Mir waiz Umar Farooq to head committee to bridge gap between Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 February 2025
A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits representing the JK Peace Forum (JKPF) met with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq | KPG
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• Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to head committee to bridge gap between Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims
• 22 security men martyred in terror attacks in Blochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Imam Hussain (AS); Perfect example of a free man
• The Taliban have no legal right to multibillion dollar Afghan fund, says US watchdog
• ‘We’ve seen their true colours’: Zahid warns against political misuse of Islam, rejects renewed ties with PAS
• Settlers Set Mosque Ablaze in Jericho Driven by Trump’s Reverse of Sanctions
• Azerbaijani diplomats visit newly opened Ertugrul Gazi Mosque in Silicon Valley
• US carries out airstrikes against Islamic State in Somalia
• Those opposing establishment of Sharia panels in South West are ignorant, says ex-minister Shittu
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India
• Shia leader from Kashmir supports Tulsi Gabbard's nomination, says it will help normalize ties between India and Pakistan
• This Muslim nation preparing missiles with over 3000 km range, can carry nuclear…, many countries, including India…
• “New flight for self-reliant India; to open new doors for development”: Muslim Rashtriya Manch
• Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice inciting Christians in Manipur, Muslims, Tamils to secede from India: Home ministry tells UAPA Tribunal
• Budget 2025 to open new doors for development–Muslim Rashtriya Manch
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Pakistan
• NAB files reference over Bahria Town Karachi land grab
• Repatriation of Morocco boat tragedy survivors completes
• 12 remanded in FIA custody for filing ‘fake’ documents to get US visa in Karachi
• Demonstration in Washington over Parachinar crisis
• PTI asks govt to pay heed to EU warning
• Sindh asks Centre to consult it for gas sale
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Mideast
• Nearly 80% of Gaza's mosques, 3 churches destroyed in Israel's carnage
• Pezeshkian, cabinet members reaffirm dedication to Imam Khomeini’s vision
• Iran challenges US, Israel, tests this anti-warship weapon to…, its name is…
• Iran test-fires anti-warship cruise missile with a range of more than 600 miles
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards unveil underground missile facility for naval warfare
• U.S., Israel risk catastrophe with any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities: Araghchi
• Indian jailed in Iran says release likely on February 4
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South Asia
• Cash-keen Taliban betting on Afghanistan's mines
• SIGAR: Opium still grown in Afghanistan despite Taliban ban
• UNHCR expresses concern over deportation of Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi
• Norwegian People’s Aid suspends operations in Afghanistan
• USAID Website offline after foreign aid suspension
• Tripura to raise issue of rebuilding embankment by Bangladesh on border 'zero line' at river panel meet
• External affairs: Despite unease in ties, India to fund development works in Bangladesh
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Southeast Asia
• Zahid denies being ‘political mastermind’ in Anwar administration, defends DAP against anti-Malay-Muslim accusations
• DBKL Urged To Complete Jalan Melayu Upgrade Before Ramadan -Dr Zaliha
• MB calls for probe after mosque delivers Friday sermon prepared by Penang Islamic authorities rather than Perak’s
• Johor says property overhang falling as JS-SEZ boosts demand for service apartments
• ‘Keluar sekejap’ from Umno? You may as well not return, Zahid tells party renegades
• With mix of veteran and new leaders, Zahid says confident rejuvenated Umno can recapture seats where BN finished second
• Selangor MB: Management of Shah Alam water park called up after visitor injured from falling float from glass water slide
• Mosque congregation completes first Khatam Al-Quran of the year
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Arab world
• Colonists burn mosque west of Jericho in West Bank
• Syria interim president to head to Saudi Arabia for first foreign visit – state news agency
• KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue
• Saudi ambassador meets member of Mauritius National Assembly
• Makkah hosts 10th international military Qur’an contest
• Eltiqa dazzles Kingdom’s capital with Saudi, Brazilian performance arts
• Umrah guests laud Saudi efforts to preserve holy sites
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Europe
• Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden’s Pastoral Visit to the Örebro Parish
• Kyrgyzstan: Repressive New Religion Law In Force – Analysis
• Italy forced to take back migrants as Rome court blocks another expulsion attempt
• Davey urges Starmer to start EU customs union talks
• Trump could undo everything the UK learnt from Black Lives Matter
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North America
• ‘I got so tired that I was ready to give up’ — recovery fatigue in pornography addiction recovery
• Background: World Day for Consecrated Life
• US launches air strikes against Islamic State targets in Somalia
• Transgender best actress Oscar nominee apologizes for old tweets criticizing George Floyd, Islam
• ‘We need to protect Americans’: Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
• 'We reject White House’s slander': Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum orders retaliatory tariffs against US
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Africa
• Somalia airstrike: Trump says Biden wasn't 'quick enough' to order military action against Islamic State operatives
• Idolatry, polygamy, not biblical – C&S leader Alao
• Gov Mutfwang dismisses claims of loudspeaker ban in mosques
• My comment on Wale Oke misconstrued -Idahosa
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/kashmiri-pandits-muslims-committee-mir-waiz/d/134503
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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to head committee to bridge gap between Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims
By Tariq Bhat
February 02, 2025
A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits representing the JK Peace Forum (JKPF) met with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq | KPG
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In a significant move toward reconciliation and communal harmony, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits representing the JK Peace Forum (JKPF) met with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in New Delhi to address the grievances of both communities, particularly those related to the migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989-90.
He reiterates his long-standing position that the plight of displaced Pandits is a humanitarian concern requiring compassionate redressal and added that Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and stressed the need to make younger generations aware of Kashmir’s composite culture.
The JKPF delegation highlighted the immense hardships faced by migrant Kashmiri Pandits over the last three decades, including displacement, economic struggles, and loss of heritage.
As a result of the meeting, the formation of an Inter-Community Committee was agreed upon to be led by Mirwaiz . The committee will include representatives from all communities in Kashmir and will focus on facilitating the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits and their reintegration into society. It will also address the concerns of other minority groups in the region and focus on encouraging economic development, trade, and employment generation. The committee will work on preserving Kashmir’s rich cultural and religious heritage. It will explore avenues for government support in rehabilitating displaced Kashmiri Pandits. One of the proposals includes the creation of inclusive, non-ghettoised colonies, ensuring a harmonious reintegration process.
The delegation strongly endorsed Mirwaiz’s leadership in this initiative, considering it a major confidence-building measure. The Mirwaiz reaffirmed his commitment to ensure the success of this effort.
Source: Www.Theweek.In
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22 security men martyred in terror attacks in Blochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Saleem Shahid
February 2, 2025
QUETTA: In major counterterrorism operations, 23 terrorists were killed while 22 security personnel embraced martyrdom in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 24 hours, the military and district administration officials said on Saturday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, a security operation was launched following a terrorist attack in Kalat as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate terror threats in Balochistan.
Security forces conducted another operation in the Harnai district, where 11 terrorists were killed and multiple hideouts dismantled, the ISPR said.
Earlier, on the night between Friday and Saturday, security forces thwarted an attempt by terrorists to establish roadblocks in the Mangochar area of Kalat district. The military said that 18 paramilitaries lost their lives as they responded to terrorists, while 12 attackers were killed.
A police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that a vehicle carrying unarmed border troops “came under gunfire from 70 to 80 armed assailants who had blocked the road”.
In a statement, the ISPR attributed the attack to hostile forces aiming to destabilise Balochistan and disrupt its peaceful environment. It emphasised that ensuing sanitisation operations are underway, and the perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of this heinous act will be brought to justice.
The banned Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the Mangochar attack, according to a statement issued by a spokesman of the outlawed organisation.
In a late-night incident, four personnel of the Balochistan Levies and a civilian were martyred in a bomb attack in Dera Ismail Khan, near Balochistan’s border district of Dherani.
Pishin Assistant Commissioner Karezat confirmed the incident, adding that a Levies officer was among the deceased. He said the Levies personnel were on their way to recover a stolen truck when their vehicle was targeted by a bomb before reaching the D.I. Khan police station.
In a statement from the President’s Secretariat, he paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, prayed for their ranks in the hereafter and offered condolences to their families.
President Zardari observed that terrorist elements wanted to disrupt peace in Balochistan and reiterated that security forces would continue their operations to eliminate enemies of the country.
“The people of Pakistan had rejected those elements who wanted to disturb law and order in the country,” he said, adding that the entire nation supported its security forces in the fight against terrorism.
He commended the bravery of security forces for successfully neutralising the attackers during operations in different areas of the province, including Kalat and Harnai, according to the press release.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack in Kalat and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 18 security personnel. He also commended the security forces for eliminating 12 terrorists during the operation. “Terrorists are enemies of Balochistan’s peace and development,” he stated, reaffirming that the fight against terrorism would continue until it is eradicated from the country.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the security operations. In a statement, he said security forces, through a timely and effective response, thwarted the malicious intentions of anti-state elements.
The chief minister paid tribute to martyrs, stating that brave soldiers defended the motherland by sacrificing their lives, and their sacrifices would always be remembered.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Imam Hussain (AS); Perfect example of a free man
Feb 2, 2025
TEHRAN, Feb. 02 (MNA) – Toady coincides with the birth anniversary of the 3rd Imam of Shia, Imam Hussain ibn Ali (AS), who sacrificed all his belongings to keep Islam alive
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The first celebrative Islamic occasion of the glorious month of Shabaan is the birth-anniversary of the 3rd Infallible Imam and the 3rd descendant of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) The second son of Imam Ali (A.S) and Hazrat Fatima Zehra (S.A) enlightened Madina-e-Munawwara a year after the birth of Hazrat Hasan (A.S).
Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain, the two sons of the Holy Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and Hazrat Fatima, were respected and revered as the ‘Leaders of the Youths of Paradise’ as stated by the Holy Prophet.
Imam Hussain (as) was born in the 4th year of the Hijri calendar and elsewhere the year is also mentioned to be the 3rd year of the Hijri calendar. The Messenger of Allah (S) personally performed the religious ceremonies of the blessed newborn child and carried out the rituals.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) named the child ‘Hussain’ just as he had named his brother, ‘Hasan’. Historians state that Arabs were not aware of these names during the period of ignorance till the Prophet named his grandsons. Rather the Holy Prophet (S) gave them these names on the basis of divine revelation.
Later this honorable name became synonymous for one who spread knowledge and faith on the earth and his remembrance enveloped all languages of the world and people became devoted to him. So much so that in their view it became a holy slogan for all the high examples and a slogan for every sacrifice that was based on truth and justice.
Unfortunately, the sweet years of Imam Hussain's childhood were soon over. He was about seven years old when the Prophet departed from this world, after having said his final words about his Ahl al-Bayt. Alas, the Islamic world mourned.
The loss of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Hussain (AS)’s mother on the one hand, and the oppression upon Imam Hussain (PBUH)’s father on the other hand, in addition to the pressures he faced from the government, were bothering Imam Hussain's clean soul. This period coincided with the three caliphates' era.
During this time, Imam Hussain (AS), as a Muslim and a follower, followed the path of Imam Ali (AS) and was determined to defend the truth with any opportunity he received, even though he was in his youth. He would warn people about the alterations made to Islam after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (S). In the best of manners Imam Hussain (AS), his father, and his brother would express their objection to the alterations rulers of their time had made to the religion.
The Messenger of Allah said, "Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain." The last part of the above tradition probably means that Imam Hussain (as), by sacrificing himself and his family, preserved the religion of Prophet Muhammad (S) from full annihilation.
Imam Hussain (as) is a hero and a historical personality. But unlike a historical personality who is forgotten, the struggle of the Imam (as) will never be forgotten. His actions and the events of his martyrdom have a profound impact on society and the behavior and cultural aspects of someone's life. The lessons learned from this episode of bravery are many and they can be applied now as they were applied then. The lessons are aimed not just at Muslims but at every human being and were we to follow his manner society would be a peaceful and happy one.
Just over 50 years of the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Muslim rulership was sliding into corruption under the tyrant Yazid, from the Ummayad family.
Imam Hussain (AS) took a stand against Yazid’s evil rule. Whilst Yazid was feared and hated for his ruthlessness, Imam Hussain was loved and respected by society. Yazid realized this and understood that if he could convince Imam Hussain to support him, the people would too.
Imam Hussain had a choice. To support the tyrant and live a comfortable life full of luxury, or to refuse and likely be killed for his decision. Imam could not live his life as a supporter of tyranny, and the choice for him was simple. Imam Hussain refused. He said, “I only desire to spread good values and prevent evil.”
Having refused to support Yazid, Imam Hussain knew his life was in danger. Yazid did not allow anyone to oppose him and adopted a policy of killing those who disagreed with him. Cautious of this, Imam decided to leave his hometown of Medina, and take his family to Mecca.
Mecca, the capital city of Islam and home to the Ka’ba, Imam Hussain hoped Yazid would respect the holy city. However, Yazid did not. Forced to leave Mecca, Imam Hussain set a course for Kufa. A city in Iraq where he had received letters of support from. Yazid predicted this and sent a huge army to block Imam Hussain from reaching Kufa, and force them to the desert town of Karbala.
Once they reached Karbala, Imam Hussain with his family and 72 companions was surrounded by Yazid’s forces of up to 30,000 men. Despite being hugely outnumbered and with limited access to water, Imam Hussain refused to give up. Yazid gave Hussain a final choice. To either support the government or be killed.
After receiving the final ultimatum from Yazid, Hussain realized he would be killed in a matter of days. Imam gathered his companions and urged them to escape. He explained that it was him who Yazid wished to kill, and not them. Again, Hussain’s selflessness shone through. Having been deprived of water in the hot desert, he urged his supporters to save themselves.
Despite this, Imam Hussain’s men stayed loyal to him and stayed true to their principles. Within a few days, Yazid ordered his army to kill Imam Hussain and his companions. When the dust settled, Imam Hussain and his companions were martyred. Throughout the forces of Yazid promised him he could leave freely if he chose to support Yazid, but every time Imam Hussain refused and was eventually killed, holding firmly to his principles.
One of the ways of marking Imam Hussain's memory and showing respect to him among Shias is to pay a visit (ziyarat) to his holy shrine which is located in Iraq's Karbala.
The greatest and biggest form of ziyarat is held 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain (AS) in Iraq which is known as the Arbaeen Pilgrimage or Arbaeen Walk.
People of all colors, castes, creeds, ethnicities, and beliefs will attend the Arbaeen Pilgrimage. The event is not dedicated only to a limited number of people with certain beliefs. Arbaeen Pilgrimage presents a roadmap for better living for all humankind.
Imam Hussain (AS) brings the international community closer and unites them in a peaceful manner during the Arbaeen Walk. Millions of people from across the globe come to the dry deserts of Iraq, holding their countries' flags in their hands, and walk 50 miles between the cities of Najaf to Karbala to show that Imam Hussain is not a role model only for Muslims or the Shia community.
Source: En.Mehrnews.Com
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The Taliban have no legal right to multibillion dollar Afghan fund, says US watchdog
February 1, 2025
A Taliban fighter stands guard as women wait to receive food rations distributed by a humanitarian aid group in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)
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The watchdog for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan said the Taliban have no legal right to billions of dollars in funding set aside for the country because they are not recognized as its government and are under sanctions.
In its latest report issued Friday, the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, also said President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress may want to examine returning nearly $4 billion earmarked for Afghanistan to the “custody and control” of the U.S. government.
In 2022, the U.S. transferred $3.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets previously frozen in America to the Swiss-based Fund for the Afghan People. The fund has grown to nearly $4 billion since then, according to the inspector general.
“The Taliban want these funds even though they have no legal right to them since they are not recognized by the United States as the government of Afghanistan, are on the U.S. Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, and are under U.S. and U.N. sanctions,” the report said.
Responding to the report Saturday, the Afghan Economy Ministry said more than $9 billion of Afghanistan’s foreign exchange reserves had been frozen and warned that any U.S. action regarding the allocation, use or transfer of these reserves was unacceptable.
The SIGAR report follows Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether projects align with his policy goals.
According to the report, the U.S. has spent nearly $3.71 billion in Afghanistan since withdrawing from the country in 2021. Most of that has gone to U.N. agencies.
U.S. humanitarian assistance may have “staved off famine” in the face of economic collapse, but it has not dissuaded the Taliban from taking Americans hostage, dismantling the rights of women and girls, censoring the media, allowing the country to become a “terrorist safe haven,” and targeting former Afghan government officials, added the watchdog.
“The further the cash gets away from the source, the less transparency there is,” Chris Borgeson, the deputy inspector general for audits and inspections at the watchdog, told The Associated Press last August.
The General Directorate of State-Owned Corporations said an international hotel brand, Serena, had signed an agreement in 2003 with the Tourism Promotion Services Company for Afghanistan. This contract was terminated by the Emirates Hotel Company last December. The hotel had continued its operations as usual since then.
