Kashmir: Shia Leaders Demand Release Of Khamenei Protest Detainees; BJP Opposes Withdrawal Of Firs
New Age Islam News Bureau
11 March 2026
Protests in Kashmir over killing of Khamenei.(Photo | IANS)
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· Kashmir: Shia leaders demand release of Khamenei protest detainees; BJP opposes withdrawal of FIRs
· What to know about the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway essential for global energy supply
· Saudi foreign minister joins Arab leaders and EU chiefs to discuss regional escalation
· Almost half of UK news articles about Muslims contain bias
· US lawmakers worry Trump could send ground troops to Iran
· Jihadist attacks hit Nigerian military bases in northeast
· Islamic organisations condemn vehicle burning, call for lawful dialogue
· Islamic Emirate Focuses on Reconstruction, Not New Conflicts, Farahi Says
India
· From road named after Khomeini to 16th century Charminar, Hyderabad’s enduring history with Iran
· Farooq Abdullah meets Iran's deputy ambassador, offers condolences on Khamenei's death
· Jaishankar speaks to Iran foreign minister Araghchi on West Asia conflict
· ‘Need more transparency, debate on anti-conversion bill’
· Pandit return plan sparks row over separate colonies and coexistence in Kashmir
· 'It was a case of love jihad': Pune model Sayali Surve alleges harassment after inter-faith marriage, reconverts to Hinduism
· Rajya Sabha polls: RJD's Tejashwi eyes AIMIM support after INDIA bloc meeting
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Mideast
· Israeli president tells Bild: War with Iran needs ‘end result’, not exact timetable
· Strikes blamed on US kills five Iran-backed fighters in Iraq
· Syrian and Lebanese presidents discuss border security after Hezbollah strikes hit west Damascus
· Iran says four of its diplomats were killed in weekend strike on Beirut hotel
· Israel rejects Lebanon’s request for cessation in fighting to allow for talks, FT reports
· Dubai’s Iranian diaspora torn as war hammers Gulf
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Arab World
· Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base
· Historic Jeddah records over 2m visits
· Islamic coins on display at Jeddah Park
· SDAIA launches ‘Applied AI Bootcamp’ in Riyadh
· Saudi ambassador to Poland attends council of ambassadors of Arab States in Warsaw
· Ramadan brings local communities together to engage in volunteering activities
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Europe
· Christchurch mosque attack terrorist is 'like no other witness', lawyer says
· Britain sets new definition of anti-Muslim hostility
· Sutton Ambulance Station plans to convert site into mosque
· Plans to use Victorian building as mosque rejected by Doncaster councillors
· Government approves Met request to ban Al Quds Day march
· Lebanese man jailed in Germany for Hezbollah membership
· Witkoff reveals plans for next round of Russia-US-Ukraine talks
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North America
· Two men charged with terrorism after homemade bomb thrown at anti-Islam protesters in New York
· A federal jury awards $667K to Muslim men who were pepper-sprayed by prison guards while praying
· GOP Lawmaker Doubles Down on Anti-Muslim Comments
· Muslim father sues over exclusion of Islamic schools from Texas voucher program
· CAIR Welcomes Alabama Gov. Ivey’s Decision to Commute Death Sentence for Charles Burton
· CAIR-AZ Welcomes Arrest for Attack on Children at North Phoenix Mosque
· CAIR’s 2026 Civil Rights Report Shows the ‘Right to Be Different’ Narrowed in the Past Year
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Africa
· Bandits Use Kidnap Victims As Human Shields Against Troops – Retired Military Officer
· Nigerian Army Detains Major Over Alleged Tactical Withdrawal From Boko Haram Battle
· The Imam Malik competition for memorizing the Quran and Sunnah has begun in Sirte with the participation of approximately 200 contestants.
· Mosque in Maiduguri denies bomb scare
· South Sudan: UN official concerned over human rights violations
· Haiti: Human Rights Watch sounds alarm on drone strikes
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Southeast Asia
· ‘Bat Tuo Sai’ Facebook account admin gets 10-month jail term, RM50,000 fine for insulting Islam, mocking Pak Lah
· Sabah launches probe after images of Quran allegedly desecrated go viral
· Muslim-Friendly Hotel of the Year-The Mira Hong Kong Co-hosts Culturally Enriching Iftar Dinner
· JAIPk detains eight Muslims for skipping fast at snooker centre
· Malay leaders united in defending community interests, says PKR youth chief
· Public urged to avoid exploiting racial and religious sentiments
· King pays RM10 million in zakat for the year
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South Asia
· Ameer’s adviser dropped for seeking foreign ministry post: Claims Jamaat
· UNICEF Warns of Rising Risks for Afghan Children Returning From Iran
· Japan Provides $2 Million to Support Afghan Returnees, UN Says
· Edible Items Distributed to 600 Needy Families in Helmand, Uruzgan, Ministry
· NEPA Launches National Spring Tree-Planting Campaign Nationwide
· Thousands of E-Tazkiras Issued to Afghan Citizens in UAE, NSIA
· Afghan, Turkmen Officials Hold Talks on Trade, Transit
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Kashmir: Shia leaders demand release of Khamenei protest detainees; BJP opposes withdrawal of FIRs
Fayaz Wani
10 Mar 2026
Protests in Kashmir over killing of Khamenei.(Photo | IANS)
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SRINAGAR: Amid demands from Shia and other political leaders for the release of protesters arrested in the Valley during demonstrations over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed withdrawing FIRs against alleged stone-pelters.
Meanwhile, a prominent Shia leader and People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA countered by saying the detained individuals were mourners and accused the BJP of trying to “appease Israel and the US.”
According to influential Shia leader and PDP MLA Aga Muntazir, about 100–200 youths, including some women protesters, were detained by police following last week’s protests in the Valley against Khamenei’s killing.
Massive anti-US and anti-Israel protests erupted in Kashmir for two days after the killing. While most protests were peaceful, there were also incidents of stone-pelting and clashes between protesters and security personnel in some areas.
Muntazir and other Shia leaders are demanding the release of all detained persons and the withdrawal of cases registered against them. The issue was also raised during an interaction between religious leaders and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar last week.
According to Muntazir, the Chief Minister assured them that he would take up the matter with higher authorities to facilitate the release of the arrested youths.
Ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and security agencies to review the cases of detained youths sympathetically and consider withdrawing FIRs and releasing those detained, particularly students.
Other political leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone, and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, have also called for the release of the detained individuals.
However, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said on Tuesday that there can be no compromise on maintaining law and order.
“Any attempt to disturb peace or incite violence under the guise of protest is unacceptable,” he said.
He criticized those demanding the withdrawal of FIRs against the detained individuals. “Some people are demanding the withdrawal of FIRs against those who resorted to stone-pelting. Such demands are unacceptable. Violence and vandalism cannot be justified in any manner,” he said.
He also stated that attempts to equate the protest held at Lal Chowk condemning the Pahalgam terror attack with the mourning procession over Khamenei’s killing were “misleading.”
Responding to the remarks, Aga Muntazir accused the BJP of trying to “dehumanise Kashmiris” and appease the US and Israel.
“They were mourners expressing their emotions, not stone-pelters,” he said.
He alleged that the detained youths were being unfairly labelled to create a negative perception. “They want to create an impression internationally that they dealt harshly with mourners,” he said.
The MLA added that Shia leaders were now considering their future course of action, including approaching the courts.
“They were innocent mourners expressing their sentiments over Khamenei’s killing and not stone-pelters,” he reiterated.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Mar/10/kashmir-shia-leaders-demand-release-of-khamenei-protest-detainees-bjp-opposes-withdrawal-of-firs
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What to know about the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway essential for global energy supply
March 11, 2026
A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world's oil and gas passes on March 1, 2026. (AFP)
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: The widening war in Iran has ground tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a halt and oil prices have been swinging sharply, highlighting the important role the narrow passageway plays in global energy supply.
The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes. Tankers traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Iran. Most of that oil goes to Asia.
Any disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is highly disruptive to the oil trade. Disruptions caused oil to spike Monday, only for it to swiftly fall back after President Donald Trump suggested the war could be near an end.
“The scale of what is at stake cannot be overstated,” said Hakan Kaya, senior portfolio manager at investment management firm Neuberger Berman. He said a partial slowdown lasting a week or two could be absorbed by oil companies. But a full or near full closure lasting a month or more would push crude oil prices “well into triple digits” and European natural gas prices “toward or above the crisis levels seen in 2022.”
Here’s what to know about the strait and the widening Iran war.
A key waterway for global shipping
The Strait of Hormuz is a bending waterway, about 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. It connects the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. From there, ships can then travel to the rest of the world. While Iran and Oman have their territorial waters in the strait, it’s viewed as an international waterway all ships can ply. The United Arab Emirates, home to the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai, also sits near the waterway.
The strait long has been important for trade
The Strait of Hormuz through history has been important for trade, with ceramics, ivory, silk and textiles moving from China through the region. In the modern era, it is the route for supertankers carrying oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Iran. The vast majority of it goes to markets in Asia, including Iran’s only remaining oil customer, China.
While there are pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the UAE that can avoid the passage, the US Energy Information Administration says “most volumes that transit the strait have no alternative means of exiting the region.”
Threats to the route have spiked global energy prices in the past, including during the Israel-Iran war in June.
Is the strait closed?
Iran has attacked several ships in the Strait of Hormuz and threatened any ships that try to pass through, effectively but not officially closing it.
President Donald Trump said on social media that the US would dramatically increase attacks if Iran tried to close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has been targeting energy infrastructure and traffic through the strait, which is a vital waterway for traded oil.
Previously, Iran temporarily shut down parts of the strait in mid-February for what it said was a military drill. In past times of tension and conflict, Iran has at times harassed shipping though the narrows, and during the 1980s’ Iran-Iraq war, both sides attacked tankers and other vessels, using naval mines to completely shut down traffic at points. But Iran had not carried out repeated threats to close the waterway altogether since the 1980s, even during last year’s 12-day war when Israel and the US bombarded Iran’s key nuclear and military sites.
The US is rolling out ship reinsurance in the region through the US International Development Finance Corp., a government agency that partners with the private sector to back global investment projects, in an effort to get ships moving through the Strait again.
Political risk insurance is a type of coverage intended to protect firms against financial losses caused by unstable political conditions, government actions, or violence. Marine insurers had been canceling or raising rates for insurance in the region.
The US reinsurance facility will insure losses up to approximately $20 billion on a rolling basis, according to the International Development Finance Corp., focusing on insuring cargo and physical damage to a ship’s structure and operating machinery to start.
Trump said that, if necessary, the US Navy would escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The Navy has at least eight destroyers and three, smaller, littoral combat ships in the region. These ships have previously been used to escort merchant shipping in the region and in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to dispatch additional warships to the Eastern Mediterranean. There is a French-led initiative in the works that will involve European and non-European nations helping to escort oil and gas tankers with the aim of gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz off Iran “as soon as possible after the most intense phase of the conflict is over.”
Mine fears
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the US military “completely destroyed” 10 inactive Iranian mine-laying ships after reports of Iranian action in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump in his social media post added that there would be “more to follow,” suggesting the US would target additional mine-laying vessels.
The announcement of the targeting of the ships came soon after two other social media posts by the US president in which he said he has no reports of Iran putting explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but also warned Tehran if mines were laid he wanted them immediately removed.
Global shippers suspend operations
Global shippers have issued service alerts saying they have suspended operations in the area. Danish shipping company Maersk, the world’s biggest shipping company, said Sunday it is suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. Other ocean carriers including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA-CGM and MSC made similar announcements.
“Those ships that got stuck in the Gulf are not going anywhere,” said Tom Goldsby, logistics chairman in the Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Tennessee. “There’s also a whole host of ships that were heading into the Gulf to replace them, and of course they’re anchored or going elsewhere now.”
There are currently about 400 oil and product tankers idle in the Gulf, and one oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz without incident on Monday, according to data from MarineTraffic, a project that tracks the movement of vessels around the globe using publicly available data.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi foreign minister joins Arab leaders and EU chiefs to discuss regional escalation
March 10, 2026
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan joined a teleconference to discuss the escalation of the conflict in the region. (SPA)
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RIYADH: The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, joined leaders from Gulf Cooperation Council member states, as well as Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkiye and Armenia, in a teleconference to discuss the escalation of the conflict in the region.
The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on the spread of attacks in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes against Iran that began on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated by launching missile and drones against targets in several countries in the region.
The leaders condemned the “cowardly attacks” that have affected several countries, including the targeting of civilians, vital facilities and diplomatic missions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Other participants in the meeting included Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who expressed full solidarity with affected countries.
The leaders also discussed joint actions to enhance regional and international security, protect civilians and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.
Several representatives from the Saudi Foreign Ministry also took part in the meeting, including Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, the undersecretary for multilateral international affairs; Nasser Al-Ghannoum, director general of the ministry’s General Department of Asian Affairs; and Talal Al-Enezi, director of the European Union department.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635969/saudi-arabia
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Almost half of UK news articles about Muslims contain bias
10 March, 2026
By analysing 40,913 articles published across 30 major UK news outlets, the organisation found almost 20,000 pieces contained varying degrees of bias against Muslims [GETTY]
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Almost half of all articles about Muslims in the UK in 2025 contained "measurable bias", research by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) revealed, in a landmark study examining how British Muslims are portrayed.
By analysing 40,913 articles published across 30 major UK news outlets last year, the organisation found almost 20,000 pieces contained varying degrees of bias against Muslims, meaning that readers and viewers are routinely denied balanced and accurate information.
CfMM, dedicated to analysing and reporting on media representation of Islam and Muslims, also found that 70 percent of the media analysed contains information that associates Muslims and/or Islam with negative themes including crime, extremism and conflict.
The publications showing the most "harmful patterns" of coverage include The Spectator, which had the highest concentration of anti-Muslim bias, with the group noting the coverage suggests its bias was "near-universal, rather than exceptional", followed by GB News and The Telegraph.
Right-leaning media outlets such as The Telegraph and The Daily Mail published the highest number of 'Very Biased' articles against Muslims, GB News displayed an "extreme bias", with public broadcaster the BBC showing the lowest levels of bias.
"Language of distortion" used by these papers includes "Islamist Jew-haters", "Islamist threat to Western civilisation", "gangs of Muslim men".
The organisation also highlights the consistent research showing a correlation between Muslims being negatively shown in the media and rising levels of hate crime towards the group and public support for restrictive policies.
The group highlighted the coverage of the Bondi Beach attack, where 15 people were murdered following a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, showing a "troubling pattern of reporting" that exploits the tragedy to "advance a broader anti-Muslim narrative while simultaneously delegitimising protests against military actions in Gaza". This was despite one of the heroes of the massacre being a Muslim himself.
