Islamic System in Emirate Not Imposed on Citizens from Abroad: Head of The General Directorate

New Age Islam News Bureau

04 March 2024

 

Noor-Ul-Haq Anwar, the head of the general directorate of the Islamic Emirate in Administrative Affairs

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·         Islamic System in Emirate Not Imposed on Citizens from Abroad: Head of The General Directorate

·         Muslims In Britain Speak Out— ‘We Will Not Be Second Class Citizens’, And Will Continue to Fight Against Zionism

·         National Chief Imam "Gleefully Joyful" Following Passage of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

·         Palestinian Islamic Jihad Plans to Turn Ramadan into 'Month of Terror' Against Jewish State

·         Pakistan PM Shehbaz Raises Kashmir, India Wants Focus on Terrorism

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South Asia

·         Commerce Minister Encourages Overseas Afghan Traders and Investors to Contribute to Their Homeland

·         None Can Truly Comprehend the Sorrow of Losing Loved Ones as I Do: Bangladesh PM

·         40 Afghan Citizens Released from Pakistan’s Karachi Prison

·         Islamic Emirate Spokesman:  UNAMA ‘Ineffective’ Over Past Year

·         Contempt of Court: SC upholds conviction of BNP leader Habibur

·         UNDP will support Bangladesh for LDC graduation: Stefan Liller

·         Hasan Mahmud urges collective effort to end atrocities in Gaza

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Europe

·         Hundreds Of Thousands March Across Major European Cities to Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza

·         Russia warns of 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians if Israel launches ground assault on Rafah

·         Belgium: 4 Islamists arrested over suspected assassination plot, terror threat soars

·         Diabetes UK offers advice for Ramadan to Muslims living with the condition

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Africa

·         170 People Executed in Attacks on Burkina Faso Villages: Regional Prosecutor

·         South Africa says some US lawmakers have taken 'very negative' position towards country after ICJ case

·         95% Of Boko Haram Founding Members Are Dead – Borno Govt Asserts

·         Nigeria Signs Multi-Sectoral Agreement with Qatar During Tinubu’s Visit

·         Haiti declares curfew after 4,000 inmates escape jail amid rising violence

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Mideast

·         Extremist Israeli Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, calls for Ramadan to Be ‘Wiped Out’ Amid West Bank Tensions

·         Israeli forces on killing spree in Gaza as war reaches 150-day mark

·         Nasrallah's Grandson Killed by Israeli Drone Strike in South Lebanon - Report

·         Iran claims it executed Mossad ‘terrorist’ for drone attack on Isfahan arms facility

·         23 martyrs, wounded,104 detainees in Zionist attacks in al-Quds in February

·         Iran executes one over alleged Israel link to attack

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Pakistan

·         Reiterating His Claims Of “Polls Rigging”, Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Calls New Govt A ‘Sham’

·         Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Slams Raid in Quetta Targeting Mahmood Khan Achakzai

·         Protest Rallies Against ‘Rigging’: 300 PTI Activists Booked in Bahawalpur, Gujrat

·         Shehbaz elected PM for second time, offers ‘charter of reconciliation’ to PTI-backed opposition

·         Bugti wants rescue, relief operation in Gwadar to continue

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Southeast Asia

·         Religious Programme Helps Muslim Offenders Break Free of Drugs:  Singapore Islamic Scholars

·         Humanitarian crisis in Palestine, scammers issue, among focus of Dewan Rakyat today

·         UNIFIL vehicle detention: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon safe - Mohamed Khaled

·         Minister asks regional heads to anticipate inflation ahead of Ramadan

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India

·         PFI Activist, Abdul Saleem, Arrested for Making India An ‘Islamic Nation By 2047’

·         Muslim Rashtriya Manch, affiliated with RSS in Assam Supports Repeal of Marriage Act to Combat Child Marriage

·         Nine Bangladeshis detained for 'unauthorised' entry into Jagannath Temple in Puri

·         SC overrules majority verdict in JMM bribery case: ‘corruption and bribery by members of legislature erode probity in public life’

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North America

·         Hundreds Gather Outside Israeli Embassy In Washington Demanding Cease-Fire In Gaza

·         Protests Supporting Palestine Cancel Cultural Event in Toronto

·         Poll: Majority of Americans disapprove of Biden’s policy regarding Gaza conflict

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Arab World

·         1200-Year-Old Architectural Patterns of Othman Bin Affan Mosque Discovered in Historic Jeddah

·         Yemen’s Ansarullah vows to continue targeting British ships in Red Sea

·         5 cover-up convicts sentenced to 14 years in prison and confiscation of proceeds worth SR6 million

·         Saudi Ministry Launches Portal for Muslims Wanting to Organize Iftars in Grand Mosque

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:     https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/islamic-emirate-citizen-afghanistan/d/131848

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Islamic System in Emirate Not Imposed on Citizens from Abroad: Head Of The General Directorate

 

Noor-Ul-Haq Anwar, the head of the general directorate of the Islamic Emirate in Administrative Affairs

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Nazir Shinwari

Noor-Ul-Haq Anwar, the head of the general directorate of the Islamic Emirate in Administrative Affairs, said that the Islamic system is the desire of the country's citizens and this system has not been imposed on the citizens from abroad.

Anwar, during the certificate distribution program for the workshop graduates on capacity building organized by the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, added that the Islamic Emirate has a clear strategy for good governance and is not willing to accept any orders from foreigners.

"We are not among those systems that have been imposed here by foreigners and used for their evil purposes," Noor-Ul-Haq Anwar said.

Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Deputy Minister of Martyrs and Disabled, in this program says that negligence in providing services to the applicants in the provincial directorates of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled is unacceptable.

According to Haqqani, the work of the applicants in the provincial directorates should not be delayed for various excuses.

"We hear that in some provincial directorates, applicants come and wait for days and then go back just for getting a signature," The Deputy Minister of Martyrs and Disabled added.

"Comprehensively without discrimination and differentiation, all disabled people of the country, all orphans, and widows are included, and there is no discrimination," said Kalimullah Afghan, head of the finance department of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled.

Meanwhile, some of the workshop graduates on capacity enhancement say that they have learned useful lessons in various sections during this workshop.

"The skills that were very important and necessary for us managers, we received and learned things that we had not encountered before," said Hewad Manalai, the finance and Administration Manager of Martyrs and Disabled department of Paktia.

"In this section, training was provided for us on administrative communications, planning, work plan methods, implementation of accounts, monitoring and evaluation, budget, and MS office," said Abdul Wali Samim the finance and Administration Manager of Martyrs and Disabled department of Farah.

According to the information of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, the ministry has so far distributed more than 11 billion Afghanis to the relatives of martyrs, the disabled, and orphans, and has also spent about 99.87 percent of its budget in the current solar year.

Source: tolonews.com

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-187672

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Muslims In Britain Speak Out— ‘We Will Not Be Second Class Citizens’, And Will Continue to Fight Against Zionism

 

At a Medics for Palestine demonstration (Picture: Guy Smallman)

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03 March 2024

After a wave of attacks that aim to silence Muslims and stop them speaking out over Palestine, Dáire Cumiskey spoke to activists that insist they won’t be intimidated

The state is ramping up its attacks on Muslims and combining ­rotten Islamophobia with attempts to crush the fight for Palestine and against imperialism.

But Muslims in Britain have told Socialist Worker that they won’t be intimidated and will continue to fight against Zionism as well as against Islamophobia and racism on the streets.

Sam Patel is the chair of the Redbridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign. She raged at politicians who get away with spouting Islamophobic hate.

“Muslims are not willing to be treated as second class citizens anymore,” she explained to Socialist Worker.

“People at my mosque are really angry with the double standard in terms of addressing other forms of racism.”

Mohammed Kozbar from Finsbury Park Mosque agreed. He explained that this latest round of attacks will only add to a growing feeling that the state treats Muslims differently than other groups.

“There have been recent attacks on our mosque both physically and it has increased online as well. We’ve reported all cases to the police but haven’t received any response,” he said.

“It’s been reported that there’s been an increase of over 300 percent in Islamophobic attacks since October and it is directly linked to the divisive narrative spouted by the Tories and the Labour Party,” he argued.

“It’s clear that the majority of British politicians do not care about the Muslim community in Britain as they are allowed to get away with making such inflammatory and Islamophobic statements with no consequences.

In a recent poll of Conservative Party members, 58 percent think Islam is a threat to the “British way of life”. It showed that Islamophobia is not just widespread amongst MPs but across the party as a whole.

“The poll was very worrying,” Mohammed said. “It shows they’ve done nothing to combat the Islamophobia across their party.”

Anger at increasing Islamophobia will undoubtedly add to the already ­existing rage at those in both the Tory and Labour Party who back Zionism and betray the Palestinian people.

Dilowar Khan, who lives in east London, added that it’s telling how politicians have responded to an issue that tens of thousands of Muslims have rallied behind.

“Residents in east London are concerned by the double standard of inaction being politicians’ response to the situation in Palestine,” he explained.

“They’ll compare it to the swift response our leaders had when it came to Ukraine.”

This feeling amongst Muslims of being scapegoated, targeted by racists and treated differently is not new.

The British state has tried to scapegoat Muslims as the “enemy within” to push division between working class people for some time. But as Dilowar explained, the only way to fight the scapegoating and the attacks on Palestine resistance is to take more action.

“We need to continue with the protests, lobbying MPs and arm ourselves with the arguments about Palestine,” he explained.

And other activists explained that after months of protest over Palestine, many Muslims now have more confidence to fight.

“Despite the intimidation from the police on protests, people are now quite confident to fend off labels attached to the movement by the right,” Muhammed Mussa from charity Cage told Socialist Worker.

“This has come from protesting every week. It’s been part of what Cage has done over the past few months to ensure people know their rights and feel confident to raise their voices for Palestine.”

Safiyah, a student at Queen Mary University, agreed and added that she also believes that Palestine activists, Muslims included, now have more confidence to get out onto the streets.

“The police presence has tried to intimidate especially younger protestors that they’ll be in some sort of trouble for supporting Palestine.

“But I think many of us have actually grown in confidence and are becoming less scared of repression.”

A movement that is growing in confidence is desperately needed, not just in the fight for Palestine but to combat rising Islamophobia.

And activists are clear that every step must be taken to push out those who support the Israeli terror state.

Sam is backing independent Palestinian candidate Leanne Mohammed’s campaign to unset right wing Labour MP Wes Streeting from his seat in Ilford North.

“If Leanne Mohammed gets elected, that will mean a lot. She’ll have taken the seat from one of Starmer’s shadow cabinet. She will be standing up in parliament representing ordinary people and taking the movement for Palestine into the House of Commons.”

A win for Leanne would be a blow for Keir Starmer and the Labour right, but as activists explained, it won’t be enough to fight for Palestine only within parliament.

“I think we need more direct action because we can’t wait for politicians to take a lead,” Safiyah added. “They’re too slow to act.”

Mohammed Kozbar added, “People should protest outside embassies to call out the ongoing genocide and the complicit rulers in the region.

“Many regimes that are silently supporting Israel must be called out for their part in breaching human rights and assisting Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.

 “These governments must be pressured to play a role to help end the war by placing sanctions on Israel.”

“I think we need to utilise and implement Boycott Divestment and Sanctions—these tactics played an important role in helping isolate the apartheid regime in South Africa,” Mohammed argued.

“The trade unions have been too slow to act,” he added.

“The leaders of the unions need to reflect their member’s views and mobilise them for the national demonstrations. They must be pressured to call for workplace actions and solidarity walkouts.”

No one should falter in the face of rising Islamophobia.

Activists, Muslim and non-Muslim, must stand together and do everything to smash a racist state that is trying to divide us.

Source: socialistworker.co.uk

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://socialistworker.co.uk/features/muslims-in-britain-speak-out-we-will-not-be-second-class-citizens/

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National Chief Imam "Gleefully Joyful" Following Passage of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

 

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam

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Mar - 03 - 2024

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, is delighted with the recent approval of the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, his spokesperson has disclosed.

After nearly three years of discussion, Parliament passed the anti-LGBTQ+ bill on February 28, 2024.

The bill mandates a prison sentence of up to three years for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. Additionally, it imposes a maximum five-year jail term for advocacy or financial support by LGBTQ+ organizations.

This aspect of the bill, among others, has sparked debate from certain civil society groups and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), who argue that it infringes upon fundamental human rights.

Nevertheless, Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu believes that the passage of the bill represents progress.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on March 2, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the Chief Imam's spokesperson, stated that the Muslim community was pleased with the news because the bill will uphold family values.

Latex Foam Valentines Day Promo

“I can say without any equivocation that the Chief Imam is gleefully joyful about the passing of this bill because he has fully been briefed about what we are going through with respect to the evolvement of this LGBTQ+ phenomenon in our country and the attempt to really universalise it and make it something normal and something acceptable," he said.

"And as somebody who is the leader of Muslims in this country, he could not actually give any support to such matter to be allowed.

“For us, it is a moral issue, it is something that also goes to the very heart of the protection of the family which in the Muslim understanding of things is the property of God. It is the smallest unit of society into which every single human being is born.”

He stressed that any practice detrimental to the family structure would not garner their support.

“Any practice that seeks to undermine the survival of the family must truly be condemned. For us, it is reprehensible, abominable, and objectionable. So Chief Imam is so happy,” he added.

He praised lawmakers for their unwavering commitment despite the numerous objections and battles the bill encountered.

Addressing concerns that the bill violates basic human rights, the spokesperson argued that laws are enacted to benefit society, and any law endangering social purity must be rejected.

"It is not an academic issue, it is not a human rights issue but it is about survival. Any law that is harmful to society, society must think together within our wisdom and that is what identifies us and distinguishes us from other nations," he concluded.

Source: graphic.com.gh

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https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/chief-imam-gleefully-joyful-following-passage-of-anti-lgbtq-bill.html

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Palestinian Islamic Jihad Plans to Turn Ramadan into 'Month of Terror' Against Jewish State

 

Palestinian Islamic Jihad supporters participate in an anti-Israel rally marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's foundation in Gaza City, on October 6, 2023. (Photo: Atia Mohammed/Flash90)

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 March 4, 2024

The Iranian-backed terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reportedly said it plans to turn the upcoming Muslim holiday of Ramadan into a “month of terror” against the Jewish state.

