Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Said True Muslims Cannot Ignore The "Suffering" Of Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, And India - India Hits Back
New Age Islam News Bureau
17 Sep 2024
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (AFP)
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· Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Said True Muslims Cannot Ignore The "Suffering" Of Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, And India - India Hits Back
· Islamist Parties, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Hefazat-e-Islam Gaining Ground in Bangladesh Amid Post-Hasina Political Vacuum
· Militants Used Video Game Features in Swat Police Station Attack, Claim Officials
· PM Anwar: Halal No Longer Merely Abstaining from Pork and Alcohol, Industry Can Be Inclusive by Reaching Even the Poorest in Society
· Zionist Leaders Escalate Their Incursions Into Al-Aqsa To Provocate Muslims Feelings
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India
· Communal Unrest Grips 4 K’taka Towns Over Mosque Attack, Palestinian Flag
· Traders observe bandh in Solan as Sanjauli mosque row spills to other Himachal districts
· Maharashtra: BJP’s MLA Booked for Alleged Hate Speech In Navi Mumbai, Targeting Minority Community
· Will Bury Terrorism So Deep It Will Not Raise Its Head Ever Again: Amit Shah In J&K
· Jammu and Kashmir gears up for phase 1 polls, seven districts to vote after a decade
· Eid Milad-un-Nabi: J-K Grand Mufti Call Ignored; PDP, Mirwaiz Flay Govt
· In Kulgam, 'real red' vs 'real green': Islamist test for Kashmir's lone communist citadel
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South Asia
· Maintain Unity So That Dictatorship Never Returns: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer
· Political Commission of Islamic Emirate Reviews Key National and Regional Issues
· Ex-Bangladesh Ministers Asaduzzaman Noor, Mahbub Ali Sent to Jail In Murder Case
· Islamic Emirate Repays AFN 2.7 Billion Debt Inherited from Previous Administration
· 45,000 Afghans Applied for Asylum in Europe In 2024: EUAA
· Afghan Journalists are not safe in Pakistan, says AJSO
· Afghanistan’s fiber optics key to regional connectivity
· Meeting Addresses Afghanistan’s Environmental Challenges
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Pakistan
· Govt Concentrating to Protect Islamic Culture of Pakistan, Says Azma Bukhari
· ‘Constitutional Package’ Goes into Cold Storage, To Be Fine-Tuned
· 14 personnel among 25 hurt in Balochistan’s Buzi Top crash
· Imran’s military trial not on the cards, govt tells IHC
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Southeast Asia
· Muslim Students' Group Gamis Claim Bruno Mars Concert Attendees Pro-Israel, Demand Cancellation In Final Protest
· On Malaysia Day, PM Anwar Vows Uplifting Rural and Impoverished Areas A Priority Of His Administration
· IGP: Nearly 100 bank accounts linked to Global Ikhwan frozen, worth over RM581,000 in total
· Death of Lahad Datu doctor must be thoroughly investigated – Health Minister
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Mideast
· Jihad: Quds Operation Normal Response to Zionist Crimes
· Hamas Chief Says Ready for ‘Long War’ In Gaza
· Israeli airstrikes destroy residential buildings in Hula as casualties’ rise
· Iran will never give up on its missile program: president
· Continued lack of protection for Palestinian civilians in Gaza ‘unconscionable,’ says UN official
· Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets enemy sites, achieves direct hits
· Houthi official says US offered to recognize Sanaa government; US official denies claim
· Returning residents to north Israel is now a war goal, Netanyahu says
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Arab World
· Saudi OIC Representative Receives Special Envoy On Islamophobia
· Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Renaissance Under Spotlight at Riyadh Forum
· Deputy minister meets newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
· Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh
· Madarik program trains 1,000 for space sector growth
· Golden Pen Award Invites Arabic writers to compete
· Makkah imam meets Islamic leaders in Africa
· Saudi authorities sign deal to broaden access to cultural content for the visually impaired
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Europe
· Boracay Launches First Muslim-Friendly Cove for Inclusive Halal Tourism
· Greater Manchester Police appeal for information on elderly man
· Pensioner kidnapped outside Oldham mosque, dumped in West Yorkshire
· French EU commissioner claims von der Leyen stabbed him in back
· Trump shooter’s Ukraine links are US concerns – Moscow
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North America
· In Wake of Controversies, AG Taps Another Muslim Member Adileh Sharieff for Hate Crimes Panel
· Gunman lurked for hours before Trump's last-minute game of golf
· Pressure on Secret Service as Biden says agency 'needs more help'
· Who is suspect in Trump assassination attempt, Ryan Routh?
· What we know about the apparent Trump shooting attempt
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Africa
· Gov Aliyu Urges Muslims on Prophet’s Birthday: Seek God’s Intervention On Nigeria’s Security Challenges
· More Leaders Pray for Nigeria’s Security, Unity at 2024 Eid-el-Maulud, Greet Muslims
· Plateau: Mutfwang Salutes Muslim Ummah On Eid-ul-Maulud
· Hamzat Charges Muslims To Emulate Holy Prophet
· Dozens of Muslim worshippers killed in Nigeria crash
· Ighodalo To File ₦20 Billion Suit Against Oshiomhole Over ‘Defamatory Ponzi Scheme Claim’
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/iran-khamenei-muslims-myanmar-gaza-india/d/133222
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Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Said True Muslims Cannot Ignore The "Suffering" Of Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, And India - India Hits Back
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (AFP)
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By HT News Desk
Sep 17, 2024
Hours after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said true Muslims cannot ignore the "suffering" of Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, and India, the ministry of external affairs condemned his remarks as “misinformed and unacceptable".
Countries commenting on minorities in India should first review their own records before making observations about others, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the supreme leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable,” added Randhir Jaiswal.
He advised that countries commenting on minorities should first examine their own records before making observations about others.
The two countries have traditionally enjoyed a strong relationship and signed a 10-year contract in May to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar.
India has been developing the port of Chabahar on Iran's southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman to transport goods to Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, bypassing the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan.
Reacting to Khamenei's statement, Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, labeled him a "killer and oppressor" of his own people.
“@khamenei_ir you are a killer and oppressor of your own people. Muslims in Israel, India and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of Iran will be free soon,” wrote Azar.
you are a killer and oppressor of your own people. Muslims in 🇮🇱, 🇮🇳 and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of 🇮🇷 will be free soon.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously criticized India over issues involving Indian Muslims and the troubled Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.
The Iranian leader, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, spoke about what he described as the “suffering” of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar, and India.
“The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) as part of series of posts on the event.
The remarks were made against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, a situation that has caused unease in New Delhi.
India maintains close relations with both countries, balancing its strategic ties with Israel—particularly in defense and security—with its reliance on West Asia for 80 percent of its oil supply.
Source:hindustantimes.com
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Islamist Parties, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Hefazat-e-Islam Gaining Ground in Bangladesh Amid Post-Hasina Political Vacuum
Jamaat-e-Islami has denied allegations that it stoked violence during protests. (File)
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By Saqlain Rizve
September 16, 2024
With the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year autocratic regime, Bangladesh’s political landscape is shifting into a new dimension. As the once-dominant Awami League (AL), led by Hasina herself, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) struggle to maintain their grip, a political vacuum has set the stage for a realignment. Amid the weakening of traditional parties, the weakness of leftist factions and people’s frustration with the AL-BNP power cycle, Islamist groups are seizing the moment to step into the spotlight.
For example, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), which had operated at a minimal level during the Hasina regime, especially in public university campuses through their student wing Bangladesh, Islami Chhatrashibir, and by promoting Islamic preachers around the country, is now reasserting its presence. Now JI is expanding its influence from urban centers to rural areas and among conservative sections of the population.
Bangladesh’s political landscape is characterized by a wide array of parties, including 44 active political parties. Among these are 13 Islamic parties, which are becoming increasingly prominent. Key players in this movement include JI, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Hefazat-e-Islam, though not a political party, wields significant influence through its large support base and vocal leader, Mamunul Haque. The group gained popularity during the 2013 protests at the capital’s Shapla Chattar.
While the AL committed to secularism and modernization, promoting economic development and a secular state, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has traditionally appealed to nationalist sentiments, with a focus on social justice, which grants the party a more conservative agenda than that of the AL but less in line with the ideas of Islamists.
Islamist parties do promote a political model of governance based on Islamic doctrine and, therefore, focus on an inclusive policy toward Sharia within the political context. It is worth mentioning that around 90 percent of the population in Bangladesh practices Islam. Hindus comprise 8 percent of the population. Christians, Buddhists, and others account for the remainder.
Although the BNP is still considered the largest opposition party, it was substantially weakened during Hasina’s rule. Years of harassment and imprisonment by the AL government along with internal strife took a heavy toll on the party. The recent release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the potential return of her son Tarique Rahman could give the party some momentum. Yet it may not regain its erstwhile importance.
Moreover, the absence of a robust leftist presence has also inadvertently paved the way for radical parties to gain prominence. Historically, leftist parties like the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) played crucial roles in historical movements. However, today, these parties are numerically small and significantly divided by internal dissensions. The AL’s crackdown is also one of the main reasons for their weakness.
A look at the past indicates that the advent of Islamist parties in a popular opposition has created a comfortable environment for extremism to operate, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In fact, during the period beginning with 1991-1996 under the BNP, Islamist parties like JI gained more influence. There was a greater inclusion of religious rhetoric into mainstream politics during this period.
This influence became more entrenched when the BNP came to power again in 2001 in coalition with Islamist parties. Data shows an increase in extremist activities during this period. Groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) and Hizb Ut Tahrir (HTB) carried out bombings and targeted foreign diplomats, judges, and writers, including the perpetration of a spate of bombings across the country in 2005. The most alarming aspect is that the HTB is now actively protesting in various places demanding the lifting of the ban on the outfit. The organization was banned in 2009 due to its calls for the establishment of a caliphate, which is a threat to national security and democratic values.
Apart from political activities, Islamist parties have gained significant popularity through social welfare, disaster relief, and educational support work. Their grassroots humanitarian initiatives, especially during recent floods in Cumilla, Feni, and Noakhali, have built a strong community presence and trust, expanding their support beyond mere politics.
In contrast, since August 5, numerous accusations surfaced against BNP leaders for engaging in illicit activities especially extortion and attacks on AL leaders, leading to public disillusionment. Although the BNP has suspended several implicated activists, the damage to their credibility poses a significant concern.
Despite gaining popularity among people day by day, Islamist parties are now aiming for coalition-building — a new development, as traditionally, they had differing theological bases.
Mia Golam Parwar, secretary of JI, recently told BBC Bangla, “We hope that all the Islamic parties will do the election in a coalition. A desire for unity is clearly noticeable among the parties, which we never saw in the past.”
At a rally in Dhaka on August 31, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Senior Naib-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim hinted at a potential alliance between Islami Andolon Bangladesh and JI. He said that if there is consensus, the two parties could unite.
He remarked, “Today, I say to Jamaat: a golden opportunity is approaching. The election will not take place tomorrow. This is a remarkable chance to fight the election together.”
This coalition, comprising some parties that were earlier fragmented, may just prove to be a game-changer in the case of Bangladesh. If the coalition wins, many believe there will be an increase in Islamist representation and possibly a policy change in the growing inclination toward conservative and religiously aligned governance.
However, the process of coalition building will face various obstacles on different theological beliefs. For example, the bone of contention for the alliance would be differing views regarding shrines, as one group has a pro-veneration stance toward these places of worship whereas another group is against this type of veneration. Ideological differences promote vandalism activities, which make efforts toward attaining a consolidated posture difficult. Already many shrines have been vandalized in various places around the country.
Moreover, historical and political baggage, like the controversial past of JI during the Liberation War in 1971, add difficulties to forging a cohesive coalition. Many parties don’t like JI for their involvement with Pakistan during the war and its different political agenda.
Moreover, while Islamic political parties have generally performed well in street protests, they haven’t done as well at the ballot box. In the 1991 national election, JI won only 18 seats among 300 in the coalition of the BNP. In the 2001 elections, JI secured only 17 seats. Yet, this was followed by a series of setbacks. By the 2008 elections, JI could only manage to obtain two seats through its four-party alliance with the BNP.
So, the current political vacuum in Bangladesh presents both opportunities and challenges for Islamist parties and the people of the country. While their rise is facilitated by the weakening of mainstream parties and growing public discontent with the AL and the BNP alternating in power, the path ahead is fraught with obstacles, including internal theological differences and historical baggage. The success of Islamist parties in forming a cohesive coalition and gaining electoral success will significantly shape Bangladesh’s future political landscape. As the country navigates this transitional period, the balance between radicalism and moderation will be crucial in determining the stability and direction of Bangladesh’s democracy.
Source:thediplomat.com
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https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/islamic-parties-gaining-ground-in-bangladesh-amid-post-hasina-political-vacuum/
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Militants Used Video Game Features in Swat Police Station Attack, Claim Officials
Pakistan Army soldiers in North Waziristan during Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2015. Representative image: Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (Pakistan)
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Umer Farooq
September 16, 2024
PESHAWAR: Militants applied features introduced in PlayerUnknown’s BattleGround, a video game commonly known as PUBG, to attack a police station in Swat, according to senior officials.
They said that militants used PUBG’s chat room for communication to avoid electronic surveillance and being tracked down.
On August 28, Banr police station in Swat came under a militant attack, which left a policeman martyred and two others wounded.
According to district police, investigation was launched into the attack and militants were traced after monitoring of CCTV footages of different surveillance cameras for several hours.
The district police officer of Swat, Dr Zahidullah, said police found one person using a mobile phone and they believed that it would help them to hunt down the militants. However, militants never called each other but utilised features of PUBG to avoid being traced, he added.
“The militants would play PUBG to practice and motivate their group members for battle against the state and would use the chat room for communication,” Mr Zahidullah told Dawn. He added that it was too difficult to reach the target and arrest militants in absence of clues.
He said that initially, investigators were focusing on a motorbike, which in the CCTV footages passed in front of the police station minutes before explosion took place. He said that the investigators believed a hand grenade had been lobbed at the police station. However, it was not the case, he added.
Mr Zahidullah said that it was difficult to find out as to what was actually used for the attack because there was nothing on ground which could prove that a hand grenade was used in the attack.
“They had used an improvised explosive device, made of a power bank, which is mostly used for charging mobile phones, for the attack” he said. He added that one of the suspected militant was finally traced through several CCTV footages.
The district police officer stated that during investigation, the accused revealed names of two other suspected militants, who were also arrested and shared with the investigation team that they never used common means for communication and would change mobile phones and heir Sims repeatedly.
“They had created a chat room in PUBG for communication and exchanging messages,” he said. He said that the militants belonged to a local, Murad alias Rehmatullah group, affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. He said that Murad, head of the group, and family members of the suspected militants, were living across the border in Afghanistan.
“We have proved that suspected militants remained in contact with their family members and Rehmatullah group in Afghanistan and that they never travelled to Afghanistan but Karachi,” he said.
Mr Zahidullah also stated that family members of the suspected militants were involved in militant activities and were wanted by law enforcement agencies. He added that suspected militants’ family members escaped Operation Rah-i-Rast, a military onslaught against militants in Swat in 2009. He said that around 2,000 families of militants belonging to Swat were residing in Afghanistan.
Source:dawn.com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1859209/militants-used-video-game-features-in-swat-police-station-attack-claim-officials
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PM Anwar: Halal No Longer Merely Abstaining From Pork And Alcohol, Industry Can Be Inclusive By Reaching Even The Poorest In Society
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visits an exhibition booth during the 20th Malaysia International Halal showcase opening ceremony at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur, September 17, 2024. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
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17 Sep 2024
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today the halal industry has shown to be more progressive than Western-style capitalism by being inclusive towards smaller and poorer traders.
Opening the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) 2024 here, Anwar hailed Islamic finance as one of the halal industry’s hallmark achievements as he pledges full governmental support for the reportedly US$3 trillion export market.
“Through the halal industry one of the major weaknesses of [mainstream] economy in terms of the financial sector is to widen coverage to include groups that are always considered [big] traders and businesses that are considered the elites of society,” he said.
“The halal industry will touch each farmer, fisherman, small and petty traders and small and medium enterprises or even small sundry shops.
“For me, in the context of the Madani Economy and the spirit of maqasid shariah, [any industry] must touch almost all segments of the people,” the prime minister added, using the Arabic term meaning the “overarching objectives of Shariah”.
Earlier, the prime minister had also said that the halal industry must go beyond the consumption of halal meat, or abstaining from eating pork and drinking alcohol.
“The traditional understanding of halal, which many people have, was simply ‘no pork, no alcohol.’
“Today, the halal industry excels with certifications that go beyond what is generally acceptable,” he said in is speech.
Malaysia’s halal exports were valued at RM54 billion in 2023 and the government is eyeing to raise it to RM65 billion by next year.
Malaysia is one of the biggest players in the halal market and is at the forefront of the halal certification industry that it pioneered in 2007.
The global halal market is expected to reach US$5 trillion (RM24 trillion) by 2030 as the Muslim population continues to grow. Muslims could make up a fourth of the world population by then.
The size of the halal market has drawn interests and investments even from non-Muslim businesses. Companies from Japan, China and South Korea are among participants at Mihas 2024, attended by 66 countries.
Anwar said the participation from these countries show the global understanding of the halal concept has grown beyond just Islamic ritual in food production.
“They understand that it’s about health, avoiding harmful elements and sophisticated use of materials and ingredients,” the prime minister said.
Source:malaymail.com
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Zionist Leaders Escalate Their Incursions Into Al-Aqsa To Provocate Muslims Feelings
Zionist leaders escalate their incursions into Al-Aqsa
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16 Sep 2024
In a clear provocation to the feelings of two billion Muslims around the world. The Zionist settler mobs have escalated their incursions into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque with the support of the Zionist enemy government and the protection of the occupation police.
In this context, Endowments and Religious Affairs Ministry in Palestine said in a report issued on Tuesday that the Zionist enemy and its settler mobs have escalated their attacks on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by the number of incursions and the number of intruders.
The ministry explained that the settlers' prayers have become collective , public and include dancing, singing and prostration (Jewish rituals) in Al-Aqsa, and are held on a daily basis, especially in the eastern area "meters away from "Bab Al-Rahma" chapel under the Zionist enemy forces' guard , especially during the incursions.
The ministry condemned the statements of the extremist Zionist minister Ben-Gvir, who revealed his intention to build a synagogue in Al-Aqsa to perform Talmudic rituals, in addition to the decision of the Zionist enemy government to approve the funding of settler incursions into Al-Aqsa.
The ministry stated that the number of settlers who stormed Al-Aqsa during the month of August reached 7692, the highest number since the beginning of this year, including 2958 settlers who stormed it on the so-called " Temple destruction anniversary" on August 13, during which they performed religious rituals, raised the flag of the usurper entity, and performed for the first time their rituals in front of the Dome of the Rock from the western side of Al-Aqsa.
