day, Mankhurd resident Rehmat Bee Khalilwi
leaves home at 5 am to reach Churchgate's Oval Maidan by 6.30 am. With no
access to local trains under state guidelines that allow only essential workers
to use the service under lockdown, Khalilwi's husband Mohammed drops her on his
bike. Some days, she takes a bus. Despite the challenging commute, the
28-year-old has not missed a single day of training.
Khalilwi is among 200 Muslim candidates being trained
by Grant Road madrassa Jamia Ashrafia Qadria to get into the police
constabulary. The religious institution has joined hands with a private
coaching institute to launch a pilot, three-month training programme for
aspirants preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), an
exam that selects officers for civil service jobs.
Spearheaded by Congress MLA Amin Patel, activists MA
Khalid and Sarfaraz Arzoo, and madrassa head Maulana Moin Ashraf Qadri, the
move is "aimed at increasing Muslim representation" in the law
enforcement agency. The training includes not just physical fitness, but also
virtual academic classes.
Khalilwi says it's her husband who inspired her to
join. "I feel having more female officers will improve the law
enforcement's response to violence against women," she says. Nagpada
resident Shabnam Qureshi's daughter Bilqees has also enrolled for the training.
"She [Bilqees] was always good at sports, all through school and college.
I thought her fitness levels and sense of discipline could be put to good use
if she joined the police."
The police crackdown at Aligarh Muslim University and
Jamia Millia, on December 15, last year and the Delhi riots in February have
only reignited the discourse about the low numbers of minorities in the police
force.
Patel says, "Every report has pointed out that
the reason behind this [low numbers] is that people aren't willing to come
forward. In 2007, Maharashtra chief minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh's
administration had decided that the minority department should provide police
training to Muslims. Hundred candidates from 36 districts were to be selected.
But what happens is that you get a good response from certain districts, while
nothing from the others. That's why we decided to start the pilot
project."
According to Khalid, they have received over 8,000
applications from across Maharashtra. This wasn't the case three years ago,
when they had tried to get students in Mumbai. "We had failed to receive
even 100 applications. But after our recent campaign, there has been renewed
interest." Khalid says having more Muslims in the constabulary will help
with the feeling of being part of a larger goal to do good.
"There has been a growing fear within the
community that the system is against them, but having their own people in the
system will only
Former senior police inspector, Shamsher Pathan, who
served at the Nagpada Police Station in the early 2000s, remembers how his
services were often sought to diffuse tension in communally-sensitive areas.
"Whenever there was a 'Muslim problem', I was the trouble-shooter because
they knew that I could mix with the crowd. In fact, the representation of
Muslims in the force was so low, that if we needed an Urdu document translated,
we had to seek help from outsiders."
Adnan Khan, a fitness trainer, who is among the
candidates training currently, believes religion shouldn't figure in a
discussion on matters of serving the country. He says, "I'm an Indian
first."
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-muslim-candidates-being-trained-to-join-the-police-force/23024206
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Gujarat High Court grants relief to Muslim man facing
opposition by Hindu residents over residential plot
Satish Jha
OCT 03 2020
The Gujarat High Court has granted relief to a Muslim
buyer of a plot located at a Hindu-dominated residential society in Vadodara by
permitting him to restart construction of the house and restoration of
electricity which had been cut off by the civ...
The buyer is one of the many Muslims who have
purchased properties at the Samarpan Society but are finding it difficult to
settle in view of angry protests by several Hindu residents allegedly on
"communal lines."
Justice Bhargav D Karia pronounced the order last week
on a petition moved by Firoz Mohammed Patel who had sought permission for
construction and restoration of electricity supply. The society has been in
controversy on similar issues for nearly a ye...
Patel has said that after buying the plot by fulling
all the legal formalities, he obtained permission for construction from the
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and a temporary electricity connection
from the electricity board. However, from May...
In the petition, Patel mentioned that some of the
members of the society made representations to government authorities and
raised “completely baseless and frivolous allegations of illegal construction,
fraudulent Disturbed Areas Act permission etc.”...
Meanwhile, in August, the seller of the plot, Firoz
Fali Contractor, was booked for cheating, forging and violation of the
Disturbed Areas Act. It was alleged that he concealed his Parsi religion and
sold the plot to Patel, the petitioner, by violati...
The Act defines a certain area as
"disturbed" to avoid distress sale of immovable properties without
prior permission from a local authority like the district collector. Under the
Act, the seller and the purchaser have to satisfy the authority that t...
However, in the last several years, dozens of cases
have been filed after Muslim buyers bought flat or plot in a society dominated
by Hindus. Most of these cases were found to have followed the law yet the
buyers faced protest. In many such instances...
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/gujarat-high-court-grants-relief-to-muslim-man-facing-opposition-by-hindu-residents-over-residential-plot-896859.html
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Pakistan
PM permission to broadcast Nawaz’s speech termed
mistake
Staff Reporter
04 Oct 2020
LAHORE: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid feels Prime
Minister Imran Khan made an incorrect decision to allow airing of PML-N supremo
Nawaz Sharif’s speech on TV though the premier wanted Mr Sharif to be exposed.
He alleged that the PML-N supremo had become an active
member of an “alliance” in London that was conspiring against the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Mr Khan sees the latest developments
in London (Mr Sharif’s speeches, etc) as [part of activities of] the alliance
against the CPEC,” he said.
“As the PM, he (Imran) gave permission for airing
Nawaz’s speech but he was wrong. Had I been there, I would have never allowed
this,” Mr Rashid said while responding to media queries in a press conference
here on Saturday.
He said the decision was taken by PM Khan on his own
as he believed that it (Mr Sharif’s speech) would perhaps expose the PML-N
supremo. “But if it were up to me, I would not have wanted Nawaz to speak that
day,” the minister added.
He warned PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz to stop
attacking him in her press conferences/media talks. “Maryam sahiba, I am giving
you a final warning. I can disclose some news that can cause a political
earthquake in this country. I respect you because you are a woman,” he said.
Minister sees PML-N supremo’s activities as part of
plot against CPEC
Mr Rashid said former premier Sharif had taken over
the PML-N and was not ready to trust anyone except his daughter.
“The Pakistan Army is a great force, but Nawaz Sharif
has waged a war against it,” he said.
The minister claimed that Mr Sharif and his daughter
had stayed silent for a year and 10 months under a plan. “Why did Nawaz and
Maryam remain silent? I say under oath that they did this because they were
bargaining for relief. Some of our [friendly Muslim countries] are witness to
this,” he claimed.
He reiterated that the PPP would never tender
resignations from assemblies.
“I can clearly state that by the end of December,
there will be a sweeping operation [to send the opposition leaders to jail].
The opposition leaders will continue their anti-government movement till Feb
20, but not after the Senate elections.”
Earlier, talking about his department, the minister
said the Pakistan Railways had decided to privatise 34 more passenger trains in
near future. “Twelve trains have already been outsourced and 34 more are set to
be outsourced soon in addition to six freight trains,” he said.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583168/pm-permission-to-broadcast-nawazs-speech-termed-mistake
---------
Malik decides not to pursue cases against US blogger
Iftikhar A. Khan
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and chairman of
Senate Standing Committee on Interior Rehman Malik has decided not to pursue
criminal and civil cases against US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.
“The decision is in good faith and am making it public
today,” the Pakistan Peoples Party leader tweeted on Saturday.
The decision came after his exoneration from rape
charges levelled against him by Ms Ritchie.
All her allegations were dismissed by the justice of
peace (twice), District and Sessions Court, Islamabad, and by police.
As chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on
Interior, Mr Malik had taken notice of Ms Ritchie’s derogatory remarks against
former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, the former minister
said: “I with (my) humble nature do not claim victory as it is evident that the
lady in question, being under pressure from inimical elements, was forced into
levelling these insinuations against me.”
Suggests Cynthia levelled rape allegations against him
at the behest of ‘influential elements’
“I therefore, in good faith and moreover, because I
honour women and their dignity, regardless of this matter, would not like to
pursue this matter further as I have every reason/proofs to believe that
Cynthia Ritchie must have levelled these bogus allegations at the behest of
influential elements having nefarious designs to malign me & the top
political leadership of our country, including first elected lady PM Shaheed
Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto,” Mr Malik said.
“I have decided not to consider for revenge in good
faith and I leave this issue to my Allah, to Whom I’m grateful for vindicating
my position before my family, friends and PPP leadership and parliament.”
Ms Ritchie had filed an application with Secretariat
police station, accusing Mr Malik of raping her at his residence in 2011.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana had, however, dismissed
her petition.
The blogger then moved the Islamabad High Court
against the verdict and IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a six-page
order, allowing the petition and setting aside the sessions court order.
For his part, Mr Malik had served a defamation notice
to the US blogger and had also filed a Rs500 million defamation suit against her.
The second defamation notice had been sent for repeating her allegations.
The Supreme Court had on Wednesday rejected Mr Malik’s
appeal and upheld the Sept 1 directive of IHC about remanding back for review
to the justice of peace the matter involving registration of a First
Information Report (FIR) in the rape allegations levelled by Ms Ritchie.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam
decided to send back the matter to the Justice of Peace after Advocate General
for Islamabad Niazullah Khan Niazi supported the high court’s decision.
On Friday, the US blogger posted tweets through her
Twitter handle @CynthiaDRitchie about the court ruling, expressing satisfaction
over the outcome.
“It was a good day in Supreme Court. Now awaiting
orders from Additional Sessions Court.”
Soon afterwards, she made another post that said: “It
may be mentioned … Rehman Malik’s attempts to file FIR/defamation against me
are dismissed.
“We’ll continue our fight, including the @HBLPak case
where my banking information was leaked online, and use my platform to help
others without a voice.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583166/malik-decides-not-to-pursue-cases-against-us-blogger
--------
Ministry takes steps to protect children from abuse
Staff Reporter
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Ministry on Saturday
engaged Child Protection Committees of Islamabad to raise awareness about the
rights of children and steps aimed at preventing them from abuse.
The ministry under its Human Rights Awareness
Programme, has so far held five sessions by engaging eight of the 15 Child
Protection Committees that are efficiently working in several areas of the
Islamabad Capital Territory like Sohan, Bari Imam, Saidpur, Tarnol, Golra, Shah
Allah Ditta, 26 number Chungi, etc.
The participants in these sessions mostly comprise
children, parents, teachers, civil society representatives and community
leaders.
The committees were formed in 2019 by the Ministry of
Human Rights’s National Child Protection Centre to identify, prevent and report
issues of child abuse in the city in collaboration with the relevant
authorities.
The ministry said that these sessions helped improve
participants’ knowledge about the rights provided to children in the
Constitution along with the recently passed legislations like Zainab Alert Act,
and the amendment in Employment of Children Act – 1991 proscribing child
domestic labour.
Participants were also informed about the toll free
helpline to effectively respond to Human Rights violation cases and provide
free legal aid to the callers.
The ministry claimed to have received positive
feedback from the communities who were not previously informed about their
rights and were delighted to be a part of these sessions.
Participants also recommended that such information
should be a part of the curriculum and more of such awareness sessions should
be held for parents and children separately.
The ministry said it had plans to further hold these
sessions in other communities.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583073/ministry-takes-steps-to-protect-children-from-abuse
--------
NAB appeal against Babar’s acquittal to be heard
tomorrow
Malik Asad
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed
for hearing an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against
the acquittal of Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan in
the Nandipur reference.
An IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Athar
Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq will take up the appeal on Monday (tomorrow).
NAB filed the appeal in July last year. However, no
progress could be made as the bureau seems uninterested in pursuing the case.
The appeal was fixed for hearing in May, but no NAB prosecutor appeared before
the court to present its arguments.
On June 18, when the appeal was again fixed for
hearing, NAB sought time from the court to prepare its arguments and requested
for an adjournment.
Former accountability judge Mohammad Arshad Malik,
days before his video scandal came to limelight, had acquitted Mr Awan in the
Nandipur reference. Other accused, including former prime minister Raja Pervaiz
Ashraf and some officials, are still being tried in this case.
Justice Minallah inquired from NAB to satisfy the
court that when allegations against all the accused persons were identical,
then how Mr Awan had been acquitted.
The Nandipur power project was approved by the
Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet on Dec 27, 2007, at a cost of
$329 million. After the approval, a contract was signed on Jan 28, 2008,
between the Northern Power Generation Company Limited and the Dong Fang
Electric Corporation, China, and two consortiums — Coface for 68.96 million
euros and Sinosure for $150.15m — were set up for financing the project.
The water and power ministry sought a legal opinion on
the project from the law ministry in accordance with the schedule of agreement
in July 2009, but they repeatedly refused to offer one.
The water and power ministry also failed to take any
concrete step in time to resolve the issue and the matter remained pending.
The petition stated that Mr Sharif managed to go
abroad on the pretext of his ailment but he not only started actively
participating in the politics but also initiated a smear campaign against the
state’s institutions.
The petitioner requested the court to issue the order
banning his speeches at political gatherings through video link.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583170/nab-appeal-against-babars-acquittal-to-be-heard-tomorrow
---------
Arab world
Egypt’s Al-Azhar Condemns Macron’s Remarks on 'Islamic
Separatism and Isolationism'
Ahram Online
3 Oct 2020
The Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top
religious authority, has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s announced
plan for fighting “Islamic separatism,” which Al-Azhar described as an “explicit
call for racism and hate.”
In a speech in Les Mureaux, near Paris, Macron
announced intentions to propose a bill to France’s parliament next year to
address what he called Islamist isolationism and separatism.
The bill would impose tighter controls on funding for
mosques and severely restrict home-schooling to prevent children from being
“indoctrinated” by unregistered schools that deviate from the national
curriculum, Macron said.
“There is a crisis of Islam everywhere, which is being
corrupted by radical forms,” Macron said.
In a statement on Saturday, Al-Azhar’s Islamic
Research Academy, which works to reform Islamic culture and safeguard it from
political and ideological intolerance, said that President Macron has directed
“false accusations that have nothing to do with the true context of religion.”
It said that Islam calls for “tolerance and peace”
among people, including those who do not believe in it.
The academy said it completely rejects Macron’s
remarks, which it said “destroy all joint efforts by religious figures to
eliminate racism and bullying against religions.”
The academy also said that some people insist on
making false accusations against Islam, including those of separatism and
isolationism, and are confused by the fact that some people exploit some
religious texts to fulfil malicious goals.
The religious body called for abandoning attacks
against religions, as this obstructs constructive dialogue and backs hate
speech. It also said that such “attacks” can hinder attempts to establish
co-existence among people in a society.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/386502/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt%E2%80%99s-AlAzhar-condemns-Macron%E2%80%99s-remarks-on-Islam.aspx
----------
Shuaa Rolls Out Three Sharia-Compliant Investment Funds
with $75m Of Commitments
Sarmad Khan
October 4, 2020
Dubai investment banking and asset management firm
Shuaa Capital launched three funds in the Abu Dhabi Global Market as the
company continues to diversify its product portfolio and grow its fee income business.
The Sharia-compliant, open-ended funds were rolled out
with initial commitments of $75 million (Dh275.25m), Shuaa said in a statement
to the Dubai Financial Market, where its shares trade.
The funds, targeting qualified institutional
investors, were launched through the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shuaa
GMC, which is regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
The three funds – Shuaa High Yield Sukuk Fund, Nujoom
Aggressive Fund and Nujoom Balanced Fund – are part of Shuaa’s fund platform
rolled out in Abu Dhabi’s international financial hub. The platform is expected
to be the largest of its kind to be domiciled in ADGM, it said.
“The number of Sharia funds available to investors has
yet to match the growing demand for Islamic finance products across the world,”
Jassim Alseddiqi, chief executive of Shuaa, said. “This is because not enough
fund managers offer options in the much sought after Sharia space, and even the
funds available either have small AUMs [assets under management] or are close
ended.”
The current climate of uncertainty amid the Covid-19
pandemic has created disruption in the global financial markets, opening up
investment opportunities that may not have been available under normal market
conditions, Mr Alseddiqi said.
The funds “are designed to give insurance and pension
institutional investors more [investment] options while also supporting the
Islamic investment industry”, he added.
Shuaa said its High Yield Sukuk Fund will invest in a
portfolio of Islamic bond instruments, including high yield sukuk,
Sharia-compliant fixed income investments and a number of other collective
investment funds approved by its Sharia advisors.
The Nujoom Aggressive Fund and the Nujoom Balanced
Fund will invest in a global portfolio of equities, fixed income investments
and money market instruments that follow Sharia guidance. The funds offered
through the Allfunds Bank platform will widen choices for investors with a
long-term investment horizon, Shuaa said.
“Our umbrella fund gives investors the option and
comfort of investing in a regulated fund structure that is diversified,
achieves cost-efficiencies and economies of scale, and creates consistent and
long-term value,” Ajit Joshi, Shuaa’s head of public and private markets, said.
Shuaa manages $13 billion in assets and plans to
expand its investment banking and asset management businesses to boost AUMS to
$20bn.
Shuaa’s expansion strategy involves growing its
regional footprint as it looks to grow recurring income through new products,
permanent capital vehicles and expanding its fixed income business, the company
said in March.
In June, the company strengthened its corporate
restructuring arm to help struggling firms access financing during the Covid-19
crisis. In August, Shuaa reported a second quarter net profit of Dh267m and a
first-half net income of Dh5m despite the pandemic-related slowdown. There are
no comparable figures as Shuaa merged with Abu Dhabi Financial Group last year.
https://www.thenational.ae/business/banking/shuaa-rolls-out-three-sharia-compliant-investment-funds-with-75m-of-commitments-1.1087903
---------
CBUAE and DIEDC join forces to strengthen Islamic
banking sector
04-10-2020
WAM
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) on Saturday signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Islamic Economy Development
Centre (DIEDC) to reinforce and expand the reach of the Islamic banking sector,
and to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Saif Hadef Al Shamsi, Deputy Governor of the Central
Bank of the UAE, and Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of DIEDC, signed the
agreement.
In addition to the cooperation in Islamic banking,
Central Bank of the UAE and DIEDC will work together to publish joint research
and exchange knowledge to enhance expertise.
Furthermore, the two entities will jointly host
international seminars, conferences and meetings, develop awareness projects,
build technical capabilities and cooperate in fields that support the
development of Islamic finance.
As a first order of business, Central Bank of the UAE
and Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre will establish a joint team to
follow up on the implementation of the MoU.
The team is tasked with preparing regular update
reports that will be shared with key decision makers across each entity.
Speaking on the new partnership with DIEDC, Al Shamsi
said, “The MoU reflects the Central Bank of the UAE’s commitment to strengthen
strategic ties with various entities in the banking and financial sector, and
unify efforts to ensure that plans and initiatives are aligned with the future
directions of the country and to achieve the common goals.” Al Shamsi also
highlighted that the UAE has become world’s leading hub for finance and
business and it is an important centre for Islamic finance.
Through the Memorandum of Understanding, the Central
Bank and the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre endeavour to accelerate
growth opportunities and the development of the banking and financial Islamic
sector, in addition to attracting and preparing competencies through
coordination in proposing and organising programs that will contribute in
achieving the best outcomes to promote Islamic banking and finance in the UAE.
For his part, Al Awar said, “Our latest agreement with
the Central Bank of the UAE to enhance strategic cooperation in Islamic banking
is part of our sustained efforts to expand the Centre’s strong base of
strategic partners in all sectors of the Islamic economy and will contribute
significantly to implementing our operating plans to boost Dubai’s credentials
as a global capital of Islamic economy.”
