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Islamic World News ( 17 Oct 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Israeli Flags Torn Down And Set On Fire In Several Cities Across Germany

New Age Islam News Bureau

17 October 2023

 

Photo: Tasnim News Agency

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Europe

·         Jewish Groups Protest Against BBC For Refusing To Call Hamas ‘Terrorists’

·         Arabic-Speaking Man Claims Responsibility For Deadly Attack In The Name Of Allah In Brussels

·         Suspect arrested in Brussels after two Swedes killed in ‘terror attack’

·         EU to establish humanitarian air corridor to Gaza

·         Israel must ‘minimize impact’ on Palestinian civilians in ground offensive, UK PM tells Benjamin Netanyahu

·         Germany’s Scholz to visit Israel, Egypt this week amid Mideast conflict

·         Israel’s Gaza offensive will be ‘horrific’: UK minister

·         UK Government Pledges £10million Aid To Palestinians Amid Israel-Hamas War

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North America

·         Trump Pledges To Expel Immigrants Who Support Hamas, Ban Muslims From US

·         CAIR-LA Condemns Attack on Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Los Angeles

·         CAIR-SFBA: More Than 50 California Elected Officials Speak Out in Support of Gaza

·         CAIR-Houston to Denounce Increased Violence Toward Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Communities

·         American Jews gather in solidarity with Palestinians in Washington DC

·         Biden to Visit Israel as Gaza Sar Sparks Humanitarian Crisis

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Mideast

·         Israel-Hamas War Triggers Spike In Islamophobia, Anti-Arab Sentiments In Latin America

·         Top Hamas Official: Al-Aqsa Storm ‘Favourable Opportunity’ To Pull Plug On Israel

·         Australian Muslim Leader Resigns Over Premier's Support Of Israel

·         Iran FM Discusses Palestine Developments With South African And Irish Counterparts

·         Heads Of Muslim States' Parliaments Call For 'United Front' Against Rights Violations In Gaza

·         Hamas broadcasts video of ‘prisoner’ in Gaza

·         Israel strikes Hezbollah ‘terrorist’ targets in Lebanon: Army

·         Bodies being ‘stored in ice cream trucks’

·         2,808 Palestinians killed, 10,859 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza: Health Ministry

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India

·         16 Opposition Leaders Meet Palestinian Ambassador In Delhi, Express Solidarity, Urge The establishment of an independent Palestine state along the 1967 borders in accordance with the UN resolution

·         Indian Defence minister slams those backing Hamas, says condemn terrorism

·         Biryani wasn’t served to Ajmal Kasab in prison, says Former Pune police commissioner Meeran Borwankar
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Africa

·         Tens Of Thousands Of Moroccans March In Support Of Palestinians

·         Ethiopia's prime minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart in Beijing

·         UN peacekeepers begin sensitive pull out of camps in northern Mali

·         DRC: at least 28 dead in a shipwreck on the Congo River

·         Red Cross to raise N23 billion against hunger crisis in Nigeria

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Arab World

·         Saudi Arabia At UN Rejects Calls For Deportation Of Palestinians From Gaza

·         Green hotels, ecotourism: A rising trend in Saudi Arabia

·         Saudi defence minister discusses Gaza situation with UK, Italian counterparts

·         Saudi FM discusses latest developments in Gaza with German, Japanese counterparts

·         KSrelief participates in triangular cooperation meeting in Lisbon

·         Minister of Hajj and Umrah Starts Official Visit to Türkiye

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South Asia

·         Protests Held in Logar Over Israel's Attacks on Gaza Strip

·         Afghanistan’s descent into poverty: The Economist Report

·         Okada-Hanafi Meeting Focused on Expanding of Relations: Arg

·         Aid Continues for Earthquake Affected Areas in Herat

·         Regional meeting on Rohingyas today

·         Four cops sued over ex-ACC official’s death in custody

·         Amid tremor shocks, 1/3rd of Afghans face 'acute' food insecurity

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Southeast Asia

·         PM Anwar Urges Israel To Call For Ceasefire In Gaza And Renounce 'Politics Of Dispossession'

·         Palestine: Anwar Strongly Backs Creation Of Humanitarian Corridor In Rafah

·         IRB can resume bankruptcy notice hearing against Najib and son

·         QuangNinh targets more Muslim visitors to fuel tourism

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Pakistan

·         Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Says Refugee Policy Applies to “All Illegal People” Not Just Afghans

·         Special Court Begins Hearing Cipher Case Against Imran, Qureshi As Indictment Expected

·         Bushra Bibi, Wife Of Imran Khan, Granted Bail In Two Cases, Toshakhana And 190 Million Pounds Scam Cases

·         One killed, 6 injured in grenade attack in Karachi’s Lyari

·         Pakistan decides to dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza

·         Pakistan, Iranian, Egyptian FMs discuss Gaza situation

·         Palestine exposes a vacuum in Pakistan

·         Two soldiers martyred, as many terrorists killed

·         Zardari, Fazl consult over polls

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/israeli-flags-torn-germany/d/130918

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Israeli Flags Torn Down And Set On Fire In Several Cities Across Germany

 

Photo: Tasnim News Agency

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17 Oct, 2023

Israeli flags have been torn down and set on fire in several cities across Germany, local media reported, citing police and officials. The flags were hung outside city halls and other public buildings in solidarity with Israel, which suffered a deadly attack on October 7 by the Gaza-based militant group Hamas.

In the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wurttemberg alone, flags were vandalized in at least 12 cities, according to the news program Tagesschau. On Monday night, a man removed the Israeli flag hoisted on a pole outside the city hall in Aachen and set it ablaze. In Witten, the flag was taken down twice, most recently on Friday night, while the flag hoisted outside a Protestant church in Bad Saeckingen was pelted with eggs.

Police told Bild newspaper that a drunk man in his 50s had attempted to tear down the flag in the city of Pirna (Saxony), but was stopped by the officers. Israeli national symbols were taken down, stolen or destroyed in Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Erfurt (Thuringia), Stralsund (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), and Stade (Lower Saxony), among other places.

“I strongly condemn the attack against our city hall and hope that the police will investigate [the incident],” Stade Mayor SoenkeHartlef said. He added that the city would “continue to show our solidarity with Israel and let the flag fly at the historic city hall despite and precisely because of this attack.”

In some cases, the officers managed to identify the perpetrators. In Schwerin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), the suspect is a 17-year-old man of Iraqi origin, who acted in a group of people, some of whom were “with migrant background,” police said.

Stealing and desecrating national flags is a criminal offense in Germany, punishable by up to three years in prison. In addition to the actions against Israeli flags, police said on Wednesday that swastikas and the words “Kill the Jews” were written on fragments of the Berlin Wall.

Germany has seen a wave of anti-Semitic incidents since last week as politicians and officials are voicing support for Israel in the wake of the deadly attack by the Hamas militant group, which killed more than 1,300 Israelis. Israel responded with airstrikes on Gaza, killing 2,750 people, according to Palestinian officials.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been banned in several German cities out of fear of the expression of extremist sentiment.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/585104-israeli-flags-torn-germany/

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Israel-Palestine War: Spate Of Anti-Muslim Incidents In US Revives 9/11 Trauma

 

Residents of Detroit and Arab community of Dearborn march in support of Palestinians in Dearborn, Michigan, on 14 October 2023 (AFP)

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16 October 2023

 Zainab Iqbal

Last week, Aliyah was walking home from a protest wearing an Abaya, a long black garment covering her body. She had a Palestinian flag painted on each of her cheeks.

As she got closer to her house in Queens, New York, a man looked at her and spat. “Get out of here,” he shouted.

Aliyah proceeded to walk the two-block distance to her house as fast as she could, she then entered her home and quickly locked the door. She had never been so terrified in all of her life. In her 24 years of living in New York, she had never experienced such hatred.

“These are the stories I heard from my parents. People calling them names. Cursing. Changing their seats on the train. After 9/11, this is what my parents told me,” Aliyah, who didn’t want her full name used, told Middle East Eye.

“My parents went through all that all those years ago. They kept me safe and protected,” she said. “But now it’s happening again.”

While there are no concrete numbers at the moment, the number of anti-Muslim incidents in the US seems to be on the rise, following the war that broke out between Palestinian armed groups based in Gaza and Israel on 7 October.

On Saturday in Chicago, Illinois, a six-year-old Palestinian Muslim boy was fatally stabbed and his mother seriously injured when their landlord entered their home with a 12-inch military knife.

On 11 October, an 18-year-old Palestinian man was attacked in Brooklyn by a group of individuals brandishing Israeli flags. Before exiting their vehicle, they yelled derogatory remarks against Palestinians and then proceeded to physically assault him.

According to Chris Habiby, the national government affairs and advocacy director at The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the organisation has seen a high number of anti-Muslim incidents since the war erupted.

He explained that one of the biggest contributors to that is the “rhetoric we are seeing from politicians and the media.”

“This is an issue that has, and will continue to, impact Arab Americans broadly, regardless of their religion,” he said.

“What we are seeing is at a maximum similar to what we saw after 9/11, more likely worse because of the rhetoric coming from all sides of the political spectrum.”

On 7 October, Palestinian armed groups, led by Hamas, killed at least 1,400 Israelis in an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel, took at least 150 Israelis hostage and brought them back to Gaza. Israel responded with a bombing campaign that has taken thousands of Palestinian lives and counting.

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has said that in just over a week, Israel has dropped the equivalent of a quarter of a nuclear bomb on Gaza. At least 2,808 people have been killed, including 853 children and 936 women. At least 1,200, including 500 children, are missing and believed to be under rubble.

'Just like it was post 9/11'

Given the threat posed by “Zionist extremists in the US”, the ADC is advising community members to remain alert, particularly regarding threats to religious institutions, including mosques and churches, especially during prayer services. If someone believes that they were targeted, they can reach out to ADC’s pro-bono legal department, Habiby encouraged.

Ibrahim Bechrouri, an adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, believes that these incidents will continue to rise.

He said what worries him more in the US context and beyond, is the deployment of violence by the state, whether it’s deportations, criminalisation of First Amendment-protected activities, or FBI harassment.

“The media and political class decided that what happened on 10/7 was another 9/11,” he told Middle East Eye.” It follows that we are starting to see a similar crackdown on those perceived to be Muslims, both through criminalising narratives and concrete policy measures.”

He explained that it’s important to understand that it’s not just politicians and media who are to blame for the rise. It is university administration, police officers, and social media influencers, all of whom are influenced by the narrative and have the capacity to shape those narratives.

According to Bechrouri, while there is pushback in making sure things don’t end up as they did post-9/11, it could also be worse than what happened after 9/11.

"One could argue that our societies are even more polarised now, that the far-right is much stronger than it was then and that the advancement of surveillance technologies could result in an even harsher response from the state," he said.

“But we are willingly giving away our data. We are still seeing the same warmongering discourse being spread by media outlets and Washington seems ready to start yet another war in the Middle East,” he said.

“It doesn't seem that the US learned much from the utter failure and horrors of its more than 20 years-long global war on terror.”

Evelyn Alsultany is a professor at the University of Southern California Dornsife. She explained that while hate crimes are committed by individuals, they are the result of messaging from media and politicians, and are deeply connected and shaped by state policies.

In this case, she said, it's US support for Israel at the expense of Palestinians, as well as media discourse that Israel is defending itself against a terrorist group rather than Israel's reality as a state occupying a people.

“Anti-Muslim racism is produced at the convergence of state and media discourses that demonise and dehumanise Arabs, Muslims, and Middle Eastern and North African people as threats to national security,” Alsultany told Middle East Eye.

“Individuals internalise these messages and then act upon them."

She added that the dominant discourse promoted is that Palestinians are terrorists who deserve to die, are subhuman, and undeserving of the same rights to safety and security as Jewish Israelis.

It’s something Abdullah Akl, an organiser at Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led advocacy organisation, fears most.

According to Akl, the blame first goes to elected officials who he says completely failed to represent their constituencies. He believes it’s obvious that more hateful incidents will continue to occur in the US, and it won’t change until the media and elected officials change.

“The media has been playing a role in spreading false news and information in regards to what’s happening in Palestine. Thousands of children are killed and thousands are being displaced from their land,” he said.

“People in the US and across the world are being fed fake information, just like it was post 9/11. We may be getting closer and closer to that. But we need elected officials to speak out. And we need for there to be more truth around what is actually happening.”

Source: middleeasteye.net

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https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-spate-anti-muslim-incidents-us-revives-trauma-september-11

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Hamas Says Not Intimidated By Israel's Ground Invasion Threat, Warns Gaza Will Become Invaders’ Graveyard

 

Photo: Press TV

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 17 October 2023

Amid Israel's relentless bloody war against the Gaza Strip, Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it is "not intimidated" by the regime's threat of launching a ground aggression against the blockaded territory.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the movement's military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, made the remark in a televised statement on Monday.

"Threatening us with ground invasion does not intimidate us, and we are ready to deal with any brutal force," Abu Ubaida said, warning, "Gaza will only be a graveyard for its invaders and its sands will swallow you up."

"We tell the enemy that your entry [into Gaza] will be a new opportunity [for us] to hold you accountable for the crimes that you are committing against us," the spokesperson added.

"We call on all countries of the world to warn their nationals against fighting in the enemy's army. We will deal with any fighter in the occupation army who holds another nationality as a direct enemy," Abu Ubaida warned.

A senior Hamas official warns Israeli forces will be “buried” in the Gaza Strip if they press ahead with their brutal aggression against Palestinians and dare set foot in the coastal area.

His warning came as the regime continues its all-out bloody war, which started on Saturday, against the Gaza Strip. The Israeli aggression has so far killed more than 2,800 Palestinians and wounded close to 11,000 others.

The war began after an operation by the Gaza-based resistance groups, which has so far left some 1,200 Israeli forces and illegal settlers dead and hundreds of others captive. Palestinian resistance groups launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodshed and destruction against their people.

The death toll from incessant Israeli airstrikes and shelling on Gaza reaches 2,808.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the al-Qassam Brigades spokesman said, "The enemy has deliberately launched a brutal attack against our people instead of confronting the fighters in the battlefield."

He added that the Israeli regime did not expect "an Arab force besieged in Gaza would deal it the harshest blow in its history."

Abu Ubaida also announced that al-Qassam Brigades is currently holding nearly 200 Israeli captives, while other resistance groups have captives of their own, whose number he put at about 50.

"We cannot currently reveal the complete and accurate number of occupation [regime's] captives in the Gaza Strip due to security ... considerations, but we estimate in principle that their number is between 200 and 250, and may be slightly more than that," Abu Ubaida said.

‘Al-Aqsa Storm’ operation, launched by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, has irreversibly changed the power equations and given the resistance a clear upper hand.