PIJ, an ally of the Hamas terrorist organization, is also located in the Gaza Strip and warned that it will increase the levels of terrorism in the coastal enclave, as well as in Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank.

PIJ spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades, Abu Hamza, issued the terror threats in a video message ahead of the Ramadan holiday, which begins next Sunday.

“There is no excuse for anyone to refrain from the battle. We are able to continue the battle, no matter how long it lasts. Our message to the enemy and the leader of the herd, Netanyahu, is that the issue of the next day in Gaza is determined only by the Palestinian resistance,” Hamza urged.

Like Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, the PIJ is an integrated component in the Iranian regime’s vast terror proxy network, which targets Israel and U.S. forces in the Middle East, as well as threatens moderate Arab governments.

The pro-Iranian news outlet Al-Mayadeen published Hamza’s call for an escalation of terrorism against the Jewish state.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh recently made similar threats, inciting Muslims to attack Israel and march toward the Temple Mount in the Israeli capital Jerusalem.

In late February, at least one Israeli was killed and several wounded in a terrorist attack close to Maaleh Adumim, an Israeli town near Jerusalem and just outside the Green Line that separates Judea and Samaria from pre-1967 Israel.

Hamza further urged other Jihadist groups to “unify” various fronts against the Jewish state.

The Islamist regime of Iran has invested considerable resources in building a ring of terror on Israel’s borders, with Hamas and PIJ in Gaza and the West Bank, Hezbollah in Lebanon and pro-Iranian terror militias in Syria and Iraq.

In addition, the Iranian-backed Yemenite-based Houthi militia has targeted southern Israel and has been disrupting international shipping trade with missile attacks against vessels in the strategically vital Red Sea.

PIJ has concentrated its military resources primarily in Gaza and to a lesser extent in Judea and Samaria. Like Hamas, the majority of PIJ’s top leadership resides abroad, primarily in countries like Syria and Lebanon.

The senior PIJ official also urged Arab states to not “lag behind in the battle led by the heroes of the resistance in the Gaza Strip, on behalf of the Islamic nation, especially those who possess armies, planes and cannons.”

Hamza urged the wider Arab world to join the fight.

“Isn’t it time for you to raise your guns like the free people in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq? Isn’t it time for you to take off the garment of slavery and humiliation to America, the Great Satan, and follow the example of the honorable,” Hamza asked rhetorically.

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has reportedly hardened regional Arab hostility towards Israel.

Almost 90% of the Arab world opposes normalization with Israel, according to a February poll conducted by the Arab Center in Washington, D.C. (ACW).

However, there is a wide gap in perceptions between the Arab masses and moderate Arab states, many of which favor diplomatic and political solutions to the conflict and view the activities of Hamas and PIJ as detrimental to achieving a peaceful resolution.

Source: allisrael.com

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https://allisrael.com/palestinian-islamic-jihad-plans-to-turn-ramadan-into-month-of-terror-against-israel

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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Raises Kashmir, India Wants Focus on Terrorism

 

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

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 Mar 3, 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif lost no time in raking up the Kashmir issue after being elected PM for the second time, as he called for a resolution in the National Assembly for the freedom of the Kashmiri people, clubbing them with the Palestinians.

While a congratulatory message from PM Narendra Modi to Shehbaz isn't ruled out, India’s message to Islamabad remains that it should focus on creating an environment free of terror in the region, instead of meddling in India’s internal affairs.

“Let’s all come together...and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians,” said Shehbaz in his maiden address, even as he pledged to improve ties with neighbours.

Shehbaz's remark may suggest Pakistan is unlikely to climb down from its maximalist position that India rolls back the August, 2019, decision to revoke the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K, despite the message of peace from his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, who is expected to hold the reins of the Shehbaz government. However, the Indian side also realises Shehbaz is leading a shaky coalition and it's important for him to keep all constituents happy. Shehbaz also didn't bring up his party PML-N's official position, as mentioned in its election manifesto, that normalisation is possible only if India restores Article 370 that gave special status to J&K.

If not for the army, the Sharifs wouldn't have made a comeback and unlike in 2015, the season of outreach that culminated in Modi's maiden visit to Pakistan, the brothers can be expected to constantly look over their shoulders while formulating Pakistan's India policy.

In any case, India's own policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, which has meant no substantive bilateral engagement with Pakistan since 2015-2016, has served it well. Modi and Nawaz are known to have built a close rapport over the years but foreign minister S Jaishankar left nobody in doubt about what the government has on its mind when he ruled out on Saturday revival of SAARC anytime soon because of Pakistan's backing of cross-border terrorism.

According to diplomatic sources, there's a realisation in Pakistan too that any forward movement is possible only after the imminent Indian elections. Bilateral ties remain downgraded as both countries operate with junior foreign service officials officiating as charge d'affaires, because of Pakistan's decision to recall its high commissioner in 2019. ``Pakistan began the process of downgrading ties and also called off trade. They have to decide what they want to do,'' said a source.

On Pakistan's position on Article 370, India does not see Pakistan as having any role to play in the internal affairs of J&K. As things stand now, early elections in J&K and restoration of statehood, as asked for by the Supreme Court and which Islamabad can hold India to, may offer the only hope of breaking the deadlock on the issue.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/shehbaz-raises-kashmir-india-wants-focus-on-terrorism/articleshowprint/108185321.cms?val=3728

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South Asia

 

Commerce Minister Encourages Overseas Afghan Traders and Investors to Contribute to Their Homeland

2024-03-03

KABUL (BNA): During an official visit to Turkmenistan, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nouruddin Azizi, called on Afghan traders and investors living abroad to invest in their home country.

Azizi, who was in Turkmenistan to participate in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan Business Forum and visit the Turkmen-Afghan exhibition, urged Afghan traders and investors living in various countries to take advantage of the facilities and opportunities available in Afghanistan.

He assured them that the government is committed to ensuring that tax contributions from Afghans are not misused and are instead allocated towards the country’s reconstruction.

During the meeting, Afghan merchants and investors discussed their challenges in oil transportation and proposed the establishment of a free trade zone in the port of Turkmenbashy. They also suggested the creation of a joint Afghan-Turkmen bank, tariff reduction, trade balance equilibrium, and the promotion of Afghan export goods in the Republic of Turkmenistan.

Azizi reassured them that their opinions and suggestions would be taken into account.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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https://www.bakhtarnews.af/en/commerce-minister-encourages-overseas-afghan-traders-and-investors-to-contribute-to-their-homeland/

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None Can Truly Comprehend The Sorrow Of Losing Loved Ones As I Do: Bangladesh PM

 Mar 4, 2024

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) during their annual day parade today, emphasising the paramount importance of adhering to the chain of command for maintaining discipline within the ranks.

"Keep in mind that the chain of command is the most important driving power for a disciplined force. Never break the discipline; continue following the chain of command," Sheikh Hasina urged the BGB members.

The premier was addressing the parade of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2024 at its headquarters in Dhaka.

The prime minister reflected on her government's initiatives to bolster the BGB, citing the enactment of the Border Guard Bangladesh Act 2010 as a pivotal step towards enhancing the force's capabilities. "Now BGB has been built as an efficient, strong, modern three-dimensional force," she said, adding that BGB is now capable of performing its duty on land, water, and air.

She said the Awami League government adopted the "Border Guard Bangladesh Vision-2041" in a bid to develop the BGB as a world-class border guard force.

"We want Border Guard Bangladesh to be developed as a world-class border force, and march forward as border sentinels, becoming a symbol of trust for the people of Bangladesh," she said adding that BGB will also be a smart force in Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

"Alongside protecting the border, the BGB resisted different border crimes including smuggling, drug and women, children trafficking in a responsible manner," she said.

Apart from playing the role as sentinels on the border, the BGB stands beside the people during any problem like arson violence in the country and always plays a role in protecting the lives and property, and thus they gained the trust and confidence of the nation, she said.

Recalling the 2009 BDR mutiny, Prime Minister Hasina shared her deep emotional connection to the tragedy, in which 74 individuals, including 57 distinguished officers, were tragically killed. The events unfolded on February 25 and 26, 2009, marking one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh's history.

The PM said she feels a profound sorrow, remembering the lives lost during the mutiny. She offered prayers for the souls of the deceased and extended her heartfelt condolences to their families.

"No one can truly comprehend the depth of sorrow that comes with losing loved ones, as I do," Hasina stated, emphasising her personal empathy for the bereaved families.

The prime minister reassured that those responsible for the mutiny have been held accountable, expressing her hope that such a tragedy will never be repeated.

Turning to the advancements made under her leadership, the PM outlined significant steps taken to modernise the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), noting the recruitment of 35,517 soldiers over the past 15 years. A notable milestone in inclusivity, her government initiated the integration of women into the force, with 936 female soldiers joining since 2015.

In response to emerging threats, her administration has implemented the 'Smart Digital Surveillance and Tactical Border Response System' across vulnerable sections of the border, enhancing surveillance capabilities and bolstering defences against trans-border terrorism.

Further emphasising her commitment to border security and regional development, Hasina highlighted the construction of 1,036 km of border roads. This infrastructure project aims not only to secure the hilly border areas but also to improve the socio-economic conditions of remote communities.

The prime minister inspected a spectacular parade arranged at Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground in Pilkhana, riding on an open decorated vehicle, and then received salute of the march-past.

She handed over the BGB Medal, President BGB Medal, BGB Medal-Service and President BGB Medal-Service to 72 selected BGB personnel in recognition of their heroic and outstanding contribution to different activities of the force.

The PM unveiled a sculpture of Bangabandhu titled "Prerona" at the BGB headquarters.

Earlier, on her arrival, Sheikh Hasina was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui.

Source: thedailystar.net

Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/none-can-truly-comprehend-the-sorrow-losing-loved-ones-i-do-pm-3558496

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40 Afghan citizens released from Pakistan’s Karachi prison

Fidel Rahmati

March 4, 2024

The consulate of the caretaker government in Karachi, Pakistan, has announced the release of 40 Afghan citizens, including one woman, from the city’s prison.

The press release, published on Monday, March 4, does not mention the reasons for the detention and the duration of imprisonment of these individuals.

According to the press release, the released individuals have been transferred to Afghanistan.

The release of these individuals comes amidst the ongoing deportation of over a million Afghan immigrants without legal documentation from Pakistan.

The International Organization for Migration had previously stated that more than 500,000 migrants have returned to Afghanistan since the deportation orders were issued.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 Afghan migrants without documentation have been returned from Pakistan in the past week alone.

The returning Afghan refugees face dire conditions in Afghanistan, exacerbated by a severe humanitarian crisis, and lack of adequate shelters, medical care, and employment opportunities.

With the harsh winter intensifying, the plight of returning refugees is worsened, as they struggle to find necessities for survival.

The international community and aid organizations are called upon to provide urgent assistance to address the humanitarian needs of Afghan returnees and mitigate their suffering amid challenging circumstances.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/40-afghan-citizens-released-from-pakistans-karachi-prison/

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Islamic Emirate Spokesman:  UNAMA ‘Ineffective’ Over Past Year

Mitra Majeedy

March 3, 2024

The Islamic Emirate's spokesperson said that UNAMA’s activities have not been effective over the past year.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that UNAMA’s reports were exaggerated and not based on facts on the ground.

According to Mujahid, UNAMA has the responsibility to help Afghanistan reestablish diplomatic ties.

“They have to be more active, they have to strengthen Afghanistan’s relations with other countries. There is still a vacuum, they have to create trust,” said Mujahid.

Mujahid accused the UN of being affected by major world powers, saying that its decisions about Afghanistan have been doubtful.

“The United Nations decisions about Afghanistan have been doubtful and the organization is under the shadow of major powers of the world. The UN has met the expectation of nations about serving justice,” said the spokesman.

TOLOnews was not successful in reaching UNAMA for comments about the statements.

Political analysts have their own view about the coordination of UNAMA and the Afghan government.

“UNAMA is trying to melt the Islamic Emirate into the international liberal system, especially in the areas of political, social, economic and cultural areas,” said Aminullah Ehsas, a university lecturer.

“UNAMA is sharing all political issues of Afghanistan with the UN and is ensuring Afghanistan’s relations with the world,” said Aziz Maarij, a former Afghan diplomat.

UNAMA’s mandate ends on March 17 this year and the UN Security Council is expected to hold a meeting about the issue.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-187671

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Contempt of Court: SC upholds conviction of BNP leader Habibur

Mar 4, 2024

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by the chief justice delivered the order after dismissing a leave to appeal petition filed by Habibur challenging the HC verdict.

Additional Attorney General Sk Md Morshed told The Daily Star that Habibur Rahman Habib, who is now in custody, must serve in jail for five months and pay the fine of Tk 2,000 following the SC order.

Senior lawyer Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal appeared for Habibur during the hearing of the petition.

Last year, on November 22, the High Court convicted and sentenced Habibur following his statements regarding Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman's role in the cases involving BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Previously, the HC bench comprising Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Md Bashir Ullah issued a rule asking Habibur to justify why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for his remarks.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/contempt-court-sc-upholds-conviction-bnp-leader-habibur-3558271

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UNDP will support Bangladesh for LDC graduation: Stefan Liller

Mar 3, 2024

United Nations Development Programme's Resident Representative Stefan Liller today said UNDP will play a supporting role in various activities for the development of Bangladesh, especially during the LDC graduation.

A delegation led by Liller made a courtesy call on State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu at his secretariat office today.

"UNDP will extend cooperation in technical and training activities for Bangladesh to reach the target," said Stefan.

Liller congratulated the Minister of State for Commerce Titu on his new position.

During the meeting, the state minister for commerce said that the government is working to create capable entrepreneurs and quality products from all over the country to the national and export markets.

"The government is working across the country to focus on handicrafts. The products and manufacturer will be recognized with GI location," Tutu said.

He said that e-commerce is an important medium for the expansion of exports. Products will be linked to markets with e-commerce to increase exports. The government will provide technical and financial support to the entrepreneurs for this.

During this time, Additional Secretary of Commerce Mohammad Naveed Shafiullah, UNDP's assistant representatives Anwar Haque and Sardar M Asaduzzaman, and Joint Secretary of Commerce Nahid Afroz were present, among others.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Hasan Mahmud urges collective effort to end atrocities in Gaza

Mar 3, 2024

During his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud described the event as a significant platform for international dialogue.