He added, “As a pivotal sector of the Islamic economy,
DIEDC prioritises the advancement of Islamic banking. We have made considerable
headway in developing a global charter in collaboration with our strategic
partners that serves to expand the scope and uptake of the Islamic finance
sector and the wider Islamic economy.
The charter is a first step in building a robust and
globally unified legislative framework for Islamic finance transactions that will
undoubtedly further expand the reach of the Islamic economy. DIEDC is keen to
enhance the available opportunities across Islamic economy sectors, especially
in Islamic finance, amidst the growing demand in these sectors locally,
regionally and internationally.”
https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2020/10/03/cbuae-and-diedc-join-forces-to--strengthen-islamic-banking-sector
---------
Europe
Islamic Jihad ready to participate in Palestinian
National Council elections
October 3, 2020
Middle East, News
Member of the political bureau of Islamic Jihad in
Palestine Mohammed Al-Hindi has announced that his movement is ready to take
part in Palestinian National Council elections, Shehab News Agency reported on
Friday.
Speaking to the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV, Al-Hindi
confirmed that these elections “must” be aimed at reconstructing the Palestine
Liberation Organisation (PLO) as: “A liberation organisation not as a
submissive organisation.”
He stressed that the start of ending the internal
Palestinian division is the unity against the Israeli occupation, warning of:
“Continuing dependence on manoeuvrers or small tactics and political changes
that could take place here or there.”
He also emphasised the importance of cutting relations
and stopping partnership with “the Zionist enemy”, reiterating the importance
of: “Popular activities and friction with the enemy in the West Bank as a means
to revive corporeal spirit for the Palestinians.”
Meanwhile, he conveyed: “Arab normalisation of ties
with Israel, the deal of the century and Israel’s annexation plans proved that
dependence on the partnership with the Zionists is wrong.”
He also urged that the PLO “must” be the reference for
the Palestinian Authority (PA), not vice versa, and that due to the PLO being
“the umbrella for all Palestinians”, it should determine all policies.
The Islamic Jihad leader confirmed that the ongoing
dialogue between Fatah and Hamas: “Is a basic and supporting factor for any
effort aiming to regain Palestinian unity.”
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201003-islamic-jihad-ready-to-participate-in-palestinian-national-council-elections/
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Teacher bids to become Scotland's first female Muslim
MSP in action plan to tackle racists
ByJohn Ferguson
4 OCT 2020
Anum Qaisar-Javed was first called a ‘P*ki’ the day
after turning nine on September 11, 2001.
Terror attacks 3000 miles away in America caused life
to change abruptly and her family’s local mosque in Motherwell was fire-bombed
a few weeks later.
Today, the modern studies teacher is bidding to become
Scotland’s first female Muslim MSP after being convinced by her pupils to stand
up against discrimination.
She told one bigot who asked her to go home: “Babes…
my husband, siblings and I were all born in Scotland. I’m already home.”
Anum is now seeking selection as the SNP’s Holyrood
candidate in May in Uddingston and Bellshill, close to where she grew up in
North Lanarkshire.
She said: “Both experiencing and witnessing injustice
is what sparked my interest in politics.
“That tweet was not the first time I have had to deal
with racism and, unfortunately, I don’t think it will be the last.
“The first time was when I was nine and it was the day
after 9/11, which had been my birthday.
SNP MSP candidate, Anum Qaisar-Javed, has opened up
about her battle against racism. (Image: Garry F McHarg Daily Record)
“A boy waiting for the school bus asked me why my skin
was a dirty colour and if I was born in mud.
“He then started asking if my family were terrorists
and called me a ‘P*ki’.
“So I do think that there is a long way to go in
tackling discrimination but at least we are now talking about race, which is
positive.
“I just try to deal with it in a way that is not
aggressive but still gets my point across and hopefully makes people think
twice about their attitudes.
“It was great to get the First Minister’s support
because it makes me feel people are on my side.
“I believe Scotland is a really welcoming and warm
country and I have had so much support from so many people here.
“But there is still lots of progress to be made and,
if I get elected to Holyrood, I would want to work to combat all forms of
discrimination.”
The Uddingston and Bellshill seat is held by the SNP’s
Richard Lyle, who is stepping down as an MSP.
Politics was central to Anum’s family life growing up
when she would debate with her dad around the dinner table.
She added: “When I was still at primary school, I
wrote to Tony Blair to explain that I disagreed with his decision to
participate in the Iraq War.
“My dad always encouraged me to read and to critically
analyse and debate current affairs.
“I studied politics at university and, as a teacher, I
have been examining reasons for under-representation of women and ethnic
minorities with my National 5 and Higher modern studies classes.
“My pupils can clearly see the Scottish Parliament
doesn’t fully reflect society. Some older children who knew I had been involved
with the SNP asked me why there was a lack of ethnic minorities and if I would
ever consider standing.
“It was definitely something that made me eventually
decide to put my name forward.
“Being the first female Asian MSP would be an
unbelievable honour and, if it happened, I would hopefully inspire other women
of colour to break through as well.
Anum was previously a member of the Labour Party but
switched to the SNP a few days after the 2014 referendum.
She added: “My maternal grandfather moved to
Manchester in the 60s and always voted Labour. He would tell his children to
vote for the Labour Party as that was the party for the working class and they
supported immigration.
“But, as the referendum continued, I felt Labour were
abandoning their founding principles of social justice and protecting the most
vulnerable. They first took the voters for granted and then cosied up to the
Tories – and I could not, in good conscience, remain a member.
“I had campaigned for a Yes vote along with Labour for
Independence and I voted Yes. A few days after the referendum, I joined the
SNP.”
Anum grew up in Motherwell with her shopkeeper parents
and two younger brothers. She studied politics at Stirling University and now
lives with her husband, who is a doctor.
She previously worked for Carol Monaghan MP as a
parliamentary researcher and with Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf as a
caseworker.
She added: “People are watching the way Boris Johnson
has handled this pandemic and are not impressed with the lack of a four-nations
approach.
“Again and again, the voice of Scotland is cast aside
and people are becoming more aware of how Westminster is just not working.
“I see another independence referendum on the horizon
and, if selected as the SNP candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill, I’ll be
lobbying for this within the party.”
Another political priority would be better mental
health support for young people. She added: “Lockdown was difficult for
everyone and the mental health impact on young people is clear since coming
back to school.
“I have spent a fair amount of time ensuring pupils
are all at the same stage and catching up with pupils who missed work during
lockdown.
“I believe there should be more mental health services
available at schools, especially with the negative impact of Covid-19 and the
potential widening of the attainment gap.
“I’m passionate about education and want to ensure
positive steps are taken by the Scottish Government and Parliament to create
different paths of educational attainment for our young people.
“I’d also want to be a strong local voice for my
constituency. I’m ready to hit the ground running immediately.”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/msp-candidate-opens-up-lifelong-22788156
------------
Danish Far-Right Activists Stage Koran-Burning Stunt
In Muslim-Populated Neighbourhood
3 Oct, 2020
Denmark news
Danish Stram Kurs (“Hard Line”) party has staged a
Koran-burning protests in an area of the town of Fredericia mostly populated by
Turkish and Muslim immigrants. The stunt attracted a group of angry locals, one
man was detained.
The activists, led by the party’s head Rasmus Paludan
appeared in Fredericia on late Friday afternoon. While the protest was
originally expected to take place at a local park, the group instead stood on a
cordoned-off lawn by a local supermarket under watch of multiple police
officers.
The Stram Kurs members tossed around and burned several
copies of the Koran, insisting the stunt was needed to send a political
message.
‘What we are doing today is, we are telling the truth
about Islam, because many people in Denmark don't know what Islam is about, so
we want to explain what Islam is about, and that the values and judgments of
Islam are very, very in contradiction to Danish western European values,”
Paludan stated.
The stunt has attracted a group of angry locals, who
condemned the Stram Kurs’ activities. Footage from the scene shows one man
detained by the police after he breached the cordoned-off lawn reserved for the
provocative stunt.
The far-right party, founded back in 2017, has
repeatedly engaged in similar stunts in Denmark, as well as in neighboring
Nordic countries. The latest – and arguably one of the most ‘efficient’ –
protests of the kind was held by the party late in August in Sweden’s Malmo.
Paludan himself was pre-emotively banned from entering
Sweden for two years after he announced the Koran-burning event, yet his
supporters proceeded with the stunt without their leader. The stunt prompted a
very angry reaction among Malmo’s Muslim population, resulting in protests that
promptly tumbled into outright rioting with blazing barricades in the streets
and clashes.
While the Stram Kurs party is well known for its
anti-Islam activism and Koran-burning events, its political achievements remain
quite modest. The party did not manage to get any seats during any elections it
took part in, failing to get past the 2 percent threshold during the latest
general election in 2019.
https://www.rt.com/news/502472-koran-burning-denmark-far-right/
---------
Brit kids groomed by sick far-right video games
showing Muslims being beheaded
ByGrace Macaskill
3 OCT 2020
Far-right groups are recruiting children as young as
nine with sick video games, a charity warns.
Exit UK, which helps people leave far-right groups,
told how one British fascist sent 1,000 USB sticks with 30 neo-Nazi games on to
young people.
Kids are recruited by extreme groups on forums, then
encouraged to join other groups on encrypted messenger sites such as WhatsApp
and Telegram, where they are offered the videos.
Recent games distributed across the country include
ones that show Muslims being stabbed and decapitated, Jews being gunned down in
a synagogue and black people being shot.
Exit UK head Nigel Bromage said: “What we are seeing
is truly shocking. These faceless, core recruiters of the far-right are experts
at grooming children, manipulating them through social media, memes and videos.
“The youngest child we’ve helped was just nine, whose
older brother was giving him neo-Nazi games to play which showed Germans
shooting British or American soldiers and people of Jewish heritage being hurt.
“The far-right is basically grooming young children
into this terrible world of hate and it is heart-breaking. You can imagine how
upset the mother of those two boys was when she came to us.”
Nigel, a reformed far-right activist who was once part
of the National Front and Combat 18, fears lockdown has made fascists’
recruiting easier.
Since April, his team has taken 150 calls from worried
family members or extremists wanting to leave far-right groups, up from 60 last
year.
“They’ve seen the anti-Semitism, the 5G conspiracy
theorists, the non-PC jokes and items about migrants. Most are sickened and say
‘We don’t want any part of this’, but other people become interested and start
exploring forums where extremists are ready to groom them. From there they are
persuaded into encrypted messenger sites where communication is set up.
“We are aware that one Brit made a neo-Nazi video that
was put onto USB sticks and sent out to 1,000 people. It’s hard to control.
They don’t charge for them because it’s all about brainwashing.
“They are crudely made but if this violence is your
first introduction to the far-right and it’s that violent, where does that
lead? These recruiters... simply urge people to commit direct action with
videos like these and young people don’t realise they are just being used.”
A report by anti-extremist campaign Hope Not Hate
revealed that many young people will buy into conspiracy theories pushed by
racists and fascists because they feel alienated by the political system.
Almost half of young men aged 16-24 surveyed believed that political violence
is necessary in extreme circumstances.
Fourteen per cent of the same age group think Jewish
people have an unhealthy control over the world’s banking system and 15 per
cent believe the Holocaust was exaggerated.
Almost six in ten of those questioned have witnessed
or experienced racism on social media.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brit-kids-groomed-sick-far-22787774
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Former Associate Of Oakland’s Your Black Muslim Bakery
Charged With Trying To Allegedly Rip-Off COVID Paycheck Protection Program
October 3, 2020
Sharieff Dahood Bey,
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Sharieff Dahood Bey, who has
a major figure with Oakland’s Your Black Muslim Bakery, has been charged by
federal prosecutors with bank fraud for allegedly trying to rip off the
Paycheck Protection Program, set up to assist businesses struggling during the
COVID pandemic, for more than $22 million.
Bey, who also went by several aliases — Attila Colar,
Sharieff Dahood Bey, Sharieff Dahood Bey, Dawud Azadene and Attilla Collan —
was charged on Friday after an investigation involving several federal
agencies.
According to the criminal complaint filed by U.S.
Attorney David Anderson, Bey — who was charged under his birth name Attila
Colar — the 48-year-old Richmond resident submitted three applications between
April and June of 2020, on behalf of Hercules-based non-profit All Hands on
Deck, Inc.
All Hand on Deck is a non-profit that purports to
provide housing “to men getting out of prison, food bank services, life and
work skills, trainings, resiliency treatment services, prenatal life skills,
and a variety of necessary know hows to survive in today’s society.”
Colar received over $1.1 million from one of those
loans. The complaint separately alleges that six more applications were
submitted in that same time period on behalf of two other entities linked to
Colar — The Family Investment Group, Inc. and Oversight Security, Inc.
The criminal complaint described how the loan
applications were rife with false information, misleading statements, and
glaring omissions.
“The Paycheck Protection Program is supposed to
support everyday Americans suffering economic distress,” Anderson said in a
news release. “The complaint describes the methodical preparation of fraudulent
loan applications to deprive the program of $22 million that is sorely needed
by the public to endure this national crisis.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge San Francisco John L.
Bennett said the investigation unveiled an attempt by Colar to “fraudulently
line his own pockets.”
“Based on the FBI’s investigation, Mr. Colar appears
to have illegally used the Paycheck Protection Program to attempt to
fraudulently line his own pockets,” Bennett said. “The FBI is quickly and
carefully investigating all claims of PPP fraud to ensure that American
businesses aren’t further victimized during this challenging time.”
The PPP is administered by the U.S. Small Business
Administration as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March of 2020 to provide
emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering
the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PPP loan proceeds must be used by the business on
certain permissible expenses—payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and
utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be
entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense
items within a designated period of time and uses at least 60% of the PPP loan
proceeds on payroll expenses. Loans made through the PPP are 100% guaranteed by
the SBA.
The complaint alleges Colar prepared numerous loans
for submission through the PPP. One such application, submitted in June 2020,
requested $2 million from a bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. That loan was
ultimately funded in the amount of $1,113,112.
The complaint alleges the application contained false
information including bogus employee names, false payroll records, and
fraudulent tax documents. For example, the application was supported by IRS
Forms 941 that purported to establish All Hands on Deck employed 45 people in
the third quarter of 2019 and 81 people in both the fourth quarter of 2019 and
the first quarter of 2020. Nevertheless, the names of the purported employees
not only included one of Colar’s aliases, it also included two contractors and
several current and former residents of All Hands on Deck, none of whom could
support the information in the IRS forms.
Including the successful $2 million loan application
submitted on behalf of All Hands on Deck in June, the complaint alleges Colar
prepared several other loan applications, the following of which, were actually
submitted to banks:
Federal prosecutors said Colar was charged with bank
fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine
if convicted.
Magistrate Judge Westmore ordered Colar released on a
$100,000 bond. Colar’s next federal court appearance is scheduled for October
27, 2020, for further proceedings.
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/10/03/former-associate-of-oaklands-your-black-muslim-bakery-charged-with-trying-to-allegedly-rip-off-covid-paycheck-protection-program/
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North America
US journalist replies to Trump’s tweet about
contracting coronavirus by posting Martyr Soleimani’s photo
Source : Almanar
October 3, 2020
The famous US journalist, Max Blumenthal, replied to
the US President Donald Trump’s tweet in which he announced that he and his
wife Melania tested positive for the coronavirus by posting the photo of the
former commander of IRGC’s Al-Quds Force, martyr General Qassem Soleimani.
On January 3، a US drone strike near
Baghdad International Airport assassinated General Soleimani،
former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps. The attack — that also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis،
the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization
Units (PMU) anti-terror group، along with several others—
came while General Soleimani was on an official visit to the Iraqi capital.
Trump and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19
and gone into quarantine after holding rallies with thousands of people in
recent weeks in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election
“We
will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through
this TOGETHER!” the president said in a late night tweet.
https://en.abna24.com/news//us-journalist-replies-to-trump%e2%80%99s-tweet-about-contracting-coronavirus-by-posting-martyr-soleimani%e2%80%99s-photo_1075190.html
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CAIR-Minnesota:
Muslims Plan To Vote During This Contentious Election Season, No Matter
Who Tries To Stop Them and What Tactics They Use
By BECKY Z. DERNBACH
OCTOBER 2, 2020
That was the message at a news conference led by faith
groups in Minneapolis’ Cedar Riverside neighbourhood Friday.
“We will not allow our voices to be silenced,” said
Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of CAIR-Minnesota. “Not only that, we will
also not allow for our votes to be suppressed.”
The event outside the Cedar Riverside Apartments capped
a tumultuous week in which President Donald J. Trump and right-wing activists
attempted to cast doubts on the integrity of voting in the Somali community.
Faith leaders from Islamic Association of North
America, Muslim American Society – MN, Faith in Minnesota, and CAIR-Minnesota
were joined by Christian and Jewish leaders as well as elected officials,
including Attorney General Keith Ellison and state Reps. Melissa Hortman, Aisha
Gomez, and Mohamud Noor.
“Every election year there is a playbook used by some
politicians,” said Imam Hassan Jama, the executive director of the Islamic
Association of North America. “The playbook is to use Muslims, Somalis,
refugees, and immigrants as scapegoats in order to divide people by what they
look like or where they came from instead of offering solutions that could help
all of our families.”
Abdisalam Adam, an imam, educator and Fridley school
board member, reflected on how he learned about democracy and the importance of
civic engagement when he first arrived in the United States. He was dismayed to
hear attacks on his community’s participation in the political process from the
president of the United States.
“I never thought I would stand before the media to
protest against voter suppression, that people who have the determination and
the energy to vote are being asked not to go,” he said. “We’d like to tell
those people who are trying to intimidate the voters, the Muslim voters, the
immigrant voters, that you cannot stop the desire of people to realize the
American dream.”
The Somali community’s high voter participation rate
and the number of Somali Americans who have been elected to office in recent
years is cause for celebration, he added. In the August primary, 49 percent of
voters in Minneapolis’ Ward 6, home to Cedar Riverside, cast a ballot in a city
council special election–compared to 22 percent of voters who turned out
statewide. Three quarters of Ward 6 votes were cast absentee, according to City
of Minneapolis data—a higher percentage than any other ward in the city.
Recent Islamophobic attacks have not been limited to
the voting process. Qorsho Hassan, who earlier this year was the first Somali
American educator to be named Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year, spoke about her
experience visiting Duluth over the weekend, days before President Trump’s
visit there on Wednesday. She was circled and harassed by white men in a pickup
truck. They were “screaming and yelling make America great again rhetoric,” she
said.
“But here’s the thing,” she added. “Proud Boys can’t
silence us,” a reference to the white supremacist group President Trump
name-checked in Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Christian and Jewish leaders spoke up at the news
conference as well. Rev. Curtiss DeYoung, the CEO of the Minnesota Council of
Churches, noted MCC’s long history of resettling refugees in Minnesota and
decried the recent attacks on Muslims.
“Some of those shouting hate claim to be Christians,”
he said. “There is no place in our faith for demeaning, dismissing, or
dehumanizing other folks.”
“Our nation’s leaders are using the language and
machinery of white nationalism to target our communities and build their own
power using fear and division,” said Carin Mrotz, executive director of Jewish
Community Action.
Attorney General Keith Ellison told a story about the
racist intimidation his grandfather faced when he organized Black voters with
the NAACP in rural Louisiana in the 1950s. His grandmother received threatening
calls that he had been tied to a tree (though he wasn’t). No one in town would
sell him gasoline. A cross was burned across from his house.