The ministry stated that the number of settlers who stormed Al-Aqsa during the month of August reached 7692, the highest number since the beginning of this year, including 2958 settlers who stormed it on the so-called "Temple destruction anniversary" on August 13, during which they performed religious rituals, raised the flag of the usurper entity, and performed for the first time their rituals opposite the Dome of the Rock from the western side of Al-Aqsa.
Regarding the Zionist attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, the Endowments Ministry explained that the enemy prevented the lifting of the call to prayer on 57 times in an attempt to impose temporal and spatial division on it, in addition to the enemy forces issuing a decision to close the Ibrahimi Mosque, boarding the roof of Ashraf corner adjacent to the Ibrahimi Mosque, photographing the place and impeding the work of the firefighting network in the Ibrahimi Mosque, under the pretext of urgent security incidents.
The ministry considers what the enemy is doing a blatant and blatant assault on the powers of the Waqf in the Ibrahimi Mosque, a serious violation of its sanctity, a provocation of Muslims' feelings, and an attempt to control it.
The report also documents that enemy forces attacked al-Iman Mosque in Qalqilya, where the main door was removed, the mosque was entered and searched, its property was tampered with, and the women's prayer room was sabotaged, while enemy forces fired gas canisters at worshippers in Omar bin al-Khattab Mosque in Kafr Qaddum town during Friday prayers, trapping part of the worshippers inside the mosque and preventing others from attending the Friday prayers, and the enemy caused the mosque to break its windows.
In Jenin and Tubas, enemy forces stormed Khaled bin al-Walid mosque in the eastern region, demolished , bulldozed parts of the mosque, and burned another mosque in the town of al-Fara'a.
In Tulkarem, the Zionist enemy forces attacked the Martyrs' Mosque in Tulkarem camp, and it is worth noting that this is not the first attack on the mosques in the governorate, as it was previously preceded by the demolition and vandalism of the Mu'adh bin Jabal Mosque.
Recently, the official Zionist Broadcasting Corporation revealed that the Office of the Presidency of the Zionist entity's government, in cooperation with the so-called "Heritage Ministry", decided to start funding organized tours to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a first-of-its-kind precedent.
The channel stated that the decision stipulates funding the incursions with two million shekels initially, in order to organize the incursions and attach them with guides to "link Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards with Jewish history."
While the Zionist "Heritage Ministry" said: The decision organizes the incursions "to be with guides who explain to the participants, Jews and tourists, the history of the place and its sanctity to the Jewish people." According to its claims.
According to official Palestinian data, more than 25,000 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Al-Quds during the first half of this year. It indicated that 23 citizens were martyred in occupied Al-Quds and its suburbs during the same period.
Al-Quds Governorate, the highest governmental local authority representing the city, said: 25 thousand and 54 settlers stormed the mosque during the fait accompli imposed by the Zionist enemy, called the morning and evening periods, with the support of the enemy police, performed Talmudic prayers and rituals during the incursions.
Throughout the first half of this year, the Zionist enemy authorities continued the siege of Al-Aqsa Mosque, "which they have imposed since October 7 (the date the war on Gaza began) by restricting the entry of Muslim worshippers to it," according to the governorate.
It is noteworthy that about 23 Palestinians were martyred in Al-Quds Governorate during the first half of the year 2024, including ten children, the youngest of whom was a four-year-old girl, and the Zionist enemy army is holding the bodies of 41 Palestinians martyrs until the end of the first half of the year 2024.
In conjunction with the start of the Zionist-American aggression against Gaza Strip on October 7, the Zionist enemy army intensified its deployment and operations in the West Bank, including occupied Al-Quds, leaving 556 martyrs and 5300 wounded, according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The Department of Islamic Endowments in occupied Al-Quds also reported that more than 48,000 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the past 2023.
An official at the Waqf Department explained that 48,223 settlers stormed the mosque during the past year. He pointed out that 3086 settlers stormed the mosque during the month of December alone.
The Zionist incursions increase significantly during the Jewish holidays, and the enemy authorities unilaterally allowed settler incursions into the mosque in 2003, despite protests by the Islamic Endowments Department in Al-Quds and its demand to stop them.
Al-Quds Governorate warns that the violations of the Zionist enemy and the settler mobs in the occupied Al-Quds , the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and at its gates are a prelude to the spatial division of the mosque.
It is worth mentioning that the Zionist enemy government is seeking with all its means to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially, by preventing Palestinian worshippers from entering Al-Aqsa, while facilitating the entry of settlers into the mosque. It is taking advantage of the genocidal war on Gaza Strip, which led to the martyrdom of more than 41,020 Palestinians, mostly children and women, and the injury of more than 94,925 others, since October 7, in order to resolve the battle in Al-Aqsa in favor of the extremist Temple Mount groups.
Source:saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3372610.htm
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India
Communal unrest grips 4 K’taka towns over mosque attack, Palestinian flag
Sep 17, 2024,
Bengaluru: Communal tension prevailed in Chitradurga, Davanagere and Kolar over reported waving of Palestinian flags during Eid procession on Monday, while Mangaluru police arrested six persons for allegedly throwing stones at a masjid in Katipalla, near Surathkal, on Sunday night. The Mangaluru city police commissioner issued a tough warning that those issuing provocative statements or posts would face strict action.
The multiple incidents in different parts of the state come days after violence broke out during Ganesha idol-immersion procession in Mandya district's Nagamangala taluk in which rioters and arsonists targeted vehicles and shops. The situation in the trouble-torn town is normal now.
BJP's R Ashoka and CT Ravi urged the Siddaramaiah government to refer all communal incidents, including riots in Nagamangala, to the National Investigation Agency for a comprehensive probe as they suspect involvement of sleeper cells and some divisive elements from a neighbouring state.
Mangaluru City police commissioner Anupam Agrawal said the six arrested individuals in the mosque attack case have been identified as Bharath Shetty, 26; Chennappa Shivananda Chalavadi alias Muthu, 19, from Ashraya Colony, Kana-Katla; Nithin Hadapa, 22, from Chelaru; Sujith Shetty, 23, from Kodipadi; Annappa alias Manu, 24, from Ishwara Nagara in Hosabettu; and Preetham Shetty, 34, from Katipalla III Block. Five of the accused have a history of criminal cases, police said.
They allegedly hurled stones at Masjidul Huda Juma Masjid in Katipalla around 9.50pm Sunday. According to a complaint filed by masjid president KH Abdul Rahiman, the mosque's windowpanes were damaged in the attack which he alleged was "intentional" and the motive was to incite unrest between two communities.
In a second incident from the coastal district, a likely law-and-order situation arising out of a ‘Chalo BC Road' was defused by police through timely intervention. Bantwal Cross Road (popularly abbreviated to ‘BC Road') is 25km from Mangaluru,
The rally call came following the circulation of a controversial audio message on social media, allegedly shared by Mohammed Sharif, former president of Bantwal town municipal council. District police chief Yathish N confirmed Sharif and his brother Hussainar have been taken into custody in connection with the viral message. To maintain law and order, a 48-hour ban on liquor sale was imposed in the Bantwal town limits.
In Chitradurga, a group of youths allegedly raised slogans in support of Palestine during an Eid Milad procession. Police confiscated two Palestinian flags. In neighbouring Davanagere, about 60km away, disagreement surfaced over placement of flags on a mobile tower near the police station in Gandhinagar on Sunday evening, leading to communal unrest. The authorities filed an FIR against eight people allegedly involved in the dispute. The flags have since been removed. In Kolar too, a pro-Palestine flag was spotted near Anjuman building on MG Road.
Source:indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/communal-unrest-grips-4-ktaka-towns-over-mosque-attack-palestinian-flag/articleshow/113404352.cms
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Traders observe bandh in Solan as Sanjauli mosque row spills to other Himachal districts
17 September 2024,
Shops closed in a market area in view of the 'bandh' called by traders to protest the police action during an agitation demanding the demolition of an illegal structure in a mosque on Wednesday, at Sanjauli locality in Shimla, Thursday, Sept 12, 2024...
The call for bandh by the Beopar Mandal evoked overwhelming response and Hindu outfits took out a march demanding registration of migrant workers. As many as 10 people had sustained injuries as the protestors demanding demolition of an "unauthorised...
The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner and said persons whose real identity is not known and antecedents not verified would not be allowed to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the town. The protesters also tried to fo.
Source:deccanherald.com
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https://www.deccanherald.com/india/himachal-pradesh/traders-observe-bandh-in-solan-as-sanjauli-mosque-row-spills-to-other-himachal-districts-3193324
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Maharashtra: BJP’s MLA Booked for Alleged Hate Speech In Navi Mumbai, Targeting Minority Community
Scroll Staff
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane has been booked for allegedly propagating hate speech targeting a minority community at a programme organised to celebrate the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, reported PTI on Monday.
Rane and the programme’s organiser, Sankalp Gharat, were booked on a complaint by a police official. The news agency did not clarify which community Rane had targeted.
The official said that Gharat had organised the seven-day event without requisite permissions at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. Rane, who is an MLA from Sindhudurg district’s Kankavli, was the chief guest.
According to Mint, Rane asked realty brokers in the region “not to deal with non-Hindus” and to check the Aadhaar cards of persons before making any property deals. He also reportedly asked them to ignore the principle of “sarva dharma samabhava”, or equal respect for all religions.
The remarks sparked protests by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Party spokesperson Imtiaz Jaleel said he plans to visit Mumbai on September 23 and gift copies of the Constitution to the leaders of Maharashtra’s Mahayuti government, which includes the BJP.
The first information report against Rane was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita pertaining to the utterance of words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, criminal intimidation and “intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace”.
This is not the first time Rane has been booked for alleged hate speech. He was booked in a similar case in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district on September 2.
While speaking at gatherings of the Sakal Hindu Samaj Andolan, an umbrella group of Hindutva organisations, Rane had allegedly warned Muslims against making comments about Hindu religious leader Ramgiri Maharaj.
Ramgiri was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad at an event in Nashik district in August.
In March, Rane had used the words “Rohingyas” and “Bangladeshis”, among other derogatory expressions, to describe the Muslim community during an event organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar locality.
The Mumbai Police had told the Bombay High Court that using such terms was not derogatory towards Muslims living in India.
The Rohingya are a Muslim-majority ethnic group from Myanmar. They are the victims of a state-sponsored ethnic-cleansing campaign in their home country. Several thousands of them have fled to India and Bangladesh to escape the violence.
Source:scroll.in
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Will bury terrorism so deep it will not raise its head ever again: Amit Shah in J&K
September 17, 2024
Amit Shah Jammu Kashmir rally“Don't worry, I am watching the situation in Kashmir and be assured that neither Abdullah's nor Rahul's party are going to form the government in J-K,” the home minister said. (PTI Photo)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said there were attempts to revive terrorism in J&K but added it will be “buried so deep” that it will be unable to raise its head ever again. He also accused the NC-Congress alliance of “patronising terror” and said it will not be able to form the government in the UT.
Addressing a rally in Paddar area of Kishtwar district, Shah said, “Today I remember all those martyrs and leave while promising you… aatankwad ko itna neechey dafan karengey ki kabi bhi bahar na aa paye (We will bury terrorism so deep that it will never ever raise its head),’’ he said.
He also addressed rallies at Kishtwar town and in Ramban, which are among the 24 seats going to polls on September 18.
At Paddar rally, to campaign for party candidate Sunil Sharma, Shah mentioned Ajit Parihar and Anil Parihar, brothers who were allegedly killed by terrorists near their house in Kishtwar town in 2018. He also spoke about RSS functionary Chanderkant Sharma, who, along with his PSO, was shot dead at a government-run hospital in the district in 2019.
Saying that attempts were being made “to revive terrorism… as it had been in the 1990s”, Shah also took a dig at the NC-Congress, claiming that the two parties had “promised to release these terrorists (from jails)” if they form the government. However, he added, “in front of this place of Ma (Chandi Mata), I assure you that this is PM Narendra Modi’s government and no one can dare to promote terrorism on Indian soil.”
Terming the coming Assembly elections a contest between the “NC-Congress on one side and BJP on the other”, Shah told the rally, “This Nehru-Gandhi-Abdullah family alliance who spread terrorism here want to take your blessings again”.
“The NC-Congress are saying that if we form the government we will restore Article 370. Tell me should it be restored? Your reservation, given by BJP to Paharis and Gujjars and others, will be snatched. Don’t worry, I am watching the situation in Kashmir and be assured that neither Abdullahs nor Rahul’s party are going to form the government in J&K,” he said.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amit-shah-terrorism-in-jammu-kashmir-assembly-elections-9570758/
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Jammu and Kashmir gears up for phase 1 polls, seven districts to vote after a decade
17.09.24
Seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir, located on either side of Pir Panjal mountain range, will vote for the first time in an assembly election in 10 years as the stage is set for phase 1 polling in the union territory on Wednesday.
Over 23 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents, who are running for 24 assembly segments --“ eight in three districts of Jammu region and 16 in four districts of Kashmir valley.
This will be the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 23,27,580 electors are eligible to vote in phase 1, comprising 11,76,462 male, 11,51,058 female and 60 third-gender electors. "As many as 1.23 lakh youth between the age 18 to 19 years, along with 28,309 Person with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 elderly voters above the age of 85 are also eligible to exercise their franchise in phase one," an EC official said.
The official said a total of 14,000 polling staff will oversee the process at 3,276 polling stations, ensuring smooth conduct of the polls.
"There are 302 urban polling stations and 2,974 rural polling stations. Four election staff, including the Presiding Officer, will be stationed in each polling station. In total, more than 14,000 polling staff will be deployed on duty for the 1st phase election," he said.
"As the first phase of voting will take place on September 18, Jammu and Kashmir police have made elaborate security arrangements for the assembly polls so that maximum number of people can exercise their right to vote," Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI.
The security arrangements include multi-tier forces from the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and J-K Police, Birdi added. Prominent candidates in Kashmir include CPI (M)'s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, National Conference's Sakina Itoo, and PDP’s Sartaj Madni and Abdul Rehman Veeri. PDP's Iltija Mufti, running from Bijbehara, is in a triangular contest with NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri and BJP's Sofi Mohammad Yousuf.
Prominent candidates in Kashmir include CPI (M)'s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term from Kulgam segment. AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir is hoping for a third term from Dooru, while National Conference's Sakina Itoo is seeking another term from Damhal Hajipora. PDP's Sartaj Madni (Devsar) and Abdul Rehman Veeri (Shangus-Anantnag) are also key candidates to watch out for.
However, all eyes will be on Srigufwara-Bijbehara and Pulwama assembly segments where PDP's Iltija Mufti and Waheed Para are contesting polls, respectively.
Iltija Mufti,“ the third generation politician from her family to run for office from Bijbehara, is in a triangular contest with NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri and BJP's Sofi Mohammad Yousuf.
However, Para -- an accused in a terror case --“ faces stiff challenge from his former party colleague Mohammad Khalil Bandh, who is now contesting on NC ticket. The contest here has been spiced up by the entry of a former member of banned Jamaat-e-Islami Talat Majid Alie. Tarigami also faces a similar candidate in Sayar Ahmad Reshi.
In Jammu, trying their luck are former ministers Sajjad Kitchloo (NC), Khalid Najid Suharwardy (NC) Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress), Abdul Majid Wani (DPAP), Sunil Sharma (BJP), Shakti Raj Parihar (Doda west) and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a three-time MLA who is fighting as an independent after he was denied ticket by DPAP which he had joined after quitting Congress in support of Ghulam Nabi Azad two years ago.
Former MLA Daleep Singh Parihar (BJP), former MLC Firdous Tak and Imtiyaz Shan (PDP), NC's Pooja Thakur who is sitting chairperson of district development council Kishtwar, BJP's young face Shagun Parihar, whose father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were killed by terrorists in November 2018, and Mehraj din Malik of AAP are among other prominent faces in the fray.
Even as the National Conference (NC) and the Congress are in alliance, both the parties have fielded candidates in Banihal, Bhaderwah and Doda under 'friendly contest', while a rebel NC leader Pyare Lal Sharma is fighting as an independent from Inderwal and two BJP rebels, Rakesh Goswami and Suraj Singh Parihar, are also trying their luck from Ramban and Padder-Nagseni constituencies.
The constituencies going to the polls on Wednesday include Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban and Banihal.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-gears-up-for-phase-1-polls-seven-districts-to-vote-after-a-decade/cid/2048509
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Eid Milad-un-Nabi: J-K Grand Mufti call ignored; PDP, Mirwaiz flay govt
by Bashaarat Masood
September 17, 2024
Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija MuftiPeoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti. (Photo Credit: X/@IltijaMufti)
TWO DAYS ahead of voting for the first phase of the Assembly elections, the Jammu and Kashmir administration invited criticism for not announcing a birthday on Tuesday to mark Prophet Mohammed’s birth anniversary as per the Muslim calendar. The administration instead called a holiday on Monday, coinciding with when the rest of the country observed Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti, who is contesting from the Bijbehara Assembly constituency, posted on X: “Gazetted holiday for Eid Milad Un Nabi (SAW) has been declared for today despite the fact that it falls tomorrow on 17th September… This has caused considerable confusion amongst people & is also utterly insensitive.” She urged Lt Governor Manoj Sinha “to kindly take notice”.
Sinha as well as senior civil and police officers shared their Eid greetings with the people of the Valley on Monday.
Criticising the government move, the Valley’s top religious cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said: “This action shows the callous attitude of the authorities towards the Muslim community. It has caused hurt to the religious sentiments of Muslims in Kashmir. As Milad is on Tuesday the 17th, State holiday should have been given on that day.”
Mirwaiz added: “It is most unfortunate that those governing us today are ignorant about our religious and cultural traditions and have little interest in understanding them, or showing respect to them.”
The Valley’s Grand Mufti, Nasir ul Islam, had announced 10 days ago that Eid Milad-un-Nabi would be observed in Kashmir on September 17.
BJP media in-charge, Kashmir, Sajid Yousuf said he couldn’t comment on the issue. “I am busy with campaigning and I don’t have any idea about this.”
Earlier, in April this year, the administration had not announced Eid-ul-Fitr on April 10, as per the local Muslim calendar. Instead, a holiday was announced on April 11, coinciding with the rest of the country. Those who didn’t attend office on April 10 were marked “absent”.
Muslim holidays are subject to the appearance of the new moon, with the government accordingly issuing a notification. For decades, the house of the Grand Mufti in Kashmir followed the announcements of the Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal or moon sighting committee to announce their decision on Eid celebrations. Kashmir’s geographical proximity to Pakistan, the absence of an independent and technologically equipped moon-sighting committee in J&K as well as the rough weather conditions in Kashmir meant moon-sighting was left to the Pakistan body.
Last year, a committee was formed by the Mufti Nasir to determine these dates for Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Ladakh. However, his announcement regarding Eid falling on September 17 was ignored.
Pakistan incidentally will be observing Eid Milad-un-Nabi on Tuesday.