He emphasised the urgent need for a collective effort to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza, holding Israel accountable for committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

In an interview with TRT World, Mahmud highlighted the lack of sufficient global action to halt the violence and atrocities in Gaza.

"What's happening in Gaza is simply crimes against humanity. Not only crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing is going on," Mahmud stated, pointing out the devastating toll on civilians, with over 30,000 people, predominantly women and children, killed in the conflict.

The foreign minister said they have not seen enough effort to stop this "war and genocide" and Israel is violating all the norms of any war.

Representing Bangladesh at the Forum, Mahmud underscored the potential of the global community gathered there to play a pivotal role in addressing these atrocities.

"This forum has become a very powerful Forum," he said.

"I think we can raise our united voices to stop these atrocities, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in Gaza and stop Israel," he was heard saying in the video interview.

The forum, initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye and under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, runs from March 1 to March 3. This year's edition convenes heads of state, government officials, diplomats, business leaders, academics, and representatives from various sectors to discuss "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil", the theme for this year.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Europe

 

Hundreds Of Thousands March Across Major European Cities to Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza

Anadolu staff

03.03.2024

Hundreds of thousands of people marched on the streets of major European cities on Saturday to call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave exceeded 30,000 due to relentless Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

Gathered at Place de la Bastille in Paris despite the rainy weather, protesters marched towards Place de la Nation in solidarity with Palestinians.

Carrying Palestinian flags, the crowd protested Israel's ongoing attacks and called for an end to bombings.

Calling for a boycott targeting Israel, they chanted pro-Palestine slogans, including "Gaza is not a prison, it is a concentration camp."

Speaking to Anadolu, Terasia Bradford, a US citizen living in Paris, said that he attended the rally to show his reaction to governments who are "complicit in the genocide" in Gaza.

Stressing that the US should end all financial support to Israel, he noted that countries like France should also impose sanctions on the Israeli administration.

Andrea Kallab, a Lebanese French citizen, said that what is happening in the besieged Palestinian enclave is a crime against humanity.

He compared what was happening in Gaza to the Holocaust.

Thousands rally in Berlin

Thousands of protesters held a rally in the German capital Berlin in solidarity with Palestinians.

Gathering at the Neptun Brunnen square, the crowd called for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories, and an end to arms shipments to Israel.

The protesters later marched towards the city center by carrying Palestinian flags and various signs, reading: "Free Palestine," "Cease-fire now," and "Stop the genocide."

According to the police, some 7,500 protesters attended the demonstration.

Protesters march to parliament in Vienna

In Vienna, Austrian protesters held a demonstration at the Human Rights Square In Vienna, and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans.

Denouncing Israeli attacks, the crowds also reacted to Israel's planned military operation in Rafah, a southern Gaza Strip City, packed with more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians.

Some 1.5 million Palestinians previously displaced by Israel's offensive on Gaza are holed up in Rafah, seeking refuge from hostilities.

Israel's reported plans for an offensive on the city have sounded international alarm bells, with many countries urging restraint or cancelation of the operation.

Speaking at the rally, Salah Abdel-Shafi, the Palestinian envoy to Austria, said that what is happening in Gaza is genocide that continues for 150 days.

Touching on Israel's Thursday attacks on civilians waiting for food, he noted that those who remain silent in the face of these attacks are "complicit" in Israel's massacre.

For his part, Hannes Hofbauer, an Austrian author and journalist, criticized Western media over their coverage of Gaza.

Rather, those who cover stories about "Zionist terrorism" and every voice that talks about "genocide" are suppressed, he noted.

Later, the crowd marched towards the parliament.

Protesters blocked by police in The Hague

Dutch police stopped a pro-Palestinian rally outside the Israeli Embassy in The Hague and a planned march towards the Dutch parliament.

The protesters who gathered outside the embassy were directed to another area.

Police later surrounded the rally, and prevented it from marching towards the parliament.

Criticizing the Dutch government's stance on Israel, they chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, including "Cease-fire now," "Free Palestine," and "Shame."

Women form human chain in Madrid

Some 3,000 women in Spain joined hands to form a human chain in protest against the US and Israel and in solidarity with Palestinians.

The protesters took a route housing US and Israeli embassies in the capital Madrid under rainy weather.

The protesting women also condemned the EU for being "complicit in Israeli crimes by remaining silent."

Organizers called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, denouncing Israel's decades-long policies against Palestinians.

Thousands rally in Rome for end to 'genocide'

Thousands of demonstrators held a march in Italy's capital to denounce Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Some 4,000 people gathered at the Vittorio Emanuele Square in solidarity with Palestinians, calling for an immediate cease-fire.

They chanted slogans like "Free Palestine" and "Murderer, terrorist Israel."

The crowd also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, carrying a sign featuring the two leaders, shaking their hands covered in blood.

One of the protesters, Vincenzo Brandi, told Anadolu that the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza is a "brutal genocide."

Referring to the dire humanitarian situation in the blockaded Strip, he noted that it is not just destruction but also "ethnic cleansing."

"I'm here to protest this. I'm also here to protest the fact that many countries, such as the US, Italy and some other European countries, continue to support Israel, which is objectively a criminal state," added Brandi.

Day of Action for Palestine across UK

Thousands of people took to the streets across Britain, including various areas in the capital London, as part of the "Day of Action for Palestine."

Denouncing Israel's attacks, the crowds also protested against the UK's Barclays Bank in support of Palestinians.

They called on the bank to stop "bankrolling Israel's genocidal assault" on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Along with many Palestinian flags, they also held various pro-Palestine signs and placards, calling for a cease-fire in the besieged enclave.

Israel launched a military offensive on the Gaza Strip after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion, which Tel Aviv said killed about 1,200 people.

At least 30,320 Palestinians have since been killed and 71,533 others injured besides mass destruction, displacement and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which, in an interim ruling in January, ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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Russia warns of 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians if Israel launches ground assault on Rafah

03 March 2024

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Israel's plan to launch a ground assault against the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip could lead to "ethnic cleansing" of the Palestinians.

Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Saturday, Lavrov voiced Moscow's concern over Israeli plans to conduct a military offensive in Rafah, where two-thirds of the Palestinians in Gaza are seeking shelter from violence.

"If the operation of Rafah begins, a huge number of refugees will leave for Egypt, and the Egyptians have repeatedly stated that this is unacceptable. This will be ethnic cleansing in fact," he said.

"A real tragedy is taking place in Gaza, which has no end in sight," he added.

Rafah, a town along the Egyptian border, which was once declared a “safe zone” by the Israeli military, has now become the last refuge for over half of Gaza’s entire population of more than 2.3 million, who have fled their homes in other parts of the territory.

Egypt has already threatened to suspend its peace treaty with Israel if the regime sends its troops to Rafah. It said any ground invasion could force the closure of the besieged territory’s main aid supply route.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also warned on Monday that such an invasion would “put the final nail in the coffin” of aid operations in Gaza.

The top Russian diplomat emphasized that despite a lot of initiatives on a ceasefire and humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities have not changed their goal of "clean up Gaza completely, eliminate Hamas".

Even the Western representatives wonder how this could be possible to eliminate the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas by 100 percent, he noted.

Lavrov said Israel claims that everyone in Gaza is Hamas and therefore it is necessary to destroy all the inhabitants of the strip.

The Russian minister cited Israeli authorities as saying that a ground invasion of Rafah was aimed at "ensuring the security" of Tel Aviv.

"This is fully contrary to all UN decisions, it is contrary to common sense, it is contrary to justice. This means that Palestinians can be thrown out of the lands where their ancestors lived and all their rights are despised," Lavrov emphasized.

He also called for paying more heed to the situation in the West Bank, where Israeli occupation army raids against Palestinians have become more frequent.

Since October 7, at least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 71,700 injured as a result of the Israeli regime forces' continuous onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

In its interim ruling in January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to stop genocidal acts in Gaza and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in the besieged Strip.

Source: presstv.ir

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Belgium: 4 Islamists arrested over suspected assassination plot, terror threat soars

March 04, 2024

On Sunday morning, counter-terrorism officers arrested four men suspected of being connected to an extremist Islamist organization, with three of the suspects reported as minors.

The operation was carried out in four different Belgium cities — Brussels, Charleroi, Ninove and Liège — with officers raiding houses and apartments in each location, although no explosives or weapons were discovered.

According to RTBF, the suspects were communicating through a messaging app and were believed to be planning a terror attack. Authorities intervened and arrested the men as a precautionary measure to avoid a potential assassination attempt.

Terror threat is growing

In its report published on Friday, the Belgian Center for the Analysis of Terrorism Threats (OCAD) noted that the number of threats related to terrorism and extremism increased by 41 percent last year.

More than 40 percent of the reports were related to Islamist extremism, but in the other cases, the “ideological dimension” could not be determined. OCAD attributes the majority of threats to lone perpetrators, with only a small percentage involving organized groups.

OCAD reported that there were 332 reports of terrorism or extremism in 2023, compared to 236 threats the previous year. The rise in terror threats jumped due to “significant emotional events,” such as the Gaza war and the Brussels terror attack in October, where two Swedish soccer fans were fatally shot.

While more than half of the reports were classified as a low threat, OCAD noted that 7 percent were classified as very severe, raising the overall threat environment in Belgium to Level 3 (severe). The highest threat Level 4 was briefly implemented in the Brussels region following the October attack.

Source: rmx.news

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Diabetes UK offers advice for Ramadan to Muslims living with the condition

 3 MAR 2024

Sali Shobowale

Ramadan is around the corner and the leading diabetes charity, Diabetes UK is offering advice and support to those living with the condition during the holy month. Muslims must fast - abstain from food and drink - from sunrise to sunset, but there are exceptions for people with medical conditions.

Diabetes UK encourages anyone preparing for Ramadan and living with diabetes to speak to their diabetes team and Imam to help them decide how best to observe the holy month and manage their diabetes safely.

Douglas Twenefour, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “Choosing whether to fast is a personal choice. However, getting information and advice ahead of Ramadan can help you decide whether it is right and safe for you to do so. Fasting affects your body in different ways and if you are living with diabetes there may be increased risks such as hypoglycaemia. There is also the risk of dehydration and hyperglycaemia which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) – a condition that can require emergency hospital treatment."

If you are unwell, do not fast and call 111 or speak to your healthcare team for further advice.

If you choose to fast, before you start, include more slowly absorbed foods, such as basmati rice and dhal, in your meal along with fruit and vegetables.

During your fast, if you already check your blood sugar levels, monitor them more frequently. If your blood sugars are above your target range, break your fast with some water and treat as you normally would. If necessary, speak to your healthcare team.

When you break the fast, be mindful of portion sizes and keep oily, sugary or salty foods to a minimum.

Mr Twenefour added: "If you are fasting and you feel unwell or you get symptoms of a hypo, check your blood sugars and, if you are, break your fast and take your usual hypo treatment followed by starchy food. If you’re feeling unwell, our advice would be to not fast.

Source: leicestermercury.co.uk

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Africa

 

170 people executed in attacks on Burkina Faso villages: regional prosecutor

March 3, 2024

Around 170 people were “executed” in attacks on three villages in northern Burkina Faso a week ago, a regional prosecutor said on Sunday as religious violence flares in the junta-ruled country.

On that same day, February 25, separate attacks on a mosque in eastern Burkina and a Catholic church in the north left dozens more dead.

Aly Benjamin Coulibaly said he had received reports of the attacks on the villages of Komsilga, Nodin and Soroe in Yatenga province on February 25, with a provisional toll of “around 170 people executed”.

The attacks left others wounded and caused material damage, the prosecutor for the northern town of Ouahigouya added in a statement, without apportioning blame to any group.

He said his office ordered an investigation and appealed to the public for information.

Survivors of the attacks told AFP that dozens of women and young children were among the victims.

Local security sources said the attacks were separate from deadly incidents that happened on the same day at a mosque in the rural community of Natiaboani and a church in the village of Essakane.

Authorities have yet to release an official death toll for those attacks but a senior church official said at the time that at least 15 civilians were killed in that attack.

Burkina Faso has been grappling with a violent insurgency waged by rebels affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group that spilt over from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

The violence has killed almost 20,000 people and displaced more than two million in Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest countries situated in the Sahel, a region wracked by instability.

Anger at the state’s inability to end the insecurity played a major role in two military coups in 2022. Current strongman Ibrahim Traore has made the fight against rebel groups a priority.

‘Coordinated’ attacks

There were several attacks on February 25, notably against a military detachment in Tankoualou in the east, a rapid response battalion in Kongoussi in the north and soldiers in the northern region of Ouahigouya.

In response, the army and members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), a civilian force that supports the military, launched operations that were able “to neutralise several hundred terrorists”, according to security sources.

At the beginning of the week, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana described the wave of attacks as “coordinated”.

“This change in the enemy’s tactical approach is because terrorist bases have been destroyed as well as training camps and actions were carried out to dry up the enemy’s source of financing, as well as its supply corridors,” said Sana.

Mosques and imams have in the past been the target of attacks blamed on religious extremists.

Churches in Burkina have also at times been targeted and Christians have been kidnapped.

The ACLED analysis group says that 439 people were killed in such violence in January alone.

Source: dawn.com

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South Africa says some US lawmakers have taken 'very negative' position towards country after ICJ case

Mustafa Deveci 

03.03.2024

Lawmakers of the US have taken a negative position towards South Africa since the genocide trial it initiated against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the latter's top diplomat said on Sunday.

"In terms of responses, unfortunately, there are some legislators in the United States of America that have taken a very negative position against my country," South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor told Anadolu on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.

The US being the world's largest economy, Pandor said its position is posing a danger to investment and employment in South Africa.

"So, we have to continue to lobby the American people to say, 'to act against South Africa when they were pursuing a very moral and correct issue in the global space, would be entirely wrong,'" Pandor further said.

In late 2023 South Africa filed a case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The UN court, in its interim ruling on Jan. 26, ruled that South Africa’s claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures for Israel's government to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian flow into the Gaza Strip, where it has killed more than 30,000 people since the Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian group Hamas. The initial Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people.

The foreign minister said South Africa is a sovereign nation, has a right "to take up our case," and even though many countries don't agree with its support for Palestine, "this is something we've always had, and we will not turn out back on the Palestinian people."