“Whether it is rural Louisiana in the 1950s or ‘60s or
‘70s or even today, or whether it’s in Cedar Riverside in Minnesota, racists
and bullies will try to intimidate you out of your vote. But you’ve got to have
faith and know that you’re going to vote,” Ellison said. “Thank you for your
courage, thank you for your bravery, and know that we got your back.”
Abdulahi Farah from Faith in Minnesota, an interfaith
group advocating racial and economic justice, said the attacks had been focused
on Cedar Riverside because the predominantly Somali neighborhood has high voter
turnout and a high usage of absentee voting. But the attacks would not work, he
said.
“Our community has seen what voting does, and we’re
taking full advantage in claiming our power,” he said.
Since March, a Muslim coalition has been organizing to
turn the vote out in communities across the state. So far, Abdulahi said,
they’ve made contacts or attempts with 20,000 potential voters through door
knocking, phone banks, and text messages. Another phone bank is scheduled for
next week–right in Cedar Riverside.
https://sahanjournal.com/politics/minnesota-faith-muslim-somali-vote/
----------
Of presidents and health, history is replete with
secrecy and lies
By DEB RIECHMANN
04-10-2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — Throughout American history, an
uncomfortable truth has been evident: Presidents have lied about their health.
Now US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with
the COVID-19 disease. The White House initially said he had “mild symptoms.” By
Friday evening, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical
Center. After a rosy press conference by the president’s medical team, White
House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday that Trump had gone through a
“very concerning” period Friday and that the next 48 hours would be critical in
terms of his care.
Trump remained at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center on Sunday. He offered his own assessment of his status Saturday
evening in a video from his hospital suite, saying he was beginning to feel
better and hoped to “be back soon.”
In a four-minute video Trump said he “wasn’t feeling
so well” when he was admitted to the hospital but that “I feel much better now”
and that “we’re working hard to get me all the way back.”
Pandemics have cursed the presidencies of both Trump
and Woodrow Wilson. Each played down the viruses that killed hundreds of
thousands of Americans. Both presidents got sick — and each had to decide how
much to tell the public.
He was at talks in Paris on ending World War I when he
fell ill in April 1919. His symptoms were so severe and surfaced so suddenly
that his personal physician, Cary Grayson, thought he had been poisoned. After
a fitful night caring for Wilson, Grayson wrote a letter back to Washington to
inform the White House that the president was very sick.
Flash forward 100 years. In a tweet at 12:54 a.m.
Friday, Trump told the world that he and first lady Melania Trump had
contracted COVID-19
The White House initially shared few details about his
condition. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said he was taken to
Walter Reed many hours later “out of an abundance of caution.”
However sick he was or wasn’t, his COVID-19 was
startling since Trump had been declaring almost daily that the nation had
turned the corner on the disease, which has killed 208,000 people in the United
States.
Trump has said he has played down the pandemic so as
not to create panic, but there were political reasons for doing so. Seeking
another four years in office, Trump did not want the US economy to tank before
the November 3 election.
“The Wilson administration, for a very different
reason, completely downplayed the pandemic,” said John Barry, an adjunct
professor in public health at Tulane University whose book “The Great
Influenza” chronicles the 1918-19 pandemic that sickened Wilson and killed
675,000 Americans. “Wilson was concerned that any negative news about anything
would detract from the war effort — decrease the energy that people would put
into winning the war. In this case, there are more strictly political
benefits.”
William Howell, professor of American politics at the
University of Chicago, wonders how transparent the White House will be about
Trump’s case of COVID-19.
“He is obviously going to be eager to get back onto
the campaign trail,” Howell said. “He has all kinds of incentives to signal
strength and to get back into the mix. He’s going to want to.”
But he added: “This is a president who’s been less
than straightforward over the course of his presidency about all manner of
factual issues. And so, is he to be believed is a good cause of real concern.”
History is replete with examples of how presidents
have kept the American public in the dark about their ailments and medical
conditions.
President Grover Cleveland, fearing poor health would
be a political weakness, underwent secret oral surgery late at night in a
private yacht in Long Island Sound. The cancerous lesion taken from his mouth
was displayed in 2000 in an exhibit by the College of Physicians, a
Philadelphia-based medical society.
After leading the nation through a decade of war and
depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed early in 1944 as suffering from
high blood pressure, hypertensive heart disease, cardiac failure and acute
bronchitis.
The problems also betrayed an underlying
arteriosclerosis – hardening of the arteries. Roosevelt was put on a low-salt
diet and ordered to cut down on smoking. But with an election coming on,
Roosevelt and the White House staff issued a statement saying the problem was
far less serious.
“The stories that he’s in bad health are
understandable enough around election time, but they are not true,” his doctor
told a reporter. Historians now believe his doctors concealed all the facts
from their patient and the public.
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks on a
national radio program from the White House in Washington, June 12, 1944.
(Eugene Abbott/AP)
According to historian Robert Dallek, President John
F. Kennedy suffered more pain and illness than most people knew and took as
many as eight medications a day, including painkillers, stimulants, sleeping
pills and hormones to keep him alive. Dallek, who wrote a biography on Kennedy,
examined medical files from the last eight years of Kennedy’s life before
Kennedy was assassinated.
As president, Kennedy was known for having a bad back,
and since his death, biographers have pieced together details of other
illnesses, including persistent digestive problems and Addison’s disease, a
life-threatening lack of adrenal function. Kennedy went to great lengths to
conceal his ailments, even denying to reporters that he had Addison’s disease.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a serious heart
attack in 1955, while vacationing in Colorado. He was hospitalized for six
weeks. Instead of advising Eisenhower not to run for a second term, his doctor
recommended that more time in office would aid his recovery.
In 1841, William Henry Harrison became ill with what
doctors thought was pneumonia caused by cold weather during his inauguration,
where he rode horseback sans topcoat. The White House did not tell the public
that Harrison was sick. Harrison died just nine days after becoming ill and
only one month after taking the oath of office.
After pools of reporters began to cover nearly every
moment that a president is in public, it became harder for commanders-in-chief
to keep their medical conditions private.
The first known instance of a so-called pool reporter
inside the White House was in 1881 when James A. Garfield was shot. As he lay
in bed, Associated Press reporter Franklin Trusdell sat outside the president’s
sick room, listening to him breathe and sharing updates with other
correspondents.
“I listen for every sound,” Trusdell wrote to his wife
in a note about his overnight Garfield watch at the White House. “A dog barking
in the distance is heard. A fountain splashes on the lawn. Not a step is heard
in the mansion. The president sleeps.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/of-presidents-and-health-history-is-replete-with-secrecy-and-lies/
---------
Mideast
Senior Lebanese Sunni cleric hails Ayatollah Taskhiri
as role model of anti-colonialism
Source : Taghrib News
October 3, 2020
Secretary General of Lebanon’s Union of Resistance
Scholars lauded Ayatollah Mohammad Ali
Taskhiri, advisor of Supreme Leader in Muslim world affairs as role model of
fighting colonialism in a webinar held to mark the late Iranian cleric on
Wednesday.
Shiekh Mahir Hamoud, senior cleric from Lebanon, in
his remarks in the international webinar held from the Lebanese capital praised
Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri as a pure man in love of other people who
endeavored to bring people closer together.
“This great man began the fight from his own ego” said
the Lebanese cleric and highlighted that as the reason why his words would find
the way to the hearts of all people.
Sheikh Mahir Hamoud underlined the loyalty of
Ayatollah Taskhiri for Islamic Revolution and said,” He can be called as the
clear example of fighting against colonialism and boosting solidarity among
Muslims.
Top cleric stressed that the changes should happen
within Muslims ahead of liberation of al-Aqsa Mosque since the holy mosque will
not be freed while Muslims disagree with each other.
The scholar made the comments in an international
webinar held to mark the 40th day after demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali
Taskhiri, advisor of the Supreme Leader and former secretary general of World
Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
He passed away due to heart disease on August 18 and
his body was laid to rest in the holy shrine of Lady Masoumeh (AS) in Qom.
https://en.abna24.com/news//senior-lebanese-sunni-cleric-hails-ayatollah-taskhiri-as-role-model-of-anti-colonialism_1075200.html
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Fariba Adelkhah: French-Iranian academic temporarily
released in Iran
04-10-2020
French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah has been
temporarily released from prison with an electronic ankle bracelet, her lawyer
has said.
She is now with her family in the Iranian capital,
Tehran, Saeid Dehghan said.
He hoped this temporary release would become final, he
told the AFP news agency.
The academic was given a six-year jail term on
national security charges in May.
She received a five-year term for conspiring against
national security and one year for propaganda.
"We have not yet [given] a date for her return to
prison, but we hope that this temporary release will become final," Mr
Dehghan told AFP without providing further details.
The 61-year-old anthropologist and researcher at
SciencesPo university in Paris was detained last year.
In recent years, Iran has arrested dozens of foreign
and dual nationals on national security charges. Some, including
British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, are on temporary
release because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual
nationality for Iranian citizens and they have not granted French diplomats
consular access rights.
The SciencesPo researcher is a specialist in social
anthropology and the political anthropology of post-revolutionary Iran, and has
written a number of books, including Revolution under the Veil: Islamic Women of
Iran.
At the time of her arrest, she was examining the
movement of Shia clerics between Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, and had spent time
in the holy city of Qom.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54402098
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South Asia
15 killed, 30 injured in car bomb explosion in
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
Source : Islam Times
October 3, 2020
At least 15 people were killed and over 30 others were
wounded in a car bomb explosion near the district governor’s compound in the
eastern province of Nangarhar on Saturday afternoon, local officials said.
The Nangarhar governor’s spokesman confirmed the
casualties and said some gunmen wanted to enter the district governor’s
compound but were killed by security forces, Tolo News reported.
Obaidullah Shinwari, member of Nangahar provincial
council, said at least eight of those killed in the attack are civilians.
The official did not provide further details.
https://en.abna24.com/news//15-killed-30-injured-in-car-bomb-explosion-in-nangarhar-afghanistan_1075277.html
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Prominent Afghan Umpire Loses 4 Family Members in
Nangarhar Blast
By Mohammad Haroon Alim
04 Oct 2020
Bismillah Jan Shinwari, an Afghan prominent cricket
umpire, lost four of his close family members in a blast, which occurred
Saturday in Ghanikhail district of Nangarhar province.
Reports indicate he has lost a cousin, including two
of her children and a nephew in the blast.
Two of his other minor aged relatives were injured in
the explosion that took the lives of more than 15 individuals.
Shinwari is said to have been in Kabul during the time
of the incident. He is a well-known international cricket council registered
umpire.
He has reportedly officiated many international
matches, twenty tournaments and ODIs.
It is reported that his entire family including his
mother and father live close to the area, where the incident occurred, where
many innocent lives were taken.
Presidential Palace released a statement in regards to
the blast saying, “The Taliban and other terrorist groups, in collusion with
them, continue their terrorist activities and, like today’s terrorist attack in
Nangarhar, kill civilians every day and destroy public infrastructures.”
https://www.khaama.com/nangarhar-blast-claims-4-family-members-of-the-prominent-cricket-umpire-987868/
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Grassroots Units: AL chief riled by inclusion of
tainted faces
October 04, 2020
Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday
expressed disappointment after seeing several names of "wrongdoers and
infiltrators" were proposed for inclusion in the district, city and
upazila committees of the party.
The AL president, also the prime minister, ordered
leaders concerned to form committees with tested and dedicated leaders to
further strengthen the party at the grassroots.
Names of senior leaders were dropped while people
close to local lawmakers and influential local leaders were included in many of
the committees, Hasina said, adding that she didn't want the committees to be
formed through nepotism, insiders told The Daily Star.
Hasina said these at a meeting of the AL Central
Working Committee (ALCWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, at
the Gono Bhaban.
According to party insiders, drafts for at least 20
district committees were submitted at the party president's Dhanmondi office
earlier.
The people named in the draft included several leaders
accused of corruption and repression against women, and personal staff and
close relatives of the district committee president and general secretaries,
the insiders added.
At yesterday's meeting, Hasina read out some of the
drafts and mentioned the names of some "controversial and tainted
individuals", said sources.
She also mentioned that some former presidents,
general secretaries and vice-presidents of immediate past committees who have
no allegations against them and have been dedicated to the party were dropped.
She sent back the drafts and asked those to be reformed according to her
guidelines.
ALCWC leaders who are infected with the coronavirus or
have any family members infected with Covid-19 were asked to not attend the
meeting. The last ALCWC meeting was held on March 9.
She also asked her party men to be prepared to serve
the people as she feared that the Covid-19 situation may worsen during the
coming winter, meeting sources said.
The ruling party yesterday formed eight high-powered
committees for eight divisions to strengthen the organisational activities of
the party.
In her introductory speech, Hasina said her government
has been able to put the coronavirus pandemic under control because different
ministries and government organisations, including the health ministry and
Directorate General of Health Services, worked sincerely.
"Some people are saying many things regarding the
Directorate General of Health Services or health ministry… Whatever I've
directed them [to do] on an emergency basis, they have done. They worked
properly… That's why we've been able to put coronavirus under control,"
she said, reports UNB.
She said when directing them to do anything on
coronavirus-related issues, she asked that the work be done bypassing
government rules as it was urgent to provide medical services to the people.
The prime minister thanked all government
organisations, AL and its associated bodies for their coordinated and sincere
efforts to help people.
https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/grassroots-units-al-chief-riled-inclusion-tainted-faces-1971897
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Southeast Asia
Fahmi Fadzil reiterates Anwar prepared to consider
role for Muhyiddin, with greater goal of setting Malaysia back on track
04 Oct 2020
BY SOO WERN JUN
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — On the back of Opposition Leader
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that he is willing to work with Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR communication director said Malaysians
have nothing to worry about.
Fahmi Fadzil, who has been with PKR for 10 years, said
what is important is how Pakatan Harapan (PH) can set the country back on
track.
“What’s important is the intention of this move; it is
very clear and that is to set the country back in the right direction,” Fahmi
told Malay Mail.
Days before the Sabah polls on September 26, Anwar
made an announcement indicating that he has the numbers to form a new
government.
The PKR president also said that he was willing to
work with Muhyiddin, who is his counterpart in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(Bersatu), should he form a new government.
Anwar said he had no personal issues with the Pagoh MP
and added that the latter’s willingness to work with him would help with a
peaceful power transition.
In supporting Anwar’s views, Fahmi said this was an
opportunity for those who supported the coup in February to repent and fix the
mistakes they made.
“I was very disappointed with some of my colleagues
because this is a strong duty and they were willing to betray that to me this
is vile, and I wouldn’t say that I don’t fault them for wanting it.
“But I also want to say that they have an opportunity
to repent and fix the mistakes they’ve made, just as how some people asked why
I was willing to accept Dr Mahathir into PH knowing what he had done to Anwar
and family and the reform movement.
“Those who made the wrong move by supporting the
clever coup in February, they have an opportunity to fix things and be on the
right side of history,” said Fahmi.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was
originally from Umno before quitting the party in 2016 to form Bersatu with
Muhyiddin and was subsequently ousted. He has since formed a new party called
Pejuang.
In late February, then PKR deputy president Datuk Seri
Mohamed Azmin Ali led 10 MPs out of the party to support Perikatan Nasional
(PN), triggering one of the country’s worst political crises and shortening the
rule of PH, the coalition he helped put in power.
When asked about PH not taking the route of vesting in
propaganda to stay in power, Fahmi said a part of why the coalition lost to PN
was due to those who refused to depart from their previous struggles.
“By commission are the so-called deep state — those
who call out deep state, but were the ones who were the deep state — and crying
wolf when they were the wolves.
“I hope and pray that if Anwar is able to pull this
off, we learn from one another and move forward and Malaysia will be a more
politically matured country,” he said.
In March, Muhyiddin became prime minister after Istana
Negara said he had the majority support compared to other candidates following
the fall of the PH administration.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/04/fahmi-fadzil-dont-worry-about-working-with-muhyiddin-focus-on-setting-the-c/1909274
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Hulu Rajang MP denies supporting Anwar to be next PM
04 Oct 2020
MYT
KUCHING, Oct 4 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP for
Hulu Rajang Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong vehemently denied supporting Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim to be the Prime Minister in forming a new government.
He said he had never mentioned or had any intention of
supporting the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, refuting a report by The
Coverage dated October 3 which published a list of 121 MPs supporting Anwar to
be the next prime minister, where his name was in the list.
“That is incredible. I never mentioned supporting
Datuk Seri Anwar. As far as I’m concerned, I’m with GPS, and my boss is Chief
Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. We are in the (GPS) team, we
are in the group.
“I don’t know (how my name got in the list). Whatever
they put there, I’m not with them,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post
today.
Asked what may be the motive behind the publication of
the list, the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) supreme council member said he does
not know, adding that even he was very surprised when he came across the online
news report last night.
“That one I don’t know, not in my knowledge whatever
they put anywhere. But to me, I support GPS, and GPS supports Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin as the Prime Minister.
“All of us in GPS support Muhyiddin as the Prime
Minister,” he said.
According to the report by an online news portal The
Coverage, of all 121 names of MPs, 15 were from Sarawak.
Out of that, four are from GPS and two from Parti
Sarawak Bersatu (PSB). The rest are from Pakatan Harapan.
The 15 Sarawak MPs in the list are Mordi Bimol (Mas
Gading, DAP), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching, DAP), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin,
DAP), Datuk Seri Richard Riot (Serian, SUPP), Masir Kujat (Sri Aman, PSB),
Jugah Muyang (Lubok Antu, Independent), Wong Ling Biu (Sarikei, DAP), Larry Sng
(Julau, PKR), Alice Lau (Lanang, DAP), Oscar Ling (Sibu, DAP), Baru Bian
(Selangau, PSB), Datuk Wilson Ugak (Hulu Rajang, PRS), Datuk Seri Tiong King
Sing (Bintulu, PDP), Michael Teo (Miri, PKR) and Anyi Ngau (Baram, PDP).
Jugah also rebutted the list, saying that the list was
just a rumor purposely being spread to propagate fake news.
“No, it’s just speculation, just rumor, fake news
only. I stand firm supporting Pakatan Nasional (PN) and GPS,” he said.
Meanwhile, soon after the report was published last
night, PKR Communications Chief Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil in a Twitter post
denied revealing any list of 121 MP names supporting Anwar to become the next
prime minister as published in the news portal.
“Not true, I do not have the list as claimed, and has
never given any list to anybody,” he said in his Twitter post dated October 3
at 10.34pm.
This was following some reports claiming that the name
list was provided by him.
Efforts to contact other Sarawak MPs for comments are
still ongoing.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/04/hulu-rajang-mp-denies-supporting-anwar-to-be-next-pm/1909423
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More than 500 Muslim students receive achievement
awards from Mendaki in virtual ceremony
OCT 3, 2020
Malavika Menon
SINGAPORE - More than 500 Muslim students and youth
received awards for their achievements from self-help group Yayasan Mendaki on
Saturday (Oct 3).
The annual event, which was held virtually this year,
celebrates students who displayed exceptional academic performance or excelled
in a different area of life.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Mendaki
chairman Masagos Zulkifli, who was guest of honour at the event, applauded the
recipients for their achievement and urged the community to stay connected with
Mendaki so that they may receive information and support that will help them
prepare for what lies ahead.
Said Mr Masagos: "Given the uncertain times, some
of you who graduated recently may be facing difficulties securing your ideal
jobs. As a resilient community, I encourage you to keep an open mind and
leverage on available opportunities, such as the SGUnited Traineeship
programme, to gain experience, enhance your skills and build your networks and
portfolios."