“To further standardize its services, the Emirates Hotels Company has signed an agreement with an international company that has extensive experience in the hospitality industry,” said the directorate on its official X account. “This international company will now manage and operate the Kabul Hotel’s services in a professional and standardized manner.”
Source: Apnews.Com
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https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-us-funding-1cc24e818172c03573a63dfb52375842
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‘We’ve seen their true colours’: Zahid warns against political misuse of Islam, rejects renewed ties with PAS
By Malay Mail
02 Feb 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi performs a symbolic launch at the 13th National-level Al-Quran Waqf Programme Launch Ceremony in conjunction with the Restu International Quranic Arts Festival at the Selangor International Islamic Arts Complex. January 31, 2025. — Bernama pic
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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reportedly warned against the misuse of religious teachings for political gain, saying it threatens Malay-Muslim unity and distorts Islamic principles.
He said certain unnamed groups have been exploiting religious sentiments to push political agendas, misleading the public and creating division among the Malay-Muslim community.
“I fear that those who exploit religion for personal gain will be among the first to enter hell,” he said in an interview with a Buletin TV3 podcast.
“We worked to establish Muafakat Nasional, but in the end, we were showered with filth by our political partners — who are now pretending to make amends.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Settlers Set Mosque Ablaze in Jericho Driven by Trump’s Reverse of Sanctions
February 2, 2025
DayofPal– In the early hours of Sunday morning, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the village of Arab Al-Mleihat, north of Jericho, along with an agricultural tractor in the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers arrived in a vehicle, infiltrated the village, and torched both the mosque and the tractor before making their escape.
Footage from the scene captured the moment flames engulfed the mosque completely. The fire spread rapidly, made worse by the region’s remote location, which hinders the ability of firefighting and civil defense teams to respond swiftly.
The Arab Al-Mleihat community in Al-Ma’arajat has been a frequent target of settler attacks. Residents suffer from ongoing assaults on their properties, theft of their livestock, and destruction of their livelihoods.
For the people of Al-Ma’arajat, this is more than just a struggle—it is an existential battle. Settlers, acting in line with Israeli government policies, continue efforts to force Palestinian communities out of the West Bank, particularly in the Jordan Valley, Masafer Yatta, and Nablus.
This is not the first time settlers have targeted mosques in the West Bank. One of the most recent attacks occurred on December 20, 2024, when settlers burned down the Bir Al-Walidayn Mosque in the village of Marda, near Salfit. Racist slogans, including “Death to Arabs,” were scrawled across its walls.
Though residents managed to contain the fire before it consumed the entire mosque, large portions were already lost to the flames—another act of destruction in a pattern of violence that shows no sign of stopping.
During his first week in office, US President Donald Trump overturned sanctions on over 30 illegal Israeli settlers and groups in the occupied West Bank, sparking tension with Palestinians who fear of ‘more crimes’ by the settlers.
Source: Daysofpalestine.Ps
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Azerbaijani diplomats visit newly opened Ertugrul Gazi Mosque in Silicon Valley
2 February 2025
Diplomats from the Azerbaijani Consulate in Los Angeles have visited the newly opened Ertugrul Gazi Mosque in Silicon Valley, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the diplomatic mission in California.
"We were pleased to visit the newly opened Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. We sincerely thank the Silicon Valley branch of the [Turkish] Dayanat Foundation for its warm welcome and hospitality. We are grateful to the community members for the fruitful discussions," the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los Angeles shared on its social media account.
It should be noted that earlier, Azerbaijani diplomats also commemorated their Turkish colleagues who were victims of ASALA terrorist attacks in California.
Source: Www.Azernews.Az
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https://www.azernews.az/nation/237225.html
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US carries out airstrikes against Islamic State in Somalia
Eric Schmitt
February 2, 2025
Washington: President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Saturday against the Islamic State group in northern Somalia, the first major US military operation overseas since he took office.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the military’s initial assessment was that “multiple operatives” in the remote Golis Mountains in the country’s north were killed in the strikes, and that no civilians were harmed.
The strikes were conducted by Navy and Air Force warplanes, including F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman operating in the Red Sea, three Defence Department officials said.
“This action further degrades ISIS’ ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening US citizens, our partners and innocent civilians,” Hegseth said, using an alternative name for the Islamic State group.
The strikes were more symbolic than substantive, several US military and defence officials said, meant more to burnish Trump’s image as a commander in chief protecting the country from terrorists in the early days of his administration than to neutralise a serious threat.
On Thursday, the military’s Central Command said a US airstrike in north-west Syria had killed a senior operative in Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaida affiliate.
The strikes in Somalia on Saturday were a much larger operation, military officials said, and the fact Trump had to approve them meant that at least one of the operatives was probably a senior leader of the Islamic State group in the African country.
Trump said in a message on social media that the strikes had killed a “senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists he recruited” who were “hiding in caves”.
Somalia, though, is better known as a harbour for al-Shabab, the terrorist group linked to al-Qaida, than for the Islamic State. US intelligence officials estimate that al-Shabab in Somalia has 7000 to 12,000 members and an annual income — including from taxing or extorting civilians — of about $120 million, making it the largest and wealthiest Qaida affiliate in the world.
However, after an army veteran’s Islamic State-inspired attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day and amid fears of a resurgent Islamic State in Syria after the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government, counterterrorism specialists have warned the new administration that it needs to take such threats seriously.
“For Trump, this is important to show a muscular response, especially if he plans to draw down US troop levels from conflict zones,” said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a security consulting firm based in New York.
Trump withdrew about 700 US troops from Somalia in January 2021. President Joe Biden redeployed about 450 after he took office. It is unclear what Trump might do this time. Those troops provide training to Somali forces and do not conduct counterterrorism operations, Pentagon officials said.
The strikes on Saturday also aimed to counter critics who say that rushing active-duty troops to the south-western border to stem the flow of migrants – a top priority for Trump – could jeopardise other military missions.
Hegseth said on Saturday that the United States “stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border-protection” missions.
In May, the military carried out an airstrike against fighters in a remote area south-east of Bosaso, Somalia, and killed three. Some analysts thought the strike had killed a Somali militant believed to be the head of the Islamic State’s worldwide operations. That assessment proved incorrect, counterterrorism officials said.
In January 2023, US Special Operations commandos killed a senior Islamic State leader in an early morning helicopter raid in a remote area of northern Somalia.
The Pentagon identified the leader, one of the terrorist group’s top financial operatives, as Bilal al-Sudani. US officials said that he was operating in Somalia but that his influence extended across Africa, into Europe and even to the Islamic State branch in Afghanistan that carried out the August 2021 bombing at Kabul’s airport that killed 13 US service members.
That raid took place in a remote mountainous cave complex in the Puntland region of northern Somalia, months after US spy networks detected al-Sudani’s hidden headquarters and monitored the location to study his movements.
The commandos scooped up laptop computers and hard drives, cellphones and other information from al-Sudani’s hideout that have provided leads in other counterterrorism operations.
Source: Www.Brisbanetimes.Com
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Those opposing establishment of Sharia panels in South West are ignorant, says ex-minister Shittu
By Umar Audu
February 1, 2025
A former minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, has lambasted the critics of the Independent Sharia panel of arbitration in the South West region.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the establishment of the panel has been met with hostility from different groups in the region, including state governors and traditional rulers.
“What is the sense of two Muslims going to get married in the mosque under Sharia Law, and when they want to divorce, you ask them to go to a Customary Court which may be completely made up of even Christians, animists or people who do not understand the law under which these people got married.
“In Oyo State, there has been a Sharia Panel and in Lagos State for more than 10 years. What crisis has it caused to anybody? Has any Christian or non-Muslims been drafted to a Sharia Court?
“These constitutional religious rights are inherent in you as a human being whether in Ekiti or anywhere, people have a right to determine under which law they manage their affairs.
Source: Dailynigerian.Com
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India
Shia leader from Kashmir supports Tulsi Gabbard's nomination, says it will help normalize ties between India and Pakistan
By Hakeem Irfan Rashid
Feb 01, 2025
Prominent Shia preacher and politician from Kashmir Imran Reza Ansari has said that the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence of the US will be a hopeful step in the right direction and prejudice against her is uncalled for.
Ansari, who heads the J&K Shia Association, said that her appointment will provide an opportunity for progress in the normalization of ties between the two nuclear powers of India and Pakistan.
“With Tulsi Gabbard’s appointment the world could see a departure from unsuccessful US policy…it is heartening to see muslim organizations coming to the defence of hindu organizations that support Tulsi,” said Ansari.
Source: economictimes.com
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This Muslim nation preparing missiles with over 3000 km range, can carry nuclear…, many countries, including India…
By Tahir Qureshi
February 1, 2025
Tehran: Iran has secretly engaged in making nuclear weapons. Iran plans to build a nuclear weapon that can be deployed on missiles that can attack targets at a distance of more than 3000 km. In its report, British media outlet The Sun has identified three sites, based on satellite images, where work on the development of the weapon is going on. Iran’s leaders have claimed that these facilities are being used as part of a space initiative.
Iran is weakened and frightened by the recent defeat of its proxies and the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Due to this, it has now accelerated the development of its nuclear weapons. It is now making dangerous nuclear weapons for solid-fuel missiles with a range of more than 3000 km. This will bring many countries within the range of Iran’s nuclear weapons.
Iran’s possession of this long-range weapon means that large parts of India, Italy, Ukraine, and even Russia could potentially be within Tehran’s reach.
According to The Sun’s report, Iran is developing its nuclear weapon at two sites in Shahrud and Semnan. Initially, it was reported as a rocket space satellite launch site. The third site is Sorkheh Hesar, which is conducting projects related to nuclear energy and underground explosions.
According to the report, Iran’s government establishment is developing nuclear weapons for the solid-fuel Ghaem-100 missile. North Korean missile technology was used in the development of the Ghaem-100 missile. In 2011, when the missile was in very early testing stages, dozens of missile experts were killed at the Modarres military base in Tehran.
As soon as the danger is perceived, there is a restriction on the entry of personnel vehicles at the site. Vehicles must be parked at the checkpoint before people are allowed inside. Meanwhile, Iran has warned the United States and Israel that an attack on its nuclear facilities would be an act of madness. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this week in an interview with Sky News that it would be a very big disaster for the entire region.
Source: Www.India.Com
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“New flight for self-reliant India; to open new doors for development”: Muslim Rashtriya Manch
Feb 1, 2025
The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been hailed by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) as a significant step towards India’s economic development and inclusive empowerment
The plans laid out in this budget take into account the welfare of every section, economic strengthening, and social upliftment. It focuses on relief for the middle class, support for farmers, promotion of young entrepreneurs, and women’s empowerment.
The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has hailed this budget as the new flight for a self-reliant India, and a guide for the country’s economic independence and growth.
National Convener and Media in-charge of MRM, Shahid Sayeed, described this budget as a representation of the aspirations of 140 crore citizens of India.
He said, “This budget is a unique fusion of economic reforms, development, and good governance. From providing relief to taxpayers to investing in the agricultural sector and expanding loan facilities for small businesses, every decision ensures India’s economic strength and prosperity,” as per a statement of a release.
Sayeed further mentioned that the government has promoted Digital India by simplifying the KYC process, making banking and financial services more accessible to the people. He added that this budget would further strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Developed India.”
He said, “This budget announces 10,000 fellowships under the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship Scheme, which will give new direction to research activities in IITs, IISERs, and IISc. Each researcher will receive an annual research grant of Rs two lakh for five years, making India’s scientific and technological innovations globally competitive.”
Prof. Akhtar called this initiative a historic step that will strengthen research in India and enhance the country’s role in global technological leadership.
Under the Digital India mission, every government school and primary health centre will be connected to broadband, making online education more effective. Prof. Akhtar mentioned that reforms in higher education and the promotion of digital education will make India’s youth globally competitive.
The National Convener and In-charge of the Women’s Wing of MRM, Shalini Ali, appreciated the budget, calling it a significant step toward women’s economic independence.
She said, “This budget provides women entrepreneurs with loans up to Rs two crore without any guarantees. This scheme will play a crucial role in making women self-reliant and empowering them economically.”
Shalini Ali also mentioned that the government has announced policy reforms to ensure the safety of women in workplaces, allowing them to contribute to the workforce with greater confidence. Furthermore, improvements have been made in maternity benefits to make them more effective. She said that this approach by the government will provide new opportunities for women in India, enabling them to play a more active role in nation-building.
He said, “The government has increased the loan guarantee cover for small and medium industries from Rs five crore to Rs 10 crore. This will provide easier loans to small and medium entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand their businesses.”
Rizvi also mentioned that loans of up to Rs 20 crore will be provided to startups, offering young entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute to the Self-Reliant India Mission. He described this initiative as strengthening the startup revolution in India, which will create new employment opportunities for millions of young people.
MRM’s National Convener, Majid Talikoti, appreciated the reforms in the healthcare sector. He said, “The customs duty on 36 medicines for cancer and other serious diseases has been abolished, providing relief to patients from expensive treatments. Additionally, the government has announced the establishment of cancer care centres in every district over the next three years, making healthcare more accessible.”
This will increase the number of doctors in the country and make healthcare services more widespread. He said that this budget will bring a revolutionary change in India’s healthcare sector and make medical facilities more affordable for the poor and middle class.
Shahid Sayeed said, “This budget prioritizes employment, investment, and innovation. With reforms in the MSME, education, and healthcare sectors, this budget will make India self-reliant and economically strong.”
Prof. Shahid Akhtar said, “This budget will be revolutionary for MSMEs and the education sector. The expansion of IITs and universities will provide students with a high-quality education.”
Shalini Ali said, “This budget provides a new direction for making women self-reliant. The increase in entrepreneurship and employment opportunities will strengthen their contribution to national development.”
Majid Talikoti said, “This budget will bring historic changes to India’s healthcare sector. Reforms in cancer treatment and medical education will provide better facilities to citizens.”
Budget 2025 has taken historic steps towards making India self-reliant, providing relief to taxpayers, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and the general public.
The Muslim Rashtriya Manch has termed it a balanced and visionary budget that will play a crucial role in making India a global economic powerhouse.
Source: Thenewsmill.Com
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Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice inciting Christians in Manipur, Muslims, Tamils to secede from India: Home ministry tells UAPA Tribunal
1 February, 2025
In a submission made before an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) tribunal on Wednesday (26th January), the Union Home Ministry said that the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) was responsible for inciting Muslim, Tamil, and Christian communities in Manipur to secede from India. The information on the SFJ was included in a background note prepared by the intelligence agencies which was part of the submission of the Union Home Ministry before the tribunal.
In its order passed on 27th January, the tribunal upheld the ban on the SFJ for another 5 years. The SFJ led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was first banned in 2019 for five years. The ban was extended for another five years in July 2024. The note reportedly said that the SFJ planned acts of terror involving threats to Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
“SFJ has been trying to provoke on social media, the Sikh Soldiers of the Indian Army for mutiny by asking them to leave the Indian Army and join SFJ. Pannun had urged Sikh Soldiers to join the SFJ movement and offered ₹5,000 more than the salary given by the Indian government. He also tried to provoke the Sikh soldiers posted in Ladakh not to fight for India against Chinese aggression. Pannun also tried to provoke the Punjab Police officials urging them not to stop farmers going to Jalandhar, Pathankot and Abohar and to stop the Prime Minister from his upcoming rallies,” the Union Home Ministry’s submission said.
“Dividing people on communal lines by provoking minority communities against the other communities has become a major tool for the SFJ to push up its anti-India agenda,” the note reportedly stated. The note further revealed that the SFJ, led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, had been ‘inciting the Christian community in Manipur to raise their voices for a separate country’ and provoking Tamils and Muslims to create a ‘Dravidstan’ and an ‘Urduistan’ respectively.
The government also submitted that the SFJ activists and sympathisers were involved in at least two incidents of railway sabotage that happened in 2023 in Punjab. It revealed that on the directions of Pannun, clips of a track were removed in the Lehra Mahout village in Bhatinda on March 14, 2023. Some days later, around 50 clamps were removed from the railway track near Pathrala Railway Station on his directions. The government said that Pannun asked Pro-Khalistani Elements (PKEs) to “sabotage railway tracks in Punjab to cause derailment or accident of passenger and goods trains, particularly those ferrying migrant labourers to take revenge of recent killings of pro-Khalistani Elements based abroad”
In 2023, the Punjab Police registered a case against the SFJ for issuing death threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Since 2018, at least 122 cases have been registered against the SFJ by different state police forces and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Source: Www.Opindia.Com
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Budget 2025 to open new doors for development–Muslim Rashtriya Manch
by Vidushi Gaur
01-02-2025
"This budget is not just a presentation of figures, but a well-thought-out and solid blueprint for the nation's economic future. The plans laid out in this budget take into account the welfare of every section, economic strengthening, and social upliftment. It focuses on relief for the middle class, support for farmers, promotion of young entrepreneurs, and women’s empowerment."