Asked if Israel implemented the ICJ's provisional measures, Pandor said: "No, they haven't applied. We all know. In fact, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has rejected. But this is not surprising. We had the same with apartheid. When there was international rulings by the UN bodies, the apartheid state would say no. So, you're seeing very similar conduct and approach between the apartheid state and the Israeli government."

Apartheid was an institutionalized system of racial segregation in parts of South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s.

Türkiye communicated its appreciation for South Africa

Pandor said "Türkiye has, from the beginning, said they appreciate the step that South Africa has taken, and always communicated this to us."

"We are hoping that from the region, there will be countries who will join South Africa when the merits of the case are presented," she added. "We are still waiting for a date from the court, but at that time we will see who are really the friends of Palestine."

Journalists under attack

Pandor also commented on the killings of journalists in the Gaza Strip, saying her heart is "pained" and she is "absolutely disgusted" that correspondents "have not been able to operate freely."

"Many have been murdered, and much of the world is silent, including the organizations of journalists, which often talk about press freedom. But today they're not saying much," she said.

Asked about Western stance on the situation in Gaza, the South African diplomat pointed towards racial discrimination.

"Well, this reflects a problem we've often spoken about. Which is that we regard people as different. If you are black, you are less human. If you are Arab, you are less human. If you're a European, you are very human, and so you must be protected. This is how the world is viewed. And I think we need to change that," she said. "And we in the South, we must fight for that to change."

Source: aa.com.tr

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95% Of Boko Haram Founding Members Are Dead – Borno Govt Asserts

4 March 2024

Richard Ogunsile

The Borno State government has asserted that over 95% of individuals with Boko Haram ideology, particularly the founding members, have either been killed or turned themselves in.

The Special Adviser to the Borno State Government on Security Affairs, Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (Rtd), made this assertion during an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday, Naija News reports.

According to Abdullahi, the group’s leadership is in disarray, with only a handful of the founding members possibly still alive.

The government official further explained that numerous Boko Haram senior commanders lost their lives due to power struggles between Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and the sect who remained loyal to the late Abubakar Shekau following his demise in 2021.

“One of their leaders said out of 300 of them that started the Boko Haram sect in pre-2009, less than 10 people could be alive now. Even the remaining 10 leaders have scattered due to the game of powers.

“Some are dead as a result of snake bites in the bush, some died as a result of military actions, some drown during rainy seasons, some died due to gunshot wounds; some as a result of massive surrendering we have witnessed in the last two years.

“Some as a result of in-fighting among them because of the leadership positions, especially after the death of Shekau and that has led to the death of more than 90 per cent of the die-hards with Boko Haram ideology.

“On the other hand, many top commanders of ISWAP have lost their lives to several crises among them.

“So, if you look at it, the ideology is gone and I can tell you that those parading themselves now are criminals who don’t have the ideology,” Abdullahi told Daily Trust over the weekend.

Source: naijanews.com

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Nigeria Signs Multi-Sectoral Agreement With Qatar During Tinubu’s Visit

3 March 2024

Enioluwa Adeniyi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, in a move to strengthen bilateral relations, presided over the signing of landmark agreements between Nigeria and Qatar.

The ceremony, held on Sunday in Doha, marks a pivotal moment for both nations, with the agreements covering a wide array of sectors including education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism, and sports.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, AjuriNgelale, shared insights into the monumental occasion, emphasizing the broad scope of cooperation that the agreements entail.

These developments are set to open new avenues for mutual benefits, fostering a deeper partnership between Nigeria and Qatar.

During the discussions at the Qatar Presidential Palace preceding the signing ceremony, President Tinubu conveyed Nigeria’s readiness to embrace Qatari investors, highlighting the country’s ongoing reforms designed to promote innovation, ensure lucrative returns on investments, and celebrate multiculturalism.

The statement reads, “Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths. They have energy, talent, and self-belief. They are quality partners for Qatari industry. They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are. A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished. The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.

“There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria. A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.

“We face some short-term turbulence at the moment, but we have a government today that reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people. We are implementing the right solutions. This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners. Nigeria is ready for serious business,” the President stated.

The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emphasized that Qatar is open to President Tinubu’s investment push, recalling that he traveled to Nigeria in 2019 owing to his belief that Nigeria is an important and strategic ally on its own and within the context of its role in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work. We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside. The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful. This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest the common wealth of our people. It is not my money. The money we invest belongs to the future generations of Qatar.

“Mr. President, I am very encouraged by your actions and your passion to create new opportunities. We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point. The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up. I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are,” the Qatari leader said.

President Tinubu immediately named the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun as the team leader of the government team that will interface with Qatari authorities in investment identification and implementation moving forward.

Furthermore, during the bilateral deliberations, President Tinubu enabled a brief presentation to the Emir by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who spoke in detail about the high-grade of several minerals, including lithium, immediately derivable across the country with an emphasis on imminent opportunities for local mineral processing and value-additive industry in the sector.

The bilateral engagement was followed by a closed-door meeting between the two Heads of State before they proceeded to the signing ceremony for seven bilateral agreeements across multiple sectors.

The seven agreements signed are: cooperation agreement in the field of education; regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar; establishment of a joint business council (JBC) between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA); in addition to a cooperation agreement in the field of youths and sports.

The other agreements are: cooperation in the field of tourism and business events, and a memorandum of understanding combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The documents were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and relevant officials in the Government of the State of Qatar, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Dr. Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI), and Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (MOI).

Nigerian ministers who were present at the ceremony were: Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo.

Also at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen.

Source: naijanews.com

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Haiti declares curfew after 4,000 inmates escape jail amid rising violence

4 Mar 2024

Haiti’s government has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew after an explosion of gang-led violence over the weekend saw thousands of prisoners escape after assaults on the country’s two biggest prisons.

The 72-hour state of emergency went into immediate effect as the government said it would set out to find the killers, kidnappers and other violent criminals it said it had escaped in the attacks.

The curfew will be in force from 6pm (23:00 GMT) until 5am (10:00 GMT).

“The police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders,” said a statement from Finance Minister Patrick Boisvert, who is acting as prime minister while Ariel Henry is overseas trying to salvage support for a United Nations-backed security force to stabilise the country in its conflict with increasingly powerful crime groups.

Gangs led by Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer known as Barbecue, are trying to force Henry from power.

Pierre Esperance of the National Network for Defense of Human Rights said only about 100 of the National Penitentiary’s estimated 3,800 inmates remained inside after the assault on Saturday night.

“We counted many prisoners’ bodies,” he added.

A reporter from the AFP news agency who visited the prison on Sunday said they saw about a dozen bodies outside it. The gate was open and there was “hardly anyone” left inside, they added.

The Reuters news agency reported that there were no signs of police officers at the prison and its main door was open.

“I’m the only one left in my cell,” one unidentified inmate told Reuters. “We were asleep when we heard the sound of bullets. The cell barriers are broken.”

In a statement, the Haitian government said police tried to repel the gang attack against that prison and at another facility called Croix des Bouquets. Esperance said it was not immediately clear how many inmates escaped from the second prison, which he said held 1,450 inmates.

The government said the attacks left “several wounded” among prison staff and inmates.

In a statement, it thanked “the population for their calm, despite these very difficult times”.

Violence in Haiti has spiralled in recent days after calls by Cherizier for criminal groups to unite and overthrow Henry. Cherizier heads an alliance of gangs and faces sanctions from the UN and the United States.

One voluntary prison worker on Sunday said that 99 prisoners had opted to remain in their cells in the main jail for fear of being killed in the crossfire. These included several retired Colombian soldiers who were jailed for their alleged involvement in the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise.

Authorities warned people to be careful and “to continue to support the National Police who will do everything possible to track down fleeing prisoners and arrest those responsible for these acts”, the statement read.

The prime minister’s exact whereabouts remained unclear on Sunday. Henry had been due to return from a visit to Kenya where he signed a security deal to tackle gang violence.

Nearly 15,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in recent days, with 10 sites hosting internally displaced people emptied over the weekend, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Henry, who became prime minister in 2021 after Moise’s assassination, was supposed to step down by early February, but told a regional summit in Guyana before travelling to Kenya that he would only hold elections by August 2025 once the situation was more stable.

The last elections took place in 2016.

Source: aljazeera.com

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/4/thousands-of-inmates-escape-prison-amid-deepening-haiti-violence

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Mideast

 

Extremist Israeli Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, Calls ForRamadan To Be ‘Wiped Out’ Amid West Bank Tensions

03 March 2024

A far-right Israeli minister has called for the holy month of Ramadan to be "wiped out" as tensions are escalating across the occupied West Bank amid the regime’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.

The comment was made by Israeli heritage minister, Amichai Eliyahu, in an interview with the regime’s Army Radio ahead of the Muslims’ holy month, which will start around March 10.

"The so-called month of Ramadan must be wiped out, and our fear of this month must also be wiped out," Eliyahu said.

His remarks came as the latest Israeli security reports have indicated the regime’s fears of an eruption of the situation in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds during Ramadan as a result of the Israeli war on Gaza and the restrictions that the Tel Aviv regime intends to impose on al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month.

The mosque is Islam's third holiest site and usually attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers especially during Ramadan.

Last month, Israel's Channel 13 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered restrictions on Palestinians' access to al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

With access to the holy site already limited for prayers, especially on Fridays, since October 7 when the regime launched its military aggression against Gaza, the move to impose tougher restrictions in Ramadan has been deemed extremely provocative and dangerous by many observers and rights groups.

Eliyahu, however, said in his interview that potential tensions during the holy month in the war-ravaged Gaza and the West Bank should be disregarded by the regime.

He is a member of the far-right, extremist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, which has been described as fascist and anti-Arab. His party is headed by Itamar Ben-Gvir, the regime’s far-right minister of national security. Ben-Gvir has called for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the building of Israeli settlements in the territory as well as the shooting of Palestinian women and children.

Eliyahu, for his part, has made similarly violent remarks, including in November when he said "using a nuclear weapon was an option" for the Israeli army during its onslaught on Gaza, claiming that the territory had "no right to exist."

The Council on Muslim-American Relations (CAIR) has slammed Eliyahu’s remarks, urging US President Joe Biden to condemn them as well.

"Once again, an Israeli … official has openly made genocidal remarks that the Biden administration has failed to condemn. Enough is enough," CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchel said in a statement.

The Israeli regime "keeps screaming to everyone that will listen that it is waging a war on the entire Palestinian population, as well as their cultural symbols, from churches to mosques to even Ramadan itself," he added while referring to past remarks made by Israeli politicians endorsing and encouraging attacks on civilians in Gaza.

Mitchell concluded by saying that it is time for Biden to condemn the Israeli regime "before it acts on its latest genocidal threats.”

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/03/721226/Extremist-Israeli-minister-Ramadan-wiped-outamid-West-Bank-tensions

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Israeli forces on killing spree in Gaza as war reaches 150-day mark

04 March 2024

Israel continues to commit genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip for the 150th consecutive day by launching dozens of air strikes, artillery shelling, and fire belts at the besieged territory.

The Palestinian Information Center reported that the Israeli aircraft and artillery continued their raids and violent bombardment on Monday in various parts of the Gaza Strip, targeting homes and killing hundreds of civilians.

Israeli jets bombed the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip overnight, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including children, according to initial reports.

Seven people were killed and several others injured after the Israeli military targeted a house in Khirbet Al-Adas in Rafah. The search continues for a number of missing people under the rubble.

The regime also targeted a house near Al-Awda Roundabout in central Rafah, which killed and wounded many people who were taken to Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital, and bombed another house located near a school in the city.

Israeli warplanes, meanwhile, bombed a cemetery built by the Palestinian people in the Jabalia refugee camp and conducted a raid targeting the eastern areas of the camp in the north of Gaza.

They also bombed a house sheltering displaced people in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip early Monday morning, killing at least 12 Palestinians and leaving 45 others injured.

Local sources reported that many people were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house in al-Mawasi, situated west of the city of Khan Yunis.

The Israeli aircraft bombed a house on Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City in the wee hours of Monday and targeted the vicinity of the Sheikh Zayed and Tal al-Zaatar areas in the northern Gaza Strip and the headquarters of the Engineers Syndicate near Sheikh Zayed.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed a 16-year-old boy amid raids in several cities.

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement said it foiled two attempts by Israeli soldiers to infiltrate Lebanese late on Sunday. The Israeli military did not comment.

According to Israeli media, senior members of the military’s Spokesperson’s Unit have resigned.

Since October 7, at least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 71,700 injured as a result of the Israeli regime forces' continuous onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

In its interim ruling in January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to stop genocidal acts in Gaza and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in the besieged Strip.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/04/721241/Palestine-Gaza-Israel-genocidal-war-Rafah-Jabalia-refugee-camp-Nuseirat-al-Mawasi-Al-Jalaa--Al-Ternis-

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Nasrallah's grandson killed by Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon - report

MARCH 3, 2024

The grandson of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Abbas Ahmed Halil, was one of the three Hezbollah terrorists killed on Saturday by an IDF strike in Neqoura in south Lebanon, according to a report by the Syrian radio channel Voice of the Capital on Sunday.

This is yet to be confirmed by official sources, but the report cites the same attack in which the IDF  announced that three Hezbollah operatives were killed in a vehicle in southern Lebanon after it was attacked by an Israeli drone strike.

The Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Manar also airstrike in the village of Kila in southern Lebanon and artillery strikes in the villages of Aitaroun and Belida, which are close to the border with Israel.

Israel-Hezbollah aggression has been continuous since October

Israeli strikes since October have killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and some 50 civilians in Lebanon, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have killed a dozen Israeli soldiers and five civilians. Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have fled villages on both sides of the frontier.

Hezbollah signaled this week that it would halt its attacks if Israel's Gaza offensive stops, but it is also ready to keep on fighting if the Gaza war continues. On Friday, Hezbollah announced the deaths of four members killed in Lebanon.

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati told Reuters on Thursday a halt to fighting in Gaza as early as next week would trigger indirect talks to end hostilities at the border.

Israeli strikes since October have killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and some 50 civilians in Lebanon, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have killed a dozen Israeli soldiers and five civilians. Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have fled villages on both sides of the frontier.