CfMM revealed that 136 "biased articles" were published in just four days, suggesting "something systematic rather than isolated editorial misjudgements".
The organisation also notes questionable coverage when reporting on crime and exploitation, misrepresentation of Eid al-Fitr celebrations and exploiting anti-misogyny policy to target Muslims.
CfMM links the bias to a lack of Muslim representation in editorial teams and decision-making roles, entrenched news practises that favour sensational, conflict-driven stories and ties to wider hostility.
"As the largest study of its kind ever conducted in the UK, this report presents deeply concerning evidence of structural bias in how Muslims are portrayed in the UK press," Rizwana Hamid, Director of CfMM, said in a statement.
"When entire communities are repeatedly framed through lenses of suspicion or threat, it inevitably shapes public attitudes, political debate and the everyday lives of British Muslims."
CfMM last year released a report revealing the systemic discrimination faced by Muslim women in the UK media.
Source: newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/almost-half-uk-news-articles-about-muslims-contain-bias
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US lawmakers worry Trump could send ground troops to Iran
11 Mar, 2026
FILE PHOTO: An Army team moves the remains of US troops killed in the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, March 7, 2026. © AP / Mark Schiefelbein
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Democratic lawmakers say they fear US President Donald Trump could deploy troops to Iran, after classified briefings with administration officials left senators with what they described as significant unanswered questions about the war’s objectives and scope.
Speaking after a closed-door briefing with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal said the administration appears to be moving toward the possibility of sending US forces into Iran.
“We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives,” Blumenthal told reporters, adding that he left the briefing “dissatisfied and angry.”
Blumenthal said lawmakers are still seeking clarity on the costs of the war, its expected duration, and the risks to US personnel.
“The American people deserve to know much more than this administration has told them about the cost of the war, the danger to our sons and daughters in uniform and the potential for further escalation and widening of this war,” he said.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen voiced similar concerns, warning that the administration’s briefings raised additional questions rather than providing clarity.
The White House has not ruled out potentially deploying troops to Iran but has denied any plans for a large-scale ground operation. Trump has said ground forces could be considered only “for a very good reason.”
Behind the scenes, however, the administration has reportedly discussed more limited options involving special operations forces. According to media reports, one scenario under consideration could involve sending small teams of US or Israeli special forces to secure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
Trump has acknowledged that this type of mission is possible but not imminent. “At some point maybe we will,” Trump said aboard Air Force One over the weekend. “If we ever did that, [the Iranians] would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight on the ground level.”
The president has remained vague about the broader endgame for the war, while calling for Iran’s unconditional surrender. Pressed on how long the operation will last, Trump shifted his estimates from “four to five weeks” to “whatever it takes” to a “short excursion” that will be done “very soon.”
The conflict erupted on February 28, after Washington abruptly abandoned negotiations with Tehran and joined Israel in conducting airstrikes against the Iranian leadership and military targets. Iranian counterstrikes on US military bases in the region have already killed at least eight and reportedly injured over 140 American service members.
The uncertainty has fueled criticism from US lawmakers, who argue that Congress has not received sufficient information about the administration’s long-term strategy. Some Democrats are now threatening to use procedural tools in the Senate to slow legislative business unless administration officials testify under oath about the war and its objectives.
Source: .rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634445-trump-ground-troops-iran/
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Jihadist attacks hit Nigerian military bases in northeast
March 11, 2026
Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have been blamed for intensified attacks targeting Nigeria's military bases in the northeast of the country in the last week.
At least two officers and several soldiers have been killed in the attacks, which analysts say shows a remarkable level of coordination.
Over the weekend, Islamic extremists launched at least six attacks in Borno and Yobe states and in the wider Lake Chad region, spiriting away trucks and military hardware from the bases, according to security analysts and security reports.
The Nigerian military said in a statement that the latest attacks between Sunday and Monday were an “attempt by the terrorists to overwhelm troop positions.”
Military spokesman Sani Uba said late Monday that the troops lost an unspecified number of soldiers and a military officer, without providing further details. It adds to a death toll of several soldiers and at least one officer in the past week. Security analysts estimate that at least four military officers have been killed in that period.
Africa’s most populous country has long struggled to contain the jihadi violence in its northeast. After launching an insurgency in 2009, Boko Haram has grown into different factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, which the Islamic State group backs. The crisis has overstretched the Nigerian military, which also battles other security crises across the conflict-battered north.
What’s inspiring the attacks
The attacks have caused outrage among Nigerians, with many accusing President Bola Tinubu's government and the ruling party of prioritising next year's presidential election in which Tinubu is expected to seek reelection.
While ISWAP has staged a growing number of attacks against the military in recent months, observers say this is the first time in recent history that the group has successfully launched simultaneous attacks of this scale in the region.
The attacks show “a remarkable level of coordination” from the group, according to Vincent Foucher, a security analyst with France’s National Centre for Scientific Research who has extensive knowledge of the conflict.
Videos published by ISWAP showed massive weaponry and ammunition, as well as dozens of motorcycles and vehicles that the extremists said were captured during the raids. The Associated Press couldn't independently verify the details of the video.
A key goal of the jihadis is to restock their weapons arsenal, said Taiwo Adebayo with the Africa-focused Institute for Security Studies.
“When they hit those camps, they strip the base of weapons, burn it down and retreat into the forests,” Adebayo said.
Malik Samuel, a Nigerian security researcher with Good Governance Africa, said that “as long as military bases remain vulnerable to being overrun, ISWAP does not need to spend money buying arms."
U.S. involvement
The attacks are happening despite a boost from the United States, which has deployed at least 100 troops to support the Nigerian military with training and logistics. That deployment is part of a new security partnership between Nigeria and the U.S. that came after U.S. President Donald Trump alleged that Christians are being targeted in Nigeria’s security crisis.
Since the U.S. began to intervene in the security crisis in December last year, its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, flights have helped the Nigerian military to intensify aerial bombardment of jihadi hideouts, officials have said.
However, ISWAP continues to mount coordinated attacks, which highlight their sophistication and show how dominant they’ve become, Adebayo said.
A major challenge in the region remains the limited presence of security forces and the government in conflict hot spots.
Despite its successes against jihadi groups in the region, the Nigerian military lacks the capacity for sustained operations and quickly moves on to other hot spots, Taiwo said.
“So the (armed) groups are quickly regrouping and delivering attacks elsewhere,” he said.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/10/jihadist-attacks-hit-nigerian-military-bases-in-northeast/
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Islamic organisations condemn vehicle burning, call for lawful dialogue
10 Mar 2026
Malaysian Islamic groups ABIM and HIKAM condemn recent violence and siege, urging legal action and mature dialogue to preserve social harmony.
KUALA LUMPUR: Leading Islamic organisations have issued strong condemnations of a recent incident involving vehicle burning and the siege of an individual.
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) and Himpunan Gerakan Islam Malaysia (HIKAM) both called for lawful processes and mature dialogue to address societal issues.
ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin stated that any form of violence, threat, or intimidation is unacceptable in a nation upholding the rule of law.
“ABIM strongly condemns the act of violence and calls on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.
He stressed that such actions threaten public safety and risk triggering wider social tensions, regardless of their motive.
Ahmad Fahmi emphasised that taking the law into one’s own hands is inappropriate and could undermine harmony in a pluralistic society.
He added that issues related to religious sensitivities should be handled through legal channels and legitimate administrative mechanisms.
“The preservation of harmony in a plural society requires all parties to respect established rules,” he said.
In a separate statement, HIKAM called on the public to practise a culture of healthy, mature, and civilised dialogue when addressing differences.
The organisation stated that rational discussion and mutual respect are key foundations for a harmonious and progressive society.
“HIKAM emphasises that Muslims should address any issue by adhering to the law and upholding the principles of justice and peace,” its statement read.
It highlighted that Islam teaches the concept of *wasatiyyah*, or moderation, which rejects extremism and encourages wise solutions.
HIKAM also advised the Muslim community to maintain proper manners when expressing views, including on social media.
It urged people to avoid language that is inappropriate, insulting, or capable of inciting racial and religious tensions.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to national unity as a key agenda for building a just and harmonious society.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/islamic-organisations-condemn-vehicle-burning-call-for-lawful-dialogue/
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Islamic Emirate Focuses on Reconstruction, Not New Conflicts, Farahi Says
March 11, 2026
KABUL: Muhajer Farahi, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for Publication Affairs, said in a post on his X page on Tuesday that the Islamic Emirate’s primary focus is on rebuilding Afghanistan, improving living conditions for citizens, and developing key sectors such as industry and healthcare.
Farahi emphasized that the government is working to heal the wounds of the past four and a half decades of conflict, prioritizing national reconstruction over military confrontation.
“We are not seeking to open a new front of war,” he said. “However, if anyone refuses to leave us in peace, we are better prepared than anyone else to defend our homeland.”
Farahi’s remarks underline the government’s commitment to national development, public welfare, and safeguarding sovereignty, while maintaining readiness to respond to external threats if necessary.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-focuses-on-reconstruction-not-new-conflicts-farahi-says/
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India
From road named after Khomeini to 16th century Charminar, Hyderabad’s enduring history with Iran
Nikhila Henry
Mar 10, 2026
Opposite a plush shopping mall, a sign reads Imam Khomeini Road. Located in the heart of Hyderabad, this road is named after the former supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who died in 1989.
Ayatollah Ali Khameini, who was killed earlier this month in a US-Israeli strike, was the second supreme leader of Iran. The Khomeini Road leads to Road No. 7, Banjara Hills, where Hyderabad’s Iranian consulate is located. “The road was named after the first supreme leader sometime in the early 1990s,” historian Mohammed Safiullah told The Indian Express.
Hyderabad’s history with Iran, however, is not limited to this road or the consulate.
Hyderabad city was founded in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda, who hailed from Iran. “He belonged to the Persian Shia Muslim Qutb Shahi dynasty that established the city,” historian and honorary managing trustee of The Deccan Heritage Trust, Mohammed Safiullah, told The Indian Express.
Tavleen Singh writes | Why the fall of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has divided India’s streets
According to Safiullah, the Qutb Shahis were tribes from Iran. “The Bahmani Sultans granted them governorship of the Golconda area, after which they ruled the region,” he said. Hyderabad was founded in 1591 to decongest the rapidly growing Golconda region. The city’s name honours Caliph Ali, the fourth Rashidun Caliph of Sunni Muslims and first Imam of Shia Muslims, based on his title Hyder (The Lion) or Ali Haider (Ali the Lionheart), Safiullah said.
According to Safiullah, the Indo-Persian trade thrived with Hyderabad as the epicentre. “It should be noted that before 1947, before independence, India shared a border with Iran, fostering strong trade ties. Persian traders and locals used the sea route from Machilipatnam port (now in Andhra Pradesh) for commerce with Hyderabad,” Safiullah said.
During the Qutb Shahi reign, Golconda was the epicentre of the trade in diamonds, pearls, steel, arms, and printed fabrics.
“All eight Qutb Shahi sultans patronised learning and were prolific builders, advancing Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad,” Safiullah said. From Hyderabad’s Irani chai cafes to the breakfast delicacy haleem, relished during Ramzan, Iran has left a mark on the city’s cuisine. In areas such as Masab Tank and Mehedipatnam, early settlers from Iran now run iconic Irani cafes and bakeries, Safiullah said. Even the Old City of Hyderabad has a substantial Shia population with roots going back to Iran.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a descendant of Iranian origin and a Shia Mulsim who still has family in Hyderabad and Tehran said, “Hyderabad is home, but we were never asked by this city to forget our Iranian roots.” Living in Hyderabad’s Old City, he said, “You turn anywhere here, you will see a piece of Iran.”
Hyderabad’s Old City is designed by architects who modelled it on Iran’s Isfahan. Many of these original structures have stood the test of time, enduring for over 400 years. According to Safiullah, even Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 CE to mark the second Islamic millennium (1000 AH), celebrated across the Islamic world. “Iran cannot be extricated from Hyderabad’s history,” Safiullah said.
To date, Hyderabad has public representatives who represent the Shia population too. “The protests against the assassination of Ali Khameini were held by both the Shia and the Sunni Muslims of Hyderabad, showing that the city has integrated various histories,” a person of Iranian descent who lives in Banjara Hills said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Farooq Abdullah meets Iran's deputy ambassador, offers condolences on Khamenei's death
10 Mar 2026
NEW DELHI: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah met Iranian Deputy Ambassador Mohammad Fathali here on Tuesday and offered his condolences over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
During a 30-minute meeting, Abdullah expressed hope that the war would come to an end soon and that people would be relieved of their suffering.
Expressing his solidarity with the people of Iran, the veteran politician said it is not only the region that is suffering, but the entire world has also been engulfed in an unwanted crisis.
"My prayers and solidarity are with the people of Iran," Abdullah, a former union minister, also wrote in the visitors' book.
He was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MPs from Jammu and Kashmir Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and Gurwinder Singh Oberoi.
The trio visited the Iranian mission on Monday and signed the condolence book at the embassy.
The conflict in West Asia entered its 11th day on Tuesday.
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, signalling defiance amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The war has so far killed over 1,700 people in Iran, Lebanon and Israel.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Jaishankar speaks to Iran foreign minister Araghchi on West Asia conflict
11.03.26
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
This is the third time the two have spoken since the conflict began on February 28 and comes a day after Iran picked Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike a day after the conflict began.
“A detailed conversation this evening with Foreign Minister @araghchi of Iran on the latest developments regarding the ongoing conflict. We agreed to remain in touch,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. There was no further elaboration on what transpired.
Jaishankar had on Monday indicated that he would speak to Araghchi in the coming days while seeking to explain the absence of contact with Iran at the leadership level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the President of UAE, the Amir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the King of Bahrain, the Sultan of Oman, the King of Jordan and the Prime Minister of Israel since the conflict began, but he has had no such contact with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the past 11 days.
About this, Jaishankar had said: “While attempts have been made, contacts with Iran at the leadership level are obviously difficult at this time. I have, however, spoken to foreign minister Araghchi on February 28 and March 5. We will continue these high-level conversations in the coming days.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
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‘Need more transparency, debate on anti-conversion bill’
Mar 11, 2026
The Maharashtra cabinet last week cleared a draft anti-conversion bill, which makes it mandatory to seek permission from a competent authority before converting to another religion. Activists allege the bill violates constitutional rights, targets interfaith marriages, and burdens converts with proving innocence. Advocate Lara Jesani from the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), who has represented many interfaith couples, spoke to Jyoti Punwani about these concerns. Edited excerpts:
Why are you opposed to a bill which is supposed to be against forcible and fraudulent conversions?