The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has hailed this budget as the new flight for a self-reliant India, and a guide for the country’s economic independence and growth.
Shahid Sayeed, Media In-charge of MRM, described the budget as a representation of the aspirations of 140 crore citizens of India. He said, "This budget is a unique fusion of economic reforms, development, and good governance. From providing relief to taxpayers to investing in the agricultural sector and expanding loan facilities for small businesses, every decision ensures India’s economic strength and prosperity."
He said, "This budget announces 10,000 fellowships under the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship Scheme, which will give new direction to research activities in IITs, IISERs, and IISc. Each researcher will receive an annual research grant of ₹2 lakh for five years, making India’s scientific and technological innovations globally competitive." Prof. Akhtar called this initiative a historic step that will strengthen research in India and enhance the country’s role in global technological leadership.
Additionally, he described the decision to connect government schools and universities to digital connectivity as revolutionary. Under the Digital India mission, every government school and primary health center will be connected to broadband, making online education more effective. Prof. Akhtar mentioned that reforms in higher education and the promotion of digital education will make India's youth globally competitive.
dr Shalini Ali, In-charge of MPM's Women’s said the budget was a significant step toward women’s economic independence. "It provides women entrepreneurs with loans up to ₹2 crore without any guarantees. This scheme will play a crucial role in making women self-reliant and empowering them economically."
Dr. Shalini Ali appreciated the policy reforms to ensure the safety of women in workplacesidence. She said changes in then maternity benefits etc. willl provide opportunities for women in India."
Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi, MRM National convenor, praised the facilities announced for theo MSMEs and startups. He said, "The government has increased the loan guarantee cover for small and medium industries from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore. This will provide easier loans to small and medium entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand their businesses."
Rizvi also mentioned that loans of up to ₹20 crore will be provided to startups, offering young entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute to the Self-Reliant India Mission. He described this initiative as strengthening the startup revolution in India, which will create new employment opportunities for millions of young people.
Dr. Majid Talikoti, MRM’s National Convener, appreciated the reforms in the healthcare sector. He said, "The customs duty on 36 medicines for cancer and other serious diseases has been abolished, providing relief to patients from expensive treatments. Additionally, the government has announced the establishment of cancer care centers in every district over the next three years, making healthcare more accessible."
Dr. Talikoti said the addition of 1.1 lakh new seats in medical colleges over the next 10 years will make expand the reach of healthcare services. He said that this budget will bring a revolutionary change in India’s healthcare sector and make medical facilities more affordable for the poor and middle class.
Budget 2025 has taken historic steps towards making India self-reliant, providing relief to taxpayers, farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and the general public. The Muslim Rashtriya Manch has termed it a balanced and visionary budget that will play a crucial role in making India a global economic powerhouse.
Source: Www.Awazthevoice.In
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Pakistan
NAB files reference over Bahria Town Karachi land grab
Ishaq Tanoli
February 2, 2025
KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau has filed a reference against former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, senior minister Sharjeel Memon, property tycoon Malik Riaz, and several senior government officials for converting, exchanging, and transferring government land to Bahria Town.
The accountability watchdog alleged that the entire hierarchy of the executive, the revenue board, and the Malir Development Authority (MDA) had conspired to cede valuable public property to an individual for some gains. The NAB investigating officer filed the reference before the administrative judge of accountability courts Karachi and named 33 individuals as accused.
It maintained that the accused in active connivance grabbed 17,671.87 acres under the grab of “adjustment/exchange/consolidation in 2013-14 in sheer violation of law for Bahria Town, causing a colossal loss of over Rs708.08 billion to the national exchequer.
The reference names former Sindh Board of Revenue member Ahmed Baksh Narejo; land utilisation department’s secretaries Saqib Ahmed Soomro and Mohammad Javed Hanif Khan; then MDA director general Mohammad Sohail; Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) directors general Manzoor Qadir and Agha Maqsood Abbas; deputy commissioner (East) Kazi Jan Mohammad; various assistant commissioners; Bahria Town CEO Ahmed Ali Riaz; vice chairman Zain Malik; and others.
As per the reference, the inquiry was started in 2015 after a complaint about usurpation of the government land by Bahria Town for ‘Bahria Town Karachi’ project in Malir, near the M-9 Motorway. The inquiry was subsequently upgraded into an investigation in 2016.
The reference said CM Qaim Ali Shah connived with co-accused by not approving the “Summary for CM” dated Jan 12, 2016, forwarded by the prosecution witness/the-then member Board of Revenue Sindh Mohammad Waseem for cancellation of earlier issued on Dec 26, 2013, by Ahmed Baksh Narejo in violation of MDA Act, 1993.
On the contrary, CM Qaim Ali Shah with mala fide intentions directed the local government department secretary to issue a corrigendum on May 5, 2016. The CM neither had jurisdiction nor was competent to issue such corrigendum, it claimed.
Sharjeel Memon, a senior minister in the incumbent government, was the MDA chairman and local government department minister at the time and he approved “regulation regarding consolidation/adjustment/exchange of private Kabuli survey lands & state land alleged by the board of revenue etc.” in violation of Section 49 of the MDA Act.
It claimed that in the first MDA meeting held on Jan 24, 2014, Mr Memon also approved the adjustment of the government land to Bahria Town while he had also approved the preliminary concept plan of 32 dehs as well as a layout plan of Bahria Town Karachi in violation of law and regulations.
It further said Ahmed Baksh Narejo had issued a notification on Dec 26, 2013, for conducting a physical survey and preparation of the road network and also directed the MDA and revenue authorities to update the record of rights and keep entries in the computerised registers, but no such approval was given in the summary for the CM, it added.
The reference said that Saqib Memon had invoked Section 10(1) of the Colonisation of Government Land Act (COGLA) 1912 and issued an imperative order on Jan 24, 2014, through which 14,617 acres of the government land was allotted/reserved in favour of Bahria Town. It maintained that Javed Hanif had deliberately issued allotment letters on Jan 31, 2015, to the MDA when the possession of allotted government land was already with Bahria Town.
Similarly, it said that Mohammad Sohail had granted approvals for adjustment/exchange/consolidation of 7,220 acres of private Kabuli land with unallotted government land in violation of the laws as well as a restraining order of the apex court issued in 2012.
The reference further said that the then DC East, along with other officials, in connivance with the co-accused had participated in the transfer of government land of over 7,220 acres.
It said then SBCA DG Manzoor Qadir approved Bahria Town’s application titled “issuance of permission for booking Bahria Town Karachi” in violation of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance and Karachi Town Planning Regulations, while Agha Masood failed to take action against the illegal media advertisement of Bahria Town Karachi.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Repatriation of Morocco boat tragedy survivors completes
Waseem Ashraf Butt
February 2, 2025
GUJRAT: The repatriation of at least 22 Pakistani survivors of last month’s boat tragedy has been completed with the arrival of the last batch of eight survivors at Islamabad airport on Saturday.
A senior official of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Gujranwala, told Dawn that some 15 survivors of the Mauritania-Morocco boat tragedy had been brought back during the last couple of days.
FIA Gujranwala Zone Director Abdul Qadir Qamar said all the previous 15 survivors had been allowed to return home after being questioned by the relevant investigation teams. He said survivors of the last repatriation batch might also be allowed to go home after completion of legal formalities and questioning.
On the other hand, the FIA Gujrat circle started registering more cases of human trafficking in the light of questioning and statements by the repatriated survivors. A fresh case was registered against a suspected human trafficker of Mandi Bahauddin.
Official sources said Muhammad Nawaz of Phalia tehsil was arrested in a case under Section 17/22 of Emigration Ordinance-1979 and Section 3/6 of Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act-2018. The suspect allegedly extorted Rs4.9 million from complainant Sohail Abbas of Phalia, district Mandi Bahauddin, promising him to send his brother-in-law Zaigham Abbas to Spain for overseas employment through legal channels.
But later the suspect, with the connivance of other agents, sent him through an illegal channel by sea. However, the ship sank on its way to Spain and the immigrant went missing or died.
At the Sialkot international airport, two suspicious passengers were caught during routine checking of documents and sent to FIA anti-human trafficking cell of Gujrat for legal action.
The FIA immigration authorities examined the passport of Imran Ali of Gujrat, who was travelling to South Africa, but during the scrutiny of his documents it was found that the expiry date of South African visa was tampered with. On interrogation, he disclosed that he approached an agent, Mohsin Tanveer, in Sialkot but the agent tampered with the visa expiry date before returning the passport.
On being interrogated, he disclosed that he has been employed in Sharjah since 2015, where he met an Indian agent, namely Ms Banita, through his uncle Nadeem Sahi who resides in France.
After the deal, she provided the fake Hungarian visa, he told the FIA immigration authorities. Later, he was taken to the anti-human trafficking cell of Gujrat for legal action.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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12 remanded in FIA custody for filing ‘fake’ documents to get US visa in Karachi
February 2, 2025
KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Saturday remanded 12 suspects in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a case pertaining to providing fake educational documents to obtain US visas.
The FIA produced Nisaar Khan, Malik Muhammad Asfand Nisar, Huzaifa Malik, Umar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Syed Wasi Ahmad, Qurat-ul-Ain Fatima, Shahroz Babar, Aqib Afridi, Usama Imtiaz, Abdul Basit and Muhammad Furqan Ahmad before a judicial magistrate (South) and sought their custody for interrogation.
The magistrate handed them over to the investigating officer (IO) on five-day physical remand and directed the IO to produce them at next hearing along with a progress report.
The FIA stated that, based on a complaint from the US Consulate in Karachi, the suspects were intercepted for their involvement in providing fake or forged educational documents to secure US visas.
According to the FIR, an official at the US Consulate had sent a reference to the FIA, stating that the overseas criminal investigations unit at the US Consulate in Karachi had an open investigation against Nisaar Khan, allegedly the head of a delegation and students at the University of Lahore, for providing fraudulent documents and guidance to support the visa applications of eleven purported students from the university.
The FIA added that the suspects were arrested outside the US Consulate in Karachi and were booked under various provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code for forgery, fraud and other offences at the FIA anti-human trafficking circle police station.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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Demonstration in Washington over Parachinar crisis
Anwar Iqbal
February 2, 2025
WASHINGTON: Pakistani-Americans staged a protest outside the Pakistani Embassy on Friday, demanding urgent government action to end the humanitarian crisis in Parachinar.
Organised by United Voice for Parachinar, the protest highlighted the worsening crisis in Kurram, where shortages of food and medical supplies have left residents struggling to survive. The protesters claimed that over 200 children had died due to the lack of medical care.
Speakers warned that Kurram’s location along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border makes the ongoing violence a national security threat, undermining counterterrorism efforts and straining the already limited resources.
They criticised successive governments for taking a firefighting approach, arguing that only a Kurram-specific strategy can address the region’s deep-rooted tribal divisions.
Pakistani-American women also participated, carrying placards demanding the restoration of normalcy in Parachinar and chanting slogans against government inaction.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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PTI asks govt to pay heed to EU warning
Ikram Junaidi
February 2, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Saturday blamed the government for economic and political turmoil, claiming that the ruling coalition was little bothered about the state’s interests but instead merely focused on consolidating its grip on power in total disregard of the global warnings.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram, in a statement, criticised the government for its 300 per cent raise in the parliamentarians’ salaries to shield them from inflation while burdening ordinary citizens through relentless increase in petroleum products and gas prices.
He stated that on the one hand, the government was making tall claims of economic turnaround while on the other, the middle class and the poor were struggling to make ends meet, contradicting the claims of economic recovery.
The PTI spokesperson said that because of disastrous economic policies, the lawmakers were compensated through unprecedented pay hikes at the expense of the poor. He criticised the government for its continued policies, acts, political vendettas against PTI’s leaders and the anti-press freedom controversial constitutional tweaks.
He alleged the government merely wanted to perpetuate its rule through anti-poor policies coupled with the unabated reign of terror despite the EU’s warning about Pakistan’s GSP plus status.
The PTI leader recalled that EU envoy Olof Skoog categorically told the government that military courts should not be used to pursue cases against civilians, besides strongly opposing the controversial amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) to curb press freedom.
He urged the government to immediately halt the “ongoing human rights violations”, as the EU team was scheduled to visit Pakistan in June 2025 for the upcoming GSP plus monitoring mission, claiming that Mr Skoog flatly conveyed to Pakistan that the next round of the scheme solely hinged upon Pakistan’s compliance with the various international obligations. He said that besides the EU, the US and the UK had previously expressed concern over military courts and human rights violations, including the February 8 general elections.
About the PTI founder’s letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the information secretary said that the PTI was pursuing multi-pronged strategies and would use all available options to get justice and steer the country out of the problems.
He hoped that the CJP would take action to address their concerns, including the November 26 crackdown at D-Chowk, to end the current political uncertainty in the country.
The PTI spokesperson said the opposition party rejected PM Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to form a parliamentary committee, deeming it a “mere facade to sweep the issue under the rug, much like the Model Town massacre”.
He said the government was not interested in forming an empowered judicial commission and also lacked the authority to make the dialogue meaningful. He said the PTI would explore all avenues for justice, the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners, and reclaim the mandate.
He said that PTI would raise its voice against the controversial Peca amendments and would stand by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in its efforts to force the government to repeal the law.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1889215/pti-asks-govt-to-pay-heed-to-eu-warning
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Sindh asks Centre to consult it for gas sale
Tahir Siddiqui
February 2, 2025
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has called upon the federal government to not allow the sale of oil and gas extracted from Sindh without the provincial government’s consent.
Mr Shah said this while presiding over a meeting of the Sindh Energy Holding Company Ltd (SEHCL), a subsidiary company of the energy department, on Saturday.
The CM also urged the federal government to include the province’s input in any framework allowing oil and gas exploration and production companies to sell 35 per cent of their stakes to private parties.
The framework should bind the sellers to prioritise the companies in Sindh for the transaction and any sale of gas outside the province shall be subject to the provincial government’s NOC.
The provincial government should be allowed to collect the windfall levy from the sale of gas from third party buyers directly through E&P companies. The producer shall seek approval from the Petroleum Division, federal government, and respective provincial governments for the sale of third-party gas.
CM Shah demanded that Sindh’s long outstanding demand for the sharing of actual data of well-head and production for actual valuation of the provincial share be fulfilled.
He added that the latest production statistics of oil and gas be regularly shared with Sindh and instructed the provincial energy department to effectively pursue the matter of windfall levy payments with the Centre. The energy minister told the CM that SEHCL currently holds working interests in multiple exploration blocks and has invested Rs1.92 billion in exploration since 2014.
“The company anticipates net earnings of Rs113 million in 2025-2026, with additional revenue potential from a recently discovered gas field in Shah Bandar,” he added.
The CM directed the energy department to up the working interest to 10-15pc in highly prospective blocks for a higher revenue share in future discoveries.
The chief minister approved the acquisition of Hidan Block, a designated oil and gas exploration area, located in Dadu, Kambar, and Shahdadkot districts of Sindh.
With an estimated gas reserve of 130-140 BCF, this block presents a lucrative investment opportunity, according to a statement issued by the CM House.
Source: Www.Dawn.Com
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https://www.dawn.com/news/1889218/sindh-asks-centre-to-consult-it-for-gas-sale
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Mideast
Nearly 80% of Gaza's mosques, 3 churches destroyed in Israel's carnage
02-02-2025
Israel has destroyed 79 percent of the mosques in besieged Gaza and completely demolished three churches, the spokesperson for the enclave's Ministry of Endowments told Anadolu Agency.
"The targeting of mosques and places of worship by the occupation forces is a clear violation of all sanctities, international law, and human rights law," he said.
Since Israel launched its genocidal war on October 7, 2023, many of the enclave's historic mosques, temples, and churches have been reduced to rubble.
Churches have also been targeted. Saint Porphyrius Church, the oldest church in Gaza and the third-oldest in the world, suffered damage, as did Holy Family Church.
The Ahli Baptist Church, located within the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital, was also hit. An Israeli strike on the hospital and church on October 17 killed about 500 people.
On January 19, a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel took effect, initially set for 42 days, with negotiations continuing for subsequent phases.
The Israeli genocide caused a massive shortage of basic necessities, including food, water, medicine and electricity, while displacing almost the entire population of the enclave.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Source: Www.trtworld.Com
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Pezeshkian, cabinet members reaffirm dedication to Imam Khomeini’s vision
February 1, 2025
The officials paid tribute to the founder of the Islamic Republic and reaffirmed their dedication to his vision and the ideals of the Revolution.
During the ceremony, President Pezeshkian emphasized the central role of justice, unity, and cohesion in Islam, stating that overcoming divisions and discord remains key to the nation’s success.