Source: jpost.com

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https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-790004

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Iran claims it executed Mossad ‘terrorist’ for drone attack on Isfahan arms facility

3 March 2024

Iran’s judiciary has executed a “terrorist” over a drone attack that targeted a defense ministry site in central Iran last year, state media reported on Sunday.

According to state TV, the person “planned to explode the workshop complex of the Ministry of Defense in Isfahan under guidance of the intelligence officer of Mossad,” Israel’s spy agency.

The date of the execution and the identity of the accused person were not immediately clear.

The site hit in the January 2023 strike was reportedly a weapons production facility for Iran’s kamikaze Shahed-136 drones.

Isfahan is also a known hub for Tehran’s missile industry and is where the Shahab medium-range missile — which has a range capable of hitting Israel — is assembled.

Iran also has several known nuclear research sites in the Isfahan region, including a uranium conversion plant. The country’s sanction-hit nuclear program has been the target of sabotage, assassinations of scientists and cyber-attacks.

Tehran has accused Israel of carrying out several covert actions on its soil.

Iran’s intelligence ministry said in February 2023 that it had arrested the “main actors” involved in the drone attack on the defense ministry site in Isfahan.

The previous month, an anti-aircraft system destroyed a drone, and two others exploded during an attack on a defense ministry facility in the province, officials said at the time.

According to the defense ministry, the nighttime attack left no casualties and only caused minor damage.

Authorities did not elaborate on activities at the site, but IRNA said the strike had targeted “an ammunition manufacturing plant.”

Iran and Israel are longtime foes and are currently locked in a row over Iran’s nuclear program. Israel accuses Iran of backing terrorist attacks against it, while Iran says Israel has carried out a number of killings of Iranian officials and scientists. Israel neither confirms nor denies such actions.

In August last year, Iran claimed to have foiled a “very complex” Mossad-initiated project to “sabotage” its ballistic missile industry.

In January, Iran hanged four members of its Kurdish minority on charges of spying for Israel. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel on a plan to sabotage an Iranian defense site in Isfahan.

Source: timesofisrael.com

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-claims-it-executed-mossad-terrorist-for-drone-attack-on-isfahan-arms-facility/

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23 martyrs, wounded,104 detainees in Zionist attacks in al-Quds in February

[04/March/2024]

OCCUPIED AL-QUDS March 04. 2024 (Saba) - Europeans for Jerusalem /al-Quds Foundation's data has revealed that the Zionist enemy forces committed 747 violations distributed among 18 types of human rights violations, led by incursions and raids at a rate of 51.9 percent, followed by arrests at a rate of 13.9 percent.

In its monthly report on violations in occupied al-Quds for the month of February, the organization monitored the enemy forces carrying out 40 shooting incidents and direct assaults in the neighborhoods of occupied al-Quds.

The raids killed five Palestinians, including two children, and injured 18 others as well as dozens of cases of suffocation while at least 24 citizens were beaten and abused.

The report documented that the enemy forces carrying out 388 storming operations into the towns and neighborhoods of al-Quds, during which they arrested 104 citizens, including seven children and ten women, summoned 14 others and imposed house arrest on citizens.

It also documented 17 demolition operations during which 17 homes were destroyed, including five whose owners were forced to self-demolish them, 24 notices were distributed and agricultural land was bulldozed.

The report monitored three land seizures throughout al-Quds, covering more than 2,604 dunams.

During the same month, the Zionist enemy authorities issued seven decisions and measures within the framework of consolidating the Judaization of settlement and Judaization in occupied Jerusalem, the most prominent of which was the readiness to approve 5,059 settlement units in seven different locations in the Jerusalem settlements, the establishment of a new settlement city in Jerusalem next to the town of Umm Tuba, and the erection of a huge trumpet in Jabal al-Mukaber. .

3,274 settlers and hundreds under the guise of tourists participated in the storming of al-Aqsa Mosque, which was repeated over the course of 20 days. Enemy forces also continued to besiege al-Aqsa Mosque and reduce the number of worshipers there to several thousand on Fridays.

The enemy authorities continued to implement the policy of deportation from al-Aqsa Mosque or the city of al-Quds. In February, they issued seven deportation decisions.

The report documented that eight attacks carried out by settlers, which included attacks, acts of incitement, and the destruction of a group of Islamic graves in al-Okasha Mosque, northwest of al-Quds. The enemy restored a grave claiming that it was the grave of Benjamin, the brother of the Prophet Joseph, peace be upon him.

The report also monitored 51 fixed and sudden barriers, two violations related to freedom of journalism and public freedoms, and two violations related to collective punishment.

The Foundation alerted to the seriousness of the violations taking place in al-Quds and the free hand of the settlers to carry out attacks against citizens, and the attempt to impose new realities in al-Aqsa Mosque, while increasing the suffering of Maqdesayans/Jerusalemites, in parallel with the continuation of Judaization policies, the repeated incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque, and the attempt to impose the division of the mosque in time and space as well as repeated attacks on Bab al-Rahma prayer hall and attempts to close it.

It also warned against the policies, procedures and decisions of the Zionist government, whose ministers hold declared positions on the Judaization of al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Quds, and which, if implemented, could spark a new wave of violence and escalation in the entire region.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3310081.htm

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Iran executes one over alleged Israel link to attack

March 04, 2024

TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s judiciary has executed a “terrorist” over a drone attack that targeted a defense ministry site in central Iran last year, state media reported on Sunday.

According to state TV, the person “planned to explode the workshop complex of the Ministry of Defense in Isfahan under guidance of the intelligence officer of Mossad,” Israel’s spy agency.

The date of the execution and the identity of the accused person were not immediately clear.

Iran has several known nuclear research sites in the Isfahan region, including a uranium conversion plant. The country’s sanction-hit nuclear program has been the target of sabotage, assassinations of scientists and cyber-attacks.

Tehran has accused Israel of carrying out several covert actions on its soil.

Iran’s intelligence ministry said in February 2023 that it had arrested the “main actors” involved in the drone attack on a defense ministry site in Isfahan, home to the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.

The previous month, an anti-aircraft system destroyed a drone, and two others exploded during an attack on a defense ministry facility in the province, officials said at the time.

According to the defense ministry, the night-time attack left no casualties and only caused minor damage.

Authorities did not elaborate on activities at the site, but IRNA said the strike had targeted “an ammunition manufacturing plant.”

Iran has been engaged in a shadow war for years with its arch-enemy Israel.

In August last year Iran claimed to have foiled a “very complex” Mossad-initiated project to “sabotage” its ballistic missile industry.

In January, Iran hanged four members of its Kurdish minority on charges of spying for Israel. They were convicted of collaborating with Israel on a plan to sabotage an Iranian defense site in Isfahan.

In April 2021, Tehran announced it had started producing 60 percent enriched uranium at the Natanz site, a day after accusing Israel of an attack there.

Since last October Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip against Hamas militants has sent tensions soaring. Iran has supported Hamas in the war, but denied any direct involvement in its attack, or in military action launched by allied armed groups in countries from Lebanon to Yemen.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2470611/middle-east

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Pakistan

 

Reiterating His Claims Of “Polls Rigging”, Jamaat-e-Islami chiefCalls New Govt A ‘Sham’

March 04, 2024

LAHORE: Reiterating his claims of “polls rigging”, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq on Sunday claimed the newly formed federal government was a sham as it came into being through manipulated results and demanded an audit of the recent elections through an independent judicial commission.

“To bring stability in the country, the institutions should abide by the Constitution and their oaths,” Siraj told the media in Lahore.

The JI chief regretted that those with Form 45 were on the streets and the ones with Form 47 were busy distributing portfolios.

“Earlier votes were snatched away, but now results are stolen.”

Siraj maintained that there would be no improvement in the country with the force of “guns and sticks” and the institutions would have to accept the decision of the people.

He continued that there were no smiles on the faces of the so-called winners in the recent elections. “They can't even congratulate each other.”

Claiming that everyone was aware of the reality, the JI chief demanded an election audit by an independent judicial commission.

Siraj demanded that the chief election commissioner should resign.

He claimed that the mandate of the JI was stolen.

“The issue is not about winning or losing, it is about violating the sanctity of the vote.”

The JI chief pledged to continue the struggle for the rights of the people in every nook and corner of the country.

In a post shared on social media platform X last month, Siraj denounced the purported electoral rigging, labelling it a direct affront to the integrity of the vote and public sentiment.

Describing it as the most egregious instance of rigging in Pakistan’s electoral history, he claimed that results were manipulated in favour of the PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P, particularly highlighting the situation in Karachi as akin to robbery, not mere theft.

Expressing his firm stance against such manipulation, the JI chief declared his personal participation in the protest in Karachi, emphasising that the robbery of the people's mandate was unequivocally unacceptable.

In December last year before the general elections, Siraj had maintained that February 8, 2024 – the date for the polls -- was going to be a “day of salvation” for the nation as “anti-people parties” would fall flat on their faces.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458325/siraj-calls-new-govt-a-sham

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Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami PartySlams Raid InQuetta Targeting Mahmood Khan Achakzai

March 4, 2024

Saleem Shahid

QUETTA: The Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) strongly condemned a raid conducted on Sunday by the Quetta administration, which claimed to have recovered a piece of government-owned land “illegally occupied” by the party’s chairman, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the presidential candidate contesting against PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.

The party alleged that the raid was conducted at Mr Achakzai’s residence and was a reaction of “state institutions” after a speech Mr Achakzai recently delivered in the National Assembly.

However, Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad Asad said earlier on Sunday that the raid was conducted to reclaim a piece of land located near Mr Achakzai’s residence. Mr Asad alleged that the reclaimed land, having an area of 2.5 kanals and encircled with a boundary wall, was illegally occupied by the PkMAP chief.

“The revenue staff and law enforcement agencies recovered the illegally occupied land and took it into custody,” Mr Asad said, adding that an armed man guarding the land was arrested as he attempted to obstruct the city’s assistant commissioner from performing his duties.

Govt claims to have recovered ‘illegally occupied’ land, party alleges raid prompted by chief’s NA speech

Sunday’s raid — conducted by the local administration in coordination with police and revenue department officials — came after a committee headed by Quetta’s assistant deputy commissioner (revenue) was formed to identify illegally grabbed pieces of land owned by the government of Balochistan. Many sites have been identified, including government and private properties, which are reportedly occupied unlawfully by different people.

PkMAP reaction

PkMAP Secretary General Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal condemned the raid targeting the party chairman and announced protest demonstrations across the country on Monday (today).

“Everyone knows the purpose of conducting a raid at the residence of Mahmood Khan Achakzai,” Mr Ziaratwal said at a press conference at the party secretariat late on Sunday night.

However, he said the party would not back out from its stance because of such raids by “some people and institutions”.

Mr Ziaratwal, accompanied by party leaders including Abdul Qahar Wadan and Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, alleged that the raid was a “reaction of state institutions” after a critical speech Mr Achakzai recently delivered in the National Assembly.

“We have received information that Mahmood Khan Achakzai and his children could be arrested through fake recovery of drugs from his residence,” Mr Ziaratwal claimed.

He said history was witness that PkMAP always supported the supremacy of the Constitution and law and never favoured any dictator.

He announced that the party would stage demonstrations and the lawyers’ community would observe strikes across the country on Monday to protest the Quetta administration’s action.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1818920/pkmap-slams-raid-in-quetta-targeting-mahmood-khan-achakzai

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Protest rallies against ‘rigging’: 300 PTI activists booked in Bahawalpur, Gujrat

 March 4, 2024

BAHAWALPUR: Over 200 PTI activists have been booked in two FIRs registered by local police stations for allegedly opening fire during party’s protest rallies on Saturday, threatening police officials, blocking roads, taking out unlawful rallies under the MPO ordinance and other offences here on Sunday.

The FIRs were registered by Saddar and Civil Lines police stations on the complaints of police officials concerned.

Among the booked are 30 PTI leaders and office-bearers, including defeated candidates Samiullah Chaudhury, Asghar Joyia, Ahmad Usman Channar, Ijaz Gaddan and local leaders Farzand Ali Goher, Tahir Janbaz Alamgir Gujjar. More than 100 people are unidentified.

Complainant policemen alleged that the accused burnt tyres, blocked roads and stopped vehicular traffic creating hurdles for the general public, threatened police officials on duty.

They claimed the accused carried petrol bombs in their hands and hurled stones at police and private transport and attempted to torch their vehicles. It was also alleged in the FIRs that in the rally some masked demonstrators allegedly opened fire and uprooted poles alongside roads.

Dawn learnt that police teams raided the houses of some activists to arrest them but police denied it.

GUJRAT: More than 100 PTI workers, including an MPA, two ticket-holders and at least 11 lawyers have been booked by Gujrat police for blocking roads and staging a protest demonstration.

Being led by PTI candidate Chaudhary Qaisara Elahi, the Gujrat chapter of PTI had held a demonstration against the alleged rigging in the recently-held general elections.

However, Civil Lines police lodged a case against at least 46 nominated and at least 60 unidentified PTI workers under sections 341, 290, 291, 147 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code and section 16 of Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960 on the report of inspector Mansha of the same police station.

PTI MPA Shahid Raza Kotla, party ticket holders from NA-63 Sajid Yousaf Channi and Tanveer Gondal from PP 30, member Punjab Bar Council Naveed Warraich and 10 other lawyers as well as some former union council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors are also among those nominated in the case.

Police had also detained several PTI workers from the protest demonstration at Kutchehry Chowk whereas Tanveer Gondal and Faizan Khalid Butt were got freed from police custody by the resistance offered PTI leader Sameera Elahi and other women at the occasion. Police said it had started an investigation into the case.

Meanwhile, senior PTI leader and former federal minister Chaudhary Moonis Elahi has condemned the registration of case and police action during the `peaceful protest rally’ in Gujrat on Saturday.

Source: dawn.com

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Shehbaz elected PM for second time, offers ‘charter of reconciliation’ to PTI-backed opposition

March 04, 2024

 Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Soon after his election as the country’s 24th prime minister with record 201 votes, PM-elect Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday offered an olive branch to the opposition with ‘Charter of Economy’ and ‘Charter of Reconciliation’ to meet the tough challenges facing the country.

In a lengthy speech in the National Assembly, Shehbaz recalled that in his maiden speech as the opposition leader in 2018, he had offered the ‘Charter of Economy’.