This Anti-Conversion Bill was preceded by a vitriolic campaign against minorities, including propaganda about alleged cases of “love jihad” by Muslim men, and “forced conversions” by Christians. Government representatives have said this law will be stricter than the already problematic anti-conversion laws that exist in BJP-ruled states. But there is no information on what necessitated such a law. Is there really any such epidemic of forced conversions in our state, or is this just an attempt to appease the Hindutva organisations pushing for this law?
For instance, rallies on “love jihad” intensified in Maharashtra following the 2022 Shraddha Walkar case, even though the couple was not married and there was no forcible conversion. In fact, Shraddha had refused to heed her father’s pleas to come back. Yet, this case was used to push the demand for an anti-conversion law.
But isn’t it true that many Hindu women do convert to marry Muslims?
Yes, both women and men (though in lesser proportion), do convert to marry. However, they are adults making this decision of their own choice, and they have a Constitutional right to do so. If there is fraud or intimidation being used to convert anyone, there are provisions in our penal laws for such crimes.
The Supreme Court is hearing challenges to similar laws passed by BJP-ruled states. What impact have such laws had?
Thanks to these laws, there has been an increase both in police crackdowns against Christians alleging forcible conversion, as well as vigilante attacks on priests and Adivasis.
These laws have also been misused against interfaith couples after false reporting by vigilante groups or family members. Hindu-Muslim marriages already face a lot of opposition – these laws have made the plight of such couples worse. I have received queries from couples living in states where these laws are in force, regarding whether they can solemnise their marriage under the Special Marriage Act (SMA) outside these states, even when there is no opposition from their families. Many couples have postponed marriage and some have moved out from the state just to be together.
Will the PUCL be challenging this bill?
Our first demand is that the bill be made public so we as citizens can provide inputs. There is a need to study whether such a law is necessary in the first place and even if it is, to formulate one that does not end up violating legitimate rights or targeting citizens. We hope this process is followed before the bill is tabled. The Opposition should also play its part by questioning the proposed law and demanding its review.
Does the growing use of the SMA indicate a trend among young people towards keeping religion out of marriage? Do anti-conversion laws stop this?
For many young couples, religious differences do not matter. In such secular unions, I have seen each partner respect and even embrace the spouse’s culture and religion. Many parents too are ready to accept such unions.
Anti-conversion laws only make it more unsafe for such couples, and could lead to more young people being unable to access their right to marry, and enter secular unions. For a secular country, this should not be acceptable. The State is supposed to protect citizens’ Constitutional rights, not violate them.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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Pandit return plan sparks row over separate colonies and coexistence in Kashmir
Muzaffar Raina
11.03.26
An initiative of a Kashmiri Pandit organisation, backed by a rights group helmed by a Kashmiri Muslim activist, has earned the ire of Pandits after the human rights body opposed the creation of “isolated security settlements” for the community in the Valley and supported living alongside Muslims.
The proposal of the organisation, the J&K Peace Forum, figures in a representation made by the Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), which enjoys consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council, at the ongoing 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. UK-based Kashmiri activist Dr Nazir Gillani heads the JKCHR.
The JKCHR welcomed the initiative of the J&K Peace Forum led by Satish Mahaldar for the proposed return of hundreds of families across Kashmir, saying it adheres to the 1992 UN declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
The JKCHR, however, expressed concern over the “government-proposed exclusive Pandit colonies” or “securitised settlements”, saying such schemes reduce the displaced minority to a permanent security-dependent enclave and a politically instrumental demographic tool.
Mahaldar said: “We have been advocating that we will return to our villages and localities, and not to the ghettos. The council has said it is a real road map. They have proposed our vision. We have submitted the proposal for the return of 419 families, who had volunteered for the initiative before the home ministry.”
The hardline Youth for Panun Kashmir group has condemned and “outrightly rejected the written statement” of the JKCHR, calling “it a fraudulent travesty of truth and a disgraceful attempt to whitewash the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus from their homeland”.
Youth for Panun Kashmir chairman Rahul Kaul said the Pandits did not leave Kashmir voluntarily. “They were driven out through terror, killings and open Islamist threats. To now lecture the victims about reintegration without acknowledging the genocide is intellectually dishonest and morally repugnant.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
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'It was a case of love jihad': Pune model Sayali Surve alleges harassment after inter-faith marriage, reconverts to Hinduism
Mar 10, 2026
PUNE: A model from Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune district has reconverted to Hinduism, claiming she faced harassment during her marriage to a Muslim businessman.
The woman, Sayali Surve, who married a resident of Mira-Bhayandar in 2017 despite opposition from her family, had converted to Islam after the wedding and reportedly changed her name.
However, Sayali Surve said the marriage soon became troubled, alleging both mental and physical harassment. She also claimed she was pressured to abandon her Hindu religious practices.
"Even though I was not directly forced to marry, I was influenced in the name of love. Under that influence, I agreed to the marriage of my own will. But now I feel it was a case of 'love jihad'," she told the media.
Sayali Surve added that whenever she tried to follow Hindu customs at home, it was opposed. "Within a few days of the wedding, physical assault began," she said, noting that she endured the situation for several years primarily for the sake of her children.
Eventually, she decided to correct what she described as her "mistake" and reconverted to Hinduism. She has reportedly also brought her four children back to the Hindu faith.
She said that one other daughter-in-law in the family fully accepted Islam and continues to live with the family, while another daughter-in-law allegedly faced harassment but had the support of her husband.
The model has filed a police complaint regarding the alleged harassment she endured over the past ten years and has requested security for herself. "Now I am not afraid of anything. I am standing strong for my children," she said.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Rajya Sabha polls: RJD's Tejashwi eyes AIMIM support after INDIA bloc meeting
Ramashankar
10 Mar 2026
PATNA: Even as the fate of the opposition candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls hinges on whether there will be a churn in the RJD-AIMIM relationship in the coming days, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Tuesday convened a meeting of the INDIA bloc’s MLAs to discuss the alliance’s strategy for the polls.
Amid uncertainty over whether AIMIM would extend the support of its five MLAs to the opposition candidate, state AIMIM leader Akhtarul Iman is likely to meet Tejashwi in connection with the Rajya Sabha polls on Wednesday. AIMIM is reportedly demanding an MLC seat in exchange for its support to the opposition candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Tejashwi said, "It was a very positive meeting. The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections are approaching, and we are fully confident. Our goal is to win this election. We have enough numbers, that's why we are contesting the elections."
Three Congress MLAs could not attend the meeting due to various reasons. While party legislator Abidur Rahman is abroad, another party MLA, Manohar Prasad Singh, was reportedly ill. Congress MLA Qamarul Hoda could not attend the meeting due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s visit to his constituency, Kishanganj, on Wednesday.
All three MLAs had already informed the party leadership about their absence.
The INDIA bloc, with only 35 MLAs including RJD’s 25 and Congress’s six, needs the support of AIMIM’s six MLAs and also the BSP’s lone MLA if it has to win the Rajya Sabha election in the state. A Rajya Sabha candidate must secure at least 41 first preference votes to win the election. RJD has fielded a prominent businessman, Amarendra Dhari Singh, as its candidate in the polls.
Meanwhile, sources said RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has also spoken to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in connection with the Rajya Sabha election.
The contest for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar has taken an interesting turn with six candidates — five from the NDA and one from the RJD filing nomination papers for the polls. Among the prominent contenders are Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin.
Both leaders submitted their nomination papers on March 5 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Mideast
Israeli president tells Bild: War with Iran needs ‘end result’, not exact timetable
March 10, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israel’s President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday did not offer a timetable on when the war with Iran could end, telling Germany’s Bild newspaper: “We need to take a deep breath and get to the end result.”
Herzog said the US and Israeli attacks on Iran were changing the whole configuration of the Middle East. He defended strikes on Iranian oil sites ?as a way ?of taking away money from Tehran’s “war machine.”
The interview was published as the US and Israel pounded Iran with what the Pentagon and Iranians on the ground said were the most ?intense airstrikes of the war, despite global markets betting that President Donald Trump will seek to end the conflict soon.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, had earlier said his country was not planning for an endless war and was consulting with Washington about when to stop it.
“The Iranians are the ones spreading chaos ?and ?terror throughout the region and the world. So I think if we measure everything by a speedometer, we won’t get anywhere. We need to take a deep breath and get to the end result,” Herzog told Bild.
Eliminating the Iranian threat would “enable the entire system in the region to suddenly breathe again and develop further. That’s fantastic,” he added.
Source: arabnews.com
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Strikes blamed on US kills five Iran-backed fighters in Iraq
March 11, 2026
BAGHDAD: Five Iran-backed fighters in Iraq were killed on Tuesday in strikes their groups blamed on the United States.
The Kataeb Imam Ali group said four fighters were killed in an “American aggression” at dawn against one of their positions in the Debs district of Kirkuk province in northern Iraq.
Late Tuesday, another strike killed a fighter from the Kataeb Hezbollah group in Al-Qaem area near the Iraqi-Syrian border, a source from the group told AFP.
The bombings targeted positions occupied by the Hashed Al-Shaabi, an alliance of factions integrated into Iraq’s regular army.
It also encompasses Iran-backed fighters, including the Kataeb Imam Ali and Kataeb Hezbollah groups.
Since the start of the Middle East war, bases belonging to Hashed Al-Shaabi, or the Popular Mobilization Forces, have been hit several times.
Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, had said it did not want to be dragged into the war, but it has not been spared.
Iran-backed groups have claimed attacks on US bases in Iraq and in the region, without specifying their targets.
At least five drones targeted on Tuesday a military base at the Baghdad International Airport, which houses a US diplomatic facility, a security source said.
One drone crashed near Iraq’s anti-terrorism forces and another ignited a fire at a depot, with no casualties reported, according to the source.
The autonomous Kurdistan region in the north, hosts US troops and has been a main target of drone attacks, but these have largely been intercepted.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said early Tuesday that they had targeted a US base in the region.
At night, the US-led coalition air defenses downed a drone that crashed between the US consulate in Kurdistan capital Irbil and the airport, which houses US and foreign troops, a Kurdish security source said.
On Monday, a drone was downed near the UAE consulate in the city.
Source: arabnews.com
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Syrian and Lebanese presidents discuss border security after Hezbollah strikes hit west Damascus
March 11, 2026
LONDON: The Syrian president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, discussed border security on Tuesday.
It came as Syria accused the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah of massing reinforcements close to the border, targeting army positions in Syria, and launching artillery shells from Lebanese territory that landed near the town of Serghaya, west of the capital Damascus.
During his conversation with Aoun, Al-Sharaa expressed his absolute support for the Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported. Depriving the group of its weapons was a crucial step in efforts to strengthen the sovereignty of Lebanon and protect the region from the consequences of ongoing armed conflicts, he added.
The two leaders also emphasized the need for joint action to ensure the safety of the Syrian people.
Thousands of Syrians who fled to Lebanon to escape the 13-year civil war in their country have returned home since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, and the spread of the conflict to other parts of the Middle East.
Israel has launched strikes against Israel and several Arab countries in the region, while Hezbollah, an ally of Tehran which the UK and other nations consider a terrorist organization, has also fired into Israel.
Israeli forces have hit back against Hezbollah with strikes on southern Lebanon and southern Beirut, and its forces have occupied key areas south of the Litani River.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iran says four of its diplomats were killed in weekend strike on Beirut hotel
March 10, 2026
TEHRAN: Iran accused Israel on Tuesday of killing four of its diplomats in a weekend strike on a seafront Beirut hotel in what it called a “terrorist attack.”
Tehran’s permanent mission to the United Nations said in a letter to the UN secretary-general that the strike early Sunday on the Ramada Hotel “resulted in the assassination and martyrdom” of four diplomats.
The Israeli military had previously claimed responsibility for the attack.
It said it had “conducted a precise strike targeting key commanders” in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, its foreign operations arm.
The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations later Tuesday accused the Security Council of ignoring what he called a “grave terrorist attack” and a “war crime.”
“The Council is turning a blind eye to this grave violation despite its primary responsibility under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security,” Amir Saeid Iravani told reporters in New York.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israel rejects Lebanon’s request for cessation in fighting to allow for talks, FT reports
March 10, 2026
WASHINGTON: Israel has rejected diplomatic overtures by Lebanon to halt its escalating offensive against the Hezbollah militant group, demanding negotiations only take place “under fire,” the Financial ?Times reported on ?Tuesday, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.
The talks have ?not materialized because of disagreements over sequencing, with Beirut demanding there be a “cessation of fire” before any meeting takes place and the Israeli government wanting ?only ?to discuss the possibility of a cessation, the newspaper said.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Source: arabnews.com
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Dubai’s Iranian diaspora torn as war hammers Gulf
March 11, 2026
DUBAI: From his grocery shop in Dubai, Iranian Morteza Asaadi lamented the drop in business brought on by the Middle East war.
Iranians in Dubai are torn as Tehran retaliates against countries in the Gulf — on the one hand fearful for loved ones facing US and Israeli bombardments back home, while also wary of the Iranian strikes threatening their livelihood.
With more people staying home because of the attacks, “we are fearful, you know, for a livelihood,” said Asaadi, noting the “uncomfortable” situation of thousands of Iranians living in the Emirate just across the Gulf.
“Can you imagine that if you’re a guest somewhere and, you know, your child goes and does something to the host’s son,” he added.
The commercial and tourist hub of the UAE, Dubai is home to a large Iranian community, some of whom — like Asaadi’s father — arrived as early as the 1920s in search of better opportunities.
The unwritten rule has always been to stay out of politics. “But unfortunately, politics sometimes comes to us,” Asaadi said.
The shopkeeper said he hoped the war would be over soon, because Dubai is “like my hometown.”
Despite sometimes testy relations, the Emirates have always maintained strong economic ties with Iran.
Ali Akbar’s eatery in a working-class district of Dubai has been open since 1991. But while customers have been few and far between since the war started, he remains hopeful.
“Iran has no problem with the Emirates. The problem is with the Americans,” he said in accented Arabic. “The Emiratis are our brothers.” “And God willing, it will be over soon.”
The property sector, where Soroush Helali works alongside his acting career, has also slowed down, but that has had no bearing so far on his desire to remain in Dubai.
He moved to Dubai a year ago. Now, his parents are begging him to return to Belgium, where he also holds citizenship and where his family settled more than 20 years ago. While he admits to being afraid at times, he says seeing innocent people being bombed in his home country puts things into perspective.