Four recipients were recognised for their
contributions to the community. They received the Anugerah Gemilang Mendaki
(Pinnacle Award) for embodying character, competency and citizenry. Among them
was Muhammad Ismail Shogo Sahul Hamid, a trained befriender at inmate
rehabilitation initiative Family and Inmates Through-care Assistance Haven
(Fitrah).
Mr Ismail, 26, is currently pursuing a traineeship at
the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Centre for Family and Population
Research.
As an undergraduate student reading political science
at NUS last year, Mr Ismail was keen on understanding criminality and the
ground realities of convicts. He signed up for Fitrah's training programme,
juggling the sessions with his studies.
Before Covid-19 disrupted operations, Mr Ismail
conducted home visits, assessing inmates' needs and working with incarcerated
individuals and with families who have members on death row.
Contrasting his experience in the classroom and at the
grassroots level, Mr Ismail said: "When we study about rehabilitation or
reintegration in university, we take a theoretical approach, but through
Fitrah, I was able to understand the issues on the ground and gather new
perspective about how to help these vulnerable groups."
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-than-500-muslim-students-receive-achievement-awards-from-mendaki-in-virtual-ceremony
---------
Africa
Nigeria: Boko Haram - Military Approaches Cameroon for
Support
4 OCTOBER 2020
By Michael Olugbode
Maiduguri — The Multinational Joint Task Force
(MNJTF), a combined military formation of West and Central African countries,
at the weekend, approached the Cameroonian forces for assistance, especially in
terms of reinforcement, to enable them turn the tide against the Boko Haram
terrorist group in the troubled Chad Basin. The request followed a spate of
attacks by the insurgents lately, which involved several military fatalities.
The terrorist group has continued to pose a serious
threat along the Chad Basin, launching three attacks on the convoy of the Borno
State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum. The second attack claimed the lives
of about 30 persons, mostly security personnel on the convoy. A third attack
followed just days after. Just before the attacks on the governor's convoy, the
insurgents had killed a Nigerian army commander and some of his soldiers in an
ambush also in Borno State.
It was against this backdrop that MNJTF, which
comprises units from Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, contacted the
Cameroonian military for support.
A press release yesterday by the Chief of Military
Public Information of the N'Djamena-headquartered formation, Colonel Muhammad
Dole, revealed that the MNJTF Force Commander (FC), Major General Ibrahim Manu
Yusuf, made the appeal during a three-day operational visit to Cameroonian
formations/units in Maroua, in the Far North Region of the Republic of
Cameroon.
Dole stated, "It is pertinent to note that the
operations of Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon) are closely linked with the operations
of other formations of the Cameroonian Defence Forces. These include Operation
EMERGENCE by the 4th Joint Military Region and the 4th Gendarmerie Region as well
as Operation ALPHA by the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), all located in
Maroua."
He explained that the purpose of the visit was to
enhance the synergy between the MNJTF and the adjoining national operations of
the Cameroonian Defence Forces.
The statement said, "On arrival, Major General
Yusuf paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Far North Region, His
Excellency, Midjiyawa Bakari," who commended the MNJTF for stabilising and
restoring relative peace to the Lake Chad Basin.
Dole stated that Bakari appreciated the sacrifices of
the soldiers from the MNJTF Troops Contributing Countries and assured them that
the on-going military operations would ultimately bring peace and security for
sustainable development of the region.
According to the statement, Yusuf, in his response,
appreciated the political support and public goodwill extended to Sector 1 of
MNJTF. He added that the support had facilitated the smooth execution of
non-kinetic operations, leading to the surrender of several insurgents in Sector
1 Area of Operation.
Dole stated that the FC was emphatic on the unalloyed
commitment of the MNJTF to creating conducive environment for the return of
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees to their homes to pursue their
legitimate economic activities.
Yusuf also visited the Headquarters of Fourth Joint
Military Region, where the Commander, Major General Saly Mohamadou, extolled
the existing synergy among Operations EMERGENCE, ALFA and troops of Sector 1 of
MNJTF. Mohamadou, however, urged the Force Commander to explore additional
areas in which the two operations could further consolidate on the operational
successes recorded. He expressed the willingness to continue with joint
operations between the national and MNJTF forces in the region.
Yusuf acknowledged the need for sensitisation of
national forces on the imperative of non-kinetic measures as complementary
efforts to kinetic operation to ensure continuous insurgents defection, the
statement said. He added that winning public support was a tested veritable
strategy for successful counter-insurgency operations in the region. The FC
urged commanders of both the national and MNJTF forces to sustain regular
operational visits for better understanding and mutual benefits.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202010040032.html
--------
Boko
Haram: How terrorists, their hideouts were destroyed in Borno – Military
October
3, 2020
By
Seun Opejobi
The
Defence Headquarters on Saturday said the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation
Lafiya Dole has neutralized some Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast.
Disclosing
this feat, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche
said the ATF destroyed a hideout of the terrorists in the Northeast, NAN
reports.
A
statement issued by Enenche in Abuja said the crews of the subsidiary Operation
Hail Storm2, had on October 1, neutralized several terrorists and destroyed
their hideouts at Maima and Tusuy near Warshale and Tongule along the
Dikwa-Rann axis of Borno.
According
to Enenche, credible intelligence reports and series of aerial surveillance
missions lead to the neutralization of the terrorists.
Enenche
said the Air Task Force dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air
Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage the two locations.
https://dailypost.ng/2020/10/03/boko-haram-how-terrorists-their-hideouts-were-destroyed-in-borno-military/
--------
Islamic
leaders boycott Oduduwa Republic rally, Gani Adams tackles Igboho
October
4, 2020
Olufemi
Olaniyi and Daud Olatunji
Five
Yoruba speaking Islamic leaders in Nigeria have boycotted a conference on
Oduduwa Republic organised by the Centre For Global Peace Initiative which
involved Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
The
religious leaders faulted their inclusion in what they described as secession
talks being championed by some agitators in the South-West states .
Both
the Center For global Peace Initiative and Centre for Policy intervention in
Africa had scheduled the zoom conference for Saturday , October 3, tagged, the great October conference
with the theme, “Yoruba Muslims Vs Oduduwa Republic: Clash of
perspectives.”
The
Islamic invited as panelists are; Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq
Akintola ; Chief Missionary, Ansar ud Deen Society; Sheikh AbdrRahman Ahmad ; Imam, University of Abuja, Prof. Taofiq
AbdulAzeez ; Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. AbdulHafeez Oladosu and Mufti, Conference of
Muslim Organisations; Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi.
The
organisers had invited the Adams as a keynote speaker while Prof. Yunusa Salami
of the Department of Philosophy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was
chosen as the lead presenter.
The
religious leaders in a joint release, titled, “Re: Yoruba Muslims vs Oduduwa
Republic: Clash of Perspectives: A Disclaimer,” dissociated from the conference
which was later shifted.
Meanwhile,
Adams, has said the agitator of Oodua Republic, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known
as Sunday Igboho, did not invite him to
lead the October 1 rally to sensitise the people on the need to carve out Oodua Republic out of Nigeria.
Igboho
had in September said in a video posted on Youtube that he and other people
would stage a rally on the proposed Oodua Republic on October 1 and that the
Aare Ona Kakanfo would lead the struggle.
In
another video watched by our correspondent after October 1, Igboho lamented
that he was betrayed by some Yoruba leaders. But when the BBC asked Adams
whether he collected money to back off from the struggle, Adams denied.
Adams
said at his level, he should not be expected to join such struggle without
proper invitation or prior discussions before the day, saying that he was aware
of Igboho’s comment.
He
said, “It was uncharitable for Igboho to accuse me of betrayal because he was
never part of the struggle in any way.’’
https://punchng.com/islamic-leaders-boycott-oduduwa-republic-rally-gani-adams-tackles-igboho/
--------
URL:
New Age Islam News Bureau
04 October 2020
First Fund contribution for Ayodhya mosque has come
from a member of Hindu community
------
• Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
• Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your
Industry’
• China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger
near New Chinese Embassy Site in London
• Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
• Top Religious Figures from Iran, India Held Live
Webinar On Late Ayatollah Taskhiri
• Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
India
• India’s Secular Fabric Reinforced: First Donation
for Ayodhya Mosque from Lucknow University Staffer, Rohit Srivastava
• Mumbai: New Programme Aims to Increase
Representation of Minorities in Police Force
• Gujarat High Court Grants Relief to Muslim Man
Facing Opposition by Hindu Residents over Residential Plot
--------
Pakistan
• Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
• PM permission to broadcast Nawaz’s speech termed
mistake
• Malik decides not to pursue cases against US blogger
• Ministry takes steps to protect children from abuse
• NAB appeal against Babar’s acquittal to be heard
tomorrow
-------
Arab world
• Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your Industry’
• Egypt’s Al-Azhar Condemns Macron’s Remarks On
'Islamic Separatism And Isolationism'
• Shuaa Rolls Out Three Sharia-Compliant Investment
Funds with $75m of Commitments
• CBUAE and DIEDC join forces to strengthen Islamic
banking sector
---------
Europe
• China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger
near New Chinese Embassy Site in London
• Islamic Jihad Ready to Participate In Palestinian
National Council Elections
• Teacher bids to become Scotland's first female
Muslim MSP in action plan to tackle racists
• Danish Far-Right Activists Stage Koran-Burning Stunt
In Muslim-Populated Neighbourhood
• Brit kids groomed by sick far-right video games
showing Muslims being beheaded
• Former Associate of Oakland’s Your Black Muslim
Bakery Charged with Trying to Allegedly
-------
North America
• Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
• US Journalist Replies to Trump’s Tweet about
Contracting Coronavirus by Posting Martyr Soleimani’s Photo
• CAIR-Minnesota: Muslims Plan To Vote During This Contentious
Election Season, No Matter Who Tries To Stop Them and What Tactics They Use
• Of presidents and health, history is replete with
secrecy and lies
--------
Mideast
• Top Religious Figures from Iran, India Held Live
Webinar On Late Ayatollah Taskhiri
• Senior Lebanese Sunni Cleric Hails Ayatollah
Taskhiri as Role Model of Anti-Colonialism
• Fariba Adelkhah: French-Iranian academic temporarily
released in Iran
-------
South Asia
• Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
• 15 killed, 30 injured in car bomb explosion in
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
• Prominent Afghan Umpire Loses 4 Family Members in
Nangarhar Blast
• Grassroots Units: AL chief riled by inclusion of
tainted faces
---------
Southeast Asia
• Fahmi Fadzil Reiterates Anwar Prepared To Consider
Role for Muhyiddin, With Greater Goal of Setting Malaysia Back On Track
• Hulu Rajang MP denies supporting Anwar to be next PM
• More Than 500 Muslim Students Receive Achievement
Awards from Mendaki In Virtual Ceremony
--------
Africa
• Nigeria: Boko Haram - Military Approaches Cameroon
for Support
• Boko Haram: How terrorists, their hideouts were
destroyed in Borno – Military
• Islamic Leaders Boycott Oduduwa Republic Rally, Gani
Adams Tackles Igboho
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
--------
India’s Secular Fabric Reinforced: First Donation for
Ayodhya Mosque from Lucknow University Staffer, Rohit Srivastava
Arshad Afzaal Khan
Oct 4, 2020
First Fund contribution for Ayodhya mosque has come
from a member of Hindu community
------
Ayodhya: India’s secular fabric was once again
reinforced when a member of the Hindu community made the first contribution
towards construction of the mosque complex in Ayodhya on Saturday. The
Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) constituted by Sunni Waqf Board to
build the mosque, library, museum and community kitchen on 5acre in Ayodhya
received the first funds to its corpus from an employee of Lucknow University,
law faculty, Rohit Srivastava, who donated Rs 21,000. The Trust accepted the
cheque at its Lucknow office in presence of IICF secretary, Athar Husain and
trustees Mohammad Rashid and Imran Ahmad.
Talking to TOI, Rohit Srivastava, said, “I come from a
generation, which is rooted in syncretism, where religious barriers blur. I
don’t celebrate Holi or Diwali without my Muslim friends and they too don’t
celebrate the festival of Eid without me. This is just not about me. This is
the story of crores of Hindus and Muslims in India.”
“Our families never taught us to be misguided in the
name of religion. And I appeal to members of Hindu community to come forward
and donate generously for the mosque to send out a message that Muslims are our
brothers,” Rohit Srivastava added.
Talking to TOI, mosque Trust secretary Athar Hussain
said, “The first contribution for building the mosque came from a Hindu brother
and this exemplifies the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb or Indo-Islamic culture.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/first-donation-for-ayodhya-mosque-from-hindu-lu-staffer/articleshowprint/78470524.cms
---------
Islamist Party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief’s
Elevation as Joint Oppn Movement’s Leader Raises Eyebrows In Pakistan
Imtiaz Ahmad
Oct 04, 2020
Maulana Fazlur Rehman (front right) reads out a
statement at a press briefing following a meeting of the opposition alliance in
Islamabad on September 20.(AP file)
----
The naming of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) chief Maulana
Fazlur Rehman as head of he newly-formed alliance of opposition parties which
has pledged to unseat the Imran Khan government, has raised eyebrows in
Pakistan’s political circles.
Science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry called
the JUI-F president an ‘extremist Mullah’ after the hard-line Islamist party’s
supremo was picked by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday as its
leader.
“Sad Day for Pakistan An extremist Mullah considered
Close to terrorist groups of Afghanistan is selected to lead opposition
movement against Government. Unlike India where extremists are in Govt, people
of Pak never allowed extremists to lead or mainstream politics,” Chaudhry
tweeted.
Pakistani Muslim League (N) chief and former prime
minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari, Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal were among
the attendees of a virtual meeting of PDM during which Rehman was elevated as
head of the alliance aimed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PDM had announced at its All Parties Conference in
September that it plans to launch its protest campaign from Quetta, Balochistan
in October. The choice of Quetta may have to do with the popularity that Fazlur
Rehman’s party enjoys there. Analysts also say that the party’s street power is
immense.
In 2019, JUI supporters held a sit-in at Islamabad for
several weeks which was called off after army intervention and assurances. The
PDM also plans a similar sit-in if its demands are not met.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamist-party-chief-s-elevation-as-joint-oppn-movement-s-leader-raises-eyebrows-in-pakistan/story-z2fCkZ9KI9GJyzrV8PDovI.html
--------
Influential Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi told Emmanuel
Macron that Islam ‘Does Not Bear the Burden of Fake Cartoon Leaders of Your
Industry’
October 4, 2020
Sunni Scholar Al-Qaradaghi
----
The Secretary-General of the International Union of
Muslim Scholars, Ali Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi, told French President Emmanuel
Macron that Islam “does not bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders of your
industry.”
Al-Qaradaghi confirmed in a tweet on his account on
“Facebook”, Friday, that “the Islamic religion does not go through any crises,”
in response to Macron’s statements in which he claimed that “the Islamic
religion is going through a crisis today in all parts of the world.”
Al-Qaradaghi directed his speech to Macron, saying:
“Mr. President, do not worry about our religion, as he has never relied on the
support of an authority or raised a sword in the face of those who opposed him
to impose his banner.”
He added, “Islam is eternal, existential facts that
have a solution to the intractable problems of the authorities … it is the
religion of God and not a system of government that depends on the mood of the
voters and does not falsify awareness (…) Islam is the constant presence of
reason, proof and protection of mankind.”
And he continued: “Islam is where freedom is good, you
find it good, and where persecution grows despite the nose of tyrants.”
He continued: “Our religion does not go through a
crisis and it will not pass, because Islam is not a human industry in order to
fear atrophy and depression, it is Islam and it is enough to breathe despite
the machinations of others, and despite Islamophobia … We are not afraid of our
religion and we do not need, Mr. President, whoever sees us in the presence of
a crisis.”
And he added, “Rather, we say to you: The future is
the religion of Islam, and we are in fear for the future of societies that make
the religions and sanctities of others legitimate targets. We are in fear of societies
from authorities addicted to making their enemies.”
He said, “We have compassion on a ruler who is still
in crisis and the specter of religious wars, who lives in its middle ages and
we are in the twenty-first century.”
He explained, “If (there is) a real crisis, it is due
to the double standards of some Western politicians, and we will inform you,
noting that those who lead the reins of power in the Arab and Islamic world in
most countries are those who you created, or was a coup that you blessed by
reaching judgment on the skulls of innocent people.”
And he continued, saying, “Mr. President Macron: You
are in a crisis, a crisis of moral, humanitarian and political setback, and
Islam cannot bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders who created crises with
your sponsorship.”
These were the details of the news After Macron’s
attack on Islam … a harsh response from Al-Qaradaghi.
https://en.abna24.com/news//influential-sunni-scholar-al-qaradaghi-harshly-responses-to-anti-islamic-remarks-of-french-president_1075500.html
---------
China's Treatment of Uyghur Muslims Sparks Anger near
New Chinese Embassy Site in London
By Angela Dewan
October 3, 2020
The Secretary-General of the International
Union of Muslim Scholars, Ali Mohieddin Al-Qaradaghi, told French President
Emmanuel Macron that Islam “does not bear the burden of fake cartoon leaders of
your industry.”
------
China's decision to move its British embassy from
London's upmarket West End to the less glitzy east could have been a
heart-warming tale of homecoming. The new mission will be built at the former
Royal Mint, just a stone's throw from the city's original 19th century
Chinatown.
Just behind the former Royal Mint are the residential
streets of Tower Hamlets, where four in 10 residents are Muslim, the highest
proportion than in any other borough in the United Kingdom. Some there say the
embassy isn't welcome until Beijing stops its alleged mistreatment of Muslims
in China.
China is believed to have detained up to 2 million
Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in internment camps in the far-western
region of Xinjiang, according to the US State Department. Beijing says it's
providing vocational training and helping to deradicalize segments of the
population to combat alleged Islamic terrorism and violence in the region.
"I'm very perplexed as to why the People's
Republic of China would want to be on the edges of a neighborhood that is so
multi-ethnic, multi-religious. The Muslim community has a large base
here," said Mo Rakib, a Muslim resident who is active in community
affairs.
"The Muslim community is very linked with each
other, regardless of what part of the world we're from. There's always a
feeling of affinity from one community to the other based on shared values and
shared faith. And that's no different for the Uyghur community."
Some local opposition councilors say that they too are
concerned about the implications of embassy's move and want the issue debated
at council meetings. But they don't outright oppose the mission coming into
their neighborhood.
What's playing out at this borough and its council
isn't so different from what's happening in the UK's national government, as
well as those of many other democracies, for that matter -- striking the right
balance between reaping the economic benefits of working with China and
criticizing it for rights abuses is difficult.
Tower Hamlets is one of the most deprived boroughs in
London. Its mayor, John Biggs, has welcomed the Chinese mission as "a vote
of confidence" in the borough as an "open and dynamic place to live
and work," according to local reports.
Rabina Khan was one of several local councilors who,
at a council meeting Wednesday, tried to introduce an emergency motion --
usually reserved for urgent matters -- on China. It was rejected due to time
constraints, the mayor's office told CNN, adding it would discuss the issue at
the next meeting in November.
The motion calls on the council to send a letter to
Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming expressing its concerns over the country's
treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims, as well as its clampdown on
pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
"What we want is to send a message to China that
if they move here, they need to be aware that our borough -- in all of its
diversity -- is a place where we're very proud to stand up for human
rights," Khan said.
Biggs said in a statement to CNN that Tower Hamlets
was "open and tolerant" but also wants "to be good partners and
support good relationships."
He acknowledged, however, that he and the community
were concerned about China's rights record, "in particular the appalling
treatment of the largely Muslim Uyghurs," and that it was right to
challenge the Chinese government on the issue.