"Al-Qassam has about 200 captives, and the rest [of them] are distributed among other [resistance] factions," he explained, adding that as many as 22 captives have been already killed as a result of the Israeli regime's indiscriminate attacks on the besieged territory.

According to the Hamas' official, al-Qassam is holding a group of captives of different nationalities, who "are our guests and we seek to protect them."

He added, "We will release foreign captives when conditions in the field permit."

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/10/17/712865/Palestine-Hamas-Israel-threat-ground-invasion-war-Gaza

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Delhi Police Arrest Protesters Holding ‘Citizens’ Vigil’ Against Israel’s Attack On Gaza

 

Protestors being taken away by the Delhi police from Jantar Mantar Road.

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17.10.23

Pheroze L. Vincent

Delhi police and the Rapid Action Force detained two busloads of protesters who came for a “Citizens' Vigil” here on Monday against Israel’s offensive on Gaza.

Permission for the meeting had been denied to the organisers — CPIML Liberation’s All India Students’ Association — on security grounds.

Around 100 members of Leftist student groups, trade unions, and human rights forums turned up on Monday afternoon despite the denial of permission. The police attempted to herd them into buses in the lane behind the Patel Chowk Metro parking, but protesters refused to get in and started sloganeering. They were then pushed into buses.

The police chased students who tried to slip away towards the Metro station. One woman began a heated exchange with TV reporters who asked her about supporting Palestine despite the Prime Minister’s support for Israel.

Seeing this, the police rushed into the parking lot and began to drag her away until she fell and refused to get up. Then Delhi University assistant professor Saroj Giri stepped in.

“You have prevented the protest and taken away the protesters. Why chase her to the Metro station?” he asked the officers present. Giri continued to argue despite being asked to step away. “She is my student and she has done nothing wrong,” he said. Finally, both the woman and Giri were taken away by the police.

“The way they have cracked down is unprecedented,” Giri told The Telegraph over the phone from the police bus. “It is obvious that (PM) Modi is trying hard to please Israel. There is a lot of support for Palestine in India but no platform to express it. No one is trying to condone Hamas killing civilians. We need more such protests to raise awareness about what is happening in Palestine.”

All the detainees were released from Jafarpur police station in southwest Delhi on Monday evening.

The demands of the protesters were to stop the war, and for the independence of Palestine — in line with India’s stated position of supporting talks for a viable solution towards two sovereign states of Palestine and Israel. However, the police have cracked down on solidarity with Palestine after the Prime Minister expressed support for Israel in the aftermath of incursions into the country by Hamas that claimed the lives of several people including non-combatants.

While Uttar Pradesh police have arrested people even for expressing solidarity with Palestine on social media, Delhi police have prevented protests — like the one on Monday and another one by Jamia Millia Islamia students last week. On Saturday, the police did not prevent a demonstration by the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation although they warned the participants to leave soon.

Educationist Rohit Kumar, who protested on Saturday, told this newspaper: “It is a natural progression of what has happened in the last decade. The word “secularism” was demonised. There are Jewish rabbis putting out videos from Israel saying they are appalled at the way Israel is conducting this war. But in India, people get hot under the collar if you question Israel. This is because of ignorance, propaganda and misinformation.”

He added: “Some of us grew up seeing our Prime Ministers, right from Nehru’s time, as leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement and opposing apartheid in South Africa and Israel with leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Tutu, and Fidel Castro.”

Several Opposition leaders and activists met Palestinian ambassador Adnan Abu Alhaija on Monday. The leaders included RJD MP Manoj K. Jha, CPI general secretary D. Raja, CPIML Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, the CPM’s Subhashini Ali and NilotpalBasu, Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan, the JDU's K.C. Tyagi, BSP MP Danish Ali and Nadeem Khan, secretary, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights.

The leaders, including Congress’s Mani Shankar Aiyar who was not present, issued a statement: “We call for intensified diplomatic efforts and multilateral initiatives to ensure a lasting peace in the region. We express our deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people. We strongly condemn the indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel, which we believe amounts to an attempt (at) genocide. We urge an immediate cessation of all hostilities to prevent further loss of innocent lives and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.”

They called for the immediate passage of humanitarian aid.

In the statement, they also referred to Mahatma Gandhi, who had said: "Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French."

"This reflects Gandhi's belief in the importance of recognising the sovereignty and territorial rights of the Palestinian people, just as any other nation's right to their homeland,” the statement said.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-police-detain-pro-palestine-supporters-for-holding-protests-without-permission/cid/1973817

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Tens Of Thousands Of Moroccans March In Support Of Palestinians

 

Photo:  Africa News

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October 16, 2023

Tens of thousands of Moroccans took to the streets of Rabat over the weekend in support of the Palestinians amid the Gaza war.

Crowds stretching for two kilometres marched through the capital in the rally called for by an alliance of Islamist parties and a left-wing coalition.

It was the biggest demonstration in the North African kingdom since it normalised ties with Israel in 2020 in a US-sponsored deal.

"This march firmly expresses our support for the people of Palestine and their courageous resistance,” said Moroccan activist AbderrahimChikhi.

“It also represents the Moroccan voice refusing normalisation of ties with Israel and rejecting the Zionist regime, thus reaffirming commitment to the Palestinian cause," he said.

The march came as Israel continued its intense reprisals against the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, launched an attack on southern Israel from the enclave 10 days ago.

Thousands of people have been killed on both sides.

"These are crimes against humanity and we’re here to express our solidarity. We want peace, we want international organisations to ensure that the Palestinian people regain their rights,” said Moroccan politician, Nabila Mounib, who took part in the march.

She added that they were also demanding of the Moroccan state “that no relations should be established with the Zionist state".

Until now, Morocco's anti-normalisation movement has only been able to mobilise, at most, a few hundred people.

The treaty with Israel has been of great importance to Rabat as it came in exchange for Washington recognising Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed region of Western Sahara.

Morocco maintains that the territory, a former Spanish colony under its control, is an integral part of the kingdom.

The Polisario Front, which campaigns for Western Sahara’s independence with the support of Algeria, demands a referendum on self-determination.

Israel and Morocco have strengthened their economic and security cooperation following the deal.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/16/tens-of-thousands-of-moroccans-march-in-support-of-palestinians/

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Europe

Jewish Groups Protest Against BBC For Refusing To Call Hamas ‘Terrorists’

17 Oct 2023

LONDON, Oct 17 — Around 250 protesters gathered outside the BBC’s main headquarters in London on Monday over the British broadcaster’s “continued refusal to call Hamas terrorists”.

Demonstrators at the event, organised by Jewish groups, chanted “Hamas, terrorists” and “Shame on You” at the broadcaster for making the editorial decision to refer to Hamas as militants, or a militant group.

Many waved Israeli flags and others held posters carrying pictures of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas.

Organisers, the National Jewish Assembly, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “this is no time the BBC to call Hamas anything but terrorists”.

UK defence minister Grant Shapps also said last week that the BBC should follow the “law” and call Hamas a terrorist organisation, with the government having proscribed it as such in 2021.

But veteran reporter John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor, said that the corporation would be “taking sides” if it called Hamas terrorists.

The BBC said in a statement on Monday that it had given “careful consideration” to its coverage of conflict.

“Careful consideration has been given to all aspects of our coverage to ensure that we report on developments accurately and with due impartiality in line with the BBC editorial guidelines, which are publicly available.

“The BBC, along with many other UK and global news organisations, does use the word ‘terrorist’, but attributes it. We have made clear to our audiences that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments,” it added.

Pro-Palestinian groups have also targeted the BBC, covering Broadcasting House headquarters in red paint last week and accusing it of having “blood on its hands”. — AFP

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2023/10/17/jewish-groups-protest-against-bbc-for-refusing-to-call-hamas-terrorists/96724

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Arabic-Speaking Man Claims Responsibility For Deadly Attack In The Name Of AllahIn Brussels

October 17, 2023

Maria Rybachuk

Two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels on Monday evening, with the suspect still at large, reported Belgian public broadcaster VRT. The perpetrator fled the scene and is still on the loose. However, a video of an Arabic-speaking man claiming responsibility for the attack in the name of Allah (God) has gone viral on social media.

A third victim of the shooting was injured and is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital, Swedish media report. The motive for the shooting remains unclear and the incident occurred as Belgium hosted Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

The city’s mayor, Philip Close, made a statement, confirming the deployment of police officers on the streets to ensure the safety of the public. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences, condemning the attack as a cowardly act. He called on Brussels residents to be vigilant.

According to reports, two of the victims were Swedish citizens. The Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden, taking place in the city, was immediately stopped, as confirmed by UEFA.

Attacker’s Identity and Situation in Brussels

The attacker, who fled the crime scene, is now at large and Brussels has raised its terror alert to its highest level. A video has gone viral on social media showing an Arabic-speaking man claiming responsibility for the attack in the name of Allah (God). However, authorities have yet to verify the authenticity of the video and the identity of the perpetrator.

The Flemish newspaper Het LaatsteNieuwsayed the shooter wore a fluorescent orange jacket. Several media outlets broadcast amateur videos displaying a man firing multiple shots near a station using a large firearm.

Following the shooting on the Boulevard d’Ypres, Belgian federal prosecutors opened a terrorism investigation. Emergency services have cordoned off the area and are examining evidences.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity during a speech in Albania. He recognized the incident as yet another “Islamist terrorist attack.”

Suspect on the run after killing at least two people in Brussels shooting • FRANCE 24 English

Terrorist Attack in Ankara, Turkey Leaves Two Injured

Turkey was recently rocked by yet another terrorist attack. A terrorist attack in Ankara left two policemen injured. Two terrorists detonated a device in Kizilay, a business area of Ankara. One of the offenders blew himself up, while the other was neutralized, according to Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The two terrorists planted a bomb in front of the General Directorate of Security in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Source: greekreporter.com

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https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/17/brussels-attack-shooting-dead/

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Suspect arrested in Brussels after two Swedes killed in ‘terror attack’

October 17, 2023

BRUSSELS: Belgian police on Tuesday arrested a suspected gunman who shot dead two Swedish football fans in what authorities said was a “terrorist attack.”

The arrest, in the Brussels neighbourhood of Schaerbeek, followed an intensive manhunt in the capital for the assailant armed with an automatic rifle.

Police opened fire during the arrest, a spokesman for the Belgian prosecutors’ service, Eric Van Duyse, said, without confirming a report by broadcaster RTBF that the suspect was wounded.

Prime Minister Alexander de Croo earlier said the suspect was a man of Tunisian origin who had been living in the country illegally.

“The terrorist attack that happened yesterday was committed with total cowardice, the attacker chose as a target two Swedish football fans,” de Croo told a news conference, adding that a third person was seriously wounded.

Sweden expressed its devastation over the shooting — which occurred just before a Belgium-Sweden football match Monday evening — and European leaders were quick to offer their solidarity.

Sweden has been at the center of a bitter row this year with Muslim countries after multiple burnings of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book.

In a video posted in Arabic on social media, a man identifying himself as the attacker said “he was inspired by the Islamic State” extremist group, prosecutors said.

The gunman wearing a hi-visibility orange jacket fled on a scooter and Belgian authorities raised the terror alert for Brussels to level four or “very serious” — the highest — and level three nationally.

Several Belgian media named the suspect as Abdesalem L, aged 45.

Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborn said the asylum seeker was convicted in Tunisia “for common law offenses,” but was not reported for a terrorist risk.

Prosecutors said the attacker in his video had indicated the Swedish nationality of his victims was a motivation, but there appeared to be no links with the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.

“Devastated by the news of two Swedish football supporters murdered in Brussels tonight and a third person being seriously wounded. All my thoughts are with their families and loved ones,” Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said.

“Swedish authorities work closely with their Belgian partners to find the murderer,” he added on social media.

As news spread of the killings, the Group F European qualifier match was abandoned at half-time and some 35,000 fans were evacuated from the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels.

Officers provided extra protection for Swedish nationals at the game, escorting Sweden’s national players directly to the airport to leave safely, Belgium’s football association CEO told the RTBF channel.

“I am terribly sad. We agreed 100 percent not to play the second half because of the conditions and out of respect for the victims and their families,” said Sweden coach Janne Andersson, quoted by the Swedish news agency TT.

The shooting took place in the city center’s northern districts. Police had been alerted to the incident after 7:00 p.m. local time (1700 GMT).

In a video shared online by Flemish newspaper Het LaatsteNieuws, the shooter is seen with an automatic weapon on his shoulder, fleeing on a scooter.

Four gunshots can be heard in the video.

A witness who spoke to LN24 channel described his shock during the incident.

“I stood there frozen, I didn’t move. I was shocked by what happened, even now I am still in shock. It was a man who came, pushed me, told me to stop running if I wanted to stay alive,” said the witness, who gave his name as Sulayman.

The Belgian royal palace said it was “shocked” by the shooting.

The president of the European Commission, which is based in Brussels, was quick to condemn the attack.

“My thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels,” Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media.

“Together, we stand united against terror,” she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe was “shaken” by an “Islamist” attack in Brussels, while France’s interior minister had earlier given instructions to strengthen border controls with Belgium.

Belgium had already been the target of an attack claimed by Daesh extremists in March 2016, at Brussels’ main airport and on the metro system, which killed 32 people.

Source: arabnews.com

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EU to establish humanitarian air corridor to Gaza

16 Oct, 2023

The European Union (EU) will launch a humanitarian air corridor to Gaza through Egypt, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday, with the first flights expected to depart in the coming days.

“Palestinians in Gaza are in need of humanitarian help and aid,” von der Leyen said to reporters in Albania on Monday, where she was attending a summit of Balkan nations. “That is why we are launching an EU humanitarian air bridge to Gaza through Egypt.”

The EU chief added that the first two flights will happen “this week” and reiterated that the European bloc is tripling its humanitarian aid to Gaza to $79 million, saying that innocent Palestinians “cannot pay the price of Hamas’ barbarism.”

Von der Leyen’s comments follow statements from the foreign ministers of Egypt and France earlier on Monday in which they called for the uninhibited supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the safe passage of foreign nationals from the under-siege enclave.

Several prominent European lawmakers had been critical of Von der Leyen’s response to the crisis, after she had expressed the EU’s unconditional support for Israel. European foreign policy chief JosepBorrell said last week that EU policy on such matters is determined by its member states, rather than the European Commission president.

“We certainly defend the right of Israel to defend itself against the attack that [it] has been suffering, but as any right, it has a limit – and this limit is international law and international humanitarian law,” Borrell said to reporters in Beijing last week.

He also warned that Israel’s retaliatory actions could provoke a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel dropped some 6,000 bombs on Gaza in the first six days of its bombardment of the densely-populated enclave, according to the country’s air force.