Speaking at the event, Pezeshkian reflected on Imam Khomeini’s will, urging Iranians to remember and act upon his teachings. He warned that Iran’s adversaries are actively working to create division, stressing that the continuation of the Revolution depends on fostering hope and resisting despair.
He also condemned efforts to reduce the holy Quran’s role to mere ritual, stating that the holy book is meant to liberate humanity from oppression and tyranny. He reiterated that the holy Quran promotes unity among Muslims and all of humanity, positioning it as a guide for freedom from the rule of oppressors.
Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Imam Khomeini prioritized serving the people, particularly the underprivileged. He warned that enemies seek to divide the nation from its leadership, urging self-reliance and confidence in Iran’s capabilities.
He called for greater focus on education and national development, arguing that Iran is not inferior to Western nations. He also urged officials to remain true to Imam Khomeini’s guidance, particularly his insistence that the government must always serve the people.
Pezeshkian criticized those who constantly complain without offering solutions, recalling that Imam Khomeini urged support for the government rather than mere criticism. At the same time, he acknowledged that problems cannot be solved overnight and require patience and collective effort.
The president stressed that unity, cohesion, and solidarity were the most important lessons from Imam Khomeini’s will. He lamented that many people treat religious texts as literature rather than as a guide for life.
Pezeshkian concluded by reminding the nation that it is the people who have brought Iran to where it stands today. He expressed confidence that through collective effort, national unity, and strong leadership, Iran will overcome its challenges.
Source: Www.Tehrantimes.Com
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Iran challenges US, Israel, tests this anti-warship weapon to…, its name is…
By Joy Pillai
February 2, 2025
Iran has recently tested an anti-ship cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers. This has increased tensions in the United States, as the missile is capable of reaching American Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The cruise missile’s range exceeds 1,000 kilometers. The missile can be prepared and launched by a single crew member in less than five minutes.
As per Iran’s state TV, the missile’s range exceeds 1,000 kms. However, the report did not provide details on the weapon carried by the missile or the timing of the test. General Ali Reza Tangsiri, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Navy, said in the report that the missile’s range exceeds 1,000 kilometers, showing a missile facility on Iran’s southern coast.
This is a Ghadr-380 missile of the mile type L, boasting a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. It features anti-jamming capabilities, as stated by General Ali Reza Tangsiri, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s navy, in a report that highlighted an underground missile facility located on Iran’s southern coast. The report did not provide details regarding the missile’s warhead or the timing of the test.
The report highlighted that the newly developed weapon is an advanced missile capable of being launched from an underground site. It was fired from central Iran towards the Gulf of Oman. Tangsiri noted that this facility is just one component of the Guards’ missile system and implied that the missiles have the potential to severely damage enemy warships.
After the devastating eight-year war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980s, during which both nations targeted urban areas with missiles, Iran initiated the development of its ballistic missile program as a means of deterrence. This move was particularly important given the UN arms embargo that restricts Iran from acquiring advanced weaponry. To safeguard these weapons, including liquid-fueled missiles that require short fueling durations, Iran has constructed underground tunnels.
Source: In.Best-Jobs-Online.Com
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Iran test-fires anti-warship cruise missile with a range of more than 600 miles
February 02, 2025
Iran test-fired an anti-warship cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) capable of reaching U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, state TV reported on Saturday (February 1, 2025).
“This is a Ghadr-380 mile type L. It has over 1,000 kilometers range. It has anti-jamming capability,” said Gen. Ali Reza Tangsiri, the head of the navy of the Revolutionary Guard, in a report that showed an underground missile facility on the southern coast of Iran.
Mr. Tangsiri said the facility is “only one part of the missile systems of the Guard,” adding that the missiles can create “a hell for the enemy’s warships.”
The report said the new weapon was a “sophisticated missile,” without elaborating, which could be launched from the underground facility. The missile was launched from central Iran into the Sea of Oman, it said.
Since 2011 Iran has occasionally announced the inauguration of underground missile facilities along with missile tests. It has boasted of underground facilities across the country as well as along the southern coast near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In 2024 and during Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran launched hundreds of missiles at Israel in two separate barrages in April and October. Israel said it intercepted most of the missiles.
Following Iraq’s bloody 1980s eight-year war against Iran, when both countries fired missiles at cities, Iran developed its ballistic missile program as a deterrent, especially as a U.N. arms embargo prevents it from buying high-tech weapons systems. The underground tunnels help protect those weapons, including liquid-fueled missiles that can only be fueled for short periods of time.
Source: Www.Thehindu.Com
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards unveil underground missile facility for naval warfare
1 February 2025
The naval arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a new underground missile facility on the south coast in footage aired by state television Saturday, two weeks after unveiling an underground naval base.
“Hundreds of cruise missiles capable of countering enemy destroyers’ electronic warfare are stationed in these underground cities,” the station said in its report.
“The systems are being kept hundreds of meters underground and can be operational in a very short time,” it said, without giving an exact location of the base.
The report also unveiled a new model of cruise missile dubbed Ghadr-380 which Tangsiri said had “anti-jamming capabilities” and a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles).
This handout photo provided by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on February 1, 2025, shows IRGC commander-in-chief Major General Hossein Salami (L) alongside navy commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri talking to a reporter during the unveiling of the Qadr-380 naval cruise missile in an undisclosed location in Iran. (SEPAH NEWS / AFP)
Last month, the Guards unveiled an underground naval base for assault boats operating in Iran’s southern waters, which include the Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Screenshot from Iranian state TV video showing a newly built underground naval base, which Iran says is built 500 meters under the Persian Gulf, January 18, 2025. (Screenshot from X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
The drills have included naval maneuvers that saw the unveiling of an advanced reconnaissance ship as well as exercises on safeguarding Iran’s nuclear facilities from attack by Israel or the United States.
During his first term that ended in 2021, Trump pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, withdrawing the United States from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, and reimposing biting sanctions.
Source: Www.Timesofisrael.Com
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U.S., Israel risk catastrophe with any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities: Araghchi
February 1, 2025
Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic during a visit to Qatar, Araghchi made it clear that any assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure would trigger a full-scale regional war, one that neither regional actors nor global powers would wish to see unfold.
“If Iran’s nuclear facilities come under attack, the result will be a widespread war in the region—an irreversible catastrophe,” Araghchi stated on Friday.
The Iranian diplomat expressed skepticism that Washington would support such an operation, saying, “I doubt the Americans will make such a major miscalculation.” However, he made it abundantly clear that Tehran’s response would be swift and decisive in the event of an attack.
Araghchi pointed to previous Iranian retaliatory operations—True Promise I and II—in which Iran successfully targeted Israeli strategic locations deep inside the occupied Palestinian territories with hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles. These strikes, he noted, were conducted with precision after careful deliberation, considering both domestic and regional factors.
Despite concerns over a potential Israeli-American military strike, Araghchi downplayed the effectiveness of such an attack, insisting that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are not limited to physical locations.
“Our nuclear strength lies in the minds and knowledge of our scientists, not just in physical facilities,” he emphasized. “This program cannot be destroyed by airstrikes.”
He also highlighted the highly secure and dispersed nature of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, stating, “Our facilities are not concentrated in one or two locations; they are spread across many sites and are heavily fortified.”
Moreover, he suggested that even sophisticated airstrikes would struggle to penetrate Iran’s advanced defense systems, making a successful attack highly unlikely.
Araghchi also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to a nuclear weapons-free doctrine, reiterating that Tehran has no intention of developing nuclear arms.
“Nuclear weapons have no place in Iran’s military doctrine,” he stated, citing a fatwa (religious decree) by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei that forbids their development, possession, or use.
However, he did acknowledge that Iran possesses the technical capability to build such weapons, but emphasized, “There is no political will to do so.”
“The history of U.S.-Iran relations is riddled with hostility and mistrust,” he said, pointing to Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018 and the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 as key examples of American aggression.
Despite these challenges, Araghchi suggested that Washington *could take concrete steps to restore trust, such as unblocking Iran’s frozen assets worldwide.
Turning to the broader West Asia, Araghchi addressed Israel’s ongoing military actions against Palestinian and Lebanese Resistance groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
He acknowledged the heavy losses suffered by these groups, including the martyrdom of Hezbollah’s former Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and several high-ranking commanders. However, he dismissed the notion that these setbacks would weaken the broader Resistance movement.
“The Resistance is not disappearing, nor is it weakening,” he asserted. “If anything, these events have been valuable experiences, and I am certain they will prove useful in the future.”
Source: Www.Tehrantimes.Com
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Indian jailed in Iran says release likely on February 4
Feb 2, 2025
CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: An engineer from Hingoli in Maharashtra, who had been missing in Iran for nearly two months, is lodged in a Tehran jail, reports Prasad Joshi. He made a WhatsApp call to his wife Thursday, informing her that he was likely to be released next Tuesday and would return to India.
Yogesh Panchal, 33, was imprisoned for clicking photographs in Tehran, said Pravin Jethewad, a family friend and social activist. "He spoke to his wife for around a minute-and-half. He told her there was nothing to worry about, and the jail authorities would likely release him Tuesday. He said he would return with help from the Indian embassy."
"The Iranian authorities were apprehensive about the photographs Yogesh had clicked. The pictures in question were clicked for fun and shared only with family members. We provided WhatsApp messages and the photographs he had sent to his wife as proof," Jethewad said.
Yogesh has an import-export business of dry fruits and apples, as well as an air cooler manufacturing unit. He had gone to Tehran on a tourist visa on Dec 5 and had been unreachable since December 7.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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South Asia
Cash-keen Taliban betting on Afghanistan's mines
Feb 02, 2025
A miner in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan poured water over a block of jade, exposing the green stone that is part of the Taliban authorities' push to capitalise on the country's rich mineral resources.
Touting the return of security, the Taliban government is rushing to court local and foreign investors to exploit the country's underground wealth and secure a crucial revenue stream though experts warn of the risks of cutting corners.
Emeralds, rubies, marble, gold and lithium: the resources buried across Afghanistan's rocky landscape are estimated to be worth a trillion dollars, according to US and UN assessments from 2010 and 2013.
Though decades of war spared these reserves from large-scale exploitation, roughly 200 contracts the majority with local companies worth billions of dollars in total have been signed since the Taliban's 2021 return to power, official figures show.
Many of these contracts focus on mining exploration, a process that can take years and yield little results, while loosely regulated extraction can leave behind environmental scars, experts caution.
The authorities are prioritising resources that could lose value before tackling others, such as lithium, the prices of which may still rise on global markets.
The mines ministry regularly publishes tenders for exploration and extraction projects, sending their embassies lists of available mining projects to invite foreign companies to apply, according to documents reviewed by AFP.
The World Bank says the results are already visible: a 6.9 percent expansion of mining and quarrying drove an industrial sector increase of 2.6 percent in 2023-2024.
But while the government "has auctioned several small mining contracts to meet its cash requirements, many of these contracts have yet to commence operations", it said in a December report.
The Taliban fought a two decade insurgency against the US and NATO-backed Afghan government in Kabul, seizing power in a rapid military campaign in 2021 after foreign forces withdrew.
However, some countries that maintain diplomatic and economic ties with Kabul, such as Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Qatar, have seized the opportunity, with China leading the way.
"The first thing investors say when they meet with us is that the county has been stabilised so now they want to invest," said Afghan, who estimates that 150,000 jobs have been created by the sector since 2021.
Despite improved stability in the mountainous country, there have been sporadic attacks on foreigners claimed by the Islamic State group including a Chinese mine worker killed while travelling in northern Takhar province in January.
The Chinese state-owned company MCC is already operating at the Mes Aynak copper deposit, the world's second-largest, located 40 kilometres from Kabul, under a 2008 contract revived by the Taliban government.
Only 14 mining companies currently active were operating under the previous government, according to the Britain-based Centre for Information Resilience.
Shir Baz Kaminzada, president of the Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines, said some investors disregard international sanctions knowing "they can make money". In countries with strict regulations, "you'll spend billions to start a mine".
"In a place like Afghanistan, where there's very little experience with mining and very few, if any, regulations for mining, that's an advantage to companies coming in," said geophysicist David Chambers, president of a non-profit providing technical assistance in mining activities.
The mines ministry claims to adhere to existing legislation to ensure that the mines are "cleaned" after extraction, without providing further details.
Source: Www.Hindustantimes.Com
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SIGAR: Opium still grown in Afghanistan despite Taliban ban
by Habib Mohammadi
02-02-2025
More than two years after the Taliban’s 2022 ban on narcotics, poppy cultivation levels in Afghanistan remain historically low, but opium continues to be grown, cultivated, and sold in some areas, according to a new report from the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).
Citing the U.S. State Department, the report noted that the Taliban has faced challenges in enforcing its nationwide prohibition on narcotics.
David Mansfield, a counternarcotics expert, reported that Afghanistan’s opium trade remains active due to large reserves of stored opium and a decline in opiate prices.
“The decrease in opium prices highlights the growing market uncertainty around the drug trade in Afghanistan,” Mansfield said, according to the report. “These shifting dynamics are not only a result of the Taliban ban but also of broader geopolitics and its impact on cross-border trade with Pakistan and Iran.”
SIGAR also noted that while Afghanistan has seen a reduction in opium production, the country continues to produce far more methamphetamine than what is seized by authorities downstream.
Taliban have continued to consolidate and regulate Afghanistan’s informal, nonbanking financial sector, which serves approximately 90 percent of the population, SIGAR reported. Taliban have enforced existing financial regulations while increasing requirements for registration, transactions, and reporting.
However, the report stated that it remains unclear how these regulatory efforts are influencing other countries’ willingness to engage in financial transactions with Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has maintained licensing and capital requirements for money service providers (MSPs) and has supported the detention of unlicensed operators, according to the report.
SIGAR also reported that the Taliban-led central bank did not request technical assistance from the U.S. State Department this quarter to implement international best practices for central bank governance.
Additionally, SIGAR noted that DAB has held internal Taliban meetings focused on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. As part of these efforts, the bank renewed a memorandum of understanding with the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior to strengthen coordination on financial crimes, including money laundering.
Source: Amu.tv
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UNHCR expresses concern over deportation of Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi
By Fidel Rahmati
February 2, 2025
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan has expressed concern over the expulsion of Afghan nationals from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The organization is aware of the Pakistani government’s directive that all Afghans holding the ACC card must leave these cities and immediately return to Afghanistan.
In a statement released on Saturday, February 1, the UNHCR confirmed that under the new instructions from the Pakistani government, Afghan nationals with POR cards are also required to relocate from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This comes despite the fact that their residence permits in Pakistan are valid until June 30 of this year.
The UNHCR further stated that Afghans who have been accepted for resettlement in third countries must also adhere to this relocation order. These individuals are required to move out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi by March 31, 2025, according to the decision made by the Pakistani authorities.
The decision to expel Afghan refugees has raised significant concerns, particularly about the safety and security of those affected. Many of the displaced individuals have limited resources and are already vulnerable due to their refugee status. The UNHCR’s call for attention underscores the need for more international support to ensure their rights and welfare are protected during this difficult transition.
The large-scale return of Afghans from Pakistan, especially under such circumstances, may further strain Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure and resources. As more people are forced to return to Afghanistan, international organizations and governments must step up their support to ensure that these returnees have access to basic services, shelter, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Source: Www.Khaama.Com
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Norwegian People’s Aid suspends operations in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
February 2, 2025
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has announced that the U.S. State Department has instructed the organization to immediately halt all activities related to U.S. financial assistance due to an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, February 2, NPA issued a statement saying that, following the directive, their mine clearance activities funded by the U.S. were suspended for an 85-day period. These activities, which were carried out in 12 countries, including Afghanistan, have been put on hold as part of the suspension.
Meanwhile, the organization emphasized that mine clearance is crucial for reducing global poverty, enhancing security, and promoting economic development and stability and NPA hopes that the new U.S. administration will continue to prioritize this essential work and support demining efforts worldwide.
According to the statement, the organization’s mine clearance operations have been suspended not only in Afghanistan but also in 11 other countries, including Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Kosovo, Laos, Palau, Peru, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Yemen.
NPA also expressed their intention to engage in discussions with U.S. authorities and other affected stakeholders to explore ways of resuming their work and continuing their mission to create mine-free communities. They are hopeful that these efforts will lead to a safer, more stable future for the affected regions.
The suspension of U.S. foreign aid under Trump’s policies has led to significant disruptions in humanitarian projects worldwide, including mine clearance operations. Organizations that rely on U.S. funding are now faced with the challenge of either halting essential activities or seeking alternative funding sources. This situation highlights the vulnerability of critical global assistance programs to shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
Despite the setbacks caused by the suspension, organizations like NPA remain hopeful that dialogue with the U.S. government will lead to the resumption of funding for their vital projects. The ongoing efforts to clear mines and provide essential support to conflict-affected regions demonstrate the importance of maintaining consistency in international aid, which is crucial for long-term stability and development.