Any problems with the embassy plans could prove
troublesome for China's international image. At a ceremony to hand over the
site to the Chinese mission in 2018, Ambassador Liu said he hoped the embassy
would become a London landmark and that the new premises should be a symbol of
China's current role and influence in the world.
Demonstrators on Thursday gathered in dozens of cities
around the world to protest China's treatment of certain groups in the country,
including Uyghurs, Tibetans and people in Hong Kong.
One of the organizers, Rahima Mahmut from the World
Uyghur Congress in London, said countries were choosing trade over human
rights.
"It's very obvious that trade relationships are
being prioritized, not just in the UK. We see this in African countries and
China's neighboring countries that are already trapped in debt to China. And
Turkey too. Turkey was the country that we Uyghurs always felt we could rely on
or seek refuge in," said Mahmut, a Uyghur who left Xinjiang in 1997.
Turkey is increasingly relying on China to dig itself
out of debt. It was previously one of the few Muslim-majority countries to have
criticized China's actions in Xinjiang, early last year denouncing the camps as
a "great shame for humanity." It has since softened its tone toward
Beijing, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party voted against launching
a probe into the alleged abuse against Muslims in China.
The UK took some action against China following its
implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which has stifled a
pro-democracy movement in the former British colony. Westminster opened a
pathway for citizenship for Hong Kong residents with the right to a British
National Overseas passport, which includes potentially 3 million Hong Kongers.
The UK has also condemned China several times over the
camps in Xinjiang, including at the recent UN Rights Council meeting, where the
Foreign Office's junior minister Tariq Ahmad called on Beijing to allow a UN
team "unfettered access" to Xinjiang to investigate allegations of
abuse there.
But activists like Mahmut say they want so see the UK
go further and impose sanctions on the people and organizations running the
camps in Xinjiang.
In a recent letter to a British MP, Foreign Secretary
Dominic Raab said the government was "carefully considering" new
designations on its sanctions list in regard to China over the National
Security law and postponement of elections in Hong Kong. The Liberal Democrats,
one of several opposition parties, is calling for more sanctions in relation to
the treatment of Uyghurs as well.
As is the case with many of China's trade partners,
there is reluctance in the UK to confront Beijing over rights. China is the
UK's sixth-biggest export market. That's a rapid rise from 26th place in 1999.
China has shown that it's not afraid to wield retaliatory
economic tools in response to political pressure, as it did in the case of
Australia, imposing tariffs of 80% on barley imports soon after Prime Minister
Scott Morrison led calls for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, which was
first reported in central China late last year. Beijing said that the tariffs
were in response to Australia selling the grain too cheaply.
The strongest response against China this year has
come from the US, which has issued sanctions over Beijing's treatment of Muslims
in Xinjiang, while its House of Representatives last week passed a forced labor
bill that would effectively ban imports from the region if it becomes law.
There are calls by opposition parties in the UK to do
the same, but Steve Tsang, director of the School of Oriental and African
Studies' (SOAS) China Institute in London, said the US may struggle to get its
usual allies to follow its lead.
"What would be useful is if countries, not just
in Europe, but if all countries that care about human rights and ethical
trading insist they will stop working with companies operating in Xinjiang
unless they can independently verify the supply chain conditions," he
said.
"But the Trump administration has discredited
itself in terms of moral leadership. I mean, who believes Donald Trump when he
says he defends human rights?"
While Tsang does see the public growing more
interested in the Uyghur issue, he says more evidence needs to come out about
the alleged abuse in Xinjiang to really galvanize a public response that will
force governments to confront China more aggressively.
In Tower Hamlets, councilors are mulling how to
welcome the opportunities the new embassy will bring to their neighborhood
while sending a clear message to Beijing that it does not approve of rights
abuses.
One of them, Andrew Wood, suggested a symbolic gesture
to show support for people who have challenged Beijing, such as the student
protesters of Tiananmen Square in 1989, or the people of Taiwan seeking formal
independence from China.
"There is a little lane near the embassy site
that doesn't have a name. We're wondering if we could call it Tiananmen Road or
Taipei Road. It might be just one way of sending a message that governments
have to look after all their people."
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/03/europe/china-london-embassy-uyghurs-uk-gbr-intl/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent%29
--------
Mosque Leader a ‘Real Life Hero’ In Las Vegas’
Historic Westside, Taking Action To A Black Neighbourhood That Was Being Left
Behind
By Blake Apgar
October 3, 2020
Before protesters spilled into the streets to declare
Black lives matter, Imam Fateen Seifullah was quietly at work.
Outside the view of cameras, Seifullah and his congregation
at Las Vegas’ oldest mosque, Masjid As-Sabur, set out to improve the lives of
people living in the Historic Westside, taking action to a historically Black
neighbourhood that was being left behind.
Seifullah knows the everyday struggles of the Historic
Westside, the struggles that go unseen outside the shadows of downtown. He sees
the food insecurity. He knows the stress on parents who worry how they would
pay for the technology that was given to their children for school if something
happened to it.
Seifullah knows street activity because he lived it
when he was younger. He was introduced to the culture as a child in Los
Angeles, and was involved in dealing drugs later in Las Vegas.
“I wouldn’t say that I was a gang member, but I was
engaged in every aspect of the life at one time, you might say,” he said. “So I
know what it’s like to be a victim and a participant of street activity.”
Seifullah did two stints in prison for drug-related
crimes, he said. Originally from a Christian background, Seifullah was
introduced to Islam in prison.
“Growing up, he was really, you know, a knucklehead,”
said Michael Elliott, a longtime friend who works at Seifullah’s store,
Soulfully Scented.
But after his second time in prison, Seifullah made a
commitment to change, walking the long spiritual path to where he is today.
Now, he means so much to people in the Historic Westside as a community leader,
Elliott said.
Seifullah sees his services now as a way to pay his
debt to God and society for the harm he caused when he was younger.
Seifullah thinks it may have been destiny that brought
him to religious leadership. His grandfather is a deacon, and his two older
brothers are preachers. Islam, he said, called on him to be less of a
liability.
Seifullah has made good on his word to be an asset. He
and his wife helped Eric Chester reinvent himself, Chester said.
As a teenager in the 1990s, Chester said, he committed
a murder that could have landed him life in prison. After 17 years behind bars,
he said, he was released.
“When the world had thrown me away for the decision
that I had made, they embraced me,” he said.
Chester, a Historic Westside resident, said Seifullah
and his wife helped him start his own business. They’ve also had him work a
homeless initiative and let him help with a tutoring program for kids. Chester
is still doing community service with the imam and running a business where he
sells fashion accessories such as purses and wallets.
In the 1990s, drugs and gang activity were out of
control in the neighborhood, Seifullah said. So the mosque began an initiative
to clean up the Historic Westside and close down drug houses.
After becoming the imam of Masjid As-Sabur in 1999,
however, Seifullah realized the efforts were not enough and started providing
more services.
Masjid As-Sabur helps people get food and provides
assistance for utilities and rent. It offers tutoring for children in the
neighborhood and performs outreach to let neighbors know services are
available.
The mosque also helps both children and adults with
reading, and offers computers to help people complete applications.
Seifullah has also been involved in an effort to
bridge the divide between the community and the Metropolitan Police Department.
After nearly a decade of collaboration in Metro’s community policing efforts,
Seifullah said the mosque is close to a partnership with the police. Close, he
emphasized.
Police had to change their mentality, but so did
Seifullah’s congregants by looking beyond law enforcement uniforms.
Stretch Sanders, a prominent racial justice activist,
said he met Seifullah at a protest in 2016 and the two hit it off. Sanders
later saw Seifullah and his mosque pay rent for people and shut down drug
houses.
Sanders, who considers Seifullah a mentor, said
Seifullah has also joined in protests against police brutality on Fremont
Street.
Seifullah said the Historic Westside needs more
educational support, after-school support and tutoring programs, as well as
more work-related training. It needs redevelopment and someone who is
interested in filling the lots that dot the neighborhood. It needs a sustained
effort from the government.
He said some elected officials have claimed they don’t
get enough community participation to move ideas forward. But the imam said
it’s a lot to ask for community participation when people are trying to keep
the lights on and put food on the table.
Seifullah, however, isn’t done helping. As long as
there are vacant lots and economic woes in the neighborhood, there is still
work to do.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/mosque-leader-a-real-life-hero-in-las-vegas-historic-westside-2136697/
----------
Top religious figures from Iran, India held live
webinar on late Ayatollah Taskhiri
Source : Taghrib News
October 3, 2020
Senior political officials, religious figures and Shia
and Sunni scholars attended in an international webinar organized by Welayat
Foundation in collaboration with the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic
Schools of Thought.
Sheikh Hamid Shahriari, secretary general of World
Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in this webinar related on
the moral characteristics and efforts of the late scholar, Ayatollah Mohammad
Ali Taskhiri.
He referred to the senior scholars who had taught
Ayatollah Taskhiri, his support for the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the
issue of Palestine.
The senior cleric also lauded the advisor of Supreme
Leader as an icon of resolution and assiduous scholar who spent his entire life
to promote Islamic teachings as well as the writings he left on fiq'h and
Islamic unity translated to several languages.
Sheikh Shahriari referred to the seminaries and
universities which have made use of guidelines by Ayatollah Taskhiri.
He hailed the former secretary general of World Forum
for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought as a committed advisor for the
Supreme Leader and a role model for jihad (struggle for the Almighty God).
Maulavi Is'haq Madani, advisor of Iran's president in
Sunni affairs, Maulana Seyed Shamim-ul-Hasan from Banaras, Ali Chegini, Iran's
ambassador to New Delhi, Sheikh Mahdi Mahdavipour, representative of the
Supreme Leader in India, professor Akhtarul Wasey, vice chancellor of Maulana
Azad University in Jadhpur, Mehdi Alizadeh Moosavi, university professor,
professor Ghulam Yahya Anjum from the faculty of Islamic studies from Hamdadr
University in New Delhi were among the participants to the webinar broadcasted
live on Welayat TV on September 30, 40th day after demise of Ayatollah Mohammad
Ali Taskhiri.
Iranian prominent Islamic unity figure, Ayatollah
Mohammad Ali Taskhiri (1944-2020) spent over five decades of his life for
promoting Islamic teachings and unity among Muslims. Top cleric passed away due
to heart disease on August 18 and his body was laid to rest in the holy shrine
of Lady Masoumeh (AS) in Qom.
https://en.abna24.com/news//top-religious-figures-from-iran-india-held-live-webinar-on-late-ayatollah-taskhiri_1075211.html
----------
Abdullah to Visit India Oct. 6, after Wrapping 3-Day
Trip to Pakistan
By Mohammad Arif Sheva
04 Oct 2020
KABUL, Afghanistan – Chairman of the High Council for
National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah is due to travel to India on October
6, according to sources, after he has wrapped a three-day visit to Islamabad
Thursday.
This would be his first visit to Delhi on his position
as HCNR chairman, representing the Afghan government in talks with the Taliban,
which started in September in Doha.
Abdullah is expected to meet top leadership of India
to seek support for the intra-Afghan talks, which India always maintained
should have been “Afghan-led” and “Afghan-owned”.
During the inaugural ceremony of intra-Afghan talks on
September 12 in Doha, the Indian delegation said, “Our friendship with
Afghanistan is strong and unshaken, we have always been good neighbours and
will always be so,” as local media quoted. “Our expectation is that the soil of
Afghanistan should never be used for any anti-India activities.”
https://www.khaama.com/abdullah-to-visit-india-oct-6-after-wrapping-3-day-trip-to-pakistan-98765/
--------
India
Mumbai: New Programme Aims to Increase Representation
of Minorities in Police Force
Anju Maskeri
04 October, 2020
Every day, Mankhurd resident Rehmat Bee Khalilwi
leaves home at 5 am to reach Churchgate's Oval Maidan by 6.30 am. With no
access to local trains under state guidelines that allow only essential workers
to use the service under lockdown, Khalilwi's husband Mohammed drops her on his
bike. Some days, she takes a bus. Despite the challenging commute, the
28-year-old has not missed a single day of training.
Khalilwi is among 200 Muslim candidates being trained
by Grant Road madrassa Jamia Ashrafia Qadria to get into the police
constabulary. The religious institution has joined hands with a private
coaching institute to launch a pilot, three-month training programme for
aspirants preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), an
exam that selects officers for civil service jobs.
Spearheaded by Congress MLA Amin Patel, activists MA
Khalid and Sarfaraz Arzoo, and madrassa head Maulana Moin Ashraf Qadri, the
move is "aimed at increasing Muslim representation" in the law
enforcement agency. The training includes not just physical fitness, but also
virtual academic classes.
Khalilwi says it's her husband who inspired her to
join. "I feel having more female officers will improve the law
enforcement's response to violence against women," she says. Nagpada
resident Shabnam Qureshi's daughter Bilqees has also enrolled for the training.
"She [Bilqees] was always good at sports, all through school and college.
I thought her fitness levels and sense of discipline could be put to good use
if she joined the police."
The police crackdown at Aligarh Muslim University and
Jamia Millia, on December 15, last year and the Delhi riots in February have
only reignited the discourse about the low numbers of minorities in the police
force.
Patel says, "Every report has pointed out that
the reason behind this [low numbers] is that people aren't willing to come
forward. In 2007, Maharashtra chief minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh's
administration had decided that the minority department should provide police
training to Muslims. Hundred candidates from 36 districts were to be selected.
But what happens is that you get a good response from certain districts, while
nothing from the others. That's why we decided to start the pilot
project."
According to Khalid, they have received over 8,000
applications from across Maharashtra. This wasn't the case three years ago,
when they had tried to get students in Mumbai. "We had failed to receive
even 100 applications. But after our recent campaign, there has been renewed
interest." Khalid says having more Muslims in the constabulary will help
with the feeling of being part of a larger goal to do good.
"There has been a growing fear within the
community that the system is against them, but having their own people in the
system will only
Former senior police inspector, Shamsher Pathan, who
served at the Nagpada Police Station in the early 2000s, remembers how his
services were often sought to diffuse tension in communally-sensitive areas.
"Whenever there was a 'Muslim problem', I was the trouble-shooter because
they knew that I could mix with the crowd. In fact, the representation of
Muslims in the force was so low, that if we needed an Urdu document translated,
we had to seek help from outsiders."
Adnan Khan, a fitness trainer, who is among the
candidates training currently, believes religion shouldn't figure in a
discussion on matters of serving the country. He says, "I'm an Indian
first."
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-muslim-candidates-being-trained-to-join-the-police-force/23024206
--------
Gujarat High Court grants relief to Muslim man facing
opposition by Hindu residents over residential plot
Satish Jha
OCT 03 2020
The Gujarat High Court has granted relief to a Muslim
buyer of a plot located at a Hindu-dominated residential society in Vadodara by
permitting him to restart construction of the house and restoration of
electricity which had been cut off by the civ...
The buyer is one of the many Muslims who have
purchased properties at the Samarpan Society but are finding it difficult to
settle in view of angry protests by several Hindu residents allegedly on
"communal lines."
Justice Bhargav D Karia pronounced the order last week
on a petition moved by Firoz Mohammed Patel who had sought permission for
construction and restoration of electricity supply. The society has been in
controversy on similar issues for nearly a ye...
Patel has said that after buying the plot by fulling
all the legal formalities, he obtained permission for construction from the
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and a temporary electricity connection
from the electricity board. However, from May...
In the petition, Patel mentioned that some of the
members of the society made representations to government authorities and
raised “completely baseless and frivolous allegations of illegal construction,
fraudulent Disturbed Areas Act permission etc.”...
Meanwhile, in August, the seller of the plot, Firoz
Fali Contractor, was booked for cheating, forging and violation of the
Disturbed Areas Act. It was alleged that he concealed his Parsi religion and
sold the plot to Patel, the petitioner, by violati...
The Act defines a certain area as
"disturbed" to avoid distress sale of immovable properties without
prior permission from a local authority like the district collector. Under the
Act, the seller and the purchaser have to satisfy the authority that t...
However, in the last several years, dozens of cases
have been filed after Muslim buyers bought flat or plot in a society dominated
by Hindus. Most of these cases were found to have followed the law yet the
buyers faced protest. In many such instances...
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/gujarat-high-court-grants-relief-to-muslim-man-facing-opposition-by-hindu-residents-over-residential-plot-896859.html
--------
Pakistan
PM permission to broadcast Nawaz’s speech termed
mistake
Staff Reporter
04 Oct 2020
LAHORE: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid feels Prime
Minister Imran Khan made an incorrect decision to allow airing of PML-N supremo
Nawaz Sharif’s speech on TV though the premier wanted Mr Sharif to be exposed.
He alleged that the PML-N supremo had become an active
member of an “alliance” in London that was conspiring against the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Mr Khan sees the latest developments
in London (Mr Sharif’s speeches, etc) as [part of activities of] the alliance
against the CPEC,” he said.
“As the PM, he (Imran) gave permission for airing
Nawaz’s speech but he was wrong. Had I been there, I would have never allowed
this,” Mr Rashid said while responding to media queries in a press conference
here on Saturday.
He said the decision was taken by PM Khan on his own
as he believed that it (Mr Sharif’s speech) would perhaps expose the PML-N
supremo. “But if it were up to me, I would not have wanted Nawaz to speak that
day,” the minister added.
He warned PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz to stop
attacking him in her press conferences/media talks. “Maryam sahiba, I am giving
you a final warning. I can disclose some news that can cause a political
earthquake in this country. I respect you because you are a woman,” he said.
Minister sees PML-N supremo’s activities as part of
plot against CPEC
Mr Rashid said former premier Sharif had taken over
the PML-N and was not ready to trust anyone except his daughter.
“The Pakistan Army is a great force, but Nawaz Sharif
has waged a war against it,” he said.
The minister claimed that Mr Sharif and his daughter
had stayed silent for a year and 10 months under a plan. “Why did Nawaz and
Maryam remain silent? I say under oath that they did this because they were
bargaining for relief. Some of our [friendly Muslim countries] are witness to
this,” he claimed.
He reiterated that the PPP would never tender
resignations from assemblies.
“I can clearly state that by the end of December,
there will be a sweeping operation [to send the opposition leaders to jail].
The opposition leaders will continue their anti-government movement till Feb
20, but not after the Senate elections.”
Earlier, talking about his department, the minister
said the Pakistan Railways had decided to privatise 34 more passenger trains in
near future. “Twelve trains have already been outsourced and 34 more are set to
be outsourced soon in addition to six freight trains,” he said.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583168/pm-permission-to-broadcast-nawazs-speech-termed-mistake
---------
Malik decides not to pursue cases against US blogger
Iftikhar A. Khan
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and chairman of
Senate Standing Committee on Interior Rehman Malik has decided not to pursue
criminal and civil cases against US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.
“The decision is in good faith and am making it public
today,” the Pakistan Peoples Party leader tweeted on Saturday.
The decision came after his exoneration from rape
charges levelled against him by Ms Ritchie.
All her allegations were dismissed by the justice of
peace (twice), District and Sessions Court, Islamabad, and by police.
As chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on
Interior, Mr Malik had taken notice of Ms Ritchie’s derogatory remarks against
former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, the former minister
said: “I with (my) humble nature do not claim victory as it is evident that the
lady in question, being under pressure from inimical elements, was forced into
levelling these insinuations against me.”