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base
March 11, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia shot down seven ballistic missiles, the defense ministry said early Wednesday.
Six of the missiles were aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, and the other was intercepted while heading to the Eastern Province.
Five drones were knocked down heading to the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter.
Eleven drones were also shot down in Al-Kharj, Hafar Al-Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province, the ministry said.
The war, launched by the US and Israel on Iran, has escalated, impacting regional stability and sparking a global energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom, Gulf states and other countries in the region, saying they threaten regional security and violate international law.
The cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Brent crude hit a historic $120 a barrel on Monday before settling back down to $90 a barrel on Tuesday.
Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, told reporters: “There would be catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets and the longer the disruption goes on ... the more drastic the ?consequences for the ?global economy.”
The White House said that gas prices will plummet once US objectives in the war are reached.
The conflict could stretch on for months despite US President Donald Trump saying that it could be drawing to a close. But Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said it will end when they decide.
Source: arabnews.com
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Historic Jeddah records over 2m visits
March 10, 2026
JEDDAH: Historic Jeddah continues to flourish as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural and heritage destinations, recording over 2 million visits in the first half of Ramadan.
The surge reflects the district’s vibrant and diverse activities, and the growing appeal of its Ramadan events that blend the authenticity of the place with the spirit of the season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The remarkable turnout highlights the activity within the UNESCO-listed site, also known as Al-Balad, with its alleys and historic squares.
There has been a continuous flow of visitors exploring longstanding architectural landmarks and traditional marketplaces including Souq Al-Alawi, Bab Makkah Souq, and Al-Balad.
In these areas commerce intertwines with handicraft displays and storytelling, creating a cultural experience that reflects the place’s unique character and rich historical memory.
Source: arabnews.com
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Islamic coins on display at Jeddah Park
March 10, 2026
RIYADH: The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah Park serves as a distinguished cultural platform and showcases rare Islamic coins and artifacts that document the economic, political, and cultural history of the Islamic world across centuries.
The museum provides visitors with a rich educational experience through thousands of Islamic coins, spanning the early Islamic state through the Umayyad and Abbasid periods to successive Islamic dynasties, reflecting the evolution of monetary systems and the diversity of civilizational centers that flourished across the Islamic world.
The site uses modern display methods to blend knowledge and visual appeal, allowing visitors to explore Islamic coinage as a testament to trade, Islamic expansion, and the flourishing of centers of knowledge and civilization.
The House of Islamic Arts is a valuable addition to Jeddah’s cultural scene, reinforcing the city’s status as a cultural and tourism hub while contributing to passing this civilizational heritage to new generations.
Source: arabnews.com
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SDAIA launches ‘Applied AI Bootcamp’ in Riyadh
March 10, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority Academy will conduct the “Applied Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp,” aimed at equipping national talents with advanced skills in AI and enabling participants to design, analyze, and build agentic AI systems.
The initiative seeks to support labor market needs and enhance national capabilities in advanced technologies.
The bootcamp focuses on developing participants’ skills in agentic software engineering through building full-stack applications using Python, mastering APIs and version control systems, and enhancing capabilities in machine learning and data engineering by designing integrated machine learning pipelines that cover everything from statistical data analysis and preparation to model building and performance evaluation.
It also covers the development of advanced deep learning models for natural language processing and computer vision, enabling practical applications that address real-world challenges across various sectors. Participants will be trained to create agentic AI systems and develop applications based on large language models using AI-assisted programming tools.
The bootcamp targets professionals in technical fields and will be held in person in Riyadh from March 29 to May 21, with registration open until March 12 as part of SDAIA’s ongoing efforts to develop national capabilities and build a generation of specialized talent in data and AI.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi ambassador to Poland attends council of ambassadors of Arab States in Warsaw
March 10, 2026
WARSAW: Saudi Ambassador to Poland Enass Al-Shahwan recently took part in a meeting of the Council of Ambassadors of Arab States in Warsaw with the head of the International Policy Bureau in the Office of the President of Poland Marcin Przydacz.
“Discussions focused on the current unjustified Iranian attacks against the Kingdom and Arab states,” Al-Shahwan wrote in a post on X.
“As Poland’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, the Kingdom looks forward to further strengthening Saudi-Polish relations across various fields,” she added.
During the meeting, they also discussed opportunities to strengthen relations between Arab states and Poland.
Source: arabnews.com
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Ramadan brings local communities together to engage in volunteering activities
SALEH FAREED
March 10, 2026
JEDDAH: Since the start of Ramadan, charities, mosques, restaurants, generous individuals and young volunteers across Saudi Arabia are coming together to make a tangible difference to the lives of those in need.
Volunteering activities usually peak in the weeks preceding Ramadan, with several initiatives taking place across the country.
“Every Ramadan, we are proud to see citizens and residents step up as volunteers across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, Jeddah, Damam, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Qassim and the rest of cities, embodying the spirit of giving and solidarity during this holy month. The people’s dedication and compassion have been a true reflection of Saudi Arabia’s values,” Sheikh Mansour Al-Shareef, imam of Al-Tawheed Mosque in Jeddah, told Arab News.
Al-Shareef underscored the spiritual essence of volunteerism, saying: “Volunteerism in Ramadan is not only about helping the needy but also about showing unity within communities.”
He noted the remarkable rise in community engagement in recent years. “Volunteering is on the rise with individuals from all walks of life contributing their time and resources to foster social solidarity, particularly during Ramadan.”
For the Jeddah Volunteer group, local volunteers head out to lower-income neighborhoods to distribute meals.
Supervisor Ahmed Al-Hamdan told Arab News that the iftar project is among the group’s most significant Ramadan initiatives.
He noted that the program aims to strengthen social solidarity and ease the burden on needy families, adding that every day during Ramadan, more than 100 volunteers arrive at the various iftar sites by the afternoon Asr prayer.
They work together to prepare special meals which include water, dates and rice, and later they distribute meals by hand. For many, the reward of helping those in need is what drives them to participate in volunteer campaigns.
It is becoming an act of duty for volunteer Noura Abdulaziz, who has been involved in such initiatives for the last two years.
She said: “I dedicate myself to this cause because it is the month of giving and it is our duty to give a hand in this special month. I really enjoy every minute of it.”
She pointed out that she sacrificed her time spent with her family to hand out meals to those who are in need.
“The number of iftars I have with my family is minimal, but they have no complaints as they understand the greater purpose,” she said.
Under the slogan “Ramadan Kareem,” fulfilling its annual commitment to community service, Kayani Event Management launched its annual “Iftar for the Fasting” campaign in the heart of Al-Balad district (historic Jeddah) for the fifth consecutive year, creating a scene of social solidarity within the ancient city.
The aim was to deliver Iftar meals to needy families and charitable organizations in the area, reinforcing the spirit of compassion embodied by the holy month.
Rana Bajouda, CEO of Kayani, told Arab News: “Our continuation for the fifth year is a confirmation of our commitment to our neighbors and our people in Jeddah, and our belief that giving is the true engine of success for any organization.”
From individual acts to organized government efforts, the General Directorate of Education in the Makkah Region launched a broad community initiative to provide Iftar meals for fasting visitors to the Holy Mosque, aiming to distribute 5,000 meals daily throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
Behind this initiative stands a team of 500 volunteers from the education sector, who work side by side, in a scene of faith that embodies the spirit of cohesion and clearly reflects the leading community role of the education sector in serving those who visit the Grand Mosque.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2635941/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Christchurch mosque attack terrorist is 'like no other witness', lawyer says
March 11, 2026
The families of victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings say the terrorist is a witness "like no other" and he should not be allowed to give oral evidence at a coronial inquest.
But a lawyer appointed to assist the court said the public deserves the most thorough and rigorous coronial inquest possible to ensure a similar horror does not happen again.
Survivors and families of victims of the March 2019 terror attack are fighting in the Court of Appeal to prevent terrorist Brenton Tarrant from giving evidence at the inquest into their loved ones' deaths.
They are seeking judicial review of Deputy Chief Coroner Brigitte Windley's decision to call him as a witness.
The High Court dismissed the application last year.
The second-phase inquest began in October 2024 and is examining how the terrorist came to obtain the guns used in the massacre.
It adjourned part-heard after objections were raised to the terrorist giving evidence.
A lawyer for some of the families, Nikki Pender, told the Court of Appeal on Wednesday that it was highly unusual for a coroner's decision to be reviewed.
"This is an exceptional case, these are extraordinary circumstances, this particular witness is like no other witness."
Pender said Sunday marked seven years since the massacres at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, and the coronial inquest was extremely important to survivors and their families.
Tarrant not only murdered 51 people, he did so by invading and violating "a sacred place" during prayers, she said.
"That has resonated for years for the community."
The therapeutic nature of the coroner's court was highly visible in this specific inquest, and calling the terrorist as a witness would breach that, Pender said.
Each phase of the inquest started with a karakia and a recital from the Quran from Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda, as well as a roll call of every victim's name.
"They [the families] are at the heart of this... this is a safe space and therefore any decision to bring in this individual, to have him appear as a witness, needs to take account of the fact just how significant that is to the arena, to the jurisdiction that has been created, and to the safe space that has been created to those family members," Pender said.
The coroner should have started from a presumption of whether it was absolutely necessary to invite Tarrant as a witness, Pender said.
Calling someone as a witness in an inquest could afford them a degree of mana and could dilute the aims of his life-without-parole sentence, as well as risking platforming his message of hate, she said.
"He has lost his right in public society, in civic society, and yet, if you call him as a witness too readily, what signal does that send?" Pender said.
"He does seem to enjoy the occasion in terms of the questions and answers and the interrogatories, and the community believe that it sends mixed messages - and if they're a proxy for the public then ... [the Coroner has] got to take note of that and just got to be really careful around that."
The lawyer appointed by the court as a contradictor, Kerry Cook, said the Coroner's decision to allow written and oral evidence from the terrorist was one that was "lawful, reasonable and proportionate".
"The Coroner's Act prioritises the public good associated with a full and independent investigation into the causes of death, and it prioritises that over subjective feelings - no matter how reasonably held - of abhorrence or difficulty in hearing from that particular person."
Cross-examination was the best tool for testing the terrorist's claims and excluding that evidence would leave a gap in the inquiry, Cook said.
The process of hearing live evidence and subjecting it to cross-examination might reveal information or bring to light inconsistencies and details otherwise not known, he said.
Coronial inquests were rigorous, fact-finding inquiries and required the coroner to make evidence-based recommendations or comments in public, he said.
Constraining evidence in the inquest risked the coroner making incorrect decisions and the conclusions might reflect only "what was allowed to be seen, rather than what actually occurred".
"To stop something similar happening in the future, you must clearly understand what caused it to happen in the past," Cook said.
The community wanted a thorough inquiry and to have all relevant evidence before it, even if it was uncomfortable, he said.
Another lawyer assisting the court, Sarah Jerebine KC, said any oral evidence the terrorist gave in the inquest and the cross-examination could be restricted to suppression orders decided by the coroner.
She said she had huge sympathy for what survivors and families had experienced and the test of deciding whether the terrorist should be orally cross-examined fell on whether the evidence was necessary, whether it met the interests of justice and balanced against the harm done to the families.
Justice Sarah Katz, Justice Jillian Mallon, and Justice Matthew Palmer reserved their decision.
Source: rnz.co.nz
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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/589300/christchurch-mosque-attack-terrorist-is-like-no-other-witness-lawyer-says
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Britain sets new definition of anti-Muslim hostility
10 March, 2026
Britain has set out a new advisory definition of what it calls anti-Muslim hostility, a long-anticipated step in its plan to clarify how authorities should identify and address abuse targeting Muslims, which is at record levels.
The move follows years of political deadlock over how to define anti-Muslim hatred in a way that helps consistent application of the law, but does not shut down or criminalise open debate about Islamist extremism.
There were almost 4,500 hate crimes targeting Muslims in the year ending March 2025, accounting for nearly half of all religiously motivated offences in England and Wales. This data also includes people wrongly assumed to be Muslim.
The new definition, which is not legally binding, includes criminal acts such as violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation and prejudicial stereotyping that is directed at Muslims or people perceived to be Muslim.
The government said the definition was needed to protect people from "unacceptable hostile behaviour that seeks to intimidate and divide," and that rights to free expression were unchanged.
Lawful criticism of religious beliefs, including Islam, remained protected, it added.
Opposition lawmakers said the definition risked creating a "blasphemy law" and blurred the line between legitimate criticism of religious beliefs and unlawful hate speech.
Muslim, Jewish and humanist groups said the definition was a constructive step that would help institutions respond more consistently to abuse, provided it was implemented carefully and without curbing free expression.
Source: newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/britain-sets-new-definition-anti-muslim-hostility
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Sutton Ambulance Station plans to convert site into mosque
10 March, 2026
By Ezekiel Bertrand
Sutton’s former ambulance station could soon be transformed into a mosque and community hub if Sutton Council green-lights the plans.
Belmont and Sutton Muslim Assembly (BASMA) has submitted an application to convert the vacant building in Dorset Road, Belmont into a space for worship, education, and community activities.
The single-storey brick building, sitting on a 0.12-hectare site, would largely be kept as it is.
An extension to the north would provide a dedicated women’s prayer and multi-use area, accessible toilets, ablution facilities, and a small kitchen.
Inside, the former ambulance garage would become a male prayer hall, alongside a multi-purpose hall, an imam’s office, and other rooms for community use.
Outside, the forecourt would be resurfaced and reorganised to accommodate parking.
New boundary treatments would be installed, and climbing plants would be added to the façade, boosting greenery and local biodiversity.
BASMA says the centre would operate seven days a week.
Community activities would run from 7am to 10pm, with prayers continuing until 11pm.
Planned activities include daily and Friday congregational prayers, homework and educational support clubs, ladies’ fitness and wellbeing sessions, youth and men’s exercise programs, counselling and bereavement support, and seniors’ lunch clubs and walking groups.
The hub would also host interfaith coffee mornings, neighbourhood drop-ins, multi-faith events, and health clinics covering diabetes, heart health, smoking cessation, and mental wellbeing.
A publicly accessible defibrillator would also be available on site.
The site is just 500 metres from Belmont station, within walking distance of local shops, and served by S2 and S4 bus routes, including hail-and-ride sections for elderly residents, women with children, and low-car households.
The location has a PTAL rating of 1a, which stands for Public Transport Accessibility Level.
PTAL is a measure used across London to assess how well connected a site is by public transport, with ratings ranging from 1 (very poor) to 6 (excellent).