Source:indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/eid-milad-un-nabi-j-k-grand-mufti-call-ignored-pdp-mirwaiz-flay-govt-9571315/
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In Kulgam, 'real red' vs 'real green': Islamist test for Kashmir's lone communist citadel
Muzaffar Raina
17.09.24
Kashmir’s lone communist bastion faces an onslaught from Islamists in a battle billed as one between “the real red and the real green”.
And nowhere is this battle more pronounced than in this sprawling village of Tarigam, 7km north of the Kulgam district headquarters in south Kashmir.
In the fray are CPM veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidate, Sayyar Ahmad Reshi.
The Jamaat, a banned separatist organisation, is informally contesting its first election since the outbreak of militancy in 1989. It has attracted allegations of being a “BJP proxy”, allowed to contest to help queer the pitch for the INDIA bloc of anti-BJP parties.
On Sunday, the Jamaat joined hands with Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul “Engineer” Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party, which has been hit by similar allegations. Both outfits deny the accusation.
“The NC’s (National Conference’s) red and the PDP’s green are gone. It’s a direct contest this time between the real red and the real green. It’s going to be a tough fight,” Mohammad Muazzam, a postgraduate student, said at a CPM rally.
The National Conference, whose election symbol of a lone plough against an all-red background reflects its socialist connections, is supporting the CPM. The People’s Democratic Party has a green flag.
Tarigam is home to Tarigami and former Jamaat chief Sheikh Ghulam Hassan, the separatist organisation’s senior-most leader who is now bed-ridden.
Jamaat activists here agonise over the way the village, once their purported bastion and home to about 3,000 voters, had turned into a CPM stronghold over the years.
“Before the militancy, they (the CPM) dared not hold a rally here. But today, two-thirds of this village are their supporters. We left the electoral space open for them and they filled the vacuum,” Jamaat activist Abdul Rahman Rather said.
The Jamaat has been fighting for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, although it contested elections before 1990 when its members were obliged to swear loyalty to the Indian Constitution.
The group is believed to have initially opposed the militancy but later taken a lead role in it by forming the Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmir’s oldest surviving militant group, in 1990.
The Assembly constituency of Kulgam had shown its NC loyalties in 1977 and 1983 by electing the party’s Ghulam Nabi Dar both times. But the seat became a Jamaat stronghold in 1987 and went to Abdul Razzak Mir aka Bichroo, candidate for the Muslim United Front (MUF), a grouping that had emerged as a major challenge to the NC-Congress alliance.
The MUF won only four seats but, it is believed, the election was rigged by the NC-Congress at several places.
The Jamaat stayed away from direct elections over the next few decades, with the CPM succeeding in making deep inroads into Kulgam.
Tarigami won from Kulgam in all the four elections held so far following the outbreak of militancy — in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014 — a rare feat for a Valley politician.
In the Jamaat’s absence, the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led PDP appropriated its green flags and pen-and-inkpot election symbol. The Jamaat, it is believed, had a secret understanding with the PDP, with its supporters voting in large numbers for the party.
It helped the PDP in other places but not in Kulgam, partly because sections of the Jamaat supporters are believed to have boycotted the polls there while the CPM received some “support” from the State.
But the main reason was the large support base Tarigami had built thanks to his development-oriented programmes.
Over the decades, militancy-related violence became a bane for Kulgam’s politicians, in particular, and countless other people.
Former Jamaat MLA Bichroo was allegedly killed by pro-government militants in 1996. Ten years later, Dar, the two-time former National Conference MLA, was killed after militants allegedly lobbed a grenade on a party procession. Four other people too died.
Militants also killed Tarigami’s father-in-law Mohammad Akbar Bhat and nephew Gulzar Ahmad in two separate attacks.
Tarigami on Monday addressed an election rally in slain Jamaat leader Bichroo’s village where he told people not to vote on the basis of faith and not to spoil relations with each other.
“It’s not a question of whether we took bullets from this side or that side. The fact is that all the chests belonged to Kashmiris. You should elect a person who will tell the BJP government to its face what it has done to Kashmiris,” he said.
The CPM veteran, however, told this newspaper that it was a travesty that the Jamaat was contesting polls without apologising for its crimes.
“They are the same people who were boycotting elections, even killing those who participated,” he said.
Jamaat leaders too have addressed big rallies, asking people not to waste their vote but cast it for development and change. Jamaat leaders want the government to lift the ban on the outfit.
Source:telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/in-kulgam-real-red-vs-real-green-islamist-test-for-jammu-and-kashmirs-lone-communist-citadel/cid/2048395
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South Asia
Maintain Unity So That Dictatorship Never Returns: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer
Star Digital Report
Sep 16, 2024
Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman today said the change that has come through unity must be maintained and all should be careful so that dictatorship never returns to Bangladesh under any circumstances.
"Please don't do anything against this unity," he said while speaking as the chief guest at Tangail Shaheed Smrity Pouro Udyan in a views-exchange meeting with family members of the martyrs and injured of student-led movement that toppled the Awami League government on August 5, reports our Tangail correspondent.
He said 18 crore people of the country were oppressed during Sheikh Hasina's rule. Every man was a victim of oppression. There was no trace of peace in any room.
For 15 years Awami League ran a steamroller over the nation and Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra Shibir were hit the hardest, he said.
In an apparent reference to former prime minister Hasina's staffers, the Jamaat ameer said people who worked as staffers in "their houses" have hundreds of crores of taka to their name but Awami League filed a case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia over Tk 3 crore, saying that she had embezzled orphan's property.
She was convicted for that and kept in solitary confinement, he added.
This is how the previous government spread hatred among people, he added.
Tangail district unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organised the meeting with its district unit Ameer Ahsan Habib Masud in the chair.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/maintain-unity-so-dictatorship-never-returns-jamaat-ameer-3704566
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Political Commission of Islamic Emirate Reviews Key National and Regional Issues
2024-09-17
KABUL(BNA): The Political Commission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan convened a meeting chaired by Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs.
According to a statement from ARG, the meeting, which included key figures such as Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and Mawlawi Mohammad Ibrahim Sadr, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior, focused on recent national and regional developments, as well as political and security issues.
Moreover, the discussions encompassed solutions for the challenges faced by Afghan expatriates and the necessary preparations for Afghan migrants. The meeting also addressed various other topics, resulting in important decisions being made.
Additionally, the commission reviewed several critical issues and formulated strategies to address the current and future needs of the nation and its citizens.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/political-commission-of-islamic-emirate-reviews-key-national-and-regional-issues/
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Ex-Bangladesh Ministers Asaduzzaman Noor, Mahbub Ali Sent To Jail In Murder Case
Sep 16, 2024
A Dhaka court today sent former minister for cultural affairs Asaduzzaman Noor and former state minister for civil aviation and tourism M Mahbub Ali to jail in a case filed over the death of hotel staffer Siam Sarder, 17, in Dhaka's Mirpur area during quota reform movement on July 18.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mosharrof Hossain passed the order around 3:50pm after police produced them before the court, seeking confinement in jail in the case, said a sub-inspector working in the court.
A team of the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Noor, a prominent theatre activist, from Bailey Road and Mahbub Ali from Segunbagicha in Dhaka last night.
On September 4, Sohag Sarder, 45, father of the victim, filed the murder case with the court against former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and 113 others.
In the case, Noor is an FIR-named accused and Mahbub Ali was shown arrested later.
Source:thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/home-adviser-calls-upon-coast-guards-curb-hilsa-fertiliser-smuggling-3704461
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Islamic Emirate Repays AFN 2.7 Billion Debt Inherited from Previous Administration
2024-09-16
KABUL(BNA): The Ministry of Finance has announced that it has repaid 2.7 billion Afghanis of debt owed to various foreign institutions by the previous administration.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Finance today, “In accordance with the decision of the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Finance has repaid 2.7 billion Afghanis in debt owed to several foreign institutions from the previous administration.”
Additionally, the statement highlighted that approximately 910 million Afghanis were paid to the World Bank, and around 1.9 billion Afghanis were repaid to the Asian Development Bank.
Moreover, the source noted that in the current fiscal year (1403), the Ministry of Finance has allocated funds from the national budget for the repayment of debts to certain foreign institutions. These repayments will be made in line with the requests of the lending institutions and the directives of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership.
It is worth mentioning that over the past three years, the Islamic Emirate has not borrowed from any foreign country or institution. Instead, efforts have been made to repay all outstanding debts from the previous administration, according to existing contracts and leadership decisions, ensuring that Afghanistan remains free of debt to any foreign country or institution.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/islamic-emirate-repays-afn-2-7-billion-debt-inherited-from-previous-administration/
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45,000 Afghans applied for Asylum in Europe in 2024: EUAA
By Fidel Rahmati
September 17, 2024
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported on Monday that 45,000 Afghans sought asylum in European countries during the first half of 2024.
The report, published on Monday, September 16, stated that by the end of July, a total of 513,000 people had applied for asylum in European countries.
The EUAA noted that while the total number of asylum applications remained steady compared to the first half of 2023, some regional variations were observed.
During this period, 71,000 Syrians made asylum requests, making them the most significant applicants in Europe.
The report also highlighted that Afghan asylum seekers predominantly applied in countries like Germany, Greece, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and others.
The number of Afghan asylum applications to European countries decreased by 18% compared to the same period in 2023.
Additionally, the report emphasized that European Union member states accepted approximately 65% of Afghan asylum applications.
However, it is worth noting that many European countries have recently tightened their immigration policies to reduce the number of illegal entries, leading to stricter regulations and fewer approvals for asylum seekers.
The continued migration of Afghans to Europe underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis, even as the number of asylum applications has declined. The tightening of immigration policies in European countries poses new challenges for Afghan migrants seeking safety and stability in the region.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/45000-afghans-applied-for-asylum-in-europe-in-2024-euaa/
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Afghan Journalists are not safe in Pakistan, says AJSO
By Fidel Rahmati
September 17, 2024
The armed attack on Afghan journalist Abdul Aziz Sakhi Zada, residing in Islamabad, Pakistan, has sparked reactions from organizations supporting journalists.
These organizations have expressed concerns about the safety of Afghan journalists by releasing statements.
The Afghanistan Journalists Safety Organization (AJSO) announced that after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan journalists no longer feel safe, even in countries like Pakistan.
The organization called on Islamabad to arrest those responsible for the attack on Abdul Aziz Sakhi Zada, a former presenter for Ariana News.
In a statement released on Monday, September 16, the organization urged the protection and security of Afghan journalists worldwide.
The organization added that journalists who fled to third countries to save their lives no longer feel secure in those places.
The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile also expressed its concerns about the situation of Afghan journalists in Pakistan and called on Pakistani security officials to investigate the incident.
In a statement on Monday, the federation noted that this is the third attack on journalists recently in Islamabad.
Some Afghan visual media have also expressed concern over the recent attacks on journalists. Inside Afghanistan, journalists continue to face restrictions, lack of access to information, and censorship.
Another organization, the Afghan House of Free Expression, condemned the attack on its X (formerly Twitter) page, stating that Mr. Sakhi Zada was injured in the head during the assault.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Abdul Aziz Sakhi Zada, a former Ariana TV journalist, late Sunday, September 15, in the E-11 area of Islamabad, wounding him.
“It was 10 pm yesterday when I left the house. I hadn’t gone far when I was shot in the head. The doctors said the bullet was removed from my head. Yesterday, I was in shock and didn’t feel much, but today, I’m in pain and feeling unwell,” Sakhi Zada said.
He mentioned that this wasn’t the first time he was attacked. While in Afghanistan, he was also beaten by gunmen in the Chelsoton area of Kabul.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, many journalists have left Afghanistan, with some fleeing to neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, several Afghan journalists residing in Pakistan have expressed fear following the recent attacks on their colleagues, worrying about their security.
The repeated attacks on Afghan journalists in Pakistan have raised serious concerns about their safety and well-being. Despite fleeing Afghanistan to escape threats, many Afghan journalists in Pakistan now face similar risks.
Human rights and journalist advocacy organizations are calling for immediate investigations and better protection for these journalists, as the escalating situation threatens the freedom of the press and the lives of those reporting.
Source:khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghan-journalists-are-not-safe-in-pakistan-says-ajso/
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Afghanistan’s fiber optics key to regional connectivity
September 17, 2024
Afghanistan, a landlocked nation with a turbulent history of conflict and instability, has long been isolated from global technological advances. However, in recent years, the country has been making steady progress in building its telecommunications infrastructure, particularly through the development of its fiber optic network. This ambitious project holds the potential to revolutionize Afghanistan’s connectivity, linking the country to global digital markets and fostering economic growth, education, and governance reforms. Afghanistan’s geography and political instability have historically hindered its access to global communication networks. For decades, the country relied on satellite connections for telecommunications, which were both expensive and unreliable. Recognizing the need for improved infrastructure, the ex-government, in collaboration with donors and telecommunications companies, launched the national fiber optic project in the early 2000s, as part of efforts to rebuild the country. As of the late 2010s and early 2020s, Afghanistan has continued to work on expanding its fiber optic network to reach its full potential. The country has already laid over 4,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, covering major urban centers and key border crossings. However, the goal is to expand the network to a total of 7,000 kilometers, ensuring nationwide connectivity. The Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has played a crucial role in coordinating these efforts, working with local and international telecom companies to implement network upgrades, address regulatory issues, and encourage investment in the sector. In addition, ATRA oversees pricing regulations to ensure affordable access to fiber optic services for all Afghan citizens. The primary objective of Afghanistan’s fiber optic network project is to extend internet access to all 34 provinces and improve the quality and reliability of telecommunications services across the country. The project includes the laying of thousands of kilometers of fiber optic cables, enabling highspeed internet and telecommunication services for businesses, government agencies, and individual users. One of the most significant achievements in this regard was the development of the Afghanistan National Ring Network, a fiber optic backbone encircling the entire country. This backbone connects major cities like Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad, facilitating both domestic and international data traffic. The network is being expanded through key partnerships. Afghanistan has established multiple cross-border connections, linking to international fiber optic networks in neighboring countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. These connections allow Afghanistan to access global data hubs at competitive prices, reducing reliance on costly satellite systems. Opportunities and Benefits Once fully operational, Afghanistan’s fiber optic network holds immense promise. One of the most immediate benefits is the enhancement of internet and communication services for ordinary Afghans. The Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors are among the fastest-growing industries benefiting from the improved digital infrastructure. With a youthful and increasingly educated population, Afghanistan has the potential to become a hub for outsourcing and IT services, similar to countries like India and Pakistan. The fiber optic network allows Afghan companies to offer services such as software development, data processing, and customer support to international clients. This is a crucial development in a country with high unemployment rates, providing new opportunities for economic diversification. In healthcare, telemedicine is another major area benefiting from improved connectivity. The fiber optic network enables doctors in major cities to consult with patients in rural areas, improving healthcare delivery and reducing the need for costly and time-consuming travel. In addition, improved connectivity strengthens government institutions by enhancing their ability to provide services to remote and underserved communities. This can be particularly valuable for sectors such as education, health, and security. Digital governance initiatives, such as e-governance platforms, are more feasible with reliable Internet infrastruc ture, allowing for more efficient service delivery and accountability. In short, the development of fiber optic networks is a key step toward a modern digital economy. In the coming years, the country could continue to build on this foundation, expanding internet services to more regions, introducing new digital platforms, and integrating itself further into global and regional digital trade networks. The implementation of the national fiber optic project has been a top priority for the Islamic Emirate. Over the past three years, the governing administration in Afghanistan has undertaken continuous efforts to ensure the execution of this essential and strategic initiative. In collaboration with partner organizations, the rollout of this project is set to commence in the near future. Ultimately, the fiber optic network represents a beacon of hope for Afghanistan’s future. It promises to bring the country closer to the rest of the world, fostering development, education, economic growth, and governance reforms that could lift the nation out of poverty and will certainly move Afghanistan towards self-sufficiency and economic development. Hashmat Nasiri
Source:thekabultimes.com
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Meeting Addresses Afghanistan’s Environmental Challenges
2024-09-17
KABUL(BNA): Mawlawi Mati-ul Haq Khalis, the General Director of the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), held a significant meeting with Mohammad Riaz Ramin, the head of the Rural Development Institute, to discuss the pressing environmental issues facing the country.
During the meeting, Khalis highlighted the severe damage inflicted on Afghanistan’s environment due to decades of war. He emphasized that addressing these challenges will require extensive efforts and collaboration. “The current state of our environment is alarming, and we must work together to find sustainable solutions,” he stated.
Khalis also pointed out the detrimental effects of climate change, noting that Afghanistan ranks among the six countries most affected by this global crisis. He reassured that initiatives are in progress to tackle the nation’s environmental problems effectively.
In response, Ramin shared updates on the Institute’s ongoing environmental projects in various districts, including Paghman, Shakar Dara, and parts of Kabul city. These projects aim to construct cold storage facilities, greenhouses, solar stoves, and green ponds, all designed to promote sustainability and improve local livelihoods.
Source:bakhtarnews.af
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Pakistan
Govt Concentrating to Protect Islamic Culture Of Pakistan, Says Azma Bukhari
September 16, 2024
LAHORE - Provincial Minister for Information Azma Bukhari has said the government is concentrating to protect the Islamic culture and historic values in order to disseminate it in the coming generations for promoting healthy and noble society. She was talking to media persons on the occasion of inaugurating calligraphy exhibition at Faisalabad Arts Council in connection with the celebrations of Rabi-ul-Awwal here on Sunday. She said that a comprehensive strategy has been chalked out to utilise social media for promotion of soft image of Punjab. In this connection, arts councils were also directed to prepare out-of-box programs whereas the universities would arrange various events in collaboration with dramatic societies to include the young generation in art and culture programs. She said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz was taking keen interest in the public welfare and betterment programs besides focusing on health and education sector. She said that Chief Minister Punjab and launched an accountability mechanism for the officials and officers of government departments and strict action was being taking against negligent, lethargic and delinquent elements without any discrimination. She said that the Punjab government on special direction of the Chief Minister provided huge relief to the electricity consumers.
Source:nation.com.pk
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‘Constitutional Package’ Goes into Cold Storage, To Be Fine-Tuned
Syed Irfan Raza
September 17, 2024
• Law minister claims ‘working draft’ to be fine-tuned in light of other parties’ recommendations
• Irfan Siddiqui claims Fazl hasn’t ‘rejected’ package, rather sought more time to peruse it
• PM meets PPP delegation after their talks with JUI-F, says consultations with all parties will continue
ISLAMABAD: The much-touted ‘Constitutional Package’ could not see the light of day on Monday either, as the government backed out of tabling the proposed amendments in parliament, saying that it would bring the legislation before the house after a consensus had been achieved.
Despite its tall claims of having the required numbers for the passage of a constructional amendment, the key reason behind shying away from tabling the amendments — for now — appears to be the JUI-F’s stonewalling tactics.
Efforts to engage the Maulana, however, continued through backdoor channels.