Suggests Cynthia levelled rape allegations against him
at the behest of ‘influential elements’
“I therefore, in good faith and moreover, because I
honour women and their dignity, regardless of this matter, would not like to
pursue this matter further as I have every reason/proofs to believe that
Cynthia Ritchie must have levelled these bogus allegations at the behest of
influential elements having nefarious designs to malign me & the top
political leadership of our country, including first elected lady PM Shaheed
Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto,” Mr Malik said.
“I have decided not to consider for revenge in good
faith and I leave this issue to my Allah, to Whom I’m grateful for vindicating
my position before my family, friends and PPP leadership and parliament.”
Ms Ritchie had filed an application with Secretariat
police station, accusing Mr Malik of raping her at his residence in 2011.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana had, however, dismissed
her petition.
The blogger then moved the Islamabad High Court
against the verdict and IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a six-page
order, allowing the petition and setting aside the sessions court order.
For his part, Mr Malik had served a defamation notice
to the US blogger and had also filed a Rs500 million defamation suit against her.
The second defamation notice had been sent for repeating her allegations.
The Supreme Court had on Wednesday rejected Mr Malik’s
appeal and upheld the Sept 1 directive of IHC about remanding back for review
to the justice of peace the matter involving registration of a First
Information Report (FIR) in the rape allegations levelled by Ms Ritchie.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam
decided to send back the matter to the Justice of Peace after Advocate General
for Islamabad Niazullah Khan Niazi supported the high court’s decision.
On Friday, the US blogger posted tweets through her
Twitter handle @CynthiaDRitchie about the court ruling, expressing satisfaction
over the outcome.
“It was a good day in Supreme Court. Now awaiting
orders from Additional Sessions Court.”
Soon afterwards, she made another post that said: “It
may be mentioned … Rehman Malik’s attempts to file FIR/defamation against me
are dismissed.
“We’ll continue our fight, including the @HBLPak case
where my banking information was leaked online, and use my platform to help
others without a voice.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583166/malik-decides-not-to-pursue-cases-against-us-blogger
--------
Ministry takes steps to protect children from abuse
Staff Reporter
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Ministry on Saturday
engaged Child Protection Committees of Islamabad to raise awareness about the
rights of children and steps aimed at preventing them from abuse.
The ministry under its Human Rights Awareness
Programme, has so far held five sessions by engaging eight of the 15 Child
Protection Committees that are efficiently working in several areas of the
Islamabad Capital Territory like Sohan, Bari Imam, Saidpur, Tarnol, Golra, Shah
Allah Ditta, 26 number Chungi, etc.
The participants in these sessions mostly comprise
children, parents, teachers, civil society representatives and community
leaders.
The committees were formed in 2019 by the Ministry of
Human Rights’s National Child Protection Centre to identify, prevent and report
issues of child abuse in the city in collaboration with the relevant
authorities.
The ministry said that these sessions helped improve
participants’ knowledge about the rights provided to children in the
Constitution along with the recently passed legislations like Zainab Alert Act,
and the amendment in Employment of Children Act – 1991 proscribing child
domestic labour.
Participants were also informed about the toll free
helpline to effectively respond to Human Rights violation cases and provide
free legal aid to the callers.
The ministry claimed to have received positive
feedback from the communities who were not previously informed about their
rights and were delighted to be a part of these sessions.
Participants also recommended that such information
should be a part of the curriculum and more of such awareness sessions should
be held for parents and children separately.
The ministry said it had plans to further hold these
sessions in other communities.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583073/ministry-takes-steps-to-protect-children-from-abuse
--------
NAB appeal against Babar’s acquittal to be heard
tomorrow
Malik Asad
04 Oct 2020
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed
for hearing an appeal filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against
the acquittal of Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan in
the Nandipur reference.
An IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Athar
Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq will take up the appeal on Monday (tomorrow).
NAB filed the appeal in July last year. However, no
progress could be made as the bureau seems uninterested in pursuing the case.
The appeal was fixed for hearing in May, but no NAB prosecutor appeared before
the court to present its arguments.
On June 18, when the appeal was again fixed for
hearing, NAB sought time from the court to prepare its arguments and requested
for an adjournment.
Former accountability judge Mohammad Arshad Malik,
days before his video scandal came to limelight, had acquitted Mr Awan in the
Nandipur reference. Other accused, including former prime minister Raja Pervaiz
Ashraf and some officials, are still being tried in this case.
Justice Minallah inquired from NAB to satisfy the
court that when allegations against all the accused persons were identical,
then how Mr Awan had been acquitted.
The Nandipur power project was approved by the
Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet on Dec 27, 2007, at a cost of
$329 million. After the approval, a contract was signed on Jan 28, 2008,
between the Northern Power Generation Company Limited and the Dong Fang
Electric Corporation, China, and two consortiums — Coface for 68.96 million
euros and Sinosure for $150.15m — were set up for financing the project.
The water and power ministry sought a legal opinion on
the project from the law ministry in accordance with the schedule of agreement
in July 2009, but they repeatedly refused to offer one.
The water and power ministry also failed to take any
concrete step in time to resolve the issue and the matter remained pending.
The petition stated that Mr Sharif managed to go
abroad on the pretext of his ailment but he not only started actively
participating in the politics but also initiated a smear campaign against the
state’s institutions.
The petitioner requested the court to issue the order
banning his speeches at political gatherings through video link.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1583170/nab-appeal-against-babars-acquittal-to-be-heard-tomorrow
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Arab world
Egypt’s Al-Azhar Condemns Macron’s Remarks on 'Islamic
Separatism and Isolationism'
Ahram Online
3 Oct 2020
The Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top
religious authority, has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s announced
plan for fighting “Islamic separatism,” which Al-Azhar described as an “explicit
call for racism and hate.”
In a speech in Les Mureaux, near Paris, Macron
announced intentions to propose a bill to France’s parliament next year to
address what he called Islamist isolationism and separatism.
The bill would impose tighter controls on funding for
mosques and severely restrict home-schooling to prevent children from being
“indoctrinated” by unregistered schools that deviate from the national
curriculum, Macron said.
“There is a crisis of Islam everywhere, which is being
corrupted by radical forms,” Macron said.
In a statement on Saturday, Al-Azhar’s Islamic
Research Academy, which works to reform Islamic culture and safeguard it from
political and ideological intolerance, said that President Macron has directed
“false accusations that have nothing to do with the true context of religion.”
It said that Islam calls for “tolerance and peace”
among people, including those who do not believe in it.
The academy said it completely rejects Macron’s
remarks, which it said “destroy all joint efforts by religious figures to
eliminate racism and bullying against religions.”
The academy also said that some people insist on
making false accusations against Islam, including those of separatism and
isolationism, and are confused by the fact that some people exploit some
religious texts to fulfil malicious goals.
The religious body called for abandoning attacks
against religions, as this obstructs constructive dialogue and backs hate
speech. It also said that such “attacks” can hinder attempts to establish
co-existence among people in a society.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/386502/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt%E2%80%99s-AlAzhar-condemns-Macron%E2%80%99s-remarks-on-Islam.aspx
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Shuaa Rolls Out Three Sharia-Compliant Investment Funds
with $75m Of Commitments
Sarmad Khan
October 4, 2020
Dubai investment banking and asset management firm
Shuaa Capital launched three funds in the Abu Dhabi Global Market as the
company continues to diversify its product portfolio and grow its fee income business.
The Sharia-compliant, open-ended funds were rolled out
with initial commitments of $75 million (Dh275.25m), Shuaa said in a statement
to the Dubai Financial Market, where its shares trade.
The funds, targeting qualified institutional
investors, were launched through the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shuaa
GMC, which is regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
The three funds – Shuaa High Yield Sukuk Fund, Nujoom
Aggressive Fund and Nujoom Balanced Fund – are part of Shuaa’s fund platform
rolled out in Abu Dhabi’s international financial hub. The platform is expected
to be the largest of its kind to be domiciled in ADGM, it said.
“The number of Sharia funds available to investors has
yet to match the growing demand for Islamic finance products across the world,”
Jassim Alseddiqi, chief executive of Shuaa, said. “This is because not enough
fund managers offer options in the much sought after Sharia space, and even the
funds available either have small AUMs [assets under management] or are close
ended.”
The current climate of uncertainty amid the Covid-19
pandemic has created disruption in the global financial markets, opening up
investment opportunities that may not have been available under normal market
conditions, Mr Alseddiqi said.
The funds “are designed to give insurance and pension
institutional investors more [investment] options while also supporting the
Islamic investment industry”, he added.
Shuaa said its High Yield Sukuk Fund will invest in a
portfolio of Islamic bond instruments, including high yield sukuk,
Sharia-compliant fixed income investments and a number of other collective
investment funds approved by its Sharia advisors.
The Nujoom Aggressive Fund and the Nujoom Balanced
Fund will invest in a global portfolio of equities, fixed income investments
and money market instruments that follow Sharia guidance. The funds offered
through the Allfunds Bank platform will widen choices for investors with a
long-term investment horizon, Shuaa said.
“Our umbrella fund gives investors the option and
comfort of investing in a regulated fund structure that is diversified,
achieves cost-efficiencies and economies of scale, and creates consistent and
long-term value,” Ajit Joshi, Shuaa’s head of public and private markets, said.
Shuaa manages $13 billion in assets and plans to
expand its investment banking and asset management businesses to boost AUMS to
$20bn.
Shuaa’s expansion strategy involves growing its
regional footprint as it looks to grow recurring income through new products,
permanent capital vehicles and expanding its fixed income business, the company
said in March.
In June, the company strengthened its corporate
restructuring arm to help struggling firms access financing during the Covid-19
crisis. In August, Shuaa reported a second quarter net profit of Dh267m and a
first-half net income of Dh5m despite the pandemic-related slowdown. There are
no comparable figures as Shuaa merged with Abu Dhabi Financial Group last year.
https://www.thenational.ae/business/banking/shuaa-rolls-out-three-sharia-compliant-investment-funds-with-75m-of-commitments-1.1087903
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CBUAE and DIEDC join forces to strengthen Islamic
banking sector
04-10-2020
WAM
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) on Saturday signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Islamic Economy Development
Centre (DIEDC) to reinforce and expand the reach of the Islamic banking sector,
and to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Saif Hadef Al Shamsi, Deputy Governor of the Central
Bank of the UAE, and Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of DIEDC, signed the
agreement.
In addition to the cooperation in Islamic banking,
Central Bank of the UAE and DIEDC will work together to publish joint research
and exchange knowledge to enhance expertise.
Furthermore, the two entities will jointly host
international seminars, conferences and meetings, develop awareness projects,
build technical capabilities and cooperate in fields that support the
development of Islamic finance.
As a first order of business, Central Bank of the UAE
and Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre will establish a joint team to
follow up on the implementation of the MoU.
The team is tasked with preparing regular update
reports that will be shared with key decision makers across each entity.
Speaking on the new partnership with DIEDC, Al Shamsi
said, “The MoU reflects the Central Bank of the UAE’s commitment to strengthen
strategic ties with various entities in the banking and financial sector, and
unify efforts to ensure that plans and initiatives are aligned with the future
directions of the country and to achieve the common goals.” Al Shamsi also
highlighted that the UAE has become world’s leading hub for finance and
business and it is an important centre for Islamic finance.
Through the Memorandum of Understanding, the Central
Bank and the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre endeavour to accelerate
growth opportunities and the development of the banking and financial Islamic
sector, in addition to attracting and preparing competencies through
coordination in proposing and organising programs that will contribute in
achieving the best outcomes to promote Islamic banking and finance in the UAE.
For his part, Al Awar said, “Our latest agreement with
the Central Bank of the UAE to enhance strategic cooperation in Islamic banking
is part of our sustained efforts to expand the Centre’s strong base of
strategic partners in all sectors of the Islamic economy and will contribute
significantly to implementing our operating plans to boost Dubai’s credentials
as a global capital of Islamic economy.”
He added, “As a pivotal sector of the Islamic economy,
DIEDC prioritises the advancement of Islamic banking. We have made considerable
headway in developing a global charter in collaboration with our strategic
partners that serves to expand the scope and uptake of the Islamic finance
sector and the wider Islamic economy.
The charter is a first step in building a robust and
globally unified legislative framework for Islamic finance transactions that will
undoubtedly further expand the reach of the Islamic economy. DIEDC is keen to
enhance the available opportunities across Islamic economy sectors, especially
in Islamic finance, amidst the growing demand in these sectors locally,
regionally and internationally.”
https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2020/10/03/cbuae-and-diedc-join-forces-to--strengthen-islamic-banking-sector
---------
Europe
Islamic Jihad ready to participate in Palestinian
National Council elections
October 3, 2020
Middle East, News
Member of the political bureau of Islamic Jihad in
Palestine Mohammed Al-Hindi has announced that his movement is ready to take
part in Palestinian National Council elections, Shehab News Agency reported on
Friday.
Speaking to the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV, Al-Hindi
confirmed that these elections “must” be aimed at reconstructing the Palestine
Liberation Organisation (PLO) as: “A liberation organisation not as a
submissive organisation.”
He stressed that the start of ending the internal
Palestinian division is the unity against the Israeli occupation, warning of:
“Continuing dependence on manoeuvrers or small tactics and political changes
that could take place here or there.”
He also emphasised the importance of cutting relations
and stopping partnership with “the Zionist enemy”, reiterating the importance
of: “Popular activities and friction with the enemy in the West Bank as a means
to revive corporeal spirit for the Palestinians.”
Meanwhile, he conveyed: “Arab normalisation of ties
with Israel, the deal of the century and Israel’s annexation plans proved that
dependence on the partnership with the Zionists is wrong.”
He also urged that the PLO “must” be the reference for
the Palestinian Authority (PA), not vice versa, and that due to the PLO being
“the umbrella for all Palestinians”, it should determine all policies.
The Islamic Jihad leader confirmed that the ongoing
dialogue between Fatah and Hamas: “Is a basic and supporting factor for any
effort aiming to regain Palestinian unity.”
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201003-islamic-jihad-ready-to-participate-in-palestinian-national-council-elections/
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Teacher bids to become Scotland's first female Muslim
MSP in action plan to tackle racists
ByJohn Ferguson
4 OCT 2020
Anum Qaisar-Javed was first called a ‘P*ki’ the day
after turning nine on September 11, 2001.
Terror attacks 3000 miles away in America caused life
to change abruptly and her family’s local mosque in Motherwell was fire-bombed
a few weeks later.
Today, the modern studies teacher is bidding to become
Scotland’s first female Muslim MSP after being convinced by her pupils to stand
up against discrimination.
She told one bigot who asked her to go home: “Babes…
my husband, siblings and I were all born in Scotland. I’m already home.”
Anum is now seeking selection as the SNP’s Holyrood
candidate in May in Uddingston and Bellshill, close to where she grew up in
North Lanarkshire.
She said: “Both experiencing and witnessing injustice
is what sparked my interest in politics.
“That tweet was not the first time I have had to deal
with racism and, unfortunately, I don’t think it will be the last.
“The first time was when I was nine and it was the day
after 9/11, which had been my birthday.
SNP MSP candidate, Anum Qaisar-Javed, has opened up
about her battle against racism. (Image: Garry F McHarg Daily Record)
“A boy waiting for the school bus asked me why my skin
was a dirty colour and if I was born in mud.
“He then started asking if my family were terrorists
and called me a ‘P*ki’.
“So I do think that there is a long way to go in
tackling discrimination but at least we are now talking about race, which is
positive.
“I just try to deal with it in a way that is not
aggressive but still gets my point across and hopefully makes people think
twice about their attitudes.
“It was great to get the First Minister’s support
because it makes me feel people are on my side.
“I believe Scotland is a really welcoming and warm
country and I have had so much support from so many people here.
“But there is still lots of progress to be made and,
if I get elected to Holyrood, I would want to work to combat all forms of
discrimination.”
The Uddingston and Bellshill seat is held by the SNP’s
Richard Lyle, who is stepping down as an MSP.
Politics was central to Anum’s family life growing up
when she would debate with her dad around the dinner table.
She added: “When I was still at primary school, I
wrote to Tony Blair to explain that I disagreed with his decision to
participate in the Iraq War.
“My dad always encouraged me to read and to critically
analyse and debate current affairs.
“I studied politics at university and, as a teacher, I
have been examining reasons for under-representation of women and ethnic
minorities with my National 5 and Higher modern studies classes.
“My pupils can clearly see the Scottish Parliament
doesn’t fully reflect society. Some older children who knew I had been involved
with the SNP asked me why there was a lack of ethnic minorities and if I would
ever consider standing.
“It was definitely something that made me eventually
decide to put my name forward.
“Being the first female Asian MSP would be an
unbelievable honour and, if it happened, I would hopefully inspire other women
of colour to break through as well.
Anum was previously a member of the Labour Party but
switched to the SNP a few days after the 2014 referendum.
She added: “My maternal grandfather moved to
Manchester in the 60s and always voted Labour. He would tell his children to
vote for the Labour Party as that was the party for the working class and they
supported immigration.
“But, as the referendum continued, I felt Labour were
abandoning their founding principles of social justice and protecting the most
vulnerable. They first took the voters for granted and then cosied up to the
Tories – and I could not, in good conscience, remain a member.
“I had campaigned for a Yes vote along with Labour for
Independence and I voted Yes. A few days after the referendum, I joined the
SNP.”
Anum grew up in Motherwell with her shopkeeper parents
and two younger brothers. She studied politics at Stirling University and now
lives with her husband, who is a doctor.
She previously worked for Carol Monaghan MP as a
parliamentary researcher and with Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf as a
caseworker.
She added: “People are watching the way Boris Johnson
has handled this pandemic and are not impressed with the lack of a four-nations
approach.
“Again and again, the voice of Scotland is cast aside
and people are becoming more aware of how Westminster is just not working.
“I see another independence referendum on the horizon
and, if selected as the SNP candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill, I’ll be
lobbying for this within the party.”
Another political priority would be better mental
health support for young people. She added: “Lockdown was difficult for
everyone and the mental health impact on young people is clear since coming
back to school.
“I have spent a fair amount of time ensuring pupils
are all at the same stage and catching up with pupils who missed work during
lockdown.
“I believe there should be more mental health services
available at schools, especially with the negative impact of Covid-19 and the
potential widening of the attainment gap.
“I’m passionate about education and want to ensure
positive steps are taken by the Scottish Government and Parliament to create
different paths of educational attainment for our young people.
“I’d also want to be a strong local voice for my
constituency. I’m ready to hit the ground running immediately.”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/msp-candidate-opens-up-lifelong-22788156
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Danish Far-Right Activists Stage Koran-Burning Stunt
In Muslim-Populated Neighbourhood
3 Oct, 2020
Denmark news
Danish Stram Kurs (“Hard Line”) party has staged a
Koran-burning protests in an area of the town of Fredericia mostly populated by
Turkish and Muslim immigrants. The stunt attracted a group of angry locals, one
man was detained.
The activists, led by the party’s head Rasmus Paludan
appeared in Fredericia on late Friday afternoon. While the protest was
originally expected to take place at a local park, the group instead stood on a
cordoned-off lawn by a local supermarket under watch of multiple police
officers.
The Stram Kurs members tossed around and burned several
copies of the Koran, insisting the stunt was needed to send a political
message.
‘What we are doing today is, we are telling the truth
about Islam, because many people in Denmark don't know what Islam is about, so
we want to explain what Islam is about, and that the values and judgments of
Islam are very, very in contradiction to Danish western European values,”
Paludan stated.
The stunt has attracted a group of angry locals, who
condemned the Stram Kurs’ activities. Footage from the scene shows one man
detained by the police after he breached the cordoned-off lawn reserved for the
provocative stunt.