A rating of 1a indicates that the site is relatively poorly served by public transport, meaning most attendees are likely to travel by car or on foot.
Parking provision would include 10–12 general spaces, two accessible bays, two electric vehicle-ready bays, and eight secure cycle stands.
BASMA also says that peak traffic is expected to be lower than when the site operated as an ambulance station.
Currently, BASMA hires St John’s Community Hall, just a seven-minute walk away, for Friday prayers.
However, this limits daily programming, can be double-booked, and lacks facilities tailored for women.
Belmont ward has a higher proportion of Muslim residents than Sutton overall, and the population has grown sharply in recent years.
BASMA argues a local hub would reduce travel to distant mosques, ease pressure on existing centres, and provide inclusive spaces for women, families, seniors, and disabled users.
The application has already sparked debate, drawing almost 1,300 public comments, with 552 supporting and 740 objecting to the plans.
Sutton Council intends to make a decision on the proposal by April 2.
Source: yourlocalguardian.co.uk
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https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/25920531.sutton-ambulance-station-plans-convert-site-mosque/
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Plans to use Victorian building as mosque rejected by Doncaster councillors
Harry Harrison
10th Mar 2026
Plans to retrospectively change the use of a heritage building in Doncaster to a mosque have been refused by city councillors.
Members of the City of Doncaster Council’s planning committee followed the recommendation of planning officials to refuse the application from the Eden Centre over “unacceptable amenity impacts”.
The Eden Centre, a Masjid, Islamic school and community hub, is the owner and occupant of the building on Thorne Road. Its application was made retrospectively, as the Eden Centre is already using the site as a place of worship.
Planning officials said the application is “acceptable in principle” so long as it does not have an unacceptable impact on local amenity.
Officials outlined to the committee panel that there was insufficient off-street parking provision for the site.
A visit to the site by officials during Friday prayer discovered illegal parking, overuse of the curtilage as an informal parking area and vehicles blocking the entrances to properties, all attributed to the use of the building.
The impact of the use of the building as a place of worship on the availability of parking for residents was one of many impacts on residential amenity deemed unacceptable.
Nearby residents reported being unable to access or leave their properties during peak times.
Officials said they did not believe any condition to planning permission to reduce the impact would be enforceable.
Local resident Andrew Thompson spoke to the committee to object to the application.
He said: “My objection has nothing to do with any cultural basis whatsoever. I would be objecting to this whether it was a mosque, chapel, church or temple.
“What we are dealing with on Thorne Road is a Victorian house… using a private house for running offices is a very different matter to using that same house for large scale meeting purposes.
“The planning officer has already outlined the issues to parking and the disruption to residents in this purpose.”
Mr Thompson said the application included a “gross underestimation” of the numbers using the site.
Concerns over parking were further validated by highways officer, Andrew Wiltshire, who warned highway safety would be “compromised” and said: “It’s definitive, in our opinion, that there is never going to be enough room.”
The application was rejected with five votes to refuse planning permission and three abstentions.
Source: doncasterfreepress.co.uk
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https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politics/plans-to-use-building-as-mosque-rejected-by-doncaster-councillors-5627405
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Government approves Met request to ban Al Quds Day march
11 March, 2026
Patrick Jackson
The government has approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to ban a march due to take place in London on Sunday.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the ban was aimed at preventing "serious public disorder" at the annual Al Quds Day march, which has always been seen as pro-Iranian though organisers say it is more of a pro-Palestinian event.
Mahmood added that a stationary demonstration could take place instead under strict conditions.
The Met said the threshold to ban a protest was high and it had not taken its decision lightly.
Faisal Bodi, of the Islamic Human Rights Commission which organises the event, said earlier that a ban would mean a "sad day for freedom of expression".
"I have approved the Metropolitan Police's request to ban the Al Quds march," Mahmood said in a statement.
"I am satisfied doing so is necessary to prevent serious public disorder, due to the scale of the protest and multiple counter-protests, in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"Should a stationary demonstration proceed, the police will be able to apply strict conditions. I expect to see the full force of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division instead of exercising their right to peaceful protest."
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, Public Order lead for the Met, said that the ban applied to the "Al Quds march and any associated counter-protest marches" and would be in place from 16:00 on Wednesday, to last one month.
"The Al Quds march is uniquely contentious having originated in Iran and in London is organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, an organisation supportive of the Iranian regime," he added.
Noting that the power to ban a march had not been used since 2012, he said the Met had "safely policed hundreds of protests from across the political spectrum including 32 major pro-Palestinian protests and many more both pro and anti the Iranian regime".
"But in our assessment this march raises unique risks and challenges," he continued.
"We must consider the likely high numbers of protestors and counter protestors coming together and the extreme tensions between different factions. We have taken into consideration the likely impact on protests of the volatile situation in the Middle East, with the Iranian regime attacking British allies and military bases overseas."
Previous Al Quds marches had "resulted in arrests for supporting terrorist organisations and antisemitic hate crimes", the assistant commissioner added.
"However, the decision to ban it this year is purely based on a risk assessment of this specific protest and counter-protests – we do not police taste or decency or prefer one political view over another, but we will do everything we can to reduce violence and disorder," he said.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission describes Al Quds Day as an "international demonstration... in support of Palestinians and all the oppressed around the world".
Speaking to Radio 4's The World Tonight programme before the ban was confirmed, Faisal Bodi said: "If it's true then it's a sad day for freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right of people to legitimately protest about issues they feel strongly about."
"This demonstration has taken place for the last 40 years peacefully," he added.
The government's former independent adviser on political violence and disruption, Lord Walney, told the same programme he thought the request by the Met to ban the march was the "right decision".
There are calls most years for the Al Quds Day march to be banned, and they grew after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28gmlvedro
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Lebanese man jailed in Germany for Hezbollah membership
11 March, 2026
Bethany Bell
A court in Germany has sentenced a Lebanese man to six-and-a-half years in prison for being a member of Hezbollah, the Shia militia group, whose military wing is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the EU.
The 35-year-old man, named only as Fadel Z in line with German privacy rules, was also found guilty of aiding and abetting attempted murder, and numerous violations of European Union embargo regulations.
The court in the northern town of Celle heard how Fadel Z joined Hezbollah 10 years ago and had a key role procuring products for Hezbollah's drones programme.
Prosecutors accused him of purchasing €1.4m (£1.2m) worth of materials for the construction of drones.
They said these included more than 2,000 petrol and electric motors and over 600 propellers.
Fadel Z admitted to the deliveries, according to reports in the German media.
Prosecutors said Fadel Z, who most recently lived in Salzgitter in Lower Saxony, became a "foreign operator" for Hezbollah's drones programme in 2022, first from Barcelona in Spain. In the summer of 2023, he started working from Germany.
The products came from companies in Europe, China and the United States.
Fadel Z is said to have often used front companies registered in his own name or that of his contacts to place orders. Suppliers were also paid via these companies.
Prosecutors said Fadel Z also arranged for the goods to be transported to Lebanon either by container ship from ports in Hamburg or Spain or by air freight.
They said two of the engines purchased by Fadel Z were used in explosive drones that Hezbollah fired at Israel.
One of the drones was flown into a retirement home in the town of Herzliya near Tel Aviv on the night of 11 October 2024, on the Jewish Holy Day, Yom Kippur.
Although the explosive device detonated inside the building, none of the 200 or so residents were injured.
As a result of this incident, Fadel Z was found guilty of aiding and abetting attempted murder.
He has one week to decide whether to appeal against the verdict and will remain in custody during that time.
According to an earlier statement by the German Federal Prosecutor's Office, Hezbollah has been running "an extensive drone program for some time".
Following the Hamas 7 October attacks on Israel in 2023, it said Hezbollah had "systematically fired rockets and explosive-laden drones at both military and civilian targets in Israel".
To procure such drones, "the organisation employs foreign operatives who covertly purchase components in Europe and export them to Lebanon", prosecutors said.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8nm768nrdo
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Witkoff reveals plans for next round of Russia-US-Ukraine talks
10 Mar, 2026
A new round of talks between Moscow, Kiev, and Washington could be held next week, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has said. The meeting was expected to take place in Abu Dhabi in early March but was postponed after the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Russia and Ukraine have been engaged for months in a US-mediated process that is reported to be approaching the final phase. The sides held two meetings in a trilateral format in Abu Dhabi in January, before talks in Geneva in February. However, the US-Israeli attack and Iran’s retaliation against American bases in the Middle East have disrupted the next planned round in the United Arab Emirates.
“I think the trilateral [negotiations] will be shifted until some time next week,” Witkoff told CNBC on Tuesday. “We’re feeling we’re going to remain positive on that,” he said, calling the US-mediated peace process “a purposeful negotiation.” He did not provide any details about the exact date or venue.
On Monday, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky stated on X that the meeting planned for this week was postponed “at the proposal of the American side,” which is currently focused on the conflict with Iran.
Moscow said the trilateral format contacts should continue, since all sides are interested in resolving the conflict. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Tuesday that Moscow is unaware of any specific dates or a place where the next round could be held.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed both the Ukraine conflict and the hostilities between the US and Iran in a phone call with Trump on Monday.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov described the conversation as “business-like, open, and constructive,” adding that both leaders expressed readiness to continue regular contact. Trump told a press conference in Florida on Monday that he had a “very good call with President Putin.”
Source: .rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/634436-witkoff-russia-us-ukraine-talks/
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North America
Two men charged with terrorism after homemade bomb thrown at anti-Islam protesters in New York
10 March, 2026
Two men accused of igniting homemade bombs at a chaotic anti-Islam protest outside the New York City mayor's mansion told police they were inspired by Islamic State group and were charged on Monday with federal terrorism-related crimes, according to court records.
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, are accused of traveling from Pennsylvania with dangerous improvised explosive devices to Manhattan on Saturday, where a small group of far-right Christian activists had planned the anti-Muslim rally outside Gracie Mansion against Zohran Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor.
Balat was captured in photographs and video lighting a small IED and throwing it toward the anti-Muslim protesters before lighting a second device handed to him by Kayumi and dropping it, according to the criminal complaint.
Police were able to intercept the smoking devices, duct-taped jars containing screws and bolts and the explosive substance TATP, and no one was hurt.
After police arrested them, they said they were inspired by Islamic State group, and Balat told police that he wanted to carry out an attack "even bigger" than the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 that killed three people, according to the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. district court in Manhattan on Monday.
Defense attorney Mehdi Essmidi, who represents Balat, said he is a U.S.-born high school senior of Turkish descent, who turned 18 two months ago.
"We are actively trying to determine how this came to be and how he came to be in this situation," Essmidi told Reuters.
Speaking alongside police outside Gracie Mansion on Monday, Mamdani condemned the violence and told reporters he would defend the right of protesters "even when those protesting say things that I abhor."
He and his wife were not home at the time, because they had known about the "Stop the Muslim takeover" rally organised by far-right activist Jake Lang more than a week in advance.
More than 100 counter-protesters gathered nearby, the vast majority peaceful, saying they were there to "run Nazis out" of New York.
"While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen," Mamdani said of the anti-Muslim rally. "Let me also be clear about something else. New York City will never tolerate violence, whether from protests or counter-protests."
Lang, who has announced a long-shot bid to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate, told reporters on Saturday he organised the rally because "New York was built by white Christian men" like him, and was "being destroyed by Muslims and socialists."
He brought a goat on a leash to the rally and, with other protesters, dragged around a roasted pig on a trolley around Manhattan's streets, intended as anti-Muslim provocations.
Court appearances
Police said it was the first time an improvised bomb was used in New York City in nearly a decade.
In 2017, Akayed Ullah, who also cited the Islamic State group as inspiration, ignited a homemade bomb strapped to his body in a passage near the Times Square subway station, wounding only himself.
Balat and Kayumi are each charged with five federal crimes, according to a complaint filed by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, including use of a weapon of mass destruction, attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and three charges related to the illegal possession or transportation of explosives.
Both men remained in federal custody after their initial court appearances on Monday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, local media reported. Kayumi's lawyer Michael Arthus declined to comment.
Neither had a criminal record, police said.
During their separate police interviews, Balat asked for a piece of paper and wrote on it he had pledged allegiance to IS, while Kayumi told police he watched IS videos on his phone, according to the criminal complaint.
Essmidi, Balat's lawyer, said he had seen him in custody but declined to tell whether Balat explained his comments about ISIS. The defense asked for protective custody for him out of concerns for his safety, the lawyer said.
A third man, Ian McGinnis, was arrested and appeared in a New York state court on Sunday accused of squirting pepper spray or a similar chemical irritant into the faces of two of the counter-protesters opposing the anti-Islam rally, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office and police.
McGinnis faces six charges, including third-degree assault.
Police in New York have been on alert since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, but said they had not seen evidence linking Saturday's attack to the war.
Source: newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/two-charged-terrorism-over-incident-ny-anti-islam-event
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A federal jury awards $667K to Muslim men who were pepper-sprayed by prison guards while praying
11 March, 2026
A federal jury on Monday awarded $667,000 in damages to a group of Muslim men incarcerated in Missouri who were pepper-sprayed by state correctional officers while praying.
The lawsuit in eastern Missouri's U.S. District Court alleged that the men had been allowed to pray together many times in their prison housing unit after the chapel was locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money will be distributed among eight men who were handcuffed, pepper-sprayed and placed in solitary confinement after praying in the housing area at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre on Feb. 28, 2021.
Those who were placed in solitary confinement at the 2,684-bed facility were left without access to soap or running water to wash off the pepper spray, and some resorted to washing their faces with toilet water, according to the lawsuit.
The men were initially charged with a major conduct violation for “acts of organized disobedience” by three or more offenders. That was later reduced to a minor violation. They were found guilty and released from segregation on March 10, 2021.
The CAIR Legal Fund and the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Missouri filed a civil lawsuit against Missouri correctional officers in 2023, saying they used excessive force and violated the men's constitutional right to practice their religion, then showed deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.
The jury ruled in favor of the incarcerated men on all counts.
The Missouri Department of Corrections did not immediately return a request seeking comment on the judgment early Monday evening.
“Being a Muslim in America should not lead to one being subjected to excessive force or religious persecution," said Nadia Bayado, an attorney for the plaintiffs with the CAIR Legal Defense Fund. "I am overjoyed for our clients, and I hope this verdict brings them and their families solace.”
Source: newarab.com
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https://www.newarab.com/news/jury-awards-667k-muslims-pepper-sprayed-prison-guards
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GOP Lawmaker Doubles Down on Anti-Muslim Comments
11 March, 2026
Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles doubled down on Tuesday after saying "Muslims don't belong in American society," which had sparked widespread condemnation and prompted a Muslim advocacy group to designate him as an "anti-Muslim extremist."