Source: Www.Khaama.Com
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USAID Website offline after foreign aid suspension
By Fidel Rahmati
February 2, 2025
llowing the suspension of U.S. foreign aid, the website of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) went offline. No official explanation was provided by the agency. This move is linked to the broader context of U.S. foreign aid policies under the Trump administration.
Reuters reported that the Trump administration intends to place USAID under the control of the U.S. State Department. Sources close to the matter suggest that this move is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to consolidate foreign aid programs and align them more closely with foreign policy priorities.
Democrats have expressed concerns over the potential merger of USAID with the State Department. They argue that such a move could undermine the agency’s independence and effectiveness. They also contend that Trump lacks the legal authority to eliminate an independent agency vital to U.S. national security interests.
On the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending U.S. foreign aid for 90 days. This freeze was intended to assess the alignment of foreign aid programs with the “America First” policy. As part of this, the U.S. State Department halted most ongoing aid programs and froze the initiation of new assistance projects.
The suspension of U.S. foreign aid has had significant repercussions for Afghanistan, particularly as over 50 aid organizations have halted their operations. Many of these organizations were providing critical humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, education, and food aid, which has now been disrupted.
Afghanistan, which heavily relies on foreign aid, has seen a considerable decline in the availability of essential services. The cutback in international assistance has exacerbated the country’s economic instability, which already faced challenges due to ongoing conflict and political uncertainty.
The halt of aid has also led to a broader humanitarian crisis, with vulnerable populations in Afghanistan—especially internally displaced people, women, and children—suffering the most. The lack of funding for vital programs has left many without the support they desperately need, making the situation even more dire.
Source: Www.Khaama.Com
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Tripura to raise issue of rebuilding embankment by Bangladesh on border 'zero line' at river panel meet
February 02, 2025
The Tripura government will take up the issue of rebuilding an embankment by the Bangladesh authorities, some portions of which are falling on the 'zero line' along the international border, in the upcoming meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission between the two countries, an official said.
The neighbouring country has been rebuilding the embankment on a massive scale at Alinagar in Moulvibazar district, close to Tripura's Rangauti area, and some portions of the structure are on the 'zero line', triggering widespread resentment among the people in Kailashahar, a border subdivision in Unakoti district of the northeastern state, he said.
The Bangladesh government has also "not taken the consent of the Indian authorities to rebuild the portions of the embankment which are on the zero line", Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Sudhan Debbarma alleged.
"The Bangladesh government has undertaken repair work of the embankment at Alinagar as the structure was badly damaged in the last monsoon. In the course of repairs, they have constructed approximately 200 metres of the 6 km embankment on the zero line as per inputs we have gathered so far. The Bangladesh government did not seek any permission from us which violates the spirit of Joint Rivers Commission guidelines," the chief engineer told PTI.
He said the repair work was stopped following objection from the Indian side and the BSF was asked not to allow any work along the 'zero line' until the matter is resolved amicably.
The 'zero line' falls from the border pillar to 150 yards in the territories of both countries. Normally construction of any structure is not allowed on the 'zero line' but it can be done following mutual agreement.
Mr. Debbarma said, "The State will raise the issue in the meeting of the Joint River Commission scheduled to be held in Kolkata in March." The state government has also submitted a report with satellite images to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking remedial measures after the Water Resources Department's chief engineer along with senior officials visited Kailashahar on January 21 to assess the ground reality.
Congress MLA Birajit Sinha raised the issue of the embankment construction by the Bangladesh government in the recently held state assembly session, claiming that some portions of the embankment are on the 'zero line'.
Mr. Debbarma said the Tripura government has already initiated a process to strengthen four embankments in Kailashahar to save the subdivision from the impending flood.
"At Rangauti (Indian side), repair work on the existing 4.30 km embankment will start soon on a priority basis. The cost of the repair work stands at Rs 4.50 crore," he said.
He also said, "Of the total 4.30 km-long embankment, we need to take concurrence from Bangladesh for approximately 2 km as per JRC guideline as it falls along zero line." However, the repair work of the embankment will start shortly, leaving the 2 km stretch (on zero line), as the estimate for the work is ready, he said.
The Congress on January 25 organised a long march to the international border area in Unakoti district to press demand for the Centre's intervention to stop the rebuilding of the embankment by the Bangladesh authorities on 'zero line' along the boundary.
Mr. Sinha urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah to take immediate steps to stop the reconstruction of the embankment by the Bangladesh authorities.
"This is an international issue. Bangladesh has been constructing an embankment on the zero line flouting the Indira-Mujib pact. In fact, the Bangladesh government has declared a war against India, Tripura and the people of Kailashahar by undertaking reconstruction of the embankment," he alleged.
Source: Www.Thehindu.Com
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External affairs: Despite unease in ties, India to fund development works in Bangladesh
Ajay Banerjee
Feb 02, 2025
Despite the unease in relations with Bangladesh, India will continue to fund development projects in that country. Separately, it will increase budgetary allocation to Maldives after bilateral relations showed a marked improvement in the past six months.
The government has allocated the Ministry of External Affairs a budget of Rs 20,516 crore for the next fiscal starting April 1. Of this, the ‘overseas development partnership’ will get a sum of Rs 6,750 crore – that is 33 per cent of the overall MEA budget. Last year’s allocation for this head was Rs 5,667 crore.
The allocation is in line with foreign policy objectives and expansive development partnership footprint. Within this ‘development partnership’, priority is for the ‘neighbourhood first’ policy and 64 per cent of schemes worth Rs 4,320 crore are earmarked for immediate neighbours -– Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
This will include initiatives ranging from large infrastructure projects like hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges, integrated check-posts to small-scale grassroots-level community development projects as well as training and capacity building programmes.
The allocation for Bangladesh shall remain at Rs 120 crore -– the same as last year. Schemes include establishment of computer and language labs in 509 schools; supply of equipment, courseware and reference books and training for Bangladesh digital service and employment training and fine art faculty building at Jahagirnagar University.
India and Bangladesh are presently locked in a war of words over India erecting a fence along the border in its own territory. Dhaka has sought extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August following continued street protests. New Delhi has not responded, so far.
For Maldives, the allocation has been increased to Rs 600 crore for the next fiscal. In the present fiscal, the programmes in Maldives — after Mohamed Muizzu rode to power on an anti-India plank — were scaled back and allocation was Rs 400 crore, down from Rs 800 crore in the previous fiscal.
In Myanmar, India will continue with the Rakhine State Development Programme (RSDP) that is to build infrastructure, including housing, education, health and agriculture. Two weeks ago, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur had visited Sittwe port in Rakhine to review ongoing operations. Sittwe port, inaugurated in May 2023, has since handled over 150 vessels. However, progress on the road component has been hindered by security challenges in Myanmar.
Source: Www.Tribuneindia.Com
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Southeast Asia
Zahid denies being ‘political mastermind’ in Anwar administration, defends DAP against anti-Malay-Muslim accusations
By Malay Mail
02 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied that he is the “mastermind of political operation” behind strategic decisions in Umno and Putrajaya, saying that the Cabinet works through consensus.
“In Cabinet meetings, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke sits to my right. Over the past 25 months, I have never seen any opposition from DAP towards Islamic and Malay agendas in the Cabinet,” he told a Buletin Utama podcast.
Similarly, he highlighted how Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has never opposed any resolutions presented in the Bumiputera Economic Congress despite being a committee member.
Zahid said he is fairly satisfied with the performance of the Cabinet members, and credited the understanding and compatibility between the coalition parties for the government’s resilience.
The deputy prime minister also called for the public to continue backing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure Malaysia’s political stability and economic growth.
“As the chairman of Barisan Nasional and president of Umno, I firmly believe that this government must be preserved until the next election for the benefit of the rakyat.
He stressed that the government’s primary objective is to improve economic stability, eradicate extreme poverty, and provide better opportunities for Malaysians.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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DBKL Urged To Complete Jalan Melayu Upgrade Before Ramadan -Dr Zaliha
02/02/2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has
been instructed to complete the Jalan Melayu upgrade work before the start
of Ramadan, which begins in early March.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha
Mustafa shared in a Facebook post today that she had personally reviewed
the progress of the upgrade project following Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit.
On Jan 10, the Prime Minister reportedly asked DBKL to go to the field to
inspect the dilapidated business areas around Jalan Masjid India which are
in need of improvement.
Source: Www.Bernama.Com
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MB calls for probe after mosque delivers Friday sermon prepared by Penang Islamic authorities rather than Perak’s
02 Feb 2025
IPOH, Feb 2 — The Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) has been urged to investigate a khatib in Parit Buntar for allegedly delivering a Friday sermon prepared by the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) instead of the one provided by JAIPk.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said that the khatib’s actions indicated something was amiss as he did not deliver the sermon prepared by JAIPk.
“Friday sermons are not prepared on an ad hoc basis. They are written one or two months in advance and are based on significant events (in Islamic history),” he said after attending the MADANI Community Empowerment Programme by the Perak Community Development Department (KEMAS) at the Banquet Hall of Perak Darul Ridzuan Building yesterday.
JAIPk, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page, clarified that the sermon titled “Keburukan Fitnah: Pengajaran Dari Peristiwa Al-Ifki” was prepared based on the historical incident of slander against Aisyah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The department said the sermon delivered yesterday had no connection to any individual and was specifically written to reflect on the Al-Ifki incident, which took place during the month of Syaaban.
Earlier, Perak PAS Ulama Council Committee member Muhammad Rif’aat Razman questioned the selection of the sermon topic, suggesting it appeared to target State PAS Commissioner Razman Zakaria, who is also his father.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Johor says property overhang falling as JS-SEZ boosts demand for service apartments
By Malay Mail
02 Feb 2025
KULAI, Feb 2 – The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has contributed significantly to reducing property overhang in Johor, according to Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
The Johor Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman highlighted that demand for serviced apartments is increasing and is expected to grow further.
Mohd Jafni clarified that 90 per cent of the overhang properties in Johor are serviced apartments priced at RM500,000 and above, while the remaining consist of single-storey and double-storey landed properties.
Last month, Malaysia and Singapore signed an agreement for the JS-SEZ, with a focus on attracting international investments and driving regional growth.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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‘Keluar sekejap’ from Umno? You may as well not return, Zahid tells party renegades
By Malay Mail
02 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reportedly directed his barbs at Umno renegades who temporarily quit the party, saying he is not exactly looking forward to their return.
Although he did not name anyone, the Umno president said that he is currently focusing on strengthening the party — as it has now become “smaller” due to factionalism.
“My goal is to reunite grassroots members. Those who left, please do so for good. Those who ‘keluar sekejap’, it’s fine even if you stay out forever.
Zahid said today that the party has approved former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s application to return to the fold, and considering another application from a Negeri Sembilan leader — which he did not name.
“Keluar Sekejap”, Malay for “briefly out”, is the name of a podcast by former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan after the former was expelled from Umno, while the latter had resigned from the party.
Zahid’s remark now is a U-turn from November last year, when he said Khairy and others who were sacked or suspended from the party were welcome back in the fold so long as they can demonstrate their loyalty.
Zahid said Tajuddin was a clear example of this, adding that the former Pasir Salak MP continued to turn up for party events and campaigns despite being suspended.
Khairy, former Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, and Isham Jalil were among those purged from Umno following the party’s internal election last year.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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With mix of veteran and new leaders, Zahid says confident rejuvenated Umno can recapture seats where BN finished second
02 Feb 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 – A mix of veteran and new leaders is the best formula for rejuvenating Umno, said its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Being young or a veteran is just a matter of age, but what is more important is their mindset and the game-changing ideas they bring,” he told a Buletin TV3 podcast.
He highlighted the launch of the Umno Patriotic School, aimed at identifying and nurturing young leaders from Generations X and Y to ensure structured party succession.
On Barisan Nasional’s (BN) prospects in the next general election, Zahid expressed confidence in recapturing several parliamentary seats classified as “Tier II” — where the pact came in second in the last general election.
“Cooperation and unity exist and are now stronger. I am very confident that if unity is prioritised and becomes the main focus in managing a political organisation like Umno, we can move forward,” he reportedly said.
“In fact, Umno is known for its well-organised election machinery. We do not just conduct courses, but as the saying goes, ‘practice makes perfect,’ especially in efforts to mobilise voters (Go Out To Vote), which can be effectively implemented.”
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Selangor MB: Management of Shah Alam water park called up after visitor injured from falling float from glass water slide
02 Feb 2025
SEKINCHAN, Feb 2 — The Selangor state government will call up the management of a famous theme park in Shah Alam after a visitor was injured by a float that fell from a glass water slide on Wednesday.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the meeting would allow several questions about the safety to be answered before the theme park’s latest attraction is allow to resume operations.
“For now, it isn’t operating, if they can fulfil the specifications set by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and we will review their newest safety aspects in their next application, then it will resume operations,” he said after attending the Selangor level Thaiponggal 2025 festivities here yesterday.
The MBSA had confirmed in a statement yesterday that nine notices were issued against the theme park, three warnings on Nov 14, 2024, and one on Jan 19.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
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Mosque congregation completes first Khatam Al-Quran of the year
February 2, 2025
The Tedarus Al-Quran Subuh congregation of Kampong Sungai Besar Mosque held its first Khatam Al-Quran ceremony of the year on Friday. The ceremony, marking the completion of 30 verses of Al-Quran, began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Ad-Dhuha to Surah An-Nas led by Abdul Rahim bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato
Source: Borneobulletin.Com
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Arab world
Colonists burn mosque west of Jericho in West Bank
February 02, 2025
Colonists set fire to a mosque in the Arab al-Malihat community, west of the city of Jericho in the West Bank.
The general supervisor of the local Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights, Hassan Mleihat, told the Palestinian news agency (Wafa) that a group of colonists poured a flammable substance and set fire to a mosque in the Arab Malihat community, completely destroying the building, and set fire to a nearby agricultural tractor.
This attack comes as colonial outposts spread at the end of Al-Ma'rajat Road, northwest of the city of Jericho, as part of a series of attacks aimed at displacing Palestinians and seizing their homes and properties.
Source: Www.Gulf-Times.Com
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https://www.gulf-times.com/article/699536/region/colonists-burn-mosque-west-of-jericho-in-west-bank
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Syria interim president to head to Saudi Arabia for first foreign visit – state news agency
Arab News
February 02, 2025
DUBAI: Syria’s transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will visit Saudi Arabia on Sunday in his first foreign trip since he assumed power, Syrian state news agency Sana reported.
Last month, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has visited Damascus and said the kingdom was engaged in talks with Europe and the US to help lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria that had decimated its economy.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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KSrelief’s humanitarian and relief efforts continue
Arab News
February 02, 2025
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian and relief efforts continue with the distribution of food, hygiene supplies as well as the provision of emergency transport services.
In in Ma’arrat Misrin of Syria’s Idlib Governorate, KSrelief handed out 672 food boxes and 672 hygiene kits as part of the second phase of the food aid and hygiene kit distribution project for populations affected by the earthquake in 2025.
In Lebanon’s Akkar Governorate and Miniyeh district, the aid agency during the past week distributed 175,000 bags of bread to Syrian and Palestinian refugees as well as residents of host communities. The initiative was part of the fourth phase of Al-Amal Charitable Bakery Project in the country.
In the Battagram and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as well as the Sukkur district in Sindh province of Pakistan, 2,160 food packages were given to families in flood-affected areas as part of the Food Security Support Project 2025
In north Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded ambulance service of Subul Al-Salam Social Association in the Miniyeh district carried out 61 missions during the past week, including transporting patients to and from hospitals and treating burn injuries.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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Saudi ambassador meets member of Mauritius National Assembly
Arab News
February 01, 2025
PORT LOUIS: Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Temyat recently met with Rubna Daureeawo, member of the Mauritius National Assembly, according to a post on the Saudi embassy’s account on X.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as other topics of common interest.
In a separate meeting, Al-Temyat met with Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, speaker of the national assembly, and discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and Mauritius and ways to strengthen them.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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Makkah hosts 10th international military Qur’an contest
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
February 01, 2025
MAKKAH: The 10th International Military Qur’an Memorization Competition launched on Saturday in Makkah, attracting 179 participants from 32 countries.
Organized by the General Administration of Religious Affairs of the Armed Forces under the patronage of Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the event promotes the significance of the Qur’an, encourages its memorization, and highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in serving Islam’s holy book and as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites.
The competition features six categories: full Qur’an memorization; 20-part, 10-part, five-part, and three-part memorization; and a special category for recitation and tajweed (proper pronunciation).
Parallel activities include a Qur’anic forum for religious affairs directors and imams, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s efforts in Qur’an printing, translation, and distribution.