At least 2,750 people have been killed, with another 9,700 injured in the unprecedented military operation conducted by the Israeli armed forces in retaliation for Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Hamas attack has seen about 1,400 people in Israel killed, with thousands more injured.

A United Nations estimate has suggested that as many as one million people have been displaced in Gaza amid missile attacks that have leveled much of the enclave’s infrastructure.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/585095-eu-humanitarian-corridor-gaza/

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Israel must ‘minimize impact’ on Palestinian civilians in ground offensive, UK PM tells Benjamin Netanyahu

October 16, 2023

LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu about the need for Israel to minimize impact on civilians during its expected ground invasion of Gaza.

During a visit to a Jewish school in north London on Monday, Sunak also reiterated that Israel has “every right to defend itself” in retaliation to Hamas’ attacks on its territory, adding: “If something like this happened here, it’s what people would expect from this government.”

Sunak raised the question of the humanitarian situation in Gaza where more than 2,700 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded in airstrikes by the Israeli military.

The prime minister said he stressed to Netanyahu the need for military operations to target Hamas and not innocent civilians.

Sunak said: “Israel has been very clear that Hamas is the entity that’s responsible for this and what they want to do is ensure that their people are safe and that this doesn’t happen again, and that the focus of the attention of self-defense is on Hamas.

“And I think that’s right. Nobody wants to see regional escalation, and certainly the Israeli prime minister does not, when I’ve spoken to him.”

Hamas militants killed more than 1,400 people during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and took dozens more hostage, prompting Israel to declare war on the Islamic group — which rules the Gaza Strip — the following day, unleashing a relentless bombing campaign on the enclave.

At least 199 people are being held hostage in Gaza, according to the Israeli military. The UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said an estimated 10 British citizens are included in that number.

Sunak has condemned some incidents at pro-Palestinian marches across the UK over the weekend as “simply not acceptable,” after police made more than a dozen arrests.

He said: “There is no place in our society for antisemitism and we will do everything we can to stamp it out. And where it happens, it will be met with the full force of the law.”

London’s Metropolitan Police said it arrested 15 people at Saturday’s pro-Palestinian protest in the center of the British capital, during which tens of thousands of people demonstrated in support of those in Gaza.

Three men were charged with offenses, with a 68-year-old man suspected of making racist comments, and another two held on suspicion of illegal knife possession and failing to remove a face covering.

Sunak added: “They’ve made several arrests but they’re also now reviewing footage of some of the things that many people would have seen that are just simply not acceptable, and where they can they will be able to make further arrests.”

Sunak said praising Hamas, which is a banned terrorist organization under UK law, could result in a lengthy prison sentence.

He told British media: “It’s very clear under the law: The support and glorification of Hamas is illegal and those offenses are punishable with up to almost 14 years in jail.”

Source: arabnews.com

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Germany’s Scholz to visit Israel, Egypt this week amid Mideast conflict

October 16, 2023

BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Israel on Tuesday, the German dpa news agency and other media reported, as Western nations step up their efforts to forestall a dangerous spread of the Middle East conflict.

Scholz is scheduled to depart for Israel following his meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Berlin on Tuesday, dpa reported, and would then travel onwards to Egypt.

A government spokesperson declined to comment on the reported travel plans.

“This is really a sign of solidarity,” Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, told German TV channel Welt. “He is the first prime minister to visit Israel (since the Hamas-Israel war erupted) and we see that as incredibly important.”

The German government has rallied around Israel since at least 1,300 people were killed and dozens taken hostage in an unprecedented, mass cross-border infiltration by Hamas militants into Israeli towns and villages near Gaza on Oct. 7.

Israel has responded with its heaviest ever bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which Hamas authorities say have killed at least 2,750 people, in preparation for an expected ground invasion.

Israel’s relentless air strikes have complicated diplomatic efforts to allow foreign passport holders to leave the besieged, densely populated enclave while allowing in aid for Gaza via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Heightening international fears of the conflict expanding, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has been exchanging fire with Israel across the border for days in the deadliest escalation since they fought a major war in 2006.

Last week, German Foreign Minister AnnalenaBaerbock held talks in Israel and Egypt on how to defuse the current crisis.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also visited Israel last week, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv again on Monday as part of an extended Middle East trip, according to a Reuters witness.

Source: arabnews.com

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Israel’s Gaza offensive will be ‘horrific’: UK minister

October 16, 2023

LONDON: Israel’s expected ground, air and naval offensive on Gaza will be “horrific” and will involve “seeing some awful things,” the UK’s armed forces minister has said.

James Heappey’s comments come as Israel prepares a massive assault on the Palestinian enclave, warning residents in northern Gaza to move south, The Independent reported on Monday.

He claimed that the Israel Defense Forces are “doing everything they can” to avoid civilian casualties by telling populations to move, but the “use of human shields” by Hamas would make protecting civilians “incredibly difficult.”

Heappey said: “I have every confidence that Israel will be precise in its targeting and they’ll have good intelligence about where it needs to target.

“But nobody should pretend that this is going to be anything other than horrific. I’m afraid we’re going to see some awful things over the next few days.”

He said it is “entirely understandable” that Israel is aiming to “destroy” Hamas, “but it is going after an adversary that deliberately hides in amongst the civilian population … that hides its materiel in and amongst the civilian population.”

Source: arabnews.com

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UK Government Pledges £10million Aid To Palestinians Amid Israel-Hamas War

October 16, 2023

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced the United Kingdom’s £10 million aid in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in response to the escalating Israel-Hamas war.

He made the announcement in a statement to the House of Commons, in which he also reiterated the UK’s condemnation of Hamas’ actions in both Israel and Gaza, and called for immediate access for humanitarian organisations to be allowed to deliver life-saving aid.

This funding will allow key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services.

“These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground,” a statement on the UK government website read.

Speaking in Parliament, Sunak said, “I’m proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. And I can announce today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an additional £10 million of support.

“An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people – because they’re victims of Hamas too.”

According to the statement, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, ames Cleverly, have spoken to Israel, Egypt and other international partners about opening the Rafah crossing to allow urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“All UK aid funding to the OPTs undergoes rigorous oversight, and no funding goes to Hamas,” the statement clarified.

Source: saharareporters.com

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North America

 

Trump pledges to expel immigrants who support Hamas, ban Muslims from US

Oct 17, 2023

Donald Trump promised on Monday that if elected president again he will bar immigrants who support Hamas from entering the US and send officers to pro-Hamas protests to arrest and deport immigrants who publicly support the Palestinian militant group.

On a campaign stop in Iowa, Trump was responding to the Hamas killing of at least 1,300 Israelis that triggered a war in which Palestinian health officials say Israel has killed more than 2,800 Palestinians in Gaza.

Trump, president from 2017-2021, said that if elected to a second White House term he will ban entry to the US of anybody who does not believe in Israel's right to exist, and revoke the visas of foreign students who are "antisemitic."

He also vowed to step up travel bans from "terror-plagued countries." He did not explain how he would enforce his demands, including the one requiring immigrants to support Israel's right to exist under what he called "strong ideological screening."

Many of Trump's immigration policies were challenged in court during his presidency and his newest pledges could also face challenges.

A ban he imposed on immigrants from some Muslim-majority nations was struck down in lower courts but ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court. Biden ended that ban when he took office.

Trump said on Monday he would ban immigrants from Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen "or anywhere else that threatens our security". Trump also read a poem that he used to liken immigrants to deadly snakes.

Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, described Trump's pledges as Islamophobic, extreme and designed to exploit "fear and anxiety."

Iowa is one of the earliest states to hold a Republican presidential nominating contest. A tough approach to immigrants was a cornerstone of Trump's first term as president.

He is the frontrunner to win his party's White House nomination and take on Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election.

Promising to drastically tighten US immigration laws, Trump said: "If you want to abolish the state of Israel, you're disqualified, if you support Hamas or the ideology behind Hamas, you're disqualified, and if you're a communist, Marxist, or fascist, you are disqualified."

Most of Trump's Republican rivals have condemned Hamas and offered full-throated support for an expected Israeli invasion of Gaza, but none has laid out such a tough series of proposals to keep people out of and expel Hamas sympathizers from the US.

The United States along with several other countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, one of Trump's Republican rivals for the presidential nomination, said on Monday he favored the deportation of foreign students who support Hamas and would bar Gaza refugees from the US if elected president.

Trump last week accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being unprepared for the Hamas attacks and called Hezbollah - the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group - "very smart."

His Iowa remarks appeared to be an effort in part to blunt that criticism.

"We will aggressively deport resident aliens with jihadist sympathies," Trump said.

Source: thedailystar.net

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CAIR-LA Condemns Attack on Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Los Angeles

Ibrahim Hooper

October 16, 2023

(LOS ANGELES, CA – 10/16/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned an attack targeting pro-Palestinian protesters during a demonstration in West Los Angeles, Calif., this weekend. 

On Saturday, Oct. 14, thousands of protesters marched from the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles to the FBI’s local office to show solidarity with Gaza and Palestine. During the protest, a group of pro-Israeli counter-protesters began attacking some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and even a photographer with the LA Times, with pepper spray. 

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had a sizeable presence for the duration of the protest, but there were no reports of arrests. 

“Protesting, and being able to do so safely, is a right to which every human is entitled. The use of pepper spray by the counter-protesters against the pro-Palestinian demonstrators was an act of blatant and unjustified aggression.

“We unequivocally condemn acts of violence against anyone, for any reason, including this inexcusable attack against largely peaceful protesters, and are disappointed in the LAPD’s lack of response during this incident.” 

To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.

CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.

Source: cair.com

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CAIR-SFBA: More Than 50 California Elected Officials Speak Out in Support of Gaza

Ismail Allison

October 16, 2023

(SANTA CLARA, CA 10/16/23) –The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that more than fifty California elected officials have signed a Stand with Children in Gaza statement that expresses concern about the grave consequences of Israel’s ongoing bombardment and siege of Gaza.

The statement, written by Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCC BOE) members* RaeenaLari and Maimona Afzal Berta, and signed by 55 assembly, city council, delegate, and board of education members, plus more than 600 community members, reads:

“Every innocent life taken is a travesty, but the continued loss of children is a failure of humanity. At this moment, we stand with the children of Gaza. One million children make up half the population of Gaza. We call for peace and demand that US taxpayer funds be used to immediately de-escalate and stop any additional loss of life. We call for the immediate restoration of basic services, water, electricity, fuel, and health to protect the health and wellbeing of children and families.”

In a statement, SCC BOE MaimonaAzfal Berta said, “Countless elected leaders have issued irresponsible statements that contribute to the dehumanization of the Palestinian people and incite Islamophobia. We teach students and youth to value and respect our diverse communities but then see leaders hand-pick which children they stand with. We must have the moral and political courage to stand with the children of Gaza. When so-called ‘justice and equity-oriented’ leaders remain silent, the cost is condoning hate and violence.”

In a statement, SCC BOE RaeenaLari said, “As I watch this devastating humanitarian catastrophe, where an entire population including innocent children is at risk of decimation, silence is not an option. The consequences of failing to counteract otherization and dehumanization are already emerging with increased hate crimes and horrific violence in our midst as well.”

Regarding his decision to endorse the statement, California State Assemblymember Alex Lee said, “The only moral choice is an end to the massive, brutal military action against Palestinian families. The children of Gaza need our voices to call for peace and ceasefire.”

Zahra Billoo, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director, added, “The one-sided narrative driven by elected officials, including President Biden, has fomented a hate-charged atmosphere that tragically culminated in the senseless murder of a six-year-old Palestinian-American child and a violent attack on his mother over the weekend. Public representatives have a responsibility to foster balanced dialogue. No single life is more valuable than another. The violence and loss of life must end.

CAIR-SFBA encourages people of conscience to sign the statement at

bit.ly/standwithchildreningaza.

*titles used for identification purposes only

CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Source: cair.com

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CAIR-Houston to Denounce Increased Violence Toward Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Communities

Ismail Allison

October 16, 2023

(HOUSTON, TX, 10/16/23) – The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday, October 17, at 12 p.m. with Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian community leaders to denounce the increased violence and hateful rhetoric towards their communities in the wake of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza since last week.

Nationwide, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has noticed an increase in anti-Muslim, anti-Arab hate, contributing to the murder of a 6-year-old boy in Chicago, allegedly by his landlord, because his family is Palestinian and Muslim.

What: Press Conference with Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Leaders

When: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 12 pm

Where: 7211 Regency Square Blvd Suite 201, Houston, TX

Who: Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian community leadership

SEE: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Hate Crime Charge for ‘You Muslims Must Die’ Killing of Palestinian-American Child

Locally, in Texas, students at the University of Texas were subjected to reported harassment and verbal taunts by men who did not attend the university during a scheduled teach-in on Palestine and Palestinian history.

SEE: CAIR-Texas Calls for Campus Ban of Men who Harassed Students at U. Texas Palestinian Solidarity Meeting

“What’s clear is that the dehumanization that is portrayed in the media towards Palestinians in Gaza is now taking its own hateful face here in America.” said William White, Director of CAIR-Houston “We call on the media, politicians, and local leaders to condemn the violence in Gaza and end the use of hateful rhetoric toward the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities.”

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.         

La misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.

Source: cair.com

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American Jews gather in solidarity with Palestinians in Washington DC

 17 October 2023

Hundreds of American Jews have held a gathering outside the White House in the United States' capital city of Washington DC to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people.

"This moment is crystal clear, we are seeing unbelievable human suffering and loss of life.... My heart breaks, I cannot bear what is happening to the people in Gaza right now," Meghan, a therapist from Michigan, told AFP.

Rabbi Miriam Grossman said she believes "the way out is not more death" as she joined other people at the rally hosted by the Jewish organization, IfNotNow, to demand that President Joe Biden call for a ceasefire.

"It is an atrocity what is happening, and we refuse to let our grief be used as a weapon," she explained.

Source: presstv.ir

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Biden to Visit Israel as Gaza Sar Sparks Humanitarian Crisis

Oct 17, 2023

(Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will make a high-stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday as it prepares to escalate an offensive against Hamas militants that has set off a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised fears of a broader conflict with Iran.

Biden's visit will mark a significant show of U.S. support for its top Middle East ally after Hamas gunmen killed 1,300 people during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7, the deadliest single day in Israel's 75-year history.

Israel has responded by tightening its blockade on Hamas-ruled Gaza, including by restricting the entry of fuel, and bombarding the area with air strikes that have killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands more.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv early on Tuesday by saying that Biden would visit Israel.

"The president will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs," Blinken told reporters.