Top Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called those comments "disgusting" and Islamophobic.
Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations, which documents anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias in the U.S., said it designated Ogles as "an anti-Muslim extremist" after his social media comments.
"Muslims don't belong in American society. Pluralism is a lie," Ogles, of Tennessee, said on X on Monday.
He called for expulsion of Muslims from the U.S. on Tuesday. "Muslims are unable to assimilate; they all have to go back," he posted.
Over the years, rights advocates have attributed Islamophobia to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks; and more recently to anti-immigration sentiment, white supremacy and the fallout of Israel's war in Gaza.
They have also criticized the crackdown by Republican President Donald Trump's administration on immigration and pro-Palestinian protests.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, in comments to reporters on Tuesday, declined to condemn Ogles' remarks.
Source: newsmax.com
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https://www.newsmax.com/politics/gop-lawmaker-doubles-down-on-anti-muslim-comments/2026/03/10/id/1249033/
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Muslim father sues over exclusion of Islamic schools from Texas voucher program
Fiona André
March 10, 2026
(RNS) — A Texan whose children attend an Islamic school in Houston sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Comptroller Kelly Hancock, alleging that schools for Muslim students are being excluded from the state’s new voucher program.
The program, introduced by the state’s Legislature in 2025, created a $1 billion fund for private school financial aid. But since Texas Education Freedom Accounts opened for applications on Feb. 4, 2026, none of the state’s accredited private Islamic schools has been listed among those eligible for reimbursement through the program.
The “blanket exclusion of a group of private schools on the basis of their religious affiliation is a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution,” said Mehdi Cherkaoui, a father of two whose children are enrolled at the Houston Qu’ran Academy Spring, a private and accredited school excluded from the program. Cherkaoui, a lawyer who represents himself, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on March 1.
The suit says the state unjustly targeted these schools, which Cherkaoui noted are “not schools where kids go to memorize the Qu’ran. They learn all subjects. … It is done in an Islamic context.”
In December, after Gov. Greg Abbott designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization,” Hancock sent a letter to Paxton inquiring about the legality of excluding schools with ties to “foreign terrorist organizations” and “transnational criminal organizations.” The attorney general responded by saying his office had full authority to exclude schools from the program.
The comptroller’s letter raised concerns that a private school that had hosted a Council on American-Islamic Relations event might benefit from the voucher program. His letter, posted on X, also expressed alarm over the possible inclusion of schools with ties to the communist Chinese government.
“These circumstances appear to implicate newly enacted laws restricting property ownership, control, and financial influence by foreign adversary entities in Texas,” the letter read.
In his response to Hancock, Paxton argued the comptroller’s office had “full, exclusive statutory authority” to “prohibit schools from TEFA participation.”
“Let me be crystal clear: Texans’ tax dollars should never fund Islamic terrorists or America’s enemies,” Paxton wrote in the opinion released in late January. “There is no question that the Comptroller’s Office is statutorily charged with ensuring that our school choice program is protected from abuse by terrorists or the Chinese Communist Party.”
Neither Paxton nor Hancock returned requests for comments in time for publication.
In January, Hancock announced, again on his X account, that “no schools or organizations with ties to the Council on American-Islamic Relations” would receive “Texas tax dollars” through the TEFA program. “Texas tax dollars should never be used to support terrorists or foreign adversaries,” Hancock wrote.
Hancock has not offered any evidence that all Islamic schools excluded from the TEFA program have ties to CAIR.
The dispute over the TEFA program comes amid growing hostility from Republican elected officials in Texas toward the state’s Muslim residents and community leaders, which became a focal point in the state’s Republican primaries. Abbott has also designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist and criminal organization, which subjects the group to criminal penalties and allows the state’s attorney general to prompt legal actions to shut the group down.
In his complaint, Cherkaoui writes that Hancock’s decision constitutes religious discrimination and violates the First Amendment’s free exercise, establishment and equal protection clauses as well as the 14th Amendment’s due process clause. Cherkaoui is seeking “a temporary restraining order and a preliminary and permanent injunctive relief” to stop what he describes as religious discrimination before the March 17 application deadline.
The program, which grants up to $10,474 per student, would have covered the Cherkaoui family’s nearly $18,000 in tuition for their two children.
Though opposed to the voucher program for its diversion of public funds to private institutions, Texas state Rep. Salman Bhojani, a Democrat representing several Dallas suburbs, said he is surprised at the lack of Islamic schools on the program’s eligibility list. “I didn’t have the intuition, or even the feeling that they would exclude Muslim schools,” he said. “I’m an attorney. I thought, ‘How could anybody, and especially lawmakers, blatantly violate our Constitution?’”
Bhojani, the first Muslim and South Asian to serve in Texas’ House of Representatives, called it the latest example of Texas Republicans’ leaning “further conservative and further Islamophobic” as the U.S. midterm elections approach. Across the state, repeated attacks against Islam have heightened fears among Muslim Texans, he said, adding that Muslim constituents reach out to his office to report intimidation.
“They feel like they’re treated like second-class citizens,” he said. “They’re really disheartened by what’s happening.”
Recently, he joined a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers in condemning the treatment of Islamic schools under the Texas Education Freedom Account program. The group argues it threatens to make the state legally liable and imposes an unfair burden on Muslims. Bhojani said he expects other suits challenging the exclusion to be filed in the coming weeks.
“The Legislature did not create this program to be implemented through opaque, one-sided standards or shifting goalposts. … The resulting patterns risk producing a program that is exclusionary and discriminatory in effect, with Muslim schools disproportionately bearing that burden,” the Democrats’ letter read.
The document noted some schools had previously been approved and later removed without “clear, school-specific notice or articulated actual findings.” On Feb. 4, when applications opened, three Islamic schools were included out of the more than 1,500 schools approved.
The schools — Bayaan Academy, Ameen Academy and ILM Academy — have since been removed.
Source: religionnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://religionnews.com/2026/03/10/muslim-father-sues-over-exclusion-of-islamic-schools-from-texas-voucher-program/
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CAIR Welcomes Alabama Gov. Ivey’s Decision to Commute Death Sentence for Charles Burton
March 10, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to commute the death sentence for Charles ‘Sonny’ Burton, a Muslim incarceree who was scheduled to be executed this month during the last 10 days of Ramadan for a crime he did not commit.
On Tuesday, Gov. Ivey removed Charles Burton from death row. Mr. Burton had been on death row for more than 30 years for his role in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where a customer, Doug Battle, was killed during the crime. He and his accomplice, Derrick DeBruce, along with four other men, took part in the robbery, but it was DeBruce who shot and killed Battle. Burton was outside the store when the killing occurred. DeBruce, now deceased, had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment while Burton remained on death row.
In a statement, CAIR Alabama Staff Attorney Britton O’Shields said:
“We thank Governor Ivey for sparing Mr. Burton’s life and preventing a grave injustice from being committed. Mr. Burton did not commit the crime for which he was sentenced to death while the man who did didn’t receive the death penalty. He changed his life and became a faith leader, a mentor and an example of redemption to other inmates. Taking his life would be unconscionable.”
She noted that CAIR previously called for Mr. Burton’s sentence to be commuted.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-alabama-gov-iveys-decision-to-commute-death-sentence-for-charles-burton/
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CAIR-AZ Welcomes Arrest for Attack on Children at North Phoenix Mosque
March 10, 2026
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed an arrest for a reported attack targeting children at a mosque in north Phoenix.
Phoenix police arrested Michael Abel Dominguez, 30, in connection with the March 7 attack.
CAIR-AZ previously called law enforcement authorities to investigate the attack as a possible hate crime and called on public officials and community leaders to repudiate the rising bigotry in our nation that can lead to such incidents.
In a statement, CAIR-AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“We welcome the swift action by law enforcement authorities in making this arrest. We thank the Phoenix Police Department for taking this incident seriously and urge authorities to fully investigate the motive behind the attack, including whether bias played a role.
“This disturbing incident occurred in a broader climate in which Muslim communities across the country are increasingly concerned about safety and rising bigotry. We call on public officials and community leaders to clearly and consistently condemn anti-Muslim hate and to stand in solidarity with communities targeted because of their faith.”
Earlier today, CAIR released its 2026 Civil Rights Report “The Right to be Different,” which documents a pattern of public officials using their offices to narrow the definitions of what Americans can look like, say, or believe in 2025.
Last month, CAIR-AZ called on Arizona residents of all faiths and backgrounds to urge their state legislators and Governor Hobbs to oppose an unconstitutional, bigoted bill, SB1018, that purports to ban “sharia law” from being enforced in the state.
The resurgence of “anti-Sharia” bills nationwide reflects a coordinated political effort to weaponize fear of Islam to for political reasons.
Last year, CAIR released a congressional briefing memo, “Weaponized Islamophobia: The Return of the Anti-Sharia Hoax,” to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with a companion educational document titled “Sharia in American Life.”
In January, CAIR-AZ welcomed a letter sent to Arizona legislators signed by dozens of local civil rights, advocacy and faith-based organizations who strongly oppose a defamatory resolution attacking CAIR-Arizona by anti-Muslim lawmaker Rep. John Gillette, who has previously referred to Muslims as “savages.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-az-welcomes-arrest-for-attack-on-children-at-north-phoenix-mosque/
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CAIR’s 2026 Civil Rights Report Shows the ‘Right to Be Different’ Narrowed in the Past Year
March 10, 2026
Civil rights complaints reported to the organization remain at an all-time high
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released its 2026 Civil Rights Report “The Right to be Different,” which documents a pattern of public officials using their offices to narrow the definitions of what Americans can look like, say, or believe in 2025.
“In 2025, powerful public officials argued—explicitly or by implication—that ‘freedom’ means the right to be like them: to speak the approved lines, worship the approved way, and trace ancestry to approved places,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “Protecting the right to be different is not a favor to any one community. It is the operating system of a free country.”
CAIR’s research staff identify five key trends in the report:
Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas are national standouts in a record-setting year. Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas have all seen increasing complaints in each of the last three years. CAIR received 8,683 complaints nationwide in 2025, the highest number of single-year complaints CAIR has recorded since our first civil rights report covering 1996 was published. This was a 0.3 percent increase from the 8,658 complaints reported in 2024. CAIR-Minnesota reported 693 complaints in 2025, a 96 percent increase over 2024. Twenty-three percent of their year total was recorded in December. CAIR-Chicago reported 877 complaints in 2025, a 65 percent increase over 2024.
Anti-Muslim narratives more clearly resurfaced in 2025, particularly the notion that the religious principles followed by Muslims are inherently threatening and anti-American. In 2025 extreme policies—five bills introduced at the federal level—that would effectively ban the practice of the world’s second-largest religion in the United States or entry of its adherents into the nation were proposed. (For example, H. R. 5512) By February, Texas Governor Abbott was instigating a campaign against Muslim life in Texas while claiming he banned sharia. In December, Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Keith Self (R-TX) founded the “Sharia-Free America Caucus.” As of late February 2026, they claimed 45 members. Member remarks make it clear that Islam is the target of the caucus’ work. In a speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in December, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed that American Muslims are working to impose “sharia law” and “Islamic principles” across America through the “use of laws or violence,” specifically citing the cities of Paterson, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas.
Government officials used collective and ideological punishment to target both non-citizens and citizens who are perceived to be ethnically or ideologically undesirable. The report documents three Muslim majority groups–Afghans, Somalis, and Syrians–that were targeted. Framing speech supporting Palestinian human rights as inherently threatening and biased, the Trump administration justified high-profile detentions based on the targeted individual’s viewpoints. At least three students and a journalist were the subjects of widely publicized arrests and allegations of wrongdoing. In each instance, court evidence did not support the allegations. By September, a federal judge ruled in a case brought by the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association that government officials “deliberately and with purposeful aforethought” coordinated two federal agencies to “intentionally to chill the rights to freedom of speech and peacefully to assemble” of members of a Middle Eastern professor’s organization.
Discretionary powers replaced normal civil rights safeguards. A defining feature of 2025 was the increased use of discretionary authority—executive proclamations, emergency powers, immigration discretion, regulatory investigations, and funding conditions—to achieve outcomes that would likely fail under traditional evidentiary or judicial scrutiny.
Constitutional rights narrowed. By the end of 2025, the legal status of American Muslims remained formally unchanged, but the conditions under which rights could be exercised had narrowed. Equal access to social opportunities—education, travel, civic participation, and nonprofit activity—was increasingly contingent on political alignment, silence, or litigation capacity. Equal protection depended less on neutral administration and more on after-the-fact judicial correction.
The analysis paints a grim picture while also demonstrating impactful options exercised by civil rights defenders. American Muslims and allied institutions exercised agency through legal action, public advocacy, and institutional engagement. Litigation proved relatively effective in asserting constitutional boundaries, with courts repeatedly rejecting censorship and viewpoint discrimination while protecting some rights to privacy. These interventions demonstrated that formal legal protections remain operative—with the caveat that litigation is often reactive rather than preventive. Courts and public pressure provided partial correctives, largely after harm had occurred and often at the very latest of stages.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cairs-2026-civil-rights-report-shows-the-right-to-be-different-narrowed-in-the-past-year/
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Africa
Bandits Use Kidnap Victims As Human Shields Against Troops – Retired Military Officer
March 11, 2026
A former Field Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Anthony Atolagbe (retd.), has revealed that bandits often abduct civilians to use them as human shields during confrontations with security forces.
Atolagbe disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s programme, Prime Time, where he addressed the growing insecurity confronting the country.
He said, “The bandits have a pattern of taking people into their enclave, just to use them as sex slaves, but also as shields for negotiation.
“What I can say also is that I will not be able to dwell on specifics. But in Sambisa, some abducted people were freed. In fact, the first thing that happened was that over 100 of them escaped, based on the heat that was brought on the adversary.
“Now, what is playing out is that these guys are being dislodged, and when they are dislodged, and they lose contact with all these women and these men that are running, who are sex slaves and liberals for them within the theater or wherever they are in their enclaves, what happens is that they try to move to other locations where they think they will be safe.
“And the next thing is to start looking for who they can also grab and bring into their new locations.
“The other side is that it is also another strategy by those that are expecting the arrival of the military that are coming into their enclaves to come and chase them out by using some of these people as human shields when the military approach their location.