The forum also discusses the Qur’an’s moral values, the Kingdom’s contributions through its ministries, and the impact of tajweed on understanding the Qur’an.
Additionally, the General Administration of Religious Affairs offers training programs for religious affairs personnel across the armed forces, focusing on Qur’anic teaching methods and enhancing the skills of instructors and competition judges.
Maj. Gen. Mesfer Al-Issa, director of the General Administration of Religious Affairs and competition supervisor, described the event as a significant initiative to honor the Qur’an.
In an interview with Arab News, he highlighted the event’s profound impact on participants, especially as it takes place in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Al-Issa said that the Qur’an guides soldiers, shaping their character and values, and encouraging psychological, behavioral, and spiritual stability.
Soldiers grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah are more balanced and resilient, contributing to the development of morally and spiritually strong armed forces, he said.
The 14-day event will include 10 days in Makkah before moving to Madinah for four days, where participants will visit the Prophet’s Mosque and other Islamic landmarks.
Judges, including imams from the Two Holy Mosques and Qur’anic scholars, use an advanced electronic evaluation system called “Insaf” (Fairness) for transparent scoring.
The competition also serves as a platform for military personnel from Islamic nations to promote moderate Islamic values and a proper understanding of the Qur’an through scientific forums.
Al-Issa said that the competition strengthens the Qur’an’s role in Islamic armed forces, supporting efforts to memorize, recite, and reflect on its teachings.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2588647/saudi-arabia
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Eltiqa dazzles Kingdom’s capital with Saudi, Brazilian performance arts
Haifa Alshammari
February 01, 2025
RIYADH: Highlighting the shared artistic heritage of Saudi Arabia and Brazil, Eltiqa once again captured hearts in the Kingdom’s capital this weekend.
Organized by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the event featured Saudi and Brazilian traditional performances and arts at the King Fahd Cultural Center.
“I wanted to see the mix (of cultures) that they have done between Saudi and Brazilian culture,” said Abdulaziz Al-Ansari, one of the visitors at Eltiqa. “It’s honestly amazing. I didn’t even 1 percent imagine it would be this good.”
The event highlighted the harmony between the two countries through five performances from each side and a combined dance performance that merged the traditional arts of Saudi Arabia and Brazil.
Asma Al-Sayyari, a social media influencer and visitor, described the event as “magical.” She added: “What I liked the most was they brought 100 percent Saudi culture, 100 percent Brazilian culture, then they mixed the two very beautifully.”
The cultural center also displayed a collaborative artwork titled “Harmony” by a Saudi artist and a Brazilian artist, as well as 15 cultural events such as movement activities, art pieces, and workshops to connect people and introduce the visual arts of both countries.
Eltiqa is one of many Wrth initiatives that aims to promote global cultural exchange between the Kingdom and other countries, as well as create a platform to link traditional arts locally and internationally.
Through such events, the center hopes to present Saudi Arabia’s traditional arts as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s objective to preserve and enhance cultural heritage.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2588636/saudi-arabia
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Umrah guests laud Saudi efforts to preserve holy sites
Arab News
February 01, 2025
JEDDAH: The third group of guests from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Umrah and Visit, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, visited the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba kiswa.
They toured the facility and learned about the kiswa’s production process and raw materials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The guests also visited the Revelation Exhibition in the Hira Cultural District, where they explored the story of the Qur’an’s revelation.
The group includes 250 Umrah performers from 18 African countries, the SPA reported.
Guests praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to preserve historical sites in Makkah and Madinah, and highlighted projects that recreate the Prophet Muhammad’s journey, enriching visitors’ connections to his life.
They acknowledged development projects enhancing the experience for Umrah performers, pilgrims and visitors, according to the SPA.
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2588629/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden’s Pastoral Visit to the Örebro Parish
Feb 02, 2025
On the morning of Saturday, February 1st, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, accompanied by the V. Rev. Archimandrite Bartholomew Iatridis, Pastor of the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, Rev. Economos Vasilios Khalil, Cleryman of the Patriarchate of Antioch, and Rev. Economos George Arvanitidis, Pastor of the Saints Demetrios and Nestor Parish of Örebro, Sweden, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the newly established parish. During the Divine Liturgy, the hymns were chanted in Greek, Swedish, English, Slavonic and Arabic.
In his sermon, the Hierarch of the Scandinavian Countries commemorated the feast of Saint Tryphon. At the end of the service, he welcomed the attendees, beginning with the visiting co-celebrant Fr. Vasilios, Fr. Bartholomew, the members of the Byzantine Choir of the Saint George Cathedral of Stockholm, directed by Ms. Eliana Antoniou. He also congratulated Fr. George, the Parish Council, and the volunteers of the parish, who later hosted a meal in the adjacent hall.
Source: Orthodoxtimes.Com
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https://orthodoxtimes.com/metropolitan-cleopas-of-swedens-pastoral-visit-to-the-orebro-parish/
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Kyrgyzstan: Repressive New Religion Law In Force – Analysis
By Felix Corley
February 2, 2025
On 21 January, President Sadyr Japarov signed into law two new laws which continue to restrict freedom of religion or belief, the presidential website announced. The new Religion Law continues to ban all unregistered exercise of freedom of religion or belief and makes it impossible for communities with fewer than 500 adult citizen members to gain legal status (up from 200 in the current Law). For the first time it requires places of worship of registered religious organisations to also register and bans sharing faith in public and from door to door. Amendments to the Violations Code sharply increase fines for those who violate provisions of the Religion Law.
The new Religion Law comes into force on 1 February 2025. The Amending Law comes into force 10 days after its official publication date of 24 January. As of 28 January, the texts had not been published on the Justice Ministry’s legal website, even though they are just days away from entering into force (see below).
“This is a real shame,” one religious community leader who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals told Forum 18 on 21 January, the day the President signed the two new Laws (see below).
“The Law is very strict particularly to Muslims,” a religious expert told Forum 18 in January. “The State has chosen one school of thought and has made it the official version of Islam. The authorities want to control all Muslims through this and especially the growing young generation of Muslims” (see below).
“The new Law does not make anything better or easier for us to practice our faith, but makes it more difficult,” a Protestant told Forum 18 in January. “I have stopped believing in any improvements in the laws or in the attitude of the government towards us Christians” (see below).
The Hare Krishna community has stopped holding religious meetings following the signing of the new Laws. “We do not know what to expect now,” a devotee told Forum 18 in January. “We do not want to get into trouble with the authorities” (see below).
In remarks on his Facebook page after signing the Laws, President Japarov claimed the only controversial point was the ban on sharing faith door to door. He insisted that this “has not been regulated in the necessary manner” and added: “Cases have recently increased of the distribution of radical materials and books which propagandise incorrect movements.” He did not identify the movements. After listing banned extremist and terrorist organisations, he then listed 14 communities “whose activities are not banned by a court”. The 14 include Ahmadi Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists, Protestants, Tengriists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. It remains unclear if President Japarov believes they too should be banned (see below).
Deputy Director of the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA), Kanatbek Midin uuly, defended the new Laws. “We respect human rights and especially freedom of religion and freedom of expression,” he insisted to Forum 18. “We have really really done everything so that citizens can exercise these Constitutional rights.” He claimed the new Religion Law makes the compulsory registration of religious organisations simpler. He also denied that only mosques which are part of the state-controlled Muftiate are able to register (see below).
The Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) in Bishkek approved the two new laws in the second and third readings on 26 December 2024. Of those deputies present at the final votes, 76 voted in favour, 0 against and 12 abstained (see below).
One deputy who abstained, Jalolidin Nurbayev, had opposed the proposed ban on those who share faith door to door. “They simply knock on the door, invite to the mosque and call only for the good,” he stated in December 2024. “There is nothing bad in that.” Citing other deficiencies, he called for the proposed Laws to be withdrawn and reworked (see below).
The new Religion Law replaces the 2008 Religion Law and subsequent amendments. The associated new Amending Law in the Area of Religion changes the 2021 Violations Code, the Political Parties Law, the Laws on Elections of and Status of Deputies of Local Keneshes [administrations], and the Law on Status of Deputies of the Zhogorku Kenesh (see below).
The Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, submitted the Kyrgyz and Russian texts of the then draft new Laws to the Zhogorku Kenesh, which registered them on 25 November 2024. The drafts were available on the parliamentary website (see below).
Both drafts were prepared by the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA), the National Security Committee (NSC) secret police, and the Interior Ministry at the regime’s initiative, according to the documentation accompanying the then draft Laws. As of 21 January, the SCRA website does not mention the two new Laws even though they have passed through the Zhogorku Kenesh and been signed by the President (see below).
The regime has long wanted to make laws on freedom of religion or belief harsher. It made public previous draft versions of the two proposed Laws in November 2023 but later withdrew them. New versions, published for public discussion in August 2024, contained many similar provisions from the November 2023 versions that violate Kyrgyzstan’s international human rights commitments (see below).
On 5 September 2024, President Japarov held a meeting of senior officials and members of a few religious organisations (apparently only from the Muftiate) to discuss the draft Religion Law. He encouraged “well-known ulems [Islamic scholars]” to submit their proposals on the draft Law during the public discussion, according to the presidential website. He added that “taking into account the views of all parties”, the agreed text would then be submitted to the Zhogorku Kenesh (see below).
“I am afraid that if these changes are adopted, and if the authorities continue their past strategies, many churches will be closed down,” one Protestant who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals told Forum 18. Other religious communities, who also wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 that neither the SCRA nor other regime officials had informed or consulted them on the proposed new Laws (see below).
The SCRA submitted to the Zhogorku Kenesh justifications for producing the two draft laws along with the texts. The justification for the draft Religion Law claimed among other reasons that the “objective of the draft law” is to “fulfil the international obligations of the Kyrgyz Republic” (see below).
The SCRA has previously prepared multiple drafts of a new Religion Law (most recently in August 2024), all of which would have continued to violate Kyrgyzstan’s legally binding international human rights obligations, and has argued against Kyrgyzstan implementing its human rights obligations. The newly-adopted Religion Law and the Amending Law contains multiple examples of the regime ignoring legally-binding international human rights obligations (see below).
Current Violations Code Article 142 allows the police and the SCRA to issue summary fines for violating the Religion Law. The new Amending Law’s changes to the Violations Code increase the punishable scope of the exercise of freedom of religion or belief, and sharply increase fines (see below).
On 28 October 2024, the Supreme Court restored the three-year jail term for 36-year-old Muslim prisoner of conscience Asadullo Madraimov which a lower court had earlier halved. He has been jailed since October 2023 for criticising the authorities for closing Kara-Suu District’s Al-Sarakhsi Mosque.
Between June and November 2024, police and NSC secret police officers raided Jehovah’s Witness worship meetings in two southern towns, a Hare Krishna meeting and a Protestant conference, handing out many summary fines and three deportation orders.
In autumn 2024, police also raided a party attended by members of a religious community in a member’s home after participants sang religious songs. Police took participants – including children – to the police station for questioning.
The regime has long wanted to make laws on freedom of religion or belief harsher. In 2022, draft Laws were posted for public comments. However, this was then withdrawn for reworking. It made public draft versions of two proposed Laws in November 2023 but later withdrew them.
On 29 August 2024, the regime’s draft legislation website posted the Kyrgyz and Russian texts of two proposed new laws which continued to restrict freedom of religion or belief. A proposed new Religion Law was to replace the 2008 Religion Law and subsequent amendments.
An associated proposed new Amending Law in the Area of Religion was to introduce amendments to the 2021 Violations Code, as well as the Political Parties Law, the Laws on Elections of and Status of Deputies of Local Keneshes [administrations], and the Law on Status of Deputies of the Zhogorku Kenesh.
Various religious communities, who all wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 that neither the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA) nor other regime officials informed or consulted them on the then proposed new Laws. One religious community leader, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, stated that the SCRA and other regime bodies “never consult us, and never ask the opinion of other religious communities which we know”.
The August 2024 justification for the then draft new Religion Law noted that Kamchybek Tashiyev, one of the Deputy Chairs of the Cabinet of Ministers as well as Chair of the National Security Committee (NSC) secret police, had on 5 July 2024 ordered the creation of a working group made up of the SCRA, the NSC secret police and the Interior Ministry “as a result of whose work the draft law is presented”.
Tashiyev – who has headed the NSC secret police since October 2020 – was a driving force behind the attempt to ban the Jehovah’s Witness community. He claimed to the General Prosecutor’s Office in July 2021, without giving evidence, that Jehovah’s Witnesses “at various times and in various countries have been accused of rape, child kidnapping, murder, incitement to murder and suicide, desertion, fraud, theft, racism, extortion, bodily harm, prostitution, etc”.
On 5 September 2024, President Sadyr Japarov held a meeting of senior officials (including NSC secret police chief Tashiyev and senior SCRA officials) and members of Muslim (apparently only Muslim) religious organisations to discuss the draft Religion Law. Japarov encouraged “well-known ulems [Islamic scholars]” to submit their proposals on the draft Law during the public discussion, according to the presidential website. He added that “taking into account the views of all parties”, the agreed text would then be submitted to the Zhogorku Kenesh.
The regime’s draft legislation website said both draft laws were open for public discussion until 28 September 2024. Comments began to appear under both draft Laws on 2 September, and most were critical of specific provisions.
The SCRA claimed that, of the 25 comments it received on the proposed new Religion Law, 6 were taken into consideration. It claimed that the 19 rejected comments had complained about the proposed Laws’ restrictions on freedom of religion or belief without giving specific details of what they objected to.
The Catholic Apostolic Administration had asked that the maximum period of three years for foreign missionaries be abolished or reviewed. SCRA Chair Azamat Yusupov said this had been rejected, as three years is the “optimal” length and it had long been intended to introduce that in the law “with the aim of controlling the number of foreign citizens (missionaries) as well as preventing the mass influx of foreign citizens (missionaries)”.
The Catholic Apostolic Administration had also called for the period of registration to be increased from the then proposed limit of 5 years to 15 years. SCRA Chair Yusupov said this had partially been taken into account by making the registration period 10 years.
SCRA Chair Yusupov claimed in his 25 November 2024 justification for the Law (see below) that the draft Religion Law’s ban on sharing faith door to door “has been agreed with the representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s traditional religious confessions”, which he identified as the regime-controlled Muslim Board (Muftiate) and the Russian Orthodox Church. He said they had “fully supported” the move. The Council of Ulems (Muslim scholars) “has presented a document saying that going door to door is not compulsory in Islam”.
Various smaller religious communities, who all wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 in December 2024 that many registered religious communities had not been consulted about the draft Law.
President Japarov held a further meeting of senior NSC secret police and SCRA officials, as well as Muslim leaders, on 8 November 2024. Japarov told them that the aim of the new Religion Law is “to strengthen the position of the Muftiate [the regime-controlled Muslim Board] and the Council of Ulems [Islamic scholars]” and promote “unity among Muslims”, according to the presidential website. He insisted that Dawah (calling Muslims to faith) was not being banned.
The Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, submitted the Kyrgyz and Russian texts of the then draft new Laws to the Zhogorku Kenesh, which registered them on 25 November 2024. The drafts were available on the parliamentary website.
The various parliamentary committees approved the two draft Laws between 9 and 11 December 2024. In the Law and Order Committee, SCRA Chair Yusupov answered deputies’ questions. Asked whether the Islamic-inspired Yiman Nuru (Light of Faith) Party, which has five deputies, would be allowed to compete in future elections, he said they would not (see below).
A human rights defender, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 on 11 December 2024: “Parliament is discussing the draft Law in secrecy without publishing on its website the details of discussions and their results,” adding that “they seem to be in a rush, and this is alarming.”
Multiple Zhogorku Kenesh deputies and officials involved in the passage of the draft Religion Law and the Amending Law, who Forum 18 contacted between 11 and 13 December 2024, refused to discuss either law.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) “has not received any request from Kyrgyzstan to review either of these draft laws, but we would be willing and able to do so if asked”, Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson, told Forum 18 on 11 December 2024. Similarly, the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission told Forum 18 on 11 December that it had not received a request to review the draft laws.
Source: Www.Eurasiareview.Com
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https://www.eurasiareview.com/02022025-kyrgyzstan-repressive-new-religion-law-in-force-analysis/
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Italy forced to take back migrants as Rome court blocks another expulsion attempt
Feb 1, 2025
Italy has yet again failed in its attempt to expell migrants on Saturday as its naval ship carrying migrants returned from Albania following a decision by a court in Rome.
According to an AFP report, the Italian coast guard ship had taken 49 people from Italy to Asylum processing centers in Albania's capital Tirana on Tuesday. Five of them were returned on the same day- four for being minors, and one for being "vulnerable".