Though it was not tabled in parliament, the draft for the proposed constitutional amendments began circulating on mainstream and social media on Monday morning, giving the public a peep into the government’s plan for the judiciary.
According to PML-N leaders, the draft was not the final document, as the government intends to incorporate the demands of the opposition parties.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on the floor of the National Assembly that it was a working paper shared with the parliamentary party in its special committee’s meeting and not the final draft.
In a TV appearance, PM’s aide on legal affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik said, “There were some objections to some of the clauses of the proposed bill, that was why it could not be tabled in parliament [on Monday].”
“We want to get the bill passed with consensus. The government was ready to make changes to the proposed package. We will not table it till a broader consensus is reached,” he said.
PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, while appearing on a TV show, said the government would make another attempt in the next two to three weeks to get the package approved. He said the government required 13 votes from the opposition benches to meet the requirement of a two-thirds majority for the constitutional amendment.
PM meets PPP delagation
Later on Monday night, a PPP delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on PM Shehbaz Sharif, where both sides exchanged notes over efforts to secure support for the ‘Constitutional Package’.
According to the PM Office, both sides discussed the proposed amendment in detail and agreed to expand the scope of consultations over the move.
PM Shehbaz told the delegates that amending the Constitution was parliament’s sovereign right, adding that the proposed changes were aimed at providing immediate and effective justice to the people.
Saying that the process of consultation over the move would continue, the PM asked Mr Bhutto-Zardari and other PPP leaders to continue to play their role in the consultative process.
Fazl ‘hasn’t rejected’ amendment
Sources say that while the JUI-F and the PTI have agreed to most of the clauses of the proposed package, including the formation of a constitutional court, they have rejected a proposal regarding the extension in the service of chief justice and other judges of the Supreme Court.
The announcement that the tabling of the ‘Constitutional Package’ had been postponed was shared by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who said the proposed package “will not be tabled” in the two houses of parliament on Monday after which the sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly were prorogued.
Talking to Dawn, Senator Siddiqui said the draft circulated in the media was not the final document as it needed to be fine-tuned in consultation with all parliamentary parties.
He claimed that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had not rejected the package and agreed with most of its clauses, but wanted more time to review the amendments.
The senator was hopeful that the government would come up with better homework in the next two weeks or so to present the proposed package in parliament after thorough consultations with all stakeholders.
He claimed no parliamentary party, including the PTI, raised objections to the proposed constitutional court so that the matters related to the constitution could be decided there and not in the Supreme Court, which has a backlog of over 60,000 pending cases.
Senator Siddiqui said one of the reasons for shelving the plan was that the government had kept all parliamentarians in the ruling alliance in the federal capital for the last week and it had become difficult for them to stay in the capital.
Source:dawn.com
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14 personnel among 25 hurt in Balochistan’s Buzi Top crash
Behram Baloch
September 17, 2024
GWADAR: As many as 25 passengers including 14 security personnel travelling in a coach were injured on Monday when the coach overturned at Buzi Top area of Coastal Highway.
Officials said that a passenger coach also carrying personnel of Frontier Corps from Turbat to Karachi overturned at Buzi Top area of the Coastal Highway as the driver lost control due to brake failure.
The accident left 25 passengers, 14 of them FC personnel, injured. Rescue workers, Levies and police rushed to the area soon after receiving the information about the incident and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals.
Buzi Top is a dangerous area of Coastal Highway where several accidents have taken place. Last month a bus carrying pilgrims coming from Iran was also met with a fatal accident, which claimed over a dozen lives and left many others injured.
Two picknickers drown
Two picnickers were drowned in the Bolan River near Pinjra bridge on the Quetta-Sibi Highway, on Monday.
A bus carrying pilgrims coming from Iran also met with accident last month at the same spot
Levies officials said that a group of youngsters reached Pinjra bridge area of Bolan River for picnic during which two of the picnickers started taking a bath in the river.
They went deep into the water, but lost control and drowned.
People present there tried to rescue them but failed. Later, Levies personnel recovered the bodies of the victims and shifted them to a hospital.
The deceased were identified as Jilani and Muhammad Usman, both belonging to Quetta.
Ali Jan Mangi in Dera Murad Jamali also contributed to this report
Source:dawn.com
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Imran’s military trial not on the cards, govt tells IHC
Malik Asad
September 17, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that former prime minister Imran Khan’s trial by military court is not under its consideration.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal gave this statement before the IHC bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb during the hearing of Mr Khan’s petition.
The PTI’s incarcerated leader had filed the petition against his possible military trial in connection with cases registered against him over May 9 violent protests.
However, Justice Aurangzeb asked the government to submit a categorical response to the possibility of ex-PM’s military trial by Sept 24.
The judge asked the AAG and the law officer of the defence ministry, retired Brigadier Falak Naz, about the procedure of trying a civilian by military courts.
Mr Naz informed the court that the magistrate concerned is notified before initiating the court martial proceedings. He said a civilian can be tried by military court for certain offence under Section 2(1)(d) of the Pakistan Army Act.
Justice Aurangzeb asked if the military authorities served notice on the accused prior to the court martial proceedings, adding that Mr Khan’s petition could be disposed of if the court is assured that he would be issued notice well before his trial in a military court.
AAG Duggal said there was no information with the defence ministry about Mr Khan’s military trial to date, adding that in case military authorities sought his trial, the ex-premier would be dealt with in accordance with law. However, he informed the court no decision has been made in this regard so far. The court asked Mr Khan’s counsel if the petition was premature since the defence ministry has yet to make a decision.
The counsel, Uzair Bhandari said that Barrister Aqeel Malik is on record having said that the ex-PM would be tried by the military court. He also invited the court’s attention to the press conference of the director general ISPR, where he without naming Mr Khan had hinted at his military trial. The court then sought a categorical response from the government and adjourned hearing to Sept 24.
Source:dawn.com
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Southeast Asia
Muslim students' group Gamis claim Bruno Mars concert attendees pro-Israel, demand cancellation in final protest
16 Sep 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — The Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis) today protested against Bruno Mars’ concert scheduled for tomorrow night at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil, citing his alleged support for Israel.
Gamis president Imran Sulaiman, speaking during the protest, said the coalition opposes anyone who supports Israel.
“We oppose Israel, Israeli violence, and all individuals who are pro-Israel,” he said.
Imran also claimed that Gamis had submitted a memorandum to both the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Communications Ministry, calling for the concert to be cancelled.
“However, to this day, we have received no response. It’s as if our voices have been silenced,” he added.
The American singer-songwriter, who has been accused of supporting Israel, performed in Tel Aviv as part of his ongoing world tour.
On June 21, concert organiser Live Nation announced that Bruno Mars would be performing a one-night show at the stadium tomorrow at 8.30pm. This will be his second performance in Malaysia, following his last concert in 2018.
Pro-Palestine activist M. Mythreyar also joined the protest, stating that those attending tomorrow’s Bruno Mars concert are siding with Israel.
“Every moment, a Palestinian is being killed. Tomorrow, the concert will last for four hours, and those attending are pro-Israel. Who is welcoming him? Malaysians. While our people dance for four hours, Palestinians are being killed every moment.
“We stand by our Prime Minister’s stance: ‘Lawan tetap lawan, berani kerana benar’,” he said during his speech.
The protest, held in front of the Kuala Lumpur Sports City entrance arch, attracted around 60 attendees and lasted about 30 minutes.
Most of the protesters, wearing scarves with the Palestinian flag, held placards with slogans such as “I can’t count on you, Bruno Mars,” “Bruno Mars Pro-Zionist,” and “Bantah Konsert Bruno Mars.”
Motorists stopped at the traffic lights nearby were seen looking at the placards.
The protest saw a notable police presence, with 30 officers on standby, along with black maria vehicles stationed across from the protest.
This was Gamis’ fourth and final protest after three consecutive days of demonstrations at Gate C of the National Stadium parking lot.
Source:malaymail.com
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On Malaysia Day, PM Anwar vows uplifting rural and impoverished areas a priority of his administration
17 Sep 2024
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — The Federal Government is determined to uplift the dignity of all states, particularly those in rural, remote and urban poverty-stricken areas, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar expressed confidence that this commitment can be achieved through collaboration, dialogue and teamwork between federal and state leaders, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.
He acknowledged that every state faces its own challenges, but stressed that the voices of the people from all corners of the nation must be heard to ensure their needs are met.
“For Malaysia to succeed, whoever becomes Prime Minister, minister, or leader must serve all Malaysians, regardless of their background,” he said in his speech at the 2024 National Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka here last night.
The event was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, and attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as well as Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also in attendance were both Deputy Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as Federal and state Cabinet ministers.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who chairs the 2024 National Day and Malaysia Day Celebration Main Committee, and Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew, who co-chairs the Malaysia Day Main Committee, were also present. They were joined by heads of Federal and state government departments.
Anwar also assured that he will work tirelessly alongside fellow leaders and the Malaysia Agreement Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) Technical Committee to realise the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Although I acknowledge that there are challenges we must address, I am fortunate that upon assuming the role of Prime Minister, my two trusted friends — the Chief Minister of Sabah (Hajiji) and the Premier of Sarawak (Abang Johari) — have cooperated, communicated openly and provided constructive criticism as friends.
“They have expressed their concerns and demands, but always with the spirit of collaboration to advance our beloved Malaysia. I hope other leaders will draw inspiration from the spirit they have demonstrated,” he said.
Anwar said it would be inaccurate to claim that the top leadership of Sabah and Sarawak has never raised concerns or made claims regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). However, he stressed that these aspirations have been expressed with a spirit of unity aimed at advancing Malaysia.
“Just as I will make requests and appeals to them, the spirit of unity and commitment to the success of Malaysia is very much alive,” he said.
Anwar also called on all Malaysians to foster a spirit of independence and unity in building the nation, while avoiding racism and hatred.
He said the theme of the 2024 national-level Malaysia Day celebration, ‘Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka’, should be deeply understood as it not only signifies freedom from colonial rule but also reflects the importance of choosing leaders who can govern effectively and advocate for the people’s welfare.
The prime minister also underscored the need to celebrate Malaysia’s international successes, irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion.
He cited the recent triumphs of Malaysian athletes, including Bonnie Bunyau Gustin from Sarawak, who won a gold medal in powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and Eddy Bernard from Beluran, Sabah, who secured a bronze in the men’s 100 metres T44 (physical impairment) category at the same event.
“We do not question their origins, ethnicity or religion. We are simply proud that Malaysians have brought honour by winning medals at the Paris Paralympics. This is the spirit we want to cultivate among us,” he said. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
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IGP: Nearly 100 bank accounts linked to Global Ikhwan frozen, worth over RM581,000 in total
By Soo Wern Jun
17 Sep 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — A total of 96 bank accounts linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) worth RM581,552.31 have been frozen by authorities, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said today.
Along with this, authorities have also ordered for eight vehicles to be confiscated.
“To date, 96 accounts linked to GISB worth RM581,552.31 has been frozen under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLAATFPUAA) 2001, while four accounts have been closed,” Razarudin updated the press over Operation Global here.
He said these actions were taken in line with current investigations into the allegations of child exploitation involving charity homes believe to be owned by the company.
He added that the police’s investigations are in the direction of calling up the GISBH executive chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali.
Razarudin however did not disclose a timeline for this.
When asked about Nasiruddin’s remarks on why the police had resorted to a raid instead of just offering advice or discussion with the group, Razarudin said there was no need to do so for any prior investigations carried out on such cases.
“Let me ask you, do we hold a discussion prior to initiating an investigation?
“In that case, for instance if your house has been broken into, should I have a discussion with the criminal before I investigate the crime? Is that how it should be?
“Although he mentioned that he has previously held discussions, but it was not with me, or Datuk (Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain), and I don’t know what was discussed,” he said.
On Sunday, Razarudin reportedly said the police will investigate a statement made by Nasaruddin in a recent viral video.
He reportedly said the police will first complete the investigation into the child exploitation and then they will address the claims made by the company’s leader.
In a video, Nasaruddin had admitted that there have indeed been one or two cases of sodomy involving the children at the welfare homes.
The police had on September 11 raided charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, rescuing 402 individuals aged between one and 17 years.
From a preliminary screening, Razarudin reportedly said 13 of the child victims were sodomised.
Source:malaymail.com
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Death of Lahad Datu doctor must be thoroughly investigated – Health Minister
BERNAMA
16-09- 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: The death of a doctor stationed in Lahad Datu, Sabah, must be thoroughly investigated, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
In a post on X today, Dr Dzulkefly reaffirmed his stance against workplace bullying.
“I have had zero tolerance towards bullying since 2018 and shall remain steadfast on this policy (with a few cases in hand),” he said.
“All Health Ministry staff deserve a safe and just working environment,” he added.
It was reported that a specialist at the hospital was found dead at her residence on Aug 29, with her death believed to be linked to incidents of workplace bullying.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has also called for a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement, MMA President Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira expressed deep sorrow over the doctor’s passing and extended condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
“This tragic loss underscores serious concerns about the mental health and well-being of doctors within the public healthcare system. We strongly urge the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Sabah State Health Department (JKN) to expedite a thorough investigation.
“We also respectfully ask the public to refrain from speculation, allowing the proper processes to take place,” he said.
The MMA highlighted that the medical community is closely monitoring the situation and urged for a swift and transparent response from the authorities.
Dr Kalwinder reiterated MMA’s commitment to improving the mental health, welfare, and working conditions of all healthcare professionals, ensuring a safe and supportive working environment.
Healthcare workers seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to the MMA’s Helpdoc platform via helpdoc@mma.org.my.
Source:thesun.my
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Mideast
Jihad: Quds operation normal response to Zionist crimes
16 Sep 2024
GAZA - (Saba): The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) late on Sunday blessed the heroic operation in the occupied city of Quds carried out by a young resident of the occupied Palestinian territories (1948), which resulted in the serious injury of an officer in the Zionist enemy army in the occupied city of Quds.
The Movement said in a statement that the resistance operations carried out by the Palestinian people are a natural response to the crimes of the Zionist enemy, the war of extermination and the criminality of the occupation army and settler gangs against the Palestinians, in light of the Arab and international silence on these crimes.
A Zionist policeman was wounded on Sunday evening in a stabbing attack carried out by a Palestinian youth in the occupied city of Quds.
Source:saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3372673.htm
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Hamas chief says ready for ‘long war’ in Gaza
September 16, 2024
Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories: Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar said Monday the Palestinian group had the resources to sustain its fight against Israel, with support from Iran-backed regional allies, nearly a year into the Gaza war.
Sinwar, who last month replaced slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, said in a letter to the group’s Yemeni allies that “we have prepared ourselves to fight a long war of attrition.”
Deadly fighting raged on in the besieged Gaza Strip, where medics and rescuers said Monday that Israeli strikes — which the military has not commented on — killed at least two dozen people.
The latest strikes came as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that prospects for a halt in fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon were dimming, yet again raising fears of a wider regional conflagration.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP at the weekend the group “has a high ability to continue” fighting despite losses, noting “the recruitment of new generations” to replace killed militants.
Gallant last week said Hamas, whose October 7 attack triggered the war, “no longer exists” as a military formation in Gaza.
Sinwar, in his letter to Yemen’s Houthis, threatened that Iran-aligned groups in Gaza and elsewhere in the region including Lebanon and Iraq would “break the enemy’s political will” after more than 11 months of war.
“Our combined efforts with you” and with groups in Lebanon and Iraq “will break this enemy and inflict defeat on it,” Sinwar said.
Independent UN rights experts meanwhile warned that Israel risked international isolation over its actions in Gaza and called on Western countries to ensure accountability.
Spain, which recently joined several European countries in formally recognizing the State of Palestine, is due to host Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday, an official in his office told AFP.
Abbas, who is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and holds little sway in Gaza, is set to meet Spanish King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before heading to New York for the UN General Assembly.
The October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,226 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.
Tensions have surged along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, amid fears the violence could explode into an all-out war.
“The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas and refuses to end the conflict,” Gallant told visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein, a defense ministry statement said.
Israeli media outlets said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering firing Gallant, one of several officials who have been at odds with the veteran leader on war policy. Netanyahu’s office denied the reports.
Netanyahu told Hochstein later Monday he seeks a “fundamental change” in the security situation on Israel’s northern border.
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group has traded near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces since October in stated support of ally Hamas.
Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said Saturday his group has “no intention of going to war,” but if Israel does “unleash” one “there will be large losses on both sides.”
The violence has killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens of civilians and soldiers on the Israeli side.
In central Gaza, survivors scoured debris Monday after a strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Ten people were killed and 15 were wounded when an air strike hit the Al-Qassas family home in Nuseirat in the morning, said a medic at Al-Awda Hospital, where the bodies were taken.
“My house was hit while we were sleeping without any prior warning,” said survivor Rashed Al-Qassas.
Gaza’s civil defense said six Palestinians were killed in a similar strike at night on a house belonging to the Bassal family in Gaza City’s Zeitun neighborhood.
Emergency services later reported six more deaths, with Al-Awda Hospital saying it received the bodies of three people killed in Israeli strikes on Nuseirat.
The Gaza war has drawn in Iran-backed Hamas allies across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis, whose maritime attacks have disrupted global shipping through vital waterways off Yemen.
On Sunday the rebels claimed a rare missile attack on central Israel which caused no casualties, prompting Netanyahu to warn that they would pay “a heavy price for any attempt to harm us.”
In a televised speech, the Houthis’ leader said the rebels and their regional allies were “preparing to do even more.”
“Our operations will continue as long as the aggression and siege on Gaza continue,” Abdul Malik Al-Houthi said.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2571661/middle-east
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Israeli airstrikes destroy residential buildings in Hula as casualties rise
NAJIA HOUSSARI
September 16, 2024
BEIRUT: One Hezbollah member was killed, and three were wounded in intense Israeli airstrikes on Monday on the border town of Hula.
The airstrikes destroyed several buildings, adding to the destruction of other residential areas that were leveled in the town, which has seen its residents flee.
The escalation of Israeli hostilities in southern Lebanon coincided with the arrival of Amos Hochstein, US envoy to the Middle East, in Tel Aviv.
His visit aims to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and avoid a full-scale war after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intent to “expand military operations in the north.”
The explosions from the missiles “felt like an earthquake,” Samer, a resident living near the targeted border area, told Arab News.
“The ground shook under our feet, even though we were dozens of kilometers away from the airstrikes.
“Now, the strikes target groups of houses at once, unlike before when it was just a single building or home.”
Israeli artillery also shelled the outskirts of the towns of Kfarkela, Kfarchouba, Aita Al-Shaab, and Hanine in the Bint Jbeil district.
Ali Shbib Shehab, the mayor of Hanine, told Arab News: “The town is being destroyed daily. It is a town about 2,000 meters from the border and has lost four civilian martyrs so far, women and children, while eight other civilians were injured. Around 50 homes have been destroyed either partially or entirely.