“So you see that the analysis has brought it out that they have a pattern that they always want to take people into their enclave, not just to use them as slaves or whatever, but they will also want to use them to negotiate.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/11/bandits-use-kidnap-victims-as-human-shields-against-troops-retired-military-officer/
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Nigerian Army Detains Major Over Alleged Tactical Withdrawal From Boko Haram Battle
March 10, 2026
The Nigerian Army has reportedly detained Major Shamsudeen Sani, a frontline officer who has spent years fighting Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in northeastern Nigeria, placing him in solitary confinement for several months.
Naija News learnt that the officer was detained after allegedly withdrawing his troops from a position under heavy terrorist threat in order to prevent casualties and seek reinforcement.
A security source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday disclosed that the officer has been held incommunicado in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, without access to his family members or legal representation.
According to the source, Major Sani, who hails from Jalingo in Taraba State, was arrested after reportedly withdrawing his troops from a battlefield position during an operation against insurgents linked to Boko Haram and the ISWAP.
Military authorities allegedly accused the officer of abandoning or overrunning his location, an allegation that has reportedly led to his prolonged detention under strict conditions.
The security source described Major Sani as a dedicated officer who had spent most of his military career in volatile areas in the fight against insurgency.
“He is a brother of mine from Taraba State and his hometown is Jalingo,” the source said.
“He was shortlisted into the Nigerian Army Short Service Course in 2012 and since then he has always been posted to volatile areas of Maiduguri to fight Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP.”
According to the source, the officer has consistently served in dangerous combat zones and spent several years on the frontline of the counter-insurgency war in Nigeria’s northeast.
However, his recent battlefield decision to reportedly withdraw his troops in order to safeguard their lives is said to have resulted in his arrest.
“He has been arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri and has been kept in solitary confinement for months over allegations that he overran his location,” the source said.
‘Is It A Crime To Tactically Withdraw?’ – Source
The source questioned the military’s decision to detain the officer, arguing that tactical withdrawals are sometimes necessary during combat operations.
“Is it a crime to tactically withdraw from a location to regroup or await reinforcement?” the source asked.
He further alleged that Major Sani had been cut off entirely from his family members and legal representatives since his detention began.
“He has been kept incommunicado away from his two wives and even lawyers do not have access to him,” the source said.
The officer, according to the source, is married to two wives and has children who have not been allowed to see him since his arrest.
“He has two wives and children and all of them have been denied access to see him just because he was protecting his troops from being killed,” the source added.
The source also expressed frustration over what he described as the harsh treatment of an officer who had spent over a decade risking his life in the fight against insurgency.
“This is someone I know and how dedicated he has always been to the safety of Nigeria, but look at how the Nigerian Army is paying him back,” the source said.
“For 14 years since he passed out from the Army, he has always been posted to volatile areas.”
The source also pointed out that the war against insurgency had already claimed the lives of several officers from Taraba State.
“Just recently we lost another brother in the Army from Taraba, Major I.U. Mairiga, less than a week ago to the Boko Haram insurgents,” the source said.
“We do not want to lose another brother.”
Naija News understands that the continued detention of Major Sani has raised concerns among colleagues and acquaintances who fear that the officer may be unfairly punished for making a battlefield decision intended to preserve lives.
“If the Nigerian Army doesn’t want him, they should please dismiss him so that he can come back home to reunite with his family,” the source said.
“We still love him.”
The source further criticised what he described as declining morale within the military, warning that the treatment of officers like Major Sani could discourage soldiers fighting on the frontline.
“The Nigerian Army is making the entire profession a death sentence instead of it being a sacrifice for the country,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding Major Sani’s detention or the claims that he had been held without access to family members or legal counsel.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/10/nigerian-army-detains-major-over-alleged-tactical-withdrawal-from-boko-haram-battle/
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The Imam Malik competition for memorizing the Quran and Sunnah has begun in Sirte with the participation of approximately 200 contestants.
2026-03-10
Sirte, March 10, 2026 (LANA) – The ninth annual Imam Malik Competition for Memorizing the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah continues in Sirte, under the supervision of the Sirte branch of the General Authority for Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and sponsored by the Sirte Municipality and the Central Projects Department of the Administrative Centers Development and Improvement Authority.
Sheikh Ali Abu Shaifa, head of the competition and head of the Quranic Affairs Department at the Sirte Endowments Office, explained to the Libyan News Agency that the competition is witnessing the participation of approximately 200 male and female contestants from various age groups.
Abu Shaifa stated that the competition includes several levels of Quran memorization, including memorizing the entire Quran, half of the Quran, a quarter of the Quran, and the entire Quran for young memorizers, in addition to memorizing the last five parts.
The competition also includes a section dedicated to the Prophetic Sunnah, which includes memorizing the first level of the series of scholarly texts, the first and second levels, and the first three levels of the series.
The competitions also include a public speaking contest and a "Little Muezzin" category to develop the participants' skills in preaching, public speaking, and the call to prayer (Adhan).
Abu Shaifa noted that the competition's activities are overseen by a judging panel of sheikhs from the Sirte Endowments Office, headed by Sheikh Abu al-Qasim Aghnia, and will continue for three days.
The competitions for males are being held at the Granada and Al-Atiq mosques, while the female students' competitions are being held at the mosque in District No. 2.
Source: lana.gov.ly
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https://lana.gov.ly/post.php?id=352516&lang=en
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Mosque in Maiduguri denies bomb scare
March 10, 2026
By Nana Ismai
A mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, has dismissed reports on social media claiming that unknown persons planted a bomb inside the mosque.
The mosque, widely known as Malam Bako Mosque, said the information circulating online is false and has no basis.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the mosque’s management said no such incident occurred at the mosque or in the nearby area.
The mosque, which is located in the Layin Hadiza area of Maiduguri, said the environment around it remains calm and safe for worshippers and residents.
The statement, titled “Official Statement from the Management of Malam Bako Mosque, Layin Hadiza,” explained that the rumour about a bomb being planted in the mosque is completely untrue.
“The management of Malam Bako Mosque wishes to inform the public that the message currently spreading on social media, claiming that some people came to plant a bomb in the mosque, is completely false,” the statement said.
It added that there has been no such security incident in or around the mosque.
The mosque’s management also warned people against spreading unverified information that could cause fear or panic among residents.
They urged the public to ignore the message and avoid sharing information that has not been confirmed.
“We urge members of the public to disregard the message and refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary fear and panic in the community,” the management said.
The Borno State Police Command spokesperson, Nahum Daso, also described the report as false and advised residents to remain alert while avoiding the spread of fake information.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/10/mosque-in-maiduguri-denies-bomb-scare/
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South Sudan: UN official concerned over human rights violations
March 11, 2026
As accounts of human rights violations in South Sudan pile up, the spokesperson for the UN high comisisoner of human rights has voiced concern
Seif Magango said, “in the past 17 days, more than 160 civilians have been killed, at least 139 of them by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group in Abiemnom locality, in the Ruweng Administrative Area, on 1 March. On 21 February, 21 civilians were killed by government forces in Panko village, Ayod County, Jonglei State, when soldiers lured them into gathering at one place promising to give them food aid, then opened fire on them.''
''Fifteen women and three girls were among those killed. That same day, soldiers reportedly tied up and beheaded four civilians – one elderly man, a woman, a boy, and a girl - in Thiam village of Wau Payam, Western Bahr al Ghazal State,” he added.
He called for an immediate ceasefire in the country, which has been plagued by violence for years.
“We call for a ceasefire to be agreed as promptly as possible to save lives, to turn this conflict in the direction of a negotiated solution. Parties to the conflict must also desist from attacking civilians and civilian objects and ensure safe and constant and sustained flow of humanitarian aid to all in need, consistent with our obligations under international law.''
According to local officials, at least 178 people were killed in an attack on Sunday when a group of unidentified men launched an attack in the north of the country.
Government forces are attempting to retake territory from those loyal to First Vice-President Riek Machar, who has been suspended from his role after being accused of plotting to overthrow President Salva Kiir.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/10/south-sudan-un-official-concerned-over-human-rights-violations/
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Haiti: Human Rights Watch sounds alarm on drone strikes
March 11, 2026
According to Human Rights Watch, the Haitian government is using its security forces and contractors to launch drone strikes on armed gangs — strikes that are also endangering civilians.
The orgaisation added that such strikes killed at least 1243 people between March last year and January 2026, including 17 children. Scores more were wounded, again, including civilians.
Human Rights Watch's Americas director, Juanita Goebertus, has urged Haiti’s government to rein in the operations.
"Haitian authorities should urgently rein in the security forces and private contractors working for them before more children die," Goebertus said.
The attacks have been attributed to a task force created by the country’s prime minister with backing from private military company Vectus Global
Some 90 percent of the Haitian capital Port au Prince is now controlled by gangs, according to the UN.
The violence has forced around 1.4 million people to flee their homes, and about half of the population is grappling with acute food insecurity.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has lacked a democratically elected government, with institutions collapsing and authority fractured.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/03/10/haiti-human-rights-watch-sounds-alarm-on-drone-strikes/
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Southeast Asia
‘Bat Tuo Sai’ Facebook account admin gets 10-month jail term, RM50,000 fine for insulting Islam, mocking Pak Lah
11 Mar 2026
MIRI, March 11— The Sessions Court here today sentenced the administrator of a Facebook account “Bat Tuo Sai” to 10 months in prison and a RM50,000 fine for posting extremely offensive comments insulting Islam.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a press statement that the remarks were in relation to the death of former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and made on the Facebook account of news outlet Astro Awani.
The MCMC identified the accused as John Mule anak Alai, adding that the 48-year-old was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 – also known as Act 588 – for misusing an application service by uploading communications intended to disturb others.
MCMC warned internet users against misusing digital platforms to insult religion, incite hatred, or harm social harmony, adding that it will take strict legal action against perpetrators.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/03/11/bat-tuo-sai-facebook-account-admin-gets-10-month-jail-term-rm50000-fine-for-insulting-islam-mocking-pak-lah/212224
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Sabah launches probe after images of Quran allegedly desecrated go viral
10 Mar 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — The Sabah government will carry out an immediate investigation into viral images on social media allegedly showing a Quran being stepped on and defaced with obscene drawings.
State Local Government and Housing Minister, who is also Sabah’s Religious Affairs executive councillor, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the authorities would not compromise with any act that insults Islam, Harian Metro reported today.
He described the act as rude and extreme, saying it attempts to tarnish the dignity of the religion and could hurt the feelings of Muslims.
“I urge the relevant authorities, especially the Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah (MUIS), Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah (JHEAINS), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to investigate and take appropriate action.
“Firm action based on the law must be taken against those involved.
“We cannot compromise with such rude acts that insult the Quran, especially during the month of Ramadan. The Quran is a sacred and noble holy book,” he said when contacted today.
Earlier, images circulated on the Threads platform allegedly showing a Quran being stepped on and scribbled with drawings insulting the Prophet Muhammad, reportedly by an individual said to be from Sabah.
Mohd Arifin said such actions could cause public unease and anger among Muslims, potentially affecting unity.
He urged the public to remain patient and calm, and to allow authorities to carry out investigations and take appropriate legal action.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/03/10/sabah-launches-probe-after-images-of-quran-allegedly-desecrated-go-viral/212101
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Muslim-Friendly Hotel of the Year-The Mira Hong Kong Co-hosts Culturally Enriching Iftar Dinner
March 11, 2026
Hong Kong (ANTARA/PRNewswire)- The Mira Hong Kong hosted the second annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner on 26 February, reinforcing the city's efforts to position itself as a Muslim-friendly destination and a regional hub for culturally inclusive hospitality. The invitation-only event took place at the penthouse ballroom of the design-driven retreat named Muslim-Friendly Hotel of the Year at the Halal in Travel Awards 2025 by CrescentRating. Building on the inaugural Iftar hosted last year — the first of its kind staged by a luxury hotel in the Asia's World City - the event was jointly organised with the Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong and Miramar Travel.
Among nearly 200 Guests invited were VIP officials from the HKSAR Government, members of the Legislative Council, and leaders from Hong Kong's tourism, hospitality, and business sectors including: Guest of Honour - Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing Hing; Olympian gold medallist, Ms Vivian Kong, Legislative Council Member, Functional Constituency – Tourism; Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Mrs Angelina Cheung; as well as Hong Kong Tourism Board's Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lau. They were joined by Consuls General of 12 other countries, spanning Muslim-majority nations across the Middle East and Asia, representing Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as Romania and Poland. Also in attendance were members of the Board of Trustees — the governing body of Hong Kong's Islamic community — underscoring the event's role as both a diplomatic and community-focused gathering.
At sunset, the meaningful evening began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mufti Muhammad Arshad, Chief Imam of Hong Kong, followed by the symbolic breaking of the fast with dates and lentil soup in an elegant setting of the 10,000-square-foot penthouse ballroom transformed with décor referencing Istanbul's architectural heritage with iconic Blue Mosque and Iznik pottery reflecting a tangible intersection between Chinese porcelain aesthetics and Ottoman-era craftsmanship, echoing cultural exchanges along the Silk Road between East and West.
At the heart of the celebration was a rich and diverse Halal buffet curated by The Mira Hong Kong's culinary team offering a broad selection of Middle Eastern, Asian and International dishes, designed to reflect the diversity of Hong Kong's multicultural dining landscape. Authentic Turkish highlights such as iconic chicken döner carving and lamb kebab with mint yoghurt, presented next to vibrant mezze spread, and classic desserts such as crispy cheese kunafa, and Turkish date halva, were served along signature Chinese halal specialities from Michelin-recommended Cuisine Cuisine including signature Peking duck, as well as international favourites including beef Madras curry.
A vibrant highlight of the gathering was the interactive Ramadan Bazaar featuring culinary and cultural delights: Turkish coffee brewed in hot sand, traditional baklava with pistachios, and freshly baked Turkish pretzels (simit) prepared following the exact recipe shared by the Consul General of Türkiye. Engaging Turkish shadow puppet theatre, live Ebru marbling art, and live music by The Saffron Quartet, performing traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern compositions using authentic instruments, transporting Guests in time and space.
Addressing the Guests gathered, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing Hing, said: "We are committed to further promoting Muslim tourism and facilitating Halal certification, as outlined in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address. Our goal is clear: to enhance Muslim-friendly services for our residents, and to position Hong Kong as a welcoming destination for Muslim visitors from around the world. Through sustained collaboration, we can strengthen Hong Kong's reputation as a vibrant, inclusive city and enrich its cultural tapestry with diversity."