On Friday, an Italian appeals court in Rome refused to approve the speedy expulsion of the 43 asylum-seekers detained in Albania. The fate of one final migrant is not clear.
This is the third such failed attempt by Italy's far-right government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In October and November, judges similarly refused to approve the expulsion of groups of migrants seeking clarity from the European court on which countries were safe for repatriation of people.
Last year, Italy signed a five-year deal to process up to 3,000 migrants per month outside EU borders. The agreement is part of Prime Minister Meloni's plan to curb illegal migration to Italy, which serves as the first entry point for tens of thousands of migrants crossing the central Mediterranean Sea.
The court has referred the case to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg which is expected to rule on February 25 related to the previous cases.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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Davey urges Starmer to start EU customs union talks
Sam Francis
02-02-2025
Sir Keir Starmer should "fire the starting gun" on creating a new UK-EU customs union at a meeting with European leaders in Brussels on Monday, the Liberal Democrats have said.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said such a move was a "no-brainer" for the prime minister, and would put "rocket boosters" on the UK economy and "strengthen our hand" with US President Donald Trump.
But Labour has left open the possibility of joining another bloc, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) convention, as part of efforts to "reset" European relations.
The Lib Dems say the UK should join it as a "first step" to rejoining the UK-EU customs union, which allows tariff-free movement of goods between EU member states - but prevents members striking their own trade deals.
The party's ultimate aim is for the UK to rejoin the European Union - but it has only started campaigning on the issue since the general election.
Downing Street says Sir Keir's meeting with EU leaders on Monday - the first time a British prime minister has been invited to such a gathering since the UK left the EU in 2020 - is focused on defence and security cooperation.
Ahead of an appearance on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sir Ed has written a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for her to commission the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to properly explore the impact a new customs deal with the EU would have on the UK economy.
The forecasts then should be made public as part of the OBR's forecasts due to be published alongside the Spring Statement on 26 March, he wrote.
"But there's a solution right under her nose: a new UK-EU customs union deal that boosts trade for British businesses and raises vital tax revenue for our public services."
On the possibility of the UK joining the arrangement, the prime minister's official spokesman has previously told reporters: "We've always said that we want to look at ways to reduce barriers to trade whilst remaining within our clear red lines.
"Our red line has always been that we will never join our customs union, never re-join the single market, no freedom of movement, but we're just not going to get ahead of those discussions."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of "trying to reopen the divisions of the past and edge us back into the EU", after having "opposed us every step of the way" while the previous Conservative government brought the UK out of the EU.
She challenged Sir Keir to meet five tests that she said would ensure "he doesn't undo Brexit", which include: no "backsliding" on the free movement of people, or the compulsory transfer of asylum seekers, no new payments to the EU, and no reduction in fishing rights.
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Source: Www.Bbc.Com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxz0zjnk4o
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Trump could undo everything the UK learnt from Black Lives Matter
February 02, 2025
The end of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) is nigh. But did it ever really take off to begin with? If you ask its fiercest opponents, the answer to that question would be a resounding “yes”.
In the eyes of the likes of President Donald Trump right down to the average conspiratorial right-wing dupe, DEI is to blame for everything from the tragic deaths of 67 people in the Washington air collision this week, to the failure of commercial banking giants. At a press conference on Thursday, Trump suggested the failure of air traffic controllers to stop a helicopter and aeroplane collliding was linked to “a big push to put diversity into the FAA’s [Federal Aviation Authority] program”.
Trump, of course, like many others who’ve jumped on the “wokeness is ruining society” bandwagon, is cloaking himself in policy announcements that either reference pre-existing legislation or further enshrine widespread conservative attitudes in law.
In under two weeks as president, he’s already declared the historically queerphobic, cisgender-normative United States of America a newly “two-gender” nation and scrapped government DEI initiatives in the shadow of already souring opinion towards them in the public and private sectors. According to 2024 research from the Pew Research Center, increasing numbers of people say the companies they work for spend too much time on improving DEI.
The picture isn’t much different in the UK. A recent Opinium poll of 2,000 Brits suggests 53 per cent of people both agree with Trump’s call for a “colour-blind and merit-based” society and with ending “the government policy of trying to socially engineer ethnicity and gender into every aspect of public and private life”.
That’s not to say the right’s hyperfixation on the imagined harms of making workplaces and society more inclusive isn’t damaging. Clearly, it’s swaying people. For the past five years, following a global explosion of DEI policy announcements after the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, those who subscribe to the belief that these interventions are a threat (to white people) have seized on opportunities to demonise them, even against evidence that diverse and inclusive workplaces lead to higher rates of retention and improved financial outcomes for all.
In the UK, just a year after the widespread introduction of anti-discrimination measures in the workplace in 2020, the then-Conservative Government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities reported its results. These echoed the so-called “colour-blind” position Trump has taken since, stating that “the best and fairest way to address disparities” in the workplace “is to make improvements that will benefit everyone, targeting interventions based on need, not ethnicity.” In other words, the recent amplification of anti-DEI views just reflects what’s been happening since the very moment these policies were announced.
In fact, social progression has always historically been followed by backlash. A recent paper in the Current Opinion in Psychology Journal by Seval Gündemir, Rouven Kanitz, Floor Rink, Inga J. Hoever and Michael L. Slepian for example, states: “Research indicates that unfavourable reactions to DEI policies are related to negative stereotypes and prejudice toward minoritised groups, to ethnocentrism, hierarchy-legitimising ideologies, heteronormativity, and to religious intolerance.”
An unprecedented rollback of rights this may not be, but it does give those keen to introduce discriminatory policies – or to ignore duties towards improving inclusion in the workplace – a green light to further fail marginalised groups. Not that this is remotely a surprise to those of us at a higher risk of facing discrimination in the workplace.
Amid the rise of, in some cases, performative DEI announcements, I encountered countless conversations in marginalised communities about a widespread lack of faith in employers’ dedication to permanently transforming workplace culture.
It’s in part why, since the work-from-home revolution, so many people of colour are keen on remote roles. Let’s not forget that a mere two years after 2020, 120,000 people left their jobs because of racism.
Unfortunately, the appetite for rolling back social progress – and amplifying extremist conspiracy theories – only seems to be growing. Will the backlash against DEI impact the UK workforce in the same ways that it appears to be impacting America’s? As much as I hope not, I have a feeling this is only the beginning. We had a good run, I suppose.
Source: Inews.Co.Uk
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North America
‘I got so tired that I was ready to give up’ — recovery fatigue in pornography addiction recovery
By Jacob Hess
Feb 1, 2025
When he first started to get pornography out of his life, Sam describes a recovery motivation that would come more naturally. Even after a setback, he would say, “It’s OK, I’ve got all these ideas. I’m going to do some things differently…”
But as time passed and he continued to struggle, this husband and father found it harder to maintain the same resolve — with less energy to bounce back and to “pick myself up and get going with ‘hey this is the game plan.’”
“I just started to lose that steam and patience with the process,” he says, recalling feeling confused: “I’ve been doing this for years, but I’m still relapsing every few months.”
“That’s when my progress started to fizzle,” Sam says, recalling a weakening commitment to boundaries, alongside growing complacency towards recovery “dailies” (scripture, prayer, physical exercise). “Eventually, I started to go backward to more relapses.”
The experience of burnout has received increasing attention ever since stress became a fixture of medical research in the 1980’s — with key lifestyle adjustments now encouraged for certain professions with especially high rates of burnout (health care, education, social work), and for caregivers of those facing chronic illness at home. In recent years, more attention has also gone to burnout and fatigue often experienced by those on a path of healing and recovery from various conditions - including those seeking lasting freedom from compulsive-addictive patterns.
“When I started the 12 steps, I thought the 12 steps meant 12 weeks,” Sam says, chuckling at how much longer he’s drawn strength from the 12 steps-based Addiction Recovery Program sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“How long is this going to take? Is it ever going to be over? Am I going to be doing this the rest of my life?” Vinny reflects about his own recovery, as well as stories he often hears from others.
The real-life effects from pornography addiction can be so “massive” says therapist Mark Chamberlain, “that it really would be nice if it could be tidied up and people get beyond it and soar free of it, instead of needing to be approached so regularly.”
After three decades of supporting people with this issue, Chamberlain has authored several books on the topic, including “Willpower is Not Enough” with Dean Byrd (1995), “Wanting More: Challenge of Enjoyment in the Age of Addiction” (2000) and “Love You, Hate the Porn” with Geoff Steurer (2011).
It’s not uncommon for someone in recovery to feel significant pressure. “I kept feeling like my life was on the precipice,” Sam says — describing how his marriage, church membership and even his life felt like they were on the line. “I can’t relapse again … the next relapse is the end of things.”
“The expectation that it should be gone and cured (soon)” can sometimes “set up someone for recovery fatigue,” says therapist Jeff Ford, describing how frequently distressed people tell him, “I tried that already. I tried going to see my church leader. I tried the 12-steps. I tried therapy. I tried being open with people.”
“Patience is not a skill that many addicts have ever developed,” Vinny reflects — suggesting that people will experience less recovery fatigue as they embrace an “understanding that recovery takes time, usually much longer than we ever thought.”
Conversely, he says men and women often give up on recovery because they “couldn’t wait for change. They wanted it right now, in their way, on their terms.” When an approach doesn’t work so well, Ford agrees, it’s easy for some to conclude, “it’s all a big lie” — even turning away from the possibility of recovery at all.
“I was either going to overcome this addiction, or I was going to leave the church,” Travis shares about his own recovery process — who, like Sam, Vinny and others interviewed for the story, requested anonymity because of the stigma that sexual compulsivity often still carries, even for those who have found more lasting freedom.
Part of what lengthens the healing process, Sam suggests, is how long it can take for someone to admit they have a significant problem — describing how he spent years thinking, “I just have a bad habit.”
“It wasn’t until later that I realized that the word addiction applied to what I was struggling with. And then it was years before that really sunk in.”
Part of the varied recovery time arises from variation in problem severity, observes therapist Lili De Hoyos Anderson. “Recovery timeframes are all over the place,” she says, pointing to the fact that exposure happens at early ages for some and much later for others.
Even after facing the significance of what he was experiencing, Sam points out, “it’s still a negotiation for most people about what’s the minimum effort, amount of money and time to be able to recover.”
“Half measures avail nothing,” cautions the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Big Book. Yet many people, Sam says, keep “going along hoping whatever they’re doing is sufficient, until consequences keep getting worse” - which can press them to feel more willing and open to change as the “pain of the problem becomes more than the pain of the solution.”
When Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) started, many assumed that life had to fall apart to the point of “rock bottom” before people could find recovery. But it’s now widely known that many find recovery “without their whole life falling apart,” Sam explains - not requiring divorce or job loss, just the threat of them.
Instead of waiting to be forced to change by extreme pain, many make adjustments that make a preventive difference. “Experiencing burnout in recovery can be a warning that you need to do things differently,” writes Cheryl Cirelli for a substance abuse recovery facility in Pennsylvania.
For instance, “if your mentality is exclusively focused on stopping and resisting a behavior, that creates such a mental workload,” Vinny says about his own experience.
Chamberlain describes clients who “feel weary battling their thoughts” — pointing to research that shows what a “limiting coping strategy” it is to mostly be “fighting and fleeing something.”
It’s easy for people on the path of recovery to become hypervigilant and fearful about the world — anticipating triggers are around every corner. “By comparison, this counselor points to what UCLA psychologist Shelly Taylor calls “tending and befriending” thoughts.
Instead of “sucking energy out,” this more gentle approach increases energy, Chamberlain says, in what he calls a “stewardship over thoughts, feelings and sexual energy inside,” involving a compassionate, wise approach to evolving internal experience, “even as we decide how to respond to it.”
The pressure of mounting consequences led Sam to add more and more things to his recovery. “I relapse, and it’s like ‘oh, I need to do this more, and that more.’”
“It feels like there’s so many things I need to change and work on,” Sam admits, “I could come up with probably 30 things to work on, maybe more.” Yet focused on only a few changes at a time, he says, “well, I’m still causing problems with all these other areas. So, it almost feels like my life is falling apart faster than I can fix the plethora of problems.”
This has pushed Sam to consider deeper solutions. “I have to realize this is bigger than me, and this is bigger than I can handle” — prompting him to explore spiritual facets of healing. “If God changes my heart, it could be that a lot of those 30 things improve automatically as part of the process. And I don’t need to focus on them or target them individually, because there’s kind of a cascade effect.”
Instead of just doing everything that others say helps them in recovery, this man also describes more of a focus on learning “what God says is best for me” and being taught “what things I should focus on that are going to be the most helpful for me.”
“When it comes to real, lasting change there are no ‘quick fixes,’” Vinny says — emphasizing the importance of “being willing to be patient and keep moving down your own personal path of change for as long as it takes.”
“A fall does not negate all of the progress that went before it,” is a common recovery teaching. “The truth is we will fall,” Chris Raleigh says about his own recovery experience, before emphasizing the spiritual dimensions that make a difference for many who find lasting healing. But God is there “lovingly, lifting us up and helping us back on that path to grab hold and to go a few more steps forward.”
“There’s no well, sorry you reach your quota, your limit is up,” he says. This kind of love and power available from God, Ford says, is “available infinitely” — rather than something that is “one and done.”
Chamberlain highlights the lesser-known fact that a surge of dopamine happens not only when people give in to urges - but also when they resist them or make a new resolution to do better. “The drama of getting burned out, succumbing, and getting back on band-wagon …there’s dopamine hits to each of those extremes,” he says — pointing out that ups and downs of recovery itself can become “an addictive thing.”
“You can see why people cycle like that for years, maybe even for decades — because it feels so good to make a resolution to do better and it feels so good to give in after you’ve been white-knuckling for awhile,” Chamberlain says. And since “it feels so bad to give in, it feels so good to then make a new resolve.”
“You can see why people have a hard time breaking this cycle.” This seasoned therapist raises caution when he sees someone really motivated and energetic, declaring ”I’m really going to kick it this time.” Chamberlain tells them, “slow down, this might be a part of your cycle” — warning them that “the rocket will come back to earth and the excitement of your withdrawal won’t carry you anymore.”
Over time, Chamberlain says that people should “be shrinking the footprint of the problem,” which is “the amount of time, energy and focus it consumes from you.”
“One of the benefits of recovery,” he says, is that “you’re able to focus on other things — tapping into a broader array of ways to spend your time and energy.”
Progress has come, Sam says, the more he says, “guess what, I am a smart, hard-working guy, but I just tried everything I could and I’m still not where I need to be.” He adds, “obviously my resources are insufficient - this addiction is just too big of a monster to fight on my own.”
“If I didn’t have this challenge in life,” Sam adds, “I would definitely struggle more with pride and thinking that my intellect and will was pretty awesome” — reflecting that he may have even stepped away from the faith.
What he’s learned from the struggle, he says, “yokes me to the Savior basically, where I can’t make it through life by myself with this challenge.”
“We are no longer running the show” the AA ”Big Book” says — a modest attitude the authors describe as protective against burnout: “We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.”
“Doing it alone is a guaranteed strategy for stress and anxiety,” they continue. “The greatest enemies” of addicts, author David Hurst elaborates, “are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear. They’re all negative emotions that will sap our energy.”
“It takes longer for some people to start to turn life over to God more,” Sam says. “For me, it’s taken a lot of time to drain the ego” — until he ultimately concluded, “Okay God, you win — let’s do it your way. Tell me what to do and how to do it. I’ll focus on one day at a time.”
People ask me all the time, “Do you really think people can change?” says Anderson. “And my answer is always the same: Of course, people can change.”
Yet it’s important to underscore the fatigue and exhaustion partners can feel too, in a complex emotional experience that can involve betrayal, anger and sorrow. Anderson, who runs a podcast, “Choosing Glory,” focused on faith-based applications to challenges in family and marriage, speaks about how confusing it can be for a partner to tell whether change is really happening.
“Am I just being a fool for waiting — stupid for hoping my partner is making progress?” she was asked by a female client once. In response, Anderson researched five criteria that differentiate between someone making genuine progress in recovery:
“The highs get higher, the lows get higher, the highs last longer, the lows are shorter in duration, and the highs and lows are closer together” (meaning, a high and low day start to be more similar than not — with dips far less severe).
This discouraged spouse was surprised and heartened to realize her husband was experiencing “all five of those things” - shifting her perspective towards more hope and excitement.
Chamberlain is optimistic, including about those who have given up now. “I have been amazed at how many people who go down a path of not caring … start to care again,” Chamberlain says. “Their better angels kind of wake up and they just are like, ‘I really don’t want to accommodate porn in my lifestyle.’”
Psychologist Mark Chamberlain poses for a photo in his Draper office on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, next to a Brian Kershisnik painting. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Purchase Image
To those still struggling to break free, Chamberlain recommends that people treat such a moment as an opportunity to “recognize what they’re doing that isn’t working … without abandoning the overall effort, as though the whole effort is doomed” — something Steve Hayes, the creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy calls “creative hopelessness.”