“It is a small town, and those who remain are farmers who hold on to their land and insist on staying despite the daily shelling.”
A security source stated: “The area from Odaisseh to Kfarkela is now empty of residents, while in the Bint Jbeil — Mays Al-Jabal — Hula axis, some residents remain in their homes, relying on aid.”
Israeli leaflets were dropped on Saturday over the Lebanese agricultural border area of Wazzani, calling on the remaining residents to evacuate by 4 p.m.
However, the Israeli army denied dropping the leaflets, claiming it was an “individual act” by an officer in the northern brigade.
An Israeli artillery shelling on the border town of Adaisseh on Sunday evening resulted in injuries to four residents of the city, who were in the process of transporting household items outside the area.
Previously, owners of commercial establishments storing their goods in warehouses located in border towns, particularly in Mays Al-Jabal, coordinated with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, which in turn liaised with the Israeli side.
Over the past two weeks, goods and household items from homes and shops were evacuated in phases to prevent damage, as the conflict approaches a year since its inception.
Israeli media reported on Monday that “the commander of the Northern Command of the Israeli army, Ori Gordin, recommended during closed sessions that the military be permitted to take control of a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon.”
The Israeli side aims to distance Hezbollah forces to ensure they do not pose a threat to the northern residents while also exerting pressure on Hezbollah to reach a lasting settlement.
Netanyahu has threatened to carry out a large-scale military operation against Hezbollah.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the visiting Hochstein on Monday that prospects were dimming for a halt to nearly a year of fighting with Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Gallant on Monday met with Hochstein to discuss Israeli military operations against Hezbollah and the plight of Israelis displaced by the cross-border strikes, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
He “emphasized that the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas and refuses to end the conflict,” the statement said.
“Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action.”
Earlier on Monday, the ministry said Gallant delivered a similar message by phone to his US counterpart Lloyd Austin about time “running out” for an agreement to end the conflict.
Israel “is committed to removing Hezbollah from southern Lebanon and ensuring the safe return of Israeli residents to their homes in the northern and border areas,” Gallant said.
In response to Netanyahu’s remarks on Monday concerning the potential expansion of the conflict to the northern front, Hezbollah MP Hussein Ezzedine asserted that Israel was “unable to extend the war to any additional front.”
He said the exhausted and worn-out army in Gaza had not yet reached an end to the current operations and could not assert victory in Gaza.
“Therefore, how can it contemplate opening a new front with Lebanon or any other location?”
Ezzedine affirmed that “the resistance is strong, capable, and prepared for any unexpected developments that the enemy may attempt to surprise us with, and it continues its daily operational activities that deplete the capabilities of the Israeli army.”
Israeli Channel 12 reported on Monday that several rockets launched from Lebanon struck the Metula settlement, resulting in damage to a building and the outbreak of fire.
Hezbollah announced that it targeted the positions of Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Metula site using missile weapons.
It also targeted the Birkat Reisha site with artillery shells and the Israeli army’s artillery positions in Za’oura with rockets.
On Sunday, Hezbollah executed military operations against 10 Israeli military installations, which included an assault on the headquarters of the 188th Brigade’s armored battalions located in the Rawiya barracks with numerous Katyusha rockets.
Additionally, an attack drone was deployed to strike a technical system at the Al-Malikiyah site, achieving a direct hit. Another attack drone targeted Israeli soldiers at the Metula site.
Espionage equipment at the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site in the occupied Kfar Shuba hills was struck with a guided missile, while Israeli positions in Za’oura and further espionage equipment at the Ramya site were also targeted using guided missiles.
The Samaka site in the occupied Kfar Shuba hills was attacked with rocket weaponry, and buildings utilized by soldiers in the Shlomi settlement were also hit.
Furthermore, Hezbollah conducted an aerial assault employing a squadron of suicide drones on the headquarters of the Golan Division’s military assembly battalion in the Yarden barracks, accurately targeting the positions and settlements of their officers and soldiers, resulting in multiple casualties.
Additionally, Israeli artillery positions in Dishon were targeted with rockets.
Source:arabnews.com
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Iran will never give up on its missile program: president
September 16, 2024
DUBAI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Tehran would never give up on its missile program as it needs such deterrence for its security in a region where Iran’s arch-foe Israel is able to “drop missiles on Gaza every day.”
Tehran has for years defied Western calls to limit its missile program.
“If we don’t have missiles, they will bomb us whenever they want, just like in Gaza,” Pezeshkian said, referring to the conflict in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
He reiterated Tehran’s official stance, calling on the international community “to first disarm Israel before making the same demands to Iran.”
During a press conference, the president said Iran could hold direct talks with the US if Washington demonstrates “in practice” that it is not hostile to Tehran.
Former US President Donald Trump reneged on that deal in 2018, arguing it was too generous to Tehran, and restored harsh US sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually violate the agreement’s nuclear limits.
“We are not hostile toward the US, they should end their hostility toward us by showing their goodwill in practice,” said Pezeshkian, adding: “We are brothers with the Americans as well.”
After taking office in January 2021, US President Joe Biden tried to negotiate a revival of the nuclear pact under which Iran had restricted its nuclear program in return for relief from US, EU and UN sanctions.
However, Tehran refused to directly negotiate with Washington and worked mainly through European or Arab intermediaries.
The president also said his government had not transferred any weapons to Russia since it took office in August, after Western powers accused Tehran of delivering ballistic missiles to Moscow in September.
Pezeshkian told a televised news conference: “It is possible that a delivery took place in the past ... but I can assure you that since I took office, there has not been any such delivery to Russia.”
It was reported in February that Iran had provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, deepening the military cooperation between the two US-sanctioned countries.
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Continued lack of protection for Palestinian civilians in Gaza ‘unconscionable,’ says UN official
September 16, 2024
NEW YORK CITY: The continued lack of effective protections for civilians in Gaza is “unconscionable,” a senior UN official said on Monday.
It came as Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, briefed the Security Council on the “sober and somber” situation on the ground in the territory.
She said time is “slipping away” to address a human-made humanitarian crisis that has “turned Gaza into the abyss.” An immediate ceasefire is required, she added, along with the unconditional release of all hostages and sustained efforts to deliver aid at scale.
“The infrastructure that civilians rely on must be protected and their essential needs met,” said Kaag. “As the secretary-general has reiterated, all parties must refrain from using schools, shelters or the areas around them for military purposes.
“All parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian law at all times. Equally, humanitarian workers need an enabling environment to ensure unimpeded and safe access to people in need. Tragically, in Gaza, nowhere is truly safe.
“Diseases, like the polio virus, that had been consigned to history in the Gaza Strip have now reappeared due to the collapse of essential services.”
She said that her team has negotiated and strengthened supply systems and additional delivery routes from or via Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, the occupied West Bank and Israel to “facilitate, accelerate and expedite a sustained and transparent flow of supplies into Gaza.”
The supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza is managed through a mechanism operated by the UN’s Office for Project Services, and its executive director, Jorge Moreira da Silva, provided council members with details of the numbers involved in aid deliveries.
Since the mechanism was introduced, he said, clearance has been requested for 229 consignments of humanitarian aid, of which 175 were approved, 101 have been delivered, 17 are pending clearance and 37 were rejected. The result is more than 22,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid has been delivered to Gaza so far, he added.
Da Silva thanked the member states that have contributed financially to his office’s operations in Gaza, and singled out the Egyptian route in particular as what he described as a “vital lifeline” for Palestinians in the territory.
“We cannot overemphasize the challenges of delivering the humanitarian response in Gaza right now,” he said.
The effective delivery of aid at the required scale will not be possible without the political will, security guarantees and a more-enabling environment, he added as he praised “the critical and irreplaceable role that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees plays in Gaza, as the key implementer of our collective will.”
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, criticized Western countries for their double standards in relation to continuing civilian deaths caused by Israeli strikes, which he said are being carried out with impunity as a result of backing from Washington and its allies.
“Such arrogance emanates from the unconditional support for any of its (Israel’s) actions by the United States, which has for nearly a year now been blocking any hint of a substantive reaction,” he added.
Conditions in Gaza are “horrific” and if Israel’s relentless bombardment of the territory is not stopped, more than 2 million Palestinians face the “real prospect” of a cessation of UN operations in the territory, Nebenzya said. The international community cannot allow this to happen, he warned.
The Slovenian representative to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, who holds the presidency of the Security Council this month, reiterated the need to prevent breaches of international law with respect to the protection of civilian lives, and to hold responsible those responsible for such transgressions.
“We have to dispel this sense of impunity for the lack of respect of international humanitarian law, as if civilians can be subjected to killing, maiming, bombing, torturing, displacement, under the eyes of the international community and the Security Council, this is unacceptable,” he said.
While the need to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza is of the utmost importance and will require strong political will, Zbogar said, in the meantime it is incumbent on Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure that food and medical supplies reach the civilian population.
“Obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, must be fulfilled,” he added. “Just as the release of hostages should not be conditional, neither should humanitarian aid to civilians.
“We are approaching Oct. 7, a year of this tragic conflict. This is not an opportunity but a duty for the Security Council to show political will and determination to help end it.”
The council unanimously condemned the targeting of UN staff and humanitarian workers during the conflict, and the US envoy to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, reiterated Washington’s “unequivocal” rejection of any actions that endanger aid workers and their facilities.
“There is no basis, absolutely none, for Israel’s forces to be opening fire on clearly marked UN vehicles, as recently occurred on numerous occasions,” she said.
She called on the leadership of the Israeli army to implement “fundamental changes” in the way its forces operate, including their rules of engagement.
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Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets enemy sites, achieves direct hits
16 Sep 2024
BEIRUT - SABA : The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, led by Hezbollah, announced on Monday, that it targeted the Zionist enemy's Ramim and Ramot Naftali barracks with a volley of Katyusha rockets, and carried out an air attack with a suicide drone on a gathering of its soldiers at the Matla site, in addition to eight qualitative targeting operations against its sites and gatherings.
The Lebanese Resistance said in two statements: "In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, and in response to the Zionist enemy's attacks on the steadfast southern villages and safe homes, our fighters targeted the Ramim barracks with a volley of Katyusha rockets, and also targeted the Ramot Naftali barracks."
It also confirmed that it carried out an air attack with a suicide drone on a gathering of Zionist enemy soldiers around the Matla site, and in another operation, the resistance targeted with missile weapons the positions of enemy soldiers around the same site "Matla".
The Lebanese resistance also announced that it targeted with artillery shells, missiles and machine guns the sites of Birkat Risha, Matla, Samaka and Ruwaysat al-Alam in the occupied Kfar Shuba hills.
The resistance also targeted with missile weapons the deployment of Zionist enemy soldiers around the Mattat barracks and the enemy's artillery positions in Zaoura, and achieved direct hits.
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Houthi official says US offered to recognize Sanaa government; US official denies claim
September 17, 2024
CAIRO: The US offered to recognize the Houthi government in Sanaa in a bid to stop the Yemeni rebel group’s attacks, a senior Houthi official said on Monday, in remarks that a US official said were false.
The Houthi official’s remarks came a day after a ballistic missile from the Iran-aligned group reached central Israel for the first time, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say Israel would inflict a “heavy price” on them.
“There is always communication after every operation we conduct,” Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi movement’s political bureau, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV. “These calls are based on either threats or presenting some temptations, but they have given up to achieve any accomplishment in that direction.”
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the remarks “a total fabrication.”
Separately, a US State Department official said: “Houthi propaganda is rarely true or newsworthy. Coverage like this puts a guise of credibility on their misinformation.”
Al-Bukhaiti said the calls after attacks included some from the US and the United Kingdom indirectly through mediators and that the threats included direct US military intervention against countries that intervene militarily “in support of Gaza.”
Beside attacks on Israel, the Yemeni group has also continued to launch attacks on ships they say are linked or bound to Israel in support of Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.
The Houthis have damaged more than 80 ships in missile and drone attacks since November, sinking two vessels, seizing another and killing at least three crew members.
The war in the Gaza Strip started after Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack on Israel which left 1,200 people killed and around 250 foreign and Israelis taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent offensive on Gaza has so far killed 41,226 Palestinians and wounded 95,413 others, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Yemen has been embroiled in years of civil war. In 2014, the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, and ousted the internationally recognized government. In January, the United States put the Houthis back on its list of terrorist groups.
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Returning residents to north Israel is now a war goal, Netanyahu says
September 17, 2024
JERUSALEM: Israel on Tuesday expanded its stated goals of the war in Gaza to include enabling residents to return to communities in northern Israel that have been evacuated due to attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The decision was approved during an overnight meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, Netanyahu’s office said.
Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza. Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel a day later and fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border has since escalated, threatening to ignite a regional conflict.
Tens of thousands of Israelis were evacuated from towns along the northern frontier that have been badly damaged by rocket fire and they have yet to return.
Israel’s defense minister said on Monday: “The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict. Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action.”
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Arab World
Saudi OIC Representative Receives Special Envoy On Islamophobia
September 17, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation received on Monday the special envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Islamophobia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani welcomed Mehmet Pacaci, who was recently appointed to the role, in the Makkah region.
Pacaci assumed the brief after a decision by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, in a recent meeting in Cameroon.
The discussions included the envoy’s responsibility and future efforts to implement the OIC decisions regarding measures to combat Islamophobia.
There is a growing hostility towards Islam that threatens the principles of tolerance and global coexistence, SPA noted.
This comes in addition to the widespread animosity and hatred towards minorities, especially Muslims, perpetuated by extremist groups that promote such hatred, the report said.
The meeting also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to support the fight against Islamophobia through the OIC and other relevant organizations, it added.
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Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance under spotlight at Riyadh forum
JASMINE BAGER
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: A five-day cultural forum organized by Fenaa Alawwal in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, and co-curated by Afikra, is exploring the theme “Introspection: the role of contemporary art practices in a time of change.”
The inaugural Muntada Forum of Contemporary Art Practices opened on Sunday night and will have five panel discussions during its run until Sept. 19.
There are 24 creatives exploring a diverse range of topics, which includes the role of Saudi Arabia’s artists in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.
There will be discussions on Saudi Arabia’s youth culture involving music, street art and fashion; the role of art professionals: navigating creativity in a structural setup; cultural hubs: the emergence of urban art districts; and the intersection of food and art.
The bumper-to-bumper traffic in Riyadh was not a deterrent for art enthusiasts, curators and interested locals from attending the opening at the building built in 1988.
The venue was designed by Omrania architecture company, as a part of Alawwal Bank’s Riyadh branch in the landmark Diplomatic Quarter.
Every seat was occupied during the first panel which was titled “Soft power: Saudi artists’ role in shaping the Kingdom’s global image.”
It was moderated by curator Sara Al-Mutlaq with speakers, Ahmed Mater, a doctor-turned-artist, and Alia Al-Senussi, a cultural strategist, art patron and academic.
Al-Senussi told Arab News after the talk: “What we have really been able to embrace is the idea, (as) Ahmed Mater said, that it’s up to the artist to remove the power from the conversation.
“And soft power, in its kind of whole and holistic way, is really about translating who people are to the rest of the world.”
Mater, who is working on a new book slated for publication later this year, discussed how events over the past 45 years, starting with 1979 — his birth year — changed the course of the world, a topic which he will explore in his latest work.
He explained that each decade since 1979 has had events with major ramifications on the local and international fronts, which included the revolution in Iran and the seizure of Makkah.
He also referred to events from the 1980s up to the present day, which include the Gulf War, 9/11, the Arab Spring and the rise of social media, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There was a big change happening in Saudi Arabia during these decades. I spoke about art as a mirror for sociopolitical events and the culture of changing and that’s what shapes our narrative, our story, our strength — by telling our story that shapes our life and our memory,” Mater told Arab News.
On opening night, curator Maya El-Khalil and Saudi Arabia artist Moath Alofi offered their insights in their keynote speeches.
Other speakers to come include Hala Al-Hedeithy from the Music Commission, Gigi Arabia, the founding director of Heavy Arabia; Nada Al-Helabi from MDLBEAST; and Mikey Muhanna, the founder and executive director of Afikra.
Other participants include Lulwah Al-Homoud, curator and artist; Oliver Farrell from Misk Art; Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission; and Sybel Vazquez from the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
There will also be a kitchen lab dedicated to speaking about and celebrating all things food, hosted by celebrity chef Joe Barza.
Muntada will conclude with a performance by culinary storyteller and social media sensation Nadir Nahdi.
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Deputy minister meets newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met with the newly-appointed Ambassador of Norway to the Kingdom Kjersti Tromsdal in Riyadh on Monday.
Al-Sati wished the ambassador success in her new duties, the Foreign Ministry stated on X.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir received the Ambassador of Peru to the Kingdom Carlos Zapata in Riyadh on Monday, to mark the end of his term in office.
Al-Jubeir commended Zapata for his valuable efforts to bolster the relationship between the two countries and wished him success in his future endeavors, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
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Ambassador holds Mexico independence day celebration in Riyadh
LAMA ALHAMAWI
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: The ambassador of Mexico to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez Toledo, hosted a vibrant national day celebration in Riyadh to commemorate Mexico’s independence day on Sunday.
The festive occasion brought together the Mexican community in Riyadh and friends of the embassy to highlight the strong ties between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
The ambassador emphasized the significance of September as a month of celebration for both nations.
The ambassador said that the national day celebration hosted in Saudi Arabia held meaning for both Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
“Mexico and Saudi Arabia started bilateral relations back on September 12, 1952, so within the same month Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day on September 23,” he told Arab News.
“So September is a month of celebration for both Mexicans and Saudi Arabia.”
The Mexico national day festivities took place in the Diplomatic Quarters Cultural Palace and welcomed ambassadors, Mexicans living in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities and friends of the embassy in an evening of celebration and music.
“It’s a very significant day. It is the most important day in our history,” Toledo said.
“We are celebrating the 214th anniversary of the beginning of our independence from Spain.
“At that time, a group of leaders headed this movement and they started the call on the night of September 15, so exactly at midnight on the 16th is when the movement started, and that is why we enact this special event that we are having today,” he said.
Guests followed the ambassador’s lead in waving flags and chanting “Viva la Mexico,” a chant that embodies the nation’s continued prosperity and freedom.
Toledo also highlighted a significant moment during the celebrations called “El Grito,” a tribute to the Mexican people’s battle cry when they rose up against Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810.
“Grito is the call of our founders when they started the revolution of independence. They called and started to gather, and we do something similar tonight,” he said.
“Saudis are very generous and very welcoming and very warm. We feel this warmth from Saudi people toward us Mexicans and Mexico.
“I have been here for almost five years, and I have this feeling of emotion when I am with a Saudi. We are not only friends but brothers ... I don’t know if we share the same DNA or something like that,” he said jokingly.
“We get along very easily; you can see how Saudis celebrate our day and how Mexicans celebrate Saudi national day.”
The ambassador said that the two countries have been “working closely in the past five, six years.”
He added: “We activated our political dialogue, and now our bilateral dialogue is strong and solid. We have exchanged a number of high-level visits from both sides.”