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Mr Alexander Wassermann, Head of Hotels & Serviced Apartments, Miramar Group, said: "It is a meaningful honour for The Mira Hong Kong to host a Ramadan Iftar Dinner once again as a continued commitment to providing a unique platform where cultures connect through hospitality, respect and shared experiences. This annual celebration not only honours the spirit of Ramadan but also underscores The Mira's leadership in forging Muslim friendly hospitality. Leveraging on the prime location neighbouring with the Kowloon Mosque, and offering broad range of services ranging from halal Cantonese fine dining, halal wedding banquets to halal coffee breaks for meetings and events, our design-led, tech-forward property named Muslim Friendly Hotel of the Year by CrescentRating, continues to align our guest experience in newly refurbished guest rooms with Global Muslim Travel Index identified trends so that The Mira Hong Kong remains a destination hotel of choice for Muslim leisure and corporate travellers, and a benchmark for inclusive hospitality in our city."
About The Mira Hong Kong
The Mira Hong Kong is a design-driven urban retreat in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, offering 489 boldly styled guest rooms and suites with tech-forward amenities. Home to six restaurants and bars, 18,000 square feet of wellness facilities at MiraSpa, and flexible event spaces crowned by a penthouse Ballroom, the hotel overlooks lush Kowloon Park. Centrally located in the heart of the vibrant shopping district, just steps away from the MTR, a short stroll to Star Ferry and with High-Speed Rail within easy reach, The Mira seamlessly connects guests to every corner of the vibrant metropolis. The Mira Hong Kong is a member of the Design Hotels™ and a partner hotel of Marriott Bonvoy. www.themirahotel.com
Source: antaranews.com
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JAIPk detains eight Muslims for skipping fast at snooker centre
10 Mar 2026
Perak religious authorities arrest eight Muslims for not fasting at a snooker centre, with some also facing gambling and abetment charges during a Ramadan operation.
IPOH: The Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) has detained eight Muslims for allegedly skipping their Ramadan fast at a snooker centre. The raid followed about a week of surveillance on the premises in the Jubilee Park area.
JAIPk chief religious enforcement officer Ashraf Ismail said the venue was believed to be a gathering spot for Muslims not observing the fast. Five individuals were detained for disrespecting Ramadan under Section 24 of the Perak Syariah Criminal Enactment 1992.
Another person was held for alleged gambling under Section 26 of the same enactment. Two others are being investigated for abetment related to both gambling and disrespecting Ramadan offences.
Those detained, aged between 36 and 59, offered various excuses including being unwell or just visiting briefly. One claimed he had only stopped to use the toilet and was watching others.
“This is an excuse we often hear during operations,” said Ashraf Ismail. He stated that video evidence was presented showing the individual smoking, after which he admitted to the offence.
Authorities also discovered that food was provided at the location, with some items given free of charge. The detainees were taken to the JAIPk office for further investigation.
Action may include placing them under a surety bond. Ashraf Ismail added that enforcement will be intensified throughout Ramadan, focusing on three main offences.
These are disrespecting Ramadan, gambling, and collecting charity funds without the council’s permission under Section 43 of the enactment.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/jaipk-detains-eight-muslims-for-skipping-fast-at-snooker-centre/
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Malay leaders united in defending community interests, says PKR youth chief
11 Mar 2026
PKR Youth chief asserts all Malay leaders defend community interests despite political differences, highlighting constitutional safeguards and ongoing unity discussions.
IPOH: All Malay leaders consistently defend the interests of Malays and Bumiputera despite differing political approaches, according to PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim.
He stated that fundamental constitutional matters like the position of Islam, the Malay language, and the institution of the Malay Rulers are championed by all Malay leaders regardless of party affiliation.
“There is no issue among the Malay community regarding the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation, the status of the Malay language, the institution of the Malay Rulers and the special rights of Malays and Bumiputera,” he told reporters.
He added that any Malay leader will continue to defend these matters when faced with such issues.
Muhammad Kamil was commenting on the Rumah Bangsa unity initiative announced by UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The initiative opens the door for former members who were expelled or suspended to return to UMNO unconditionally.
He stressed that differences in political views do not mean Malay and Bumiputera unity is eroding.
“What I see is that the differences that exist are only in terms of the political approaches taken by certain leaders or parties,” he explained.
He noted some leaders choose a harder line, while others adopt wisdom in managing sensitive issues involving other races.
Muhammad Kamil said the current unity discussions among leaders are not a new concept.
He referenced the earlier proposal by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for a Unity Government involving all political parties.
“So I think this may be a continuation of that effort,” he said.
He added there is no obstacle to continuing discussions on such matters.
At the event, Muhammad Kamil handed over 400 food packs to frontliners from fire stations, police stations, and hospitals.
The programme was a government gesture of appreciation for frontliners safeguarding public safety and well-being.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/politics/malay-leaders-united-defending-community-interests/
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Public urged to avoid exploiting racial and religious sentiments
11 Mar 2026
Finance Minister’s aide warns against divisive rhetoric, urging respect for legal processes and caution on social media during Ramadan.
IPOH: The public has been urged to respect the rule of law and refrain from manipulating racial and religious sentiments that could divide society.
Finance Minister’s political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim emphasised that Malaysia is governed by constitutional law.
He stated that any sensitive issues should be left entirely to the authorities for action through proper legal channels.
“Law enforcement is not something that can be carried out arbitrarily by any party,” he told reporters today.
He advised the public to be more cautious on social media to avoid fake news and slander.
Muhammad Kamil warned against being influenced by minority groups exploiting sensitive issues for attention.
“Even if it may only be five per cent who are playing up this issue, this small group often creates a lot of noise,” he said.
This leads to inaccurate perceptions among the wider public, he added.
In conjunction with Ramadan, he reminded the public to embrace the holy month’s spirit as an opportunity to seek truth.
He urged people not to be swayed by sentiments, slander and incitement spread by irresponsible parties.
“The majority of the people in this country want unity and cohesion to prevail,” Muhammad Kamil said.
Therefore, the public must be more vigilant and cautious before accepting and reacting to any information.
He was speaking after officiating a MADANI frontliners appreciation ceremony and a Singgah Sahur event with the Perak police contingent.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/public-avoid-exploiting-racial-religious-sentiments/
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King pays RM10 million in zakat for the year
11 Mar 2026
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has fulfilled his annual religious obligation by paying RM10 million in zakat.
JOHOR BAHRU: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has paid RM10 million in zakat for this year.
The monarch announced the payment through a post on his official Facebook page.
He presented the cheque to Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) chief executive officer Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin in a ceremony at Istana Pelangi.
The presentation was witnessed by Johor Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad and Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) director Nasri Md Ali.
Source: thesun.my
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South Asia
Ameer’s adviser dropped for seeking foreign ministry post: Claims Jamaat
11 Mar 2026
Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has relieved his foreign affairs adviser Prof Mahamudul Hasan of his responsibilities for violating the instructions of the leader regarding a letter to the foreign ministry.
He was replaced by Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman) MP for Dhaka-14 constituency on March 2, claimed a Facebook post of Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar made yesterday following media reports on the matter.
It said about two weeks ago, Prof Mahmudul was tasked with writing a letter to Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to clarify Jamaat’s positions on certain foreign affair issues. However, it did not clarify the party’s position on those issues.
“He [Prof Mahamudul] included matters in the letter that were beyond the ameer’s instructions, specifically a section regarding the minister’s rank,” Porwar said in the post.
The letter, signed by Shafiqur and sent to the foreign minister on February 22, said Prof Mahmudul has long been playing the role of his adviser on foreign affairs.
It said Prof Mahmudul, on behalf of the party, has been able to strengthen bilateral relationship with the major partners, including the UN, Commonwealth, Asean Regional Forum, European Union, and the countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania, America, and Europe efficiently.
The appointment of the opposition leader’s foreign affairs adviser at the foreign ministry as an adviser, equivalent to the foreign minister, which is new and innovative, the letter said.
“Through this posting, the position of the opposition in the parliament on foreign affairs can be presented to the ministry and thus maintain balance in the international relations,” it added.
The letter suggested that Khalilur give special consideration to appointing Prof Mahmudul as an adviser at the foreign ministry for navigating, together with the government, the geopolitical dynamics and Bangladesh’s foreign ministry.
Top foreign ministry officials have expressed surprise over such proposal by the opposition.
“There is no precedence of appointing an adviser at the foreign ministry from the opposition in the parliament,” said an official, seeking anonymity.
In the Facebook post, Porwar said as soon as the party became aware of the matter, the Jamaat chief removed Prof Mahamudul.
He emphasised that the party believes in responsible, transparent, and accountable political conduct, and maintains a policy of promptly correcting any misunderstandings or errors.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/ameers-adviser-dropped-seeking-foreign-ministry-post-claims-jamaat-4125876
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UNICEF Warns of Rising Risks for Afghan Children Returning From Iran
By Fidel Rahmati
March 11, 2026
UNICEF in Afghanistan has expressed concern about the situation of children returning from Iran amid the ongoing conflict there. The agency warned that the developments are creating serious challenges for vulnerable families arriving at Afghan borders.
Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, said in a statement on Tuesday that the fighting in Iran has created immediate dangers for children crossing the border.
According to UNICEF, many families with children are returning unexpectedly and facing uncertain futures after arriving in Afghanistan, often without clear plans or resources to support themselves.
The agency warned that as the number of returnees increases, the risks facing children will also grow, particularly for those in need of urgent health care and humanitarian assistance.
Oyewale said many returnees described extremely difficult journeys filled with uncertainty, with families arriving confused and urgently seeking basic information and support.
In 2025 alone, around three million Afghan migrants were returned from neighboring countries, and about 60 percent of them were families with children.
During the peak of returns last year, UNICEF said it supported more than 8,000 unaccompanied or separated children arriving from Iran and Pakistan.
The organization also warned that the challenges do not end at the border, as returning families often move to communities where basic services such as healthcare, education, and shelter are already under severe pressure.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/unicef-warns-of-rising-risks-for-afghan-children-returning-from-iran/
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Japan Provides $2 Million to Support Afghan Returnees, UN Says
By Fidel Rahmati
March 11, 2026
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Japan has provided $2 million in emergency assistance to support Afghan migrants returning from Iran and Pakistan.
In a statement released Wednesday, UNHCR said the funding will help Afghan returnees and vulnerable host communities across Afghanistan that are struggling to cope with increasing humanitarian needs.
The organization said that in 2025 alone more than 2.8 million Afghans returned from neighboring countries, many arriving with very few belongings and facing urgent needs for shelter, food, livelihoods, and protection.
According to the statement, the 10-month project will support about 116,310 people in areas with large numbers of returnees, aiming to ease pressure on local communities.
The program will also provide emergency cash assistance to around 23,000 returning Afghans to help them meet immediate basic needs after arriving in the country.
UNHCR said the project aligns with Japan’s priorities on human security, gender equality, peacebuilding, and strengthening the link between humanitarian aid, development, and long-term stability.
Afghanistan has seen a massive wave of returning migrants in recent years, particularly from Iran and Pakistan, where millions of Afghans have lived as refugees or migrant workers for decades.
According to UN data, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan since 2023, placing additional pressure on an already fragile economy and humanitarian system.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/japan-provides-2-million-to-support-afghan-returnees-un-says/
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Edible Items Distributed to 600 Needy Families in Helmand, Uruzgan, Ministry
March 11, 2026
KABUL: The country’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday that it has distributed essential food items to 600 vulnerable families in Helmand and Uruzgan provinces.
According to the statement, the aid packages include flour, rice, cooking oil, beans, pasta, sugar, and tea, aimed at supporting families in need and alleviating food insecurity in these provinces.
The ministry emphasized that such humanitarian assistance is part of ongoing efforts to support low-income households, improve living conditions, and provide relief to families facing economic hardships.
Officials also called on local communities to cooperate with government programs to ensure that assistance reaches the most deserving families efficiently.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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NEPA Launches National Spring Tree-Planting Campaign Nationwide
March 11, 2026
KABUL: The National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA) on Tuesday launched the national spring tree-planting campaign for the year 1405, under the slogan “Reviving the Earth Is a Tradition of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).”
The authority said in a statement that around 10 million saplings will be planted across the country during the campaign as part of efforts to protect the environment, expand green areas, and combat the impacts of climate change.
The initiative comes alongside earlier spring tree-planting drives launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and the Kabul Municipality, and about 19 million saplings are planned to be planted nationwide, including more than one million fruit-bearing and non-fruit trees in Kabul city.
Environmental authorities emphasized that large-scale tree planting is vital for improving air quality, preventing soil erosion, and strengthening environmental sustainability throughout the country.
Officials also noted that since the Islamic Emirate’s return to power, nearly 100 million saplings have been planted across Afghanistan as part of nationwide campaigns to increase greenery and restore the country’s natural environment.
The spring planting campaign is expected to involve government institutions, environmental organisations, and local communities working together to expand green spaces and promote environmental awareness nationwide.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Thousands of E-Tazkiras Issued to Afghan Citizens in UAE, NSIA
March 11, 2026
KABUL: The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) said in a statement on Tuesday that the Asan Khedmat Center in the United Arab Emirates has issued 4,100 new electronic national identity cards (e-Tazkiras) to Afghan citizens since the beginning of the ongoing solar year.
According to the statement, dozens of Afghan nationals from different countries visit the center daily to obtain electronic identity cards or resolve identity-related issues.
The authority said the initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate identity verification services for Afghan citizens living abroad and expand the distribution of electronic ID cards.
NSIA added that it remains committed to strengthening the national identification system and ensuring that Afghans residing outside the country have accessible and reliable identity services.
So far, the authority has established one Asan Khedmat center in the United Arab Emirates, along with three identity verification centers in different cities in Iran, enabling Afghan expatriates and migrants to obtain official documentation more easily.
The statement added that the expansion of these services aims to simplify administrative procedures, strengthen identity registration systems, and improve services for Afghan citizens abroad.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Afghan, Turkmen Officials Hold Talks on Trade, Transit
March 11, 2026
HERAT: Shaikh Islam Jar, the governor of Herat province, in meeting with Batur Yolov, the Consul General of Turkmenistan, discussed expanding trade cooperation and improving transit routes between the two neighboring countries.
The two sides exchanged views on strengthening economic relations, facilitating the transit of petroleum products, and increasing commercial cooperation through border crossings connecting Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, the provincial governor press office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Governor Islam Jar welcomed the expansion of trade and transit cooperation through Turkmenistan’s borders and emphasized that the Islamic Emirate is interested in developing stronger economic ties with the friendly country.
He noted that Afghanistan aims to become an important regional transit hub, connecting Central Asia with other markets through improved trade and transport networks.
Consul General Yolov also expressed support for increasing exports and imports between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan and assured the local administration of Turkmenistan’s full cooperation in expanding economic partnerships.
Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening regional connectivity and promoting cross-border trade as a way to support economic growth and stability.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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