“Now I offer the same charter along with the Charter of Reconciliation. When your noisemaking ends and you cool down, ponder over whether I am wrong while making this offer,” he said.

Amid full-throated sloganeering from the opposition members, he said it was time to prefer wisdom (Shaoor) to noise-making (Shor). “Let us sit together for betterment of the country and reformation,” he pleaded.

He also mentioned that a deep surgery of system and revolutionary reforms in various sectors were required to meet the challenges, which were higher than the Himalayas.

Flanked by former premier Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, he touched upon every topic, including economy, foreign investment, foreign policy and mentioned that increasing foreign and domestic loans and circular debt of power and gas sectors were the country’s major challenges.

Nawaz hugged and congratulated Shehbaz soon after announcement of his success with the two siblings hardly controlling their emotions.

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) leader Omar Ayub Khan managed to secure 92 votes.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUIP), which had already boycotted the elections of prime minister, stayed away from the proceedings with its eight MNAs.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) kept sitting in the hall and did not cast his vote.

Shehbaz got two more votes as against Speaker Ayaz Sadiq who was polled 199 votes.

As the proceedings were in progress, the National Assembly Secretariat notified the election of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. “Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Member National Assembly (NA-123), has been elected as Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under Article 91 of the Constitution by the Members of the National Assembly having secured 201 votes in the session of the National Assembly on March 3, 2024,” the notification said.

Later, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq addressed a letter to President Arif Alvi officially informing him about the election of Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister.

Shehbaz also invited the opposition to move towards electoral reforms so that nobody could complain of rigging in the future polls. He pointed out that PTI-backed members in total secured 17 million votes, whereas the allied parties in total got 45 million votes.

“It is a split mandate; it is a principle of democracy that whosoever has majority should form the government and the same should be accepted,” he said. He said after a split mandate, they had invited the Sunni Ittehad Council to form the government.

He spelled out a number of initiatives to net the galloping inflation, high cost of living, price hike, circular debt in the energy sector and foreign debts, and expressed the optimism that though the mounds of challenges existed, they were not insurmountable. “My party’s Quaid Nawaz Sharif always asked me not to give deadlines, but I will say that our efforts will start bearing fruit in one year.”

He said the biggest challenge was the increasing burden of foreign loans and debt servicing.

He said as per estimates, the budget revenue stood at Rs12,300 billion and after the NFC Award distribution, the federal government was left with only Rs7,300 billion. He said after paying Rs8,000 billion in interest and services charges, the country faced a deficit of Rs7,000 billion.

He wondered from where they would get resources for development, education, health, and salaries of the federal government employees and armed forces.

Shehbaz pointed out that the expenses of the Parliament House, including the salaries of prime ministers and members, were paid from loans. He termed it an unending chain of seeking loans after loans and ‘a grave situation’ for about 250 million people. He further said that the country had sought about Rs80,000 billion external, internal and private debts in the past.

Talking about the next challenges, Shehbaz said the power sector alone was burdened with Rs2,300 billion circular debt, while the recovery faced a Rs1,000 billion gap. He said the gas sector circular debt had reached Rs2,900 billion.

He further said it was an irony of the fate that the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were incurring Rs600 billion deficit annually and in this regard he cited PIA which was facing a debt of Rs800 billion. He maintained that tax evasion and theft in the power and gas sectors were serious matters, equating them with ‘a bottomless pit’.

“These challenges are difficult though but not impossible to resolve. It is a thorny journey full of obstacles but developed nations overcome all of them,” he observed and expressed his resolve to lead the country to the path of progress and prosperity.

Commenting on PTI’s letter to the IMF, Shehbaz said constitutional remedies were available on the election disputes but writing a letter to a foreign institution was nothing less than showing enmity towards the country. He said it also manifested that PTI leadership had no trust in the national institutions and parliament.

Shehbaz said they would strive for a network of health and educational facilities, green revolution, and construction of infrastructure and factories. To resolve these issues, he said, they would utilise the latest technology and innovations, empowerment of women and loans for the youth, adding that he was hopeful of positive effects of those steps within one year.

He further said about 500,000 students would be imparted the latest training, besides boosting the artificial intelligence and IT exports. He said the farmers’ prosperity was linked with the country’s progress and announced provision of direct fertiliser subsidy to the farmers.

He said solar tube wells programme would be launched for small farmers, while the seed mafia would be eliminated, as the government would import quality seeds. He said the upcoming government would also provide one-time free quality seeds to farmers.

He also emphasized the need for working together with all the provinces to bring revolution in the agriculture sector under the SIFC’s guidelines.

The prime minister-elect also announced to lay an efficient countrywide public transport network.

He said high achievers and performing children would be provided with scholarships and their expenditures would be borne by the federal government for their education in the world’s renowned educational institutions. He also underlined the need for quick and speedy justice system with required reforms in consultation with all the stakeholders.

Shehbaz Sharif announced that the jailed women and children, who were not involved in heinous cases and were completing their terms of less than two years, would be released and imparted skills to become useful citizens of the society. He lamented that unthinkable incidents happened in the country’s history on May 9 and said the law would take its course and those responsible for the incident would have to face action. He regretted that an atmosphere of hatred was created in the past through the use of abusive language which would take years to end.

He also announced to completely implement the National Action Plan to eliminate terrorism for good. He regretted that terrorists were released from prisons during the PTI government causing a surge in the acts of terrorism.

Shehbaz said he was totally aware of deprivation of people of Balochistan adding that it would not be possible to heal their wounds without addressing the issue of missing persons. “In the first available opportunity, I will talk to notables of Balochistan on every issue,” he said.

On the country’s foreign policy, he maintained that Pakistan would not join the ‘Great Game’ but increase its international friends while reducing the number of enemies. “First, we will mend our relations with the US and then improve those ties,” he said. He particularly mentioned the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the deep affection and fraternal ties both countries enjoyed and said Pakistan was indebted to their generous assistance.

Shehbaz also appreciated the leadership of the UAE, Turkiye and Qatar who always supported Pakistan. Bilateral relations with Kuwait, Bahrain and Iran would also be further cemented, he added. He strongly condemned continuous bombardment in Gaza saying no force of the world had been able to stop such brutalities. He said East Timor was separated from Indonesia and South Sudan was created as a new country on religious basis but nothing was done to resolve the issues of Kashmir and Palestine. He said protecting the minorities’ rights was the responsibility of the state as ordained by the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan. He also reiterated protection to the rights of women comprising about 50 percent of the country’s population.

He said the government would ensure a business-friendly environment and address the issues impacting direct foreign direct investment and tax collection. He said the mafias evading taxes should be made to pay taxes, adding that export zones facilities would also be introduced.

Shehbaz observed that tax refund delay was a big hurdle for exporters and he would direct the FBR to expedite the process, ensuring its payment within 10 days. He said promotion of SMEs was critical for providing jobs to the rural population and controlling the increasing urbanization.

He said all the banks would be directed to provide loans to the youth to run their small businesses.

He said investors from the brotherly countries might be provided with visa-free entry to encourage investment opportunities. “Work on CPEC projects would be accelerated. My government will do away with all the laws in one go hindering foreign investment,” he said.

He asked the opposition to join them in adopting a resolution condemning cruelties and gross human rights violations in Gaza and IIOJ&K.

He also warned the oil mafia to immediately convert their businesses into solar power generation and renewable energy network.

He also congratulated the newly elected speaker and deputy speaker and thanked his elder brother Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the allied parties for support.

He also lauded Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for laying the foundations of the country’s nuclear programme and termed his execution a judicial murder. He also paid homage to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who laid down her life for democracy and law and order.

Shehbaz said Nawaz Sharif’s government was toppled thrice and he was sent to the jail on fabricated cases. “Neither Nawaz nor I, Zardari and other relatives, who were sent to jail, ever talked against the interests of the country,” he said.

After Benazir Bhutto’s death, he said former president Asif Ali Zardari raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ which help rebuild the country. “On the contrary, during the PTI’s government, the entire opposition was sent behind bars and foul language was used against the state institutions,” he said.

Taking the floor, Omar Ayub Khan refused to accept Shehbaz Sharif as the genuine prime minister saying he was a fake premier. He said the newly elected leader of the house was a product of Form 47. He said the members of PMLN and Muttahida Qaumi Movement sitting in the House also very well know they had got a fake mandate. He said MQM had been wiped out in Karachi.

Omar said had the results been announced on the basis of Form 45, the PTI backed candidates would have won 180 direct seats and their strength would have been over 225.

“Today, a fake prime minister addressed the house, as he cannot be a member of this House,” he said, adding that with Shehbaz Sharif’s speech also showed that he had no plan to run the country.

Omar said they had also raised a point in the house when the oath was administered that aliens were sitting in the House. “Today, they also feel guilty with no expressions of happiness on their faces. It seems they have come to attend a funeral,” he said.

He demanded immediate resignation of the chief election commissioner and a judicial inquiry into rigging by looking into Forms 45. He also called for impartial judicial inquiry into May 9 incidents saying footages of GHQ and Corps Commander’s House were also available.

He said it was IMF which approached the PTI leadership seeking support for the agreement with Pakistan. Omar claimed that the upcoming government would not have the mandate for reforms saying it would not be able to deliver. “The burden of loans on Pakistan has increased due to the luxuries of these people, whereas the same should have been spent on benefitting the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, China and Iran Sunday felicitated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the prime minister of Pakistan for the second time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang extended felicitations to the PMLN leader on his election as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan.

Jinping hoped Islamabad would be able to make new and greater achievements in national development and progress under the leadership of PM Shehbaz Sharif and the new government along with the united efforts of all sectors of Pakistan.

The Chinese leader stressed that Islamabad and Beijing should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and jointly build an upgraded version of the CPEC. The Chinese president hoped that two nations will continue to deepen their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and create more well-being for the two peoples.

Meanwhile, President of Iran Seyed Ebrahim Raiisi on Sunday congratulated Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan.

In a message, the president expressed his confidence that the two countries, in the light of the deep historical and cultural links, will work harder to strengthen and expand cooperation in order to achieve the desired and befitting level of the relations between the two great nations of Iran and Pakistan.

The president stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran was fully prepared to strengthen and deepen all aspects of bilateral relations with the brotherly and neighboring country Pakistan within the framework of its constant policy.

He expressed hope that the new government of Pakistan will take steps towards the growth and prosperity of Pakistan and prayed to Almighty God for the success of the new government and the happiness and well-being of the honorable nation of Pakistan.

Iranian envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam also congratulated Shehbaz Sharif for being elected as the new prime minister of Pakistan. He expressed warmest congratulations and expanded all-out relations and bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

Outgoing caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Sunday congratulated Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the prime minister. “Congratulations to (Shehbaz Sharif) on being elected as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan,” Kakar wrote on X.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif on being elected as prime minister for the second time. In a message, she said, “I also congratulate the people of Pakistan as they have got a Khadim.”

PMLN senior leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif congratulated Shehbaz for winning the election of prime minister.

Talking to the media at the Parliament House, he termed the prime minister’s address a historic one which had covered all the topics to facilitate the deprived segment of the country. He said after the formation of the coalition government, massive legislation would be done in the parliament which was the best forum to address the genuine issues of the masses.

PMLN leader Musadik Malik said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s address in the National Assembly would bring economic and social revolution to the country.

Talking to the media at the Parliament House, he said after the formation of the coalition government, revolutionary measures would be taken for maximum relief to the common man.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Bugti wants rescue, relief operation in Gwadar to continue

March 04, 2024

GWADAR: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Sunday directed the administration to continue the operation for rescue and rehabilitation of the people and ensure early drainage of rainwater from the affected areas.

Chief Minister Bugti issued the directives while chairing a high-level meeting to review the damages caused by rains and flood in Gwadar and its surrounding areas. He said the incessant rains had created an unusual situation in Gwadar and the government would provide all necessary assistance to the victims.

He ordered the departments concerned to expedite the rehabilitation and relief activities in the rain-affected areas to protect precious lives and properties.

Commissioner Makran Division Saeed Ahmed Umrani and Deputy Commissioner Kech Aurangzeb Badini informed the meeting that in the recent spell, about 187 rainfall had been recorded in the area. They further said that families affected by the torrential rain were immediately shifted to safer places. They were being provided all necessary assistance, including ration.

The chief minister appreciated the authorities for their timely relief actions and directed them to continue the activities till normal life was restored in the area.

The intensive rain spell has wreaked havoc in Gwadar, with flash floods inundating several villages on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Sunday said a committee has been formed to determine the damages caused by the recent floods in Gwadar, which will submit a complete assessment report within 20 days. He said that the process of water drainage from Gwadar city would be completed by Monday and maximum relief would be provided to the flood-hit people. During his visit to Gwadar, Sarfraz Bugti said hundreds of houses were damaged due to torrential rains and floods in the area.

Talking to media persons, the CM said the government would not leave the affected people alone at such a critical time and would provide all possible help to the affected. Pakistan Army, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other institutions have taken steps by bringing all their resources to help the affected people, CM said.

He appreciated the people of Gwadar the way they have cooperated with the aid agencies in this difficult time. The provincial government was making all-out efforts and utilizing all available resources for the rehabilitation of flood affected, he added.

The chief minister, during his one-day visit to Gwadar, met the flood-affected families and distributed relief items. He said steps would be taken to rehabilitate the flood-hit people after the completion of rescue operation.

Sarfraz Bugti said that emergency measures are being taken to drain out rainwater from the population and restore normal life in the flood-hit areas.

Earlier, Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday reached Gwadar to review the situation caused by heavy rains in the coastal city and measures being taken for the rescue of affected people. He was accompanied by Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs), including Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Ali MadadJattak, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, Mir Obaid Girgij and Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan on his one-day visit to Gwadar

Source: thenews.com.pk

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Southeast Asia

 

Religious Programme Helps Muslim Offenders Break Free of Drugs:  Singapore Islamic Scholars

 MAR 03, 2024

Samuel Devaraj

SINGAPORE - In 2021, Aminah (not her real name) received a message from her pregnant friend’s phone number, asking her to meet at a supermarket to buy milk powder.

But when she arrived at the supermarket, Aminah was nabbed by plain-clothes officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). She was later sentenced to 12 months in the drug rehabilitation centre (DRC) for consuming methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice. After her release, she was sent back to the DRC in April 2023 for consuming the same drug.