The far-right party, founded back in 2017, has
repeatedly engaged in similar stunts in Denmark, as well as in neighboring
Nordic countries. The latest – and arguably one of the most ‘efficient’ –
protests of the kind was held by the party late in August in Sweden’s Malmo.
Paludan himself was pre-emotively banned from entering
Sweden for two years after he announced the Koran-burning event, yet his
supporters proceeded with the stunt without their leader. The stunt prompted a
very angry reaction among Malmo’s Muslim population, resulting in protests that
promptly tumbled into outright rioting with blazing barricades in the streets
and clashes.
While the Stram Kurs party is well known for its
anti-Islam activism and Koran-burning events, its political achievements remain
quite modest. The party did not manage to get any seats during any elections it
took part in, failing to get past the 2 percent threshold during the latest
general election in 2019.
https://www.rt.com/news/502472-koran-burning-denmark-far-right/
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Brit kids groomed by sick far-right video games
showing Muslims being beheaded
ByGrace Macaskill
3 OCT 2020
Far-right groups are recruiting children as young as
nine with sick video games, a charity warns.
Exit UK, which helps people leave far-right groups,
told how one British fascist sent 1,000 USB sticks with 30 neo-Nazi games on to
young people.
Kids are recruited by extreme groups on forums, then
encouraged to join other groups on encrypted messenger sites such as WhatsApp
and Telegram, where they are offered the videos.
Recent games distributed across the country include
ones that show Muslims being stabbed and decapitated, Jews being gunned down in
a synagogue and black people being shot.
Exit UK head Nigel Bromage said: “What we are seeing
is truly shocking. These faceless, core recruiters of the far-right are experts
at grooming children, manipulating them through social media, memes and videos.
“The youngest child we’ve helped was just nine, whose
older brother was giving him neo-Nazi games to play which showed Germans
shooting British or American soldiers and people of Jewish heritage being hurt.
“The far-right is basically grooming young children
into this terrible world of hate and it is heart-breaking. You can imagine how
upset the mother of those two boys was when she came to us.”
Nigel, a reformed far-right activist who was once part
of the National Front and Combat 18, fears lockdown has made fascists’
recruiting easier.
Since April, his team has taken 150 calls from worried
family members or extremists wanting to leave far-right groups, up from 60 last
year.
“They’ve seen the anti-Semitism, the 5G conspiracy
theorists, the non-PC jokes and items about migrants. Most are sickened and say
‘We don’t want any part of this’, but other people become interested and start
exploring forums where extremists are ready to groom them. From there they are
persuaded into encrypted messenger sites where communication is set up.
“We are aware that one Brit made a neo-Nazi video that
was put onto USB sticks and sent out to 1,000 people. It’s hard to control.
They don’t charge for them because it’s all about brainwashing.
“They are crudely made but if this violence is your
first introduction to the far-right and it’s that violent, where does that
lead? These recruiters... simply urge people to commit direct action with
videos like these and young people don’t realise they are just being used.”
A report by anti-extremist campaign Hope Not Hate
revealed that many young people will buy into conspiracy theories pushed by
racists and fascists because they feel alienated by the political system.
Almost half of young men aged 16-24 surveyed believed that political violence
is necessary in extreme circumstances.
Fourteen per cent of the same age group think Jewish
people have an unhealthy control over the world’s banking system and 15 per
cent believe the Holocaust was exaggerated.
Almost six in ten of those questioned have witnessed
or experienced racism on social media.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brit-kids-groomed-sick-far-22787774
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Former Associate Of Oakland’s Your Black Muslim Bakery
Charged With Trying To Allegedly Rip-Off COVID Paycheck Protection Program
October 3, 2020
Sharieff Dahood Bey,
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Sharieff Dahood Bey, who has
a major figure with Oakland’s Your Black Muslim Bakery, has been charged by
federal prosecutors with bank fraud for allegedly trying to rip off the
Paycheck Protection Program, set up to assist businesses struggling during the
COVID pandemic, for more than $22 million.
Bey, who also went by several aliases — Attila Colar,
Sharieff Dahood Bey, Sharieff Dahood Bey, Dawud Azadene and Attilla Collan —
was charged on Friday after an investigation involving several federal
agencies.
According to the criminal complaint filed by U.S.
Attorney David Anderson, Bey — who was charged under his birth name Attila
Colar — the 48-year-old Richmond resident submitted three applications between
April and June of 2020, on behalf of Hercules-based non-profit All Hands on
Deck, Inc.
All Hand on Deck is a non-profit that purports to
provide housing “to men getting out of prison, food bank services, life and
work skills, trainings, resiliency treatment services, prenatal life skills,
and a variety of necessary know hows to survive in today’s society.”
Colar received over $1.1 million from one of those
loans. The complaint separately alleges that six more applications were
submitted in that same time period on behalf of two other entities linked to
Colar — The Family Investment Group, Inc. and Oversight Security, Inc.
The criminal complaint described how the loan
applications were rife with false information, misleading statements, and
glaring omissions.
“The Paycheck Protection Program is supposed to
support everyday Americans suffering economic distress,” Anderson said in a
news release. “The complaint describes the methodical preparation of fraudulent
loan applications to deprive the program of $22 million that is sorely needed
by the public to endure this national crisis.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge San Francisco John L.
Bennett said the investigation unveiled an attempt by Colar to “fraudulently
line his own pockets.”
“Based on the FBI’s investigation, Mr. Colar appears
to have illegally used the Paycheck Protection Program to attempt to
fraudulently line his own pockets,” Bennett said. “The FBI is quickly and
carefully investigating all claims of PPP fraud to ensure that American
businesses aren’t further victimized during this challenging time.”
The PPP is administered by the U.S. Small Business
Administration as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March of 2020 to provide
emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering
the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PPP loan proceeds must be used by the business on
certain permissible expenses—payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and
utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be
entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense
items within a designated period of time and uses at least 60% of the PPP loan
proceeds on payroll expenses. Loans made through the PPP are 100% guaranteed by
the SBA.
The complaint alleges Colar prepared numerous loans
for submission through the PPP. One such application, submitted in June 2020,
requested $2 million from a bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. That loan was
ultimately funded in the amount of $1,113,112.
The complaint alleges the application contained false
information including bogus employee names, false payroll records, and
fraudulent tax documents. For example, the application was supported by IRS
Forms 941 that purported to establish All Hands on Deck employed 45 people in
the third quarter of 2019 and 81 people in both the fourth quarter of 2019 and
the first quarter of 2020. Nevertheless, the names of the purported employees
not only included one of Colar’s aliases, it also included two contractors and
several current and former residents of All Hands on Deck, none of whom could
support the information in the IRS forms.
Including the successful $2 million loan application
submitted on behalf of All Hands on Deck in June, the complaint alleges Colar
prepared several other loan applications, the following of which, were actually
submitted to banks:
Federal prosecutors said Colar was charged with bank
fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine
if convicted.
Magistrate Judge Westmore ordered Colar released on a
$100,000 bond. Colar’s next federal court appearance is scheduled for October
27, 2020, for further proceedings.
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/10/03/former-associate-of-oaklands-your-black-muslim-bakery-charged-with-trying-to-allegedly-rip-off-covid-paycheck-protection-program/
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North America
US journalist replies to Trump’s tweet about
contracting coronavirus by posting Martyr Soleimani’s photo
Source : Almanar
October 3, 2020
The famous US journalist, Max Blumenthal, replied to
the US President Donald Trump’s tweet in which he announced that he and his
wife Melania tested positive for the coronavirus by posting the photo of the
former commander of IRGC’s Al-Quds Force, martyr General Qassem Soleimani.
On January 3، a US drone strike near
Baghdad International Airport assassinated General Soleimani،
former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps. The attack — that also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis،
the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization
Units (PMU) anti-terror group، along with several others—
came while General Soleimani was on an official visit to the Iraqi capital.
Trump and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19
and gone into quarantine after holding rallies with thousands of people in
recent weeks in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election
“We
will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through
this TOGETHER!” the president said in a late night tweet.
https://en.abna24.com/news//us-journalist-replies-to-trump%e2%80%99s-tweet-about-contracting-coronavirus-by-posting-martyr-soleimani%e2%80%99s-photo_1075190.html
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CAIR-Minnesota:
Muslims Plan To Vote During This Contentious Election Season, No Matter
Who Tries To Stop Them and What Tactics They Use
By BECKY Z. DERNBACH
OCTOBER 2, 2020
That was the message at a news conference led by faith
groups in Minneapolis’ Cedar Riverside neighbourhood Friday.
“We will not allow our voices to be silenced,” said
Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of CAIR-Minnesota. “Not only that, we will
also not allow for our votes to be suppressed.”
The event outside the Cedar Riverside Apartments capped
a tumultuous week in which President Donald J. Trump and right-wing activists
attempted to cast doubts on the integrity of voting in the Somali community.
Faith leaders from Islamic Association of North
America, Muslim American Society – MN, Faith in Minnesota, and CAIR-Minnesota
were joined by Christian and Jewish leaders as well as elected officials,
including Attorney General Keith Ellison and state Reps. Melissa Hortman, Aisha
Gomez, and Mohamud Noor.
“Every election year there is a playbook used by some
politicians,” said Imam Hassan Jama, the executive director of the Islamic
Association of North America. “The playbook is to use Muslims, Somalis,
refugees, and immigrants as scapegoats in order to divide people by what they
look like or where they came from instead of offering solutions that could help
all of our families.”
Abdisalam Adam, an imam, educator and Fridley school
board member, reflected on how he learned about democracy and the importance of
civic engagement when he first arrived in the United States. He was dismayed to
hear attacks on his community’s participation in the political process from the
president of the United States.
“I never thought I would stand before the media to
protest against voter suppression, that people who have the determination and
the energy to vote are being asked not to go,” he said. “We’d like to tell
those people who are trying to intimidate the voters, the Muslim voters, the
immigrant voters, that you cannot stop the desire of people to realize the
American dream.”
The Somali community’s high voter participation rate
and the number of Somali Americans who have been elected to office in recent
years is cause for celebration, he added. In the August primary, 49 percent of
voters in Minneapolis’ Ward 6, home to Cedar Riverside, cast a ballot in a city
council special election–compared to 22 percent of voters who turned out
statewide. Three quarters of Ward 6 votes were cast absentee, according to City
of Minneapolis data—a higher percentage than any other ward in the city.
Recent Islamophobic attacks have not been limited to
the voting process. Qorsho Hassan, who earlier this year was the first Somali
American educator to be named Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year, spoke about her
experience visiting Duluth over the weekend, days before President Trump’s
visit there on Wednesday. She was circled and harassed by white men in a pickup
truck. They were “screaming and yelling make America great again rhetoric,” she
said.
“But here’s the thing,” she added. “Proud Boys can’t
silence us,” a reference to the white supremacist group President Trump
name-checked in Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Christian and Jewish leaders spoke up at the news
conference as well. Rev. Curtiss DeYoung, the CEO of the Minnesota Council of
Churches, noted MCC’s long history of resettling refugees in Minnesota and
decried the recent attacks on Muslims.
“Some of those shouting hate claim to be Christians,”
he said. “There is no place in our faith for demeaning, dismissing, or
dehumanizing other folks.”
“Our nation’s leaders are using the language and
machinery of white nationalism to target our communities and build their own
power using fear and division,” said Carin Mrotz, executive director of Jewish
Community Action.
Attorney General Keith Ellison told a story about the
racist intimidation his grandfather faced when he organized Black voters with
the NAACP in rural Louisiana in the 1950s. His grandmother received threatening
calls that he had been tied to a tree (though he wasn’t). No one in town would
sell him gasoline. A cross was burned across from his house.
“Whether it is rural Louisiana in the 1950s or ‘60s or
‘70s or even today, or whether it’s in Cedar Riverside in Minnesota, racists
and bullies will try to intimidate you out of your vote. But you’ve got to have
faith and know that you’re going to vote,” Ellison said. “Thank you for your
courage, thank you for your bravery, and know that we got your back.”
Abdulahi Farah from Faith in Minnesota, an interfaith
group advocating racial and economic justice, said the attacks had been focused
on Cedar Riverside because the predominantly Somali neighborhood has high voter
turnout and a high usage of absentee voting. But the attacks would not work, he
said.
“Our community has seen what voting does, and we’re
taking full advantage in claiming our power,” he said.
Since March, a Muslim coalition has been organizing to
turn the vote out in communities across the state. So far, Abdulahi said,
they’ve made contacts or attempts with 20,000 potential voters through door
knocking, phone banks, and text messages. Another phone bank is scheduled for
next week–right in Cedar Riverside.
https://sahanjournal.com/politics/minnesota-faith-muslim-somali-vote/
----------
Of presidents and health, history is replete with
secrecy and lies
By DEB RIECHMANN
04-10-2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — Throughout American history, an
uncomfortable truth has been evident: Presidents have lied about their health.
Now US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with
the COVID-19 disease. The White House initially said he had “mild symptoms.” By
Friday evening, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical
Center. After a rosy press conference by the president’s medical team, White
House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday that Trump had gone through a
“very concerning” period Friday and that the next 48 hours would be critical in
terms of his care.
Trump remained at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center on Sunday. He offered his own assessment of his status Saturday
evening in a video from his hospital suite, saying he was beginning to feel
better and hoped to “be back soon.”
In a four-minute video Trump said he “wasn’t feeling
so well” when he was admitted to the hospital but that “I feel much better now”
and that “we’re working hard to get me all the way back.”
Pandemics have cursed the presidencies of both Trump
and Woodrow Wilson. Each played down the viruses that killed hundreds of
thousands of Americans. Both presidents got sick — and each had to decide how
much to tell the public.
He was at talks in Paris on ending World War I when he
fell ill in April 1919. His symptoms were so severe and surfaced so suddenly
that his personal physician, Cary Grayson, thought he had been poisoned. After
a fitful night caring for Wilson, Grayson wrote a letter back to Washington to
inform the White House that the president was very sick.
Flash forward 100 years. In a tweet at 12:54 a.m.
Friday, Trump told the world that he and first lady Melania Trump had
contracted COVID-19
The White House initially shared few details about his
condition. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said he was taken to
Walter Reed many hours later “out of an abundance of caution.”
However sick he was or wasn’t, his COVID-19 was
startling since Trump had been declaring almost daily that the nation had
turned the corner on the disease, which has killed 208,000 people in the United
States.
Trump has said he has played down the pandemic so as
not to create panic, but there were political reasons for doing so. Seeking
another four years in office, Trump did not want the US economy to tank before
the November 3 election.
“The Wilson administration, for a very different
reason, completely downplayed the pandemic,” said John Barry, an adjunct
professor in public health at Tulane University whose book “The Great
Influenza” chronicles the 1918-19 pandemic that sickened Wilson and killed
675,000 Americans. “Wilson was concerned that any negative news about anything
would detract from the war effort — decrease the energy that people would put
into winning the war. In this case, there are more strictly political
benefits.”
William Howell, professor of American politics at the
University of Chicago, wonders how transparent the White House will be about
Trump’s case of COVID-19.
“He is obviously going to be eager to get back onto
the campaign trail,” Howell said. “He has all kinds of incentives to signal
strength and to get back into the mix. He’s going to want to.”
But he added: “This is a president who’s been less
than straightforward over the course of his presidency about all manner of
factual issues. And so, is he to be believed is a good cause of real concern.”
History is replete with examples of how presidents
have kept the American public in the dark about their ailments and medical
conditions.
President Grover Cleveland, fearing poor health would
be a political weakness, underwent secret oral surgery late at night in a
private yacht in Long Island Sound. The cancerous lesion taken from his mouth
was displayed in 2000 in an exhibit by the College of Physicians, a
Philadelphia-based medical society.
After leading the nation through a decade of war and
depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed early in 1944 as suffering from
high blood pressure, hypertensive heart disease, cardiac failure and acute
bronchitis.
The problems also betrayed an underlying
arteriosclerosis – hardening of the arteries. Roosevelt was put on a low-salt
diet and ordered to cut down on smoking. But with an election coming on,
Roosevelt and the White House staff issued a statement saying the problem was
far less serious.
“The stories that he’s in bad health are
understandable enough around election time, but they are not true,” his doctor
told a reporter. Historians now believe his doctors concealed all the facts
from their patient and the public.
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks on a
national radio program from the White House in Washington, June 12, 1944.
(Eugene Abbott/AP)
According to historian Robert Dallek, President John
F. Kennedy suffered more pain and illness than most people knew and took as
many as eight medications a day, including painkillers, stimulants, sleeping
pills and hormones to keep him alive. Dallek, who wrote a biography on Kennedy,
examined medical files from the last eight years of Kennedy’s life before
Kennedy was assassinated.
As president, Kennedy was known for having a bad back,
and since his death, biographers have pieced together details of other
illnesses, including persistent digestive problems and Addison’s disease, a
life-threatening lack of adrenal function. Kennedy went to great lengths to
conceal his ailments, even denying to reporters that he had Addison’s disease.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a serious heart
attack in 1955, while vacationing in Colorado. He was hospitalized for six
weeks. Instead of advising Eisenhower not to run for a second term, his doctor
recommended that more time in office would aid his recovery.
In 1841, William Henry Harrison became ill with what
doctors thought was pneumonia caused by cold weather during his inauguration,
where he rode horseback sans topcoat. The White House did not tell the public
that Harrison was sick. Harrison died just nine days after becoming ill and
only one month after taking the oath of office.
After pools of reporters began to cover nearly every
moment that a president is in public, it became harder for commanders-in-chief
to keep their medical conditions private.
The first known instance of a so-called pool reporter
inside the White House was in 1881 when James A. Garfield was shot. As he lay
in bed, Associated Press reporter Franklin Trusdell sat outside the president’s
sick room, listening to him breathe and sharing updates with other
correspondents.
“I listen for every sound,” Trusdell wrote to his wife
in a note about his overnight Garfield watch at the White House. “A dog barking
in the distance is heard. A fountain splashes on the lawn. Not a step is heard
in the mansion. The president sleeps.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/of-presidents-and-health-history-is-replete-with-secrecy-and-lies/
---------
Mideast
Senior Lebanese Sunni cleric hails Ayatollah Taskhiri
as role model of anti-colonialism
Source : Taghrib News
October 3, 2020
Secretary General of Lebanon’s Union of Resistance
Scholars lauded Ayatollah Mohammad Ali
Taskhiri, advisor of Supreme Leader in Muslim world affairs as role model of
fighting colonialism in a webinar held to mark the late Iranian cleric on
Wednesday.
Shiekh Mahir Hamoud, senior cleric from Lebanon, in
his remarks in the international webinar held from the Lebanese capital praised
Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri as a pure man in love of other people who
endeavored to bring people closer together.
“This great man began the fight from his own ego” said
the Lebanese cleric and highlighted that as the reason why his words would find
the way to the hearts of all people.
Sheikh Mahir Hamoud underlined the loyalty of
Ayatollah Taskhiri for Islamic Revolution and said,” He can be called as the
clear example of fighting against colonialism and boosting solidarity among
Muslims.
Top cleric stressed that the changes should happen
within Muslims ahead of liberation of al-Aqsa Mosque since the holy mosque will
not be freed while Muslims disagree with each other.