Biden would meet with Netanyahu, reaffirm Washington's commitment to Israel's security, and receive a comprehensive brief on its war aims and strategy, Blinken said.

"(The) president will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas," Blinken added.

Blinken also said he and Netanyahu had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians. He did not provide details.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/world-185579

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Mideast

 

Israel-Hamas war triggers spike in Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiments in Latin America

October 16, 2023

EDUARDO CAMPOS LIMA

SAO PAULO: Since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, reports of acts of Islamophobia and attacks on pro-Palestine activists have been growing in some Latin American countries.

Intellectuals who identify with the Palestinian cause say they have been silenced by the actions of pro-Israel groups, and Muslims — especially women wearing a hijab — have been insulted and attacked on the streets. 

In Brazil, clashes on social media between supporters of Israel and pro-Palestine advocates have been further intensified by the political polarization that the Latin American country has experienced over the past few years between the left and right wing.

Public opinion in Brazil has been influenced by pro-Israel media coverage, said Salem Nasser, professor of international relations at FundacaoGetulio Vargas, a higher-education institution and think tank in the city of Sao Paulo.

“Besides the bombs in Gaza, there’s a media war going on. The aim is to justify the attacks against the Palestinian people,” Hammadeh said.

“We’ve been continually incentivized to blame Hamas and the Palestinians for all that’s happening now, and to authorize Israeli violence in Gaza,” he told Arab News, adding that the wrongful association of Palestinians with terrorism by the media enables Israel to act as it wishes.

Anti-Muslim activists in Brazil “have been saying that Palestinians are terrorists and that every Muslim is a terrorist,” Nasser said.

Last week, a campaign was launched on X urging people to denounce university professors who express “pro-Hamas” views during class.

Felipe Freitas de Souza, a doctoral student and member of the Anthropology in Islamic and Arab Contexts Group — a research organization that produced Brazil’s first study on Islamophobia last year — said the campaign is actually “an attempt to blacklist professors who have expressed pro-Palestinian opinions.”

He added: “As far as I know, most of the Palestinian community in Brazil don’t support Hamas, except for a handful of people, so it doesn’t make any sense.”

Brazil’s government announced that it is monitoring hate speech on the internet, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.

“Muslims are seen in a country like Brazil as foreigners, people who don’t belong here,” said de Souza. “An event like the current conflict in the Middle East functions as a trigger, and is able to impact the lives of Muslims here — especially women, who are easily identifiable on the streets.”

Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh, a prominent Muslim leader in Brazil, told Arab News that his 18-year-old daughter was called a terrorist on two occasions on Oct. 12.

“We were at the airport in Sao Paulo and someone passed by her and called her a ‘Hamas terrorist.’ She was wearing her hijab. We had no time to react. When we arrived in Florianopolis the same thing happened again, but we couldn’t identify the aggressor,” he said, adding that this was the first time his daughter had faced any prejudice for being Muslim.

“The enormous volume of propaganda against Palestine is generating that hatred. The press isn’t covering the conflict in a balanced way. Political leaders have been stimulating hatred against us,” Hammadeh said.

Right-wing political leaders connected to Zionist Evangelical churches in Brazil have been continually defending Israel’s attacks on Gaza and spreading fake news against the Palestinians on social media.

“Besides the bombs in Gaza, there’s a media war going on. The aim is to justify the attacks against the Palestinian people,” Hammadeh said.

In Argentina there is a very similar scenario, said Melody Amal Khalil Kabalan, who heads Islam para la Paz (Islam for Peace), an organization that combats Islamophobia.

“When a conflict erupts in the Middle East or in Muslim nations, Muslim women always end up suffering here,” she said. “That happened in 2021 when the Taliban took over Kabul, and is happening again now.”

Her organization has been receiving reports of Muslim women being abused on the streets in recent days.

“The most common commentary has been, ‘Go back to your country.’ But most of those women were born here,” Khalil said.

Demonstrations were organized in Buenos Aires by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups last week. The pro-Israel protest garnered vast media attention.

The pro-Palestine demonstration” was very moving and included a collective hug around the Palestinian Embassy, but the media totally ignored it,” Khalil said.

She added that news shows and debates about the situation in the Middle East usually do not include members of the Palestinian or Muslim communities, so the dominant views are those aligned with Israel.

“We hear everywhere that Muslims don’t want peace. That isn’t true. This atmosphere increases hatred against Muslims,” she said.

In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro’s numerous pro-Palestinian comments on social media have angered Israel, which announced on Sunday that it will suspend the export of defense equipment to the country.

Despite that, Muslims in Colombia have been reporting cases of verbal and physical abuse on the streets.

Lina Acuna, a 33-year-old Muslim lawyer who lives in the city of Medellin, told Arab News that she was insulted on two occasions over the past few days.

In a grocery shop, a group of nuns “pulled my niqab and asked me, ‘Who is sponsoring you?’ I told them that nobody ‘sponsors’ me, that I’ve been a proud Muslim for several years and that I stand for the Palestinian people, including Palestinian Christians who are also being massacred,” she said.

In another incident, Acuna was at a shop while she recorded a TikTok video. A woman stared at her and shouted that she is a terrorist and should go back to her country.

“There’s a significant Muslim community here in Medellin. Many of our sisters have told me that they faced similar acts of violence lately. Many people try to pull off our scarves,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we have no protection in Colombia against such hatred. Anybody can attack us.”

Nasser said the current circumstances are caused by Israel’s reaction to Hamas’s attack. “The impact of the attack was strong, given that it demonstrated Israel’s fragility,” he added.

“The Israeli reaction is to say to the whole world, ‘Either you’re with me or against me.’ And the answer has to be immediate.”

In a world in which people can be easily “canceled” due to their stances on any topic, nobody wants to be associated with terrorists, Nasser said.

Source: arabnews.com

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Top Hamas official: Al-Aqsa Storm ‘favorable opportunity’ to pull plug on Israel

17 October 2023

A former head of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has praised the ongoing anti-Israeli Operation al-Aqsa Storm as a ‘favorable opportunity’ to pull the plug on Israel.

“Operation Al-Aqsa storm is our favorable opportunity to end the existence of Israel. The Zionist regime has destroyed the [so-called] two-state solution, and we have no choice but to resist,” Khaled Meshaal said on Monday evening.

He added that the belligerent policies and criminal activities of the occupying Tel Aviv regime will leave the Palestinian nation with no option other than resistance, emphasizing that Palestinians have a deep yearning for freedom, liberation, and an end to the occupation.

“Palestinians have no choice other than resistance. Currently, there are no talks about ceasefire. We will defeat occupiers in case of a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip,” Meshaal noted.

The IRGC chief commander says the ongoing anti-Israel operation by the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups is the first step towards the occupying regime’s early collapse.

He went on to say that the Israeli military suffered an ignominious defeat in the wake of the Palestinian operation, adding that the regime is seeking to burnish its public image and eke out a bogus victory.

The Israeli army is taking revenge on civilians and ordinary people in Gaza, the senior Hamas leader said.

“The resistance front has developed various ground, naval and aerial scenarios. The Zionist regime’s army has been thrown into a state of total confusion,” Meshaal said.

He described Israel as a paper regime, saying, “Is it the same entity that used to scare the entire region?! The primary goal of the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip has always been defined as the destruction of Hamas.”

“Our people in Gaza will not leave their homeland as they have deep roots in the area. Palestinians’ refusal of the Israeli army order to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip is an irreversible decision, and also in the best interest of Egypt,” Meshaal said.

The top Hamas leader also extended gratitude to fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement for launching a series of attacks on Israeli military posts on the border between the Arab country and the occupied territories.

“Hezbollah has carried out several attacks that deserve praise and acclaim. It is in our interest to fight together on the same front,” Meshaal said.

On October 7, Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime. The operation involved large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

The group said the operation was a reaction to the recurring desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israel responded with intensive air strikes on civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 2,866 Palestinians in Gaza and wounding some 12,000 others, according to the territory’s health ministry.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel and internet.

Source: presstv.ir

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Australian Muslim Leader Resigns Over Premier's Support Of Israel

Oct 17, 2023

A Muslim community leader has resigned from the state’s peak multicultural board and refuses to answer calls from Premier Peter Malinauskas, saying the state government has chosen one community over another around the bloody conflict in Gaza.

Ahmed Zreika said a recent rally in support of Palestine that was held in Adelaide sent sympathy to the Jewish community in a peaceful protest but he felt “disappointed, very upset, very sad” about the state government’s actions.

After the militant Hamas group attacked Israel over a week ago killing more than 1000 civilians and taking hostages, the state government illuminated key Adelaide landmarks in solidarity with Israel.

Since then, Israel has launched retaliatory attacks on Palestinian people in the Gaza strip, dropping thousands of bombs.

Zreika, who is president of the Islamic Society of South Australia, is currently trying to find a South Australian family that had reportedly lost four family members in the violence.

This morning, Malinauskas introduced a motion to Parliament that “acknowledges the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life and that innocent civilians on all sides are suffering as a result of the attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict” and showing that “this Parliament stands for peace”.

Zreika said another Adelaide family was trapped in Gaza and he hoped they would be among those able to escape the region after the border between Egypt and Gaza was opened today.

“We condemn all kinds of violence for any civilians regardless of their background or race, but the government has not condemned this on both sides,” he said.

“I sent the Premier a letter and I phoned him to ask him to light up the buildings in the same way… I gave him a chance to light up the flag of Palestine.

“He is the Premier and he has a lot of advisers. If he is brave enough to fix this he can condemn the Israelis in the same way he condemned Hamas and to light up the Palestinian flag to condemn Israelis for killing the children in Gaza.

“Almost 20 years we have been working with the government and the wider community to bridge the gap between both communities but unfortunately the government is breaking those bridges.”

A first Adelaide rally to support Palestine has been held, with another planned for this Sunday, but Zreika said his community group has not yet decided if it will support the event.

Zreika said the South Australian government “reacted very rapidly without thinking about the community here and now they don’t know how to fix the problem”.

He said the local Islamic community was expecting a statement from the Premier but until then “there is no reason for us to talk”.

Zreika was one of 15 members of the South Australian Multicultural Commission that the state government describes as playing “an important role in raising awareness and understanding of multiculturalism and interculturalism in our South Australian community”.

“It draws on the cultural diversity, skills and experience of its members to provide independent advice to the South Australian government about the advancement of multiculturalism,” its website said.

Among its key roles is to “promote unity, understanding and harmony among all communities”.

Zreika also served on the former South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission.

The motion introduced by Malinauskas today “unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas, which are the heinous acts of terrorists, and have encompassed the targeting and murder of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages, and indiscriminate rocket fire”.

It said the parliament stood with “Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself” and also “condemns antisemitism and recognises that generations of Jewish people have been subjected to this hateful prejudice”.

While the motion called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, it also recognised that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, nor their legitimate needs and aspirations.

It “acknowledges the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life and that innocent civilians on all sides are suffering as a result of the attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict” and “supports justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike”.

The motion also acknowledged “what has unfolded is deeply distressing for many in the South Australian community, close to the heart of many, and it is important that we maintain respect for each other here at home as people express their views”.

It condemned all forms of hate speech and violent extremist activity, including Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Opposition Leader David Speirs supported the motion saying “we must turn our minds to the innocent people who are caught up in this” but condemned the act of terrorism on Israel by Hamas.

A short time ago, Malinauskas responded to Zreika’s concerns, telling InDaily that he “had a good working relationship with Ahmed over many years”.

“He’s a good person and represents his community effectively and with integrity,” Malinauskas said.

“I respect his position, but we made a decision to light up buildings and monuments, as other states did, because we’re opposed to terrorism.

“But we also recognise that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, and that civilians on both sides of this conflict are suffering.”

Source: indaily.com.au

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https://indaily.com.au/news/2023/10/17/sa-muslim-leader-resigns-over-govt-gaza-call/

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Iran FM Discusses Palestine Developments With South African And Irish Counterparts

Oct 17, 2023

TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a phone conversation with his South African and Irish counterparts discussed the latest developments in Palestine.

In a phone talk with his Irish counterpart Micheál Martin on Monday night, Amir-Abdollahian condemned the crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the siege of the Gaza Strip with the aim of preventing the dispatch of humanitarian aid such as food, water, and medicine.

Iran FM discusses  Palestine developments with counterparts

Saying that the possible spread of the war on other fronts is approaching the inevitable stage, the top Iranian diplomat stressed the need for establishing suitable corridors as soon as possible to send aid to the people of Gaza.

Referring to the daily killing of hundreds of civilians in the Gaza Strip by Zionist forces, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that the Zionist regime must immediately stop its terrorist actions against Palestine.

Martin, for his part, expressed concern over the spread of tensions in the occupied territories and said that it is necessary to observe international humanitarian rights in the war.

He went on to say that Ireland calls for creating a humanitarian corridor to send humanitarian aid to the Gazan people.

The top Irish diplomat also expressed hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran, by playing its unique role in the region, can provide a useful initiative to reduce the scope of the crisis in the region.

Iran FM discusses  Palestine developments with counterparts

The Iranian foreign minister and his South African counterpart NalediPandor, in a separate phone call, discussed the latest developments in Palestine and the bilateral relations between Iran and South Africa.

During the phone call, Pandor said that her country is in contact with the United Nations over the situation in Palestine, expressing hope that the tensions would end as soon as possible.

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/207211/Iran-FM-discusses-Palestine-developments-with-counterparts

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Heads of Muslim states' parliaments call for 'united front' against rights violations in Gaza

17.10.2023

The heads of parliaments from several Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries on Monday called for a "united front" against rising civilian casualties and human rights violations in Gaza, and urged the UN to intervene and put an end to Israel's ongoing violations of international law.

The speakers/presidents of parliaments from Türkiye, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Malaysia, Iran, Kuwait, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Guyana attended a virtual emergency meeting of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC) to discuss the escalating crisis, said a statement from the Senate of Pakistan.

Expressing "profound" concern over the ongoing violence, the participants collectively appealed to the UN to intervene and halt the continuous violations of international law by Israeli forces.

In an urgent plea to avert an impending humanitarian crisis, they called for "unrestricted" entry of aid and much-needed relief goods into the Gaza Strip.

"The participants, with great emphasis, called for an immediate end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands," the statement added.

They urged the international community to play a "decisive" role in resolving the Palestinian issue, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Malaysian representatives specifically urged that this issue be included as an emergency agenda item in the upcoming 147th IPU General Assembly Meeting, emphasizing that immediate action is required to save the residents of Gaza.

"Furthermore, participants unequivocally denounced the Israeli bombardment as a war crime and emphasized the need for accountability," the statement said.

The lawmakers urged the international community to hold those responsible for these actions accountable in accordance with international law.