When asked where he would like to see cooperation grow, the ambassador said that trade and tourism were areas of focus.
“Mexico and Saudi Arabia are G20 countries, two of the 20 largest economies in the world. I think we have great potential to continue together.
“Our bilateral trade surpassed $1 billion; five to six years ago, it was less than $300 million. We are seeing bilateral trade growing, and what I would like to have is to double or triple this figure.”
On tourism and cultural exchange, the envoy said that he “would also like to see more Mexicans in Saudi Arabia and more Saudis in Mexico.”
Toledo said that in May, the embassy signed an MoU between two higher education institutions in Mexico and Saudi Arabia, King Fahad Petroleum and Minerals and the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico offering scholarships for Mexicans to study their graduate degrees in Saudi Arabia.
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Madarik program trains 1,000 for space sector growth
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: The Communications, Space and Technology Commission has concluded the Madarik program, which trained 1,000 participants with the aim of furthering Saudi Arabia’s space sector growth.
Participants received intensive training in three tracks: space business, space software and data, and space engineering, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The three-month program was held in partnership with the International Space University in France, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training, with Al-Yamama University in Riyadh as an educational partner.
Courses were conducted in Riyadh and Jeddah, helping participants refine their skills and deepen their knowledge in specialized fields of space science, the commission said.
The program aimed to equip participants to keep pace with Saudi space sector advancements and contribute to a sustainable future.
The first track focused on space economics and project success, the second on data and software for satellite applications, and the third on spacecraft design, maintenance, and control.
Launched in May, Madarik targeted recent graduates, professionals, and specialists as part of the commission’s efforts to regulate the space sector, empower national talent, and promote future space professions.
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Golden Pen Award invites Arabic writers to compete
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh has announced that Arabic-speaking writers can start submitting their works to compete for the Golden Pen Award, granted for the most influential literary work.
The winning scripts may be made into movies by the authority, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Applications for the award, sponsored by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, will be accepted until Sept. 30.
A longlist will be announced on Nov. 30, followed by the shortlist on Dec. 30. The awards will be presented at a ceremony scheduled to take place in February 2025, which is expected to draw an elite group of writers, intellectuals, filmmakers and actors.
The six award categories are — the grand prize, the novel, the screenplay, the best translated novel, the best Arab publisher, and the audience award, with a total prize value of $740,000.
For both the grand prize and the screenplay categories, the first-place prizes will be $100,000 and the production of a movie, the second-place prizes will be $50,000 and the production of a movie, while the third-place prizes will be $30,000.
In the novel category, there will be eight prizes worth $25,000 each, including the best suspense and thriller novel, the best mystery and crime novel, the best romance novel, the best fantasy novel, the best comedy novel, the best historical novel, the best horror novel, and the best realistic novel.
The best translated novel will receive $100,000, while the best Arab publisher will be awarded $50,000, and the audience award will be $30,000, with public voting to open on the award website at a later date.
Last week, at the inauguration of the Golden Pen Award website, Al-Sheikh said that the website would serve as a comprehensive repository of Arabic novels, screenplays and related content, aligning with large-scale productions underway across the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Sheikh said the Golden Pen Forum would be a special gathering place for writers with free membership. He added that there would be specific criteria for selecting beneficiary members, making it a vibrant focal point throughout the year in the Arab world.
Chairman of the Golden Pen Award Saad Al-Bazei encouraged all Arab writers and authors to participate in the competition, which aims to enrich Arabic content with high-value works.
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Makkah imam meets Islamic leaders in Africa
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: Sheikh Yasser Al-Dosari, imam of the Grand Mosque, visited South Africa and met leaders of Islamic associations, scholars, preachers and students.
His visit was part of a program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs that organizes international visits for imams of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Al-Dosari discussed the virtues of Islamic teachings, Saudi Arabia’s role in serving Islam, promoting moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
He emphasized the importance of Muslims embodying the true message of Islam through actions, morals and kind treatment of others.
Al-Dosari also highlighted the role of Islamic associations in protecting youth from radicalism and educating them about their faith.
He attended the 14th National Qur’an Memorization Competition at Nurul Islam Masjid in Lenasia, where nine male and seven female winners received prizes totaling SR200,000 ($53,000).
In his speech, Al-Dosari stressed that the Qur’an is the foundation of the Muslim nation, a source of pride and guidance.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to supporting Qur’an reciters and promoting its memorization, recitation and teaching.
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Saudi authorities sign deal to broaden access to cultural content for the visually impaired
September 16, 2024
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has signed a cooperation agreement with the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities aimed at enabling visually impaired people to access cultural and literary content through digital platforms.
The agreement facilitates access to digital content and aligns with the Marrakesh Treaty, which promotes such access for visually impaired individuals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The commission and the authority will periodically review the platforms and involve visually impaired individuals and experts, considering global experiences in this area to ensure the project’s success.
Commission CEO Mohammed Hasan Alwan and authority CEO Hisham Al-Haidary signed the agreement at the authority’s headquarters in Riyadh. The signing ceremony was attended by several visually impaired people.
Alwan said the agreement is part of the “Books for All” initiative, launched by the commission to widen access to books, and to revitalize and promote reading through projects that increase the diversity and scope of available books, catering to all segments of society.
He emphasized the importance of enabling people with disabilities to access content, noting that all local and international regulations guarantee this right.
The collaboration is an extension of the leadership’s support for people with disabilities and the opportunities created by the government to ensure their empowerment and inclusion.
Recently, the Museums Commission and the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities also signed a memorandum of understanding to develop joint policies and strategies to empower people with disabilities in museum-related fields.
The MoU underscores the commitment of both entities to provide a safe, inclusive environment that upholds the rights of people with disabilities and enhances their participation in society.
It also aims to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural and historical identity while addressing the physical and emotional needs of people with disabilities, ensuring their full access to museums and cultural programs.
Source:arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2571580/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Boracay launches first muslim-friendly cove for inclusive Halal tourism
17.09.2024
Boracay debuts Marhaba Cove, a Muslim-friendly beach, enhancing Halal tourism offerings and promoting inclusivity for Muslim travelers.
BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES – As part of a landmark initiative to promote Muslim-friendly tourism at Boracay Island, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism unveiled the Marhaba Boracay, a first-of-its-kind Muslim-friendly cove for families and travelers.
Initiated by the Local Government Unit of Malay (LGU-Malay) and the DOT, in partnership with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Marhaba Boracay is located in the cove area of the Boracay Newcoast private beach.
In her keynote message, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco lauded the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders present that made the initiative possible and emphasized the project’s significance in line with the thrust of the DOT under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism and strengthen the position of key destinations such as Boracay Island on the world stage.
“As we continue to promote and love Boracay as one of our country’s crown jewels, we are steadfast in our efforts to showcase its unmatched beauty and culture on the global stage. We have mounted several international campaigns and partnerships where Boracay remains a highlight of the Philippines tourism narrative, attracting millions of visitors each year who are drawn to its pristine beaches, lively community, and a promise of unforgettable experiences. Beyond its natural beauty, Boracay’s true allure lies in the exceptional hospitality that they offer,” Secretary Frasco said.
Patterned after other existing Muslim-friendly beaches in tourism destinations such as the Maldives and Thailand, the Marhaba Cove spans around 850 sqm and is envisioned as a special-use area for Muslim travelers and families, taking into consideration Islamic laws.
“The launch of Marhaba, an inclusive area for Muslim travelers, is a first for Boracay and in the Philippines. This initiative directly responds to the feedback from our Muslim guests, particularly from our BIMP-EAGA diplomatic corps, who recognize the need for such a space on this island. Marhaba represents our dedication to ensuring that all travelers, regardless of faith, can enjoy the world-renowned shores of Boracay. This is modeled after other Muslim-friendly countries, our neighbors, and offers a safe, serene, and respectful environment where Muslim families can fully enjoy their time at the beach in accordance with their beliefs. As we inaugurate the Marhaba Cove today, we reaffirm our commitment to transforming the Philippines into a destination for everyone to enjoy. Our efforts in the Halal tourism portfolio are just beginning, and with the continued support from all of you, our partners, we envision that the Philippines will not only emerge, but thrive as a Halal and Muslim-friendly destination,” the DOT chief added.
Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremonies with Secretary Frasco were distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, His Excellency (H.E.) Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines (H.E.) Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) officials led by Minister Abu Amri Taddik, Municipality of Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista, Boracay Muslim Community (BMC) President Faisal Arumpac, Global Estate Resorts Inc. President Monica Salomon, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Managing Director Cleofe Albiso, Group General Manager Arturo Boncato, Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) President Michelle Taylan, Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines (HICCIP) President Alexander Sultan, Boracay MICE Alliance Director Virgilio Sacdalan, and Boracay Foundation Inc. President Dindo Salazar.
Also present were DOT Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar, DOT Region 6 (DOT-6) Director Krisma Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Niño Carlos Cawaling, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Chief-of-Staff Hassanal Abdurahim, Special Assistant Janice Pallasigue, Representative of Aklan 2nd District Representative Teodorico Haresco, Jr., LGU-Malay Municipal Councilors and Department Heads, as well as various tourism industry stakeholders, and media.
The multi-component initiative comes on the heels of the country’s back-to-back recognitions as an Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination among non-OIC countries in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023 and 2024.
In addition to launching the inclusive cove, a five-course Halal degustation showcased the island’s Halal and Muslim-friendly culinary offerings. The showcase offered 100% Halal food prepared in the newly Halal-Certified Kitchen of Savoy Hotel inside the Boracay Newcoast township.
Vast Potential of Halal and Muslim-Friendly Tourism
The Muslim Tourism market is a booming niche segment. From January to December 2023, visitor arrivals from Islamic and Muslim-populated countries saw some 496,724, a 120% increase from 2022. Muslim-majority visitor arrivals also comprised 10.9% of the total foreign arrivals recorded in the Philippines. From January to June 2024, visitor arrivals from Islamic and Muslim-populated countries are at 269,913, or around 54% of the 2023 total arrivals.
In addition to its pristine waters and white sand beaches, Boracay Island is home to high-end resorts and world-class facilities, offering an unparalleled luxury experience. Just this month, the island earned another accolade as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination during the recently concluded 2024 World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony.
While Boracay continues to be synonymous with luxury, as it has just been awarded as Asia’s Leading Luxury Destination by the World Travel Awards, it also continues to be at the forefront of sustainability, and today it comes into the forefront of inclusivity, where we recognize the importance of catering to the diverse needs of our global visitors, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters who seek to experience this destination, where we seek to be sensitive to their culture. As we gather here today, we celebrate the significant strides that we have made in welcoming our Muslim brothers and sisters to the Philippines. But I also wish to highlight that our effort to attract Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines is not only economic for it also seeks to highlight and give importance to the contributions of our Muslim brothers and sisters here in the Philippines. The Islamic influence in our heritage has deepened so much our identity as Filipinos, and it is only right that we highlight the contributions of the Muslim community in the Philippines, and we give importance and provide cultural sensitivity to our Muslim brothers and sisters,” the DOT chief said.
To further respond to the needs of Muslim guests, the DOT has actively carried out its accreditation of Muslim-friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs). As of December 2023, the DOT, through its Regional Offices, has recorded a total of 289 MFAEs and 237 Muslim-friendly Restaurants nationwide.
“Allow me to express my most heartfelt gratitude to our dear Secretary, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, for her unwavering support as our very own Halal Tourism champion. The Philippines has truly made great leaps and bounds in becoming a preferred destination for our Muslim Travelers, and that would not be possible without you at the helm. Daghan kaayong salamat, Sec,” Undersecretary Abubakar said in her opening remarks, sharing that the talks to establish a Muslim-friendly Cove between the LGU-Malay, DOT, and Megaworld Hotels and Resorts began as early as April this year, following the Boracay Diplomatic and Business Forum where diplomats have suggested for more halal and Muslim-friendly tourism offerings in the island.
“I must say that this is something that can be emulated to other parts of (the) Philippines, in order for us to be able to reap the benefit of this growing Muslim travel market. It is not only in Boracay but it can be replicated many many times over. Again, the whole idea is to be inclusive and I think this leadership shown by Secretary Frasco, and of course, the Mayor himself, is something we all can emulate, and I want to congratulate you on this important occasion,” Ambassador Castelino said.
“The fast pace in which you effected all those proposals that we had during the panel discussions, I’d like to congratulate you. Usually, when we attend all the dialogues and discussions, it’ll take years to actually move things along but, but with your leadership, Secretary Frasco, and Mayor (Bautista), you’ve made things. You realize things, and we do believe you. The Philippines can do it. And I’m already loving the Philippines so much,” enthused Ambassador Manan, who shared her fond memories of her experience in Boracay Island.
The DOT and the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on 6 May 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The MOU seeks to transform all thirteen (13) of their properties into Muslim-friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs). Since the signing, two of the group’s hotels, Savoy Hotel and Belmont Boracay, have been accredited as MFAEs.
“I am very proud that we crossed this. Thank you so much for everyone who made this happen. Savoy Hotel Boracay’s kitchen is already Halal Certified, and it’s really a feat for us and all our other hotels will continue to follow so that we can include that in our report cards, and, of course, the Muslim-friendly shores. I would like to take this opportunity to give our commitment to the Department of Tourism. Our values are so aligned. We are a proud Filipino brand, and we know how far a Filipino brand can go. With the sincerity of the Philippines, its people, the officers of the Department of Tourism, salute to you and all the respects to you for everything that you have done to make this happen. I hope you will always look at Megaworld Hotels and Resorts as your staunch supporter in implementing the projects whereby we will all be proudly saying that in Boracay, we’re not just recovering, we’re welcoming them in our home, we’re welcoming them in an island that’s been very eager to host many more as we have done in the past years. Our Secretary Frasco is a woman of action, and we are so proud to be supporting this,” Albiso said in her speech.
“The launch of a dedicated cove for Muslims further demonstrates the decisive steps being taken by the Department of Tourism to ensure that Boracay offers not just adequate but exceptional tourism services designed for Muslim travelers. Following this initiative is the creation of Boracay Halal Community Council to formally constitute this new market,” Mayor Bautista announced, expressing the LGU-Malay’s commitment to working with the DOT and partner agencies in promoting halal tourism in Boracay through a marketing strategy to reach more Muslim tourists worldwide, as well as identify present gaps in facilities and services.
The initiative also earned the full support of the local Muslim community in Boracay Island, represented by the BMC.
“We would like to thank you for making us part of this program, the Marhaba Boracay project, because you have recognized Islamic culture. Your appreciation and value for Islamic culture acknowledges its importance and needs. So, we are grateful to have been part of this program. The Boracay Muslim Community fully supports this, 100 percent, with all our hearts. We hope it will succeed and encourage many Muslim tourists from all over the world, especially from our neighboring countries like Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to help strengthen our tourism industry. We also hope this will be the start of strengthening the relationship between the Boracay Muslim Community, the Malay Local Government Unit, and, of course, the Department of Tourism,” BMC President Arumpac said.
In addition to its pioneering halal and Muslim-friendly offerings and luxury accommodation establishments, Boracay Island is also famous among divers, being home to numerous dive sites. To enhance the overall safety of tourists and divers visiting the island, the DOT, through its infrastructure arm, TIEZA, led the groundbreaking of the soon-to-rise Hyperbaric Chamber on the island last May 2024. The DOT will soon launch its own Tourist First Aid Facilities across the country, with Boracay Island identified as a pilot destination.
Source:traveldailynews.asia
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https://www.traveldailynews.asia/destinations/boracay-launches-first-muslim-friendly-cove-for-inclusive-halal-tourism/
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Greater Manchester Police appeal for information on elderly man
16th September 2024
An 87-year-old man was attacked and taken in a car from Oldham Central Mosque to West Yorkshire on Sunday night.
He was walking home, close to the Tesco roundabout, when a black vehicle pulled up beside him as he walked past the garages.
As he turned onto Lee Street from Manchester Street, two men got out and subsequently forced him into the vehicle.
It is believed the man was blindfolded with demands being made for money and his phone.
During the incident, the man reports that he was repeatedly threatened while being attacked and having his clothes ripped.
The man was eventually pushed out of the car on a dark road with the vehicle making off and it took him over an hour before he was able to find a house to receive aid and call 999.
It is believed he may have been left close to the Turnpike Pub.
Officers are appealing for information to find those responsible for the incident.
Two men they are hoping to speak to in connection with the incident are described as being Asian and potentially Bangladeshi (due to speaking the victim’s language), approximately 25-30 years old, wearing t-shirt and were seen drinking alcohol from the bottle.
Detective Inspector Emma Hulston, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “This awful attack on an elderly man simply walking down the street is a disturbing act that we are fully investigating.
“The victim, who suffered serious injuries during the incident, endured a terrifying ordeal in which he was taken from close to his home, before being left with torn clothes in the middle of a dark road in unfamiliar surroundings, and with no means of communication.
“We are fortunate we are not talking about a potentially more serious or even fatal outcome.
“Our officers are currently investigating all circumstances of this incident, and I would urge anyone with any appropriate information to please come forward. This includes any relevant CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage.”
You can contact the incident room directly by calling 0161 856 3635 or GMP via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3165 of 15/09/24.
If contacting from West Yorkshire, you can contact West Yorkshire Police via 101, quoting log 1730 of 15/09/24.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Source:theoldhamtimes.co.uk
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https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/24588968.greater-manchester-police-appeal-information-elderly-man/
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Pensioner kidnapped outside Oldham mosque, dumped in West Yorkshire
17th September 2024
A police investigation has begun after an elderly man was kidnapped near to a mosque in Oldham and abandoned more than 10 miles away from his home - in West Yorkshire.
The 87-year-old man was walking along Lee Street on Sunday night (September 15) when he was dragged into the car and threatened by two men, who demanded his phone and money.
The pensioner was then blindfolded and driven to Rishworth, before being pushed out of the car.
He was seriously injured and it took him an hour before he was able to find a house and call for help.
Greater Manchester Police are now looking for two men, described as being Asian, potentially Bangladeshi, believed to be between 25 and 30 years old.
It is thought the man may have been dumped near the Turnpike pub.
Detective Inspector Emma Hulston, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “This awful attack on an elderly man simply walking down the street is a disturbing act that we are fully investigating.
“The victim, who suffered serious injuries during the incident, endured a terrifying ordeal in which he was taken from close to his home, before being left with torn clothes in the middle of a dark road in unfamiliar surroundings, and with no means of communication.
"We are fortunate we are not talking about a potentially more serious or even fatal outcome."
Source:hellorayo.co.uk
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https://hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/manchester/news/pensioner-kidnapped-mosque-oldham-rishworth/
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French EU commissioner claims von der Leyen stabbed him in back
16 Sep, 2024
A powerful French member of the European Union’s executive branch resigned in a fiery letter on Monday, accusing his boss, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of undermining him.