The scholar made the comments in an international
webinar held to mark the 40th day after demise of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali
Taskhiri, advisor of the Supreme Leader and former secretary general of World
Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
He passed away due to heart disease on August 18 and
his body was laid to rest in the holy shrine of Lady Masoumeh (AS) in Qom.
https://en.abna24.com/news//senior-lebanese-sunni-cleric-hails-ayatollah-taskhiri-as-role-model-of-anti-colonialism_1075200.html
--------
Fariba Adelkhah: French-Iranian academic temporarily
released in Iran
04-10-2020
French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah has been
temporarily released from prison with an electronic ankle bracelet, her lawyer
has said.
She is now with her family in the Iranian capital,
Tehran, Saeid Dehghan said.
He hoped this temporary release would become final, he
told the AFP news agency.
The academic was given a six-year jail term on
national security charges in May.
She received a five-year term for conspiring against
national security and one year for propaganda.
"We have not yet [given] a date for her return to
prison, but we hope that this temporary release will become final," Mr
Dehghan told AFP without providing further details.
The 61-year-old anthropologist and researcher at
SciencesPo university in Paris was detained last year.
In recent years, Iran has arrested dozens of foreign
and dual nationals on national security charges. Some, including
British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, are on temporary
release because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual
nationality for Iranian citizens and they have not granted French diplomats
consular access rights.
The SciencesPo researcher is a specialist in social
anthropology and the political anthropology of post-revolutionary Iran, and has
written a number of books, including Revolution under the Veil: Islamic Women of
Iran.
At the time of her arrest, she was examining the
movement of Shia clerics between Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, and had spent time
in the holy city of Qom.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54402098
--------
South Asia
15 killed, 30 injured in car bomb explosion in
Nangarhar, Afghanistan
Source : Islam Times
October 3, 2020
At least 15 people were killed and over 30 others were
wounded in a car bomb explosion near the district governor’s compound in the
eastern province of Nangarhar on Saturday afternoon, local officials said.
The Nangarhar governor’s spokesman confirmed the
casualties and said some gunmen wanted to enter the district governor’s
compound but were killed by security forces, Tolo News reported.
Obaidullah Shinwari, member of Nangahar provincial
council, said at least eight of those killed in the attack are civilians.
The official did not provide further details.
https://en.abna24.com/news//15-killed-30-injured-in-car-bomb-explosion-in-nangarhar-afghanistan_1075277.html
-------
Prominent Afghan Umpire Loses 4 Family Members in
Nangarhar Blast
By Mohammad Haroon Alim
04 Oct 2020
Bismillah Jan Shinwari, an Afghan prominent cricket
umpire, lost four of his close family members in a blast, which occurred
Saturday in Ghanikhail district of Nangarhar province.
Reports indicate he has lost a cousin, including two
of her children and a nephew in the blast.
Two of his other minor aged relatives were injured in
the explosion that took the lives of more than 15 individuals.
Shinwari is said to have been in Kabul during the time
of the incident. He is a well-known international cricket council registered
umpire.
He has reportedly officiated many international
matches, twenty tournaments and ODIs.
It is reported that his entire family including his
mother and father live close to the area, where the incident occurred, where
many innocent lives were taken.
Presidential Palace released a statement in regards to
the blast saying, “The Taliban and other terrorist groups, in collusion with
them, continue their terrorist activities and, like today’s terrorist attack in
Nangarhar, kill civilians every day and destroy public infrastructures.”
https://www.khaama.com/nangarhar-blast-claims-4-family-members-of-the-prominent-cricket-umpire-987868/
--------
Grassroots Units: AL chief riled by inclusion of
tainted faces
October 04, 2020
Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday
expressed disappointment after seeing several names of "wrongdoers and
infiltrators" were proposed for inclusion in the district, city and
upazila committees of the party.
The AL president, also the prime minister, ordered
leaders concerned to form committees with tested and dedicated leaders to
further strengthen the party at the grassroots.
Names of senior leaders were dropped while people
close to local lawmakers and influential local leaders were included in many of
the committees, Hasina said, adding that she didn't want the committees to be
formed through nepotism, insiders told The Daily Star.
Hasina said these at a meeting of the AL Central
Working Committee (ALCWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, at
the Gono Bhaban.
According to party insiders, drafts for at least 20
district committees were submitted at the party president's Dhanmondi office
earlier.
The people named in the draft included several leaders
accused of corruption and repression against women, and personal staff and
close relatives of the district committee president and general secretaries,
the insiders added.
At yesterday's meeting, Hasina read out some of the
drafts and mentioned the names of some "controversial and tainted
individuals", said sources.
She also mentioned that some former presidents,
general secretaries and vice-presidents of immediate past committees who have
no allegations against them and have been dedicated to the party were dropped.
She sent back the drafts and asked those to be reformed according to her
guidelines.
ALCWC leaders who are infected with the coronavirus or
have any family members infected with Covid-19 were asked to not attend the
meeting. The last ALCWC meeting was held on March 9.
She also asked her party men to be prepared to serve
the people as she feared that the Covid-19 situation may worsen during the
coming winter, meeting sources said.
The ruling party yesterday formed eight high-powered
committees for eight divisions to strengthen the organisational activities of
the party.
In her introductory speech, Hasina said her government
has been able to put the coronavirus pandemic under control because different
ministries and government organisations, including the health ministry and
Directorate General of Health Services, worked sincerely.
"Some people are saying many things regarding the
Directorate General of Health Services or health ministry… Whatever I've
directed them [to do] on an emergency basis, they have done. They worked
properly… That's why we've been able to put coronavirus under control,"
she said, reports UNB.
She said when directing them to do anything on
coronavirus-related issues, she asked that the work be done bypassing
government rules as it was urgent to provide medical services to the people.
The prime minister thanked all government
organisations, AL and its associated bodies for their coordinated and sincere
efforts to help people.
https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/grassroots-units-al-chief-riled-inclusion-tainted-faces-1971897
--------
Southeast Asia
Fahmi Fadzil reiterates Anwar prepared to consider
role for Muhyiddin, with greater goal of setting Malaysia back on track
04 Oct 2020
BY SOO WERN JUN
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — On the back of Opposition Leader
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that he is willing to work with Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR communication director said Malaysians
have nothing to worry about.
Fahmi Fadzil, who has been with PKR for 10 years, said
what is important is how Pakatan Harapan (PH) can set the country back on
track.
“What’s important is the intention of this move; it is
very clear and that is to set the country back in the right direction,” Fahmi
told Malay Mail.
Days before the Sabah polls on September 26, Anwar
made an announcement indicating that he has the numbers to form a new
government.
The PKR president also said that he was willing to
work with Muhyiddin, who is his counterpart in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(Bersatu), should he form a new government.
Anwar said he had no personal issues with the Pagoh MP
and added that the latter’s willingness to work with him would help with a
peaceful power transition.
In supporting Anwar’s views, Fahmi said this was an
opportunity for those who supported the coup in February to repent and fix the
mistakes they made.
“I was very disappointed with some of my colleagues
because this is a strong duty and they were willing to betray that to me this
is vile, and I wouldn’t say that I don’t fault them for wanting it.
“But I also want to say that they have an opportunity
to repent and fix the mistakes they’ve made, just as how some people asked why
I was willing to accept Dr Mahathir into PH knowing what he had done to Anwar
and family and the reform movement.
“Those who made the wrong move by supporting the
clever coup in February, they have an opportunity to fix things and be on the
right side of history,” said Fahmi.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was
originally from Umno before quitting the party in 2016 to form Bersatu with
Muhyiddin and was subsequently ousted. He has since formed a new party called
Pejuang.
In late February, then PKR deputy president Datuk Seri
Mohamed Azmin Ali led 10 MPs out of the party to support Perikatan Nasional
(PN), triggering one of the country’s worst political crises and shortening the
rule of PH, the coalition he helped put in power.
When asked about PH not taking the route of vesting in
propaganda to stay in power, Fahmi said a part of why the coalition lost to PN
was due to those who refused to depart from their previous struggles.
“By commission are the so-called deep state — those
who call out deep state, but were the ones who were the deep state — and crying
wolf when they were the wolves.
“I hope and pray that if Anwar is able to pull this
off, we learn from one another and move forward and Malaysia will be a more
politically matured country,” he said.
In March, Muhyiddin became prime minister after Istana
Negara said he had the majority support compared to other candidates following
the fall of the PH administration.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/04/fahmi-fadzil-dont-worry-about-working-with-muhyiddin-focus-on-setting-the-c/1909274
--------
Hulu Rajang MP denies supporting Anwar to be next PM
04 Oct 2020
MYT
KUCHING, Oct 4 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP for
Hulu Rajang Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong vehemently denied supporting Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim to be the Prime Minister in forming a new government.
He said he had never mentioned or had any intention of
supporting the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, refuting a report by The
Coverage dated October 3 which published a list of 121 MPs supporting Anwar to
be the next prime minister, where his name was in the list.
“That is incredible. I never mentioned supporting
Datuk Seri Anwar. As far as I’m concerned, I’m with GPS, and my boss is Chief
Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. We are in the (GPS) team, we
are in the group.
“I don’t know (how my name got in the list). Whatever
they put there, I’m not with them,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post
today.
Asked what may be the motive behind the publication of
the list, the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) supreme council member said he does
not know, adding that even he was very surprised when he came across the online
news report last night.
“That one I don’t know, not in my knowledge whatever
they put anywhere. But to me, I support GPS, and GPS supports Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin as the Prime Minister.
“All of us in GPS support Muhyiddin as the Prime
Minister,” he said.
According to the report by an online news portal The
Coverage, of all 121 names of MPs, 15 were from Sarawak.
Out of that, four are from GPS and two from Parti
Sarawak Bersatu (PSB). The rest are from Pakatan Harapan.
The 15 Sarawak MPs in the list are Mordi Bimol (Mas
Gading, DAP), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching, DAP), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin,
DAP), Datuk Seri Richard Riot (Serian, SUPP), Masir Kujat (Sri Aman, PSB),
Jugah Muyang (Lubok Antu, Independent), Wong Ling Biu (Sarikei, DAP), Larry Sng
(Julau, PKR), Alice Lau (Lanang, DAP), Oscar Ling (Sibu, DAP), Baru Bian
(Selangau, PSB), Datuk Wilson Ugak (Hulu Rajang, PRS), Datuk Seri Tiong King
Sing (Bintulu, PDP), Michael Teo (Miri, PKR) and Anyi Ngau (Baram, PDP).
Jugah also rebutted the list, saying that the list was
just a rumor purposely being spread to propagate fake news.
“No, it’s just speculation, just rumor, fake news
only. I stand firm supporting Pakatan Nasional (PN) and GPS,” he said.
Meanwhile, soon after the report was published last
night, PKR Communications Chief Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil in a Twitter post
denied revealing any list of 121 MP names supporting Anwar to become the next
prime minister as published in the news portal.
“Not true, I do not have the list as claimed, and has
never given any list to anybody,” he said in his Twitter post dated October 3
at 10.34pm.
This was following some reports claiming that the name
list was provided by him.
Efforts to contact other Sarawak MPs for comments are
still ongoing.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/04/hulu-rajang-mp-denies-supporting-anwar-to-be-next-pm/1909423
----------
More than 500 Muslim students receive achievement
awards from Mendaki in virtual ceremony
OCT 3, 2020
Malavika Menon
SINGAPORE - More than 500 Muslim students and youth
received awards for their achievements from self-help group Yayasan Mendaki on
Saturday (Oct 3).
The annual event, which was held virtually this year,
celebrates students who displayed exceptional academic performance or excelled
in a different area of life.
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Mendaki
chairman Masagos Zulkifli, who was guest of honour at the event, applauded the
recipients for their achievement and urged the community to stay connected with
Mendaki so that they may receive information and support that will help them
prepare for what lies ahead.
Said Mr Masagos: "Given the uncertain times, some
of you who graduated recently may be facing difficulties securing your ideal
jobs. As a resilient community, I encourage you to keep an open mind and
leverage on available opportunities, such as the SGUnited Traineeship
programme, to gain experience, enhance your skills and build your networks and
portfolios."
Four recipients were recognised for their
contributions to the community. They received the Anugerah Gemilang Mendaki
(Pinnacle Award) for embodying character, competency and citizenry. Among them
was Muhammad Ismail Shogo Sahul Hamid, a trained befriender at inmate
rehabilitation initiative Family and Inmates Through-care Assistance Haven
(Fitrah).
Mr Ismail, 26, is currently pursuing a traineeship at
the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Centre for Family and Population
Research.
As an undergraduate student reading political science
at NUS last year, Mr Ismail was keen on understanding criminality and the
ground realities of convicts. He signed up for Fitrah's training programme,
juggling the sessions with his studies.
Before Covid-19 disrupted operations, Mr Ismail
conducted home visits, assessing inmates' needs and working with incarcerated
individuals and with families who have members on death row.
Contrasting his experience in the classroom and at the
grassroots level, Mr Ismail said: "When we study about rehabilitation or
reintegration in university, we take a theoretical approach, but through
Fitrah, I was able to understand the issues on the ground and gather new
perspective about how to help these vulnerable groups."
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-than-500-muslim-students-receive-achievement-awards-from-mendaki-in-virtual-ceremony
---------
Africa
Nigeria: Boko Haram - Military Approaches Cameroon for
Support
4 OCTOBER 2020
By Michael Olugbode
Maiduguri — The Multinational Joint Task Force
(MNJTF), a combined military formation of West and Central African countries,
at the weekend, approached the Cameroonian forces for assistance, especially in
terms of reinforcement, to enable them turn the tide against the Boko Haram
terrorist group in the troubled Chad Basin. The request followed a spate of
attacks by the insurgents lately, which involved several military fatalities.
The terrorist group has continued to pose a serious
threat along the Chad Basin, launching three attacks on the convoy of the Borno
State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum. The second attack claimed the lives
of about 30 persons, mostly security personnel on the convoy. A third attack
followed just days after. Just before the attacks on the governor's convoy, the
insurgents had killed a Nigerian army commander and some of his soldiers in an
ambush also in Borno State.
It was against this backdrop that MNJTF, which
comprises units from Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, contacted the
Cameroonian military for support.
A press release yesterday by the Chief of Military
Public Information of the N'Djamena-headquartered formation, Colonel Muhammad
Dole, revealed that the MNJTF Force Commander (FC), Major General Ibrahim Manu
Yusuf, made the appeal during a three-day operational visit to Cameroonian
formations/units in Maroua, in the Far North Region of the Republic of
Cameroon.
Dole stated, "It is pertinent to note that the
operations of Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon) are closely linked with the operations
of other formations of the Cameroonian Defence Forces. These include Operation
EMERGENCE by the 4th Joint Military Region and the 4th Gendarmerie Region as well
as Operation ALPHA by the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), all located in
Maroua."
He explained that the purpose of the visit was to
enhance the synergy between the MNJTF and the adjoining national operations of
the Cameroonian Defence Forces.
The statement said, "On arrival, Major General
Yusuf paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Far North Region, His
Excellency, Midjiyawa Bakari," who commended the MNJTF for stabilising and
restoring relative peace to the Lake Chad Basin.
Dole stated that Bakari appreciated the sacrifices of
the soldiers from the MNJTF Troops Contributing Countries and assured them that
the on-going military operations would ultimately bring peace and security for
sustainable development of the region.
According to the statement, Yusuf, in his response,
appreciated the political support and public goodwill extended to Sector 1 of
MNJTF. He added that the support had facilitated the smooth execution of
non-kinetic operations, leading to the surrender of several insurgents in Sector
1 Area of Operation.
Dole stated that the FC was emphatic on the unalloyed
commitment of the MNJTF to creating conducive environment for the return of
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees to their homes to pursue their
legitimate economic activities.
Yusuf also visited the Headquarters of Fourth Joint
Military Region, where the Commander, Major General Saly Mohamadou, extolled
the existing synergy among Operations EMERGENCE, ALFA and troops of Sector 1 of
MNJTF. Mohamadou, however, urged the Force Commander to explore additional
areas in which the two operations could further consolidate on the operational
successes recorded. He expressed the willingness to continue with joint
operations between the national and MNJTF forces in the region.
Yusuf acknowledged the need for sensitisation of
national forces on the imperative of non-kinetic measures as complementary
efforts to kinetic operation to ensure continuous insurgents defection, the
statement said. He added that winning public support was a tested veritable
strategy for successful counter-insurgency operations in the region. The FC
urged commanders of both the national and MNJTF forces to sustain regular
operational visits for better understanding and mutual benefits.
https://allafrica.com/stories/202010040032.html
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Boko
Haram: How terrorists, their hideouts were destroyed in Borno – Military
October
3, 2020
By
Seun Opejobi
The
Defence Headquarters on Saturday said the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation
Lafiya Dole has neutralized some Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast.
Disclosing
this feat, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche
said the ATF destroyed a hideout of the terrorists in the Northeast, NAN
reports.
A
statement issued by Enenche in Abuja said the crews of the subsidiary Operation
Hail Storm2, had on October 1, neutralized several terrorists and destroyed
their hideouts at Maima and Tusuy near Warshale and Tongule along the
Dikwa-Rann axis of Borno.
According
to Enenche, credible intelligence reports and series of aerial surveillance
missions lead to the neutralization of the terrorists.
Enenche
said the Air Task Force dispatched an appropriate force package of Nigerian Air
Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships to engage the two locations.
https://dailypost.ng/2020/10/03/boko-haram-how-terrorists-their-hideouts-were-destroyed-in-borno-military/
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Islamic
leaders boycott Oduduwa Republic rally, Gani Adams tackles Igboho
October
4, 2020
Olufemi
Olaniyi and Daud Olatunji
Five
Yoruba speaking Islamic leaders in Nigeria have boycotted a conference on
Oduduwa Republic organised by the Centre For Global Peace Initiative which
involved Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
The
religious leaders faulted their inclusion in what they described as secession
talks being championed by some agitators in the South-West states .
Both
the Center For global Peace Initiative and Centre for Policy intervention in
Africa had scheduled the zoom conference for Saturday , October 3, tagged, the great October conference
with the theme, “Yoruba Muslims Vs Oduduwa Republic: Clash of
perspectives.”
The
Islamic invited as panelists are; Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq
Akintola ; Chief Missionary, Ansar ud Deen Society; Sheikh AbdrRahman Ahmad ; Imam, University of Abuja, Prof. Taofiq
AbdulAzeez ; Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. AbdulHafeez Oladosu and Mufti, Conference of
Muslim Organisations; Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi.
The
organisers had invited the Adams as a keynote speaker while Prof. Yunusa Salami
of the Department of Philosophy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was
chosen as the lead presenter.
The
religious leaders in a joint release, titled, “Re: Yoruba Muslims vs Oduduwa
Republic: Clash of Perspectives: A Disclaimer,” dissociated from the conference
which was later shifted.
Meanwhile,
Adams, has said the agitator of Oodua Republic, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known
as Sunday Igboho, did not invite him to
lead the October 1 rally to sensitise the people on the need to carve out Oodua Republic out of Nigeria.
Igboho
had in September said in a video posted on Youtube that he and other people
would stage a rally on the proposed Oodua Republic on October 1 and that the
Aare Ona Kakanfo would lead the struggle.
In
another video watched by our correspondent after October 1, Igboho lamented
that he was betrayed by some Yoruba leaders. But when the BBC asked Adams
whether he collected money to back off from the struggle, Adams denied.
Adams
said at his level, he should not be expected to join such struggle without
proper invitation or prior discussions before the day, saying that he was aware
of Igboho’s comment.
He
said, “It was uncharitable for Igboho to accuse me of betrayal because he was
never part of the struggle in any way.’’
https://punchng.com/islamic-leaders-boycott-oduduwa-republic-rally-gani-adams-tackles-igboho/
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/indias-secular-fabric-reinforced-first/d/123037