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/heads-of-muslim-states-parliaments-call-for-united-front-against-rights-violations-in-gaza/3022280

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Hamas broadcasts video of ‘prisoner’ in Gaza

October 16, 2023

GAZA STRIP: Palestinian militant group Hamas released Monday on its official Telegram channel a video of “one of the prisoners in Gaza,” showing a young woman speaking Hebrew.

The video, which could not immediately be verified by AFP, includes footage purportedly of the same woman receiving treatment for an arm injury.

According to the caption, she had been abducted on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, triggering a war that has killed thousands of people in both Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip, which Israel is bombing in retalitation.

The Israeli army has confirmed at least 199 hostages were taken to Gaza, while while Hamas claimed earlier Monday that it and other factions are holding around 250 captives.

In the video, the first released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, the woman says she is from central Israel and appeals for her release.

Abu Obeideh, spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a televised statement earlier Monday that some foreign hostages would be released by the group “when conditions are ripe.”

Officials in both Israel and Gaza have denied any prisoner swap talks.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2392661/middle-east

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Israel strikes Hezbollah ‘terrorist’ targets in Lebanon: Army

October 17, 2023

JERUSALEM: Israel launched strikes overnight on Hezbollah “terrorist” targets in Lebanon, the Israeli army said in a statement early Tuesday.

“The Israeli army is striking military targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah on Lebanese territory,” it said.

Since the start of the war triggered by the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border have left around 10 people dead on the Lebanese side, mostly combatants but also a Reuters journalist and two civilians.

On the Israeli side, at least two people have been killed.

The international community fears an escalation of the conflict between the pro-Iran Lebanese Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, and the Israeli army.

Israel began evacuating thousands of residents in 28 locations in the north of the country after these border clashes.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2392596/middle-east

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Bodies being ‘stored in ice cream trucks’

October 17, 2023

GAZA: Health officials in Gaza Strip have resorted to storing the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli air strikes in ice cream freezer trucks because moving them to hospitals is too risky and cemeteries are short of space.

The hospital morgue can only take 10 bodies, so we have brought in ice cream freezers from the ice cream factories in order to store the huge numbers of martyrs, said Dr Yasser Ali of the Shuhada Al Aqsa hospital in Deir Al-Balah.

The freezer trucks, whose sides still show advertising images of smiling children enjoying ice cream cones, are normally used to make deliveries to supermarkets. Now they are makeshift morgues for victims of Israeli aggression in Gaza.

Even with these freezers, the number (of the dead) exceeds the capacity of this main morgue of the hospital, and alternative ones, and between 20 and 30 bodies are being kept in tents too, said Ali, as he opened the doors of the freezers to show the white-shrouded bodies inside.

“The Gaza Strip is in crisis and if the unrest continues in this way we will not be able to bury the dead. The cemeteries are already full and we need new ones to bury the dead,” Ali said.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1781491

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2,808 Palestinians killed, 10,859 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza: Health Ministry

October 17, 2023

GAZA CITY, Palestine : The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip has risen to 2,808, the Health Ministry said early Tuesday.

A ministry statement said at least 10,859 Palestinians were injured in the Israeli bombardment in the seaside enclave.

A previous statement by the ministry said that over 750 children were among those killed.

Ten days into the conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas, an Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out as civilians flee to its south following an Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed. — AA

Source: muslimmirror.com

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India

 

16 Opposition leaders meet Palestinian Ambassador in Delhi, express solidarity, urge the establishment of an independent Palestine state along the 1967 borders in accordance with the UN resolution

16th October 2023

By ANI

NEW DELHI: Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali who came to meet Palestine ambassador Adnan Abu al Haija in the national capital on Monday said that the group of opposition MPs and other politicians want to express their solidarity with the people of Palestine.

"We have come to express our solidarity for the Palestinian people. We want to tell them through their Ambassador that we are with them. We want to convey that the Parliamentarians from India are in opposition to the violence that is ongoing in Palestine," Danish Ali said while speaking to ANI.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Shahid Siddiqui, Samajwadi Party leader Javed Ali Khan and other political leaders paid a visit to the Palestine ambassador to show their support for the Palestinian cause.

Rajya Sabha MP Javed Ali Khan said that India has been sharing good ties with Palestinians traditionally.

"We have come to meet Palestine ambassador to express solidarity with the Palestinians. India has been sharing good ties with Palestinians traditionally. We are friends with Palestine. In this time of difficulty when imperialist forces and Israel are oppressing them, we are standing with them," Javed Ali Khan said speaking to ANI.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Shahid Siddiqui said that the traditional position on Israel was that of Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"The policy of India, which was that of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Lohia, Jayprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that we believe in the rights of Palestine. We recognise Israel but Palestine should get right to its own nation. The attack on them in Gaza is against the rules of the United Nations and international law," Siddiqui said.

CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said that the ongoing violence in Gaza is nothing short of an "openly declared genocide".

"We came here to express our solidarity on behalf of Indian people. Right now, we all know whatever happened on the 7th of October but it has not stopped there. Right now what is happening in Gaza is nothing short of a very openly declared genocide. We cannot allow this to go on like this," Bhattacharya said.

Following the meeting, Adnan Abu al Haija, the Ambassador of Palestine in India expressed hope that India will play a role in stopping the siege on Palestinians in Gaza.

"We discussed the situation in Gaza and in Palestine in general and they presented their solidarity with the Palestinian people... We hope India will play a good role in stopping the siege on our people of Gaza and putting pressure on the Israeli government for humanitarian aid to our people in Gaza," he said.

The Hamas-run health ministry said on Monday that some 2,329 Palestinians have been killed and another 9,042 have been wounded in Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces has said it has killed some 1,500 Palestinian terrorists in Israeli territory after they breached the border fence and rampaged murderously in southern Israel, killing over 1,300 people, mostly civilians.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/oct/16/bsp-mp-danish-ali-other-opposition-leaders-express-solidarity-with-people-of-palestine-2624489.html

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Indian Defence minister slams those backing Hamas, says condemn terrorism

Oct 17, 2023

HUZURABAD: Defence minister Rajnath Singh referred to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as he hit the campaign trail in Telangana on Monday, and slammed those supporting the militia group, saying "supporting terrorism is a very bad game".

"Everyone should avoid this (supporting terror). Everyone should be careful about those who have supported terrorism," he said addressing a rally in this seat where EatalaRajender had won as a BJP nominee after quitting BRS in 2021.

Referring to Balakot strike, India's retaliatory action after the Pulawama attack, Singh said, "We have taken effective action against terrorism under the leadership of PM Modi."

Singh accused Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao of corruption and nepotism, saying the state had suffered the most in the past 10 years and it was denied to prosper despite having enormous growth potential after getting statehood.

"There is no smoke without fire... Even KCR knows that the allegations of corruption against his family are true," he said.

Singh alluded to the excise scam in which KCR's daughter Kavitha had been summoned by ED. "The echoes of graft of KCR family are not confined to Hyderabad. It's heard even in Delhi...corruption here is not limited but private limited," he said.

The BJP veteran said the KCR family in Telangana is known for abuse of power as well as corruption. "People of Telangana want State First, Nation First but BRS says Family First. Having a family in politics is not a bad thing, but when the entire state is written in the name of 'family only' then BJP will never accept it," he said.

Taking a swipe at BRS and Congress by citing the party symbols, he said, "BRS' 'car' is useless. As for the 'hand' (Congress' symbol), it has left you a long time ago. Adopt the 'lotus' because Lakshmiji is a symbol of prosperity. She will neither come sitting in a car nor will come holding hands. If Lakshmiji comes, she will come on a lotus flower."

He also attacked Asaduddin Owaisi and his alliance with BRS, saying, "BRS and AIMIM are doing politics of caste and religion. Whereas BJP does politics of justice and humanity."

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Biryani wasn’t served to Ajmal Kasab in prison, says Former Pune police commissioner MeeranBorwankar

17th October 2023

By Sudhir SuryawanshiExpress News Service

MUMBAI:  Former Pune police commissioner MeeranBorwankar in her book, ‘Madam Commissioner’ has said that no birayani was served to 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab when he was lodged in Yervada jail.

Shedding further light, she said top secrecy about Kasab’s hanging was maintained. Borwankar, however, said she upset when the news of moving Kasab from Mumbai to Pune was leaked to journalists. In her book ‘Madam Commissioner – The Extraordinary Life of Indian Police Chief’ she noted Kasab used to do exercise every day and he looked boyish and slim.

“Erstwhile home minister RR Patil once called me at Circuit House to understand the entire procedure of hanging the convict in any case. Patil told me that some of the country may interfere in the hanging of Kasab and therefore he warned to keep the secrecy of everything that is related to Kasab. I was one who prepared the plan for the hanging of Kasab with my teammate in Pune,” she said.

Noting that the previous hanging took place 3o years ago, she said they were careful with each decision and development. “Most of these hanging places in prison were covered with dust and unwanted stuff,” Borwankar added. When Kasab was brought from Byculla Jail in Arthur road in Pune, they had collected mobile phone of the police who were accompanying Kasab’s vehicle. “One of the reporters from Mumbai got the hint that Kasab has been shifted to Pune. The reporter even called both Byculla and Yerwada prison in Mumbai and Pune and spoke with home minister RR Patil. Mr Patil denied such a development and when the same reporter called me, I also denied it. I was very upset with information getting leaked that reduced confidence,” Borwakar said.

When Kasab was taken to Pune all protocol and safety measures were followed. “I did not wear the uniform but wore the blazer. On the hanging, Kasab looked like a boy. He was such a big terrorist but his body structure was like a boy only. He had reduced his weight by doing daily exercise in jail. I personally called RR Patil and informed about the hanging of Kasab,” she added.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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Africa

 

Ethiopia's prime minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart in Beijing

October 17, 2023

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held talks on Monday with China’s Premier Li Qiang.

Li said China was willing to work with Ethiopia to support each other in maintaining domestic stability and achieving development and revitalization.

He said Beijing was willing to further expand cooperation with Addis Ababa in economy, trade, and other fields, so as to bring the two countries' interests closer together.

Ahmed, meanwhile, described China as Ethiopia’s most trustworthy partner and friend, saying he appreciated Beijing's long-time strong support for his country's economic and social development.

He said Ethiopia was willing to take part actively in building China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and deepen cooperation in several fields, including industry and agriculture.

After the talks, Li and Ahmed witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents including those under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The conference marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI, a plan for global infrastructure and energy networks launched by China purportedly to boost global trade.

But some see it as a tool for Beijing to spread its geopolitical and economic influence.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/16/ethiopias-prime-minister-holds-talks-with-chinese-counterpart-in-beijing/

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UN peacekeepers begin sensitive pull out of camps in northern Mali

October 17, 2023

The UN stabilisation mission in Mali known as MINUSMA announced Monday (Oct. 16) their pullout has started from two camps in the tense Kidal region.

The peacekeeping mission kicked off its withdrawal from Mali's northern region with the Tessalit and Aguelhok camps.

Anticipating the UN disengagement, the Malian army landed two aircrafts at one of the camps at Tessalit.

The army said the aircrafts came under fire from rebels during the landing.

It posted on social media that a single plane came under fire but managed to land and leave without too much difficulty after enemy positions were "neutralised" by the air force.

The UN peacekeepers cited the shooting as illustrating "the rapid deterioration in security conditions for the lives of hundreds of" its soldiers.

The MINUSMA has transferred 4 camps to Malian authorities since August. However, it is the withdrawal from camps in the region of Kidal and in the eponymous city, which is the fief of separatists’ fighters, that could be the most sensitive.

Northern Mali is the theatre of fighting between the Malian authorities, an alliance of groups seeking independence known as CMA and Al-Qaeda-linked group GSIM.

The UN withdrawal from northern Mali is supposed to end by December 31after 10 years of presence.

Camp departures have however exacerbated rivalries between armed actors in the region.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/17/un-peacekeepers-begin-sensitive-pull-out-of-camps-in-northern-mali/

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DRC: at least 28 dead in a shipwreck on the Congo River

October 16, 2023

At least 28 bodies were recovered and dozens of people were missing after a whaleboat sank Friday on the Congo River, in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we learned on Sunday from a provincial official.

A whaleboat which was leaving Mbandaka for the territory of Bolomba , in the province of Équateur (north-west), was shipwreck during the night from Friday to Saturday.

“The provisional toll is 28 bodies recovered, dozens of people are still missing and the search continues ,” declared ChrispinMputu, Minister of the Interior of the province of Équateur, interviewed by AFP.

The total number of passengers who took place on board the boat was not yet established in the absence of the "manifesto (the document containing the list of passengers) which has disappeared" , explained Minister Mputu, contacted by telephone from Kinshasa.

A civil society organization puts forward a much heavier toll.

“Our teams counted up to 49 bodies yesterday and this morning, another was recovered from the water, bringing the death toll to 50,” Joseph BoyokoLokondo, one of the leaders of the “Génération” organization, told AFP. conscious" of the province of Équateur, a pressure group.

“So far, around a hundred people are missing, they are missing,” he explained, adding that “between 20 and 30 survivors (were) still at the port, they lost everything” . The whaleboat "was carrying more than 200 passengers, cargo and construction equipment" for a government program, Boyoko added.

According to UN radio Okapi , "the whaleboat had difficulty moving forward because of the overload" .

Congolese opponent MoïseKatumbi , declared candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for December 20 in the DRC, said he was "saddened" by "this drama" which he presents as "the direct consequence of the resignation of the government which tolerates night navigation of dilapidated and overloaded boats .

A large country in Central Africa, the DRC has very few passable roads and travel is often made on lakes as well as on the Congo River and its tributaries, where shipwrecks are frequent. The results are often heavy.

In 2019, a shipwreck on Lake Kivu left around a hundred dead in the Kalehe territory, in the east of the country. President Félix Tshisekedi, who visited the site, then decreed "the compulsory wearing of life jackets" for each passenger, a measure rarely respected, and promised new boats, which are still awaited.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/16/drc-at-least-28-dead-in-a-shipwreck-on-the-congo-river//#:~:text=At%20least%2028%20bodies%20were,Sunday%20from%20a%20provincial%20official.

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Red Cross to raise N23 billion against hunger crisis in Nigeria

Nike Adebowale-Tambe

October 16, 2023

As part of efforts to end the hunger crisis in Nigeria, the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal to raise N23 billion to support the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The head of the delegation for the humanitarian network, Bhupinder Tomar, made this known at a media chat in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Tomar said Nigeria is currently facing an unprecedented hunger crisis this year, hence the need to support those unsure of where their next meal will come from.

He said about 1,092,300 people would benefit from the aid.