Thierry Breton had been nominated by French President Emmanuel Macron for a second term as the bloc’s internal market commissioner in Brussels. However, Breton unexpectedly pulled the plug, accusing von der Leyen of going behind his back to try to convince Macron to ditch him.
“A few days ago, in the very final stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that in no instance you have discussed directly with me,” Breton wrote, in a scorching message to von der Leyen on X.
The shock resignation comes a day before the commission president was expected to unveil the makeup of the College of Commissioners, which she wants to be more gender-balanced. Smaller EU members, including Slovenia and Romania have withdrawn male candidates under pressure from von der Leyen, replacing them with women, according to Politico.
“In light of these latest developments – further testimony to questionable governance – I have to conclude that I can no longer exercise my duties in the College,” Breton continued.
“I am therefore resigning from my position as European Commissioner, effective immediately.”
Breton went on to accuse von der Leyen of having offered France a more influential portfolio if Macron were to switch candidates, a tactic she has reportedly tried with smaller EU member countries.
Tensions between Paris and Brussels over France’s potential portfolio in the next European Commission have reportedly been rising over the past days. “France is not satisfied with the portfolio scope allocated to Thierry Breton,” a senior French official from Macron’s party told Politico, before addressing rumors that Italy’s commissioner designate would get a coveted economics job.
Breton and von der Leyen are believed to have clashed repeatedly, both in private and in public, during the last five years.
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/604143-thierry-bretton-resigns-eu-commission/
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Trump shooter’s Ukraine links are US concerns – Moscow
16 Sep, 2024
The links between Ukraine and the American who allegedly tried to kill ex-US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump should concern Washington and its intelligence services rather than Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Peskov commented on the new assassination attempt on Trump and on the apparent links of the alleged perpetrator to Ukraine.
“That’s not us but the US intelligence services who should be thinking about this. In any case, playing with fire has its consequences,” Peskov stated.
Moscow is closely watching the situation unfolding in the US after Sunday’s attack on Trump, Peskov continued, noting that the American political landscape seemingly is growing even more “tense.” Russia has “never interfered in this in any way, and we are not interfering now,” he stressed.
“It is difficult to say here, it is really not our business, but we, of course, closely monitor the information that comes from the US, we see how tense the situation is there, including between political competitors, the political struggle is intensifying, the most different methods are used,” Peskov said.
The former US president dodged another assassination attempt on Sunday, less than two months after he was shot at and grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
In the apparent planned gun attack at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Republican candidate was playing golf when the armed suspect was detected near the property and shot at by Secret Service agents. The man fled the scene and was apprehended shortly after.
The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, a former Republican who is now a Democrat and a strong supporter of Kiev. While the suspect had claimed involvement with the Ukrainian military in social media posts and in a self-published book, Kiev acknowledged having contacts with Routh but insisted it had turned down his services, describing his ideas as “delusional.”
Source:rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/604147-trump-attacker-ukraine-links/
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North America
In Wake of Controversies, AG Taps Another Muslim Member Adileh Shariefffor Hate Crimes Panel
BY: JOSH KURTZ -
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) on Monday nominated Adileh Sharieff to the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention, the latest chapter in the controversy over the makeup of the panel in the wake of the war in Gaza.
Sharieff, a Montgomery County resident, is a former trustee at the Islamic Center of Maryland who co-chaired the Muslim Cohort of the Montgomery County Council Anti-Hate Task Force. She has worked with several groups across the state to combat food insecurity and other inequities, especially since the pandemic.
“At a time of increased reports of hate activity in Maryland, including anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate, I am confident that Ms. Sharieff will bring a critical voice to the diverse group of stakeholders that we have convened to help eradicate hate in our schools and communities,” Brown said in a statement.
Brown serves as the chair of the commission, which was formally created by legislation in the 2023 General Assembly session to seek ways to improve Maryland’s response to incidents of hate, and his office oversees its work. The commission grew out of a state task force on hate crimes that had been operating less formally for two years with a federal grant.
The 2023 legislation spelled out which groups would have representatives on the task force, including the Maryland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Anti-Defamation League, the Baltimore Jewish Council and the NAACP. These organizations could then appoint their own members.
But the panel’s work erupted in controversy shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel last Oct. 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, when one of the panel’s members, Maryland CAIR Executive Director Zainab Chaudry, harshly criticized Israel’s actions in social media posts. Brown temporarily suspended her from the commission late last fall.
“The Commission must serve as a model for the entire State on how to respond to incidents of hate and bias,” Brown said in a statement at the time. “The Commission is facing its first test. How we respond has deep implications. I take this very seriously, and I will do everything possible to bring people together to move forward the critical work of this Commission.”
CAIR collected at least 5,000 petition signatures imploring Brown to reinstate Chaudry to the commission, and he later did just that, saying he did not have the authority to remove her the way the law that set up the commission was written.
The General Assembly this year subsequently passed superseding legislation that changed the membership of the hate crimes commission, taking away the rights of various groups to name members of the panel and instead handing that authority to the attorney general, though the state Senate must confirm most of the appointees.
That bill, from Del. Dalya Attar (D-Baltimore City), also mandated that a representative of the Maryland Public Defenders Office serve on the commission. It passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore (D).
But controversy followed a second Muslim appointee to the hate crimes commission. After Chaudry chose not to reapply under the new governing structure, Brown named Ayman Nassar, CEO of the nonprofit Islamic Leadership Institute, to the commission on July 31. But he resigned three weeks later, after being accused of homophobia and antisemitism by a pro-Israel group. Nassar said his statements had been misinterpreted.
Sharieff, like many other members of the commission, will be considered an interim member until the state Senate can consider her nomination. According to the attorney general’s office, besides Brown and Sharieff, the current members of the commission are:
Peter Berns, general counsel, Office of the Attorney General
Jennifer Brown, director of the Community Engagement Department, On Our Own of Maryland
Kate Bryan, executive director, Maryland Center for School Safety
Kirsten Gettys Downs, executive director, Homeless Persons Representation Project
Ama S. Frimpong-Houser, legal director, CASA
Christine Dulla, deputy state’s attorney, Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office
David Engel, director, Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center
Domonique Flowers, staff attorney, Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center
Michael Gray, deputy director, National Alliance on Mental Illness
Cleveland L. Horton II, director, Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
Carmen Jackson, volunteer with Carver Community Center, Women’s Action Coalition, and the Allegany/Garrett Citizen Review Board
Vicki Jones, president, Harford County NAACP and Havre de Grace City Council member
Rachel Lindley, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Maryland Office of the Public Defender
Kobi Little, NAACP state director
Carissa Mattern, legislative director, Baltimore City Council Member Odette Ramos
Darryl McSwain, Maryland National Capital Park Police chief, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association
Gabriel Maximilian Moreno, CEO, Luminus
Deborah Miller, director of Maryland government and community relations, The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington
Katie Curran O’Malley, executive director, The Women’s Law Center
Nina Ovian, victim advocate coordinator, FreeState Justice
Sylvia Royster, director of educational partnerships, College of Southern Maryland
Everett Sesker, Anne Arundel County Sheriff, Maryland Sheriffs Association
Joraver Singh, member, The Sikh Coalition
Yolanda Sonnier, director of the Howard County Office of Human Rights, Maryland Association of Human Relations/Rights Agencies
Lanlan Xu, chair, Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
Brown, Downs, Frimpong-Houser, Gray, Jones, Little, Mattern, Moreno, Miller, O’Malley, Ovian, Royster, Singh and Xu are the other interim members.
Source:marylandmatters.org
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://marylandmatters.org/2024/09/16/in-wake-of-controversies-ag-taps-another-muslim-member-for-hate-crimes-panel/
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Gunman lurked for hours before Trump's last-minute game of golf
September 17, 2024
A gunman hid for nearly 12 hours in bushes before Donald Trump played an unscheduled game of golf at his oceanfront club in Florida – leaving locals stunned at what authorities say appears to be the second attempt to assassinate the former president in as many months.
It was hot and cloudy on Sunday afternoon when Trump and his good friend, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, arrived on the course of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
The former president was on the fifth fairway at 13:31 EDT (17:31 GMT), an area adjacent to busy roads near Palm Beach International Airport, when a member of his protection detail spotted a rifle poking out of foliage by the sixth hole.
Trump - who was evacuated unharmed - recounted on Monday night that he heard “probably four or five” shots ring out in the near-distance.
A quick-thinking Secret Service agent had opened fire in the direction of the suspect, who was about 300-500 yards away and did not have a clear line of sight to Trump, federal investigators said.
"Secret Service knew immediately it was bullets, and they grabbed me," said Trump during a live-streamed event on X, formerly Twitter, from his Mar-a-Lago resort.
"We got into the carts and we moved along pretty, pretty good. I was with an agent, and the agent did a fantastic job."
The gunman - who investigators say did not fire any shots - was concealed by the well-manicured shrubbery and tall palm trees that line the perimeter of the 27-hole course.
He had been lurking there on the public side of a fence since 01:59 local time on Sunday morning, according to mobile phone records, cited by federal officials.
The suspect was equipped with two digital cameras, a black plastic bag of food, an SKS-style semi-automatic rifle - a weapon with a range of nearly 440 yards - and a scope to magnify its lens.
The Republican presidential candidate’s last publicly scheduled campaign event had been on Saturday evening, on the other side of the country, in the state of Utah.
Residents say Trump spends almost every Sunday at the West Palm Beach golf club when he is not on the campaign trail.
But Secret Service director Ronald Rowe said on Monday that the former president was “not even really supposed to go there”, so agents had to put together a security plan at the last minute.
The foiled plot has left Trump’s neighbours in Palm Beach with pressing questions.
Did the suspect know the former president would be coming to play golf, or was it a guess?
How could he have gone undetected for so long, hiding in the bushes with a rifle?
The gunman escaped the scene in a black Nissan, ditching his backpack of goods and weapon.
A civilian woman was able to take a picture of his licence plate and pass it to investigators, Trump said on Monday night.
The gunman made it about 40 minutes before officers pulled over his vehicle on Interstate 95 and ordered him out.
Bodycam footage shows he seemed calm as officers shouted at him to step to the side before handcuffing him without incident.
On Monday, the suspect Ryan Routh, 58, appeared in a crowded Palm Beach court, wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and smiling as he chatted with his attorney.
He was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. More charges could follow.
Routh, a Hawaii resident with a criminal history, had come across the FBI’s radar in 2019 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The bureau tipped off law enforcement in Honolulu at the time.
While his motive for allegedly planning to target Trump has not been revealed, the suspect had said in the past on social media that he voted for the Republican in 2016 before souring on him.
On the perimeter of Trump’s golf course on Monday, bright orange cones, barricades, police cars and officers shielded all corners of the club.
The incident has shocked West Palm Beach and neighbouring towns.
Shelby Stevens, a 52-year-old Trump supporter from West Palm Beach, told the BBC: “No matter how much security you have and everything else, if someone is willing to give their life to take someone else’s, it can happen.”
Cosme Blanco has lived just a few blocks away from the course for most of his life, where he said Trump comes as often as twice a week when he’s not campaigning.
The 61-year-old Trump supporter said the security presence around the golf club is typically not overwhelming. But all that changed on Sunday, when Blanco ran outside five minutes after shots were fired to see helicopters circling the neighbourhood.
“I was concerned. I’m going to be 62 years old and I’ve never seen America change this much,” said the Cuban immigrant.
Blanco said it would not be hard for a suspect to target Trump at his golf course.
The former president travelled there in a motorcade that would have taken about 12 minutes to go from Mar-a-Lago across a bridge overlooking the Lake Worth Lagoon.
“If they see the motorcade coming, I’m sure at that point they know he’s going to play golf - it’s common sense,” Blanco said.
But Anka Palitz, a Palm Beach resident who says she has known Trump personally for years, said Routh’s timing was suspicious.
“He doesn’t play golf every Sunday,” she said. “I think there’s a conspiracy.”
“How was he [the gunman] not seen?” she added.
Palitz, who said she used to go skiing with Trump’s ex-wife, Ivana, said she believed someone must have alerted the suspect that the former president was going to the course that day.
Patricia Pelham, a United Kingdom native who has been living in Florida for 30 years, wondered where the suspect was able to park his car close enough to quickly make a getaway.
“How come there’s not security around the outside?” asked the Briton, who added that she was no supporter of Trump.
Pelham said security measures have increased around Mar-a-Lago on the island of Palm Beach since Trump was injured when a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate him at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
On Monday, police cars lined the roads of the island nearly every half mile, with the 17-acre resort blocked off to visitors.
Authorities have said that the entire golf course would have been surrounded had it been a sitting president of the United States on the green.
After blaming White House rhetoric for the latest alleged attempt to kill him, Trump said on Monday night that he had had a "very nice call" with President Joe Biden about boosting Secret Service protection.
President Biden, a Democrat, asked Congress on Monday to approve more money for the agency in the coming weeks, saying the Secret Service "needs more help".
Michael Matranga, a former Secret Service agent who worked for former President Barack Obama, said Trump has had better security than many other former presidents, who typically receive less protection than White House incumbents.
For example, he said, former presidents aren’t typically offered counter-sniper teams like Trump.
The Secret Service has faced intense scrutiny since the first attempt on Trump’s life, with the leader of the agency, Kimberly Cheatle, resigning less than two weeks after the rally.
Agency officials have said the Secret Service is short on resources.
But even with the extra resources, Matranga said agents are forced to contend with a delicate balance of protecting Trump while allowing him to engage with constituents on the campaign trail and “enjoy a round of golf”.
They can’t just “keep him in a bullet proof box”, Matranga said.
Nor does Trump seem to want to be put in one.
In a fundraising email sent on Monday afternoon, he told his supporters: “My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!”
It’s the kind of “tough” attitude that Stevens expects Trump to maintain as he continues to court voters in the weeks leading up to November's general election.
“The way I see him, he’s not going to want the American people to know that he’d be afraid of going out,” Stevens said.
“I think he’ll still make a presence, not just here but everywhere. I don't think that’s something he’s going to be shying away from.”
Source:bbc.com
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Pressure on Secret Service as Biden says agency 'needs more help'
September 16, 2024
James FitzGerald and Mike Wendling
Pressure is growing to increase Donald Trump's Secret Service protection after the second apparent assassination attempt on the former president in two months.
"The service needs more help," President Joe Biden said on Monday. "Congress should respond to their needs if they in fact need more service people."
Ryan Routh faced federal gun charges at a hearing in Florida over the incident on Sunday at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Investigators say Routh carried an SKS-style scoped rifle, was waiting near the course for 12 hours, and was within about 300-500 yards (275-460m) of Trump but never had a "line of sight".
Routh was arrested on an interstate highway around 45 minutes after a secret service agent spotted the muzzle of a rifle poking out of the bushes.
He was laying in wait in bushes on "public side of the fence" around the sixth hole of the course, investigators say.
Authorities have charged Routh with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He will attend another next week to determine whether he should remain in custody.
Trump told supporters that he was safe and well, and thanked the Secret Service - the government agency with responsibility for protecting the president and major US officials - and other law enforcement agencies for doing an "incredible job".
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that Trump does not receive the same level of protection that a sitting president does.
"If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded," he said.
On Monday, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe said that Trump's golf outing was not planned in advance, and that agents were given little notice.
Trump "wasn't even really supposed to go there, it was not on his official schedule", Mr Rowe noted.
"We put together a security plan, and that security plan worked," he said.
He added that Mr Biden had approved "increased assets" for presidential candidates following the assassination attempt against Trump in July. The assets, which were in place for Trump on Sunday, included snipers, counter assault teams and drones.
Mr Rowe said the "footprint" of Trump's security team now compared to when he was president.
Calls to boost protection
Several members of Congress, from both major parties, have said that presidential candidates should receive the same level of protection as the sitting president.
Senator Tom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said he would introduce legislation to get that.
Representative Claudia Tenney of New York, a Republican, posted on Twitter/X that it was "inexplicable" that Trump could come close to a second attempt on his life.
A number of Democrats also called for a review of security procedures.
“Two assassination attempts in 60 days on a former President & the Republican nominee is unacceptable,” tweeted Ro Khanna, a Democratic member of the House from California.
The bipartisan congressional task force investigating the first assassination attempt against Trump had requested an additional briefing from the Secret Service after Sunday's incident.
Former agents in the service have suggested to the BBC that Trump needs more protection than other former presidents, given that he is running for the White House.
"We now have to re-evaluate," said former agent Barry Donadio. "Should all these candidates get the same presidential protective package? I think that's probably going to have to be the answer."
The assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July led to the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service chief who admitted that the agency had had its "most significant operational failure" in decades.
Trump blames Biden and Harris
In an interview with Fox News, Trump blamed President Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris for the attack.
"He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it," Trump told Fox News, without referencing any evidence.
"Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at," he said, "when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country - both from the inside and out."
Mr Biden said he was "relieved" that Trump was unharmed, adding : "I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president's continued safety."
Ms Harris said she was "deeply disturbed" by the attempted assassination and that she was "thankful that former President Trump is safe".
"We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence," she said.
Source:bbc.com
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Who is suspect in Trump assassination attempt, Ryan Routh?
September 16, 2024
The suspect in an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump is a staunch supporter of Ukraine who was rejected by the country's armed forces and failed to make much of a contribution to the war effort.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who appeared in court on Monday, is from North Carolina and spent most of his life there, but most recently lived in Hawaii.
He voted for Trump in 2016 but later turned against him, and made statements of support and contributions to other politicians.
Here are some of the other things we know about him.
What did Routh do?
He is suspected of going to the Trump International Golf Course in Florida on Sunday, armed with an SKS-style rifle. The FBI recovered the weapon and scope, two backpacks and a GoPro camera from an area heavy with bush cover.
Law enforcement allege that Routh fled the area when a Secret Service agent fired in his direction after spotting a rifle barrel poking out of the bushes.
He is not believed to have fired his own weapon during the incident, and is not believed to have had a clear line of sight to Trump at any point.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said two officers spotted Routh's vehicle, a black Nissan, and followed it for 45 minutes.
Routh was stopped on Interstate 95, a major highway, and arrested.
He has been initially charged with federal firearms offences. The affidavit states that Routh's phone was in the "vicinity" of the covered area for 12 hours.
The car, a Nissan SUV, was later determined to have number plates which belonged to a 2012 Ford which had been reported as stolen.
What does Routh's social media show?
BBC Verify found a number of social media profiles matching Routh's name.
Routh repeatedly touted his work in encouraging foreign fighters to go to Ukraine to battle against Russia.
However, most of his organising appears to have happened while he was in the US, not in Ukraine, where in 2022 he was rejected by the country's International Legion due to his lack of combat experience.
The FBI is still investigating his links to Ukraine and has sent out multiple requests to companies for returns on his phone and social media accounts.
There are also pro-Palestinian, pro-Taiwan and anti-China messages on his profile, including allegations about Chinese "biological warfare" and references to the Covid-19 virus as an "attack".
On an X post from 2020, Routh suggested he voted for Trump in 2016 but became disillusioned, writing: "I will be glad when you [are] gone."