Aminah, 31, is now among the latest batch of supervisees who have completed the InsanMukmin (pious individual) Muslim intensive religious programme.

The 20-week programme is conducted while participants are in prison and continues when they are on community-based programmes, which allow suitable inmates to serve the tail end of their sentence in the community.

The programme is organised by the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas), Fitrah (Family and Inmates Through-care Assistance Haven) and the Singapore Prison Service.

The 17 male and 10 female supervisees who recently completed the programme received certificates from Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim on March 3 at the Darul Aman mosque in Eunos.

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Speaking to the media, Aminah, who is now a delivery attendant, said the programme taught her how to discern whether her friends are a good or bad influence. She has also gone back to reciting the Quran.

According to a fact sheet from the organisers, the InsanMukmin programme has three phases. The first two, which are conducted before the supervisees start their community-based programme, teach them positive values and pro-social habits that are aligned to Islamic values and principles.

During the third phase, participants are assigned a befriender from Fitrah to initiate the first steps towards pro-social and positive support networks, and to facilitate their participation in various social activities organised by mosques.

Since its pilot in October 2015, over 100 people have participated in the programme.

Originally aimed at providing structured and intensive religious counselling to selected male Muslim inmates from the DRC, the programme was expanded in 2022 to include male inmates beyond the DRC as well as female inmates.

According to figures released by CNB in February, there was a worrying increase in the number of young and female drug abusers arrested in 2023.

A total of 3,101 drug abusers were arrested in 2023, up 10 per cent from the 2,826 in 2022.

New drug abusers arrested in 2023 came up to 944, up 18 per cent from the 802 in 2022. More than half were below the age of 30.

In total, 454 female drug abusers were arrested in 2023, compared with 408 in 2022.

In his speech on March 3, Associate Professor Faishal said he observed the programme for female participants at Darul Aman mosque in January, and spoke to them.

“Many said the programme had positively impacted their lives, and many were determined to remain steadfast in their rehabilitation and reintegration journey,” he said.

Faiz (not his real name), 46, who has completed the programme, was first incarcerated at 16 and has since spent more than 20 years behind bars.

He started as a lookout for drug abusers, and then tried heroin out of curiosity.

He went on to commit various offences including drug consumption and trafficking, as well as rioting.

After his release in 2016, Faiz was clean for about five years, during which he worked as an inspector of drilling tools in Australia.

When he returned to Singapore during the Covid-19 pandemic, he faced financial issues and returned to abusing drugs after meeting his friends.

He was sentenced to three years in the DRC in November 2022 for consuming Ecstasy.

The father of four is now working in pest control and plans to further his studies in the Quran.

“I’ve tried all avenues and ways to change my life since the age of 16. This is a new avenue I would like to try. Maybe I can change through spiritual healing.” he said.

Source: straitstimes.com

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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/religious-programme-helps-muslim-offenders-break-free-of-drugs

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Humanitarian crisis in Palestine, scammers issue, among focus of Dewan Rakyat today

 04 Mar 2024

THE Dewan Rakyat sitting today will focus on, among other things, the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, scammers and the naturalisation policy in football.

According to the Order Paper on the Parliament's official website, during the question and answer session, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) will ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the government's plans and further actions concerning the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas) will ask the Prime Minister about the losses incurred due to scammers from 2020 to 2023 and the government's actions to combat such crimes comprehensively.

The question on the naturalisation policy will be posed by Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) to the Minister of Youth and Sports.

Jimmy, in his question, wants to know the number of players who were given citizenship to represent Malaysia in the recent Asian Cup, and efforts being taken by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to improve the quality of football and whether this naturalisation programme will be continued in the future.

After the oral question and answer session, the sitting will continue with the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address which began last week.

According to the calendar on the official Parliament website, the current Dewan Rakyat meeting will last for 19 days, with the debate on the Royal Address by Members of Parliament from Feb 27 to March 7, followed by responses from the relevant ministries for four days beginning March 11.

The tabling and debates on Bills and other government matters will be held from March 18 to 27. - Bernama, March 4, 2024

Source: thevibes.com

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UNIFIL vehicle detention: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon safe - Mohamed Khaled

04-03- 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pix) has confirmed that Malaysian peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are safe, following reports that a UNIFIL armoured vehicle has been detained by local residents.

Mohamed Khaled said this briefly when contacted by Bernama today, adding that further details would be issued in a statement later.

According to Lebanese media reports, the UNIFIL armoured vehicle allegedly carrying peacekeepers from Malaysia is believed to have been detained by residents and handed over to Hezbollah fighters in the Hay al-Sellom area of Dahiyeh, south of Beirut, recently.

The Defence Security Asia (DSA) portal, citing Lebanese media, reported that the area in question is outside the UNIFIL operational area.

The Arabic-language news portal, Lubnan Al-Modon, also released a video showing the situation inside the UNIFIL armoured vehicle, including the words ‘Cendana Auto’ on the vehicle’s steering wheel and several personal items of the peacekeepers.

At the time of writing, Bernama was still trying to obtain confirmation from the Joint Forces Command, which coordinates the needs in operations and missions under the United Nations.

Meanwhile, UNIFIL deputy spokesman Kandice Ardiel, when speaking with local television station Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), confirmed the incident that led to the temporary detention of UNIFIL peacekeepers.

“A UN peacekeeping logistics vehicle en route to Beirut entered an unplanned route,“ Kandice said.

However, she did not disclose the nationality of the peacekeepers involved in the incident.

In addition to the freedom of movement within the UNIFIL operational area, Kandice said they are also allowed to move throughout Lebanon by the government for administrative and logistical purposes as stipulated in the implementation of Resolution 1701.

Meanwhile, Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, as cited by the LBCI portal, confirmed that the incident in Hay al-Sellom in Dahiyeh involved an armoured vehicle carrying Malaysian personnel.

According to Al-Akhbar, the incident was deemed sensitive and stemmed from the ‘mistake’ of the personnel entering an area known as a stronghold of fighters, especially during times of conflict.

It said that the incident is not the first of its kind and altercations between international military forces and local residents have occurred before. –Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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Minister asks regional heads to anticipate inflation ahead of Ramadan

March 3, 2024

Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian asked the governors, district heads, and mayors in the country to anticipate inflation ahead of Ramadan.

"I ask regional heads to immediately work to suppress high inflation in regions and collect data at the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs," Karnavian remarked here on Sunday.

According to him, there are two problems that trigger inflation in an area.

First, the lack of supply and a surge in demand in the community.

During Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, the price of staples such as rice, chicken meat, eggs, and so on will soar.

Therefore, he asked every regional head to be aware of it.

"Please be aware and immediately increase the staple supply. Then, the distribution must be smooth," he said.

Karnavian, who presided over the national-level commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the Public Security and Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the 62nd Community Protection Unit (Satlinmas), emphasized that Satpol PP has an important role in helping law enforcement officers prevent the hoarding of goods.

On a separate occasion, the Head of the West Sumatra BPS, SugengArianto, said that inflation in the province reached 3.32 percent in February 2024 in a year-on-year (yoy).

He explained that the inflation was due to the price hike in a number of expenditure groups.

"This inflation is due to the increase in the price of food, beverage, and tobacco group expenditure by 6.84 percent," Arianto remarked.

Other groups that triggered inflation are clothing and footwear by 2.01 percent, housing, water, electricity, and household fuel by 1.65 percent.

Furthermore, household maintenance tools increased by 0.59 percent, health by 2.88 percent, transportation by 1.39 percent, and the information, communication, and financial services group by 0.07 percent.

Source: antaranews.com

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India

 

PFI Activist, Abdul Saleem, Arrested for Making India An ‘Islamic Nation By 2047’

March 3, 2024

By PTI

 Mar 02, 2024, 03:09:00 PM IST

The NIA has arrested an absconding chargesheeted accused, carrying a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for his arrest, in the Nizamabad PFI case involving an anti-India conspiracy by the banned outfit to carry out acts of terror and violence, a spokesperson said on Saturday. Abdul Saleem, the state secretary for PFI's Telangana North, is the 15th accused to be arrested in the case, originally registered by the Telangana Police at Nizamabad police station in July 2022 and taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in August that year.

An integral part of the conspiracy of the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its cadres was to make India into an Islamic nation by 2047. Abdul Saleem had been on the run since the case came to light and the NIA subsequently declared the reward for his arrest, the spokesperson said.

He was nabbed from Mydukur in Andhra Pradesh's Kadappa district following an intelligence-led operation, the official added.

NIA investigations in the case have shown that he was involved in the radicalisation and the recruitment of impressionable Muslim youngsters into the PFI. He was also sending them to terror training camps for weapons training to equip them to further the organisation's nefarious anti-India agenda, the spokesperson said.

The NIA had chargesheeted 11 accused, including Abdul Saleem, in December 2022, followed by supplementary charge sheets against five in March and December last year.

Source: m.economictimes.com

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Muslim Rashtriya Manch, affiliated with RSS in Assam Supports Repeal of Marriage Act to Combat Child Marriage

March 4, 2024

A Muslim organisation in Assam has expressed support for the state government’s decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, a move aimed at combatting the issue of child marriage in the region.

The Assam unit of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, applauded the decision, emphasising its potential to protect Muslim boys and girls from the harmful practice of underage marriage.

Alkas Hussain, the convenor of the Manch’s Assam unit, commended Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his commitment to ending marriages involving girls as young as 5-6 years old by 2026.

Hussain criticised certain Muslim MLAs for what he deemed as neglect towards Muslim children.

The decision to repeal the Act, which allowed marriage registration of minors, has faced opposition from the All India United Democratic Front, citing conflicts with the Kazis Act of 1880.

However, Hussain supported the state government’s stance and also endorsed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code, emphasising the importance of a unified legal framework for the country.

Hussain credited the Narendra Modi government for its initiatives such as banning triple talaq and promoting development. He urged patience regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) issue, suggesting that awaiting the Supreme Court’s judgment would be prudent to avoid further unrest.

Despite concerns over the BJP’s decision not to field any Muslim candidates in Assam’s Lok Sabha elections, Hussain asserted that candidate selection was based on factors of electability. He suggested that the Asom Gana Parishad, a BJP ally, might nominate a Muslim candidate in Dhubri, a Muslim-majority constituency.

In light of the upcoming elections, Hussain expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects, citing widespread support for development across communities in Assam.

Source: thestatesman.com

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Nine Bangladeshis detained for 'unauthorised' entry into Jagannath Temple in Puri

04.03.24

Nine Bangladeshis were detained by the Odisha Police for allegedly entering the Jagannath Temple in Puri unauthorisedly, an officer said on Monday.

They were detained on Sunday evening after a few Vishva Hindu Parishad activists found that several Bangladeshi non-Hindus entered the 12th-century shrine, flouting the temple norms, and lodged a complaint at the Singhadwar Police Station, he said.

After getting the complaint, a police team reached the spot and detained the tourists for questioning, Puri Additional SP Sushil Mishra said.

“We have received a complaint that some non-Hindu people from Bangladesh have entered the temple. We have detained nine Bangladeshis and started questioning them,” the additional superintendent of police said.

As per temple norms, only Hindus are allowed to enter the shrine.

If they are found to be non-Hindu, action will be taken against them, as per law, Mishra said.

“We are verifying their passports. It was found that one of them is a Hindu. We are checking the passports of others. Preliminary investigation suggests that four of the nine detainees entered the temple,” he added.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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SC overrules majority verdict in JMM bribery case: ‘corruption and bribery by members of legislature erode probity in public life’

 Ananthakrishnan G

 March 4, 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday overruled its 1998 majority ruling in the JMM bribery case in which the apex court had said that members of Parliament and state legislatures were immune from prosecution for accepting bribes for voting or speaking in a certain manner in the House.

The question had arisen in the context of bribery charges against Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA Sita Soren in connection with the 2012 Rajya Sabha election to two seats from the state. Sita Soren was accused of accepting a bribe from an Independent candidate for voting for him. She had said she had voted for her party candidate. A fresh election was held later, in which she voted for her party candidate.

Sita Soren had moved the Jharkhand High Court for the quashing of the chargesheet and criminal proceedings against her, relying on the provisions of Article 194 (2), but the HC declined to do so. She then approached the SC, where a two-judge Bench in September 2014 opined that since the issue was “substantial and of general public importance”, it should be placed before a larger bench of three judges.

On March 7, 2019, a bench of three judges took up the appeal and noted that the HC judgment dealt with the Narasimha Rao verdict, and hence should be referred to a larger bench and it was ultimately referred to the seven-judge bench.

While reading out the operative part of the judgement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, presiding over a seven-judge bench, said on Monday, “The seven of us have arrived at a unanimous verdict… We disagree with and overrule the judgement of the majority on this aspect”.

The bench also comprised Justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, PS Narasimha, JB Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar, and Manoj Misra.

The judgement said that “Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution seek to sustain an environment in which debate and deliberation can take place within the legislature” and “this purpose is destroyed when a member is induced to vote or speak in a certain manner because of an act of bribery”. “Bribery is not rendered immune under Article 105(2) and the corresponding provision of Article 194 because a member engaging in bribery commits a crime, which is not essential to the casting of the vote or the ability to decide on how the vote should be cast,” the court said.

“The same principle applies to bribery in connection with a speech in the House or commit committee”, the bench said adding “corruption and bribery by members of the legislature erode probity in public life”.

The bench said, “The offence of bribery is agnostic to the performance of the agreed action and crystallised on the exchange of the legal gratification. It does not matter whether a vote is cast in the agreed direction or if the vote is cast at all. The offence of bribery is complete at the point in time when the legislator accepts the bribe.”

“The doctrine of stare decisis is not an inflexible rule of law” and “a larger bench of the court may reconsider a previous decision in appropriate cases bearing in mind the test which have been formulated in the precedence of this court,” said the bench.

“The judgement of this court in Narasimha Rao, which grants immunity from prosecution to a member of the legislature who has allegedly engaged in bribery for casting a vote or speaking, has wide ramifications on public interest, probity in public life, and parliamentary democracy. There is grave danger of this court allowing an error to be perpetrated if the decision were not reconsidered,” it said.