“We are trying to raise CHF 27 million to support the hunger crisis in the country,” he said.

“About 1,092,300 people will receive the aid in the form of cash assistance, food and nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.”

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, OluyemisiAdeaga, said the rising number of people experiencing food insecurity is a threat to the country’s peace and stability.

Mr Adeaga said Nigeria, like every other great nation, must prioritise the food needs of its citizens.

He said addressing hunger in the nation is not just a matter of dignity, but a matter of urgent national security.

“We call on all well-meaning people and organisations to join the efforts of the Nigerian Red Cross Society to bring relief to some of the most vulnerable members of our society who now face the human indignity of not knowing where their next meal will come from,” he said.

Food insecurity

In 2022, Nigeria was ranked 103 out of 121 countries in the 2022 Global Hunger Index.

This makes it the second consecutive year in which Nigeria’s ranking on the scale remains the same. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, ranked 103 out of 116 countries in 2021 and 98 among 107 countries in 2020.

According to the report, some 828 million people were affected by hunger globally in 2021, an increase of about 46 million people since 2020 and 150 million people since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The index indicates that the highest levels of hunger were in “Africa South of the Sahara” and South Asia – with progress against hunger in these regions having stagnated in recent years.

Mr Adeaga said an estimated 828 million people, about 10 per cent of the global population, go to bed hungry every day.

He said in Nigeria, about 25 million are at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition, many of them women and children.

“Indeed, the urgency of the situation is not lost on President Bola Tinubu who declared a state of emergency on food insecurity and ordered the immediate release of fertilisers and grains to farmers,” he said.

“President Tinubu also approved that all matters pertaining to food and water availability as well as affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.”

Source: premiumtimesng.com

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Arab World

 

Saudi Arabia at UN rejects calls for deportation of Palestinians from Gaza

October 17, 2023

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemned the targeting of civilians, rejected calls for “the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza,” and said the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, and its “repetitive and systematic” provocations against holy sites, have perpetuated the conflict.

Prince Faisal bin Khalid, second secretary at the Saudi UN mission in New York, also called for the lifting of sanctions and the blockade on Gaza, as well as the provision of essential humanitarian aid, emphasizing that depriving Palestinians of these basic human needs is a violation of international humanitarian law.

He was speaking at a plenary meeting in the General Assembly of the Economic and Financial Committee to discuss the “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources.”

Prince Faisal began by aligning Saudi Arabia with the statements made by Jordan on behalf of the Arab group, and Oman representing the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as Cuba speaking for the Group of 77 and China.

He expressed the Kingdom’s concerns regarding the Israeli occupation and its economic impact on the lives of Palestinians and of Syrians in the Golan Heights.

“The Palestinian cause was, and still is, the central cause for the Arabs and Muslims, and it is on top of the priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when it comes to its external policy,” Prince Faisal said.

He added that the Kingdom has consistently stood by the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their land, legitimate rights, and the establishment of an independent sovereign state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international decisions, the Arab Peace Initiative and globally recognized resolutions.

He strongly condemned unilateral measures that undermine the two-state solution, calling for an immediate halt to such actions.

Prince Faisal stressed that achieving sustainable development in the Occupied Territories is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of justice, peace and security.

A just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue is essential to fulfilling the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people and Syrians in the Golan, including full sovereignty over their lands and resources, in line with international decisions, he said.

Prince Faisal highlighted Saudi Arabia’s substantial support for the Palestinian people through humanitarian aid and development programs.

The Kingdom recently donated $1.2 billion to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and $27 million last year.

Moreover, the Kingdom backs developmental projects in Palestine through the Saudi Fund for Development, providing close to $109 million for infrastructure projects, electricity, sanitation, communication and road construction.

Prince Faisal again called on the international community to uphold its responsibility to achieve peace and sustainable development in the region.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2392581/middle-east

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Green hotels, ecotourism: A rising trend in Saudi Arabia

October 16, 2023

RIYADH: In great news for environmentalists in Saudi Arabia, green hotels are growing in popularity among the country’s hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs. Several investors are currently shifting their attention toward projects that promote sustainability in order to attract customers and boost revenues.

The Kingdom is the latest region to boost its green sector, adopting an eco-friendly approach to hospitality and funding green megaprojects.

Green hotels are certified environmentally friendly properties. To receive a certificate, a hotel must operate according to the Sustainable Development Goals and employ environmentally friendly practices, such as using biodegradable materials and offering energy-efficient accommodations.

“Saudi Arabia has made significant achievements toward its commitment to obtaining and actioning the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are an urgent call to action by the UN to all countries,” said Abdulaziz Al-Mizani, head of sustainability in renewable energy and circular economy at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.

The Kingdom’s sustainability goals are part of a plan to develop tourism in the country, he said, adding that this is evident in its adoption of international sustainability standards in travel and tourism, which are set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

The establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Global Center, which aims to elevate the tourism industry while aligning it with the Kingdom’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, is another step in the right direction.

The center brings together governments, international organizations, academic bodies, financing institutions and industry associations, with the goal of reducing the tourism sector’s estimated 8 percent contribution to total global greenhouse gases and moving toward net-zero emissions.

“The largest investor in tourism and hospitality in the Kingdom is the government since green hotels are part of Saudi Arabia’s sustainability DNA,” added Al-Mizani.

Some of the Public Investment Fund’s projects, including Red Sea Global, NEOM, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, and other semi-government initiatives, align with the green hotel concept.

If hotels want to become eco-friendly properties, Al-Mizani said, they should avoid using plastic products, provide green transportation facilities, encourage a paperless policy or reduce the usage of paper to a minimum, enhance energy efficiency and clean energy solutions, and apply a food waste reduction policy.

Finally, Al-Mizani believes that business owners should support, advance, and motivate tourists and guests to take part in the overall sustainable efforts in Saudi Arabia.

“If we think about the developer’s commitment to building green hotels, it is a long-term commitment toward clean energy and a better environment for us and our children to live in,” he added.

Source: arabnews.com

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Saudi defense minister discusses Gaza situation with UK, Italian counterparts

October 17, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman received a call from his UK counterpart Grant Shapps on Monday.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed strategic relations and defense cooperation, Prince Khalid posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“We also discussed the situation in Gaza and I stressed the need to de-escalate, cease military operations, and uphold international law to protect innocent lives,” Prince Khalid added.

Prince Khalid later received Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto.

The pair reviewed Saudi-Italian relations and explored opportunities to enhance defense cooperation.

“We also discussed recent developments in Gaza, and I emphasized the importance of de-escalating the situation,”  Prince Khalid added.

In a different meeting, Prince Khalid and Turkmen counterpart BegenchGundogdyyev discussed recent events in Gaza and the importance of protecting innocent civilian lives.

On Monday, more than one million people had fled their homes in Gaza as Israel bombarded the Hamas-ruled territory and continued massing troops in preparation for a full-blown ground invasion.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2392571/saudi-arabia

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Saudi FM discusses latest developments in Gaza with German, Japanese counterparts

October 16, 2023

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed developments in Gaza during separate phone calls with his German and Japanese counterparts on Monday.

During a phone call with AnnalenaBaerbock, Prince Faisal said it was important that all parties to the conflict adhered to international humanitarian law and ensured that civilians are not targeted in any way.

Prince Faisal and Baerbock highlighted the importance of the international community fulfilling its responsibilities toward arriving at an immediate ceasefire, reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, and adhering to UN and Security Council resolutions in this regard.

They also said developing urgent solutions to bring medical and relief materials to the residents of the Gaza Strip was necessary.

During the call with Kamikawa Yoko, Prince Faisal urged Japan, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, to work to ensure that the council fulfils its responsibility to maintain international peace and security by pushing for an immediate cessation of military operations and lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Prince Faisal also said it was important that the Security Council worked to implement resolutions regarding the Palestine in order to establish a just, comprehensive, and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue in a way that achieves the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Source: arabnews.com

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KSrelief participates in triangular cooperation meeting in Lisbon

October 16, 2023

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, recently participated in the seventh International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation titled “Expanding Partnerships” in Lisbon, Portugal.

KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General of Planning and Development Aqeel Al-Ghamdi attended the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The meeting was organized by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry and the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Speakers stressed the importance of having strong partnerships between governments, development agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector.

During the meeting, participants exchanged ideas and expertise and identified new opportunities in the field of triangular cooperation.

More than 200 participants from governments, development agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector attended the event to discuss recent trends and look for ways to strengthen cooperation for global development. 

On the sidelines of the meeting, Al-Ghamdi met with the OECD director for development cooperation, Maria Gonzalo.

Al-Ghamdi recalled the support provided by the Kingdom for three decades to the countries of the south, by implementing more than 5,170 development projects at a cost exceeding $99 billion.

He also stressed the importance of discussing the affairs of the refugees in the region, as the Kingdom hosts nearly one million refugees, provides them with basic services, education and healthcare, and exempts them from taxes at a cost of approximately $24 billion, in addition to allowing them to work inside the Kingdom.

Al-Ghamdi clarified the importance of enhancing the participation of the private sector in the next Arab Dialogue meetings.

Both parties also discussed topics of mutual interest, including topics covered by the Arab-DAC Dialogue on Development, which is organized by the committee in collaboration with the Arab Coordination Group.

Source: arabnews.com

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Minister of Hajj and Umrah Starts Official Visit to Türkiye

16 Oct, 2023

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah began an official visit today to the Republic of Türkiye designed to raise awareness among Turkish pilgrims of the procedures taken to facilitate their arrival in Makkah and Madinah and to explain other services provided for pilgrims and visitors inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 During the two-day visit, Dr. Al-Rabiah, who is accompanied by a high-level governmental and private-sector delegation, is scheduled to meet with leaders and officials of Türkiye to discuss the facilities provided to Turkish pilgrims, as part of achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to enable the arrival of more guests of Allah to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques, achieving the purposes of Islamic Sharia.

 The visit comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to build bridges of communication and cooperation with pilgrim-origin countries, and to introduce the exceptional services provided by the Kingdom’s government to pilgrims and visitors.

Source: alriyadhdaily.com

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http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/d1bd8bc08e624362b611e6054bb9f826

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South Asia

 

Protests Held in Logar Over Israel's Attacks on Gaza Strip

October 16, 2023

Residents of Kharwar district of Logar province held protests in response to Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip and they want the international community to put pressure on Israel to stop its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

“With the oppression of the Palestinian people, God willing, our Mujahideen will go and save them,” said Khan Mohammad, a protester.

“Stop killing Muslims, stop your cruelty, terror, and barbarism against Muslims, we are ready to cooperate with them in any way,” said Subhanullah, a protester.

Some protestors said that if Israel continues these attacks, they are ready to unite with Hamas and stand against Israel.

“We ask the superpower countries of the world to try to stop the bombing and the war that is going on in Gaza right now,” said Sahil, a protestor.

“Where are human rights and those who claim to defend Muslim rights now?” said Ahmad Jan, a protestor.

 The second Deputy Prime Minister condemned Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip and called on Islamic countries and the international community to stop these attacks.

 “In the 21st century, making 1.2 million people mass immigrants from their country has no place in any law. All the countries of the world should raise their voices,” said Abdul Salam Hanafi.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/provincial-185562

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Afghanistan’s descent into poverty: The Economist Report

Fidel Rahmati

October 16, 2023

According to The Economist, Afghanistan’s return to Taliban rule, devastating natural disasters, and cessation of Western aid have pushed the country into poverty, prompting Afghans to view their nation as a “curse.”

The Economist has reported that in the latest incident, a devastating earthquake in western Herat claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and destroyed dozens of villages.

Mohammad Amin, one of the relatives of the victims of this incident, has informed The Economist that “the roofs of the houses of six relatives collapsed nearby, and all of them lost their lives.”

Mohammad Amin added that he was outside the house during the earthquake and could only watch helplessly.

The spokesperson for the Taliban administration’s Natural Disaster Management has announced a death toll 4,000 and numerous injuries.

One of the district elders told The Economist, “The authorities of the Taliban administration sent bulldozers with inexperienced drivers who ended up crashing and killing several people while demolishing.”

The magazine continues to emphasize that earthquakes, landslides, and floods that occurred last year, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, highlight the fragile state of the Taliban government.

According to a recent World Bank study, 60% of last year’s budget for the caretaker government (Taliban administration) was allocated to the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Intelligence.

However, relief organizations are working to address this shortfall, while the United Nations has collected one-third of the requested $3.2 billion for Afghanistan this year.

Perhaps the recent earthquake has worsened the situation in these areas.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-descent-into-poverty-the-economist-report/

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Okada-Hanafi Meeting Focused on Expanding of Relations: Arg

October 16, 2023

The outgoing ambassador of Japan in Kabul, Takashi Okada, in his farewell meeting with the deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, discussed Japan’s efforts to expand Islamic Emirate’s relations with the international community and the provision of humanitarian assistance, the Arg said in a statement.

“The Deputy Prime Minister thanked Okada for his mission and assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan,” the Arg wrote.

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the two sides also discussed security issues.

“The relations of the Islamic Emirate and Japan are very good, and these relations will pave the way for the development of the two countries. We will not allow anyone to use the Afghan soil against others,” he said.

The analysts said that the interim government should try to increase its relations with the international community to overcome the current challenges.

“Japan is a country which can bring good changes in all areas as it has good relations with all world,” said Imal Dost, political analyst.

“Japan is a productive, industrial and a country close to Afghanistan and it can also provide welfare assistance,” said Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat.

This comes as on Saturday Okada met with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to bid him goodbye, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X.

Okada said that his mission in Afghanistan has ended and now TakayushiKormaya will be the Japanese ambassador to Afghanistan, according to Balkhi.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185569

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Aid Continues for Earthquake Affected Areas in Herat

October 16, 2023

The distribution of aid from global institutions and domestic and foreign charities to all villages affected by the earthquake is continuing.

The assistance includes food, tents, blankets, clothing and hygiene materials.

Earthquake victims whose houses were destroyed in Herat demand shelter from government and global aid agencies.

Nasir Ahmad Salehi reports that the process of distributing aid from global institutions and domestic and foreign charities in all villages affected by the earthquake is continuing.

A Germany-based charity has provided food and non-food aid for hundreds of families in the village of Nayeb Rafi in Herat's Zenda Jan district.

Mohammad Aalem Shahab, responsible for a charity organization, said: "We have brought aid to the sisters and brothers affected by the earthquake, including tents, blanket, tea, sugar, oil and flour."

MenhajudinHashemi, Afghan Red Crescent Representative, said “for 78 families food and non-food items distributed. From now on، we want to bring tents to some families whose tents have been destroyed and help them.“

The victims who have lost their homes and everything in this earthquake called the aid vital.