Even when “people go through another cycle of indulgence,” Chamberlain says, “they’ll get fed up by the indulging soon enough as well,” because he says, a life of regular porn use “really sucks genuinely to the core” — pointing to the emotional emptiness and fatigue so many come to feel.
Source: Www.Deseret.Com
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https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/02/01/recovery-fatigue-with-pornography-addiction/
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Background: World Day for Consecrated Life
February 01, 2025
February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is also the 29th World Day for Consecrated Life, a commemoration instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997.
In the first place, it answers the intimate need to praise the Lord more solemnly and to thank him for the great gift of consecrated life, which enriches and gladdens the Christian community by the multiplicity of its charisms and by the edifying fruits of so many lives totally given to the cause of the Kingdom …
The third reason regards consecrated persons directly. They are invited to celebrate together solemnly the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them, to discover by a more illumined faith the rays of divine beauty spread by the Spirit in their way of life, and to acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and in the world. Immersed in a world which is often agitated and distracted, taken up sometimes by the press of responsibilities, consecrated persons also will be helped by the celebration of this annual World Day to return to the sources of their vocation, to take stock of their own lives, to confirm the commitment of their own consecration.
The World Day for Consecrated Life takes place on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, St. John Paul explained, because “the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent icon of the total offering of one’s life for all those who are called to show forth in the Church and in the world, by means of the evangelical counsels the characteristic features of Jesus—the chaste, poor and obedient one.”
Source: Www.Catholicculture.Org
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https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=64653
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US launches air strikes against Islamic State targets in Somalia
02/02/2025
The government of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region said Sunday that US military strikes in the Golis mountains had killed "key figures" in the Islamic State group.
US President Donald Trump announced the air strike late Saturday, posting on the Truth Social platform that he had ordered "precision military air strikes on the senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists" in Somalia.
" .. I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia," Trump said on Truth Social.
"This action further degrades ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening US citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians and sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies."
In an interview with the Washington Post on 31 January, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had said that "The United States is supporting us in intelligence gathering, logistical support, aerial support, surveillance and sometimes even preempting certain attacks of al-Shabab on our forces. However, adding that "there are no American soldiers fighting on the ground."
Mohamud was briefed on the strikes on Saturday night, according to the president's office, which added the attack "reinforces the strong security partnership" between the two nations.
Source: Www.Rfi.Fr
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Transgender best actress Oscar nominee apologizes for old tweets criticizing George Floyd, Islam
By Alexander Hall
February 1, 2025
Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Oscar, apologized and ditched X after multiple controversial tweets were resurfaced.
Gascón, who is currently a contender for the Academy Award for "Best Actress" after starring in the movie "Emilia Pérez," faced backlash for old social media posts about Islam and George Floyd.
In one 2020 post that was reportedly viewed and translated from Spanish by Variety magazine, Gascón shared a photo of a Muslim family in a restaurant, and wrote, "Islam is marvelous, without any machismo. Women are respected, and when they are so respected they are left with a little squared hole on their faces for their eyes to be visible and their mouths, but only if she behaves. Although they dress this way for their own enjoyment. How DEEPLY DISGUSTING OF HUMANITY."
This was not the only post from the performer criticizing Islam, however, as Gascón also proposed in 2020, "Until we ban religions that go against European values and violate human rights, such as Islam, under the protection of freedom of worship, we will not end part of the huge problem we face."
The performer slammed other religions by name, writing in a 2021 post, "I am so sick of so much of this sh--, of islam, of christianity, of catholicism and of all the f---ing beliefs of morons that violate human rights."
In a post from 2020, shortly after the death of George Floyd, the performer wrote, "I really think that very few people ever cared about George Floyd, a drug addict swindler, but his death has served to once again demonstrate that there are people who still consider black people to be monkeys Without rights and consider policemen to be assassins. They’re all wrong."
The Academy Awards nominee had also criticized the Oscars in 2021, "More and more the #Oscars are looking like a ceremony for independent and protest films, I didn’t know if I was watching an Afro-Korean festival, a Black Lives Matter demonstration or the 8M. Apart from that, an ugly, ugly gala."
Since then, Gascón appears to have ditched the X platform and apologized for the controversial statements, telling The Hollywood Reporter in Spanish, "I’m sorry, but I can no longer allow this campaign of hate and misinformation to affect neither my family nor me anymore, so at their request I am closing my account on X."
"I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt," Gascón said in a statement provided by Netflix. "As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness."
Source: Www.Foxnews.Com
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‘We need to protect Americans’: Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
Feb 2, 2025
US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on three of the United States’ largest trading partners, Canada, Mexico, and China, citing an "extraordinary threat" from "illegal aliens" and drug trafficking.
The White House confirmed that imports from Canada and Mexico will face a 25% tariff, with a lower 10% levy on Canadian energy resources. Additionally, an extra 10% duty will be imposed on Chinese goods, which already face various trade restrictions.
Trump made the announcement on his account on social media platform Truth Social and wrote, "Today, I have implemented a 25% Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it."
The White House stated that these tariffs are intended to hold all three nations "accountable" for halting illegal migration and curbing the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl.
According to The New York Times, the tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday, with no exemption process for businesses. Notably, the executive orders contain a retaliation clause that will automatically increase US tariffs if any of the affected nations impose countermeasures.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed a "purposeful, forceful" response, while Ontario premier Doug Ford warned that "the impact of these tariffs will be felt almost immediately," potentially leading to job losses and economic slowdowns.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured the public that Mexico is "prepared for any scenario" and has met with business leaders to discuss possible responses.
Industry analysts predict significant disruptions to supply chains, particularly in the automotive, energy, and food industries. As per S&P Global Mobility, about 70% of light vehicles manufactured in Canada and Mexico are destined for the US, meaning tariffs will likely increase production costs, potentially leading to higher prices for American consumers. Additionally, experts warn that tariffs on Canadian oil could lead to higher energy costs, particularly in the US Midwest, where refineries process large amounts of Canadian crude.
Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY, predicts the tariffs will cause inflation to rise by 0.7 percentage points in the first quarter of the year before stabilising. The New York Times reports that analysts estimate American households could see an annual cost increase of up to $3,342 due to the tariffs.
Despite these warnings, Trump defended his decision, writing on social media, "We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all." His administration argues that tariffs will strengthen American industries and reduce dependence on foreign manufacturing.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/117846281.cms
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'We reject White House’s slander': Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum orders retaliatory tariffs against US
Feb 2, 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Sunday that she had directed her economy minister to introduce tariff and non-tariff measures in response to new US tariffs on Mexican goods.This comes after US President Donald Trump signed an order imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The decision has raised concerns about inflation and business disruptions across North America. Both Mexico and Canada have indicated they will respond with countermeasures.
Sheinbaum stated in a post on X that Mexico aims for cooperation and dialogue rather than conflict with the US government. Mexico president also called Trump's claim of cartel alliance 'slander'.
"We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” Sheinbaum wrote.
“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population,” she said.
Sheinbaum highlighted her government’s efforts since she took office in October, including the seizure of 20 million doses of fentanyl and the detention of over 10,000 individuals linked to drug trafficking.
The tariffs have created uncertainty in trade relations between the US, Mexico, and Canada, the three largest economies in North America.
Source: Timesofindia.Com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/117847850.cms
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Africa
Somalia airstrike: Trump says Biden wasn't 'quick enough' to order military action against Islamic State operatives
Feb 02, 2025
Somalia airstrike: US President Donald Trump said he ordered airstrikes on members of the Islamic State terror group, including a senior attack planner, in Africa's Somalia on Saturday. The strikes mark the first overseas operation by the military since Trump returned to power.
“This morning, I ordered precision military air strikes on the senior ISIS attack planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia,” Trump said in a post on X.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that “multiple operatives” were killed as per an initial assessment carried out by the US, and no civilians were harmed. The strikes were carried out in the Golis Mountains area, he said.
“(It) sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies, even as we conduct robust border protection and many other operations under President Trump’s leadership,” Hegseth said in a statement.
Trump said the attackers, who were “hiding in caves”, threatened the US and its allies in the region. “The strikes destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians,” he added.
The US president alleged that his predecessor, Joe Biden, delayed action against the targeted individuals in the strikes. “Our military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!,” Trump added.
Source: Www.Hindustantimes.Com
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Idolatry, polygamy, not biblical – C&S leader Alao
by Adeola Ogunlade
February 2, 2025
At the recently concluded Annual General Conference of the C&S Unification Church of Nigeria, held at LOC, Lekki, Lagos, His Most Eminence Prophet Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao shared his thoughts on the significance of the conference, efforts to foster unity within the church, and his stance on idolatry, polygamy, and other national issues. In this interview, he addresses misconceptions about the church’s structure, religious governance, and the role of faith in leadership, ADEOLA OGUNLADE was there.
Can you clarify your statement in which you said that your goal is to see C&S becoming a one-indivisible church with one constituent operating on one certificate and one constitution? Does it mean there is a crisis in C&S?
Every church in Nigeria is expected to have a registration certificate, which affirms its legitimacy. Each year, churches are also required to file annual returns, which cost about N36,000 per church. Considering that we have over 1,000 churches, the cumulative cost is quite substantial. However, if we were to operate under one certificate and constitution, it would significantly reduce administrative costs. This is part of our efforts to unify the church and streamline our operations.
I can’t do the calculations because I’m not good at mathematics. But you know what I mean by 36,000 multiplied by 1,000, what that is? Why can’t we save that? That’s what I mean. So, we desire to operate under one constitution, under one law and one leadership.
We are not in crisis. Now, our faith is stronger and stronger. At our Annual General Conference, we had delegates from outside the Nigerian community. We had members from different parts of the world, including Arabs. Hence, I want to state here that we are not in crisis, but I want to foster unity among ourselves.
Our ultimate goal is to see C & S Unification Church of Nigeria becoming one indivisible virile church with the constituent churches operating on only one certificate and one constitution under one leadership. With all the efforts made so far, we are now having zero tolerance for idolatry and fetish practices. The days of exposing Aladura priests to the stomach infrastructure are numbered. C&S is no longer a Nigeria-based church, having been operating outside–Europe, the Americas, Canada and many countries in Africa.
Faith should unite, not divide us. In the past, leaders from different faiths—like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe—coexisted and worked together for national progress. However, today, religion is sometimes manipulated for political gains. I was satisfied when a Muslim-Muslim presidential candidate came up in 2023. I supported the move, and the reason is that fact it is not about religion but having men of goodwill and impeccable character that will change the course of Nigeria.
We need nationalists and not religious bigots who will serve the country and bring meaningful change. Nigerians want development and that is what matters in governance. Tough legislation should be put in place to deal with politicians employing religious bigotry, tribalism and ethnicity to advance their selfish interests.
Tafawa Balewa was a Muslim and Nnamdi Azikwe was a Christian, but religion never divided them. And we have customary courts, to deal with issues that relate to our customs. Those people who introduced Sharia, and said that anybody stealing goats should have their hands cut off, these same people stole millions, and billions of naira, and they are still going around with their two hands. What do you say about that? It was just a clever device to use religion to gain political power. And we don’t want that. There is no reason why we are not content with the customary court to deal with and advance our customs.
The Bible does not encourage polygamy. Economically and morally, it is not practical in today’s world. While our forefathers may have practised polygamy due to ignorance or cultural norms, times have changed. Even in Islam, the Quran permits multiple wives only if a man can love them equally, which is nearly impossible. So, in C&S, we do not encourage polygamy. The new generation knows that you don’t need to teach anybody not to have more than one wife. The economy now dictates that one wife is enough. However, in those days people had seven, and ten children. The economy now decides that one is enough. So, time will kill those practices. Economically, it is not sensible. Biblical, it is not sensible. You may say all the five three names mentioned in the Bible have more than one wife. And you know what they went through.
One of the greatest achievements is unifying the church under one structure. In the past, various factions engaged in practices that disturbed public peace, such as excessive use of candles and loud gatherings. Even the known Apoti-Eri is no longer fashionable today as some people claim that it is an idol.
The church had, in the recent past, been inundated with reports and complaints of some people involved in unchristian practices by the adoption of the Ark of Covenant, otherwise called Apoti Eri. The church rejects in its totality the practise and use of Apoti Eri among its members. Let me say this categorically that our church is a church of the 21st century and we have to live with the times. I tell you that Apoti Eri is completely abhorred in the church and we urge our members not to associate with anyone involved in it.
One of our greatest milestones is our commitment and thrives for evangelism. Winning souls for God and preparing them for heaven is our greatest commitment today. We are spending and doing all we can to tell the world about Jesus, the savior of the world. We are also making our impact in the educational sector and entrepreneurship so that our people can be gainfully engaged in productive ventures.
Today, we are more structured, and our congregations operate with discipline. Our goal is to have one church with one constitution, eliminating unnecessary financial and administrative burdens.
This is a major issue that troubles my mind every day. We have a deluge of young minds that are unemployed. We recognize that unemployment is a national issue, and we are taking proactive steps. I always advise young people to not only pursue academic degrees but also acquire vocational and technical skills. To this end, we are working on establishing a university where graduates will be equipped with practical skills to start their businesses rather than seeking jobs. I say with all sense of honesty that none of our graduates in our university will look for jobs, but they will all be job creators. We are also going to give them start-up grants, if need be, to make their vision come through. We want our youths to be self-reliant, and this university will play a crucial role in achieving that vision.
I want to advocate for a return to the foundational principles established by Nigeria’s founding fathers—Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa), and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. These visionary leaders championed the country’s geopolitical structure, which consists of six zones designed to ensure balanced representation and prevent any single region from dominating governance. Revisiting their governance structures and leadership philosophies would help strengthen national unity, foster regional cooperation, and create a more equitable distribution of power and resources. Additionally, this approach could reduce recurrent expenditure, allowing for greater investment in infrastructure development. By embracing the original vision of balanced regional governance, Nigeria can promote sustainable growth and national cohesion.
Our ultimate vision is unity—one church, one constitution, and one guiding principle. We are preparing our members for this transition through conferences and discussions. The upcoming centenary celebration is a significant milestone, and we hope to use it to further solidify our structure. With unity, faith, and dedication, we will continue to make progress.
Source: Thenationonlineng.Net
Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://thenationonlineng.net/idolatry-polygamy-not-biblical-cs-leader-alao/
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Gov Mutfwang dismisses claims of loudspeaker ban in mosques
By Kabeer Bello
February 2, 2025
The Plateau State government has debunked rumors circulating that it plans to ban the use of loudspeakers in mosques across the state.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang denied the allegation during a press briefing, clarifying government’s position on the rumors. He explained that those spreading the rumors were attempting to create unrest and sow division between the Muslim community and the state government.
Mutfwang further stated, “The national law gives every resident of Plateau the right to practice their religion freely, and our government is committed to upholding this law.”
The state government also announced that it has set up a committee to track down those spreading the rumors and will hand them over to security agencies for prosecution.
Source: Dailypost.Ng
Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/02/02/gov-mutfwang-dismisses-claims-of-loudspeaker-ban-in-mosques/
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My comment on Wale Oke misconstrued -Idahosa
by Adeola Ogunlade
February 2, 2025
The Church of God Mission International (CGMi) has strongly condemned a report published by a national newspaper.
The report falsely attributed comments to Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, alleging that she expressed disappointment in the leadership of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) President, Bishop Wale Oke.
In a statement issued by CGMi’s Director of Administration, Ekiyor T. H., the church clarified that the claims were categorically untrue and a deliberate misrepresentation of Archbishop Idahosa’s remarks.
According to CGMi, Archbishop Idahosa had only engaged in a lighthearted conversation with Bishop Wale Oke during Bishop David Oyedepo’s birthday celebration last year. The banter, which revolved around Bishop Oke not being as present in her life as her son, was misconstrued and falsely framed as criticism of his tenure at PFN.
“At no point did Archbishop Idahosa make any statement about Bishop Wale Oke’s leadership of PFN, as the report insinuated in its misleading report,” the statement clarified.
The church reaffirmed its commitment to unity and integrity within the Christian faith and expressed unwavering support for PFN and its leadership, including Bishop Wale Oke, whom it acknowledged for his remarkable contributions to the Fellowship and the work of God.
CGMi further demanded a retraction and public apology from the news medium, condemning what it described as a pattern of false reporting aimed at defaming the church.
The statement urged the public to exercise caution in believing unverified reports, emphasizing CGMi’s dedication to serving God with transparency, humility, and love.
Source: Thenationonlineng.Net
Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://thenationonlineng.net/my-comment-on-wale-oke-misconstrued-idahosa/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/kashmiri-pandits-muslims-committee-mir-waiz/d/134503