The court pointed out, “Unlike the House of Commons in the UK, India does not have ancient and undoubted privileges which were vested after a struggle between Parliament and the King. Privileges in pre-independence India were governed by statute in the phase of a reluctant colonial government. The statutory privilege transitioned to a constitutional privilege after the commencement of the constitution”.

“Whether a claim to privilege in a particular case confirms to the parameters of the constitution is amenable to judicial review,” it said. “An individual member of the legislature cannot assert a claim of privilege to seek immunity under Articles 105 and 194 from prosecution on a charge of bribery in connection with a vote or speech in the legislature. Such a claim to immunity fails to fulfil the two-fold test that the claim is tethered to the collective functioning of the House and that it is necessary to the discharge of the essential duties of a legislator”.

The SC said, “The jurisdiction which is exercised by a competent court to prosecute a criminal offence and the authority of the House to take action for a breach of discipline in relation to the receipt of a bribe by a member of legislature exist in distinct spheres”. “The scope, purpose and consequences of the court exercising jurisdiction in relation to criminal offences and the authority of the House to discipline its members are different”.

The judges said, “The potential of misuse against individual members of the legislature is neither enhanced nor diminished by recognising the jurisdiction of the court to prosecute a member of the legislature, alleged to have indulged in an act of bribery”.

Stating that the “offence of bribery is complete at the point in time when the legislator accepts the bribe” and “does not matter whether a vote is cast in the agreed direction or if the vote is cast at all”, it said “the interpretation which has been placed on the issue in question in the judgement of the majority in P V Rao results in a paradoxical outcome, where a legislator is conferred with immunity when they accept a bribe and follow through by voting in the agreed direction” but “on the other hand a legislator, who agrees to accept a bribe, but decides to vote independently will be prosecuted”.

Source: indianexpress.com

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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-ruling-1998-judgment-mp-mla-immunity-bribery-charge-9194406/

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North America

 

Hundreds Gather Outside Israeli Embassy InWashington Demanding Cease-Fire In Gaza

Diyar Guldogan

03.03.2024

Hundreds of people on Saturday gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC to demand a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags chanted slogans against President Joe Biden while unfurling banners saying "Free Palestine", "Stop The Invasion", "Hands Of Rafah", "Stop The Genocide", "End All US Aid To Israel", "Jews For Free Palestine", and "End All US Funding Of Israeli Apartheid."

The protesters remembered the US service member Aaron Bushnell who set himself on fire outside the embassy last week.

Bushnell, 25, an active-duty member of the Air Force, died after self-immolating in protest against Israel's war on Gaza, and he wrote in his will that he wanted his ashes to be scattered in a free Palestine.

“I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal,” he said during a live stream on his mobile phone.

Then he proceeded to douse himself in gasoline, setting himself ablaze.

Dressed in military uniform, Bushnell shouted “Freedom for Palestine” repeatedly, until he could no longer speak.

'We will not leave streets until we achieve freedom'

One of the protesters, who is also a director at American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Mohammad Habehh said people are in front of the embassy to give a message to the US administration and to the Israeli government.

"We will not stop, we will not leave the streets until we achieve freedom and an end to this genocide that is being committed by the Israelis and the US government.

"I think the President (Joe Biden) and those who are guilty, are well aware of what is going on in the streets, whether it is this or the disruptions or the many actions that we are taking here in DC and around this country right now," Habehh said.

He added protests are going on around major cities in the US for Palestine, saying the Biden administration knows what the American people stand against.

"I think that Joe Biden has proved time and again, that he is incapable of having any empathy for the Palestinian people.

"You heard him last week when he was eating ice cream, talking about a cease-fire while our people are being starved, while our people are being killed in food lines. He's eating ice cream talking about a cease-fire," Habehh said.

He stressed that he is hopeful that Palestinian people will get the justice and freedom that they deserve.

Mohammad Qasim, organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement, told Anadolu that they are calling for a permanent cease-fire after nearly five months of Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, and for ending the occupation of Palestine.

"There's an impending invasion of Rafah. There has already been bombardment of Rafah, and we're out here to pressure here in the heart of US empire, here in Washington DC to prevent that from happening," Qasim said.

When asked whether the protest gets to the people in power, he said: "Absolutely, we have power in numbers, in the more numbers we have here in DC and across this country and across North America.

"They are feeling all the disruptions that are happening. They are feeling this pressure and we will continue to apply that pressure until we achieve all of our demands," he added.

‘We will win’

An American citizen Dominique Fierro, for her part, said they are demanding a cease-fire.

"I've seen too much carnage, I've seen too much massacre. It was never okay. It will never be okay. My heart breaks every day for everything I've seen.

"I think if enough people show up every single time then yes, we will win. I'm hoping that this will all end if enough people talk and if people aren't silent anymore, and if they see something that they have to say something. I mean, you feel it in your soul that it's wrong. And if you don't feel it in your soul then something is inherently wrong with you."

People also staged protests across other states in the country for Palestine.

Israel launched a military offensive on the Gaza Strip after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion, which Tel Aviv said killed about 1,200 people.

At least 30,320 Palestinians have since been killed and 71,533 others injured besides mass destruction, displacement and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which, in an interim ruling in January, ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/hundreds-gather-outside-israeli-embassy-in-washington-demanding-cease-fire-in-gaza/3153687

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Protests Supporting Palestine Cancel Cultural Event in Toronto

[04/March/2024]

OTTAWA March 04. 2024 (Saba) - The Canadian Prime Minister's Office announced that an event scheduled for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada was canceled due to street protests in support of Palestine.

CBC TV quoted a representative of the Prime Minister's Office as saying "For security reasons, the event has been cancelled."

The television channel reported that the reception was supposed to take place at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, but a march was organized outside the building to criticize the Canadian government's handling of the Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip, and participants chanted slogans referring to the financing of "genocide" in Gaza.

Police told the channel that between 200 and 300 people gathered at the entrance to the exhibition.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3310085.htm

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Poll: Majority of Americans disapprove of Biden’s policy regarding Gaza conflict

04-03- 2024

MOSCOW: Sixty per cent of Americans disapprove of US President Joe Biden’s (pix) handling of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, while 42 per cent think Israel has gone too far in its efforts to fight Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, reported Sputnik.

At the same time, 19 per cent of respondents said Israel had not gone far enough, and 24 per cent said Israel’s response was about right, showed a poll conducted by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

The poll also revealed growing sympathy among US residents for the Palestinian people, as 33 per cent of respondents said the United States is doing too little to help the Palestinians. In addition, 30 per cent of Americans think that the US is doing too much to help Israel, the report said.

The poll was conducted from February 21-28 and surveyed 1,500 people. –Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/world/poll-majority-of-americans-disapprove-of-biden-s-policy-regarding-gaza-conflict-GF12172206

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Arab World

 

1200-year old architectural patterns of Othman bin Affan Mosque discovered in Historic Jeddah

March 03, 2024

RIYADH — The Jeddah Historic District Program (JHDP) announced the discovery of architectural patterns of the Othman bin Affan Mosque that date back 1,200 years.

The announcement was made as part of revealing the results of the first phase of the Archeology Project in Historic Jeddah. The archaeological studies resulted in understanding the historical architectural patterns of the mosque, and the discovery of hundreds of remains of archaeological materials, some of which date back to approximately 1200 years, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The archaeological studies revealed successive restoration operations on the mosque during its long history, as all previous construction stages of the mosque belonged to the traditional architecture style known in Jeddah at that time, which was represented by an open courtyard and a covered prayer hall, while the last stage of construction, which was represented in its current form, was excluded. It was built approximately in the 14th century AH corresponding to the late 20th century while the mihrab and the area of the mosque remained as they were during the period spanning over 1000 years.

Studies have confirmed that most of the restoration and renovation operations in the mosque were carried out based on the height of the floor and its patterns, which varied between clay tiles, plaster and traditional tiles, while the use of tiles continued for 400 years. Studies indicate that since the end of the Mamluk era (15-16th century) the floor masons reused the same tiles extending back to the 14th century AH at each stage of the restoration work.

Studies indicate that the construction of the ground water tank under the mosque was one of the most important changes that occurred in the mosque, as archaeologists found ground tanks filled with pure water that were left by those in charge of building them about 800 years ago. Information also showed that the construction of ground tanks was a common issue in historic Jeddah due to the city's limited water supply.

Thousands of archaeological materials discovered in the Othman bin Affan Mosque summarize 1,200 years of its history, as remains of Chinese porcelain in white and blue were found dating back to the 11th century AH (17th century AD), in addition to Chinese celadon vessels glazed in gray and green dating back to the 4th and 6th centuries AH, and white, green and yellow glazed pottery fragments dating back to the 3rd and 4th century AH, as they are considered among the oldest artifacts discovered in the mosque, according to experts’ estimation.

It is noteworthy that the archaeological discoveries in the Othman bin Affan Mosque come within a group of archaeological discoveries announced by JHDP as part of the results of the first phase of the Archeology Project, which resulted in the discovery of 25,000 artifact fragments from four archaeological sites in the Historic Jeddah. It represents a qualitative leap in understanding the city’s cultural legacy, highlighting archaeological sites with historical significance, caring for them, and enhancing their historical status.

The JHDP announced recently that as many as 25,000 fragments of artifacts dating back to the Islamic caliphates during the first two centuries of the Hijri Calendar, corresponding to the 7th to 8th centuries AD, were discovered from the Jeddah Historic Area. The archaeological discoveries were announced as part of the Historic Jeddah Revival Project, initiated by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

According to the JHDP, the project of excavation started in January 2020 with exploratory studies and a geophysical survey. The goal was to unveil the historical significance of four key locations: Othman bin Affan Mosque, Al-Shona, a segment of the Northern Wall, and Al-Kidwah. This archaeological endeavor falls within the purview of the Jeddah Historic District Program. The project aims to preserve national antiquities and archaeological sites, uncover the rich history of the Kingdom, and promote Historic Jeddah as a cultural and tourist destination, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/640887/SAUDI-ARABIA/1200-year-old-architectural-patterns-of-Othman-bin-Affan-Mosque-discovered-in-Historic-Jeddah

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Yemen’s Ansarullah vows to continue targeting British ships in Red Sea

 03 March 2024

Yemen has vowed to continue attacking British ships in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have been under a genocidal war by the Israeli regime over the past five months.

Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, a day after a British container ship sunk in the Red Sea almost two weeks after it was struck in a retaliatory attack by the Yemeni Armed Forces.

“Yemen will continue to sink more British ships, and any repercussions or other damages will be added to Britain’s bill,” Ezzi said.

“It is a rogue state that attacks Yemen and partners with America in sponsoring ongoing crimes against civilians in Gaza,” he added.

The UK-owned Belize-flagged bulk carrier, the M/V Rubymar, came under the Yemeni military’s attack on February 18 with several naval missiles in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Yemeni authorities said the Rubymar, was had been abandoned for 12 days, sank late Friday as stormy weather took hold over the Red Sea, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) releasing an image of the vessel on its side and confirming that it was going under.

Yemen’s military has been targeting Israeli ships and those bound for Israeli ports since November last year in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza which has been subject to five months of war that has so far killed more than 30,320 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 71,533 others.

The Yemenis have made it clear that they will not hesitate to carry out qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of their homeland and reaffirmation of their unwavering support for the Palestinian nation.

They said earlier that strikes targeting those ships in the Red Sea will not stop unless the regime ends its genocidal campaign against the besieged Palestinian territory.

International shipping companies, however, are safe to sail in the area if they are neither owned by Israel nor destined for ports in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/03/03/721213/Yemen-Ansarullah-vow-targeting-British-ships-Red-Sea-container-ship-sink-Yemeni-armed-forces

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5 cover-up convicts sentenced to 14 years in prison and confiscation of proceeds worth SR6 million

March 03, 2024

RIYADH — Four Yemeni residents and one Saudi citizen, who were convicted of commercial cover-up (tasattur), were sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison. The Criminal Court in Madinah also slapped fines amounting to SR100000 and confiscation of proceeds involved in tasattur worth over SR6 million, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting the Ministry of Commerce sources.

The five suspects were found guilty of involving in commercial concealment in the gold and jewelry sector through their two establishments based in the Madinah and Najran regions. The court awarded three-year jail term to the Saudi citizen and three Yemenis each. Another Yemeni was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the crime along with other convicts through the supervision of illegal financial revenues.

The penalties also included the seizure and confiscation of funds and proceeds resulting from the cover-up crime, the value of which exceeded SR6 million, including cash and bank balances, in addition to about 28 kilograms of gold, a private transport vehicle, and a smartphone.

The court imposed a fine of SR100000 on the convicts in addition to taking a number of other punitive measures such as liquidation of the establishment’s activity; cancellation of the commercial registry; cancellation of the license; preventing the convicted citizen from practicing commercial activity for a period of five years; collecting zakat, fees and taxes; deportation of the convicted Yemeni residents after serving their jail terms and payment of financial liabilities; imposing a ban on them to return to the Kingdom for work; and publication of their punishment in the local media at their personal expense.

According to the court verdict, it was proven that the Saudi citizen facilitated the Yemeni residents to engage in gold and jewelry trade using his commercial registry, and the concerned authorities seized physical evidence confirming that they were practicing commercial activity illegally and without a foreign investment license.

It is noteworthy that the National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment has set 10 standards for any commercial establishments’ compliance with market rules approved by government agencies, and they are under continuous surveillance of the concerned authorities. The Anti-Concealment Law stipulates the imposition of prison sentences of up to five years, fines up to SR5 million, and the seizure and confiscation of illicit funds and proceeds after issuance of final judicial rulings against those involved in such crimes.

Source: saudigazette.com.sa

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https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/640877/SAUDI-ARABIA/5-cover-up-convicts-sentenced-to-14-years-in-prison-and-confiscation-of-proceeds-worth-SR6-million

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Saudi ministry launches portal for muslims wanting to organize iftars in Grand Mosque

March 04, 2024

RIYADH: Muslims wanting to organize iftars to be held in the Grand Holy Mosque during Ramadan can apply for a permit through an online government portal, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has launched an e-portal through which people can request permits to provide iftar spreads at the mosque in Makkah during the holy month.

Applications can be submitted by visiting the general presidency's website, choosing iftar banquets and continuing registration procedures to issue the permits.

Ramadan is expected to start within the next week.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2470571/saudi-arabia

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