They say that global aid agencies have saved their lives.

Mohammad Hashem, earthquake victim: “Every day help comes to us, but we lost all our possessions and our lives are ruined.”

Abdul Basir, earthquake victim: “Now we survive with this aid and if it continues، it is good، but if the aid is cut off، we need a lot of things including winter clothes.“

Earthquake victims in Herat are calling for permanent shelter from government and global aid agencies.

They say that life is hard because of the cold weather, and their children are sick.

Habibullah, earthquake victim: “It's too cold and if the cold increases, we'll have more problems.“

Mohammad Naeim, earthquake victim: “We can't live here and we want to be sheltered everywhere، in every village and every province، because there are children and women who can't come here.“

Tents were distributed to all villages affected by the earthquake, including Zenda Jan, Anjil and Kashk of Herat.

In addition to the United Nations, Turkiye, Iran, China, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and some other global institutions have helped by giving food and tents to the victims of the Herat earthquake.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185577

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Regional meeting on Rohingyas today

Oct 17, 2023

The high-level regional meeting on Rohingyas will be held in Bangkok today.

UN High Commissioner for the Refugee Filippo Grandi, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration JulietaValls Noyes are among the key delegates.

The purpose of the event includes mobilising international community to recommit to a comprehensive approach that prioritises durable solutions, particularly supporting efforts to create conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation, the UN Refugee Agency said in a statement yesterday.

"The meeting will reinforce efforts to sustain support for the Rohingya refugee response, both for the humanitarian response, as well as to build the resilience of refugees which will help engender solutions," it said.

The Rohingya response remains critically underfunded, with a significant impact on refugee protection and security, UNHCR said.

The meeting will bring together key stakeholders, including governmental counterparts, humanitarian and development partners, refugee-led organisations, academia, and civil society, from the region and beyond, it added.

The outcomes and discussions at the meeting will contribute and feed into the ministerial-level GRF scheduled for December 13-15 in Geneva.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/regional-meeting-rohingyas-today-3445621

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Four cops sued over ex-ACC official’s death in custody

 Oct 17, 2023

The wife of a former Anti-Corruption Commission official, who died in police custody, filed a case against four police officials and five individuals accusing them of negligence and torture.

Foujia Anwar, wife of deceased Sayed Mohammad Shahidulla, yesterday filed the case with Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge's Court.

The four police personnel are Officer-in-Charge Khairul Islam of Chandgaon Police Station, Inspector (investigation) Mominur Rahman, and assistant sub-inspectors MdYounus and Sohel Rana.

The other five accused are SM Asaduzzaman, Jasim Uddin, MdLiton, Rony Akhter Tania, and Koli Akhter.

Judge Jebunnesa asked the Police Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident, said plaintiff's lawyer Rezaul Karim Reza.

According to the case statement, family members accused police of negligence and torturing Shahidulla in police custody after his arrest despite knowing that he had heart issues. They alleged that police did not allow them to provide medicine inside the police station. They also alleged that the case in which Shahidulla was arrested was false and that some people, including Jasim, Asad, and Liton, influenced Tania to file the case to grab his land in Chandgaon area.

On October 3, police held Shahidulla, of Bahaddarhat Ek Kilometre area, after an arrest warrant was issued.

He died in police custody at night after police allegedly did not let his family members give the 65-year-old man medicine.

Police refuted the allegation and said officers hospitalised Shahidulla after he fell ill.

Following the incident, Chattogram Metropolitan Police closed ASIs Younus and Sohel, who detained him, and attached them to the CMP Dampara Police Lines.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/tk-105-lakh-worth-biriyani-sweets-shayestaganj-oc-suspended-3445281

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Amid tremor shocks, 1/3rd of Afghans face 'acute' food insecurity

October 16, 2023

KARACHI:

About one-third of the Afghanistan population is facing acute food insecurity, which has been further aggravated by a recent series of earthquakes that struck the war-torn country's north-western region.

According to the figures released by the World Food Program (WPF) on World Food Day, over 15 million people face acute food insecurity, with 2.8 million in emergency levels (one step away from famine).

“We remind the world that in Afghanistan, 15 million people don't know where their next meal comes from,” the global body said in a statement on X on Monday.

"That is 1/3 of the population," it added.

Even before the powerful deadly earthquakes that jolted north-western Herat province which borders neighbouring Iran, nearly 29 million people — two-thirds of the Afghan population — needed humanitarian aid and protection in 2023.

The number is up from 24.4 million in 2022 and 18.4 million in 2021.

Since the Taliban returned to power over two years ago, Afghanistan has been facing grave economic challenges.

It comes amid a blockade of around $7 billion Afghan foreign reserves by the US since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

"The Herat earthquake(s) is yet another disaster on top of an already dire humanitarian crisis. Afghans need urgent support," the WFP added.

Humanitarian aid continues to pour in

As the country is struggling to cope with the post-earthquake situation, humanitarian assistance continues to pour in.

A Chinese plane carrying humanitarian aid for earthquake victims worth 30 million yuan (approximately $4.1 million) landed in Kabul on Monday, state-run Bakhtar News reported.

Read also: Magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolts western Afghanistan

The Afghan government has revised the death toll to over 1,000.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Afghanistan, however, put the death toll at 1,384, with 853 injured. Over 2,500 houses have been completely destroyed.

Some 3,067 houses were also affected by the tremors, including 2,499 completely destroyed.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the deadly earthquakes have affected over 43,000 people.

“318,000 people need humanitarian assistance following the Herat earthquake of whom 76,000+ are women and girls of reproductive age while 7,400+ are currently pregnant," United Nations Population Fund in Afghanistan said on X.

Afghanistan is frequently struck by tremors, mainly in the Hindukush mountain range, which sits near the confluence of Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441385/amid-tremor-shocks-13rd-of-afghans-face-acute-food-insecurity

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Southeast Asia

 

PM Anwar urges Israel to call for ceasefire in Gaza and renounce 'politics of dispossession'

By John Bunyan

17 Oct 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed today that Israel must immediately call for a ceasefire in Gaza, amid the bloody retaliation against the surprise attack by the Islamist militant group Hamas.

Anwar also said that he had extended Malaysia's “unwavering” support for the Palestinians in a phone call to Hamas' head of political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.

“Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah,” he said in a statement here.

“It is also imperative for Israel to abandon their adherence to the politics of dispossession, immediately ceasefire with Hamas and genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing conflict."

“Politics of dispossession” is a term popularised by Palestinian-American academic and political activist Edward Said, which refers to how groups of people are systematically deprived of their land, resources, rights, and identities, which in this case means the forced displacement of Palestinians started by the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Anwar said that it is crucial and paramount to prioritise the well-being and safety of all individuals affected by this crisis.

“In this spirit, we are committed to delivering humanitarian aid, particularly in the form of food and medicine to alleviate the suffering of those in need,” he added.

It was reported that the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed at least 2,750 people, including hundreds of children, and Israel now plans to invade North Gaza in an attempt to rout Hamas' presence there.

Earlier, the World Health Organisation said that water, fuel and electricity would run out within 24 hours after Israel had intensified the blockade in the Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Yesterday, Anwar said he would discuss the need for additional meetings with the leaders of other countries with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Anwar said that due to Malaysia's policies and ties with Hamas, it would continue its backing despite the West insisting that the country denounce the group.

Last week, Anwar accused the international community of continuing to take one-sided actions regarding all forms of cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/10/17/pm-anwar-urges-israel-to-call-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-and-renounce-politics-of-dispossession/96720

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Palestine: Anwar strongly backs creation of humanitarian corridor in Rafah

17 Oct 2023

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strongly advocates for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Rafah.

Anwar, in his Facebook post, said it is also imperative for Israel to abandon its adherence to the politics of dispossession, immediately implement a ceasefire with Hamas, and genuinely pursue a peaceful resolution to end the ongoing conflict.

“I had a phone conversation with Hamas head of political bureau Ismail Haniyeh yesterday to express Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

“It is crucial and paramount to prioritise the well-being and safety of all individuals affected by this crisis,” he said.

The prime minister also said Malaysia is committed to delivering humanitarian aid, particularly in the form of food and medicine, to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

Last Friday, Anwar said that the government would provide RM10 million in aid to the Palestinians and expressed the hope that government-linked companies, government-linked investment companies, and the private sector would contribute to raising the aid amount to RM100 million. – Bernama, October 17, 2023

Source: thevibes.com

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IRB can resume bankruptcy notice hearing against Najib and son

Rahmat Khairulrija

October 17, 2023

PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) can now resume its bankruptcy notice hearing against incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his son Datuk Nazifuddin to recoup billions of ringgit in unpaid tax from the duo.

A source from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said the duo had exhausted their final avenue to overturn the High Court's decision compelling them to settle RM1.69 billion and RM37.6 million in unpaid taxes and penalties respectively.

"This is following the Federal Court's ruling yesterday that affirmed IRB's summary judgement compelling them to settle the amounts for the period between 2011 and 2017.

"Now we can proceed with the (bankruptcy) notice," the source said.

The top court, in an unanimous decision, ruled Section 103(1) of the Income Tax Act (ITA) provides that tax payable under an assessment shall be due and payable on the due date, regardless of whether the person appeals against the assessment.

The court said the present incarnation of the ITA was enacted by the legislature to facilitate the expeditious collection of government revenue and to deter tactical attempts from would-be tax evaders to delay the payment of outstanding taxes.

Najib and Nazifuddin were served with a bankruptcy notice two years ago following their failure to pay the disputed monies to the IRB.

According to the notice sighted by the New Straits Times, the former prime minister has to pay RM1.69 billion with interest at five per cent, for the period between July 22, 2020 and Feb 4, 2021 amounting to RM45.9 million from the date of the order of the summary judgement as well as costs of RM15,000.

This brings the accumulated sum to RM1.73 billion.

Meanwhile, Nazifuddin has to pay RM37.6 million with interest at five per cent for the period between July 6, 2020 and Feb 4, 2021, amounting to RM1.1 million from the date of the order of a summary judgement as well as costs of RM10,000.

This brings the accumulated sum to RM38.7 million.

On Sept 21, last year, Chief Justice TunTengkuMaimun Tuan Mat, who chaired the Federal Court's three-member bench, allowed the duo's application for a stay of the High Court's ruling pending their appeal at the Apex court.

On July 22, 2020, the High Court allowed the IRB's application for a summary judgement to be entered against Najib in its suit to recover RM1.69 billion in taxes from the latter for the period between 2011 and 2017.

Meanwhile, on July 6 the same year, another High Court also ordered Nazifuddin, 39, to pay RM37,644,810.73 in unpaid taxes to the IRB.

Source: nst.com.my

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https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2023/10/968022/irb-can-resume-bankruptcy-notice-hearing-against-najib-and-son

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QuangNinh targets more Muslim visitors to fuel tourism

October 17, 2023

Hanoi (VNA) – Aside from resuming tourism promotion in traditional markets, the northern province of QuangNinh is also exploring new markets, including Muslim ones, to boost the recovery of international visitors.

QuangNinh welcomed 12.06 million tourist arrivals, including 825,000 international ones, during the first eight months of 2023, reported the provincial Tourism Department.

It is nearing this year’s tourist number target but still far behind the international arrival target of 2 million.

The Muslim tourist sources such as the Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India are believed to hold huge potential, and if the province manages to capitalise on these markets, it will be able to considerably raise the number of foreign visitors, heard a recent conference.

Halal tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing tourism subcategory in the world. However, QuangNinh has attracted just over 450,000 Muslim tourists using accommodation services here over the last five years.

At a recent conference discussing measures for attracting Muslim tourists, experts have pointed out several reasons why QuangNinh, boasting favourable transport infrastructure and famous destinations, has yet to become a magnet for this type of holidaymakers.

Nguyen Son Linh, Director of the NhaLinh Travel Service Co. Ltd, which has served Muslim tourists for many years, regretted that the province, home to the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay, hasn’t been able to attract Muslim visitors staying overnight.

He noted many of them wish to stay in Ha Long city longer to experience the heritage, but it is hard to find restaurants serving Halal food or accommodation facilities suitable for their religious practices and habits. Besides, QuangNinh is still relatively new among Muslim travellers.

Experts and businesses added many local travel companies have just recently come to know that Muslim tourists have their own stringent standards.

Tran Van Tan Cuong, Director of the Vietnam National Halal Co. Ltd, recommended that to attract Muslim tourists, QuangNinh should develop accommodation establishments suitable for their religious demand.

Talking about the conversion of a five-star hotel’s rooms and floors into Muslim-friendly ones, Le Thanh Tam, Managing Director of Delasea Hotel in Ha Long city, said changes need to be made from room and kitchen designs to staff training in order to quickly cater for Muslim visitors.

Most businesses expressed their interest in big opportunities from Halal tourism, but some also voiced their concern that whether the number of visitors to QuangNinh is large enough for local restaurants, hotels, and tourist vessels to make such big changes.

Highlighting the province’s determination to capitalise on Halal tourism, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department Nguyen HuyenAnh said that in the coming time, QuangNinh will implement all-round measures, including introducing the Muslim culture to business insiders, providing more certified Halal products, and inviting experts to train manpower for serving Muslim visitors.

The number of tourists from Muslim countries to Vietnam has increased remarkably in recent years, especially travellers from India (up 240% in September this year), according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Muslim tourist arrivals from Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore and Indonesia have also risen sharply.

VNAT Deputy General Director Ha Van Sieu said the Muslim markets offers promising opportunities for Vietnam's tourism industry and can be a "gold mine" that could provide a significant boost to the sector./.

Source: vietnamplus.vn

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https://en.vietnamplus.vn/quang-ninh-targets-more-muslim-visitors-to-fuel-tourism/269732.vnp

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Pakistan

 

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Says Refugee Policy Applies to “All Illegal People” Not Just Afghans

October 16, 2023

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has once again stressed that the new policy for refugees applies to “all illegal people” not only Afghan refugees.

Speaking at a press conference, Jilani said: “this is certainly not an Afghanistan-specific decision that the government has taken, this decision applies to all illegal people residing in Pakistan and I think this is a firm decision that has been made by Pakistan, all those people who are legally residing in Pakistan, they will not be disturbed, all those people who are holding the registration cards they can continue to live in Pakistan whether they belong to Afghanistan or other countries.”

The consul of the Islamic Emirate in Karachi, Abdul JabarTakhari, said that the Pakistani military has ramped up mistreatment of Afghan refugees in the last month.

Takhari said that at least 500 Afghans who were detained despite having legal documents were released recently.

“Police have been detaining them and asking them for bribes. When they [Afghan refugees] don’t pay them [Pakistani police] money, they are being detained,” Takhari said.