Routh also posted online urging President Joe Biden and Vice-President Harris to meet victims of the attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
What are his political affiliations?
Routh was registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina, but appears to have voted in the most recent Democratic primary in March, according to state records.
In 2019 and 2020, he gave a number of small donations totalling around $140 (£106) to ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising organisation, according to online federal elections records.
An Associated Press photo of a truck outside Routh's Hawaii home displayed a Biden-Harris campaign sticker on the back.
In the past Routh also backed candidates such as Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who has since left the party and swung behind Trump, and also declared his support for former Republican presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley.
What was Routh doing in Ukraine?
Routh described himself as a "volunteer co-ordinator" and his ambitions to join combat were not realised.
The International Legion told the BBC that Routh had "never been part of, associated with, or linked" with the legion ... in any capacity".
A volunteer for the legion described Routh to the BBC as a chaotic presence who kept trying to "sneak around" officials and was "doing more harm than good".
The volunteer said that Routh was in Ukraine in April 2022.
"He was not part of any unit and his activities were essentially causing chaos," the volunteer said.
"He was also trying to pose as some sort of official entity for all volunteers, which, again, he was not," she said.
Routh told The New York Times in 2023 that he wanted to recruit Afghan soldiers who had fled the Taliban.
One Facebook post from July of this year read: "Soldiers, please do not call me. We are still trying to get Ukraine to accept Afghan soldiers and hope to have some answers in the coming months... please have patience."
In a book self-published in February 2023, Routh grumbled about how his efforts were received in Ukraine. "I have yet to see... the smallest amount of appreciation or respect," he wrote.
In the book, Routh said he spent five months in Ukraine and worked on various projects including a drone-building programme. He claims his efforts ended in failure or were shut down by the authorities.
The book also contains a passage where he encourages Iranian officials, that they were "free to assassinate Trump".
Follow live: Latest updates and analysis on apparent Trump assassination attempt
Trump thanks Secret Service - but is he protected enough?
Analysis: Political violence becomes America's new norm - but is still shocking
What we know about the attack
Does Routh have a criminal record?
Records show Routh’s legal issues go back to the 1990s, including a variety of felonies and misdemeanours, including numerous charges for stolen goods.
He was charged and convicted of numerous felony offences in Guilford County in North Carolina between 2002 and 2010, according to online records.
In 2002, he was charged for possession of a fully automatic machine gun, which was referred to in court filings as a "weapon of mass destruction".
A local newspaper report from the time noted that he barricaded himself in a business and had a three-hour stand-off with police officers in the town of Greensboro before being taken into custody.
In another incident, records show him being charged with misdemeanours including a hit-and-run, resisting arrest, and a concealed weapons violation.
His alleged offences also include driving with a revoked licence and possession of stolen property.
In 2019, the FBI also received a tip that Routh was a felon in possession of a firearm. The unverified tip was passed on to local law enforcement in Honolulu.
Former neighbour Kim Mungo describes Routh as a "sweetheart" and said federal agents once raided Routh's property.
She alleged that he used to keep "loads of stolen property and stuff" at his home, and said she saw Routh and his family firing guns in the open.
Does Routh have any family?
Routh's eldest son, Oran, described his father as "a loving and caring father, and honest hardworking man".
He told CNN: "I don't know what's happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion, because from the little I've heard it doesn’t sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent."
Friends and family members are being sought for interviews by the FBI, including in North Carolina and Hawaii.
What happens next?
Routh appeared in front of a judge on Monday at the Palm Beach County court near Mar-a-Lago, charged with firearms offences.
The charges against him did not include any references to trying to kill Trump, though the FBI has said it is investigating Sunday's incident as an assassination attempt.
Law enforcement stated after the court appearance that the suspect did not fire a weapon and did not have a line of sight on Trump.
Secret Service and Homeland Security agents have searched Routh's former home in Greensboro, North Carolina.
A hearing is scheduled for next Monday to determine whether he should remain in custody. Prosecutors say he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Source:bbc.com
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What we know about the apparent Trump shooting attempt
Malu Cursino
September 16, 2024
Donald Trump was rushed to safety on Sunday after what the FBI termed an apparent assassination attempt at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested as a suspect and charged with firearms offences.
The incident comes almost exactly two months after a shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which left the Republican nominee with minor injuries and killed a man in the crowd.
Here is what we know so far about Sunday.
How was the suspect spotted?
The incident unfolded at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, about 15 minutes from Trump's Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago.
A gunman was first seen by Secret Service agents, who were sweeping the course. Agents usually go one hole ahead to perform security checks, according to police.
The muzzle of a rifle - which has been identified in an SKS pattern - was spotted sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course.
At the time, Trump was about 300-500 yards (275-460m) away from where spot, he said.
An agent "immediately engaged" with the person holding the rifle, who fled, Sheriff Rik Bradshaw said. The suspect did not fire his weapon during the incident.
On 16 September, acting Secret Service director Ron Rowe said that Trump was "across the course and out of sight of the sixth green" when the Secret Service agent opened fire.
At no point is the suspect believed to have had a clear line of sight to the former president.
Records show that Routh's phone had been in the area for about 12 hours, from about 0200 to 1331 local time, according to court documents and police officials.
How was the suspect caught?
Agents fired four to five rounds of ammunition on seeing the gun muzzle.
The suspect dropped the rifle and fled in a vehicle, abandoning the weapon along with two bags, a scope for his rifle and a GoPro camera, Sheriff Bradshaw said.
A witness saw the man flee from the shrubbery to a black Nissan, the sheriff said. The witness captured a photo of the car and provided it to law enforcement.
Follow live: Latest updates and analysis on apparent assassination attempt
Analysis: Political violence becomes America's new norm - but is still shocking
Trump thanks Secret Service - but is he protected enough?
Who is Ryan Wesley Routh, suspect in Trump assassination attempt?
The suspect was arrested by police driving northbound on the I-95 highway after crossing into Martin County, roughly 61km (38 miles) from Trump's golf course.
The car, a Nissan SUV, was later determined to have number plates belonging to a 2012 Ford which had previously been reported stolen.
Routh has an extensive criminal history dating back to the 1990s.
In 2002, he was convicted in Greensboro, North Carolina, for possession of fully automatic machine gun - characterised as a weapon of "mass death and destruction".
In March 2010, he was convicted in North Carolina of multiple counts of possession of stolen goods.
In 2019, the FBI also received a tip that Routh was a felon in possession of a firearm. The unverified tip was passed on to local law enforcement in Honolulu.
He visited Ukraine after Russia's full invasion and tried to recruit volunteers to fight for Kyiv. The International Legion of foreign fighters said he was never a member, and one volunteer stated he was a hindrance during his visit.
What happened to Trump?
Trump was not injured. Soon after, he issued a statement to his fundraising list, which read: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL".
Trump gave his account to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity, who retold the episode on air on Sunday.
"They were on the fifth hole, they were about to go up to putt," Hannity said.
The former president heard "pop pop, pop pop", he said. "Within seconds, the Secret Service pounced on the president [and] covered him."
He added that a steel-reinforced vehicle soon took Trump away from the course.
Has there been any political reaction?
The former president has sought to blame President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris - his rival in November's election - for the attempt.
"Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country - both from the inside and out," Trump said.
The White House said Biden and Harris had been briefed about the incident.
"I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today," Harris said in a statement.
Leaders from the bipartisan congressional task force set up to investigate the 13 July assassination attempt in Pennsylvania said they were thankful the former president was not harmed, "but remain deeply concerned".
The task force has requested a briefing with the Secret Service.
Trump supporters have gathered around the former president's residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, after the incident, as well as around the golf club where the investigation is under way.
Some of them have been pictured wearing Maga (Make America Great Again) caps, and waving banners, posters and American flags that say "America first".
What happens next?
Routh appeared in court for a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes on Monday.
It was not an arraignment - meaning he did not enter a plea - but the charges against him were read in court. They included possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obstructed serial number.
He will appear in court again next Monday.
Palm Beach County's state attorney, Dave Aronberg, told US media that Routh could face "a lot of time in prison". The charges made against him carry a maximum term of 20 years in jail.
Source:bbc.com
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Africa
Gov Aliyu Urges Muslims on Prophet’s Birthday: Seek God’s Intervention On Nigeria’s Security Challenges
By Danlami Nmodu
September 16, 2024
Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has urged Muslims in the state to use the maulud celebrations and seek Allah’s intervention on the security challenges confronting the nation.
He gave the charge in his Maulud massage to the people of the state.
Gov. Aliyu described the security challenges facing the country today as the major set back to Nigeria’s development, hence the need for all hands to be on the deck.
“No meaningful development takes place where there is no peace, so pay more attention to prayers so that our country could get out of its present predicaments.
” Let us dedicate more time and pray hard as we observe supplications in this festive season,” Aliyu averred.
The governor also appealed to Muslim clerics to educate their followers on the significance of prayers especially in trying moments.
Gov. Aliyu also renewed his administration’s determination to promote and support religious activities in the state.
“Promoting islamic affairs is one of our 9-point smart agenda, therefore, we’ll accord it the desired attention,” he added.
While the Federal Government declared today Monday, the 16th of September 2024 as a public holiday to enable Muslim in the country celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Gov. Aliyu wished the Muslim ummah happy maulud celebrations.
Source:newsdiaryonline.com
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More Leaders Pray for Nigeria’s Security, Unity at 2024 Eid-el-Maulud, Greet Muslims
, September 17, 2024
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Linus Aleke in Abuja
More Nigerian leaders, yesterday, celebrated the Eid-el-Maulud, the birth of Prophet Muhammad, and used the occasion to pray for the country’s security, peace and unity.
The Eid-el-Maulud was on Sunday, but yesterday was declared a public holiday in commemoration of the day, during which leaders from different faiths sought peace and unity of the country.
Bala Mohammed
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in his goodwill message, tasked the Muslim faithful to imbibe the teaching of the Prophet.
Mohammed, in a statement by his media adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, stated, “It is to the glory of Allah that we are alive to witness this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration when we commemorate the birth of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).
“As we celebrate the Eid-el-Maulud, we should remember that the Holy Prophet had during his lifetime preached peace, honesty, patience, generosity, humility, sincerity, love for one another and fear of God. It is these virtues that people, irrespective of their religious inclinations, are enjoined to imbibe and practise.”
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also extended its felicitations to Muslim Ummah in the country on the occasion of Eid-el Maulud.
A statement by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, also extended his warmest greetings and best wishes to the Muslim faithful as they celebrated the special day.
“As we commemorate the sacred and auspicious event, I call on all Nigerians to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which emphasised peace, compassion, tolerance, justice and service to humanity.”
He said those were the same virtues that guided the noble mission of the military to protect the territorial integrity of the country and safeguard the security and well-being of all Nigerians
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, charged the Muslim Ummah in the state to embrace the essence of the birth of the Holy Prophet of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, which was the good of all mankind.
Adeleke, who congratulated Muslims in the state and beyond for the symbolic moment that the birth of Prophet Muhammad signified, reminded them to take cognizance of the noble example of peace and hope that the Holy Prophet reflected.
While emphasising strict adherence to the message of compassion and kindness that the life and teaching of Prophet Muhammad embodied, Adeleke stated that his government remained committed to initiatives and interventions that would lessen the pains of the moment and ensure a better tomorrow.
Source:thisdaylive.com
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Plateau: Mutfwang Salutes Muslim Ummah On Eid-ul-Maulud
Sep 16, 2024
By Onoja Audu
JOS – Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has Congratulated Muslim Ummah in Plateau State and beyond on the occasion of Eid-ul-Maulud, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
In a press statement, Governor Mutfwang emphasized the profound significance of Eid-ul-Maulud for the Muslim community, noting Prophet Muhammad’s crucial role in spreading the message of Islam and fostering peace and unity among followers.
He encouraged Muslim to use the celebration to reflect on the life, teachings, and the values Prophet Muhammad promoted, such as compassion, justice, and mercy.
Governor Mutfwang further enjoined them to leverage the celebration to foster unity and solidarity within the Muslim community and to pray for peace and security both in Plateau State and across Nigeria. He also called on them to pray for wisdom and guidance for leaders to effectively address the nation’s current challenges and ensure good governance.
Highlighting the virtues of peace, fairness, and justice associated with Prophet Muhammad, the Plateau Governor encouraged acts of charity, kindness, tolerance and community service during this period to positively impact society.
Governor Mutfwang assured that his administration remains committed to providing inclusive, accountable, and transparent governance by embracing all citizens regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds.
According to him On behalf of the government and the people of Plateau State, Mutfwang conveyed his best wishes for a joyous Eid-ul-Maulud and the celebration of the enduring legacy of love, peace, and justice championed by Prophet Muhammad.
Source:independent.ng
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https://independent.ng/plateau-mutfwang-salutes-muslim-ummah-on-eid-ul-maulud/
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Hamzat Charges Muslims To Emulate Holy Prophet
By Oluseyi Taiwo-Oguntuase
Sep 16, 2024
Muslims in the country have been advised to draw inspiration from the exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), by embracing virtues such as honesty, perseverance, and patience, to create a more prosperous Nigeria.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor gave the charge when he was conferred with the Beacon of Islam (Peace) award by the Lagos Central Mosque during the Maolud Nabiyyi Celebration with the theme “Prophet Mohammed (SAW) the Mercy to Mankind” held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Lagos.
He said Islamic faithfuls must learn from the behavior and attitude of the Holy Prophet which includes honesty, service to humanity, and patience among others as they cannot effectively interact and cohabit peacefully with others without having these traits.
“We must all learn from the behavior of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) honesty, perseverance, and patience. And we cannot interact without having patience. We must also be able to absorb nice behaviour but most importantly be honest in our doings.”
The Deputy Governor emphasized that for Nigeria to progress and become a better place for all, citizens and leaders must imbibe the good behavior of the prophet and draw inspiration from effective global leaders who have successfully governed their nations, incorporating their positive traits into their own leadership and daily lives.
Hamzat further encouraged Muslims to be their brother’s keepers by supporting and caring for fellow Muslims and even non-Muslims in their community who may be struggling, adding that if they practice it, the world will be a better place for everyone to live.
Speaking further, he urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the leadership of the country as the situation in the country is overwhelming.
He also called for understanding and patience from citizens as things will surely get better.
Speaking on the award presented by the Lagos State Central Mosque in recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Hamzat stated that the award is to motivate Muslims to exhibit good character, have exemplary behavior, and serve as role models, inspiring others to follow their positive example, adding that their actions are being observed and will be appreciated by others.
“We need to behave well, we need to be humble and we need to respect ourselves and make sure that we promote peace. Though, there will be disagreements here and there, but we must always promote peace,” Hamzat said.
Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, the Baba Adinnu of Lagos, stated that the celebration of the Birthday of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is a way to honor the Prophet’s legacy and teachings, and its benefits extend beyond the day itself, influencing daily life and spiritual growth.
“We are grateful that we are celebrating the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) today. The occasion encourages Muslims to reflect on their actions, intentions, and goals, leading to self-improvement and personal growth in Islam.”
Sheikh Muyedeen Ajani Bello, in his lecture, titled “Prophet Mohammed (SAW) The Mercy to Mankind” noted that some of the virtues that Prophet Mohammed (SAW) had are truthfulness, righteousness, peace, honesty, service to humanity, among others, which are also expected from Muslims who follow the teaching of the Prophet.
Bello therefore emphasized that Muslims should emulate the teachings of the Prophet and strive to embody His characteristics, working to overcome their flaws and shortcomings to create a positive impact on humanity.
He further encouraged believers to build a society founded on love, truth, and peace, where individuals can thrive and grow together in harmony.
“Muslims in Lagos and Nigeria need to be peaceful with each other, be caring to each other, and help each other. Nobody should live uncomfortably because of you. We are one family in Islam and nobody should be hungry in your presence. Be your brother’s keeper,” he said.
Source:independent.ng
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Dozens Of Muslim Worshippers Killed In Nigeria Crash
Haruna Shehu-Tangaza
Sep 17, 2024
Dozens of Muslim worshippers have been killed in a crash in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state.
The victims were travelling to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud - Prophet Muhammad's birthday - in the northern town of Saminaka.
Their bus collided with an oncoming truck near the town of Lere, an organiser of the Eid celebration said.
Fatal road collisions are very common in Nigeria. Both drivers and passengers have been known to flout safety measures, which are loosely enforced by the authorities.
An official at the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency put the death toll at 36 on Monday morning.
However, event organiser Ahmad Dayyabu told the BBC up to 40 people had died and 31 more were being treated in hospital.
“They took off from the town of Kwandare on their way to here, Saminaka. On reaching the town of Lere, their vehicle was run over by a trailer truck," he said.
“From our investigation, there were 71 people in that ill-fated vehicle."
The bus is said to have been overloaded.
More than 1,470 people died in road collisions across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2024, official statistics show.
That is around 16 people per day on average.
The government declared Monday a public holiday in order to mark this year's Eid-el-Maulud.
Source:bbc.com
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Ighodalo To File ₦20 Billion Suit Against Oshiomhole Over ‘Defamatory Ponzi Scheme Claim’
17 September 2024
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, on Monday, directed his lawyers to institute a suit against the senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, over defamatory allegations.
According to Ighodalo, the former governor of the state had accused him of involvement in “Planwell,” a ponzi scheme that surfaced in Edo state in the early 1990s.
Oshiomole during a campaign rally on Saturday had said, “People of my age and even younger have not forgotten how Asue Ighodalo and all his associates were involved in what they call Planwell.
“Planwell was set up as an institution where you deposit 10,000 in the morning by tomorrow it becomes 15,000, and after six months, people were defrauded, and the institution disappeared. And they became rich, and Edo people became pauperised.”
In a response to the allegations through his counsel, Ayo Asala, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ighodalo described Oshiomole’s comment as “false, defamatory, and malicious”.
A letter by Ighodalo’s lawyer and addressed to Oshiomhole reads, “It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends.
“This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past.
“Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain, and our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported ‘Planwell’ scheme with which you have seriously defamed our client’s reputation.
“It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said ‘Planwell’ scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo state gubernatorial elections.
“Our client has been inundated with calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your said allegations on electronic and social media, as a result of which our client has suffered enormous unwarranted reputational damage arising from the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor.”
Ighodalo is demanding “an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements, which should be published in at least two national television networks and three nationally circulating newspapers.
“Pay to our client damages in the sum of 20 billion Naira for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements referred to herein.
“Take notice that it is our client’s instructions that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the sum of twenty (20) billion Naira (₦20,000,000,000.00) for your said false, malicious, irresponsible, and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation whatsoever in fact.
“Further take notice that such action will be instituted without further notice or correspondence to you in that regard whatsoever.”
Source:naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/09/17/ighodalo-to-file-%e2%82%a620-billion-suit-against-oshiomhole-over-defamatory-ponzi-scheme-claim/
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