A refugee’s rights analyst, Mohammad Khan Talibi, said the mistreatment of Afghan refugees by Pakistani police is a violation of international law.

“If the refugees are not treated based on international laws, this issue will affect other areas including political and economic relations,” he said.

According to Takhari, 120,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan within the last year.

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185571

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Special court begins hearing cipher case against Imran, Qureshi as indictment expected

October 17, 2023

Umer Burney

The special court is currently hearing the cipher case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

As per the court’s orders of October 9, both PTI leaders are expected to be indicted in the case during the hearing today.

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from office.

The PTI chief was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana graft case on August 5, 2023. He was subsequently shifted to Attock jail, but the IHC later suspended his sentence. However, Imran remained in jail because he was on judicial remand in the cipher case.

On September 25, the IHC accepted Imran’s petition to be shifted to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi from Attock district jail.

On September 30, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a challan —a charge sheet — in the Special Court established under the Official Secrets Act, naming the former prime minister and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as the principal accused in the cipher case.

Imran has filed several petitions in the IHC, including two seeking to stay his jail trial and bail in the cipher case, another seeking to suspend the Toshakhana verdict, and one against his indictment in the cipher case.

Today, Special Court Judge AbualHasnatZulqarnain began the in-camera hearing of the cipher case at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

State prosecutor Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi was present while the FIA’s team, along with the investigation officer, also appeared before the court. Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry were present as Imran’s counsels.

Qureshi’s wife and daughter, Mehreen and Mehr Bano, respectively, also reached the court. However, it was not confirmed whether they were allowed to attend the hearing or not.

Speaking to reporters before the hearing began, lawyer Shah Khawar noted that the court had fixed today for indictment.

However, he recalled that even at the previous hearing, Imran had refused to accept the indictment challans, adjourning the matter to today. He added, “Let’s see what the situation is right now.”

The FIR

According to the FIR, a case under sections 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 r/w 34 PPC has been registered against the former premier and former foreign minister.

They have been accused of wrongful communication/ use of official secret information and illegal retention of cipher telegram (official secret document) with mala fide intention, whereas role of the former PM’s aide Muhammad Azam Khan, former federal minister Asad Umar and other associates involved will be ascertained during the course of investigations.

It said Imran, Qureshi and their other associates are involved in the communication of information contained in secret classified document (cipher telegram received from Parep Washington dated March 7, 2022 to Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to the unauthorised persons (i.e. public at large) by twisting facts to achieve their ulterior motives and personal gains in a manner prejudicial to the interests of state security.

They held a clandestine meeting at Banigala on March 28, 2022 to conspire to misuse the contents of cipher in order to accomplish their nefarious designs.

The accused, Imran, with mala fide directed the former principal secretary Azam Khan to prepare the minutes of said clandestine meeting by manipulating the contents of cipher message to use it for his vested interest at the cost of national safety.

Moreover, the numbered and accountable copy of cipher telegram sent to PM Office was deliberately kept in his custody by the former PM with mala fide intention, and was never returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The said cipher telegram (official secret document classified as such) is still in the illegal possession/retention of the accused Imran.

The unauthorised retention and misuse of the cipher telegram by the accused persons compromised the entire cipher security system of the state and secret communication method of Pakistani missions abroad.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1781567/special-court-begins-hearing-cipher-case-against-imran-qureshi-as-indictment-expected

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Bushra Bibi, Wife Of Imran Khan, Granted Bail In Two Cases, Toshakhana And 190 Million Pounds Scam Cases

October 17, 2023

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Monday granted bail to PTI Chairman’s wife Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana and 190 million pounds scam cases.

The hearing was held in the accountability court on bail applications filed against Bushra Bibi in the Tosha Khana and 190 million pounds scam case.

Due to the leave of Judge Muhammad Bashir, Duty Judge Raja Jawad Abbas heard the bail application.

Bushra Bibi appeared in the court along with her lawyer Latif Khosa. The judge granted bail to Bushra Bibi till October 31 on a bond of Rs550,000.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441543/bushra-bibi-granted-bail-in-two-cases

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One killed, 6 injured in grenade attack in Karachi’s Lyari

October 16, 2023

Imtiaz Ali

At least one person was killed and six others injured in a grenade attack in Lyari’s Bihar Colony on Monday night, according to police.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn.com that unidentified individuals on a motorcycle threw a hand grenade outside a shop that had been closed for months before fleeing the scene.

The authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack, the police official said before adding that it appeared to be a random act without a specific target.

The DIG said that seven people sustained injuries, while one of them — a 35-year-old named Razia Mohammed Ali — was in critical condition before succumbing to her wounds.

He said all of the injured were bystanders and had been transported to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi.

They were identified as Zohaib Javed, Khairullah, WanshDileep Kumar, Ateeqa Adam, Adil Adam and Ahsan Nabi.

Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Dr Raffat Mukhtar Raja sought details from the SSP Old City area regarding the attack.

Separately, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori also took notice of the incident and directed the Karachi Commissioner to brief him.

He also emphasised the need to ensure the provision of the best medical treatment for those injured in the incident.

Source: dawn.com

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https://www.dawn.com/news/1781422/one-killed-6-injured-in-grenade-attack-in-karachis-lyari

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Pakistan decides to dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza

October 17, 2023

In view of the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza, Pakistan has decided to immediately dispatch humanitarian relief assistance to Gaza, to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinian brothers and sisters.

In a statement Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of densely-populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

She said the government is coordinating with Palestinian Red Crescent Society, relevant UN agencies, the government of Egypt and Pakistan missions abroad to finalize modalities of delivery.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/16-10-2023/pakistan-decides-to-immediately-dispatch-humanitarian-relief-assistance-to-gaza

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Pakistan, Iranian, Egyptian FMs discuss Gaza situation

October 16, 2023

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has separately spoken to his Iranian and Egyptian counterparts to discuss the situation in Gaza, sufferings of Palestinians and urgent need of the humanitarian assistance.

In his talk with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossien Amir Abdollahian, Jalil Abbas Jilani said they discussed crises in Gaza, including killing of civilians and large-scale displacement of Palestinians from their homes. He said we agreed that urgent steps are needed to prevent conflict from escalating and provision of humanitarian assistance.

Talking to his Egyptian counterpart SamehShukri, the Pakistan Foreign Minister discussed preventing conflict from escalating, protecting civilians from collective punishment, starvation and displacement. He assured of all possible humanitarian assistance from Pakistan.

Source: radio.gov.pk

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https://www.radio.gov.pk/16-10-2023/pakistan-iranian-egyptian-fms-discuss-gaza-situation

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Palestine exposes a vacuum in Pakistan

October 17, 2023

 Mosharraf Zaidi

The crisis in the Middle East is going to further expose the helpless, rudderless, and purposeless nature of Pakistani leadership. Today’s Pakistani social contract is defined, more than anything else, by the absence of a compact between the country’s elites about how to make sure order is maintained and power is exercised.

A country’s elite must have a raison d’etre that excites and engages a large enough swathe of a country’s populace for that populace to assent to being governed by the same elite. All of these key ingredients of a stable economic, social and political order have been rendered ineffectual and untenable in the past seven years. Since the country is based on aspirations and ideals that are – by every stretch of the imagination – international in character, any kind of contact between global events and Pakistan’s economy, its society or its polity represents both enormous opportunity and huge risk.

Pakistan has been in the throes of a multi-layered polycrisis for nearly two full years. The root cause of this crisis is largely the same as the root cause of all sustained national crises of the past: an informal and unaccountable veto power enjoyed by the military overall civilian decision-making authority.

Any time there is a touchpoint between an international or global event and Pakistan, the country is at grave risk of being rendered even more dysfunctional than usual. This is exactly what happened in February 2022 when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan engaged with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at a time when the domestic gap between the civilian leadership and the military command had grown to the widest Khan had known. The economic and political crisis today is a product of many micro-errors, poor decisions and institutional obduracy across the spectrum of important national structures. But at the heart of the now two-year-long Pakistani polycrisis is the flammability of the Pakistani system when it comes to large, shape-shifting global events. What this means is simple, but also quite scary.

Whether it was Memogate in 2011, or Dawn Leaks in 2016, or the Cipher case in 2021, the Pakistani elite tends to be at its absolute worst behaviour when the stakes involve Pakistan’s global standing and its relationships, as a sovereign country, with the rest of the world.

The global disquiet around violence in Palestine and Israel since the Hamas invasion of Israeli targets on October 7 this year is a new chapter in a book that is as old as Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari and older than the Chief Justice and the chief of army staff. No one among the elite is in any way disloyal to the Palestinian people and the long-standing Pakistani position of the need for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. But because so much of regional and global politics is now going to hinge on reactions and responses of key actors in the region to the systematic genocide that Israel has begun in Gaza, the likelihood of a metastasizing humanitarian crisis for Palestinians becoming a noose for the Pakistani leadership to hang the system on is going to increase.

It is what happens every time there is a moment of reckoning and the Pakistani elite needs to engage the people of Pakistan in a serious conversation. Every time, this country’s elite do the same thing. They choose to deal with international challenges by turning on one another. Every second, every minute, every hour and every day that the country’s elite continue to operate without an ‘elite compact’ the risks of yet another cataclysm continues to lurk.

The cataclysms from the last decade or so have taken a very serious toll and the systemic risks in the Pakistani governance ecosystem have grown dramatically. The Cipher case is a good example of a stage 4 version of the same cancer that has previously perhaps only manifested itself as a stage 2 or 3 progression.

In the Cipher case, three conversations converged into one – the role and tone of US officials in how they speak of elected leaders in Pakistan, the choice of engaging with Vladimir Putin at a time when the benefits of such an engagement were likely overwhelmed by the costs, and the deteriorating trust of Beijing in the consistency and sincerity of Pakistani leaders. Remember also how far and wide the shrapnel has flown because of the divorce between Imran Khan and the military leadership: many PTI supporters may now be permanently disabused of the importance of the Pakistani national security apparatus.

Three developments have made Pakistan even more vulnerable to international events and how those events are reported on, through the tickers and moods on X, CNN, Fox, BBC, Al Jazeera and RT. The first is the 2021 withdrawal of the US military from Afghanistan. Suddenly, with dramatically lower stakes in that country, American attention and understanding for the Pakistani state’s unique challenges shrunk rapidly.

The second is China-US competition and the way it has substantially increased the autonomy and space for countries to assert their own narratives and interests – absent the need for wholesale, all-in commitment to one or the other (China or the US). This is what we might call the middle-power opportunity for countries like Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, and especially Saudi Arabia – but one that is so far only manifest as a middle-power dilemma for Islamabad and Pindi (shorter: Pakistan has conceded strategic autonomy at a time when other more capably governed middle powers are dramatically increasing their strategic autonomy).

Finally, the third is the singular rise of India as a global power. India’s ability to project dominance in the international arena is not uncontested, but it is the most dramatic rise of any country in the past quarter century in terms of the elements of national power that India has at its disposal. No country can simultaneously court the lustfulness of American, European and Japanese Indo Pacific ambitions, whilst dramatically enhancing the quantum of goods and services it imports from China, whilst also becoming the global refinery for otherwise sanctioned Russian oil. India’s strategic power is, by design, a net deflator for Pakistani interests.

These three factors may be unique to Pakistan and its vulnerabilities, but there are also wider, more universal factors that make an already weak governance equation in the country dramatically weaker. Climate change, populism, and most of all, the slow and steady corrosion of state capacity are universal challenges. Combined they have helped choke the ability of countries to navigate their way out of jams.

When we put all this together, the current scenario in Pakistan is hardly surprising. Gagging and jailing someone who is supposed to be the most popular leader in the country can buy some time, but it hasn’t and cannot solve structural problems. Temporary relief caused by the dollar dropping 10 per cent of its value against the rupee is fantastic – but is it sustainable? Every bit of good news may only represent tenuous calm before many storms.

The most potent of these storms is likely to be another Memogate, another Dawn Leaks, or another Cipher case. The stresses from the escalating slaughter of Palestinians are already showing. A week after the hostilities began, Pakistan’s caretaker foreign minister and prime minister both spoke out strongly against Israel’s excesses in Gaza. But the Israelis have barely gotten started. There is a lot more bloodletting to come. The plan is clear and unmistakable: Gaza is to be depopulated and Palestinians are to be settled in camps in the Sinai. None of the key powers in the Middle East are invested in allowing malign actors to ramp up and widen the conflict. A regional war that sucks in Iran would be catastrophic for Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. It will be avoided at all costs.

Sooner or later, the rhetoric of Pakistani officialdom will need to be coordinated with the response of key regional Middle Eastern allies – and ideally not aligned with the unceasing trouble-generating regime in Iran. This will likely be at odds with the dominant narratives on Main Street in Pakistan. Every time this disparity appears, Pakistan’s already emaciated governance takes another body blow. The only way to avoid the next cataclysm therefore is for the elite to begin to establish a compact – starting with a coherent and sustainable position on Palestine that balances the demands of the people of Pakistan with the country’s immediate and short-term compulsions.

Threading this needle is the price of not taxing the rich, not educating the young and not empowering Pakistani women. A longer-term freedom for Pakistanis and Pakistani elites thus hinges on tackling those more foundational challenges.

Source: thenews.com.pk

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1119876-palestine-exposes-a-vacuum-in-pakistan

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Two soldiers martyred, as many terrorists killed

October 17, 2023

RAWALPINDI:Two soldiers embraced martyrdom while as many terrorists were killed in two fierce encounters in North and South Waziristan districts, the military’s media wing said on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the first engagement occurred in the general area of AsmanMunza, South Waziristan, where “own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location as a result of which one terrorist was sent to hell, while 1x terrorist got injured”.

However, the ISPR said, “during intense exchange of fire, Sepoy Sajid Azam (age 31 years, resident of Kotli, Azad Kashmir) having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat”.

The statement added that in another intense fire exchange between own troops and terrorists in the general area of Miran Shah, North Waziristan; “one terrorist was sent to hell, whereas a brave son of soil, Sepoy Waris Khan (age 27 years, resident of District Karak) paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat”.

“Sanitisation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441406/two-soldiers-martyred-as-many-terrorists-killed

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Zardari, Fazl consult over polls

October 17, 2023

ISLAMABAD:Former president Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with his former ally and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the latter's residence on Monday.

The purpose of the meeting was to express condolences for the recent demise of the Maulana’s mother-in-law, according to a statement released by the JUI-F emir.

The two leaders also consulted over the prevailing political situation.

However, sources said that the meeting between the two political heavyweights lasted for approximately 50 minutes and the leaders also engaged in detailed discussions on the current political climate and the forthcoming general elections.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441549/zardari-fazl-consult-over-polls

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